Chapter 42
Hogwarts may have felt like home but Oliver certainly didn’t know it as well as he thought. He was lost, and had he not had the forethought to get up early, eat a hasty breakfast, and set out for his first new class of the year, he would’ve definitely been late. As it was, the time for Ancient Runes to start was fast approaching and Oliver was pretty sure he had walked by the same painting three times now.
“Fred and George’s map would come in handy right about now,” Oliver muttered, as he stared hopelessly around the mostly empty corridor.
“Oliver, are you lost?” An amused voice came from behind him, making Oliver turn ready with an annoyed comeback.
Marcus stood before him, a smile playing on his lips, green eyes dancing with humor. “Oh, it’s you. I…might be lost.” Oliver grumbled.
Marcus laughed, “Come on, I know where to go. You’re closer than you think.”
Oliver smiled sheepishly and followed Marcus, realizing that he was alone for once. Marcus tended to travel more in a…pack. “Where’s your usual pack of fiends er, friends?” Oliver asked as they neared a small wooden door that Oliver thought was a broom closet.
Marcus rolled his eyes. “They aren’t exactly interested in the challenge that Ancient Runes provides. I think I’m one of the few in my year who’s even taking it. In we go, come on.”
Oliver tried not to stare too hard as the tiny broom closet door opened up into a large classroom with plenty of desks, and large windows. “Of course,” He muttered to himself. Even after growing up around magic and going on a third year at Hogwarts, the wizarding world could still surprise him.
Marcus nudged him playfully, “Not exactly what you were expecting?”
Oliver smiled, wondering why this Marcus wasn’t around more, this playful, kind, relaxed guy that Oliver cared about. Usually, Marcus was closed off, brash, and focused. Oliver definitely preferred this version. “Neither are you,” Oliver replied, pleased when Marcus’ face turned red and he started to splutter nervously.
Oliver laughed, “Let’s go grab a seat.” He led them over to a pair of desks in the middle of the room, as the rest of the class started to file in.
~~~//~~~
“Well, that was…a lot.” Marcus said bluntly, as they stepped out into the corridor.
Oliver agreed, “Did she really give us homework? On the first day? After just barely grasping a few symbols?”
Marcus sighed, “In fact, she did. Want to get working on it tonight in the library?”
Oliver was about to reply that he could, until he remembered that he had scheduled Quidditch tryouts as well. He had posted the sign in the common room the first night in the castle, and he was definitely….curious to see who would turn up, if anyone. “I have to go to tryouts tonight, see if we can find a new Seeker. Tomorrow night?”
Marcus nodded, “Sure thing, but no matter who you get as a seeker Slytherin is still going to beat you.”
Oliver grinned at the familiarity of their rivalry, “I wouldn’t count on it. I guess I’ll see you around before then maybe?”
They had entered the grand staircase, both heading in opposite directions, Marcus heading to potions and Oliver to Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was a sunny morning, and Oliver was looking forward to Care of Magical Creatures outside later this afternoon. Their professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts was always an…interesting person to see. He was more spooked than a startled owl, and it definitely didn’t help that Fred and George took advantage of this every few classes. Poor Professor Quirrell looked like he was going to have a heart attack when George snuck up behind him and scared him, while Fred distracted him by asking a nonsense question.
“How that poor man hasn’t given you detention yet is beyond me,” Oliver told them, smiling despite his stern tone.
“He knows we’re just having fun!” George replied gleefully.
“Exactly! Always laughs it off good old Quirrell.” Fred added, grinning beside his brother.
Oliver shook his head, turning his attention to the front of the room. About halfway through the lesson, when Oliver was fighting to keep his focus, he thought he started to hear McGonagall’s voice.
“Oh of course Professor, Wood? Professor McGonagall would like to see you.” Professor Quirrell told him.
Oliver stood up hastily, realizing that he hadn’t imagined her voice. He followed her out into the hall, where none other than Harry Potter stood, a broom firmly grasped in his hand, his green eyes looking panicked and confused.
“Wood…I have found you a Seeker!” McGonagall said excitedly, making Oliver’s expression mirror Harry Potter’s confused one.
~~~~//~~~
“A first year?! He can’t be that good!” Fred said for maybe the fifth time since Oliver had told them.
“And she’s canceled tonight's tryouts and wants you to personally see what Potter can do? Can she even do that!?” George added.
Oliver sighed, trying to enjoy the sunshine as they walked outside near the greenhouses where Professor Grubbly-Plank would be waiting. “May I remind you, that I was good enough my first year, and circumstances prevented me from joining the team? I’m willing to give him a chance. Yes, McGonagall is the head of house and she can do that. But, please, I invite either of you to challenge her on either accounts, be my guest.”
Oliver grinned when that shut the twins up. “Come on, let’s go see what we’re learning about today.”
A small part of Oliver was excited to tell Charlie about whatever creature they’d be seeing, later in the common room. He hadn’t seen Charlie at all today, not even at lunch. If a Weasley was missing a meal…it was worrying for sure.
Once the class was standing around Professor Grubbly-Plank called them to order. Oliver was just as curious as the rest of the class, and precariously held his Monster Book of Monsters while it grumbled. “If you stroke the spine, the book will open and remain calm until you close it,” Professor Grubbly-Plank told them with a kind smile. “While their appearance is unusual they are filled with knowledge. However, I thought we would start off easy, with something that can be found in your Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them texts, so if you would please open those to page twenty that would be wonderful.”
Oliver almost laughed at the collective sigh of relief that went up around him, as everyone gladly put the Monster Book of Monsters away, and traded it for a non-lethal book. Oliver wondered where the creature was, so far he could only see a large collection of grass that seemed to sway in the slight breeze that was blowing. Was it going to come out soon?
“These, as you can see from the pictures in your books, are Bowtruckles. They are very tiny, calm, passive creatures. Their wiry appearance can be used to help pick locks in a pinch, they normally live in trees that are used for wand wood and enjoy holding onto grass and twigs as well. Don’t be shy, come take a look!” Professor Grubby-Plank stood aside and let the class step closer.
Oliver bent down with the others and could finally see that on the tall stalks of grass, there were greener tiny creatures climbing up and down. One of them waved, and Oliver happily waved back. They were adorable. It was no surprise Charlie liked this class so much. Interesting creatures, outdoors, what wasn’t to enjoy? The class took notes and did their best to sketch the bowtruckles, and even got to hold some. Thankfully, no homework was assigned, and Professor Grubbly-Plank promised even more interesting creatures to come.
Oliver trudged back inside the castle up to the common room, and was going to search for Charlie before he remembered he had told Harry Potter they would meet at the Quidditch pitch once classes were over before dinner. His curiosity and excitement were getting the better of him, and Oliver changed quickly, pushing Charlie to the back of his mind. He would look for him at dinner.
Overall, it had been a good first day, and he was blissfully ignoring the small mound of homework he had gathered. He would see Marcus more this year, and perhaps Harry Potter would be the perfect Seeker. This was going to be a good year.