The Marauders - Order of the Phoenix Part Three

Dadsper

Oliver Kent stood in the boys dormitory in Gryffindor Tower, shoving things into his rucksack, nervous with excitement.

"I can't believe you got out of a whole three days of classes," Wally said from his bed, where he was balancing his wand on the tip of his finger. "Can I go as your plus one?"

"Sorry," Oliver said, smirking as he shoved his Herbology textbook into the bag. "Besides, I'm not completely free and clear. I have to write like three papers that you lot don't have to do."

"Yeah, but in exchange you're going to the World Cup!" Dexter said from his own bed, where he was sitting on the edge, watching Oliver pack.

"And the wedding, which is the real reason I've gotten off," Oliver pointed out.

"Nonetheless..." Dexter said, shrugging. He turned to a book he had opened on the end of the bed, looking at a large chart of hand motions - sign language - that he was trying to learn. He started moving his hands about, but was getting easily frustrated when his fingers seemed to do whatever they wanted instead of the movements he was trying for. He sighed, frowning at the book as he tried to force his fingers to make the motions.

"Dex is right," Wally said, "Whether it's the real reason or not, it's still a part of the package deal."

Oliver tugged his Quidditch number jersey from the sack of laundry and sniffed it, then drew his wand and gave it a quick cleansing spell.

"That does not count as doing your laundry and you know it, Kent," Wally said in an accusatory tone.

"I'm sure Meg will give it a wash while I'm home."

Wally shook his head.

Dexter looked up from the book on his bed, "Are you excited they're getting hitched?" he asked.

"Of course!" Oliver said. "I'm really excited for them. And for my -- for the other lads."

"It's okay you don't know what to call them all," Wally said gently, recognizing the flash of frustrated confusion that crossed Oliver's face. "I mean, you knew Jaz as Edgar's older brother first, and Meg from 'round about here... then the other lads as your house mates... Now they're like your family... and that must be confusing."

"It is," Ollie admitted, "Quite actually."

"It's okay," Dexter nodded agreement with all Wally had said.

"I'm glad I have you lot."

"We're glad to have you too mate, of course," Wally smiled.

James was waiting in the Great Hall for Oliver after another flying lesson, though he felt this one had been a bit less successful than the first. Not because anything had gone wrong - quite the opposite, it had been quite a good one. The kids had done greatly and not one had suffered any malfunctions of the brooms. Which was to be expected since the school was newly outfitted with brand new broomsticks - so new that the kids had actually taken them out of their boxes for the lesson.

However, he hadn't figured out much of what to do for Sarah yet and Macy had spent the lesson showing her the various parts of the broomstick. James was frustrated every time he looked over to see Macy and Sarah talking in sign language and he sighed guiltily when Sarah had signed what Macy translated as, "Thank you, Professor Potter for trying."

The Great Hall buzzed with the lunch crowd to James's right as he loitered about, and he checked his watch as he glanced up at the stairs waiting for Oliver to come downstairs.

Suddenly there was a hand at James's shoulder and he turned to find Dumbledore. "Good afternoon, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said merrily.

"Hullo," James replied.