Author's Note: I'm not going to make an excuse for why I haven't posted in months. I know everyone has better things to do then hear excuses. Just know that I will try to update as much as possible the next chapter should be out soon. I'm not going to say how soon because I don't want to disappoint anyone if it doesn't.
The rest of the week I noticed some changes. The first one came in the form of Taylor. We promptly changed our seats in classes that we had together, and spoke not a single word to each other, though occasionally I would see him looking at me. This officially marked us over to everyone at Hogwarts. The second change came in the form of Carol. She walked around as if she owned the place the minute Taylor publicly asked her out. More power to them in my opinion. The final change came in one hot package named Oliver Wood. The day after I broke up with Taylor he began appearing everywhere. He never talked; it was more of me seeing him out of my peripheral vision. This meant that instead of seeing him once, maybe twice a day, I saw him every time class changed. Not to complain though since as I said before he is a hot package. This being said leads me to realize what might be the biggest change. I might fancy him. That's right the "him" in question being Oliver Wood himself.
"So great job with practice everyone. I have a feeling that our first match will be a great success," called Oliver at the end of practice. "You're dismissed."
As the players walked passed me I could here grumbles about dying before playing quidditch. My favorite grumble came from the twins, something about giving Oliver a knock-out potion to give them a break from practice. Once all my supplies were in my bag, I was about to put in on my shoulder, but it was taken away. Turning around I saw Oliver with the bag in his hand.
"I hope you don't mind," he said smiling with that adorable accent of his. For a moment I thought what girl in her right mind wood. I mean would.
"Not at all, thank you Oliver. Sooooooo, the team looks to be in form, no doubt we're gonna win."
"Yeah, I just hope Harry doesn't get the jitters. With any luck he'll remember the first game he plays," mused Oliver.
"I know what you mean. We don't want a repeat of what happened to you. Circe knows I was scared to fits," I agreed.
Oliver stopped walking so I did the same. "Why'd ya stop?"
"You were scared?" asked the Scot.
"Of course I was. You took a sodding bludger to your bloody head not even three minutes into the game. I thought you died. Not long after you left Maria took me to the Hospital Wing so I could take a calming potion for my nerves. Madam Pomfrey then gave me a sleeping draught. When I woke up you were still there. Hearing me crying Madame Pomfrey did the same treatment once more. When I woke up the second time she let me leave."
The silence that followed my little story put me on edge. The air felt awkward, and I wondered if Oliver felt it also. Luckily he broke it for me.
"I don't understand," started Oliver. "Why did you care, you should have hated me, I mean after all it was after I stood you up."
At that moment the grass looked rather interesting, so I began studying it. "Well, sure I hated you, but that didn't mean I wanted you dead. After all, despite what you did to me, I still felt some thing towards you. I think it was admiration for how much of a determined quidditch player you are." Slowly I released a breath, than looked at him. "Pretty messed up thinking, aye?" I smiled. Yet again Oliver had that loopy look on his face.
"I'm sorry Natalie."
"No need to apologize." I knew exactly what he was talking about.
"You say that and yet I keep apologizing. For some reason I just want you to know. I was so stupid back then, I mean I was only a second year at the time an-"
"Oliver it's okay," I said cutting off his rant.
"Go to Hogsmeade with me."
"What?"
"I want you to spend the day with me at Hogsmeade." Oliver had this serious look upon his face, yet his eyes were warm.
"All right I will. Who knows this could turn out to be a lot fun for us." I began walking with a smile on my face.
"I'm going to make this your best Hogsmeade visit, after all you deserve a good time."
I was currently at the Entrance Hall waiting for Oliver. It surprised me a bit at how fast Saturday came after the plans had been made. Of course when I told the girls about what was to happen they squealed, and began saying things all at once. One of the things was what to wear during my "date" as they put it. No matter how hard I tried to tell them it wasn't like that they wouldn't hear any of it. In the end I was able to fight them off with minor causalities. The only thing that they were able to get was my hair, which was now curled at the ends. I was wearing trainers, a sapphire sweater, and dark jeans. When Oliver finally arrived I gave him a warm smile.
"So are you ready for the best date, I mean day ever?" Oliver asked. I looked up at him to see he was slightly blushing from his blunder.
"Sure let the date begin," I said trying to make him feel better. That bloody Scot gave me a smile that made me want to jump him right then and there. Wait a tick, what am I thinking? Wow, I seriously need to not be thinking like that, I mean we're just now friends, and it can't possibly be normal to like someone this quickly.
"Well do you want to go in?" I was broke out of my thoughts by Oliver. I looked to see where we were, and to my utmost horror it was Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shop.
"Um, I really don't want to go in there," I said apprehensively looking at the pink confetti falling inside through the window.
"Thank Merlin."
"What?" I asked.
"I thought girls liked this place, so I was willing to go in for you," explained Oliver.
"Aaaaw, that's so nice! How about we go to the Three Broomsticks instead," I suggested.
Oliver agreed, and as we walked to our destination I took in his appearance. He was wearing khakis, brown shoes, and a Puddlemere United jumper.
"So you're a fan then?" I asked.
"Sorry, what are you talking 'bout?" asked Oliver looking down at me.
"Puddlemere United," I said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Yeah, my dream is to play for them one day." I noticed that as Oliver said this he had a dreamy look upon his face.
"You know I think you can do it. You have the talent, the drive, and you have character. If I were a scout I'd have to be stupid not to pick you, or at least consider you." I don't know why I said that, it was true, but I still didn't know why I voiced my opinion like that.
" Hmmm, seeing as all that came from you I'm going to take it to heart. I guess I'm well on my way to making the team." With one more smile directed at me Oliver led the rest of the way to our destination in silence.
The Three Broomsticks was packed when we arrived, yet Oliver somehow managed to find a table. After taking my order Oliver went to the counter to get our food. After ten minutes he returned with the food: fish and chips with a butter beer for him, and a corned beef sandwich and water for me. When I tried to pay him back Oliver told me not to worry about it. I listened to him a pushed the thought of repaying him out of my mind. Our time together was going rather well. The time between eating was filled with idle chatting and general ease.
"So is there any place you would like to go?" asked Oliver when we were finished eating.
"Not in particular. We can walk around and go wherever catches our eye." Great, keep it smooth and casual I mentally couched to myself.
"So do you have any plans after Hogwarts?" asked Oliver as we made our way through the village.
"Well I was thinking about doing something with animals. Maybe a magiczoologist, or maybe something with dragons. Yep, that's where my mind has been for months now, dragons. If I could get an internship, hell if I could visit a dragon reserve I would be so flippindo happy. I've thought this out too, so I know all about the danger that I will be faced with, but I'm sure with more personal research I'll be at the very least familiar with every worse case scenario-"
"Holy St. Andrews you talk quite a lot," interrupted Oliver.
Immediately I hid my face with my hair in embarrassment. I heard a pleasant chuckle, and felt even worse when I heard Oliver laughing at me. Just when I was about to run away Oliver grabbed my hand and spun me around.
"You talking a lot isn't a bad thing. I just never thought that you're so chatty. I guess I found a point of interest for you." Before I could say anything Oliver continued. "I wasn't laughing at you for becoming flushed either. I thought it was funny that you didn't know how cute you look when the red from your blush mixed with your skin. Now then let's see that face of yours; it's way too pretty to be seen only by your hair."
As cliché as this might sound, time slowed down. Everything unfolded right in front of my eyes like one of those children pop-up books. Oliver gently removed the hair from my face allowing his fingers to glide gently across my face. His face was getting closer to mine, which could mean only one thing. The wait just about killed me, but what happened next almost had me shipped to Azkaban for murder. Taylor went billowing between Oliver and I with Carol attached to his hip. Needless to say this affectively stopped any kiss that may have occurred. Taylor even had the nerve to throw a smirk back at me as he sped away.
"I swear I'll kill that wanker right where he is," I said murderously while pulling out my wand. Much to my dislike Oliver stopped me, though he looked to be even more pissed than I was.
"That prick just made the top of my double shit hit list," snarled Oliver.
"So how many quidditch players are on that list?" I asked trying to lighten the mood.
"Just Taylor, he just inspired a new hate list."
"Ummm, how bout we go to Honeydukes, I could really go for some fudge." I said trying to diffuse some of the tension.
OLIVER'S POV
I had just dismissed the team from practice and was already getting ticked off. I mean come on people I'm not deaf I can hear what you're saying. Maybe I should tell them to mind their manners unless they want double practice. Natalie was about to put her pack on her shoulder, but I hoisted it up before she could. "I hope you don't mind?" I said. She let me carry the bag for her with no complaints and thanked me. We fell into silence, which Natalie chose to break by talking about the team. I told her how with luck Harry will remember his first game. To my shock she begins spilling about how she was so scared for me when I was hit with the bludger. She was so upset that she had to be sent to the Hospital Wing for a calming draught. I truly didn't understand why she would react so much; I mean she hated me, so I asked her about it. To my surprise she said she still cared for me, that she admires me. Sweet Merlin this girl was unbelievable. I wanted to grab her right there and just hug the hell out of her. Instead I apologized. It went without saying what I was apologizing for, and Natalie didn't want to hear anymore. Before I could stop myself I had asked her to go to Hogsmeade with me this Saturday. Much to my delight she accepted and we went back to the castle. Once I was inside my dorm the guys immediately began asking questions.
"So Oliver you look mighty pleased with yourself," started Steven. He is the closest thing I have to a best friend. I've known him since I was young due to our parents working together at the ministry. Although he isn't into quidditch as much as I was he could still keep up with me in that topic. With his 5'7 height and slim figure he could easily be a star chaser, but he spends the time I use for quidditch studying so he can be a healer. He dates casually, but nothing too serious; at least he didn't until he started dating Shanti Patel. She's an Indian girl with long silk black have light mocha skin, and piercing dark blue eyes. With his light blonde hair, brown eyes, and crème skin they seem like opposites to each other, and yet they're perfect together.
"Yes, well Natalie Finnigan has just agreed to accompany me to Hogsmeade this Saturday." Without looking into a mirror I knew I was smiling a bit.
"Good show man, you've only been thinking about her constantly these last weeks. It's nice to see that you're doing something about it," commented Pierre. That's right Pierre is French. He's bout my height making us the tallest in the room at 5'8. His hair is black and he has hazel eyes. His parents both attended Beuxbatons, and did not like it one bit, so when his mom found out she was pregnant his parents wrote a letter to Dumbledore asking if they're unborn child could go to Hogwarts. Seeing as he's my dorm mate it's obvious that he was accepted.
"Yeah, after all the shit she's gone through with that prick Haines, I figured she could enjoy a nice, peaceful day out," I said.
"True, but she could have done that with her girls. Admit it you're using this as an excuse to go on a date with her," Spoke Pierre.
"I'm sure his attentions are honorable," drawled a voice from the door.
"Thank you Percy!" I exclaimed glad that someone had decided to save my skin.
"Though I know you will enjoy yourself as well…" trailed of Percy.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked while the other laughed.
"Just that you're sure to make sure Natalie's not the only one to have fun," the red head clarified as if it was plain as day. I on the other hand knew his words had a double meaning, but didn't care. After all I had to make sure Natalie's day was beyond fun.
"You have to take her to Madame Puddifoot's it's like an unspoken law that girls have to go there."
I looked at Steven as if he had just sprouted wings. "You have got to be kidding me."
"Oh no I'm being serious. You gotta take her there or else the date will be a failure," piped in Pierre.
"I'm sure that will not ruin our date," I said with assurance putting on my night clothes.
"HA! You just admitted that you plan this to be a date!" triumphantly said my best mate.
"Fine I'm thinking of this as a date, happy now?" I asked no one in particular.
When I looked at all the guys in the room the look on their faces told me that they were. This only made me slightly pissed. Why did it matter that I wanted this to be a date? I was just about to get into bed when Percy interrupted.
"You can't go to bed, not yet at least."
"And just why not? I've had a long day filled with OWLs work shoved down my throat, a grueling practice, and just got a date with a very attractive girl. I'm pretty sure I deserve some sleep."
"You have to find what you're wearing on Saturday," Percy answered.
"Okay Perce, I have three days before Saturday. I'm sure I can find something by then. Besides I don't see why I can't just do it on Saturday."
"It's best to have your clothes out the way on important events. That way if something unexpected happens on that day, you'll have one less thing to worry about," explained Percy.
"You know, that's a pretty good idea," Steven said.
"Fine, fine, fine, I'll find something."
"You mean pick out," corrected Percy.
I merely grumbled in response as I went to my trunk. I pulled out a pair of khakis, a white shirt, my Puddlemere United jumper, and a pair of brown shoes. Once I was approved by Percy I all but jumped into my bed.
Crap, I was late on meeting Natalie. I blame everything on Steven for acting like a mother hen over me. He had insisted that we have a talk about morals before I left. Unfortunately for me the guys locked me in the room while they all took turns taking the mickey out of me. I swear if they ruined this I was gonna take each and every one of them out. As I got to the Entrance Hall I saw Natalie gave me a warming smile.
"So are you ready for the best date, I mean day ever?" I asked. Real smooth Oliver now she thinks I'm using the break up to get her.
"Sure let the date begin," replied back Natalie. I gave her a huge smile silently thanking her for not taking my slip up the wrong way.
I lead the way to the most dreadful place in all of Hogsmeade, Madame Puddifoot's. "Well do you want to go in?"
"Um, I really don't want to go in there," confessed Natalie.
Before I could stop myself I blurted," Thank Merlin"
"What?"
I then began to explain to Natalie how I though that all girls wanted to go there, so I was willing to take her. She seemed really happy about me suffering to make her happy, but suggested we go to The Broomsticks instead. Natalie has got to be one of the coolest girls I've ever met. To think so many years have been wasted because of one foolish thing that I did three years ago. If we had been friends this whole time I bet I would be dating her now. Hm, I want to date Natalie? She is attractive, and funny, and has a bloody brilliant brain. Some of the game plans that that girls has come up with are phenomenal. I guess I wouldn't mind dating her. It vaguely registered to me that Natalie had said something to me, so I asked.
"Puddlemere United," answered Natalie as if I were an idiot.
"Yeah, my dream is to play for them one day," I said. It truly would be amazing if I could play for them. All I would need after that was a wife to share all my joy with.
"You know I think you can do it. You have the talent, the drive, and you have character. If I were a scout I'd have to be stupid not to pick you, or at least consider you." spoke Natalie.
" Hmmm, seeing as all that came from you I'm going to take it to heart. I guess I'm well on my way to making the team." I said giving the best smile I could manage. I then continued on to the Three Broomsticks. When we got there it was crowded, which didn't surprise me, but I somehow snagged us a table. After getting Natalie's order I went to the counter to tell Rosemerta.
"Well if it isn't Oliver Wood," someone said behind me. I turned to see Shanti smiling at me. She was wearing a pair of jeans, and one of Steven's jackets.
"Hey there Shanti, what are you doing here by yourself?" I asked.
"Steven and I just finished lunch, and he went to the bathroom. I'm just waiting so we can head to the bookshop," Shanti answered.
"Good cause if Steven or any other guy did something to you I was going to stick a broom right up his –"
"Oliver please stop while you're ahead," interrupted Steven as he joined us.
"I'm sure it would have been funny whatever you were going to say, and I appreciate you looking out for me," said Shanti.
"No problem, just be sure to take me up on that offer if need be," I smiled.
"So how's you're date going with Natalie," my best mate asked.
"Actually it's going better than I expected. I just think of how much time has been wasted between us just for one silly thing that I've done." I confessed.
"Oliver, what's important is you enjoy the times now, and don't screw it up so you can make more pleasant memories with Natalie," advised Shanti.
"You know that's some real good advice, thanks Shanti!" I said giving the girl a hug.
"Don't forget, her boyfriend is still here," joked Steven when I pulled away.
Just for some added fun I gave Shanti a swift kiss on her cheek, which earned me a light thump from said girl, and a whack on the head from her boyfriend. The three of us laughed until we couldn't breath then we began on another subject. When my food was ready I bade bye to my friends before going back to Natalie.
The two of us ate, and talked a bit. I discovered that her favorite color was purple, though she had a love for the color green, which might have come from her heritage. I also learned that she once had a Scottish Fold by the name of Link when she was a small girl. When I asked what happened to it she laughed, then had a serious look on her face. Turns out the cat died in a horrible quidditch accident involving her older cousin Landon. I in turn told her my favorite color, sage green, and how when I was younger I went on a trip to Loch Ness, and refused to leave until I saw the monster. I ended up being dragged out the water by my father and uncle.
"So is there any place you want to go?" I asked Natalie once we were finished eating.
"Not in particular. We can walk around and go wherever catches our eye," she answered.
"So do you have in plans after Hogwarts?" I asked while we began walking around the village. Why do I keep starting my sentences with so?
"Well I was thinking about doing something with animals. Maybe a magiczoologist, or maybe something with dragons. Yep, that's where my mind has been for months now, dragons. If I could get an internship, hell if I was in good graces with someone who worked with them I would be so flippindo happy. I've thought this out too, so I know all about the danger that I will be faced with, but I'm sure with more personal research I'll be at the very least familiar with every worse case scenario-"
"Holy St. Andrews you talk a lot," I said. Natalie hid her face behind her hair at that comment, and I laughed a bit. Did she honestly think I was annoyed? I got my answer when I noticed she was about to run. I grabbed her hand, and spun her towards me.
"You talking a lot isn't a bad thing. I just never thought that you're so chatty. I guess I found a point of interest for you. I wasn't laughing at you for becoming flushed either. I think it's funny that you don't know how cute you look when the red from your blush mixes with your skin. Now then let's see that face of yours; it's way too pretty to be seen only by your hair."
What in the name of Merlin possessed me to say those things, even if they were all true. Gently I removed the hair from her face, and let my fingers ghost across her face. My face was getting closer to hers, which could mean only one thing. Okay Oliver you can do this. Just do it. Right when I was about to do it the last person I wanted to see appeared. Taylor walked right between Natalie and me with that stupid girl that was once Natalie's friend. I think her name is Carrie. I was still trying to remember the girl's name, and in shock from what just happened, but Natalie brought me out of my stupor.
"I swear I'll kill that wanker right where he is," I heard Natalie say. Without thinking I stopped her, though I was beyond pissed.
"That prick just made the top of my double shit hit list," I snarled looking in the direction he had just gone.
"So how many quidditch players are on that list?" asked Natalie. I noticed she tried to smile, but it came out more as a grimace.
"Just Taylor, he just inspired a new hate," I answered.
"Ummm, how bout we go to Honeydukes, I could really go for some fudge," Suggested Natalie.
I nodded my head and followed behind her as we went to the candy store. Occasionally I would catch Natalie looking at me with my peripheral vision. I didn't say anything though, me pointing this out was the last thing she needed, hell it was the last thing I needed. Instead I walked, giving her some silent company. When we finally got to Honeydukes it was packed as usual. Natalie began getting her candy, and I went around the store myself. After we were both finished I paid for all of it, which this time, Natalie didn't object.
"I want to thank you. This is the happiest I've felt in a long time," said Natalie as we walked back to the castle.
"It was no problem, I enjoyed your company," I said.
"Well we should do this again," answered Natalie.
I looked down to see her looking at me with curious eyes, and before I could think about what I was doing my lips were on hers. The kiss was a soft peck, but I think she got the message that I liked her. As I pulled away I heard her let a breath out, and I smiled knowing that I had some kind of effect on her.
Then maybe the worst possible thing that could happen did. She began crying then ran away in a full sprint.