NOTES:
As Oliver and Cass seem to be stubborn and in denial, other, smarter people will have to work and nudge them in the right direction. Fun and scheming ensues!
DEDICATION:
To Dove, the wonderful and talented one... thanks for the reviews, and glad that you like how this is going so far!
DISCLAIMER:
I'm in a very smiting mood today. Don't piss me off even further by suing. I might be forced to kill you.
*~*~*~*
The English All-star team basked in its victory against the Bulgarians for about a week. As the team's players went through with the requisite round of interviews, photo shoots, love letters and Howlers (two of which had been sent to them from Bulgarian supporters, one of which came from a man maintaining that the 'vicked voman Chaser vos geeving me de evil eye during de game'), Oliver and Cass avoided coming near each other whenever possible, and when it wasn't possible, minimizing conversation to the short and snarky.
And then, the team returned to England for the time being, and practices resumed. The next game on the schedule would be played against the United States team, and naturally, Oliver Wood had methodically and meticulously looked up everything that could possible be found out about their new opponents.
"All right, team… the good news is that the Seeker, Knapp… is fairly inexperienced. I daresay that Harry here, as long as he does what he's supposed to do, can easily capture the snitch. But we also have to make sure to have a sizable lead on them in terms of points. That might make or break whether or not we actually make it into the final rounds, and I think that with this ruddy good team that we have, we have a good chance. Now, we just have to take it and make the best of it…" Oliver paced back and forth in front of his team, and addressed the others.
"Yes… yes… we know," Cass cut in rather snippily, "Let's play, shall we?"
Oliver glared at her, but did not comment. The team practiced, regulars against reserves, and after Harry had captured the Snitch a little more than an hour after the practice started, the hostile factions stalked towards the opposite locker rooms without a word.
As was becoming increasingly common after practices, Carl Warrington and Skyler Zabini lingered on the pitch after the rest of them had left. The two troublemaking Slytherins sat down in the stands, and both wore frighteningly calculating expressions of pure and unadulterated evil on their faces. That is to say, they were preparing for a somewhat serious conversation.
"You know, it's not funny any more," Skyler remarked. "Those two pussy-footing around each other like that… it's not as if avoiding each other like basilisks running from a rooster is going to help."
"I suppose," Warrington sighed, "They're not even sniping at each other any more. It's no fun to watch, really… and they're so firmly in denial that they're not going to work this out any time soon."
"Sad, really…"
"Yes indeed… makes me almost feel bad about my teammates' stupidity."
"Don't be so mean… I wonder how you would do in such a situation!" Skyler swatted his arm and glanced playfully at him, wrinkling her nose slightly.
"Much better than Wood, for sure," Carl smirked, "At the very least, I wouldn't run from her as if she were a rabid Acromantula or something."
"What a pleasant image," Skyler rolled her eyes, "But… this is insupportable! They can't keep on doing this… it's getting highly irritating…"
"Not to mention exceedingly boring…" Warrington interjected.
"That too… but what do we do?"
"Well, love potions are out… as are anonymous and idiotic obvious fake love notes… as are truth potions. Hmm… the best thing to do would obviously be to get the two together in one place at one time so that they can, if nothing else, yell at each other and release some of this tension. Although, of course, getting the two to shag in a broom closet would be best."
"Well certainly… but that's not quite feasible as of yet."
"True… they shouldn't do that 'til Quidditch season is over. We don't want Cass to become a mother quite yet…"
"You're horrible," Skyler smirked.
"And proud of it."
"Figures," Skyler said dryly, "Although… not that that's a bad thing…"
"Of course not," Warrington grinned, "If I were, heaven forbid, nice and harmless, I wouldn't be a Slytherin! And you, being a Slytherin yourself… would certainly understand."
"Well yes, granted. Although I don't make a sport out of pushing people's buttons."
"Only out of trying to crack my head open when we play against each other," Warrington retorted, though his voice was genial and showed that he held no grudge against her for it, "I feel so special."
"As you should," Skyler said candidly. "Hmm… what to do… there must be some way…"
And, much to the scheming Slytherins' delight, a way manifested itself the next day.
* * *
"You are cordially invited to the House Party/Baby Shower of
Angelina Johnson-Weasley
On this Sunday, at three o'clock, at
3101.24 Phloem Street
Hope to see you there!
~Angelina and Fred Weasley~"
* * *
"I assume that you've received the invitation as well," Warrington remarked the next afternoon, as Skyler waved her wand over her damp, dark head.
"Desiccatus! Yes... she is my teammate, after all. Although what they were thinking in inviting you, I cannot say."
"Perhaps they were thinking that they needed to have someone there who was handsome, charming, amiable and conniving?"
"Perhaps," Skyler giggled lightly, "Again, I wish to know why you were invited."
Warrington put on a mock-tragic expression, "You don't consider me handsome, charming, amiable and conniving?"
"No comment whatsoever. Although... you're certainly not amiable."
"Seductive?"
"Again, no comment," Skyler chortled, "Oh great and modest one..."
"Awww, you love me, you really love me!" Warrington purred, and Skyler burst out laughing outright.
"Enough of this, you bigheaded prat... now, we have to figure out what to do at this event. I can only assume that if even you got invited, both of them did as well."
"Hmm..." Warrington's face took on a shrewd, crafty expression. And together, the two Slytherins plotted the downfall of their unsuspecting teammates.
* * *
Cass felt distinctly out of place in the bustling, joyous atmosphere of the Johnson-Weasley house. Sure, she was a member of the Holyhead Harpies team just like Angelina, but really, she didn't know the other women that well... and these assorted redheads roaming about the place...
Quietly sipping her iced pumpkin juice, she watched as a slender redheaded woman with a strawberry-blonde baby on one hip and a tall, silvery-haired young man whom she recognized as Draco Malfoy, former Slytherin Seeker, on her arm, walked gracefully and quickly into the room, and give Angelina a hug. Malfoy gave Angelina a curt but civil nod, and patiently waited as his wife chatted briefly with Angelina before going off to find Angelina's husband Fred.
"Hullo there," Warrington stepped up to her seat, "Good showing here, hmm?"
"I barely know anyone here," Cass replied, "So many redheads!"
Warrington chuckled, "Ah well... I'm sure that you know the Weasleys are an abundant family..."
"And all of them are gathered here," Cass stated.
"That's true... and all their spouses and progeny as well. And then, there's us... but come on, stop sitting here alone." Warrington pulled her to her feet. "They're having a dance in the other room."
"Carl Warrington, you are not making me dance."
Warrington merely smirked and pulled her along. "All right. I'm not making you. Just coercing you." He grinned as a fast, jazzy piece came blaring from the WWN, and pulled her onto the makeshift dance floor. Carefully, as he led Cass in the dance, he scanned the floor.
All right... Cho Chang and Roger Davies, predictably... Hermione Granger and Percy Weasley, dancing together close by and talking about bloody Arithmancy as they danced. Hmm... Alice Brocklehurst and Terence Higgs... Bill Weasley and a blonde beauty... Fleur Delacour, except she was wearing a ring. All right... Malfoy and Virginia, and Ron Weasley predictably looking furious as he danced with Lavender Brown. Harry Potter and a younger-looking version of Fleur, likely that little sister of hers, Geraldine or Georgiana or something that started with a G... Gabrielle. Yes... now, where were...
"Oh, look... Skyler is dancing with the dictatorial Quidditch pillock..." Cass remarked tonelessly. Warrington grinned to himself, and turned to see Skyler Zabini, her eyes gleaming at him over Wood's shoulder. He gave her a discreet nod, and gently steered himself and Cass over towards the other couple.
Letting go of Cass for a brief second, he cleared his throat, "Wood, may I cut in?"
Startled, Oliver Wood looked up at the other man. He'd been asked by Zabini for a dance earlier, and, shrugging, had agreed. Now, Warrington was asking to cut in... and there was Fl—Cass.
Dumbly, he nodded, and Warrington grinned and stepped over to were Skyler was standing, taking her hand. He glanced at Cass, whose face had all of the sudden taken on a mutinous look, and airily addressed his Quidditch captain.
"Thanks... now, do take care of Cass here, hmm?"
"I... hate... you..." Cass hissed at Warrington. The latter gave her a typically smarmy grin, and led Skyler merrily away.
Brows furrowed, Oliver offered his hand to Cass, and the woman took it with a dark scowl. The WWN started playing another song, and the two danced in silence. And Cass swore to kill Warrington, the bloody wanker, at first opportunity.
There was a brief cadence in the music, and she felt herself being twirled gently. All right... so this wasn't completely bad... but still. "I hate dancing."
"Funny... me too," he remarked, "Quidditch is much better."
"Quidditch is the best!"
"I agree."
"They should stop this dancing nonsense and everyone should go play Quidditch."
"I know... we have a game coming up... you know that Kyle Robertson, the American team's captain, once broke a referee's jaw with a misfired bludger..."
"Bloody terrific... what's his problem?..."
A little distance away, Carl Warrington and Skyler Zabini grinned at each other as they finished up their dance.
*~*~*~*
Yeah. More to come soon. Review!