Chapter 35
“Be quick about gathering your supplies Oliver, I won’t be long and the sooner we get home the sooner we can train,” Oliver’s mother said briskly as they stepped into Diagon Alley out of the floo flames.
“I understand,” Oliver said, trying to keep his tone neutral. He couldn’t seem too excited or his mother would be suspicious, and he couldn’t be too sarcastic or rude, otherwise she may not let him go to the shops alone.
Which would mean no Weasleys.
Also no Marcus.
They had kept in touch over the last couple of days through the journal. The two of them had stayed up late, writing in their respective journals coming up with a plan for today and getting properly caught up about their summers, already wishing to be back at Hogwarts. Thankfully, in less than a month, there would be.
Oliver looked up at the clock outside of Ollivander’s, noting that it was almost time to meet up in the back shelves of Flourish and Blott’s with Marucs. His mother had already disappeared into the crowded streets. “No, I’ll be fine, thanks for asking,” Oliver muttered to himself, trudging through the bodies and heading for the bookstore.
Naturally, his plan was quickly derailed by his friends. He was going to meet with the Weasleys after Marcus, but of course, the clan of redheads needed books too. Oliver barely made it into the store before Bill Weasley spotted him.
“Oliver! How have you been? We’ve missed you!” Bill towered over him, grinning broadly.
“Oliver’s here?!” Fred turned around and ran over to see him, followed closely by George.
Oliver repressed a frustrated sigh, and smiled at his friends. “I’ve missed you guys too, find everything you need?”
George grinned wickedly, “We sure did, wait until you see one of the books we need this year. The shopkeeper nearly cried when we said we needed two.”
Oliver pulled out his letter and scanned the list, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. It all seemed pretty standard.
The Standard Book Of Spells Year Three
Intermediate Potions
A Guide to Transfiguration: Volume Three
The Wizarding Highlands and the Plants Found There
Astonishing Astronomy: Volume Three
A Beginner’s Guide to Ancient Runes
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
The Monster Book of Monsters
Oliver glanced at the other paper behind his letter, the still blank Hogsmeade permission slip. He hadn’t found the right moment to ask his mother for her signature. He wondered if and when that moment would be.
“Er, what exactly is that supposed to mean?” Oliver asked the twins.
“Don’t scare him you two, the books aren’t as dangerous as everyone thinks,” Charlie stepped up behind his brothers, looking exasperated.
Oliver smiled at him, hoping no one noticed his ears turning pink. Charlie’s skin had a nice summer tan to it, accenting his blue eyes and freckled his face nicely. “What are they actually monsters?” Oliver joked, grinning at the assembled Weasley brothers.
Oliver’s smile faltered when he was met with two very serious faces and two mischievous grins. “Oh you’ve got to be kidding me,” Oliver groaned.
Fred and George laughed loudly, but they were abruptly cut off by a harried looking Mrs Weasley. “Boys! We need to get going soon, have you found everything?”
Oliver smiled politely at Mrs Weasley and a quiet Ron and Ginny who flanked her. “Oh! Oliver dear, how nice to see you. Enjoying the summer?”
“As much as I can be,” Oliver told her, and she smiled sympathetically at him, knowing exactly how his mother could be.
“We’re just over the hill if you ever need anything,” She told him. Turning her attention back to her children she asked, “Where is Percy?”
“I think he’s browsing the bookshelves, you know how he gets around books. I’ll look for him,” Charlie said amicably, turning to head back into the depths of the store.
“I’d better go look for my books too, it was great to see you all. See everyone on the train next month,” Oliver smiled at the family and headed up the stairs and as far back as he could get from prying eyes.
Oliver turned down the last aisle and his stomach felt like it was doing a back flip once his eyes landed on Marcus. He stood near the back of the aisle, looking startlingly normal in a pair of jeans and a light gray shirt. His black hair was as neat as ever, and he was pretending to browse the shelves.
“Flint, I made it. Sorry I was a little late. I ran into the Weasleys. How long do we have?” Oliver wondered if he was standing too close to Marcus, but he chalked up to their already cramped surroundings.
Marcus looked relieved to see him, and possibly nervous? “It’s alright Wood, I’m glad to see you. We don’t have a lot of time. My father's probably almost done with his meeting and I’ve got just about everything I need so my excuse has run out if he comes looking for me.”
Oliver grimaced, “Were you able to get your permission slip signed?”
Marcus snorted, “Please, my father thinks Hogsmeade trips will do nothing but distract me from my studies and that it would be a waste of time for me to go. How about you?”
Oliver sighed, “At least you asked, I haven’t even tried yet. But, I think my mother will end up saying something eerily similar. So, you wanted to give me a birthday gift? Is it in there?” Oliver nodded towards the bag, where he could see Marcus’ new Arithmancy textbook poking out. “I can’t believe you’re taking that instead of Care of Magical Creatures.”
Marcus laughed, “Trust me, I would’ve if my father would let me. Can you imagine if I said I wanted to take Muggle Studies? I doubt I’d be standing here. No…my gift isn’t an item really. Just…hold still okay? Close your eyes, it’s a surprise.”
Why did Marcus seem so nervous? Why was Oliver so nervous? “Okay…” He replied, standing still and closing his eyes.
What came next surprised Oliver so much he thought he must be dreaming. Marcus had stepped forward, and pressed his lips nervously to Oliver’s own. Oliver found himself kissing him back, their lips pressed together stiffly, awkwardly, both unsure of how to do this. It wasn’t…bad though, Oliver was pleasantly surprised.
Marcus broke away first, and Oliver opened his eyes to see Marcus standing there, green eyes wide with panic. But he wasn’t looking at Oliver, he was looking behind him, near the front of the aisle. He glanced back at Oliver and muttered hastily, “Happy belated birthday,” Before brushing past him.
Oliver blinked in confusion, he turned to call after Marcus, but he froze as well. Standing there, an unreadable expression on his face, was Charlie Weasley. Oliver gaped at him, trying to find something to say, panic settling into his body. The only person who knew that Oliver was…that way, had just kissed him and then fled the scene. Charlie could tell anyone he knew…but would he do that?
Oliver wouldn’t find out, since Charlie blinked, like he had come back to reality, and then turned and fled back towards the front of the store. Oliver meanwhile, stared at the empty book aisle dumbly, before forcing himself to look at his book list. He began to start back down the stairs in search of his books, wondering if he had just doomed himself.
Now…
“Well, things certainly got complicated for you I see,” his therapist said mildly.
Oliver sent him a withering look. “Picked up on that did you? You’re quite perceptive,” He told his therapist sarcastically.
His therapist laughed, not looking offended, “Please continue.”