Capto Fidelis

Capto Fidelis

Chapter 3: "Things Even Percy Weasley Doesn't Know....about Sylvia Townsend, that is."

Two weeks passed, and Sylvia had barely said another word to him. Added with the prospect of a new Slytherin seeker, as well as his mother telling him to study for N.E.W.T.s (they were a year away!), as well as the team needing to work harder-- the match against Slytherin was drawing nearer-- Oliver had little else on his mind.

Oliver walked out to the Quidditch pitch--the team should've been coming out any minute now. They were noticeably absent. He swung his broomstick over his shoulder and looked up at the sky. The days were getting shorter--it was barely 4 and dusk had already fallen.

He trudged over the muddy pitch as he made his way to the locker rooms. They were empty, praise Merlin--he didn't want another fight with the Slytherin team. He swung his locker open and thought about the day--Classes were certainly seeming boring--with the obvious exception of Transfiguration. He had slept through Lockhart's class (not a surprise), and was not looking forward to Potions tomorrow. Snape seemed to be in a particularly foul mood, and Oliver had put it down to either indigestion, or the Weasley twins.

As Oliver finished and walked onto the pitch, he ran into the twins--literally.

"Snape," Fred said, as an excuse.

They were noticeably out of breath-what had they been running for--or from?

"Erm..." George continued. "Snape didn't seem to like our version of the Wit-Sharpening Potion--"

"--Wit-Dulling Potion, more likely."

So it wasn't indigestion.

"So we ran --"

"--had him on our tail for a while."

George took a deep breath. "Never thought I'd say this, but we're pretty relieved to come here--"

"--safe haven--"

"--at least the air is."

Oliver smiled. "Get your brooms." He continued walking, and met up with Alicia, Angelina, and Katie, standing in the center of the field.

They were all grinning broadly at him.

"So, Oliver--"

"--because our lovely conversation last night had to end so quickly--"

"--we made this for you."

Alicia shoved a piece of parchment into his hands.

Oliver glanced at it. Ingredients for Love Potions. "Oh real witty, girls."

Giggling madly, Alicia managed to sputter out a few words. "Don't be daft--the back...look there."

He did so, and saw a long list. According to the title, it was Things Even Percy Weasley Doesn't Know....About Sylvia Townsend, That Is. Oliver smirked and pocketed the parchment. "Unbelievable, you lot are." He shook his head. "Unbelievable, but very helpful."

Harry and the twins chose this moment to walk up.

Oliver switched into Captain-mode. "Ok, all of you, up in the air!" he called out. "I want to try this new idea--Harry, stay high; Girls, get the Quaffle and head towards me; Fred--er, George--on their right, and Fred, guard Harry. Remember, Slytherin----"

"WE KNOW!" the entire team yelled, but Oliver continued unabashed.

"--has a new Seeker, and we must prepare for that. Added to how foul Slytherin plays and their new broomsticks, we've got a lot on our plates, mates." With that, he flew up to join his team.

When practice was over, Oliver walked back to Gryffindor tower with the rest of the team. As they reached the portrait, Angelina nudged him sharply and whispered, "Don't you forget that parchment!"

With that, and Katie's babbling of the password (Ginger Snap), the portrait swung open, and they all trudged into the common room.

Oliver picked a chair by the fire, and took a closer look at the parchment.

Things Even Percy Weasley Doesn't Know....About Sylvia Townsend, That Is

(plus basics)

Complied by: Your Resident Gryffindor Chasers: A. Spinnet, A. Johnson, and K. Bell.

She's a 6th year (just like you, Ollie!)

She knows who you are. (Did you say that's what she said when you bumped into her?)

She's dating Davies. (All of us say again that you should take her so that at least one of us could have Davies.)

She and Davies have been going out for almost a year

Said romance will be a year on January 23rd.

You have the following classes with her: Transfiguration and Arithmancy.

She thinks you're handsome (Maybe she can join your fan club! -Alicia)

However, we've heard she thinks you're arrogant. (our theory is that she just mistakes your Quidditch-obsession with some sort of arrogance)

She's a Prefect (too bad you aren't --that bathroom's pretty nice! -Angelina)

So's he. Davies, rather. A Prefect.

Her best friend is Penelope Clearwater.

Favourite Colour? Sea Green. (she also writes all her notes with this color ink)

She gets along well with everyone, mostly, except

Kimberly Brooks (your ex-girlfriend, remember? Ironically, you broke up with her for some reason, and she started going with Davies. Then Davies broke up with her, and started with Sylvia. Small world.)

Marcus Flint (but who does get along with him?)

Professor Trelawney (Sylvia hates any type of divination except Arithmancy)

Snape. (Just kidding. Remarkably, she seems to get high marks in Potions. Maybe that's why you cheated off her.)

Percy, Penelope and Sylvia all compete for top marks in the 6th years.

Her best subjects are Transfiguration and Arithmancy.

She's mediocre in Herbology

Her worst subject (but that's worst comparatively) is Defense Against the Dark Arts.

She doesn't play Quidditch. (and don't even think about trying to "teach" her; apparently Davies' already tried many times)

She does come to games. (To our knowledge, she has rooted for Gryffindor before! --when we played Slytherin. Otherwise, she's always rooted for Ravenclaw)

She comes to Ravenclaw Quidditch practice on occasion. (mainly when she and Davies have something to do afterwards)

She's half muggle--her mum's a witch.

Her family isn't that well off--they're having a bit of financial trouble, actually.

She has periwinkle-coloured dress robes (Davies bought them as a 6 month anniversary gift.)

Most Hogsmeade weekends she spends with Davies--their schedule involves shopping (Dervish & Banges and Honeyduke's are mainstays) then warm up with butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks.

She loves Chocolate Pudding-flavoured Bertie Bott's, and, oddly enough, Grass-flavoured ones.

She loves Sugar Quills. (So do I! -Katie)

She works in Flourish & Blotts over the summer break.

Her wand is 8 inches, willow and unicorn hair.

Apparently there was an amusing incident involving a misread incantation, Canary Creams, and Percy Weasley last year (you'll have to ask her for the details--it'll break the ice, we're sure!)

We think you have a good chance! Go for it, Oliver!

Best of luck, and love always

Katie, Alicia, and Angelina

PS. Feel like canceling practice?

Oliver set the paper down, a smirk on his face. Those girls were absolutely invaluable. He reached into his bag to pull out parchment to begin an essay for Lockhart (Please Describe Gilderoy Lockhart's Least Favourite Dark Creature)

He sighed loudly, and suddenly, one of Harry's friends appeared at his elbow.

"Hullo," she said happily.

"Hullo, yourself...erm..."

"Hermione Granger." She smiled brightly. "Working on a Defense Against the Dark Arts essay?"

He nodded.

Hermione pointed to the parchment. "It used to be vampires, but as of class a few weeks ago, it's Cornish pixies." She held out a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. "This should help."

"Thanks...." He managed. "Thanks...Hermione."

She grinned. "Oh, and Katie Bell said you might want to know that Sylvia Townsend tutors me in Transfiguration--I'm not sure why you'd want to know, but..."

Oliver laughed, and looked at Katie, who was, at the moment, giving him a thumbs up gesture and a big grin. He smiled at Hermione. "Thanks, love."

Hermione scampered off as Oliver grinned to himself. Now, he had an excuse to talk to Sylvia...his Transfiguration marks were terrible...