Imagines of Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts

7. Stolen (Oliver Wood)

(Published December 16, 2023)

   "What are you thinking about?"
   Oliver glanced at me with a soft shrug. He had been staring off into the falling snow drifting outside the window with a distant look in his eyes. Shifting on the couch, he sank a little further into the corner.
   "School. Guess I'm just nervous about exams."
   I nodded understandingly. "That's natural. But you were thinking awful hard there for a minute."
   "Well, this is the year where I make it or break it," He began with a sigh. "Managers from all sorts of Quidditch teams will be showing up at the games looking for their next super star, so I really should be focused on the games. However, it's hard to focus on the games when I have all these exams to worry about in case I don't make a team. I don't get how everybody survives seventh year. I'm about ready to crawl under a rock and hibernate."
   "I wish I could offer to help, but my muggle status makes my knowledge of magic subjects very difficult," I joked in hopes of cheering him up a little.
   "Your muggle status gave you the gravy train," He chuckled. "No spells to learn, no potions to concoct, no magical monsters to spar with in Dark Arts class."
   "Yeah, glad I missed out on all that," I shuddered. "But think about this... If you've been training all these years and focusing mainly on Quidditch, then that means playing professionally should come naturally by now. You don't have to up your game, confuse your teammates, and make a mess of techniques that already work and have for years. That means you can focus on your exams, right?"
   He gazed at me for a moment with a raised eyebrow. "As much as that didn't make any sense, I somehow understand and agree."
   Laughing, I chucked a sofa pillow at him. "Then stop worrying!"
   "Easy for you to say, ya homeschooled muggle!"
   "That's lucky homeschooled muggle to you."
   "You better be glad you're on the other side of the couch, or I'd be tickling you."
   "You mean I'd better be glad you're lazy?"
   "Only on holiday, love."
   At that, I had to turn away to hide my blush. I knew it was a Scottish habit to call people 'love', but it still made me blush every time.
   "There is one thing I hate about being magicless," I stated after a minute.
   "What's that?"
   "That I have to miss all of your games. Especially your seventh year games. It's not very supportive of me."
   He nodded solemnly. "I do wish you could be there."
   "Ah well, I'm sure you got friends there to pick up my slack in the cheering department. Speaking of which, have you decided on who you want to ask to your prom dance thingy?"
   Yes, it was a very bad idea to ask this question. However, I was his best friend, and I was a very nosy one at that. I wasn't overstepping by asking... But I wasn't entirely sure I was ready for the answer.
   Oliver took a deep breath and dropped his gaze to his shirt sleeve. "Honestly, I haven't even thought about it."
   "Oh?" That was all I needed to say. After being his best friend for years, I knew that was all it would take to get him to confide in me. 
   "Merry, I don't really have friends there," He admitted slowly.
   "What do you mean? You've got your team, at least," I prompted when he didn't continue.
   He shook his head. "We're all mates, sure. But I wouldn't call them friends exactly."
   I stayed quiet, picking at the threads on my jeans as I waited for him to continue.
   "See, I don't really relate to anyone there. I'm serious about Quidditch, my best friend is a muggle, and I don't really care about magic. I would much rather spend the day in a muggle museum or take a walk while drinking overpriced coffee with you than dink around in Hogsmead and toss spells around with my classmates. I don't even like using magic around the house. I've got two perfectly good arms that can fold my laundry, ya know?"
He sighed and rubbed his palm across his forehead. "I just don't belong."
   I scooted over to the middle cushion and placed my hand comfortingly on his forearm. I knew exactly how he felt. I had felt that way my whole life, being a muggle in a family of wizards. But that wasn't what he needed to hear right now.
   "Well, you belong with me," I stated before realizing how that sounded.  I quickly added to my statement. "In my club of weirdos."
   He finally looked up at me, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah?"
   I simply nodded in reply.
   "How many members of this club are there, may I ask?"
   "Just you and me. It seems we're both a tad anti-social, so I wouldn't count on anyone else joining."
   He gently placed his hand over mine, which was still on his arm. My chest squeezed, and I had to remember how to breathe for a moment. Luckily, I didn't think he noticed.
   "Good. Not only am I anti-social, but I'm also protective. I'm not allowing any other weirdos around my best friend," He said with a grin.
   "Who made you the boss?" I asked in mock outrage.
   "Obviously I'm president of the club. You didn't know that?"
   "Since I'm the founder, shouldn't I be president?"
   "Nope, you're much too... too rational. Only crazy people can be in charge."
   I stood up from the couch and placed my hands on my hips in order to sell my performance. "And what makes you think you're crazy?"
   "Because, Meredith, you like me."
   He stood up as well, placing himself directly in front of me. I smiled up at him, shaking my head slightly. He was crazy; we both were. That was why we got along so well.
   Suddenly, his hand left his side and inched upwards. His fingertips traced down the side of my face gently, coming to a stop at my jaw. I stared at him, unsure of how to react. As we both hesitated there, I was sure we could both hear my heart pounding in my chest. I had been this close to him before, but he had never touched me like that.  No one had.  I didn't want to show how it effected me, but how could I quiet an organ I had no control over?
   "Merry, you have no idea how-" He stopped, swallowing hard.
   I took a step back, tearing myself from his touch. His eyebrows fell into a confused frown. Before my emotional body could give anything away, I left the living room and headed for the kitchen. Once there, I pulled out a chair and collapsed into it.
   "Meredith."
   He had followed me. I licked my lips, composing myself. At least my heart had quieted down now... a little.
   "I'm sorry if I- if I crossed a line." He murmured from behind me.  "Guess I got a little carried away."
   I couldn't respond.  My tongue was tied and my words were jumbling in my mind as I tried to come up with a decent reply.  He knew me too well, though.  He slowly walked around the chair, crouched in front of me, and looked up at me with those warm brown eyes in a puppy dog manner.  I couldn't help but crack a smile at that.  I dropped my gaze to my hands, trying to sort out my words. 
   "It's alright," I began slowly. 
   "It's never alright when you start that way," He objected.  "Talk to me.  I won't do it again, I swear."
   "No, that's not it!"
   He pulled out the nearest chair, positioned it in front of me, and sat down.  Resting his arms on his knees, he raised his eyebrows briefly to prompt me to spill the beans.  I wrinkled my nose, turning my gaze to the ceiling with a small groan. 
   "It doesn't really matter, you just surprised me, s'all."
   "That's a load of dung," He reached over and grabbed one if my hands, a touch that was familiar.  "I'm your best friend, remember?  The crazy boy who keeps all your secrets because nobody would believe him anyway?"
   I finally turned my attention to his face again.  He gave me a half smile, which always made me smile.  I searched his features for a minutes, though I wasn't sure what I was looking for.  Then, I dropped my gaze again and shrugged. 
   "Well, since you're in the club, I guess I could reveal one secret."
   Both if us were good at turning awkward situations into jokes.  He grinned wider with his own shrug.
   "Being the president of said club," He held up a hand to halt my attempt to protest.  "This stays strictly between us.  You have the floor."
   I rolled my eyes at his act, but ended up taking a deep breath to prepare myself.
   "It's just that no one has ever done that to me before.  I got nervous."
   He tipped his head in curiosity.  "Why?"
   "Because it's something you see in romantic scenes in movies, not something that happens in real life."
   "Merry, kids at school do it everyday.  People on the street do it everyday."
   He didn't get it.  I sighed, covering my face with my hands. 
   "But not to me."
   We were both silent for a few minutes.  His hand still held mine, and his thumb gently rubbed back and forth on the back of my hand.  Another familiar gesture.  It didn't have the same electric effect to my heart that the touch to my face had.  It was still him, my best friend.  So why was it so different.
   "Meredith, you've never been kissed?"
   I looked up at him with a confused frown. 
   "That's nothing like what we were talking about.  And I already spilled a secret," I exclaimed, trying to turn it into a joke again. 
   He wasn't biting this time. 
   "I know, but I don't understand.  You're a year older than me, and far more of a catch.  Why hasn't anyone whisked you off of your feet?"
   His expression was terrifying.  I saw confusion mixed with a hint of relief in his eyes.  What did that mean?
   "No one wants a muggle in this town, Oliver.  Besides, I'm anti-social, remember?"
   Now it was his turn to roll his eyes.  "You still have a job in the muggle world, genius."
   "I'm homeschooled.  I really just don't fit in."
   He gave me that half smile again.  "Well, you fit in with me.  And I've got a surprise for you.  Close your eyes."
   "Oh no, no surprises!"
   "Oh yes," He chuckled.  "C'mon, humor me?"
   I glared at him for a moment.  "I won't win this one, will I?"
   "Definitely not."
   "Fine!"
   I closed my eyes tightly.  Just to be certain, he put his hand over my eyes.  I laughed and swatted it away.  I didn't peek, especially when it came to Oliver.  Whatever the surprise was, it wasn't something to be afraid of.  Worried, yes, but he wouldn't be mean.
   That was when I felt soft skin against my lips.  They were his own lips!  He had just stolen my first kiss!  My heart flipped out, pounding so loud I couldn't hear anything else, and the rest of my body felt frozen in place.  His mouth gently kissed mine for a minute and then it was over.  My body started answering commands again, and I opened my eyes to find him smirking at me. 
   "There's another thing you can mark off of your bucket list," He stated, leaning back in his chair.  
   I shook my head, wishing I could be truly mad instead of having to act it.  "You just stole my first kiss!"
   He shrugged. 
   "And you're not even a bit sorry!"
   "Not a bit," He laughed. 
   "Aren't you cocky tonight?"
   I jumped up and marched back to the living room.  Upon reaching the couch, I flopped on the cushions and covered my head with a throw pillow.  A dip in the couch by my feet told me he had followed me again.  I figured he would.  At least I could hide in here.  The kitchen was far too bright and open for this. 
   "Meredith?  C'mon, love, I know you're not really upset."
   I grumbled random noises into the pillow, making him chuckle. 
   "You can't be mad at me, in all honesty.  I might've just saved you from having a terrible first kiss."
   I lifted the pillow to frown at him.  "And how many times have you kissed?"
   He at least had the sense to look sheepish.  "Twice."
   "Mhm.  And since one was me." I left it at that and hid under the pillow again. 
   "Please don't be mad."
   He grabbed my feet and shook them lightly. 
   "Thought you said I wasn't mad."
   "You're pretending to be."
   Giving in, I removed the pillow from my face and chucked it at him.  Speedy Keeper that he was, he caught it.  Dropping it on the floor, he raised an eyebrow at me. 
   "Mad?"
   "No," I grumbled playfully. 
   "Friends?"
   He stuck out his hand for me to shake.  I pretended to think about it for a moment before obliging.  Then, I couldn't help but grin.  He was still smiling, after all.
   "Best friends," I corrected. 
   "You know," He began slowly.  "I should tell you a secret in return.  Fair is fair."
   I sat up and scooted closer to him, glad for a topic change.  "It would be fair."
   He glanced about the room, thinking for a minute.  Then he looked back at me and gave me a small, serious smile. 
   "Merry, I've been wanting to kiss you since fourth year, and I really liked doing it."
   I groaned and dropped my face in my hands. 
   "So now we're one of those cliche fictional couples who were best friends forever and are now all kissy kissy?" I teased, but was still half serious. 
   "Not at all.  How many of them are an anti-social wizard and muggle pairing?" He pointed out. 
   "True," I allowed. 
   "Does this mean I can kiss you more often?" He asked in a quiet voice, leaning closer to me. 
   "I mean, you'll likely end up giving me a heart attack, just judging from my heart rate when you do," I paused for effect.  "But I probably could use the practice."
   He shook his head.  "You're most definitely crazy, love."
   I blushed at the nickname again.  "Somebody's gotta keep you company."
   He chuckled.  "Hush up and kiss me, Meredith O'Leary."