Title: One in a Million
Author: DarkAngelGirl
Summary: Oliver Wood is used to admirers. Being Gryffindor's Quidditch
captain girls notice him... but he never took them seriously. Then third
year, Hermione Granger developes a crush on him.
Spoilers: Takes place in beginning of third year before PoA happens but
contains minor spoilers for CoS.
Pairing : O/H
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, places ect mentioned in the
story and I am not making a profit off of them.
Feedback: Pleaaassee review! Or send an email to: KAYKEL1207@msn.com
~*~*~*~*~
Oliver Wood stepped onto the Quidditch field for the first practice session of the year. He was almost sad to think that after this year he would no longer be a student at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. He was in his seventh year... the game of Quidditch had been a major part of his life throughout the years. In his second year he had been put on Gryffindor's team and in his third year, after the captain had graduated he was made Captain.
He had made a fine team of the Gryffindor's ... they were all really skilled and he knew proudly that he was part of it. He'd be sad to leave.
"You all right Oliver?" asked one of the Weasley twins.
He shook himself out of the daze he'd been in "Yeah..." he said going back into character "So... I guess this is my last year here. I know we can win, we're a really great team... the best of all, I think. We've gotta work harder this year..."
"Harder than last year?" complained Fred.
"Definitely."he said as if it was obvious "Now lets get into the air for some practice." The seven players mounted and flew.
~*~*~*~
"Wanna go down to the quidditch field and watch Harry?" Ron asked Hermione in a bored tone of voice.
Hermione stared at him oddly. "Harry had practice this morning?"
"I know." Ron said seeing her confused look "This early on a weekend morning most of us like to relax. I'm guessing the captain decided to make the training harder."
"Harder?" Hermione asked.
Ron sighed. Hermione really was clueless about the Quidditch team. "Honestly... Harry worked so often on Quidditch last year... Hermione, somehow you can remember everything every teacher had ever said in class... but you can't remember Harry's practices. Come on..."
"All right..." she said "So what do you mean Ron?"
"His captain is one of those people who can't stand to lose. Fred and George told me a lot about him."
"He sounds dreadful to me." Hermione said "What's his name? How old is he?"
"Oliver Wood. He's a seventh year.... from what my brothers say he's much too serious."
"Let's go down to the field." Hermione said.
~*~*~*~*
Hermione and Ron got to the field a few minutes later. They sat at the vacant bleachers and watched the players zoom about. " I see Harry." Hermione quipped "and there's your brothers... but where's this captain guy?"
Ron looked up and pointed to the goals " Over there."
Hermione fixed her gaze near the goal posts... she squinted because she could hardly see in the bright sunlight. "Oh...." she said as if he were nothing but...
She could see Harry's captain flying near the goal posts. Even from far below she could tell that this boy was very very attractive. "He doesn't look so bad." she whispered.
"What?" Ron asked not having heard her well.
"Nothing." Hermione shot, when she saw the players heading for ground she added "They must be finished lets go see.... Harry."
"All right." said Ron eyeing her strangely.
~*~*~*~
Harry Potter smiled when he saw his friends descending down to the field. "Hi you guys." he said smiling.
"Hi Harry!" they both said at the same time.
"We came to see your practice..." Hermione said "Are you guys done?"
"Almost." Harry sighed then his voice dropped down to a low whisper "Wood's gonna have us working double time this year. I bet I'll hardly get to see you guys."
"Potter, I heard that." said a voice as Oliver Wood appeared. "And you better believe I will."
Harry and Hermione both turned red instantly. Oliver seemed to take no notice. Then specifically to Ron and Hermione said "With my plans and Harry here's skill as a seeker we should win."
"I.... I'm sure.... you will." Hermione said realizing that she was blushing. What was wrong with her?
~*~*~*~
Oliver smiled at the girl, Harry Potter's friend, then he looked up at the stands at two fellow seventh years... really annoying girls who both liked him. Or so they said. He'd even heard rumors that the two of them fought over him. He remembered that the tall one's name was Kristen Lane... all he knew was that neither were very mature. They annoyed him to death and he knew so well that they only were attracted to him because he was on the team. He'd seen it before with his first "girlfriend," a Ravenclaw he'd met the year he became captain.
"Ya know Harry..." he said then raising his voice a little to the annoying girls "We better call off practice till tomorrow. Too many * pests *out here."
They went back inside the castle. Harry, Ron and Hermione headed to the Gryffindor common room. Harry noticed that Hermione was unusually quite. "What's wrong Hermione?"
She didn't answer, then when Ron tapped her on the shoulder she jerked and said "Nothing Harry... I'm fine."
When they got back she immediately said " I have to go to the library."
"Why now?" Ron said "I know you finished your homework."
"I just have to." she said.
~*~*~*~
Hermione sighed with relief when she reached the library. She had absolutely no reason to be there except that it was the only place no one would go. She was the only person who'd go to the library on a Saturday.
She had no clue why she liked the boy. She had seen her fellow students fall for other people at as early as eleven years old but really never felt like this before. He has a really cute smile she thought to herself grinning. She went to the back of the library and picked up a tattered old book. She wondered what it was on since no title was on the cover. "Oh who cares?" she whispered aloud and sighed heavily.
~*~*~*~
Wood's decision to call off the rest of practice was not a choice he liked. He just didn't want to hear the gushing of those two. "Oh well..." he said "May as well go to the library and start that old History of Magic paper."
~*~*~*~
"What do you suppose is up with Hermione?" Ron asked Harry.
"Dunno." replied Harry "She was all weird since you two came down to our practice."
"Wanna go see what she's really in the library for?" Ron asked getting curious.
Harry thought about it for a moment. "All right...."
~*~*~*~
Hermione was reading when she heard the library door open. That's odd she thought I'm usually the only one hear on weekends.
She peered at the door from behind a bookshelf. It was him! He walked into the library,gave a quick smile to the librarian, Madam Pince, a quick smile and walked over to the history books.
Hermione ducked out of sight but still she tried to watch him. To her own surprise she really did take notice of everything about him. She watched the way he leaned over a big red book. She watched him put the book back and go to another one.
Then she accidentally hit her foot and yelled out. Oliver got up and looked around the bookshelf "Hello again." he said when he saw who it was. As long as those girls weren't following him.
Completely embarrassed she looked down at the floor and muttered embarrassed "Sorry... I ...I wasn't spying.... if that's what you think.... got to go..." she rushed out of the library not even noticing Harry and Ron.
"Was that Hermione?" Ron asked
"Yeah." Harry replied "She seemed scared, I wonder what...."
Then they saw Oliver Wood approach them "Hello Harry." he said "Did you see your little friend come by... she left the library very... oddly... left her things."
Harry and Ron exchanged glances. Now they got it. "Yeah... we'll give her the stuff." Ron said grinning and taking Hermione's things.
He looked from Harry to Ron. "Do you have any clue what was wrong with the girl. I think I scared her."
"I think you scared her in a different way Oliver." Harry said embarrassed to have to be the one to say it.
"You mean...." he started, looking at them in disbelief.
Ron nodded "It would explain things."
~*~*~*~*~*~
He wondered if this friend of Harry's, this Hermione, was just like Kristen Lane.... annoying girl who only liked him for being a quidditch captain. He doubted that she was... She seemed too nice and she was only 13 years old. I think I'd like to talk to her again he thought. He'd always wondered what a normal girl could see in him. A lot of people liked him, and he thought of himself as likable enough but most every girl he met was so immature...
~*~*~*~*~*
The next day at breakfast Oliver decided to purposely sit near Harry and his friends. It didn't look too odd because Fred and George Weasley also sat near them. "Hello." he said to everyone.
"Hi!" said Fred and George at once.
"Hi..." said Harry he and Ron both looking at Hermione who simply blushed. Her blush turned even worse when he decided to sit next to her.
~*~*~*~*~
"So?" he said directing his attention to Hermione "Did that work you were doing in the library turn out all right?"
"Yes. It did." she said looking up to meet his stare. "Thanks for giving my things... to Ron and Harry."
"No problem." he said softly and she felt her heart skip. He spoke so gently and calm... and the accent was making it all the better. "You sure did leave in a hurry."
"I was busy." she said trying to keep her cool and not sound like an idiot in front of him. "I've had so much work lately."
"I know." he said "It is stressful for me also to play quidditch and stay on top of all my classes."
"Oh no..." Ron said sarcastically "Another Hermione."
Hermione smiled at him. She should have known that he was very smart. He acted like it. Some of her shyness easing up she added "You do very well with the team... I've been to many games... the last two years."
"We are very good." he admitted.
~*~*~*~*~
After breakfast Ron, Hermione, and Harry had potions. On the way to the dungeon Ron decided to ask Hermione about her weird behavior and see if she'd confess the feelings she was having. "Has something been wrong Hermione?"
Harry was trying not to look at either of them. Leave it to Ron to ask it like that.
"No." she replied smiling "I'm as fine as ever. Maybe better...."
"Seriously..." he said getting a little pushier "We are you friends."
"I know that..." she said " Nothing's wrong with me."
As they walked into Snape's class Harry signaled for them to shut up. They hurried to take their seats.
All three of them hated Potions. Hermione agreed with Harry and Ron that it was the worst class but she still did pretty well in it. Or as well as anyone from Gryffindor could do with Professor Snape as teacher.
Today was pretty easy work for Hermione because it was just some simple potion mixing. Nothing advanced.
Her mixtures were almost compete. She just had to wait for five minutes before adding the last few ingredients. Snape was obviously a bit bothered by the fact that she had finished the first step before anyone, including the Slytherins.
She just smirked and her thoughts unwillingly returned to her crazy crush. She couldn't help think how immature these feelings were. She was not going to get all giggly over a boy! She had better things to do like schoolwork. She wanted to get top marks every year until she graduated. Of course he was on top of all his classes. .... "Ms. Granger!!!"
"Huh?" she said aloud.
"Ms. Granger?!?!" Professor Snape screamed and both Ron and Harry stared.
Hermione's potion had caught fire. It was smoking green and blue smoke everywhere and the liquid sputtered all over.
Hermione panicked as she tried to clean up the liquid. "Oh my.... I'm so sorry.... wasn't paying attention."
"Obviously..." said Professor Snape the joy on his face unmistakable. "Look at this class... the top student slacking off..."
Harry and Ron looked at each other in amazement. Hermione not paying attention! She had to have something wrong with her...
"I'm so sorry Professor." she said looking at the floor and still trying to calm her cauldron
"Yes..." Snape was smiling "I'd say that not paying attention in class is a very serious matter Ms. Granger. That's ten points from Gryffindor and a detention for you I'd say. I'll handle you and the other Gryffindor personally."
She didn't say anything. ~*~*~*~ "Come on Hermione!" Ron almost yelled. It was later that night. "You do have something up with you. I mean come on.... how many times do you not pay attention in class?"
"I just had things on my mind!" she yelled back.
"Exactly!" Ron shot back. "Harry and I, were your friends... we should know what's on your mind."
"It's none of you business." she stated and looking at Harry who remained quiet the whole time, "Harry, you don't care why it happened do you?"
"Uh...." Harry said quietly. He kind of was anticipating when Hermione would tell them that she like Oliver. He kinda wondered why she didn't.
"Exactly Harry." Hermione declared. At that tine she really wished that she had at least one close girl friend to tell. She wanted someone who'd understand... and she highly doubted that Harry and Ron could sympathize with her.
They all didn't talk for a while. Then, not liking the awkward silence Ron went up to the boys dormitory to get ready for bed.
Now that he was gone Harry asked "Uh.... Hermione ... is it Oliver Wood? Ron was dying to ask you but he didn't say it... is it?"
Hermione looked at him stunned "How did you guys know?"
Harry couldn't help laugh "It wasn't hard really.... first, you started acting weird at the practice, then the library, and now you were daydreaming in Snape's class. It was rather obvious..."
"Oh..." she said angry that she had basically shown everyone how she felt "You don't think that's stupid Harry?"
"No." he said not being able to think of a better answer "It's fine."
"Thanks." she said "I know it's so immature but..."
He nodded "Are you going to let Ron know?"
"Maybe..." she said really thinking about it "After all he is my friend, but if he tells his brothers I'll...."
She didn't need to finish. She knew once Ron knew he'd get it. Then at once she was glad to have friends cause who else can you tell but your very best friends.
~*~*~*~*~
Two days later it was the first game of the season. Gryffindor versus Slytherin. All of the Gryffindor team was pretty nervous. "Now don't be scared." Wood said even though he was visibly nervous. "The way we train we cannot lose."
All the team tried to agree but they weren't invincible....
~*~*~*~
"Come on Ron!" Hermione yelled "We're going to be late to the game."
"Stop whining." he yelled "We'll make it...."
"Hurry up then."
"Girls..." he sighed "You'll see him soon enough. You'd see him more if you'd stop avoiding him in the halls and walking far away from his classes... which you memorized."
She blushed. How did Ron know she'd memorized all of Oliver's classes? "Shut up!" she said "You promised to leave me alone if I told you."
He had promised. After talking to Harry she had told Ron because she knew he'd find out sooner or later... and he promised to leave her alone.
"I'm just saying..." Ron added as they headed to the field "What help are you doing staring and memorizing classes?"
"Like you'd do anything if you liked a seventh year."
"True. Not much chances of someone four years older than you but at least stop avoiding the guy."
"All right!" they were finally at the game. They took a seat with the other Gryffindor students. They'd made it just in time. It had just began.
Hermione watched but her mind was on Ron's words. She should do something....
~*~*~*~*
The game progressed and Gryffindor was losing. "Come on people." Wood begged during a time out "Harry, be alert."
"I haven't seen the snitch." he said "I'm trying though."
The game continued as badly for a long time. The chasers came heading passing the quaffle down toward the goal posts where Oliver waited and prepared himself to block the goal. As it came soaring and he made a great save he heard the crowd mutter as Harry and Draco Malfloy raced after the snitch.
He hoped so badly that Harry would get it. He hated losing. Even worse losing to Slytherin it was the lowest low.
"And Gryffindor wins as Harry Potter catches the snitch. Final score Slytherin 120 and Gryffindor 170." the commentator's words made him Happy yet annoyed. We could have done much better he thought as he soared downward.
"Excellent Harry." yelled Fred as they touched ground "Cut it close, we did."
"Yes we did." Oliver felt his anger a bit too much "Much too close.... we should have done better."
"Come on." added Alicia Spinnet "Don't go crazy Wood. We won all right?"
Suddenly Harry was distracted by Ron and Hermione rushing to congratulate them. Hermione a little more reluctantly.
"Great job!" Ron said excitedly "Amazing comeback...."
"Really good..." Hermione added.
"Are you crazy?" Wood asked hearing Ron and Hermione's comments "We should have won by a landslide but we only scraped through."
"You won." Hermione said unable to help herself "Isn't that good enough?"
"It is." said Fred who had also been a bit surprised by Oliver's unhappiness with the game "Why don't we all celebrate the win tonight? Have a little celebration for Gryffindor. All you could come."
"I can't." said Hermione almost at the same time as Oliver said "That'd be impossible."
"I have detention." Hermione explained looking directly at him surprised that he'd spoken at the same time.
"Me too." he said softly "I couldn't imagine you in detention miss, what happened?"
She blushed at the strange situation. He had been the reason she was in trouble. "I wasn't paying attention in class."
"Oh...." he said "Another trouble maker... much like myself."
She then noticed that Ron had led everyone away. Nice of him she thought to herself and then to Oliver she said "What about you?"
"Hmm.... I take advanced Potions with Snape this year. I was kinda caught working on the teams new plays."
"I got in trouble in Potions too. Is advanced hard?"
"Yeah." he said smiling at her "So... who do we have detention with?"
"I think you and I are the only ones with detention tonight." she said "Snape said that he'd handle me and the other Gryffindor, assuming that's you, personally."
"I'll see you tonight then." he said smiling
"Greatly looking forward to it." she replied sarcastically.
Wow she thought as he left I talked to him and It was all right. She thought he'd think her a little kid but he talked to her and he was nice and treated her equally. He really was a good person. Then she smiled actually looking forward to detention with Snape.
~*~*~*~*~
"I feel so sorry for you Hermione." Harry said that night as he and Ron were preparing for bed. "Late night detention with Professor Snape ... that's as bad as it gets."
"Yeah." Hermione said but she didn't sound less than excited. "I'll see you tomorrow then all right..."
Then Ron leaned over to Harry and whispered "I heard that she's meeting 'him' outside of Snape's class."
"That explains her good mood I guess." said Harry thinking that no one in the world could make him be happy about a detention, especially one with Snape.
~*~*~*~*
Hermione walked down the empty corridors. She shivered. She had came down there at night before but never alone. She heard a noise and tuned impulsively. She almost screamed as she saw someone creep up on her but then she realized who it was. She sighed with relief "Oh... it's you."
"Hello to you to." replied Oliver with a huge smile. "Ready for this?"
"Sure..." said Hermione "All set. You?"
"At least I have you there to share my misery."
They walked into the dungeon Snape used as a classroom. No one was there. "Maybe he forgot about us?" Hermione whispered.
Then Snape was heard from the supply closet "I think not Ms. Granger."
They looked at each other and both tried not to crack up laughing. As intimidating as Professor Snape was... Hermione's embarrassment was hilarious.
"Something funny?" Snape asked icily "I shouldn't think so since my supplies need reorganization and cleaning so badly and I got myself two troublesome Gryffindors right here in my classroom."
Hermione who was the closet to Snape felt herself inching away. She moved so far back that she ended up smashing into Oliver. She looked at him apologetically and he smiled back nervously.
"Follow me." Snape said the words in a way that told them they'd be organizing jars after jar of potion ingredients and wouldn't be back for a long time.
~*~*~*~
After getting the explanations on how to do the tasks, Snape needed to go run some errands throughout the school. He very reluctantly let them do the work on their own. Hermione shuddered just a bit seeing that some of the items were kind of gruesome
"Great teacher, he is." said Oliver trying desperately to make light of the situation and also trying to begin a conversation with Hermione since she spoke to him so little.
She looked up and smiled. Trying to play with his sarcastic yet happy mood she replied "Oh yes indeed." She looked at him for a small second as he tried to figure out the order of all the poison and potion ingredients. Then she turned away realizing that she was staring.
He had caught her that time. Really, all the girls who have liked him had been such idiots... he couldn't see a sensible person wasting time with him. "So..." he began " I know so very little about you. Anything interesting to know?"
"Not really..." she replied "I'm very ordinary."
"Oh come on. I've heard things about the friends of Harry Potter. You can't be that ordinary."
" I guess not." she admitted. Even for a witch she was not ordinary at all. She gave him the basic facts about her. She told him that her parents were both muggle dentists, that her closest friends were Harry and Ron and other simple facts.
"Interesting." he said holding up a jar of some kinda eyes balls. "Why don't you take on the organizing and I'll manage these old cauldrons."
"All right," she agreed thinking that it was very nice of him to offer to clean up Snape's cauldrons because that was hard work.
"Anyway." he said his voice echoing from the cauldron he was leaning inside. "What it like living with a bunch of muggles? I hardly ever go to non wizarding communities..."
"Boring." she replied shouting from atop a shelf "I get so bored away from school."
"It seems like it would be." he replied.
The next hour or so passed in almost complete silence. They had so much work to do and Snape would be back very soon. "Do you want to come down and take a break?" Oliver asked.
"All right." Hermione climbed down the tall ladder "I never will stop paying attention in potions again. This is terrible."
"I know..." he replied "Why weren't you paying attention anyway? You just don't seem like the type to misbehave at all..."
"Well..." she said breathing heavily. What was she supposed to say? "I usually don't... I just had other things on my mind besides my potion."
"I have days like that."
"So..." she asked venturing to find out a little more about him "Harry has said that you like to work on your game way more than necessary. Is that true? Why?"
"Called me a bit crazy, I suspect." he said "I guess I am a bit crazed but... Quidditch it means a lot to me you know. What do you think I'm weird?"
"No." she said quickly "I don't at all. If you love something that much it shows what kind of person you are."
"What kind of person is that?" he asked laughing.
" Someone who is very.... dedicated."
"Wow...." he muttered
"What?"
"Nothing... it's just that... mist people really think of me as the odd quidditch captain. So many people think quidditch is all there is to me."
"I kind of understand." she said "It's the same way with me and schoolwork. Everyone thinks all I am is a smart girl. All about books and homework."
"Well dear..." he said "We better get moving again or we'll be in bigger trouble."
He smiled at her. Before she could head to the shelves again he kissed her... it was nothing just a friendly quick gesture to end the heartfelt emotional talk they had finished but at the moment it happened Professor Snape walked in.
Hermione could almost detect a smirk on the potions teachers face. "I think.... you're done now. Go back to your dormitories."
Oliver looked at Hermione and they both laughed nervously. "He seemed preoccupied." Hermione started "I hope nothing is wrong here at Hogwarts."
Oliver agreed but secretly he was wondering what Snape thought he saw. Surely as a teacher of Hogwarts he'd mind his own business... but then again.... he really did wonder.
"Goodnight then." he said then he added "For a detention tonight was pretty fun."
"Agreed." she said "See you again."
"You bet. I like you a lot. Maybe see you before our practice tomorrow?"
"Definitely." she smiled. Did he even get that the small friendly kiss had made her heart pound. She was honestly in love.... and they were becoming fast friends. But like Ron had said "not much chance with someone four years older than you." There was no chance at all but oh well. A/N: Remember that was my first HP fanfiction OK? But please review... it's nowhere near over. Snape was preoccupied... but you'll only get to read what was up if you review and tell me how you liked this chapter.
~*~*~*~*~
Oliver Wood stepped onto the Quidditch field for the first practice session of the year. He was almost sad to think that after this year he would no longer be a student at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. He was in his seventh year... the game of Quidditch had been a major part of his life throughout the years. In his second year he had been put on Gryffindor's team and in his third year, after the captain had graduated he was made Captain.
He had made a fine team of the Gryffindor's ... they were all really skilled and he knew proudly that he was part of it. He'd be sad to leave.
"You all right Oliver?" asked one of the Weasley twins.
He shook himself out of the daze he'd been in "Yeah..." he said going back into character "So... I guess this is my last year here. I know we can win, we're a really great team... the best of all, I think. We've gotta work harder this year..."
"Harder than last year?" complained Fred.
"Definitely."he said as if it was obvious "Now lets get into the air for some practice." The seven players mounted and flew.
~*~*~*~
"Wanna go down to the quidditch field and watch Harry?" Ron asked Hermione in a bored tone of voice.
Hermione stared at him oddly. "Harry had practice this morning?"
"I know." Ron said seeing her confused look "This early on a weekend morning most of us like to relax. I'm guessing the captain decided to make the training harder."
"Harder?" Hermione asked.
Ron sighed. Hermione really was clueless about the Quidditch team. "Honestly... Harry worked so often on Quidditch last year... Hermione, somehow you can remember everything every teacher had ever said in class... but you can't remember Harry's practices. Come on..."
"All right..." she said "So what do you mean Ron?"
"His captain is one of those people who can't stand to lose. Fred and George told me a lot about him."
"He sounds dreadful to me." Hermione said "What's his name? How old is he?"
"Oliver Wood. He's a seventh year.... from what my brothers say he's much too serious."
"Let's go down to the field." Hermione said.
~*~*~*~*
Hermione and Ron got to the field a few minutes later. They sat at the vacant bleachers and watched the players zoom about. " I see Harry." Hermione quipped "and there's your brothers... but where's this captain guy?"
Ron looked up and pointed to the goals " Over there."
Hermione fixed her gaze near the goal posts... she squinted because she could hardly see in the bright sunlight. "Oh...." she said as if he were nothing but...
She could see Harry's captain flying near the goal posts. Even from far below she could tell that this boy was very very attractive. "He doesn't look so bad." she whispered.
"What?" Ron asked not having heard her well.
"Nothing." Hermione shot, when she saw the players heading for ground she added "They must be finished lets go see.... Harry."
"All right." said Ron eyeing her strangely.
~*~*~*~
Harry Potter smiled when he saw his friends descending down to the field. "Hi you guys." he said smiling.
"Hi Harry!" they both said at the same time.
"We came to see your practice..." Hermione said "Are you guys done?"
"Almost." Harry sighed then his voice dropped down to a low whisper "Wood's gonna have us working double time this year. I bet I'll hardly get to see you guys."
"Potter, I heard that." said a voice as Oliver Wood appeared. "And you better believe I will."
Harry and Hermione both turned red instantly. Oliver seemed to take no notice. Then specifically to Ron and Hermione said "With my plans and Harry here's skill as a seeker we should win."
"I.... I'm sure.... you will." Hermione said realizing that she was blushing. What was wrong with her?
~*~*~*~
Oliver smiled at the girl, Harry Potter's friend, then he looked up at the stands at two fellow seventh years... really annoying girls who both liked him. Or so they said. He'd even heard rumors that the two of them fought over him. He remembered that the tall one's name was Kristen Lane... all he knew was that neither were very mature. They annoyed him to death and he knew so well that they only were attracted to him because he was on the team. He'd seen it before with his first "girlfriend," a Ravenclaw he'd met the year he became captain.
"Ya know Harry..." he said then raising his voice a little to the annoying girls "We better call off practice till tomorrow. Too many * pests *out here."
They went back inside the castle. Harry, Ron and Hermione headed to the Gryffindor common room. Harry noticed that Hermione was unusually quite. "What's wrong Hermione?"
She didn't answer, then when Ron tapped her on the shoulder she jerked and said "Nothing Harry... I'm fine."
When they got back she immediately said " I have to go to the library."
"Why now?" Ron said "I know you finished your homework."
"I just have to." she said.
~*~*~*~
Hermione sighed with relief when she reached the library. She had absolutely no reason to be there except that it was the only place no one would go. She was the only person who'd go to the library on a Saturday.
She had no clue why she liked the boy. She had seen her fellow students fall for other people at as early as eleven years old but really never felt like this before. He has a really cute smile she thought to herself grinning. She went to the back of the library and picked up a tattered old book. She wondered what it was on since no title was on the cover. "Oh who cares?" she whispered aloud and sighed heavily.
~*~*~*~
Wood's decision to call off the rest of practice was not a choice he liked. He just didn't want to hear the gushing of those two. "Oh well..." he said "May as well go to the library and start that old History of Magic paper."
~*~*~*~
"What do you suppose is up with Hermione?" Ron asked Harry.
"Dunno." replied Harry "She was all weird since you two came down to our practice."
"Wanna go see what she's really in the library for?" Ron asked getting curious.
Harry thought about it for a moment. "All right...."
~*~*~*~
Hermione was reading when she heard the library door open. That's odd she thought I'm usually the only one hear on weekends.
She peered at the door from behind a bookshelf. It was him! He walked into the library,gave a quick smile to the librarian, Madam Pince, a quick smile and walked over to the history books.
Hermione ducked out of sight but still she tried to watch him. To her own surprise she really did take notice of everything about him. She watched the way he leaned over a big red book. She watched him put the book back and go to another one.
Then she accidentally hit her foot and yelled out. Oliver got up and looked around the bookshelf "Hello again." he said when he saw who it was. As long as those girls weren't following him.
Completely embarrassed she looked down at the floor and muttered embarrassed "Sorry... I ...I wasn't spying.... if that's what you think.... got to go..." she rushed out of the library not even noticing Harry and Ron.
"Was that Hermione?" Ron asked
"Yeah." Harry replied "She seemed scared, I wonder what...."
Then they saw Oliver Wood approach them "Hello Harry." he said "Did you see your little friend come by... she left the library very... oddly... left her things."
Harry and Ron exchanged glances. Now they got it. "Yeah... we'll give her the stuff." Ron said grinning and taking Hermione's things.
He looked from Harry to Ron. "Do you have any clue what was wrong with the girl. I think I scared her."
"I think you scared her in a different way Oliver." Harry said embarrassed to have to be the one to say it.
"You mean...." he started, looking at them in disbelief.
Ron nodded "It would explain things."
~*~*~*~*~*~
He wondered if this friend of Harry's, this Hermione, was just like Kristen Lane.... annoying girl who only liked him for being a quidditch captain. He doubted that she was... She seemed too nice and she was only 13 years old. I think I'd like to talk to her again he thought. He'd always wondered what a normal girl could see in him. A lot of people liked him, and he thought of himself as likable enough but most every girl he met was so immature...
~*~*~*~*~*
The next day at breakfast Oliver decided to purposely sit near Harry and his friends. It didn't look too odd because Fred and George Weasley also sat near them. "Hello." he said to everyone.
"Hi!" said Fred and George at once.
"Hi..." said Harry he and Ron both looking at Hermione who simply blushed. Her blush turned even worse when he decided to sit next to her.
~*~*~*~*~
"So?" he said directing his attention to Hermione "Did that work you were doing in the library turn out all right?"
"Yes. It did." she said looking up to meet his stare. "Thanks for giving my things... to Ron and Harry."
"No problem." he said softly and she felt her heart skip. He spoke so gently and calm... and the accent was making it all the better. "You sure did leave in a hurry."
"I was busy." she said trying to keep her cool and not sound like an idiot in front of him. "I've had so much work lately."
"I know." he said "It is stressful for me also to play quidditch and stay on top of all my classes."
"Oh no..." Ron said sarcastically "Another Hermione."
Hermione smiled at him. She should have known that he was very smart. He acted like it. Some of her shyness easing up she added "You do very well with the team... I've been to many games... the last two years."
"We are very good." he admitted.
~*~*~*~*~
After breakfast Ron, Hermione, and Harry had potions. On the way to the dungeon Ron decided to ask Hermione about her weird behavior and see if she'd confess the feelings she was having. "Has something been wrong Hermione?"
Harry was trying not to look at either of them. Leave it to Ron to ask it like that.
"No." she replied smiling "I'm as fine as ever. Maybe better...."
"Seriously..." he said getting a little pushier "We are you friends."
"I know that..." she said " Nothing's wrong with me."
As they walked into Snape's class Harry signaled for them to shut up. They hurried to take their seats.
All three of them hated Potions. Hermione agreed with Harry and Ron that it was the worst class but she still did pretty well in it. Or as well as anyone from Gryffindor could do with Professor Snape as teacher.
Today was pretty easy work for Hermione because it was just some simple potion mixing. Nothing advanced.
Her mixtures were almost compete. She just had to wait for five minutes before adding the last few ingredients. Snape was obviously a bit bothered by the fact that she had finished the first step before anyone, including the Slytherins.
She just smirked and her thoughts unwillingly returned to her crazy crush. She couldn't help think how immature these feelings were. She was not going to get all giggly over a boy! She had better things to do like schoolwork. She wanted to get top marks every year until she graduated. Of course he was on top of all his classes. .... "Ms. Granger!!!"
"Huh?" she said aloud.
"Ms. Granger?!?!" Professor Snape screamed and both Ron and Harry stared.
Hermione's potion had caught fire. It was smoking green and blue smoke everywhere and the liquid sputtered all over.
Hermione panicked as she tried to clean up the liquid. "Oh my.... I'm so sorry.... wasn't paying attention."
"Obviously..." said Professor Snape the joy on his face unmistakable. "Look at this class... the top student slacking off..."
Harry and Ron looked at each other in amazement. Hermione not paying attention! She had to have something wrong with her...
"I'm so sorry Professor." she said looking at the floor and still trying to calm her cauldron
"Yes..." Snape was smiling "I'd say that not paying attention in class is a very serious matter Ms. Granger. That's ten points from Gryffindor and a detention for you I'd say. I'll handle you and the other Gryffindor personally."
She didn't say anything. ~*~*~*~ "Come on Hermione!" Ron almost yelled. It was later that night. "You do have something up with you. I mean come on.... how many times do you not pay attention in class?"
"I just had things on my mind!" she yelled back.
"Exactly!" Ron shot back. "Harry and I, were your friends... we should know what's on your mind."
"It's none of you business." she stated and looking at Harry who remained quiet the whole time, "Harry, you don't care why it happened do you?"
"Uh...." Harry said quietly. He kind of was anticipating when Hermione would tell them that she like Oliver. He kinda wondered why she didn't.
"Exactly Harry." Hermione declared. At that tine she really wished that she had at least one close girl friend to tell. She wanted someone who'd understand... and she highly doubted that Harry and Ron could sympathize with her.
They all didn't talk for a while. Then, not liking the awkward silence Ron went up to the boys dormitory to get ready for bed.
Now that he was gone Harry asked "Uh.... Hermione ... is it Oliver Wood? Ron was dying to ask you but he didn't say it... is it?"
Hermione looked at him stunned "How did you guys know?"
Harry couldn't help laugh "It wasn't hard really.... first, you started acting weird at the practice, then the library, and now you were daydreaming in Snape's class. It was rather obvious..."
"Oh..." she said angry that she had basically shown everyone how she felt "You don't think that's stupid Harry?"
"No." he said not being able to think of a better answer "It's fine."
"Thanks." she said "I know it's so immature but..."
He nodded "Are you going to let Ron know?"
"Maybe..." she said really thinking about it "After all he is my friend, but if he tells his brothers I'll...."
She didn't need to finish. She knew once Ron knew he'd get it. Then at once she was glad to have friends cause who else can you tell but your very best friends.
~*~*~*~*~
Two days later it was the first game of the season. Gryffindor versus Slytherin. All of the Gryffindor team was pretty nervous. "Now don't be scared." Wood said even though he was visibly nervous. "The way we train we cannot lose."
All the team tried to agree but they weren't invincible....
~*~*~*~
"Come on Ron!" Hermione yelled "We're going to be late to the game."
"Stop whining." he yelled "We'll make it...."
"Hurry up then."
"Girls..." he sighed "You'll see him soon enough. You'd see him more if you'd stop avoiding him in the halls and walking far away from his classes... which you memorized."
She blushed. How did Ron know she'd memorized all of Oliver's classes? "Shut up!" she said "You promised to leave me alone if I told you."
He had promised. After talking to Harry she had told Ron because she knew he'd find out sooner or later... and he promised to leave her alone.
"I'm just saying..." Ron added as they headed to the field "What help are you doing staring and memorizing classes?"
"Like you'd do anything if you liked a seventh year."
"True. Not much chances of someone four years older than you but at least stop avoiding the guy."
"All right!" they were finally at the game. They took a seat with the other Gryffindor students. They'd made it just in time. It had just began.
Hermione watched but her mind was on Ron's words. She should do something....
~*~*~*~*
The game progressed and Gryffindor was losing. "Come on people." Wood begged during a time out "Harry, be alert."
"I haven't seen the snitch." he said "I'm trying though."
The game continued as badly for a long time. The chasers came heading passing the quaffle down toward the goal posts where Oliver waited and prepared himself to block the goal. As it came soaring and he made a great save he heard the crowd mutter as Harry and Draco Malfloy raced after the snitch.
He hoped so badly that Harry would get it. He hated losing. Even worse losing to Slytherin it was the lowest low.
"And Gryffindor wins as Harry Potter catches the snitch. Final score Slytherin 120 and Gryffindor 170." the commentator's words made him Happy yet annoyed. We could have done much better he thought as he soared downward.
"Excellent Harry." yelled Fred as they touched ground "Cut it close, we did."
"Yes we did." Oliver felt his anger a bit too much "Much too close.... we should have done better."
"Come on." added Alicia Spinnet "Don't go crazy Wood. We won all right?"
Suddenly Harry was distracted by Ron and Hermione rushing to congratulate them. Hermione a little more reluctantly.
"Great job!" Ron said excitedly "Amazing comeback...."
"Really good..." Hermione added.
"Are you crazy?" Wood asked hearing Ron and Hermione's comments "We should have won by a landslide but we only scraped through."
"You won." Hermione said unable to help herself "Isn't that good enough?"
"It is." said Fred who had also been a bit surprised by Oliver's unhappiness with the game "Why don't we all celebrate the win tonight? Have a little celebration for Gryffindor. All you could come."
"I can't." said Hermione almost at the same time as Oliver said "That'd be impossible."
"I have detention." Hermione explained looking directly at him surprised that he'd spoken at the same time.
"Me too." he said softly "I couldn't imagine you in detention miss, what happened?"
She blushed at the strange situation. He had been the reason she was in trouble. "I wasn't paying attention in class."
"Oh...." he said "Another trouble maker... much like myself."
She then noticed that Ron had led everyone away. Nice of him she thought to herself and then to Oliver she said "What about you?"
"Hmm.... I take advanced Potions with Snape this year. I was kinda caught working on the teams new plays."
"I got in trouble in Potions too. Is advanced hard?"
"Yeah." he said smiling at her "So... who do we have detention with?"
"I think you and I are the only ones with detention tonight." she said "Snape said that he'd handle me and the other Gryffindor, assuming that's you, personally."
"I'll see you tonight then." he said smiling
"Greatly looking forward to it." she replied sarcastically.
Wow she thought as he left I talked to him and It was all right. She thought he'd think her a little kid but he talked to her and he was nice and treated her equally. He really was a good person. Then she smiled actually looking forward to detention with Snape.
~*~*~*~*~
"I feel so sorry for you Hermione." Harry said that night as he and Ron were preparing for bed. "Late night detention with Professor Snape ... that's as bad as it gets."
"Yeah." Hermione said but she didn't sound less than excited. "I'll see you tomorrow then all right..."
Then Ron leaned over to Harry and whispered "I heard that she's meeting 'him' outside of Snape's class."
"That explains her good mood I guess." said Harry thinking that no one in the world could make him be happy about a detention, especially one with Snape.
~*~*~*~*
Hermione walked down the empty corridors. She shivered. She had came down there at night before but never alone. She heard a noise and tuned impulsively. She almost screamed as she saw someone creep up on her but then she realized who it was. She sighed with relief "Oh... it's you."
"Hello to you to." replied Oliver with a huge smile. "Ready for this?"
"Sure..." said Hermione "All set. You?"
"At least I have you there to share my misery."
They walked into the dungeon Snape used as a classroom. No one was there. "Maybe he forgot about us?" Hermione whispered.
Then Snape was heard from the supply closet "I think not Ms. Granger."
They looked at each other and both tried not to crack up laughing. As intimidating as Professor Snape was... Hermione's embarrassment was hilarious.
"Something funny?" Snape asked icily "I shouldn't think so since my supplies need reorganization and cleaning so badly and I got myself two troublesome Gryffindors right here in my classroom."
Hermione who was the closet to Snape felt herself inching away. She moved so far back that she ended up smashing into Oliver. She looked at him apologetically and he smiled back nervously.
"Follow me." Snape said the words in a way that told them they'd be organizing jars after jar of potion ingredients and wouldn't be back for a long time.
~*~*~*~
After getting the explanations on how to do the tasks, Snape needed to go run some errands throughout the school. He very reluctantly let them do the work on their own. Hermione shuddered just a bit seeing that some of the items were kind of gruesome
"Great teacher, he is." said Oliver trying desperately to make light of the situation and also trying to begin a conversation with Hermione since she spoke to him so little.
She looked up and smiled. Trying to play with his sarcastic yet happy mood she replied "Oh yes indeed." She looked at him for a small second as he tried to figure out the order of all the poison and potion ingredients. Then she turned away realizing that she was staring.
He had caught her that time. Really, all the girls who have liked him had been such idiots... he couldn't see a sensible person wasting time with him. "So..." he began " I know so very little about you. Anything interesting to know?"
"Not really..." she replied "I'm very ordinary."
"Oh come on. I've heard things about the friends of Harry Potter. You can't be that ordinary."
" I guess not." she admitted. Even for a witch she was not ordinary at all. She gave him the basic facts about her. She told him that her parents were both muggle dentists, that her closest friends were Harry and Ron and other simple facts.
"Interesting." he said holding up a jar of some kinda eyes balls. "Why don't you take on the organizing and I'll manage these old cauldrons."
"All right," she agreed thinking that it was very nice of him to offer to clean up Snape's cauldrons because that was hard work.
"Anyway." he said his voice echoing from the cauldron he was leaning inside. "What it like living with a bunch of muggles? I hardly ever go to non wizarding communities..."
"Boring." she replied shouting from atop a shelf "I get so bored away from school."
"It seems like it would be." he replied.
The next hour or so passed in almost complete silence. They had so much work to do and Snape would be back very soon. "Do you want to come down and take a break?" Oliver asked.
"All right." Hermione climbed down the tall ladder "I never will stop paying attention in potions again. This is terrible."
"I know..." he replied "Why weren't you paying attention anyway? You just don't seem like the type to misbehave at all..."
"Well..." she said breathing heavily. What was she supposed to say? "I usually don't... I just had other things on my mind besides my potion."
"I have days like that."
"So..." she asked venturing to find out a little more about him "Harry has said that you like to work on your game way more than necessary. Is that true? Why?"
"Called me a bit crazy, I suspect." he said "I guess I am a bit crazed but... Quidditch it means a lot to me you know. What do you think I'm weird?"
"No." she said quickly "I don't at all. If you love something that much it shows what kind of person you are."
"What kind of person is that?" he asked laughing.
" Someone who is very.... dedicated."
"Wow...." he muttered
"What?"
"Nothing... it's just that... mist people really think of me as the odd quidditch captain. So many people think quidditch is all there is to me."
"I kind of understand." she said "It's the same way with me and schoolwork. Everyone thinks all I am is a smart girl. All about books and homework."
"Well dear..." he said "We better get moving again or we'll be in bigger trouble."
He smiled at her. Before she could head to the shelves again he kissed her... it was nothing just a friendly quick gesture to end the heartfelt emotional talk they had finished but at the moment it happened Professor Snape walked in.
Hermione could almost detect a smirk on the potions teachers face. "I think.... you're done now. Go back to your dormitories."
Oliver looked at Hermione and they both laughed nervously. "He seemed preoccupied." Hermione started "I hope nothing is wrong here at Hogwarts."
Oliver agreed but secretly he was wondering what Snape thought he saw. Surely as a teacher of Hogwarts he'd mind his own business... but then again.... he really did wonder.
"Goodnight then." he said then he added "For a detention tonight was pretty fun."
"Agreed." she said "See you again."
"You bet. I like you a lot. Maybe see you before our practice tomorrow?"
"Definitely." she smiled. Did he even get that the small friendly kiss had made her heart pound. She was honestly in love.... and they were becoming fast friends. But like Ron had said "not much chance with someone four years older than you." There was no chance at all but oh well. A/N: Remember that was my first HP fanfiction OK? But please review... it's nowhere near over. Snape was preoccupied... but you'll only get to read what was up if you review and tell me how you liked this chapter.