A/N: Hey all! Gosh, I'm so sorry that this didn't get this chapter up earlier. I had the chapters all ready, and I was just about to add on my A/Ns, but shit happens, ya know, and end up grounded off the Internet for a week. Isn't that the most horrible thing a parent could do to their kid? Well, some good things happened while I was gone, though. Hmm, let's see, I saw my crush. My friend let me borrow his school yearbook (he goes to John's school) so I scanned all the pictures of John, and now they're saved onto my computer, YAY! I'm, like, sending his photo out to all my friends and telling them that John's my future husband, LoL.

A million thank you's go out to all my faithful readers/reviewers. Y'all mean the world to me!

Rosh: I know, Harry and Alina. Erm...well, you're gonna hate me for writing this chapter! I love ya, too!

How many times do I have to tell you I don't own Harry Potter?

Chapter 13: Let the Games Begin

The Gryffindors cheered up in the stands, competing with the cheers from the Ravenclaws. It was the first Quidditch match of the year, and not to mention the first Quidditch match at Hogwarts in quite a while. The sea of scarlet jumped up and down, waved scarlet flags or banners, some of which had Harry's face on it.

"Helllllllloooooooo Hogwarts Quidditch fans!" Lee Jordan yelled into his magical megaphone. "Anybody miss me? Well, it's our first Quidditch match of the year, the first in about a year, actually. We didn't have Quidditch last year because the Triwizard Tournament, but now that's over with, and it's time for some Quidditch. Everyone's favorite team, Gryffindor," some of the Ravenclaws, and almost all of Slytherin, booed, "will be debuting their new Keeper today. Everyone knows of the hard competition that a certain two Gryffindors went through just to get the coveted spot once belonging to the great Oliver Wood. Speaking of which, I almost forgot to mention we've got a special guest.Oliver Wood himself! For those of you that don't know, he's been playing on the Puddlemere United reserve team, and he's here today to see for himself who will be taking on the position of Keeper for our Gryffindors. Oh, here comes Madam Hooch. That must mean the game will be starting any minute now! Now, onto the field, the Ravenclaw team." Lee said with no enthusiasm. The clump of blue at the end of the stands cheered loudly. "The Ravenclaw team goes as follows: Roger Davies, team captain, and one of three Chasers. The other two Chasers are Anthony Tibble and David Baker. The Beaters are Darren Daly and Patrick Murphy. Their Seeker is Cho Chang, and Keeper is Derek Nicholson." Lee said as the Ravenclaws kept cheering.

"Now, the moment we've all been waiting for...the time for the unveiling of Gryffindor's new Keeper! I can't stand the suspense. Can you, Wood? Well, here they come...the Gryffindor Quidditch team! The players are as follows: Harry Potter, resident celebrity, is our new team captain, and Seeker. The beautiful Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, and Alicia Spinnet are the Gryffindor Chasers. The Weasley Twins, Fred and George, are our Beaters as usual. And, drum roll, please, the new Keeper...ALINA HALLIWELL! That's quite a shock to me. A girl. Playing Keeper? Unheard of, I say. What do you think of this, Wood?" Lee asked, "I really did think that Ron Weasley, the younger brother of the team's Beaters, would get the spot. But I guess not. Let's just see how this girl plays before we can determine if they made a good choice or not."

******

"Mount your brooms!" Madam Hooch said, "Three...two...one..." She blew the whistle and everything was such a blur at first.

Alina sped off towards the goalposts, and watched the game going on before her eyes. Tibble had the ball, and he was heading towards her goalposts. She felt her stomach lurch. She was nervous. She prayed he wouldn't come within shooting range. He aimed, but a Bludger, hit by George, came spiraling right into Tibble's arm, causing Tibble to loose the Quaffle. Angelina Johnson flew below him and caught the Quaffle, then passed it off to Alicia Spinnet. She ducked to avoid a Bludger, and then passed it off to Katie Bell, who was in shooting range.

"Go, go, go..." Alina mumbled under her breath. She looked out into the stands, and saw him. Handsome, brown hair, heart-melting grin. He wasn't a student, and not a professor, that's for sure. She recalled hearing Lee Jordan saying they had a special guest... What was his name? It didn't matter to Alina. All she knew was that he was absolutely gorgeous. And to make it all better, he was looking right at her! Alina had to force herself to breathe.

"Alina, they're heading for you!" Alina looked up to see Harry flying above her. She looked out before her to see Davies with the Quaffle. As Davies came into clear view, Alina began her Double Eight Loop. He came in shooting range and was prepared to throw, he pulled his arm back and aimed, and then threw the Quaffle over his shoulder to Baker, whom was coming up behind him. Baker sped into shooting range and threw a fast knuckle ball aimed for the post on the far right. At the moment the Quaffle left his fingertips, Alina was at the far left post. She darted forward, leaning against her broom to gain more speed. She held her hand out, but before she could reach the Quaffle, someone collided right into her. She heard the whistle blow, and she opened her eyes to see that she was now ten feet below the goalposts. Cho Chang wasn't too far away from her. She was rubbing her head. Alina realized it was she that crashed into her.

"Outrageous!" Madam Hooch roared, "Fouling, Miss Chang, within shooting range! You're a Seeker. You're not supposed to be within shooting range!" Cho Chang bowed her head down, but Alina saw the smirk that played on her lips. Cho was thoroughly satisfied with what she had done. She had made Alina look like a fool. She crashed into her, and kept her from blocking the Quaffle. Thanks to her cheating, Ravenclaw scored. Luckily, "Penalty shot to Gryffindor for blatching a Keeper within shooting range!" Madam Hooch called out.

******

"I can't believe it! Cho Chang, the only girl on the Ravenclaw team, went and blatched the new Gryffindor Keeper. So I guess the Ravenclaws are getting pretty desperate this year, and are trying anything to win the Quidditch Cup." Lee said to boo's from the Ravenclaws.

"Jordan, don't start." Professor McGonagall warned. Lee smiled sheepishly.

"Yes Professor. Whatever you say, Professor." Lee said, "But back to the game. Penalty shot to Gryffindor on account of Cho Chang. Angelina Johnson, in my opinion one of the best Chasers Hogwarts has seen in years, is doing the penalty shot. C'mon Angie, you can beat Nicholson... YES! IN YOUR FACE RAVENCLAW! Angelina Johnson has scored, making the game tied at ten to ten. Davies has the Quaffle once again, nice Bludger work by Fred Weasley, but he missed him by a hair. Davies is in range once again..."

******

"Why me? No, no, no!" Alina said under her breath. Davies threw the Quaffle, and it went for the center goalpost. Alina knew better. Davies wouldn't have aimed it directly at her. It was too easy. The Quaffle was either going to her right or her left. She watched the Quaffle curve slightly, and start heading to the right...

******

"SUPERB! What a play by Halliwell! The girl has got one bad arm. She whacked that sucker right out of range, and into the stands. What's that? The Quaffle has hit Draco Malfoy right in the nose? Well that-"

"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall barked.

"Yes, yes. Sorry Professor... WAIT! What's that I see!? The Golden Snitch! Potter is going for it! Go Potter, go! Chang is at his heels! C'mon Harry! You can do it! ARRRRGHHHH!!! The Snitch is gone, again. Better luck next time, Harry. Keep a sharp lookout... YES! Katie Bell scores! She has gotten Nicholson beat, badly. That was an easy shot, too! Good job, Katie! Uh-oh, Davies is back. Davies is determined to get the Quaffle past Halliwell. Davies does another over the shoulder pass to Tibble. Tibble comes up... Is Alina ready for it? Yeah, she's ready. She's going...going...going...THERE GOES THE GOLDEN SNITCH! The Golden Snitch makes another appearance, right in front of Alina's face. Almost got her off guard. But she still got that Quaffle out of the way. Good going, Halliwell."

******

Harry darted forward quickly when he saw the Golden Snitch dart past Alina's eyes. Cho was on his tail, and he wasn't sure if that was such a good thing. After watching her blatantly foul Alina, he feared Cho might throw herself on the tail of his Firebolt. He looked back and saw her sailing a bit dazedly. She didn't look all there. He had recalled watching her rub her head after her collision with Alina, but it didn't really mean anything to him at first. He believed she deserved it.

He looked back out before him once more to see the Golden Snitch glittering right above Alina's ear. But she was still distracted with the Quaffle heading towards her once again. Davies had gotten frustrated with Alina, and her blocking the Quaffle, and never let a chance to score pass him by.

Harry sped forward, going right for Alina. His arm was outstretched as he neared the scoring range. Alina's eyes left the Quaffle, and she locked eyes with Harry as he zoomed right to her. She feared he might crash into her, and she didn't want to be collided into again. But, she noticed his arm was outstretched, and at the corner of her eyes, she saw the Golden Snitch!

Harry closed his fingers over the Golden Snitch just as he, to Alina's dismay, crashed into her. Madam Hooch's whistle sounded, but Alina and Harry couldn't keep themselves from falling. Their broom handles were locked together, and Harry's weight was pressing down on Alina. They didn't stop falling until, obviously, they hit the ground: one beside the other.

"Oww..." Alina said pushing herself up. Harry barely heard her over the Gryffindors' loud cheering.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked. He saw the rush of scarlet running towards them, and the two of them quickly got to their feet as to not get trampled over. Harry looked past the scarlet to see Cho Chang being escorted off the field by the rest of the Ravenclaw team.

"Serves her right." Harry heard Alina sneer.

"It was probably just defense, Alina. Don't take it personally." Harry shrugged.

"If you knew the whole story, you'd understand. You're just blinded by a pretty face." Alina spat.

"Outstanding!" Ron exclaimed as he threw his arms around Alina, and almost knocking her over in the process. "You okay? I saw what Cho Chang did to you out there. The nerve of her."

"Merlin! Are you okay?" Megan asked as she and Penelope ran over, breathing hard.

"Peachy. Just peachy. A bit dizzy, but peachy just as well." Alina said, rubbing her head. Harry was soon pushed out of earshot as more people began surrounding Alina. He watched as George rubbed her head, and then took her hand and lead her away from the crowd.

"If I had to say the way I see things, then I'd say that it seems as if you're a bit jealous of being out of the spotlight, eh Potter?" Harry turned to see his old Quidditch captain, his old mentor: Oliver Wood.

"Jealous? No. Not jealous of the fame. It's something else." Harry said, pushing the matter aside.

"Still the star player, though, I see. Gave Cho Chang a good workout with all those fakes you were giving her. She didn't stand a chance." Oliver said.

"So, how's Puddle-"

"Oi! Wood! I've got someone you should meet!" George said, running over with Alina.

"Ah, the new Keeper. You have a sharp eye. That's good for a Keeper." Oliver commented.

"He plays for Puddlemere United." George said, "Oh, where's my manners? Ollie, this is Alina. Alina: Oliver Wood, former Gryffindor Quidditch team captain. He led us to victory back in my fifth year." Alina extended her hand out for him to shake. But, working his Wood charm (which often worked on any girl), he kissed the back of her hand. Alina flushed scarlet.

"It wasn't all me, the way George makes it sound. It was Harry, too." Oliver said, slapping Harry's back. Harry grinned nervously. He didn't want to be in this conversation, not when Alina was holding on to George, and Oliver kissing her hand. It was too much to handle all at once.

"Party in the Gryffindor Tower!" Fred exclaimed, and the Gryffindors cheered. "Wood: you coming?" Fred asked over the crowd. Oliver shrugged, and then looked down at Alina.

"Depends on my schedule. But due to some unexpected circumstances, I'll be there, most likely." Oliver said, grinning from ear to ear. Alina felt like letting go of George's hand to permanently attach herself to Oliver Wood. He was handsome, no question about it. Those piercing brown eyes of his were too much for her.

"Get a grip! You've got George! Why is Harry looking at me like that? But look at Oliver! That look in his eyes. I will, no doubt about it, drop to the floor if I wasn't hanging on to George." Alina thought.

"C'mon Chica, let's get a move on! You heard Fred, didn't you? Party in the Tower!" Megan said. Alina let go of George's hand and joined Megan.

"Sorry guys, I best get on my way. I've got to look good for the party. It was a pleasure meeting you, Oliver. I'll see you in the common room, George. Harry." Alina said, smiling warmly to Oliver and George, and simply giving Harry a nod of her head. When she turned and left, Oliver nudged George in the stomach.

"Oi-"

"That's some girl, Weasley." Oliver said, unable to wipe the smirk from his face.

"You think I haven't noticed that? Merlin, she's beautiful!" George said.

"How'd you get her? Guys must've been throwing themselves at her feet."

"Err-no. Not since she started hanging with Draco Malfoy."

"The Slytherin Seeker?"

"Yeah. He kinda gave her a bad name. Made it seem like she only surrounded herself with the Dark Side, even if she was sorted into Gryffindor. Rumor has it she is some sort of Dark Goddess. She's got a secret behind her, and nobody knows about it. Nobody knows why she came to Hogwarts in her fifth year, Merlin's beard!" George explained, "But then she started going around with Harry here. Malfoy accused of her of trying to gain popularity."

"With her Quidditch skills, she doesn't need a Malfoy to help her gain popularity, right Harry?" Oliver asked for Harry's input. He'd much rather not be there anymore, when the two of them were complimenting Alina, and asking him to join in.

"I...I should go and get ready for the party." Harry said before scrambling away.

******

"How long will you be staying at Hogwarts?" Alina asked as she and Oliver strolled down the dimly lit corridors. The two of them quickly and quietly left the party for some fresh air, but Alina knew that as long as she was with Oliver, what they did didn't matter to her at all.

"Why do you ask?" Oliver smirked with one eyebrow arched. Alina blushed. It was the third time he had done that that night, and it kept her blushing every time.

"Well, do you have to go back to the team? Do you have any Quidditch matches coming up? I'd love to see you play." Alina said, "Actually, I just want to see you." Alina thought as she tried to keep herself from smiling.

"The season doesn't start 'til January. So, I've got a lot of time to stick around. In fact, Dumbledore told me about his Winter Ball the school will be having."

"Yeah, the 'First-Ever Hogwarts Winter Ball'. It wasn't around back in your day."

"You're making it sound like I'm really old."

"Well, you are four years older than me. Tell me I'm wrong."

"But about this Ball. I'll...I'll be here for the Ball. And I don't want to go *alone*." Oliver asserted. He stopped walking to lean against the wall. He looked her in the eyes. His eyes...she couldn't contain herself.

"I know what you're insinuating, but I have to think about it-I mean I can't-I mean I-Look Oliver, I already have a date for the Ball: George Weasley." Alina said, "And I've got enough problems as it is," She thought. "I'm really sorry. It's just that, I've already got so many names going around with me. 'The Popularity Seeker,' 'Desperate Git.' I don't want to be known now as 'The Gryffindor Slut.'" Oliver had to chuckle at that.

"You're not a slut. Not compared to most girls I knew at this school."

"But look, I can't break my loyalty to George. That'd made me look bad, and I already had told him I'd go with him. So please, don't mention this again. I'm sorry, really, I am. I didn't mean for this to happen." She said, turning away, "I should head back to the common room now. Meg and Penny will be worried." She hurried away in the direction of the Gryffindor Tower.

"You won't be my date, and you're not letting me talk to you either?" Alina stopped, "Talking isn't a crime, is it? I don't know, but I'm getting the impression that you're allergic to me or something." Oliver said. Alina started walking back to him slowly.

"I don't know. I don't think so."

"Well, if you're not, do you want to head out to the Quidditch pitch with me?"

"What are we going to do at the Quidditch pitch?" Alina inquired. Oliver blushed.

"Discuss Keeper strategies, of course. What did you think we were going to do? Snog?" This time, Alina blushed at her own wandering imagination.

"A strategy discussion sounds good to me. Let's see, how's about I go and get my broom. You go and get yours, and then fly around to the back. You know, where the girls' tower is. There's a balcony right back there. Just fly back there, and I'll be out there." Alina ordered. Oliver nodded, and then the two of them went their separate ways. Alina walked through the portrait hole to see the party was still going on. She dismissed everyone that had walked up to her to sneak up to the girls' tower. She went through her trunk to get her Meteorite broomstick. She opened up the balcony windows to see Oliver already sitting on his Firebolt outside.

A/N: AAAAHHHH!!! I'm sorry, I couldn't resist the urge to write Ollie in! It's just that Sean Biggerstaff is so hot, and I would absolutely hate myself if I didn't write him in. Hmm....not much to say anymore, just that I get to see John tomorrow, YIPPEE SKIPPY!!! My school dance got postponed because of the death of Mrs. Bruno. Pooey. It was supposed to be last Friday, but now it's on this Friday. I hope John goes. Maybe I'll get around to asking him..... I should make him promise me a dance! Oh well, I'm off now to continue looking for ways to get John Valdez right where I want him. -Gryffindor Heiress