Things managed to calm down within the castle walls as the days went by. With the term almost halfway done, Oliver felt almost relieved. This year, with everything that was going on, it was stressful for him and his friends. Then again, there was always something new happening, thanks to Harry Potter.
Ever since him and Andrew had their heartfelt conversation, Oliver thought about Fiona more often than he usually did. During the day, he would plunge himself with more research about her death, trying to look for any more clues in what happened to her all those years ago. By night, he saw her in his dreams again, full of laughter and smiles, the memories that he wished he got to make with her.
Did he think this was healthy, an obsession that was beginning to form again, taking over other thoughts he had in his brain? Most likely, the answer was no. But did he need closure? Yes, he did, even if it took him his entire life to find out the truth.
Oliver was leaving the library one night, going over the notes in his head from his research, when he was approached by Hermione in the corridor.
"Hey," she greeted him.
He shot her an awkward smile. "Hey."
She didn't say anything for a moment, but then cleared her throat. "I suppose we should talk about Slughorn's Christmas party."
"Yes, I think we've put it off talking about it for too long," Oliver stated.
Hermione sighed, tucking some hair behind her ear. "Look, Oliver, you're a nice guy. In fact, you're one of the nicest guys I know. It's just that...well, I felt like I was just using you to get back at Ron, and that was wrong of me."
The boy felt his heart tug a little at Hermione's confession. Given the time that passed without the two speaking a word to each other after their kiss at the party, he expected something was off about the whole thing. Of course, he wasn't sure what to think that it was all because of Ron Weasley...
"It's okay, Hermione," was all he could get out of his mouth.
"I'm so sorry, Oliver," she replied, sounding sincere, while giving him an apologetic look. "Maybe there was something between us at one point..."
"Yeah, maybe." If only she had given me the chance, he thought. Or at least allowed us more time to get to know each other better. "But I guess things happen for a reason, right?"
Hermione couldn't help but chuckle, looking down at her shuffling feet. "I suppose that's true." She paused, then raised her head at Oliver's eyes. "I really am sorry."
"It's okay," he assured her. "I'm sorry, too."
The girl furrowed her brows in confusion. "For what?"
"For not mustering up the courage to ask you out sooner." Oliver let out a small chuckle. "But you'll be happy with Ron."
"You think so?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I do."
So Hermione leaned in for a hug, wrapping his arms around Oliver, which he returned the favor. "You'll find someone, too, Oliver."
As they held their embrace for a little bit longer, Oliver let her words sink into his brain. He sensed a hint of hope in her voice, really thinking that she could be right. If he knew anything, Hermione Granger was usually right about everything.
When the two pulled away, Hermione released another sigh. "Take care, Oliver, okay?"
"I will. Same goes for you."
With that, Hermione gave him one more comforting expression before heading off down the corridor. He didn't turn back to see her. Instead, he began to head back to the Ravenclaw Tower like before.
You'll find someone, too, Oliver.
He hoped that was true.
While he was strolling down the halls, Oliver spotted Eliza running his way. "Oh, there you are. I've been looking for you."
"Why?" he asked, then saw her tear-stained eyes, which worried him. "Liza, what's wrong?"
She sniffled, a few more tears coming. "It's Jacob. He's been poisoned."
*******
Visitors were no longer allowed by the time Oliver and Eliza arrived at the Hospital Wing. According to Madam Pomfrey, the poison came from a drink offered by Professor Slughorn in his office. There were so many questions running through their heads, their nerves spiraling to a panic state.
Violet and Andrew were coming out of the wing, with Andrew comforting Violet as she wept.
"How's he doing?" Eliza asked.
"He's stable, along with Ron," Andrew said.
"Wait, Ron?" Oliver repeated, confused. "Why is he there?"
"Because he was poisoned, too," Andrew replied.
Oliver's eyes went wide. "Okay, I need an explanation of what's going on."
Violet sniffled, wiping her eyes. "Professor Slughorn asked him to stop by his office to ask him some things about his grandfather. Harry and Ron showed up later, something about a love potion. Then, they all decided to have a drink. Jacob and Ron were the only ones to take a sip of the mead. Harry saved both of them and then immediately got Andrew and Eliza."
"Then Liza and I split up to find you and Violet," Andrew finished. "It's been a crazy night for sure."
"Sounds like it," Oliver stated. "So when will we be able to see Jake?"
"Whenever he's feeling up to it, I guess," Andrew answered. "Madam Pomfrey said that might be tomorrow, possibly."
While Oliver and the rest of his friends were relieved that Jacob was okay, including Ron, none of them could shake the feeling that another crime (in the years he had been here) was committed within the walls of Hogwarts, a place that was supposed to be safe for everyone.
"Who do you think poisoned the mead?" Eliza questioned.
"Probably the same Slytherins that cursed Katie Bell with that necklace," Andrew retorted. "You can't tell me it doesn't make sense."
Oliver didn't want to admit that Andrew had a point about Draco and Mary. After all, with what happened between her and Jacob at Slughorn's Christmas dinner, it didn't seem like a coincidence.
He almost considered Mary a friend, (more like an acquaintance), with how they interacted whenever they saw each other. He didn't want to ask her, remembering how defensive she got the last time when the subject was brought up. Still, this was one of his best mates that almost died. It was attempted murder. How could he ignore that?
Oliver looked at Andrew, knowing that he wasn't going to let this slide.
"Well, how about we all get some sleep and regroup in the morning?" Eliza suggested. "We can't do much for Jake now."
The others nodded, bidding each other goodbye as Andrew and Eliza headed back to the Gryffindor Tower.
Oliver draped an arm around Violet, rubbing her soothingly. "You okay, Vi?"
She nodded. "I will be eventually." The blonde paused, sighing. "I just can't imagine anyone I know doing such a thing to two innocent students."
The two Slytherins popped into his mind once again, not wanting to believe that they could've been the ones behind it. In a way, he trusted Mary, seeing the good in her, despite everything else he heard that would've clouded his judgement. Now, he was unsure about her, wondering if the things said about her were true all along.
So, he shook his head and huffed a long sigh. "I can't, either."
The conversation was left on that note, and Oliver was grateful that Violet didn't press on about it anymore.
A/N: Well, a lot happened in this chapter.
Song above is Sad Walk Home by Rael Jones.
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