Capto Fidelis

Capto Fidelis

Chapter 4: "There Are...Notable Exceptions"

Oliver made his way through the now-darkened halls towards the Ravenclaw common room. He had learned of its location last year -- a Ravenclaw he was dating was a bit too eager to tell him where she slept. He grinned. He had seen her again last week, and hopefully, the password was still the same ...

As he rounded the corner, he saw the suit of armor that marked the entrance. He strolled towards it, and stopped in front.

"Academia," he said.

Nothing happened.

"Ok...'Eagle's Flight,'...'Archemides'...'Temenos'..."

At the last word, the armor moved aside to reveal a doorway, which Oliver walked through. The Ravenclaw common room was about the same size as Gryffindor, with a few more study tables and quite a few more bookshelves. Currently, the large fireplace held the dying embers of a fire, and its soft light was flickering against the blue armchairs.

Oliver looked closer at the chairs--was there someone asleep there? He took a few paces towards it, and with a shock, realized it was Sylvia. How convenient...

She was sleeping soundly, the firelight glinting off her prefect's badge. As Oliver sidled up to the couch, he tread softly. He placed his hand over her mouth so she wouldn't scream, and tapped her on the shoulder.

Sylvia awoke with a start, and her flailing arms almost knocked him out. He held his hand over her mouth still, motioning for her to be quiet with his other hand.

"Hush," he said. "It's only me."

She took his hand away from her mouth, and they simultaneously appraised each other. Oliver knew he looked the same as usual, albeit his hair a bit more messy, and he was wearing all black. Sylvia, on the other hand, was wearing her school robes, with the outer cloak strewn over a chair. Her hair was tousled, and her glasses were slightly askew.

"Forgive my wonderment, Mr. Wood, but how the hell did you get in here?"

"Erm...I used to date Kimberly Brooks."

She scowled. "In that case, you must know the way to the dormitories as well."

Remarkably, he felt himself blushing, but willed himself to stop. "Not as well as you may think," he said, grinning. "It's only across a hallway in Gryffindor. Easier access, wouldn't you say?"

She raised an eyebrow and he mimicked her.

"Well," she finally said. "Why then did you wake me at..." she glanced at the clock above the fireplace and sighed, "one in the morning?"

"I need help in Transfiguration."

"Are you daft?!" she hissed, then took a deep breath, calming down. "My apologies. Admittedly, you came to the right place, however, couldn't this have waited until morning?"

"I needed to talk to you alone..." he began

"I am alone at periods during the day, you know."

"Not since dating Davies."

"Do you have a problem with Roger?"

"Look, I came to ask for help, not give commentary on your social life."

She nodded. "Indeed. What sort of help do you need then?"

"Tutoring."

"You want me to tutor you?" She glared at the clock again, as if to remind him of the time.

His tone turned pleading. "Look love, you've got to help me...Professor McGonagall's getting frustrated...it's only Quidditch that's keeping me passing in her class...and if I don't bring my marks up..."

"...She'll cut you from the team." Sylvia finished.

"Now you see my position?"

He noticed she blushed faintly, but before he could confirm whether she had, she sank into the couch and patted the spot next to her.

"Sit down, Mr. Wood."

"Oliver."

"Then I suppose you should call me Sylvia." She paused. "And now, if you don't mind, your tutor needs her beauty sleep."

"You're pretty enough now," he said. "And d'ye mean it?"

She rewarded him with a smile, which he thought remarkable, considering the circumstances. "If you promise to work hard, then yes."

"Oh I most certainly will." A grin spread across his face.

"Now go back to Gryffindor before you get in trouble."

"'Twould be worth it. Sweet dreams, Sylvia."

"Er..." she was taken aback. "Good night, Oliver." She walked up the staircase to the girls' dorm and out of sight. He took his cue and headed back to Gryffindor Tower.

The next morning, Oliver's owl dropped a piece of parchment on his bread pudding. He fished it out of the syrupy mess, and opened it.

Oliver--

Tutoring starts today. Meet me in the library after Arithmancy --I know it's your last class, and I know you don't have Quidditch today, so you'd better be there! You'll find me in the Charms section.

Yours--

Sylvia

After Arithmancy, Oliver walked into the library, peering around shelves and tables. Finally he found Sylvia in a table in the back, under a sign marked Advanced Charms. He walked over, and leaned on the table.

"Evening Sylvia." He grinned, then turned to the girl next to her. "Hermione."

Sylvia smiled. "You know each other?"

"She's in my house."

"So you know those in your house, but not necessarily your year," Sylvia said.

Oliver winked. "There are some notable exceptions, of course."

He noticed Sylvia flush slightly, and sat down across from her. "So what were you two lovely ladies doing here?"

Hermione spoke. "Sylvia was just helping me with my Transfiguration . . . she says I have potential." She grinned, proudly.

"Are you. . .erm. . . done with the lesson?" he asked hopefully.

Sylvia turned to Hermione. "Are we?"

Hermione turned from Sylvia to Oliver and back again. She nodded, and picked up her books. "Thank you, Sylvia, for all the help!" she called while walking quickly towards the exit.

Oliver's eyes followed her out, then turned back to Sylvia. He couldn't help the grin that spread over his face, and he sat down across from her.

"Ready to tutor me?" he said.