Chapter 44
Oliver wolfed down dinner, still wearing his Quidditch uniform, while the table buzzed with excited and confused chatter. Harry Potter being the new Gryffindor Seeker was supposed to be a secret, so naturally, the whole school knew about it. Of course, the Slytherin house was making fun of them, and Oliver, for thinking a first year could really be that good.
But, they would learn. Just like how the rest of the team had when they saw Harry in action at their first practice that afternoon. “Ignore them,” Oliver told Harry, giving him a nudge, as the Slytherin’s continued to tease them.
Harry wasn’t what Oliver had expected. He was quiet, shy, friendly, and reserved. It was the opposite of what he was expecting him to be. He wasn’t arrogant, or rude, he just seemed like he wanted to be a good kid.
Oliver finished eating and quickly made his way up to the dormitory to change into more comfortable clothes, and grabbed his homework. “You’re really off to study?” Fred asked him incredulously.
Katie looked up from her own notes in a chair by the fire. “Some of us actually study, yes.”
George laughed, “I think we do just fine without it right Fred?”
“Well the rest of us need it so will you please be quiet?” Angelina grumbled while reading a textbook.
“Why do you think I’m running off to the library?” Oliver said with a laugh.
Fred and George rolled their eyes almost in sync. “Come on George, let’s leave these scholars alone.”
Oliver shook his head bemusedly before heading out the portrait hole, nearly colliding with Charlie.
“Oh! Sorry I didn’t mean to uh…bump into you.” Charlie said sheepishly.
Oliver stared at him for a moment. They hadn’t really…talked since the other day. That was the difference between Charlie and Marcus. Oliver bet that tonight Marcus would act like nothing had happened, or maybe apologize. With Charlie…the two of them were both so stubborn that he doubted either of them would be forgiving the other anytime soon. “That’s what you’re sorry for?” Oliver muttered, before pushing past him, ignoring the frustrated sigh that came from Charlie.
Oliver headed down to the library, trying to ignore the guilt in stomach. He should’ve apologized, but he wasn’t sure exactly what he was apologizing for. He liked Marcus, and he wasn’t going to apologize for spending time with him. Charlie was just going to have to deal with it.
Oliver wandered through the shelves, looking for Marcus. It was mostly empty so early in the school year, and it didn’t take long to find him. Marcus sat at a desk, his bag in the empty seat next to him, reserving it for Oliver.
“Hey, how was practice?” Marcus asked, smiling at him once Oliver sat down.
“Great! I mean, I’m sure you’ve heard all about our new Seeker. Even though he was supposed to be a secret.” Oliver said with an eye roll.
Marcus laughed, and it was always such a rare sound. It seemed to take Marcus by surprise too, his own laughter. That was probably what made it so special. “You should know by now how hard it is to keep things a secret here.”
Oliver nudged his shoulder playfully, “We seem to be doing okay at it.”
Marcus’ smile faltered slightly. “Yeah, I’m still sorry about that. It’s…not fair to you. I wish things could be different. I’ll try to do better, I swear.”
Oliver smiled, and decided to change the subject. “How is your practice going? Did your father let you still be on the team this year?”
Marcus sighed, “I don’t know if let me is the right term. I told him I was playing no matter what and he…reacted like he usually does. But yeah, I’m still playing and practice went well. Same old, same old, no new gifted Seeker’s like you,” Marcus said trying to be playful again.
“You know you can always stay with me right? The Weasley’s took me in and they would probably do the same with you. I can’t stand thinking about you being stuck in that house with your dad.” Oliver reached over and gave Marcus’ hand a squeeze.
Marcus didn’t pull his hand away, and Oliver realized that this was probably the first time they had even held hands. It was nice. “We both know I can’t do that. No matter how hard we wish I could. We should probably do some actual homework now, don't you think?”
Oliver could take a hint, knowing that it would be easier to let Marcus change the subject. “Alright, let’s see if we can make sense of these symbols then.” Oliver grinned, and they both bent over their textbooks, still holding hands in their little corner of the library.
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Oliver sat at breakfast the next day, excited to get back onto the pitch for the weekend practice. He still needed to finish up some homework, but he and Marcus had gotten a lot done the night before. It was a beautiful fall day, and Oliver was happy. Laughing with Fred and George, stuffing his face with the delicious Hogwarts breakfast, nothing could bother him.
Except…he and Charlie still hadn’t talked properly. Maybe that was something he could check off the list today. He was feeling pretty optimistic this morning, that was for sure. He still wasn’t going to apologize…but he wasn’t going to sit here and wait around for nothing. Charlie could be pissed about him and Marcus but he wasn’t going to make it Oliver’s problem any longer.
Before he could get up, the owls were starting to descend on the Great Hall, delivering mail to everyone. Oliver usually ignored this, he didn’t get anything. He hadn’t heard from his mother all summer since he left. But, oddly enough there was an owl heading for him, with a letter in its beak.
“What the…?” Oliver muttered to himself as it flew closer. Perhaps something from Mrs Weasley?
Oliver caught the letter, flipped it over, and nearly threw his breakfast right back up.
The letter was from his mother.