The Canary's Lullaby

Chapter Seven

Of all the businesses in all of the world, a bookshop was the last place Oliver expected to be working. Anyone who knew him well enough knew that reading wasn't his ideal past time. He often saw it as somewhat of a chore in school. However, these days, rows and columns of books were his only remaining connection to Laurel. As he tirelessly reorganized the young reader section, a paperback copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone mysteriously fell into his arms. Oliver smiled, fondly recalling days where Laurel would insist on reading the series together at the Queen family summer home in Ivy Town. His most vivid memory was the Christmas they'd driven up together.

                            ~ 

The narrow path had opened suddenly on to the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

'No more'n four to a boat!' Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Harry and Ron were followed into their boat by Neville and Hermione.

'Everyone in?' shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself, 'right then, FORWARD!'

And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle ahead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

'Heads down!' yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy which had a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbour, where the clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

'Oy, you there! Is this your toad?' said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.

'Trevor!' cried Neville blissfully, holding out his hands. Then they clambered up a passageway after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle.

They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.

'Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?'

Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.

"That was a cute chapter" Oliver said plainly as he prepared to shut the book; which he was sure had seen better days. The spine and covers were worn out and faded. The pages threatened to fall through to the floor. Laurel wasn't at all embarrassed at how many times she and Sara had read them.

The brunette stopped her boyfriend from closing the book. Cupping his face in her soft hands, she looked deep into his eyes and begged him to read just one more chapter. The house was quiet with the exception of the occasional cricket chirp outside. And Laurel figured that one more chapter couldn't hurt.

"Please, it's the best one. Plus, your fake accent is kind of turning me on" she confessed, biting her lower lip as her olive green eyes shifted from left to right.

"Is that so?" Oliver teased as he grabbed her by the foot and flipped her until she lay flat on the couch, then placing himself on top of her as they made out.

"What are you thinking right now?" Oliver asked as he watched Laurel bite her lower lip and moved it to the side; something she only ever did when she needed to concentrate or was deep in thought.

"I'm thinking..." Laurel began, drawing out the last syllable; leaving room for Oliver to guess. The young man's eyes grew hopeful as he assumed she wanted to move things elsewhere. "That Hermione is an adventurous name for a baby but a better name for a cat".