Just Another Loss

The month ended on a very awkward note. I had spent countless hours trying to corner Professor Barrass to ask about my dad, if he was a Seer. I wanted to ask my mom but I didn't want her to worry, as it was all her letters were filled with worry, but no answers as to where she was or what she was doing. I knew she spent Christmas with friends, including Professor Burnner and Professor Barrass, she said they all had a good time and nothing seemed out of the ordinary about Bill. I did manage to get to her come to the Malfoys during our spring break.

Seeking out Oliver had been just as difficult, but I think that was more so because Lee and Fred were on a quest to keep him as far away from me as possible, maybe they thought he did something. I told them numerous times it wouldn't make sense if he rearranged my memory and took out the good stuff with him and pushed thoughts of Fred. The times I did get him alone all he seemed to want to do is make out or warn me about spending too much time with Fred. Charity and George were like hawks, it seemed they hated me around more now than before.

"Got it?" I jerked my attention back to Oliver, I hadn't heard a word he said, but even before all this daydreaming and thinking I barely listened to his speeches about Quidditch games. Though I suppose a match against Ravenclaw should've been more pressing on my mind. "Alright, c'mon, clear heads everyone" Oliver said as I nodded and tried to psych myself up.

"You alright?" Fred asked, his hand on my shoulder as I nodded, grateful Oliver didn't make a scene about it.

"Let's go" I said picking up my broom and getting in line behind the other chasers. Fred smiled and got in line behind George, who was giving me a death glare. I turned to face forward, trying not to let George get off my game.

"Here they come! They're brave, they're lions, they're the Gryffindors!" Lee cheered as we mounted our brooms and flew outside, the weather refreshingly nice for a late March day. "And you know them well, they're wise, they're eagles, shout loud for those Ravenclaws!" The Ravenclaws came out from the other side and we all gathered around in a circle. "Last but not least, she's taught us all how to fly, though I reckon some us had tried pretty young...she calls it like she sees it—"

"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall shouted as I chuckled.

"Fine, fine, refereeing the match today is Madame Hooch!" I cracked my neck from side to side as Madame Hooch gave some words of advice before letting the Keepers go their posts and sending out the Buldgers and Golden Snitch and then taking out the Quaffle. I positioned myself as she threw it high, way above all our heads. It came down in slow motion and I was quick to kick out and make a bee line for it. I grabbed it, giving myself a cheer as I sharply turned around, knowing I accidentally hit whoever was on my tail.

I was down, then up, then up even higher and then a sharp dive down and then a quick left, spotting Alicia ready to catch. I threw it at the last possible second, causing the Ravenclaw chaser to side swipe, now chasing Alicia.

"How's it going?" Fred asked as he hovered next to me.

"Good, I always seem to get a clear head when I'm playing—hey, go away, we have a game plan!" I shouted at him as he laughed, winked and speed off. I lowered myself, watching the Quaffle travel between Katie and Alicia as they moved closer to the Ravenclaw post.

"Ten points! Excellent teamwork from our girls in Gryffindor!" Lee cheered as a Ravenclaw chaser took the ball and head my way. I smiled, and zoomed up, faster and faster as she came closer and then spun around, kicking the ball out of her hands as it shot up, Katie above her to catch it. "Wow! Who saw that? I didn't know Tammie had moves like that! Watch out for that one, don't tickle her while she's sleep!" Lee said as I glanced over at him, making a face but then rolling my eyes and heading down the field. I caught the ball Alicia threw at me, and just barely dodged a smack in the face from a chaser. I was chased all the way back to the opposite end of the field, but feeling annoyed I did a one-eighty, ending up behind the girl and then speeding off in the other direction, a Buldger whistling pass my ear. I could feel myself sweating, this was a tough game and we were only a few minutes in. I threw the ball, knowing my throw was going to miss, but I had too many people behind me and Alicia and Katie were too far away. The ball was caught by another chaser who zoomed away, Fred and George on his tail, aiming their bats at his head.

The game continued like this for almost two hours; I managed to score forty points for our team, successfully stole the Quaffle several times and passed off to another chaser more times than I could count. I did well following our game plan and didn't make any more hero moves by trying to score on my own from so far away. I knew it was a stupid move and I knew Oliver was a going to be annoyed. Still, with all our planning and being ahead by twenty points Melinda still caught the Golden Snitch, but she had a good workout for it, Harry was right next to her the whole time and I honestly thought he had caught it when Madame Hooch blew her whistle.

"What was that?" Oliver shouted as he made his way over to me in the changing area after the game. I was thankful everyone was gone.

"I know, it was stupid, I'm sorry, it won't happen again" I told him but he shook his head, looking more annoyed than I imagined.

"Yeah it was, why would you sacrifice a perfectly good plan to do whatever it was you thought you were doing?" He scolded.

"I thought someone was closer, sometimes it's a lot harder when you're actually playing" I told him putting my broom aside and taking my shoes off.

"Then maybe you shouldn't be playing" I stared at him for a long minute but he didn't look like he was joking.

"C'mon Wood, lay off" Fred said coming from one of the changing areas, pulling his shirt over his head. "Honest mistake, we all make them" he said as Oliver looked from me to him.

"Yeah, clearly" he snorted.

"Hey, that reminds me, now that you're both here, I have a question about the day we were in the Quiet Corner" I said standing up and going closer to him.

"We made out, what more do wanna know?" He asked, tying his shoe.

"That's not what Tammie thinks happened" Fred said as Oliver glared at him.

"We can reenact it if you don't mind a show" Oliver offered. "We haven't talked in a while anyway, maybe we should go off for a moment" he suggested.

"She's not leaving my sight" Fred sang song.

"Then come watch" Oliver responded with great sarcasm, "I'm sorry for being upset, I just want to have as many winning games as possible by graduation" he said as I nodded.

"I get that, I do, and like I said, won't happen again" I told him as he half smiled and stroked my cheek.

"You know I also get worried, you're scary on that pitch, you go into your own zone and sometimes you don't look like you're thinking. I saw how close that Bludger was" he said, his voice much softer and kinder as he moved closer. "Do you need to be here at this moment?" He asked Fred through gritted teeth.

"Yes" Fred answered.

"Why is he here?" Oliver asked me.

"It's a long story, can we talk about it over lunch?" I asked, my stomach grumbling.

"Will you be there as well?" he asked Fred.

"Yes" Fred answered in the same upbeat voice I knew annoyed Oliver.

"We can talk later, I'll find you in the common room" Oliver said as he gave me a small peck on the lips and walked out, glaring at Fred once more before leaving.

"When Draco said don't leave my side, I don't think he meant literally" I told Fred as I finished switching shoes.

"I don't follow you to the bathroom or to bed. I mean, if you want I'm sure we can figure something out" I glanced over my shoulder to see him holding back a smile. I laughed first and then him, it was the first time in a long time we had just laughed, without pressure, without worry.

"Listen, I'm gonna go find Oliver, I'll meet you for lunch, I'll be fine in between" I told him and before he could say otherwise I was gone.

"Oliver, hang on!" I said catching up to him just as he entered the school.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to talk to you."

"I mean with Fred, I thought you two weren't even talking" he said seemingly upset. "I get it, we're not an item but, you don't have to be like that with him."

"Like what? Never mind, listen, I have some questions—"

"I do too" Oliver interrupted. "Why didn't you just tell me you wanted a break? And if you wanted a break why did you let me kiss you just now?" He asked as I felt my head spinning.

"I didn't say that" I told him as he shook his head, letting out an off laugh.

"The day we made out, you talked to Professor Barrass, I was waiting for you in the common room. I went back down to see if you were okay and Professor Barrass said you needed some time to think, away from me. And then I find you walking around with Fred, all the time" he said with annoyance.

"So that's what you think I talked to him about" I whispered.

"What?" He asked but I shook my head. "What's going on with us, Tammie?" He asked after a long minute.

"I don't know, Oliver. I like you and I know you like me but..." I shifted. "I don't know if I can give you what you want" I confessed as Oliver laughed again.

"What I wanted was a straight answer" he said as I looked at my feet in shame. I did owe him more. "Do you still wanna be with him?" He asked, his voice hard and low.

"Oliver..." I trailed off, my voice pained.

"Right, well, that answers it, doesn't it?" I started to apologize but he held his hand up. "Don't, we all make mistakes" he said and then left me at the door.

"He'll be better tomorrow" Fred whispered, startling me as I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"Why were you listening!" I scolded him.

"Sorry" he held his hands up. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know" I answered, not ready to say I did indeed feel a lot better.

"Did he at least answer about your conversation with Professor Barrass?"

"No, said he went to find me and Professor Barrass said I needed a break from him. But, that can't be right. Why would Professor Barrass lie to him?" I asked as we walked toward the great hall, hoping to fill in Melinda and Draco.

"Maybe he didn't lie, maybe Professor Barrass did say that" Fred suggested.

"That doesn't make sense though" I insisted as we sat at the Ravenclaw table, Melinda and Draco sitting across from us.

"So, what happened?" Draco asked.

"Great game, Melinda, you're really fantastic out there, nice catch" Fred gushed as Melinda blushed.

"Oh, thanks, really, it was nothing, you were really good too, thanks for keeping those Buldgers away from Tammie" she said with a smile.

"Yeah, but I reckon she can handle herself, she's pretty dangerous—"

"Focus!" Draco hissed bringing the conversation to the topic at hand as I tried not to laugh at his expression. "What did Oliver tell you?"

"Not much, but I got the impression he's mad at me because instead of telling him I didn't want to date him I lead him on" I said as Draco narrowed his eyes, he wasn't one to have his patience be tested. "Nothing, he said he came to find me and Professor Barrass said I wanted some space and then he got annoyed because I was always around Fred" I explained as Melinda shook head.

"That doesn't sound like Professor Barrass" she said.

"So we're in agreement that he's acting strange?" I asked as Melinda nodded. "Okay, so, break starts tomorrow, let's take some time to think and regrouped somewhere?" I suggested.

"Tammie and Melinda you know you're welcome at The Burrow" Fred offered but I shook my head.

"Draco isn't and we need to think about this together. What about somewhere in Diagon Alley? Isn't there an ice cream shop?" I asked.

"Then it's a plan, we regroup there" Draco said, "tell your other friends, if Fred or Melinda or I aren't around to have your back we need someone to be." He was up and moving before any of us could disagree.

"Be careful" I told Melinda as she gave me a confident nod and I got up, pulling Fred along with me as we went over to the Gryffindor table to catch the others up.