The Chamber Of Secrets - Hermione Granger x OC

Unresolved Feelings

Oliver stood outside the Headmaster's door, anxious for news of his friends' fate. Muffled voices from within mingled in a symphony of whispers and occasional bursts of frustration, fueling his curiosity. His mind raced with countless scenarios, each outcome carrying its weight of consequences.

Finally, the wooden doors swung open, revealing a mixture of relief and excitement etched across Harry and Ron's faces. Oliver wasted no time in rushing towards them.

"So?" Oliver asked in anticipation.

A grin spread across Ron's freckled face, his eyes gleaming with joy. "We're not expelled!"

Oliver's shoulders sagged in relief.

"We have a week's worth of detention though," Harry added.

"I'd take that over being expelled any day," Oliver said, relief evident in his voice. "As long as they don't make you guys go into that godforsaken forest again."

Oliver officially greeted both Ron and Harry with a tight group hug. "I missed you guys," he exclaimed, a heartfelt sentiment that resonated between the three friends.

"I heard you had quite the adventure with Hermione," Harry said playfully.

Oliver's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "How'd you know about that?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"Once I finally managed to get a hold of the letters the house elf had been hiding from me, I saw that Hermione wrote to me about it," Harry explained. "Sorry for not responding or anything. I didn't even know you guys were writing to me."

Oliver's attention latched onto one specific detail, disregarding Harry's sincere apology. "Wait, Hermione told you about the carnival?" he asked.

"Uhh... Yeah, is that a problem?" Harry asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

Oliver paused for a moment, considering his response carefully. "Depends on what she said," he replied.

"You'll have to ask her that," Harry said, as he turned to walk away.

"But it would be easier if you just told me," Oliver thought to himself. He longed for clear answers, for a resolution to the tangled emotions that had been brewing within him.

With Oliver, Harry, and Ron back in the Gryffindor common room, Oliver glanced over at Hermione, who was engrossed in her book. There was a pang of longing in his chest as he watched her.

Suddenly, Hermione looked up and caught sight of the trio. A smile spread across her face, and she bounded towards them, throwing her arms around Harry in a tight embrace. Oliver couldn't help but feel a pang of envy as he watched them, the warmth between them so obvious.

"I was so worried about you guys when I didn't see you on the train or at the sorting ceremony," Hermione exclaimed.

"It's a long story, but we're fine," Ron replied.

As Hermione continued hugging onto Harry, Oliver's frustration grew. He yearned for her attention. Realizing he couldn't wait any longer, he finally spoke up, his voice tinged with a hint of jest, but masking his true emotions.

"Yes, yes, they are back safe and sound. Woohoo! Now, let's go to bed," Oliver interjected, stepping between Hermione and Harry, gently pulling them apart. His actions disguised his jealousy, the swirl of emotions threatening to consume him.

Hermione felt slightly confused about why Oliver had acted that way. "Uh, okay," Hermione said.

"We'll tell you all about it in the morning," Harry assured her.

Oliver's response caught Hermione off guard. "Oh, yeah, I bet they will," Oliver retorted, his tone laced with skepticism and a touch of irritation. He aggressively pushed Harry up the stairs, seemingly eager to put some distance between them and the conversation.

As Oliver propelled Harry towards the staircase, Hermione's eyebrows furrowed in thought. Something was off, and she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Oliver's behavior hinted at a deeper issue, one that remained buried beneath his words and actions.

"What's your deal, mate?" Ron asked Oliver, as they reached the top of the steps.

Oliver's dismissive response only fueled Ron's curiosity. "Nothing. I don't have a deal. Why would I have a deal?" Oliver replied, attempting to maintain a facade of composure and deflect any further questioning.

Sensing that something was amiss, Harry decided to probe further. "Did something happen between you and Hermione?" he asked.

Oliver's heart skipped a beat, his insecurities bubbling to the surface. He hesitated for a moment, the internal struggle evident on his face. But his walls were closing in, and he needed an escape. "Nope. Goodnight now," Oliver responded, abruptly jumping onto his bed.

As Oliver was laying there, under the cover of darkness, he couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and regret. He had successfully pushed everyone away, keeping them at arm's length with his vague and dismissive answers. But deep down, he craved a connection, a way to bridge the gap that had formed between him and Hermione. In the stillness of the room, Oliver realized that he couldn't hide forever. The time had come for him to confront his fears, open up, and reveal the truth behind his erratic behavior. Only then could they begin to mend what had been broken.