Trust Me, He's a "Keeper."

That Moment When You Forget Your Own Name...

The next morning, I woke to the odd feeling of being watched. I squeezed my eyes shut as I sat up in my bed. The light burned. I opened my eyes to find Hermione and Ginny in my face.
   "What the hell, you guys!" I shouted, grabbing my pillow and swinging it at them.
   They laughed and jumped off of my bed. I rubbed my eyes and threw the blankets off of me.
   "Come on, Crystal." Ginny said. "Let's go to breakfast!"
   I groan and drag myself off the mattress. I dug around in my trunk and decided on this outfit (No purse)-->cute-outfits-for-girls-night-outevening-fashion-outfits-girls-night-out-bhuursqt
   Hermione giggled, "You look so cute. Can't wait to see what kind of stalkers you'll get."
   I rolled my eyes at her and followed them out of our dormitory. Harry and Ron were waiting for us in the common room.
   "About time!" Ron stated, "I'm starving!"
   "You're always hungry, Ron," Ginny said rolling her eyes. "Believe me, I know."
   We headed out through the portrait and took off down several cases of stone stairs. Ron ahead of course. The four of us stepped through the great hall doors and I suddenly could feel the eyes of those around me. I followed the others and sat at the long table. The great hall was a bit emptier than the night before. Must not be required to be here at a certain time. I placed some waffles on my plate and scooped some sliced strawberries on to them. I ate my breakfast and listened quietly as the others talked about the new defense against the dark arts teacher and how he compared to the first three. Three different teachers for one class? Must be a crappy job. As I finished off the last bite of my breakfast, a pair of large and firm hands covered my eyes.
   "I'm too tired for this, Ryder."
   "Aw, come one," he complained, "I don't get to welcome my sister?"
   I grinned and stood up from the table, "hey, big brother."
   We hugged and he looked at my outfit.
    "You look nice. Let's pray I don't have to scare off too many guys."
   I shook my head at him and sat back down. He said he would see me later and he walked back to the Slytherin table.
   "It's so hard to believe he's a Slytherin," Hermione said, leaning on the table.
   I looked at her confused, "why?"
   Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged glances then Harry explained, "Slytherins are very bad people. Most of the darkest wizards came from Slytherin."
   "Are you calling my brother evil?" I said jokingly.
   Harry's face flushed when I said that. He looked embarrassed, "No, nothing like that."
   "I'm kidding, Harry."
    Harry grinned and bit into an apple. After breakfast, the four of us headed around the corridors until we came to a great view of the lake.
   "It's so beautiful!" I sighed in awe.
   It must be humorous for them to watch me. Every little sight and sound is brand new to me and I'm sure my reactions to everything was pretty funny. I glanced over at them and sure enough they seemed pretty amused. I grinned at them and stretched out.
   Hermione sat down next to me, "So, what do you think?"
   "I love it."
   They laughed and started explaining what went on. Who was strict, who wasn't, how classes were run, and even a studied estimate on when the staircases moved. I felt so at ease, but not for long.
   "Hey, Potter!"
   I froze at the thick Scottish accent echoing down the halls. The four of us looked down the hall at the same moment, but I'm sure I'm the only whose heart stopped. It was him!
   Harry went a met with him, "Hey, Wood!"
   "Just reminding you about try-outs this Friday. I need my second in command."
   Harry saluted, "Sure thing."
   I watched the two of them curiously. After Harry's little military gesture, Wood glanced over to me. I felt my face burn and I looked at the ground. I tried glancing up again just to meet his gaze. Damn my shyness.
   Patting Harry on the shoulder, "Great, Potter." He paused, licked his lips, and whispered, "Hey, Potter. Uh... whose your friend?"
  Harry looked over at me and I stared at a small bug crawling on the floor to avoid involvement.
   Whispers back, "You mean, Crystal?"
   Wood nodded. I couldn't make out the rest of the conversation, but I felt eyes on me. I took my focus off the little insect and looked up. Warm brown eyes and a shining smile greeted me. A hand held out in front of me.
   "My name's Wood. Oliver Wood."
   I pathetically reached out and shook his hand. His hands were strong, yet soft and warm.
   "I'm Crystal. Crystal Willows."
   I felt paralyzed and I lost all feeling. It was terrifying, yet the best feeling I've ever felt. I still tingled after he left. I looked at the three smirking faces and looked out back toward the lake.
*******
Later that night, we were all sitting around the fireplace in the common room. Harry and Ron got tired around midnight and went to bed. It wasn't smart to leave me alone with Hermione and Ginny...
   "Sooo... Crystal?" grinned Ginny.
   "Yes?"
   I could tell she was trying not to laugh. I knew where this was heading.
   Snickers, "Sooo... do you.. do you.."
   "Have a new crush?" Hermione said straight out.
   "What?" I asked, denying, "what are you talking about?"
   Hermione smirked, "I saw chemistry. And it wasn't in potions class."
   Her and Ginny broke out into hysterical fits of laughter. I sighed and looked back into the fire. At about one thirty, they both headed up to bed.
   "You coming, Crystal?"
   I looked at them, then back to the dying fire, "Soon. I'm not tired yet."
   They headed upstairs as I sat there watching the faint, glowing embers. I threw more wood into the fireplace and the flame resurrected. I curled up on the red and gold couch. I'm not sure how long I was there, but my eyelids grew heavy. As I fought to keep them open, I heard someone coming down the boys' staircase. Soft footsteps tiptoed the carpeting in my direction. Just as they reached me, the arms of slumber wrapped me and I lost conscientiousness...
*Oliver Wood's Point of View*
   I tossed and turned in my bed. My thoughts of meeting Crystal ran through my head. I looked at the time: two-thirty. I sighed and turned again. I grew more and more restless and shed the blankets off of myself. I would have never imagined that Ryder's sister was so beautiful, so sweet. I slapped myself in the face. What the hell is wrong with you, Wood? She's your best friend's sister and she's out of your league. I growled and jumped out of my bed and out of my dorm. My feet thudded on the stairs as I headed towards the common room. My eyes burned as I was greeted by bright firelight.
   "That's weird," I whispered. The fire is usually out by now.
    I crept toward the padded couch in front of the fire. I took caution as I looked over the edge of the couch, not knowing who was there. My heart started pounding as I saw who it was. Crystal! I sat on the floor in front of where she laid. The golden firelight danced across her sleeping figure. She looked so peaceful. I reached for her left hand, which was resting next to her, and took it in mine. Despite being next to the fire, her hand was cold. I stroked her hair, sweeping it from her face and stroked her hand with my thumb.
   "I'm the only one Ryder showed when it came to who you are," I whispered. "Everyone knew you by name. I knew you for you."
   She stirred and a small smile lit up her face. I looked up at the large clock as the fire started to die. The Weasley twins taught me this trick to fool the girls' staircase. I looked over Crystal's gentle face and knew I shouldn't leave her there. I muttered the curse over the stairs, actually doubting it's authenticity. I tiptoed back to the couch and wrapped my right arm around her legs, placing her arm around my neck. She was lighter than I expected, so it was easy to carry her comfortably for both of us. I paced myself towards the girls' staircase, my heart pounding. I lightly placed my right foot on the first step and took a deep breath. I counted five seconds for each step, breathing heavily and my heart beating against my ribcage. When I reached the top, I exhaled deeply from holding my breath. Crystal sighed in my arms and snuggled against my chest. I swallowed hard at the feeling. It felt amazing. I lightly pushed her dorm room door open to make sure nobody was awake. I placed each step as if I was a wolf tracking its prey. I came up to the edge of her bed and set her down as gently as I would a baby. I pulled the covers over her shoulders and kissed her forehead. 
   "Goodnight, love," I murmured into her hair.
   I kept quiet as I left the room and took my time down the stairs. I sighed as I reached my dormitory. I climbed back into bed and pulled the covers over my chin. I closed my eyes and let the dreams overtake me. Peace at last...