Authors Note: So I decided not to wait to post this chapter. Honestly I'm not sure this chapter is worth the wait. It's nice and necessary, but not as fun as some of the other ones. If you find mistakes just tell me. I'm in want of a proper Beta reader so I know that they are there. I want to be honest with anyone who reads this and say that I really appreciate you. Please just leave a review to say you've been here. You have no idea what your time means to me.
Chapter 12 The Big match
"You look nervous kid." There was an hour till the match and Oliver's trembling hand could barely hold a cup. Lately Rance had gotten in the habit of keeping a watchful eye on Oliver. "What's up kid?"
"I can't say Rance," Oliver rolled his eyes. "Damn it I wish I could say." The secret weighed on Oliver. If he could tell just one person then maybe his load would feel lighter. But as it was, Izzy's fate rested on Oliver's shoulder.
"You can tell me anything Oliver. You know I'll listen."
"It's not that I don't trust you. It's that I can't," Oliver paused and turned the direction of the conversation, "Out of curiosity, do you know if there's a potion to prevent the disorienting charm?"
"No clue. I'd owl Percy and ask him."
Oliver smiled, "That's the best idea you've ever had. I don't even need to owl Percy. He's probably already out in the stands. He's overly prompt like that."
Rushing out of the locker room Oliver ignored the fans that stopped him to ask for his autograph. Instead he ran up the stands to the seat he'd bought for Percy as a birthday gift. "Percy I need you to do me a favor really quick."
"Sure Oliver."
"Is there a potion you can take to prevent the disorienting charm from working?" Oliver asked hoping and praying Percy knew.
"Yeah actually there is. You can buy it at any good apothecary. Only takes about 20 minutes to make. It's made with salamander tails, unicorn…."
"I don't care how it's made Percy. Can you get it for me now?" Oliver asked.
"And miss the match? Oliver what's going on? Why do you need that particular potion?" Percy was full of questions.
"I can't tell you Percy. Will you get the potion or not? It's really important Percy," Oliver was pleading with him. If he could get that potion, there might be a way to rescue Izzy from the hellhole Mr. Doyle was keeping her in.
Percy had many questions, but he felt sure that Oliver wouldn't give any answers. Oliver was by nature (except where Quidditch was involved) calm, but something was distressing him. Without even knowing what the dilemma was, Percy could sense its urgency. "If it matters that much Oliver of course I'll help."
OoOoO
The sun blazed overhead and tension thickened the air. Oliver almost couldn't breathe. Walking onto the pitch was like walking into the Roman Coliseum for Oliver. Oliver ascended into the air and hovered by the goals, waiting anxiously for the quaffle to be released. The match against the Wasps would be hard. They were an amazing team. If they weren't the enemy, Oliver would admire their skill. They had almost beat Puddlemere in the regular season when Oliver was at the top of his game. Fortunately then, a quick save by the seeker saved Puddlemere the embarrassment of losing. The quaffle flew up and that match was on. Taking a deep breath Oliver set his mind on watching the quaffles. Letting no stray though escape, he pushed out all his fears, the game was the only thing that mattered. Oliver shot fleeting glances to the seeker, who seemed to still be searching for the first glimpse of the snitch. Oliver's head jerked, the other team had the quaffle. A red blur flew at the right hoop but was this time Oliver's reflexes were quicker. In fact, Oliver blocked every shot. They were already up 100 points when the seekers dived towards the ground. Oliver's heart rate increased to the point it where it hurt. Suddenly everything stopped, Farren held his hand high in the air. In his tight grasp fluttered a little golden ball. Puddlemere had won, they were going to the tournament and Oliver was going to see Izzy. "WOO," Oliver almost fell off his broom as let go with both hands in celebration. Rance looked up at the joyful Oliver with curiosity. He had no clue what brought about the change, but Oliver's joy made him grin. It'd been a long time since he'd seen that man smile.
OoOoO
There was a celebration in the locker room after the match but Oliver showered and left as quickly as possible. "Where you going?" Rance asked Oliver as he quickly bolted out the door. Lately Oliver didn't have a life outside of Quidditch so Rance couldn't help but be curious as to where he was in such a hurry to go.
"Can't say!" Oliver said happily and hugged Rance. Oliver's joy was practically bursting out of him.
"I haven't seen you this happy since…." Rance stopped mid-sentence. With Oliver actually happy, he didn't want to bring up a sore subject.
"Before Izzy left?" for a change the phrase didn't seem to faze Oliver. "I know man. It's been crazy. I have to go now, I'll tell you more later." Oliver practically skipped out the door.
"Congrats Oliver," Percy waited right outside the door.
"PERCE!" Oliver said gleefully. Oliver's excitement about seeing Izzy had caused him to forget all about Percy and the potion. Seeing his plan starting to come together only made Oliver happier.
"I got your potion," Percy smiled. "And managed to catch the game."
"Is there anything I need to know about the potion?" Oliver slowly put together the pieces of his plan.
"Take it an hour before the charm is put on you and just pretend the spell is on you. No wizard would ever know the difference." Percy's know-it-all nature for once proved helpful. "Why do you need the potion Oliver?"
"I wish I could say," Oliver sighed. "Things are really complicated though." Thinking a moment Oliver added, "I'll need your help later on though."
"You do realize I have no clue what you're talking about."
"Don't worry about it Percy. It's going to be a great evening. But I better head off and take this potion. See you later Perce," Oliver turned to walk away then remembered his manners, "Oh, and thanks. You're a lifesaver."
"No problem. Just keep winning. I think my brothers are betting on your matches and they probably can't afford to lose."
OoOoO
The lavender liquid bubbled when Oliver opened the flask. In one gulp he swallowed the potion. It left the strange aftertaste of oranges and flowers in his mouth. It felt like a paste in his throat instead of the thin liquid it appeared as in the bottle. The party in the locker room would last awhile longer. Walking through the shopping quarter of the village Oliver spotted, "Viewford Florist." Opening the door Oliver was overwhelmed by the sweet smell of flowers. "Hello," he asked around looking around the daffodils trying to find the cashier.
A thin short man walked appeared from behind the irises. His hair was awry, like an un-pruned bonsai tree. "Ohhh….sir, can I help you?" his voice was childlike and distant.
"Yes, can I buy some flowers?" As long as he had an hour to kill, he might as well buy some presents for Izzy.
"That's what we're here for," the man laughed. "What would you like, we have roses, carnations, lilies, irises…"
"Um…" Oliver scratched his head. Oliver knew nothing about flowers. His knowledge extended to the point that they grew and girls supposedly liked them.
"What kind of occasion is this for?" the man tried to direct Oliver. Oliver just looked blankly at the man waiting for options. "Funeral, birthday, for your mom, romantic…" he listed the possible reasons.
"Romantic! That's the reasons. I'm seeing my girlfriend tonight," Oliver smiled. "Do you have good flowers for that?"
"Most of our flowers are for that. What's the budget?" The seemed amused by Oliver's clueless nature. Obviously he had never bought flowers before.
"Money doesn't matter. Can I pick them up in about half an hour? I have some more things to buy."
"Sure thing," the man gave Oliver a wink. He seemed both shocked and jovial that Oliver was so free with his money. Oliver heard him squeal to himself as he entered the backroom. Apparently business had been slow lately.
Strolling along the moonlit street Oliver headed into a more practical shop. Returning in his mind to the cell, he walked through the door again in his mind and saw Izzy curled up on the floor. He couldn't help but remember that she didn't even have a blanket. Looking through the home décor store, Oliver found a soft purple fleece blanket. It seemed strange to be buying Izzy presents again after not seeing her for so long. It seemed odd to walk by a Ministry of Magic office and not report the kidnapping. Brenten Doyle had made it clear that Izzy's life would be "terminated" if the ministry got word of her existence; not even just her kidnapping, her entire existence. He'd also drawn a pretty clear picture of the ears he had within the ministry. The only way to protect Izzy was to keep this secret. Only for a while, Oliver reminded himself. He thought of the potion already starting to work within his stomach. Stopping in a grocery store, Oliver bought a bottle of wine for the evening. No matter where they were or why they were there, Oliver wanted his evening to be romantic.
Authors Note: I know this chapter is not my best. I think just since summer I've grown a lot as a writer. But I still like this fic and hope you do too.Thanks for reading! Next Chapter A Strange Date. More Doyle, more Oliver and Izzy and more fun.Leave reviews and encouragement. All writers need them.
