DISCLAIMER: yes, this is a disclaimer.
REAL DISCLAIMER: I don't CLAIM to own any of the HARRY POTTER characters in DIS story. (Get it? DIS? CLAIMER? Disclaimer? HAHAHAHAHAHA! Okay, I'll shut up now) Oh! But I own JASMINE and OAK.
Chapter 7 – Out in the open, open, open
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
It had been two months since Luella and Geoffrey had happily announced them being a couple. Everyone was rather happy for them, surprisingly including Oliver and Hermione. It was nice; yes it was, to see their parents happy again.
The Woods and the Grangers would often spend time with each other. They would go to movies together, eat out and the like.
Hermione and Oliver still weren't comfortable around each other ever since Hermione's little episode back at the picnic, though they tried to be. It was nice, the way Oliver would try to talk to Hermione, but he found it rather frustrating because the girl would either avoid him or completely ignore him.
I'd really like to end all this nonsense, He'd often think. And he would consider, also, bringing up the subject about the picnic to Hermione. He knew she'd avoid it, but he was desperate to get back to her good side. Oliver did so desperately want to find out, too, about what he "did" to her and what she thought of him for her to have said "You and your hotness!"
Secretly, he was ecstatic that she thought of him as hot.
Hermione, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of Oliver when it came to her confruzzled feelings. She loved to debate with herself whether she was truly attracted to him, or liked him just because she was getting used to seeing his face. Bottom line, she knew she liked him because she was truly attracted to him, and she hated herself for that. Why, we do not know.
Wood residence
Oliver was putting Oak's shirt on for him since the boy refused to do it himself (Merlin knows why).
"Hey Oliver?" Oak asked, once Oliver had Oak's head in the collar. "We've been spending a lot o' time with the Gingers, haven't we, Oliver?"
"Indeed we have, little man. Hurry up and put your socks on. Mother's waiting downstairs. They could arrive any minute." But Oak insisted for his older brother to put them on for him.
"So I can talk to you better," Oak said when Oliver asked him why he was being such a lazy little pig. "We're going to see them again, aren't we, Oliver?"
"Yeah."
"Are you excited?" Oak asked, an impish grin on his angelic face. Oliver looked up at his little brother. "Why would I be?"
Now, Oliver knew Oak thought he liked Hermione . . .which was true. Unlike Hermione, Oliver had accepted the fact that he did like her. Very much, might I add. But Oliver wasn't going to let anyone know this. Well, not until he and Hermione had settled whatever it was they needed to settle. And Oliver intended to settle it today.
"Oliver! Oak! They are here! Come down, quickly!" Luella called from downstairs. Oliver looked at Oak, and Oak looked at Oliver. "You ready?" Oak asked. Oliver grinned. "Please."
The boys raced down the stairs. "I WIN!" Oliver cried out as Oak pouted. "You always win. Aren't you bored of it?" Oliver laughed. "No way."
"Ahem."
The two boys turned to look at their mother who had her hands on her hips. "Say hello to Geoffrey and Hermione, boys." Oliver instantly felt self-conscious. There was Hermione, standing beside her father, with an amused look on her face. Oliver cleared his throat. "Hi Geoffrey." He said, shaking the man's hand. He swallowed and turned to Hermione. She looked down.
"Hi."
"Hello."
"HI MYNIMEE!" Oak shrieked. He pushed Oliver aside and wrapped his little arms around the girl. She hugged him back. "Why hello, Oak."
If only I were oak right now. . .Oliver thought. The he laughed silently. Wouldn't want that.
"Let's go, shall we?" Geoffrey said. He took Luella's hand and they led the kids to the car. "We're going to go to a muggle zoo. Won't that be fun, kids?"
Geoffrey was oblivious of the less-than-excited replies he was receiving.
"Absolutely." Oliver said in a flat tone.
"Hmm. A blast." This was accompanied by an eye roll from Hermione. But Oak on the other hand . . . "FINALLY! SOME ACTION! I thought we were going to do boring stuff like eat again!" he tugged on Luella's skirt. "Ma, are we going to see a helepuff there? And a crocowile? Are we? Huh? Huh?"
Oliver and Hermione smiled with fondness at Oak. "It's elephant, Oak. And it's not crocowile, it's crocodile." Hermione corrected. Oak put his hands up in the air. "Whatever! I just want to see 'em!"
Absent-mindedly, Hermione tapped Oliver's arm. "Is there no limit to his energy?" Oliver, surprised that she was acknowledging him, hesitated. Does she know it's me she's talking to? What if—what the heck! She just asked you a question! When someone asks a question, answer it, for Merlin's sake!
"Don't think so. He goes on and on." At his reply, Hermione looked up at him. After a few seconds, her eyes widened and she let out a little gasp. "Oh. Y-yeah." Then Hermione quickened her pace and walked ahead. Oliver figured her mind registered that it was he who she was talking to just now. He frowned and shoved his hands into his pockets.
As they got into the car, Oliver noted that Hermione made Oak sit in the middle. Yep, she's still avoiding me. But that's all going to end today. He thought. His lips formed a satisfied smile as he crossed his arms over his chest. Little did he know that Hermione was watching him from the corner of her eye.
Hermione's POV
Why is he smiling like that! It's like he's planning some evil. . .what am I saying? But gawd, he looks so—stop it! Stop it, stop it, stop it!
Normal POV
Hermione snorted, folded her arms over her chest and looked out the window. I am not taken by Oliver Wood. Sure, the lad is handsome and warm and friendly and genuinely nice but those aspects don't matter at all. Besides, I like guys who have cute butts and I doubt very much that Oliver has a cute butt. Therefore, I am not taken by Oliver Wood. As Hermione concluded this thought, Geoffrey parked the car. "We've arrived. Everyone out."
"Where do we go first, dear?" Luella asked as Geoffrey locked the car. Oliver gagged inwardly. Since they had become a couple, Luella had been calling Geoffrey all kinds of pet names. Hunsy, Sweetums, Luvikkins and Sugarlips were some of which Oliver didn't like very much. But it seemed that Geoffrey enjoyed the names Luella had given him. Horrible.
"HELEPUFF! HELEPUFF!" Oak chanted. Hermione giggled. "Seems like Oak knows where he wants to go," Oliver said. Geoffrey laughed. "Right you are. Okay, Oak. Lead the way." Oak gave Geoffrey a salute. "I shall do my best, sir." Oliver grinned and shook his head. How did Oak manage to appear so cute and innocent?
At first, Hermione, Oliver, Luella, Geoffrey and Oak walked as a group. But gradually, Luella and Geoffrey drifted farther behind the group and Oak would run ahead. So that left . . .
"So this is a muggle zoo." Oliver mused aloud. Hermione grunted something and kept her gaze steady ahead. "I've never been to a muggle zoo, believe it or not." Hermione found this little tidbit interesting. She just couldn't help but comment. "Really? Why not?" the corners of Oliver's lips tugged upward but he was careful not to let Hermione see. She might withdraw herself again.
"I rarely come to muggle London. The only zoo I've ever known of—before this—is the magical zoo." Then he looked down at Hermione. "I trust you've been there?"
For the first time in two months, Hermione met his look. "I have never in my life. I guess you aren't alone."
"Interesting." Oliver said, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Remind me to take you there one day." To his surprise, Hermione smiled. "Remind you, I shall." He smiled back. And it was a rare moment and sight indeed, to see Hermione Granger and Oliver Wood smiling at each other for more that one nanosecond. It was too bad, though, that Hermione had to shatter this rare and beautiful moment by looking away.
Why are you smiling at him! He is a distraction, remember! Don't let yourself be distracted lest you might fall in lov—no! Quit it! Hermione scolded herself. She slapped her forehead. Oliver noticed. "Are you o—"
"Save it." Hermione said icily. She increased her speed and walked ahead. This is not going to happen again. Oliver thought. He ran up to her and grabbed her wrist. She whirled around and glared at him. "What are you doing?" she hissed. Oliver didn't let go.
"Hermione," he started, his tone low and firm. She struggled to pull away. "Let go, you're causing a scene!" Oliver looked around. "No one's watching. Come on," he started to pull her toward a secluded area between a hotdog stand and a bathroom. "What are you doing? Will you stop—Oliver!" Once they were hidden and out of sight, Oliver let go. Hermione scowled and rubbed her wrist.
"What the heck was that about?" she demanded. Oliver hushed her. "I will most certainly not keep quiet! I demand to know what caused you to. . .to drag me into this—"
"This cannot keep happening, Hermione." Oliver said. "I agree! From now on, you will stay at least a mile from me and furthermore—"
"No, I meant that we can't keep doing this." That stilled Hermione's tongue for a second. Her eyes narrowed into slits. "What are you talking about?"
Oliver sighed heavily. "Okay. First things first. Do not walk away from me now. I have something of importance to discuss with you." Hermione put her hands on her hips. "Spit it out, Wood. You're wasting my life." Oliver ignored the insult.
"I want to talk to you about what happened at the picnic—"
"Oh my—! I don't need to hear this crap." Hermione began to leave but Oliver grabbed her arm and held on to her. Tight. "No! You stay right here." Oliver dramatically pointed to the ground. "We're going to straighten things out whether you like it or not. Do you understand?" Oliver eyed Hermione expectantly. She narrowed her eyes at him but stayed anyway. Knowing that he had her full attention, Oliver began.
"I've been thinking a lot, Hermione, and no matter how hard I try I can't figure out what made you so angry with me. I'm going insane just talking about it but I have to know."
Hermione opened her mouth but Oliver held up a hand. "I am not finished. Now what I'm going to do here is recall the events that happened at the picnic that might have led to this . . .this . . .predicament. Don't speak until I'm done, please. We need to cooperate." Oliver hated the fact that he sounded like a father talking to an unbelievably stupid child, but it had to be done. Hermione's stare remained arctic. Oliver took this as a sign to go on.
"Okay. So we arrived at the park and had lunch. After eating, Oak invited us to play Frisbee with him and we did. You won—" Oliver paused and frowned as if it were unpleasant to say it. "—Then we sat down and talked. Am I doing alright so far?" Hermione raised a brow. "Do I have permission to speak, master?" she asked, her voice as sharp as a Swiss army knife sharpened to the fullest. Her tone sliced through Oliver's heart, if you will, but he ignored it and nodded. "Go ahead."
"What is the relevance—" but then Hermione closed her mouth and drew her lips to a tight line. She refused to talk to Oliver yet she wanted to see where this was going. "The relevance of this is for me to understand your outburst at the picnic and why our relationship—"
"We don't have one." Hermione cut him off. Oliver resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I'd like one." He said under his breath. And more loudly, he continued, "—has turned into this horrible mess. Now, if I may go on, I believe I was at the point of our conversation back at the picnic. So," he didn't wait for Hermione to confirm this.
"We had quite a jolly old time chatting about until you asked me this question. Do you remember it?" she nodded. "Good. And do you remember what I said? I said I'd take it easy first. Whatever happens happens. Then suddenly, you go crazy. You accuse me of being the perfect boy; you accuse me of poisoning your mind—which I honestly don't understand—with sick horrifying thoughts . . ." Oliver ticked them with his fingers and as he did so, Hermione continuously turned seven shades of red. She hated to remember.
"And then you say . . .you say that you never had this problem before and I caused it. I and my—hotness." Oliver paused, and fiercely tried to stop himself from breaking into a wild grin. Hermione was trembling with anger but I suppose that 'trembling with embarrassment' would seem to fit better.
"Care to explain?" Oliver asked. Hermione gritted her teeth. "Please?" he added. Hermione balled her fists and took what it seemed like a million deep breaths before saying anything. But Oliver was a patient gentleman. He needed not to rush her.
"You see it's like this. Well, the explanation for this is—yes, there's an explanation and it . . .it is . . ." this was exceptionally difficult for Hermione. What would she say to him? I acted insane because I am insane—for you. But Hermione bit her tongue. There was no way on earth that she was going to admit that to herself and to him. No way. No way.
"I know it's difficult on your part, and I hate to put you on the spot but—"
"IdidthatbecauseIwassuddenlythinkingofyoudifferentlyasinmorethanafriendanditbotheredmethatIlikedyouandIwasn'sureaboutitbecauseI'mnevernotsureaboutanything!" Hermione gasped for breath and clenched her jaw. Oliver's brain was working overtime. "Would you care to say it more slowly, Hermione?" His heart was skipping a million beats.
Well it's out in the open now. Might as well say it. Might as well admit it. Hermione took another deep breath, closed her eyes and said, "I did that because I was suddenly thinking of you differently, as in more than a friend.
And it bothered me that I liked you but I wasn't sure about it—my feelings towards you—because I'm never uncertain about anything so I guess I was confused and—and—" But she couldn't bear to continue any longer. She felt so humiliated, so degraded . . .
But Oliver gently took her hand. "I'm glad to know that, Hermione." Unbeknownst to her, Oliver had this huge, freakish smile plastered on his face. His heart was doing a million beats per second. He wanted to break out into a song.
"I'd like you to look at me, Hermione. Don't be ashamed. Please—I'd like for you to look at me." And she did, though very reluctantly. He smiled at her, and she was stunned. Did he—was it possible that he—?
"You see, Hermione, I feel the exact same way that you do. And I'm so relieved that you feel this way about me. I like you a great deal, you know. You're turning me into a madman." He laughed. Hermione's blood froze.
"I—I—you—I mean—"
But Oliver didn't need to hear it. Gently, he pulled her closer to him and wrapped her in an adoring embrace. She immediately reacted by burying her blood-red face in his chest, refusing to believe it, but wanting so much to.
"Oliver, I'm such a wretched person. I'm sorry to have put you in such a load of crap and—" Oliver held her tighter. "I know how you can make it up to me, though." And Hermione and Oliver stayed in a warm embrace until Oak found them and twittered on about the helepuffs who were in love.
There you go! They've finally admitted it! squeals I feel so warm and fuzzy all over! I hope this chapter makes up for my lengthy hiatus! I'll write more! If you read more and review more! Haha:)
To my reviewers: I AM SO THANKFUL THAT YOU HAVEN'T GIVEN UP ON THIS FIC!
Monica7725 – thank you SO much! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter! I promise I'll write more and get a new chapter up as soon as possible!
Silver gaze – NOOOOO! I'd never abandon any of my fics! I just had such a humongous mental block but now I'm back! Thank you very mucho!
Baby-Fire-666 – Hmm, you have a good idea there! Yeah, I think I'll do that! Thanks for the comments!
Sarah – Wow! Thanks so much! I will finish the story, you can count on it!
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If I have forgotten anyone, feel free to punch me in the face! (No, not really.) BUT I THANK ALL OF YOU SO DEEPLY! hands out candies THANK YOU!
Ps: I hope the spacing of this chapter is all right.
PPS: Next chapter is in the oven!