Sorry it took me so long to update, but please enjoy the chapter!

Healing Charms, Kisses, and Quibbling

For the next two days, Hermione spent nearly every free moment in the library, looking for a protection spell that Professor Dumbledore hadn't already found. Oliver accompanied her, but, knowing it would only annoy her, didn't protest. Instead, he would stroke her hair or back lightly, whispering occasionally about how much he appreciated this help.

Finally, when Hermione was sure that every protection spell invented was on the list, she looked up at Oliver, smiling mischievously. "You know, I haven't kissed you in a long while... And I finished all of my classwork... I wonder, shall we meet at the oak again?"

This was said as she rose from her seat, stretching and leaning into Oliver's outstretched arms.

"Well, dear, it's nearly midnight; rather late, don't you think? I have a surprise planned for you tomorrow. But as I'm rather chivalrous, I'll content you."

And, embracing her, he pressed his mouth to hers. As the kiss grew more passionate, she was glad that they had chosen to sit at a dark table, behind bookshelves.

°

Hermione had done her classwork; if nothing else, the teachers felt that it was even better than the year before. However, Professor Sprout had noticed a change, and mentioned it to Professor Sinistra at lunch the next day. "Miss Granger seems rather besotted with someone; I wonder who it is? She's had all the typical signs: Smiling at everyone who's come her way, including Hannah, seeming aloft, and doing much better in her work, though she doesn't always seem like her mind is with me. Why, I could swear I saw her in class yesterday, murmuring while were pruning the Paradise Flower, "He loves me, he loves me, he loves me! But who could the lucky man be?"

"I've seen her with Oliver Wood in the evenings a lot. They were in the library for a few days, and I've seen them meet at an oak at times. And he walked her to class the first day back… But it's all right, isn't it? She's seventeen, after all! And he's close enough to her age that no one could quibble, right?"

"Actually, my dear professors, they could quibble," Professor Dumbledore offered, having caught up to them, "In fact, were it not some other time, I myself would be one of the quibblers. But, when Voldemort is on the brink of taking over all Light magic in the world, who would care? And if they have some children, who would complain that they are enlarging our race? Hermione has much to lose this year; Oliver will be one of her only comforts."

If only they knew…

°

A week later, Hermione was in Charms class, practicing Cooling Charms, when she heard sudden giggles and felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Oliver bending down to her, a look of concern on his face.

"Wha…" she began to ask, but was soon interrupted.

"Professor Flitwick, one of the first-years has fallen from their brooms, and I am aware that Hermione is learning Healing Charms. I'm very sorry to bother you, but this would be a rather practical lesson that she wouldn't be getting soon. I know she's learned this the necessary Charms; could you please excuse her for the rest of the class?" he asked, grasping Hermione's hand. She was startled to find that it was cold and clammy. She knew that Oliver had been working hard for this class, which was his first, but she didn't know he was so nervous to teach children how to fly! Somehow overcome with sadness for him, Hermione looked at Professor Flitwick pleadingly.

"May I, Professor? Parvati can tell you that I've mastered the Cooling Charm, and I know some Healing Charms that would work perfectly, I think. Please?"

Somehow, Hermione had charm enough to win a yes, and she left the room cautiously, not wanting to seem eager to be alone with Oliver. But as soon as they had turned a corner, Oliver put his arms around her, burying his head in her hair.

"Oliver, what's wrong? I'll bet you were smashing at the class today; it wasn't your fault that that 1st year fell off of her broom! Neville did that in my first flying class, and it wasn't anything Madame Hooch had ever done! Everyone will love you, as I do? Besides, why aren't you asking Madame Pomfrey?"

"If she finds out I made a mistake… But she already knows, anyway. The child, Melinda Green, is in the Hospital Wing. I think she has a broken rib, but I don't know the extent of internal damage… I hope she's all right. Madame Pomfrey is sure you can heal her, or she wouldn't have let me come and get you."

"Oliver, at the risk of hurting Melinda only a little bit more, I want to tell you that I'm positive you did an excellent job." And, saying so, she kissed him softly, quickly, and then ran to the Hospital Wing, where she knew she was needed.

°

This *might* be a cliffhanger… In your reviews, please tell me if you want to see Melinda healed, because doing that scene's debatable… And now you know why Dumbledore isn't interfering! I kinda pictured Oliver as the type to want to be perfect in whatever he has to do, especially when it regards Quidditch, so that explains his behavior! I forgot to write about the surprise! In your reviews, please tell me if you want to see it as well!

I have a long weekend ahead of me, but I have to work on a Future Problem Solvers scenario, due Tuesday, so maybe I'll get Chapter Five out. I hope so, at least…

And now, for the reviewers…

Thank you all for reviewing!!!

G*Ness- I'm so happy that you reviewed, and that you liked it! Hannah Abbot was rather fun to write, and I for some reason like to write about prissy characters… As for the "she couldn't shake the dark feeling from her shoulders", that'll be important when the fic gets into the month of October. I'm really happy that you liked it. Oh, and H/O forever!

crambo_girl- Well, they kissed… I hate to tell you, but I am now against saying the word "smooch". Well, actually, that's just me, and it says why in my blog, http://www.livejournal.com/users/~harrypotternut . But there was more snogging (kissing) in this chapter, ne? And more to come! And Ernie will probably not be super-jealous. Hannah might plot some sort of little revenge or something, so be warned!

RaspberrieSundae- New obsession? I have plenty of those, including the facial hair in Fiddler on the Roof… Rather long story, that… But I will try to make Justin somewhat less scummy. But Hermione needed an old love-interest (though Harry was one of those, if you read between the lines), and I could sorta work with him well… I have written more; art thou happy? I certainly hope so!

ducky-doll- You will die if you don't find out what happens? Interesting. Well, I give you the rights to the sequel, that is, if I just tie the whole thing into an epilogue. But I'm certainly planning to finish; you'll stay alive, or so I hope! Your fanfics are also very good; I'm just too lazy to finish reading them! But I love 'em!

Piea- Thanks! (Wow, I didn't babble replying to this review!)

Moony!- Can you ever get enough good mush? No? I thought it! I hope you like this chapter!

Thanks again, and please review!

Rosie Sinistra