Drop in the Ocean

It was already dawn when they arrived at Hogwarts. Celeni felt happy that she was finally back home; however, Joyce and Oliver were a bit happy, but mostly scared.

“Ms. Christensen!” Professor McGonagall shouted. “I’m so happy you’re safe. We do not know the capabilities of a blynx.”

“Ms. Christensen…” a soft voice came from the hallway, it was the Headmaster, Dumbledore.

“Dumbledore.” Celeni said, with a feeling of relief. “I was so scared! Good thing that Oliver and Joyce came.”

“Yes, Mr. Wood and Ms. Cadogan” said Dumbledore, who was looking at the both of them. “Minerva, please accompany the both of them to my office. I shall meet them in a few minutes. I have to talk to Celeni first.”

Professor McGonagall brought Oliver and Joyce to Dumbledore’s office. It was very cold when they were going to the office, Professor McGonagall did not talk to them.

“Headmaster shall be with you in a few seconds.” Then she left.

“Umm… Oliver…”

“Yes Joyce?”

“I just want to tell you, it was so sweet of you to help me save Celeni. Thank you, and I’m sorry.”

Oliver blushed. He felt butterflies, not just in his stomach, but his whole body. He felt sublime, as though he got his first broom, or he was able to make it to the PROs. His feeling was rather ineffable, he never felt like this before.

“I…” Oliver tried to speak, but he did not know what to say.

“If we get expelled, at least my last hours here in Hogwarts were fun, and I know that my friend is safe!” Joyce told him.

Oliver looked down and blushed. He was almost as red as his Quidditch robes.

“Mr. Wood, Ms. Cadogan.” Dumbledore arrived.

“Now, you broke-“

“Sr” Oliver was able to speak. “I don’t think that you should punish Joyce. It was my fault since I was the one who told her to go to the Forbidden Forest when we heard voices. I also told her not to tell anyone, because no one might believe us. Heck, I was the one driving the broom and chasing the blynx. Please understand, she only wanted to save her friend!”

Oliver was amazed by himself. He never said anything like that. He did not want to be expelled because that will decrease his chances on being a PRO Quidditch player. He loved Quidditch, but that time, he did not care about Quidditch or anything else.

“Besides”, he continued “She never had an offense mark!” Then he gave a faint smile.

“Oliver, I don’t think that we are going to expel anyone.”

“You’re not!” Both of them said with madness in their eyes.

“That is right, no one will be expelled. The teachers and I talked about it. Even though you broke some of the rules, we decided to reconsider. Using magic for the betterment of others is what we dream of. What you did, saving your friend, is a very noble act.”

Oliver and Joyce were amazed, they did not know what to say.

“Wow! Thank you Headmaster.” Joyce said, and gave Dumbledore a little kiss on the cheek.

“However, you are still going to have a punishment. Especially you Oliver, you did steal Malfoy’s broom.”

“Right, Malfoy’s broom-I am going to give it back.”

“Uh, Professor Snape!” Dumbledore called on Professor Snape.

“Yes Headmaster.”

“Give this to Draco Malfoy, and tell him that his broom is in good condition. He does not need to worry.”

“Alright” Then Professor Snape left, with the usual cold look.

“Since both of you are Quidditch players, We decided that you’re punishment will be-“

“Not playing Quidditch?” Joyce asked.

“No, but cleaning the Quidditch Shower Rooms.”

Oliver and Joyce looked at each other, and giggled.

“Now, change your clothes and go to the Great Hall, we need to talk about something.”