Too Long In The Rain
Chapter 18
Oliver and Hermione had another month of happiness without Pansy, who got thrown into Azkaban for one year. At the end of May Oliver had just ended his flying class of first years, all of which were getting fantastic grades, and he saw Hermione waiting for him like she almost always did, this time though, she wasn't smiling. He flew over and hopped off kissing her on the cheek and then asked," What's the matter?"
She looked up at him and then said," Dumbledore wants to talk to you"
He looked surprised," What about?"
She shrugged," He just said it was very important he talked to you about it today."
He nodded and said with a grin," Walk me there?"
She looked like she was thinking and said," Oliver, I really must…" She trailed off when she saw his puppy-in-the-rain look and sighed then said," Alright."
He smiled and kissed her on the cheek as they walked to Dumbledore's office, when they arrived he said," Here we are, I'll meet you in your room when I'm done?"
She nodded silently and stood on her toes wrapping her arms around his head and she kissed him deeply," I'll see you then." She walked away keeping one arm on Oliver's until she got too far away and then her hand slipped off.
Oliver was surprised at the kiss then said Dumbledore's password and walked up to his office. When he got to Dumbledore's desk Dumbledore stood up to greet him, the two men shook hands and Dumbledore gestured to a seat and Oliver took it while asking," So Hermione told me you wanted to talk to me, what about?"
Dumbledore also took a seat," At the beginning of the year I recruited you to help Ms. Granger, as you did very skillfully, but now the end of the year is fast approaching and I have to ask whether you'd like to stay here at Hogwarts and teach, or go back to your professional Quidditch career."
Oliver was dumbfounded and for once at a loss for words, he opened and closed his mouth and said," Honestly Professor I forgot all about my Quidditch career."
Dumbledore nodded with a twinkle in his eye," You have been busy."
Oliver leaned back in his seat then said," Do I have to answer now?"
Dumbledore shook his head," Heavens no, I would imagine this will take a lot of planning, and talking."
Oliver nodded and stood up," Is that all?"
Dumbledore nodded and stood up also," Yes Mr. Wood." Oliver turned to go when he heard Dumbledore say," Oh and a word of advice, do not take this decision lightly."
Oliver turned back to the old Professor and said," I wouldn't dream of it." With that he walked out and to Hermione's room to tell her about the choice he now had to make.
--
Oliver knocked on the door and Hermione opened and ushered him in and asked," Well?"
Oliver sighed and said," He offered me to stay here and teach at Hogwarts."
She smiled and said," Well that's good."
He shook his head," It's not that simple, before I came I was uh, offered the keeper position on Puddlemere United Quidditch team. They let me postpone the career to come and teach here." He said slightly stretching the truth.
Her smiled faded a bit and she said," Well that's alright, I can visit you."
He rubbed the back of his neck," We travel a lot."
Her face fell," So you're saying that if you chose Quidditch, we'll have to break up."
He nodded tiredly," Yes."
Hermione sat down on her bed," Oh."
Oliver ran his hand through his hair," I don't want to break up Hermione, but I don't want you waiting here for me while I'm off playing Quidditch."
She nodded," I know, and I also know how much you love Quidditch, so if you want to go and play, I won't hold you back, and I don't want to be the reason that you would sacrifice your dreams."
He looked at her and said," Yeah, I know."
She looked back at him," So you are going to play Quidditch then?"
He shook his head," I really don't know, I just I need time to think about it." He stood up and walked to the door," See you tomorrow 'Mione." And with that he walked out and Hermione sat heavily on her bed.