Lost and Found || Oliver Wood [2]

Chapter 8: Turbulence

"What're you still doing here, Jess?"

Jessica looked up from her workspace: the table by the large floor-to ceiling window in the Gryffindor common room, covered with stacks of papers and leaflets she had yet to fill out, and her bottle of ink being used as a paperweight for one of the application forms she managed to finish already. Right next to this was Bethany, dressed in casual clothing and a light jacket.

"What do you mean?" Jessica asked her.

"We're going to Hogsmeade today," the redhead reminded.

"Oh, I forgot," Jessica groaned, leaning back into the armchair. It was the 6th of March today. "I suppose I got caught up in all these applications and requirements."

"You don't have to go if you're busy. Alista said she just wanted us to grab some Butterbeer since we'll have Apparition lessons in the afternoon, remember?"

Jessica chuckled before saying, "Right. But actually, I'm meeting up with Oliver today."

"Another date?" Bethany teased, referring to the last time the couple went to Hogsmeade. Jessica enjoyed her time with Oliver back then so much, and she wanted to see him again because she had a lot to tell him and wanted to hear from him, too. "Why didn't you tell us earlier, though? We thought you didn't have any plans."

"He's been pretty busy, so he hasn't actually... replied to my letter. Er, so I wasn't sure if today was even going to push through."

Bethany raised her eyebrows quizzically at that. "He hasn't written back?"

"I mean, it's only been a few days since the second letter, so —"

"Second? He hasn't read and replied to two of your letters?"

"Well, yes, but it hasn't been that long and he probably has a —"

"Jess, I know Wood's most likely busy as you said, but don't you think he could have at least written back one sentence to you? How do you know if he'll even show up today?" Bethany said incredulously, becoming defensive for her best friend.

Jessica's temper started to rise at the way Bethany was speaking about Oliver, even though she only meant well. She usually liked her bluntness, especially when people needed a reality check, but she didn't realize how it would feel to be on the other end of that stick.

"He probably didn't mean any harm," Jessica said, pushing down any anger or frustration that was threatening to spill out.

Bethany sighed, "Look, I didn't mean to sound like I was hating on Wood — I like him, he's a great guy. I just wish he would've told you something so you're not left hanging, you know?"

Jessica pursed her lips, feeling conflicted. Bethany had a point, but she didn't want to question Oliver's actions too much because she knew she would end up overthinking, wondering if he was ignoring her or didn't care enough to write back.

"Alista and I can go ahead to reserve seats at the Three Broomsticks if you want to join," Bethany cleared her throat after a pause. "If you're gonna go to see Wood, though, there's another set of carriages a little later if you need time to dress up first."

Jessica already knew all of this, of course — she was already in her last year at Hogwarts and the Head Girl, after all. She knew Bethany was just trying to break the tense silence, and she appreciated it even if she was still a little irked at her.

"Or, if you're gonna stay and work on these, that's fine, too," Bethany continued, gesturing to the full table. "I'll, er, get going now."

Jessica pursed her lips and turned to face the window. The soft sound of Bethany's footsteps padding onto the carpeted floor as she made her way out of the portrait hole was her only indication that the girl had left.