The Education of Oliver Wood

Last Chance

Oliver Wood sighed as he glanced around the empty office, taking in all the photographs and awards on the walls. It wasn't his first time summoned to the manager's office at Puddlemere Stadium. But something about this time had his stomach churning slightly. Whether it was from nerves or his hangover, he wasn't completely sure at the moment.

Glancing around, he saw the latest Prophet on the desk and sat up, reaching for it. He didn't know how long the manager was going to be, so figured he'd at least check up on the news. He quickly moved through all the news about the restoration of the wizarding world, finding he didn't need any more reminders of the hell they had all lived during the war. He finally stopped at the sports section, browsing through the headlines.

Arrows pulls up Emmie MacKenzie from reserves, signs Adrian Pucey

Oliver's breath hitched slightly as he sat up and leaned towards the paper, going through the article.

With two chaser spots left open after the war, the Arrows is going for young blood as replacements. Pucey has been playing first string chaser for the Wasps for the last two seasons and shown strong stats since his time as chaser for Slytherin house at Hogwarts. MacKenzie is the daughter of legendary player Calum MacKenzie and sister to Wanderers star chaser Alex MacKenzie - currently on injury leave - and looks to have a promising career of her own ahead of her. She was signed to the Arrows reserves straight from Hogwarts in 1994.

"We signed MacKenzie knowing full well that she would take the first open chaser spot, though it was unfortunately through sad circumstances," Coach Shackles said. "But we knew from day 1 that she was going to be a great asset to the Arrows program. We're happy to have both her and Pucey join the team."

Oliver sat back in the chair, staring at the photo of Emmie in her Arrows uniform, a small smile on her face. It was different from the smile he was used to - the one that seemed to fill her entire face and was contagious.

But it still didn't change the fact that she was finally playing first string, something he thought should have happened a long time ago. She was brilliant on the pitch and was one of the highest-ranking chasers in the reserves. She had only gotten better after they left Hogwarts. Part of him wished that he could congratulate her. But he was likely the last person she wanted to hear from, considering how things went down the last time they spoke.

Oliver folded up the paper and put it back on the desk, then sat back in his chair, his mind wandering back a few years. When things had been good. Before... everything. They had over two good, strong years together. And Oliver would be lying if he said he didn't miss them. That he didn't miss her.

But it was too late. He had made his bed and now he had to lie in it. Even though half the time he wasn't lying in it alone.

"Good to see you've finally learned to get here on time," Philbert Deverill, the team manager said, striding into his office. Oliver immediately sat up and then gulped slightly, seeing Miles Thatcher, the team owner at his side. This couldn't be good.

"Mr. Wood," Thatcher said, a frown clearly on his face.

"Mr. Deverill. Mr. Thatcher," he said, looking back and forth between the two as he stood.

They both remained standing as Deverill waved his wand and shut the door. Oliver went back and forth on whether he should sit or remain standing. As they made no move to sit, he decided that was the best course of action, putting his hands behind his back so that he wouldn't inadvertently begin wringing them.

"I suppose you know what this is about," Deverill said.

"My performance last season," Oliver replied quickly.