Chapter 18
Every time Audrey thought she had gained the courage to tell Oliver about Clemson, she looked into his eyes and couldn't do it. So she went about life as if nothing were going to change. There was Quidditch practice, studying, friends, and Oliver. They all lived their lives as if graduation was never coming. Audrey was exhausted, though. Aside from trying to keep things the way they were, she still had to go to her Skepsi training, but she also had to practice if she had any hope of trying out for the cheerleading squad in the spring. It killed her not to be able to tell anyone what she was doing when she disappeared for a couple of hours everyday. They just assumed she was getting tutoring for the upcoming NEWTs.
It was the day of the Gryffindor-Slytherin matches for the cup that everything went down hill for Audrey. For the first time since she arrived at Hogwarts, the reserve team lost their match. This was not the way Audrey wanted to remember her final moment on the Quidditch pitch. Even though they still won the cup, it put Audrey in a foul mood. Even Oliver finally winning the House Cup he had dreamed about his whole life didn't lift her spirits a lot. Needless to say, she was not in a great mood when for the party in the common room.
"I'm really proud of you", said Audrey as she hugged her boyfriend upon his entrance into the common room. "I still can't believe we finally won it. Six years and it's finally ours! I talked to the Puddlemere scout after the game and he said if I want it, the keeper position is mine. He still wants me to come to the tryout session as soon as exams are over, though. Isn't that great? And you can go with me and look around the town and all." "We'll see" "You have to go. Don't you want to get acquainted with the town before my season starts?" "Why would I want to do that?" "Well, I thought, maybe you would come with me?" "Oh, that's your brilliant plan for my life? Just to follow you around while you block quaffles for the rest of your life? I love you Oliver, but that is not what I want to do." "Then what the bloody hell do you want to do? Because it seems I am the only one giving any thought to the future in this relationship." "That's because we can't have a future in our relationship." With that, Audrey ran off to her room before anyone could see her crying.
"What in the hell was she talking about?" "We don't know Oliver; we are just as confused as you are. She's never mentioned to us what she planned on doing after graduation. Just this summer, Bill was getting really irritated with the fact that she hadn't thought about her future. And I sure as hell don't know what she could be planning that couldn't involve you two being together." After Audrey's outburst, Oliver had gone to the twins to see if they had any clue why Audrey had made the comment about their relationship not having a future. They were just as baffled as he. Although he should have been enjoying the night when he finally won the cup, Oliver couldn't and went to his room while the rest of the house celebrated his victory.
Oliver's thoughts were interrupted by a knocking at the door. He was surprised when he looked up to see Audrey standing in the doorway. "Oliver, we need to talk." "Damn right we do!" "Look, there are some things I need to tell you and I would appreciate it if you would keep the smart ass comments to a minimum. God Oliver, this is hard enough without you being mad at me." Oliver saw the pain in his girlfriend's eyes and immediately felt bad for snapping at her. He slid over to make room for her beside him on the bed. She sat crossed leg beside him and looked him straight in the eye. "Oliver, I am going to school in America next year." "What? Why? When did you decide this?" "The beginning of the school year, Dumbledore told me about a wizarding program at a school near where I grew up. It's a great opportunity for me and I need to take it, do you understand?" "Why have you kept this from me for so long?" "Because Oliver, I love you more than I ever thought I was capable of loving. I didn't want to tell you because I know that no matter how much we try, things are going to change between us now. We are going in separate directions in our lives and I thought the longer I waited to tell you, the longer we could stay the way we were." By this time, Audrey was crying and Oliver, too, could feel his eyes watering. "So, what do we do now?" "I don't know, we start exams soon and then we're gone. It's all over. And that scares me." "It scares me too, baby." Oliver pulled Audrey close to him and they fell asleep in each other's arms one last time.
Audrey and Oliver remained close the rest of the school year. They studied together, worked out together, and spent a lot of time talking about what the future held for them, but as individuals, not as a couple. They still loved each other and Audrey still wore her promise ring, but everyone could tell something had changed. They no longer possessed the passion and hunger that was once felt between them. They were best friends again and as much as it secretly killed both of them that their romance was over, they knew it was inevitable.
Soon, it was the moment they had all pretended was never coming, the end of the school year. Exams were over and graduation ceremonies were drawing near. As the younger students left, Audrey exchanged a tearful good- bye with Alicia, Angelina, Katie, and even Roger. Oliver held her as she waved to the departing train. The next morning she woke up and dressed in her white graduation dress robe. She had to admit that Oliver looked great in his black dress robe that all the guys wore for graduation. She gave him a long hug before they headed out to the ceremony. Audrey kept having to dry her eyes during the ceremony. Each time she thought she had pulled herself together again, someone did something to make her lose it, like Percy and Penelope mentioning her in their head boy and girl speeches or seeing Tina and Bill wipe a solitary tear from their eyes. Finally, the ceremony ended and Audrey managed to dry her eyes.
The Gryffindors headed back to the common room to meet their families and say their good-byes. Audrey remained composed as she told everyone how much she would miss them. She only let out a small sob and Percy gave her a hug. She had saved Oliver for last, though. Not knowing what to say to him, she began to cry and they embraced. She gave him a kiss on the cheek, wiped one of his tears, and walked away from him with a side smile. She had officially ended the best chapter of her life, thus far.
Glancing back at Hogwarts one last time, Audrey walked away from her past and into a new world, just like she had done almost three years ago. It was the best decision she had ever made and she hoped her new adventure held the same promise that she had found in her last journey in life. ....................................
Oliver had not seen Audrey since the day she walked away from him in the common room. Nothing had ever hurt as bad as watching her leave. He received letters from her occasionally. They were very casual though, mostly talking about her recent visit with the Weasleys or what was going on with school or cheerleading. His were usually about Quidditch and how his season was going. There was nothing in any of their letters that would lead anyone to believe they had ever been in love. Now, two years after he watched her walk away from him in the common room, Oliver opened yet another letter.
Dear Oliver, How is Quidditch going? The twins told me you were having a great season! I am still so proud of you. Imagine, moving up from the reserve team after only two years. That is so awesome! I just received a letter from Dumbledore yesterday. Seems the war is getting worse everyday. I think about Harry all the time and what he must be going through. I try to do my part as much as I can, but I am still advised to stay away from England. I hope that soon it will be safe for me to return. I miss the Weasleys so much and I can't believe I have not been able to see a single match since you joined Puddlemere. I am finally getting used to the idea that Tina is gone, but it is still weird. I never would have imagined the secret that my mother was keeping from me was that my grandmother had cancer. I had never thought about life without her around. I missed so much time with her while in Hogwarts and as soon as I come back to the states and get used to seeing her on a regular basis, and then, all of the sudden, she's gone. At least she got to see me finish Hogwarts. I can't believe that this is my last year in college. I once again have to make a decision what to do with my life! I am starting to regret taking all those extra classes. What made me think three years of college would be enough? I must have been crazy! Did I tell you they elected me cheerleading captain? I was so surprised. Too bad we don't have Quidditch here. Sometimes, when I get too stressed and can't handle anything, I fly around at night, pretending I am once again fighting for the house cup. Okay, enough of the chit-chat. Oliver, I am getting married. Can you believe it? I wanted you to be the first to know. I thought I would never find someone I loved as much as I loved you. Still, please don't think that this guy is a replacement. No one could ever take the place of you or what we had. I will always treasure the time we had and the memories we made. But we knew we were both going to have to move on. We walked away from more than just Hogwarts after graduation. As much as that hurt, I am sure we both know that it is for the best.
Yours, Audrey
Every time Audrey thought she had gained the courage to tell Oliver about Clemson, she looked into his eyes and couldn't do it. So she went about life as if nothing were going to change. There was Quidditch practice, studying, friends, and Oliver. They all lived their lives as if graduation was never coming. Audrey was exhausted, though. Aside from trying to keep things the way they were, she still had to go to her Skepsi training, but she also had to practice if she had any hope of trying out for the cheerleading squad in the spring. It killed her not to be able to tell anyone what she was doing when she disappeared for a couple of hours everyday. They just assumed she was getting tutoring for the upcoming NEWTs.
It was the day of the Gryffindor-Slytherin matches for the cup that everything went down hill for Audrey. For the first time since she arrived at Hogwarts, the reserve team lost their match. This was not the way Audrey wanted to remember her final moment on the Quidditch pitch. Even though they still won the cup, it put Audrey in a foul mood. Even Oliver finally winning the House Cup he had dreamed about his whole life didn't lift her spirits a lot. Needless to say, she was not in a great mood when for the party in the common room.
"I'm really proud of you", said Audrey as she hugged her boyfriend upon his entrance into the common room. "I still can't believe we finally won it. Six years and it's finally ours! I talked to the Puddlemere scout after the game and he said if I want it, the keeper position is mine. He still wants me to come to the tryout session as soon as exams are over, though. Isn't that great? And you can go with me and look around the town and all." "We'll see" "You have to go. Don't you want to get acquainted with the town before my season starts?" "Why would I want to do that?" "Well, I thought, maybe you would come with me?" "Oh, that's your brilliant plan for my life? Just to follow you around while you block quaffles for the rest of your life? I love you Oliver, but that is not what I want to do." "Then what the bloody hell do you want to do? Because it seems I am the only one giving any thought to the future in this relationship." "That's because we can't have a future in our relationship." With that, Audrey ran off to her room before anyone could see her crying.
"What in the hell was she talking about?" "We don't know Oliver; we are just as confused as you are. She's never mentioned to us what she planned on doing after graduation. Just this summer, Bill was getting really irritated with the fact that she hadn't thought about her future. And I sure as hell don't know what she could be planning that couldn't involve you two being together." After Audrey's outburst, Oliver had gone to the twins to see if they had any clue why Audrey had made the comment about their relationship not having a future. They were just as baffled as he. Although he should have been enjoying the night when he finally won the cup, Oliver couldn't and went to his room while the rest of the house celebrated his victory.
Oliver's thoughts were interrupted by a knocking at the door. He was surprised when he looked up to see Audrey standing in the doorway. "Oliver, we need to talk." "Damn right we do!" "Look, there are some things I need to tell you and I would appreciate it if you would keep the smart ass comments to a minimum. God Oliver, this is hard enough without you being mad at me." Oliver saw the pain in his girlfriend's eyes and immediately felt bad for snapping at her. He slid over to make room for her beside him on the bed. She sat crossed leg beside him and looked him straight in the eye. "Oliver, I am going to school in America next year." "What? Why? When did you decide this?" "The beginning of the school year, Dumbledore told me about a wizarding program at a school near where I grew up. It's a great opportunity for me and I need to take it, do you understand?" "Why have you kept this from me for so long?" "Because Oliver, I love you more than I ever thought I was capable of loving. I didn't want to tell you because I know that no matter how much we try, things are going to change between us now. We are going in separate directions in our lives and I thought the longer I waited to tell you, the longer we could stay the way we were." By this time, Audrey was crying and Oliver, too, could feel his eyes watering. "So, what do we do now?" "I don't know, we start exams soon and then we're gone. It's all over. And that scares me." "It scares me too, baby." Oliver pulled Audrey close to him and they fell asleep in each other's arms one last time.
Audrey and Oliver remained close the rest of the school year. They studied together, worked out together, and spent a lot of time talking about what the future held for them, but as individuals, not as a couple. They still loved each other and Audrey still wore her promise ring, but everyone could tell something had changed. They no longer possessed the passion and hunger that was once felt between them. They were best friends again and as much as it secretly killed both of them that their romance was over, they knew it was inevitable.
Soon, it was the moment they had all pretended was never coming, the end of the school year. Exams were over and graduation ceremonies were drawing near. As the younger students left, Audrey exchanged a tearful good- bye with Alicia, Angelina, Katie, and even Roger. Oliver held her as she waved to the departing train. The next morning she woke up and dressed in her white graduation dress robe. She had to admit that Oliver looked great in his black dress robe that all the guys wore for graduation. She gave him a long hug before they headed out to the ceremony. Audrey kept having to dry her eyes during the ceremony. Each time she thought she had pulled herself together again, someone did something to make her lose it, like Percy and Penelope mentioning her in their head boy and girl speeches or seeing Tina and Bill wipe a solitary tear from their eyes. Finally, the ceremony ended and Audrey managed to dry her eyes.
The Gryffindors headed back to the common room to meet their families and say their good-byes. Audrey remained composed as she told everyone how much she would miss them. She only let out a small sob and Percy gave her a hug. She had saved Oliver for last, though. Not knowing what to say to him, she began to cry and they embraced. She gave him a kiss on the cheek, wiped one of his tears, and walked away from him with a side smile. She had officially ended the best chapter of her life, thus far.
Glancing back at Hogwarts one last time, Audrey walked away from her past and into a new world, just like she had done almost three years ago. It was the best decision she had ever made and she hoped her new adventure held the same promise that she had found in her last journey in life. ....................................
Oliver had not seen Audrey since the day she walked away from him in the common room. Nothing had ever hurt as bad as watching her leave. He received letters from her occasionally. They were very casual though, mostly talking about her recent visit with the Weasleys or what was going on with school or cheerleading. His were usually about Quidditch and how his season was going. There was nothing in any of their letters that would lead anyone to believe they had ever been in love. Now, two years after he watched her walk away from him in the common room, Oliver opened yet another letter.
Dear Oliver, How is Quidditch going? The twins told me you were having a great season! I am still so proud of you. Imagine, moving up from the reserve team after only two years. That is so awesome! I just received a letter from Dumbledore yesterday. Seems the war is getting worse everyday. I think about Harry all the time and what he must be going through. I try to do my part as much as I can, but I am still advised to stay away from England. I hope that soon it will be safe for me to return. I miss the Weasleys so much and I can't believe I have not been able to see a single match since you joined Puddlemere. I am finally getting used to the idea that Tina is gone, but it is still weird. I never would have imagined the secret that my mother was keeping from me was that my grandmother had cancer. I had never thought about life without her around. I missed so much time with her while in Hogwarts and as soon as I come back to the states and get used to seeing her on a regular basis, and then, all of the sudden, she's gone. At least she got to see me finish Hogwarts. I can't believe that this is my last year in college. I once again have to make a decision what to do with my life! I am starting to regret taking all those extra classes. What made me think three years of college would be enough? I must have been crazy! Did I tell you they elected me cheerleading captain? I was so surprised. Too bad we don't have Quidditch here. Sometimes, when I get too stressed and can't handle anything, I fly around at night, pretending I am once again fighting for the house cup. Okay, enough of the chit-chat. Oliver, I am getting married. Can you believe it? I wanted you to be the first to know. I thought I would never find someone I loved as much as I loved you. Still, please don't think that this guy is a replacement. No one could ever take the place of you or what we had. I will always treasure the time we had and the memories we made. But we knew we were both going to have to move on. We walked away from more than just Hogwarts after graduation. As much as that hurt, I am sure we both know that it is for the best.
Yours, Audrey