Chapter 26
After the quiet of Christmas break, the students returning to the halls was like an assault on Oliver’s senses. But, with the noise came the return of the rest of his friends, and some new challenges. Oliver and Marcus were heading to the Great Hall, covered in snowflakes, when Oliver’s two separate worlds collided.
“Oliver, we're back!” Fred called, grinning as he and the others approached.
“I bet it was quiet here without us!” George added, joining his brother as they met Oliver and Marcus halfway.
Charlie trailed a little farther behind them, glaring at Marcus.
Fred and George stopped short, beginning to glare at Marcus as well. “What are you doing with him?!” Fred asked, visibly upset.
Oliver stood his ground. “Flint apologized, he’s been helping me train. We’re friends now, so you’re going to have to deal with it.”
“I’m just going to uh…go literally anywhere else,” Flint muttered, starting to skirt around the pack of Weasley’s and into the Great Hall.
“Hey, no, Flint come on, they won’t bite. Right?” Oliver added, looking to the other three boys defiantly.
Fred and George exchanged a look before nodding, but Charlie didn’t share the same sentiments.
“Depends on what this idiot does I suppose,” Charlie grumbled, before turning and heading into the Great Hall.
Oliver watched Charlie curiously, before looking at Fred and George who looked uncharacteristically nervous. Oliver turned back to Marcus, “Thanks for practicing with me today, same time tomorrow?”
Flint nodded, giving him a small smile. “Sure Wood, as long as this godforsaken snow holds out.”
Oliver laughed, “What? A little snow is too challenging for you?”
Flint laughed, “Don’t be getting any crazy ideas, that’s my job.”
Oliver rolled his eyes and watched Flint head into the Great Hall and sit at the opposite side at the Slytherin table.
Fred and George both gave him weird looks, before following him to the Gryffindor table. “So, we missed a lot, then?”
Oliver piled his plate with food, and ignored them. “How was the holiday then? Good I assume?”
Fred nodded, “Yeah it was alright, big family Christmas, can get a bit annoying sometimes. Charlie kept getting letters from Rosalie too, non-stop.”
George nudged his brother, not so subtly. “We missed you too of course, hope you liked the gifts.”
Oliver was surprised at how much easier it was getting to temper down the anger inside him, the jealousy and rage. So, the Weasley’s had a very happy Christmas and their family could be annoying. Nevermind the fact that none of them had ever been beaten by their own mother. “The gifts were great, thank you, I’m sorry I couldn’t send you much.” Oliver said, before stabbing at his food with his food. “Charlie still with Rosalie then? I thought he’d be in a happier mood. Trouble in paradise?”
“Er..I think he’s more upset that you’re hanging around with Marcus Flint. To be honest, we are too.” Fred said, taking a swig of Pumpkin Juice after.
Oliver rolled his eyes, “I’m allowed to have other friends aren’t I? I didn’t have that many options when you guys were gone,” George opened his mouth to interrupt, but Oliver wasn’t having it. “He apologized, he’s been helping me train for Quidditch, and we actually have some things in common surprisingly.”
“That’s great, Oliver. We just think you caught Charlie off guard is all,” George said, giving him a nervous smile.
“Well, if he ever wants to share his opinions with me he’s more than welcome to,” Oliver responded calmly, not daring to look farther up the table where Charlie sat close to Bill. He had felt Charlie’s eyes on him a few times during their meal.
Fred and George exchanged glances again, which only grew Oliver’s curiosity. “What?”
“Charlie’s just always been pretty protective of you. I’m sure he wasn’t expecting to come back and find that your new best friend was the guy who nearly killed you.” Fred said, chewing on some food.
Oliver shrugged, “I can make my own decisions.”
The twins took the opportunity to wisely change the subject, much to Oliver’s relief, and they finished their meal almost like it was old times. Oliver could ignore that Charlie wasn’t with them…mostly.
~~~~//~~~
Classes resumed a couple days later, swamping Oliver with homework again and making it difficult to find extra time for Quidditch practice with Marcus. So, instead, Oliver found himself looking for a quiet spot in the library to work on Snape’s ‘welcome back to school’ potions essay. However, most of the other students had the same idea, and the NEWT students were really working hard now that the second half of the year was beginning.
“Need a place to work?” Oliver startled as Charlie’s voice rang out clearly as he turned around the end of a bookshelf.
“Saving that for Rosalie?” Oliver asked, eyeing the desk next to Charlie, “I’ll find something else to use thanks.”
Charlie sighed, his blue eyes wide in exasperation. “She just left a little bit ago, the desk is free for you to use if you want.”
“Thanks,” Oliver said stiffly, before settling in the seat and placing his parchment and books on the table.
“I’m sorry I haven’t seen much of you since I’ve been back, schoolwork and Rosalie and Quidditch practice,” Charlie said quietly, his own quill scratching at the parchment.
Oliver shrugged, “We see each other at practice at least, we’ve both been busy.” He knew it was a lame excuse, but he wasn’t in the mood to talk.
“While you were here did you get a chance to ask about your dad? Sprout or someone?” Charlie asked eagerly, in a hushed whisper.
Oliver couldn’t believe it. That was what he wanted to talk about? Not the fact that he was pissed at Oliver for being friends with Flint? Or the fact that he was being ignored for it? “No Charlie, I didn’t. I was busy.” He replied shortly, trying to start on his essay.
Charlie snorted, “Too busy palling around with Marcus Flint to ask about your father? Really, Oliver?”
Oliver started to gather his things, “It’s my life Charlie, I’ll decide what I want to know and when. Good luck with your work.”
Before Charlie could respond, Oliver stood and wandered back to the front of the library. He’d get his work done in the damn dormitory if he had to.