Hello, I have returned for another chapter of Wings book 3! For all those who have decided to follow/favorite this story so they can get alerted to new chapters...Thank you for your patience. My plot bunnies breed like, well, bunnies, so I have a ton of stories going on right now-Not all on of course. Anyways, I don't own Harry Potter, or any of J.K Rowling's creations from the world of Potter. I own my , and I hope you are enjoying this story, which was inspired by the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson-which I also don't own. Thank you, and enjoy.

Chapter 3)

The first years all lined up in front, the rest of the students watching as they were Sorted into their suitable Houses.

"Granger, Hermione!" Professor Mcgonagall called. Oliver watched as the bushy haired brunette he had met on the train headed for the stool. After a few minutes, the hat called out- "GRYFFINDOR!"

Oliver clapped with the rest of the table as Hermione came down. As soon as she was close enough, Oliver grabbed her. "Here, you can sit with me."

Hermione smiled. Longbottom, Neville-the first year that had lost his toad-was also Sorted into Gryffindor. He sat next to Hermione, and the two grinned at each other. More people were sorted, including Potter, Harry. The boy who lived looked even more nervous than anyone else.

"I met him on the train." Hermione whispered.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Potter came down and found a seat. Eventually Weasley, Ron was sorted into Gryffindor and Zabini, Blaise was Sorted into Slytherin.

"Congrats on making it into Gryffindor." Oliver grinned at Hermione and Neville. Both first years smiled back, Neville's a bit hesitant.

"Thanks Oliver." He said. "I'm a bit nervous."

"Don't be," Oliver assured the younger male. "We Gryffindor's are a close bunch. If you need any help, just ask!"

After the Welcoming Feast was finished, the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Slytherins and Hufflepuffs all headed for their common rooms and dormitories.

Hermione headed for her room, excited for the following day.

-xoxox

The following day was not a good as she had hoped. No one seemed as interested in the classes or the things she knew as she was, and a couple of kids had actually picked on her for being a 'know-it-all' and had even ripped her bag! Her only friend so far was Neville, and he seemed to be having a much easier time making friends. Hermione was beginning to suspect that her friendship with Neville wouldn't last long...The eleven year old sighed,dropping her head too her desk.

"Hey, what's wrong?"
Hermione jumped up so badly that she ended up falling off her chair-which went down with her.

Oliver looked down at her, a mix of amusement and worry on his face.

"Cul. Arrette de sourire!"

"I have no idea what you just said. French I'm guessing?"

"Oui. I slip into sometime when I'm annoyed-especially towards gens stupides."
"Okay, I may not know French but I'm pretty sure you just called me an idiot."

"Wood, you are a new breed of stupid. You should be proud."

Oliver snorted. "Snarky little thing aren't you." He held out his hand.

"You should meet my sister, Laetitia! We have snark-offs." Hermione took his hand.

Pulling her up, Oliver asked; "You two close?"
"Yeah." Hermione smiled sadly.

"Yeah." Hermione smiled sadly.

"You okay?"
Hermione shook her head, smacking her cheeks. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Alright. How was your first day?" He asked her as she was pulling her chair up. She went still, then slumped to her knees. Her head went into the chair, a depressed air surrounding her.

"That bad?" Oliver asked, kneeling by her. "Even flying?"
"Brooms hate me." Hermione said flatly, not looking at him. "And the entire class was a complete fiasco. Neville got hurt, Malfoy tried stealing from him and Harry broke the rules and both got away with it! Harry even got rewarded-he was put on the Quidditch team."
"Yeah, I know. I'm Captain of the team.I'm the Keeper. Harry is definitely gonna be an asset!...You're a stickler for rules huh?"

Hermione sighed, standing. "I get it. You're just like the rest of them."

She grabbed her books and left. Oliver blinked, before running after her.
"Wait! Granger! What's wrong-what did I say that upset you?" He asked. She stopped, whipping around, brown eyes furious. Her hair seemed to get even frizzier.

"Yes I'm a stickler for rules. I like being good, it makes me feel good! Why does everyone seem to treat that like it's a bad thing?! I like school, I like learning new things and reading, and even schoolwork! Why does everyone seem to hate me for the things I love?"

Realizing that the first year was now crying-thankfully the hall was empty-Oliver quickly ran up to her, and hugged her. She went still, but allowed herself to be picked up and carried to a nearby, empty classroom.

"Hey, come on, I'm sorry. You're right, there is nothing wrong being a bit of a goody-two-shoes. You should have no shame in who you are. And Harry breaking the rules, and not getting punished-that's unfair. Tell ya what-I'll talk to Mcgonagall. I would still like him on my team, but he did break the rules."
Hermione sniffed. "Thanks. Jeez, I'm such a crybaby."
"Come on,Granger you're human-your allowed to cry."

"Human...yeah." She said, despondent. "I don't want Harry off the team...I think it'd be good for him."
Oliver pulled away. "Really? Why's that?"

"Harry and I...both of us aren't really sure of how friends work. I see him with Ronald, and I know the guys in his dorm like him-but it doesn't seem like he really opens up to them. I know, Harry's a Halfblood, but both of us grew up in muggle environments, thinking we were muggles. But sometimes muggles can...it's like those kids can sense we're different. So, they don't understand us. And people fear what they can't understand-and that fear becomes hate. So, I think, like me, friends are rare. I've never even heard Harry disagree with Ron, though sometimes I think he wants to. Of course, I could be wrong." Hermione looked up at Oliver. "So I think Harry joining the team would be a good thing, because then he can see how friends act towards each other and maybe even gain more friends." She scratched her cheek sheepishly. "Truth be told, I want to be Harry's friend. Not because he's famous, but because I can kind of understand having little friends. Though my family situation is most likely somewhat better then his. Still, I'm pretty sure Ron hates me."

"Come on, that's not true." Oliver said, arms still circling the small girl.
"He does. I'm sure of it. Sorry to put all of this on you Wood."

The Keeper shrugged. "I don't mind. Honestly, I feel a little flattered and honored you trust me enough to tell me all this."

"Yeah, well...don't expect it to happen to often."

"Hey, Granger...why don't you and I become friends?"
Hermione shot up. "What...what the fuck?!"
Oliver blinked. "Did you just..cuss?"
"Shut up! I refuse to be friends with someone just because they pity me!"

"Wai-Pity?" Oliver was lost.

"I refuse to be looked down on! I never what that again!" Hermione yelled.

"Granger..?"
"Don't worry about me Wood. And don't pity me. I'll be fine." And with that she left the room.

Oliver frowned, head going to the side. "Damn..that girl is complicated. Never thought I'd hear her cuss though.."

XOXOXOX

"Is he okay?" Harry asked, looking at his Quidditch Captain. An air of despair surrounded the fifth year. "He hasn't really been into practice...which is kind of surprising. He's missed every ball and keeps nearly falling off his broom!"

Katie frowned."Yeah. I think we need to have a team meeting. Hey Wood! What's wrong with you?"

Oliver didn't answer.

" , George?" Angelina turned to the twins, who nodded.

They raced up on their brooms, and together got the Keeper to come down. Soon, the entire Gryffindor Quidditch team was in the locker room.

"Wood, you've been out of it this practice. You're never out of it when it comes to Quidditch? What is up with you?" Alicia asked.

Oliver sighed. "What..what do you guys think of Hermione Granger?"

"Snob/Stuck up/Bossy/Know it all." The entire team spoke at once.

"What? Seriously?" Oliver sounded shocked.

"Hey Wood, what do you think of her?" Harry asked, curious.
"She's adorable." Oliver said automatically. The entire team's mouth's dropped.

"EH?!"

"What? She is! She also seems..kind of lonely."
"Lonely?" Katie asked. "I mean..I guess I don't really see her with anyone. Longbottom hangs out with her sometimes, but not often."
"Yeah. She isn't sure of how to be a friend or how that works, so she has trouble letting people in."

"How do you know this?" Angelina asked.
"We ran into each other earlier. We talked a bit...and I asked if I could be her friend and she told me not to pity her."
"So you got rejected?" Fred asked.

"Yes, fine I got rejected. I got rejected by a little first year because I wanted to be her friend."
"And so your just gonna give up?" Katie asked. "That doesn't sound like the Oliver Wood I know. And letting that get in the way of Quidditch? Really."
Oliver stood. "Your right. Hey! We've still got twenty minutes left to use the field! Let's go practice!"

The team groaned collectively but followed their revived Captain back out.

XOXO

Well, there it is. Chapter 3.