Harry, Kat, and Spellbound ➩ Book 1 [Harry Potter] | #Wattys2016

[CHAPTER 25] New Friends, Old Friends

Kataleen and Hermione were making their way to the library, Hermione ranting on about how they needed to study. "So now we've got a Sleeping Potion to tackle in a fortnight in Potions. And have to study in advance for that too, so there won't be any surprises --"

"Hermione, calm down," said Kataleen, just as they both stopped in their tracks, hearing indistinct shouting not too far.

They looked at each other, ending up approaching an empty corridor, peeking from the intersection to see Oliver with Jed. "Harry's younger than you, Jed, and he won us some games. How can you let such a diversion like a bludger hold you back at such a neck-to-neck opportunity to catch the snitch?!"

"Cousin Oliver, I --"

"Don't cousin me," he growled. "Now listen, Jed Wood. You've costed Gryffindor the chance of winning the Quidditch Cup in decades! You're letting young Mr. Potter's effort throw in to nothing! I repeat, nothing!"

As the younger Wood began sniffling Hermione stepped forward. "Stop it! Oliver Wood, it wasn't Jed's fault and you're blaming him!"

Oliver looked at her as if she was some ghost, as Kataleen also stepped into view. "Oliver, Hermione's right. Jed doesn't mean everything. Sure, he's not as skilled as Harry is, but that's because they're two different people. You can't blame Jed for who he isn't. And devil, he's your cousin! You should be the one understanding him!"

"Hey. This isn't any of your business, girls."

"It is very much our business!" Hermione exclaimed. "Why, mind you Harry is the seeker that wasn't able to play. He's our friend, so be have plenty of a right to involve ourselves in you pressuring Jed to someone you want him, but he can't achieve."

"Jed's his own seeker. Let him be. And there's always next year," Kataleen said.

"You two don't understand," Oliver sighed, palming his face.

"Oh really? Then do you mind making us understand how you can do this to your own blood cousin? A cousin who looks up to you while you look and push him down?!" Kataleen exclaimed.

"Because I made a promise to the other Houses!" Oliver shouted.

Silence fell. Only Jed's sniffles could be heard. That is, until Hermione said, "What? What promise?"

"I promised I'd make sure that while I'm Quidditch Captain at least once the Quidditch Cup goes to a house other than Slytherin," said Oliver. "In two years I'm graduating from Hogwarts, and can you just imagine the feeling of breaking such a big promise? They'll never forget it!"

"They will perhaps if someone wins the cup when you already graduated," said Kataleen. "You shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself, because you're also doing so to the other players."

"If you were Quidditch Captain," Oliver said, looking at them in the eye, "you'd do and want the same thing."

"Fine, but at least talk and not shout things out with Jed," said Hermione, beckoning to a still sniffling Jed.

Oliver glared at them, before storming with his broom out of the corridor, getting to even bumping the two girls' shoulders to get past them.

Kataleen snorted at him, then turned to Jed. "Oliver's just like that when it comes to Quidditch, Jed. Don't worry."

"Yeah right," he sniffled. "He's like that when it comes to other stuff too. He always expects so highly of me and if I fail, he gets all worked up."

"Do you two work things out?" Hermione asked.

"Not really. We give each other the silent treatment and it's forgotten," he sighed, picking up his broom and standing from the creaky stool at the end of the corridor. "I'll go now and rest."