Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Spring arrived at Hogwarts quickly, which gave Oliver plenty of time to think. About…well, everything. Christmas break had gone by fast and the mood had less than festive to say the least after his mother had shown up. The promise of continuing his training with her this summer loomed like a dark cloud.
“You can’t possibly still be studying Oliver.” Fred’s voice interrupted Oliver, who shifted in the cozy red armchair he had occupied since returning to the common room after dinner.
“I am, and you two should be too. The professors aren’t going to pass you just for being witty.” Oliver grumbled back at the twins.
“Ooo a bit touchy tonight are we?” George teased him.
Oliver hadn’t meant to sound so annoyed. Other kids were excited for the end of term, restless to finish exams and go home to their families. Oliver wished he could say the same. The end of his first year at Hogwarts wasn’t something he was looking forward to. He really did love it here. The classes, the professors, well, okay, maybe not Snape, but still. He was still even able to practice with Charlie after the actual Quidditch practices.
Regular practices. Not ones where his mother shouted at him, shot curses at him to avoid, and even beat him after he hadn;t done good enough in her eyes.
“Leave him alone you two, he’s right you should also be studying.” Percy Weasley scowled at his brothers, and for once Oliver agreed with him.
“Alright alright.” Fred said, before sighing dramatically and cracking open his copy of A History of Magic.
“Is that the first time you’ve opened that?!” Percy asked incredulously.
George laughed. “Look Percy, the two of us aren’t exactly scholars like the rest of you in case you hadn’t noticed.”
Charlie looked up from his Transfiguration book. “I’m not exactly a genius like Bill is. I need to work my ass off over here.”
Oliver grinned. “You’re a genius when it comes to Care of Magical Creatures I hear. Not too bad at Charms and Herbology either.”
Charlie smiled gratefully at him before sighing. “Too bad Potions, Transfiguration, and History of Magic aren’t so easy.”
“You’ll get it, don’t worry.” Oliver said, before returning to his own book.
“Where is Bill anyway?” Fred asked the group.
“Studying in the library, where I’m sure it’s much more quiet.” Percy replied grumpily.
“That’s where all the fifth years are, cramming for O.W.L’s.” Charlie said absentmindedly.
Oliver wasn’t sure what those were. He’d heard some of the older students worrying over them, but had been too nervous to ask. “Which are…what exactly?”
All four Weasley siblings turned to look at him, their eyes wide with surprise.
“It’s only the second most important test in our academic careers. It will help determine what sort of career we could have.” Percy said empathetically.
Oliver was only eleven, almost twelve technically. He hadn’t thought about a career. Aside from professional Quidditch that is.
“What are you all planning on doing then? What about Bill?” Oliver asked them.
“Minister of Magic.” Percy said proudly.
“Nothing.” Fred and George chimed in unison.
“Work with magical creatures!” Charlie said excitedly.
“Bill…I’m not sure, he’s good at a little bit of everything.” Charlie said thoughtfully.
“What about you?” Fred asked him excitedly.
Oliver shrugged. “I’m not sure, I guess I haven’t really thought about it.”
George nodded. “You’ve got plenty of time.”
“I’m still stuck on how Percy said Minister of Magic.” Fred added.
Oliver laughed as the two of them began to tease their brother mercilessly again. That was another thing he would be missing out on, he realized with a pang. He doubted he was going to see any of the Weasley’s this summer. The thought haunted Oliver as he headed up to bed that night, his exams the farthest thing from his mind.
He was going to go home, alone, except for his mother. He couldn’t even use any of the magic he’d learned this year to help him. Stupid underage wizarding law.
He fell asleep that night feeling more sorry for himself than he had in awhile.