The Easter holidays were upon Hogwarts and Paris and Oliver had decided to
return to Ottery St Catchpole so they could sort out Paris' old house ready
for the summer.
Paris was at the kitchen table working on her Care of Magical Creatures portfolio which was very much incomplete mainly due to Oliver; while Oliver himself was watching a paintbrush he had just charmed paint the kitchen walls with a lemon colour.
"Does this Knarl look right to you?" Paris asked, turning her portfolio around for Oliver to see.
"That is a masterpiece compared to mine. I think the nose is a bit longer," Oliver replied and Paris took it back and began detailing it.
"Do you know Percy is already revising for his NEWT's?" Paris said, not taking her eyes from her work.
"Is he? Merlin, I think I better start then," Oliver replied, feeling the familiar wave of nausea he got every time he thought about exams. "I was counting on the Quidditch; they don't care if you get one NEWT or twenty."
"You still might get in Oliver but it won't hurt to try your best in the NEWT's anyway whether you're guaranteed a place with the academy or not," Paris said, still not looking up from her work.
"It's alright for you to say, you always get O's," Oliver grumbled, getting up and taking the paintbrush out of the air and doing it manually.
"Not true, I once got an E," Paris said, finishing her work and closing her folder.
"Oh no, whatever did you do?" Oliver said sarcastically.
"Oh shut up. Do you want some lunch?" Paris asked, getting up slowly. She was almost five and a half months pregnant and was definitely feeling it.
"Hey, sit down. I'll get you lunch," Oliver said quickly, rushing to help her sit back down.
"It's fine Oliver. You haven't let me do a thing all week except watch you paint and paper," Paris replied, moving out of his way. "I think I should go to the shops or something, we don't actually have any food," She sighed, after looking in the cupboard.
"Did I hear the word food?" Fred asked, coming straight into the kitchen with George following behind.
"No," Paris said shortly. "Not unless you want to go the shops and get something for lunch."
"Ah, I can do better than that," Fred replied, reaching for his wand as George settled himself at the kitchen table. The twins were now seventeen and legally allowed to do magic outside school.
"Accio bread!" Fred said clearly and waited a few moments before a loaf of bread came zooming happily into his out stretched hand. "Accio, do you want chicken or ham?" Fred said, turning to Paris.
"It's stealing Fred!" Paris hissed incase someone heard her. "Give us ham," She sighed quietly.
"Accio ham and salad," Fred continued and put his wand away and caught the ham and bag of salad lazily. "You do know I'm going to have to go into that shop and pay extra on whatever I buy?" Paris said in a tone which reminded the boys very much of Mrs. Weasley.
"Here, eat it and shut up," Fred said, pushing a crude sandwich into Paris' hands. She took it and the rest of her drink she already had from this morning and went outside in the warm sun.
Paris looked around the front garden which she had watched Fred and George do earlier in the week and almost choked on the piece of lettuce she was munching.
"Jesus Christ! It's you!" Paris' older sister Arrietty cried, pointing at her dramatically.
"Arri?" Paris said in disbelief, staring at her older sister.
"You still live here? I thought you'd be too ashamed to step foot in my parents house again after what they told you," Arrietty said nastily. Paris felt all the old feelings flood back to her. Arrietty still had the knack of making Paris feel about two inches tall.
"What are you doing here?" Paris said, finding her voice, be it a not very confident one.
"Well I came back to see if this would be suitable for a summer house. You know, it's so stressful having a high powered job in the city. I thought a little house in the country would be quite quaint," Arrietty said, looking around.
Paris looked very much like her older sister; they were easily identified as sisters and as Arrietty enjoyed pointing out, she was much prettier than Paris. Both sisters had the same long, shiny brown hair but Arrietty had brown eyes whereas Paris had green eyes.
Today Arrietty was dressed in what Paris guessed to be very fashionable clothes with her hair tied up in a pony tail and big dark sunglasses as if she were a celebrity hiding from the press.
"Arrietty?" Fred said his voice a mixture of glee and surprise. He came out of the house and stood next to Paris, looking at the elder Knightley sister.
"You," Arrietty said nastily, stepping back slightly. If possible, Arrietty hated the twins more than Paris.
"Yeah, me. What brings you to our neck of the woods then Spaghetti?" Fred said, getting over his shock quickly.
"Do not call me that, you freakish little moron," Arrietty said spitefully.
"Sorry Spaghetti, old habit, It suits you anyway. I hear you're married now? Arrietty Spaghetti Knightley-Morrietty...it has quite a nice ring to it," Fred said, taking a bite of sandwich as Arrietty scowled horribly at him.
"What a nice couple you make, two half witted idiots together soon to have another little red headed freak. I'm telling you now Paris, I'm not jealous one little bit surprisingly. I thought you told me you were to have a better life than I could ever dream of?" Arrietty said, flicking her fringe from her eyes.
"Fred isn't the father, I am," Oliver said also joining Paris and Fred. George also appeared and came and stood next to Fred, grinning wickedly.
"Well, well, well, isn't this a turn up for the books?" Arrietty said slyly, smiling at Oliver.
"Oliver, meet Arrietty. My sister," Paris said dully, motioning Arrietty.
"What is she doing here?" Oliver asked, glaring at Arrietty. He couldn't deny she was very pretty but he also knew of her poisonous personality and therefore disliked her immediately.
"Just leaving actually which is a shame now you're here," Arrietty said, still smiling.
"Darling? Have you found it yet? Is it suitable?" an unknown voice called. Everyone bar Arrietty turned to see who was walking up the garden path. A male figure came into view carrying a baby in a car seat.
"No Martin, we're leaving," Arrietty snapped and joined her husband.
"Who are these people?" Martin asked, eyeing the party suspiciously. Paris saw him in full view and as soon as her eyes met his, her breath escaped her body. He was tall with dark hair and something about him struck Paris but she wasn't sure what it was. He seemed familiar but from where Paris didn't know.
"My sister and her little friends. Let's go," Arrietty said firmly, taking a hold of Martin's arm.
"You never told me you had a sister," Martin argued, setting the sleeping baby down on the ground in the car seat. Paris broke the gaze between the two and although it was a reasonably warm day, her arms were covered with goose bumps.
"I don't. She has been disowned by my family," Arrietty said nastily, smiling at Paris.
The baby began crying but Arrietty ignored it. Paris looked from her cruel sister to the baby who could only be not even a year old yet.
Paris realized the baby was her nephew, Paris was an auntie to the little boy who was crying and being ignored and she wanted to go and pick him up and soothe him.
"Jared's crying Arrietty," Paris said, interrupting the rapid conversation between her and Martin.
"And?" Arrietty snapped. "I'm leaving, see you Paris. Have a nice life, stay out of mine."
Arrietty stalked off leaving Martin. He picked up Jared and with one last look at Paris, he followed after Arrietty.
Paris couldn't speak. What had just happened here? Why on earth had Arrietty wanted to come back to Ottery St Catchpole? And what was up with her husband, Martin?
"I could curse her," George offered, twirling his wand hopefully.
"No," Paris said absently, still staring after them even though they were out of sight. "Come on, let's finish lunch."
"Oliver! Oliver! Where is he? OLIVER!" Katie screamed, bursting through the Quidditch changing room doors. A very startled Oliver rushed from the Captain's office, slipped on a sock and landed with a hard thud on the floor.
Before he could get up, Katie had swooped down on the floor and was holding his shoulders, trying to catch her breath.
"What is it?" Oliver asked, all sorts going through his head.
"It's Ravenclaw! Cho isn't playing! Hurt her knee! Just seen Alyssia in the changing rooms!" Katie panted as fast as she could.
"Alyssia? As in Alyssia Ford? Oh please Katie, tell me she's not playing!" Oliver said desperately, grabbing Katie's upper arms and pushing them both up so they were standing.
"I've just seen Roger, wished him good luck y'know. Anyway, Cho has hurt her knee again so Alyssia is filling in for her! Oliver, we don't stand a chance!" Katie said breathlessly.
What followed was a bout of swear words from Oliver and then more when he explained to the team. Alyssia Ford was Paris' fifth year Ravenclaw friend and was the best Seeker in the school. She was a petite girl with long auburn hair and a nice smile. Luckily, Alyssia didn't particularly enjoy Quidditch and had no intentions of playing full time but when Cho was unable to play, Alyssia filled in as a favour to Roger.
"Merlin. Merlin...maybe...no, that won't work. Merlin help me, Merlin...maybe? No, not that either," Oliver was mumbling and pacing as the team all gave each other dubious looks. This match decided who would play Slytherin in the final for the Quidditch Cup, Slytherin had unsurprisingly defeated Hufflepuff a few weeks ago after almost killing most of the team.
"I wish Paris was playing!" Oliver said suddenly, pounding his fist into his hand. Paris had previously played Alyssia and gave her a run for her money but Ravenclaw emerged champions.
"I'm sure I'll do fine," Ava said sulkily. She still wasn't entirely over getting a slap off Paris and being rejected by Oliver.
"It's down to you Ava; you make sure you get that Snitch!" Oliver barked. "Chasers, score as many Quaffles as possible and Beaters? Keep Alyssia away from that Snitch!"
"Well we might accidentally hit Ava," George said, pretending to be sorry about it. Ava just sneered at him.
"I mean it! This game is very important! I need that Quidditch Cup this year, I haven't got another chance at it and I want my name on it!" Oliver said his voice cracking.
"We'll do it Oliver!" Alicia shouted happily.
"Aye aye Cap'n!" Fred said, saluting Oliver.
"Merlin help me," Oliver sighed, taking his broom and lining up at the door.
"This is so fun! I feel so nervous! I wish I could play!" Paris said hyperactively. She, Percy and Marino were crushed up the front of the Gryffindor box and the atmosphere was electric.
The whole Gryffindor crowd was a sea of red and gold, some students had painted their faces whilst others were waving posters and flags and ribbons.
Across from them were the Ravenclaw supporters who all looked a stunning sea of sky blue. It was hard to tell who were the loudest, the Gryffindor's or the Ravenclaw's.
"It's mad!" Marino shouted over the crowd. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine! Excited!" Paris shouted back. She had never spectated at a Gryffindor deciding match and was glad she only had to do it once, the excitement was too much.
"Welcome, welcome my nearest and dearest to the semi final Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor!" Lee Jordan roared into his purple megaphone. The crowd cheered and the noise was almost unbearable.
"I'm your handsome host Lee Jordan and before we start a few reminders. No sonorous charms, no interfering in the game and no distracting the players by nudity. That can be directed at me," Lee teased, dodging a swipe from Professor McGonagall.
""I wish I was playing! It's electric! I'd be better than Ava anyway...oh, sorry Tris!" Paris was raging but realized Tristan Matthews; Ava's older brother was standing right near her.
"No worries, you're right anyway," Tristan shrugged with a smile.
"If that smug little cow doesn't win this...sorry Tris...I won't be happy!" Paris continued shouting at Marino.
"Its fine," Tristan replied as Lee Jordan's voice boomed through the stadium once again.
"And here comes the teams! Playing for Gryffindor is Captain Oliver Wood, Johnson, Spinnet, Bell, Weasley, Weasley and in for Paris Knightley is Ava Matthews!" Lee paused for the cheers and screams. "Playing for Ravenclaw is Captain Roger Davies, Lopez, Jones, Duvall, Boot, Corner and in for Cho Chang is Alyssia Ford!"
"WHAT?" Paris screamed and realized many other students were saying the same. Alyssia Ford was playing?
"Who?" Marino asked but Paris was now rapidly conversing with Tristan about the outcome and the two were reeling off statistics faster than Marino could listen.
The teams milled out onto the field, waving and smiling. They met Madam Hooch in the middle of the pitch and Oliver and Roger shook hands. Oliver probably got on with Roger the best out of all Captain's but it didn't mean he wouldn't beat him senseless in Quidditch.
Roger stepped forward and gave Katie a kiss on the cheek and the crowd began cat calling. Paris could make out Katie's red face from the height she was.
The teams took to the air and began warming up. Oliver flew over to where Paris was standing.
"Oliver! What's going on? Alyssia's playing?" Paris asked immediately.
"Cho has hurt her knee again; it was a last minute thing apparently. Roger just explained to us," Oliver sighed. Paris thumped the wooden ledge of the stands.
"I'm sure she'll do it Wood," Tristan reassured, meaning Ava. Oliver looked dubious but leant in and gave Paris a kiss. She wrapped her arms around him best she could and held him tight, urging him to believe everything would go ok.
"I love you," Paris said quietly, looking him in the eyes. "You'll win this match, I know it."
Oliver nodded and looked as if he were about to throw up. He nodded to Tristan and flew off toward the three goal hoops and began warming up.
"And what a glorious day it is! About to begin is Ravenclaw versus Gryffindor! Madam Hooch releases the Quaffle and my future wife Angelina Johnson takes it away!" Lee shouted.
Paris watched as Angelina snatched the Quaffle from the air and shot through the three Ravenclaw Chasers straight toward Ben Jones, the Ravenclaw Keeper.
"And its Johnson with the Quaffle, oh she's burning down the pitch, dodges one Bludger but oh! Angelina Johnson is hit by a Bludger from Captain Roger Davies! Lopez intercepts and she's tearing down the pitch, she shoots and she SCORES! Ten nil to Ravenclaw!" Lee shouted glumly as Oliver hurled the Quaffle down the pitch, almost taking Alicia's head of with it.
The groans from the Gryffindor stand echoed all around but the Ravenclaw's were going ballistic.
The game continued for another ten minutes with no sign of the Snitch. Alyssia was keeping above the game, her eyes peeled for any sign of the Golden Snitch. Everyone's eyes were on the two Seekers. Ava's hair was illuminated in the sunlight, making her easy to spot and Paris was urging her to just catch the damned Snitch before Oliver gave himself a stroke or something.
"And it's one hundred and twenty to ninety to Gryffindor and still no sign of the Snitch!" Lee Jordan called. "Rebecca Duvall in possession and oh, nice Bludger from Fred Weasley there! Or was that George Weasley? Who cares!?" Lee shouted and almost swallowed his microphone in excitement. "Is that? It is! It's the Golden Snitch ladies and gentleman! The two Seekers are straight in there and oh, it's neck and neck! How exciting!"
Paris, along with everyone else was hanging over the stands to get a better look as both Seekers dropped down close to the ground after the Snitch.
Alyssia was closer to the Snitch than Ava and just dodged a Bludger from George Weasley as she reached out her hand and touched the Golden Snitch. Just as Alyssia was about to curl her fingers around it, Ava knocked into her and pushed her off course.
Fred aimed another Bludger at Alyssia and it caught the tail end of her broom, sending her hurtling away from the Snitch, leaving Ava a clear shot at it.
Paris held her breath and was reaching out desperately for it. If she was playing she would've had it by now.
"Snatch it you stupid bitch!" Marino shouted madly at Ava just as she closed her fist around the tiny struggling ball.
Paris was light headed from lack of oxygen and the following few moments were a blur. The Gryffindor's all jumped up at once, screaming and shouting like lunatics. Flags were going everywhere as everyone began sobbing and hugging each other, so glad it was over.
"Gryffindor WIN!" Lee screamed hysterically into his microphone but the crowd barely heard it.
The Gryffindor team all landed and began screaming and hugging one another. Ava was in the middle of the crush, getting hugged by everyone.
"You did it!" Oliver shouted hoarsely, grabbing Ava and swinging her around in rapture. He was so unbelievably happy, he forgot about everything. Nothing mattered anymore, they were in the final, closer to the Cup.
Ava was most pleased with herself, even more so because Oliver was cuddling her against him.
"Brilliant game Wood," Roger said, ripping his arm sheaths off and offering his hand to Oliver. "You too mate," Oliver said, grinning and shaking his hand vigorously. He was hot, he was sweaty but damnit, he was happy.
The Gryffindor supporters had spilled out onto the pitch and were all trying to thump Oliver on the back out of respect. It was a haze of shouting and laughing and crying.
"You played well," Ava managed to say to Oliver.
"So did you, brilliant Ava. Thank you so much," Oliver said, grabbing Ava and hugging her tightly. Ava closed her eyes and relished the moment.
Not too far away, Paris was cuddling Angelina and watching Oliver over Angelina's shoulder. She couldn't help feeling envious and regretted more than ever not being able to play Seeker.
Paris watched as Tristan said something and made both Ava and Oliver laugh and the two players fought their way through the crowd and back to the changing room without so much as a backward glance at Paris.
Paris was at the kitchen table working on her Care of Magical Creatures portfolio which was very much incomplete mainly due to Oliver; while Oliver himself was watching a paintbrush he had just charmed paint the kitchen walls with a lemon colour.
"Does this Knarl look right to you?" Paris asked, turning her portfolio around for Oliver to see.
"That is a masterpiece compared to mine. I think the nose is a bit longer," Oliver replied and Paris took it back and began detailing it.
"Do you know Percy is already revising for his NEWT's?" Paris said, not taking her eyes from her work.
"Is he? Merlin, I think I better start then," Oliver replied, feeling the familiar wave of nausea he got every time he thought about exams. "I was counting on the Quidditch; they don't care if you get one NEWT or twenty."
"You still might get in Oliver but it won't hurt to try your best in the NEWT's anyway whether you're guaranteed a place with the academy or not," Paris said, still not looking up from her work.
"It's alright for you to say, you always get O's," Oliver grumbled, getting up and taking the paintbrush out of the air and doing it manually.
"Not true, I once got an E," Paris said, finishing her work and closing her folder.
"Oh no, whatever did you do?" Oliver said sarcastically.
"Oh shut up. Do you want some lunch?" Paris asked, getting up slowly. She was almost five and a half months pregnant and was definitely feeling it.
"Hey, sit down. I'll get you lunch," Oliver said quickly, rushing to help her sit back down.
"It's fine Oliver. You haven't let me do a thing all week except watch you paint and paper," Paris replied, moving out of his way. "I think I should go to the shops or something, we don't actually have any food," She sighed, after looking in the cupboard.
"Did I hear the word food?" Fred asked, coming straight into the kitchen with George following behind.
"No," Paris said shortly. "Not unless you want to go the shops and get something for lunch."
"Ah, I can do better than that," Fred replied, reaching for his wand as George settled himself at the kitchen table. The twins were now seventeen and legally allowed to do magic outside school.
"Accio bread!" Fred said clearly and waited a few moments before a loaf of bread came zooming happily into his out stretched hand. "Accio, do you want chicken or ham?" Fred said, turning to Paris.
"It's stealing Fred!" Paris hissed incase someone heard her. "Give us ham," She sighed quietly.
"Accio ham and salad," Fred continued and put his wand away and caught the ham and bag of salad lazily. "You do know I'm going to have to go into that shop and pay extra on whatever I buy?" Paris said in a tone which reminded the boys very much of Mrs. Weasley.
"Here, eat it and shut up," Fred said, pushing a crude sandwich into Paris' hands. She took it and the rest of her drink she already had from this morning and went outside in the warm sun.
Paris looked around the front garden which she had watched Fred and George do earlier in the week and almost choked on the piece of lettuce she was munching.
"Jesus Christ! It's you!" Paris' older sister Arrietty cried, pointing at her dramatically.
"Arri?" Paris said in disbelief, staring at her older sister.
"You still live here? I thought you'd be too ashamed to step foot in my parents house again after what they told you," Arrietty said nastily. Paris felt all the old feelings flood back to her. Arrietty still had the knack of making Paris feel about two inches tall.
"What are you doing here?" Paris said, finding her voice, be it a not very confident one.
"Well I came back to see if this would be suitable for a summer house. You know, it's so stressful having a high powered job in the city. I thought a little house in the country would be quite quaint," Arrietty said, looking around.
Paris looked very much like her older sister; they were easily identified as sisters and as Arrietty enjoyed pointing out, she was much prettier than Paris. Both sisters had the same long, shiny brown hair but Arrietty had brown eyes whereas Paris had green eyes.
Today Arrietty was dressed in what Paris guessed to be very fashionable clothes with her hair tied up in a pony tail and big dark sunglasses as if she were a celebrity hiding from the press.
"Arrietty?" Fred said his voice a mixture of glee and surprise. He came out of the house and stood next to Paris, looking at the elder Knightley sister.
"You," Arrietty said nastily, stepping back slightly. If possible, Arrietty hated the twins more than Paris.
"Yeah, me. What brings you to our neck of the woods then Spaghetti?" Fred said, getting over his shock quickly.
"Do not call me that, you freakish little moron," Arrietty said spitefully.
"Sorry Spaghetti, old habit, It suits you anyway. I hear you're married now? Arrietty Spaghetti Knightley-Morrietty...it has quite a nice ring to it," Fred said, taking a bite of sandwich as Arrietty scowled horribly at him.
"What a nice couple you make, two half witted idiots together soon to have another little red headed freak. I'm telling you now Paris, I'm not jealous one little bit surprisingly. I thought you told me you were to have a better life than I could ever dream of?" Arrietty said, flicking her fringe from her eyes.
"Fred isn't the father, I am," Oliver said also joining Paris and Fred. George also appeared and came and stood next to Fred, grinning wickedly.
"Well, well, well, isn't this a turn up for the books?" Arrietty said slyly, smiling at Oliver.
"Oliver, meet Arrietty. My sister," Paris said dully, motioning Arrietty.
"What is she doing here?" Oliver asked, glaring at Arrietty. He couldn't deny she was very pretty but he also knew of her poisonous personality and therefore disliked her immediately.
"Just leaving actually which is a shame now you're here," Arrietty said, still smiling.
"Darling? Have you found it yet? Is it suitable?" an unknown voice called. Everyone bar Arrietty turned to see who was walking up the garden path. A male figure came into view carrying a baby in a car seat.
"No Martin, we're leaving," Arrietty snapped and joined her husband.
"Who are these people?" Martin asked, eyeing the party suspiciously. Paris saw him in full view and as soon as her eyes met his, her breath escaped her body. He was tall with dark hair and something about him struck Paris but she wasn't sure what it was. He seemed familiar but from where Paris didn't know.
"My sister and her little friends. Let's go," Arrietty said firmly, taking a hold of Martin's arm.
"You never told me you had a sister," Martin argued, setting the sleeping baby down on the ground in the car seat. Paris broke the gaze between the two and although it was a reasonably warm day, her arms were covered with goose bumps.
"I don't. She has been disowned by my family," Arrietty said nastily, smiling at Paris.
The baby began crying but Arrietty ignored it. Paris looked from her cruel sister to the baby who could only be not even a year old yet.
Paris realized the baby was her nephew, Paris was an auntie to the little boy who was crying and being ignored and she wanted to go and pick him up and soothe him.
"Jared's crying Arrietty," Paris said, interrupting the rapid conversation between her and Martin.
"And?" Arrietty snapped. "I'm leaving, see you Paris. Have a nice life, stay out of mine."
Arrietty stalked off leaving Martin. He picked up Jared and with one last look at Paris, he followed after Arrietty.
Paris couldn't speak. What had just happened here? Why on earth had Arrietty wanted to come back to Ottery St Catchpole? And what was up with her husband, Martin?
"I could curse her," George offered, twirling his wand hopefully.
"No," Paris said absently, still staring after them even though they were out of sight. "Come on, let's finish lunch."
"Oliver! Oliver! Where is he? OLIVER!" Katie screamed, bursting through the Quidditch changing room doors. A very startled Oliver rushed from the Captain's office, slipped on a sock and landed with a hard thud on the floor.
Before he could get up, Katie had swooped down on the floor and was holding his shoulders, trying to catch her breath.
"What is it?" Oliver asked, all sorts going through his head.
"It's Ravenclaw! Cho isn't playing! Hurt her knee! Just seen Alyssia in the changing rooms!" Katie panted as fast as she could.
"Alyssia? As in Alyssia Ford? Oh please Katie, tell me she's not playing!" Oliver said desperately, grabbing Katie's upper arms and pushing them both up so they were standing.
"I've just seen Roger, wished him good luck y'know. Anyway, Cho has hurt her knee again so Alyssia is filling in for her! Oliver, we don't stand a chance!" Katie said breathlessly.
What followed was a bout of swear words from Oliver and then more when he explained to the team. Alyssia Ford was Paris' fifth year Ravenclaw friend and was the best Seeker in the school. She was a petite girl with long auburn hair and a nice smile. Luckily, Alyssia didn't particularly enjoy Quidditch and had no intentions of playing full time but when Cho was unable to play, Alyssia filled in as a favour to Roger.
"Merlin. Merlin...maybe...no, that won't work. Merlin help me, Merlin...maybe? No, not that either," Oliver was mumbling and pacing as the team all gave each other dubious looks. This match decided who would play Slytherin in the final for the Quidditch Cup, Slytherin had unsurprisingly defeated Hufflepuff a few weeks ago after almost killing most of the team.
"I wish Paris was playing!" Oliver said suddenly, pounding his fist into his hand. Paris had previously played Alyssia and gave her a run for her money but Ravenclaw emerged champions.
"I'm sure I'll do fine," Ava said sulkily. She still wasn't entirely over getting a slap off Paris and being rejected by Oliver.
"It's down to you Ava; you make sure you get that Snitch!" Oliver barked. "Chasers, score as many Quaffles as possible and Beaters? Keep Alyssia away from that Snitch!"
"Well we might accidentally hit Ava," George said, pretending to be sorry about it. Ava just sneered at him.
"I mean it! This game is very important! I need that Quidditch Cup this year, I haven't got another chance at it and I want my name on it!" Oliver said his voice cracking.
"We'll do it Oliver!" Alicia shouted happily.
"Aye aye Cap'n!" Fred said, saluting Oliver.
"Merlin help me," Oliver sighed, taking his broom and lining up at the door.
"This is so fun! I feel so nervous! I wish I could play!" Paris said hyperactively. She, Percy and Marino were crushed up the front of the Gryffindor box and the atmosphere was electric.
The whole Gryffindor crowd was a sea of red and gold, some students had painted their faces whilst others were waving posters and flags and ribbons.
Across from them were the Ravenclaw supporters who all looked a stunning sea of sky blue. It was hard to tell who were the loudest, the Gryffindor's or the Ravenclaw's.
"It's mad!" Marino shouted over the crowd. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine! Excited!" Paris shouted back. She had never spectated at a Gryffindor deciding match and was glad she only had to do it once, the excitement was too much.
"Welcome, welcome my nearest and dearest to the semi final Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor!" Lee Jordan roared into his purple megaphone. The crowd cheered and the noise was almost unbearable.
"I'm your handsome host Lee Jordan and before we start a few reminders. No sonorous charms, no interfering in the game and no distracting the players by nudity. That can be directed at me," Lee teased, dodging a swipe from Professor McGonagall.
""I wish I was playing! It's electric! I'd be better than Ava anyway...oh, sorry Tris!" Paris was raging but realized Tristan Matthews; Ava's older brother was standing right near her.
"No worries, you're right anyway," Tristan shrugged with a smile.
"If that smug little cow doesn't win this...sorry Tris...I won't be happy!" Paris continued shouting at Marino.
"Its fine," Tristan replied as Lee Jordan's voice boomed through the stadium once again.
"And here comes the teams! Playing for Gryffindor is Captain Oliver Wood, Johnson, Spinnet, Bell, Weasley, Weasley and in for Paris Knightley is Ava Matthews!" Lee paused for the cheers and screams. "Playing for Ravenclaw is Captain Roger Davies, Lopez, Jones, Duvall, Boot, Corner and in for Cho Chang is Alyssia Ford!"
"WHAT?" Paris screamed and realized many other students were saying the same. Alyssia Ford was playing?
"Who?" Marino asked but Paris was now rapidly conversing with Tristan about the outcome and the two were reeling off statistics faster than Marino could listen.
The teams milled out onto the field, waving and smiling. They met Madam Hooch in the middle of the pitch and Oliver and Roger shook hands. Oliver probably got on with Roger the best out of all Captain's but it didn't mean he wouldn't beat him senseless in Quidditch.
Roger stepped forward and gave Katie a kiss on the cheek and the crowd began cat calling. Paris could make out Katie's red face from the height she was.
The teams took to the air and began warming up. Oliver flew over to where Paris was standing.
"Oliver! What's going on? Alyssia's playing?" Paris asked immediately.
"Cho has hurt her knee again; it was a last minute thing apparently. Roger just explained to us," Oliver sighed. Paris thumped the wooden ledge of the stands.
"I'm sure she'll do it Wood," Tristan reassured, meaning Ava. Oliver looked dubious but leant in and gave Paris a kiss. She wrapped her arms around him best she could and held him tight, urging him to believe everything would go ok.
"I love you," Paris said quietly, looking him in the eyes. "You'll win this match, I know it."
Oliver nodded and looked as if he were about to throw up. He nodded to Tristan and flew off toward the three goal hoops and began warming up.
"And what a glorious day it is! About to begin is Ravenclaw versus Gryffindor! Madam Hooch releases the Quaffle and my future wife Angelina Johnson takes it away!" Lee shouted.
Paris watched as Angelina snatched the Quaffle from the air and shot through the three Ravenclaw Chasers straight toward Ben Jones, the Ravenclaw Keeper.
"And its Johnson with the Quaffle, oh she's burning down the pitch, dodges one Bludger but oh! Angelina Johnson is hit by a Bludger from Captain Roger Davies! Lopez intercepts and she's tearing down the pitch, she shoots and she SCORES! Ten nil to Ravenclaw!" Lee shouted glumly as Oliver hurled the Quaffle down the pitch, almost taking Alicia's head of with it.
The groans from the Gryffindor stand echoed all around but the Ravenclaw's were going ballistic.
The game continued for another ten minutes with no sign of the Snitch. Alyssia was keeping above the game, her eyes peeled for any sign of the Golden Snitch. Everyone's eyes were on the two Seekers. Ava's hair was illuminated in the sunlight, making her easy to spot and Paris was urging her to just catch the damned Snitch before Oliver gave himself a stroke or something.
"And it's one hundred and twenty to ninety to Gryffindor and still no sign of the Snitch!" Lee Jordan called. "Rebecca Duvall in possession and oh, nice Bludger from Fred Weasley there! Or was that George Weasley? Who cares!?" Lee shouted and almost swallowed his microphone in excitement. "Is that? It is! It's the Golden Snitch ladies and gentleman! The two Seekers are straight in there and oh, it's neck and neck! How exciting!"
Paris, along with everyone else was hanging over the stands to get a better look as both Seekers dropped down close to the ground after the Snitch.
Alyssia was closer to the Snitch than Ava and just dodged a Bludger from George Weasley as she reached out her hand and touched the Golden Snitch. Just as Alyssia was about to curl her fingers around it, Ava knocked into her and pushed her off course.
Fred aimed another Bludger at Alyssia and it caught the tail end of her broom, sending her hurtling away from the Snitch, leaving Ava a clear shot at it.
Paris held her breath and was reaching out desperately for it. If she was playing she would've had it by now.
"Snatch it you stupid bitch!" Marino shouted madly at Ava just as she closed her fist around the tiny struggling ball.
Paris was light headed from lack of oxygen and the following few moments were a blur. The Gryffindor's all jumped up at once, screaming and shouting like lunatics. Flags were going everywhere as everyone began sobbing and hugging each other, so glad it was over.
"Gryffindor WIN!" Lee screamed hysterically into his microphone but the crowd barely heard it.
The Gryffindor team all landed and began screaming and hugging one another. Ava was in the middle of the crush, getting hugged by everyone.
"You did it!" Oliver shouted hoarsely, grabbing Ava and swinging her around in rapture. He was so unbelievably happy, he forgot about everything. Nothing mattered anymore, they were in the final, closer to the Cup.
Ava was most pleased with herself, even more so because Oliver was cuddling her against him.
"Brilliant game Wood," Roger said, ripping his arm sheaths off and offering his hand to Oliver. "You too mate," Oliver said, grinning and shaking his hand vigorously. He was hot, he was sweaty but damnit, he was happy.
The Gryffindor supporters had spilled out onto the pitch and were all trying to thump Oliver on the back out of respect. It was a haze of shouting and laughing and crying.
"You played well," Ava managed to say to Oliver.
"So did you, brilliant Ava. Thank you so much," Oliver said, grabbing Ava and hugging her tightly. Ava closed her eyes and relished the moment.
Not too far away, Paris was cuddling Angelina and watching Oliver over Angelina's shoulder. She couldn't help feeling envious and regretted more than ever not being able to play Seeker.
Paris watched as Tristan said something and made both Ava and Oliver laugh and the two players fought their way through the crowd and back to the changing room without so much as a backward glance at Paris.