A Timeless Beauty

Chapter 2

"Lose not yourself in a far off time, seize the moment that thine"
-Friedrich Schiller

*
"So your telling me, that you don't fancy some bloke at Hogwarts?" Ember kept insisting, in hopes of catching me in a lie. "No, Ember I don't like anyone. Now let me study in peace, something you should be doing right now." I muttered the last bit slightly, knowing she still heard me. Her scoff confirmed my thoughts "I may not spend all my free time studying, but I still will make an 'O' on my NEWTS. Now quit trying to change the subject." I rolled my eyes "we've been over this subject, many times now. My answer from last time is still the same."

"What about Weasley? I see you two always with each other." The mere thought of being with Percy brought a chuckle from me. "Percy and I are family, and he feels the exact same way. There is, nor will there ever be anything between me and the more tolerable Weasley." I have thought about being in a relationship with him before, but that was back at our first year. We both agreed that in the end it would just ruin what we have now. And I could never lose Percy over a misunderstanding with our feelings.

"What about Lupin? He seems like a nice fellow." This conversation has gone on for weeks now. Its always about me finding someone. And as much as I love that she is trying to 'help' me, I'd rather find love on my own. "You do realize he is our professor and so much older than we are."

She simply shrugged her shoulders, her long red hair falling off her shoulder. "He's not even your professor, and he's only what? 10 years older than we are. Thats great compared to other women's age preferences."

I once again rolled my eyes and began to make my way out of the common room. "When I need relationship advice Ember, I'll make sure to come to you. But for now, let me study in peace" and with one last glance I made my way to the halls.

Once I'm away from the peering eyes of the fiery redhead, I let out an  unneeded breath of relief. Ever since the beginning of the school year she has began to patronize me about never having a boyfriend. I have talked to people from time to time, but I've never been in a real relationship before.

Call me old fashioned but I want to be in a relationship that I know will last.

While I was lost in my thoughts, I unknowingly bumped into someone. I mutter an apology as I look up and see Lupin, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. He looks at with with an amused smile "you should start paying more attention to you surroundings Miss Stryker."

He looks down slightly, noticing his arms still around my waist and let's go. He must have let go quickly, because I now feel the lack of warmth. "You should start calling me by my first name" I say in the same tone he had used."

His smile was a warm one "only if you return the favor by calling me Remus." I nod at the reasonable request "alright... Remus."

"So may I ask what you would be doing wondering around the halls?"

I shrug nonchalantly "I had to get away from a certain Ember Reid who insists upon talking about my love life."

He seemed amused at how I spoke but I noticed his normal sadness intensified, but it left as quickly as it came. "So the famous Amelia Stryker doesn't like to speak of her love life? I must alert the media." I laugh at his sarcasm. "Well it's not like there's much of a love life to speak about. I haven't even been in a relationship."

He seemed intrigued at the newfound information "why not? If you don't mind me asking, but with being a beautiful young woman and all. Surely you've received offers?" I blush slightly at the compliment, but then quickly scold myself.

Quit Amelia, you don't blush.

I shrug "yes, I have received offers but, I don't know. I just feel there is someone I'm waiting for, you know? And I wouldn't be happy with anyone else... I must sound ridiculous" I look down slightly.

He shakes his head, a real smile gracing his lips "not at all, you feel there's a person your meant to be with. So why bother with a relationship you know won't last."

Through my eyelashes I look at him, with a smile of my own "Exactly." He turns away slightly "and here I thought you have been with Percy this whole time." I chuckle at the thought "no, he's my brother in all ways but blood. He's been there for me since I was three. Oh I remember Cedric had asked us to kiss, he couldn't even walk near me. He said it would be like kissing Ginny."

We both exchange a laugh, but it ends quickly as we see Oliver rushing to us. He looks at me frantically "Amelia, I need your help."

My smile falters "what's wrong? Aren't you suppose to be getting ready for the quidditch game?" I then take in his appearance. He's wearing his quidditch uniform, with his nimbus at his side.

"That's what I need to talk to you about. Angela got detention and she can't be in the match. Will you fill in for her?"

Dread fills me instantly "No. No,no,no, I will not be getting on that broom! You know I can't do that!" I used to be a chaser for Gryffindor's team. Hell, I used to be the best chaser in Hogwarts. But last year I had a really bad fall and I haven't been able to bring myself to get on a broom since.

"Come on Amy, that was last year. We need you!"

"I haven't even been on a broom since then." Oliver knows I don't want to get on a broom again, he was to bring me to the hospital wing along with Percy. He must be desperate.

"Amy, your the only one I would want up there with the team. Please?" I look to Oliver, then back to Remus. He looked conflicted, but once he saw my eyes on him he nodded.

I groan "fine, but only this one time. Don't expect this to happen every time one of your player gets pulled out by Snape." I'm not able to finish my rant because Oliver has already picked me up in a bone crushing hug "thank you Amy!"

"Yeah yeah, now let me go so I can get ready."

*
I mess with the sleeve on my uniform. Since I didn't try out this year I had to wear my old uniform, which is somewhat small on me. Being in the uniform brings happy memories, but I still cant bring myself to forget the fall. "Hey Amelia, are you alright?"

I look at Harry "don't worry about me Harry. I'm a big girl, I can handle it." He nods in understanding and gets on his broom.

Fred and George make their way to me, there goofy smiles planted firmly on their face. "Don't worry Amy, your going to do just fine" George said.

"And besides, you have to two best beaters watching your back" said Fred. "The very best" George commented. I nodded, signaling them to go. I was the last to get on my broom, the familiar feeling bringing the fall to mind. No, I need to do this. Oliver needs me.

"And  now coming back to the field for Gryffindor . Her generation's best chaser, AMELIA STRYKER!" I subconsciously roll my eyes at the speaker's enthusiasm, and make my way to the field. Here goes nothing. 

The crowd roars once I fly to the field, the rain soaking my body as I make my way next to Oliver. My fellow teammates face Ravenclaw with a new found confidence with me by their side. Everything moves in slow motion as the professor makes her way to to the chest. We all watch her eagerly as she unlocks it, almost teasing us.

Finally she releases the quaffle, and I shoot for it. My instincts as a chaser overpower my past fears.

Let the games begin

****
Picture above is how I imagine Ember.