Catching Her Heart

by Glitchie

Oliver Wood sees a lot of his younger self in Hermione Granger when she appears at Hogwarts for her first year. He takes it upon himself to look after her like a big brother. But when he leaves Hogwarts, things become a tad more difficult, not only because of the distance, but because as their friendship continues, he finds his feelings toward her change.

94. Chapter 94

Chapter 94

13th November 1994

Dear Oliver,

I'm sorry that it's been so long since I've written. I hope the twins didn't make you worry too much about me. I'm fine, honest.

I have to admit, I was surprised to be caught in the duel between Harry and Malfoy yesterday, and it came as a surprise at first, to hear what Professor Snape said; which was that he didn't see a difference when Ron made me take my hands away and show him my teeth; but I should probably start at the beginning.

I was hit by the Densaugeo spell during the duel, and Professor Snape said that he didn't see a difference even though my teeth had grown down to my collar by that time, and it was hard to hide them. Sure, it hurt at first, and that's why I ran off.

I went to the infirmary and Madam Pomfrey gave me a mirror, and while I was waiting for my teeth to shrink, I was able to think more about what Professor Snape said. I realised then that maybe he wasn't trying to be mean with what he said, but was rather trying to remove the attention that Ron had drawn to me.

Anyway, I have tried forever to get my parents to fix my teeth, considering they are both dentists and that's what they do for a living, but they always refused. Often I was told that it's not what's on the outside but on the inside that counts, and while I do appreciate them and their guidance, I still wanted them to fix my teeth because I didn't like them. I didn't see me when I looked in the mirror, so I took this opportunity to fix them myself, and let the shrinking spell go a little longer than was necessary to get my teeth back to where they were.

Professor Snape has allowed me to make up the work for the class I missed, so I better get to it. I have to write out a recipe for an antidote, and then brew it during Harry and Ron's detention tomorrow evening, so I had better go now. I miss you, talk to you soon!

Hermione

Hermione yawned as she fed Crookshanks the next morning and gave his head a scratch between the ears, smiling as his contented purr reached her ears. She'd been up late last night working on her recipe for Professor Snape after sending her letter to Oliver. She'd taken a lot of time in thinking about which antidote she wanted to do, and decided on the one from the year prior to prove that the events of last year had not diminished her memory of the lesson. She therefore used the Antidote to Uncommon Poisons that could be used if someone was bitten by a Doxy.

Pulling out her parchment, she went over it again.

Recipe for Antidote to Uncommon Poisons

Cures the effects of minor poisons

Colour: Green

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Ingredients:

5 Fire Seeds

1 Powdered Graphorn horn

3 dried Billywig stings

3 Chizpurfle Carapaces

Brewing instructions:

Part 1

1 Fill cauldron to half with water and place cauldron over medium heat.

2. Slowly drop in 5 fire seeds, being sure not to splash once cauldron has come to a simmer.

Part 2

1. Place single Graphorn horn in mortar and powder with pestle.

2. Remove cauldron from heat once water has come to a rolling bubble.

3. Sprinkle powdered Graphorn horn into bubbling cauldron. Potion will turn a golden yellow.

4. Add 3 dried Billywig stings and return to medium heat.

5. Stir counterclockwise 7 times. Potion will turn a blue colour.

6. Add 3 Chizpurfle carapaces and stir 3 times clockwise and remove from heat.

7. Wave your wand to finish potion.

Satisfied that she hadn't missed anything, she sighed and set it aside before getting dressed. When she was finished, she stuck it in her bag with her History of Magic and Charms books and headed off for breakfast. On her way, she met Harry who was headed to the Owlery and decided to join him, sending an owl with her assignment to Professor Snape.

"Ms Granger," the silky sound of Professor Snape's voice cut through the chatter as she sat with Harry, Lee and the twins at breakfast and silence fell as all looked up at him. "I assume that you have your recipe prepared?"

"Oh," Hermione said and dug into her bag. "Yes, Professor. It should be arriving to you by owl post with the morning mail."

Professor Snape sneered.

"Too lazy to bring it along with you to breakfast? This is not one of those my pet ate my homework excuses that Muggles are particularly fond of, is it Ms Granger?"

Hermione blinked, taken aback that she would be accused of not doing an assignment.

"N-no sir," she replied, still stunned.

"She sent it this morning," Harry answered.

"And how would you know, Potter?" Professor Snape asked, glaring at him. "Do you share a brain cell? Are you joined at the hip? Maybe you should mind your own business for once. We've all seen how much trouble you get into when you don't."

"I know because I was there, sir," Harry replied hotly. "Hermione went with me to the Owlery this morning, she sent it then."

"Very well, I will look over it if it arrives," Professor Snape said after a moment, looking between them before returning his gaze to Hermione. "I will let you know during your Potions class this afternoon if it is suitable."

"Alright," Hermione said, with uncertainty and bit her lip as Professor Snape strode away.

"What was that about?" Harry asked.

"I - I don't know," Hermione said. "Nothing out of the ordinary, at least, I think," she continued, staring after him. "It's just making up the lesson about the recipe for the antidote."

"Yeah, but that's weird," Lee said.

"Yeah, since when isn't anything you submit suitable?" the twins asked.

"Come on, guys," Hermione said with a roll of her eyes, trying to brush it off. "You know how he is with Gryffindor."

The chatter returned between Lee and the twins, but Hermione felt Harry's gaze on her as she returned to finish her breakfast. Before they headed off to History of Magic, the mail arrived, and she was surprised when an owl dropped a letter in front of her before settling down on the table.

"Harry, do you mind?" she asked, pointing to a piece of toast, and he handed her the plate noticing that she'd already finished hers. "Thanks," she said, giving the toast to the owl when she saw that it was waiting. She opened the letter and began to read.

14th November 1994

Hello Kitty Cat,

It's great to hear from you, and I am glad everything is okay. Yes, the twins had me pretty worried due to the way things have gone with bullying in your past, but I'm glad that you're able to put it behind you and not let it affect you so much. I agree with your assessment of Professor Snape's words. Ron might not have intended his actions to be bullying, but they allowed the bullies to take action, if that makes sense. I am also glad that he allowed you to make up the work since it can affect your grades.

I found your admission in your letter of not seeing yourself when you looked in the mirror kind of heartbreaking. I mean, I understand how people can always have that one thing or maybe two that they don't like about themselves, and want to change, but to not see yourself when you look in the mirror is kind of sad.

I have to agree with what your parents said. That it matters what's on the inside, not the outside that counts. Now, having said that, I have to add that I hope you are happy with your appearance now, and feel like yourself, but I want you to know, I like you regardless, and I know my parents do too.

I also have to apologise for not having written. Things have been pretty crazy here in Dorset. Honestly, I haven't been off the bench in a game yet, but I play during practice when the team plays against the reserve team. It's been fun, and I've made some friends. I have to admit though, I don't have names and faces down yet and have to go off the roster for who's on what team most of the time. They've made me feel welcome though, and I've learned that most players have specific reserve players, kind of like an understudy in a play.

Mine is Zachariah Greene, he's the Keeper for the team. He's a good guy, and has taken to teasing me about how I shouldn't worry too much about not playing because it won't be long before I do since his luck isn't the greatest. The only other players I know without the roster are Wilda Griffiths and Benjy Williams.

Wilda is a Chaser that came to the team from the Holyhead Harpies and Benjy is the Seeker. Last season before the Quidditch Cup, just after Wilda came to Puddlemere, things got really nasty with her and Gwenog Jones, the captain of the Holyhead Harpies. There was a game just after Wilda joined, where Puddlemere United faced off against the Holyhead Harpies. The Daily Prophet claimed Wilda disappeared from the game.

Benjy reminds me of Harry in the way he's able to shut out what is happening in the crowd and game around him and focus on his position. During the chaos of that game with the riot that happened, Benjy was able to catch the Snitch. I don't know the other players on the main team because like me, they were reserves, and went into their positions when other players retired this last season, so they're still pretty green. Anyway, I'd better go, practice is starting soon. Miss you.

Oliver

Quickly, realising that she was running out of time before classes were to start and that she and the others needed to go soon, she pulled out her ink and quill and wrote a short note for Oliver.

14th November 1994

Dear Oliver,

Yes, I am happier now that I feel like I see myself when I look in the mirror, but thank you. You don't know how much it means to me to hear that you and your parents liked me before. I have to go now, too, but I will write later. Glad you're making friends on your team!

Miss you!

Hermione

She folded the letter and handed it to the owl and watched as it flew off before she packed her things up and swung her bag on her shoulder as Lee and the twins finished breakfast.

"You coming, Harry?" she asked.

"Wait," Lee said.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"Aren't you going to tell us?" Fred asked.

"Yeah, I'm coming," Harry replied.

"Tell you what?" Hermione asked as Harry grabbed his books and got up.

"What our you Ollie had to say," Lee answered.

"And what you wrote back," the twins said in unison, grinning at her.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Later," she said as Harry laughed, and they headed off to class.

She didn't have to worry about Harry's scrutinising gaze then because like every other student in the room besides herself, he fell into a stupor at Professor Binns drowning voice.

She honestly didn't know why he was watching her, it wasn't uncommon for a teacher to talk to a student at a mealtime if something needed to be cleared up for classes. Was it so strange for it to be Professor Snape? After all, hadn't Professor Snape come to talk to Harry himself during their first year about the Quidditch match? Why should she be treated any differently for Professor Snape talking to her? Maybe he'd just been in a fouler mood than usual this morning, and she'd borne the brunt of it, just because she was Gryffindor.

"Hermione?" Harry said after class as they got their books together to leave and the other students filed out.

"Yes?" Hermione asked.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked.

Hermione wrinkled her brow in confusion.

"Yes," she replied. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know," Harry replied. "Something just seems... Off."

Thoroughly confused, Hermione shook her head. "I'm not sure what you mean, I feel fine," she replied.

"I mean," Harry began and then shook his head. "Never mind," he said with a smile. "It's not important. I guess it just seemed strange to have Professor Snape approach you. He doesn't really stop at our table that often."

"Well, that's true I suppose," Hermione answered and laughed. "Last time I remember it was in our first year. I was thinking about that earlier. I'm heading to the library to meet with Viktor," she said when she noticed all the students had left. "Do you want to come?"

Harry blinked.

"You're friends with Viktor Krum?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah," Hermione said with a slight blush. "Please don't let Ron know."

"No problem with worries about that," Harry replied. "He's still not talking to me."

"I'm sorry, Harry," Hermione said genuinely. "It's okay, Harry," she said. "I'm sure he'll come around."

"I don't know, Hermione," Harry said. "It's been weeks."

"Well, you're welcome to come to the library," Hermione said. "I meet Viktor there during breaks."

"No," Harry said. "It's okay. I'll see you in Charms."

"Okay, Harry," Hermione said as she slung her bag on her shoulder and watched Harry head off down the hall. Shaking her head in dismay, she turned and headed for the library.

"Ah, zere you are," Viktor said, joining her in the back of the library a short time after she arrived.

"Hello," Hermione said with a smile and Viktor nodded as he sat down.

"How is your club going?" Viktor asked, noticing that she once again had the books on House-Elves scattered across the table and was taking notes again.

"Well, I am still not sure of how it will go," Hermione admitted looking up from her notes. "I haven't gotten the chance to ask Harry and Ron about being Treasurer and Secretary yet, they still aren't talking, by the way, but I have some good news."

"Oh," Viktor said. "Vhat is dat?"

"Lee and the Weasley twins, Fred and George, who I sat with this morning with Harry," Hermione explained. "They have a mail order joke business they are running, and they said that if I get the pamphlets together, they could help me with their mail order business."

"Zat is good news, yes?" Viktor asked.

"Yes," Hermione said with a smile.

"Zat is good zen," Viktor agreed. "Is zat vot you are doing now?"

"I'm taking notes for it, yes," Hermione said.

"Vhat is your next class?" Viktor asked.

"I have Charms next with Professor Flitwick, and then this afternoon after lunch I have Potions with Professor Snape." She paused with a laugh. "You mean you still haven't figured out my schedule?"

"No," Viktor admitted. "Class here is not like Durmstrang."

"That's okay, I understand," she said with a smile. "I really wish you could tell me more about your school, but I understand the need for secrecy."

"Hey, Hermione," Harry said as he sat by her in Charms.

"Yes?" Hermione asked.

"I um," Harry murmured with uncertainty and looked rather embarrassed. "I wanted to let you know..."

"Yes, what is it?" Hermione asked, trying to listen to him while also listening to what Professor Flitwick was saying about the red sparks charm.

"Well, um," Harry said. "When you took off the Infirmary during Potions, I didn't stay for the lesson either."

"What?" Hermione asked, looking at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Colin Creevey showed up and told Professor Snape that Mr Bagman wanted all the champions, that we were needed for the Weighing of the Wands and to take photographs." He paused and rolled his eyes. "As if my being pulled from class wasn't enough to make Snape mad, Colin had to mention the photographs. It was all I needed, too..."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked as she idle waved her wand, casting a flawless red sparks charm and smiled and gave a glance to Professor Flitwick at his praise.

"Rita Skeeter was there," Harry replied. "Which means I'll have no privacy..." He paused, sighing heavily. "The story of my life."

"I'm sorry, Harry," Hermione said genuinely.

"It's fine," Harry said. "I'm used to it. Anyway, I wanted to let you know because as she was interviewing me, your name came up. I didn't tell her much, only that we'd been friends since our first year."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks, Harry."

"Don't thank me yet," Harry replied with a grim smile. "The interview was a total fiasco, so I don't know what she's going to write, or when it will come out."

That evening as Hermione entered the Great Hall, the chatter died down, and she looked around nervously, wondering what was going on as she made her way to where Lee and the twins were sitting.

"What is it?" she asked as she sat down, noticing they were trying to hide something that looked suspiciously like the Daily Prophet from her.

"What's what?" George asked.

"That," Hermione said, pointing to what she could clearly see was the evening edition of the Daily Prophet that she was growing suspicious of as the twins tried to hide it.

"Nothing," Fred said, taking the paper from his twin and sticking it in the waistband of his trousers, letting his robes fall over it.

Hermione looked at him sceptical as she glanced around at the students in the hall, catching many whispering to their friends as they watched her before they realised she was looking at them and looked away, but the whispers didn't stop. Looking back to the twins impatiently, her expression changed from scepticism to a full on, impatient glare.

Lee sighed and held out his hand to Fred.

"Come, give it," he said tiredly. "She deserves to know."

Reluctantly, Fred reached under his robes and pulled the paper out. "Yeah, I guess you're right..."

Hermione unfolded the paper and saw the headline, Harry Potter Youngest Triwizard Champion and groaned. Shaking her head, she skimmed the article as she sat down slowly, feeling Lee and the twins' eyes on her.

"Oh, I'm going to kill him," Hermione said under her breath.

"Who?" the twins asked

"Colin Creevey," Hermione said angrily and looked around the table and saw the boy catch her eye farther down the table as he was showing the article to a friend and saw him pale and squeak before he hurried away at her glare.

Turning back to the article, she read aloud:

"Harry has at last found love at Hogwarts. His close friend, Colin Creevey, says that Harry is rarely seen out of the company of one Hermione Granger, a stunningly pretty Muggle-born girl who, like Harry, is one of the top students at the school."

"Yeah," the twins said.

"We know," Lee said. "We read it."

"What a load of rubbish!" Hermione said as she threw the paper down. "Colin Creevey? His close friend?"

Lee sighed as he looked at the paper.

"But that's not the issue, is it?" he asked.

"No," Hermione said morosely, propping her chin in her hand.

The twins looked from Lee to Hermione.

"Ah," George said with a grin.

"You're worried about what Ollie will think of that, aren't you?"

"Not just him," Hermione said, "but, yes. I have to wonder what Oliver and his parents will think when they see this garbage."

She did her best to focus on her food after that, trying to ignore the whispers and join in the conversation with Lee and the twins, but her heart just wasn't in it, and it wasn't long before with a sigh, she gave up. Giving them an apologetic look, she got to her feet and excused herself, heading off to the Potions classroom to wait for Professor Snape so that he could let her in to work on her potion.

Hermione sighed as she leaned against the wall in the dungeon corridor, her mind still on the article. Where did Colin get off telling Rita Skeeter he was one of Harry's close friends? She knew that she'd said she'd kill him, and her anger had obviously scared him when he saw her, but honestly, she didn't know what she would do if she confronted him about it. It wasn't long before Harry and Ron appeared, together but giving each other the cold shoulder. She sighed again and rolled her eyes, wondering what she was going to do with them, too. As she watched them, she got the feeling that any meetings of the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare would feel as cold.

"Hey, Hermione," Ron said, his hands shoved in his pockets as he stood on one side of the corridor.

"Hermione," Harry greeted as well.

"Hey," Hermione said quietly.

"You saw the Prophet?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Hermione answered.

"Everyone saw it," Ron groused, but Harry ignored him.

"Sorry about that," Harry said. "I noticed she had some kind of charmed quill when she was interviewing me, and she kept getting things wrong."

"It's okay, Harry," Hermione replied. "I just... I'll just have to write to Oliver and his family and let them know it's not true. I - I don't even know what they think of it."

"Who cares what they think," Ron said.

"I do, for one," Hermione snapped. She was getting tired of Ron's attitude and wished that he would listen to what came out of his mouth sometimes.

"Enough," Professor Snape said as he strode down the hall toward them. "Inside," he said, and opened the door to the potions classroom and gave a jerk of his head.

Hermione stepped into the room, brushing past Ron and Harry at the door.

"Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, you will be serving detention over in the potions stores pickling rat brains."

"Eeww, yuck!" Ron groused and made a face.

"I'm delighted to know your feelings on the subject," Professor Snape said, rolling his eyes and looking anything but delighted though Hermione had to wonder if he wasn't smirking internally. "But this is detention, not a holiday and that's your assignment."

"Yes, sir," Harry said and headed over to the store cupboard with Ron trailing behind. "Let's just get this over with."

Hermione knew from his remark that he'd hoped to have separate detentions so that he didn't have to put up with Ron's attitude also.

"Granger," Professor Snape said, drawing her attention from the boys.

"Yes, Professor," Hermione asked, looking up at him.

"After reviewing your recipe, I've determined that it's suitable. You may use the cauldron on the table," Professor Snape replied, handing the recipe back to her. "You know where the ingredients are kept, get to work."

"Yes, Professor," Hermione answered, and headed over to the table he had indicated and checked that the cauldron was clean and dry before beginning her work, noticing the Professor moved to his desk and began grading essays, allowing them to work on their own papers.