Hello, my lovely fawns ~

How has everyone been?  I realised I haven't checked in at all since I started posting again ...  Has anyone got anything exciting to share? 

So, this one shot has some French in it. The extent of my French knowledge is GCSE French which I did absolutely ages ago (and it makes me feel old to think about how many years ago it actually was). I had to resort to google searches for the French, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about anything. 

This one shot was requested by OpheliaImogenMae - thank you for your request! I feel like it's been forever since I've written for Oliver. This, like every other requests so far was requested absolutely ages ago, but I hope you like it nonetheless. 

As per usual, this is unedited (but really, do you ever expect anything else from me?)

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What was the summer holiday without a wedding to attend?

From the moment I had been enrolled into school, it seemed that every year, there was a wedding to attend in the final week of August. Almost as if the soon to be wedded couple wanted their reception to be full of students on the brink of returning to school, buzzing with excited energy. Good Merlin, if it were me, I certainly wouldn't see the need of having school aged children attending my wedding, especially if they weren't people I knew very well. This wedding in particular, the wedding of a family friend certainly wasn't one I thought I needed to strictly attend. And yet here I was.

The reception tent, filled to the brim with laughing guests who danced and mingled seemed to almost thrum from the sheer amount of magic coming out from the number of people in it. The Wood clan certainly was a large one.

Managing to weave amongst the groups of people, I used the large crowd to my advantage, slipping easily between them and simultaneously using them for cover, shielding me from the aggravating wizard who was insistent on pursuing me. He was the very reason I didn't want to attend this wedding, because I knew he would be here. Why couldn't exes remain in the past? Why couldn't teenaged boys just be done with you once things came to an end? Finally making it to the edge of the tent, I ducked out into the cool evening air and breathed a sigh of relief. I wasn't sure how long for, but I'd managed to buy myself some peace. If only I'd had the forethought to grab a glass on my way out.

"Hiding, lass?" The simple question was nothing, really and yet it brought a smile to my lips. Rather, it wasn't the question, but the familiar voice of the one asking the question. It's deep timbre was warming in it's familiarity. I turned towards the voice, greeting the man who emerged from the tent behind me.

"Been keeping an eye on me, have you Wood?" I asked, watching as he approached me. My eyes narrowed in on the two glasses he held in his hands.

"Someone has to keep an eye on you," he parried, outstretching a glass towards me.

"Thanks." Raising the glass to my lips, I took a much needed sip. "Shouldn't you be with the groom? Being one of his groomsmen?"

"My cousin will be fine." Wood came to a still beside me, standing at my side as we both peered out at the landscape around us, our backs to the tent. If I knew no better, I would think he had accidentally stopped beside me. But I did know better. He had come to stand so close at my side that his shoulder brushed against mine, on purpose. Turning towards Wood, I watched him with a knowing smile. "What's your smile trying to tell me?"

"I think you know exactly what my smile is trying to say." His eyes held mine, dizzyingly beautiful and knowing. "So Wood, has anything changed since the last wedding we attended?"

"Very little," he acknowledged, "although I didn't get any interesting letters from you last year."

"Not that I often write to you."

Wood leaned in for a second, nudging his shoulder against mine, "You don't."

He lingered again, standing even closer to my side and I knew, without question, that his eyes had lowered to my lips. My tongue peaked out, wetting the corner of my parted lips and his eyes darkened in response. He was always so easy to read. "You still haven't won the house cup then?"

"No," he sounded distracted momentarily before clearing his throat. He righted himself once more before stating firmly, "Mark my words, this year will be the year Gryffindor wins the house cup."

"It's your last chance."

Wood's eyes narrowed just a moment before his features evened out once more. Offering him yet another smile, I faced forward once more, taking another long sip from my glass. Behind me, I heard someone call my name and I struggled not to groan. Before I could even contemplate asking Wood to play the part of my dashing knight in silver armour, he was already looking inquisitively towards the opening of the tent.

"Levi?" Wood asked curiously, and like he had been summoned at the call of his surname, my damned ex appeared. Levi, as if having expected to find me alone, stood looking curiously between Wood and I. Paying Levi no mind, Wood turned curiously towards me as he wondered aloud, "I thought you'd gotten rid of him a few months back?"

"I did." Sighing, I watched as Levi continued to hesitate, as if not knowing if he should bother with Wood standing so close to me, "We dated for a couple of months, that's all - he's spent almost twice the duration of our relationship bothering me."

"I told you not to date him." I stopped myself from elbowing Wood, stopping myself from snickering at the way Levi scowled at Wood's words.

"Your need to be right all the time is a very unattractive quality."

"Now lass," Wood's voice dropped ever so slightly and I couldn't help the way my body reacted to it. No doubt he knew it too, "fancy telling me what else you find attractive?"

"And give your ego an unneeded boost?"

"No, that wouldn't be like you at all." Wood drained the rest of his glass in one go, before turning his entire body towards mine. "So, are you going to dance with me, or what?"

"And let you stomp on my feet?"

"My ma's on the war path, and if I don't at least dance with someone, I don't even want to think about what she'll do." He did an awful job of trying to look bashful.

With a large dramatic sigh, I finish my own glass, setting its aside once it was empty. Outstretching my hand towards his, I smiled when he accepted it without pause. He was grinning as I relented, "I'll help you out, just this once."

I let Wood lead me back into the tent, squeezing past Levi who still stood at the entrance like an idiot statue that we had to squeeze past. Paying him no mind, I followed step by step behind Wood until we reached the groups of people who danced, lost in their own world. Stepping into Wood's familiar arms as they settled around my waist, I didn't complain as he hauled me into his broad chest. Looping my arms around his neck, I let myself be drawn into the spell of his eyes once again. It was always a dangerous game to play, and yet, it was one of my favourites. My fingers, without any conscious command, wound themselves into the hair at the back of his neck, my head turned up towards his.

"We're surrounded by people," I reminded him softly, words lost amongst the chatter.

"I know." His arms tightened around me for just a second. "It's the only thing stopping me for now."

It would be so easy to rise onto my toes, to close the space between our mouths, but I knew from experience he'd move quicker than I could, leaning down to slant his lips over mine. Not that either of us could move right now. There were too many people around us.

**********

There was sun in my eyes, and it was the very worst way to wake up. I needed to remember to shut the curtains properly when I went to bed.

Groaning and wanting more sleep, I tried to roll onto my stomach, to hide my face and sleep before maman started knocking on the door of my hotel room to remind me that we needed to get a move on. I tried to do that, only the motion proved impossible because of something wrapped around my waist, restricting my movement. It didn't take more than a few seconds for my sleep-addled brain to realise that it was an arm wrapped around my waist, that only tightened, drawing me towards the other body in the bed.

I tried futilely to remove the arm, knowing it would be an impossible feat. And sure enough, it was. Wood's arm - because it could only be Wood, and how had I even managed to get into this position again when I'd sworn I wouldn't let it happen again - refused to budge, even for all my fidgeting. Quidditch had strengthened the man's muscles to the point of irritation.

Breathing out sharply through my nose, I finally looked to the sleeping man beside me and my struggles faltered. Merlin, he looked peaceful as he slept, breathing out evenly with quiet snores and those damned kissable lips parted even so slightly. As if he could feel the weight of my appreciative eyes on him, his eyes opened tiredly, blinking slowly before he opened them completely. I watched as he stared up at the ceiling for a few moments, and no doubt he was putting together the situation, before he turned to face me, matching my eyes.

Hesitantly, I drew the blanket up to cover my chest and offered him a small smile, still on my back and unable to bring myself to move. His eyes melted, as he returned my smile with a far larger one. The arm around me tightened just once more in a squeeze before he released me. Turning onto his side to face me, he propped his head up on his palm, peering down at me.

"Good morning," he said quietly, voice full of sleep.

"Morning," I mumbled back, watching as he leaned down casually, pressing a soft kiss to my shoulder. My eyes flickered shut at the contact before I forced them open. "So..."

"So," he echoed in amusement. The corner of his mouth lifted teasingly, "Almost like deja-vu."

"Almost." I fought a smile. Under the blanket, hidden from Wood's eyes, I curled my hand into a fist to stop it from reaching up to cradle his neck and draw his mouth down towards mine. "There was a lot more awkwardness last time."

"Things are only strange the first time."

Perhaps he was right. Except, this was still strange, and realistically it shouldn't have happened for a whole load of reasons that I didn't even want to bring myself to think about. The first being that I had feelings for the bloody sod, feelings I couldn't speculate on for too long because it would make me feel stupid for doing this again, and he clearly didn't return them. His eyes held mine, waiting for a response but I couldn't say anything. Instead, I propped myself up slightly, searched the room for the nearest clock and promptly jumped out of the bed.

"Merlin, I'm late." Scrambling away from the mattress, I had the foresight to drag the blanket with me, keeping it wrapped tight around me. Although, distantly I did wonder why I was bothering when the man had already seen me naked twice. Still, I persisted and looked around the room, searching for my clothes. Good Merlin, I needed to hurry back to the hotel before maman and papa came looking for me. The last thing I needed was for them to realise I hadn't come back to the hotel.

"Mercier," Wood called out from behind me, the call of my surname drawing my attention back to him as he sat up, leaning against the headboard. He followed my lead, grabbing a pillow and using it to cover his crotch as he watched me shuffle around. I'd managed to locate my bra when he asked, "What are you doing?"

"Looking for my clothes," I said like it was obvious, holding up my bra to punctuate my point. It really should have been obvious. "I need to get back to the hotel before maman or papa try to find me. We're supposed to be doing the last of my school shopping today."

"You're heading back at the end of this week, aren't you?" he asked, his eyes tracking me as I walked across the room, nodding in answer and struggling to dress beneath my blanket shield. It was difficult, but I persisted. "So - are you actually going to write to me over the school term?"

His question gave me pause, stopping me from moving my hips as I tried to pull my underwear on without flashing him in the process. "Do you want me to?"

"You were supposed to." When I continued to look at him, clearly not understanding what he meant, he gave an indulgent eye roll. His head tipped back against the headboard and Merlin if that didn't make butterflies bloom in my belly. "Last time, you said you were going to write to me during the school term, but you didn't."

"You didn't write to me either," I pointed out, not sharing that I had written him multiple letters that I'd never dared to send. Instead, I glanced away from him, continuing my search for my clothes. "Besides, you could have written to me at any point."

"I was being a gentleman; ladies first." His tone shifted slightly, coloured with meaning that brought some heat to my cheeks but I pointedly ignored it. "But alright lass, you've got a deal. I'll write first."

Glancing back at Wood, I nodded with a smile and looked away. Finally finding my dress that had somehow made its way under his dresser, I drew it out and was quick to put it on. Recovering my flats, I slipped them on and hesitated a moment longer. I needed to leave, and yet, I didn't want to. Almost like he knew what I was thinking, Wood rose from the bed, not appearing to care that he'd left his pillow behind. Cheeks flaming, I pointedly kept my eyes locked on his as he approached. Wood came to a still in front of me.

Before I could say anything, he cradled my face in between his hands, tilting it up towards his and giving me a gentle kiss. I returned it steadily, becoming hyperaware of his wood and hurriedly drew away.

"I really need to go."

"I know." It was my ears playing up, it was 100% my ears playing up, but I could have sworn he sounded disappointed at the prospect.

He held my face in his hands a moment longer before releasing me. Before I could do something stupid like kissing him again, I hurried out of his bedroom and silently prayed that no one saw me. I just needed to reach their fireplace and floo away from here.

**********

This year, settling into my dorm was just almost just the same as it had been every year before. I was still taking my time to sort through my clothes, straightening them up on the hangers and storing them away in my cupboard whilst listening to my friends as they talked about what they had gotten up to in the summer. I contributed to the conversation now and then, laughing as Voll recounted in a hurried mix of French and English her tale of her near-miss of her mother walking in on her attempting to pierce her nose. It was almost all the same, it almost didn't feel like this was the last September I would be settling into the dorm room, ready to start yet another year at school. Except it was the last time, and it was something none of us wanted to talk about.

As Voll continued to complain, I took care to ensure that the pleats of my uniform dress were ironed correctly; the last thing I needed was for our dorm matron to pull me up on a uniform violation because of my dress pleats.

"Mercier?" The call of my surname had me looking up, briefly in acknowledgement. "You've been quiet, what did you get up to over the summer, then? Anything interesting?"

"Nothing interesting." There were multiple words of protest going up across the room and I still insisted, "It was the same as always. I helped maman sew some more complicated dress robes, I helped papa with the bakery and did some work for our upcoming exams."

Like I knew there would be, various shouts of disbelief followed my words. There were claims that I was keeping things close to my chest but the truth of the matter was, my summer holidays were always blissfully boring, which I didn't mind. Rather, I enjoyed the boredom of the holiday, they gave me a welcome contrast to the hecticness of my school term. For nine months out of the year, I was running around balancing my responsibilities of supervising the younger students, of being one of the students chosen to support our Potions Mistress in collecting ingredients that were up to scratch, of tending to the Abraxans and balancing my academics on the side. I was frankly much too busy during the academic year, all because I couldn't say no. So my summer holidays, delightfully boring as they were, were welcome.

"Oh wait," Voll said excitedly, clapping her hands as if she had just remembered something. I turned expectantly towards her, "What about Casca?"

Just the mention of my ex's surname had me making a face. Getting involved with him had been an extremely stupid thing I had done, and now I was still suffering because of it. "What about him?"

"You had that wedding didn't you?" Her question cut through the chatter in the dorm room and just like that, they were all turning to face me. I fidgeted slightly on my feet, suddenly feeling the combined weight of their eyes on me. They all knew exactly what had happened at the wedding I'd attended in the summer before I entered my sixth year. My dormmates had shared my disappointment when no letter from Scotland arrived.

I attempted to play naive, "Yeah, there was a wedding."

It failed spectacularly. Within the blink of an eye, all four of my dormmates scrambled from their unpacking and gathered on my bed, settling down with waiting eyes. When I attempted to ignore them, to retrieve my formal uniform jacket, Reagan took it from my hands, setting it aside.

"Well?" Reagan persisted, earnestly and I tried not to protest. I would have turned away and said nothing, wanting to keep my stupidity to myself, but there was something in Reagan's tone that had me pause. She had gone through a hell of a summer, one punctuated by grief and she was currently trying to preoccupy her mind with tales of our summer, we all knew that. It was something she always did. If my stupidity brought her some peace from the darkness of her grief, then I'd gladly obliged. But only for my friends. "Come on, you were worried about running into Casca."

"He was there," I conceded, sighing and sitting down on my mattress, joining my dormmates. "He was there and he spent quite a lot of time bugging me - "

"Because his ego can't get over being the one that was dumped," Reagan grumbled truthfully.

"That's true, but he didn't get a chance to keep bugging me." I thought about how to proceed before settling on, "I had some help keeping him away."

"There was a knight in shining armour?" Voll teased with a laugh.

"No," I said slowly, a hand reaching out to my hip and brushing across the skin where, hidden by the waistline of my uniform skirt, were the now faint finger-shaped bruises from where Wood had grasped it. Shaking the memory away, I cleared my throat, "Not a knight, a keeper maybe."

My words were lost on my dormmates who murmured between themselves about what I meant. They wouldn't be confused for long but I forced myself to continue packing away my uniform. Just as I had predicted, it didn't take long.

Reagan was the first to understand, she gasped, scrambling off from my mattress and approaching me, "Wood! You're talking about Wood."

"Maybe?" I trailed off, stretching out the word.

And that was enough, I was thoroughly accosted by my dormmates who wanted to know everything. I conceded with a laugh, deciding to share with them. Quite a while back, when I had first started at Beauxbatons for my first year, I might have found their curiosity to be stifling and irritating but now it wasn't. It felt like I had sisters, sisters I had always wanted to have, sisters I could share absolutely anything with without fearing judgement. Just seeing them share the excitement and giddiness of my latest encounter with Wood chased away any homesickness I could have had.

**********

When morning broke, I was the first to wake up, as I always was. I took my time to enjoy the calm of the dorm room whilst the rest of my dormmates continued to sleep, once they woke up our shared space would be a flurry of activity. Propping myself up in my bed, I laid against the headboard and read for an hour or so before forcing myself to pause at the end of a chapter. Marking my place with my bookmark, I shut the book and tucked it away under my pillow. Leaving my bed, I fixed the duvet cover and walked into our shared bathroom, taking my time to get ready. That was another benefit of waking up before anyone else did.

By the time I came out of the bathroom and changed into my uniform, my dormmates were slowly waking. They quickly readied themselves for the upcoming day, not with the leisure that I had, but they were soon ready too. We all waited until Voll, renowned for always managing to be the last one ready, had finished tying her hair. Once she was ready, we all headed down into the dining chamber.

Walking through the corridors of the palace, I peered out of the window and absentmindedly studied the formal gardens. Distantly I noted that the groundskeepers had decided to plant new winter wildflowers. When we reached the dining chamber, we took our seats, accepting the greetings from the younger students and offering one in return. Crossing my legs at the ankle, I summoned five teacups and saucers and set them out, one in front of all of us. Voll quickly filled each cup with tea whilst the rest of our dorm mates made themselves busy with retrieving the usual breakfast items we indulged in each morning.

Retrieving a freshly toasted brioche, I spread some butter, followed by jam and took a bite. My eyes flickered towards the professor's table, lingering on the empty seat of our headmistress.

Before I could wonder aloud where she was, Reagan sighed and grumbled, "I don't know why the kitchens won't buy your papa's bread, this is horrendous compared to that."

Proud that my papa's efforts were being recognised, I agreed internally but just shrugged. "He would be tired if he had to make enough bread for all of Beauxbatons students and professors."

"There is that."

Nudging Reagan with my shoulder, I laughed when she took another bite of her own bread, appearing dissatisfied with the bread. "When he sends me pastries, I'll share with you."

It was enough to perk her up and she turned her attention to the conversation the rest of our dormmates were sharing; the allocation of our classes and how unfairly some of the timetables had turned out. Finishing off the last of my toast, I retrieved my timetable from my satchel, and spread it out on the table, comparing it to my dormmates. I struggled not to groan when I realised that not even one of them had been allocated to my Alchemy class. At the very least I'd hoped to have Voll with me to keep me company.

"Mademoiselle Mercier?" the tentative all of my surname, stopped me from verbalising my words.

"Madamoiselle," Voll snickered, and I nudged her to keep quiet, and I turned expectantly towards the second year who stood waiting to be acknowledged.

"Monsieur Bernard, bonjour" I returned, physically turning my body towards the second-year student who stood carrying a brown bakery box with envelopes stacked on top of it.

"Good morning," the bashful second year returned, peeking around my dorm mates who in turn greeted the younger boy with echoings of 'bonjour monsieur Bernard'. It seemed the greeting brought some ease to the second year who shuffled the box between his hands. "You're delivering the mail today?"

"Oui," he said simply, outstretching the mail towards me.

Accepting it and putting it in my lap, I signed the document the student handed over to me, to document that I had received my mail. The student was quick to hurry away and I glanced questioningly back at my dorm mates, silently asking why the second year had run away.

"He has a crush on Burns, he was probably shy," Regan said dismissively, her eyes zeroing in on the box of baked goods my papa had already sent. She glanced at me with pleading eyes and I laughed.

Setting the box onto the table, I undid the string tying it together and opened it. I briefly peered inside, searching all of the pastries papa had sent this time and snagged an almond croissant and two macarons for myself before gesturing for everyone to help themselves. They didn't wait long before reaching in and scrambling for their favourites; they were quick about it, as if not wanting to lose out. I had no idea how they didn't yet realise that papa sent each of their favourites, making sure they all had something they liked in each box he sent. Whilst my dormmates helped themselves to papa's baked goods, I rifled through the letters I'd received, absentmindedly listening as my friends were brought their mail also. The first two envelopes were expected, one with maman's handwriting and the other with the other from my grand-papa. The third envelope brought me pause, the handwriting unfamiliar.

Setting aside the letter from Maman and grand-papa, I opened the third and my eyes went instantly to the bottom of the short letter, wanting to identify who it was from.

Oliver W.

Wood ... he'd actually written to me.

Straightening up in my seat, my eyes greedily took in each word.

Mercier,

Knowing how stubborn you can be, I'll be the one to open the channel of communication here.

It was difficult to stop myself from smiling. Not when I could practically hear him speaking each of the words written.

Just thought I'd let you know you left something in my bedroom, but don't worry, I'll bring it to you in person. I'll hold onto it until we come to Beauxbaatons for the friendly quidditch match.

See you soon,

Oliver W.

For a second, I let myself wonder what I had left behind before realising there was something much more pressing written in the short letter. He was coming here - soon from the sounds of it. He would be here soon and I couldn't wait to see him again. I really couldn't wait to see him again and now that I knew I would be seeing him soon, I could admit to myself that I'd already missed him.

Unable to stop myself from smiling, I hurried to bundle up my croissant and macarons in a napkin and picked them up. Putting my letters into my satchel, I stood hurriedly and gestured to the baked goods, "You guys enjoy, I just need to write a letter."

"Everything okay?" Voll asked concerned, wiping some madeleine crumbs from her mouth.

"Perfect." I even tried to stop my smile but couldn't. "It's perfect. I just need to write a quick letter, I won't be late."

Waving at my friends when they said they would see me soon, I hurried with quickened steps to my dorm room and ignored the curious looks I was getting from students who weren't used to seeing me tearing my way through the corridor. Reaching my dorm, I put my bag down on my bed and sat at my small desk.

Retrieving my quill and parchment, I started to write a quick response to Wood.

Wood,

Only ... what was I supposed to say?

I wanted to be honest, I wanted to write that I couldn't wait to see him when he arrived. Rather, I was looking forward to it a surprising amount. But, I couldn't bring myself to write any of that. I could just hear my friends telling me that I needed to be a bit mysterious, a bit aloof and that I couldn't make it seem so obvious.

I pondered for a moment, before settling on a simple letter.

Cher Monsieur Wood,

Thanks for writing. What did I leave behind?

Also, when are you coming to Beauxbatons? I haven't heard anything about a friendly quidditch match.

Recevez,

Mercier

Not allowing myself to ponder on it any further - because I would continue to find flaws in the letter, no matter what I'd written in it, I folded the parchment in half. Opening my desk and pulling out an envelope, I copied the address written on the back of Wood's envelope. I stopped short of putting the letter in.

Before I could chicken out, I picked up my perfume and sprayed it onto the parchment and the envelope, remembering the way he'd burrowed his nose into my neck and groaned Godric, you smell good. Shuffling in my seat at the memory, I dismissed it and murmured a charm to make sure the scent stuck. Sliding the letter into the envelope, I sealed it shut and tucked it into my satchel. I would drop it off for posting later. For now, I needed to hurry to my first lesson.

***********

Unsurprisingly, it didn't take long for my friends to quickly realise that I had a new penpal, ones whose letters seemed to appear as if scheduled at least once a week, and whose letters had me abandoning whatever I was in the middle of doing so I could read through it. Usually, that meant abandoning my breakfast partway through, packing some food in a napkin and returning to the sanctuary of my bedroom so I could read it in peace. They had yet to attempt to get any information from me, likely waiting for me to share, but I wouldn't not yet. Rather, I was tempted to see just how long they would continue their uncharacteristic patience.

Settling at the breakfast table, I reached for teacups and placed one before each of my dormmates. I did so absentmindedly, eyes flickering repeatedly to the doors of the dining chamber, expecting and waiting for the younger students that were responsible for couriering the mail to appear shortly. It had been just over a week since I had received a letter from Oliver and I'd only just allowed myself to admit that I was nervous that I'd written something that had scared him off.

Forcing my eyes away from the door, I tried my best not to think about my long-awaited response, and instead reached for the teapot. Pouring myself a generous cup, I added a small splash of milk and stirred in some sugar. Maybe I could just look once more -

It took all my restraint to keep my eyes on my tea as I tapped my spoon lightly on the side of my cup and put the spoon down on my saucer. Reaching for some bread, I buttered it absentmindedly, and lost my internal battle, peering at the still empty doorway from the corner of my eye.

"Mercier!" Voll called out so sharply that some of the students around us jumped and looked at us. She offered them apologies before looking expectantly at me.

"Voll?" I watched my friend with furrowed brows.

"We've been calling you for ages now," she started at a much more reasonable volume. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," I assured her with a smile. My eyes flickered between my dormmates who were all unconvinced. "Believe me, I'm not thinking about anything."

Spreading some jam onto my sliced toast, I took a bite when Reagan pointed out, "You're waiting on the mail to arrive. Just whose letter is it you're anticipating so eagerly?"

I took my time chewing and swallowing my mouthful, wishing that Reagan wasn't so perceptive. My dormmates continued to watch me as I took a much-needed sip of my tea before admitting, "It's Wood - we've been writing to each other."

The response was instantaneous; they all lost interest in their breakfast and shuffled closer to me, leaning in to keep prying eyes and ears away from our discussion. My friends spoke over each other, asking far too many questions for me to possibly make sense of. So I didn't try to. Instead, I waited for them to tire themselves out and fall silent.

Only then did I admit, "Remember that wedding? We kind of ... slept together again."

"Kind of," Voll repeated with a laugh, "how do you kind of sleep with someone? Is that another one of your veela capabilities?"

"Oh please, I'm one-eighth veela - there's no capabilities to be had." Shaking my head, I pushed past the teasing and said, "We've been writing to each other since then and it's his turn to write back. But I haven't heard from him in over a week now."

"You could always write to him again," Regan suggested, the first of my dormmates to lean back in her chair again.

Voll cast a scandalised look at her, "You must be mad! She can't send him two letters in a row!"

"Why not?"

"Because it would seem desperate!"

Before the two could get into a heated discussion about whether or not writing to someone twice in a row was desperate, I cut in, "I just feel a bit silly for waiting so anxiously for his letter."

"Well, I mean, if I could find a man that can get me off the way you've said Wood's been able to get you off - I'd be eagerly waiting for his letter too," Mathis, the quietest of our roommates piped up so suddenly that it caught me by surprise. She returned to her breakfast as if she hadn't said anything. I just looked at her a moment longer; she hadn't been wrong.

"She's got a point," Voll murmured, returning to her breakfast. "You said he had a talented tongue."

Reagan cleared her throat so harshly that we all looked inquisitively at her. She silently gestured behind me and I turned to find one of the fourth years standing behind me, holding a pile of letters in his hand. The poor fourth year, no doubt having heard what we'd been talking about, couldn't meet any of our eyes as he greeted us. We returned the greeting and I tried my best to hide my internal mortification. The fourth-year distributed the letters between us and we quickly signed the necessary document and sent him on his way.

Now that the younger student had disappeared, I could have let myself show my embarrassment, but I was too busy paying attention to the letter in my hands. I didn't need to open it to know who it was from; I'd become so familiar with Wood's handwriting that I recognised it at a single glance. My hold on the envelope tightened a little. I'd waited for this letter for days now, and now that it was here, I almost didn't want to open it. I almost didn't want to open it in case he'd decided he didn't want to write to me anymore.

"It's from him, isn't it?" Nodding in response to Voll's question, I silently forced myself to open it without waiting until I was back in my dorm.

Drawing out the single piece of parchment, I unfolded it. My eyes quickly took in every word.

Lass,

Sorry for making you wait. But you know me, I can't seem to stay out of the hospital wing. Although, I wrote to you as soon as I was out, so that makes up for it right?

While I've been stuck in the hospital wing, I've been missing you loads - you probably never thought I'd ever say that, did you? It's true though. I've been missing you loads, and I can't wait to see you again.

On the bright side, I'm all healed up, and I've got the all-clear from Pomfrey, so I'll be coming along still. What are the chances of me getting a welcoming kiss?

I'll leave that up to you. Write soon,

Oliver

"Is he alright then?" Regan asked, watching as I folded the letter again and tucked it back into the envelope. She pushed my abandoned plate of food back to me, silently reminding me to eat. "Nothing happened like you were worried about?"

"He's fine," I echoed slowly, wishing that I could have been relieved that there were no demands from him for me to stop writing. I should have been relieved, I should have been happy that everything was alright, but my brain didn't work that way. Merlin, I wish it did, but it didn't. Instead, my brain was now hyperfixating on the likelihood of there being some lingering veela-appeal in my one eighth veela blood.

Reagan reached a hand out, setting it on top of mine, "Mercier?"

Offering her a smile, I said simply, "He's fine, he's still coming along for that friendly quidditch match they're planning."

**********

The days before Oliver's arrival passed in the blink of an eye. Whilst I navigated all of my responsibilities, and my new self assigned research, the days had suddenly flown by until d-day was officially upon us and I had been asked by the Professors to join the team of students responsible for welcoming the delegation of students and teachers who had travelled from the Scottish highlands to the isolated mountain range that housed our school. At first, I had been tempted to decline the task, knowing I could always say that I had too many responsibilities on my shoulders already, and it would have been an acceptable answer, and yet, I wanted to see him. I wanted, more than anything, to see Oliver and as silly as it was, I wanted to hug the man. I didn't think we had ever hugged before - we had done a lot more than hugging, but I wanted to hug him and to know what it would be like to be tucked away safely inside his arms and shielded by his broad chest. Not that I would be able to hug him anyway.

Forcing myself out of my thoughts, I stood by the doorway, preparing to greet the delegation who would soon be upon us. Consulting the list I had prepared of all the things I needed to keep an eye on, I made a silent check of all the things that still needed to be done. Looking up from the parchment, I surveyed the entry hall around me, making note of the younger students who were rushing around to ensure that the wildflowers that had been plucked from the grounds were secured as per the wishes of the headmistress. I pitied the poor students, they had wanted a reason to escape from their lessons and had saddled themselves with more work.

Walking toward the group of young students, I offered them a smile. "I think that should be enough, if you can all check that the spare dormitories have been set up properly that would be great."

The younger students conceded, scattering and running up the stairs to the upper floors. I knew that most of them wouldn't check the dormitories, they would take the excuse to take a much-needed break - which was what I had intended anyway. The dormitories were perfect, I already knew that, I'd looked over them all myself first thing in the morning.

"Zey are 'ere," our headmistress called out from behind me. Turning my attention to her, I followed her eyes towards the grounds where the carriages were rapidly approaching.

The carriages, led by the school's white Abraxans were making rapid progress and I walked steadily to join my peers as they stood behind our teachers, preparing to greet our visitors. Straightening out my uniform, I realised I was fidgeting and forced my hands to still.

The multiple carriages came to a still and I waited with bated breath as the occupants of the carriage stepped out one by one, congregating in a large group at the centre of our castle courtyard. I rose onto my toes slightly, trying to peer over the shoulders of my professors, searching out Oliver and not being able to find him. Distantly, I heard my headmistress and my professors greet the teachers who had accompanied the students. Not that I paid them much mind.

Where was Oliver?

The student at my side nudged me without a word and I lowered my heels back onto the floor, not wanting to make a scene. I would have to seek him out later. As the headmistress continued to speak to our guests, I silently gestured for the students to exit into the courtyard. Some of my peers headed straight for the students, introducing themselves and getting to know our guests, others approached the Abraxans to soothe them and thank them for their journey. I did the latter, approaching the Abraxans that pulled the first carriage into the courtyard.

I summoned the pail of apples - the finest all of France produced - and offered some to each of the Abraxans who happily consumed their snacks. Taking my time to address each of them, I stroked my hands over their manes and allowed them to curl their heads into my arms in an embrace. Reaching the final Abraxan, I patted it on the neck before preparing to return to my headmistress's side, only the moment I looked up, my eyes had locked head-on with the eyes I had been dreaming about.

He was here.

He was here and he was looking at me. How long had he been looking at me? Had he been looking at me because I was part -

Dismissing the thought, I offered him a smile which he returned with one that was much larger than mine. He moved as if to approach me, stopping midway through the action when my headmistress called my name.

That was my cue.

Gathering my hands in front of me, I prepared to address the visiting students who were all now paying attention to me, "Bonjour and welcome to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. The students you see before you, myself included, have been appointed as ambassadors and designated guides to help you during your stay with us. Please feel free to approach any of us, any of the students really, with any queries you may have and I hope you enjoy your time at our wonderful school. You have travelled far, so I think we should get you settled in."

As the Hogwarts students spoke between themselves for a moment, I turned to face my peers who were waiting for my sign. They all approached me and I made quick work of pairing each visiting student with one of the student ambassadors. Originally, I had paired myself with Oliver, wanting to spend time with him, and now with our reunion on the horizon, I wasn't so sure I'd made the right choice. Not with my brain being as preoccupied as it was. Still, I continued with my duties.

"If you follow your appointed partner, they will show you around the castle before showing you to your accommodation."

Taking a few steps back, I reached for my list, wanting to appear like I was busy as the paired students got to know each other and prepared to begin their tours. I wanted to take the extra time to ready myself.

"Not going to say hello?" Oliver's warm voice said from in front of me. I could just hear the smile in his voice and Merlin, it made me smile in return.

Tucking my list away and lifting my head, I said a soft, "Hello."

My eyes greedily drank in the sight of him, lingering on his plush lower lip before flittering away, not wanting to be caught. Although, I didn't think it had worked too well, considering the way his smile grew wider.

"Hello." He walked even closer to me, standing so close that the front of his shoes almost touched mine, "You didn't tell me you were head girl."

"We don't have a head girl or head boy here," I answered with a shrug, "We have chosen students who are appointed with more responsibilities compared to others, but no official titles."

Oliver's brows furrowed as if he struggled to understand what I'd said. He didn't focus on it too long. Instead, he finally said aloud, "I've missed you."

Actually hearing him say the words did something to me that reading them hadn't done. Reading them had warmed me from the inside, but hearing them aloud had my stomach flipping pleasantly. I was quick to echo the sentiment, "I missed you too." Casting a quick glance around the rapidly emptying courtyard, I realised that we were falling behind. "So, shall we get this tour started then?"

He gestured with his arm, "Lead the way, lass."

So I did. I walked in front of Oliver as I lead him into the castle, talking aloud and explaining different things about our castle and our school. But I highly doubted he was paying much attention to anything I was saying. Especially when he had confessed to me that the sight of my behind in our school uniform drove him half-mad.

Turning around the corner, I started talking to Oliver about the statues that lined the walls, tucked into the alcoves. Glancing over my shoulder at him, I found his eyes glazed over a little; he definitely hadn't been paying attention to anything I'd said. Before I could continue talking, he closed the difference between us with determined steps that had me watching him with a little apprehension. Grasping me by my shoulders, he walked me backwards and I followed his lead, ducking behind the statue and tucked away in the alcove, hidden from view. Tilting my head up to look at him, my eyes flickered shut when he dropped his head down to kiss me. I eagerly returned it, bringing my hands up to fist the sleeves of his school robes. It would have been so easy to deepen the kiss, to really act out all the fantasies I'd had about this reunion, but I didn't. Instead, I pulled away from him.

"Hello," he said again, far softer this time. "That was how I wanted to greet you."

"Hello," I returned once more, holding his gentle eyes. "Well, we should get going again, this tour won't carry itself out."

**********

Things seldom turned out the way you planned. I knew that, and despite knowing that, I had still made a whole list of things I wanted to do once Oliver had arrived at the castle. I had so many things I wanted to show him and do with him and yet, I hadn't been able to do any of them. My time was eaten up by all the responsibilities I had taken on for myself, along with the extra ones I had been appointed due to the arrival of our guests, and it was the first time I regretted signing myself up to do so much. It just so happened that during the little spare time I had, Oliver had scheduled a quidditch practice of the Hogwarts quidditch team, made up of players from all the houses that he had been appointed to captain. Merlin, I shouldn't have been surprised that our schedules just did not appear to match up. The few times I had managed to see him were during the lessons that we'd shared and that still wasn't enough. It just wasn't fair.

The end of Oliver's visit was very rapidly approaching and each day appeared to be passing by more rapidly than the one before it. The quidditch match that had been scheduled to take place near the end of the visit was already upon us and I tried not to remind myself that once today was over, he would be heading home tomorrow. It just wasn't fair.

"Mercier." I started from my thoughts, feeling Voll's hand on my arm. Turning curiously towards my dorm mate, I raised a silent eyebrow when she continued to look at me in evident surprise, "Are you actually coming to watch the match? You never watch quidditch matches."

I evaded her knowing eyes, smoothing my hand down my trouser legs, "I should support the school."

"Yeah, yeah." She laughed teasingly, linking her arm through mine and tugging me in the direction of the pitch. "Come on then, if we wait too long we won't get decent seats."

I followed Voll's lead, not knowing what constituted decent seats, and watched as she navigated her way through the excitedly chattering students, pulling me after her. My eyes scanned the crowd, wanting to get a glimpse of Oliver and struggling to find him. Eventually, my eyes settled on the two teams as they started to warm up, running through practice drills. If I didn't speak to him now, I had no idea when I would get the chance. I'd been looking forward to this visit for weeks, I couldn't just let it end like this. No way.

As we reached the stand where the rest of our dorm mates were sat, I drew my arm away from Voll's. She turned curiously towards me and I had to shout a little to be heard over the noise, "Save me a seat, I'll be right back."

"Ok, I will."

Turning away from Voll, I forced my way back through the crowd, a feat that was considerably more difficult considering I was going against the current of movement. But I persisted, making it through to the other side and walked conspicuously towards the two teams as they practised. The area had been cordoned off with some students stationed around the pitch to make sure everyone was kept out, but spying me and likely thinking there was some issue that I had been called to sort out, they ushered me through with little questioning.

Stepping onto the pitch, I hovered a little on the outskirts, watching as the two teams practised and wondering if my presence would be a nuisance. But I didn't focus on it for long, I couldn't let my nerve be shaken.

"Mercier?" My eyes searched the pitch, seeking out the owner of the voice that had called for me. Oliver appeared within seconds, flying down with his broom and hovering in the air before me. He lowered himself to the ground until his feet touched the floor and he clambered off. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?"

"I feel like I haven't seen you at all this past week," I said truthfully, realising that it didn't answer his question at all. And yet, it did answer it.

"I feel the same," he reassured me. "You're an extremely busy person."

"You're a busy person too. Just how often do you run drills?"

"More often than I have been whilst we've been here." The truthful ring to his words had my mouth parting in shock; they'd run drills almost every two days whilst being here. He insisted, "I've been majorly laid back with practices whilst we've been here because I wanted to see you. But back at Hogwarts if we've got a match approaching, I'll have the team run drills almost every day, if I can."

I didn't doubt him at all. My eyes flickered behind him, realising that the referee had appeared, preparing to begin the match. I struggled to hide my disappointment; I'd hoped that we'd have more time. Oliver followed my eyes before looking back at me.

"Are you here to wish my luck?" He continued to watch me steadily, head tilted slightly and smiling charmingly.

"Absolutely not." Holding his eyes and feeling the corners of my lips turn up, I reached a hand out towards his. He outstretched his hand likely expecting me to take his. But I didn't. Instead, I just trailed a fingertip over his palm and returned it to my side. "What sort of student would I be if I didn't support my school?"

"And you think you can win, do you?" His voice dropped a little as he stepped closer to me, his body solid and firm right before me. It would be so so easy to reach out to him.

My head tilted up slightly, holding his eyes as I spoke softly, matching his tone, "Of course, we'll win."

He ducked his head slightly, bringing his head closer so I could hear him over the shouting surrounding the pitch, "Well, fancy making a met on it?"

"Something tells me you don't make bets with Gryffindors." My tongue darted out to lick my bottom lip, watching as his eyes followed the movement.

"Is that a risk you're willing to take?" At my nod, he posited, "If we win, I get to sneak you away after and keep you to myself for the night."

"Deal." I shifted my head slightly, bringing it closer to him, almost as if I was going to kiss him but I paused at the last minute. I drew back abruptly. "But if I win, I get to sneak you away tonight."

"Deal." He grinned handsomely.

**********

By the time night fell, I had settled into my bed, lying propped up against the headboard and reading my book as I did every night. One by one, my dormmates settled into their own beds and prepared to go to sleep. They settled down and slowly fell asleep. Reagan, the last to fall asleep, finally released a slow snore and I gave up pretending to read. Returning my bookmark to the place I had last paid attention, I closed the book and put it under my pillow.

Easing myself off from my bed, I slowly fixed the covers and cast a glance around the room, not wanting to wake anyone. Checking that they were all still asleep, I quickly stripped off the fluffy bathrobe I had wrapped around me to reveal the casual clothes I'd dressed myself in before any of my dorm mates had headed up to join me. Kicking off my slippers, I wore my comfortable flats and reached for my wand. Walking towards the door with cautious steps, I paused and surveyed the room once more. They were all still asleep.

Opening the door and slipping out of the room and taking heed to shut the door behind me without making a sound. Peering around the corridor, I paused in surprise when I saw Oliver standing a short distance away from the door, clearly waiting for me. My eyebrows rose in surprise, but I was quick to approach him after casting a cursory glance around the corridor, the last thing I needed was to be seen by any of my professors.

Coming to Oliver's side with quick steps, I asked quietly, "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you," he said as if it was obvious.

"I know that," I said with a roll of my eyes that he was quick to return, "But we won, shouldn't I be the one to come and get you?"

"Your school team played dirty." A look of brief irritation flickered across his features like he was remembering the match that his school had lost. But it passed just as quickly as it had appeared. "No such thing as fairness for you Beauxbatons, is there?"

"Excusez-moi," I said incredulously, pressing a hand to his chest. "Our team played fair and square, thank you very much."

"Oh please," he scoffed before shaking his head. "We need to end this conversation or else we'll start squabbling."

"I don't squabble, you squabble."

He shook his head, a chuckle slipping between his parted lips. "Besides, it's only gentlemanly for me to come and get you, Mercier."

Shuffling a tad closer to him, I posited, "You're a gentleman, are you?"

"My ma raised a gentleman." He lowered his voice even more as he offered in an inviting murmur, "But if I remember correctly, you like it when I'm not a gentleman."

Heat coloured my cheeks but I didn't address it. Instead, I acknowledged, "Sometimes."

"Sometimes?" For a moment, Oliver searched my eyes with blatant want in his gaze. He lowered his head as if to kiss me, but I put a hand on his chest to stop him. "Good Godric lass, if you don't half tease me."

"Come on Wood, I'm taking you somewhere." Dropping my hand from his chest, I used it to take him. Linking our fingers together, I set off with him walking behind me, "There's a great view I want you to see."

I led Oliver through the school, keeping an eye out to make sure that we weren't caught by anyone. Oliver followed quietly behind me, occasionally planting himself firm so I wouldn't be able to tug him after me. In those circumstances, he would resist, easily tugging me back towards him in a show of strength and stealing a quick kiss - nothing more than a peck, no matter how much I tried to deepen it - before gesturing for me to continue leading the way.

Eventually, we made it to the uppermost level of the palace where few students, apart from those who studied Astronomy visited. We reached the open-air observatory and I led Oliver towards the edge of the building, lined by the railing to keep overly adventurous students from toppling over.

Releasing Oliver's hand, I clambered over the railing, perching on it with my feet swinging over the edge. I peered over my shoulder at Oliver who watched me dubiously.

Patting the space next to me, I assured him, "There are wards in place to stop students from falling. Trust me. Every day the Astronomy professor checks the warding."

Reassured by my words, Wood joined me as I stared up at the starry night sky. Once he was settled beside me, I shuffled towards him until the line of my thigh pressed against his. The wind blew softly and Oliver reached an arm out, wrapping it around my waist and drawing me even closer to his side.

"I don't want you to fall," was his excuse and I laughed, the sound carrying in the night air.

Dropping my head onto his shoulder, I said, "Sure."

"You know," Oliver began contemplatively, carrying on when I made an inquisitive sound, "whenever I thought about spending a week in the same castle as you, I thought we'd be able to spend a lot more time together. It's the only reason why I volunteered to come here."

"I hoped we'd be able to spend some time together too."

At my admission, Oliver lifted his shoulder as if to silently tell me to sit up. I took the cue, lifting my head and straightening up. Turning to face Oliver, I found him looking probingly at me. I held his stare, watching as his eyes softened the longer I kept looking at him. Merlin, I liked him.

And I hoped he liked me too - and that he liked me for me. Not because of the 12.5% veela in me. All of my research had suggested that due to the dominance of veela blood, having 12.5% veela in me, meant that the allure could be present. There was no guarantee that it was, but it could be.

"What is it?" he asked softly, lifting a hand to smooth out the furrow in my brows. "You've got that look where you're thinking about something."

"Oliver?"

"Go on." He offered me an encouraging smile.

"You don't think you like me because I've got a little bit of veela blood in me, do you?"

Scoffing, Oliver reached out to nudge my shoulder with his own, "Who even says I like you, Mercier?" When he caught sight of my expression, his own softened, "Come on Mercier, you know that's rubbish, right?"

"I mean-"

"It is rubbish." He assured me with much certainty. "You don't dazzle me or hypnotise me in any way, Mercier. I know you, I know your flaws - you're one of the most stubborn people I know, by the way - and I see you. I see you for the good and the bad and I want you regardless. No, I want you because of it all."

My heart, leaping into my throat, and stopping me from saying anything, felt like it was about to explode from a combination of relief and dizzying happiness. Unable to say a word, I hoped my eyes would say it all.

"What?" Oliver asked.

Maybe I did need to speak after all. But I couldn't think of anything to say. Instead, I settled on, "I had no idea you could say anything like that."

Chuckling softly, Oliver extended a hand, cupping my cheek and drawing my mouth towards his. His lips hovered over mine, his nose brushing softly across mine. Eyes flickering shut, I waited with bated breath for him to close the distance between the pair of us. He didn't.

"You drive me mad, Mercier," he said into the space between us, "but I wouldn't have it any other way."

Only then did he close the gap, taking my lips in a much-awaited kiss. I returned it eagerly, bringing my hands up to his hair, and letting my fingers curl into it. When he deepened the kiss, I breathed out a moan into his mouth. Just how was I supposed to send him away tomorrow morning?

Eventually, Oliver drew away from me, panting slightly. He rested his forehead against mine. My eyes opened, finding his shut for a moment longer. At last, he asked, "Can we stay out here all night? I'm leaving tomorrow and want to spend as much time with you as I can."

"I would love that," I assured him, leaning up to steal a quick kiss.

We stayed like that for a moment longer before eventually returning to our previous position, sitting side by side with my head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around me. The wind picked up a little and Oliver was prompt to cast a warming charm over the pair of us. Merlin, how was I supposed to say goodbye tomorrow morning when all I wanted was for him to stay longer? But I didn't say anything about it, knowing it would make the rest of our time together feel bitter.

"Oliver?"

"Hmm?"

"I thought you had something you needed to return to me? What did I leave behind?"

"That?" He dropped a lingering kiss on the top of my head. "I'll return that to you next time."

Straightening up, I looked at him incredulously. "I don't even know what I left behind, but it's mine, you can't just keep it and-"

He silenced the rest of my protests with a kiss.

**********

3 YEARS LATER

It had resulted in a battle. Everything that had been going on in Britain had resulted in a battle despite my every naive hope that it wouldn't. I had watched, from Oliver's side, as Britain devolved into a battle to preserve life as everyone knew it. Silently I had wanted nothing more than to bundle Oliver up, to pack him in my suitcase and ship him off to France, to keep him safe. But of course, that could never happen, he wouldn't allow himself to be carted off to safety. It went against his every principle.

So I had stuck firmly at his side, glueing myself to him as if my presence would grant him greater safety when really, all it was doing was making my anxiety worse. That was perhaps why I hadn't protested when he'd encouraged me to visit my parents for the first time in over a year, even though he'd insisted that he couldn't join me - just in case. I hadn't let myself contemplate what just in case could have meant. And Merlin, did I wish I had.

If I had contemplated, then perhaps I would have been beside Oliver when the troubles of wizarding Britain culminated in a final battle that I just knew Oliver had fought in. The same Oliver who I hadn't heard of since the beginning of the battle - who hadn't even been the one to inform me about this battle. It was only when Fleur called for assistance from Beuxbatons, that the information travelled through the grapevine and I pulled in the last of the favours I was owed from some old friends and an emergency portkey had been arranged.

It took time to locate Hogwarts, the school's located shielded and yet I forced myself to continue on, to follow the trace of magic as it lingered in the air. Eventually, I stumbled upon the castle, or rather what remained of it, and peered around at the still courtyard. I had no idea what I had expected or planned - had I really thought I could have just turned up in the middle of a battleground? - but I hadn't expected the still silence that greeted me.

Still, I forced myself forward, ignoring the curious glances I was getting from the few occupants who were trying to clear the rubble away and were supporting those injured in the castle. Clutching anxiously at my wand, I tried to figure out where to begin, where did I possibly begin to look for Oliver. Did I even want to look for him? What if he had di-

I dismissed the thought abruptly, refusing to contemplate it for even a second longer. Walking towards the entrance of the castle, I approached a pair of students - one leaning heavily on the other as they limped inside - and tried to get their attention.

"Excuse me," I said, continuing when they looked curiously at me. I watched as their eyebrows furrowed, having no idea who I was, but persisted, "I'm looking for Oliver Wood?"

The two students, still dressed in their uniforms - good Merlin, they were too young to have gone through all of this - shared a glance before the uninjured one spoke. "Last I saw him, he was being patched up in the great hall."

"Great hall?"

"Come on, we're heading that way, you can follow us."

Thanking them for their assistance, I followed a short step behind them as they led me towards Oliver. As I walked, my eyes searched what remained of the once illustrious school and felt a pang of sadness. Was this truly the place that Oliver used to speak of, the one that had housed some of his greatest memories? I'd always wanted to see the school, but never like this.

When we finally reached the great hall, a room brimming with people who were chattering madly, speaking quickly and sharing both grief and gratitude. My eyes refused to settle on the bodies scattered across the room, surrounded by grieving families - I couldn't handle it. Instead, I kept searching for one person, and one person only.

"He's over there."

My eyes followed the gesture of the student who pointed towards one of the corners of the room where a makeshift infirmary appeared to be set up. And there, seated and having his arm patched up, was Oliver who stared solemnly into space. Just what had he seen? And how was I supposed to even begin helping him? I could contemplate all of that much later. For now, I was just grateful that he was here and he was alive. Thanking the students for their assistance, I crossed the room, navigating through the crowd of strangers, keeping my eyes on Oliver the entire time.

When I was close enough that I knew he would hear me, I called out his name, my voice wobbling slightly in the middle. "Oliver."

His head snapped up at the sound of my voice, searching the space around him until his eyes found me. He spoke quickly to the mediwitch at his side, checking that he was done before he stood and approached me with quick steps. When he reached me, he was quick to take me in a tight embrace, burrowing his head into my shoulder. I returned it, squeezing him so tightly that I had to be hurting him, but I needed the reminder, that he was here and safely in my arms. He breathed out a relieved sigh and I forced myself not to break into tears. Blinking them away, I silently thanked every deity, spirit, - everything I could think of.

"You're here," he said simply, lifting his head and pressing his forehead against mine. He took deep steadying breaths, eyes closed as he grounded himself in the here and now. "Godric, I can't believe you're here."

"And yet I can believe that you're here," I murmured, voice watery. Lifting my shaking hands to his face, I cradled it softly. Oliver lifted his hand to cover mine like he could feel the way they trembled. "Never again - don't go looking for death."

"I wasn't going to die," he grumbled, smiling regardless. Like he knew I was going to protest that there was no way he could know that for certain, he spoke quickly, "There was no way I was going to die before I got to give you back that earring."

"Earring?" I drew back from him a little. "What on earth are you talking about?"

Oliver spoke tiredly, and I let him slump against me a little as he leaned forward, resting his forehead on my shoulder. It seemed that fighting in a battle was physically taxing. "The earring you left behind in my bedroom after the wedding."

It took just a moment longer before realisation settled in, "All these years and you've held onto an earring of mine? Even though we live together now?"

At my incredulous laugh, he shrugged. "It's like a good luck charm for me now."

Shaking my head at his ridiculousness, but endeared nonetheless, I just held him close to me again. He could keep the earring if he really wanted to, I was just glad that I got to keep him.

___________________

What did you think? 

Onto the next one. The next one should be up on the 31st and here are the hints: 

* Has an older sibling 

* A member of the second order of the phoenix 

* Let's be honest, you all love him