Chapter 7
"Now tell us again how this happened?" Kate demanded. Amelia had just returned to her dormitory to get showered and dressed before meeting Oliver for lunch.
"Well, last night I had to do rounds with Cedric and he reminded me that Oliver is a very loyal bloke," she explained. "When I got back, he and the twins were fighting and I separated them. Then, I stormed into Oliver's dormitory and we talked and made up."
"So, you're back together now?" Charity asked.
"Yes," Amelia answered. "I fell asleep in his bed last night and the twins woke us up this morning. After we threw them out, we stayed in bed, talking more. He's got a try out for a few professional quidditch teams, but he promised me that we'll find a way to work around next year."
"And he asked you to Hogsmeade next weekend?" Kate continued.
"Yeah," Amelia admitted. "Now, I'm going to shower and get changed. I promised Oliver I'd meet him for lunch." Amelia took her time getting ready but was excited to see Oliver waiting for her in the common room when she finally met him. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
"No, love, and it was worth the wait," Oliver promised. "Shall we go eat?" She nodded and followed him out of the portrait hole and through the Castle. Amelia earned more than a few stares when people started noticing that she and Oliver were holding hands and then sat together.
"Ignore them, love," Oliver suggested. "They're just jealous."
"Got a mighty big head, don't we, Oliver?" she teased.
"The blokes are jealous of me," he prodded. "Since I'm lucky enough to be sat with the prettiest witch in the castle."
"Well played," she joked.
After eating, Oliver and Amelia went for another walk around the castle. They ended up at the Quidditch pitch and Oliver let them into his office there. He shut the door behind them and before she could ask what they were doing, he crushed his lips to hers. He moved them further into his office, never breaking the kiss until they landed on the sofa. Again, his hand went under her shirt, caressing the soft skin on her stomach. She felt butterflies in her stomach and got very nervous when Oliver's hand started moving up her side to cup her breast again.
She flipped them over, causing them to fall off the sofa. "I'm sorry," she said, "but I thought I told you last night, or rather earlier today, that I'm not ready to go that far yet." She got up and straightened her shirt before leaving Oliver on the floor of his office. He followed quickly after her.
"Ames, wait up!" he hollered.
"What is it, Oliver?" she asked.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have felt you up."
"Thank you," she replied. "And we're still going back to the commons so you won't try it again."
"Fair enough."
The pair returned to the common room in Gryffindor tower and spent time visiting friends until Amelia announced that she was going to bed. "Good night, Oliver," she said, kissing his cheek.
"Sleep well, princess," he replied, kissing her head.
Amelia climbed the stairs into her dormitory and changed into her pajamas. She climbed into bed and feigned sleep when her roommates returned. Again, Amelia puzzled over what to do with Oliver. Part of her really enjoyed having his hands all over her, but another part, the intellectual part, wanted him to hold off and was annoyed when he tried the same thing that he had been scolded for the night before. She got out of bed early and sat in the window, watching the snow fall. When she finally had enough, she got dressed and went for a run.
She finished her run and went to eat breakfast before changing. She found Oliver at the Gryffindor table. "Early run?" he asked as she plopped down next to him.
"Yeah," she replied. "It was a stupid idea because now I'm knackered."
"You went to bed fairly early," he accused. "Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine," she said with a smile. "I mean it; I'm not just blowing smoke up your arse." Oliver laughed at her candor, but handed her some toast and let her lean against his shoulder while she ate. After breakfast, Oliver insisted on giving Amelia a piggy-back ride back to Gryffindor tower. Then he suggested that she go and have a nap.
The week flew by and when Amelia had rounds again with Cedric on Thursday night, he noticed how happy she seemed, and he commented on it. "You seem happier than you have in weeks," Cedric said. "What has made you smile like that?"
"I listened to what you said last week and I got back together with Wood," Amelia answered.
"I'm glad to hear it," he said. "Does he know we're doing rounds?"
"He does, and when I explained that it was because of our conversation that I got back with him, he agreed that it wasn't a bad thing, us working together."
"Fantastic," Cedric said, with a laugh. "I'm glad he approves of you doing your job."
"Yes, well, Percy also threatened to make sure the twins miss their next game if he gave me a hard time about it," she joked. "Oliver was certain that Percy was committing treason."
"I probably would, too," Cedric replied. "That's just not right, threatening the Quidditch team like that and for no good reason."
"I know," she said, wryly. "Well, Ced, it's been fun, but I'm going to get back to my commons. I'll see you later."
"Cheers, Ames," Cedric said, with a wave.
Oliver was waiting in the common room when Amelia returned; she took the seat next to him on the sofa. "How were rounds?" he asked.
"They were fine, Oliver," Amelia replied. "Cedric is a very nice person and I'm fairly certain he's more into you than he is into me."
"WHAT?!" Oliver nearly screeched.
"Shh!" she ordered. "You'll wake the dead. I just think from the way Cedric talks about you that he has a small crush on you. He knows you're not gay so he won't do or say anything. Also, I'm just assuming he's gay."
"It would make a small amount of sense," Oliver said, thoughtfully. "Alright, I trust you, even if I don't trust him fully. I'm glad he's kind to you and that you get along."
"He's much better than having to do rounds with Warrington or Flint," Amelia reminded him. "They wouldn't care whether we're together or not. They'd just try to grab my arse."
"And then I would have to hex them into oblivion and I would probably be banned from Quidditch," Oliver added. "So, it's better you're with Cedric. At least he can keep his hands to himself."
"I knew you'd see it my way," she teased. "Now, it's rather late and we do have classes tomorrow. I'm going to bed. Good night."
"Sleep tight, love," Oliver said, kissing her cheek.
Saturday dawned lovely. Oliver had arranged with Amelia to have breakfast together before heading into the village, so he was waiting for her in the common room when she came down the stairs, wearing the scarf and hat set Oliver had given her for Christmas. They ate and wandered down to the village. After spending several hours visiting their favorite spots, they returned to the warmth of the castle. "There's going to be a party tonight," Oliver said.
"I know," Amelia answered. "And I was wondering if we could venture to your room after and I could stay there again."
"I wouldn't mind that at all," Oliver promised.
The party started not long after dinner and was still going when Oliver and Amelia snuck into his dormitory. They checked that no one else was there and quickly went to Oliver's bed, closing the curtains. Oliver cast a silencing charm so that no one would interrupt them. Then, he kissed her, deeply. She returned the kiss with fervor. Again, they paused so that they could remove their sweaters. Oliver paused before returning to kissing her. She was expecting that he would kiss her on the mouth, but he laid soft kisses on her neck and throat. His hand played with the hem of her shirt and, again, placed his hand on her bare stomach. He didn't move his hand until Amelia reached down, rather unexpectedly, and moved it up to cup her breast.
"Are you sure?" Oliver asked. She nodded and he left his hand on her breast, squeezing it through the fabric of her bra. She paused again and let Oliver remove her t-shirt. He kissed her again on the neck, but then moved to the chest. When she didn't stop him, he kept kissing at her breasts and stomach.
Next, Amelia tugged Oliver's shirt over his head and kissed him on the neck and chest. Oliver stopped her and said, "Love, I really enjoy what you're doing but if we don't stop I may not be able to."
Amelia considered this for a moment and took a position next to Oliver. "I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry about, Ames," Oliver promised. He retrieved his shirt and handed it to her.
"Thanks," she whispered.
"Have you ever," Oliver started, blushing heavily. Amelia didn't need him to finish his question before she shook her head.
"Have you?" she asked, suddenly very nervous.
"No," he answered. Amelia was shocked; she had expected that he had slept with more than a few girls. "Several girls have offered, some have even tried, but I haven't done it with any of them."
"Didn't you want to?" Amelia said.
"Yes and no," he said. "I wanted to do it, but not with any of those that have offered, unless you're offering." He added the last part smirking and raising his eyebrows. Amelia laughed and hit him with a pillow. "I'll take that as a no," he joked.
"Maybe someday, but not just now," she said, with a chuckle.
"I can wait," he said, seriously. "Are you knackered?"
"Not entirely," she answered. "I think I have a lot of adrenalin at the moment. Are the others back?" Oliver stuck his head out of the curtains on his bed and noticed that the others in his dormitory appeared to have returned, so he answered affirmatively.
"What do you want to do?" he asked.
"Want to sneak out of here?" she suggested. He nodded and she returned his shirt to him, pulling her own back on, and her sweater. Then, they tiptoed out of the dormitory and back to the common room, which was deserted.
"Where to now?" he asked. She looked at her watch; it was past midnight so touring the grounds would be a bad idea.
"Why don't we just hang out on the sofa?" she offered. They curled up in front of the fire and spent several hours chatting. Amelia, finally, got to explain football to Oliver and he agreed to try it. "You're a fair keeper," she said. "You could guard the goal while I take shots at you."
"There's only 1 goal?" he asked.
"Yes, and only 1 ball," she answered. "But, I've got a wicked kick; it's unpredictable, like me." Oliver yawned loudly, so Amelia asked, "Are you knackered?"
"A bit," he confessed. "Should we go to bed now?"
"I'm very comfortable here," she said, snuggling further into his embrace.
"We could sleep here, but there will be noises and questions in a few hours when people start getting up for breakfast," Oliver teased. "So, our options are either go to my dorm, or go to our own rooms and sleep alone."
"Let's sneak back into your dormitory," she suggested. Oliver led Amelia up the stairs as quietly as possible, having her stand on the stairway while he ensured that no one else was awake. Once he was sure, he led Amelia into the dormitory and back to his bed. They snuggled in and went to sleep, being awakened in the morning by Fred Weasley poking Oliver in the back.
"Oy! Mate! You'd best wake up," Fred warned.
"Why?" Oliver groaned.
"McGonagall's on her way," George replied.
"And?" Oliver mumbled.
"And you've got a girl in your bed," Fred answered, bluntly. "She'll be none too pleased if she finds you lot like this." Oliver opened an eye to find himself tangled with Amelia. Their clothes were askew and her hair was messy.
Oliver started to shake her, but she mumbled, "I'm awake and I'll get up in a second. You lot just have to leave before I get out of bed."
George and Fred thought it would be funny to try to pull her out of bed, but Oliver intervened and threatened to punch them both; they took the threat seriously and let Amelia get out of bed on her own.
The following weekend, Gryffindor met Ravenclaw in their second match of the year. It was a good match and, in the end, Gryffindor came out victorious. Oliver was beside himself with glee, especially since he had several good saves during the game. He met with the team before hitting the showers. He was about to return to the Castle for the victory party that was sure to be thrown in the common room when he found Amelia in the locker rooms. "Bloody hell, woman, you scared me," he accused.
"Sorry," she cheeked. "I just wanted to congratulate you on a fantastic game." She put her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.
"I suppose I'll get over being shocked," he said when they broke apart. "Are we going to the party?"
"In a minute," she promised. "I just wanted a few minutes alone before you get set upon by admirers."
"Well, there are fans to consider," he joked, pompously. "But, I'm willing to sacrifice for a minute alone with you." He kept his hands on her waist, while her arms were around his neck. "So, are we going to snog in here or what?"
"We could, or we could go and have some cocktails at the party," she suggested.
"I'd prefer the snogging for a bit," he replied. He bent down and kissed her again. This time, he lifted her off the ground and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He steered them through the changing rooms to his office and shut the door with his foot. They ended up on the sofa snogging heatedly for a long while before Oliver stopped himself.
"We," he said, kissing her forehead. "Have got." He kissed her nose. "To stop." He finished, kissing her mouth one last time. "If we don't, we may go further than you're comfortable with."
"I've been giving that some thought," she said, blushing.
"No need to blush, princess," he said, interrupting.
"Perhaps I'm comfortable going a bit farther than I thought," she suggested.
"If you're not sure, you're not entirely comfortable with it," Oliver said. "I can wait until you're sure. I promise."
"Thanks," she said, "for caring enough to stop me."
"I love you, Amelia," Oliver said, seriously. "That's not going to change. Now, let's get to the common room before they send out a search party for us." She agreed and they returned to the victory party, receiving knowing looks from Fred and George, and several other people.