The nights in the library took on a whole new sense of solace and joy for Oliver. As things progressed horrendously with the Chamber of Secrets, there was talk of the school having to be shut down. It was a dark hour in the history of Hogwarts. The creature had gotten Hermione Granger, a second year Muggleborn of Gryffindor, along with the little first year boy, Creevey. Oliver was scared. What did this mean? Why was this happening? Together, he and Aquila had looked into the Potter genealogy and proven that Harry was in no way descended from Slytherin. Not that people took much stock in their word. People were scared and pointing fingers in every direction. Hagrid had been taken to Azkaban under previous charges of having been the one to have opened the Chamber last time. The attacks didn't stop. But that didn't mean they let Hagrid out. Oliver strode into the library and made his way over to the secluded table that he and Aquila worked from now every night. People were afraid to travel anywhere around the castle alone now. He had to wade his way through packs of people to get to her. She had a small tired smile for him. Her prefect's duties were starting to take their toll on her. Students were behaving ludicrously out of fear. Fred and George had been pulling increasingly hilarious, but dangerous pranks. She had had to crack down hard on them, as Percy seemed to reluctant to stand up to his younger brothers. He sat next to her and went about taking out his books as he did every night.

Under the table, her fingers twined in between his. He never felt a jolt of joy like it in his life when she put her hand in his. He gave her small hand a squeeze. She was upset, he could tell. She kept such a good poker face, but the corners of her mouth were dragged down, there was a tiny furrow between her brows. He looked behind them, but their table was almost entirely surrounded by bookshelves. He let go of her hand and draped his arm around her. She leaned into him, and let out a heavy ragged breath. His hand rubbed her arm gently. This was all so new to him. Comforting someone like this. Being close to one person like this. Having this secret understanding. They didn't want people to poke fun at them, so they kept things quiet. She rested her head on his shoulder, and took another heavy breath.

"What's going to happen?" she wondered aloud in a hushed whisper. Oliver wished he knew, to allay his own fears.

"Dumbledore will be back. He'll figure this out. He'd never really leave us. And then everyone will wake up and we'll be safe." She took another deep breath, nodded then sat up. He moved his hand to the base of her neck, and kissed the top of her head gently, before they set about their homework. He was glad that he had her to support him. He could see what all the fuss was about now. It was nice to have to have a type of relationship with somebody that was just for him. She never ridiculed him, or poked fun at him. People often made fun of how seriously he took Quidditch, but she listened to him, and actually made it a conversation. He hated to see her upset and scared. He wished this nightmare would end.

When time came for dinner, the talk around the tables was quiet. Aquila and Oliver sat with Katie, Angelina, Alicia and the Twins. Harry looked to be plotting something out with the youngest Weasley boy. Their best friend had been attacked. He didn't blame them for trying to do something about it. Fred was making a joke, which everyone laughed along to. Aquila's high, tinkling laughter drew Oliver's eye every time. He couldn't keep the smile from his face every time he looked at her, and people were starting to notice.

"Have a good study date?" Fred said quietly, as he took a sip of his pumpkin juice. The other team members looked from Aquila to Oliver with a knowing smirk on their faces.

"Hm?" Aquila asked lightly. She had a gentle, calm look on her face. Oliver just put on his best confused face.

"You two cosy up every night in the library, whispering and giggling. What's a boy meant to think?" George put in, exaggerating his every movement and expression. Oliver could have thrown his pumpkin juice in his face. Aquila gave a very natural laugh.

"Now, now, Geroge sweety. Don't let your imagination get away with you. Just because you're daydreaming about the Keeper, doesn't mean we all are. He's my potions partner in a bid to cream Percy and humiliate him." Aquila crushed a piece of very crusty bread in her hand.

Fred and George looked mildly impressed.

"Say no more. Anything that puts that knobhead in his place is sacred in our books. Isn't that right, Georgey?" George nodded solemnly. Oliver was amazed at how she deflected that probing inquisition. It was true what people said. Hatred of Percy brought people together. When they were all getting up from the table after dinner, Aquila's hand brushed Oliver's in a small show of affection that would be seen as an accident from an onlooker. He supressed his smile, and walked on ahead with Angelina and Katie, while Aquila stayed behind talking to the Twins about how to mess with Percy best.

Once back in the Common Room, they went their separate ways. Aquila settle in to do a Crossword by the fire, and somehow Oliver ended up in a game of Wizard Chess with Percy. Percy didn't really have friends, and Oliver often felt sorry for the boy. Even if he was a ponce.

"So…" Percy said, after a time. "You and Aquila…" Oliver massaged his forehead with a hand.

"Yes, Percy? Was there a question there?" he said a bit more waspishly than intended.

"You guys are really good friends, right?" Oliver felt pity for the insufferable boy again.

"Yes." Percy took a breath and moved his rook before he continued.

"Does she… Does she hate me?" Oliver stared at the ginger boy for a time, then sighed.

"No Percy, she doesn't hate you." Oliver had to resist the urge to glance over his shoulder at her, curled up in her favourite armchair. He knew she'd have her bottom lip caught in her teeth, as she puzzled out a clue, occasionally chewing on something muggles called a pencil. Percy was staring at her though.

"Then why won't she spend any time with me? I don't get it." Oliver cleared his throat, and thought of what to say.

"I think she has a boyfriend. In Durmstrang she told me. Big mean Quidditch player. I know you like her and all, but… she's unavailable man. I don't know what to tell you. I'm sorry." He shrugged. Percy looked nonplussed and a little bit crestfallen.

"Oh." They wrapped up their game, Oliver winning of course, and Percy meekly left for bed.

It didn't take long for the Common Room to empty out, leaving only Oliver and Aquila. He slowly made his way over to the sofa that sat squarely in front of the fire. She scrawled down one last word before she moved herself from her armchair to sit next to him. She curled her feet up beside her, and leaned into him, his arms going around her instinctively. She twined her fingers through his again, stroking her thumb over the back of his hand.

"So… I might have accidentally told Percy you had a boyfriend in Durmstrang who's a big, mean Quidditch player." He stared into the dying flames of the fire. She chuckled softly against his chest.

"In Durmstrang? I thought he was in Hogwarts." He frowned.

"I am neither big, nor mean, I'll have you know."

"You stole Percy's badge again, didn't you?"

"Maybe."

"Yes. You're not mean at all. Nope." She chuckled again. He pulled her closer, and rested his chin down on the top of her head.