Percy was pleased that he was fast becoming a relevant person in Oliver's life. They had made it a habit to write notes in Professor Quirrell's class as they both found him deadly dull. There was one drawback though. Defense Against the Dark Arts was the only class that Oliver would sit next to Percy. In all the other classes that they shared, Oliver would sit next to his "preferred" friends. When this happened, Percy couldn't resist the urge to look over to where Oliver was sitting and see if maybe, just maybe, Oliver would be looking at him too. This still hadn't happened and he was beginning to feel like a stalker.
In corridors, he would appear to be a man on a mission as he walked quickly without stopping to talk to anyone, unless that person was breaking the rules. All the while his eyes would scan for a glimpse of Oliver. He wondered which route the boy took to get to the classes which they shared. The only one Percy knew about was Defense Against the Dark Arts. But Percy knew that if he were to find out Oliver's class routes, he probably wouldn't approach him, yet for some strange reason he kept wondering what the boy did on his free time. It was getting ridiculous, or so Percy thought.
Also, his ever growing distractions during the school day meant more studying during his free time so that he wouldn't get behind. In hindsight, he was managing himself pretty well but it was still very stressful. He had managed to change the foot stool into a puppy ages ago. Professor McGonagall had handed out foot stools to everyone except for him; he had received the quaffle he had transfigured while distracted. Those who knew the story chuckled to themselves. Mrs. McGonagall wasn't trying to poke fun at him, but Percy got a bit angry. He immediately brandished his wand, pointed it at the bloody quaffle, and turned it into a bloody puppy. The class cheered.
He found that Defense Against the Dark Arts was particularly easy this year. Thinking that Professor Quirrell wasn't stimulating him intellectually, he asked him for permission to rent books out from the restricted section. Professor Quirrell agreed to it on a condition.
"I understand you're a b-b-busy b-b-boy," Professor Quirrell began, "busy but very b-b-brilliant."
"Thank you, Professor." he said.
"You see, Oliver Wood is d-d-doing horrible in my class a-a-and, he needs help f-frankly. He d-d-doesn't make an attempt to come for help. And I v-v-very much doubt that he's studying. I b-b-believe this Q-Q-Quidditch thing is getting to his head…" he said.
Percy just stood there waiting for Quirrell to finish his thought.
"Well I b-b-believe that since you're c-c-loser to him you c-c-could help him study."
"I don't really talk to him," Percy said, "but if he's willing than I'll be more than happy to help him."
"It s-s-seems that you two t-t-talk quite a lot. D-d-do you think I have-ha-haven't noticed that you pa-pass notes in class?" he said.
He thought of what Quirrell had said and understood why the professor was under the impression that they were closer than what was actually true.
"S-so you'll do it?" Professor Quirrell asked.
"I'll be happy to." he said.
"Ex-excellent, I'll let him kn-know tomorrow. You may go."
This was definitely a fortunate, fateful coincidence. He was delighted that he'd get to spend more time with Oliver but he still wasn't sure why he was so happy. There fist study session was to be on Sunday at Hogsmeade. Percy had insisted that they study in the library as there would be less distractions but Oliver proved to be stubborn.
They were both dressed in regular clothing as they entered the Three Broomsticks. Percy hadn't bothered to wear a sweater because the weather was only just starting to cool. However, Oliver had on a light sweater claiming, "I'm in Quidditch so I know the weather is unpredictable. Better to be safe than sorry, mate."
Though Percy wished they could talk leisurely, he knew that this was a job. And he wasted no time in tutoring Oliver. Percy considered himself a man of logic, putting responsibilities before personal desires. After two hours Oliver stood up and stretched.
"I'm exhausted! I'm going to get a butterbeer, want one?" Oliver said. Percy shrugged and got up to stretch too. As Oliver went to order, Percy saw that his twin brothers and Angelina had entered.
"Ay, mate!" the twin's called. Oliver turned and waved.
"Better make it 5 butterbeers." he heard Oliver say.
Percy stayed to finish his butterbeer with the lot, and even stayed for second rounds. He kept trying to take discrete glances at Oliver who had taken his sweater off making his muscles noticeable. Then the whole group got up deciding that they wanted to head back to school.
"Wanna get some extra practice before it gets too dark. You leaving too?" Fred asked Percy.
"No, I'm going down to Honeydukes and buying something for Ginny and Mum," Percy said, "and Dad. Halloween is coming up." They shrugged and walked out as a group, but Percy stayed behind.
Percy began to organize his books. Why had he brought all of his books? Next time he'd order Oliver to bring his so that he wouldn't be stuck carrying them. He was about to leave when he noticed that Oliver had left his sweater behind. Grabbing his books and the sweater, he hurried out.
They were already gone. He was annoyed that he'd have to carry all of it; instead he set his books down, put the sweater on, and picked his books back up. Instantly something happened in him.
He became completely lost in the scent. Everything about it screamed Oliver's name. The slight hint of cologne, freshness, and pine. It felt as though Oliver was holding him even though he was long gone. Somehow, it made him less lonely. He was alone but felt as though Oliver was there. He went to Honeydukes to buy those promised treats for his family back at the burrow and was drawn into an even deeper trance by all the sweets. All of which, reminded him of Oliver. He spent all the money he had in his pocket on sweets.
He was still enchanted by the smell when he arrived at the Gryffindor common room. Hermione was the only one in the room. She was pointing her wand at a book and saying, "Wingardium Leviosa!" When the book made no movement she gave a frustrated cry.
"Have you seen Oliver Wood come by?" he asked her dreamily.
"I don't think so." she said. He nodded and headed for the stairs that led to his dormitory.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" she said again.
"You know," Percy said turning around, "you're saying it wrong. It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa."
Hermione tried it with the new pronunciation. The book struggled to lift off the table and when it did it gave a few shakes before falling back down on the table. Hermione gave a shriek.
"We start learning about levitation tomorrow and I do want to get ahead. Thank you!" she said. With that, Percy went upstairs and into his dorm.
He let himself drop on his bed without taking the sweater off. That night, he dreamt of pines.