The Education of Oliver Wood

Journey to Past Relationships

Emmie sighed as she threw the last of her gear into her bag and stood, pulling it up to her shoulder. She looked over, seeing Fincher had just finished up as well.

"Ready?" he asked. She smiled and nodded, then glanced over, seeing Adrian was still there though everyone else had left.

She wasn't sure why, but she felt the urge to invite him along. Perhaps it was in the spirit of team camaraderie - she felt bad for the few slight tiffs she had inadvertently started before and wanted to try and make amends in some way. Though another part of her wanted to do it because she was curious to know more about Flint. Surprisingly, she had found herself enjoying her time with him at the after party though couldn't bring herself to reach out to him directly.

Fincher sensed what she was going to do and started shaking his head, but she had already turned to the chaser.

"Say, Pucey. Ye doin' anythin'?" she asked lightly. He stopped packing up and glanced at her, not expecting her to address him.

"Ehm... no," he said cautiously.

"Come have dinner and some drinks with me and Fincher?" she asked.

Adrian looked over at Fincher, who quickly stopped shaking his head. He could tell the keeper wasn't keen on the idea, but he was curious.

"Sure," he said, straightening up. Emmie smiled and turned to Fincher.

"Let's go," she said, grinning.

"Fine..." he said with a sigh.

Not long after, they were walking into the Witches' Brew, Fincher and Emmie waving at the owner before settling at their usual table.

"You come here often?" Adrian asked, glancing around at the cheery decor. It very much seemed to be a place where the Hufflepuffs would hang out.

"Aye, suppose ye could say that," Emmie said as a witch walked over and put down two pints in front of Emmie and Fincher.

"The usual?" she asked, glancing at the two. They nodded. She then turned to Adrian. "What can I get you, love?"

"Ehm... same as them, I suppose," he said. She smiled and walked off. "What did I just order?"

Emmie chuckled as Fincher wore an amused smile.

"Nothin' mad. Just burger and fries. A pint of their pale ale," she said, reaching for her glass. Adrian seemed relieved.

Soon enough, the witch was back with his own pint and three plates of food that she placed in front of the players.

"Caught the latest match. Brilliant," she said before walking off.

Adrian glanced around the pub more closely, taking opportunity of the time that Emmie and Fincher's mouths were full to study the place. He saw a line of quidditch jerseys up on the wall, Emmie and Fincher's included. He then recognized those from a few of the other Hufflepuffs that had been in the League.

"How did you find this place?" he asked, turning back to them.

"Owner is a friend of the family," Fincher said, his mouth full. "Was Hufflepuff too."

"That would explain the jerseys," Adrian said with a small smile as he reached for fry.

"Just about," Emmie said with a smile.

She and Fincher began chatting about their friends while Adrian silently ate, listening and taking in everything. Even though they had been in different Leagues, it seemed the two had remained close after school. And that Fincher had maintained his big brother/bodyguard act. Though Emmie seemed to fight it a bit more than she had at school.