Those Damn Scots
Put em' Up
Chapter 1
Oliver Wood had a wicked sense of humor, so few people knew that about him. The poetically charming Scotsman; with the accent to die for and skill set to match Puddlemere's finest, often came off like an over-the-top, crazed lunatic. He was abrasive, hot-headed, demanding and obsessed; my darling Captain.
The Oliver apart from quidditch was just as arresting. He was quick-witted, sharp-tongued, hilarious and sweet; my best friend.
Let me start off by saying you can't blame a girl for a pounding heart, sweaty palms, a blank mind and excessive stuttering whenever Oliver was near.
His milky brown eyes were a dangerous place to find yourself. You would get lost in their complexity and you wouldn't even realize it. All you could do was pray that you had true friends willing to pull you out before it was too late. His boyish smile would turn your day from Hell into a carnival ride and don't even get me started on that sexy brogue of his. Oliver Wood was a walking, talking, Scottish distraction.
"God, he's beautiful." I; Katie Bell, stated to Angelina and Alicia. They looked across the courtyard and rolled their eyes at my comment. Fred, George and Oliver headed straight for us.
Okay, so that girl I mentioned earlier may have been me.
"Tell him that, not us." Angelina replied.
"You know I can't do that! Oliver and I are-"
"Just friends." Angie continued. "And I wouldn't want to say or do anything-"
"That would alter his opinion on me and my values." Alicia concluded.
I rolled my eyes this time. Angie's smile grew wider when George winked at her.
"I'll tell Oliver when you tell George." I whispered harshly. Angie almost bit her tongue.
"Hello, ladies." George greeted enthusiastically plopping down beside Angie. She swooned sub rosa and I tried not to slap her for being a hypocrite. She was in the same sinking boat as I.
I felt a tickle of delight when Oliver sat beside me on the bench and draped his long arm over my shoulders. God, he smelt amazing.
Like a little girl at her first slumber party, I was giddy with excitement and nerves at the affirmation that I owned his full attention. Oliver gazed down at me with those deep caramel eyes and a happy-go-lucky grin that displayed his perfectly straight teeth.
"I owe you a drink."
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
"You passed." I stated with a smile.
"Not one wrong."
I took a sigh of relief.
"Doubt me, did you?" he teased.
"Not you, Me. This just proves I'm as intelligent as I thought I was."
Oliver tilted his head back and laughed that laugh I loved so much.
"Katie, you are the Queen of Muggle Studies. I will grant you that, but let's not get ahead of ourselves." he joked
"Gather round e'rbody!" Hagrid yelled.
"In a few moments we will begin our decent down to Hogsmeade." Professor McGonagall lectured. "As per usual, I want no funny business."
Fred and George looked at each other and grinned from ear to ear.
XOXO
There was a chill in the air, but we ran around like mad men with sugar in our systems and warmth in our hearts. We raided Honeydukes, getting one of each thing and then we admired the top of the line quidditch equipment. Oliver was drooling so much we had to rip him out of the shop before it flooded.
After hitting every store and stocking up on things we needed, there was only one place left to go.
"I think it's time for a couple of butterbeers." Fred suggested. We all agreed in unison and headed for The Three Broomsticks. We felt the warmth from the fire hit our cheeks when we began to enter.
"Hey, I'll meet you guys inside." Oliver said suspiciously.
No one inquired and continued in, but I waited in nosy wonderment. I watched him walk straight over to Tricks and Wicks; a shop that sold enchanted candles. I felt an unwelcomed pang in my chest when I saw what he went over there for.
That big warm smile was directed at her and she gave one back. They talked, he laughed, and her eyes sparkled. I never saw Oliver act this way. Why didn't I see this sooner? Oliver…had a crush on somebody. Oliver had a crush on somebody and it wasn't me. He had a crush on Jocelyn Harietty. I felt ice in my spine and to finish it off, it had begun to snow.
XO
We all sat around the table keeping our normal pace of conversation. Fred and George entertained us with intricate toys that they never ceased to acquire. Everyone was jolly and captivated by the atmosphere; butterbeers, friends and good feeling all around. I was the sore thumb.
I did a good job keeping up the charade, but I felt isolated. I couldn't bring myself to look Oliver in the eye. I was afraid that my poker face was a little too amateur to convince anyone I had a good hand. I was crushed inside. What little hope I had about Oliver and I taunted me as it circled down the drain.
And, why wouldn't he have feelings for Jocelyn? She was gorgeous with her golden blonde hair and bright green eyes. She was Head Girl and Quidditch Captain of Hufflepuff. She was a keeper like Oliver and she came from a wonderful family and to make everything ten times worse…she was really nice.
I was sad inside. I could feel my heart beginning to break. A crack at the very top of it let the first ounce of frost in.
I glanced at Oliver inconspicuously. He had so much joy on his visage; a warm glow, a true and honest face. He caught my eye and gave me a cheeky grin. I tried to return a genuine smile, his face fell. He could tell something was wrong. Oliver knew me better than anybody else. I cursed inside because I wanted to suffer in silence.
We put on our coats to leave; Oliver helped me with mine and we proceeded out the door and headed for the carriages. On our way, Oliver and I trailed behind when he grabbed my arm lightly; pulling us back further.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his concern apparent. He didn't want to put too much pressure on the question though.
"I'm fine." I lied. "Long, long day." That part was true.
"You were so quiet back there, you had me worried." he confessed, his eyes bore into mine.
I was mad at him now. How could he say things as earnestly as this, make me feel more important than anything in life, whilst chatting up a beautiful woman elsewhere? Maybe I was being a bit dramatic, but until you've been in this position, you have no right to judge me.
"I'm just tired. Thanks…for your concern."
A chill ran though my body that made me shudder.
"Katie, you're practically turning blue." Oliver shrugged off his coat and put it around my shoulders in a modern day act of chivalry.
"I don't need this, I'm fine." I exclaimed and he gave me a stern look. "What about you? I don't want you getting sick!"
"I'm not even cold, see?" he tested. He pretended he didn't have goose bumps, but I saw them.
I smiled and hugged him. He wrapped his strong arms around me and I inhaled his sweet smell through the shirt fabric; my cheek instantly warmed by the heat of his chest.
I wasn't mad at him anymore.
I fell into a deep sleep as soon as we got back to the castle. Unexpectedly, my dreams weren't filled with the remembrance of Oliver and Jocelyn, but rather a montage of all the reasons why I loved Oliver.
Yes, I loved Oliver.
XOXO
Quidditch practice the following morning was warmly welcomed. It may have been early, very early, but it was the best time to be on the pitch. The air was crisp and refreshing and the view from above was breathtaking; a very light blanket of snow covered the grounds.
And…well, Oliver was the first thing I got to see in the morning.
Practice went well that morning. Fred and George didn't hit anyone with bludgers, I managed to get two; count them, two quaffles through Oliver and Harry caught the snitch three times in the first half hour.
It was a very productive session, indeed. I walked away proud.
Wish I could say the same for Potions though. Snape was displeased with my brew and docked ten points from Gryffindor, I nearly caught Tamsin Applebee's head on fire when a spell went slightly awry in Charms; everyone started calling me "Finnigan", which I did not find amusing. By the time I made it to lunch, I was already finished with the day.
Taking a seat at Gryffindor table, I sat with the twins, Angie and Alicia. I was starving and everything looked so good, except for…that.
Gorgeous Jocelyn walked through the Great Hall threshold with Oliver; who carried her books. They exchanged a few words before he finally came home to Gryffindor table.
"Our good ole' Captain seems to have found himself a little girlfriend." Fred teased ruthlessly. Oliver blushed scarlet.
"Mwah, mwah, mwah!" George mused.
"Real mature." Oliver replied with a nod.
"Girlfriend?" I asked, my breath catching in my throat. I tried to play it off. "Really you guys?"
Fred gave me this knowing look; I was so thankful he decided not to play on it.
"Girlfriend might be a bit too soon, I suppose." George corrected.
"She's not my girlfriend." Oliver tried to defend.
"Not yet Little Ollie, but play your cards right and she could be."
"She does keep looking over here." Fred replied.
Oliver went frigid for a moment.
"That's because you're both being so loud." he accused.
"She can't hear us over 'ere."
"Guys, stop picking on Oliver." I replied.
"Thank you." he responded. "See? Katie is the only one looking out for me."
"Hmm…are you sure she's not looking out for her-"
I kicked George hard under the table.
"If Oliver says nothing's going on, then leave it at that." I finished.
Fred chewed his food, but wouldn't stop giving me amused eyes. I didn't like this. I had to talk to him.
XO
"Katie, ow, ow, ow!" I roughly dragged Fred into an abandoned classroom on the fourth floor for the interrogation.
"Be easy! I'm very fragile!" he whined. "Why couldn't George come?"
"Because I need to talk to you without your obnoxious counterpart."
He gasped. "I'm going to tell him you said that!"
"Sit down." I pushed him onto one of the nearest chairs. "What do you know?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"You know what I mean! How did you know?"
"You mean, how did I know that you were in love with Oliver?" he asked coyly.
"No one knows that except for Angie and Alicia!"
"Nonsense. George and I both know too."
"Does Oliver?" my face was fear stricken.
"Don't be mad. That boy is much more oblivious than you would assume."
I frowned.
"All I'm saying is that you may want to act before it's too late. This is Oliver's last year, Katie." For the first time in a long while, I could tell that Fred was being serious with me. It made me feel ill. "If you want, I'm sure George and I could be of service. We're very good at diversions."
I huffed and plopped down into an empty chair.
"No." I groaned. "I don't want to sabotage Oliver's relationships."
Fred stood and looked down at me.
"If you don't do something, you might lose him forever." He held his hand out and helped me up.
"Then maybe it's time to bring out the old Bell charm." I could feel the goofy grin on my face.
"…and when that works out." Sarcasm. "George and I will be ready once again to offer our services." I grimaced. "Katie, listen to me." He grabbed my shoulders and looked me dead in the eye. "Things have a way of sorting themselves out." That was what I was aching to hear.
We were about to leave when I decided to throw a little smile Fred's way.
"Oh and Fred?"
"Yes?"
"Alicia will say yes."
Fred turned red, but I could tell it was exactly what he wanted to hear.
XO
The common room was empty and quiet, except for the crackle of logs on the fire. I knew a snow storm would be coming in that night and as everyone snuggly slept in their warm beds, I waited eagerly; staring out the large frosted window for the snow to cast a spell over the castle once more.
So, as I sat in the window with my grandmother's quilt wrapped around me, I finally felt peace.
I heard the light shuffling of feet coming down the stairs and I turned to see who it was. I asked myself "Could I really be this lucky?"
It was Oliver and he had on his favorite pair of flannel pajama bottoms and a basic white t-shirt. He looked so cute.
"With your sleeping schedule, I am truly amazed that you manage to get to practice on time every morning."
"Oliver…it's snowing." I said as if I was in a trance.
I was captivated by the power and effect snow had. It was a natural material that was multi-talented. It supplied tranquility, especially when it was untouched. It had the power to take lives, but also bring joy to those who admired it with caution. It glittered with light and allowed you to make angels from its powder. Even if you didn't like snow, you best damn well respect it.
Oliver came over to the window and climbed into it with me. We fit perfectly; just big enough for two. I shared my blanket with him and we watched the falling flakes together. I turned my attention to him and admired him instead. He was just…perfect. Those damn Scots; gorgeous creatures. I was completely, one hundred percent, in love with this man and that's when I decided…
I wouldn't give him up without a fight.
A/N- Well, here is chapter one! Review? Tell me what you think? I am really excited to start this new story.