A new light
Chapter 2: September 1st
Yay! More editing! Please enjoy!
I stood by the Hogwarts Express, watching for my friends to arrive. My belongings and Crookshanks were al around me, my ginger cat in my arms.
"Hey Herm," Oliver greeted me, approaching me and giving me a quick kiss.
"Oliver, don't! You're part of the Hogwarts staff now! What if someone were to see you?" Hermione asked.
"I'm only a coach for the Quidditch teams. My purpose is to help all of the teams out. I'm hardly staff," Oliver replied, bringing his face closer to mine once more. I pulled back, even though I really didn't want to.
"You're Madame Hooch's right-hand man. You're almost like a student professor to put it in the terms of a muggle school. Now please, for the sake of you not getting fired or me getting expelled, we must do everything in private," I said.
"Hm, come to think of it, I like it that way more. It sounds more romantic and risky," Oliver said in a husky tone. I giggled and rolled my eyes, shoving him playfully with a free arm.
"Oh stop that. You're so male," I said, smiling.
"You know I can't help it. It's a curse!" Oliver said dramatically. I laughed once more.
"Oh look! There are Harry and Ron!" I said, pointing ahead. I could always spot Ron's red hair in any crowd.
"Herm, there is something I've been meaning to talk to you about. Now please, don't get upset with me, but I've always suspected that there is something going on in between you and at least one of them. I know that sounds really weird for me to say, but for the sake of our relationship, I'd really appreciate it if you cut down on seeing them," Oliver said seriously. My world stopped spinning at his words. Could he possibly know about that silly little kiss Harry and I shared just a short while ago?
"Well, I really can't help seeing Harry. We're both prefects this year! And Ron depends on me for his homework. I'd probably put his grades in jeopardy if I stopped helping him," I said.
"Please Hermione. For me. Just try your best," Oliver persuaded. I looked into his chocolate eyes and sighed. I couldn't tell him no. He seemed so upset over this all.
"Okay. Now let's get on the train. I suppose since you're a new teacher they'll allow you to sit in the prefect compartment with us while they lecture us on the rules and such," I said. Oliver nodded and we walked onto the train.
"Hey Hermione! Oliver," Harry greeted us when we entered the compartment. He looked so different from when I last saw him! Not only did he look stronger, but his hair was spiked and he was wearing contacts. I couldn't help but admit that he looked very attractive.
"Harry?" I exclaimed, slightly surprised. I could see out of the corner of my eyes that Oliver didn't seem happy at all.
"Hey 'Mione. How was the rest of your summer?" Harry asked.
"It was good. I went with Oliver out to the country side where he practiced Quidditch with his teammates. Yours?" I asked.
"It was okay. I went to the Burrow with Ron like usual so it was pretty fun," Harry replied.
"Harry, mate, can I talk to you for a second? I want to ask you some questions regarding Quidditch practice and show you my new broom," Oliver said. He smiled at me. "This will only take one second, Herm." Oliver leaned down and kissed me, making me blush slightly.
"Okay, but hurry up," I replied.
(Harry's POV)
"I know you didn't come out here to talk to me about Quidditch, Wood, so don't think I'm stupid," I said when Oliver and I began to walk down the corridor.
"I wouldn't quite say that. After all, you're pretty stupid if you think you can steal my Hermione away from me by just changing your looks. She loves me and is faithful as heck. So back off, Potter," Oliver snapped at me harshly.
"Don't be so sure about that, Wood. Just remember, I'm a prefect. She and I might have to portal the halls together late at night. And, it wouldn't look good if a member of the staff beats up a student, now would I?" I asked, giving him a cocky smile. "Now, if you excuse me, there is a certain Gryffindor that I'm trying to woo." I turned around and went back to the compartment.
"You better watch you back, Potter," Oliver muttered before I opened the door.
'It's so funny how we used to be so close. All it took was a girl to make us hate each other. But no matter, Hermione will be my girlfriend. I've loved her longest then anyone,' I thought to myself, sitting on the left of Hermione, Oliver on her right. I rolled my eyes and slouched in my seat, waiting for the train to start so that we could hear our stupid lecture and get back to the compartment with Ron.
(Hermione's POV)
By the time we were allowed to go back to our compartment, I had noticed that Harry and Oliver had been glaring at each other quite a lot. It bugged me more then anything, although I kept my mouth shut the whole time. When we did get back to the compartment, Ron was sitting in it with Neville, both asleep. It didn't take long for Oliver to drift off as well, leaving Harry and myself as the only ones awake.
"Harry, we really need to talk," I whispered.
"I agree," Harry whispered back.
"Me first. Now please listen to me very closely. Okay? Alright, I just wanted to remind you that the kiss that we accidently shared was just that, an accident. It was nothing more. Now I know that you and Oliver are feuding over me and I want you to stop it. Oliver is my boyfriend and I care for him a lot. I may possibly even love him. You are like family to me, not like someone I would want to spend the rest of my life with. Please, stop fighting over me because I'm not planning on breaking up with Oliver for a long time and I don't need one of my best friends to be the cause of it. I'm sorry, but do you understand?" I asked.
"Sure Hermione. No problem," Harry replied. He looked hurt but was doing a good job with hiding it from me.
"Thanks," I replied with a smile.
That whole night at the ceremony, I could do nothing but think. I had strategically sat myself down between Ginny and Neville and across from Dean and Seamus so to avoid Harry and Ron, although they were right there next to Dean. We all watched as the little first years 'ooed' and 'awed' at their surroundings and cheered every time we again a Gryffindor. By the end of the night we had twelve new kids, an even six boys and six girls. They all flocked to Harry as soon as the feast began, asking him the usual first year questions. The rest of us just ignored it and ate while having a few little conversations. I mostly listened, sharing only two conversations with Ginny and Neville that were quite short.
"Hey, Hermione. Come here," Oliver whispered to me from within the crowd of first years. I had to laugh at how incredibly stupid (yet cute) he looked crouching down with to match the height of the little kids.
"What?" I whispered back, slipping into a place next to the group. Oliver leaned and gave me a quick, hidden kiss. I doubted if anyone at all would have even noticed.
"Nothing. Just thought I'd say goodnight before Madame Hooch decides to make me do something for her before the day starts tomorrow," Oliver said when our lips parted after their brief kiss.
"Good night, then," I replied with a smile. As I watched him go back to the professors table, I couldn't help but grin. Perhaps Oliver and I could make our relationship work in school.
end of chapter
Two chapters in ONE day! Go me! Now PLEASE review! I'm begging you all! (gives puppy eyes) Please!
Serenity