Chapter 34
Oliver sat at his desk the next morning, eyeing the journal warily. “Alright, I suppose I should give this a shot.”
Oliver opened the journal to a random page and wrote: ‘Hey, thanks for the gift, I hope this works?’
Oliver watched in amazement as the words disappeared off of the page, like they had never been there at all. How would this work? What if Marcus didn’t see his message at all? Would he have to keep trying all day? His mother wasn’t home, so he did have the time…but still.
Sighing, Oliver closed the journal and wandered downstairs and outside into the bright sunshine. It really was a beautiful summer day. For once, Oliver wasn’t flying on a broom worrying about stopping Quaffles, he could just walk outside and…be.
It lasted for a wonderful five minutes.
“Oliver! Did you get our gifts?!” Fred called from above on his broom.
Oliver blinked upwards in surprise at the three floating Weasleys. George and Charlie were there, grinning down at him alongside their brother.
“Happy Birthday, Ollie!” Charlie said, his smile warmer than even the summer sun.
“Did you use the dungbombs?!” George asked excitedly, as the three of them landed in Oliver’s yard.
Oliver smiled, it was hard to be upset around the three of them. It felt like ages since he’d seen them, and he ran over and was wrapped in a bear hug by all three brothers. “What are you guys doing here? You know my mother might be home.”
Fred grinned, “Since you seem so happy, my guess is that she isn’t here.”
Oliver rolled his eyes, “Not here right now. I think she’s working extra because I think we’ll be going to Diagon Alley in a few days. What new classes did you two decide to take?”
“Care of Magical Creatures,” George said.
“And Muggle Studies!” Fred added gleefully.
Oliver looked at him in confusion. “Why…Muggle Studies?”
Fred laughed, “Probably an easy grade, that’s why. What about you?”
Oliver raised an eyebrow at him. “I’m not so sure learning about the Muggle world is going to be as easy as you think. But, I’m taking Care of Magical Creatures too and Ancient Runes.”
Charlie looked surprised by the second class. “Ancient Runes? Why’s that?”
Oliver decided that the safest bet would be to give him half the truth. Shrugging, he said “It was the only other class that sounded interesting on the list aside from Care of Magical Creatures.”
Charlie seemed to accept this, “It can be a pretty tough class Ollie, but I’m sure you can do it.”
Oliver nodded, not quite meeting Charlie’s eyes. The other reason was that Marcus had also decided to take the class, and Oliver figured it would be a good excuse to spend more time with him, without his friends questioning why. “I’ll be alright, you know how hard I work. Besides, in a few more years I can drop it if I need to.”
Charlie sighed, “Don’t remind me. It's the O.W.L year for me. The summer work was brutal and school hasn’t even begun yet.”
“Hey, the three of us are going to be in two extra classes this year!” Fred protested, “You aren’t the only one who’s got it rough!”
George looked like he was about to agree but Charlie stopped him before he could even start. “I am not having this argument again you two. It’s going to be a rough year for most of us. It’ll be Ron’s first year, Bill is going to be figuring out what he wants to be in the world, and no matter what year it is Percy is going to be stressed, even if it is a pretty normal year for him. Next year will be worse because it’ll be his O.W.L year.”
“Alright, alright, we get it!” George protested. “So, Diagon Alley in a few days? We can convince our mum to go at the same time and meet you there…er that is if you can ditch your mum.”
Oliver sighed, “She may just let me go by myself. The less involved she needs to be the better. But, she might have business in Diagon Alley too, so she might come and then let me go wherever I want. It just-” Oliver stopped, turning his attention towards the house. He could’ve sworn he heard the floo flames in the fireplace.
“That’s our cue gents,” Fred said, following Charlie and George's lead and hopping back onto his broomstick.
Oliver tried not to be too disappointed as he watched his friends fly away. He wished he could join them. The arrival of his mother brought him back to reality. His father was dead, had never known him, and Oliver was alone with his mother who he wasn’t even sure cared about him.
The door creaked open and his mother eyed him suspiciously. “What are you doing out here?”
“I was just finishing dome flying practice,” Oliver said calmly, keeping his tone even and hoping she would buy it.
After a few moments, his mother seemed to buy it. “I suppose you can join me in Diagon Alley in a few days. I have some business to deal with for work but you need your supplies. No arguing, understand?”
Oliver nodded, suppressing an eyeroll. Why on earth would he argue? It was an excuse to get out of the house and see his friends. Speaking of his friends, he should see if the journal worked. Oliver tried to walk up the stairs as calmly as he could, without alerting his mother to his excitement.
Oliver entered his room and walked over to his desk, opening the journal cautiously, trying not to get his hopes up.
‘It worked Wood, anytime you send a message it stays on the other person’s end until they read it. Looks like we’ll be seeing each other in Diagon Alley soon. It’ll have to be quick, my father is always annoyed when he has to bring me there. Maybe by next year he’ll trust me to go by himself. He and his…friends are all excited about the first years coming to Hogwarts this year. I have no idea why though. Anyway, write when you can, see you soon.’
Oliver smiled, trying to ignore the happy feeling in his stomach. He was more excited to see Marcus than he thought he’d be.
Now…
“So, it wasn’t always just Charlie it would seem,” His therapist said with a bemused smile.
Oliver’s ears still flushed, even all these years later. “No, I think in a way…it was always Charlie. I just didn’t always focus on it.”
His therapist raised an eyebrow. “Hmmm I see there’s more to the story.”
Oliver laughed, “A lot more.”