Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Ten

One giggle, a second giggle, another giggle after that, then an explosion of giggles erupted, all from a large group of horny, hormonal girls hanging out by the shelves behind me. God, where was Madam Pince when you needed her?

Honestly, these fan-girls are bloody annoying. It's like everywhere Oliver goes they have to follow. Whether it be the library, the Great Hall, or the Quidditch field. God, I bet they've even found a way to follow him into the freaking locker room showers!

I mean, this honestly wouldn't bother me so much if I wasn't with Oliver almost all the time. Aside from being in practice together, he's constantly asking for help in Potions since he really is the worst at it–which begs the question why bother signing up for the N.E.W.T. class anyway? Oliver and his stupid competitiveness–and we occasionally eat meals together and hang out sometimes. And, I swear to Merlin, it's like all those girls constantly keep tabs on him because they are always there.

Bloody hell, I don't even get what the big deal is?

So, he's decent looking…Okay, fine he's very decent looking. I mean, I guess I can see why girls think he's so bloody handsome all the time. He's all tall and lean and toned and whatever else that make's a bloke's body fit. But, really, his short, 'luscious,' chestnut brown hair is always sticking in different directions since he can't stop tugging at it whenever he's either nervous or anxious. And he almost, always forgets to shave so he's got that hint of a scruff all the time. But I guess that just adds to the appeal of the whole 'ruggedly handsome' thing he's got going on (Ick.) And, of course, you couldn't forget about his eyes, which could only be described as melting pools of sweet milk chocolate with hints of delicious caramel. Queue eye roll.

All in all he's up there with Cedric Diggory for the best looking blokes in Hogwarts. Actually some girls even think he surpasses Cedric, because of—drumroll please—The Accent. Which alright wasn't all that bad when it came it came down to it.

And okay, so the fan-girls didn't only like him for his looks. They're all gaga over him 'cause he's such a Quidditch star. I, along with everyone else, know that Oliver's good enough to become professional one day, but, honestly, he isn't yet. So get a grip.

"Get a grip." I hissed, whipping my head around to face the perverts. I shot them a threatening glare, but all they did was look taken-aback and offended and then went right on to being giggly and bothersome again.

I huffed and turned back to my books. "What?" I snapped at Oliver as he proceeded to look at me strangely with his eyebrows raised.

He shrugged and returned to proofreading his potions essay. Pfft, what a dork.

And you know what's the worst thing about Oliver's personal fan-club? That he isn't even aware he actually has one. Honest, either the boy is used to a swarm of girls trailing after him wherever he goes, or he's actually dense enough to not notice. Knowing Oliver, it's probably the latter.

A burst of giggles once again came from behind me. Ugh, I think I'm just about to Avada myself. You don't know how glad I am the twins and I are setting Oliver and Annabel up. Then I won't have to deal with those nutty girls anymore. But the thing is it's taking longer than I expected. I thought we were just going to tell Annabel that Oliver 'fancies' her so she could ask him out, but, no, the twins wanted to be more subtle about it. I mean, really now, since when are the twins subtle? Whatever, I just hope this is done fast.

The sooner, the better.

"Alright," I said sitting up abruptly after another long round of giggles exploded along with a couple of high-pitched squeals. "I'm going to go."

Oliver looked up from his potions. "Where're you going?"

"Somewhere were they aren't." I said pointing to the girls behind me. "I'll see you later, yeah?"

"Wait, I'll come with." He said grabbing the books around him too.

"Uh, I don't think so." I said shouldering my heavy school bag. "Why do you think they're here in the first place?"

Oliver just looked at me, a blank look on his face. I rolled my eyes. "Merlin, you're daft." I said before moving away from the table while Oliver juggled the books in his hands before following me out of the library.

"I thought I said not to come with me?" I told him as he fell into step with me.

Oliver shrugged. "You didn't tell me why I couldn't."

I opened my mouth to tell him all about how irritating his fan-girls where when I heard the said irritating fan-girls come out of the library. In search of Oliver. Of Course.

"Shit." I said, looking for a way out. "Come on." I grabbed his hand and took a sharp turn into a deserted corridor.

"Wha – ?"

I put a finger to my mouth, motioning for Oliver to be quiet as I peeked around the corner. The idiots were still there, looking about in a sort of desperation (snort.)

"Where'd he go?" I heard one of them say and I had to fight the urge not to laugh out loud at the look of pathetic disappointment on all their faces. Really now, it's only Oliver Wood! After a few more minutes of frantic searching with no luck they finally gave up and moved on.

I leaned against the wall behind me, sighing in relief. "You know, you should really set them straight." I told Oliver. "Ced – " I stopped abruptly. I shouldn't be saying Cedric's full name. Don't want to get Oliver all riled up thinking that I'm fraternizing with the enemy or something. "Tell them you're not interested." I rephrased. "They'll stop following you around if you do."

Wood knotted his eyebrows together in confusion. "They've been following me around?"

Bloody hell. This bloke is a moron.

I didn't answer him as I pushed off the wall behind me and, after double-checking the hallways, I continued walking to the Great Hall with Oliver trailing behind me. Just as we were about to round a corner, Fred and George leaped out from a statue of Gregory the Smarmy (What the hell are they doing in there?) and right about gave me a heart attack on the spot.

"Oh look George!" Fred said nudging his brother who was busy shoving a piece of worn parchment into his trouser pockets. "It's Charlie and Oliver! Hi Charlie and Oliver!" He continued as if we all really bumped into each other coincidentally.

George finally looked up, his eyes flicking down to my left hand for a second before raising his eyebrows at me. Confused, I looked down too and was surprised to see that my hand was still intertwined with Oliver's. I dropped it quickly.

"Fancy seeing you here." I said in a monotone as I avoided George's gawking.

"Wow, this really is some small school, huh George?" Fred said, capturing the attention of his brother.

"Quite. Of all the people we could've run into!" George agreed finally turning away from me. "Like let's say, I don't know, Annabel Lefevre?"

Wow. That's what they call subtle?

I rolled my eyes at the twins but glanced at Oliver anyway, as did Fred and George, gauzing for any reaction Annabel's name signaled on him. But his expression was the same if not a bit weary (the twins have that kind of affect on people).

Fred and George, ignoring the fact that Oliver obviously had no idea who the girl was, stepped closer to him invading his personal space.

"Um." Oliver said, clearly uncomfortable "Could you guys back up a bit and not, uh, breathe on my face like that?"

"Speaking of Annabel," Fred said as he ignored Oliver's request and stepped closer. "She's quite fit isn't she? Nice rack and all." Fred continued motioning to his nonexistent breasts.

"Nice legs too, very long." George added. "Pretty sexy stuff there, huh?

I rolled my eyes again. They were going about it all wrong. Oliver's not going to be impressed with any of that stuff. If he wants that sort of thing he's got hundreds of girls as pretty and as (erm) well-developed as Annabel, who practically throw themselves at him every day.

"Heard she's a Puddlemere fan." I told Oliver.

Now that immediately caught his attention.

"Who isn't these days?" Oliver scoffed. "I, for one, have been a real Puddlemere supporter for my entire life. Now all of a sudden everyone's claiming that too just because they're on an unstoppable winning streak." He blabbed on. "Destined for greatness is what I've always said. But no one believed me!"

"We don't question you're loyalty to Puddlemere Oliver." I said rolling my eyes for a third time.

"What we do question is your lack of attraction towards the female population." Fred said.

"Mate," George began seriously. "You need to get laid."

"What?" Oliver and I said together, with a disgusted voice on my part.

I mean, I thought we were setting Oliver up with an actual girlfriend not a booty call.

"You're a virgin at seventeen my friend, that's unhealthy." George went on.

Pfft. Yeah, right, like the twins get any action.

"But," Oliver said confused. "I'm not a virgin."

Wait, what? "What?" I said again.

"I'm not a virgin." He repeated.

Fred, George, and I just stared at Oliver, dumbfounded. Then Fred started cracking up and a few seconds later George followed his lead.

"Very funny Oliver." Fred said in between giggles.

"Yeah." George said, laughing uncontrollably. "You almost had us there."

Oliver narrowed his eyes at them. "I'm not a virgin!" He insisted.

I snorted. "Oh yeah? Who'd you do it with? Your broom?"

The twins burst into laughter again at that but Oliver just continued to glare at us, well at me specifically. Whatever no one appreciates a good joke anymore. Except the twins of course.

"Effie Devereux." Oliver said his face serious. "Summer of sixth year."

"Nice try Oliver." George said wiping a tear from his eye. "There's no one by that name in Hogwarts."

"That's because she doesn't go here." Oliver said irritably. "She's my neighbor, goes to Beauxbatons."

I smirked. "How convenient."

"It's true! I'm not a virgin!" Oliver said, exasperated. When me and the twins still looked up at him skeptically he said, "Look. Do you want a play by play or something?"

"Yes." The twins said eagerly.

"Ugh. No!" I said at the same time. Really, I had better things to do than discuss Oliver's sex life.

"We need some kind of proof that he is in fact telling the truth." Fred said hushing me as George prodded Oliver to tell the story.

What a bunch of horn-dogs.

"Well, as I said it was the summer of sixth year," Oliver began. "I was just practicing my starfish and stick maneuver, which by the way, even though it's an extremely difficult move to master I perfected mine in a span of only a week. Practice makes perfect is what –

"Yeah, yeah, Quidditch, Quidditch, Quidditch. Skip that part and move on to the shagging." Fred said.

Oliver glared at him but started up again. "Fine. Well it was extremely hot that day and all that practicing was making me thirsty so when I flew back down to get a drink, Effie was there and she…well she sort of jumped me. One minute I had the broom between my legs and the next I had –

"Alright!" I said covering my ears. "I don't want to know the rest!"

"We do." The twins told Oliver enthusiastically.

I shot them a look.

"Okay. So you're not a virgin." I said. "But I bet you've never had a girlfriend before."

"I've had a girlfriend."

I rolled my eyes. "Some girl throwing herself at you for a quick shag doesn't count."

"Speaking of shagging. Was this Beauxbatons girl any good? Because I've heard quite a few people say that the French are the best at – I mean…" George said, trailing away as he saw the look on my face. "What I meant to say was, uh, Oliver you need to get a girlfriend. You know start dating and whatever."

"No dating during the Quidditch season." Oliver said automatically, which is like his default response anytime the word 'date' comes out of the mouth of one of the team members.

"Yes, yes, we know the rules Oliver. But you know, cut yourself some slack." I said to him.

He shook his head. "I don't need a girlfriend."

"Maybe. But we all know you want one." Fred said.

"No, I don't."

I sighed, exasperated. He's so fucking stubborn. "Can you just meet the girl?" I asked. "I swear Oliver you'll like her."

He shook his head again. "All that girl and boy nonsense throws off your game which is why I made the rule in the first place. I'm the captain, dating during the season is forbidden. If I break that rule, everyone's going to think they can too. And when they do, our team will fall apart." He said edging away from us. "Now if you don't mind I need to get some plays done before dinner."

I watched him as he walked away.

"So now what do we do?" George said.

"Love potion?" Fred suggested.

"Wicked." George said. "I've been dying to see how it works."

"No, no love potion. Now we do things my way." I said.

George frowned. "Your way?"

I nodded. "Since your plan worked so well." I said sarcastically.

"Well how were we supposed to know Oliver's such a prude?" Fred said.

I rolled my eyes again. "Maybe 'cause he's been one since the first time we've met him?" I said. "Look, Oliver may be able to say no to us, but he definitely can't say no to a nice girl like Annabel."

"What're you talking about? Don't his fan girls ask him out all the time?"

I scoffed. "No they just pathetically drool from afar and dare each other to steal his underwear. I don't think anyone's actually asked him out before, hinted and flirted yeah, but Oliver's too dense to notice that kind of stuff. But even he can't misread a direct question."

Fred and George still looked a bit unconvinced.

"Do you have any other better ideas?" I prompted.

"Love potio – "

"For the love of God George," I said cutting him off and shooting him an annoyed look. "Can you drop it? We're not going to give Oliver a fucking love potion!"

xxx

"Oh! Now I remember who you are. You're the Gryffindor seeker right?"

I nodded. "That's me." I said. "So listen, are you going to make a move or not?" I asked bluntly, only realizing I sounded exactly like Alicia. To make up for my frankness, I said in a much more encouraging tone, "Because you definitely should."

Annabel raised her eyebrows at me. "Well…" She trailed away hesitantly. And I had to lean forward to hear her better amidst the loud chatter of her Ravenclaw classmates.

I sought her out during dinner, excusing myself from my own friends so I could sit next to Annabel at the Ravenclaw table and have a little friendly girl-chat.

"I really don't know him all that well." She said.

"Oh, but he knows you." I assured her. "Oliver's not one to talk much about his feelings, but he just fancies you so much. It's hard for him to keep it in."

"Really?" She said, her cheeks flushing a flattering pink that brought out the strawberry tinge in her hair.

"Absolutely." I said trying to keep a straight face. "He just can't seem to stop talking about you. Bit like a lovesick puppy he is. But I bet you know all about that." I went on, even faking a giggle. "I mean, you're really pretty. That's why Oliver was attracted to you in the first place." I told her. "But now, of course, he doesn't only fancy you for your looks. He's completely infatuated with your personality too."

"Oh wow." Annabel said. "I honestly didn't know he felt that way. We've only had a few classes together and he never talked to me once!"

"Yes. Oliver's painstakingly shy. That's why I decided to confess his affections for you for him. Out of the kindness of my heart." I said placing a hand over my chest.

"Well…if he really fancies me that much." Annabel said. "I guess I could give him a shot. He is quite the catch I here."

"Yup number one guy at Hogwarts!" I said biting my cheek to keep from laughing.

"But," She said. "If he's that timid, does that mean I have to ask him out myself?" She asked.

I nodded. "The last time he tried to confess his feelings to you, he broke out in hives in a very uncomfortable spot if you know what I mean." I informed her my voice was even, but in my head I was snorting with laughter.

Annabel's eyes widened. "You don't say." She said.

"It was horrible for him, he was so humiliated." I said trying to pull of a sympathetic look on my face but I think it just came out as a grin. Thankfully she didn't notice. "So I think it's for the best if you ask him out yourself. Like to the next Hogsmeade weekend?"

"Alright. I will." She smiled at me. "Thanks."

I felt a little guilty for tricking her at that. She actually thanked me all nicely for setting her up and she was smiling at me like I was a freaking saint or something. But what's done was done. And besides, it's not like I hooked her up with a complete troll like Marcus Flint, actually the opposite. Oliver's an okay guy. He's handsome, smart, and talented. All you had to do was get passthe whole Quidditch mania-obsession-thing he has going on…Which is basically near impossible to do.

…

I'm sure Annabel won't mind it too much.

"You're welcome." I said smiling back as I got up from the bench. "I'll see you later."

Annabel nodded. "Alright. It was really nice talking to you. Bye!"

Merlin. She really was nice. Ugh. Oliver better not mess this up or else I'll feel even more guilty for lying to her.

"So?" George said as I took a seat across from him. "What'd she say?"

"She's going to ask Oliver out for Hogsmeade." I said, immediately reaching out for a plate of food. God, I'm starved, all this deceitful lying and scheming sure works up an appetite. Wait, what the hell am I talking about? I'm always hungry.

"How'd you manage that?" Fred asked, impressed. Either by my wit or by the fact that I can fit a whole chicken wing in my mouth, I didn't know which.

I shrugged. "I told her what she wanted to hear." I replied simply, my mouth full.

"And what's that?"

I swallowed before talking again. "That Oliver's madly in love with her because she is just so totally awesome."

Fred and George laughed.

"This is why we recruited you for this." Fred said shaking his head at me. "You're absolutely diabolical."

I rolled my eyes at him but the corners of my mouth twitched upwards against my will. "I try." I said sarcastically.

"And you've succeeded." George said raising his goblet of pumpkin juice in the air. "I say this calls for a toast."

Fred enthusiastically tapped his goblet against his brother's spilling some juice from the sides. They both looked to me next. I sighed and reluctantly held my goblet up too.

"To the end of the Quidditch Nazi's reign!" Fred and George said loudly causing some third years sitting around us to look at us weirdly. The twins looked to me again to say something.

"Here, here." I said unenthusiastically as Fred and George then proceeded to gulp down their pumpkin juice noisily, some of the liquid escaping their mouths and running down their chins. They slammed their goblets down and high-fived each other.

I sighed again as I took in the twins ridiculous, broad grins and the pulp sticking to their chins.

I really needed to stop hanging out with these two.

xxx

"Leanne's becoming so overly paranoid lately. It's driving me mad." I said kicking a pile of snow with my boots. "And it's all thanks to that slimy prick Davies."

"Roger isn't that bad."

"You're joking, right?" I said turning my head to glance at Cedric. "First he completely brainwashes my friend into thinking he's some kind of Greek god or something, publicly snogs her every five seconds, takes her away from her friends so they can spend more lovey-dovey time together. And now, he's getting cold-feet and is supposedly shagging Marietta Edgecombe."

"Okay, maybe he is that bad." He agreed.

"I just don't see what Leanne saw in him in the first place. I mean, she knew he was a two-timing man-whore and yet she went out with him anyway!"

"Maybe she thought she could make him change his lecherous ways."

I shook my head. "Well she can't. And now she's learning that the hard way. I give it two more days tops before Davies calls it quits."

Cedric raised a dark brow. "You're being too negative." He said stepping aside so I could enter the warm castle first.

"No, I'm just being prepared." I replied unraveling my thick scarf from my neck. I shook some snow out of my damp curls and sighed. "Okay. I'm sorry." I apologized. "I'll try to be a little more positive."

Cedric smiled at me.

"I'll give him three days tops before he breaks the news to Leanne." I said smiling as Cedric let out a laugh.

"But really, I am sorry." I said. "Our afternoon walks should be about catching up with one another. I haven't talked to you in ages and all I've been doing is complaining about – "

"Charlie!"

I turned away from Cedric in order to see Fred and George practically sprinting towards me.

"Charlie!" Fred called followed by another, "Charlie!" from George.

Really now? Couldn't they leave me alone for like a second?

I shot Cedric an apologetic look before asking the twins in an annoyed voice, "What is it now?"

Fred and George stopped running abruptly and instead started to pant uncontrollably, fighting for breath. "He's–he's coming." Fred wheezed out.

"What?" I said, confused. "Who's coming?"

"Him." George said pointing behind him.

I looked up from the two idiots to see a glowering Oliver marching towards us.

Oh, fuck. I'm guessing Annabel asked him out.

"Um. Cedric?" I called.

"Yeah?" He said.

I glanced at him, he was looking at the approaching prick in surprise. I guess he's never really seen Oliver that angry before. Lucky for me. I have. "I think it would be for the best if you, uh, left. You know, for your safety and all."

Cedric's eyebrows rose. "But – "

"Move it or lose it pretty boy!" Fred said shoving Cedric away from me.

"Yeah, if you value your life, run. Fast." George said pushing him away even further.

"Uh–I guess I'll see you later?" Cedric said as the twins gave him a final shove round the corner.

I shot the twins another annoyed look.

"What?" Fred said. "If Oliver sees us with Cedric. He'll kill him and us."

"Granted he doesn't now." George muttered as Oliver finally reached us.

"Oliver." I greeted casually. "Hey. What's up?"

"You." He growled, glaring at me. "And you and you." He said fixing his eyes on Fred and George. They squeaked and scampered away from Oliver's reach to hide behind me. Gryffindor bravery indeed.

"What's the matter Oliver?" I asked still in a calm manner, my face innocent.

"You know perfectly well what the matter is." He said his face contorted with anger.

"I really don't." I said.

"Annabel Lefevre just came up to me a few minutes ago and do you know what she did?"

"I absolutely don't kn – "

"She asked me out to Hogsmeade!" He yelled a bit crazily, tugging forcefully at his hair.

I raised my eyebrows at the seething Oliver before me. "Wow. Lucky you, she's really nice." I said conversationally, ignoring the threatening death-glare on Oliver's face.

"I specifically told you I didn't want a girlfriend and what do you do?" He didn't bother to wait for an answer and just continued in the same heated voice. "Set me up with one anyway."

"Honestly Oliver I haven't a clue what you're talking about."

"Oh, cut the bullshit Staunton."

Damn, I'm in the last name territory, he's really pissed off.

"Okay." I said raising my hands in defeat. "I may have told Annabel you sort of, maybe fancied her."

"What?"

Whoa, I think a vein just popped.

"Look Oliver it was our idea in the first place." George said piping up from behind me. Wow. Real brave, sticking up for me whilst hiding behind my back out of harms way.

"Were you the ones who told Annabel I was 'too painstakingly shy to admit my feelings towards her'?" Oliver asked.

I heard Fred snort, which he immediately tried to disguise as a cough. "Well…no. I didn't say that."

Oliver fixed his glare on me again.

"Oh, Oliver calm down. No harm done alright? All you had to do was say no to her and she would've gone away...You did say no, right?" I asked innocently raising an eyebrow for an added effect. Inside though, I was basking in the glow of victory. Of course Oliver didn't say no, all that my-heart-is-as-hard-as-a-bludger-act is a bunch of bull. In reality Oliver's just a big, socially-awkward, softy.

Oliver was quiet for a long time, Fred and George even peered behind my shoulders to figure out why the yelling stopped.

I smirked. "You didn't did you?"

Oliver pointed a shaky finger at me. His eyes were sort of bugging out and his hair was sticking up in all different directions. Fuck, he looked completely barmy. "You – You – Aurgh!" He let out in frustration.

"If you didn't want a girlfriend Oliver, you should've just told her so." I said simply.

Oliver tugged at his hair, making it even more disarrayed.

"Practice tomorrow! For the whole bloody day!" He roared suddenly. "Wait 'till I'm done with you Staunton." He said threateningly, his still shaky finger practically jabbing me in the forehead. "You won't be able to feel any part of your body until your dead!" He spat.

I raised my eyebrows at him, amused. What he said didn't make sense at all. Ha! He's totally gone nutty. Way to go Staunton. "Um, I think you're forgetting something Oliver."

"Yeah?" Oliver said, his eyes narrowing even more. "And what's that?"

"It's Hogsmeade tomorrow."

"…"

"Aurgh!"