Christina and Oliver have been dating for six months now. They went on regular dates about twice a month. This was the first time Oliver was coming over to meet her family. They had agreed that he would meet her family first then she would meet his parents and sister. There was a knock on the door.

"Everyone he's here, be on your best behavior," she said, smoothing down her hair nervously.

"Yes, mummy."

She ruffled her daughter's hair before opening the door to face Oliver who was juggling three different bouquets of flowers.

"Hey Chrissy," he smiled at her.

"Hey Oll- err I mean Oliver," she covered her mistake.

He smiled. "These flowers are for you, your mum and your daughter."

"They're beautiful, Oliver."

"I know you like roses and you've mentioned that your mum likes lillies and your daughter likes tulips."

She smiled. "Thanks, come in."

He walked in.

"Oliver, this is. My dad Francis and my mum Sheila."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Finch-Fletchley."

"You too, Oliver."

"This is Aaron and that's Justin, my baby brothers."

"I'm not a baby anymore," Justin pouted.

"I'm Bethany."

Oliver kneeled down to Bethany's eye level. "I'm Oliver. Your mummy has told me so much about you. It's so nice to finally meet you."

"My mummy says you play Quidditch," Bethany said, her hazel eyes twinkling excitedly.

Oliver grinned. "I do. You like Quidditch?"

"I love Quidditch. I'm hoping I get to play when I'm at Hogwarts."

"What position do you want to play?"

"Seeker."

Oliver said. "I played with the youngest seeker in a century at Hogwarts."

"You did?"

"I did. His name was Harry Potter."

Bethany nodded. "Is he related to Beatrix Potter?"

"Potter is a very common name in the muggle world, sweetie," Christina told her daughter.

"It's not very common in the wizarding world but I don't think he was related to her."

Bethany nodded. They walked to the living room and sat down. Oliver wrapped his arm around Christina.

"So, you play for Puddlemere United?" Francis asked his daughter's boyfriend of six months.

"I do. I'm the star keeper," he grinned.

"You must be good. You got scouted right out of Hogwarts, didn't you?" Francis asked.

"I did."

Christina said. "He's amazing, I've watched him practice before."

"Then after that practice I snogged you in the locker room until my teammates interrupted," Oliver smirked, dodging a playful slap.

"Oliver, not in front of my daughter," she scolded.

"Sorry, love," he apologized, his brown eyes twinkling.

She smiled. "You're lucky, you're cute."

Oliver leaned over and kissed her temple.

After another hour, it was time for dinner. Oliver escorted her to the table as he held Bethany.

"So, Mr. Finch-Fletchley, you own a chain of pet stores that specialize in reptiles?"

"I do."

Bethany said. "I like snakes."

"I don't know where she gets that from, I've been afraid of snakes since I was eight," Christina shuddered.

"I'm not fond of snakes either, Chrissy. Though, that could just be because they remind me of Slytherin," Oliver told her.

"I mean most of the Slytherins that were in my year were blood purists, so I can't say I was fond of them either. Though, I was stupid and naive to think that Harry was the heir of Slytherin," Justin said.

"We all make mistakes, Justin."

"I suppose."

They finished eating. After dinner, it was time for Christina to start to get Bethany ready for bed.

"Do you need help, Chrissy?"

"No, I'm good."

"Okay."

She glanced at her brothers and father suspiciously. "I can trust you won't scare Oliver away with the third degree?"

"Who said we're going to put him through the third degree?" Francis asked his daughter, innocently.

She shook her head as her mum said. "Don't worry, dear. I'll reign your dad and brothers in."

"Thanks mum."

"Not a problem, dear."

Christina picked up her daughter and carried her off to the loo as Oliver watched her.

"So, you really like our sister, don't you?" Justin asked.

"I do," Oliver confirmed with a smile.

Aaron said. "She must really like you too since you're the first man she's introduced Effie to. Despite going on a few dates since her divorce."

"She's divorced?" Oliver asked.

"Yes, she is."

Oliver nodded. "She's hinted a few times but I never pushed any further since I knew it wasn't really any of my business. She'd tell me when she's ready."

"You're right, it's not."

"I really care about her."

The Finch-Fletchley men nodded.

After the conversation, Oliver went to find Christina. She was watching her daughter sleep.

"Hey Oll- I mean Oliver," she greeted her boyfriend.

He smiled reassuringly. "You can call me Ollie, if you want, love."

"Are you sure?"

"I am."

She sighed. "You won't get tired of calling you, Ollie? Once we've been together for a few years and are too mature for nicknames."

"Of course not."

She nodded, took his hand and led him to her bedroom.

"What's wrong, love?"

She asked. "Is it too quick for me to tell you about my ex-husband/Bethany's father?"

"We've been dating almost six months, if you're ready to tell me then go ahead."

Christina sighed. "I met Bethany's father Scott when I was 13. We were immediately infatuated with each other. After a few years, he asked me out. We lived separately while in uni and moved in together the summer we finished. We were engaged by December 1996.

By February 1998, I was thinking of ending our engagement but then I discovered I was pregnant with Bethany. We eloped a few days after I told him I was pregnant. Bethany was born that September. She was immediately wrapped around my finger."

"That hasn't changed."

She smiled. "It hasn't."

"So what else happened?"

"A few months after Bethany was born. Justin noticed she was starting to manifest magic. I was so proud. For the first two years of her life, I hid her magic from Scott with Justin's help."

July 2000

Christina was giving Bethany a bath when Scott stormed in. He must be in a mood. She had learned to stay out of his way when he was in this mood. He never laid a hand on her or anything. His abuse was more emotional and psychological than physical.

She finished bathing her daughter and changed her into her pajamas.

"Christina!"

She put their daughter down and walked down the stairs.

"You never told me that our daughter is magical!"

"She is."

"How long have you known?"

"A few months after she was born. Justin noticed it."

"Of course, your freak of a brother would recognize his own kind."

"Justin isn't a freak!" she shouted defending her baby brother.

"A few days after Effie turned two I woke up alone. Despite the fact that I wanted to end our engagement before I found out that I was pregnant I was devastated when he left without saying goodbye. A month later, I miscarried my second child from all the stress."

"That's unfortunate, I'd be okay if you're not able to have any more kids from all your trauma."

She smiled at him. "According to the doctor, I should be fine. I could ask for a healer's opinion if you're more comfortable with that."

"Don't worry about it."

She said, "Nobody knows this but I've received a few letters from my ex-in-laws. They've been begging to see their granddaughter but I'm not sure I want her to see them."

"It's your choice, Chrissy," Oliver told her.

She ran a hand through her hair. "They never really liked me since they believed I trapped their son in a relationship that he didn't want to be in especially after I found out that I was pregnant with Effie."

"I'm sure you just wanted to give Bethany a stable and loving family. You clearly have a supportive and loving family here."

"I do. How bad was the third degree from my dad and brothers?"

Oliver chuckled. "It wasn't bad. They don't want you to be hurt again."

"He's right, we hated to see you so torn up about Scott," Francis agreed walking in with Aaron and Justin following him.

"I'm a lucky woman to have such a great dad, great albeit annoying younger brothers and a great boyfriend."

"I'm not annoying," Justin huffed.

Christina giggled and swatted the back of his head. "You turned my hair blue with your accidental magic."

"I don't remember that."

"You were two but I'm sure Aaron might remember it," Christina said, turning towards their brother.

"I don't remember that either."

She huffed. "You two are no fun."

"I don't remember Justin turning your hair blue either," Francis said.

She pouted as Oliver said. "I bet you looked cute with blue hair. Both my mum and sister deny the fact that she turned my hair green for a few days with her accidental magic when I was eight and she was two."

Christina nodded.

"I have an early practice tomorrow, I should get going," Oliver said, getting up from the bed.

"Okay, let me walk you out," Christina said, taking his hand in hers.

Oliver nodded, said goodbye to Christina's brothers and father as they walked out of the room. She walked Oliver out to the porch.

"How early is your practice?" Christina asked.

"Dawn."

She cringed. "I hate getting up so early."

"I'm getting what I deserve, I scheduled plenty of dawn practices when I was captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team."

"You Quidditch obsessed nerd," she giggled.

Oliver smiled. "You love me for it."

"Who says I love you, Wood," she giggled again.

"Maybe if I'm not too tired, we can hook up for a spot of tea?" Oliver suggested.

"Or even better I can come over to visit and we can have tea at your house," she said.

He grinned down at her. "I like that idea better but I should give you a key first. I think you're starting to get a little obsessed with me Miss Finch- Fletchley."

"Look who's talking, Mr. Wood."

Instead of responding, Oliver bent down to kiss her passionately. She smiled up at him, stifling a shiver.

"You must be cold, take my scarf," he suggested unwrapping his navy blue scarf from his neck.

"I'm fine, Ollie," she assured him.

He didn't respond, he just wrapped it around her neck.

"I don't want you to be cold either, Oliver."

He assured her. "I'm fine. I've played Quidditch in colder weather than this."

"Mum!"

"Yes, dear?"

"Can you get one of my old scarves, Oliver needs it."

"Didn't he have a scarf of his own?" Sheila asked, confused but getting a scarf from the hall closet anyway.

"He does."

Sheila handed the scarf to her daughter not missing the fact that she had Oliver's scarf wrapped around her neck.

"I gave you my new Puddlemere scarf and you give one of your older scarves," Oliver teased.

"Technically, it's my newest of my older scarves," she said, finishing tying it around his neck.

Oliver grinned down at her again. "Do you feel better?"

"Much better."

"I should get going."

Christina frowned as she watched Oliver walk out of sight.