RP: Easter in Phoenix Park

[rar_npc]

Date: 7 April 1999
Character(s): [Edward Clarke], Any citizens who want to come out and have a picnic
Location: Phoenix Park, Hogsmeade
Status: Very Public
Summary: Easter Sunday in Hogsmeade and the grand opening of Phoenix Memorial Park
Completion: InComplete

Comments

[rar_ginny]

Ginny wandered through the park. The flowers were quite nice and she stopped a few times just to enjoy their rich colors. She held a bag of food she'd packed in case she wanted to sit down in the quiet and eat. It was peaceful even if there were loads of kids running around and playing. She knew the festivities would be happening later, but for now, most everyone was enjoying the park and it's natural beauty.

She tried not to gaze around too often to see if she could find a familiar face, but every now and then, she wondered if she might run into anyone she knew. Oliver had mentioned coming to the park, and it would be nice to have a friendly chat with him. But mostly she was content walking down the winding paths and smiling at the flowers.

[rar_ginny]

Ginny shrugged. "I've yet to find you boring," she answered plainly. "But if you're boring, then you're a good kind of boring."

Ginny bit noisily into a carrot and apologized. "What did you get tired of?" she asked. "With Puddlemere, I mean. Was it the schedule? The lifestyle? Surely it wasn't the attention," she added with a grin. She was curious as to why someone as talented as Oliver had given up the sporting life.

[rar_oliver]

"I'm a good actor then." Oliver finished his sandwich and sat back.

"All of the above. Out all the time. No resting. And, believe it or not Miss Weasley, the attention got old pretty damn fast." He shrugged. "Still not sure what 'm going to do. It's a lot to think about."

[rar_ginny]

Not knowing what to do with his life? Ginny could definitely relate.

"At least you went out and tried, yeah?" she asked. "At least you know it's not for you...not right now," she added, not completely sure if Oliver would ever want to go back--but maybe he would. "Better that than a load of regrets."

Ginny finished her butterbeer and held out a chocolate chip biscuit for Oliver. "I haven't the slightest what to do with my life." She closed her eyes and leaned back on the bench, letting her head hang back. "I keep hoping it will just come to me, knock me off my feet, hit me when I'm not expecting it...like love sometimes does," she said, and then realizing that might sound a bit odd, she sat up quickly and clarified herself. "Before the war, I was so sure of everything. I never had doubts about my life, about the world. I just lived, and somehow I let it get away from me. My confidence, my passion, everything. But now I want it back. I want to figure out what I'm going to do...it's just not coming to me. So, I keep hoping that my

[rar_oliver]

Oliver listened as she spoke of things before the war, loosing herself, feeling lost...he nodded in agreement.

"I understand. Completely, actually." Oliver hadn't exactly handled things after the war very gracefully either, but that would have to be a story for a time not out in public. "I'll tell you about it sometime. When we aren't in a park full of small children."

"Don't be sorry. It's life, yeah?" Oliver popped the biscuit she'd offered him into his mouth, closing his eyes and groaning. "Shite, you make that? Or your mum?"

[rar_ginny]

Saving a conversation for another time sounded like there would be another time for them to get together and talk. She would be lying if she said that didn't make her feel happier inside--lighter even. Talking with Oliver was so easy. She just hoped he didn't think of her as some little girl...or as Bill's or Charlie's or Percy's or George's little sister. Clearly that was the truth, but sometimes it was nice to venture out of that shadow. "I'd like to hear about it sometime," she said honestly.

Oliver ate the chocolate chip biscuit, and she grinned. "Yes, I did, as a matter of fact. Think they're good?" she asked. Then she added, "Course it's Mum's recipe. I can't take credit for that."

[rar_oliver]

"I'll tell you."

He nodded. "They sure are, she cooks, flies, and dances well? Ginny Weasley is a catch." Oliver blushed as he said it, but at least he didn't add cute in there. That was good.

[rar_ginny]

Ginny laughed and blushed fiercely as she bumped her shoulder playfully into Oliver. "Well, Oliver Wood isn't so bad either. Talented, humble, and charming." She knew she was being bold, but it was all true, and wasn't it okay to compliment your friends? Course it was.

"I'm glad we were able to have lunch. Thanks for sharing the food."

[rar_oliver]

Oliver grinned and ducked his head.

"Thank you. You're the one who fed me." Oliver stood and smiled down at Ginny. "Owl me? Yeah?" With a final nod, he moved away, reminding himself that being her friend was fine.