Counting Stars || Poppy Snape

CHAPTER 17

I was on my way to the library with Oliver, ready to study all afternoon. The tests were only one week away, so I was praying for a miracle. Or that Oli was a really good tutor.

We found a table near the corner to try and avoid meeting people and having to make small talk. He understood my awkwardness.

We decided to start with History of Magic since that was the subject I was worst at. To be fair, there was a lot of reading involved and being dyslexic, I was at a disadvantage. Also, who cares about Gargoyle Strikes?!? Not me!

I was too absorbed in my thoughts and my dumbass had to drop the pen I'd been spinning. It rolled under the table, right infront of Oli.

"Hey Wood, can you pass me that pen?" I said signalling under the table

He gave me a smug smile "Can you pass me that pen what?"

I knew he wanted me to say please, but now I didn't feel like it "Ugh never mind I'll just do it myself"

I bent down and got the pen from under the table, not moving my butt from my chair. I felt my shirt ride up my back but I didn't pay any attention to it.

When I sat back down properly I noticed Oli looking a little flustered, and his cheeks were slightly tinted red. Odd.

Around ten minutes later, Cedric came towards us.

"Hey Poppy" he said, and then noticing my friend: "Hey Oliver"

"Cedric!" I exclaimed, a little too happily, "What's up?"
"Nothing much, I just came here to study."

Before I could reply, Oli started talking "Oh that sounds great, I think there's a table over there" He said while pointing to the other side of the library

I lightly smacked his arm. "Don't be silly Oli. Cedric, there's plenty of room here. Just study with us."

"Thank you Poppy" He said with a smile, as he moved some of the books to make room for himself.

He sat next to me, a little too close for my liking but I let it slide.

As I kept reading about Goblins and past Rulers I let out a groan. "Is that what you sound like in bed Pops?" joked Oli, not looking up from his book.

"Haha, very funny," I said dryly.

"What's wrong?" Cedric -who had been listening with an expression of confusion- asked me.

"Nothing I just hate History of Magic" I replied resting my forehead on my book "It's so boring and there's no way I'm going to remember all these dates and names"

"Hey don't say that. I'll help you remember them." That caused me to lift up my head. And Oli started paying attention as well.

"How?" I asked

"Yeah, how?" repeated Oli

"You just have to find a way to learn that suits you," Cedric said confidently. Oli laughed.

"What? I'm serious" He persisted

"Sure you are mate" teased Oli

Turning his attention back to me, Cedric continued. "Poppy, it's clear that reading off a textbook is not the best form of learning for you. So, let's renact historical events."

I looked at him a little judgementally. I wanted to make a sarcastic comment, but I felt kinda bad. He seemed so desperate to help and was so sure about this...

"Okay" I said "teach me your extravagant method kind sir"

Cedric chuckled and took my book, reading what I had been studying. Then he stood up. A couple of heads turned our way.

"Oh Princess Forlene Greenly who has been kidnapped by Goblins in 1734, I am Knight Alexander Bream who is here to resucue you in 1736!" Cedric said (loudly) while holding his hand out to me.
Everyone was now staring, and Oli was having the time of his life trying not to burst out laughing. I stared at Cedric, his eyes pleading for me to take a hold of his hand.

With one final look at Oli who was sitting back smugly, I took Cedric's hand.

"Oh Knight Alexander Bream! Thank you for rescuing me! We will now escape the Prison of Nahd two days after you have come for me!" I said for everyone who was watching to hear, then I pressed myself close to Cedric, held his shoulders and whispered in his ear "Was that historically correct?"

"That was perfect" He replied with a beaming smile, putting his hands on my hips. "You're perfect"

I wanted to say something, but our eyes were connected so flawlessly, it felt like a crime to look away. His hands on my hips felt so right. So... perfect.

I felt a buzz of electricity and the butterflies that I normally felt around him resurfaced. And this time I didn't try to push them down.

Instead I pulled him down by his collar and kissed him.

And he kissed me back.