Wood and Stone

"Quidditch Champs or Chumps"

It was unnerving standing right next to her after what she had done, but there Oliver stood broom in his hand as they all stood for the media press junket before the big game. They all wore nervous smiles as reporters fired off questions. As captain, it was determined that Oliver should answer all of the questions, unless it was directly addressed to a specific player.

"So, Gabrielle," Rita Skeeter asked with her Quick Quotes Quill scribbling madly. "How does it feel to have your parents here to support and watch you brother play, but not you?"

Oliver tensed. This was not the time to drudge up such things. Oliver went to open his mouth to say something but Stone had stepped apart from him before he could do anything.

"Ms. Skeeter, it would be highly inappropriate for them not to support their son," Stone said sweetly. "While I know that I am not the reason they are in attendance, I know that they will not be able to ignore my spectacular performance in the match today. That is justice enough."

"Oh, and one more thing, Ms. Stone," Rita Skeeter said maliciously. "Is there any truth to the rumors that you and Viktor Krum have been seen together in London as of lately."

"We are here to discuss today's Quidditch match, not my activities off the pitch," Stone said smirking. "I would be more than happy to discuss that with you at a later date, should you so desire, after we wiped the pitch with the Holland Hillers."

Oliver felt her step back to his side and he felt sick. Not that he was nervous, nor at the calm way Stone deflected the questions of her personal life. Oliver felt sick because he was jealous at the thought that Rita Skeeter had something right about Stone and Krum. He shouldn't care what she did, not like the way he did. His feelings made him sick, because the more that he thought about it, the more he realized his feelings for her were unbrotherly.

'You are one sick puppy,' the adolescent in him taunted. 'Craving after her the way you are, and trying to kiss her back. Don't think that went unnoticed.'

"Let's hit the pitch," Oliver growled loudly as he led his team to the locker rooms. They stood around, waiting, able to hear the crowds cheering and making a ruckus just beyond the locker room doors. "Take a knee, team."

Oliver watched as they all bent their knees and grasped hands. Stone was holding Luna and Justin's hands tightly, the three looked like they were about to pass out for a moment. Oliver began his speech he gave before every big game; it didn't matter what team he was playing on, he always gave it. Alicia, Angelina, and George were so familiar with it; they began saying it along with him in a whispery sort of way. Oliver couldn't help but grin at it. He had a great team, he had done everything he could do with them in the week since he had joined, and he hoped it had been enough.

The team matched out onto the field, the reserves taking their places along the sidelines, ready at a moment's notice. Luna, Justin, and Kip all hugged Stone at once before she headed off to join Oliver. He had watched the little interaction between them.

"Don't get soft on me now, Stone," Oliver barked at her as she pulled up even with him. She thumped her shoulder twice with her fist.

"Stone is rock solid," Stone barked back at him. Oliver grinned, despite himself and George snorted as he hid his laughter.

"Flint? Thought you were laid up in the hospital," Oliver said in unhidden surprise. Marcus Flint sneered.

"Can't let you have all the fun Wood," Flint laughed coldly.

"Well, at least the bashing made your face easier to look at," Oliver said smirking.

"Ah, Stone, you still on the team even though Wonder Boy is here as team keeper?" Flint asked as a cruel and malicious smile spanned his face.

"She's seeker, now," Oliver said with uncontrolled pride. "Damn good one."

"Better than me? I doubt that the blood traitor is worth all that defense," Draco Malfoy laughed. Stone lunged forward but Oliver grabbed her back by her Quidditch robes and held her back.

"Damn it, Stone, save it for the game," Oliver swore at her. Stone pointed at Malfoy and made a rude gesture.

"Anytime, baby, I'm not bound by morals," Malfoy laughed. "But, I don't think it's proper, you know… a little gross, and with big brother watching. Wouldn't make him happy, now would it?"

"Alright, captains, shake hands. I want a clean match, you hear me?" The referee said as he blew his whistle. The two teams took to the skies, the snitch had been let loose minutes before and the other balls were put in play. Oliver flew to his goal post and began guarding them.

'Am I the last person to know she is my sister?' Oliver wondered angrily. Even Flint and Malfoy knew! Flint scored ten points.

"Get you head in the GAME!" Stone shouted at Oliver as she flew by, Malfoy on her tail.

"Don't tell me how to do my position, just do yours," Oliver shouted. He shook his thoughts from his head and knew that he really did need to focus on the match. Oliver heard what he thought was Lee Jordan's voice running commentary and he laughed. It was Lee Jordan!

The game was high paced as Alicia stole the Quaffle from Flint and raced down the field, scoring against the Hillers' keeper. They were tie. Thirty minutes in, Oliver had nearly taking a bludge to the face, which had caused one of the other Hillers' chaser to score. Angelina had accidentally kicked the third chaser in the side, giving them a penalty shot, which the chase, a troll-ish looking girl made easily. They were down twenty points now, and Oliver was practically loosing his mind.

Then the rain started: first huge fat rain drops that threatened to drown each of them as they opened their mouths to yell at each other. Then small, stabbing rain that felt like needles upon their exposed flesh. The wind whipped up on them, causing the flyers great difficulty to fly straight. Oliver hoped Stone would find the damn snitch quick and end the game. It was now bordering on an hour and a half. They score was one-hundred and thirty to ninety, in favor of the Hillers.

Stone saw the snitch first and took off after it, Malfoy on her tail. She tried to shake him but was unable to shake him. Their bodied knocked into one another, their arms reaching for the snitch at the same time. Stone knew his arms were longer and he would reach it first.

"Your mom fucked my dad," Stone said only loud enough for him to hear. Malfoy looked away from the snitch long enough to shove his elbow into her face hard. He looked back to the snitch, but it was too late. Stones' fingers had closed on the golden ball. The Fawkes had won the game.