The Contract

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter in anyway, shape, or form (though I wish I did because J. K. Rowling has to be one of the richest people in the world by now).

Summery: Tired of being asked out by guys she wouldn't want her worst enemy to date, Hermione decides to take Oliver Wood's offer. Oliver Wood, tired of being mobbed by almost every girl within twenty feet of him, hears about Hermione's problem and offers a solution; they pretend to go out until one of them finds another person they want to date.

Special Thanks to: Vera-Sabe and Amelie Rae Lanhoss. I really enjoyed reading your review(s)

Chapter 8

Malfoy seemed to pale, well as much as a boy of his complexion could, at Wood's sudden appearance.

"I was speaking with her," Malfoy said coolly. "I'm surprised you didn't dump her, considering what she's done." Wood smirked as though he were pleased.

"Oh, Malfoy," he said shaking his head and walking slowly towards the younger boy with menace. "I know everything. I know how you forced yourself on her and I swear, by Merlin himself, that if I hear about anything like that again, you won't have any limbs left to hold onto a broom," his eyes flickered to where Malfoy's hand still rested on Hermione. "Let alone my girlfriend."


Harry walked along the long corridor, it was just after dinner and he was headed towards the common room. He entered the portrait and was greatly surprised to see that it was empty. The only other person he could spot was Ron, who was sitting in one of the large cushy chairs in front of the fire.

"Ron?" Harry asked softly. "What are you doing up? Where is everyone else?" Ron stood silently and began walking towards Harry. Once he'd reached Harry he grabbed him and pulled him close.

"Ron?" Harry asked uncertainly, trying to pull away. "What's wrong with you?" Ron didn't answer. Instead, he leaned forward, puckered his lips, and kissed Harry square on the mouth.


"AAAAAHHHHH!" Harry screamed sitting up in his bed. He soon noticed that he'd been dreaming and was now in bed. He looked around wildly as the other boys in the room began asking what happened.

"Harry, what's going on over there?" Ron asked sleepily. "We were asleep you know."

"N-nothing," Harry panted. "It was just a bad dream. A horrible dream. A horrific, terrible, scary, insane dream," Harry muttered as he went to bed. He was going nuts.


"You dreamed what?" Hermione snorted the next morning over breakfast when Harry told her of his nightmare.

"It's not funny," he said defiantly. "It was horrible. I was afraid to go back to sleep after that, and now I can barely look at Ron." Hermione began laughing.

"Harry," Hermione said once she could control herself. "It was symbolic. Your dream symbolizes how your relationship with Ginny could pull you closer to Ron and his family. It shows you how weird things will be while you're dating Ron's sister, but it also is telling you that your friendship will only become stronger." Harry thought over this.

"I am so glad one of my best friends is an absolutely brilliant witch," Harry said. He leaned over the table and kissed Hermione on the cheek. "Thanks, Hermione."

"You're welcome," Hermione said holding back more laughter. "But Harry,"

"Yes?"

"Next time you decide to kiss a member of the Weasley family, at least pick a female." Harry scowled playfully at Hermione before standing and saying goodbye.

"I'm off to practice," he said. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you coming?" Hermione bit her lip. Wood was becoming too attached as it was. His behavior was extremely erratic when it came to her and that was not a good sign. But then again, if she had the chance to sort things out with Wood, she might be able to get things back on the track. She had to remind him of the contract.


Wood smiled when he saw Hermione trudging behind Harry, albeit a bit reluctantly. He watched as she picked a seat high up in the bleachers so that she could see everything. She caught his eye and nodded slightly, causing Wood to frown.

"Wood, watch out!" Fred yelled as a bludger came heading his way. Wood's eyes widened as he turned towards the offending object. He moved a second too late, as the bludger hit him in the head knocking him off his broom and into unconsciousness.

"Oh, God!" Hermione gasped as Wood fell from his broom. The others on the team dived after him. Harry was in the lead as his seeker instincts took over and he was the first to reach Wood. He grabbed the older boy around the waist and pulled up with his other hand just moments before Wood would have hit the ground.

Hermione scrambled down the steps to meet them. She wasn't sure, but she'd thought she saw blood trickle down Wood's forehead.

When she reached the others she saw that their faces were drawn and they too were staring at Wood's bloody head.

"Well!" Hermione nearly shrieked in hysterics. "Don't just stand there! Someone help him!" She turned to Fred. "This is all your bloody fault so you go get the nurse!" she said beating on his chest. She felt tears sting her eyes and she collapsed against Fred who held her and nodded to his twin, who took off to the castle for help.

"Please," Hermione whispered against Fred's chest. "Please let him be okay." She continued to cry while the others tended to Wood. Fred whispered soothingly in Hermione's ear and rubbed his hands over the small of her back as she cried.

"It'll be okay," he assured her. "Wood's been injured loads of times and each time he's bounced back even nuttier than before." He cracked a crooked grin. "It happens almost every year. It's tradition."


Hermione leaned on Fred heavily as he lead her, behind the rest of the team, to the infirmary to see what was wrong with Wood. She didn't understand it. Why did she cry? It was natural to be scared for Wood, but when he'd begun to fall. She'd felt something in the pit of her stomach that had nothing to do with him just being a coconspirator. Did she have feelings for Wood? The thought made her shiver.

"I told you," Fred said to the shaking Hermione. "He'll be fine." Hermione nodded silently as she regained control of her body and stopped shaking.

"Oh, hello," said Madame Pomfrey when they knocked on the infirmary door. "I suppose you're here to see Mr. Wood. He was brought in a while ago. I've already had a look at him." She stopped speaking and bit her lip. "I'm afraid that I've some bad news for you, though."

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"Well, Mr. Potter," Madame Pomfrey began. No one questioned her about remembering Harry's name as he was in the infirmary more than she was. "It seems the blow to Mr. Wood's head is more serious than we thought. I'm afraid he's got amnesia."

AN: I know, I know. It's a low down, dirty, soap opera trick. But hey, it'll tie into the story really, really well. I am thankful for everyone who's reviewed and I enjoy the ones that really tell me what they like about the story. I hope you keep reading. Thanks!