Second Time Around

Angelina knew that if she really wanted a spot on the Chudley Cannons Reserve team she would have to train all this summer. Granted this wasn't the easiest of tasks to do when she was located smack dab in the middle of nowhere. She would have to move out of her parents' house--and close to a training center--as soon as possible. She had already started jogging every morning into the neighboring town, but not even that was safe now that Voldemort was back. The dementors had turned against the ministry, the death eaters were slowly breaking out of Azkaban, and the attacks were growing. She read about these things in the Daily Prophet but it was hard to think of them affecting her. She needed to train.

She stepped out into the early morning sun and started her routine stretches. After graduating Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as captain of her Quidditch team, she had barely taken a break to enjoy her summer with friends. Everyone had split up anyway.

She started on a light jog down the path that led to the main road outside her neighborhood. She let her mind wander, as it usually did when she jogged. She really did miss her friends. Especially her best friends Alicia and Katie. Alicia had graduated with her but had moved to Edinburgh to do an internship at her uncle's firm. Katie still had one year at Hogwarts left and had gone to Sweden for the entire summer. Lee and the twins, Fred and George, ran the joke shop in Diagon Alley but she was almost never over in London.

She reached the main road and jogged in the direction of the town. She thought about hers and Fred's shaky relationships. It had been a series of on and offs after the last year of Hogwarts. She remembered that at one time she really did love him. But now it just seemed empty. He had quit the school at the end of the seventh year and she hadn't seen him much after that. That made her feel bad. Sure, she was training almost every hour of the day--when she wasn't out looking for a flat to move into--but she should find time to go and see him. To at least catch up, Angelina thought. She made up her mind to floo over there this very afternoon.

She eventually reached town but kept jogging until she went passed all the stores and houses. She stopped to take a quick break and conjured herself a bottle of water. She had been of age since last October and could do magic and apparate anytime she wanted. She chose to walk or jog mostly, though, to build up her muscles and stamina. She just had to get on the team. Oliver Wood, who graduated two years ahead of her, still played for Puddlemere United and that inspired her more than ever. She had secretly idolized him, as a Quidditch player that is, when they were in school. It had always been her dream to be a famous player. She just needed to train.

Seeing that the sun was starting to brighten the sky, she disposed of her water bottle and started her jog home. Her mom would be up making breakfast and she was sure to miss those meals once she'd moved out.

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Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, the new keeper of the Puddlemere United Quidditch team was putting his robes away for the last practice session of the season.

"All ready, Wood?" a cheery voice boomed from behind.

Oliver turned around to shake hands with his fellow teammate and roommate. Anderson was one of the beaters for the Puddlemere United team and his beefy hands and stout figure made him look almost beastly. Which was always good for intimidating other teams, but Oliver knew Anderson was more like a big teddy bear. Him and his wife just had their first baby and Oliver wouldn't have known that the big guy could get any softer.

"I can't wait to get home and spend some time with Marcy and Angela," he said, a big goofy smile coming over his face. Oliver chuckled.

"Well, congrats with that. Tell Marcy, 'hi' for me and tell her I'll stop by for some of her famous stews one of these days."

"Yeah, yeah. I will," Anderson said, smiling. "Where are you going for the summer anyway?"

Oliver thought for a second. He still wasn't entirely sure what he wanted to do. He supposed he could go back to his parents' house.

"I'll probably be in London at my parents' house for a while. But you know, anytime you feel like having Uncle Oli baby-sit for the little precious, you just owl me." And he meant it too. Anderson had become more than just a friend for him throughout the years.

"You better be sure of it," he said, clapping Oliver on the back. "Anyway, I'm heading out. I want to catch the earliest portkey out of here."

Oliver waved goodbye and got back to packing away his practice things. He was the last one to leave practice, everyone having said their goodbyes for the summer already. He dragged his bag outside the changing rooms and out the main door. Once outside he apparated to the flat he shared with Anderson.

Of course, Anderson wasn't there now. No one would be there for the summer. It was common practice for the members of the team to rent flats out near the practice center, since they did have so many practices during Quidditch season. Summer time, however, everyone went home to their families or spouses. Oliver didn't have a wife waiting for him at home so he stayed at the flat for a while.

After a long shower and something to eat, Oliver started to wonder why he didn't have a wife or even a girlfriend waiting urgently for him to come home. After all, he was a famous Quidditch player--though he had just been placed on the team after being reserves for the past two years. But still, girls should be crawling all over him. He thought of all the girls that had slipped him addresses in the pubs he'd been in, but then thought to hell with it. He didn't really feel like doing anything right now. He didn't have many passions--except Quidditch. And that was over. So, he thought to do the next best thing. Buy Quidditch supplies.

Getting up from the table he went to go get dressed, taking care to put on some of his nicest clothes and robes and brushing his hair. Maybe he could find a date and get Quidditch supplies all at once. A day complete. With an approving nod at his reflection in the mirror, he apparated over to Diagon Alley.

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Angelina glanced over her robes one more time as she prepared to floo over to Diagon Alley. Her long black hair curled slightly passed her shoulders and clashed pleasantly with the light color of her robes. Deep chocolate eyes stared out from an attractive face and her mocha-toned skin looked vibrant and healthy. Of course Angela didn't see all of that. She did like the light turquoise robes, however, so she shrugged once and walked down to the dining room fireplace.

After stumbling through the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron she dusted off her robes and waved hello to the owner. She walked out to the back, pushed the right combination of bricks, and stepped into the bright sunlight and busy street of Diagon Alley. After hesitating a second, she walked towards Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

She enjoyed walking through Diagon Alley and looking at all the new merchandise the stores put out. She saw the usual crowd in front of Quality Quidditch Supplies and smiled to herself as the little ones stared admiringly up at whatever new broom was being advertised. She had once done the very same thing.

"Angelina?" someone yelled from behind.

The voice seemed extremely close and hauntingly familiar. She felt a hand grab her shoulder and turned around to see none other than Oliver Wood.

"Wood!" she screamed, her face breaking out into a huge smile.

They enveloped in a hard embrace, each laughing and smiling at the unexpected meeting.

"Oy, I haven't seen you in forever!" She beamed up at him, taking in his new appearance. His hair had grown longer and fell almost to his shoulder. His face looked older and a bit beaten but the twinkle in his eyes and the smile remained the same.

Angelina soon realized they had stopped right in the middle of the street staring at each other. She led him over to a table outside of the ice cream parlor and sat down. Excessive training and playing had made him even more fit and muscular than he had been at school. His red shirt blended great with his tan and molded to his muscular chest. She tried not to stare. She was overwhelmed with happiness at seeing him. After all, he was her idol and she hadn't seen him for years.

"What are you doing over here?" she asked eagerly.

"I'm off for the holidays. We don't have as many practices during the summer. Everyone goes home." He smiled slightly here. "You look good, Angie."

She felt herself blushing, turning her face a becoming shade of burgundy. "You too, Wood! Professional Quidditch works for you," she replied slapping at his arm. She was so happy that they could play around like it used to be in school. They had ended badly his last year of school when she chose Fred over him. He apparently got over it and now here he was talking to her.

He shrugged slightly. "Well I only made the professional team this season. I was on reserves."

Angelina didn't know what to say to this so she just smiled. A short silence followed before he smiled at her again.

"So how're you and Fred?"

Angelina almost said 'Fine', before she realized she wasn't exactly fine with Fred anymore. She didn't really want to bring Oliver into her problems, though, so she answered truthfully.

"I was just going over to see him at Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. Have you been there yet?" At seeing him shake his head 'no', she offered, "Well you can go say hi with me. We can catch up some more."

They started walking towards the twins' shop while discussing various Quidditch teams and plays. When they reached the building with its bright, red sign saying, Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes, Angelina didn't hesitate to step through the door.

The place, though small, was packed with wizards and witches of all ages trying the different joke items. The twins themselves were giving public demonstrations at the front of the store. The atmosphere was jovial and Angelina found it contagious. She giggled softly to herself and looked over her shoulder to see Oliver smiling fondly.

Angelina was planning to sneak around behind the performing twins and surprise Fred when she saw that their act was over. Before she could begin moving towards them, a tall blonde girl stepped out of the applauding crowd and kissed Fred flush on the lips. He wrapped his arm around her waist and turned her in a slow circle, laughing into her face. When he turned back towards the door his eyes locked on a shocked-looking Angelina.

"Angie?" he mouthed, letting the girl slide out of his hands.

Angelina didn't respond, just turned around with a thought to get out. She ran smack into a hard, warm body.

"Oh, Angie," it whispered as arms held her close and Fred Weasley pushed his way through the crowd towards them.