AN: so we're getting nearer to the end eh. Once the kittens are born and the quidditch done...the story is done! wow..thats alot of chapters still. As you've noticed the word count of this chapter has yet ot be the most of them all, 4048 words minus the AN's that im adding.

I hope this entertains you.

THanks for reading and reviewing; Viktor Krum's Lazyllama, Aria Deloncray , christa33, and unbeautifuL

Ch 18:

Hermione and Oliver had spent Monday evening together while Cal hid in her office with a huge pair of studio headphones as to block any sound that could distract her from her writing Hermione was only happy to oblige as she wanted a quite evening with Oliver. In Hermione thoughts, she'd only started to get know him better and now he was going away for weeks at time as he toured for the preliminary rounds for the Quiddtich world cup. In total, Oliver was going to be away from a whole 4 weeks and Hermione wasn't happy. She had somehow gotten attached to Oliver in a short amount of time that she was thinking about the next 4 boring weeks working and coming home to an empty house since Cal and Percy are getting slightly serious about each other, she was sure that Cal wouldn't be at home all the time. Add Madam Catalan to the mix Cal will stay away from any stagnant home like a plague to avoid her mother's owls as well as the possible house elf popping in and out.

Cal at one point Monday evening had to sum up courage to call her mother and tell Madam Catalan that she didn't have time to have dinner that night as she had papers to mark for Tuesday morning. Hoping her mother would just go away, Madam Catalan just moved the dinner to the next day and made sure one of the elves checked Cal's schedule as to corner her daughter. Much to Cal's dismay she had to have dinner with her mother. She was just hoping she can get Percy out of it….somehow.

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Today was Tuesday and the English team was in London playing their first game against Germany. If they fail to win in this first game it would be a great embarrassment to England as they were playing in their home turf. Hermione had decided not to go to the play in fear that Oliver might get distracted and plus she couldn't get out of her shift that day. Though every minute she wished that Oliver was okay and well protected.

It was 7pm and her shift ended. Before she did anything she headed towards the floor that her mother was at. She entered the ward filled with comatose people just like her mother. Hermione took off her white doctor's coat and unlatched the stethoscope from her neck and placed in a pile at the foot of her mum's bed. "Hi mum…." Hermione said as she grabbed a seat and sat beside the bed. She held her mum's hand and started telling her about her week with Oliver and how much she was happy to have met him again. Hermione chuckled lightly as she said "Why am I telling you this mum, you cant even speak back…." She then felt tears forming in her eyes. "I went to Ron's grave mum. But I can't somehow get myself to go to dad's. How can I face him when I was the reason he did died early…" Hermione felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked back to see her Aunt Joan standing behind her. "Aunt Joan...I…" The older woman shook her head and just hugged Hermione. "I'm going there this Friday. His birthday remember…I'd like you to come" she said to Hermione. Hermione sniffled lightly and said "I…I…can't possibly…"

"Hermione, its better to go with someone than be alone" this struck Hermione as she remembered what Percy had said to her weeks ago, he said almost the same thing. Joan Lee then looked at her niece and asked her if she would accompany her again and this time Hermione nodded. "Ah Jane, your daughter is hard headed as she was when she was 2 years old…she turned out well even with her weird childhood." Joan said to Hermione's mum. Hermione herself just chuckled and contradicted her aunt and said "She's lying mum…I don't have a hard head". Joan just chuckled and patted Hermione's hand.

In London, the games were about to begin. The English team were in the lockers quietly putting on their gear for the game, contemplating about the upcoming game and how do or die this was for them. Coach Millard came in the change room laughing and as boisterous as he always was. "ALRIGHT stop moping around kids. Prayer before the game, huddle"

One of beaters then said that they didn't pray and the coach just said that if meditation works better they better cracking because they didn't have time to sit around and try to hover in air as they had a game to win. Everyone went up into a small circle and the coach started hid prayer

"Dear god, keep the posts clear of German quaffles, keep the keeper jewel's down for the whole game and the doctor out of his head, make the beater's bats powerful and protecting that they can aim properly at the German team, help the seeker not get flashed and loose the snitch, help the chasers raise hell in the German side. Amen"

The rest of the team then shouted amen and gathered their broom as they headed to entrance dock for the pitch. They could hear the crowd go wild as the announcer announced the games were to begin. The crowd were cheering on Anafiel as they were cheering for Anafiel Creegan. Creegan was the team mascot so to say. He was the youngest of them and the most notorious playboy in the team. His face was always in the rumor mill of every witching tabloid for something and he attracted a lot of publicity to the team.

"ENNGGGLLLAAAANNNDDDDD" the announcer said and the English team, headed by Eva in front flew into the pitch to their lap around the pitch. The English fans were in blue, red and white odd clothes while the German fans were in their national colors. When Creegan's face appeared on the hovering hologram in the middle of the stadium the girls cheered as Creegan flashed his famous smile. The rare grey eyes on Anafiel Creegan was something a lot of the girls went for add his dark locks and fit body, he was hailed as top 4 of the hottest Quiddtich player. Coincidentally the top 1 spot was held by Oliver, much to Creegan's dismay. Apparently Oliver had the charismatic personality that can make any old hag into a purring kitten.

"I want this game Clean" said the referee as the captains shook hands. Brian Dukes looked at the German Captain and smirked as he said "May the best team win" the German counterpart then said likewise and they went to their posts. It wasn't long after that England scored 40 while Germany was only one shot behind them. Oliver gave the finger to a chaser when he rammed into Oliver's broom end but none the less did not get the quaffle in. Creegan above was hovering acting as if he wasn't looking for snitch while he made faces at random fan girls who were shouting his name, more like moaning in Oliver's opinion. Eva had gotten 8 shots in which brought the team up to 120 flat add Brian's 2 shots, England was 140 whilst Germany was only around 80 points. When the coach asked for a time out the team had huddled near the England dock for 5 minutes as they recollected themselves. The coach clucked his tongue while he said they needed to get well above the German team, at least 100 more points before Creegan catches the snitch. With a short "Go team England" they headed out.

After a short little heist of the English beaters, not only were one of the German chaser's had scrapes, but also the other chaser's broom tip was smashed by the bludger and wasn't performing well. Oliver had blocked all the attempts and about 3 more shots hopefully the snitch was found soon. Brian, Eva and Jacques were doing something when both bludgers came from the top where the beaters were and came at the German keeper giving Brian a good shot for the last of the needed 3 points to hit 210 point leaving Germany at 150. Creegan was now circling the pitch like a vulture and in an instant, just by Oliver, shot like a bullet through one of the hoops and caught the snitch. England won 360 over 150 by Germany. When the team was doing their victory laps around the pitch the only in Oliver's mind was that he wanted to tell Hermione their victory. He noted that he was going to bug her later after the showers maybe. After which Oliver had called Hermione through a muggle phone a few streets away from the Leaky Cauldron and she invited him to come over for a bit. He did so and they had a small dinner.

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Callista was a wreck during her last class. She had spilt her coffee on her white top, had made the screen for the projector fall on her, tripped on her way to class and lastly the papers she had in a nice stack fell all over the floor in which some of the students had to help her get them back on a pile. This was the only time Cal wanted to have her wand with her.

After the whole day of ordeals she had to get over the biggest one yet. She had called her mother about an hour ago and told her that she was to meet her at the place and Madam Catalan had chose to eat at a posh restaurant in London. Callista sighed and said she was going to meet her there when Madam Catalan asked about Cal's boyfriend at this point Cal's said that Percy was busy and was going to call later whether he was coming or not. Or in other words Cal will call him in case he is really needed there. Much to her dismay when she got to the restaurant Percy was already there chatting along with Madam Catalan.

"Madam Catalan…" said Cal as she gave her mother a short stiff hug. She was seated beside Percy who gave her a peck on the cheek. After settling down and a glass of wine Callista then asked Percy how come he was here. Percy then said "I was coming out of the office to give you a call when Madam Catalan came in my department hunting for me and here I am…". He was smiling oddly at Cal. She inwardly cringed for the next few hours.

At dinner Madam Catalan kept on asking questions about lineage, family etc etc at Percy who answered them truthfully. Then Cal groaned after the questions and said "Mum get to the point…"

"Well darling…I don't know what you are talking about" denied Madam Catalan, but she was obviously looking at Percy which made him feel like an ant under a microscope.

"Right…if you don't tell us now what you think I'll use legimens on you and take it directly from your head. Even they are unfiltered thoughts."

"Tut, tut, my daughter she can never wait…well you were born on the worst possible time after all" Madam Catalan said as she sipped her wine Cal gulped hers down in one go. Percy just silently sat there and watched the mother daughter coldly stare at each other before Madam Catalan just laughed and said

"Fine. I do believe you made the right choice with Percy, good paying job, comes from a family respected for their values, but not respected because of their social standing for a long time. We blood purists found the Weasleys in appropriate to carry the title pureblood, but as I said to families of the Spain it is the Values that sets the family apart. But that is tosh now, pureblood doesn't matter anymore. Senior Weasley, I am happy you carry your' parents values well as much as I'd hope my daughter would too as well. But some how she doesn't like me much…All in all Callista darling, I think you made the right choice this time. Well maybe a hair cut and a good shave would do good….Maybe if you lived as what you really are, Callie, then you would've found a pureblood like Percy here, faster. Remember darling your internal clock is ticking"

Cal sat there frowning at her mum she was going to retort something back when Percy suddenly said "Thanks that you approve of me Madam Catalan, I agree that a person is not measured by their lineage. It is how they live their lives that set them apart. I chose to stick with my parents' values because I believe what they taught me was a good way of life, as Cal chose to strive on her own and find what is good for her. Not that I am saying that you are bad parent as I don't know you that well yet. But if you care for Cal this much that you will examine my personality and my appearance….then I'm guessing you are just looking out for her. But I believe hinting that your daughter is not living the right life for her is remotely even proper to say. Her life is in her own hands after all right?"

"Ah well done, you must be the only boyfriend I met that stood up for my daughter…"

Cal shook her head and just chuckled lightly. "Seriously Madam Catalan, you need a better hobby than pick on my boyfriends"

"Ah you still refuse to call me Mother, did I step out of bounds again? But it is for your best my dear, anyways I believe I have to meet your father. You know him he can't bare to see his favorite daughter growing up." Madam Catalan raised her hand and asked for the receipt. After which she paid for it and they left.

"What ever happened to my daughter who always called me Mama" said Madam Catalan, very Spanish accented, as they waited for her ride to come by front of the restaurant. Cal shook her head as she looked down on the pavement. She then looked up and looked into her mother's eye and said very coldly "She grew up and realized that the word meant nothing to woman who bore her in the wrong time of her career. Selfish isn't she?". Percy had never seen Cal act so cold before, in the two weeks they've been seeing each other this was the first time he had seen her face almost comparable to the cold expressions of Narcissa Malfoy. Madam Catalan just laughed it off and gave Cal a peck on the cheek before getting on the chauffeured car.

Percy and Cal were walking towards her car when Percy pulled her to a stop. "I told you I'd show up didn't I? So care to tell me what was the friction all about?" Cal shook her head as she recalled the whiff of what she got from her mum's thoughts, " you just didn't read her mind….and what did you mean she hunted you down?" She said to Percy.

"It was odd, around 6:30 I was just about to make a call to you, as we agreed earlier and there was your mum. Walking into my department bee lining to me. We showed her into my office of course. After I told my secretary to send you an owl right away I went in the office and there she sat. Somehow she got me to come with her for dinner and here we are. She really didn't seem that bad…minus the snide remarks about your life that is"

"She is to me. Does she really expect that I include her in my life when I wasn't even included in hers as I grew up?", Percy noted the spite and loathing in her tone of voice. "What do you mean?", he asked.

"Sure she paid for everything, she even hired a private tutor just to get me out of her hair. I've accepted the fact that I wasn't supposed to be born when I was. She has told me so since I was old enough, I was a mistake, conceived and born on the wrong time of her career. I wasn't a stupid child, heck I learned how to read and write at an early age, but that didn't make me worthy of her time…..and lately since I was 20 or so she's been trying to barge into my life. She tried to get me to become a Quiddtich player. She tried to marry me off to a pureblood when she found out I was dating a muggle years ago. She has no right….."

"Cal...I'm sorry I didn't know…" Percy said as he noticed that she was really upset.

"Well now you do…my family isn't as loving as yours. I saw more of Tiffy than my mother. I was happy whenever my mother lived in Spain while I and my dad lived here because when we were in the same house it was as if I didn't exist. Not even eye contact or even a hug. My dad, he can't bare to see me bitter when I'm around her he loves her too much. He tried his best to fill that space. She loves me less than everyone else... then they had my younger sister and she gave her everything. Even took 3 years rest just to raise Paullina, heck she even made Paullina stay with her in Spain while I stayed here trying to prove to her I was worth her time balancing my muggle studies and magical education…how do you think I felt. That bitch…I even tried to prove to her that I am smart by getting O's in my Newts at 15, youngest age any witch or wizard has ever done so and yet she just shrugged it off..." Callista was nearly in tears venting about her mother when Percy stopped her and hugged her.

"Cal look at me...okay…She's trying her best to make up the time she hadn't spent with you…well that's what I guess of it. Or else she wouldn't be screening your boyfriends…then again you haven't really told me much about you're her or any of your family..."

"She somehow found some dirt on you and is trying to keep you away from me. Some day soon I'll let you meet my father, once he gets used to the idea of me dating you that is."

"Well we could always just elope…" Percy said seriously, but inside he was smiling as he waited for what Cal would say. Cal's eyes grew wide and said "what? you better be joking"

Percy was silent for a bit until he felt that Cal was going to freak out when he said "I was, I was ow don't pinch me…" Cal stopped and breathed out heavily. "Feel any better?" he asked and Cal smacked his arm then said "Maybe…". Percy leant in and kissed her softly. He ran his hand through her hair and said "now smile…I don't like you frowning all the time…".

Just around the corner sat Madam Catalan in her car. She had transfigured her bag into a telescope and was watching her daughter interact with Percy in the parking lot. The driver then looked back at her and said "Stalker much Madam C,"

"Oh shut it Antonio, I am just looking out for her." They sat there for a few more minutes watching the couple as they walked towards Cal's car. Percy had his arm around her waist as he held her close to him. "She does look very happy with him…but what ever she said to you is partly true ma'am she did grow up with out a mother" Madam Catalan clucked her tomgue and said "And when did you become a shrink? I'm tyring my best to make it up to her". Cal and Percy drove off in the car and the driver then said "From the others, she looks very happy with this one…" the old chauffer who had worked for the Silverio's since Cal was one tapped the driving wheel. After which he looked back at Madam Catalan and said "Now that, that is settled, where to?"

"To the Manor, Jerome would want to know how this new boyfriend is…"

"Right away Madam."

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Hermione and Oliver sat in the living room as the talked about the match. Oliver was telling her hit by hit of the game. Hermione just sat there in his arm listening to him excitedly drone on about his job. She was happy he was happy. Oliver then looked down at her and asked her if she was even still listening. She nodded and he had smiled warmly at her before he had kissed her.

"Herms," said Oliver as he twiddled with his fingers. Hermione looked at him asked what he was going to say.

"I'm going to be gone for a month or so you know"

"I, I know…" stuttered Hermione.

"If you want to end this I'll understand…" Hermione sat up and looked at him and asked him "Are you trying to…" Oliver violently shook his head and quickly said, "No, no! Course not! But I don't want to make you miserable while I'm away". He ginger smiled at her hoping she wouldn't say something he doesn't want to hear at all.

"Oliver, I wont be, I have my job remember? I have Cal, Percy is going to be always around now too. I have the Weasleys as well."

"That is true but…" agreed Oliver.

Hermione said, "But hey you can decide for us, I mean we're still not really a couple" as she shrugged it off. Feeling slightly nervous what he would say next. Oliver then said that he thought they were already and some how he felt like the same 15 year old boy trying to get a girlfriend.

"I feel like we are. So I guess we are" concluded Hermione. Oliver then smiled widely and pulled Hermione in for a kiss and said "We definitely are…". Hermione smiled at him and nodded again before she kissed him again. After which Oliver then said "Just don't leave me for a slytherin like Malfoy…or don't leave me at all". Hermione then said "Ollie!" in a mocking surprised voice. Oliver shuddere, "Don't call me Ollie, my mum calls me that when I do something wrong"

"Liver?" tested Hermione. Oliver just remained silent and raised an eyebrow. Hermione then said "Oliver…"

"Yes babe?"

"Just don't womanize…."

"I promise I wont, I also promise I'll owl you every other night, call you when I can and come back once in awhile even just for lunch breaks. That is if I have time"

"That's all I needed to know" said Hermione quite smugly as she snuggled into his shoulder. He hugged her tighter and kissed her forehead. They stayed like that for a bit until Cal came back from dinner with Percy in tow. After finding the other two in the living room, Percy sat on the arm chair and Cal sat on him. Oliver then snickered and said "now don't make out, hold your hormones" when Cal threw Oliver a pillow after which she did kiss Percy deeply but stopped when a pop came about and Tiffy was back tapping her shoes. Hermione snickered and called Cal's attention. Cal looked at the nanny elf that looked mad. The elf then said "Mistress will get off Mr. Weasley!. Tiffy didn't not raise Mistress as a promiscuous child!"

Oliver and Hermione doubled in laughter as Percy blinked a few times then held down his laughter that elf somehow amuses him. Cal frowned at the elf and told her to go back to the manor and don't come back unless she was called for. After the elf gave Percy a warning it left with a swift pop. Oliver then said "Talking abut a chastity belt...I mean guard too bad she already failed at it huh Perce?"

"You aren't so chaste yourself Uppy" Percy said and Hermione snickered but stopped with Oliver looked at her an eyebrow raised. Hermione then commented "Well look at it this way I had no reason to question your man hood even if the rumor tabloid say you were that short".

AN:

thanks for reading and reviewing!