Drop in the Ocean

“Let’s go to the Great Hall together, Oliver.” Joyce said as they exited Dumbledore’s office.

“Okay.” Then Oliver smiled at her.

Joyce was nervous as she went to her dormitory. She was thinking of what other people might say. She was also scared for Oliver and what the Gryffindor boys and girls will say to him. Will they still be mad at him? She thought. When she entered, no one was there.

“Oh yeah, Dumbledore said that we should go to the Great Hall, maybe the people are already there!”

Joyce went in her room and changed to her uniform. She went to the library where she was going to meet Oliver. Oliver was not there yet, so she just sat down and waited.

“So sorry I’m late!” Oliver told her. Joyce can see why. Oliver fixed himself, he was now fresh and clean, and his hair was tidy. (Joyce hoped that she had the flashing thing that Muggle people have. She thought that this look was better than the one in Platform 9 ¾)

“That is alright.”

Joyce was looking fresh too. For the first time, her hair was in pigtails. She was clean and she looked very happy.

“Well then, let’s go!” Oliver extended his hand. (The gentleman type)

“This is it,” Joyce said. “I’m still scared, like Ethan, I wonder what he’ll say!”

“That was so brave Joyce!” Oliver said, mimicking Ethan. “Don’t worry, 2 is better than one!”

Joyce gave out a small laugh. Finally, the great doors of the Great Hall were visible. They both catch their breath feeling nervous.

“Okay, let’s enter casually.” Said Joyce.

“How?” Oliver asked.

“I don’t know, like normal kids? I don’t know…”

“I’ll just open the door for you.” Oliver said.

“Umm…”

Oliver Wood opened the door, and then to their dismay, everyone was looking at them.

“Is anything wrong?” Joyce whispered to Oliver.

“No, I think you look great! Maybe it’s me.”

“NO! You look good!”

They bowed their heads as they walked to their tables. Joyce hated to be stared at.

“Joyce!” It was Ethan. “Your hair! You’re in pigtails!”

“I think it looks fabulous!” Penelope said.

“I think that it’s wonderful too!” said Sean Zohn who was now feeling better.

“Thank you. Umm-where’s Celeni?” Joyce asked.

“Oh, she’s in the Hospital Wing. Dumbledore wanted her to be checked up.” Ethan answered.

Same story was happening over the Gryffindor table.

“Oliver-you look good!” Percy said. “Better stay away from Penny!”

After their supper, Joyce went over the Gryffindor table.

“Umm-Wood do you-“

Wood was turning red.

“Do I want to visit Celeni?” Oliver asked.

“Yes!”

“Oh-I can’t-I have to do something-sorry.”

Joyce felt mad! She knew that Oliver had nothing to do! She knew that he did not want to lose his image of being a Quidditch freak.

Oliver felt that Joyce was mad. He just did not know what to do. He liked Joyce, but he didn’t like his fellow Gryffindors teasing him. He felt bad. He thought that he was being conceited.

“Hey guys!” Katie Bell stepped in. She was still the Captain of Gryffindor.

“Let’s have a meeting.” she said.

Oliver felt as if his lines were stolen, but for some reason, he did not feel like talking about Quidditch.

“By the way Wood, have you heard of the new broom. It’s still being tested, it’s called the Firebolt.” Fred Weasely said. “It’s one of a kind!”

Wood was not listening, in fact he was not even eating, talk about strangeness.

“HELLO!!!” Fred shouted at him.

“Huh? Oh me-I have to go now.”

“But we’re having a meeting, Oliver! Besides you just got here!” Katie screamed, but Wood ignored her.

He went straight to the Hospital Wing hoping to see Joyce.

“Look I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to ditch you-I just-I can’t understand-I think-I-I-“ Oliver said barging in.

Celeni and Joyce looked at each other looking confused. Ethan, Sean and Penny were there too. They all raised an eyebrow.

“Joyce!” Oliver yelled.

“What?”

“Not here!”

“Where?” Oliver pulled Joyce out of the room and into the corridor.

“Look, I’m sorry-I did not know what to do-I-I-I-I’M JUST SO DAMN CONFUSED!!!”

“Oliver, it is okay. I mean, you don’t have to-I mean-I’m confused too.”

Both of them looked at each other, very red indeed.

“Look, I’m sorry.” Oliver said again, and then gave Joyce a small kiss on the cheek.

“Wait-let’s just be friends first” Oliver told her.

Joyce was really confused! She liked Wood, did Wood like her back now? If he did, she can tell that he was not ready. Maybe he was right, “Let’s just be friends first.” She watched as Oliver Wood walked away, she did like to make friends with him.