Okay... So, it has surely been longer than expected and no I have not abandoned the story... I have no real excuses... But here finally is the next chapter...

Thanks to Narcissa B Malfoy for all editing help, general encouragement and help in my fight against the woes of comma use.

Disclaimer: I disclaim

Old Feelings and New Plans

"Remember that time when your broom was bewitched green and silver?" I smirked at Oliver whose eyes widened in realisation.

"I knew you two had something to do with that!" Oliver was glaring at Ella and I, though a small smile was still playing across his perfect lips, bringing out his small dimples. Sigh.

We were sitting in the drawing room talking about our Hogwarts years; those great few years. We were all still waiting for the Order of the Phoenix meeting to begin. We were waiting on McGonagall who hadn't arrived yet as she was having issues dealing with a rogue ghost that had entered Hogwarts and was scaring all the portraits. Fred had dubbed this assault on Hogwarts as the 'Great Un-dead Portrait Vendetta'. Somehow, this had made sense to the twins (and only the twins) who wouldn't let anyone call it anything else. Indeed, the Order had been productive in McGonagall's absence.

Most of the inhabitants of Grimmauld Place had retired to the drawing room to wait out the end of the 'Great Un-dead Portrait Vendetta' besides Molly and Narcissa. They were both trying to prevent a disaster caused by Tonks' trying to help with dinner.

Back in the drawing room, Sirius sat in the far corner of the room reading The Daily Prophet though I noticed he hadn't turned the page for about a half hour now. Not that I cared… ahem.

Remus and Charlie were playing Wizard's Chess and it looked like Charlie kept losing. Well, he kept asking for a rematch. His attention didn't seem to be on the game. I knew him to be a great chess player and was the one that had taught Ron so that made no sense. No offence to Remus who I assume is a worthy chess opponent.

Fred and George had disappeared, not before mentioning something about turning a ferret into Hufflepuff colours. I had a feeling that's where Ginny was as well. I hoped they'd take a picture of ferret-Draco. That would definitely make for a lovely birthday present for Draco.

"Merlin, I miss Hogwarts." Oliver announced, breaking the silence that had descended.

"Don't we all?" Ella sighed dramatically.

"Things were much simpler." I added with a grumble. Which was when I felt Sirius' eyes on me. When I returned his gaze, his expression seemed soft, almost apologetic, not the hard glare that the newspaper had had to suffer through. Yep, things were definitely much simpler back in Hogwarts. I narrowed my eyes at Sirius, realising (rather belatedly, it seems), that I didn't have to put up with his crap. Raising his eyebrows slightly in what I presumed to be shock, he looked back down at his paper.

I was still glaring at Sirius when Ella nudged me. "So you and Sirius, aye?"

"What's this?" Oliver asked, slightly confused.

"Nothing important, Oliver. And sure, Ella… when pigs fly." I gave a pointed to look to her, hoping she'd get my message: Shut the hell up! But she was too interested in what was behind me.

"Oh, look. A flying pig." She smirked while Oliver laughed.

"Yes, yes. Very funny." I dismissed her, trying to get the conversation moving along in case someone else (named Sirius) overheard. But she was still pointing and Oliver was smirking in the general direction that Ella was pointing toward, so I turned around. And would you look at that… a flying pig.

"So, you and Sirius, aye?" She repeated, turning her attention back to me, but I was still staring at the pig. It had blonde hair and sharp features… if pigs could have sharp features. Fred and George were trailing behind the porker, wands raised. And then in came a very, very red, giggling Ginny.

"That's Draco!" I realised. At that, Ella, Oliver and I burst out laughing.

"Oh, Merlin! Who knew being in the Order could be this hilarious!" Oliver said, after gaining some composure.

The other men in the room looked curiously at Fred, George and Ginny, but they still hadn't pieced together what the twins were doing with a levitating pig. Brave Gryffindors they may be, but clearly if they plan on defeating the big bad Death Eaters perhaps these seasoned Order members need to start thinking like Slytherins… or at least like these three young Weasley's. Before anyone could say anything though, McGonagall burst into the room, looking quite dishevelled which in McGonagall terms, means the severe bun on her head was ever so slightly askew.

"Mr. and Mr. Weasley! Honestly, after all these years you both still carry on battering on this poor young man." She then swiftly flicked her wand and pig-Draco fell to the floor with an oink! before transforming back to human-Draco. McGonagall then rounded on Sirius and Remus. "I expected more from you both. Letting these two run amuck while there are serious issues to be discussed! In the Headquarters, nonetheless!" Not waiting for a responseshe turned and all but disappeared out of the room. It was strange to see the two older men bow their heads in shame as McGonagall's words sunk in whereas Fred and George's only response was to share a smirk. Kids these days. No for the first, I wondered if the Twin's would have faired better in Slytherin.

"Looks like the meeting's about to start. Shall we?" Oliver said, getting up and offering a hand to both Ella and I. Such a gentleman. A cute, Quidditch star gentleman. Smiling, I grabbed his hand as he pulled us up. Ella began walking out as Oliver swung his arm around my shoulder. Sigh. My smile widened.

"I really do miss Hogwarts and you two crazy Slytherins!" Oliver said with a sigh. I heard what sounded like a scoff behind me, but I ignored it as Oliver and I walked toward the kitchen revelling in Oliver's gorgeous closeness. Yes… I am an Oliver Wood fangirl, one of many around the Quidditch watching world. Difference being, I've carried this torch since Hogwarts. Sigh.

xxxXxxxXxxxXxxx

The Order meeting had commenced in a fairly subdued manner. However it didn't seem like many of the members seated around the kitchen table were focusing on what was actually being said. While McGonagall updated us all on Hagrid's progress in convincing the centaurs to participate and join our side, Charlie sat staring at Ella with a slightly confused look. Ella on the other hand was looking pointedly away from Charlie. She was looking at McGonagall with what seemed like great concentration, except that her eyes were slightly glazed over.

Ginny still had the biggest smirk plastered across her face throughout the whole meeting while Draco glared daggers in her direction. Fred and George, as usual, were poking at some sort of contraption they were about to present to the Order.

And I was seated next to Oliver. Sigh. And yes, I was unabashedly ogling him… Fortunately, he was very interested in what McGonagall had to say. Aww… he totally wants to be involved and do good and stuff and… Sigh.

"Sirius." McGonagall said suddenly, turning to the man sitting across from me and making me snap out of… well, my drooling. Turning to Sirius, our eyes met and I noticed he was watching me curiously. "Sirius." McGonagall said again, finally drawing his attention away from me. It was my turn to stare at him curiously. Why did he keep… watching me? It was unnerving. Last night proved he had nothing to say to me, yet he kept staring like a creep! My brow furrowed in confusion and frustration. While McGonagall spoke to Sirius, I couldn't help but wonder what in Merlin's name his problem was. Never had I met such a confusing man!

"Ouch!" I hissed as I was elbowed in the ribs. I turned my glare to the offending Oliver, only to be met by his concerned, warm eyes. Sigh.

"Are you alright?" He whispered to me.

"I…umm… Yes." I whispered back, faltering a little as I smiled goofily. He smiled back (sigh) and returned his attention to McGonagall. My smile however faded as I heard McGonagall say my name.

"How is Ava's training coming along?" My eyes darted from the back of Oliver's head, to McGonagall, and then to Sirius. He smirked. The git! I could hear the younger people on the table all snigger, giggle and cough.

"Well… she's learnt quite a few things, I should say." He replied, that damned smirk only growing. Another round of sniggers, giggles, coughs and this time an "I'll bet" from Ella and a "Now, now children" from Molly.

Idiots.

"Is she ready to fight a Death Eater?" Sirius continued. "I'd say yes. Is she ready to fight in a battle where there is more than one Death Eater? I'm not sure. She knows many of the defensive and offensive spells… But I wouldn't be comfortable for her to be on the battlefield." McGonagall nodded curtly.

"I wonder why he wouldn't be comfortable?" George, sporting a wicked grin, asked conspiratorially to Fred in a stage whisper. I narrowed my eyes at them while Ella and Ginny giggled and Draco gagged. Lovely bunch, this group….

"I think I should be able to manage now." I chimed in. I felt like I needed to have some sort of input; they were talking about me after all. It was as if it wouldn't have made much of a difference at all had I not been in the room.

"I'm glad to hear that you shall be able to at least defend yourself, if… well. Mr. and Mr. Weasley. New products, I hear?" McGonagall asked, suddenly. Okay, I'm all trained and what not, but still I haven't been given a mission? It dawned on me then that I was still considered a threat to myself. Perhaps even a threat to the Order itself.

What good have I been to the Order? Even the Malfoy's were able to provide some inside information when they switched sides. I pouted and slumped in my seat.

Looking up, I saw Sirius give me a small sympathetic smile. I almost smiled back, but stopped myself. How could he possibly know what I was thinking? And anyway, he was still being an ass. So I turned away. Back to ogling Oliver it is, then, which I continued to do until I heard Ella's name called.

"Ella, have you managed to obtain the transfer?" McGonagall asked her. I turned to my dear best friend, thoroughly confused about what McGonagall was talking about. However, my confusion turned to suspicion with Ella's next words.

"I have." She flicked a nervous glance to me and my eyes narrowed. What hadn't she told me? "It's fine with my Department. They are actually quite happy to get international reptile samples."

"I'm glad to hear that. When shall you be ready to move to Romania?" McGonagall continued, all business-like while I had a slight aneurysm.

"Move? To Romania?!" I squeaked out, shocked. Ella winced.

"Ava-" Ella began apologetically, before McGonagall interrupted.

"She's to live with Charlie, on the pretence that they are engaged to be married, transferring to Romania to continue work for the Ministry… in reptilian research." She pursed her lips in what I presumed was either disgust or confusion. "There, they shall collect information about gathering threats for the Orderwhilst also drawing on international support for the Order." McGonagall explained to the whole room.

"But… Romania?!" I spluttered rather stupidly. My best friend was leaving for a whole other country… without me… and it'll be dangerous and… that's just not cool! Plus, she seemed to have known about this for a while. Why hadn't she mentioned it to me? I looked at her, upset and confused.

Ella sat with a worried gaze and sad frown. "I'm sorry." She mouthed. I nodded sadly. It was, after all, not about us, but about the Order; about the greater good and other such hero-crap.

"And Charlie will be there with her?" I asked, hoping that with at least two of them over there, the threat will lessen. Ella huffed at that particular question though.

"Yes, Ava. Don't worry, they will be a portkey away. And using Hermione's ingenious communication design, we'll all have a coin that will alert us if they are in danger or send any other important messages." Remus explained to me, understanding the worried nature of my question.

The rest of the meeting passed in a blur as I sat slumped in my seat. I was thoroughly depressed. My best friend was leaving on a dangerous mission. I was barely fit for anything more than saving myself. My parents were still possibly trying to have me killed. And what was I doing? Sitting here ignoring one man whilst ogling another.

Yes. I need to get my priorities straight.

xxxXxxxXxxxXxxx

We stared at each other. Both of us scared and a little angry. The silence seemed to stretch on.

"I'm sorry! I didn't know how to tell you!" Ella explained in one quick breath. "I was hoping I wouldn't get the transfer." She ended with a pout. After the meeting, I had ignored mostly everyone and trudged to the library, trying to hide out in a high-backed armchair. I had curled up, ready to feel sorry for myself for the rest of the night. My plans were dashed, however, when I realised that Ella had followed me in and sat down on a couch across from me.

"It's okay. I'm not angry." I replied with an answering pout.

"But you're upset."

"No, I'm not." I mumbled, fully aware I sounded like a petulant child.

"For a Slytherin, you're a horrible liar."

"Oh, shut up. So you're leaving soon?"

"End of the week…"

"Wow, that soon. I'll miss you."

"I know. Trust me, living with Charlie is not going to be a walk in the park. Well… unless the park has a number of Whomping Willow trees around." She said with a sigh, slumping into the couch.

"So this is why you two have been acting weird around each other."

"We have not been weird!"

"For a Slytherin, you're a horrible liar." I mimicked her earlier sentiment.

"Well, fine! It is I don't have a crush on him anymore." She explained with a huff. She hated to admit her old Hogwarts-era crush, especially because it amounted to nothing in the form of him making out with a random Ravenclaw in front of her. "I don't want him getting the wrong idea."

"You do realise he's probably aware that you are over him? Over a crush from quite a few years back?"

She said nothing.

"You are over him, right?"

Still nothing.

"Ella?" I tried, again.

"Yes! I'm over him. The same way you're over Oliver, okay?"

I sat back, not having expected that answer. "Wow."

"Oh, shut up! And now I have to live with him! Alone!"

I couldn't help the little giggle that escaped. "Oh, this shall be interesting! I'm just sad I won't be there to witness it." Ella glared and me and crossed her arms across her chest.

"You are cruel." She said standing up. I winked at her then got up and hugged her.

"We have a few more days together, at least." I said.

"I'll be here as often as I can. But I best be off now." She replied before walking over to the door. "See you tomorrow."

I waved her goodbye and sat back into my chair. I picked up a random book and started reading it, not really wanting to go talk with the rest of the people currently occupying the house. After a quarter of an hour, I heard the door open. Looking up, I saw Sirius enter.

At first he didn't notice me, but stopped dead once he had.

"Oh. Sorry." Was all he said. Then strangely, he looked around the library. "Where's that Wood character?"

"What?" After not having anything to say to me for so long, that's all he could come up with?

"That Scottish kid. Burly. Seen hanging off you at every moment. You certainly must know what I'm talking about." His voice dripped with venom. What the hell!

"You mean Oliver? I don't know where he went after the meeting. And what in Merlin's name do you mean by asking me in such a manner?" I shot back, rising from my chair and dropping my book where it lay forgotten by my feet.

"Don't act all innocent and doe-eyed, you snake!"

"Excuse me?" I hissed. And no, the irony was not lost on me.

"You're throwing yourself at this… boy how long after you kissed me?" He said 'boy' as if it were an insult. Not the point, though.

"I. Kissed. You?" I seethed icily. "Grindelwald roll in his grave! You kissed me! And aren't you forgetting? The kiss never even happened!" According to you, I added to myself.

"I-" He broke off and took a step back. The lights must have been playing tricks because for a moment there he looked hurt. That is, for a whole second before he went back to his cold demeanour. He really should have been in Slytherin. "You're right. It didn't happen."

And with that he sauntered off. Head held high.

The ass.

I hope you all enjoyed. Let me know by reviewing!! Cake for all! :D

Ignore any spelling/grammar/punctuation issues... I was more concerned this time with just getting the story up :D