Keeping the Keeper.
Oliver Wood.
Free Butterbeer.
"Have a good time, dear," my mother said as she wrapped her arms around me, engulfing me in a hug in the middle of the busy platform. "Be sure to write every week."
"I will, Mum. Don't worry. I'll be fine," I encouraged. I wriggled, trying to escape her grip, but to no avail.
"Mind the teachers. And don't get in trouble." Silent tears slid down her rosy cheeks as she pulled me closer to her slender body.
I sighed heavily. She always got emotional when I left for Hogwarts. Even after five years, she still cried like a baby every time I boarded the train. It was understandable, of course; sending your only daughter away for months without any visits. Still, I thought she'd be used to it by now. It was disappointing, in a way.
The train whistle blew, warning the students to board now or else they'll be left behind. Steam billowed from the smokestack, heating up the already too-warm platform. "I'm going to be late. I have to go. I love you."
"I love you too, honey." She released her death grip on me and waved as I climbed up the steps to the Hogwarts Express. I smiled and returned the gesture before turning away.
Once I hauled my trunk onto the train, I set off to find an empty compartment. I knew Oliver wouldn't be here yet; he was always late when we left, despite his punctuality when Quidditch was involved.
I smiled to myself as I found an empty compartment and pulled my trunk inside. "Success," I mumbled, heaving my trunk onto the luggage rack. Sighing, I fell onto the uncomfortable bench and closed my eyes, waiting for him.
"Finally!" a voice boomed seconds after I settled into the seat. I opened my eyes to see a tall, subtly muscular boy standing in the doorway. "I've been looking all over for you."
"At least I was here on time, Mr. Wood, and I got the compartment. So shut your trap."
Oliver Wood was my best friend, has been since we were in diapers. Our fathers went to school together and loved Quidditch, too. Obviously, Oliver inherited the love of the sport. My father's love, however, went to my brother, who is now the star chaser for the Ballycastle Bats. My family received free cases of butterbeer on a regular bases thanks to Barny the Fruitbat, their mascot, being featured in most butterbeer advertisements. I'm just batty about butterbeer!
"How was your summer?" Oliver asked as he put up his luggage.
"Decent. Sean came home for a week and he and Da' went crazy over Quidditch. It was an all out war." I shook my head at the memory of my brother and father fighting in the garden over who won the one-on-one match they were playing. My mother and I refused to take any part in their antics.
"I wish my sibling was in some high profile Quidditch team. But no, I'm the Quidditch fanatic and I get stuck with a sister who does nothing but sit around the house," Oliver grumbled.
"You know that Sean would love to take you on a tour of the Bats' stadium and lockers and all the Quidditch stuff," I told him.
"Puddlemere is better than Ballycastle." He briefly pointed to his navy shirt with two crossed golden bulrushes printed in the middle and grinned. "Thanks, but no thanks."
"Well then, maybe I'll watch Puddlemere play the Bats from the press box by myself, since the person I was going to give the other ticket to doesn't appreciate my team." I reached into my pocket and pulled out two tickets, courtesy of Sean.
Oliver's mouth dropped slightly for a moment, but he quickly regained his posture. "Now now, let's not be hasty and jump to conclusions. The Bats are a decent team."
"That's better." I smiled and handed him the ticket. "It's during the winter holidays. Maybe you could stay at my house in Sean's old room. I'm sure Mum wouldn't mind."
"You're the most amazing girl ever. And you're incredibly lucky. You get free butterbeer and free Quidditch tickets." Oliver pouted and crossed his arms over his chest like an upset toddler.
"If I didn't know any better, I would think that you're just using me for my connections." I pouted too.
Oliver suddenly looked away. "Whatever do you mean?" He tried to whistle a tune, but he only achieved a small whooshing noise. This sent us both into fits of laughter.
The door to the compartment slid open just then, revealing two gangly, tall red haired boys.
"They're at it again, Fred," one said.
"I swear, if we'd entered a few minutes before, we would've caught 'em shagging," the other, Fred, said.
"I agree. We need better timing." George grumbled as the two Weaselys shuffled into the compartment and sat down. The Weasely twins were on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, both as beaters. They were also very close friends of Oliver and myself.
"You'll never guess who's on the train," Fred said suddenly, grinning ear to ear.
George leaned forward and whispered, "Harry Potter."
Oliver's mouth fell open for a moment. "Wow," he whispered.
"Harry Potter?" I gasped in shock. Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, was on the train going to Hogwarts.
"Harry Potter," Fred confirmed smiling.
"And guess who's sitting with him. "George beamed.
"Our very own little Ron," Fred said. Ron was their little brother who started Hogwarts this year. Fred and George also had an older brother, Percy, who is a complete git, and a younger sister who starts school next year. Fred also mentioned something about Charlie and Bill, their two oldest brothers, once or twice.
"Our brother is making friends with Harry Potter, Fred. It's amazing."
"Yes, George, absolutely amazing." Fred stood and put his hand on the door. "Now, we must be off. Let's go torture the first years."
George grinned and stood up, walking over to his brother. "Excellent idea Fred."
The two walked out of the compartment discussing certain hexes and their various effects.
A/N: I felt like writing an Oliver where their friends. So, enjoy.
Disclaimer: Everything you don't recognize is mine. Everything you do is J.K. Rowling's.