Eric has his problems too.
Chapter 11 Hogsmeade
Eric was working on a new technique that Olivia had advised for getting around the other players. She had borrowed it off something called a cartoon. The objective was to have the other chasers fly at each other and then swerve off course. It seemed to work alright in theory. In action it took a bit of practice.
After wards he guided his broom down towards her.
"You don't actually think this would work?" He asked.
"Yes, I do." Olivia said tucking her binoculars away. "When you see it at play against Hufflepuff next week your attitude will change."
"This was just to win against Hufflepuff?" Eric said critically.
"Their team has been steadily getting better. You saw them the last year against Slytherin. They almost had won. I'm not taking any chances this year."
They walked together back to the castle. Olivia had used her wand to remove most of the mud from Eric's uniform.
"You know that you are not my mum."
"Have you seen Filch lately? He will probably be able to curse the next person who ruins his floor." Olivia said. "I am not risking one of the better players. Carr wants me to keep an eye on you and Michael and Lott. He's taking the rest."
"What are you supposed to be babysitting us?"
"In a word, yes." Olivia said. "I am not losing this year."
"I suppose you should come with us to Hogsmeade." Eric said.
Why don't you just ask her to hit you with a good gigalus charm. Eric mentally slapped himself.
"We need to get to the great hall for dinner." Olivia said heading in.
Eric stayed behind as Olivia headed in.
"That was a straight out fall out." Michael said from behind.
"Sod off." Eric said.
"You should just ask her direct." Michael said.
"How would you know anything about that?" Eric asked.
"Because I already got my date for the Hogsmeade trip."
"Who?"
"Lott actually." Michael answered. "I asked Molly first, but she wasn't too willing on trying to sneak out of school."
Eric gave him a light shove. "Stay away from my sisters."
They both headed in and too the Gryffindor table. Eric was trying to figure out again how to tell Olivia that he did want to go out on a date with her. That he liked her in a different sort of way.
Eric was really glad that they still had their Hogsmeadr trips. He could spend some time away from school, and some of the people he did not like.
The reasons for the heightened security had still not been explained, however several rumors were available. The most current was that there had been a mass escape from Azkaban. Rather than have people in a manic, they just heightened security around certain places and kept it out of the Prophet.
There was also a three-headed dog on campus.
Eric looked down at his meatloaf. The house elves were pretty good at it, but he couldn't eat. Eric thought about writing his Uncle Harry. How did he finally get the nerve to ask Ginny? Based upon all stories it was nothing short of an act of heroism. After all she had six protective older brothers.
Shawn came up right then. He seemed to be excited. "Where's Olivia?"
"Eating with Williams from Ravenclaw." Eric answered nodding towards the Ravenclaw table.
"I hope that they're not reading the Prophet over there." Shawn said holding a rolled up copy.
"Why?" Michael asked.
"The Wimbledon United just got put under suspension until the end of an investigation."
"What?" Eric said getting the paper and reading.
Dirty deeds. The Wimbledon United is being held under suspension without
benefits until the finalization of an internal investigation. Several players were
reported as to having superior skills produced by illegal potions.
"This is utterly ridiculous," Eric said not finishing the story.
"I just hope this doesn't affect Olivia. This isn't the first time the Wimbledon has been under investigation." Michael said.
"We are just going to have to keep this from her." Shawn said. "Don't want to break her concentration while she is babysitting you two."
Eric took the paper and incinerated it with his wand.
After dinner Eric went upstairs and started writing a letter to his Uncle Harry. The problem was that he did not know what to say.
The weekend came pretty soon. Eric got ready for the Hogsmeade trip. He had his permission slip and his cloak. It was cold out.
Eric went downstairs into the common room. The twins were sitting on the floor near the fire, working on their homework. The cats were curled up next to them. Between them was Christine Lily.
"How's the homework." Eric asked.
"Potions," Christine Lily said. "I think I need some help from Aunt Hermione."
"Wait until second year Tranfigurations." Molly said. "I can not believe Proffessor Ulrich. He's our head of house, can't he show any mercy?"
"Not a chance." Eric said. "Where are the others?"
"I don't think they've gotten out of bed yet. It's the first day that we all have ever been able to sleep in. You already know how hard it is to wake Barry up."
"Boys will be boys." Elisabeth said.
Eric started to head out towards the portrait hole. Down the steps came Olivia. She was dressed in nicer clothing that went a little low in the front.
"You're not going out in that!" Eric said looking at Olivia. "I mean it is cold out."
Eric ignored the twins giggling.
"I'll be alright. I have my cloak." Olivia said heading out through the hole. "You might want to use the break today before we begin training."
Eric followed her out. "What do you want to do today? Three Broomsticks?"
"Actually I have plans. It's a ladies day I guess you can say." Olivia said.
"I see." Eric said feeling let down.
They headed out together to the coaches and down to the village. Olivia had gone into one of the clothing shops. Eric went across to the Three Broomsticks. He met Michael and Shawn there.
"I see you don't have a date." Shawn said. "Did you ask her?"
"I tried." Eric said. "She had plans already."
"That reminds, what is your Uncle doing here?"
"Which one?" Eric asked.
"Harry." Shawn said.
"Where?" Eric said looking around.
"He was here right before you came in." Shawn said. "Didn't stay long or talk. You think this could be about the heightened security."
"Shawn, has anyone ever told you that you think too much." Michael asked sarcastically.
"Always," Shawn said taking a swig of the butterbeer.
"He's probably up her to check on something." Eric said. "You all know the story. A lot happened around her."
"I bet you know more about it than we do." Shawn said. "He probably told all the good parts."
"We don't discuss it." Eric said. It was only a half lie. Shawn and Michael occasionally tried to get Eric to give more than what was written in their History of Magic books.
Eric got up and started to walk out. He looked down the way and saw a familiar figure go into the tea house.
Eric of course followed Harry in.
Harry looked like he was waiting for him.
"What are you doing here?" Eric asked.
"The Ministry needed a representative up her for a day. Just boring business. I heard that you were on a Hogsmeade Weekend."
Eric and Harry sat and talked for a while. Eric told him about school and the plans for the next Quidditch game.
After a few cups of tea Eric got to the conversation topic that was uppermost in his mind. "How did you ask Ginny out? How did you know that you cared about her?"
Harry felt himself slightly relieved. He was able to tell that Eric was worried about something, but Harry did not want to use Occlumency to figure out what it was.
"I didn't ask her until my last year. I wished I had done it sooner." Harry answered. "At first she was Ron's little sister who had a crush on me. She didn't speak much at first. Then I was really mad over something. That was the first time she spoke to me. Actually she yelled at him."
"I thought Fred said she slapped you."
"That was the next year." Harry said. "I deserved that mind you."
"But how did you know?" Eric asked.
"I just did." Harry answered. "Are you going to tell me who she is?"
"Olivia." Eric said looking down.
"Oliver Wood's daughter?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Eric said taking a sip of his tea.
"She's really pretty, and smart." Harry said approvingly.
"I like her a lot, but I don't think she likes me that way." Eric said.
"Talk with her." Harry said. He hoped Eric wouldn't make the same mistakes his father and himself had made. Or at the very least stop before it was too late.
They finished their conversation and tea.
Afterwards Harry headed back to Lucas Aunt's house. He wrote a quick letter to Ron and Hermione saying that Eric was doing fine. He didn't mention anything to Olivia. That was Eric's job to mention that.