The Mercy of Living [TAG: Lucas]

Another fight with Oliver Wood isn't what Amelia had wanted. Especially not on the night before he was set to graduate where all of the seniors and their friends had gathered on the Great Lawn for a goodbye BBQ. Things had started smoothly enough and the two most popular Gryffindors (next to Harry Potter himself) had held court. The American had proven quite popular since she arrived a fear years ago and not just because of her unique American accent. She was also already a pro Quidditch player... Though she hadn't seen much play yet (they expected to play her the following year.. while in sixth year at Hogwarts). THAT summer. That wasn't to say she hadn't dazzled on the Hogwarts pitch. She had even managed to take Oliver's position from him a few years prior only for them to reach an agreement that they would switch every game.. Then that led to dating on and off (the both had pretty volatile personalities).

This was evident this evening when Oliver had presented her with a ring and she had declined stating that she was too young and they were too argumentative for that sort of thing. Well, that of course led to an argument and some hurtful things being said which resulted in Amelia trying to hold back tears as she left the lawn in the later evening hours trying to shield her wet eyes from onlookers. Finding some alone time by the lake, which was lucky as a tear had managed to fall, she wiped at her face with the large sleeve of her sweater. That's when she noticed someone approaching her and with a surprised gasp quickly turned to face the lake trying to hide that she had been crying. 

"I'm fine." She announced loudly mixed in with a sniffle. Perhaps that had been too much of a knee jerk reaction. Well, so was her next remark once she realized who it was. "What do you want Hartwell?" At this point in their years they were friends but the kind that showed it by lightly razzing one another. Still, they got along fine enough, especially when Oliver wasn't around to keep tabs. "You better go. Spinnet's probably looking for you." It was pretty clear to Amelia that her fellow Gryffie had it bad for Lucas. She sure followed at his feet enough and sometimes got knocked with a bludger on the pitch when she stopped flying to watch him.

It was a nice feeling, finally being done with school. His NEWTs were over, and he could finally, hopefully, focus on the one thing he truly had a passion for. Sure he loved learning, and had done well in a number of subjects, but the one thing he truly loved was playing Quidditch. He had been on the Ravenclaw house team since his 3rd year. Now he was hopefully going to go and play professionally. An Australian coach had contacted him about potentially joining his team, and he was headed there for a try out in a few weeks. He was excited for the chance and to put some space between him and his father.

Of course at the farewell party Oliver and Amelia were centers of attention. They often where. Not that there wasn't attention placed on him. He was a quidditch player who was single. But he didn't really want to deal with girls fawning over him. He wanted to be able to spend time with the friends he had made in the last 7 years at Hogwarts. If he managed to get that spot on that Australian team, he wouldn't be seeing them for a while. Thankfully it would also put a lot of space between him and his father.

He had been off to the side of the party, when all of a sudden Evans went by. She looked upset. He wondered what that was about, but he only needed to glance back at the party to see Wood fuming about to know they had probably gotten in another one of those fights. He managed to slip away unnoticed and follow in the path of the girl. He found her by the lake. "You don't look fine." He said coming up next to her. "I don't want anything. Just coming to make sure you didn't need anything." He counted her among his friends, and he'd hate to see this kind of night end with one of his friends upset. "If she is, I'd prefer to hide. She's getting on my nerves a tad." He had nothing to do with Spinnet. Okay they had kissed once. But she was too clingy for him, and he didn't need any attachments before leaving school.

He had probably followed her from the party. She had seen him there not moments before. She didn't look fine. Great. Was she really that obvious? She was so mad, not at Lucas, but at herself for not being able to hide her emotions better. Merlin, she hoped that her row with Wood hadn't been so noticable that it had caused the whole Farewell BBQ to screech to a halt. While Luke and Oliver may be graduating Amelia had another two years left and not ones that she wanted to spend in scandal.

"Well, I am." She said stubbornly with a sniffle, briskly wiping at her face again to try and remove any more tears before he stepped along side her. In this moment she was glad it wasn't the day time. At least there wasn't any sunlight to make the puffiness in her eyes even more evident. "Why? Do I look like a girl who needs a big strong man to take care of her?" She teased but there was no venom in her voice only sadness. "Thanks Hart... Luke." The Gryffindor corrected herself. As highschoolers they could place nice. They were friendlier then. "It's nice of you to check up on me even if I don't need it." Slowly she forced a shaky sigh out trying to get her bearings. Just trying to go back to normal so she could get out of this whole situation unscathed and maybe pretend it never happened.

"Oh yeah?" She couldn't help but laugh even though his comment was about her teammate and friend. She wouldn't bite his head off. It wasn't like it had been a mean one. "I think she just likes you and doesn't know what to do. Spinnet doesn't really pay much attention to anything that isn't sports or classes so I would take it as a compliment." She had to try and help her teammate out even if she couldn't necessarily see the two of them together. Or maybe she didn't want to. It was weird. Not an idea she wanted to entertain: Jealousy. "I mean... You're the one who kissed a Quidditch player. You should know more than anyone what that can unleash." She teased giving his shoulder a little shove with her own. Playful. No harm in it.

"Maybe give her a chance?" 

Maybe he only knew she was upset because he knew her. Sure they weren't close friends, but he had spent enough time around her for the last 5 years, especially seeing her around Wood to know what she looked like when she was upset. But he wasn't about to tell her she needed to stop being involved with him, it wasn't his place. Maybe it was also because of his personal feelings towards Wood. They had never been on the best of terms. They had played against each other since they were 3rd years, and both were passionate about it. It had led to them not going along.

"Well if you say you are. Just figured I'd check." He ignored the fact she wiped at her face, presumably getting rid of some tears. "No if you were a girl who needed that, you wouldn't be with Wood." he said, putting a dig in at Wood. Of course he wasn't being too serious, but maybe with her being upset at him, she would get a laugh out of it. He could try anyway. "Anytime Amelia." He said with a smile. This was back before all their interactions felt like bickering. Before they slept together without him telling her he was potentially going to playing against her on the England National team, and playing with Wood. Things were a little simpler back then.

He nodded. Maybe it was also because he was trying to distance himself from anyone who had any link to him romantically. He didn't really see anyone being a longterm thing. Not that he had been with at the school. That still left quite a few people, but maybe he'd meet someone out there. There was something about the girl next to him, but he had no chance there. Maybe he'd find someone else out in the world. "Yeah I'm sure it's harmless, just sometimes it can be a bit much. Plus she's going to be here, and I'm going to have graduated." He didn't want to give Spinnet the wrong idea and make it harder for her. If he was going to be thousands of miles away that wouldn't exactly lead to anything. "I did kiss her, that's true." he said with a smile as she pushed him a little bit. Enough to push his body a little, but not enough to make him lose his balance. "I don't think it'd be fair to her with me leaving and not feeling the same about her to do that."

"Oh hey. You do actually listen to me sometimes. That's a first. I'll have to tell the Daily Prophet." She teased sadly, giving him a little wink still trying to maintain an air of lightness so that they wouldn't end up talking about her crying on the dock. Not something she really wanted to unpack because it made her feel really stupid and like a girl. She didn't like to feel like a girl... Even though she was one.

"Oh yeah?" His comment about Oliver had her brow raising. He liked to jab Oliver as much as she enjoyed bickering with Lucas.  "You seem to have some pretty strong opinions on the matter as you keep hinting at it over and over so by all means enlighten me." She gestured outward, opening the door for whatever it is he wanted to say. Might as well. Lucas would be graduating tomorrow so who knew if they would meet up again. Sure folks always signed yearbooks claiming they would but she doubted there was any truth in it. People became busy, had lives, got married, just plain forgot, or lied. Usually the latter.

"Yeah. You're graduating. Guess what dude... So is everyone else. You'll both be out in the real world eventually. There's no harm in keeping that door open right?" She didn't know why she was going ton bat for Alicia.. Oh yeah. Spinnet was one of her few female friends that she actually liked. Still, something felt odd about doing so in this case. Torn. It was a weird way to feel especially since she was dating Oliver but after graduation who knew. Maybe they would fight less... More. Merlin, her head was beginning to hurt. She turned away from Lucas to look out at the water.

"Well, you kissed her for a reason right? Might as well explore it." So he admitted it. It did happen. She wasn't sure how to feel about that one but she supposed she should support her friends so forced a weak smile of support. "I'm happy for you guys." Except, you know, not.

"Haha very funny." he said with a slight chuckle. Sure sometimes listening wasn't his strong suit, but he was hardly the worst. She probably be surprised at the number of things he remembered about her, even if it hadn't seemed like it when she had first been telling him about it. He didn't even know why he remembered half the things he did.

"Yeah." He said definitively. What had started as a simple rivalry had turned into something much more bitter in the last couple of years. Luke hated the way he treated Amelia. He shouldn't even care, but it wasn't the right way to treat anyone. Or maybe he just thought that based on the way he had been treated as a child, and really to this day. He dreaded going home in a couple of days, knowing what would likely happen. Sure he could use magic now, but that hadn't stopped his dad on the school holidays this year. "I just don't think he treats people all that well." he said looking at his feet before saying "Not that my opinion matters anyway." No one else had to think that way. In fact most people put him up on a pedestal. Especially after they won the cup this year. Luke just couldn't do that.

"2 years is a long time. Who knows where I'll even be 2 years from now." Hopefully far far away from England. Even if he didn't get that position in Australia, he could do something outside of quidditch, even if that would slowly kill him. He just needed to be far away from his dad, and any rumors that he only had the positions he had because of him. If people knew the truth.

He shrugged before saying "Sometimes, even if there is a reason, a kiss can tell a lot on if there is anything worth continuing or not." He wasn't so sure if the kiss he had with Alicia inspired him to continue pursuing the relationship. He supposed it hadn't made him run away and put off any potential for a future. But it also hadn't really screamed keep going. "Eh," he started "That kiss was months ago and we haven't done anything since. With me leaving, I doubt there will be anything more." Plus there was someone else who had been on his mind, but that wasn't going to happen.

"Yeah. I'm a regular Jerry Seinfeld." When he called her funny she chuckled a bit, if only out of nerves and still trying to feel out the situation, and looked down at her feet. She wore her usual converse sneakers, these ones were black, and scuffed them against the wood. Realizing he might not get the reference she turned her head to look at him. "He's an American comedian... Er... Nevermind." Sometimes she felt like a good portion of her time since relocating to the wizarding world was spent explaining her references or why she did things the way she did. It got old pretty quickly especially when people stared at you like you had eight heads or hurled hate speech your way most of which you didn't even know what it meant or that you should be offended until a witch or wizard explained it to you.

"I think you only see one side of Wood. The one on the pitch." And great hall, and classes, and at the BBQ just now. Whatever. He had been her boyfriend on and off for years and she would cover for him if only to save her pride but also to not admit to herself that she had made some bad decisions (over and over again). "He can actually be really sweet." Did she sound like a battered woman or what? But then again aside from the verbal fights no one really knew what happened in their relationship unless they chose to broadcast it. Smart move on their part the way Hogwarts' rumor mill worked and how fast word carried. "I mean he likes me so... He must be into charity work or something." She joked at her own expense. While she was confident in her sport abilities her looks and someone being attracted to her.. Not so much. Not at all in fact.

"Of course your opinion matters you idiot. Why would I ask for it if I didn't care?" Amelia sighed looking back at the water. "Don't be such a troll." She knew she could get away with calling him that only because he probably knew he wasn't an icky thing to look at. She had pointed out as much more than a few times if only to see him blush especially in front of their classmates. He was pretty boy, or fly boy. Always something boy but those were the two nicknames she stuck to when they were on good graces. These names would fade away in their adult years when things became more tense and hearts more hurt.

"Really now?" His comment about the kiss had her smirking and looking at him again. "I didn't take you to be such a romantic Lucas Hartwell." Her hands moved to either side of her jean covered hips. "When was the last time you had a kiss like that?" She was genuinely interested and genuinely wanted to hear if only to distract her from her own woes.

The muggle reference was indeed lost on him. Of course he had been raised by a pureblood father, whose whole life revolved around a magical game. Of course he wasn't going to hear of a muggle comedian. "I'm sure he's a funny guy." Is all he managed to get out after she said he was a comedian. He did know what those where, and if she was mentioning him in a comment about being funny, he assumed they guy would likely be funny. He got lost with any of those muggle things, unlike people who had some ties to the muggle world.

"I've had classes with the guy since we were 11. I've seen him much more off the pitch then on." he said. Sure their rivalry at first was a friendly one, but Luke couldn't stand the way he treated the girl next to him. Maybe he really did treat her well, and he was just extra sensitive because of what he had went through. Better safe then sorry he supposed. "I'm sure he can be." he said with a hint of sarcasm. His dad had been abusive but there had been moments they had gotten along. Maybe there was a hint of jealousy driving all of this though. "You mean receiving charity work right?" he said. Even if Wood treated her right, there may be something to be said about his own feelings on the matter. But she was off the market and he wasn't about to step over any relationship, regardless of his thoughts on the relationship.

"You obviously just like hearing my voice of course." he said with a joking tone. He didn't really think of himself like that, but he was just trying to lighten up the situation. Plus it was part of their friendship. When he would look back in his adult years, he wished he had kept in contact with her more. But he also supposed the friendly bickering didn't translate well to paper, nor could he find an owl to make that long of a journey.

He shrugged a little when she questioned his comment on the kiss. "Ah well. Only when I want to." he said stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. When she asked the question he shrugged. "I didn't say I had had a kiss like that." He had had a few that told him it wasn't worth containing. There were a couple that had led to a relationship, but those hadn't lasted too long. They had both been house mates too. "But I figure if I can tell it's not worth going on, there must be something on the other side too."

"My dad likes him." She shrugged. "I used to watch the show with him but I was way too young to remember any of it and I don't really have time... anymore..." Her voice trailed off sadly. That was something that kind of bugged her. Though she loved the sport of Quidditch it took her away from her family a lot and she rarely saw her dad anymore. That was tough and incredibly lonely. "Do you guys not have stand up comedians. Here I mean?" Sometimes the differences between the wizarding and muggle world could be staggering but a comedian was such a mundane job. Surely they had some sort of equivalent here?

"You may have known him for a long time but you only have seen one side. I know a different one than you do." Several really but currently she was choosing to focus on the nice one. "No." She hid a laugh. Though untrue it was nice of Lucas to compliment her... At least that's what she thought he was trying to do. "I meant what I said the first time but that's nice of you, Hart." She said appreciatively looking back to the water and crossing her arms over her chest to protect herself from the breeze and the chill.

"Oh yes. I count down the hours in class just to bump into you in the dining hall." She rolled her eyes her voice oozing with sarcasm though maybe there was a hint of truth to it. She did look forward to seeing him if only to jokingly fight with him. "I don't know if you've caught on pretty boy but I'm not like most girls here. I'm not about to fawn all over you just because you have a good head of hair and a nice pair of eyes." Sure she could admire them from afar but she wasn't about to confess that. What sort of tricky mess that would have been.

"Ah." A part of her was disappointed he hadn't felt that with another person during a kiss. Another part of her relieved. She sighed and after a long pause she added in a quiet and low voice: "Me neither."

"Yeah, Life can get busy." he said before adding, trying to cheer her up, "At least you have those memories right?" She could at least look back at the memories and get a smile out of it, even if she didn't get to spend that time with her parents much anymore. His biggest qualm about this potential move to Australia, wasn't the distance from his father, but the distance from his friends who had become like a surrogate family. "We do, but I'm not sure how many." He said. The certaintly weren't as publicized as the muggles with their magic screens.

"Well yeah I don't see the romantic side of him, that would be weird. But I've seen enough of him in class and how he treats people to know I'd rather not spend my time around him." But especially because of the way he treated his friend. Plus he was never really fond of the "popular" guys who used that popularity for their own benefit. "I meant what I said too, Evans." She was much better than Wood. She deserved much better. Of course she was out of reach for him as well, but that was a different story.

"I'm sorry you go through that terrible ordeal until you see me. Time must move so slow." he replied sarcastically. Joking at his own expense, as usual. It was a comfort thing for him, especially with her. He'd probably be a nervous wreck around her if he didn't go back to something that was "comforting". Which as sad as it was, was degrading himself. "Ah you must like my smile then. I get it. The hair isn't for everyone." Another joke. He didn't quite understand why he caught many girls looking at him throughout the day. It was a little weird.

"Yeah. I'm not so torn up about it since there's no rush right?" He said before he heard her say she hadn't either. Did that mean she didn't even feel that way with Wood? That would be interesting. But why would she still be with him if she didn't feel anything like that. "Even with Wood?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah but memories don't really fill in the time." She admitted. They were just that: Memories. They definitely didn't keep you warm at night or make good company. She knew better than most. "I know that you and your dad have your differences but you're lucky. You get to at least see them." Amelia didn't realize what happened with Lucas behind closed doors. The hell that he went through when he was home. Then again why would she? All she had to go on was the fact that she saw his father at school events and that she occasionally caught them glaring at one another. Growing pains. At least that's what she dubbed it as because she had nothing to go on.

"Well, that's entirely your choice. I'm not going to judge you for not wanting to hang out with him." The Keeper shrugged, her brown eyes scanning over the still lake water. "I can't force you to hang out with my boyfriend. All I care about is if we're ok and you don't dislike him enough to not hang out with me." She gave Lucas a wry little smile trying to keep that bit of information light hearted. These things were tough to talk about she noted. Heck, everything that wasn't Quidditch related was difficult for her to talk about.

"You think so, huh?" The brunette laughed at his jokes about his appearance and she was grateful that it was the evening because it would help hide the slight bit of red that rose in her cheeks. "No. I guess your smile isn't half bad." She said quietly, her brown eyes actually meeting with his longer than was probably recommended. This was dangerous. She could get lost in them and she almost did. Clearing her throat she suddenly looked away crossing her arms protectively over her chest and staring down at the dock.

"Even with Wood?" 

This question made her still. She felt frozen. It was a bold question and she should have bitten Lucas' head right off and yet... "There was a time I thought so... But now... I don't know..." Turning her brown eyes back on Lucas her frown deepened. "Does that make me a bad person?" The girl who prided herself on acting like she didn't care had never looked more upset. She was genuinely bothered by it.

"Well maybe once you leave school it'll be easier." he said, trying to be optimistic. "I mean there will be the quidditch, but you won't have class or homework to do." Plus she would really be able to travel with magic and hopefully be able to go and visit more often. When she mentioned his father, his hand twitched very slightly, almost as a reflex. He had gotten good at keeping back the instinct to punch back in that case, as he had been beaten more the couple times he had. "I suppose it's true." he said with a nod. He wasn't about to say anything. Why would he? It wasn't like anyone in the world would believe him over his father. Especially as there wasn't much proof. He had a couple long scars on his back, and a couple cigarette burns here and there, but there was an "explanation" for each one. Fall out of a tree, Active kids playing, etc. Plus his father had the resources to fight anything. What did Luke have?

"I didn't expect you to." he said with a small shrug. It wasn't necessary for him to be friends with the guy, or even get along with him. He knew that. "Evans, even if you were dating my mortal enemy, I wouldn't stop spending time with you." That was true. At the end of the day, what did it matter what he thought of her boyfriend. If he made her happy he supposed that was enough for him. That's what friends did right? Even if he would just end up sitting on the sidelines, wishing he would even have a snowball's chance of even seeing if there was anything there.

"I do think so." he said with a chuckle. "Half Bad huh? I'll take it I suppose." Their eyes met, and he gave her a warm smile. He liked her eyes. He liked her smile. Quite frankly he liked a lot about her. But she was very much taken, and even if she wasn't he wouldn't have a chance with her. He was too much of a nerd right? Either playing quidditch or curled up with his school work or a good book. Even when she looked away, he kept his eyes on her for a little bit before turning back out over the lake.

He supposed his question really was a little bit of loaded question. Of course he didn't want to pressure her or trick her into leaving Wood, but he was curious. Maybe there wasn't any stock to be put in to how a kiss felt. Who knew. "Ah okay." he said with a nod. He felt her eyes on him, and for a couple of moments while she asked if she was a bad person where he kept his eyes out on the lake before turning them back to her and meeting her eyes. He shook his head before saying "No. It doesn't make you a bad person." He paused for a couple moments before adding "I've probably read too many books or something. I wouldn't be upset over it." He hated seeing her upset.

"Luckily I'm not just yet but who knows what summer might bring? I might still have a lot up my sleeve." When he said he would hang out with her no matter what she gave him a little smile. That touched her a little bit not only because it was probably true but for a moment, a fleeting moment, she read between the lines and thought it meant that even if she wasn't a big time Quidditch celebrity he'd still want to be around her... And wasn't that most of her draw? Then again there was no validating that but she liked to dream that it could be the case. That maybe there was something special about herself besides being able to stop a ball from being chucked into one of three hoops.

He was handsome when he laughed. Even a small chuckle brought a bit of light to his eyes and this was something she loathed herself for noticing. She really shouldn't. She should keep to herself as far as boys and Lucas were concerned. She was taken. She was in love. At least that's what the voice inside of herself kept reminding her of. But if she truly was in love would she need the reminding? Not likely.

"I don't think there's such a thing as reading too many books when you're a Ravenclaw. Isn't it like a requirement of the house or something?" She offered, still trying to keep the conversation light and cheery and for a second she thought she was... Even if Oliver was still pissed at her because standing out here on the dock with Lucas things were almost... calm. "Don't listen to me. I just say stupid things. I'm a Quidditch player not a talker obviously." She lightly laughed it off wiping at her face again to remove any remanants of tears. "It was sweet of you to come and check on me." She added sincerely looking at him fondly. "You can try and lie but I know that you did and that's sweet." What other reason would he have to be walking around the lake away from everyone else except for Alicia stalking him but her roommate had told her that ship had sailed.

"Well you should have some more free time regardless. Plus you won't be confined to the school." It wasn't like they could leave the campus without getting into trouble. He did suppose, if he actually had a good relationship with his father, he could see him on the weekends with trips to Hogsmeade, but with her parent's being muggles that wouldn't be allowed. He always wondered what it would be like to actually want to spend time with parents. He had felt more loved by the quidditch coach for Puddlemere when he was growing up than his father, and that guy just included him in some activities. But being around the team had led to him being able to see past the quidditch player in Amelia and see her actually as a friend.

Even if she was single, would he take the risk of ruining their friendship? It wasn't like he had many friends. Well outside of his books at least. He got along with most people, but he wouldn't call them friends. Maybe acquaintances, but certainly not friends. And it wasn't like he really had anyone close to him that knew everything about him. No one was really at that level. He tended to keep a wall up for everyone at this point. But Amelia was probably as close as any. Would he really risk it to see if there was anything there?

"I'm pretty sure eventually there are too many books. But yes, many of us either read or do creative work like write or do art." he said with a small shake. They weren't all nerds, but they certaintly all valued intelligence in some sense of the word. "Why wouldn't I listen to you? You don't say stupid things, and I enjoy talking to you. As a Ravenclaw, I'm not allowed to talk to people who say stupid things, don't you know." He said the last part in jest. He did enjoy talking to her, even if for the most part it was playful bickering. "Evans, you are my friend. Of course I'm going to make sure you're doing okay." he said. He looked at her face and saw one small remnant of a tear she had missed. He lifted his hand slowly, pausing slightly before continuing and softly wiping it off, letting his hand linger a little before returning it to his side. "Plus, what guy wouldn't want to rescue a pretty damsel in distress"

"Yeah. I know." She agreed in a somewhat muffled, humble voice to his little joke about Ravenclaws. She knew that he was just being nice to her and that was just his way and she shouldn't read too much into it. She had a tendency to when anyone was king toward her because most of her life was spent bickering with someone, outright fighting, or someone trying to get something from her or knock her off her broom. She wasn't sure what was the case here but deep down she hoped it was none of the above.

"Right. I mean duh." It was then that Lucas' hand reached out and hesitated in mid air. Her breath became caught in her throat and for a moment she couldn't breathe. She could only gape at him in silence in the night until his fingertips finally made contact with skin. Rough but comforting. Warm but not scalding. Finally it clicked what he was doing when he wiped the one remaining tear away. Her voice initially lost she forced herself to swallow in an attempt to get it back. Perhaps returning to their usual banter would help though it wasn't as easy as it normally was.

"I ought to sock you for that." She warned though of course she wouldn't. Still... She was no damsel and it was definitely not something the stubborn American would ever want to be called. She'd let Lucas get away with it just this once. "You're lucky I'm in a better mood." She smiled weakly. This better mood was largely because of him coming to the rescue but she would never want him to think that. Heck, she didn't want to think of it like that. She wasn't weak. She didn't need help. She was just fine. "Why are you being so nice to me, huh?"