A KEEPER OF MY OWN

The Night of All Nights

OLIVER'S POV

I was standing in the mirror in my dress robes, sweating to death. I know I shouldn't be nervous; I've practically been snogging her for the past week now. But, there was still a part of me that feared that she would reject me. Sure, I was the quidditch captain, earned top marks in all my classes, and tried to be the best at everything. However, there's still a part of me that is insecure about who I am and how people see me. I don't want to be viewed as "the guy who has it all", I just want to be viewed as me. 

I think that is one of the reasons that I am so attracted to Michelle. She isn't pining after me or throwing herself at me like other girls. She makes me work hard to earn her affection, and not to mention pushes me to be better and do better each day. When people, especially the twins, ask me how I feel about her it's just so hard to describe her. She is just indescribable; her beauty has no match and her personality is tier one. One thing is for sure... I am completely and utterly in love with her, and I can't wait to make her truly mine and take her home to meet my family.

On cue, the twins come bursting into the bathroom we share and wolf-whistled at me. Fred stated " Are you ready for the big night mate?" and George chimed in "Yeah, Ollie! Not only do you have to dance, but you're asking her to be yours tonight!". I grinned wider than I ever had before and said to them "That's not even the best part, mates. I'm asking her to come home with me for Christmas to meet mum and dad." They grinned back at me and George said "Blimey, I almost forgot! There's no way she can say no to that." I just nodded back, and prayed to Godrick he was right. 

The twins and I started to make our way to the great hall to wait for the girls. I was so nervous; hands sweating, shaking, and insecure thoughts running through my head. It probably only took minutes, but it felt like ages. First to appear was Angelina, looking stunning in her gown. Fred couldn't take his eyes off of her. Next was Katie, and George gave the biggest shout I've ever heard come from his mouth "THAT'S MY GIRL!" He exclaimed. We all just laughed. I was starting to get even more nervous because I still don't see her. The girls were giggling at my anticipation, and i politely told them to shove off.

That's when I see her: Her hair tightly curled and rolling down her shoulders, glitter all over her tanned skin, and those beautiful blue eyes I adore and dream about each night. I was completely breathless. She had it down to a science now, I reckoned. She never fails to make me forget where I am and all my worries the second she angelically walks in a room. Her dress indeed matched my tie, to which she exclaimed "Oliver Wood, you actually picked out the right color! Wow, I am SO proud of you!" I just rolled my eyes and pulled her close to me.

"I can't believe I scored a date with the most beautiful girl in the castle. Chelle, You look absolutely stunning. You never fail to leave me breathless, I hope you know that."  

She smiled the most beautiful smile I had ever seen her create, but before she could answer, McGonagall came walking frantically up to us. Before even looking at us she started to say "Thank Heavens you are here, we are almost ready for..." she paused as she looked at us standing together for the first time "Merlin, how you have grown... you both look absolutely stunning together.  It pains me to have to say goodbye to you two this year." She wiped her tear-filled eyes as she whisked us away from our friends and into the group of house representatives. 

MICHELLE'S POV

This night was already turning out to be the night of all nights. Oliver looked stunning in his all black dress robes with the perfect tie to match, the words that he spoke to me as he pulled me close still ringing in my ear. Not to mention, the kind words Professor McGonagall spoke to the pair of us. She was always like a second mum to me here at Hogwarts. She took care of me like I was her own, and same to Oliver.

Standing in line with all of the other house representatives was pretty intimidating. I was definitely not apart of the popular crowd, and I was looking around to see that everyone else in the representative group was.  For Hufflepuff, you had Diggory and Penelope Clearwater. Ravenclaw was two seventh years that I had personally never spoken to, but they were known by everyone for their riddle solving skills. Slytherin, of course, was none other than Marcus Flint and his sleazy girlfriend Pepper, older sister to Pansy Parkinson. And of course, Oliver for Gryffindor. I still couldn't believe that I was chosen to be by his side. 

Looking at the three other girls in this group, I immediately began to get insecure. They were all so beautiful, and I knew I could never compare. I think Oliver noticed me slowly tensing up and getting into my own head, because he took my face in between both of his hands and told me "You are the most beautiful girl I have ever met in my life. Don't you dare compare yourself to these girls, you are better in every way possible. And I will never ever let you forget it, so help me God." I leaned into his affection, and as he let go of my face he took my hand. 

The music finally started, which was our cue to walk into the great hall and begin the first dance. Feeling Oliver lead me to the dancefloor awoke a different type of feeling in my chest. This one was warmer than I'd ever felt before. A deep longing, passion, that could only be described in my head as love. 

He took my waist as the first song began to play. It was magic, the way he slowly twirled me around the dance floor.  In this exact moment, I felt completely whole. No insecurities, no doubts. I was his and he was mine, and that was all that mattered to me. I looked into his eyes deeply, and his face was a reflection of the way I was feeling right now. The music slowly faded and something in him shifted. He lifted his hand to my chin and softly spoke "Chelle, there's something I have been meaning to ask you." And in this moment my heart stopped beating, and I could tell the smile on my face was bigger than ever. 

"Would you do me the honor of being mine? Like be my girl?" He slowly, but ever so surely asked me. and in stead of answering simply, the words that rolled of my tongue were "Took you long enough, Wood." and he brought his lips to mine.