Calliope's Guide To Hogwarts

by Agrolass

My name's Chrissie and I write a column for the school paper.I made the big mistake in snogging Oliver Wood last year, while drunk might I add, and now he won't let me live it down. Wood, you're about to learn not to mess with Chrissie!

14. Jealousy, The Biggest Sin Of Them All

Chapter 14; Jealousy – The Biggest Sin Of Them All

"Holy crap, what did I just do?" I cried aloud to everyone and no one in particular. It had been almost five minutes since Wood had left the empty old classroom and the tears had dried by this point. But while the physical evidence of my distress was gone, I still couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

I mean, seriously, where the hell did that one come from?

I didn't like Wood! That had ended months ago and we both agreed that we really weren't a good match together, if our disastrous attempt at going out had been any indication. Yet, here I had gone and almost kissed him, and he had reciprocated. Were there residual feelings I hadn't addressed with Wood yet that could have caused such a hiccup?

Oh Merlin, then there's Cedric.

I sighed, dropping my head into my hands and rubbing my eyes tiredly. Wood and I might not have kissed, but no matter from what angle I looked at this, it didn't look good.

What was I going to do?

The only thing that seemed to register in my brain was that I needed to speak to Wood before this entire thing blew up in our faces. I wiped away any stray tears I might have forgotten and jumped off the desk, bounding out of the classroom in search of the tall Scot.

I finally caught up with him on the eighth floor near the Gryffindor Tower with dishevelled hair, a blotchy red face from too much exertion and lungs that wouldn't cooperate fully.

"Wood, wait!" I panted out and he spun around on his heels, his face inscrutable. That was never a good sign these days.

"We need to talk about this," I spoke, voice breathless as I grabbed my side where a painful stitch had formed from the running.

"What's there to say, Margate?" Wood said cryptically and I leaned one hand against the wall to support myself.

"We need to talk about this," I pressed on, refusing to be dissuaded from the topic. I would not run from it this time and I would be damned if Wood tried to sweep it under the rug again.

"What's there to talk about, it was a mistake," he intoned, voice devoid of all emotion and I sighed, pushing myself off the wall and walking slowly towards him.

"Yes it was, but I'm not about to lose a friendship over it so we are going to discuss this problem," I insisted and Wood nodded his head, glancing over my shoulder before his eyes finally settled on mine.

"Margate," Wood sighed, coming up close to me and gazing down into my hazel eyes as he spoke softly. "You're not gonna lose me as a friend because of this."

"Well we've stopped talking over stupider things, so forgive me if I'm a little unsure here," I replied fiercely, eyes blazing with determination, but they softened when I saw that Wood wasn't on the defensive. He was agreeing with all I was saying and it was throwing me through a loop. I was so used to Wood always disagreeing with me; it was still strange to think he agreed with me from time to time.

"So we agree it was a mistake then?" I asked him and he nodded his head at me, the actions slow and assured. "Good, because I don't want this getting in the way of our friendship. You mean too much to me."

"Right back at you." Wood smiled and then added in a sombre tone. "Besides you and I never actually kissed, so it's not like we've done anything wrong here."

"Yeah?" I replied, unsure of whether I should believe him or not.

"It's alright, Margate," Wood assured me, pulling his hands out of his pockets and rubbing my upper arms lightly. "Now that we've agreed it's a mistake, what are you going to do about Diggory?"

"Oh Merlin," I sighed, dropping my head down so my dirty blonde hair covered my face. I slowly brought my face up again and gazed into Wood's striking emerald eyes to see if I could find an answer in them. "What the hell am I going to tell him?"

"I don't know Margate, that's your call," Wood shrugged his shoulders and I knew he wouldn't tell me what to do. It was my decision, and my decision alone.

"Well," I thought, looking away and fixing my gaze on a brick on the wall across from me. "As you said, we never kissed so it's not like anything happened." My gaze returned up to his face to see that a light frown was marring his forehead, but he didn't look angry or annoyed – just thoughtful.

"That's your decision, not mine," he said again and I nodded my head. "Anyway, it's not like it's your fault anyway. I was just being an idiot and who got a little confused there." Wood pulled his gaze away and my eyes followed his to see that they were focused on the portrait hole on the other end of the corridor.

"What about us?" I asked him, my eyes betraying how unsure I felt about that question. "Are we going to be okay after this?"

Wood's gaze returned back to my own and he gripped my upper arms once more, his gaze penetrating deeply.

"We are gonna be fine, Margate," he replied, a small smile on his face. I nodded my head relieved, drinking in his sight and realising that he smelled as great now as he did before in the empty classroom. I could see that Wood's gaze had left my eyes and had travelled southwards zeroing in on my lips that I licked self-consciously. I was also dimly aware that we were drawing closer to one another as Wood's head bent down for a kiss.

The sexual tension between us sped up suddenly as the air thickened and every fibre in my body became more alive with his close proximity. My heart too was skipping beats and I could feel myself drawing closer to him, leading to the same conclusion we had only narrowly averted minutes before.

"I think you should go," Wood breathed, closing his eyes as he said those words and slowly drawing his head back, as if the very action was killing him. "Before either one of us does something we'll regret," he added, voice husky and coming out in more of a growl.

I nodded my head, licking my lips again and taking a cautious step back, only now realising how wobbly my legs felt.

"Yeah, that's probably the best," I breathed out, shoving my hands into my jeans pockets so they wouldn't try and grab the incredibly irresistible Scot in front of me.

"You go on ahead and I'll follow you in, in a bit," Wood uttered slowly and I nodded my head, taking another step back before I turned around and unsteadily made my way to the portrait hole, knowing he was watching my every move.

I paused in front of the Fat Lady, wondering how I was ever going to be around Wood alone again if this is what we had been reduced to.

And what did the entire episode mean?

I couldn't wrap my head around it, and it was with this on my mind that I uttered the password and walked into the Gryffindor common room.

oo|oo

I didn't know how to act around Wood anymore. That in itself wasn't a new phenomenon; I'd never known how to act around Wood, but this time it was affecting my other friendships too, and most importantly my relationship with Cedric. Ever since that near kiss between us on Saturday I hadn't known what to do about it. There was no way I could tell Cedric and ruin a perfectly great relationship for a mistake that didn't mean much on the grand scale of things, but the thing was I knew it was wrong.

Added to that I couldn't understand what it meant between Wood and I. Were we still attracted to one another, did he want to get back together or had it just been a lust-induced moment where we went for the nearest person, which happened to be each other? I couldn't make heads nor tails of it and it was throwing me through a loop.

It was with these heavy thoughts weighing on my mind that I walked into the Great Hall on a Tuesday at lunchtime and made my way to our usual spot at the Gryffindor table. More than anything I desperately wanted to talk to someone about it, but Abby would just be cross with me, and Tess and Jackie just wouldn't understand.

I paused as I walked up to our spot on the benches that were usually inhabited by my friends, but they were empty save for one; Wood had beaten me to it

I swallowed the lump that had formed in the back of my throat and saw as his head went up and a wave of recognition washed across his face, before it became inscrutable once more. I stopped walking, unsure and thinking maybe it would be better to sit next to Cedric today. But then I realised what a coward I was being and I mustered up what little courage I had and walked over to our spot, and sat down across from Wood.

"Margate," Wood said solemnly and I nodded back at him, unable to look into his eyes for more than a few seconds.

"Wood," I replied and I fidgeted with my hands, pulling a plate in front of me and ordering pumpkin soup. I focused my attention on my soup, eating it slowly all the while incredibly aware of Wood tucking into his cob sandwich across from me and how there was a little dab of mayonnaise on his lips that I desperately wanted to wipe away.

I chastened myself for such thoughts and glanced towards the large oak doors to see Abby, Ethan and Tess making their way towards us. Relief washed over me and I sat up straighter, smiling at my best friend as she slid into the seat next to me.

"What's with you?" Abby queried, a frown on her face as she eyed me warily. She pulled a plate towards her and tucked into her chips, bringing her gaze back up to mine.

"What?" I asked, puzzled and I saw that Wood had stopped eating his sandwich to watch the exchange.

"You and Oliver have been acting all weird and skittish around one another for the last few days," she added, shrewdly, turning to look at Wood across from us. His face was bland and he just raised an eyebrow at Abby. Getting no answer from him, she turned her chocolate eyes back onto mine and raised her own eyebrow at me.

"Well?"

"There's nothing going on," I shrugged in response and Abby let out an irritated sigh, dropping her fork onto the table.

"Don't give me that bullshit, Chrissie. You're barely talking to each other and you didn't sit next to each other in Defence yesterday morning. You don't have to be a genius to know something's up with you two, so spill!" Abby ordered and I looked away, fidgeting with my hair. I had no rebuttal to her accusations; mostly because they were right on the mark and I could never lie successfully to Abby.

"Margate's just pissy with me because she lost a bet on the Quidditch League," Wood responded easily and I glanced up at Wood to see he was nodding his head at me.

"Seriously, that's what this is all about?" Abby queried and I nodded my head, turning my gaze on her.

"Yeah," I replied and she shook her head at the two of us, letting out an exasperated sigh.

"You two are idiots!" she remarked and went back to her plate of chips, squirting extra ketchup onto them. "So what was this bet about anyway?"

"We had a bet on the Magpies versus Wasps game over the weekend and now Margate won't hand over the five Galleons she owes me," Wood spoke so easily and a light-bulb went off in my head as I remembered the controversial match from the weekend where both Seekers had grabbed the Snitch at the same time and the officials had called the match in the Magpies' favour as opposed to the Wasps, which the Snitch had called as the true winners. We had debated over the outcome of the match that afternoon, so it seemed logical that Wood would use it as an excuse.

"As I told you on Saturday, the Snitch called the match in favour of the Wasps. The officials were wrong!" I declared, growing animated as the topic was brought up once again.

"And the Snitch isn't in charge of calling a match. Besides they had to factor in the foul from one of the Beaters earlier on," Wood rebutted and Abby chuckled at the both of us.

"It's always about Quidditch with you two," Abby snorted, picking up another chip. "I betcha you two would still argue over Quidditch in the middle of a snogging session!" She chuckled away to herself and I had to feign a laugh at her joke, glad Abby didn't realise how close to the mark she had hit.

oo|oo

By Wednesday afternoon I was no closer to figuring out what was up with Wood and I. I was afraid to spend time alone with him for fear of that sexual tension overwhelming me again and doing something I wasn't sure I would regret anymore. We had crossed that barrier no friends should ever cross and I wasn't quite sure if we would ever be able to go back to the way it used to be.

I couldn't deny how Wood had made me feel since we almost kissed. Whenever I was in his presence my heart would skip a beat, my senses became more alive and I also found myself blushing more, a habit I was not fond of. The short of the story was that I was attracted to him again. I wasn't quite sure when it happened, or even how my feelings changed, but at some point between us becoming friends again and Saturday evening something had changed between us.

What was even more disconcerting was that the same had happened to Wood. Was that why he decided to be friends with me, or did it creep up on him too, like a stranger in the night?

The only thing I knew was that it couldn't have come at a worse time for me. I had a boyfriend now, and having inappropriate thoughts about your ex was never a good thing, never mind when you're with someone else. How the hell were we ever going to reconcile our friendship with this?

My thoughts went back to that evening in the disused old Transfiguration classroom, standing next to the table where we had played cards and Wood had gazed at me so deeply with his emerald coloured eyes.

I remembered that grin on his face as he pulled up next to me and his scent overwhelmed my senses.

Wood looked as delectable as ever, his pale blue t-shirt showing off the muscles developed from years of Quidditch, his honey-coloured hair glimmered in the candle light and adorably mussed, just the way I liked it. Then there were his intense eyes that always managed to pull me in, and if he looked at me in a certain way I would do whatever he wanted me to.

The power he held over me was undeniable as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me flush against his hard chest, that exact same chest I had just been admiring a few seconds ago.

The trail of kisses he left along my throat was fiery and burned me to my core. His feather light touches sent electrical currents up my spine and a wooziness to cloud my train of thoughts, so the only thing I would focus on were his kisses. His lips began their long and arduous journey along my jaw until he finally captured my lips in a searing kiss. His tongue duelled with mine for dominance, a battle I was quite happy to lose for once as his fingers burned a trail along my waist, pausing slowly to cup my bum before trailing up and down my thigh.

It was heavenly and pure hell, for no matter how searing his kisses were, they just weren't enough.

A frenzy starting to take over my thoughts as my hands wrapped themselves around his neck, pulling him closer as I intensified the kiss, breath hot and demanding more, but no matter how much I pressed myself against his chest it wasn't enough.

"More," I panted, pulling my lips away from his to utter out the guttural demand and I gazed into Wood's emerald eyes to see they had darkened with lust. A slow smile spread across his face as he grabbed my upper thighs. I leapt into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist as he staggered forwards until my bum collided with the table.

Once I was deposited on the desk, our movements became more heated and frantic as his kisses intensified and his hands starting pulling at my jumper, pulling the offending garment over my head. I went for his t-shirt determined to remove the last piece of clothing between me, and his wonderfully, naked chest; I elicited frustrated cries as he chuckled, letting me pull it off over his head. His eyes darkened once more and zeroed in on my throat as his lips latched onto the pulse point and sucked. I groaned and leaned my head back as he kissed a trail down my collarbone and towards where my chest disappeared underneath my t-shirt. My hands grabbed his shoulder blades for support and the only thought that registered in my mind was that I had to get Wood out of those damned jeans –

"Miss Margate!" a decidedly irritated voice called out, dispelled my fantasy and reluctantly pulled me back into reality. I focused my attention on the Muggle Studies Professor, Charity Burbage, who had appeared out of nowhere to stand next to my desk and I sent her a confused stare.

"Sorry?" The class tittered around me and I ignored them, needing another few seconds to remember that I was still in Muggle Studies and it had been nothing more than a very entertaining fantasy.

"I was asking you where your homework was, Miss Margate," she repeated the question, raising an eyebrow at me and I blushed, sheepishly handing over the essay that was sitting under my books.

"Thank you, now please try and focus on the blackboard and not your daydreams," she uttered and I nodded my head, ducking it down so people wouldn't see how embarrassed I was. Thankfully Burbage didn't know Legilimency or else I'd be a dead woman.

Annoyingly the one woman who didn't need to know Legilimency was sitting next to me and she was alternating between laughing at me and sending me very pointed looks that were declaring I should tell her what I had been daydreaming about.

"Care to elaborate on what had you grinning like a Cheshire cat for the last ten minutes?" Abby remarked when the Professor had returned to the front of the class and was once more explaining to the class the differences between Muggle and Magical libel laws.

"No," I replied stiffly, still annoyed and embarrassed at being caught by a teacher daydreaming in class. I just hoped I hadn't said anything aloud. I quickly glanced around the class and saw that everyone's attention had returned to what they were doing before. That was always a good sign, because if I had just been humiliated in public they would not have ignored me this quickly.

"Come on, I'm bored so spill," Abby pressed on and then she grinned at me, her face lighting up with a devious quality that usually meant I was about to be teased mercifully for it.

"Well I take it from that blush on your face you were having the naughty kind of daydream. So do tell me what you were fantasising about doing to Cedric. What kind of pervy habits do you have in the sack?" she teased and I avoided her eyes, blushing once more that Abby had at least partially gotten right what I had been fantasising about. Thankfully she had assumed it had been about Cedric and for a second I realised that it should have been about Cedric. Yet it wasn't.

That concept freaked me out and I clammed up, unwilling to talk anymore about it to Abby. It was bad enough to be caught fantasising in class and to be teased about it, but it's quite another when the object of your fantasies was none other than your ex boyfriend. I had to get this stupid obsession with the near kiss out of my system before someone found out and all hell would break loose.

oo|oo

I didn't know what to do about the entire situation anymore. It freaked me out beyond belief and so I done what I always done when I was unsure about a situation. I retreated so I wouldn't have to deal with it. Added to this was the great fear that someone would discover my secret and after Muggle Studies this afternoon, I knew I had to be more careful. Abby and the rest of my friends were too astute for their own good, and it was only a matter of time before they or someone else found out about my attraction to Wood.

That was why I was wandering around the corridors of Hogwarts, hand in hand with Cedric that Wednesday evening, stopping occasionally to let other people walk past or to snog in a dark alcove. As the hours wore on I could feel the guilt I had been carrying on my shoulders easing as my mind began to rationalise my actions away once more.

After all, it wasn't like I had actually cheated on Cedric. Wood and I could honestly say we hadn't kissed, so this was all just in my head. There was nothing for me to feel guilty about; I reasoned, and that would be the end of the topic. I would stay away from Wood for a while until these residual feelings disappeared and then all would be back to normal once more.

"So, my birthday's next week," Cedric uttered, breaking the silence that had enveloped us for the past few minutes.

"Really?" I asked him, surprised I hadn't known his birthday already.

"Yeah. The big seventeen. Can't wait to be of age," Cedric quipped happily and I smiled up at him, squeezing his hand. He squeezed it back in return and came to a stop, pulling me closer. "So what are you going to get me?" The sparkle in his eyes was wonderful to see and I grinned at his mischievousness.

"I'm not going to tell you!" I replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Ah come on, I hate waiting!" Cedric pouted and I laughed, wondering if all blokes acted like this when they didn't get what they wanted. My mind flashed back to Wood pulling that exact same expression and my smile faltered as I pushed the memory to the back of my consciousness.

"Well you're gonna have to, because I haven't even made up my mind what to get you yet," I replied, rallying my spirits quickly enough.

"Oh come on Chrissie, you're ruining my fun!" Cedric pouted and I laughed some more, kissing him on his pouting lips before dragging him along again and swiftly changing the subject.

Yep, I had decided that's how I would deal with all my problems. Push them away and change the topic. It was bound to be better than what I was doing now.

oo|oo

I was having a great Friday until Wood went and ruined it all. Morning classes had finished, Cedric and I had spent the entire lunch giggling like little school children with his friends at the Hufflepuff table and we were making our way out of the Great Hall doors, hand in hand and still laughing away to ourselves when we had to bump into him. Specifically, not just Wood, but Rosemary and Wood.

That in itself took me by surprise, as I had never actually seen her with Wood before and it took me another moment to realise he was lightly holding her hand.

My eyes immediately zeroed in on the conjoined hands, eyes growing large as I jutted out my chin like I always did when I became annoyed. When I looked up again I saw that he was wearing a sheepish look on his face, too afraid to meet my eyes and I huffed and walked on, leaving a confused Cedric behind to sprint after me.

"What's the matter?" he asked me, once he had caught up and I ground my teeth for a moment before I let out a frustrated sigh.

"Chrissie?"

"Nothing's wrong," I ground out angrily, fists clenching and unclenching at my sides as my eyes flashed, focusing on nothing in particular.

"You sure?" Cedric asked sceptically, pulling me to a stop so I would look at him. I took a deep breath using all my might to push the sudden anger that had flared up at seeing the two and looked up at Cedric. His grey eyes were darkening with confusion and his brow was crinkled as he took me in.

"Yeah. Just realised something I should have figured out a long time ago," I responded cryptically, using all my energy to muster up a smile for my boyfriend. He hesitantly smiled back at me, taking my hand once more as we continued down the corridor. Even though Cedric believed I had calmed down, the reality was very different. I was far from calm and Wood and I would be having a conversation before the night was out; and it wouldn't be pretty.

oo|oo

It didn't take long to find Wood on my own again. Cedric had to rush to Defence Against The Dark Arts and after I had dropped him off on the second floor, I marched back down to the Great Hall, fully intending on finding Wood and having a few words with the Scot.

It wasn't hard to find him; he was lounging by the marble staircase with a few of the seventh year Hufflepuffs that he sometimes hung out with. His arm was resting against the marble banister, tie askew and the top few buttons of his shirt open as he laughed at something Joseph Dorny said to him. I ignored the Hufflepuff boys and marched up to Wood, my eyes blazing as I interrupted their conversation.

"Wood, I need to talk to you."

I saw Wood sigh and drop his head, before he looked up again and grinned genially the three boys. "Looks like we'll have to sort this out later on, lads. It seems I'm about to get a bollocking." He grinned at those words and the three boys guffawed back at him, slapping him on the back and calling out.

"See you later mate. Good luck!"

Wood grinned at their retreating backs while I glared at the side of his head and he took another few seconds before he turned around and brought his attention to me again.

"I see you're back to being an asshole to women again!" I declared loudly, the anger coming through in every syllable I uttered. My hands were at my hips and I pursed my lips in annoyance as I watched Wood's genial green eyes flash with irritation.

"What are you talking about, Margate?" Wood bit out, crossing his arms across his chest and standing up straight so that he suddenly seemed so much taller than me.

"You and Rosemary Woodhouse. Whatever happened to 'I'm not seeing her anymore'?" I yelled at him, crossing my own arms across my chest so that we were mirroring each other. My eyes narrowed at the Scot in front of me, so furious that he was back to his old tricks again and that I had actually bought he had changed.

"Stay out of this, Margate!" Wood warned, his voice dropping an octave or two. He took another step towards me and gazed fiercely down at me. It was unfair that he was so tall, because he could be intimidating on that alone without even trying.

"Why should I? This concerns me too considering what happened with you and I a few days ago. You think I'm gonna stand around while you treat another girl as shit as you treated me?" The words were coming out of me before I could stop them, and what was worse I was yelling them at the top of my lungs. The concept that someone might overhear us and find out didn't even cross my mind; that's how angry I was. In hindsight, I was being quite irrational too.

Wood thankfully though, still had his head screwed on because the next thing he done was grit his teeth in frustration and grab my arm as he yanked me towards the Trophy Room. I of course yelled out at him to stop dragging me away, but Wood just ignored me until he had gotten me into the room and slammed the door behind me.

Wood quickly let go of my arm and took a few steps away, leaning against the closed door behind him, breathing heavily. I continued glaring at him and walked towards the trophy cabinet, leaning my back against the glass case, arms across my chest once more. We glared at each other for a minute or so before Wood opened his mouth.

"You've no right to make any form of judgement on this, Margate," Wood ground out and I scoffed at him in return.

"You think I don't?" I laughed, raising my eyebrows at him. "I'd say considering our history, I'm one of the only few people who can!"

"Margate, you haven't got a fucking clue what you're talking about!" Wood bellowed back at me, finally starting to lose control of his temper. I could tell because his eyes darkened so much, they were almost black.

"Oh yeah?" I screeched back at him, pushing myself forwards and taking a step towards him, an accusing finger pointed at him. "I'd say you're treating Rosemary like shit, being all hot and cold with her and doing the exact same thing you do to all girls!"

"Margate –" Wood warned, his voice now very low but I ignored him and carried on.

"Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you that you tell me you're not seeing her, then you try and kiss me and now you're acting like everything's all hunky dory between the two of you?"

"That's it, Margate!" Wood thundered, taking a few steps towards me until we were less than three inches apart and I could smell his aftershave. "Let's not forget I'm not the only one in this ménage-a-quattre, so get off your fucking high horse and stop judging me! Because, let's not forget you were just as willing to roll in the mud with me on Saturday night! As much as you might bitch and moan about me and Rose, I'm not the one with the serious boyfriend, so stay the fuck out of it."

Wood had me there, and I knew it. Even more so, the steely determination in his eyes told me he knew it too. I expelled the breath of air I had been holding in and jutted my chin out defiantly, not yet ready to concede defeat.

"You were the one who wanted to kiss me," I uttered stubbornly, my voice dropping lower so that I wasn't shouting at him anymore.

"And you were all for it," Wood replied darkly, his piercing gaze softening just a fraction.

"Hey, I told you to stop!" I cried out, affronted at what Wood was insinuating. I might have realised it a little late, but at least I realised it.

"Come on Margate, that was the most feeble excuse I have ever heard from you," Wood chuckled darkly, an eyebrow raised at my defence.

"But it worked," I uttered quietly, excuses dying on my lips.

"Did it really, Margate? Because from where I'm standing; you're yelling at me because you're jealous of Rose and I. And since you're so insistent on sticking your nose into our relationship, what I told you on Saturday was the truth. I had ended it with her. We were never serious and we were only casually seeing each other and after Saturday night she was good enough to give me another chance."

It was only then that I realised how right Wood was. I was treating him like shit for trying to make it with Rosemary and here I was yelling at him because of that stupid near kiss. He was right; I had no right to lecture him about Rosemary when I was treating my own boyfriend so abominably.

I looked away, tears forming in the corner of my eyes as I thought about Cedric and how I had nearly thrown it all away with him for some mistake with Wood. I stepped away from Wood and turned around, turning my attention on the trophies gleaming behind the glass case. I wiped the stray tears away while my back was to Wood and took a deep breath.

I turned around to face Wood once more, face solemn. "What are we going to do about this, then?"

"That's up to you, Margate. I'm not the one freaking out about this," Wood replied evenly, his voice devoid of any emotion. Wood was back to playing his cards close to his chest and I had no idea what he thought about our situation.

"Come on, you can be a little bit more helpful here, Wood!" I bit out annoyed and he sighed, uncrossing his arms and shoving them into his trouser pockets. The irritation was leaving his body as the green in his eyes softened and I let out a breath.

"Well for the sake of our friendship we have to act like Saturday night never happened because otherwise we're just gonna keep on fighting over it," Wood relented and I nodded my head. It was the right and logical thing to do and I was glad that Wood had agreed, but a part of me still felt sad at his decision.

"Yeah. It was a mistake and we shouldn't let it ruin our friendship," I uttered out and Wood nodded his head mutely at me.

"Alright," Wood spoke briskly and I nodded my head at him, unsure what exactly I was agreeing to. "Well I'm gonna head on to class now, unless there's something else you wanna yell at me?"

I rolled my eyes and bit back the retort I was about to respond with, knowing now wasn't the time to antagonise him after we had come to such a precarious truce.

Wood nodded at me once more before he opened the door and marched out of the trophy room. I sighed, shaking my head and I waited another minute or two before I followed him out of the door.

oo|oo

It seemed the matter wasn't settled as easily as I first thought, because at dinnertime it was Cedric's turn to yell at me. I had just sat down next to him, depositing my schoolbag under my feet and helping myself to mash when Cedric blurted out these words.

"Is there something going on between you and Oliver Wood?"

"What?" I asked him, spoon dangling in the air as I turned around to gaze perplexed at my boyfriend.

"I asked if there's something going with you and Wood considering what happened at lunchtime," Cedric elaborated, his voice devoid of emotion as he gazed at me, his grey eyes the colour of hard steel.

"Are you serious?" I blurted out, eyebrow rising at my boyfriend. I took in the harsh lines on Cedric's face, how his sharp cheekbones jutted out even more when he set his jaw as firmly as he was doing now. I knew I had no good answer for him, so I went on the defence.

"I can't believe you're asking me this!" The outrage was evident in my face and I gave him another disbelieving look before I returned my attention back to my dinner.

"It's a simple question, Chrissie. One which you keep on dodging," Cedric replied firmly as he dropped his fork onto his half eaten food and stared hard at me.

"Because I shouldn't have to! I'm your girlfriend, shouldn't I get a bit of trust here?"

"What the hell is going on Chrissie?" Cedric inquired, voice sharp and hard as he scrutinised me. "You think I don't realise how you two act around one another, how Wood is always at your side and how you're always talking about him? I'm not a fool and I wish you wouldn't treat me that way!"

"You're off your rocker!" I cried back affronted, frowning at Cedric as I stared at him like he had just sprouted a second head. "If you would just stop being such an asshole and trust me, then maybe you wouldn't need to ask such ridiculous questions!"

"Fine!" Cedric grit out angrily, standing up abruptly as he pulled himself off the bench we were sitting on and promptly stormed out of the Great Hall. I watched him walk away, not quite believing he had actually left me alone at the Hufflepuff table. I dropped my knife and fork back down on the table and saw that his friends and fellow Hufflepuffs were all staring at me.

Bloody Hufflepuffs for being so loyal.

oo|oo

It seemed the topic of jealousy wouldn't leave me alone. First Wood had accused me of being jealous, then my own boyfriend and it seemed that my friends wanted to add themselves to the list too.

It all started with Abby and I in the common room Saturday evening, deciding what to do with our time since there was no 7C party on and the next Hogsmeade trip wouldn't be for another week.

I was pissed off, partly because Cedric was still not talking to me and partly because the thought of Rosemary Woodhouse and Wood was still bothering me and I couldn't figure out why. They really didn't make a good couple; they were so ill suited, she was younger than him and what did they have in common? She was a fan of Gobstoppers and a member of the Astronomy Club; he was a Quidditch player and about as academically inclined as me, even if he did get consistently higher marks.

Then there's the fact that she's a year below us and we all knew that as soon as Wood graduates he's going to be snapped up by a really good Quidditch team and he'll have no time for a school-bound girlfriend.

Plus he dumped her just a week ago and she took him back so easily? Didn't she have a spine?

"Okay, enough's enough now!" Abby declared forcefully and I frowned at my best friend sitting next to me. She had been playing silently with her curly hair the entire time I had been making out my list and hadn't objected before.

"What?" I asked, throwing up my hands in the air for added emphasis. "I'm being realistic! You know everyone breaks up when they leave school and especially if you're not in the same year."

"Just stop it Chrissie!" Abby grit out annoyed at me. "You're jealous, I get it, but you have to get over their relationship. It's not yours to criticise!"

"He's my friend and I'm allowed to be sceptical, if I think he's making a mistake!" I rebutted, growing irritated with Abby's narrow-mindedness.

"This is his life, not yours. Part of being friends with someone is letting them make their own mistakes and decisions. Besides I doubt Oliver would appreciate it much if he heard you talking about his relationship like this," Abby cried out exasperated and I huffed and crossed my arms across my chest.

"Fine if you don't agree with me," I shrugged, still irritated. "But I know I'm right about this."

"And I wish you'd wake up and smell the bloody coffee and realise that you're jealous of Wood and his new girlfriend. And a little word of advice, you can't keep this up because it's not fair on either Oliver or Cedric. Sooner or later you're either gonna have to back off or make a decision," Abby declared vehemently. "Now I'm gonna go and hang out with Tess and Jackie," she added, getting up from her spot and walking out of the crowded Gryffindor common room. I sat there on my own, now also annoyed at one best friend.

I wasn't jealous; I was just being a good friend and just because she couldn't see it, didn't mean it wasn't true.

But what if she was right? Surely I couldn't be jealous of Wood. That would monumentally complicate things, as if they aren't complicated enough. And it would make me a terribly hypocritical person.

It made me think of Jackie, how jealous she was of Penelope Clearwater last week when the Head Girl beat her to the Transfiguration prize, just like she had beaten Jackie to the Head Girl position at the start of the year. Jackie didn't act like the green-eyed monster you would usually expect. Neither did she bitch about Penelope like Abby or I would have; she just let it get her down for a few days and then worked even harder to beat her the next time.

She was not at all like the rest of us girls. Take Tess; she'd been feeling neglected by Joshua because he kept choosing to hang out with his friends instead of her. So what did she do, but have a yelling match at him to make herself feel better.

I suppose we all dealt with jealousy differently, so maybe Abby was seeing something that I couldn't.

"Shit!" I said aloud to no one in particular. This was doubly bad for me, because not only would that mean that I was jealous of Wood, but I'd have to apologise to Abby. With no idea how to resolve the former I pulled myself off the sofa in resignation, and decided to get the latter over and done with.

oo|oo

Jealousy; the biggest sin of them all

Thou shalt not covet. How true and apt this old saying might be, but how many of us actually follow this sage piece of advice. It is one thing to be told to not be jealous of the lives and loves of others, but I wonder how many people actually take this to heart and follow what the Ten Commandments preach.

Jealousy is a funny sin at the best of times. It can reduce you to nothing more than a green-eyed monster at the sight of another girl, or boy; make you act like a crazy banshee at the sight that someone else has what you want and completely skewer your sense of perception in the process. Whatever they might want to say about the six other deadly sins, in my opinion jealousy is the most dangerous of them all. It might be all well and good to state that one shouldn't covet something that isn't your own; but no one ever mentioned how destructive it can be and that is something you need to learn first hand. Of all the emotions we possess, this one is the most dangerous in so many ways.

That's the beauty of jealousy; it comes in so many forms. There is the neighbour that is jealous of the other neighbour's house, the man who wants the wife of another, and the child that is jealous of the life of a peer. At some point in our lives we have all felt jealous of someone else. That is a fact of life and that is something we have to overcome.

But did anyone ever tell you that jealousy is nothing more than a symptom of an inner insecurity, or a lack of self-worth? Well it's true and all it does is paint a nice big bulls-eye on your biggest insecurity, highlighting it for the entire world to see.

Sure the grass always looks greener on the other side, but what happens when you're actually over there and see all the blemishes in the lawn that you couldn't see before. Would you still be jealous then? But that is the thing, we never realise this fact and that is what makes jealousy so dangerous. It drives us through anger and other irrational thoughts and fears and causes us to do things that we normally never would. But isn't that's what we do when we feel our security threatened?

Wrath, sloth, greed, pride and the rest of the sins might be toxic to a healthy and stable life, but they've got nothing on envy. Jealousy has the ability to turn a mild-mannered person into a psychotic rage at the sight of what they desire. I've seen first-hand how it can turn people into completely different beings and it's not a pretty sight to see.

So how do we deal with jealousy, or envy? I wish I knew for it would make my life so much simpler, but that's the thing. We just have to live with it and hope it doesn't destroy us in the process.

Until then,

Calliope,

1994

oo|oo

"Chrissie, I'm really sorry for being such an ass!" Cedric implored and I gazed up into his steel grey eyes with relief and surprise to see Cedric accosting me in the corridor so early on a Tuesday morning. Abby, Tess and Jackie by my side exchanged glances before wishing Cedric a good morning and walking on down to the Great Hall. I hung back and gazed at my boyfriend, who was looking slightly dishevelled from sleep and I grinned at him as I took a step towards him.

"I'm sorry for being such a bitch to you on Friday," I replied, ducking my head down, hands in my robe pockets as I gazed at my shoes. My new Keds that I got at the start of the year were quite badly scuffed and worn by March, showing the wear they received this year. Kinda like my heart…

"You had every right to be angry at me for being such an asshole to you," Cedric uttered urgently and I smiled up at him. He was mirroring my body position, for his hands were in his trouser pockets too.

"No, I was a bitch and you had every right to be pissed off at me. I am sorry!"

"So am I. Now can we put this behind us because I'd really like to kiss you," Cedric elaborated and I grinned at him as he wound his arms around my waist, pulled me towards him and planted a very soft kiss on my lips. We pulled apart after a minute and I sighed, gazing up at him with a languid smile on my face.

"We should fight more often if that's how you're gonna make it up to me," I joked, as I placed my hands upon his chest and grinned up at him. His grey eyes were sparkling with mirth and he chuckled away to himself.

"And I haven't properly made it up to you yet," he winked, his voice dropping a timbre or two.

"We're in the middle of a corridor," I admonished him, swatting at his chest and he laughed, letting go of me in the process.

"Well I mean it. I'm gonna make it up to you for acting the way I did. I never should have gotten jealous over your friendship with Wood," Cedric spoke, taking my school bag and slinging it over his shoulder as he reached for my hand. I easily entwined my fingers with his as we proceeded down the corridor towards the Great Hall and breakfast.

"You know you've nothing to worry about. Wood and I may be friends, but you're my boyfriend and if I had to choose, I would choose you!" I implored, wanting to make it crystal clear to Cedric that he had nothing to worry about. Whatever little niggling bits of jealousy that I might still feel towards Wood and Rosemary, they were nothing compared to what Cedric and I had.

oo|oo

It had been almost a week since the fight with Wood and we had barely spoken since. So, in a way, I should have expected Wood to accost me, as he did that dinnertime on Tuesday.

I was already late to dinner, as I rushed into the nearly empty common room that evening. I was in the middle of throwing my schoolbag off my shoulder and dumping my robe on top of it, when Wood made his way towards me from where he had been languishing at the tables.

"I need to talk to you." The words were out of his mouth before I could even say hello to him. I noticed that he had already changed out of his school uniform as he was currently sporting a light grey jumper that really flattered his physique. But I had more important things to focus on.

"Can you make it quick because I'm already late to dinner," I replied hurriedly, loosening my restrictive tie and dumping it on the pile on the floor.

"Margate," his voice pleaded, and I paused in my actions as I looked up at the Scot in front of me. "Please."

That one word got me and I mutely nodded my head, acquiescing to his request.

"What's this about?" I asked hesitantly, but Wood shook his head and grabbed my hand as he led me up to the boys' dormitory.

"Wood?" I pressed on, pulling back so that he came to a stop.

He turned around and then sighed, glancing around the common room and taking in the scattered students before he answered.

"I wanna talk to you in private and not down here. You okay with that?" he said quietly, an eyebrow rose at me and I nodded my head.

Why was I making such a fuss about going up to the boys' dormitory? I'd been up there loads over the years because of Ethan and Aiden. After all I had decided that Wood was just another friend, like the boys, but I couldn't help feeling this felt more intimate and private than hanging out with them. It didn't help that Wood was holding my hand. I should just let go, but I couldn't bring myself to.

When we reached the dormitory Wood finally let go of my hand and I stood there awkwardly in the middle of the messy room, clasping my arms around my waist as Wood deftly closed the door behind me. He made his way to the bed I supposed was his, throwing off his shoes in the process. I followed him, feeling even more uncomfortable with every step I took until Wood started chuckling as he flopped down on his bed, resting his back against the headboard.

"Sit down, Margate. You look like a frightened puppy about to be kicked there," Wood snorted and I perched myself on the end of the bed by his feet. He'd removed his shoes and his feet smelled slightly, but I didn't have the courage to tell him in here. I fidgeted with my hands, staring at nothing in particular but drinking in my surroundings as Wood watched me for a minute. I was feeling more and more uncomfortable with every minute and I wished he would just get to what he wanted to say to me so I could flee back down to the common room.

"Margate, are we okay?" Wood asked thoughtfully, his forehead creased into a frown and I gazed back at him, perplexed.

"How do you mean?" I replied cautiously, dropping my hands into my lap as I scrutinised his features, but they weren't giving much away.

"Are we good after last week, because I'd say our friendship took a bit of a nosedive after our little spat," Wood said darkly, then sobered up and added in a more serious voice. "What can I do to make it right with you again?"

A smile broke through as I looked at Wood's despondent face and my heart melted a little at his thoughtfulness. It was such a Wood thing to do, to take the blame for a problem and want to fix it, and I was beyond touched by it.

My hand reached out and I squeezed his, as I uttered slowly, "It's not your fault, Wood."

"Then how come you've been avoiding me for the last week?" His eyes were boring into my own, begging for an answer and I smiled sadly at him as I withdrew my hand from his.

"Of course I want us to be friends, but I'm finding it a bit hard and I owe it to Cedric to be a better girlfriend, considering what nearly happened," I spoke heavily, looking away and staring at the Pride of Portree poster Wood had tacked up over his headboard.

"So this is about Diggory?" Wood replied gruffly and I sighed as I looked out of the window, taking in the view from their window. It should be apt that they got a good view of the Quidditch pitch.

"No, this is about my boyfriend and let's not fight over this again," I sighed and Wood relented, letting out a breath as he threw his arms behind his head.

"Alright, then let me help you," Wood spoke and I frowned as I glanced back at him, unsure what he was talking about.

"With Cedric?" I queried, not quite believing his words.

Wood sighed and added, "Yes, with Diggory." Was it just my imagination or were those words hard to speak for Wood? I scrutinised his face once more, but it was as impassive as ever.

"I appreciate the thought, but there's nothing you can really help me with," I replied solemnly.

Wood ignored my answer though and added quickly, "It's his birthday in a few days isn't it? Abby told me you're having some problems finding a good present for him."

The concept that Wood knew Cedric's birthday and he was speaking to Abby about me was a strange one, but I ignored it and replied to his question.

"Yeah. What do you get a boy who says he has everything he wants already?" I sighed, shaking my head at my boyfriend for being so infuriatingly unhelpful. I had been trying to find the perfect present for the last two weeks and with only days to go it was looking rather desperate.

"Well you can always ask me for help, Margate. I am a bloke and since Diggory and I are both into the same things I might have more of an insight than you will," Wood shrugged and I nodded my head at him, a smile forming on my face.

"Okay then," I said, pulling my legs up towards me as I faced Wood and we started going through ideas.

The majority of them were full of nonsense, which turned into a conversation of what would be our fantasy Quidditch team to own. Not a lot of it was useful help, but I was enjoying it too much just sitting and chatting to Wood. A good half hour later we had sketched out a few good ideas and with a loudly grumbling stomach I decided to leave. I got up and Wood too straightened up on his bed as he eyed me with a languid smile on his face.

"Well I'd better go and write a few of those letters if I want to get it before Friday," I remarked and Wood nodded his head, clasping his hands behind his head once more.

"You do that Margate, and let me know if you need a hand with one of them," he replied and I nodded my head at him.

"Thank you," I said simply, standing at the edge of his bed and staring down at Wood.

"What for?" Wood queried, stretching on the bed as he extended his arms and I smiled even more at him.

"For being such a good friend," I elaborated and Wood nodded his head, a smile forming on his face that matched my own. I bent down and placed a kiss on his cheek as a thank-you. I straightened up to see a look of wonderment on his face before the expression disappeared and the usual smile returned.

"Don't worry Margate, you're not gonna get rid of me that easily," Wood chuckled and I assented my head, a wide smile on my face as I turned around and walked out of the dormitory.

oo|oo

By the time Friday and Cedric's birthday finally came along, the present had been found, carefully wrapped up and was sitting patiently in my school bag, ready to be given to the birthday boy. It was a pity that I couldn't be more patient myself, but fate or the Professors kept conspiring against us so almost the whole day went by without me seeing Cedric.

By the last class, I'd snuck out early under the pretence of seeing McGonagall and raced down the corridors towards the History of Magic classroom where Cedric had his last class. I stopped outside the closed door, breath panting and when I saw that the corridor on both ends was empty I knew I wasn't too late. I grinned to myself and pulled the present out of my bag, leaned against the opposite wall and waited for class to end.

A couple of minutes later the bell rang through the corridors signalling the end of lessons and I straightened up as students swarmed out of the open doors into the corridor.

Cedric's dark mop appeared next to some of his Hufflepuff friends and I waved at him, watching as his face lit up upon seeing me. He said something more to his mates and slung his bag over his shoulder as he walked towards me.

"Happy birthday!" I beamed at him as I placed a long kiss on his lips. Cedric wrapped his arms around me and kissed me back eagerly, until we stopped when we both realised we were still in the middle of a very public corridor.

"I got you a present," I said, pulling the wrapped present out from behind my back and watched as his eyes widened to saucers and he tore into the wrapping like a little kid at Christmas. He pulled out the Seeker's jersey from the Wimbourne Wasps, that I managed to get signed by Artemus Potts himself and Cedric stared at it in awe.

"Wow, Chrissie! I can't believe you got this for me!" Thank you!" he exclaimed, utterly lost for words as he cupped my face and kissed me in delight. I grinned as he let go of my face and chuckled to myself as he stared at the jersey with reverence in his hands. He quickly dumped his bag at his feet and yanked off his jumper before he put the jersey on over his shirt, that stare of wonderment still on his face.

"I put a permanent marking spell on that signature, so it shouldn't wear off," I added to him and Cedric kissed me once more, because it seemed to be the only way he could convey his thanks to me.

"I've got bad news for you," I began and had to repress the laugh as I saw his face drop slightly, as if I was about to wrench the jersey out of his hands. "Since I'm a fan of the Arrows and you're a fan of the Wasps, I don't think we could ever make it as a couple. Their rivalry is just too fierce."

"Oh," Cedric replied, still a little dumbfounded and I laughed lightly.

"Relax, Ced. I'm joking!" I giggled, patting his arm.

"This has got to be the best present ever. How did you get it?" he inquired as he shoved his jumper into his overflowing bag and slung the backpack onto one shoulder once more.

"You're not the only one with Quidditch connections," I replied cryptically, that grin still on my face.

"But this must have cost you a fortune!" Cedric exclaimed as his face turned serious. "I can't accept this."

"Oh don't get so noble," I admonished him sternly, a frown on my face. "It didn't cost me that much and you're keeping it!"

"Chrissie-" Cedric began, turning his full attention on me, but I butted in.

"No this is not up for debate, Ced," I told him seriously. "This is your birthday present, so please do me the favour and enjoy it!"

Cedric's face relaxed and he nodded his head before smiling at me once more. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and then said excitedly.

"Come on, let's go find my friends. I wanna show off my jersey!" he said giddily and I laughed in reply as we made our way down the emptying corridor.

oo|oo

The Saturday came bright and clear as another Hogsmeade weekend came around and by early afternoon Cedric's friends and I were sitting at a round table in the back of the Three Broomsticks ordering his first round of legal drinks. What had started off with just one round turned into another and then another after that, so that by the time 5 p.m. hit we were all pretty drunk. Cedric being the birthday boy was the worst of course, but that might have had more to do with the fact we kept plying him with double shots of Firewhiskey when he wasn't paying attention.

Thankfully too, Madame Rosmerta didn't seem to mind or rat us out to the Professors, so we were left to our own devices getting quite drunk in the middle of the afternoon. Alcoholism was sure to follow if we kept this up.

"Alright, who wants another drink?" One of the boys, Jeremy, called out as he stood up and slammed his hands onto the table to get all our attention. I gazed up at him and shook my head. I was tipsy enough to know anymore and I would just make a fool of myself, and frankly it was a bit early to be getting so drunk in the afternoon.

"Ced?" Jeremy inquired, raising an eyebrow at my boyfriend next to me, but Cedric shook his head, his gaze unfocused. All the shots seemed to be making him rather dazed and happy in his own little bubble, plus he stopped caring about his drinks when he discovered my legs next to him a few minutes ago. He was currently more interested in trailing his fingers up and down my upper thighs, playing with the denim fabric of my jeans. Thankfully I had decided not to wear a skirt today or it would look so much worse.

"Righteo then," Jeremy declared to no-one in particular and marched over to the bar, no doubt to try and charm a couple of free drinks out of Madame Rosmerta. I watched him walk away with a chuckle, suppressing a laugh when I saw him bump into a stool on the way there.

At that moment Abby, Ethan, Tess, Jackie and Wood made their way into the crowded pub and head straight towards the bar. Abby and Wood were peering around the room, no doubt looking for an empty table, while the rest ordered their drinks. When Abby spotted me, she waved at me and I returned the gesture with a grin on my face. Wood's eyes followed Abby's gaze and when he spotted me with Cedric and his mates, he sent a small smile my direction, which I returned. Abby by this point disappeared to grab them a table and Wood's gaze shifted from me to Cedric sitting next to me wearing his new Wasps jersey I had gotten for his birthday.

"Do you mind if we steal Cedric off you tomorrow, Chrissie?" Harvey, the sixth year Hufflepuff that Abby and I used to hang out with in Herbology asked me. It took me a moment to register he was talking to me, for my attention was still on Wood.

"Chrissie?" Harvey tried again, waving a hand in front of me to get my attention.

"Huh?" I replied, pulling my gaze away from Wood at the bar and focused them on the boy sitting opposite me.

"Do you mind if we steal Cedric tomorrow, or did you have something planned with him?"

"No, we've got no plans so go right on ahead," I replied with a smile. "What do you have planned anyway?"

"Ah, that my dear is for me to know, and you to find out," he spoke mischievously, his brown eyes twinkling in delight. I snorted and shook my head at the boy. I had a feeling I didn't really want to know what they were up to. Undoubtedly it involved some male bonding ritual and lots of idiocy. Instead I picked up my nearly empty bottle of cherry ale and took another swig as Harvey tried to engage Cedric in another drinking game.

My gaze went back up to the bar and I saw that my friends had finally managed to get a drink as Ethan led the way through the packed pub to somewhere Abby had found to sit. I inclined my head at Wood and he returned the gesture, nodding his head at Cedric and the jersey he was wearing. An eyebrow went up at that and even though we were quite far away from each other and he hadn't said a word to me, I knew what he was referring to.

I glanced quickly to Cedric next to me and grinned, nodding my head and Wood let out a small smile.

I mouthed 'thank you' to him and Wood nodded his head once at me, taking a sip of the Goblin beer in his hand. He gave me an incline of his head and then followed Tess and Jackie to where Ethan and Abby were already sitting at a very small table near the entrance. I smiled to myself and then tried once more to pay attention to what the boys were currently discussing with exuberance.

oo|oo

I refused to let jealousy get the best of me.

That was my mantra for the evening as I was sitting alone at a desk in study hall, trying my hardest to finish my Astronomy essay, but the couple sitting one table up from me kept pulling my attention away.

I would sigh, grit my teeth, take a deep breath and then try to go back to the books scattered in front of me, but I was having no luck. The topic was just too boring to focus on for long, and despite how much I kept telling myself Wood and Rosemary weren't that interesting, I couldn't help but stare at them for the last hour. They had their backs to me, so I could quite unashamedly watch their interactions without getting caught out by the couple themselves. Anyone else I didn't care about, which might explain why no one wanted to sit at my table. I had flashed dark looks at any student who even considered sitting across from me and interrupting my view of the couple.

Not that they were acting like much of a couple. They were sitting next to one another, but still far enough away from one another that only their knees were touching. Her strawberry blonde hair kept falling in front of her eyes, so she would put it behind her ear and I watched Wood observe this from the corner of his eye.

I sighed and looked away, no longer wanting to watch the couple happy in their own little bubble. I had had enough of shy smiles and long glances between the pair to make me want to hurl. I tried to suppress the queasy feeling it left me with, and be happy for Wood because he was my friend, but I couldn't.

I wondered if he smiled at her as serenely as he would when he was talking to me and whether he would play with the back of his neck like he sometimes did when I had him stumped.

I hated it how Wood would occasionally brush her arms with his fingertips and how she would look up, a surprised smile on her face.

But mostly it bothered me that I kept comparing every action he made with her with how he was with me. Did she make him smile as widely as I did; was he as relaxed around her, as he sometimes would be with me? What did she know about him anyway?

I had coached him back to life after that disastrous defeat against Hufflepuff back in October, saw him at his lowest and when we were in the Forbidden Forest during that lightning storm I saw his fear. We had a bond that defied the odds and even our disastrous attempt at a relationship. That had to be worth more than a few shy smiles and brushes of the arm he could get from her.

The whole thing was starting to drive me a little mad, so I pulled my gaze away from the parchment in front of me and tried to focus on something else.

It didn't help that when I glanced up at them again Wood was tucking that unruly strand of her hair behind her ear and I grit my teeth in annoyance. She should just cut off that damn lock if it was being so uncooperative, I ranted in my head.

"Wow, what's gotten into you?" Tess declared loudly, snapping me out of my thoughts and making me jump in the process. I glanced up at her as she slid into the seat across from me, blocking my view of Wood and Rosemary.

"Nothing," I replied surly and Tess raised an eyebrow at me.

"Doesn't seem like nothing to me," she retorted, dumping her school bag on the table and fixing me with an earnest frown. "I'd say you were contemplating how to dismember someone with that glare, but maybe that's just me and you're always this sunny,' she said sarcastically and I rolled my eyes at her.

I glanced once more at Wood and Rosemary and when I saw that they were holding hands, I dropped my quill onto my parchment and wrenched my eyes away once again.

Tess was far too astute for her own good, for she turned around and spotted Wood and Rosemary, letting out a knowing 'Ahh' in the process.

"What's that meant to mean?" I spoke annoyed and Tess turned her head around once more to give me a knowing smile.

"As you said, nothing," she replied serenely with an angelic smile on her face.

"What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were meant to be hanging out with Joshua," I remarked and Tess just shrugged her shoulders as she began pulling books out of her bag.

"I was and then I dumped him because I had enough of sharing him with his friends," Tess replied without a care in the world and my annoyance at Tess and Wood was temporarily forgotten.

"Oh I'm sorry Tess," I said softly, reaching my hand out over the table to grasp hers and give it a squeeze.

"Don't be. I don't share and I've always been upfront about it," Tess said, pulling out her half-finished Astronomy essay and opening her ink well.

"How did Joshua take it?" I asked, not quite wrapping my head around the fact that Tess was so calm about it. She had been going out with his since November after all. Four months was a lifetime in school.

"He called me jealous and I told him I don't do jealousy either. It's his loss either way," she shrugged and I frowned at my friend across from me.

"Yeah, but surely you feel bad about it too. I mean you guys were going out for four months," I said, trying to catch her eye, but she was instead focusing on her schoolwork, a first for Tess in my books.

"What's there to feel bad about? It's over and at some point you just gotta move on," Tess replied pointedly, but if she was trying to say something else with that statement it went over my head. I frowned at my friend, but decided to let the matter slide for now. She wasn't willing to tell me either way. Tess had far too many Daddy issues in her and I knew from experience that forcing her to talk about them was never a good idea. It was best just to wait until she was ready.

In the meantime I would have to get back to my essay and try my hardest to ignore Wood and Rosemary.

Fat chance of that ever happening!

oo|oo

It's funny; no matter how great a friendship you might have with your ex, inevitably you'll have a moment where you bump into them while with your new boyfriend and it'll be as awkward as hell. It doesn't matter if you're the best of friends with your ex and it has been years since you went out, it'll still sneak up on you, you mark my words.

Yep, and it happened to me Monday evening in what had to be the narrowest corridor in Hogwarts to boot. Absolutely bloody great!

Cedric and I were making our way down to the library using one of the shortcuts, just giggling away and in our own little world when Wood came upon us in one of the tiny, dark corridors that connect two hidden staircases. Before I even realised it, he was standing in front of us blocking our way.

I moved to the left to let him pass, only to have Wood do the same, so I moved to the right, only for Wood to repeat the action. We tried this for another three times, each time with increasing awkwardness. I giggled to break the uncomfortable tension that suddenly surrounded us and at the hilarity if this encounter in the dark corridor.

Wood had an amused smile on his face and he had started to fidget with the hairs on the back of his neck like he always done when he was feeling flustered.

"Come here Chrissie, let wood get past us," Cedric spoke as he wrapped an arm around my waist and drew me close to him to let Wood pass.

The laughter died on Wood's lips as he raised an eyebrow at me and Cedric and his emerald eyes zeroed in on Cedric's hands around my waist. I sighed, wanting to roll my eyes at Cedric's possessiveness. He was acting like Wood was going to snatch me away from him. I found the whole thing utterly ridiculous, but then that's the nature of jealousy.

Cedric hasn't been the same since he accused me of having something with Wood. Though he'd apologised and I'd forgiven him, there was still a tension between us, like unwelcome guest. And it sat there because of Cedric's jealousy.

I couldn't give out too much to him for it, because only Wood and I knew how justified Cedric was in feeling like that. I hadn't been a saint either, but if the relationship had any chance of surviving, we would have to move past it. I only hoped that Cedric's jealousy wouldn't win out before then.

"Come on Chrissie," Cedric uttered, breaking me out of my reverie and I realised that I had been staring at Wood while lost in my thoughts. I nodded my head as Wood moved past us and with the light pressure Cedric placed on we walked on. I said a meek 'Bye' to Wood, as Cedric and I walked on down the dark corridor.

oo|oo

I loved disco. Yes the decade wasn't exactly known for the best music around and the people did look a little ridiculous with those stupid white suits and large Afros, but there's something so fun and catchy about the music. It doesn't have much of a point to it, but sometimes you just need something to dance along to.

And that's exactly what I was doing on Tuesday evening, sometime after nine in the evening all by myself in the disused Transfiguration classroom.

"Oh, yes Sir, I can Boogie, but I need a certain song," I sang along to the song, to no one in particular, dancing around in a circle, hands in the air, hair flying everywhere as I pulled a few classic disco moves and twirled around on the spot.

"What are you doing here all alone in the classroom?" a voice called out and I spun around, hand on my heart as he had just given me the shock of a lifetime.

"Wood, what the hell?" I demanded, embarrassment flooding my cheeks as I grew bright red at having been caught dancing by myself.

"Relax Margate," Wood replied quickly, holding his hands out in a placating stance. "I was just asking what you're doing here all alone dancing in a classroom. The Professors would have a shit-fit if they knew you were here all on your own," he said, standing in the open doorway, hands in his pockets and his face filled with mirth.

"What are you doing here, Wood?" I asked him, crossing my arms across my chest, still feeling quite awkward that Wood had caught me dancing on my own.

"The common room was a bit boring and I needed a walk. Tell me, where does this love of Muggle music come from?" Wood inquired, as he pushed himself off the doorframe and slowly walked into the classroom. He dug his hands into his trouser pockets as I leaned my bum against the table where the wireless radio sat on.

In truth, I was still unnerved and a little wary of spending time alone with Wood, especially seeing our track record with empty classrooms like this one. But I was determined not to show it, so I answered his question.

"My aunt's partner is a Muggle and a huge fan of Muggle music. He took me to my first gig when I was six and he raised me on it. He could never really experience the Wizarding world, but his world of music was so much more magical to me," I replied, smiling at the memories it evoked.

"I never knew you had a Muggle uncle," Wood remarked simply and I nodded my head at him.

"He and I are very close," I smiled, crossing my legs in front of me as I made myself more comfortable. I smoothed down the knee length skirt I was wearing and looked back up at Wood, who was wearing one of those surprised looks on his face, like he had just discovered something new and highly interesting. It made me feel more uncomfortable under his gaze and I was once again keenly aware that we were alone in a classroom together.

"So what were those silly dance moves you were doing there?" Wood asked interested, breaking me out of my trance and I snorted at his cluelessness.

"It's disco Wood!" I rolled my eyes, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world and when I saw the puzzled look on his face, I sighed and added.

"Merlin, Wood. For our friendship to really work, you need to take a crash course in Muggle music. In case you haven't noticed it yet, I'm a little obsessed with it."

"You don't say, Margate," Wood remarked sarcastically, rolling his eyes at me.

I ignored Wood's response and turned around when Finally by Ce Ce Peniston, a favourite song of mine came on the radio. I darted towards the table and turned up the volume as I began dancing along to the beat.

Finally, you came along. The way I feel about you it just can't be wrong, the radio blared out and I danced along to the song, twirling on the spot so that my skirt fanned out around me. I done a few steps to the side and clapped my hands to the beat. I let the song take over and move my shoulders to the beat as I went from the point to an electric slide. When I turned around again, I saw that Wood had leaned himself against the table and was watching me with a smile on his face.

But now you've come along and brightened up my world. In my heart I feel it I'm that special kind of girl.

I grinned back at him and danced towards Wood, holding out my hands to see him eyeing them with terror in his eyes. I grabbed a hold of his hands and pulled him out onto my makeshift dance floor with me as I continued dancing and pulled him along for the ride.

"I don't know how to dance," Wood uttered out, apprehension evident in his voice.

"Nonsense, everyone knows how to dance. What's so difficult about it, you put one foot in front of the other and shake your body," I laughed in response, dancing around a stock still Wood while laughing lightly at his fear.

"I'm not kidding you, Margate," Wood replied, an eyebrow arched at me, which only made me sigh. The boy was being difficult again.

"You're telling me you've never had the team perform dance moves to limber them up?" I remarked surprised and this time Wood sighed while I rolled my eyes.

"Oh stop being such a prude and join in. For once in your life just let go and have fun!" I admonished him and then started performing the hustle around him. "Come on, I'll show you a few easy steps even you can do."

I started him off on the easy moves like the point and the bump and slide and after a while even Wood got into it, sliding from side to side with a serious expression on his face. He was so uncoordinated and we were both out of sync with one another, often bumping into the other or accidentally stepping on someone's foot but most of all we were both having fun. The music was infectious and I saw with a smile that even Wood was letting the beat flow through his bones.

He was particularly enjoying twirling me around the spot with a constant hand on my lower back so I wouldn't loose my balance and slowly towards the end of the song he was even leading me in the dance.

Finally ended and the last notes of the song blended into Boogie Wonderland, but Wood and I kept dancing. By the second song we had found a rhythm for ourselves and I would shuffle to the side, take a side step and clap my hands. Wood held me around my waist and twirled me around, before bringing me into his strong arms again. I was flushed and quite red in the face from the exertion and I saw that even Wood's grey tee was clinging to his body and a few drops of perspiration were sitting on the top of his forehead. But neither of us minded. I was having too much fun, just being carefree and dancing to some great music to mind, and by the looks of it, the serene look on Wood's face said the same.

He spun me one more time and then dipped me low, which made me squeal as my head nearly touched the floor. My skirt flew upwards and it was only Wood's quick response in pulling me back up towards him that stopped me flashing him accidentally. I landed in his arms, very close to his chest giggling from the move and Wood too was smiling at me. I turned around and took a few steps forward, Wood's hands firmly on my hips as we performed the hustle.

We spun to the side and clapped our hands in sync as Wood gave me a nod and reached for my hips once more. This time I was prepared and he lifted me into the air as I raised my hands up high. Slowly I slid down again, until I ended up in his arms, my back pressed closely against his body. He took a hold of one of my hands as I took a step forwards and then spun me around so that we were facing one another once more.

The song began to die down as the volume was lowered and the radio DJ announced the previous song before calling out the next one by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. The tune changed dramatically as a slow song came on the radio and Wood slowly let go of me as I took step back, a little unsure. The tune was quite romantic and I fidgeted with my arms as the lyrics suddenly became very clear.

Still here we are, both of us lonely. Longing for shelter for all that we see.

I glanced up at Wood to see that his arms were by his sides again and I hoped he felt as awkward as I did. But he didn't for he took a step towards me and this time he was the one to hold out a hand.

"Can I have this dance?" he asked and I raised an eyebrow at him as I looked at his outstretched hand for a moment. I look back up at the hand's owner to see there was only a simple request shining in his eyes and I slowly nodded my hand as I placed my hand into his. He pulled me towards him and wrapped a hand around my waist and I placed my spare one on his shoulder. At first we danced very formally to the song, shuffling from side to side.

"Come on Margate, stop being such a prude," Wood remarked with a raised eyebrow and I glanced surprised up at him to see he was using my line against me. I laughed at the irony and inclined my head at him; he had me there. I relaxed a little and Wood pulled me in closer, so close I was almost touching his chest. We swayed to the music, more enjoying each other's presence than dancing properly. Wood was leading, and I let him direct me across the empty floor, too caught up in the moment.

"You're not such a bad dancer after all Oliver," I remarked lightly and Wood looked down at me with a light smile gracing his features as he chuckled at me.

"Could you possibly say that with more surprise in your voice?" he teased and I swatted at his shoulder, trying to hide my returning smile.

"No, that was meant as a genuine compliment," I remarked and I felt the rumble of Wood's laugh from his proximity.

"Then I'll take it as such, Chrissie," he replied and I smiled into his chest as I leaned my head against his shoulder blade and enjoyed the last of the song.

"See, you and I can hang out alone without anything happening," he remarked, but I wasn't paying attention as I was listening to the words of the song.

We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow? We've got tonight babe, why don't you stay?

"Hmmm?" I responded, not looking up from where I was gently resting my head against his shoulder.

"We're gonna be fine Chrissie. You really don't need to worry so much about us," Wood remarked and I smiled as I slowly pulled my head up.

"I know Oliver," I stated, surprised that he had read my mood so easily. It was something that had been on my mind for the last couple of weeks; heck it was something I worried about just half an hour ago. Somehow Oliver always knew what to say. It really shouldn't surprise me as much as it still did, though it was a nice feeling.

We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow? Let's make it last, let's find a way. Turn out the light; come take my hand now. We've got tonight babe, why don't you stay?

He took a step away from me as he took my hand he was still holding and twirled me around. I let out a laugh and spun to a stop as the last beats of the song died and we were left standing in the middle of the empty classroom completely content with one another.

Oliver was right; we were going to be fine. No matter what happened between us, we would always be all right because I had faith in him and he had faith in me.

oo|oo

"I'm worried about Chrissie and Oliver," Ethan declared as we walked down the crowded corridor towards our final class of the day – Charms.

"How so?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at Ethan next to me. We paused for moment to let a gaggle of third year girls past as they sauntered in between Ethan and I. I paused to send a glare after them before we resumed our conversation.

"Come on Abby, you telling me you haven't noticed how close Oliver and Chrissie have become these last two months?" Ethan frowned at me and I sighed, sending an exasperated look his direction.

"Of course I have! I'd say even Filch is aware that those two want to jump each other's bones. But what's your point?" I asked him. We turned a corner and made our way down the hidden staircase, going down the steps in a single file so as to miss the trick steps.

"Well she's got a boyfriend for one, and if we've learned anything about those two is that it never ends well. Just look at the last time," Ethan shrugged and I stayed silent for a minute or two as I thought over what he said.

"Besides, I doubt any of us want to have to choose between them again," Ethan snorted.

"You've a point. Although, I think it's different with them now. There seems to be a genuine friendship there. You see it when they're not squabbling and when they think no-one is watching them," I mused aloud and Ethan pulled the tapestry aside that hid the staircase from the corridor behind it. He waited for me to pass before he slipped through himself and let the raggedy old fabric fall back into place.

"What about Diggory though?" Ethan asked as he appeared next to me again and I shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't know. I really like the guy, but it's not my relationship so it's not my place to say anything," I replied and Ethan nodded his head.

"Either way, I hope they know what they're doing," Ethan remarked off-handed and I smirked at him as we walked down the second floor corridor.

At that moment the object of our conversation, one Oliver Wood came racing down the corridor. He sprinted past us clutching a scroll of parchment in one hand and laughing away to himself.

Ethan and I turned and watched him sprint down the other way before he turned a corner and we lost sight of him.

"Wonder what that was all about," Ethan quipped, perplexed. We got our answer a moment later when I spotted Chrissie charging down the corridor like a raging bull, her face contorted in fury.

"Oliver James Wood! You give me back that parchment this instant!" she yelled, barrelling down the corridor after a gleeful Oliver.

"Well there's your answer," I grinned, watching my certifiably mad best friend chase after the bloke in question.

"And my earlier question still stands. What about Diggory?" Ethan replied pensively, frowning as he watched Chrissie turn the corner and disappear too.

"Yeah, he's got nothing to worry about," I replied sarcastically. Ethan eyed me warily and I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Come on, I wanna see how this one ends," I elaborated. Ethan and I made our way after our two best friends, who would probably try and kill each other or snog each other to bits, depending on the mood.

We sprinted after them, turned the corner and loped after our two best friends. We finally caught up with them outside the Ancient Runes classroom.

The first thing I saw was that Chrissie had jumped onto Oliver's back in an attempt to wrench the scroll of parchment out of his hands. The second thing I saw was that Oliver was laughing so hard he was shaking and looked like he might throw Chrissie off in the process, much like a bucking horse.

"They're bloody mental!" Ethan exclaimed, not quite believing the sight in front of him if his flabbergasted state was anything to go by.

I just grinned and uttered, "That's my girl" as I watched the crowd follow those two with a mixture of wonderment and glee.

I knew what Ethan was worrying about, but at the same time he had to see they were made for each other.

oo|oo

I had no idea why I found myself waiting outside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom for Chrissie on that Thursday afternoon. I just knew I had to see her after the bad day I had today. Just the sight of her smile and those dimples of hers would be enough to cheer up my wearied spirits.

And that was why I stood and waited for the seventh year Gryffindors to finish their class with Lupin.

The bell rang in the corridors around me and I snapped out of my trance as I anxiously waited for the Gryffindors and Slytherins to come swarming out of the classroom in front of me. It took a few minutes before I spotted her dirty blonde hair, that maddeningly curly hair that had more mess than style to it. Her school jumper was tied around her waist and her tie was askew as she walked out of the classroom, carrying her books against her chest and chatting animatedly to Oliver Wood.

They were removed from the rest of her friends, caught in a secret joke only the two knew of as they laughed to themselves. Snippets of their conversation floated over towards me, but I could barely make them out above the din.

"I still don't understand how you could screw up a Stunner. We learned that in our fourth year!" Chrissie chuckled at Wood, with a raised eyebrow and a teasing quality to her voice. She swiped her messy hair away from her right eye and grinned at Wood next to her. He looked abashed, but was grinning back at her, shrugging his shoulders in the process.

Wood's response was lost to me in the throng, not that I cared much about what his reply was. I watched the two interacting, my suspicions about those two still on the forefront of my mind.

"Oh you can't say poor Percy!" Chrissie laughed loudly, her voice ringing through the crowded corridor as she shook her head at something Wood must have said. "He's an ass and that was Karma through and through. Besides, the look on his face just before Flint actually managed to cast that Stunner was priceless. I wish I had a camera for that moment. I might just buy a Pensieve for that memory alone!"

"I don't think anyone believed that Flint could actually cast a successful Stunner. It was pretty priceless," Wood remarked with a chuckle, and this just made Chrissie laugh even harder, a hand on her side. She swiped away a stray tear and then grinned up at Wood once more, as the two shared in their own joke for a few seconds more.

My eyes scanned over every look and body movement they made to see if my hunch had been right. From the outside, nothing looked amiss with those two. They were standing next to each other, but they weren't touching and Wood seemed to be respecting her private space, for once.

But I could see how Wood's eyes would linger on Chrissie when she wasn't looking at him and I was certain I wasn't imagining it when I saw that Chrissie was smiling and glowing more in his presence. She looked so comfortable and at ease in her body and his presence it sent a pang of regret through me.

Their body language also mirrored each other. Chrissie was standing facing Wood, and her feet were facing towards him as his right hand was hanging at his side, much like her own. As they both turned to walk down the corridor, Chrissie finally spotted me.

I waved at her, a smile forcefully plastered on my face and I could swear I saw a glimmer of hesitation flit across her face when she first spotted me. But before I was even sure of what I saw, it had turned into a smile and she waved back at me. She uttered a few words to Wood, too quiet for me to hear and he nodded his head at her as she finally made her way towards me.

It wasn't lost on me either how Wood watched her leave with a melancholic look on his face, forlorn as he watched the girl leave with another bloke.

For a moment the jealousy deep within me became blindingly hot as it seared at me and I felt like bashing Wood's face in for pining after my girl, but I realised that would be stupid and irresponsible. It disappeared almost as fast as it flared up, leaving me feeling hollow instead. I couldn't hate Wood for loving the same girl I loved. He had just gotten the worse timing of the two of us, though in that respect maybe we weren't so different. I couldn't place why, but for the last few weeks it had felt like I was on borrowed time with her. Though she was my girlfriend, it somehow always felt like I was just standing in, keeping the seat warm for someone else. Not that she ever said anything like that, but the hunch wouldn't disappear.

I was also jealous of the bond Chrissie and Wood had, that much I was aware of and would admit to. Their friendship had an ease to it that our relationship didn't have. They were always talking to each other for hours on end, and while I might not trust him, I trusted her enough to know she wasn't cheating on me. But at the same time I was very aware that Chrissie was jealous of Wood seeing another girl. It might only be casual, but it was getting to her; I could tell.

In the end we were all jealous, in one form or the other. It might differ from person to person, circumstance from circumstance, but in a way it was always the same. If left to fester it became incredibly destructive, which I saw first-hand and I wondered for that moment how long I had, until either Chrissie, Wood or I would succumb to it.

---

A/N's: Yay, I finally churned out another chapter! :-) I seem to be taking forever on them, but I'm quite pleased to see that I haven't given up on this story yet and I still love it as much as ever! I'm so glad to have finally reached this point, as the dancing scene is one I've had planned as early as chapter three, all those years ago. And I finally got to write it!

Well we're slowly but surely making our way towards the home stretch of this story and I'm starting to seriously debate the outcome of this story. I had a sequel planned for about as long as this story has existed, so it's kinda scary to start thinking about the next story.

Also, I thought I'd address a question that was asked by one of the reviewers a couple of chapters back. The question was why does Oliver want Chrissie back, considering he was the one that dumped her.

That's a very good question and definitely worth looking into, but I don't think I can answer that question. I think I should let Wood answer that one for you! :-)

I have a little oneshot (which knowing my chapter lengths, probably won't be so little) planned that'll in part answer that question. So keep a look out for any new stories from me either before or after the next chapter.

Don't you love me guys?

P.S. It's going to be called 'The Boys of Chrissie'.

Until then,

Agrolass