Chapter 26
The next day, Amelia returned to St. Mungo's to tender her resignation from the program. When she left the hospital, there was an extra spring in her step. On her way home, she stopped and grabbed a small present for Oliver, a book that she had enjoyed reading and which she assumed he would enjoy as well. And while at the book store, Amelia got herself a job so that she could have some income while she waited on word from Puddlemere.
Oliver was up when she returned. She gave him the book and told him about the job. "I thought we were going to get a flat near Puddlemere," he said.
"We are," she promised. "But, I thought I could have something to do, other than you, for a few months until we find a place and the season starts." She sat on his lap and put her arms around his neck. "You know I can't stay here and do nothing all the time; I'll go crazy. Besides, it'll keep my parents from freaking out when they find out I've dropped out of school."
"If you're sure," he sighed. "Will it keep your brothers from beating me senseless?"
"Darling, nothing will keep my brothers from beating you senseless," she teased.
"I'm glad I've got that to look forward to," he mused. "I could probably use a good thrashing." She nuzzled against his neck and lay him back on the sofa. Then, she kissed him soundly.
After nearly half an hour of heavy snogging, Oliver pushed Amelia back and said, "Since it's been such a day, what say I take you for tea?"
"I'd really like that," she answered.
After tea, Oliver took Amelia for a walk around London. He stopped and bought her some ice cream on the way home. While they were out, they ran into one of Oliver's teammates. "Ames, this is Aidan Fitzhugh. He's one of the chasers on the team. Aidan, this is my girlfriend, Amelia."
"It's lovely to meet you," she said, politely.
"It's really nice to meet you, love," Aidan teased. "Now I can hold it over the rest of the team's heads that I met the lovely girl who has our Keeper's heart."
"I'm only the Reserve Keeper," Oliver corrected. "And she's met the rest of the reserves when we were out for New Year's."
"True, for now," Aidan countered. "But you've got a real talent, Oliver. Miles is going to retire soon if the injuries keep up and you're the first pick for everyone on the team."
"I've been telling him that for ages," Amelia added. "He doesn't believe me either."
"Alright," Oliver sighed. "Can we go home now? We don't want the ice cream to melt."
"That's not a sick euphemism, is it?" Aidan queried.
"No," Amelia promised. "We literally just bought some ice cream for dessert."
"Then, I'll let you get home to enjoy it. I look forward to seeing you again soon, Amelia," Aidan said. Amelia agreed and let Oliver lead her back to her flat. At home, they ate ice cream straight from the carton while they watched a football match on television.
"I may actually miss this," Oliver mused.
"What?" Amelia asked, confused.
"Television," he said. "When we move in together we may not be able to get television. I may miss it."
Amelia turned to look at Oliver and dropped the ice cream on her lap. "What do you mean we may not be able to get television?"
"If we live in Puddlemere, the magic will interfere with muggle devices, like television and probably a telephone." He seemed unconcerned about this, but Amelia was freaking out. "What?"
"How do you intend for me to keep in touch with my family without a phone, Oliver?" Amelia demanded.
"I guess I hadn't thought about that," he admitted. "Love, we'll find a place that will allow you a telephone. I promise. But we still may not be able to get a television."
"You promised when I agreed to move in with you that we could have a telephone."
"I know," he said. "I just forgot."
Amelia gave him a dirty look, but didn't say anything further. Instead, she put the ice cream away and cleaned up the mess created when she dropped it with a wave of her wand. Then she went to her room, ignoring Oliver and got into her pajamas. Oliver startled her when he said, "If it means that much to you, we'll find a way to get muggle television."
"I just don't want to lose my entire identity, Oliver," she said. "Being a muggle is a fairly large part of who I am. And the telly airs the football matches my brothers play. This way I could keep up on their progress too."
"We'll find a way to make it work," he promised.
The next morning, they apparated to Puddlemere and spent several days lounging around Oliver's flat. They returned to London the night before Amelia was to start work at the book shop. That night, she called her parents and told them about leaving school. She had to put the phone down for several minutes while her mother screamed. When she picked it back up, she simply said, "Mum, I know this isn't what you want for me, but you have to trust me. Working there was slowly killing me and I couldn't take it anymore. I have an interview next week with a quidditch team for their training program."
Camilla was still furious, but said nothing further. She started shouting again when Amelia next informed her that she and Oliver would be moving in together when her lease expired. Again, Amelia set the phone down for several minutes while her mother raged. "Is that your Mum?" Oliver asked, returning to Amelia's flat.
"Yup," Amelia replied. "I just told her about quitting school and planning to move in with you. She's taking it well."
Amelia picked up the phone again and said, "Are you done, Mum?"
"I have barely even started, Amelia," Camilla shouted.
"Then, I'm ending the call," Amelia stated. "I've told you what I called to tell you and now you're yelling yourself hoarse. I'm going to go and I'll call soon." Amelia hung up the phone and didn't answer again for the rest of the night.
"So, I take it your parents are less than thrilled about what's going on here," Oliver said when Amelia joined him in the bedroom.
"They're convinced you set out to kidnap me and do all manner of bad things to me," she teased. She got quiet for several moments and then added, "They're convinced you'll break my heart."
"Then we'll have to convince them otherwise," Oliver offered.
"How do you intend to do that?" she asked.
"I've been out shopping," he explained. "And I may have bought you a small present that comes with a rather large string."
Amelia suddenly understood what Oliver was talking about and said, "Oliver, we haven't talked about this."
"Then let's talk about it now," he offered. "I want to marry you. I've known since the first date."
"We're still teenagers," she argued. "We're too young to get married. And I don't know anything about wizarding marriage laws. And my parents… and… gah, this is so hard. Why now?"
"Are you done freaking out?" he asked, calmly, a hint of a smile on his face.
"What is so funny?" she demanded.
"You are. I'm not talking about getting married tomorrow or even this year. We can just get engaged and your parents will be placated for a bit," he suggested.
"I haven't even thought about marriage, Oliver," she reasoned. "I'm barely out of Hogwarts and I have no career yet. Bloody hell, Ol, I'm not even sure what I want to do with my life." She paced around her flat and waved her arms frantically. Oliver took a seat on the sofa and let her rant for a while.
Finally, he interrupted her frantic ramblings and said, "You know you're just like your mother."
She gave him a disgusted look that suggested she would very much like to murder him. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means, love, that you're panicking for no reason at all," he said, calmly. "Think about this: Your parents are incredibly angry at the moment because they think that we're planning to live together as boyfriend and girlfriend. You're panicking because you think I'm being insincere and you're scared about what marriage means. But deep down, Ames, do you honestly think I want to marry anyone else? Do you honestly think I'll ever stop loving you for even a moment?"
"How long have you been thinking about this?" she asked, taking a seat next to him on the sofa.
He took her hand in his and looked at her. Then, he said, "Since Christmas. I've been thinking about this since Christmas when you told me you'd move in with me."
"You knew Mum and Dad would freak out?" she asked. He nodded. "And you knew I would freak out when you mentioned your shopping trip?"
"Of course. I've known you long enough to know how you'd react," he explained.
"And that didn't scare you away?"
"Never," he joked. "But, seriously, it was just an idea. If it bothers you that much, I'll just hold on to this (he held a ring box in front of her) and we can wait to get engaged."
"Can I see it?" she asked.
"Only if you want to wear it," he said. "Otherwise, I'll take it to my vault at Gringott's for safe keeping."
"I want to wear it," she said.
"You understand what that means?" he asked. She nodded. "In that case, will you marry me?"
"Eventually," she joked. "Now, let me see it." He opened the box and showed her the prettiest ring she had ever seen. It was a simple diamond solitaire in a platinum setting, but it was entirely her. "I love it, almost as much as I love the bloke that bought it for me."
"I'm glad," he said. Then, he slid the ring onto her finger and kissed her softly. "I love you for forever. I love you more than quidditch."
"I love you, too, for always," she answered. "I love you more than anything."
The next day, Amelia called her parents back, received a stern lecture from her father, and told them that she and Oliver had gotten engaged the night before. "Then this isn't just a fling?" her dad asked.
"Dad, it was never just a fling," she said. "I love him and he loves me, a lot. We haven't set a date yet and I'm pretty sure we're going to wait for a long time to get married, but we also understand that you and Mum are nervous about this whole arrangement."
"Amelia, don't get engaged just to calm your mother and me down," Joseph warned. "That's not a decision to make lightly."
"It wasn't made lightly," Amelia replied. "And I didn't get engaged to placate you and Mum. I did it because there's no one else in the world that I could imagine wanting to spend my life with."
"You're sure about this?" asked Joseph.
"Yes, Dad," she stated. "I'm absolutely sure about this. I wouldn't be doing it if I weren't."
"Then, you have my blessing, dear," Joseph said. "Your mother will calm down soon and then you get to deal with her for planning your wedding." Joseph laughed at his own joke, but Amelia did not; she simply said goodbye and promised to call soon.
"What's got you looking so scared?" Oliver asked.
"My dad just pointed out that I'll have to deal with Mum for wedding planning," she said, eyes opened wide.
"Why does that have you looking so worried?" he asked.
"Because I know what she's like," she warned. "She'll want to start planning now, and don't expect to have the wedding any time in the next 4 years. Can we consider eloping?"
"I'll marry you tomorrow if you want," he promised. "And besides, you forget that I'm involved. I'll help you with your mum."
"If you say so," she chuckled, smirking.