Disclaimer: if something seems familiar I don't own it.

(A/N: Wow, it's been two years. So long that I read my own story and it was like someone else wrote it and not me. My writing style has changed since then, I'm more cryptic now, but for the sake of the storyline I'll keep it less confusing. I hope. I plan on writing more, at least a chapter a week. Whatever school allows me. This one's for Colleen, enjoy.)

Chapter Ten, "Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw"

"Charlene, are you sure you're okay with this?"

I couldn't bring myself to look at him. I knew his eyes would see straight through me and I'd be forced to accept that "we" were no longer an "us". The best year of my life was suddenly starting to turn to hell again. I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded.

He was hesitant in answering, "Okay then, I'll see you around, alright? Remember, we're still friends. Whenever you need me Charlene, whenever you need me."

As he walked away I cringed. It was amazing how in a month or two things could change so drastically. One would assume that after Christmas Oliver and I would be madly in love and happily together, but to assume is just making an "ass" out of "u" and "me". We tried, we really did, and for awhile it was working spectacularly well. In the end though, me and him came to an agreement. We made each other happy, we could talk for hours on end, and we had a lot in common. Still, that dreaded end, the end of the kisses, the warm hugs, and insane amount of inside jokes. Oliver and I decided that we just didn't feel right as a couple. I know, that is so bizarre, but it was true. I guess you could say we ran out of affection, attraction, one or the other or both.

I managed to reach the common room before having any sort of emotional breakdown and to my relief no one was really there. The stairs to the dorm seemed like some sort of torture device to me as I climbed up. As soon as I reached my bed I crawled under the covers and began to bawl my eyes out, something I've been doing for a week now.

The door opened, but I didn't care anymore, I just continued crying hot, silent tears into my already damp pillow. My mind was full to the brim and my heart just about ready to crumble. I felt a slight pressure at the bottom on my bed and knew that it must be Amber. Someone probably let her know that what I had thought about Oliver had been confirmed.

"I didn't want to believe it Amber," I tried to say through ragged breaths; "I mean how could he just move on and date someone else already? And then he wants to believe we can still be friends?"

I was starting to get hysterical now and Amber moved a hand to rub my back soothingly, "Char it's okay, just don't think about it right now."

I sat up, "But how? What am I supposed to do? Forget he even exists!"

She looked at me sadly, "I-I don't know. All I do know is that I'm here and always have been. I really want you to be happy, I do, but I'm sorry to say that there's no easy way for me to fix this."

My voice was strained, but I understood that there was nothing she could do to make my heart piece back together, "It's okay Amber, it's enough knowing you're there for me. Thanks."

She gave me a sympathetic smile, "Delson's outside, he wants to take a walk with you."

"Alright, let me get my jacket. Everywhere I go seems to be freezing lately."

Delson scooped me up into the biggest hug ever when I finally came out. I could barely breathe, but wouldn't dare think of letting go. A couple of girls walking by gave us a curious look since Amber and Delson were now publicly together, but it didn't bother me and him a bit. It was just a very necessary hug between best friends.

"Now," Delson said leading me out of the hall, "I believe me and you have some things to discuss. Like when I should order that mob hit on Wood."

"Delson," I warned.

He through his hands up in defense, "If you say so m'lady."

"Besides, you're still pretty good friends with him, right?"

He paused, "Friends, but not much since, you know."

I nodded, "I'm trying to forget."

He stopped walking and turned to face me, "Look, I know that this is all probably eating away at you Char, but I don't want you listening to Amber too much okay?"

My brow rose in slight confusion, "What do you mean?"

He sighed, "I mean don't try to just erase Oliver from you're life. I know that that's just Amber's way of dealing with exes and whatnot, but I know you. It's not at all easy for you."

I frowned, "But I need to Delson. He's moved on, that means that I have to too."

"Trust me, he hasn't moved on."

"Of course he has. He even came to ask me today if I was okay with him dating someone."

Delson scoffed, "He what?!"

I took a deep breath, "He came over to me today and asked if I was okay with his relationship with Emily. Then he said we're still friends and that I could still be able to count on him."

"Emily Keyes?"

I rolled my eyes, what a question to ask, "Yes, Emily Keyes. Why does it matter?"

"Because," he said exasperated, "She's like some sort of quidditch groupie. Hell, even I had a go at her!"

My face scrunched in disgust, "Eww Delson, as if I wanted to know about that."

"I didn't mean it in that way, but she's experienced nonetheless."

I looked away hoping he wouldn't see the water forming in my eyes, "And I'm not."

"Please don't take it like that."

I let out an emotionless chuckle, "I'm not, it's just, I don't know. I would have wanted Oliver to date someone sweet, someone he deserves."

"Well if he gave up you and then goes and dates that little hussy, then that's exactly who he deserves!"

For the first time in a long while I laughed, truly laughed.

Delson gave me a questioning look, "Don't tell me you're going crazy on me now."

"You said hussy," I giggled, "No one says that."

He groaned, "Oh god, she is going mad."

After a few days had calmed down a bit and by the time the Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw game came up I wasn't as anxious as I thought I would have been. Amber and Delson had already left to go get seats and I was just taking my precious time getting there. On the way there I said hello to a handful of friends and turned the corner to be greeted by none other than the Weasley twins.

"Well now George I do believe we've come across a goddess," said Fred.

My smile widened as I walked up to the two.

George shook his head, "No Fred, the thing's far too short to be one."

I punched him lightly in the arm, "Shut it George."

The three of us laughed as we walked. The Weasley twins were now regulars on my list of friends and I tried to talk to them as often as I could. I enjoyed how despite the drama, they acted as if nothing had happened. Even when they mentioned something about Oliver my heart only quivered; instead of completely skip a beat.

"So you scheming Ravenclaws, think you can beat us Gryffindors today?"

"Please Fred," I smirked, "As if I cared enough to predict."

It was George's turn to cut in now, "Rooting for the home team, eh?"

I looked down at my blue and bronze scarf, "Yes, but don't think I forgot about you guys."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out two scarlet and gold pins and fastened them to my scarf where it was the most visible. One was enchanted to alternate between two lines, The Best Beaters in the World, Fred and George Weasley, while the other pin simply spelled out, Gryffindor.

"See?" I said cheerfully.

They smiled and stuck me in a group hug.

George checked an imaginary watch, "Well, me and the twin here must be going now. Wood's going to slaughter us if we're not there early enough."

I nodded, "Good luck."

They waved as they walked away, "See you later," they both replied.

I stared out into the game; Oliver was yelling something at Harry. I think it's something about the way Cho seemed to be slowing him down. But Harry was quick and it looked like he had finally caught sight of the snitch. He dived and Cho followed right behind him. Every second now was tense and both the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor sides were cheering for their own seeker to win the game.

They were going faster and faster until Cho screamed and pointed at something in the distance. It wasn't long before the presence of dementors was seen, but for some reason they weren't affecting anyone like they had done that day on the train, but still three of them. Three sick, soul sucking creatures.

Harry pulled out his wand and just as he was shouting something a silver-white blast shot from its tip. The dementors seemed to falter at the force of the light and then drew back to were they had come from. Madam Hooch's whistle blew and within seconds the rest of Harry's team was engulfing him in the biggest hug I had ever witnessed. Gryffindors were soon flocking down as well. For some reason, despite my house losing, I felt a small hint of glee and with that little speck I went down to congratulate two good friends.

As soon as I saw them I ran up and nearly tackled them both in a hug, "Congrats you two!"

"You're taking this better than I thought," George said happily.

"C'mon, I already told you both that I'm not fanatic about quidditch. I'm just happy you won!"

"Believe me, we're happy too," Fred said excitedly.

We were all still in the thick of the crowd, but even with all the chattering and cheering and squeals of excitement I heard him. That voice that could melt ice and create it as well. The one that I hadn't heard in quite a while, even though we were supposed to be "still friends". I turned around slowly and there he was looking right at me. The face in the crowd that I could never, ever forget, no matter how hard I tried to.

I could see the twins slowly walking away out of the corner of my eye.

My voice cracked, "Oliver?"