This is War (The Quidditch Pitch 'Three'quel) An Oliver Wood Love Story

Christmas Love

Serena hadn't had a nightmare in a long time, and she didn't expect to have any that night but she did. She woke up, sweating, in the early hours of the morning disoriented and not remembering where she was. Oliver awoke suddenly realizing that something was wrong.

"What's wrong? Serena?" asked Oliver.

She didn't answer, she just kept trying to catch her breath.

"Serena, talk to me..."

"I-uh-I Just had a bad dream. Don't worry, I'm fine now."

"No you aren't," said Oliver as he placed his hand to her forehead. "You're on fire. Here, let me go get you a glass of water."

Serena waited in bed trying to remember her dream, but it was obscure now. She knew it had to do with her parents and Death Eaters, but she couldn't make sense of anything more. Oliver returned with a glass of water and told Serena to drink it. She just held it in her hands.

"You want to talk about it?" asked Oliver as he sat next to her.

"Like I said, it was just a nightmare. I'm sorry I woke you up."

He could still sense that something was wrong but he didn't want to question her anymore. He kissed her on the forehead and climbed back into bed. Serena took a couple sips of her water and crawled up next to Oliver again.

"I haven't had a nightmare in years," said Serena. "Actually...I can't remember the last dream that I had."

"It happens," said Oliver. "Nightmares are normal. It wasn't real. You're okay. I'm here with you."

Serena and Oliver dozed for a few more hours and then they both woke up and made their way downstairs.

"Good morning," greeted Fiona as they walked into the kitchen. She had dark circles under her eyes and looked like she hadn't slept at all. "Would you like a cup of tea?" She waved her wand and the teacup poured two cups. She waved her wand again the cups floated in midair over towards Oliver and Serena.

"Thank you," said Serena as she took a sip.

"Mum, did you sleep at all?" asked Oliver.

"Oh I got a few hours in," she said. "Your father is still in bed."

Serena and Oliver took a seat at the kitchen table. There were about ten copies of the Daily Prophet stacked up at the edge of the table.

"Have you read any of these?" asked Oliver as he picked up a copy.

"Oh no," said Fiona. "They're all rubbish. I usually just skip to the Quidditch section to see how you two are doing."

Serena wasn't paying attention to their conversation. She was staring out the window into the mountains wondering where her parents were. What was happening with the Lord Voldemort and wondering where Blizzard was.

"Serena, are you okay?" asked Oliver. She looked over and saw Oliver and Fiona staring at her.

"I dunno," said Serena as she shook her head. "I want to know what happened to my parents."

Fiona looked sullen. Serena knew that she knew something and was doing her best to hide it. Oliver glanced nervously at his mother.

"Do you know what happened to my mother?" asked Serena.

Fiona was quiet for a couple of seconds before she answered.

"I don't know where you two have been for the past couple of months," said Fiona quietly. "But, things have been happening while you two were away. The Death Eaters numbers are rising and the ministry of magic is on the fall. Many employees have quit and others are being killed.

"I don't know much about Unspeakables, but I know your parents were the first to leave. Your dad had disappeared, which you did know about I assume, but your mother waited around I suppose, I don't really know what happened to her. But I do know this. Death Eaters visited a home on Salazar Street a couple of weeks ago. I believe it was your house."

"What did they want with my mother?" asked Serena shocked.

"Well, we can only make assumptions," continued Fiona. "But Andrew and I believe they were looking for you. And when your mother wouldn't tell them where you were, she disappeared as well."

Serena felt her heart jump into her throat. She had no idea whether or not her poor mother was still alive.

"Excuse me," said Serena as she jumped up from the kitchen table and bolted into the bathroom. She slammed the door behind her as tears fell from her face. She lost control. This was the hardest she had cried in a long time.

Oliver knew not to bother her. He knew her well enough to know when she wanted space. He sat outside of the bathroom door listening to her sobs. It broke his heart to see her like this. He wanted nothing but to hold her, comfort her and tell her that everything was going to be okay. But, he knew everything wasn't going to be okay. Things were only going to get worse and there was nothing he could do to fix it.

After about a half hour, Serena emerged from the bathroom with puffy red eyes and tear stained cheeks. Oliver pulled her into her arms and she held him close.

"I know there's nothing I can do to make this better," he said quietly. "And I hate that. I wish I could help you."

"You are helping," she whispered back. "Just hold me."

***

Serena and Oliver stayed with his parents until Christmas. Serena had managed to take her mind off of her parents by writing to Dumbledore and keeping in touch with the Order. Apparently, things were not going well and the whereabouts of her parents were still unknown.

Aside from all of the bad things happening, Serena was happy to spend time with Oliver and his family. It was like they had escaped the world and nothing bad could happen to them while they were there.

On Christmas Day, Fiona had cooked a marvelous feast for the four of them. They had turkey, pudding, mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans. For dessert she had baked cookies, cakes and they shared some ice cream. Serena hadn't eaten so much food in a very long time. After they ate, they gathered around the fire with warm Firewhiskey and watched the snowfall over the mountains through the huge windows in their living room.

Serena was lost in thought when Oliver nudged her with his elbow and handed her a small black box.

"What's this?" she asked him. "I thought we agreed on no presents."

"I've had this for a long time," he said. "I've been waiting to give it to you when I knew the time was right."

Serena's heart jumped up into her throat. This couldn't be what she thinks it is.

"Go on, open it," he said with his boyish smile that always makes her heart melt. She glanced over at Fiona and Andrew. She could tell by the smiles on their faces that they knew what it was.

Serena's heart was racing as she opened the small black box. Inside was the most beautiful ring that she had ever seen. It was encrusted in small diamonds and smack in the middle was a shining ruby. She looked up at Oliver and didn't even notice that he was in front of her down on one knee. Tears began to pool in her eyes as he reached out and hold her hand. She was speechless, which doesn't happen often.

"Serena Carrow, life offers many challenges. I know I can meet them if you're willing to face them with me. Will you marry me?"

"Oh, Oliver! Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!" she squealed as she jumped off of the couch and hugged him. Oliver takes the ring out of the box and placed it on her ring finger. It was a perfect fit. It wasn't until that moment that Serena knew how much she truly meant to Oliver. Even in a less than perfect world, the two of them can still find happiness together and she knew that they could face this together. If it meant war, she would fight alongside him until the end.