CHAPTER 23

~ FLASHBACK ~

November 1994

The game was close and both Slytherin and Gryffindor were neck and neck in points. Alicia knew it would come down to whose seeker caught the snitch, but she was determined to play as best as she could until the match was called.

"Alicia Spinnet, sixth year is in possession of the quaffle. She races down the pitch and-, bloody hell! Gryffindor is intercepted by slytherin chaser, Genevieve Zhao!" Lee Jordan bellowed across the stadium. "Have you seen a play like this? She swooped in, zipping a full 180 and stealing the quaffle UNDERNEATH Spinnet while flying upside down!"

Alicia's blood boiled. It felt like Zhao had been targeting her all game. They had always been rivals since Alicia had made the Gryffindor team considering they played the same positions on opposite teams BUT this was a whole new level. Zhao had gotten fancier in her tricks and had given the very talented Gryffindor chasers a run for their money this year. Alicia couldn't help but feel upset with herself for losing the quaffle and just a little bit jealous. It was almost like she got pleasure from doing so.

"Zhao streaks down the pitch and, wow, yet another brilliant score for Slytherin!" Lee called out.

Alicia groaned in frustration before pivoting her broom around and joining the action of the game. Suddenly, Zhao flew by, calling out to her, "try to keep up" before speeding away. Alicia rolled her eyes. By nature, Slytherins and Gryffindors didn't always see eye to eye, but she couldn't help but find herself annoyed by the arrogance.

"SPINNET, GET IT TOGETHER! SHE'S STOLEN RIGHT OUT OF YOUR POCKET TWICE NOW!" she heard this year's Gryffindor captain, Angelina Johnson yell to her.

And now she's getting me in trouble, Alicia thought to herself. She was not having it with Genevieve Zhao today.

~ END FLASHBACK ~

Alicia disappeared from the conversation, heading into the kitchen where a bar was set up for the party. Oliver coughed, trying his best to ease the uncomfortable tension and Piper just stood there, a little surprised.

"So how did you two meet?" Gen asked, quickly changing the subject. Oliver squeezed her hand in his to say thank you.

"Sam here is a magizoologist," Piper started. "And I was doing a story for Witch Weekly on the magical properties of snallygaster scales."

"She's a beauty editor - for Witch Weekly," Sam added.

"And ehm, well, we had the interview and by the end of it he asked me out," Piper gushed.

"I was nervous, practically felt like I would wet myself but… we hit it off and I figured what's the point in throwing away the opportunity just in case I'd never see her again," Sam said.

"So we went on our first date a week later and, ehh, the rest is history," Piper shrugged, looking into her fiance's eyes with adoration.

"That's a lovely story," Gen smiled.

"Yeah," Oliver agreed. "Only, if you could give me the name of whoever keeps writing about us in Witch Weekly… well, it'd be greatly appreciated." Gen laughed.

"Oh Ollie, it's quidditch on the brain all the time," Piper groaned, rolling her eyes playfully at her friend.

"What? They giving you a hard time?" Sam asked.

"Not really. Well, sort of. We're often written about in the paper. Ever since our big kiss…" Gen trailed off.

"Oh yes! That one made more than just Witch Weekly," Piper smirked. "Remember, m'love? I showed you. It was in the Daily Prophet. You know, the Puddlemere game against the Cannons."

"Oh right! That one," Sam nodded.

"All you remember is the damn game!" she exclaimed, teasing her husband. "This one planted one on his girlfriend in front of everyone. Who knew you were such a romantic, Ol?"

Oliver blushed in response, "Not sure I'd call myself that."

"Besides, I can't imagine there's not a small part of you that's ecstatic about it. It's great publicity for Puddlemere AND your career," Piper added.

Gen giggled, "Oh, she knows you well."

"What?" Piper asked, curiously.

"I said the same thing," Gen replied. "About Puddlemere, I mean."

"What can I say?" Oliver shrugged innocently.

"He's like a man possessed," Gen added. "I've come to accept this."

"Does anyone know where Liss went?" Sam asked. Gen assumed that that was a nickname for Alicia.

"She said she'd be back for a drink," Piper answered.

"I'll go look for her and eh, oh, darling, it looks like Jessie and David are here. Will you go greet them?" Sam answered. He then focused his attention on Oliver and Gen. He hurried away from the three of them to look for his sister.

"Of course," Piper said. "Will you excuse me? They're friends from London and ehm, they barely get out of the city. I doubt they have any idea what to do with themselves in a suburb just outside of Glasgow."

"Of course," Gen said back.

"But Gen, I do truly want to get to know you better. Let's catch up later," she smiled, before disappearing into the crowd of people. Gen was impressed at how many people were here. Some looked like family but most looked like friends.

"Sam and Piper have a lot of friends," Gen remarked.

"Oh yes. Piper is a socialite. Always has been and now that she's in the print industry, well, from what Mum has told me she's networking all the time," Oliver replied.

"Kinda weird, eh? How Alicia reacted," Gen started, hoping it wouldn't be a touchy subject for Oliver.

"Well, m'love, you are technically old quidditch rivals," Oliver pointed out, reasonably.

"Yes, but it was a long time ago. What was the game without a little friendly competition, though, you and friendly competition aren't quite synonymous so I'm not sure what you told HER about ME back then," Gen said, raising an eyebrow.

"I…" Oliver trailed off. "Maybe, encouraged a little bit further than friendly competition."

Gen sighed, "So your old friend hates me because of something YOU said years ago?"

"It is possible though I can't remember what it could have been," Oliver answered, guilty. "Though, I think she was always a little jealous of you. You played the same position on opposite teams and ehm, well, you always seemed to one up her each game."

"Well that didn't stop YOU from taking to me," Gen pointed out.

"Yes, well, I've seen you naked," Oliver shot back, quick witted.

"So you think if she sees me naked then-," Gen joked.

"Come off it, babe," Oliver laughed. "Come on. Let's go get a drink."

Oliver and Gen proceeded to make their way to the kitchen towards the bar that was set up in there. They met back up with Alan and Marianne and continued to get to know each other. Oliver was pleased that it was going so well: Gen was charming, funny, and so lovely. She really knew how to turn up the charm with his parents and he was grateful. Some of his mates had horror stories about introducing girlfriends to their parents and he was happy that this wouldn't become one of them.

He looked at her to see her beaming and she continued telling a story to his Mum, his Mum enthralled with how entertaining and witty Gen was. He knew they hadn't been dating for that long - he had only been getting to know her for three, almost four months now but he was smitten. Sure, he hadn't had much to compare it too - her being his first serious girlfriend - but he had this feeling about her, like maybe she'd be around for a while. He didn't want to get ahead of himself. The only thing he ever really felt certain about was quidditch, but he had a similar feeling about Gen.

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you. There are so many people here!" a voice exclaimed, interrupting the conversation and pulling Oliver's focus. "Oh, hello."

"What's taken you so long?" Marianne sighed, greeting the boy with a hug.

He had the same brown hair that both Wood boys did but his was longer than both Oliver and Elliot, who had a shorter cut. Fletcher's hair was about twice as long and set, messy on top of his head like he had just gotten out of bed. He ran his fingers through his hair nervously at his mother's comment.

"Oh what does it matter, Marianne? He's here now," Alan reminded.

"Sorry, Mum. I got caught up in rehearsal," the boy said, shyly. "Ehm, hello. I'm Fletcher."

"Genevieve," Gen answered, shaking his hand. He smiled a shy smile before looking to Oliver.

"Good to see you, Ol," he said, going in to hug his brother.

"You too, Fletch," Oliver replied, patting his brother on the back.

"Where's Elliot?" Fletcher asked, looking around.

"Thankfully nowhere near," Oliver said, rolling his eyes.

"Oliver Wood!" Mariane exclaimed at her son's annoyance.

"Don't tell me. Elliot tried his best at a come on," Fletcher said, knowing their younger brother. He was only seventeen and was more of a ladies man than both Fletcher and Oliver combined. No one quite knew where it had come from - the smooth, sly charm - but they both had the not so fun job of putting up with their little brother.

"Exactly," Oliver sighed.

Gen giggled, "He's young. He's also harmless." Fletcher and Oliver exchanged glances.

"You try having him as a brother," Fletcher shot back.

Gen laughed again, "Fair enough."

"Our boys," Marianne huffed, shaking her head and looking to her husband.

"Yes, they're quite the handful," Alan concluded before changing the subject. "Fletcher, tell us more about what you're rehearsing for."

"Oh yes, I'd love to hear," Gen agreed, curiously.

"How are you doing, m'love?" Oliver asked, leaning over and speaking softly in Gen's ear as the roar and boom of the party increased as more people were in attendance.

"I'm great. Your family is lovely," she replied, smiling at her boyfriend. "I-, I really can't thank you enough… for introducing me to them. You know, I always imagined what it would be like to grow up in a big house with lots of siblings."

"Oh it's not always like this," Oliver said.

"Well, of course. Yes. But I just… it's great. And a little overwhelming. But great. And everyone's so proud of you. I just, I don't know. I'm just humbled that you'd want to introduce them to me," Gen said back.

"Of course I'd want them to know you," Oliver started. "You're the girl I love. Plus I gotta put you through your paces, my dear. I had to get THE Thomas Zhao on my side. It's your turn."

Gen laughed loudly, "How am I doing?"

"Passing with flying colors," Oliver said, leaning in and planting a soft kiss on her lips.

"I do however think I need a little quiet. Is it just me or is it getting louder and louder in here?" Gen asked.

"Not just you," Oliver replied. "Why don't get some fresh air or find some quiet? I've got to be here but… ehm, no reason for you not to."

Gen nodded, "Yes, I think I'll do that."

Gen parted ways from her boyfriend and made her way up the grand staircase of the home, looking for a balcony or a quiet room in need of an escape from all the noise. While Oliver's family was lovely, she needed a little peace and quiet to recharge a little. With having to be her best and charming self, it was exhausting - especially meeting so many new people. She was often alone and she preferred it that way so this was definitely the opposite of how she usually lived her life.

As soon as she reached the top of the stairs, she walked down the hallway to see many different rooms and doors in the large home. Some were closed, some half open, until she spotted a door that was almost all the way open. The door shielded one part of the room but since it was mostly exposed, she figured it was okay for her to go in. She pushed the door open seeing immediately that it was a bedroom and that someone was sitting on the other side of the bed.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt!" she exclaimed, recognizing the familiar head of blonde hair.

"It's quite alright," she heard the girl say back.

"What're you doing here?" Gen asked, curiously. Alicia Spinnet sat, cross legged, nursing a bottle of champagne all by herself.

"It's, well it's a bit loud," Alicia started. "Down there. I-, I'm a bit of an introvert is all. It can be overwhelming."

Gen nodded, "I understand. I find it a bit overwhelming myself."

Alicia nodded, allowing from an awkward silence to sit between the two of them. She took a big gulp of the champagne before pulling the bottle away from her lips to say, "I'm also kind of avoiding you."

"Oh," Gen sounded, suddenly much more uncomfortable than she had been before. "Would you like for me to leave or?"

"No! No, 's fine. 'S quite alright actually," Alicia mumbled, avoiding eye contact. There was another full pause before she said something that surprised Gen. "Why don't you sit?"

"Ehm, okay," Gen replied, hesitantly, taking a few steps to sit down on the edge of the bed.

"You know, I read about you and Oliver in the papers… I have for the past few months now," Alicia started.

"Is that why-, did you and Oliver ever date or something?" Gen asked slowly, wanting to get the right words out.

"Oh! No, no absolutely not. Well, there was one kiss after we won the Quidditch cup but we were all drinking and- no, it wasn't, it's not like that," Alicia said, almost laughing at the thought of dating Oliver. She had a little crush on him in school but that was years ago and she knew he would never be dating material for her.

"Alright, well, then what is it?" Gen asked, curiously.

"You-," Alicia started, then letting out a laugh. "Well, it sounds silly now but… you were my biggest competition in school! You were always one upping me on the pitch and well, I don't know. It's not like we ever had a real conversation so it was easy just to hate you from afar, you know?"

Gen nodded, understandingly, "Yeah, no, I know. Sorry… I guess."

"Oh you have nothing to be sorry for. We were both… well, sometimes cruel to each other during games," Alicia said.

Gen chuckled a little, "That's, yes, that's pretty accurate."

"I guess I just… it's been a while… being out of school and everything and I have this new life now, you know, and I'm a different person. At least I feel like it. You're just the last person I expected to show up at my brother's engagement party and it just, well, I don't know. It was like I was sixteen again," Alicia tried to explain.

"No it all makes sense!" Gen agreed. "Well how about this? You share a little of that champagne with me and we'll bury the hatchet."

"Deal," Alicia smiled, handing the bottle to what could be a new friend.