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“Percy, this is it! Today is the day! I'm finally getting to play a real Quidditch match!” Oliver told me excitedly.
We were heading to the pitch for Oliver's first match and he was as always overly excited, but he was also overly nervous.
“Yes. You're going to do great.” I told him.
“Alright, remember where I told you to sit?” He asked me.
“Of course. I'll be there. See you soon.” I told him once it was time for us to part ways.
“Cheer loud for me, okay.” Oliver said. His body was shaking and his hazel eyes were glowing with excitement.
“Yes. Of course, I'll do my best.” I reassured him. “Now get going before Charlie reprimands you.”
“Aye. Thanks, see you soon.” He gave me a quick tight hug, and with that he took off to the changing rooms and I headed up to the stands.
I took my seat where Oliver told me to sit and pulled out a book to read while I waited for the match to start since I had come early to be supportive of Oliver. The weather was rather nice and I was pretty optimistic that it was going to be a great match.
When the match was finally ready to start, I put the book away and listened to the announcer.
“Alright everyone! Now here comes the Gryffindor team led by Charlie Weasley!”
There were loud cheers all around me erupting like crazy for Charlie. I applauded and cheered along with them.
“And today we get to see how Gryffindor’s new keeper will keep up! Ha!”
“Booooooooo…” came the response of the crowd.
The announcer ignored that. “Now please welcome, Oliver Wood!”
The cheers weren't as enthusiastic for Oliver as they were for Charlie, but I tried my best to be heard.
“You've got this Oliver!” I shouted as loud as I could.
After Charlie and the Ravenclaw captain shook hands, the match began. And it had barely started when the worst thing happened. 2 minutes in and Oliver got hit square in the head by a bludger, and collapsed to the ground. I was frozen in place for a brief moment of shock before I was on my feet and racing down to the Quidditch pitch.
*****************************************************
Oliver was unconscious for a week and I was there with him everyday before, in between, and after classes. I knew he was braver than me, but I still didn't want him to wake up alone. I took to doing my homework in the infirmary as well as reading to him to help pass the time. Sometimes I just talked to him about my day. Then on the last night before he woke up, as I was about to head to our dorm for the evening, I asked him to get better and wake up soon.
The next day Oliver woke up.
“Oliver, you're awake!” I was shocked but excited to see Oliver awake when I came for my morning visit and went quickly to his bedside.
He still had a bandage around his head but he was sitting up in the bed speaking with Madame Pomfrey.
“Ah, and there you are Percy, right on time as always. Now, Mr. Wood has just woken up and taken some medicine, but I still do not want him to overexert himself, understood?”
“Yes ma'am. Of course ma'am, I won't get him too excited. He needs rest.”
“That's a good boy.” She said before taking off.
“How are you feeling Oliver?” I asked him as I took a seat by his bedside.
“Like I was hit in the head by a bludger.” He said with a sarcastic smile.
“That sounds about right.” I said with a small chuckle.
“Remind me, how long was I out?”
“For a week.”
“Oh man.” He said forlornly.
“Don't worry about it. I've got all your homework and took extra notes for you. You'll be caught up in no time.”
“Thanks. Umm…”
“What is it?”
“Did… did we win?” Oliver asked me in a too quiet of voice for him.
I felt a wave of worry wash over me and I didn't want to meet his eyes, but knew I had to tell him.
“I'm sorry Oliver…” I didn't know what else to say or how to tell him they lost rather quickly after he went down.
“Okay.” He said trying to look and sound stoic, but for a brief moment I saw another wave of emotions cross his face that he hid rather quickly. “Well, that's that then I suppose.”
“You did your best, and I know Charlie-”
“Can we please not talk about it?” Oliver cut me off with a surprising edge to his voice and his eyes shut tight as he spoke.
I sat looking at him, surprised by his outburst but not feeling offended or unused to such outbursts that I have become accustomed to from members of my own family and even myself because of our short tempers.
“Of course. We can talk about something else or if you want to rest I can go now.” I told him simply.
He opened his hazel eyes and turned to me looking immediately regretful. “No, no. I'm sorry Percy. I didn't mean to… ow, ow.” He grabbed his right shoulder in pain.
I got up and helped him sit up properly. “Hey, careful now. Madame Pomfrey had to mend a few bones, you know.”
“Ugh. Glad I was out for that then.” he said grimacing in pain as he leaned forward for me to fix his pillows.
“Thank you Percy.”
“Of course. Now lean back slowly and carefully. Better?” I asked him.
“Much. Thanks.”
The door burst open and we looked up to see Charlie and the team come in. Oliver noticeably sat up straighter and tried to appear healthier than I knew he was.
“Hey kiddo, so glad you're awake! How're you feeling?” Charlie asked as he led the team to Oliver's bedside.
“Feeling good Captain.” Oliver said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
“That's what I like to hear. We got practice in two days.”
“No Charlie, Oliver just woke up. He needs to rest and catch up on schoolwork.” I scolded my older brother.
“Haha, Charlie, you didn't tell me your little brother was a guard dog.” One of their teammates said as I narrowed my eyes at them.
“Oh, well, I'll see what Madame Pomfrey says and let you know when I can get back to practice.” Oliver told them to my surprise. I expected him to want to get out and practice tonight. And looking at Charlie and his teammates, they were thinking the same thing.
“Alright. Well, here she comes. We can ask her now.” Charlie said just as Madame Pomfrey came strolling back in to kick us all out.
I looked at Oliver who was looking rather pale but continued to keep his smile plastered on his face.
“Oh, great.”
“Hello Madam Pomfrey, yes, yes, we'll be going. Just wanted to know when our little Keeper here could come back to practice.” Charlie asked with his winning smile.
“Well, I'll release him from the infirmary first thing tomorrow, but absolutely no flying for at least a week.” She said in a voice that left no room for argument.
“Okay, okay. A week it is.” Charlie agreed.
“Now, out with all of you. This boy needs rest.”
A mumbled chorus of okays came out of the teams mouths as they filed out.
“See you tomorrow Oliver!” Charlie called from the doorway.
“Yes, see you Captain.” Oliver called.
“You too Percy.” Madame Pomfrey said to me but much more gently as I got up out of the chair.
“Yes ma'am.” I told her. Then turning to Oliver “I'll be happy to have you back tomorrow. Shall I come to get you for breakfast?”
“Yeah, that sounds good. I'll see you then.” He gave me that same smile that seemed strained he gave Charlie.
“Alright. Tomorrow then. Rest well Oliver.” I told him, giving him a nod and headed out. I gave him one last look at the door and saw him wave at me. I waved back with a heavy feeling weighing me down.
*****************************************************
Morning couldn't come soon enough for me. Upon my return to the dorm room I had thought a lot about my visit with Oliver and how out of sorts he seemed. It worried me and I wanted to check on him as soon as possible. Unfortunately though due to my distress about Oliver, it kept me up extremely late. When the light crept through the curtains I got myself ready for the day knowing I wouldn't be getting any more sleep.
As soon as I was ready I headed straight to the infirmary to pick Oliver up for breakfast.
“Good morning Madam Pomfrey. How is Oliver doing this morning?”
“Oh Percy, he was doing much better this morning and has already left the infirmary.” she informed me as I entered the infirmary.
“I’m sorry, did you say he's left already?” I asked her to be sure I heard right.
“Yes. He left about twenty-five minutes ago I'd say.” she said.
What in the world? Could he have forgotten our plans? Then again, he was hit in the head…
So I left the infirmary to look for Oliver. I checked back at our dorm room, then the Quidditch pitch, the library, (though I knew that was a long shot) and after failing to find him I decided on just going to breakfast alone.
I took my usual seat with my brothers and slowly filled my plate with a barely acceptable amount of food.
“Alright there Perce?” Bill asked me from across the table.
“Yes, I'm fine.”
“You better be fine. I just got out of the infirmary.” A voice came from next to me.
“Oliver!? Where have you been?” I was surprised to see him sit down next to me.
“Sorry Percy. I had to take a shower. I was pretty rank…” he stuck his tongue out in disgust. I noticed his eyes seemed a bit red.
“You had me worried. Why didn't you just wait for me before you left?”
“I'm sorry Percy. It was pretty spur of the moment.” he told me as he gathered food onto his plate.
I sighed deeply feeling a bit irritated but decided to let it go.
“Oliver, welcome back.” Charlie greeted from around me.
“Thanks Captain. Feels good to be back.” Oliver said back from my other side.
“Glad to hear it. Gotta get you back on your feet as soon as possible.” Charlie told him.
I noticed Oliver stiffening slightly from the corner of my eye. “Will do, sir.”
“I'd like to go over this new idea I've got rolling around in my head…” Charlie began as he leaned even more into my bubble.
“Would one of you like to switch spots with me?” I asked annoyed about being in the middle and having these two talk around me invading my space.
“Sorry Perce.” They both laughed.
“It's Percy!”
*****************************************************
Oliver stayed off throughout the day. As we walked to our Charms class together, Oliver was pretty quiet.
“Oliver, are you alright? You seem off today.” I asked him.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, of course I'm fine. Just still a bit out of it I guess.” He told me.
As soon as we took our seats a couple classmates walked up to Oliver before class started.
“Oliver! I'm so glad you're out of the infirmary. We were all so worried about you.”
“Oh, thanks Amy. I'm glad to be out too.” Oliver told her.
“Yeah, it's too bad about your big debut, but don't worry about it. Next one's gonna be smashing!”
“Yeah, thanks Nate.” Oliver said with that unnerving smile I was coming to recognize.
*****************************************************
The rest of the day was spent the same with kids coming up and telling Oliver the same thing. How they're glad to see him well and giving their sympathies about the loss. And all the while Oliver gave them his thanks with that same off putting smile that only I seemed to see.
Sooner than expected it was time for dinner. As we took our seats Dumbledore gave us a few announcements and as he spoke I watched Oliver carefully. He noticeably sat next to me again so he wasn't sitting next to Charlie which normally Oliver was in the middle always wanting to talk to him about Quidditch. There were a few students trying to start conversation with him but he wouldn't engage, just a few short responses here and there.
After Dumbledore finished talking, Charlie then leaned around me to talk to Oliver.
“Oi, Oliver. So I know you're supposed to take it easy for the week, but that doesn't mean you can't come watch us practice in the morning so you're still involved with our formation practice and whatnot. What do you think?”
“Yeah, yeah, that sounds good.” Oliver said, giving Charlie a thumbs up and a small grin.
Charlie nodded and began talking with one of his mates.
As we were eating I noticed that Oliver hadn't had a single mug of hot chocolate. Okay, that is downright wrong.
“Oliver. Are you sure you're alright?” I asked, giving him a concerned look.
“Aye, I told you I'm good. You worry too much.” he told me without looking at me but patting me on the shoulder.
“Well… it's just that… there's hot chocolate and you haven't drank a drop.” I told him while gesturing towards the hot chocolate.
“Oh, well that's because I'm saving it for last.” He didn't skip a beat as he told me that.
“Well alright.” I said as I noticed there was even less on his plate than mine, and in Oliver's own words, I eat like a bird.
By the end of the dinner he never drank a drop.
*****************************************************
We headed back to the dorm room right after dinner so I could help Oliver catch up on his homework.
“Alright, let's try again. Like this.” I flicked my wand, “Colloportus!” The lock we were practicing with locked. I picked it up and showed it to him before unlocking it again with an alohomara.
“Now you try.”
Oliver stood and copied my movements.
“Colloportus!” This time the lock locked for Oliver.
“There we go! Great job Oliver!” I told him, patting him on the shoulder. “Now with that I believe we can call it a night.”
“Okay, sounds good. Thanks Percy.” He said walking to his dresser and pulling out his pajamas. I did the same.
Once we were in our beds I rolled over to face Oliver. “I'm glad to have you back Oliver.”
“You really missed me huh?” Oliver turned over to look at me with a smirk on his face.
“Of course I did you fool.”
Oliver rolled back on his back and laughed.
“So… are you going to go to practice in the morning?” I asked him tentatively.
“Of course.” He answered quickly.
“Well that's good to hear.” I told him.
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Just that you love Quidditch and believe it or not I would like you to be able to do what you love.” I told him taking my glasses off and putting them on my nightstand.
“Oh, yes, of course. Thank you.”
We fell into an awkward silence for a moment.
“Oliver?”
“Yes?”
“You know… you know you can talk to me about… anything right?” I asked him quietly.
It was silent for a moment before he answered.
“Aye, I know. Thank you Percy.”
“Okay. Well goodnight then.”
“Yes, goodnight.”
*****************************************************
I was woken up in the middle of the night by what sounded like water. Is it raining? I grabbed for my glasses and looked at my clock. Four a.m.?! I looked to Oliver's bed and saw he was gone. That's when I noticed the bathroom light on. Is he in the shower? I got up and went to the bathroom door and heard the shower on. Why in the world would Oliver be taking a shower at this time? Is he sick? I wondered. Then I felt my heart drop as I heard another sound coming from the bathroom. It was clear as day for me. Oliver was crying. But not just crying, he was sobbing. Deep heart wrenching sobbing that he was no doubt trying to drown the sound of with the shower. I stood frozen in place for the longest time, just shocked by the situation until I heard the water shut off. I quickly scrambled back to my bed and put my glasses on the nightstand not wanting to be caught and making things extremely awkward for both of us. Oliver came out and slunk back to his bed maybe twenty minutes later or so. I wanted so much to ask him if he wanted to talk, but bit my tongue not wanting to admit I knew what he'd been doing and embarrass him. So I left things as they were deciding to wait for a more opportune moment.
*****************************************************
I acted like I knew nothing the next day. We both woke up rather early, despite our rough night.
“Are you going to the Quidditch practice?” I asked him after I finished brushing my teeth.
“Aye, I did promise Charlie I would.” Oliver told me so casually as though he hadn't spent an hour of the night crying in the shower.
“Would you like me to accompany you?” I then asked as I finished putting on my socks.
“No, that's fine. It's not like I'll be playing or anything.” he said as he put on his coat.
“You better not be. You heard Madame Pomfrey. One week. But it's alright, I'm caught up on all my school work. Other than catching you up later, I have no plans today. I can keep you company.” I informed him hoping he would accept my offer.
He actually seemed to think about it for a second.
“No, that's alright. I'll just catch you later. But thanks for the offer.” He gave me a big smile before walking out the door.
“Oh, okay. See you.” I called out to him as the door closed. I sighed.
*****************************************************
We didn't see each other until after dinner that night which worried me. When I’d asked Charlie how the practice had gone, he said there'd been no problems and that Oliver seemed to have enjoyed and understood it. The growing pit in my stomach was beginning to ache. I decided to go back to the dorms and wait for him there. I waited in the common room for about an hour before I decided to go read in my bed. Upon entry however I almost walked into Oliver who was coming out of the bathroom.
“Oh sorry there Percy. Ye alright?” He asked as he went to go sit on his bed.
“Oliver, did you just come out of the shower?” I asked him slightly surprised noticing his wet hair.
“Oh yeah, I know it's a bit early for me, but I felt I was a bit of a mess and should take one.” He said waving it off.
“Alright then.” I told him, though I had my suspicions. “So how was practice? And where've you been all day?” I asked as I went and sat on my bed.
“It went fine. Charlie's got some wicked new ideas. I'm sure they'll help us get the cup.” He told me with a noticeable lack of his usual enthusiasm. He had pulled out a little hand ball from his nightstand and laid on his back as he threw it up into the air and was catching it.
“Well that's great right?” I asked him cautiously.
“Huh? Oh yeah, ‘course.” He told me still throwing the ball up.
“You don't sound as excited about it as I thought you would.”
“I'm excited. I just have a lot on my mind right now.” I could tell he stiffened a bit as he said that but didn't pause in his game.
I bit my lip in thought before asking, “Anything you want to talk about?”
“Not really. Just Marcus Flint giving me a bit of a tough time about how the match went. But he's full of hot air.”
WAM
Oliver had thrown the ball extra hard and it had hit the ceiling.
“I see.” I said simply, carefully watching him. “May I ask what he said? Of course you don't have to tell me if you don't want too.”
“Nothing important. Just… some rubbish about how I was a laugh riot tae get knocked out so quickly. And maybe something about how I did Slytherin a favor by taking out the competition from within.” he told me, his Scottish accent thickening as I had learned it did when he was angry.
WAM went the ball again.
“So, of course I taught Flint a lesson in talking tae me like that, and I spent the day in detention.”
WAM
“You didn't get hurt did you?” I asked him worried.
That got a smile from him.
“Course not. I did him in good. Dinnae think he'll try anything with me again anytime soon.” he said proudly.
“Well that's good, but maybe you should start trying to settle things with words now. I don't want you getting hurt again or into more trouble.” I mildly lectured him.
“Haha. Yeah I know. But he was really asking for it.”
“I'm sure he was.” I said with a grin. “So what was detention today?”
“Och. I had tae polish the trophies by hand.” He told me with a grimace.
“Ah. I'm sorry.”
He put his ball back in his nightstand. “It's fine, but I'm pretty tired. I don't know if I'm really up to doing homework tonight…”
I sat up straighter in my bed. “Well… I'm worried about you falling more behind. How about I read a few chapters from our potions book to you before we go to sleep?” I asked him while pulling out the book from my bookbag by my bed.
Oliver laughed at that. “Alright, alright. I'll try to stay up and listen to your beautiful voice.”
I rolled my eyes at him but let a small smile slip from seeing Oliver's spirits seemingly lift.
*****************************************************
SLAM “OLIVER WOOD!!!”
I fell out of my bed after being woken by the slamming open of the door and the highly agitating bellow of my brother.
“Charles Septimus Weasley! What in the world do you think you're doing?!” I shouted at my agitating older brother from the floor, scrambling to stand up and find my glasses.
“Where’s that little traitor at?!” Charlie questioned as he began searching the dorm.
“What are you talking about?” I asked as I looked around myself noticing Oliver's unmade bed as was the norm every morning he got up. “And I didn't even know Oliver left.”
Charlie opened the bathroom door and searched in there.
I quickly changed into my day clothes while he searched. As I figured he returned empty handed.
“Care to explain what is going on at- 6:30am?!” I nearly screeched looking at the clock. I turned to face him with my arms wide in exasperation. “It's Sunday!”
“Where's your dormmate?”
“As I previously stated, I do not know! Now please tell me why you are looking for him.” I said exasperated.
Charlie faced me with a heavy sigh. “So we had another practice this morning, but instead of finding Oliver there, I got an owl with this.” He pulled out a letter and handed it to me.
I quickly opened it and began to read.
Dear Charlie,
I wanted to thank you for letting me on the team. And I'm sorry for letting you and the whole team down. It is very important to me that Gryffindor gets the house cup this year, so to better their chances I am writing you this letter of resignation. I'm sorry to have been a disappointment. Please find someone more capable.
Oliver Wood
“Oh no. This… this can't be right, Quidditch is Oliver's dream. It's all he talks and thinks about.” I said putting the letter back in the envelope.
“Exactly. If I didn't think he was capable then I never would have put him on the team to begin with. He is extremely talented and has so much potential! I need to find him and force him to come back.” Charlie said while pacing around the room.
“Charlie, calm down. Let me find him. I believe that I can talk some sense into him.” I told him as I began to put my jumper on.
Charlie sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
“Alright Percy. I trust you. Let me know as soon as you figure things out.”
“Of course.” I told him as we walked out of my dorm together.
*****************************************************
Since Charlie had already stormed the castle, I knew Oliver wasn't inside. And since he wasn't on the Quidditch pitch, there was only one other place I knew to look. His secret flying spot by the great lake where he saw the giant squid tentacle last year. And sure enough, there he was leaning against a tree.
“Hot chocolate?”
“Percy?!” Oliver nearly jumped out of his skin as I came and sat down next to him offering him a mug of my homemade hot chocolate. I noticed him quickly rubbing his eyes with his sleeves to try to hide the evidence of his crying. “What are you doing here? You should be in bed.”
“And you should be at Quidditch practice.” I told him handing him the mug.
“Oh… um… I'm not going to be doing Quidditch anymore…” he confessed to me while just holding the mug in his hands.
“Yes. I've heard.” I informed him while blowing on my mug.
“How did you find out?” He asked me surprised.
“Well you see, my brother got this letter early this morning saying one of his players had decided to quit the team. It was so greatly upsetting to him that he decided to go to said player’s dorm room and begin yelling for him to come out, waking me up in the process.” I took a sip of my hot chocolate before continuing. “Then he scoured our dorm room looking for the missing player until I told him to knock it off and got him to tell me what was going on.”
Oliver just sat there looking into his mug.
“Go on, try a sip.”
He did as he was told and immediately perked up.
“Woah! Did they change the recipe? That's the best hot chocolate I've ever had!”
“Well thank you.”
I kept my face facing straight forwards, but saw him make a shocked face out of the corner of my eye that made it a bit hard to keep the smile off my face.
“You made this?”
“I did.”
“Oh my gosh Percy! That's amazing.” he told me strongly impressed and taking a big gulp. “This is literally the best hot chocolate I have ever had. How did you make it?”
I laughed. “Oliver, it's really not that hard to make hot chocolate.”
“Really? My ma tells me otherwise, says that's why I can only have it twice a year.”
“I… don't think that's why she only lets you have it twice a year.” I said with a smirk.
“Huh. I'll have to ask.” He contemplated that as he took another gulp.
“So… do you want to talk about it?” I asked after a bit.
“Talk about what?” He dodged.
“The letter, or why you're out here.”
“There's not much to talk about. I just think the team could do better. I'm not right for them.”
He told me flatly.
“Okay. If everything is fine, then why are you out here?” I asked him casually.
He finished his hot chocolate and put the mug down with a sigh.
“Look, I just wanted to get some fresh air. It's no big deal. Do you wanna skip rocks with me?” He asked facing me with that fake grin.
As he went to get up I grabbed his sleeve, pulling him back down.
“Oliver. You don't have to pretend with me.”
“I'm not pretending anything Percy. I'm fine. It's me, Oliver. I'm an open book.”
I just gave him a stare. He stared back. I furrowed my eyebrows at him giving him the look I give my younger siblings when I know they're lying.
He looked away irritated. “Ugh, can't you just drop it? There's nothing I want to talk about.” He said in agitation.
“Okay.” I told him calmly, backing off some.
We sat for a moment both staring out at The Great Lake. The sun was reflecting off the water quite beautifully and I didn't mind the silence while watching a few of the school owls dance around above the water. But I also wondered how best to help Oliver. Then a thought came into my head.
“Do you remember last year when I was having trouble?”
Oliver turned to look at me with a face that appeared to me as worried and protective. “Yeah. Are those guys bothering you again?”
“No, they're staying clear of me.” I told him reassuringly while also feeling my ears burn slightly at how he sounded so ready to go to blows for me again which I still hadn't quite gotten used too.
“You knew I was having troubles, and wouldn't let me keep it to myself. Sure I was angry about it at first… but after the fact I was able to realize how freeing it was to have you to talk to and help me with my problems. And you never once made me feel bad about crying or my panic attacks. And me doing those things in front of anyone, family included, really embarrasses and upsets me. I know you don't like being pushed but, you're my best friend and I just want to help you when I can, like how you’ve helped me.” I confessed to him while fumbling with a string on my jumper.
I don't really know how to express my feelings and was feeling rather awkward. But nonetheless I was glad I had told him. When Oliver didn't say anything, I turned to look at him and my eyes went wide.
His face had contorted into one trying to be strong, but the sorrow was breaking through and tears were beginning to spill through his eyes and his hands were shaking as they gripped tightly to his pants.
“Oliver... It's okay. It's okay, to not be okay.” I put a hand on his shoulder.
And that did it. His walls came crashing down, he put his face in his hands and began to sob. It was a loud, heart wrenching sound. His body shook with the sorrow that was pouring out. I slid as close to him as I could and wrapped an arm around him, not really sure if it was helping or not, and I just let him cry it out. We stayed like that for what felt like forever before he finally spoke.
“I-I *choke* wanted t-t-t-o do so w-w-well for my, my, fi-rrst match. W-w-w-anted to h-help Gryffindor win *sob* the c-cup.” He kept wiping his face trying to stop the flood as he spoke.
“I know.” I told him.
“I-I w-w-was supposed t-t-t-o owl my p-parents ab-b-bout it but *gasp* I don't know what t-t-t-o tell them, *choke* without sounding like a failure.”
“You're not a failure.”
“Ugh, d-don’t l-look at me!” he yelled.
“Okay.” I said, turning my face away.
“I-I can't s-stand hearing everyone talk about i-it. And Flint!” He clenched his fists in anger.
“I was so mad! *Choke* but… I didn't feel he was completely wrong.” he gasped out.
“What do you mean?”
“My getting knocked out so quickly was like taking Gryffindor out from within.” he gasped then before he continued “I was ex–expecting Charlie to kick m-m-me off when he saw me in the infirmary. H-he should have.”
“Hey, stop that nonsense right now. Oliver, you're a brilliant player! Just because you got knocked out this time doesn't make you any less of a good player. Think of it this way, the player who knocked you out was good too and it was their time to shine. Next time will be yours.” I faced him with what I hoped was a firm but reassuring smile as I said this.
“But if I had just-”
“You can't give up because of one bad day.” I cut him off, “You're too good for that Oliver. You can't give up before you really begin.” I watched as Oliver wiped his face with his sleeves and tried to catch his breath.
“You're very inspirational when you want to be aren't you?” He finally said with a laugh.
“I try.” I said, smiling at him. “So… are you going to rejoin the team?” I asked him tentatively.
Oliver sighed as he folded his arms on his knees and put his head down. “I don't know. I'm so embarrassed.”
“You shouldn't be though.” I told him firmly.
Oliver chuckled at that.
“Well, if you're done crying, I can show you how I make my hot chocolate if you want.” I told him as I collected our mugs, guessing that this statement would get him to change his attitude.
“I'm not crying!” He said suddenly standing up trying to look fierce.
“My apologies. Is the precipitation no longer coming from your eyes?” I teased.
Oliver shoved me but I caught sight of a slight grin.
“Come on. Let's go back to the dorm.” I told him leading the way.
We walked back in companionable silence.
*****************************************************
“Don't you EVER pull something like this again!” Charlie began shouting at Oliver once we returned to the common room. Luckily, no one else was there to see the spectacle. “Next time you have a problem or a concern, just talk to me about it!”
“Yes Charlie. I'm sorry.” Oliver stood and took the lecture, knowing he deserved it for one reason or another. He had his head hung low in shame.
Charlie sighed running his hand through his hair and gave him a sympathetic look before grabbing him behind the neck and pulling him into a hug. “Hey, relax. Stop worrying, everything is going to be okay.”
“Wmf. Tsss wut I mlys tl Prsy.” Oliver tried to say something but had his face smooshed in Charlie's jumper.
“What was that?” Charlie laughed pulling away.
“I said, wow, that's what I'm always telling Percy.”
Charlie laughed.
I rolled my eyes.
*****************************************************
We talked with Charlie for a while longer before he had us get ready to go watch the rescheduled practice. Oliver requested time for me to make us more hot chocolate before heading out. As we sat watching the team practice with our mugs in hand, I couldn't help wondering just how helpful I had been. Did Oliver trust me enough to talk to me now? Had I proven myself as helpful a friend to him as I felt he was to me?
“Hey Percy?”
“Yes Oliver?”
“Thanks. You really helped me today. I don't really like talking about certain problems… like things that make me sad… or lack confidence. It's hard for me to do that. Makes me feel… weak. I um… prefer being someone that others can look up to and see as dependable and strong. Like my da.”
I nodded in understanding.
“So I just want you to know that umm… I don't know. I'm grateful for you. And thanks for helping me get out of my head.” he wouldn't look at me as he told me these things. Just kept looking at the field and drinking his hot chocolate.
“I'm really glad I was helpful to you.” I told him calmly, though on the inside I was brimming with pride learning I had been helpful. “I was worried about making things worse, or maybe you didn't trust me enough because you don't really need me.” I confessed.
“You were, you are. You're always helpful to me.” He said finally facing me. “You’re my best friend. I would never say any of this to anyone else because I trust you more than anyone. I'll always need you.”
“Thank you… I feel the same.” That awful Weasley blush took over my face at his words.
“And just so you know, none of this stuff today makes me look at you any differently. I still see you as someone I can depend on.”
Oliver let out a small chuckle. “Good. That's how I like it.”
He turned back towards the field. “Anyway, thanks again. And for this dang brilliant mug of hot chocolate. Don't forget, you said you'd show me how tae make it!”
I smiled.