LONG A/N: Okay, just want to re-clarify that I wrote this to format in small posts, and that is how the plot moved. I want to know- should I keep this style once I start writing new parts to it, or keep within the style? There are small parts of the climax at the end that are written, as well as some letters and such. But they were written so long ago that I could probably change them.
Awee bit o' "fluff" in this chapter, hope you don't lose your last meal.
Thank you for the review! Don't worry, there's some humor later, I hope, but mostly lewd. Right now it's pretty angsty, sorry. Now if the rest of the 60ish people who read this would tell me what they think. 'Tain't hard!
Tortallan Shadow- I won't update again until you do, so do it now!
And everyone, this starts the beginning of the main plot of the story, heh. Look at intermingling in some form or another, and before this fic is half over I want to know if someone guesses the 'mystery' that this fic bases itself on. Should be interesting, no one ever got it before.
Also, for those of you who are into this kind of stuff, there's a bit of symbolism I'm trying to introduce- bit of a foreshadowing too, if you will.
I still need a new character name, as the one I'm working with doesn't work in one of the important scenes. I'm tempted to use a name already used by an author, but a lot more disclaimers would be neccessairy.
Oh, and if someone could help me get through the crazyness that is editing posted chapters, 'twould be much appreciated.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that has been seen before. Check out the Young Adult section of your local library if you see anything you like, most of the setting, theme, main character, supporting characters, and part of the plot belong to others, mainly J.K. Rowling. (Later on you'll see a new plot focus that I didn't realize was already used until I reread the book. I'll put in a real disclaimer for it then.)
Oliver was sitting in Potions, digging out all his notes on the Draught that Snape had been talking about when he realized he had forgotten the note from that morning. He was tempted to read McGonagall's note, but he didn't want Professor Snape to take any more points off Gryffindor because of his potions being un-Acceptable. He put it up his sleeve and found his notes.
When he finally finished near the end of class, he thought he would receive an E at least. He opened up the letter, surprised that the opening salutation started with "dear Oli," instead of "Dear Mr. Wood." But suddenly Snape dismissed the class and he had to grab his bag or be late to his last class of the day.
As he rushed to his seat in History of Magic, he noticed Percy wasn't there. Usually, because Percy and he were the only ones without Gryffindor friends in their year, they were stuck together. Today, he was alone, which meant that while he didn't have anyone to copy the notes from when he wasn't looking, he also had a chance to finally read the note. He opened it up, remembering the strange beginning, and read on.
Dear Oli,
Can you please you meet me near the Charms room at dinner? It's urgent. Yes, you will have time for dinner.
Thanks,
Rel
Oliver stared at the tiny note, a bit confused. What did she have to tell him? Is it about what he overheard? He wished he knew what it was, than he could prepare for it. For the rest of the class he sat, wondering what she could mean, and forgetting everything that came out of Professor Binns' transparent mouth.
---
Oliver paced, waiting for Relona to come. He wondering if by chance it was a prank letter, sent by Flint, to make sure he didn't check up on his team. He had half a mind to rush over and make sure that Flint and his friends didn't torture his team, especially Harry, who was only a first-year and barely knew any hexes. He finally saw Relona come up, and relief came threw his body, his Seeker wouldn't get the Full-Body Bind today.
"Hey, Oli," she muttered, a bit frightened. She was shaking slightly and looked extremely nervous. He wondered if something happened to her.
"Hey, Rel. What's wrong?" he asked.
"I...Nothing's wrong. I…I have to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"It's just that…for a long time now I've realized that, well…" she trailed off. Oliver beckoned her to continue.
"I…I really…I really like you, Oliver."
Oliver was shocked. It was like she could read his mind. He was about to answer her when suddenly he saw Snape drawing near, hoping to give detention to anyone not in his House. Oliver looked horrid.
"I guess that means you don't feel the same. I'm sorry Oli." Relona ran to the Great Hall, tears streaming. Oliver was in shock, feeling as if he was in a Body-Bind. He finally woke up his muscles and ran after her descending shadow, hoping he hadn't ruined everything.
-
Relona sat down at the Ravenclaw table, tears still filling her eyes and heart still in pain. She put her head down on the table while Selena patted her back.
"It's okay, it's okay. Remember, men are idiots. If we could trust them, there would be a lot more peace in the world." Nate looked up and protested, but was silenced by Selena's look.
"It's just that," she sobbed, "he looked HORRIFIED when I told him. Am I that bad? We were pretty good friends. Maybe he has a girlfriend much prettier and smarter and nicer than me that he loves too much. Or maybe I'm just appalling."
"Or maybe he's the one that's wrong. Rel, you're a wonderful girl that any guy should feel lucky to have. Hey, if it weren't for Selena I would go out with you if you had told me that. Don't worry; he probably thought he heard something wrong." Nate said, hoping with all his might that was the case. Relona lifted her head. All those years before of being stuck on Nate, and he would have…and when she was finally over him, he tells her. She didn't know if that was better or worse.
Oliver ran down the hall, hoping to catch Relona before it was too late, but luck was not with him.
"MR. WOOD!" Snape yelled, making Oliver stop at a halt. "Just what do you think you are doing, running in the corridors when you should be at dinner?"
"Professor, I'm just going there now…"
"Then go. That's ten points from Gryffindor for running and five for not having a good excuse." He walked behind Oliver as he speed-walked to the Great Hall and on to dinner. Oliver glanced at the Ravenclaw table and saw Relona sitting with her head on the table, but he couldn't walk over there with Snape watching. He resolved to write a letter as soon as possible, still furious at Snape. It was Snape's fault there was a misunderstanding in the first place, and now he wouldn't even let Oliver work it out. Oliver slammed his glass on the table and stared loathingly at Snape. If only looks could kill.
---
Back in the Gryffindor common room, Oliver was sitting down, writing. He looked at each paper he had out, made sure it made sense, and went down to the Owlery before Filch could find him and take points for being out of bed. He crept out of the portrait hole, down the stairs and to the Great Hall. There, he saw a shadow disappear, and wondered who could be up this late. He followed it, and saw Selena sneak out the doorway closest to the gamekeeper's hut. Confused, he pondered on whether to follow her and ask, but remembered Filch was on his watch and headed to the Olwery, where no one would notice extra sound. He picked three owls for the messages and sincerely hoped all went well the next morning. Still wondering about Selena's late night adventure, he headed back to the Fat Lady, who scowled but let him in. Oliver crawled up to his room, laying awake the entire night thinking.
Selena sat down for breakfast the next morning feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. She took a biscuit and started to eat, aware of the mail being given out. She noticed that four owls came toward her and her to friends, three school owls and the owl from the Daily Prophet. Nate paid for his paper and each of them were stared at by an owl in turn. Relona opened hers first. It was from Oliver.
Rel,
I'm sorry for yesterday. Can you meet me at the Transfiguration room tonight at dinnertime so I can explain myself? I apologize again for my horrible behavior. Please.
Selena opened hers next. It too was from Oliver, asking her to make sure Relona did not ditch him. ate's said basically the same thing, she noticed. She folded it up, waiting to hear the others' remarks. Relona sobbed.
"Do you think…do you think I should go? What would he say? That he likes being friends with me, but I'm not good enough? Or that he's already dating that Johnson girl? What could he possibly explain?"
"Rel, I'm sure he has some sort of explanation. Maybe he thought you said something else. You could try going, and if it isn't satisfactory, we'll be waiting to come with you," Selena said. Nate gave her a look, but she glared back. They were friends, and she thought she knew the real answer.
---
Relona paced, waiting for Oliver. Selena and Nate had sat across the hall inset near a doorway, out of view. If anyone wondered they would only see a happy couple, not a stakeout. The hall was filled with hurried kids, all racing to eat their dinner. She finally saw Oliver strolling down the hall, looking for her, most likely. He noticed her and came up, waving.
"Rel, look. I'm sorry for yesterday, Snape was-"
"What has Snape got to do with anything?" Rel inquired, slightly irritated.
"Everything. Snape came in, looking very upset, and I was sickened by the thought of him. Then he stopped me from catching you to tell you-"
"To tell me what?"
"I'm not that good at words." As Relona puzzled his last answer, he picked her up and kissed her.
"So am I to guess you will go out with me?" Relona said dazed. Oliver nodded and took her hand, walking over to the Great Hall, gripping her hand in his in exhilaration.
---
Watching them go, finally together at last, their watcher was both relieved and agitated. Things were how they were supposed to be, for now, but it was not the best in mind for the onlooker, who had only two and a half years left to exact what needed to be done. And that was not much time, not much at all.