CHAPTER 35

The crowd gasped as a bludger flew past Wood's head, nearly missing him. Gen tensed up watching the game. The score was close and the Harpies were the ones to beat. They were the first and only all women's team and were relentless.

"Relax," her dad reminded, quietly as he sat next to her in the Puddlemere United team box.

"He's trained for this. We ran loads of defensive plays… for, y'know… things like this," Gen said, nodding her head as if she were trying to convince herself of what she was saying.

Her father sat next to her quietly, holding strong for his daughter. He knew that it wasn't easy for her but knew this was all just part of the game too.

"Oh C'mon! Harpies get off our arses and focus on the bloody game!" Daniel screamed, standing up out of his seat.

"The Harpies have taken to an offensive position. While their star chaser runs the quaffle down, their beaters have taken to what looks like a strategy to free up the goal posts by knocking off keeper, Oliver Wood," Hamilton, the quidditch announcer explained to the crowd. "What do you think, Johnson?"

"Well, it certainly has been done before though it's not a recommended practice. The Harpies have been practicing all season long and each game this season… they've stepped it up!" Johnson chimed in.

"They're gonna have us on the edge of our seats for this one. If they don't end up winning, it's nice to see Puddlemere come this far. First time in a while, eh?" Hamilton shot back.

Gen looked to Oliver to see if he had paid attention to the commentary, only to find him exchanging determined and pissed off glances with Williams. She sighed out, stressed at how messy this was all going to get.

The game went on for another hour. It was an hour of tense and tight competition. Gen watched as yet another bludger flew right past Oliver's head, causing him to do a full 360 with his broom. A second bludger, seemingly coming from nowhere, came flying at him while he was upside down. The bludger smashed right into his shoulder causing him to let go of the broomstick, leaving him hanging with only one hand on.

Gen jumped to her feet, "Foul! Foul!"

"Well, it's not exactly a foul… it's-, sit down, Zhao," Daniel said.

"Come on, sweetheart," Thomas added, sitting her down.

"He's trained for this," Gen whispered to himself, as Oliver struggled to get back.

"Wood, c'mon!" Hornsby yelled.

In the blink of an eye, Wood was back on his broom, holding on with the arm that hadn't been hit by the bludger. Gen sighed out in relief, stressed. The game would continue and Oliver would play injured. She made a mental note to whip up a few more healing balms for the team later.


"After a tight match filled with twists and turns that can only be described as thrilling, it looks like Benjy Williams against Sarah Mahoney has caught the snitch earning Puddlemere the win… AND the Quidditch League Cup for 2000 - 2001 season!" Johnson cried out, jumping to his feet, taking the microphone with him.

"Go on," Thomas encouraged, nodding to his daughter. She quickly followed both Philbert and Daniel down the steps as the players began touching down, cheering and overjoyed at their win.

It was as if her feet couldn't carry her fast enough. By the time she hit the pitch, everyone's brooms were on the ground and her teammates were cheering and hugging each other, celebrating their huge win.

"Puddlemere is back, baby! We're back!" Benjy cheered.

"John, you were bloody brilliant out there!" cried Cress to her partner and teammate.

"Wood, that was quite a move," Nate chuckled, before Benjy tackled the both of them in celebration. Gen began to jog towards them, easily turning into a run, then to a sprint as she couldn't wait to greet Oliver.

"Go get your girl," Benjy winked, motioning for him and Nate to clear out. Nate patted Oliver on the back.

"We'll catch up with you later, mate," Nate said as both boys cleared the way for Gen.

"We did it, love!" Oliver grinned, opening his arms wide. She couldn't help herself. She flew straight into him as he lifted her up. Her legs went around his waist and the two kissed passionately. Gen could hear an increase in camera sounds and flashes as the reporters captured their end of the season kiss.

"You did it, my love," Gen said back, beaming ear to ear.

He put her down gently, careful of his shoulder, "Well, that's gonna hurt in the morning."

"Yeah, remind me to kick your ass for that later," Gen said, playfully jabbing him.

"Ow!" he called out.

"Oh, sorry!" she apologized, unaware of her strong jab at him.

He smiled, "It's alright, m'love. C'mon. Let's join the others." He took her hand in his, leading her over to the circle of their teammates, huddled up and chanting.

"To Puddlemere!" Benjy cried out, holding the cup.

"To Puddlemere!" they all repeated, happily.


Oliver awoke to an empty bed. The sunlight peeked through the poorly closed curtains to their bedroom window, but he knew Gen was still there. He could still smell the coffee in the kitchen and could hear the sound of pages turning. He stretched out in bed, rolling over to the empty side. His body was sore from the game the day before and knew that he would have to use some of the muscle balm that Gen had made two nights ago.

He began to get out of bed, planting his feet firmly on the ground, before leaving the bedroom to the very quiet living room. There she was, curled up on the couch with her ginger cat, flipping through the daily prophet. Her eyes on the paper, she scratched Fred underneath the chin as the familiar purred, satisfied. Oliver smiled to himself. He knew it hadn't been long - eight months - but he meant what he'd said back at the Quidditch League Yule Ball. He was going to marry this woman.

"Morning, Ol," she said, her eyes fixed on the paper.

"Did your Dad leave this morning?" Oliver asked, curiously.

She nodded, peeling her eyes off of the paper to her boyfriend, "Yeah early this morning. Had to be at a meeting in London."

He grinned from ear to ear, leaning over the back of the couch to kiss her, "Good morning to you too."

"There's coffee in the kitchen," Gen said, her eyes returning to the copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Of course there is," Oliver said back. There was ALWAYS coffee in the Zhao apartment. "We make the papers again?"

"Oh yes… The Daily Prophet couldn't get enough of our kiss at the end of the game," Gen replied. "And according to Witch Weekly I'm on baby bump watch."

"Blimey," Oliver groaned, beginning to pour coffee into the mug she had set out for him earlier.

"Oh shut it. I know you secretly love it," Gen smirked.

Oliver chuckled a little, "So what if I like the entire wizarding world seeing that you're mine? And I, yours."

Gen smiled, giggling a little, "Though I don't know if we'll ever be able to top that first one. That was front page news."

Oliver replied, "Well, I've got a couple of ideas."

"Dirty," Gen chuckled. Oliver could hear a smirk in her voice. "What? You fancy getting caught having sex in a bar bathroom by a Daily Prophet reporter, eh?"

Oliver rolled his eyes playfully, "Actually I had some other ideas. And you my dear, have got to get your mind out of the gutter."

Gen turned to look at him again, "Never. What kind of other ideas?"

Oliver shrugged, "Oh, I don't know," he began playfully, leaning up against the kitchen island taking the first sip out of his mug. He walked towards her, coffee in hand before saying the next thing. "A grand proposal right in front of everyone."

"Merlin, Ollie, don't you start up with that again!" Gen protested, rolling her eyes playfully. He hadn't mentioned anything since the Quidditch League Yule Ball and she was grateful for that. She was head over heels for the boy but she wasn't quite sure that was the right step for them to take right now.

"What? You loathe the idea?" Oliver shot back, teasing her a little. He took a seat next to her on the couch, Fred between them, and turned to her. He knew she didn't hate the idea of them getting married, but he knew her too. First, she'd brush it off, then she'd run scared before returning back to him, heart in her hands.

"No!" Gen exclaimed. "It's just… well, it's too soon to be thinking about that, don't you think?"

Oliver shrugged again, "Dunno. I have. Haven't you?"

Gen paused, blushing and petrified. Finally, she let out a big sigh before searching for the right words, "Course I have. But… I dunno, it's all in fantasy right now. There's a lot more to do before… well, that. I mean." She paused again, thinking it through before saying, "We could start by living together."

Oliver chuckled, with a smile, "I think we already do, love."

Gen shook her head, "No, I mean, really living together. Maybe… maybe you shouldn't renew your lease this summer. Move in with me and Fred. You'll be gone so much anyways with training for the World Cup and like you said, you're here all the time. I'll be here in Dorset training the team and when you're home… well, you can be here too. Besides, you'd like that Fred, now wouldn't you?" She gently scratched the cats back, eliciting a meow from her happy familiar.

Oliver took a sip of his coffee, his eyes gleaming with love for the woman who sat across from him, "Alright. Yeah. You know. If Fred will have me."

Gen chuckled, "I think he'll be just fine."

She smiled at her boyfriend. Not only was she happy that they were taking this huge step, but she was proud of herself for being the one to suggest it in the first place. Three months ago she would've shut the conversation down entirely and switched topics out of fear of getting too close. But here they were. She loved Oliver and she felt ready to grow closer to him.

Gen went back to her paper, turning the pages to the next section, but she could feel Oliver's eyes on her.

"What?" Gen asked, curiously.

"Nothing," He chuckled, shaking head.

"No, that's not a nothing face. What is it, my love?" she asked, insistently.

"No I'm just… well, I'm erm, I'm kind of just waiting for you to realize what you just said to me," he began.

"I'm not going to freak out!" Gen protested.

He laughed, "You sure, love?"

"Yes!" Gen said, playfully defending herself.

"Well then, that's settled, eh? I'm really moving in?" Oliver asked, raising an eyebrow at her. He was waiting for her to take it back - to freak out and run from the idea.

Gen nodded, confidently, "It's settled. And I'm not going to take it back, if that's what you're thinking, Ol."

He chuckled again, "I don't remember mind reading being one of your abilities."

Gen shook her head with a smile.

"I know that it hasn't been easy…with me. I know I've needed some time… well, you know… to trust someone again and I'm grateful that you've been patient with me. But ehm," she began before sighing out. "But eh, looks like you're stuck with me now because… I'm in. I'm all in, darling."

Oliver's lips curled into a smile as he listened to the words coming out of his girlfriend's mouth, "It took you long enough." She rolled her eyes playfully. She knew he was only teasing. He had been so patient with her and given her space to take her time letting him in. She knew he'd never rush her. More than anything, she knew that he had no doubts about it - he knew he had her heart. "And for the record, I'm all in too."

She smiled, "Excellent. How's that shoulder of yours?"

"Alright, I guess. A little sore but nothing that salve you make and a little rest can't fix," Oliver replied.

"Think you'll be up for a run later?" Gen asked.

"Sure, love," Oliver answered.


After coffee and the paper, Gen and Oliver laced up their sneakers and went for a run. They ran in almost perfect stride, as they had gotten so used to each other's pace. Today, Gen let Oliver lead since he was the one with the injury. It was a beautiful, Spring day and it was starting to warm up in Dorset again. She felt good about the conversation they had had that morning. She was ready to let herself be serious about him.

They stopped for a break at the dock - the place of many moments early on in their relationship.

"You could say this is our spot," Gen started, gazing out at the beautiful water ahead of them, she rested her hands on top of her head, catching her breath.

"Genevieve Zhao, are you starting to go soft on me?" Oliver teased, taking a few steps so that he was right behind her. He looked out over the water over the top of her head.

"Shut it! Fine. Forget I even said anything," she shot back, rolling her eyes at her boyfriend.

"No, no! You're not getting away with this one. Who knew? The cold hearted Slytherin chaser has a romantic side," Oliver continued to tease, wrapping his arms around her and leaving sloppy, goofy kisses on her sweaty neck and face.

"Merlin, Ollie!" Gen giggled, playfully glaring at him. She shook her head, pushing his face away from hers. She placed her hands on top of his around her waist, and held him close to her, enjoying the intimacy.

"Well it is. Our spot, that is," Oliver said, breaking the silence. "It's where it all began. My heart about jumped out of my chest when you started to take your clothes off."

She turned to him, raising an eyebrow, "You liked that didn't you?"

"Liked it? You almost gave me a heart attack, woman. I was… I was so nervous that what we had was all in my head or that you'd find that you liked Benjy more than me. But I didn't want to rush into anything," Oliver admitted.

Gen smiled, "I… I felt the same way. I didn't want to rush but… and the night before at Tom's, all I wanted to do was dance with you. You seemed hesitant, I guess. So when we went for a run, it just felt like the right time. I guess you could say, I'm glad you scared the hell out of me in the water. You were so nervous before. Going swimming only gave me a reason to touch you." She giggled, following the description of the memory.

Oliver smiled, kissing her cheek as they went down memory lane, "I'm glad you kissed me."

"I'm glad you kissed me too," Gen said back.


A/N: Well, hello everyone! To those reading, this is the end. I wanted to focus on a life post Battle of Hogwarts and the effects that it had on them. I wanted to write a story about a renewal of trust and a relationship that helped Gen learn to love again. Thanks for reading and uh... there is very possible a sequel on the way. I'm having fun exploring what a post Battle of Hogwarts world looks like and creating elements that are off-cannon.