~Chapter Five~
"Hey, uh, Oliphia… could I…?" Ron had caught her going into the Great Hall at lunch the next day. She looked at him appraisingly, then shrugged and followed him into an empty classroom.
She raised her eyebrows.
"Well, um I just wanted to uh…"
She waited.
"Well, you know…"
"No. I don't know."
"Apologize for yesterday."
She shrugged. "Okay."
He looked at her expectantly. "Well?"
"Well what? Thank you for the apology."
His brow furrowed in puzzlement.
"What do you want me to say? No really, it was my fault you were glaring at me?"
He became frustrated. "Fine, you know, I was doing the right thing--coming and apologizing--"
"You were the one who called my family death eaters in the fist place!"
"--guess you can't expect a Slytherin to--"
"A Slytherin! See, you prove my point exactly!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That all you see is Slytherin! What do you know about me or my family??"
"I know your brother's a git," he growled. "And that boyfriend--"
"He's not my boyfriend! And don't you say anything about my brother! He has been kissing your arse like there's no tomorrow these last few weeks just to get you to accept him!"
"That's only because of Ginny!"
"Exactly--he's trying to make her happy! Last time I checked, that was a pretty honorable thing to do!"
Ron paused. "Well, it still doesn't make up for the last six years."
"Well, at least he's trying now. That should count for something! I mean, people do change you know."
He shrugged. "Yeah I guess…"
She rolled her eyes, starting for the door.
"Wait, I'm sorry…"
She turned.
"I shouldn't have said that yesterday…"
She nodded. "You're right, you shouldn't have."
"Well, I wish I could erase it, or something… but I can't." He paused waiting, pleading, for a reaction. "Can't you just forgive me already??"
"I don't forgive easily," she said simply.
He sighed. "Well, that's not my fault is it?"
"No."
"Is there anything I can do…?"
She shrugged. "Not really. I'll get over it eventually."
He nodded. "Well, I guess that's all anyone could ask." He smiled slightly.
She smiled grimly in return. "Yeah."
He held out his hand. "Um… friends? Or something…"
She laughed, rolling her eyes and shook his hand. "Yeah, or something."
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"Come back here you little snit," Blaise called, his arm reaching out for Oliphia's waist that had playfully rolled away from him.
"Snit am I? Keep talking like that and I'll just have to take my business elsewhere," she retorted, laughing as she was pulled close to him.
"Business?" He smirked.
"Yes, haven't you heard? I'm charging now."
"Oh right, how could I forget? Was that one sickle or two?"
"Well, it's usually four, but I might be willing to make special deals for returning customers."
He grinned and pulled her even closer to him as she giggled. "You better…" But that was the last coherent speaking they did that night…
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A pile of books dropped softly on to the table next to Oliphia's seat. She looked up to see Ron smiling uncertainly at her.
"This seat taken?"
She shook her head and went back to her homework.
He sat down and opened his book. After a moment, he stopped reading the open page and glanced over at Oliphia. "So… need any help?" he asked hesitantly.
She shook her head. "I'm alright, thanks."
He nodded. "Great, just thought I'd ask…"
"Mmhmm…"
He went back to his book for a moment.
"Ron, is there something you want?" She could feel his stare again.
He flushed. "Uh, no…"
"Then why do you keep looking at me?"
"Just bored I guess…"
"Well, I really have to finish this… sorry…" She turned back to her work.
He nodded. "Um…There's a Hogsmeade weekend coming up…"
She looked up at him. "Yeah. There is."
He rolled his eyes. "Well, do you want to go with me?"
She blinked. "What?"
He spoke slowly, becoming slightly frustrated. "Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me?"
"Um." She thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure, why not."
He grinned. "Great! See you Saturday then." With that, he closed his book and left the library, leaving Oliphia perplexed at the table.