Chapter 263 went to find Oliver Wood
Chapter 263 went to find Oliver Wood
"You're back. Want to take a dip?" I heard Severus's voice, but instead of standing up, I just waved my hand.
"No, I'll just go back to my room and take a shower." Severus hadn't been dancing, so he wasn't sweating and felt he could just go back to his room and shower.
"Okay, I'll come find you in a bit." I lay lazily in the bathtub.
After my bath, I put on my bathrobe and dried my dripping hair as I walked toward Severus's room.
The moisture still lingered around me, carrying a warm feeling.
It was extremely quiet all around, with only the occasional sound of my footsteps echoing in the empty space.
Severus's room was in a rather secluded corner on the top floor, where a mysterious and tranquil atmosphere always permeated, just like him.
I felt a little uneasy. I seemed to have stayed in the bath a bit too late, and I was worried he might be angry if I went to see him.
But his deep eyes and always tightly pursed lips kept appearing in my mind, and that complex and unique attraction drove me forward step by step.
Finally arriving at his door, I raised my hand and gently knocked, the sound very soft, as if afraid of disturbing the quiet night.
A moment later, the door creaked open, and Severus stood in the doorway. He was wearing a loose black nightgown, his hair was a little messy, and his deep black eyes looked a little dazed. He had probably just woken up from a nap by my knocking. He looked at me and raised his eyebrows slightly.
"You soaked a little late." His voice was deep, with a hint of languor, yet it also carried an undeniable authority.
I smiled helplessly and stammered, "I... I was thinking about something and then I dozed off." After saying that, I was a little annoyed with my answer; it sounded so silly.
Severus didn't speak immediately, but just looked at me quietly, his gaze seemingly able to see through my heart.
Then he stepped aside to let me in, and said casually, "Come in, don't stand at the door, you'll catch a cold."
The room was filled with the familiar scent of potions, and the bookshelves were filled with various ancient books and bottles and jars.
I stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, unsure of what to say. Severus walked to the table, picked up a cup, poured two cups of hot water, and handed one to me.
"Have some drinks to warm yourself up," he said.
I took the water glass, took a small sip, and felt the water flow down my throat, bringing a sense of warmth.
Severus sat in his chair, his gaze never leaving me. Under his watchful eye, I sat down in the chair opposite him.
Severus put down his water glass, stood up, and slowly walked over to me.
"I'm sleepy, I want to sleep." His voice was soft, yet it carried a unique tenderness.
I nodded slightly and looked into his eyes. At that moment, it was as if the whole world had quieted down, and it was just the two of us in this room filled with the scent of potions, enjoying this rare tranquility and warmth.
The next day I woke up slowly and habitually reached out to my side. The bed was already cold, and Severus was nowhere to be seen.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, dappling the bed, and the room was quiet and somewhat empty.
I sat up, rubbed my still sleepy eyes, and the image of Severus's cold yet gentle face came to mind.
Memories of our time together flashed through my mind. This man always possessed an indescribable air of mystery, yet he would inadvertently reveal a unique care for me.
Soon I saw a letter he had left on the table and learned the reason for his departure: Riddle had given him a task.
It turns out that Riddle has begun planning some activities within the British magical community.
Severus still has to obey my orders, so there are some things he needs to leave to handle, and he may be away for a while, so he won't be able to stay with me during that time.
I don't care. Let them make a fuss all they want. I won't help either side much anyway.
I got out of bed, walked to the window, and gently pulled back the curtains, letting the sunlight stream into the room.
The scenery outside was still beautiful; the flowers in the garden were in full bloom, and the birds were singing merrily in the branches. This beautiful scene instantly lifted my spirits.
Severus always bore many burdens alone; his depth and introversion allowed him to silently shoulder all the pressure and danger.
I know that his loyalty to Riddle is not as simple as it seems; there must be complicated reasons and plans behind it.
Although he was not good with words, his eyes held endless affection, which he carefully concealed beneath his cold exterior.
I turned and walked towards the bathroom, where I began to tidy my clothes, preparing to welcome a new day.
"What are your plans for today, young master?" I had just stepped out of Severus's room when Butler Chen followed me toward the dining room.
"Find Oliver's address for me. I'm planning to go see him." I haven't seen Oliver in a long time since graduation. I wonder how he's doing now. At least I could still see Percy at school.
"After graduating, Oliver Wood signed a contract to become a backup goalkeeper for Pudmeer United. This is his current address." Butler Chen took out a notebook to show me Oliver's current address.
Oliver and I exchanged letters. It seems that after graduation, he moved out of his own home and found a small dormitory room near the team.
Today I'm planning to go see how he's doing.
"Butler Chen, please make arrangements for me. I'm planning to go see Oliver." I sat down to eat my breakfast and asked Butler Chen to arrange my trip.
"Yes, young master," Butler Chen replied as he bowed and poured me the milk.
"Oh, by the way, have the chef prepare some pastries for me to take away." He picked up his milk and took a sip, instructing Butler Chen as he did so.
"Yes, young master." Butler Chen put down what he was holding and quietly gave instructions to the servants behind him.
When I finished breakfast, tidied my clothes, and walked to the door, a car was already waiting for me.
"Young Master, here are the pastries you requested." Butler Chen handed me a large food box, which I took and immediately put into my portable backpack.
"Prepare a big dinner for me tonight. I might bring Oliver back for dinner." In any case, I'm planning to bring that Quidditch fanatic home tonight. It's been so long since I've seen him; I need to spend some quality time with him.
Otherwise, we might not see each other again until I graduate, and it'll almost become a long-distance relationship.
"Yes, young master, I will make all the arrangements." Butler Chen opened the car door and respectfully let me get in.
"Butler Chen, while you're at it, go ask the flying magic item shop if they have any new flying brooms. I need to see them in person when I get back," I said to Butler Chen, who was standing outside the car, as I rolled down the window.
"Yes, young master." Butler Chen bowed, and the servants behind him also bowed.
The driver started the vehicle and slowly drove away.
When I arrived at the destination, I asked the driver to stop nearby and wait for me. Then I followed the feeling of the mythical white tiger bracelet that I had given to Oliver.
Behind the hustle and bustle of the city lies a mysterious and fantastical place – the Puddlemir Team Quidditch Training Grounds.
This place is like a magical corner forgotten by time, quietly exuding a unique charm.
The entrance to the training ground is extremely hidden, located at the end of a narrow alley between two ancient buildings.
If you don't look for it intentionally, you can easily miss this entrance to the magical world.
I pushed open the slightly worn wooden door, and a fresh scent of grass wafted out, a stark contrast to the bustling traffic outside.
Upon entering the training field, the first thing that catches the eye is a vast grassland. The lush green grass is flat and soft, like a green velvet carpet carefully woven by nature.
Tall barbed wire fences stand around the arena. These fences may look ordinary, but they are actually protected by special magic to prevent magical items from flying out of the arena during Quidditch matches, so as not to disturb the Muggle world outside.
In the very center of the field stand three towering golden goalposts.
They shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, like three loyal guardians, silently witnessing countless intense Quidditch matches.
The tops of the goalposts are inlaid with exquisite magical carvings, depicting the Pudmille United team crest and various Quidditch-related magical symbols. These carvings are so lifelike that they seem to tell the story of the team's glorious history.
Along the edge of the venue, there are several simple wooden stands. Although these stands lack modern and luxurious facilities, they are full of rustic charm.
One can imagine that on match days, the stands would be filled with enthusiastic fans wearing Pudmir United jerseys, waving flags and wands, cheering for their beloved team.
The deafening cheers and the chanting of magic spells intertwined, as if turning the entire training ground into a magical ocean full of passion and vitality.
On one side of the training field, there is a small wooden house, which serves as the team's locker room and coach's office.
I strolled into the cabin, where the walls were covered with photos of the team and certificates of honor, showcasing Pudmere United's glorious achievements in Quidditch.
The locker room, marked "No Entry," couldn't stop me from entering. Inside, I saw rows of neat lockers, each engraved with a player's name.
I walked up to Oliver Wood's locker, looked at it, and it was very tidy, but of course I didn't open it to check inside.
Next to the lockers were cabinets containing their Quidditch equipment, including flying brooms, helmets, and protective gear.
These equipment pieces have undergone meticulous maintenance and magical enhancement, providing players with comprehensive protection and support during matches.
After looking at the storage room, I continued to walk around and explore. Behind the training ground, there was a dense forest.
It feels like this forest is where the team conducts special training, and it might be hiding all sorts of magical traps and mysterious creatures.
Players may need to hone their reaction time and skills in dealing with danger here to improve their performance in matches.
Imagine that as the sun sets, golden sunlight filters through the gaps in the trees, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the ground, adding a dreamlike quality to this mysterious forest.
Just then, the Pudemere United players finished a round of intense training and ran back looking exhausted.
Their clothes were soaked with sweat, their hair was disheveled, and many of them had tired and dusty faces.
Oliver Wood stood out among the group.
His figure immediately caught my eye.
Oliver's transformation compared to his time at Hogwarts is clearly visible.
His skin had darkened, clearly the result of spending a long time outdoors in the sun.
The slightly naive boyishness of the past has been replaced by maturity and composure.
Wood is now as strong as a boulder.
Quidditch demands extremely high physical fitness, and he must have put in countless hours of hard work to maintain peak performance on the field.
His once slender shoulders are now broad and thick, as if they contain endless power; the muscles on his arms are clearly defined, rising and falling with his movements as he runs, showing his explosive power.
In my memory, Oliver was full of passion on the Quidditch pitch at Hogwarts.
As the captain of the Gryffindor team, he was meticulous in his training.
Early in the morning, while most of his classmates were still asleep, he was already leading his team in training at the Quidditch pitch.
Oliver was always the first to arrive and the last to leave.
In those years, he led the Gryffindor team in game after game, giving it his all every time.
His shouts on the field and his desire for victory are still vivid in my memory.
Looking at Oliver in front of me, I couldn't help but wonder about his experience at Pudmere United.
Perhaps he went through countless arduous training sessions, chasing the Golden Snitch under the scorching sun, and maneuvering a broom in the howling wind.
Before each match, he might, just like he did at Hogwarts, carefully analyze tactics for his teammates and boost their morale.
Wood's love for Quidditch has never faded with time or change of circumstances.
At that moment, Oliver also saw me.
A surprised smile appeared on his face as he quickly walked towards me.
Despite having just finished training, his steps were still light and powerful.
"Ayers, long time no see!" His voice was as energetic as ever. We stood by the training ground and chatted, and the conversation naturally turned back to our time at Hogwarts.
We couldn't help but laugh when we reminisced about our days at Hogwarts.
Oliver enthusiastically shared his life with Pudmeer United.
He said that although professional competitions are more intense and stressful, he enjoys them.
He still cherishes his dream of Quidditch and longs to win more honors for the team.
Seeing the light shining in Oliver's eyes, I knew that the boy who was so passionate about Quidditch had never changed.
Time has given him maturity and strength, and has also made him more determined to pursue his dreams.
"Do you have any vacation time? I'm here to take you to my house for a few days," I said with a smile, extending an invitation to Oliver.
"Okay, it's been so long since we last met, let me go ask the captain for leave first." Oliver really hadn't seen me in a long time, he missed me every day and night.
"Okay, go ahead." I stood there waiting for him.
Oliver smiled, turned around and ran over to say a few words to his captain, then ran back to me.
"Let's go, I asked the captain for three days off," Oliver said cheerfully.
“Okay.” I was also happy to leave the Pudmear United Quidditch training ground with him.
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