Say Something

Chapter 18

I continued to stare at him, unable to do anything else. Part of me was fuming and wanted to pummel him for ever coming here, and another part was seriously wondering why there was a brace on his knee. He had his arms extended towards me, Harry was practically pushing me into them. He stared at me gently, waiting for me to actually speak.

"I suppose I could get through one dance without hexing you."

He smiled my favorite sweet smile that I had refused to allow myself to ever think about. He wound his arms around my waist and pulled my body close to him. Harry disappeared into the crowd, I realized now this was the secret he had been hiding and what even Hermione had known about.

"Why the hell are you here Oliver? I don't recall inviting you." I spat as I glared at him.

"Really Mel? Is the hostility necessary?"

"Absolutely."

"Well Harry figured it was an open invitation, there does seem to be a very diverse crowd here. We thought it might irritate Malfoy too, Harry certainly wasn't adverse to that. So you and Malfoy huh?"

"Brilliant segue Oliver. I don't see how my relationship status is your business. Shouldn't you be traveling with Puddlemere? Why are you slumming it here?"

"Well my presence will explain the knee brace. I injured it pretty bloody badly during practice and they cut me from the team."

"Oliver, don't be ridiculous. I can heal an injured knee and I haven't even been professionally trained."

"Oh I had a specialized healer repair it for me. But I could cause permanent damage if I were to injure it again. There's some ailments even magic can't cure. And Puddlemere doesn't have willingness to keep someone that could end up unable to play anyways."

I could tell that Oliver was torn up about his short lived career and I felt sorry for him. But there was still lingering anger I felt towards him too.

"So you moved back home then?"

"Actually no. But I will be in Scotland again. Madame Hooch has offered me a job. I'll be starting at Hogwarts after the holidays."

"Wonderful." I said sarcastically.

My heart sank into my stomach; I could not handle seeing Oliver on a daily basis again. I had only been able to heal so quickly because he was completely out of my life, out of sight, out of mind. Even being in his arms right now was painful, and I knew it shouldn't be because of how much I hopelessly loved Draco. And Oliver had been so keen on irritating Draco tonight, who knows what he would be capable of once he was at Hogwarts with us. Tears welled in my eyes, I had to get away from Oliver and fast. I started pulling away from Oliver's hold but he held tighter to me.

"Why are you crying Mel? I was hoping this would be good news."

"You are an asshole Oliver. Why are you doing this to me? You're about to ruin everything."

Oliver raised his hands to my damp cheeks and wiped the tears from my eyes. The former feelings I had for Oliver began tugging painfully at my heart. All I could think about now was how effortlessly happy he had once made me, when I should have been only thinking about how he had crushed my heart and abandoned me for Quidditch.

Oliver pulled my face closer to his, our lips were mere moments from touching when I forced myself out of his arms. I shook my head fiercely as I backed away from him, leaving him alone in the middle of the makeshift dance floor.