Capto Fidelis

Capto Fidelis

Chapter 2: "You know she's dating Roger Davies..."

Oliver walked to dinner in a daze. Who was she? It seemed as if she simply apparated into Hogwarts. But she was with Davies, for heaven's sake! She had to have been there the whole time. It made him sick. Davies. Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain. . . younger to boot, as well as big and hulking. Perhaps hulking wasn't the right word, but it made Oliver feel better. Much better. He ran his fingers through his cropped hair and sighed. He was a Quidditch captain too. . .

Percy looked over quizzically. "Oliver?"

Oliver grunted.

"What now?" Percy said. "Quidditch not going as planned?"

"Sod off, Perce."

Percy made a dissenting sound, and Oliver saw him get up and walk over to the Ravenclaw table. He leaned over, spoke a few words to Penelope, and sat down. Oliver could see Townsend eating quietly next to Davies, and Oliver watched as Davies put his arm around her, protectively. She leaned against his shoulder quite comfortably; her dark brown hair stood out from his robes. Finally, when Oliver could bear it no more, he looked away.

Percy walked back and sat across from Oliver, blocking the view of Davies and Townsend. "Sylvia says 'Hallo,'" he said.

Oliver looked up. "Sylvia?"

"You affectionately refer to her as 'Townsend,' though I believe she prefers her given name."

Sylvia, indeed.

"Ah. . . does she now?" Oliver said, and smiled.

"Yes," said Percy absentmindedly.

"Bright girl, she is."

Percy nodded. "Good at chess."

"You told me." Oliver set his goblet down, and stood up purposely. He spotted Sylvia as she was leaving the Great Hall and ran over to her. As he came up beside her, he tapped her on the shoulder.

She spun around, surprised. "Wood!"

"Call me Oliver," he said with a grin.

"Wood," she repeated, and took a breath. "Did you need something?"

He looked at her, tilting his head to the side, teasingly, giving her his most charming smile. "My dear Miss Townsend. . . I felt cause to remind you that I am devilishly good looking. . . and, inform you that I am, as of quite recently. . . single?"

"I've heard. Have you heard the news that I'm still taken?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's been mentioned a few times."

"Take care to remember it."

Davies walked up behind Sylvia at that moment and stared at Oliver for a moment. "Hullo, Oliver."

"Roger. . . " Oliver said.

"Ready for your upcoming match? Slytherin, isn't it?"

Oliver nodded. "Bit nervous. . . you know how rough Flint plays."

"Aye. He banged us up pretty badly last year--I'll be glad when he's gone," Davies patted Oliver on the back. "and I wasn't aware you were such good friends with Sylvia."

Sylvia spoke up. "We aren't." She took Davies arm, glared at Oliver, and walked off, leaving Oliver aghast. He could see Davies looking confused at Sylvia. Why had she reacted that way?

"See you in Transfiguration, Sylvia!" he yelled, then scowled. Why wasn't she responding to anything? He was a much better catch than Davies!

He spun around, and noticed Penelope Clearwater walking up to him. (Percy followed a few steps behind). "Oliver?" she queried quietly. "might I have a word?"

Oliver nodded.

"Stop taunting Sylvia," she said, looking at him puposefully. "I know you've just suddenly realized she exists-- and she's fond of you, but she's with Roger now, and you're testing every ounce of her faithfulness to him."

"Why doesn't she just--"

"Break it off with Roger? Think about it--Roger offers her security. If she were to leave him for you. . . then what? Gryffindors aren't exactly known for their fidelity. . ."

Oliver and Percy stammered for a few moments before Oliver finally spoke. "Then why doesn't she go after. . . Diggory or something? Get her fidelity from a damn Hufflepuff!"

Oliver noticed Penelope hid a grin. "She already has--well, with Cedric anyway. Third year. She claims it was nothing. . . but. . ." She smiled slightly, then became serious again. "But that's not what I'm trying to say. The point is th--"

"Wait a moment," Oliver interrupted, and proceded to count off on his fingers, "Diggory. . . Davies. . . soon to be me--"

"Optimist, aren't you?" Percy cut in.

Oliver waved him off. "Don't tell me she's been with Flint!?"

"Heavens, no! A Slytherin? Oliver, give her at least that much faith that she wouldn't stoop that low!" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Anyway, she's not a pure-blood; Flint doesn't give her the time of day."

"Thanks for the advice, Penny," he said.

"Just. . . be careful," she said slowly.

He raced towards the common room, one thought on his mind-- Sylvia. He skidded to a halt in front of the Fat Lady.

"Password?" she said.

"Serum Caput," he said quickly.

The portrait swung open and Oliver ran inside. Angelina and Katie were sitting in two chairs by the fire, and he went over, and sat down, facing them.

He grinned. "Evening, ladies."

Katie looked at him and laughed. "Evening yourself, Oliver. This isn't a warning about Quidditch, is it?"

"Well. . ."

"Oh no you don't!" Angelina shrieked.

"Compromise," he said, "be ready early tomorrow."

Katie and Angelina groaned.

"C'mon. . . we're going to be the first team getting started -- We're going to win this year, I just know it!"

"We know, dear," Angelina said quietly, then slowly grinned, "but Oliver. . . you know you only come to us for two reasons --"

"--Quidditch, and the lovely ladies of Hogwarts--" Katie continued.

"So now that we've covered Quidditch--"

"--which girl have you set your sights on now?"

He sighed. "You know me too well."

"Who is she?" they clamored.

"Erm. . .Townsend. . . Sylvia. . . Townsend."

They both gasped and giggled.

Katie spoke first, "Forbidden fruit, hm?"

"You know she's dating Roger Davies. . ."

Oliver nodded, and noticed Alicia Spinnet walking up. She waved slightly at Oliver, and Katie hurriedly leaned over and whispered in Alicia's ear. Alicia's eyes widened and she smirked at Oliver. "Well, well, well. . . aren't we daring?"

"To go after Davies' girl--"

"--though it would leave him free for the taking--"

"--Mm. . . Davies. . .--"

"--Quidditch captain--"

"Hey!" Oliver interrupted. "I'm a Quidditch captain!"

Angelina waved a hand, searching for something to say. "But. . . you're our captain, Oliver." she smiled, slightly patronizingly. "You already have your own fan club--"

"--as do all the captains--"

"--except Flint--"

"--no surprise there," Katie continued, "and you don't need your own team falling over themselves for you."

Katie and Angelina suddenly looked at Alicia and started laughing.

"That was second year!" Alicia protested. "Not anymore!"

Oliver raised and eyebrow and grinned at Alicia. "So that's why you joined the team. . ."

Alicia hid herself in her hands, but Oliver could see her laughing. "Get back to Sylvia--I'm not the topic of conversation here!" she squealed.

"Indeed," Oliver said. "Let's get back to Sylvia."