Happy Memories & Confessions
Sam frowned slightly as she and Oliver walked towards Defense Against the Dark Arts the next morning. A large group of seventh years were gathered outside the room, whispering excitedly.
"What's gotten into them, you think?" she asked.
"Probably the new professor," he said, shrugging.
"You'd think that we've never had a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor before," she said, rolling her eyes slightly.
"Supposedly this one is better," he replied. Sam snorted.
"A flobberworm could do better than Lockhart," she said. As they approached the door to the classroom opened and they all piled in.
"If it isn't the Gryffindor golden couple," Flint said, stalking in after them. Wood scowled back at him as Sam sighed.
"Can't you come up with something better?" Sam asked as she kept walking, pulling Oliver with her. "I won't even dignify that with a comeback." Marcus glared after the two as he sat at the back with Pucey. Sam and Oliver moved to a table about halfway towards the front as Lucy and Alicia slid into the desk behind them. Sam couldn't help but glance back, locking eyes with Pucey. She smiled slightly before turning her focus to pulling her books out.
"Hey Sam, Wood," Finn said, as he dropped his books off on a desk to her right. Sam looked over and smiled.
"Hello, Finn," she replied as Oliver nodded at him.
"Ready for alchemy?" he asked, glancing over at her. She smiled and nodded.
"Should be exciting," she replied. "I nearly can't believe we convinced McGonagall to offer it."
"I'm not surprised. You could probably talk her into just about anything," Finn replied. "You are one of her favorites." Sam rolled her eyes.
"Doubt that," she said.
"We all know you're a teacher's pet," he said.
"I don't understand how you two can find alchemy exciting," Wood said, looking over at them as he pulled his book out.
"Seemed pretty eager to get into the class a few months ago," she commented, glancing over at him.
"Only because you forced me to sign up," he grumbled. Sam immediately felt bad, knowing it was a bit of a soft spot.
"Chin up, Wood. McGonagall was notoriously picky with who she selected for it. All the other Hufflepuffs who signed up were rejected as well," Finn said from her other side. Wood looked over at him and smiled appreciatively. He was about to reply when a hush came over the room as Professor Lupin walked down from his office and stood in front of his desk, smiling warmly.
"I'd like to welcome you all to Defense Against the Dark Arts," he said, looking around the room. "I understand that your studies were rather… interesting last year, so we will start by going over things that you should have learned in your Sixth Year and work our way from there. Seeing as it's rather relevant at the moment, today we'll start with dementors. Can anyone tell me what they feed on?"
Oliver glanced over, seeing Sam's face go pale slightly at the mention of dementors. He reached over and squeezed her hand, before moving it back over to his side of the desk while a Ravenclaw answered. Sam smiled over at him and then returned her attention to the front.
"And what defense should we use against a dementor?" Professor Lupin asked. Sam raised her hand. "Yes, Ms. Abbott?" Her eyebrows raised slightly as she was surprised he knew her name already. He must have studied up.
"There are several defenses, but the most powerful is the Patronus Charm," she answered.
"Excellent! Yes, the Patronus Charm. What can you tell me about it?" he asked, still looking at Sam. She figured he must have heard she was also one of the top students in the class.
"It's, well, it's rather like a physical manifestation of positive energy. There are two kinds - corporeal and uncorporeal," she said. "And it requires a large amount of positive thought - or happy memories - to summon."
"Very good, Ms. Abbott. Five points to Gryffindor," he said as Sam beamed. "Now if you'll all stand, we're going to begin working on the Patronus Charm. It is very advanced, so do not feel discouraged if you are unable to produce one today. We will work on them for the next couple of weeks…"
A little while later after the desks had been moved to the sides of the classroom, the class had split up into pairs and were practicing the charm while Professor Lupin walked around. Oliver was attempting it but nothing was coming out from the end of his wand.
"Think you're moving your wand wrong," Sam said, her head tilted to her side as she tapped her bottom lip with her finger. "Should be a circle, but you're doing more an egg shape."
"Let's see you do it," he said, slightly exasperated. Sam pulled her wand out and took a deep breath, concentrating on a happy memory. She thought about Christmas - it always was her favorite time of year and the Woods would often come over and spend part of the holiday with them.
"Expecto Patronum!" she said, waving her wand. Oliver chuckled as nothing happened. Sam shook her head and re-focused, choosing another memory. She smiled to herself as she thought about one particular date with Adrian. They were at a cozy little café down a hidden street in the Alley. It was the day he had asked her to be his girlfriend and it had been an incredibly happy date.
"Expecto Patronum!" she said again, waving her wand. Once again, nothing happened. Sam frowned as Oliver smirked.
"Perhaps you can't do everything," he said smugly. Sam glanced up at him, determined that she wouldn't lose. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, going through her recent most happy memories. Her thoughts drifted to the beach trip. Sitting on the sand looking up at the stars. Talking about her brother with Oliver at her side. She smiled slightly at the warmth she had felt then.
"Expecto Patronum!" she shouted after opening her eyes, this time a small amount of thin mist shooting out of her wand. She grinned as Oliver gawked at her.
"Now that's just not fair," he said.
"Excellent, Ms. Abbott! I believe you're the first to get a noncorporeal patronus," Professor Lupin said, walking up to the two.
"Thank you, Professor," she said, still smiling. She glanced around the room and noticed Percy frowning at her, obviously not happy that she had beat him yet again. She chuckled and waved at him as he rolled his eyes and set back to work. A group of Ravenclaws were watching her closely, likely taking note of her wand movements to copy them.
"Now, Mr. Wood, let's see you give it a try," the professor said, turning to him. Oliver took a deep breath and closed his eyes a moment, searching for a memory. He had already tried several involving quidditch and flying and none of them had worked.
He found himself thinking about the trip over the summer and the nights spent sneaking out to the beach. Sam laughing loudly at his impression of Professor Snape. Then pointing out the various constellations in the sky, always finding Gemini first. She then looked over at him, her eyes sparkling as she smiled and then leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Expecto Patronum!" he shouted, waving his wand. A thin mist came out as Oliver watched in shock.
"Very good, Mr. Wood," Professor Lupin said as Oliver's cheeks started turning slightly red. He looked over at Sam, who was grinning at him. The professor moved on to the next duo as Sam stepped over to him.
"What were you thinking about?" she asked. Oliver blinked as he quickly tried to think of something - anything - besides what he had actually been thinking.
"Flying," he said immediately. Sam laughed.
"Why am I not surprised," she said, rolling her eyes.
"What about you?" he asked, seriously wishing that his cheeks would stop burning. "Suppose it was a certain someone." His gaze drifted to the other side of the room where Pucey was working with Flint.
"Perhaps," Sam said coyly as she studied her nails. She wasn't sure why she lied. Why would it matter if she had been thinking about being on the beach with Oliver? He was her best friend after all.
"I see," Oliver replied.
"Good work everyone! That is all for today!" the professor called out. They all moved to pack up their bags and head out.
"What's next?" Oliver asked, looking over at Sam. He had a free period while Sam obviously had another class with her incredibly packed schedule.
"Alchemy. Walk with me there?" she asked, pulling her bag up.
"Sure, it's on the way to the Tower," he replied. The two started out with Finn following.
"How'd you manage to be the only two in class to produce anything," he said, glancing over at them. Sam shrugged and smiled over at him.
"Guess we're just really happy people," she said brightly.
"It's not fair," Finn grumbled slightly, though Sam knew he wasn't really that upset about it.
The three made their way down the corridors towards McGonagall's room, chatting about the new professor. He was infinitely better than Lockhart and all of them felt they'd learn a lot more this year than they had last year.
But then they arrived at the classroom, with Wood waving as he loped off towards the tower, likely spending his free hour working on plays though he should be starting on homework. Finn and Sam walked in sitting down at a desk together as they waited on the rest of the class to arrive. Sam glanced over as Adrian walked in with Rachel Dunwith, another seventh Slytherin, and sat in the desks next to them, while Percy rushed in and sat in front of them.
"Good summer, Abbott?" Adrian asked.
"Decent," she replied, attempting to look busy gathering her parchment. Finn watched the exchange with a curious look. Since when did Sam talk to Slytherins without insults?
"Have a good summer, Sam?" a tall blonde seventh year in Ravenclaw robes then said as he sat at the desk behind them. She turned around and smiled.
"Decent enough. And you, Rich?" she asked.
"Same. Ended up traveling most of the time," he replied. "Where's your bodyguard?"
"I assume you mean Oliver?" she asked, laughing softly.
"Yea, it's odd not seeing you two together at all times," he replied. Sam shrugged.
"He's not really into alchemy," she said. Rich nodded slowly as he started to smile.
"Well, the first Hogsmeade weekend is coming up in a few weeks. You thinking about going?" he asked, leaning towards her. Finn watched out of the corner of his eye, smiling slightly. He, however, missed out that he wasn't the only one watching the exchange. From the other side of Sam, Adrian kept glancing over at them.
Seemed without Oliver around, the Ravenclaw was going to use the opportunity to ask her out.
"Yea, I usually do," Sam said, starting to dig through her bag for her alchemy book.
"Would you care to go with me?" he asked casually. Sam stopped digging and looked up at him.
"You sure that's a good idea? You are best mates with Liam," she said, frowning slightly as she mentioned her ex. Rich shrugged. Of course, he couldn't know the real reason why she didn't want to go.
"That was last year. Water under the bridge and all," he said. Sam studied him a moment, not sure how to respond. While she was contemplating, the man in question sat down in the chair next to Rich.
"What's got you looking all wonky?" he asked, studying Sam. Her cheeks turned red slightly.
"Nothing," she said, quickly turning back around as she placed her book on the desk. She met Percy's eyes, who had been watching the conversation with an odd look on his face. "Eyes to the front, Weasley," Sam said.
"Why? I was watching a rather entertaining exchange," he said, quickly recovering. Sam shook her head slightly. Suddenly he straightened up as Penelope Clearwater approached.
"That seat open?" she asked, pointing to the chair next to Percy.
"Of course," he said quickly, his face rapidly turning red. Finn and Sam started chuckling as Penelope sat down and put her book on the desk. Sam grabbed a parchment and quill and quickly scribbled down "Percy and Penny, sitting in a tree. KISSING," then showed it to Finn who started laughing loudly. Percy shot the two a look as Sam crumpled it up and shoved it in her bag.
"Is everyone here?" McGonagall said as she strode to the front of the classroom. She quickly scanned the room, noting those in attendance. "Very well, open your books to the first chapter. We will spend the first half of the year learning the theory behind alchemy before we begin applying it in the second…"
She began lecturing on the four basic elements of nature. Sam was quickly taking notes when she felt someone poke her in the back. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Rich leaning towards her, a piece of paper in his hand. She returned to watching McGonagall, waiting for her to turn back to the board. She had eyes like an eagle and would not tolerate note-passing.
Once the professor had turned to write something on the board, Sam reached behind her and took the note, quickly pulling it into her lap before the professor turned back around. She then unfolded it quickly and glanced down.
Hogsmeade, yes or no?
She rolled her eyes slightly and looked back up at the front of the class. Grabbing her quill, she quickly jotted something down before folding it up again. She waited until McGonagall wasn't looking again and tossed the note back to him.
The rest of the class continued on without any more notes until finally McGonagall dismissed them for lunch. Sam packed up her bag, Finn watching closely.
"See you later," Rich said, as he and Liam walked out.
"You told him yes, didn't you?" Finn asked. Sam looked up at him as she pulled her bag over her shoulder.
"I told him no," she said, walking out, glancing at Adrian as they passed him.
"Did you say that because he's Liam's mate or because you're trying to stay away from your type," Finn joked.
"I do not have a type!" Sam nearly yelled.
"You're allowed to say that when you finally date someone not in Ravenclaw," he said, chuckling. "There are some nice blokes in Hufflepuff I can introduce you to, you know. They'd be thrilled to go on a date with you. Besides, isn't your cousin a Hufflepuff?" Sam elbowed him in the ribs as they made their way to the Great Hall.
"Shut it, will you?" she said, smiling at him. "And yes, she is."
"Better yet, you should go for a Slytherin. That would REALLY break the type," he commented. Sam frowned, wondering if Finn had heard something.
"What makes you say that?" she asked, suspicious. Finn shrugged.
"Just think it'd be hilarious to see all the Gryffindors' heads simultaneously explode," he commented. Sam relaxed slightly, feeling she was in the clear.
"But… what would you really think if I did happen to date a Slytherin," she asked, hoping she sounded nonchalant. Finn chuckled.
"Are you telling me you're considering dating Marcus Flint?" he asked, looking down at her. Sam wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"God, no. I'd never subject myself to that," she replied. "Just that… there are some decent blokes in there… maybe." Finn looked down at her suspiciously. He grabbed her arm and pulled into an alcove where they had a relative amount of privacy.
"Out with it, Sam," he said. Sam looked up at him innocently.
"Out with what?" she asked.
"This is obviously leading somewhere, so just get to it," he said, motioning for her to hurry. Sam sighed and looked around then back up with him.
"Hypothetically, what would you say if I were dating Adrian Pucey," she said softly. Finn's eyebrows shot up.
"Christ, Sam! I was just joking!" he nearly shouted.
"Shh!" Sam said, glancing around again.
"Are you serious?" he whispered. She looked up at him and nodded. "How long?"
"All summer," she replied.
"That why you and Oliver were fighting?" he asked. Sam rolled her eyes.
"Yes… bloody stupid rumor mill," she replied. "Can you keep this a secret?" Finn nodded, still stunned that she had just admitted to dating a Slytherin. Sam then pulled him out of the alcove and they continued towards the Great Hall.
"So… him?" Finn said, careful not to use names. Sam shot him a look.
"I really like him, Finn," she said softly.
"Must if you agreed to go out with him," Finn replied. "Considering… who he is and such."
"They aren't all bad," Sam said, rolling her eyes.
"Yea, well. For your sake, I hope it works out," he said as they walked into the Great Hall. Sam smiled up at him.
"I'm sure it will. I think you'll like him," she said. Finn nodded.
"See you later," he said as he continued on towards the Hufflepuff table, moving towards the sixth and seventh years. Sam sat down next to Alicia and looked over, inadvertently meeting Adrian's eyes at the Slytherin table next to them. He smiled and nodded at her, causing Sam to blush slightly.
"What's this?" Oliver asked as he dropped down on the bench next to her. Sam jumped slightly, looking over at him.
"Nothing," she said, smiling. He studied her a bit before starting to fill his plate, not quite believing her. He looked over, noticing Pucey glancing at her. He sighed and focused on food, pushing that inevitable disaster from his mind.
"Heard Rich asked you to Hogsmeade and you turned him down," George said, popping up next to Sam and making her jump.
"What the? That literally just happened. How did you find out?" she asked.
"We have our ways," Fred said from the other side of her. Sam waved her hands in the air, shooing them away.
"What does it matter anyway?" she replied.
"Trying to get out of your type, is it?" George asked, sitting just down from her. "Just go out with Wood. That should do it as you never date Gryffindors." He grinned as Oliver's face turned red. Sam laughed shortly.
"Really wish everyone would stay out of my love life," she said, starting to eat.
"But Rich did look rather forlorn after Alchemy," Percy said from where he sat next to Oliver. Sam shrugged.
"Not interested," she replied lightly. Percy met Oliver's eyes. Oliver silently urged him not to say anything.
"You ready to tutor Flint tomorrow night?" Alicia asked, hoping to turn the conversation away from dating.
"No," Sam groaned.
"Come on, Sammie. You may find him rather charming," George said with a grin.
"God, no," Sam replied. "Been thinking about every possible way to get out of it that wouldn't make Snape hate me."
"No luck?" Alicia asked.
"None whatsoever," Sam said glumly.
"Surely McGonagall would stop it," Percy said. "She knows how overextended you are."
"Tried. She said she couldn't help," Sam said. "Guess I just have to suck it up. Here's to weekly hour-long sessions of Flint being annoying, disgusting or attempting to hit on me. In which he will likely be both annoying and disgusting."
"Cheer up, Sammie. I can always beat him up for you," Oliver said before taking a bite of his sandwich, still managing to smile.
"No, Woodsie. Then you'd get detention and miss out on practice, and I won't have anyone blaming me for you losing the Cup this year," she replied, though she smiled slightly.
"Trust me, I don't need much of an excuse to go after Flint," Oliver said. "No one would ever blame you." Sam leaned against his shoulder, fluttering her eyelashes at him.
"Whatever would I do without you, Oliver Wood? My knight in shining armor," she said in dramatic fashion. "Here to slay the nasty snake."
"Get a room already!" Fred shouted, causing the group to laugh loudly. Oliver couldn't help the butterflies that filled him when Sam leaned against him. A goofy grin broke out. He looked across the room, noticing Adrian frowning at him. He quickly looked away as Sam started up bantering with the twins, eventually tossing rolls at their heads. He chuckled again.
He'd be damned if Adrian Pucey was going to come in between him and his best friend.
And more are slowly let in on the secret...
cjconner326 - Haha! I kind of liked the nickname. Honestly, I can't remember which Wood story I brought it up in first or where I originally heard it, but figured I'd just go with it. And yea, tutoring will be rather tricky...
Thanks for reading, guys!
