When the alarm went off early the next morning, I was tired, irritable, and had plenty of time to come to the conclusion that Oliver was acting irrationally.

He huffed and sighed as he got up to use the bathroom and I decided this wasn't what I wanted in a relationship.

When he returned, I was prepared. "Listen. We are a partnership. I get that something about that altercation last night pissed you off, but I'm your girlfriend. You don't have to hide from me. What's going on?" My voice was stern, though on the inside I felt close to tears.

I watched the man before me deflate. "Merlin, I'm sorry Hermione." He sat down on the bed and put his head in his hands.

Joining him, I put an arm around his shoulders. "What is going on?"

He let out a long breath. "Puddlemere was my first home out of Hogwarts and it was my actual dream come true. I couldn't believe I was signed so quickly without going minor league first. Typically they look for people with at least a few years under their belt. Then they made me captain the next year and I really felt the pressure to do well. And I did. However, the team wasn't very strong and they weren't welcoming of the captain being the youngest member of the team. I know that the coach chose me because of my ideas and the direction he wanted to take the team in, but the rest of the team wasn't on board. We managed, but it was really uncomfortable. When I was approached with the offer for the spot with the Arrows, yeah, it was more money. But it wasn't just that. I had heard what Coach was doing to make the team a family. I saw how they played and knew they had trust in each other. I knew if I didn't take it, I'd regret it. The words last night still felt like a punch to the gut and it makes me feel selfish for taking the position even though I know it was the right move for me."

He pulled his head up and looked me straight in the eyes. "I just didn't know that I likely would have missed out on you, too had I passed on it. The thought of that hit me hard. Then they started talking about you and I just kept thinking that it was because of me that they were attacking you. I'm truly sorry, Hermione. It's often the ones we love who see us at our worst, but that's no excuse for how I acted. I should have told you."

My breath caught. "You love me?" We had danced around the true depth of our feelings for each other, but neither of us had yet to outright say it.

"Of course. I love you, Hermione. And I hope you'll forgive me. Not just for how I reacted when confronted by the guys, but for not standing up for you."

"No need to apologize for that." I said it as a matter of fact. "I enjoy standing up for myself. I've been told it's a type of coping mechanism, it allows me to be in control of how people perceive me." I left him hanging, but only for a second before a smile graced my lips. "And I love you too, you git. Don't shut me out again."

My last words were emphasized with plenty of finger wagging. He grabbed my finger and pulled me close. "Never." We sat there together for a few minutes, being close with one another and just taking energy from the fact that we had finally declared our love for each other. It was quite invigorating.

"Now I just need to figure out what to do with the team and everything will be perfect."

I huffed at his remark. "You're going to do what you always do. If anyone is going to beat them, it's you. You know how they play, and you've studied their games so far this season. Take what's in that big brain of yours and do what you do best: Lead. There's a reason you're the youngest captain in the history of the game. Don't start doubting yourself now."

An eyebrow creeped up. "Why, darling, have you been researching me?"

I crossed my arms and tried not to look guilty. "It's my job to know about the team thank you very much."

He simply smirked and pulled me in again.

After the air was cleared and we were both feeling much better, Oliver got in the zone. After a quick team breakfast, he pulled everyone together and began to go over their plays and strategy for the game. We were to have the early shift for training at the stadium all week (the away team always got the early shift unfortunately), and Oliver wasn't wasting any time. He was firm and demanding of his players, but they seemed to show him respect and wanted to beat Puddlemere just as badly. I suppose I should have expected that. Even though the season was still early with this week being game four, we were the only two undefeated teams in the league.

Still, no one wanted the win as bad as Oliver. It was quite hot watching him be commanding and taking charge like this. Unfortunately, between Oliver's training and studying and my wellness exams and food coordination, we were both exhausted at the end of each night and slid into bed with barely an exchanged word.

Saturday finally arrived and I could sense Oliver's nerves, but also his determination. I had no doubt tonight's match would be intense. After seeing the hostility from the other team, I double checked all of my medical supplies before the game to make sure I was ready for anything.

We all ate a perfectly prescribed, plant-based meal two hours before the match. As I did before every game, I made sure the meal was prepared to my satisfaction including a just right balance of nutrients to give them proper fuel for the game without leaving them feeling sluggish.

With an hour and fifteen minutes to go, we headed to the locker rooms. Oliver walked next to me, his hand on my lower back, as I needed to do the pregame physicals. We were stopped in the hallway by an excited squeal.

"I was hoping I'd run into you!"

I turned around. "Ginny!" Smiling, I embraced the thin redhead. "I didn't know you were commentating tonight."

"Last minute change in plans! And boy am I glad. This match is going to be amazing." Her gaze then shifted between me and Oliver, landing on hie his hand around my waist.

He was trying to smile, but he was beyond tense.

"Well, that's new. We definitely need to catch up." She sounded as if she had just witnessed a juicy piece of gossip and was appalled I had kept it from her.

Which in her defense, it kind of was and I kind of did.

"Yes, we do. We are headed home tomorrow if the match doesn't go too long. Let's meet for coffee next week."

She hugged me again. "It's a date. I'll send you an owl and we will coordinate." Then she turned to Oliver. "I'm not going to say anything about what's clearly going on here because I know this is a big match and I'm sure you have things to do. So I'm just going to say kick their arses tonight."

"Ginny! You're supposed to be impartial."

She shrugged, but Oliver piped up. "Thanks Red. I'll give them hell."

Something passed between them that I didn't quite catch, but my questions would have to wait for later.

Now, we had lost ten minutes and we had a game to play.

Everyone checked out fine, including Sofia who had sprained her wrist earlier in the week during practice. Oliver gave a final speech about the game and went over their strategy, then it was time.

I didn't get a fancy office during away games. Instead, I stood next to Garrett with a fully packed bag of supplies at my feet, ready to pounce if I was needed.

Unfortunately, I was needed. Puddlemere was absolutely ruthless. It almost seemed like it wasn't their goal to win, but to attack and leave their mark on Oliver as much as they could. The whole team was overly aggressive, fouling non-stop.

The game was intense. Garrett was shouting next to me every time there was a bad play and I could see his anxiety rising by the second.

"I'm the last person who wants us to lose, but we need to end this game quick regardless of the score or we won't have a team." Garrett huffed. He was barely holding it together to remain professional.

"I can't believe the refs are letting it go on. They are only calling half the fouls."

"Sometimes the refs can be bought. I'll file paperwork for an investigation after the..."

Garrett was cut off as the bludger headed straight for Oliver as he was protecting the goal from the quaffle. He was hit with a sickening thud that I swear I could hear from the ground and knocked into so forcefully that he went straight off his broom.

I cast a charm to slow his fall, but he wouldn't be without injuries. A time out was called as I rushed to his side. For a moment, he was motionless. I tested for breath, then pulse. As my fingers brushed across his neck, he took a sharp intake of breath.

"Thank Merlin! Oliver, don't move. I need to run a full diagnostic."

He simply looked up at me from the ground, his eyes pleading and I couldn't imagine the amount of pain he must be in to not make a sarcastic remark or demand to be placed back in the game. The fall had clearly knocked the wind out of him and he was showing signs of being disoriented.

I can't begin to describe how awful it was seeing someone you love laying on the ground like that. Knowing I needed to stay focused if I wanted to help him, I pushed my personal feelings aside.

The diagnostic showed a skull fracture and a broken collar bone as well as a broken nose, eye socket and cheek bone.

Working quickly before there could be any damage to his brain from the shards, I healed his head wounds first. After that was done, Oliver seemed a bit more like himself and the initial scan after that repair didn't show any signs of brain damage or swelling. Not that he was out of the woods for that, but the likelihood of it appearing was small. Next, I focused my attention on his collar bone. It was a nice, clean break that was easy to heal.

"You got damn lucky, Wood." My voice was throaty with emotion.

I had rolled him onto his back after fixing his head wounds and he lifted his non injured arm to wipe a tear that I hadn't realized was trailing down my cheek.

"I'm already feeling better, thanks to you."

I let out a small laugh as I continued to do my job. It took only fifteen minutes to heal his injuries and the next scan came back clear.

I offered my hand and helped him up. "Be honest. That was a horrible fall. How are you feeling."

"Enraged." I glared at him. "Honestly, I want to get up there and end this. We need to win, and we need to do it fast. They are only going to get more aggressive."

Garrett and the team had given me space to work, but he approached me now. "What's the diagnosis? Is he able to go back out there, or do we play without a keeper?"

I bit my lip and looked at Oliver who nodded his head. "He can go back out there, but he really needs to rest after the game. No party. No training tomorrow. And this game needs to end quickly, win or not. He shouldn't be overly exerting himself."

Garrett nodded. "We've got a good lead." He called over the team. "We're going back up there, but we need a catch as quick as possible. Work together and find that damn snitch so we can all breathe a little easier."

The team nodded and Oliver summoned a replacement broom since his crashed after he fell off it. I looked at him one more time. "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

He looked at me. "My tests came back fine, didn't they?"

I pursed my lips. "They did, but it's all early diagnosis. That was a bad fall and while the injuries could have been much worse, you really shouldn't be back out there so soon. I'm only allowing it because I think they've pissed the team off enough that this will be over within a half hour."

Laughing, he said, "I think you're right. The team is more fired up then I've ever seen them. I likely won't have anything to do, so don't worry."

Yeah, like I ever didn't worry.

With a wink, he kicked off and took his position. The refs blew their whistle and the game began again.

I watched with nervous anticipation. Oliver was right though, there was a new determination in the teams' movements and it was a mere five minutes later that the snitch was in hand. The Appleby Arrows remained the only team in the league to be undefeated.

The crowd went wild as the players made a victory lap before landing in the middle of the pitch in a sea of whoops and yells. Garrett, however, went to have a chat with the refs as well as Puddlemere's coach. I knew there would be repercussions from this game, I just didn't know what yet.

While the team continued to celebrate, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was short lived, though, as Oliver's gaze caught mine and my breath hitched n my throat.

He said something to the team before dropping his broom and hurrying to me. Before I could register what was happening, he scooped me up in his strong arms and covered my mouth with his. Everything disappeared but us. There was so much passion and excitement in the action that I couldn't think straight.

When he finally pulled away, I was barely aware of the bright flashes of light aimed in our direction. Oliver took my hand and led me back to the center of the pitch where everyone was celebrating. Garrett joined as well just as we arrived.

"Great job team. Go back to the hotel and get a good night's rest. I've informed their coach that we will not be attending the after-game events after their horrible show this evening and I'm already opening a case into tampering and misconduct. It won't affect our win, but we have to play them again and so does another eleven teams. No one deserves such a blatant disregard for the game."

"Here, here." Said Oliver solemnly as he exchanges a meaningful glance with Garrett.

"So, off to bed with you lot after the post-game checkup. The portkey leaves at 2pm tomorrow." His gaze turned to me. "Make sure he follows your orders for a full recovery. If he needs to be sidelined Monday, let me know."

"Understood."

He nodded and walked away.

The team was settling down a bit and it seemed like they were a bit lost. Going from an intense game and win to just sit in their rooms was a bit of a letdown, but we all had our orders so we did as we were told. I followed them to the locker room, tucked lovingly into Oliver's side.