Chapter 15

Amelia returned home later that day to her parents. Since they were muggles, they did not get the wizarding news and did not know anything about the ruckus at the World Cup. Amelia chose not to tell them about it. "How was that thing you went to?" Camilla asked when Amelia walked in.

"It was good, Mum," she answered. "Oliver and I had a great time with his parents. I'm going to shower." She ran up the stairs and met Oliver, who was waiting in her room. He waited while she showered and changed; then, they snogged for a while before he had to get back to Puddlemere for a team meeting.

"Love you," he whispered just before he left.

"Love you, too," she said to him. Once Oliver was gone, Amelia went back to her mother for a bit.

Over the next week, Amelia and Oliver frequently saw each other. She would apparate to his flat after going to bed and then apparate home very early the following morning. Her parents didn't even know she was going and, if her brothers knew, they weren't telling.

The night before she was set to leave for Hogwarts for her last year, her parents took her to London. She had told Oliver before that they would be staying in town that night for her to catch the train to Hogwarts. Oliver met them for tea and then took Amelia for a walk around London.

"I'm going to miss you tomorrow," Oliver said. "My bed is going to be very cold."

"I can't believe my parents haven't caught us," she mused. "And I'm going to miss you, too. We promised, though. No tears tonight or tomorrow on the platform. If you get too emotional, I'm going to lose it."

"I won't," Oliver promised, voice cracking. She gave him a pointed look and he cleared his throat. "Alright, I won't do it in front of you."

"There's the stoic I've grown to love," she teased. "Come on, love. You'd best get me back before my parents think you've kidnapped me to deflower me."

"If only they knew," he joked. She giggled and snuggled into his arms. "I'll see you in the morning. Love you." He kissed her on the head.

"Love you too," she mumbled against his chest.

The next morning, Amelia's parents took her to King's Cross station to catch the train. They left her at the barrier and went to catch their train back to Leeds. Oliver met her on the platform and snogged her fully before she boarded the train. He kept kissing her until she nearly missed the train, but Fred and George interrupted them and made sure she got to school.

As the train pulled out of the station, she stuck her head out the window and yelled, "I love you!"

"Love you, too!" Oliver yelled back, waving at her. Once the train was out of his view, he apparated back to Puddlemere.

On the train, Amelia sat with Kate and Charity and regaled them with stories from her summer, glossing over the more salacious details. "I can't believe you're the same girl we knew from first day," Kate tutted.

"It's almost scary," Charity agreed. "You've turned into a real girl."

"Shut it," Amelia ordered. "And how much did you lot beg me to get a boyfriend for 3 years?"

"Ames, we're happy for you," Kate promised. "Oliver's a good guy and he's obviously crazy about you. We really are glad you lot got together."

When they finally reached the castle and settled in for the annual welcome back feast, Professor Dumbledore shocked everyone when he announced that the school would host the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and they would be greeting guests, on Halloween, from Beauxbatons and from Durmstrang Academy. He also announced that only students who were 17 would be permitted to enter. "Are you going to do it?" Kate asked.

"I'm going to put in," Charity answered. "What about you, Amelia?"

"I'll think about it," she answered, shyly. If she was telling the truth, the prospect of entering the tournament both terrified and exhilarated Amelia; she decided that she would bring it up with Oliver during their first floo-chat that night.

After the feast, Amelia and her friends made their way back to Gryffindor tower. They spent several hours in their dormitory giggling and gossiping about their summers. Charity and Roger Davies had broken up, but she had started to date another bloke who was in their year and house, John Foster. Kate and George had broken up before the end of term, but she had started going out with Jack Stebbins, a 7th year Hufflepuff.

At nearly midnight, Amelia made her excuses and went down to the common room. She was lucky in that she didn't have to shoo anyone out for her planned chat with Oliver. "Hi," she said, when his head popped into the fire. "How are you?"

"Tired," he answered. "Training was nasty today, but we're doing well and I might get a few starts in the regular season."

"I'm happy for you," she replied. "You'll be brilliant."

"How was the train?"

"A long ride, but still good. I missed you and lots of people were asking silly questions. Apparently, we've either eloped or broken up," she said. Oliver laughed.

"So, who got captain?" Oliver asked.

"I don't know," she answered. "There's no quidditch this year."

"WHAT?!"

"Oliver, hush!" Amelia ordered. "You'll wake the dead. The Tri-Wizard Tournament will be held here this year, so no quidditch. It's only open to students over 17 and I'm considering putting in for it."

"You'd be brilliant," Oliver promised. "But I'm guessing you're nervous?"

"Yeah. Professor Dumbledore was talking about eternal glory and 1000 galleons prize money, but the tasks are meant to be dangerous."

"If your pretty face could get injured," Oliver started, "I'd be happier if you were not in it, but I'll support whatever decision you make."

Amelia yawned loudly, so Oliver said, "It's late and you should be in bed. Tomorrow, you have classes. Get some sleep, babe, and I'll call soon."

"I love you," Amelia said.

"Love you, too," Oliver replied. She blew a kiss at his face in the fireplace and went up the stairs to her dormitory. She climbed into bed and went to sleep.

Over the next week, Amelia and Oliver shared owls almost daily. They even set up another floo call and spent another half-hour chatting. Then, they made plans for Amelia to meet Oliver in Hogsmeade on the next weekend. She got Fred and George to help her sneak out of the castle and found Oliver in the Three Broomsticks with butterbeer waiting.

"I've missed you," she said, climbing into the booth beside Oliver and kissing him.

"My bed is cold," he teased. "I may have to get a cat to keep it warm for me."

"You're allergic to cats," she joked.

"Bugger. I guess I'll have to do something else, then," he replied. "Perhaps a warming charm will help."

"I'd try that before you even think of any other options."

After finishing their drinks, Amelia helped Oliver sneak into the castle with her. They went to the Prefect's Bathroom and splashed around in the rather giant tub. When they finished in the Prefect's Bathroom, they went to the Room of Requirement, which Amelia had just discovered. Upon entering the room, they noticed a rather large, comfortable looking bed.

"This is convenient," Oliver mused. Amelia hooked her finger through his belt loop and pulled him over to the bed. They spent the next hour making love and cuddling.

Amelia was nearly dozing when Oliver shifted. "I really hate to do this, but I have to go," he said.

"I wish you didn't," Amelia whined.

"I know," he replied. "But unfortunately, I must." They rose and dressed; then, Amelia saw Oliver to the secret passage that would lead him back to Hogsmeade. They kissed and he promised to write.

Again, he kept his promises and wrote nearly daily to Amelia. She returned his letters as often as they came, though both refused to tell the other how difficult the distance was. When Halloween neared, she decided to put her name in the Goblet of Fire. She was only slightly sad, however, when Cedric was named the Hogwarts champion. She managed to get a note to him with congratulations, since they had kept up their friendship when they returned to school. She also had pre-arranged to speak with Oliver that night.

"So, how did it go?" he asked.

"I'm not the champion," she answered. "Cedric was chosen, but so was Harry Potter."

"I thought it was only open to students over 17," Oliver queried. "How did he get his name in?"

"No one knows and he swears he doesn't either," she replied. "I tend to believe him."

"I agree. Harry's a lot of things, but he's not a liar," he said. "Are you sad you didn't get it?"

"Not really," Amelia admitted. "Are you coming for the weekend?"

"I'll be there on Saturday, waiting in the Three Broomsticks, like we planned," he promised.

"I've got to go," Amelia said, suddenly. "Someone's coming. I'll see you Saturday."

"Love you, doll," Oliver said.

"Love you, too," she answered. She stood and turned to find Harry Potter standing behind her. "Harry, if it's any help, I believe you."

"Cheers, Amelia," he said. "Was that Oliver?"

"Yes. I should go. Good night."

"Good night," he replied. Amelia climbed the stairs to her dormitory and went to bed.

That Saturday, she again went to Hogsmeade, this time with permission, and met up with Oliver. He was waiting, as promised, in the Three Broomsticks, in their favorite booth, with butterbeers for both of them. She plopped next to him and kissed him. "Good to see you, too, love," he joked. "Are your friends meeting us?"

"No, but we have to meet them later," she said.

"Why?"

"You get to experience dress shopping with a bunch of girls," she teased. Then, she explained, "As part of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, there's to be a ball on Christmas Eve and we'll need dresses. I'll also need a date if you're available."

"I'll make myself available," Oliver promised. "I can't have you getting all dolled up to go with some other bloke to this shin-dig."

"Shin-dig?" Amelia laughed. "You're weird."

"You're beautiful," he replied, "especially when you laugh. What time are we meeting your friends?"

"We've got an hour," she replied. They spent the next hour wandering around the village, holding hands, and stopping to snog every few minutes. They were, luckily, only a few minutes late to meet her friends.

When they reached the dress shop, it appeared that all of the girls in Hogwarts, and some of the visiting girls from Beauxbatons, were dress shopping. They had to fight to get fitting rooms and Oliver managed to get a stool to sit on while he waited.

While Oliver was waiting, a few girls who recognized him started giggling and hurried their pace to walk by. Some of the girls who didn't know him tried to step into his line of vision, but he, politely, refused and explained that he was waiting for his girlfriend. Amelia could hear the exchanges and smirked to herself. When she finally found a dress that she liked, she opened the curtain and Oliver gasped. Kate and Charity each poked their heads out from their dressing rooms and Kate said, "You're getting that, right?"

"Should I?"

"Love, get it and wear it around so I can take it off you," Oliver begged.

"I guess I'm getting it," she joked. Then, she turned to Oliver, "You like it that much?" The dress was black strapless, floor length, and had gold trim.

"You look more beautiful than I've ever seen you," Oliver whispered. "I'd willingly give up quidditch just to see you wearing that dress again."

"I'm just going to go and change and then I'll be right out," she promised. She went back, took the dress off, and put her clothes back on. Then, she joined Oliver on the stool to wait for her friends. Kate and Charity each managed to get dresses, but took longer than Amelia. Kate's dress was pale blue and matched her eyes; Charity opted for a silver halter dress that looked fantastic against her skin.

Once dresses had been purchased, Amelia and Oliver again set off on their own. "I've taken a room at the Three Broomsticks," he said when they were clear.

"Why didn't you say something sooner?" she asked. She demanded that Oliver take her to his room and they spent the next several hours alone and naked in his bed. Eventually, though, Amelia had to leave to return to the castle before curfew.

"I'll floo call tomorrow," Oliver promised. He walked her all the way to the castle gates and greeted Professor McGonagall who was checking in students on their return.

"Mr. Wood," said the matron. "It's good to see you."

"It's good to see you, too, Professor," Oliver replied. "Ames, I'll write soon. Love you, princess."

"Love you, too, Ol," Amelia called back as she passed through the gates and onto campus.

"Miss Clark," Professor McGonagall said, "how long have you and Wood been together?"

"Since last year, Professor," Amelia answered. "I hope it will be alright for him to escort me to the Yule Ball."

"I'm sure we can make arrangements for that, Miss Clark," Professor McGonagall promised.

Amelia reached her dormitory just as the others were returning from dinner in the Great Hall. "What did you and Oliver do after we left?" Kate demanded.

"Do you honestly think I'm going to answer that?" Amelia replied, evading the question. It didn't matter; Kate and Charity knew exactly what she and Oliver were doing.

"I don't need her to answer what they were doing," Charity teased. "I need to know where they went. Did they get to the Shrieking Shack?"

"Oliver has a room for the night in Hogsmeade," Amelia answered. "He's leaving tomorrow morning to return to Puddlemere. But, Professor McGonagall said he can come for the Yule Ball and stay in the castle. I'm going to send him an owl tonight letting him know." Amelia left the dormitory and went to the owlery to send Oliver a note.

He received her note and smiled as he read it. Seeing her in her dress earlier had solidified his need to be there for the ball, especially since he refused to tell her about the throngs of girls that were throwing themselves at him in Puddlemere. He didn't want to hurt or alarm Amelia and he knew that telling her would only do both. He had also started considering getting a flat away from the team, but the coaches had advised him against it. He sighed heavily and contemplated trying to sneak back into the castle and somehow get to Amelia again before he left, but decided against it.

The next day, however, Oliver managed to get flowers sent to Amelia at the castle. He wrote the card himself before he left for Puddlemere. When Amelia got the flowers, she smiled, especially when she read the card and realized that Oliver had written it himself. He wrote, Love you more than quidditch… xoxo Ol.

Kate stole the card, but could barely make out Oliver's chicken scratch and demanded that Amelia read the card to her and Charity. Amelia giggled, but refused to read the card. Charity snatched it away and read it; then, she pretended to wretch. "That's borderline disgusting," she joked.

"I think it was rather thoughtful," Amelia said, smiling. "And you can't spoil my good mood right now."

"Fair enough," Kate said, rolling her eyes.

When the first task arrived, Amelia went to the arena with the rest of her friends and classmates, sitting with the Gryffindors to support Harry. She also cheered for Cedric when he did well. When she found out the task involved dragons, she was seriously happy that she had not been chosen as a champion.

Oliver read about the first task in the Daily Prophet and was secretly glad that Amelia had not been chosen as a Champion. He sent her a letter with his owl, arranging a floo chat for a few days later. He also wished he could be in the Gryffindor common room to snuggle with her on the sofa in front of the fire…of course, he would never admit that to her or to his teammates who frequently took the mickey out of him for being, as they said, whipped.

When they spoke over the floo, Oliver noticed that Amelia seemed stressed out. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," she lied. Truthfully, she had just been feeling sick and really tired, and over-stressed from classes and everything else going on, but she didn't want to burden him. She also didn't want to tell him that the distance was really getting to her, since they hadn't had a face to face visit in over a month.

"It's not a burden," he insisted.

"What?"

"It's not a burden to me if you tell me what's bothering you," he repeated. "I know that's what you're thinking, so just tell me."

"I'm just over tired and stressed and I've been sick lately," she replied.

"How have you been sick?" Oliver was suddenly very nervous, as he had read that sometimes women get sick in the early stages of pregnancy.

"I'm not pregnant, if that's what you're getting at," Amelia answered, calming him. He released the breath that he didn't realize he was holding. "I've had the flu. I think I got sick at the first challenge."

"Then perhaps we should cut this short so you can get some rest," he suggested. "You look tired." She was going to argue, but she yawned loudly and agreed.

"You'll be here on the 24th?" she asked.

"I'll be there and Professor McGonagall wrote that I can stay in the castle in Gryffindor tower. I'll just need to go back with someone who knows the password."

"If you come back to this tower with anyone but me, I'll find ways to make your life miserable," she promised. Oliver laughed and bade her goodnight. Then, she went to bed and skived off classes the next day to sleep in. The next time she floo chatted with Oliver, she was feeling better and in better spirits, but still not her normal self. Oliver noticed, but didn't say anything as he too had been feeling the pressure of the distance.