Lost and Found || Oliver Wood [2]

Chapter 15: Hello, Goodbye

A/N: Hi everyone! Apologies again for such a late update. Postgrad life is hectic and free time just doesn't come by as easy as before 😢 But I'm finally back with a new update! If possible, I'd actually like to ask y'all for more feedback so that I'd know what you think of my works + it would motivate me to keep writing tbh :>

Thanks again for reading and being so patient. I really missed writing and interacting with everyone ❤ Hope you like this chapter!

"You need a blind date."

Pausing in the middle of slipping off his Keeper gloves, Oliver raised an eyebrow at his friend.

"Er, what?"

"A blind date, mate," said Luca Mun, the newest addition to the reserve team. He was brought in as Seeker just a couple of weeks ago. He was funny and a little awkward, which somehow made him charming in his own way, so it didn't take much for him to get along with his teammates.

Over those couple of weeks, the entire team learned about Oliver's dating — or lack thereof — situation. He couldn't pinpoint the exact moment he let it all slip and got himself exposed. There was that one time when Charles had gone up to suggest that he, Oliver, and Jessica all have lunch together, only to find out that the relationship was over. Needless to say, he was incredibly shocked that he had gasped loud enough to catch several of their teammates' attention, resulting in them having to explain why. There was also another time when Oliver had a horrible training day following his streak of outstanding performances in training. It seemed that putting too much of his time and effort into Quidditch as a distraction from the breakup had taken a toll on him, and his teammates noticed it. Oliver admitted to just one of them, Griffiths, that it was because he'd just ended a relationship. Perhaps it was a combination of gossip and the others overhearing that led to everyone finding out. Either way, the whole team was currently aware that he had been single for some time now and still moping.

"I don't think I... I mean, I've never thought about going to one," Oliver finally said, going back to removing his gear. He had never been quite big on dating around even in Hogwarts. But he was older now, so even he was surprised himself that he'd never even entertained the idea of dating again ever since the breakup.

"It doesn't sound like a bad idea, Wood," chimed Thornton on her way to the girl's locker room.

"I agree," said Merryweather beside her.

"Stop eavesdropping on us," Dawlish quipped, poking his head out the door.

"I'm your captain, I can do what I want," Merryweather shot back.

"Yeah, and I'm next to her so I can do the same!" Thornton said. The women giggled to themselves down the hall, their voices fading as they went into their own room to freshen up and get changed.

"Jokes aside, even the ladies seem to think a blind date wouldn't be so bad," Dawlish said, walking back to stand next to Mun.

"I can set you up with a girl — or guy. It's up to you," Mun offered.

"No, no, no!" a new voice said.

Charles Hawthorne came running into the boy's locker room, eyes wide and hands outstretched as if to stop them from doing anything more.

"No?" said Dawlish incredulously. "Why not? Wood should definitely get back on the dating scene."

"He is an eligible bachelor," Sharpe said thoughtfully. "What witch wouldn't want to date a Quidditch player?"

"But..." Charles trailed off.

Was it too biased and selfish of him to say that he believed that Oliver and Jessica were meant to be? And that because he knew she'd eventually return from Egypt, Oliver shouldn't start dating yet? The rest of the team had never met Jessica, and they did not know that she was related to Charles, either. Maybe he could just say that he had met her once and that she was an amazing girl that was perfect for Oliver. But after a moment, Charles decided against it, not wanting to reveal too much of his cousin's identity and possibly making Oliver uncomfortable.