Chapter 9 --- Mariana's approval
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYONE EXCEPT FOR MARIANA
By this time, everyone knew of Hermione and Oliver especially Oliver's younger stepsister Mariana.
Mariana was a 5th year in Ravenclaw and she had a thing against Oliver. She didn't hate her stepbrother, she just well-disliked him for being such a quidditch head otherwise, she loved him just like a real brother.
"Oliver?" Mariana called to her stepbrother. She saw Oliver wave goodbye to the quidditch team as he flew to her. "Hey, Mars. What's up?"
Mariana gave him a very stern look. "Is it true? Is it true about you and that 3rd year?" she demanded, hands on her hips. Usually, Oliver wasn't afraid of anyone except Voldemort but Mariana was different. She had this thing that she did and when she did it, everyone would turn into mush.
"You don't like it?" Oliver asked. "I just want to know if it's true, Oliver. You never told me anything about this. I had to hear it from other people."
"Yeah, it's true." Oliver said coolly, standing his ground. Mariana raised a brow. "Who is she, Oliver?" she demanded.
"Hermione Granger."
"I don't think I've ever heard of that girl before. Is she a transfer student?"
"No."
"I want to meet her." Mariana said firmly. Oliver chuckled and ruffled her raven hair. Mariana scowled and slapped his hand away. "I want to meet her." She snarled.
Oliver let out a little gasp. "O-okay, Mars, okay. I'll tell her to meet you-"
"Here. I want to meet her here at exactly 12 midnight. If she shows up a tad bit late, I swear I'll-"
"Okay, Mars. Why do you have to meet all the girls that I like? You scare them away." Oliver asked. Mariana scowled. "Do you remember that Chang girl?" she snapped. Oliver frowned. He had dated Cho Chang a year ago and he broke his heart.
After seeing her stepbrother heartbroken, Mariana came up with a rule: She must approve of the girl first.
"I see. Alright, Mars." Oliver said. He kissed his stepsister on the cheek and went back to practice.
***
Hermione noticed that a girl from the Ravenclaw table kept staring at her. [Who is she?] Hermione thought.
"Herm?" Oliver interrupted her thoughts as he bent down to kiss her.
"Oh, hi." Hermione said. Oliver disregarded her flat tone and sat beside her as the food appeared on the table. "I want you to meet someone." He said.
"Who?"
"Mariana. She's my stepsister."
"Stepsister? You never told me you had a stepsister."
"Anyway, she wants to meet you at the quidditch pitch tonight at 12 o'clock. You'd better be there early. I tell you, Mariana is a very punctual girl and very impatient. She *hates* tardiness."
"Why do I have to meet her?"
"She made it a rule that she has to get to know all my girlfriends. It's a long story. Anyway, Mariana has a short temper. Don't anger her or anything but she can be fairly nice if you get on her good side."
"Do I have to be on a special behavior?" Hermione joked. Oliver didn't smile. "Yes. You have to be VERY formal with Mariana. As in formal with a capital F."
"Oh. Anything else, love?"
"Just one more thing. Mariana has this you're-not-in-my-level-but-if-you- are-you-have-to-prove-it kind of air about her. You know, it takes a lot to be accepted by Mariana. She has only about a 3 friends because of her superiority problem but those 3 friends are very, very lucky. Mariana's the kind of person who would do anything for her friends and family. She's very loyal to her friends."
"You seem to be very proud of her, Oliver." Hermione said. Oliver smiled brightly. "Indeed I am, love. Even though Mariana may seem cold and distant, she really *is* a kind, warm and loving person. You just have to know how to be around her. I remember my first time meeting her. I was scared out of my wits!" Oliver chuckled. Hermione smiled. "Tell me about it," she said. Oliver smiled and nodded.
***
~FLASHBACK~
"OLIVER! Come meet your new stepsister, Mariana." Mr. Wood said. Oliver saw a beautiful young girl, about 2 years younger with coal-black hair and deep brown eyes. The girl looked at Oliver from head-to-toe. She turned to her mother. "Is this the boy, Mother?" she asked snootily. Her mother nodded. "I expected better," she said coolly, giving Oliver a nasty look.
Oliver was taken aback. He held out his hand for her to shake. "Um hi. It's nice to finally have a sister," Oliver said politely. The girl looked at his hand as if it were filthy. Instead, she turned to Mr. Wood. "When are we having dinner Mr. Wood? Mother said it would be at seven and it's already 7:02."
Mr. Wood gave Oliver an apologetic smile. "Um, dinner is almost ready, Mariana, dear."
"Well next time you invite us, make sure *you* are on time. It's very rude to waste other people's time." Mariana reprimanded. Oliver raised a brow. Allison, Mr. Wood's fiancée bit her lip. "Mariana, be nice." She said.
Mariana put her nose in the air and walked off to the dining room. "Well she'll be fun to live with," Oliver muttered under his breath as he started at her retreating back.
~END FLASHBACK~
***
Hermione walked out on the quidditch field. It was past 12 and Oliver had said his stepsister was a very punctual person. Hermione nervously walked up to a girl sitting in the bleachers.
"Hello. Are you Mariana Wood?" Hermione squeaked. The girl looked up sharply. She was beautiful. Hermione thought she had an unearthly beauty about her. Even Cho wouldn't compare to her!
"It's Mariana Christina Aleandra Isabella Shuyler-Wood." She snapped. "Go away, little girl! I'm waiting for someone!"
"Um, I'm Hermione Granger. May I sit down?"
Mariana looked at her from head-to-toe. "Oliver could have done better." She muttered. Hermione fidgeted. Mariana looked Hermione in the eye. "Sit." She ordered.
Hermione obeyed. "You're late by 10 minutes. Oliver said you were quite the punctual one. I guess he was wrong. I can see very well that you like to dawdle." Mariana snapped.
"I had detention," Hermione protested.
Mariana scowled. "You do not show respect for your elder ones!"
Hermione sank back into her seat. "You aren't what I had in mind at *all*. You look like something from a garbage disposal. You're a muggle-born, aren't you?" Mariana said. It was a statement, not a question.
Hermione frowned. Mariana smirked and raised a brow. "Tell me Hermione-what is your full name?"
"Hermione Susana Lillian Granger." She replied politely. Oliver had said to please Mariana.
Mariana's eyes darkened. "It is not Wood worthy." She said brusquely. Mariana brushed her hair out of her eyes. She had fabulous black hair. Better than Chang's.
Hermione was boiling inside. How *dare* this girl say that! Hermione wanted to scream at her, instead she chose a different tactic.
Flattery.
"Well, even though my name is not Wood worthy, I like your name." Hermione said sweetly. Mariana's eyes clouded. "What do you mean, Granger?" she demanded.
"Well it sounds very sophisticated, Think about it; Mariana Christina Aleandra Isabella Shuyler-Wood. Very aristocratic." Hermione continued trying to look very innocent. She noticed the corners of Mariana's lips turn up.
"Flattery will get you *nowhere*, Hermione." Mariana replied acidly, trying to hide a smile. Hermione looked at her questioningly. "What do you *mean*? Who said I was flattering you? I mean it. I like your name. See? Mah-ree- yanna," Hermione said, emphasizing each syllable.
Mariana finally smiled. It was a proud, arrogant smile but also warm. "Maybe your name *is* wood worthy, Hermione. In fact, Hermione Wood sounds very promising." Mariana said, still smiling. [Her smile is so pretty] Hermione thought. How could anyone this beautiful be so cold and distant at one time and be the exact opposite at another?
"Does Oliver treat you well?"
"Very well indeed."
"He has not hurt you or tried anything?"
"No, nothing at all."
"And this is true?"
"Yes."
"I see. Now listen Hermione, you're a good one. You seem good for Oliver. I can tell you aren't dating him because he's popular and handsome."
"I love him for him."
"Yes, exactly. Oliver gets hurt a lot. He's too blind to see that most of his past girlfriends use him for his popularity or good looks. You on the other hand, I can see something in you."
Hermione smiled. Oliver was right. Mariana *was* a nice person. She was just looking out for him all the time.
"Now you listen here, Hermione, if you hurt my brother in *any* way, I promise to make your life a living nightmare." Mariana suddenly growled. Hermione let out a small squeak and nodded.
"Good." Mariana patted Hermione on the head and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm not a bad person. I'm just well-on my guard. You can never trust anyone these days."
"I agree completely!"
"Well, Hermione, it seems I have to get to know you a *lot* better if you are going to be a Wood."
Hermione's eyes widened. "I'm going to be a Wood?"
"Just a term. But you know, I can feel it, Hermione. I can feel you are the right one for Oliver. You *are* wood worthy." And with that, Mariana gave Hermione another one of her beautiful smiles and walked off.
"I'm Wood worthy?" Hermione asked herself quietly.
***
Mariana bumped into a boy while going to the Ravenclaw tower. "OLIVER!" she exclaimed. Oliver helped his stepsister up. "Sorry, Riana." He said.
"Oliver Andrew Wood! What *are* you doing in the halls at night?"
"Uh-"
"Came to spy on us, eh?"
"Of course not, Mars!"
"I detest liars, Oliver! Tell me the truth!"
"Alright, I was but-"
"She's a very good girl, Ollie. Very, *very* good." Oliver was silent. Mariana just approved of Hermione. MARIANA JUST APPROVED OF HERMIONE!!!
"Riana, you sure?"
"Absolutely. She is very wood worthy. Treat her well, Oliver. She's the one. Don't lose her." Mariana then walked off, leaving a very happy Oliver behind her.
***
END OF CHAPTER 9! WOOHOOOO!!!! =) BTW, MARIANA IS OLIVER'S STEPSISTER. I JUST MADE HER UP. MUWAHAHAHAHA! =) ANYWAY, KEEP THOSE REVIEWS IN! not much of Oliver/Hermione action here but in the next chapter there will be! =)
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYONE EXCEPT FOR MARIANA
By this time, everyone knew of Hermione and Oliver especially Oliver's younger stepsister Mariana.
Mariana was a 5th year in Ravenclaw and she had a thing against Oliver. She didn't hate her stepbrother, she just well-disliked him for being such a quidditch head otherwise, she loved him just like a real brother.
"Oliver?" Mariana called to her stepbrother. She saw Oliver wave goodbye to the quidditch team as he flew to her. "Hey, Mars. What's up?"
Mariana gave him a very stern look. "Is it true? Is it true about you and that 3rd year?" she demanded, hands on her hips. Usually, Oliver wasn't afraid of anyone except Voldemort but Mariana was different. She had this thing that she did and when she did it, everyone would turn into mush.
"You don't like it?" Oliver asked. "I just want to know if it's true, Oliver. You never told me anything about this. I had to hear it from other people."
"Yeah, it's true." Oliver said coolly, standing his ground. Mariana raised a brow. "Who is she, Oliver?" she demanded.
"Hermione Granger."
"I don't think I've ever heard of that girl before. Is she a transfer student?"
"No."
"I want to meet her." Mariana said firmly. Oliver chuckled and ruffled her raven hair. Mariana scowled and slapped his hand away. "I want to meet her." She snarled.
Oliver let out a little gasp. "O-okay, Mars, okay. I'll tell her to meet you-"
"Here. I want to meet her here at exactly 12 midnight. If she shows up a tad bit late, I swear I'll-"
"Okay, Mars. Why do you have to meet all the girls that I like? You scare them away." Oliver asked. Mariana scowled. "Do you remember that Chang girl?" she snapped. Oliver frowned. He had dated Cho Chang a year ago and he broke his heart.
After seeing her stepbrother heartbroken, Mariana came up with a rule: She must approve of the girl first.
"I see. Alright, Mars." Oliver said. He kissed his stepsister on the cheek and went back to practice.
***
Hermione noticed that a girl from the Ravenclaw table kept staring at her. [Who is she?] Hermione thought.
"Herm?" Oliver interrupted her thoughts as he bent down to kiss her.
"Oh, hi." Hermione said. Oliver disregarded her flat tone and sat beside her as the food appeared on the table. "I want you to meet someone." He said.
"Who?"
"Mariana. She's my stepsister."
"Stepsister? You never told me you had a stepsister."
"Anyway, she wants to meet you at the quidditch pitch tonight at 12 o'clock. You'd better be there early. I tell you, Mariana is a very punctual girl and very impatient. She *hates* tardiness."
"Why do I have to meet her?"
"She made it a rule that she has to get to know all my girlfriends. It's a long story. Anyway, Mariana has a short temper. Don't anger her or anything but she can be fairly nice if you get on her good side."
"Do I have to be on a special behavior?" Hermione joked. Oliver didn't smile. "Yes. You have to be VERY formal with Mariana. As in formal with a capital F."
"Oh. Anything else, love?"
"Just one more thing. Mariana has this you're-not-in-my-level-but-if-you- are-you-have-to-prove-it kind of air about her. You know, it takes a lot to be accepted by Mariana. She has only about a 3 friends because of her superiority problem but those 3 friends are very, very lucky. Mariana's the kind of person who would do anything for her friends and family. She's very loyal to her friends."
"You seem to be very proud of her, Oliver." Hermione said. Oliver smiled brightly. "Indeed I am, love. Even though Mariana may seem cold and distant, she really *is* a kind, warm and loving person. You just have to know how to be around her. I remember my first time meeting her. I was scared out of my wits!" Oliver chuckled. Hermione smiled. "Tell me about it," she said. Oliver smiled and nodded.
***
~FLASHBACK~
"OLIVER! Come meet your new stepsister, Mariana." Mr. Wood said. Oliver saw a beautiful young girl, about 2 years younger with coal-black hair and deep brown eyes. The girl looked at Oliver from head-to-toe. She turned to her mother. "Is this the boy, Mother?" she asked snootily. Her mother nodded. "I expected better," she said coolly, giving Oliver a nasty look.
Oliver was taken aback. He held out his hand for her to shake. "Um hi. It's nice to finally have a sister," Oliver said politely. The girl looked at his hand as if it were filthy. Instead, she turned to Mr. Wood. "When are we having dinner Mr. Wood? Mother said it would be at seven and it's already 7:02."
Mr. Wood gave Oliver an apologetic smile. "Um, dinner is almost ready, Mariana, dear."
"Well next time you invite us, make sure *you* are on time. It's very rude to waste other people's time." Mariana reprimanded. Oliver raised a brow. Allison, Mr. Wood's fiancée bit her lip. "Mariana, be nice." She said.
Mariana put her nose in the air and walked off to the dining room. "Well she'll be fun to live with," Oliver muttered under his breath as he started at her retreating back.
~END FLASHBACK~
***
Hermione walked out on the quidditch field. It was past 12 and Oliver had said his stepsister was a very punctual person. Hermione nervously walked up to a girl sitting in the bleachers.
"Hello. Are you Mariana Wood?" Hermione squeaked. The girl looked up sharply. She was beautiful. Hermione thought she had an unearthly beauty about her. Even Cho wouldn't compare to her!
"It's Mariana Christina Aleandra Isabella Shuyler-Wood." She snapped. "Go away, little girl! I'm waiting for someone!"
"Um, I'm Hermione Granger. May I sit down?"
Mariana looked at her from head-to-toe. "Oliver could have done better." She muttered. Hermione fidgeted. Mariana looked Hermione in the eye. "Sit." She ordered.
Hermione obeyed. "You're late by 10 minutes. Oliver said you were quite the punctual one. I guess he was wrong. I can see very well that you like to dawdle." Mariana snapped.
"I had detention," Hermione protested.
Mariana scowled. "You do not show respect for your elder ones!"
Hermione sank back into her seat. "You aren't what I had in mind at *all*. You look like something from a garbage disposal. You're a muggle-born, aren't you?" Mariana said. It was a statement, not a question.
Hermione frowned. Mariana smirked and raised a brow. "Tell me Hermione-what is your full name?"
"Hermione Susana Lillian Granger." She replied politely. Oliver had said to please Mariana.
Mariana's eyes darkened. "It is not Wood worthy." She said brusquely. Mariana brushed her hair out of her eyes. She had fabulous black hair. Better than Chang's.
Hermione was boiling inside. How *dare* this girl say that! Hermione wanted to scream at her, instead she chose a different tactic.
Flattery.
"Well, even though my name is not Wood worthy, I like your name." Hermione said sweetly. Mariana's eyes clouded. "What do you mean, Granger?" she demanded.
"Well it sounds very sophisticated, Think about it; Mariana Christina Aleandra Isabella Shuyler-Wood. Very aristocratic." Hermione continued trying to look very innocent. She noticed the corners of Mariana's lips turn up.
"Flattery will get you *nowhere*, Hermione." Mariana replied acidly, trying to hide a smile. Hermione looked at her questioningly. "What do you *mean*? Who said I was flattering you? I mean it. I like your name. See? Mah-ree- yanna," Hermione said, emphasizing each syllable.
Mariana finally smiled. It was a proud, arrogant smile but also warm. "Maybe your name *is* wood worthy, Hermione. In fact, Hermione Wood sounds very promising." Mariana said, still smiling. [Her smile is so pretty] Hermione thought. How could anyone this beautiful be so cold and distant at one time and be the exact opposite at another?
"Does Oliver treat you well?"
"Very well indeed."
"He has not hurt you or tried anything?"
"No, nothing at all."
"And this is true?"
"Yes."
"I see. Now listen Hermione, you're a good one. You seem good for Oliver. I can tell you aren't dating him because he's popular and handsome."
"I love him for him."
"Yes, exactly. Oliver gets hurt a lot. He's too blind to see that most of his past girlfriends use him for his popularity or good looks. You on the other hand, I can see something in you."
Hermione smiled. Oliver was right. Mariana *was* a nice person. She was just looking out for him all the time.
"Now you listen here, Hermione, if you hurt my brother in *any* way, I promise to make your life a living nightmare." Mariana suddenly growled. Hermione let out a small squeak and nodded.
"Good." Mariana patted Hermione on the head and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm not a bad person. I'm just well-on my guard. You can never trust anyone these days."
"I agree completely!"
"Well, Hermione, it seems I have to get to know you a *lot* better if you are going to be a Wood."
Hermione's eyes widened. "I'm going to be a Wood?"
"Just a term. But you know, I can feel it, Hermione. I can feel you are the right one for Oliver. You *are* wood worthy." And with that, Mariana gave Hermione another one of her beautiful smiles and walked off.
"I'm Wood worthy?" Hermione asked herself quietly.
***
Mariana bumped into a boy while going to the Ravenclaw tower. "OLIVER!" she exclaimed. Oliver helped his stepsister up. "Sorry, Riana." He said.
"Oliver Andrew Wood! What *are* you doing in the halls at night?"
"Uh-"
"Came to spy on us, eh?"
"Of course not, Mars!"
"I detest liars, Oliver! Tell me the truth!"
"Alright, I was but-"
"She's a very good girl, Ollie. Very, *very* good." Oliver was silent. Mariana just approved of Hermione. MARIANA JUST APPROVED OF HERMIONE!!!
"Riana, you sure?"
"Absolutely. She is very wood worthy. Treat her well, Oliver. She's the one. Don't lose her." Mariana then walked off, leaving a very happy Oliver behind her.
***
END OF CHAPTER 9! WOOHOOOO!!!! =) BTW, MARIANA IS OLIVER'S STEPSISTER. I JUST MADE HER UP. MUWAHAHAHAHA! =) ANYWAY, KEEP THOSE REVIEWS IN! not much of Oliver/Hermione action here but in the next chapter there will be! =)