Wood & Wild

Chapter Five: Detentions

Oliver's thoughts were concentrated on Quidditch, and he called his team together that Thursday evening, to discuss tactics. To avoid the distraction of the Common Room, he made them all meet in the changing rooms. It was cold, but Oliver was too wound up to notice his team members' shaking. He paced back and forth in front of them, trying to impress upon them the need to win the Cup this year. Finally, they seemed to understand, and Oliver told them that practise would take place three times a week. They all left full of determination, and Oliver followed them back to Hogwarts with thoughts of holding up the Quidditch Cup at the end of the year running through his head.

As always, when his thoughts were of Quidditch, they turned to Fiona. Fiona, whose birthday it was in two weeks, and whose present was still non-existent. I'll ask Joe for ideas, Oliver decided. That settled, his thoughts turned to the Reserve team. I think I'll see if Fiona wants to get them to join some of our practises. It would do them good.

Planning to have a long talk with Fiona that night about the Quidditch teams, Oliver climbed up the long staircase, following the sounds of his team's laughter. When he entered the Common Room, the first thing he saw was Fiona's auburn hair glowing in the firelight, as she and Joe lay on the floor in front of the fire, heads bent over a book. They looked up as he sat on the sofa behind them.

"How'd it go?" Fiona asked.

Oliver grimaced. "We have to win this year, Fiona, we just have to. I think I got the team to realise how important it is, but..." He threw his hands up in the air.

Fiona and Joe exchanged a look, and Joe said, "Oliver, the rest of the team want to win just as much as you do. Don't worry, this year it will happen."

Oliver's face brightened slightly, and he nodded. Then he turned to Fiona. "I was thinking that the Reserves could maybe come to a few of our practises. We could play against each other, get the teams working together properly."

Fiona's eyes glowed, and Joe suppressed a groan. It looked like he was going to be getting more practise in, and hence less time with Margaret. Fiona was as obsessed as Oliver sometimes.

"That'd be great, Oliver," she gushed. "When's your next practise? I'll put a notice up for the team. We might as well practise at the same time, anyway, it's not like one team needs both sets of hoops, so I can use one end while you use the other."

Oliver nodded. "The first practise is on Monday. We're having practises Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings."

"Right. I think I might still have early morning practise on Saturdays as well, though, except for match days, of course," Fiona said thoughtfully. "The team's in terrible shape, and we need more practise than you lot do."

"Hey," Joe protested. "Terrible shape?"

"You're not, but the rest of them are. Morna needs as much practise as possible as well. I want to win the Reserve Cup and to do that we need to be in tip-top condition. Slytherin's Reserves are bloody good," Fiona said, a worried look coming over her face.

Joe groaned. "Honestly, you two are bad for each other sometimes. Okay, I think I'll be able to cope with four practises a week. I don't know how everyone else will cope, though. You're pushing the Reserves harder than Oliver's pushing the First team."

Fiona frowned. "They'll be fine. Besides, the First team have just started to practise. Anybody knows that you build up the number of practises gradually. It's about time the Reserves got more practise in." She reached out for a piece of parchment, and wrote the announcement of the change of practises down, ready to place on the notice board.

As she walked away, Oliver and Joe watched her. Then Oliver turned to Joe. "Do you have any ideas for her birthday?"

Joe looked surprised, and then smiled. "That's funny, I was going to ask you the same thing. I know what I'm getting her, but I was curious as to what you had planned."

Oliver's face fell. "I haven't a clue. What do you think?"

"Oliver, you know her better than anyone else, including me. How should I know? Why don't you get her something like the necklace you got her last year?" Joe replied.

Oliver looked dubious. "Well, Fiona doesn't normally wear jewellery, and besides, it was a special occasion, after all. It was her 16^th birthday."

"Oliver, I hate to point this out to you, but this year's even more special. It'll be the last year we're all together," Joe said gently, hoping that Margaret was right.

Oliver's face suddenly fell, and his eyes looked sorrowful. "You're right, of course. I guess it's something I've never really thought about it. Fiona's always been there." Oliver paused for a moment, and then seemed to gather himself together again. "This is going to take some thought."

Joe laughed. "What with all this homework, your Quidditch practises, and thinking of a present for Fiona, you're in for one hell of a time."

His friend grimaced. "You're right. But, we need to win this year."

Fiona overheard his last comment, and sighed. "Oliver, stop it. You know we're going to win, so stop worrying about it, and get thinking about practise."

"Once again, Fiona brings my feet back down to earth," Oliver said, smiling. "Okay, boss. And, just for that, I'm getting you up extra early this Saturday to discuss tactics."

Fiona groaned dramatically, but Joe could see her heart wasn't in it. Her eyes sparkled at the thought of a long Quidditch discussion with Oliver.

"Where's Audrey?" Oliver suddenly asked, looking round.

"Over there, doing Divination homework with Sally. I think we annoyed her a little with our dire predictions of chaos and mayhem," Joe told him, grinning.

"Speaking of mayhem," Fiona started, and then stopped, looking at Joe. "Don't you have to see Margaret tonight?"

Joe looked at her suspiciously, and then his face softened at the thought of his girlfriend. "Yeah, guess I'd better go. See you later."

"Bye," Oliver said as Joe closed his book and left. Then he turned to Fiona. "What was it you were going to say?"

Fiona smiled mischievously. "Well, we haven't planned anything recently, and I figured Joe needed some comeuppance. Wanna help?"

Oliver returned the grin. "Sure. But why Joe?"

"Well." Fiona drew out the word, thinking fast. "There's been all the digs at us about being single. I just think he's been getting too big for his boots."

"Good enough for me," Oliver said, his eyes sparkling silver. "What do you have planned?"

"Here are a couple of ideas I had." Fiona leant towards Oliver, and spoke to him softly.

Audrey looked across the room at them, noticing the auburn head and the brown head close together, Fiona and Oliver talking in whispers. She shook her head. Sometimes those two were worse than Fred and George. She had a feeling that Joe was going to get a surprise.

All day on Friday, Fiona and Oliver were conspiring in whispers. Audrey realised that Joe wasn't particularly suspicious. In fact, he, and the rest of the year, thought that they were talking about Quidditch strategies, but their blonde friend knew better. They were frequently told off in all three of their classes. Professor McGonagall very nearly gave them a detention when Oliver turned into a laughing hyena as opposed to the puppy Fiona was meant to have transfigured him into. She eyed them suspiciously, and said, "Wood and Wild, I don't know what you are planning, but be aware that you are skating on thin ice. One more upset today, and you're both in detention. That should have been an easy transfiguration for you, Miss Wild."

Fiona flushed, and glanced at Oliver, who was somewhat unkempt from his experience. He was still stifling giggles as McGonagall told them off, and nearly set Fiona off again. The rest of the lesson passed without incident, but Oliver and Fiona continued to whisper throughout.

Potions didn't pass nearly as well. Fiona managed to chop her horned slugs slightly too large, and when Oliver put them into the cauldron, the dungeon was rocked by a large explosion. Once the smoke had cleared, and Snape had ordered everyone to remain seated, Fiona and Oliver could be seen covered in the green solution. The Slytherins burst out laughing, and even some of the Gryffindors looked amused, although the look of ferocity on Snape's face stopped them from voicing it.

"Wood and Wild!" Snape's voice was quiet and venomous. "Once again you have disturbed a Potions lesson. In fact, I'm surprised it took you this long. You both have detention tonight. Be down here at nine o'clock. And fifty points from Gryffindor."

All the seventh year Gryffindors groaned quietly, and then shut up when Snape glared at them. "Stay behind and clean this mess up, Gryffindors. Slytherins, you may go."

The Slytherins dashed out of the dungeon with triumphant grins on their faces, and the Gryffindors began the unpleasant task of tidying up the dungeon under Professor Snape's sharp gaze. Audrey muttered curses under her breath at both Snape, and Oliver and Fiona, who were trying not to laugh at each other's appearance.

Finally, they were let out, and just had time to grab a bite to eat before having to dash off to Charms. On the way there, Fiona and Oliver performed a derivative of the Scouring Charm to clean themselves up. They then managed to apologise to the rest of their classmates for forcing them to miss lunch. "Just as long as we win the Cup this year, we'll forgive you," Stuart said good-naturedly. He, like the rest of them, thought that Oliver and Fiona had been preoccupied with thoughts of the Cup.

"Don't ask for much, do they?" Oliver muttered to Fiona as they entered Professor Flitwick's classroom.

Fiona snorted, and refrained from replying. Charms was a subject she enjoyed, but she had to work quite hard at it, unlike Oliver and Joe, who were naturals in it. This meant that the lesson passed somewhat more quietly than the previous two, although Audrey and Fiona managed to blow up their figurines, which they were meant to be animating. Fiona had managed to animate hers to an extent, since when Oliver poked it with his wand, it rolled over and groaned. Audrey's, however, was still inanimate, which was probably a good thing, seeing as it had lost both arms and a leg.

Once Charms was over, the four dashed back to the Common Room, Oliver and Fiona intending to get as much homework done as possible, before heading for an early dinner, and then for their appointment with Snape. In the Great Hall, Oliver and Fiona were still in high spirits, and Joe began to suspect something was up.

What's wrong with them?" he whispered to Audrey. "They've got a detention with Snape, and they're high as kites. They're planning something, aren't they? I knew it'd been too quiet around here."

Audrey grinned. "I think so, but I'm not in on it. You know those two, they like to surprise everyone."

Joe grunted, and returned to his meal. "Well, let's hope it's less surprising than today's Potions lesson. Although, I have to admit, they did look pretty funny covered in green goo."

Audrey laughed. "Yeah. I'd treasure that memory, though. Fiona's not going to let that happen again. In fact, I'm surprised Snape's not wary. Whenever 'Wood and Wild' do something wrong in Potions, a few days later, they play a trick on Snape."

Joe grinned. "I think Snape's been lulled into a false sense of security by the lack of activity this year. You're right, though. Fiona's the best in the year at Potions, usually those two get everything right." His blue eyes twinkled at the thought of something happening to Snape. "Here's hoping they get their own back for this detention."

Audrey smiled, and thought to herself, He's going to get it bad and he doesn't have any idea at all.

Fiona and Oliver left the Great Hall before anybody else, ignoring a facetious remark from Marcus Flint as they passed out the door. "Ugh, I hope he gets hit by a Bludger in the first match," Fiona muttered.

"I'll have a word with the twins, I'm sure they'll be happy to oblige," Oliver said, laughing. Then he sobered. "What do you think Snape has planned for us?"

Fiona shook her head. "Don't know, but it's bound to be particularly nasty. This is the first chance we've given him to get at us this year."

"It had better be worth it," Oliver said, grimacing as they climbed down the stairs, and the air became musty.

"Oh, it will be, Oliver, you know it will," Fiona grinned, her eyes sparkling.

"Good to know you're happy about this detention, Miss Wild," Snape said, appearing behind them.

Fiona started, and grabbed hold of Oliver's arm. When she realised who had startled her, she released her friend's arm, and stood up straight, looking the Professor in the eye. Oliver admired her courage, as Snape's black eyes glittered dangerously at the challenge Fiona was wordlessly giving him. Suddenly he turned, his robe swirling.

"This way." He led them to a deserted dungeon, lit only by a few flickering torches. It smelt like a sewer.

"You are to collect frogs," Snape informed them. "Put them in this box. Once it is full, bring it to my office." He then left them in the dingy dungeon.

"Frogs?" Oliver whispered, his voice echoing around the room. "Well, that's not so bad."

Fiona snorted. "Yeah, right. That won't be all, and you know it." She attempted to light her wand, but nothing happened. Swearing, she tried again, but still there was no response.

"Here, let me try," Oliver offered. He got as much result as Fiona had done. After several failed attempts, he sighed. "I think this room's charmed against magic use."

Fiona groaned. "Typical. I knew it wouldn't be that easy. If we'd been able to use magic, all it would've taken was a few Accio frogs and there you are. But no, Snape wants both Gryffindor Quidditch Keepers to spend all night on their hands and knees."

"You think that's it?" Oliver looked thoughtful.

Fiona had already shoved her sleeves up and was stalking towards a dark corner. "Yeah," her voice was quiet. "If we're both out of commission, who's going to captain the team? Joe could do it, but he's never had to think about it." She launched herself off to the right with the speed only a Quidditch player possesses, and stood up a moment later, a frog struggling in her hand.

Oliver handed her the box to put the frog in, and then threw himself forward, catching two frogs. "Maybe you're right. Still, I think it's quite good practise. I mean, talk about increasing your reflexes."

"And night vision," Fiona added, placing another amphibian into the box. "Still, I'm going to be black and blue by the end of the night. This floor isn't exactly soft."

Three hours later, Oliver and Fiona inspected the box, being careful not to let any frogs leap out. "I think this box is magically expanding. It still looks empty," Fiona retorted.

Oliver shut the lid. "That's just your imagination. Well, it's midnight now, I should think he'd be satisfied. Come on."

The two friends made their weary way to Snape's office, carrying the box full of frogs between them. They quietly knocked on his door, and waited patiently. A few minutes later, the Potions teacher opened the door. He took in the two teenagers standing in front of him, clutching a box between them, their faces bruised and battered. Both Fiona and Oliver had cuts on their faces and hands from hitting snags in the stone floor and walls. Snape levitated the box toward him, and opened the lid. "I suppose that will be sufficient," he finally declared. "You may leave now, but come back tomorrow at the same time to finish your detention."

Fiona's face went white, and, even in the dark, her eyes could be seen to be green. "Excuse me? Finish our detention?"

"Yes, Miss Wild, finish it. Your task was to catch the frogs and then take their brains out. I'm requiring frogs' brains for your lesson on Monday," Snape told her, his voice brooking no argument.

Fiona opened her mouth to protest again, but Oliver stepped in front of her. "We'll be back," he told Snape shortly. "Come on." He grabbed Fiona's arm and dragged her away.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Fiona let fly. "That, that, that...argh! I wish Joe was here, he could think of some words that suited Snape." Joe's knowledge of swear words and insults was renown.

"Calm down, Fiona. We need to get to bed. We've got practise tomorrow morning, remember?" Oliver reminded her, keeping hold of her arm, desperately ignoring the shivers the contact created.

All fight went out of her. "We?" was all she said.

"Of course. We're a team, remember?" Oliver smiled. "Plus, you're coming to all the First team's practises as well."

Fiona shook her head then, and smiled. "Yeah, yeah, I remember. Come on, bed is beckoning."

"A shower first, though. I don't think a charm will get the smell of frogs off us," Oliver commented.

"Right, a hot shower, then bed." Fiona set off up the stairs. "Come on, race you."

Oliver laughed, and chased his friend up the stairs, leaping over a bewildered Mrs Norris. The cat yowled, and ran off, but the pair were already gasping the password at the Fat Lady and had entered the Common Room before Filch had time to investigate.