Golden Girl; 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

Fourth Year: Bambi's Hot Date

October 1992

Bambi woke up early Wednesday morning to the Hogwarts grounds covered in vibrant orange and red leaves. It was a brisk cool morning, and thankfully, one that they didn't have any Quidditch practice scheduled. As she stretched in her bed, letting out a massive yawn, she felt a surge of excitement. Today was her birthday.

She was fifteen years old.

She sat up, her curls tousled from sleep, framing her face in a wild halo. Bambi rubbed her eyes and threw off her blankets, swinging her legs over the side of her bed. She wore a pair of cozy, plaid pajama pants, and an oversized Gryffindor sweatshirt that she stole from one of the twins.

Bambi shuffled to her trunk, grabbing her regular school robes from inside and tossing them on her bed. Quickly changing, she ran a hand through her hair to tame the wild curls, eventually deciding to leave her hair down, the unruly curls cascading over her shoulders and down her back.

"Another year older, another year of adventures," She smiled at her reflection in her mirror.

As she finished getting ready, Alicia and Angelina began to stir. They blinked awake, each with a sleepy smile and a murmured, "Happy Birthday" as they noticed her buzzing around.

Angelina sat up with an amused grin, "Hargroves, it's our one day off of practice and you still woke up early?"

Bambi smiled back, "I'm just excited for the morning post, that's all!"

She was really looking forward to the letter her dad would be sending her that day. He would always send them in advance so they would arrive on her real birthday. This year, he promised to send her some souvenirs from his last trip to Thailand.

"Waking up early won't make it arrive any faster," Alicia chuckled sleepily and turned back over, covering her dark hair with her pillow to block out the morning light.

"Fair enough." Bambi shrugged. "I'm gonna go on a walk around the grounds before breakfast then." She waved, snatching her yellow and navy mittens from her nightside drawer, and shutting the door gently behind her, "Sleep tight-" She whispered as she left as the other two girls shook their heads with smiles.

Bambi stepped out of the Gryffindor common room and down the corridors. She took a deep breath as she stepped outside, relishing the crisp morning air as it nipped at her cheeks. She tugged her mittens snugly over her hands and wrapped her scarf a bit tighter around her neck. The grounds were serene, the early morning light casting a gentle glow over the vibrant autumn leaves.

She walked down past the greenhouses and around Hagrid's hut, pausing occasionally to admire her surroundings before continuing on her way. The vibrant leaves crunched under her boots, and her breath raised in white puffs in the brisk air. She could feel her nose and ears turning pink and numb from the chill. As she strolled along the path leading to the lake, she heard the rhythmic sound of footsteps approaching.

Bambi looked up to see Oliver Wood jogging toward her, his breath visible in the cool air. He wore a cut-off tank top and a pair of athletic shorts, and his cheeks were flushed from exertion.

"Morning, Bambi," Oliver called out as he slowed to a stop beside her, a friendly smile on his face, "What brings you out here so early?" His eyes were bright and energetic, and he looked as determined as ever, even without a practice session to lead.

Bambi returned his smile, her eyes momentarily glancing down at his arms... she had never seen him without the full-covering Quidditch uniform before... he looked strong. But- it was so cold out- why would he be wearing a tank top?

"Oh right, he's talking to me," She remembered, hastily pushing the thought from her mind, and ripping her eyes from his muscles with a small chuckle.