Chapter Text
“I'm pretty sure that girl fancies you.”
We had just finished quidditch practice when Charlie came up to me and pointed out a Ravenclaw girl in the stands. I knew she was a 4th year like me, but I couldn't remember her name.
“What makes you think that?” I asked following him into the locker room.
We began to strip off our gear.
“She's been coming to all our practices and ogling you.” He said this with a smirk.
My eyes widened and I felt myself blush.
“I think you're full of it.” I told him turning away, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Fine. Don't believe me. But if I'm right, you owe me a butterbeer next Hogsmeade trip.” he hit me in the head with his towel before heading off to the showers.
“Your brother is crazy!” I told Percy as soon as I entered our dorm room. He didn't even bother looking up from his textbook.
I flopped onto his bed next to him knowing that would get a reaction.
“Oliver! You almost ruined my notes!” He yelled annoyed at me. I heard him scrambling to pick up all his notebooks and parchment paper, muttering not nice things. I continued to lay there waiting for him to respond to my despair.
“Okay, fine. What did Charlie do now?” He finally asked after he'd finished saving his work from me.
I lifted my head to look up at him. “Charlie says this Ravenclaw girl who showed up at practice has been ogling me.”
Percy just stared at me, as though he was waiting for more.
“I told him he was wrong. He says that if he's right, I have to buy him a butterbeer.”
Percy pursed his lips.
“Is that all? You interrupted my study time for that?”
“It's a big deal! Girls don't like me!”
Percy snorted.
“What?” I asked him propping myself up on my elbows now.
“Oliver, girls have liked you for years. You're just too oblivious to notice.” He picked up his textbook again.
“What are you talking about?” I really had no clue what he was talking about.
“You're the charming Scottish Gryffindor keeper with the outgoing personality. Girls are always trying to flirt with you. You just don't know it because unfortunately when it comes to social norms, you're extremely dense.” He stated matter of factly.
I laid there and let that soak in. Percy began writing stuff down in his notebook and let me ruminate for a while.
After about ten minutes of thinking I finally broke the silence. “You think I'm charming?” I said with a devilish grin.
I got hit with his textbook.
A few days later I dragged Percy to practice so he could get a look at the girl and give me his thoughts.
I was worried that my thoughts would interfere with my ability to play, but luckily once I take to the sky, my worries tend to melt away and all I focus on is the great game. I did however manage to sneak a few peeks here and there to the stands where I could see Percy and the girl. Percy had been insistent on bringing some homework if he was going to be forced to my early morning practice, but as he said he would, he did steal subtle glances at the girl sitting not far from him.
She, on the other hand, watched the practice intensely. And I unfortunately did seem to be the main focus. I didn't know what to think of that. I put that at the back of my mind to deal with later.
As soon as practice ended, I practically ran to the locker room to shower and change as quickly as possible to meet with Percy.
“What's the rush there Wood? Gotta date with your girlfriend?” Charlie gave me a smug smile as I came running out of the shower almost crashing into him.
“What? No! She's not my girlfriend!”
“Uh huh. I'll be saving you a seat this weekend!” He called out to me as I ran out.
“Thanks for waiting, Perce.”
“Percy. And you owe Charlie a butterbeer.” He stated as we made our way to the castle.
“For real?”
Percy pushed his glasses higher up his nose. “Most definitely. So, what are you going to do with this information?”
We climbed up the stairs into the castle.
“I have no idea.” I told him honestly.
We walked in silence until we made it to our dorm. I put my broom away then threw myself onto my bed. I stared up at the ceiling and contemplated life.
“You know,” Percy said, coming and sitting on my bed after putting his bag away. “You could always ask her out.”
“Hmm. I suppose.”
“Or, if she's not quite what you're looking for, you don't have to do anything.”
“That's just it. I'm not really looking. I'm just happy playing Quidditch. Or hanging out with you. Or hanging out with you while playing Quidditch.”
Percy rolled his eyes at that but let a small smile slip. “Well then, don't do anything. Just let it be.”
Just let it be huh? “What about you?” I asked.
Percy blinked. “What about me?”
“Is there anyone who strikes your fancy?”
Percy’s face suddenly exploded red and he began to stammer. Ooooh. A huge grin spread across my face and I sat up.
“There is!! Who is it?” I urged him.
“No! No! There isn't.” He tried to divert.
“There so is! Don't lie to me!” I shoved him. “Tell me who it is!”
Percy groaned and buried his face in his hands.
“Come on, spit it out.”
“Ugh… fine! It's…mhhmighjn…”
“I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat it coherently?”
He lifted his head away from his hands but refused to look at my smug face. “It's Penelope Clearwater. That brilliant Ravenclaw girl in our year.”
“Ooooh! Yes! Penelope Clearwater!” I said excitedly outwardly, but inwardly, I had no idea who that was.
Percy gave me a scrutinizing look before saying, “You have no idea who she is do you?”
“Nope. Not a clue. You're definitely going to have to point her out to me tonight at dinner.” I said with a bit of a sheepish grin.
“I don't think I want to.”
I ignored that. “So have you talked to her?”
He shook his head in the negative.
“Well you should definitely go for it!” I encouraged him.
“Well that's easy for you to say.” He scoffed.
“What do you mean by that?” I raised an eyebrow.
Percy shifted uncomfortably on the bed, seeming to decide whether or not to expand on that.
“Nevermind. Forget I said anything.” He waved me off and moved to get up but I pulled him back down.
“Percy.” I said seriously. “You can tell me.”
Percy heaved a heavy sigh. “You know I'm not the most… outgoing person… well it's worse with Penelope because she's just so smart and beautiful.”
“Okay?” I had no idea where this was going, but I could tell that Percy was very bothered by whatever it was.
Percy became agitated. “Just, just look at me!” He said, turning to face me, arms wide and gesturing to himself.
“I am looking at you, but I get the feeling I'm not seeing whatever it is you're wanting me to see.”
Percy made a tsk sound. “I can't talk to her because she's so, so, beautiful! And I'm… not. I'm pale, freckled, and don't get me started on my hair.” he said while trying to smooth out his curls. “And don't forget my hand-me-downs and that I'm boring.”
Oh. That's what this was about. Percy’s face was heated and he couldn't maintain eye contact with me. He had to turn away again and began to mess with his hem.
I felt terrible because this was not something I could relate to. I've never thought much or really cared about my appearance. But also, though I've found many girls attractive, I've never had an actual crush. Even thinking about it though, I'm not sure that having one would change my thoughts too much on worrying about my appearance. Sounds like too much work and energy that would be better put to use on quidditch. Back to Percy though. Not that I'd ever thought about it before, but he wasn't at all ugly. Or boring.
“Hey, you're not boring. And there's nothing wrong with your hair or any of that other stuff you said. You should try talking to her. And if she doesn't reciprocate, then it's her loss and you'll move on to someone better.”
“I don't know if I can take your word on this because you might be biased.” he said as he flopped backwards onto my bed.
I flopped next to him. “That may be so, but it's also true. You are tons of fun. If you weren't, would I claim you as my best friend?” I nudged him with my shoulder. He rolled his eyes, but a smile crept on his face.
“I think I liked this conversation better when it was focused on you.” he said a bit snarkily.
I laughed. “Oh, I'm sure you did.”
Percy closed his eyes and ran his hands through his hair and then began to massage his temples. “You really think I should just… go for it?”
“Yup.” I said without a second thought.
“Alright. Next time I sit next to her, I'll talk to her.”
“There's a good man.” I patted his shoulder. “I'll be cheering for you all the way!”
“Please just remember to cheer inside your head. And no matter what, don't let the twins find out.”
The girl attended all my practices the next three weeks but never approached me, and I didn't approach her either. Then came the day of our match.
“GRYFFINDOR WINS!”
“WOO!!!” I bellowed. The team landed and we group hugged with Charlie pumping his fists in the air in the middle with the snitch.
We chatted for a bit in the locker room before getting cleaned up.
“You coming Oliver?” The twins asked.
“I'll catch up in a bit. Go start the party without me.”
“And a party it will be!” They shouted as they ran off leaving me mildly concerned.
I went out to meet Percy who usually waits for me after the matches, but was shocked to see the Ravenclaw girl instead.
“That was a great match today Oliver!” The girl was smiling at me ear to ear, her brown eyes shining bright.
“Oh, thank you. Glad you liked it.” I decided to just be straightforward. “Um… so I know you come to all my practices, but I don't actually know your name.”
“Oh, so you did notice.” She seemed pleased and amused by that. “My name is Eleanor.”
“Well, nice to officially meet you Eleanor.” I grinned at her.
I could see Percy leaning against a tree pretending to be reading a book. I bet he's enjoying this.
“So. I was wondering Oliver. Would you like to go out with me, maybe tomorrow? We could have a picnic by the lake.”
I was taken back by her forwardness. I had to really think about it. Percy likes Penelope. I've heard my quidditch friends talk about how much fun they have dating. Even Charlie, who's similar to me with his one track mind on magical creatures, dragons mostly, has gone out and said he's enjoyed it. Maybe this is one of those things you don't know you'll like until you actually try it. Alright.
“Sure. That sounds fun. What time?” She beamed at me.
“What would you prefer? Lunch, or dinner?” She asked primly.
“I don't mind either, but we could do lunch. It'll be warmer out.”
“Alright. Lunch it is, I'll see you at 12:30?”
“Aye. See you then.”
She smiled brightly and nodded before turning on her heel and heading back to the castle.
I watched her for a brief moment noticing how she walks with such good posture for someone our age.
I walked over to Percy who was putting his book away.
“Well. I have a date tomorrow.”
“Oh? And how do you feel about that?”
I contemplated for a moment. “Hmm. You know, I guess I'm kinda excited. It'll be something new and different. And also, I'll finally get to experience what everyone is always talking about.”
“That's true.” Percy agreed as we began to walk back to the castle.
“So. What's her name?” Percy casually asked.
“Eleanor. She wants to go out tomorrow, 12:30, for a picnic lunch by the lake.”
“That sounds nice.”
I thought about that. “You know, it does, doesn't it?”
“Well, I for one am excited for you.”
I grinned at him. “Thanks.”
I met Eleanor the next day right on time. She must've come early because she was already there with everything set up.
She was dressed in a nice emerald sundress, her shoulder length dark chocolate brown hair having been curled and left down looked nice. She was sitting on the blanket she had set up with the picnic basket in the middle.
“Wow, you look nice.” I told her honestly as I came and sat down beside her.
She blushed lightly. “Thank you. So do you.”
I was just wearing jeans and a Quidditch t-shirt.
“Thanks.”
We spent about an hour and a half together. I had a much better time than I thought I would. Eleanor was very pleasant to talk to, and had actually made everything in the picnic basket herself which was extremely impressive.
“You are an amazing cook and baker.”
“Thank you Oliver. That's actually what I want to do someday. Open a bakery.”
“Well if you do, I'll be your number one customer.” I told her before taking another bite out of a teacake.
A sunny smile lit up her face.
“Well, I'm so glad you came and enjoyed the food. I really enjoyed your company.”
“I did. Today was great. I enjoyed your company too.”
“So. Does that mean that you'd like to go out again?” She asked casually as she began to clean up.
I thought about it for only a moment while helping to fold the blanket. “Yeah, I think I'd like that.”
“So are you two actually dating now? Or just going out again?” Percy asked as we got ready for bed.
“Just going out again for now.” I climbed into my bed. “I did have a really nice time with her, but I'm not ready to be boyfriend and girlfriend. I'd like to actually get to know her before committing to something like that.” I explained to him.
“No, that's smart.” Percy agreed. “I'm really glad you had a good time. So when is your next date?”
“She wants to go to Hogsmeade this weekend.” I suddenly remembered something terrible. “Oh shoot!” I said and then buried my face in my hands.
“What's wrong?” Percy asked, suddenly alarmed.
“I owe Charlie a stinking butterbeer!”