Chapter 20

          The next week went by in a flash with Fleur trying to avoid Wood as much as possible. She and Ron had spent almost every night in the library trying to solve Fleur's problem. They snuck around during the day as well, since Ron was the only one Fleur really trusted at the time. Harry and Hermione found their behavior questionable, but kept quiet…happy that Ron wasn't following them around feeling like the third wheel. It had been something he feared from the start of their relationship.

          Fleur flipped through her History of Magic book and turned the pages sighing. Her head lay in her hand and she thought that any moment drool would pour from her mouth. Ron had already fallen asleep on his Transfiguration book. It was no wonder either; they had been there for five straight hours. Fleur looked over at him and his arms were stretched out in front of him. His red hair was all tussled and his mouth hung open with a small snore drifting out.

          Fleur grinned and zapped a blanket in front of herself she walked over and covered Ron's back. Then yawned and sat back down trying to concentrate as hard as she could. She just had to get an A on the test tomorrow. Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden noise behind her. Fleur silently closed her book and turned her head and found Wood hovering over her.

          "Don't do zat!" Fleur snapped.

          "Sorry but I saw you and Ron studying and I thought I would come over…since you haven't said one word to me in a week." Wood said cocking an eyebrow.

          "Oliver…" Fleur started but couldn't seem to find the right words.

          "Fleur please tell me what's going on, I think I at least deserve that."

          Fleur grimaced and pushed herself out of her chair. She glanced at Ron who was still sleeping restfully. Little pieces of hair blew from his face and then back onto his forehead. Fleur pulled Wood along with her over to the other side of the library where no one was to be found.

          "Didn't want to wake up the angel hmmm?" Wood asked sarcastically.

          "Oliver ztop it, I am zorry I haven't been exactly up front with you. But it waz for the best, I have a lot going on right now and I don't zink you would understand." Fleur explained with her hand still firmly grounded on his arm.

          "Fleur you know I don't believe one word of that. I understand you better than your beautiful mind can fathom."

          "I know vhat you are doing…and it's not going to work." Fleur spoke and turned away from Wood.

          "Oh…and what would I be trying to do?" Wood asked coming up closely behind her and whispering in her ear.

          Fleur felt herself loosing her grip and melting underneath his words. He placed his hands gently on her arms and massaged them. Fleur loosened even more but tried to keep her mind focused.

          "Fleur you know Ron told me…"
          "You know you are awfully full of yourself, how could you be zure to believe him." Fleur chatted nonchalantly.

          "If he didn't mean it then he wouldn't have been so alarmed and hurt."

          She had been cornered. He had made the correct assumption and she was helpless. She remained silent and finally Wood twirled her back towards him and immediately kissed her before she could let any words escape her mouth. He pulled her even closer into him and kept his hands at bay around her waist. After a moment he pulled away still holding her tightly.

          "Wow…" Fleur trailed off.

          "Well you know I love you, and I know you love me. It's up to you to make the next move love." Wood spoke wisely and let her go.

          "I…"

          "See you tomorrow at the Quidditch game, be ready darling." Wood informed and waltzed out of the library.

          Fleur stood in shock and then began to mumble to herself about how cocky Wood was. How could he be so forthright and demanding? Was she supposed to just fall at his feet? No, she wasn't the breakable little twig everyone assumed she was. She was going to be the best on the field tomorrow.

          The next morning Wood danced out into the locker room before the game. Fred, George, and Harry scratched their heads. Wood was way too confident this morning.

          "Wood did you steal some of our candy or something?" George asked pulling up his sock.

          "No mate, it's Quidditch day!"

          "Wood it's Fleur isn't it?' Harry asked.

          "Well I guess you could say she's a part of it. It's her turn to make the next moves lads."

          "And you actually think she will? You are thicker than I thought." Harry commented.

          "Why do you say that?"

          "Girls like that don't come after you man, you go after them." Fred explained.

          "Well I have a good feeling about this one." Wood said with a wink.

          Fleur looked in the mirror and adjusted her cape as Katie arrived next to her. Fleur smiled serenely at Katie who shot back daggers. Fleur wondered what the tension was a result of but dismissed it.

          "You think you are so wonderful don't you? Well you're not perfect…no one is." Katie spoke coldly.

          "Katie I don't know vhere zis iz coming from but I azzure you I am not perfect nor have I ever zought I came close."

          "Right…sure then why don't you back off of Oliver. The only reason he likes you is because he thinks you are perfect, he doesn't see you for what you really are."

          "And vhat am I?" Fleur questioned getting in Katie's face.

          "A good for nothing bitch." Katie spat.

          Angelina rushed over and separated the two of them.

          "Stop it girls we have to keep our minds in check…we're playing Slytherin." Angelina tried to bring peace back.      

          Fleur and Katie shot looks at one another but quietly followed Angelina out to join the boys. They all lined up next to each other with Harry and Wood in front. Wood looked back and smirked at Fleur who now wore a vacant expression. Katie then met Fleur's eyes and they stared each other down. This was certainly going to be an interesting game.