Edge of Reality // Oliver Wood

✧˖* 7 *˖✧

I wish there was a bloody clock in this classroom. Then I would know how much longer I still need to get through this tedious class. Sadly, Professor Trelawney doesn't believe in the concept of time, "Everything in the present, past, and future is happening all at once. It's midnight. It's noon. It's morning every single second of the day," she had said last month to a poor student who was just asking for the time.

Although I love going to class here at Hogwarts – magical courses are way cooler than Muggle ones – this lesson has been going on for far too long. Professor Trelawney tends to lose track of time when she gets really into what she's saying. Right now, she has been talking about crystal balls and Tessomancy for what feels like over an hour! A double class of Divination is just too much to take, especially since it's the last one before Christmas break officially starts.

Even Dani, who normally is very fond of Trelawney and anything to do with pseudoscience, isn't paying attention. Instead, she is aggravatedly writing down large blocks of text with her quill and then crossing it all out not even a second after she finishes writing. I know exactly what she's doing though. Dani was hoping for George to ask her to the New Year's Eve Dance, but the event is now next week, without any hint of him planning to ask her. Even though she is cross with him, she has now decided to take the upper hand and ask him instead. Only, she has been having a hard time figuring out how.

                "I quit," she lets out a loud sigh which Trelawney doesn't even acknowledge. She is far too busy explaining what would happen if you find the shape of five-leaf clover in your tea leaves – you would get a horrible rash the next morning, "I'm going to look so pathetic going to the dance alone."

                "Hey! I don't have a date either," I remark while clutching my heart to pretend she has offended me.

                "That's true...OH! Be my date, then! It's 1996, girls can go to dances together!" Dani suggests, a wide smile plastered on her face.

                "Fine by me. Who leads though?"

                "What do you mean?" She scowls at me.

                "When we dance," I elaborate, "Who leads?"

                "Oh, definitely you. I'll follow. I suck at dancing."

                "Ahh. Miss Willows. Miss Griffin," Professor Trelawney squishes her thin body in between our chairs and places her hands on both of our shoulders, "Talking about the New Year's Eve Dance, are we?"

                I immediately apologise, feeling bad for interrupting her lecture, "I'm sorry, professor. We'll keep quiet."

                Her mouth freezes wide open in an expression of stunned surprise, "Never keep quiet, Miss Griffin! It's important to let the mind speak when it feels the need to."

                "O- Okay," I stutter, failing to think of a response.

                "In fact, let's fill up those teacups and talk about the dance together!"

The students let out confused but amused cheers and start chatting about their expectations for the party. And as we all talk over the sound of clattering porcelain, the rest of the class practically flies by.

Instead of going home for Christmas break, everyone is staying at the castle for the New Year's Eve Dance. But unlike most of my friends, I don't get to enjoy my free time just yet. Hufflepuff still has a match against Ravenclaw tomorrow and Zacharias has been pushing us extra hard after we lost against Gryffindor last month. Dani joins me on my way to the Quidditch pitch and is passionately talking about her horoscope when someone runs into me, making me drop all my books on the floor. I start to gather everything that has fallen and notice the person that was in my way isn't even helping me.

                "No need to ask for your help, I guess," I fume.

If I knew who was going to be standing right in front of me, I wouldn't have reacted that way. I look up and see Oliver's tall body towering over me. He stares at me with a grin on his face as I clumsily pick up my books.

                "Oh, Wood," I say, quickly standing up to seem less small. He's still much taller than me though so that mission failed quickly.

                "Griffin," he starts, "I sure hope you don't drop the Quaffle that fast tomorrow."

This is the first time I have spoken to him since our little outing at Hogsmeade. Back when I thought he was going to kiss me. But then didn't. While normally I find it so easy to talk to him and to think of funny comebacks to his insults, this time, my mind goes completely blank. All I can focus on are his hands. They look sort of rough, probably from playing Quidditch all day. On the index finger of his right hand, he's wearing a dark silver ring with a lion engraved in the band, an obvious nod to his house. He fidgets with it, turning the ring from one side to another while he speaks. I start to imagine his hand on my face, his thumb caressing my cheek as he slowly brings his lips to mine.

Oh, God.

I quickly turn my face, knowing that if I had stared for even a second longer, I'd have imagined much more than just that.

                "Your match against Ravenclaw is tomorrow, and you haven't been training all day? Now I see why Hufflepuff keeps losing," Oliver taunts.

                I manage to put myself together and answer, "We trained all day yesterday and I was just about to head to practice actually."

                "I better let you go then. You're going to need all the practise you can get."

I know that comment should have made me angry, but instead, it makes me feel like liquid adrenaline is being injected into my veins. My heart does a somersault as he shoots me a quick wink and then starts to walk away. Before I even have the chance to take my first breath in what feels like minutes, he turns back.

               "Merry Christmas. See you at the dance."

               "M-Merry Christmas," I stutter, like a pathetic intimidated little girl.

What the hell was that, stupid brain! He definitely knows I like him now. He must! I was in such a trance; I didn't even notice Dani suddenly disappearing mid-conversation. I look around, trying to find her again when I suddenly see her running towards me with a panicked expression on her face.

                "What's wrong, Dani? Are you okay?" I ask full of worry.

                "Yes. More than okay actually. I just-" Dani hesitates for a second before continuing, "I asked George to the dance."

                "Wait what?!"

                "I saw him walk by and you were busy talking to Wood so I went to say hi and I just did it!" The girl is practically jumping from excitement as she explains what just happened. Suddenly she stops, "You aren't angry, are you?"

                "No! I could never be angry at you! I'll just go by myself. I was going to anyway," I respond.

I can't possibly be angry at her for asking out her crush. Back to plan A I guess and bring a bottle of liquor as my date. Dumbledore better keep his promise and make sure there's an open bar at this dance...