Magical Mugwort

I opened the door to my flat and flung my purse inside, mentally exhausted from the long day at work. It never failed to amaze me how very boring my job could be, and how some days were utterly interminable. But, the paychecks were steady. I was already thinking about getting some takeaway for the evening in lieu of cooking.

As I walked over to my answering machine, I noticed an owl flying towards my window. Frowning, I approached the window. I didn't recognize it.

Upon opening the window, the brown and white owl flew in at once. It settled down on my answering machine and held out its leg, its golden eyes watching me carefully.

“Hello, there,” I said, gently removing the parchment from its leg. I then reached into the table drawer and removed an owl treat. As I gave it to the bird, I said, “Can you wait and I will send a reply, please?”

The owl hooted in a friendly sort of way, and settled in to clean its feathers.

I couldn't help smiling and wishing I had an owl of my very own. I unrolled the parchment, wondering who could be contacting me. I glanced down to the signature: Oliver Wood.

Surprise filled me. Oliver Wood? The Quidditch player I'd met in Diagon Alley? It seemed like ages ago, highly surprising that he would remember me. Frowning slightly, I read the note.

Dearest Maggie:
I hope that you remember me, as I remember you quite well. That day we met was quite
extraordinary. I confess that I have thought about you, and would enjoy the opportunity
to get to know you better. I remember that my good mates are quite fond of you, and
I assure you I would like nothing better than a friendly conversation with you, if you are
available. I am currently still on holiday from the team, but only for two more days. If you are free
tonight or tomorrow, I would love a chance to have a chat with you.
Sincerest regards, Oliver Wood

I exhaled heavily and stared at the words for a few moments. I well remembered that day when I met him and the twins, not to mention the ruckus that had been caused. He was quite the charming fellow, I recalled. The look in his dark eyes had certainly made my knees a little weak. It was, I supposed, a bit of an honor to be sought after by a professional Quidditch player.

Glancing at the clock, I noted it was still very early in the evening, and since it was Friday night, any plans made would have to get made immediately. Did I want to see Oliver? I saw no harm in it. After the headache that was Fred and George Weasley at the moment, I decided that I could use a chance to interact with a handsome man with no strings attached.

Reaching into my desk, I removed a bit of parchment and a pen, and hastily wrote out a reply, indicating my willingness to meet with him. I gave Oliver an address to meet me at, then rolled up the parchment and carefully approached the owl.

“I have a reply,” I announced. “May I give it to you?”

The owl looked up from its cleaning, hooted once, then held out its leg. I gently attached the parchment, and when finished I gave it another treat. The owl scarfed it down and blinked at me.

“Thanks very much,” I said, opening the window. “Have a safe journey.”

The owl took off, and I watched it disappear into the setting sun. Well, I reasoned, if I was about to have a date, then it would only make sense that I begin making myself good and proper.

It was about ten till eight as I approached the Leaky Cauldron. The weather was being adamantly stubborn, refusing to commit to a temperature. So instead of just the black satin skirt, and the sleeveless red and black jeweled shirt that hung like a toga, I had thrown on a black satin wrap that completed the outfit nicely. Oh, and my lace-up heels. Couldn't go without those.

Upon entering the pub, I found it dark and rather busy. I coolly looked around to see if my date had arrived yet, and at first glance it appeared he had not. I did see many of the witches and wizards look up as I entered, some looking at me in curiosity. Others barely spared me the glance. It was all right. I was definitely not in magical wardrobe, so I was bound to catch some flack for that. Oh, well.

I took a seat at an empty table near the door, and seated myself so I could keep an eye on the door. It wasn't as if I had never been here before, nor that I expected trouble. I just always found it more intelligent to keep an eye on whatever place I was in.

The air was smoky. I took a moment to enjoy the scent of the pipes and the scent of cauldrons piping up a mixture of brews. Being in a wizard pub was always a bit of a mixed emotion for me. I loved the place, loved the sensations and smells and the characters. At the same time, however, it was a reminder of what I had been denied. For whatever reason in my genetics, the magic gene had skipped me, and I would never be able to do what these folks could. I guess I was a little resentful of that. The wizarding community of the world had been gifted, even the half-bloods. Me? I was usually looked on as someone who'd be better off just blending in with the Muggles and forgetting magic existed. Most people didn't think heads or tails about it, though. I was a human, just like them.

Except for maybe that half-troll in the corner. I raised an eyebrow. There was no way that guy could pass for a human.

As the door opened, I felt my eyes move to see who was coming in. As luck would have it, Oliver Wood walked inside. I felt my insides do a little flip-flop. He was just as handsome as I recalled. His dark hair was smoothed out of his face, neatly trimmed. Dark eyes were adjusting to the light of the pub, then scanning. He was dressed in a well-fitted pair of denim jeans, a dark green shirt, and a black jacket. He looked very, very yummy.

I let my eyes fall back to the table when I felt his eyes find me. I smiled to myself as I heard him approach.

“Evening, Maggie.”

Looking up, I found Oliver Wood standing beside me, a very enticing smile on his face. Smiling broadly, I stood up. “Oliver! How nice to see you again.”

He took my hands and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I felt my heart beat just a little faster, especially when he didn't pull back right away. Instead, he said softly against my cheek, “You look absolutely beautiful, Maggie.”

Pulling back so I could look into his face, I grinned. “Well, thanks. You look not too bad yourself, Oliver.”

His eyes traveled up and down me one more time, and he grinned even broader. “I could have sworn I remembered exactly how beautiful you were before. This...” He motioned at my apparel. “This is nothing like I remembered you. Far better, in fact.”

“Well, such a sweettalker you are,” I smiled. “And I swear I don't remember you looking so very spiffed up when we first met. Are you trying to make a good impression?”

As we took our seats, Oliver gave me a winning smile, leaning forward. “Perhaps. Is it working?”

Non-committal, I tried to remind myself. Don't give too much right away. But the problem was I had eyes, and I knew that he was looking very good. And I wanted to get laid, too.

“Hard to say. But I will say that I was surprised to get your owl,” I replied. “I thought you would have been back at training a good week or two ago.”

Oliver shrugged, raising a hand to summon a waitress. “Oh, well, I took some extra time off. We've got plenty of time before the season starts, so it wasn't a big problem. Had some family business to take care of while I was in the area,” he explained.

I nodded. “Well, I hope everything's all right.”

“Oh, yes, everything's fine.” Oliver nodded, his gaze fixed on me as the waitress came over.

“What's your pleasure, dears?” the middle-aged witch asked.

Oliver motioned to me. “Whatever you like.”

I smiled, not missing the subtle innuendo in the words and in his eyes. Oh, good. I knew right then that this guy knew how to play the game. And if that was the case, we'd both make out to win on this one.

Turning to the witch, I said, “Double firewhiskey, please. And a chaser of scotch, please.”

Oliver raised his eyebrows and broke into a wide grin. “Quite the little daredevil, aren't you?” To the waitress, he said, “Same for me.”

When the witch nodded and went on her way, Oliver leaned forward and gave me a searching look. “That's quite a bit o' strong drink, Maggie. Sure you can handle all that?”

Leaning back comfortably, I simply smiled. “My dear Oliver. I am more than capable of handling many things. Drinks are just one of them.”

He smiled flirtatiously, still looking at me. “And what else might there be that you can handle?”

I met his gaze fearlessly. “Quite a few things that you could find out for yourself.”

Oliver laughed then, his eyes sparkling as he leaned back. “Ah, that's quite a tempting invitation there, Maggie. But I remember that you've been spoken for by Fred and George. I wouldn't want to interfere in that again.”

As the witch brought our drinks, I reached for my double firewhiskey and asked innocently, “Who and who?”

This appeared to take Oliver completely off guard. A slight frown appeared on his forehead. “But I thought that...” He drifted off, and then a look of understanding came over his face. “Ah, I see. You've had a bit o' a falling out with the boys, now, haven't you.”

I shrugged idly, as if it was the least important fact in the world. “Let's just say there is no love lost on either side right now, and we'll leave it at that.”

“I see. I have to say I'm sorry, Maggie. But at the same time I can't really mean it.”

“Why's that?”

Oliver pinned me with his gaze, his dark eyes sparkling with unspoken words. “Because now I get to sit here with you. It's to my advantage, really. So if you are having a spot of trouble with those lads, then I assume it to be my personal responsibility that you have a thoroughly wonderful time tonight.”

“Is that right.” I was thoroughly amused, and not a little bit intrigued. There had been a hint of flirtation when we had first met. Now that we were out on our own, without distraction, I was beginning to see a bit of an equal in Oliver Wood.

He nodded. “Absolutely.”

Slowly leaning forward, I asked, “And what are you going to do to make sure of that?”

Oliver reached out and very carefully laid his hand over mine. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, something uncurling inside of me that had kept me so wound up. The personal contact suddenly unlocked that wandering lust inside of me, and I did not brush him away.

“Absolutely anything it takes to make you happy.”

The look in his eyes said so much more. I knew that we were on exactly the same page, and it was bound to be quite an interesting evening. I smiled and tipped my glass to him. “Cheers.”

He met my gaze over his own glass and drank as well.