Not Your Average Quidditch Player
Year 1
Chapter 2
Sitting on the train to Hogwarts, Oliver went through his notes. As the new captain, he needed to get them together fast so they had a chance at the cup. It would be hard without Charlie- he was the greatest Seeker Gryffindor had in over fifteen years- but he needed one. He also needed two Chasers, but he had a rough idea, according to the tryouts last year. No one had measured up to Charlie. The door opened and a guy came in. Oliver shuffled his papers together and looked up in astonishment.
"Hey Oli, haven't seen you in a while." Nate said. It was true, he hadn't talked to any of the three of them since the Cup, except for a one note from Relona asking if he had become captain.
"Yeah, well, its been an interesting summer."
"Yes, it has. Very interesting. And enjoyable. I can't wait for Quidditch to start- though neither Mel nor I made captain- Roger Davies is."
"I'm surprised, you guys are really good."
"Thanks, but he's been on the team for two years, I joined last year. Mel has been on for two years, but she didn't want to be captain. Said she had other things to do," Nate replied.
"What else does she do? Some club she's In charge of?" Oliver asked.
"No...it's...something she never really talks about." Nate muttered, wishing he hadn't said anything.
"Ah. Well, we all have more to do this year. OWLs are coming up."
"Oh yeah. I was hoping to forget that. Ugh." Nate groaned.
"I bet you'll get more OWL's than me. According to McGonagall, I'm one of the worst in the year. Of course, that's excluding Slytherin. Too bad Percy has to top it." Oliver moaned. Percy, another Weasley, was always reading and perfecting his homework. He never received bad grades, even in Potions.
"Yeah, Percy's bound to be a Prefect, and most likely Head Boy in two years too." Oliver just rolled his eyes. Percy was his least favorite Weasley. He preferred Charlie best, though the twins were decent, and Bill, the oldest, was okay, for a Head Boy.
For the rest of the ride, the two boys talked about Quidditch- the summer, Hogwart's teams, and the upcoming World Cup, which, as Nate pointed out, was only two years away.
---
It was weird, Oliver thought. Everyone always told him that Quidditch could only get him so far, he needed other things, like friends and grades. Well, because of Quidditch, he had made three friends. So much for being a loner.
He was sitting at the Gryfffindor table during the Sorting, though he wasn't much interested in it. He looked up and cheered as "Brown, Lavender" was Sorted, as many other rolled by, but he wasn't paying attention. He was too busy watching something far more interesting a table away.
"Hey Wood, guess what?"
"Huh?"
"Our brother, Ronnie, is being Sorted this year! But his new friend- do you know who else is being Sorted?" Fred asked.
"No, who?" said Oliver warily.
"I'll give you a hint. He's alive and has a scar," smirked George.
"That sure narrows it down," muttered Oliver, rolling his eyes.
"He defeated someone a decade ago." Fred said, for once seriously.
"Umm," Oliver mumbled. Than he bolted upright. "Do you mean- Har-"
"Potter, Harry!" McGonagall called. Everyone gasped and started whispering.
"Yup. We met him. He's a good lad, though why he chose Ickle Ronniekins we don't know" George laughed, softly.
"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the Sorting Hat. The entire table widened their eyes, than jumped up ad cheered. Beside him, the twins were screaming "We got Potter," while Oliver grinned at something other than a dark-haired head for once. His head was streaming by, full of ideas. Potter was bound to have some talent in a couple of years...
The bewildered boy sat down a couple seats away, shaking Percy's hand and laughing with the twins.
Oliver almost forgot what his mind had been full of only moments ago until he looked at Potter's black hair and whirled his head to see what Relona's reaction would be. She was looking at him and smiling, but she was mouthing something along the lines of "You lucky devil." Oliver was estatic. He opened his mind to the outside just to hear "Weasley, Ronald" become a Gryffindor as well, sitting next to the Potter boy and being congratulated by his three brothers. But Oliver barely heard anything, he was in such a dream.
He was right, Percy had become perfect, gloating all night long and even as they went down for breakfast. Oliver didn't care, he just wanted to eat at the tables once again. He was eating his toast when the mail came, he had gotten a note from McGonagall reminding him of Quidditch tryouts the following evening. He told the twins and Angelina they had to come, and reminded them to bring all who wanted to tryout, for their year seemed full of potential players, from what he saw last year. But he didn't seem to be heard, for at that moment the Potter boy and the youngest Weasley had come down to eat, and everyone seemed to pay attention to him. He picked up his goblet of juice when suddenly Relona came over, eyes wet, trying not to cry.
"Oliver please, come with me. I need to talk to someone."
He set down his juice, grabbed his class assignments and bag and followed her out into the hall.
"I don't know if you heard, but- Nate and Mel, they're...they're..."
She blinked back tears as Oliver asked, "They're what? Did something happen to them? Are they hurt?"
"No," she sobbed. "They're alright. They're too happy. They're dating each other."
"Oh," whispered Oliver. He didn't know what to say, it was pretty unexpected.
"My two best friends, with each other! Without telling me! How could they?" she sobbed.
"Don't worry, it's okay...it's okay...you've still got me. Maybe they wanted to try and keep your friendship normal." Oliver replied, thinking she still looked beautiful even with tears streaming out.
"You're...You're right. I'm sorry, it's just..." she trailed off, probably trying to keep more tears from falling. It was unusual to see this, she was always cheerful and happy, completely opposite of Mel.
"It's okay, I'm here. We're all still friends, right?"
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks so much." With that, she did something unexpected. She leaned closer and hugged him, as if she wanted to make sure he didn't deceive her either. "I'm so glad you're my friend. I don't know what I'd do without you." And she left, leaving Oliver left with the feel of her still left while the bell rang, leaving him off to History of Magic.
---
Sitting next to Percy, it was hard to see who knew more about the class- Percy or Professor Binns. Percy had pages of notes but seemed to only write the essential details down, while Oliver tried his hardest just to get a date or two in there. He usually scrapped by in this class, occasionally asking some of the older team members if he could have their notes. Charlie was a good sport, much like his younger brothers except smarter, he had been a prefect. Oliver let out a silent groan when he remembered there were no more older teammates to borrow the notes from. And in his OWL year, too. This might be a disaster. He decided to be kind to Percy and the rest of his year mates this year, if he was going to study something other than the book.
Still wondering about his three new friends and their relationships toward one another, he started to sink his head lower and lower onto the table. Percy's hisses were the only thing keeping him awake.
---
Relona, Mellanny, and Nate all sat in Potions with the Hufflepuffs, the latter two laughing at Professor Snape as he yelled at his latest victim. Relona didn't feel so much like laughing. She was still disheveled at the site of her two best friends sitting with their hands interlocked. She wondered how Oliver could say it was alright when it stung so much. Maybe he, like she, didn't think they would be so public about it, Mel was not one to show much emotion outside of her friends, while Nate usually let the girls who fancied him down gently. Relona decided it was time to give up on Nate, no matter what, she was their friend first. Even if it hurt, she would find someone else to take her affection on secretly, no one would ever know. She looked across the room to a tall, muscular figure who was one of the smartest in the class. Hmm...
Oliver sat at the Gryffindor table, eating quickly so he could go to the library and check for anything on a Quidditch move he saw a Wales team do this summer that he wanted to try. He was trying hard to think about anything but what was happening at the Ravenclaw table. As he sped towards the hallway, he heard his name called, and moaned as he turned around. Mel walked up to him.
"Relona told you, right?" she whispered.
"Yeah...she did. She was a bit, er, shocked by it." Oliver muttered, wishing he could get away before he heard what came next.
"Yes, she seemed a bit...distracted during classes today. Can you do me a favor? Can you talk to her for me? She's a bit upset with me right now, and I think I know why." She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, it's just, I didn't want to hurt her, and now I've done worse. She trusted me to deeply, and now...She listens to you. More than you know, most likely. Can you just talk to her for me? I will be forever in your debt."
She looked down, as if waiting for him to yell.
"I could try. I'm not one to say comforting words."
"All I ask is that you try." She started to walk away, then stopped.
"Oh, and congratulations on being made captain, you're a really good Keeper. I would say more, but I might contaminate you, make you unorganized, eh?" she laughed softly. Oliver stood for a second, perplexed, and went on to the library, his head filled even more, which he had thought impossible.
---
"Okay, everyone but Spinnet, Quirk, Brew, Bell, and Ritz, you may leave. Angelina, you stay too," Oliver yelled, as a couple groans escaped when the rest of the Gryffindors who tried out left. "You five, you've made it to the final cuts. We need agility and speed, which you all have, but we also need teamwork. I'll be at these goals," he pointed to the nearer rings, "and Johnson here will be flying with you. I want you to pass three times and than shoot. One at a time, okay?" There was a murmur of agreements as he flew up.
He couldn't believe there was no decent Seeker. He wasn't expecting another Charlie, but it could have helped if one of them could have caught the practice balls he had tossed up. Ritz had been okay for both positions, but he was better with the Quaffle, and just didn't have the speed needed to compete. He was only glad he didn't have to work with Beaters this year, but he was pretty disappointed nonetheless.
"Okay, begin!" he rang, and Quirk flew in. Angelina tossed him the Quaffle, an easy toss to begin with, and he dived for it, caught surprised. He tossed it back about ten feet in front of her, and she had to race to retrieve it, throwing it aimly back. But it was never caught. Oliver rolled his eyes- Quirk was a year above him and reminded Oliver of it whenever possible. Next came Spinnet, who flew up and caught the Quaffle with grace. She threw it back perfectly and caught it again. She shot at Oliver, who missed, but he had been watching so he hadn't tried as hard. Oliver smiled, Alicia was a reserve last year, he figured she would do well. He decided she was a given. Brew tried, missing the Quaffle on the first throw. Ritz went next, catching the Quaffle barely but throwing it with ease. When he threw, he threw hard and with good aim. Ritz would be get on the team, if it wasn't for his hatred of the Weasley twins, who he said were scum for always playing pranks. Finally Bell tried. She was pretty at throwing it, but her catches were spectacular. Angelina had made a rare faulty throw yet Bell- he was pretty sure her first name was Katie- had gotten it before it fell even three feet. Her shooting wasn't that bad either, as good as Ritz's, basically. He had decided.
"Thanks everyone. If you know anyone who missed today, please tell them to let me know." He really needed a Seeker, and from what Nate had told him, Ravenclaw would have a really good one this year.
---
Oliver was sitting in Charms a few days later, thinking many things. One, this class was even harder than last year, considering this was his best class; two, Relona still was upset and he hadn't talked to her; and three, he needed to find a Seeker fast, before the first practice of the season. He had already booked the field, so that no one could laugh at whoever his Seeker would be, because, as he was forced to admit to himself, they were all pathetic. Suddenly, he heard an unfamiliar voice in this class.
"Excuse me, Professor Flitwick, could I borrow Wood for a moment?" Flitwick nodded and motioned Oliver to get up. He did, confused, wondering what he had done. He had already posted the Chasers results with Bell and Spinnet and told her the Seeker situation, surely she wasn't mad at him, was she?
---
Oliver went to dinner that night, still wide-eyed. He couldn't believe he had gotten The Boy Who Lived as a Seeker for HIS team. Of course, he had told the rest of the team right away, but it was still unbelievable. He had almost forgotten all his other problems until he saw Relona get up. He groaned and got up to talk to her.
"Hey, Rel, can I have a word?"
"What? Oh hi Oli. How's it going?"
"I, er, wanted to talk to you about-"
"Yeah, I know. I'm okay with it now, Oli. Don't worry. You can tell them I'm fine.'
"That may be suffice to THEM, but I still wanted to talk to you. Why have you been ignoring me lately? What did I do wrong?" They continued down the hall, away from the Hall and unheard.
"Oli, you're about the only one who HASN'T done anything wrong. I just- oh I'm so sorry!" and saying that, she turned and gave him another hug. Then she kissed him on the cheek, smiling through misty eyes. "If only I could say- but no. You don't deserve that. Thanks for being here. You always listen, and never give me any deep strange stare. Why? Why do you listen to me? You take it all in, and give it all back." She was still clutching him, and he didn't know what to do. It felt good.
"Because....because it's what friends do. And you're my friend, Rel. One of the greatest." He didn't want to tell her, just when she finally seemed happy again. He liked to see her smile, it made him want to grin himself.
"Oli, let's go back to the Hall. Dessert is apple turnover tonight." Relona said. Oliver agreed, and they went back, his arm hugging her shoulders for her comfort.
---
After watching them go and come back, relief finally came. They were on good terms. The only irking thing was that he had his arm on her, as if...but then again it was all just the same, the way things turned out. Might as well give up, there was no way to win now...except their watcher NEVER gives up. On anything. Ever.
Oliver sat on his bed, stunned. He had an excellent, not to mention famous, Seeker. He was passing all his courses so far. And most importantly, HE had made Relona happy again. He didn't even mind Percy yelling at him for losing a point today in Potions, it was worth it.
---
Relona sat on her bed, staring into space. She had told herself she could get over Nate, and she did. But now she thought maybe her new choice was the wrong one. She could still feel the warmth the Oliver on her chest, and surprisingly enough, she liked it.
"Rel." It was Mel who called her back, quietly. "She asked you a question."
"Hmmm?"
"I was just saying, don't you think that Hufflepuff fourth year, Cedric, is kind of cute?" their roommate, Sandra, asked.
"Um, sure, I guess." The thing was she had forgotten about him, though she remembered her surprise when she saw how much he had changed this year.
"Well, I personally think he's dating material. Don't you agree?" she asked, glaring her question.
"Sure. Go for it," she replied, her mind wandering back. For the first time since the quidditch cup, she was content.
Oliver was eating breakfast when the mail arrived, and with it, a letter to him. He opened it, and read:
Mr. Oliver Wood,
You are to meet your new Seeker tonight at seven o'clock on the field to train him. Madam Hooch will give you the balls when you get there, there's no need to get your key. Potter has gotten a Nimbus Two Thousand and will be expecting you there. DO NOT TELL ANYONE.
It was signed by McGonagall. He read it over, folded it up and put it in his bag, looking across the table as Potter was reading a note as well, most likely explaining tonight and the broom. He watched as Potter and the youngest Weasley got up quickly afterwords and scurried out of the Hall. This would be interesting.
---
"Caput Draconis," Oliver said and followed Harry into the common room, and he headed up to his dormitory. At eight o'clock Oliver finally unveiled to his fellow male year mates that Gryffindor had an excellent chance of winning the cup, and started his homework, to the puzzlement of those surrounding him. He worked on Vanishing Spells a bit, wishing that Percy wasn't leering over at him- for Percy had managed to do it on his forth try. Oliver almost wished he was in Ravenclaw, he'd at least have a friend there. Instead he remembered what pride he used to have for his team, and started to write a letter.
Moments later he went to the Owlery to send it, though he knew it would arrive at the same time if he just waited until breakfast.
Relona was surprised to see the owl staring at her- usually Nate got the Daily Prophet for them to read. She took the note and noticed it was scrawled to all three of them. She motioned them over and read Oliver's note:
Rel, Mel, Nate-
After the Halloween feast, the field is open. Want to play?
They looked over, but Oliver had already left the Gryffindor table. "Sure?" Nate asked them. Mel nodded her custom slow and grave nod, her eyes gleaming.
"I'll send the note now." Relona said. She wrote a hasty reply, thought a second, and added another couple sentences before giving the note back to the bird. The owl hooted and Relona bit her lip, thinking.
---
Oliver had skipped dinner the evening before, on account of being tired from writing new plays and his endless homework. He dove into his food, but stopped to catch the note from the same bird he had used not even 36 hours before.
Oli-
Sounds great. We'll meet you there at seven. By the way, have you noticed the next Hogsmeade weekend is ten days later? If you have, do you want to come with us? Unless you plan to let your team take over your WHOLE life. See you later.
He laughed at Relona's note, folded it up and nodded clearly across the table to them. Fred Weasley saw him nod and looked at the note.
"Oli, huh? Who's that? Is she your secret spy on the Ravenclaw team? Some captain you are!" he whispered.
"No, Fred, just a friend. She's not on the team. Like Lee only not a male or a troublemaker." Oliver replied.
"Hey! I heard that!" Lee howled. The three team members just laughed. Oliver wished Halloween would just hurry up and arrive.
Oliver went down to dinner, excited. The smell of pumpkins from the kitchens was everywhere. As he entered the Great Hall, dodging first- and second-years, he noticed the bats seemingly lower than usual in the ceiling. He sat down and was just grabbing up his first entrée when Quirrel, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, sprinted in. He murmured something about a troll and fainted. Beside him, Percy jumped up. "Follow me!" he said, showing the first years up the stairs. Oliver's heart sank. He looked over at Relona, who shrugged. So much for a Quidditch match, he thought. Looks like it will be a long night in the dormitories. He marched up to the common room, muttered "Pig snout" and began eating the food.
---
Relona, Mellanny, and Nate all went to the Ravenclaw common room, watching Davies gulp down food. They played Exploding Snap a bit, than Mel said it was time. She got up and took her broom, and started walking out the door when Penelope Clearwater, a Prefect in their year, ran in.
"Harry Potter and two other first years stopped the troll!" she said, falling into a chair by the fire. Mel and Relona shrugged, and both went out the portrait hole, heading outside and not being seen.
Oliver paced the common room, waiting. He still hadn't seen Harry, and wasn't about to let his novice Seeker to breakfast before a pep talk. It was cold, and he was hungry. He finally saw him come down with Ron, his friend.
"Harry, just remember, fly high and out of the way. Watch out for Bludgers and Slytherin Captains," Oliver shook his head; Marcus Flint had vowed to knock him off his broom. "Keep out of the way until you catch sight of the Snitch. We don't want you attacked before you have to be." His infamous words carried Harry down to breakfast, and Oliver shook himself. He grabbed a piece of toast and a goblet of juice, forced it down in one blow, and headed back to the dormitory without talking to anyone else. Eleven O'clock was only a few hours away.
---
Oliver went inside the locker room, putting on his Quidditch robes and preparing his speech; nothing really to do, as their captain had been knocked unconscious during the game last year he gave them a pep talk, so there was nothing new. "Okay men," he said. Angelina corrected him. "And women. This is it." Yet again he was interrupted, this time by the Weasleys. "Shut up you two. This is the best team Gryffindor's had in years. We're going to win. I know it," he said glaring at them all. It was true, his team had shown a lot of progress and were doing better than he'd seen since he began on the team years ago. He went to the door, waited to be called, and led his team out to the stadium, suddenly feeling that Harry couldn't catch the Snitch if it was in his, Oliver's, stomach instead.
---
The three Ravenclaw friends sat in the stands, wearing red and blue, except Mel who had worn both scarves around her neck and another black one, streaked with two other colors, over her hands. They had decided to cheer for Gryffindor, hoping Oliver was doing well with his new Seeker, very few people had seen Harry play. They watched in the stand as Flint, who played unfairly, shoved Gryffindors around and scoring on Oliver a couple of times. Oliver had amazing saves, but it was hard for him to concentrate with his Seeker not controlling his broom. Everyone stopped to watch as Harry tried desperately to stay on his rearing broom, while Marcus took his shot and got two more scores on him. Suddenly, it stopped, and Harry speeded downward. He coughed up the Snitch, and Relona watched Oliver's face. It was a look of sheer joy- he had won. Relona went down to talk to him, Mel and Nate following. Mel watched everything with her eyes, the icy exterior look warming as she watched her victorious friend and Relona hug, laughing.
The Hogsmeade weekend had lifted everyone's spirits; Oliver himself couldn't say he was not looking forward to it. For the twins, it was their first trip, and they were plotting just how many pranks they could get from Zonko's, the joke shop. Oliver left them laughing, Percy had already told them off twice and they were still scheming. He met Relona, Mel, and Nate at the school entrance and followed them down, talking. The topic of the day was Quidditch, as usual.
"I still think Slytherin doesn't have a chance. Sure, they have Higgs, but Flint can't control anyone on his team." Oliver stated.
"They've won the since we began at Hogwarts, it's not going to change. Half their team is in their sixth and seventh years. They've got experience on their side." Nate protested. Mel stepped in.
"Slytherin may have experience, yes, and they have an advantage. But they lost to Gryffindor. Remember, if Oliver's team beats Hufflepuff, they win the lead," she smiled. "Although, you may lose it to us, Oliver."
"Is that a threat?" Oliver asked her quizzically.
"Why, I think it is. Care to take a wager?" Mel replied back in her soft, powerful voice.
"Fine. A Galleon to the winner of the Ravenclaw-Gryffindor match," he said.
"Done." Relona looked on, saying nothing. Mel and Oliver shook on it, and headed into Zonko's. They found the twins already ogling the Fillibuster's Fireworks, Oliver bought a couple for Christmas presents.
They then headed to the Three Broomsticks, ordering butterbeer and sipping quietly, listening to the conversations around them. Nate slipped Mel's hand in his, to Oliver's amusement. Relona still hadn't gotten his hints, but he wasn't about to full out ask her. Suddenly Nate whispered something into Mel's ear, and they excused themselves, leaving Relona and Oliver alone.
"I wonder what they're doing now," Oliver said, a bit sardonically.
"Most likely off to whisper sweet nothings in each others' ears," Relona replied. Oliver waited in silence.
"I saw you guys at the Quidditch match. I loved the color scheme." Oliver said testily.
"Ah, yes, we were wondering if you would notice. 'Twas my idea, actually," Relona replied.
"Really? I wasn't sure if you were doing it to support me or distract me with it," he laughed.
"Hey, you had enough distraction with your rodeo rider on his broomstick, or were you actually letting Flint get six past you?" she taunted.
"I can't help it if he cheats. I was only looking out for my new Seeker, making sure he didn't kill himself."
"Do you always look out for everyone?"
"Only when they're important."
"Including friends?" she asked.
"Especially friends. You guys mean a lot to me." Relona smiled. She gave him another of her infamous hugs.
"Thanks," she muttered, and kissed his cheek. Oliver sat again in wonder and contentment.
---
Nate and Mel came back, saying neither what they did nor what they saw. They moved on to the sweet shop, buying presents for their friends and family. Oliver got them each a present while the others were looking at the new vampire breath fresheners "We could just breathe on Marcus and watch him wither" Nate had said. Oliver smiled. He didn't know how he went on his last couple of years without them- Nate was funny and looked on the bright side, Mel was- well, Mel was Mel, different from anyone he'd ever met and she kept it that way, her wise eyes nodding in her youth and excitement. And there was Relona, who also had a shining face with him and kept everyone optimistic, except for his forlorn heart. He told them so.
"Geez, what are you trying to do, embarrass us?" Nate laughed. Mel had a more serious answer.
"Well, WE noticed you, hanging with all your fellow Quidditch team members and laughing with those older than you. I remember wondering if you were going to accept whatever 6th-or 7th- year tried out, just so you could keep your reputation." And astonishing enough, she chuckled.
"Yeah, you were always 'that Gryffindor Quidditch fanatic in our grade'" said Relona, not so seriously.
"Hey! I don't obsess about Quidditch ALL the time!" Oliver replied back in defense.
"Well, we know that NOW, just not THEN," Nate said. Oliver punched his shoulder and he faked pain. He punched Oliver back, but missed him. They both laughed.
"Men," grunted Mel, rolling her eyes.
"I just don't get them," Relona stated knowledgably.
It was the last day before Christmas vacation, and Oliver, along with the rest of the fifth years, were anxious to leave. Unfortunately, it seemed, their teachers weren't. All the Professors gave them an exceeding amount of homework, claiming that the OWLs were too close to slack off now. So Oliver was left with piles of homework, which he discarded on the way back home, instead chatting with his friends or teammates, mostly about Quidditch. Nate had even suggested he read a new book, so he would have a new broad idea to think about, which made Oliver startled. He hadn't thought of himself as that much of a fanatic, and he defiantly thought his friends were as interested in it as he. He rounded back on them.
"Well, than make a new topic of discussion," Oliver said, irritated. The other three exchanged looks. It seemed as if they were trying to decide if they should tell him a big secret. Finally Mel signed, and responded in her usual quiet voice.
"Tell us about YOU."
Oliver was startled and for the second time in under two minutes. "Why would you want to know anything about me? You just said you don't want to hear about Quidditch, well, that's all there is to know about me." Oliver knew they would not be satisfied with this, but watched their reaction anyway. Nate shook his head. Relona put her head down, not wanting him to see her reaction. And Mel just raised an eyebrow, which Oliver thought must be one of her favorite things to do.
"What we mean is, what else is about you. Your family. Your other life. Your past," Nate said expressively.
"Ah. Well, you see, er..." For once, Oliver could not speak. He knew they were his friends, but he still wasn't sure he could talk. He saw Nate's glance, surprise written all over. He looked into Relona's pleading eyes, hope flying through. He didn't want to disappoint her. And he stared at Mel's eyes, not seeing anything but depth and, to his amazement, a bit of understanding. He wondered of her story. He decided to tell them, not sure of the consequences.
"Well, see, my dad's a Muggle, my mom..."
---
Oliver was just finishing his story when a voice startled them out of their silence with an "We will be arriving in five minutes time." Everyone was wide-eyed and looking away from him, shocked. Relona and Nate were looking at each other, until Relona looked away. Mel was watching something in the window, as if thinking. Finally Relona got up and sat next to him. She looked almost calm, but her eyes, usually bright and bubbly, were surprised and afraid. Her friends, sitting across from them, were mixed of looks, one's cleared eyes wide and in a shocking pain, the other's still deep, but in a different shock- as if remembering. But what Oliver said completely undermined almost everyone present's ideas of what went on in his life."
"Oli, I...I don't know what to say." She cried, and hugged him again. He hugged back, a bit uncertain. Mel and Nate looked at each other, nodding.
"Oliver...if there's anything we can do..." Nate muttered, gesturing welcomeness. Mel nodded her agreement. Suddenly, they were there. They each got their bags, and said goodbye.
"Oli, if you want you could come by on the 27th, we're gonna fly... you could stay a bit if you want," Nate said, trying not to sound hopeful.
"I'll ask me mom." Oliver responded. He was actually feeling a bit lighter, everything was off his chest. Who knows what the new year would bring.