Chapter 10

Amelia slept fitfully after Oliver left, having too much adrenaline to really sleep; Oliver had a similar problem. They each got up early and went for separate runs. When Amelia returned, her mother was waiting. "What are your plans for today?" she asked.

"Oliver may come by to meet you and Dad before the dinner on Friday with his parents," Amelia answered.

"When did you plan that?" Camilla demanded.

"I wrote him back last night and suggested that he stop by to meet you," Amelia replied, trying to sound innocent. "I really like him, Mum."

"Just like?"

"Okay, so I really love him," Amelia said. "He's kind and brave and smarter than anyone knows. And he's an athlete."

Camilla perked up at the idea that Oliver was an athlete, but was still not entirely thrilled in Amelia's plans for the day. "I had rather hoped that we could spend the day together," she scolded.

"I'm sorry, Mum," Amelia replied.

"I'll want to join you and Oliver for lunch," Camilla insisted. Amelia knew that there would be no getting out of it, so she simply nodded and left to shower.

Amelia took great care to choose something cute to wear, but she didn't want to seem too eager, especially with her mother tagging along for lunch. So, she dove into her closet and found a light blue sundress that she pulled out and donned.

Oliver arrived while Amelia was dressing. Her mother knocked on her door and said, "You've got a visitor. And he's very anxious to see you."

"Thanks, Mum," Amelia replied. She went down the stairs to see Oliver being interrogated by her father and her brothers; he looked terribly frightened and she tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle a laugh.

"Dad, leave him alone," she scolded from the stairs. "And you, get over here." Oliver smiled at her and moved to the stairway. She jumped the last step and flew into his arms. He set her down gently, not wanting to inflame her father or brothers by kissing her in their presence.

"Took you long enough, but it was worth the wait, love," Oliver teased.

"What do you mean? Mum just told me you were here," she replied.

"I've been here for 10 minutes," he said.

"I'm sorry. Have they been terrible?" she asked, nodding her head towards her brothers and father.

"No," he promised. "They love you; that's all. And they are protective of you."

Camilla cleared her throat from behind Amelia. "Mum, this is Oliver," Amelia said. "Oliver, this is my Mum."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Clark," Oliver said, giving his best smile. Camilla was acting as though she was angry, but truthfully, she was thrilled that Amelia finally had a boyfriend.

"It's nice to meet you, too, Oliver," Camilla replied, coolly. "Where will we be going?"

Oliver looked puzzled, so Amelia explained, "Mum is going to take us for lunch." She decided it would be better to make her mother pay than to try to help Oliver figure out muggle money. Camilla was annoyed, but didn't contradict Amelia, especially in front of Oliver.

"That's very sweet, Mrs. Clark, but please, allow me to treat you and Amelia to lunch," Oliver suggested. Immediately, Camilla started planning the wedding in her head. She was truly touched at Oliver's offer to pay. So, Amelia suggested that they go into town to her favorite Indian restaurant to eat.

Oliver was confused by the menu, having never eaten Indian food before, so Amelia helped him order. "So, Oliver, what are your plans now that you've graduated?" Camilla asked.

"I've been recruited for a professional quidditch team, Mrs. Clark," Oliver replied. "I'm the new reserve keeper for Puddlemere United."

"Are they a good team?"

"They're ranked 2nd in the league," Oliver answered.

"That's brilliant!" Amelia exclaimed. "I'm so proud of you. Have you told anyone else yet?"

"Not yet," Oliver said. "The contract just arrived this morning before I came here."

"How did you get here? I didn't notice a car," Camilla interjected.

"I apparated," Oliver replied. "I've been licensed since I turned 17 last year."

Camilla was going to ask for a further explanation, but the waiter arrived with their food. The conversation was tabled for a bit while they ate. Once they had eaten, Oliver paid the bill and they took a walk through the city. During the walk, Oliver explained apparating to Camilla, and she was highly nervous. "Mum, please don't worry," Amelia begged. "I've been taking lessons all year and I'm actually good at it."

"Is she good at it, Oliver?" Camilla asked.

"I wasn't part of those lessons, Mrs. Clark, but Amelia is a gifted witch," he answered, diplomatically. "And I've heard from several people that she was the first in her class able to complete the task successfully."

"Thanks," Amelia said, meekly. They had arrived back at Amelia's house and she turned to her mother, "Mum, could I please go and spend some time with Oliver alone?"

"Be back by tea tonight," Camilla ordered. Amelia smiled broadly and promised to return on time.

"Now where are we going to go?" Oliver asked.

"I have the perfect spot in mind," Amelia promised. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes," he replied.

"Good," she said. "Follow me."

Amelia led Oliver around the block and through some neighboring property until they came upon a tree house. "Whose tree is that?" Oliver asked.

"It's ours," Amelia replied. "Mum and Dad never come to this part of the property and this was my tree house when I was a child."

"And why are we here?" He was teasing her and she knew it.

"So I can do this," she said. Then, she leapt into his arms and kissed him fully. When they broke apart, she smirked at him and said, "Fancy coming into my tree house?"

Oliver smirked and climbed up behind her. Once inside the tree house, Amelia made sure to close the curtains and the door. Oliver was astounded; Amelia had set up blankets and a few candles in the tree house. She kissed him softly, but he broke apart. "How did you set this up?" he asked.

"The house has been here for years," she explained. "I snuck out early this morning with the blankets and pillows. Is something wrong with it?"

"No, it's fantastic," he promised. He kissed her with need and longing. He ran his fingers through her hair. He paused for a moment to ask, "What time do you have to be home?"

"I have a few hours," she promised. "I need to be home by 5:00."

Oliver smirked and returned to kissing Amelia. She tugged on his shirt and pulled it over his head. His left hand was traveling up her thigh while his right hand was behind her head. Oliver took his time, teasing Amelia for what seemed to her like hours but was only minutes. "Are we going to do it or not?" she finally snapped.

"Patience, love," he teased. "I'm rather enjoying making you squirm at the moment."

"Oliver, I swear to Merlin, if you don't quit teasing, you're not getting into my pants."

"Thanks for the warning, love, but I don't think I should get into your pants today," he said. "We could still cause trouble if I cast the charms since you're still underage and we're not at school."

"Fine," she huffed. She sat up and stared at the floor.

"You know it's not because I don't want to, right?" he asked. She didn't answer; she simply continued to stare. "Ames, come on. I don't want us to get into trouble, particularly from your parents and I sort of made a promise to my dad."

"What promise did you make?" she asked.

"That I wouldn't shag you today," he answered. "I didn't make any promises about the rest of the summer, but for today, no shagging."

"Why would you have to make that promise to your Dad?"

"Because he knows," Oliver confessed. "I didn't tell him, but he figured it out."

Amelia suddenly became very nervous. "Is he going to say anything to anyone?" She was nervous that he would tell her parents.

"Of course not," Oliver replied. "He figured it out when I got home and asked me about it. I didn't really answer, but he knew. He hasn't told my Mum, so there is no reason to think he would tell anyone else or say anything to you to embarrass you."

"What about to my parents?" she asked, nervously.

"He won't say anything to them, since he knows how much I love you and that your parents would forbid us from seeing each other," he promised. He looked at her and noticed her smirk. "What?"

"You really love me that much?" she asked.

"I've said it and I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it," he answered.

"So," she teased, straddling his lap. "How much do you love me?"

"More than anything," he kissed at her ear.

"More than quidditch?"

"More than anything," he repeated.

Oliver shifted nervously, which prompted Amelia to ask, "What is it?"

"I'm going to have to move to Puddlemere," he replied, sheepishly.

"When were you planning to tell me?" she asked, accusingly.

"I was planning to tell you today," he replied.

"We've been together for hours and now is when you're telling me?" she snarled.

"We were with your mother for a large portion of that time," Oliver defended. He had been shouting, but he lowered his voice and continued. "I couldn't tell you; I didn't want it to be real."

"When?" she asked, tears streaming down her face.

"August 1," he answered. "I'll still be at the World Cup."

"I think you should take me home," she said, still crying. Oliver nodded and pulled his shirt back on before helping her out of the tree house and walking her home.

At the door, he went to kiss her, but she turned away. "We knew this was coming," he reasoned.

"That doesn't make it any easier," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. She inhaled deeply. "I'll see you Friday."

"I'll write," he promised. She nodded and he kissed her chastely once more before leaving to apparate home.

Amelia stalked up to her room, ignoring the calls from her parents. Once there, she changed out of her dress and into her favorite running shorts and t-shirt. "Where are you going?" Camilla asked.

"That should be obvious," Amelia retorted. "I'm going for a run."

"Amelia Rose Clark, tell me what has you so upset this instant," Camilla ordered.

"Oliver's moving to Puddlemere," she answered. "And I'd rather not talk about it. I have to train if I'm going to make the national team next year." With that, Amelia pushed past her mother and left the house for a run.