For disclaimer please see prologue. Comments and `Thank you's´ for my
wonderful reviewers can be found - as usual - at the bottom. Happy reading!
:-)
~*~*~*~ INTERLUDE: TALKING TO FRIENDS ~*~*~*~
Saturday morning dawned grey and unpleasant on Rosebud Corner # 24, a small street running parallel to the crowded and famous Diagon Alley. This tranquil part of wizarding London was inhabited by ancient witches, eccentric old wizards who passed their time by talking to their carpets, one or two small wizard- families on the brink of moving somewhere else and - two young men who had fallen in love with the upper floor of the old house that bore the number 24.
It had been almost two years now that Oliver Wood, newly hired reserve Keeper for Puddlemere United, and Percy Weasley, rising star in the Ministry of Magic, had decided to rent the upper half of the house and turn it into a flat fit for inhabiting the two most different persons one could imagine. And despite the numerous bets made against this most unusual combination of flatmates, the arrangement held.
Oliver took another sip of his hot, creamy coffee as he stared out of the window. About a year ago the young man had come up with the brilliant idea that he needed to see the sky when he planned his moves as a Keeper, so consequently he and Percy had teamed up to charm the classical French window into a window bay, where Oliver could nestle into an arrangement of pillows and dream about flying. He had claimed this spot as his own ever since.
Wood scrunched up his nose in distaste at the millions of tiny drops of rain that fell relentlessly from the grey sky. `There goes the training for the day, ´ he thought miserably, already dreading a day without a couple of hours of extreme physical exertion. He always got depressed when he couldn't make some sport. With a deep sigh he picked up the book that Hermione had lent him yesterday and resumed his reading. Why did all the facts seem to make more sense when Hermione said them? Oliver failed to keep a smile from appearing on his face as he recalled her reactions to his harmless flirting. It was fun seeing her blush and get flustered. And - deep down he had to admit that - it felt good to know that he was able to make a young woman react to him that way. Spending time with Hermione was surprisingly - pleasant?
"Wood?" Percy's sleepy voice dragged Oliver forcefully from his thoughts. "'S that my cup?"
"Huh?"
"Was looking for my coffee cup. Need caffeine," Percy supplied with bleary eyes. He redhead blinked sleepily, then sniffed. "Do I smell coffee? Heavenly, divine, praised coffee?" Oliver's small smile had developed into a full-blown grin by now. There was nothing as funny as a sleep- and caffeine-deprived Percy on a Saturday morning. It was amazing what this Weasley would promise to get his hands on some coffee. Such as promising to do the laundry for the coming week, Oliver thought amusedly.
"Oliver?" Percy whined in his most pitiful voice, looking like someone had kicked his puppy. Sighing dramatically, Wood left his beloved spot and headed for the kitchen. Several similar mornings had proven that Percy should not, under NO circumstances, touch anything breakable before he'd had a thorough infusion of caffeine.
"Thanks, Ol'," Percy sighed, "You're the greatest. The best. My bestest friend in the whole wide world."
Wood snorted as he returned with a steaming cup of black coffee for his friend. "Does Penelope know how pitiful you are in the morning?"
Percy's ears turned scarlet. "We're not . she's hasn't.we're not in that phase, yet," he spluttered. "We're only dating again for what? A month? She's not that kind of girl! Besides, if you tell her I'll make sure to tell your girlfriend, whoever it is this month, that you sing under the shower! In a horrible voice, I might add." Having ingested some caffeine Percy's quick wit had returned in full sarcastic force.
"How would you know that I sing under the shower?" Oliver glared at his friend.
"The walls aren't that thick, you know."
"Oh," Oliver admitted sheepishly. Then added carefully, "do I really sing that bad?"
"Horrible," Percy supplied without looking up from his beloved coffee, "I wouldn't think about changing my career if I were you."
Oliver mumbled something unintelligible when Percy's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"By the way, how's Hermione?"
Wood nearly dropped his cup as he spun around. "How do you know?"
"I have my ways," Percy smirked. "I'll have you know that if you break her heart you'll have the entire Weasley clan, including Harry of course, out for your blood. The twins can be especially brutal."
"I don't feel that way about her," Oliver said firmly, wondering about the odd feeling in the pit of his stomach as he did so.
Percy merely raised an eyebrow as he turned to leave the living- room. "Are you sure? She's another calibre than the girls you're used to."
"I know," Oliver whispered at his friend's retreating back. "Merlin knows, I do."
~*~*~*~
They were halfway through their second cup of tea respectively, when Tonks decided that it was time to address the reason for her visit to the Granger household. So, after savouring another taste of the wonderfully flavoured caramel-tea Hermione had provided her with, Tonks pulled out her wand and murmured a quiet isolation-charm, earning a discontent hiss from Crookshanks for her efforts. Hermione, on the other hand, merely looked curiously at her from her comfortable spot on the sofa.
"Something you'd like to tell me, Tonks?" Hermione inquired while patting Crookshanks' straggly fur.
The Auror nodded. "Yes. Dumbledore has talked to Kingsley and me yesterday. It concerns the identity of the victim in `The Queasy Bludger´."
"Oh," Hermione merely said as she suppressed a shudder.
"The thing is," Tonks continued a little insecure, "The problem is that the victim was a member of the Order."
That got Hermione's attention and she leaned forward, startling poor Crookshanks once more. "Tell me."
Tonks barely restrained a relieved sigh as she saw her friend going into `business-mode´ as the Auror had named it. Hermione was clearly very interested in the case, which would make it all easier. "He was an undercover-spy by the name of Mortimer Pickle, which is why none of us knew him personally. Pickle was investigating a high-ranking Death-Eater in charge of recruiting new followers for You-Know-Who. He was about to meet Dumbledore and give him some information when he was found dead. Which is where you come in." Tonks trailed off.
"How is that?" Hermione quietly asked, her mind already working through the new information.
Tonks sighed. She had put up a great fight against the decision to involve Hermione any further into the investigations. Things were already far too dangerous for a schoolgirl and Tonks felt it in her guts that things would get even worse before they'd hopefully get better. "This Death Eater Pickle was investigating has close ties to a Quidditch team. Puddlemere United to be exact."
Hermione's sharp intake of breath was answer enough. Surely her bushy- haired friend suspected Wood as well, Tonks concluded.
"Is Oliver in danger?" Hermione asked concern evident in her voice.
"I don't know." Tonks laughed humourlessly. "Kingsley suspects him to be involved in this mess. And Dumbledore, well he decided that someone has to find out for sure."
"You want me to find out whether Oliver is a Death Eater or not? Because I assure you - " Hermione spluttered incredulously, but was interrupted by the older woman.
"No," Tonks responded, "It's worse. We want you to take Pickle's mission. Get close to Puddlemere United. Find the Death Eater."
"And how do you suggest I should do that? For all I know Pickle was a fully- trained spy and look where he ended up!"
Tonks averted her eyes. Hermione was clearly voicing all of her own doubts. "I know, Herm. Trust me, we've been through this with Dumbledore for hours and hours and there is simply no other way. Lives are at stake here and, if it's any consolation for you, Dumbledore believes you're fit for the job." Tonks took a deep breath before facing Hermione again. "So do I."
Taking comfort in the vote of confidence from both, Dumbledore and her esteemed friend Tonks, Hermione nodded slowly. "I'll do it, but I want you to sign my S.P.E.W.-petition for that!" she demanded, trying to light the situation.
"It's done." Tonks smirked, although a bad feeling still lingered. She had hoped that Hermione would refuse the mission. The young Auror was exceptionally bad at watching close friends getting into danger without being able to do something about it. Tonks had lost too many friends already.
"Well," Hermione broke through Tonks' dark thoughts, "The question still remains. How do I get inside information of Puddlemere? Especially since I need to verify everything first hand and can't ask Oliver about second hand information?"
Tonks smiled playfully. "I've been told that their charming reserve Keeper is single. And that the players' girlfriends and wives often interact with the whole team."
Hermione nearly chocked on her tea. "Nym-pha-DO-ra! I can hardly seduce Oliver in order to gain information on Puddlemere!"
"I never said anything about seducing him!" Tonks laughed, "Although that's a great idea," she added with a conspiratorial wink as Hermione turned an alarmingly bright shade of red. "I always knew there was a lioness in you, Herm."
Hermione, still fighting a loosing battle to regain her dignity, sniffed and drew herself up. "This is hardly a very ethical behaviour."
Tonks shrugged. "Is it any more ethical to spare his feelings, let You-Know- Who gain more followers and power and risk the death to even more innocents?"
"That's a very Slytherin kind of argumentation," Hermione commented icily, watching Tonks smirk as her nose became large and rather hooked.
"What can I say?" The Metamorphmagus said, "Our dear Sevvie is rubbing off on me."
"For Merlin's sake!" Hermione gasped, "You're talking about my Potion's Professor! There is no way I can ever look at him again without thinking about the doom that will await you when he hears you calling him `Sevvie´."
Tonks nearly fell off her chair as laughter shook her whole body. "Maybe I should call him `my greasy-haired muffin´ instead?"
Hermione, whose incredible brain refused to ponder the implications of this, merely shook her head in despair and wondered what could be worse - facing this conversation with the ever-playful Tonks, infiltrating a group of Quidditch- obsessed madmen or hunting a high-ranking Death Eater. In the end, Hermione concluded, the greatest challenge might well be working along a very special Quidditch-obsessed maniac. `Damn you Oliver Wood,´ Hermione thought viciously. After breaking up with Viktor Krum she had promised herself not to fall for another Quidditch player's charm.
~*~*~*~*~
NEXT CHAPTER: Hermione moves onto dangerous terrain - the Quidditch pitch! Oh, and there's an evil Death Eater on the loose, too.
~*~*~*~*~
COMMENTS: Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments! They inspired me to write this little interlude - although I really didn't have the time to do so. Sigh. Plot-bunnies are vicious creatures, aren't they? ;-)
BLOOD 57: So you like an embarrassed Oliver? Look forward to the next chapters, then! The poor lad won't know what hit him ;)
CHERENMAY: Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you for adding me to your favourites! I feel very special! You can see that it also inspired me to write a little faster than I had planned! :)
BOUNDANDBROKEN: I had to warm up to the whole Oliver/Hermione-thing as well, but when I did - well, you can see just how much I like them. Loads of virtual hugs to you for putting me on your favourites-list. Thank you *smiles very, very broadly*
MONKEYSTARZ: Hi! Herm slapped him because she panicked and didn't know how to snap him out of his `trance´. She's a very physical kind of gal, when she gets agitated ;-)
DYRIM 123: Hope you like the rest as well, because personally, I think there's no harder thing than writing a budding romance without becoming too kitschy. Please warn me as soon as it gets too stupid :)
L'EAU GODDESS: To be honest, the last chapter is also my favourite one. However, I'm slowly getting to the point where the characters write themselves. Take Tonks in this chapter for example! I can honestly say that I was shocked when she started fan-girling Snape! ;)
DRAGON SCALES 1: Ahem.all right. Oliver and his coffee associations. Actually, I tried being original here (however, I guess I was more odd than original). Firstly I wanted to present them with an opportunity to stare into each other's eyes in an original way and secondly I didn't want to talk about "chocolate, cinnamon, hazel etc." eyes because that has been used far too often. Besides, I like coffee ;-)
LAURA BUZALI: Hello! To answer your question, the eidetic witch Hermione was referring to went mad with fifteen years. I'll correct it when I revise the story. Thanks for pointing it out :)
FAITH AND GRACE: It's a pleasure to hear from you, especially since I rather enjoy your story as well. We're keeping each other inspired, aren't we? ;)
MYSTRIPEDSKIRT: I thank you for a wonderful review. It really made me feel a lot more secure about my story, since I always fear the threats of OOC- ness, predictability and rushed and unrealistic romances. Also a heartfelt thank you for putting me on your favourites-list. Loads of hugs! :-)
~*~*~*~ INTERLUDE: TALKING TO FRIENDS ~*~*~*~
Saturday morning dawned grey and unpleasant on Rosebud Corner # 24, a small street running parallel to the crowded and famous Diagon Alley. This tranquil part of wizarding London was inhabited by ancient witches, eccentric old wizards who passed their time by talking to their carpets, one or two small wizard- families on the brink of moving somewhere else and - two young men who had fallen in love with the upper floor of the old house that bore the number 24.
It had been almost two years now that Oliver Wood, newly hired reserve Keeper for Puddlemere United, and Percy Weasley, rising star in the Ministry of Magic, had decided to rent the upper half of the house and turn it into a flat fit for inhabiting the two most different persons one could imagine. And despite the numerous bets made against this most unusual combination of flatmates, the arrangement held.
Oliver took another sip of his hot, creamy coffee as he stared out of the window. About a year ago the young man had come up with the brilliant idea that he needed to see the sky when he planned his moves as a Keeper, so consequently he and Percy had teamed up to charm the classical French window into a window bay, where Oliver could nestle into an arrangement of pillows and dream about flying. He had claimed this spot as his own ever since.
Wood scrunched up his nose in distaste at the millions of tiny drops of rain that fell relentlessly from the grey sky. `There goes the training for the day, ´ he thought miserably, already dreading a day without a couple of hours of extreme physical exertion. He always got depressed when he couldn't make some sport. With a deep sigh he picked up the book that Hermione had lent him yesterday and resumed his reading. Why did all the facts seem to make more sense when Hermione said them? Oliver failed to keep a smile from appearing on his face as he recalled her reactions to his harmless flirting. It was fun seeing her blush and get flustered. And - deep down he had to admit that - it felt good to know that he was able to make a young woman react to him that way. Spending time with Hermione was surprisingly - pleasant?
"Wood?" Percy's sleepy voice dragged Oliver forcefully from his thoughts. "'S that my cup?"
"Huh?"
"Was looking for my coffee cup. Need caffeine," Percy supplied with bleary eyes. He redhead blinked sleepily, then sniffed. "Do I smell coffee? Heavenly, divine, praised coffee?" Oliver's small smile had developed into a full-blown grin by now. There was nothing as funny as a sleep- and caffeine-deprived Percy on a Saturday morning. It was amazing what this Weasley would promise to get his hands on some coffee. Such as promising to do the laundry for the coming week, Oliver thought amusedly.
"Oliver?" Percy whined in his most pitiful voice, looking like someone had kicked his puppy. Sighing dramatically, Wood left his beloved spot and headed for the kitchen. Several similar mornings had proven that Percy should not, under NO circumstances, touch anything breakable before he'd had a thorough infusion of caffeine.
"Thanks, Ol'," Percy sighed, "You're the greatest. The best. My bestest friend in the whole wide world."
Wood snorted as he returned with a steaming cup of black coffee for his friend. "Does Penelope know how pitiful you are in the morning?"
Percy's ears turned scarlet. "We're not . she's hasn't.we're not in that phase, yet," he spluttered. "We're only dating again for what? A month? She's not that kind of girl! Besides, if you tell her I'll make sure to tell your girlfriend, whoever it is this month, that you sing under the shower! In a horrible voice, I might add." Having ingested some caffeine Percy's quick wit had returned in full sarcastic force.
"How would you know that I sing under the shower?" Oliver glared at his friend.
"The walls aren't that thick, you know."
"Oh," Oliver admitted sheepishly. Then added carefully, "do I really sing that bad?"
"Horrible," Percy supplied without looking up from his beloved coffee, "I wouldn't think about changing my career if I were you."
Oliver mumbled something unintelligible when Percy's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"By the way, how's Hermione?"
Wood nearly dropped his cup as he spun around. "How do you know?"
"I have my ways," Percy smirked. "I'll have you know that if you break her heart you'll have the entire Weasley clan, including Harry of course, out for your blood. The twins can be especially brutal."
"I don't feel that way about her," Oliver said firmly, wondering about the odd feeling in the pit of his stomach as he did so.
Percy merely raised an eyebrow as he turned to leave the living- room. "Are you sure? She's another calibre than the girls you're used to."
"I know," Oliver whispered at his friend's retreating back. "Merlin knows, I do."
~*~*~*~
They were halfway through their second cup of tea respectively, when Tonks decided that it was time to address the reason for her visit to the Granger household. So, after savouring another taste of the wonderfully flavoured caramel-tea Hermione had provided her with, Tonks pulled out her wand and murmured a quiet isolation-charm, earning a discontent hiss from Crookshanks for her efforts. Hermione, on the other hand, merely looked curiously at her from her comfortable spot on the sofa.
"Something you'd like to tell me, Tonks?" Hermione inquired while patting Crookshanks' straggly fur.
The Auror nodded. "Yes. Dumbledore has talked to Kingsley and me yesterday. It concerns the identity of the victim in `The Queasy Bludger´."
"Oh," Hermione merely said as she suppressed a shudder.
"The thing is," Tonks continued a little insecure, "The problem is that the victim was a member of the Order."
That got Hermione's attention and she leaned forward, startling poor Crookshanks once more. "Tell me."
Tonks barely restrained a relieved sigh as she saw her friend going into `business-mode´ as the Auror had named it. Hermione was clearly very interested in the case, which would make it all easier. "He was an undercover-spy by the name of Mortimer Pickle, which is why none of us knew him personally. Pickle was investigating a high-ranking Death-Eater in charge of recruiting new followers for You-Know-Who. He was about to meet Dumbledore and give him some information when he was found dead. Which is where you come in." Tonks trailed off.
"How is that?" Hermione quietly asked, her mind already working through the new information.
Tonks sighed. She had put up a great fight against the decision to involve Hermione any further into the investigations. Things were already far too dangerous for a schoolgirl and Tonks felt it in her guts that things would get even worse before they'd hopefully get better. "This Death Eater Pickle was investigating has close ties to a Quidditch team. Puddlemere United to be exact."
Hermione's sharp intake of breath was answer enough. Surely her bushy- haired friend suspected Wood as well, Tonks concluded.
"Is Oliver in danger?" Hermione asked concern evident in her voice.
"I don't know." Tonks laughed humourlessly. "Kingsley suspects him to be involved in this mess. And Dumbledore, well he decided that someone has to find out for sure."
"You want me to find out whether Oliver is a Death Eater or not? Because I assure you - " Hermione spluttered incredulously, but was interrupted by the older woman.
"No," Tonks responded, "It's worse. We want you to take Pickle's mission. Get close to Puddlemere United. Find the Death Eater."
"And how do you suggest I should do that? For all I know Pickle was a fully- trained spy and look where he ended up!"
Tonks averted her eyes. Hermione was clearly voicing all of her own doubts. "I know, Herm. Trust me, we've been through this with Dumbledore for hours and hours and there is simply no other way. Lives are at stake here and, if it's any consolation for you, Dumbledore believes you're fit for the job." Tonks took a deep breath before facing Hermione again. "So do I."
Taking comfort in the vote of confidence from both, Dumbledore and her esteemed friend Tonks, Hermione nodded slowly. "I'll do it, but I want you to sign my S.P.E.W.-petition for that!" she demanded, trying to light the situation.
"It's done." Tonks smirked, although a bad feeling still lingered. She had hoped that Hermione would refuse the mission. The young Auror was exceptionally bad at watching close friends getting into danger without being able to do something about it. Tonks had lost too many friends already.
"Well," Hermione broke through Tonks' dark thoughts, "The question still remains. How do I get inside information of Puddlemere? Especially since I need to verify everything first hand and can't ask Oliver about second hand information?"
Tonks smiled playfully. "I've been told that their charming reserve Keeper is single. And that the players' girlfriends and wives often interact with the whole team."
Hermione nearly chocked on her tea. "Nym-pha-DO-ra! I can hardly seduce Oliver in order to gain information on Puddlemere!"
"I never said anything about seducing him!" Tonks laughed, "Although that's a great idea," she added with a conspiratorial wink as Hermione turned an alarmingly bright shade of red. "I always knew there was a lioness in you, Herm."
Hermione, still fighting a loosing battle to regain her dignity, sniffed and drew herself up. "This is hardly a very ethical behaviour."
Tonks shrugged. "Is it any more ethical to spare his feelings, let You-Know- Who gain more followers and power and risk the death to even more innocents?"
"That's a very Slytherin kind of argumentation," Hermione commented icily, watching Tonks smirk as her nose became large and rather hooked.
"What can I say?" The Metamorphmagus said, "Our dear Sevvie is rubbing off on me."
"For Merlin's sake!" Hermione gasped, "You're talking about my Potion's Professor! There is no way I can ever look at him again without thinking about the doom that will await you when he hears you calling him `Sevvie´."
Tonks nearly fell off her chair as laughter shook her whole body. "Maybe I should call him `my greasy-haired muffin´ instead?"
Hermione, whose incredible brain refused to ponder the implications of this, merely shook her head in despair and wondered what could be worse - facing this conversation with the ever-playful Tonks, infiltrating a group of Quidditch- obsessed madmen or hunting a high-ranking Death Eater. In the end, Hermione concluded, the greatest challenge might well be working along a very special Quidditch-obsessed maniac. `Damn you Oliver Wood,´ Hermione thought viciously. After breaking up with Viktor Krum she had promised herself not to fall for another Quidditch player's charm.
~*~*~*~*~
NEXT CHAPTER: Hermione moves onto dangerous terrain - the Quidditch pitch! Oh, and there's an evil Death Eater on the loose, too.
~*~*~*~*~
COMMENTS: Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments! They inspired me to write this little interlude - although I really didn't have the time to do so. Sigh. Plot-bunnies are vicious creatures, aren't they? ;-)
BLOOD 57: So you like an embarrassed Oliver? Look forward to the next chapters, then! The poor lad won't know what hit him ;)
CHERENMAY: Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you for adding me to your favourites! I feel very special! You can see that it also inspired me to write a little faster than I had planned! :)
BOUNDANDBROKEN: I had to warm up to the whole Oliver/Hermione-thing as well, but when I did - well, you can see just how much I like them. Loads of virtual hugs to you for putting me on your favourites-list. Thank you *smiles very, very broadly*
MONKEYSTARZ: Hi! Herm slapped him because she panicked and didn't know how to snap him out of his `trance´. She's a very physical kind of gal, when she gets agitated ;-)
DYRIM 123: Hope you like the rest as well, because personally, I think there's no harder thing than writing a budding romance without becoming too kitschy. Please warn me as soon as it gets too stupid :)
L'EAU GODDESS: To be honest, the last chapter is also my favourite one. However, I'm slowly getting to the point where the characters write themselves. Take Tonks in this chapter for example! I can honestly say that I was shocked when she started fan-girling Snape! ;)
DRAGON SCALES 1: Ahem.all right. Oliver and his coffee associations. Actually, I tried being original here (however, I guess I was more odd than original). Firstly I wanted to present them with an opportunity to stare into each other's eyes in an original way and secondly I didn't want to talk about "chocolate, cinnamon, hazel etc." eyes because that has been used far too often. Besides, I like coffee ;-)
LAURA BUZALI: Hello! To answer your question, the eidetic witch Hermione was referring to went mad with fifteen years. I'll correct it when I revise the story. Thanks for pointing it out :)
FAITH AND GRACE: It's a pleasure to hear from you, especially since I rather enjoy your story as well. We're keeping each other inspired, aren't we? ;)
MYSTRIPEDSKIRT: I thank you for a wonderful review. It really made me feel a lot more secure about my story, since I always fear the threats of OOC- ness, predictability and rushed and unrealistic romances. Also a heartfelt thank you for putting me on your favourites-list. Loads of hugs! :-)