Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

Chapter Eight: Meet Marsh

Oliver and Hermione were poring over piles of Quidditch plays. Yes, that's right. The Hermione Granger was studying Quidditch plays. She wasn't fond of the sport, but she was determined to do anything to keep her mind off of her grief. (A/N: Wow, she is really desperate!) After they finished their afternoon classes, Hermione volunteered to help Oliver plan his Quidditch strategies for the upcoming game.

Hermione was overcome with relief when Oliver made no mention of their Hogsmeade visit. Even though he said they were going strictly as friends, Hermione couldn't help feeling that he meant they were going as something more than friends, which worried Hermione. She was perfectly satisfied with just spending time with Oliver without the added pressures of a romantic relationship.

Oliver marveled at Hermione's brilliance after she showed him her ideas that she had written down yesterday. "How did you come up with this plan? I thought you didn't like Quidditch."

Hermione grinned. "Well, I don't like Quidditch, but Harry and Ron talk about it so much that I guess it was bound to seep through my brain sooner or later." Oliver thought he saw a flicker of sadness in Hermione's brown eyes when she mentioned her friends, but he decided to let it go.

Unfortunately, Bruce Marsh, who played on the Slytherin Quidditch team, ruined this nice moment. He was a rather tall boy with golden brown hair and beady dark eyes that became remarkably smaller as he sneered at the two friends. He suddenly snatched the piece of rolled up parchment from Oliver's hands. "Hmmm... what is this, I wonder?"

Oliver stood up angrily. "Give that back, Marsh!"

Hermione's eyes flickered dangerously as she glared at the Slytherin boy. She couldn't help wondering why she felt so protective of Oliver all of a sudden. I barely know him.

Marsh held the parchment out of Oliver's reach as he smirked. "I don't think so, Wood. I bet Flint would be very interested in this piece of parchment."

Oliver glared angrily at Marsh. "Give it back, or else."

Marsh took a step closer towards Oliver, daring Oliver to hit him. "Or else what?"

"Accio parchment!" Hermione said, as the parchment flew from Marsh's hands into her own. She quickly stuffed the parchment into her bag.

Marsh turned away from Oliver, red from embarrassment of being outsmarted by a younger student. "Why you little..."

Oliver stepped in front of Hermione protectively. Hermione was touched by Oliver's gesture but the last thing she wanted was to appear weak in front of a Slytherin. She smiled at Oliver, letting him know that she could handle him on her own. Oliver nodded and stepped aside reluctantly.

Marsh smirked at the exchange between the two friends. "Gonna let a little girl fight your battle for you, eh Wood?"

Not waiting for Oliver to respond, Marsh took a step forward and punched Oliver in the face. Oliver clutched his bloody face, overcome with pain. Furious, Hermione lunged forward at the Slytherin and punched him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. As if that wasn't enough, Hermione kicked him in the groin, causing him to double over in pain. He gasped for breath and he remained on the floor, cringing.

She stared down at the shocked and suffering Slytherin, and glared triumphantly at him. "I am not a little girl."

In the hospital wing...

Oliver grunted as he attempted to open his eyes. Pain seared through his head when the light hit his sore eyes. "What happened?" Oliver mumbled out loud to no one in particular.

"You and Marsh got into a fight when he stole your Quidditch strategies. The Marsh punched your face. You passed out from the pain and I took you here. Are you feeling better?" Hermione asked with concern.

"Hermione? Is that you?" Oliver asked softly, straining his swollen eyes so he could see her.

Hermione smiled, running her fingers through his downy hair affectionately much to her surprise and Oliver's. She was usually not very affectionate towards anyone except Harry and Ron, and of course, her family. "Yes," Hermione answered.

"I'm glad you're here with me," Oliver whispered.

"I'm glad I'm here with you," Hermione responded with a genuine smile on her face.

"I'll make sure Marsh pays for this when I get out of this bed," Oliver growled, wincing in pain as he tried to sit up.

Hermione grinned. "You're too late, Mr. Wood. I've already done that for you."

Puzzlement and concern crossed Wood's face. Well, at least Hermione thought it was puzzlement and concern. It was kind of hard to tell with all of the dried blood and bruises. "What do you mean?"

"Let's just say that I took his breath away," Hermione replied as she smiled nostalgically at the memory of knocking the wind out of Marsh when she punched his stomach. Oliver stared at her curiously, wondering what she meant.

A/N: Here are the fantastic reviewers for this chapter:

Lia06: I'll post the other story on Tuesday. Thanks so much for your review!

Valentines-hater: Er, I don't know why you would think Hermione's pregnant. Thanks for reviewing!