It was nearing the end of May which meant a few things. Soon, very soon, was the Quidditch final between Gryffindor and Slytherin and a few days after that was the NEWT's.
Paris was sitting in the Great Hall alone eating her lunch and keeping her head down. It was Wednesday and the Quidditch final was on Saturday. The NEWT's were the following week, followed by graduation followed by the end of year party. Somewhere along the lines, Paris was going to have a baby and hoped it would be sooner rather than later.
"Well, who is this? A lost student? It'd be my honour to help you back...ARGH!" Fred almost fell over George when he saw who he was chatting up.
"Fred! Shut up! It's me," Paris hissed frantically, sitting him down next to her.
"What on earth?" Fred said, bewildered.
"I've just had Potions. It's a Changeling Potion alright?" Paris said, pushing her waist length blonde hair over her shoulder. As she was busy worrying over Oliver and everything else, she had been a little too liberal with the ingredients and now resembled Rapunzel.
"It looks weird," George said, grabbing a handful. "But it smells nice!"
"It's heavy, just what I need with this!" Paris complained, motioning to her rather large bump.
"You are getting huge Par, are you sure it's just one?" Fred laughed, helping himself to five or six sandwiches.
"It feels like triplets. Merlin, I hope it's not triplets," Paris said, gulping. As she said it, Oliver and Ava joined the table, they sat next to each other opposite Paris, Fred and George.
"What in the name have you done?" Ava said immediately, clocking Paris' waterfall of blonde hair.
"It's a NEWT's potion," Paris replied sourly. Since Ava had won the last Quidditch match, Oliver had forgotten the hell Ava had put Paris through and become her new best friend.
"I prefer you with dark hair," Oliver said, smiling. He reached across the table to squeeze her hand but Paris quickly grabbed her fork.
"Yeah, blonde doesn't suit everyone," Ava added. Paris knew if she didn't leave now, she'd do something she'd regret.
"I said I'd meet Cedric in the library. See you later," Paris said abruptly, getting up and leaving.
"Paris!?" Oliver called but Paris ignored and hurried to the library, hoping to Merlin Cedric was in there.
"Great practice team! Come on showers and bed," Oliver called later that night. His team was tired out but it would all be worth it.
"I'm counting on you Ava," Oliver said as he followed the rest of the team into the changing rooms.
"I'll do it Oliver. You know I will," Ava replied without a trace of modesty. She followed him into the Captain's office, leaving the shrieks of the Chasers behind her. It was good the twins were occupying them, Ava thought.
"You've shown a lot of talent in the last few months. I couldn't have asked for a better replacement," Oliver said, sitting down and breathing a sigh of relief. "I just have to have the Cup and without Paris I didn't think I'd do it."
"Maybe you should've had me all along? You're a good Captain that deserves better players," Ava said sweetly.
"I had a good team, I have a brilliant team. Just because you won the last game doesn't make you a good player Ava, it's constant stamina and hard work that makes good players," Oliver replied.
"Yeah but Paris never managed to win the last game of the season, did she?" Ava argued, determined to turn the conversation on how crap Paris was.
"And neither have you. We always end up playing Slytherin and they always cheat. If they played fairly, we would've had the Cup every year," Oliver pressed. "Now without Flint, they'll either fail or play harder than ever."
"I won't let the team down Oliver. You did the right thing replacing Paris, don't worry," Ava replied, flicking her hair.
"I only replaced Paris because of her safety, if it wasn't for that, I'd be talking to her right now," Oliver said coldly, remembering why he didn't like Ava.
"Well you're talking to me and Paris is probably off with Diggory. I hear she told you all sorts to get her neck off the line," Ava said bitterly.
"That's enough Ava! Stop trying to cause trouble, I've warned you before," Oliver said, standing up.
"Oh come on Oliver! Open your eyes! She's no good for you, a waste of your time. You could have a real woman, a dedicated woman who'd give you everything you could ever dream of! What is the fascination with that cow anyway? She's crap at Quidditch, not exactly good looking and far too happy all the time! How can you stick it?" Ava yelled, also on her feet.
"Get out Ava! That's it! I've had it with you and your bitchiness! I wouldn't give you a second look and you know it so just leave and forget playing Seeker for Gryffindor. I don't want you on my team," Oliver shouted.
"Oh yeah? I'm your only hope! You can't afford to lose me," Ava replied, smiling nastily.
"Do you think I care? Get out! You stay away from me and you stay away from Paris!" Oliver roared. Ava glared at him for a moment.
"Fine. I'll expect an apology when you come crawling back me in a few days though. You can kiss your beloved Cup good bye," Ava spat and left with a swish of her perfect blonde hair.
Oliver threw himself in his seat and banged his fists on the desk in anger and frustration. What had he done? He had no Seeker with the final in a few days.
At the same moment in time, Paris was in the Prefects bathroom looking at her reflection.
Ina moment of wisdom, she had decided to cut her hair. The potion wasn't permanent thankfully but the weight of the thick, blonde hair had gotten the better of Paris and she had hacked it off.
She was angry at Oliver for forgiving Ava and even angrier at Ava's sly little comments so she'd cut her hair.
Paris watched in the mirror as her short hair turned slowly from blonde back to her usual dark brown. It remained short and Paris pulled at it, wondering what on earth she had done to herself. She loved her hair, loved brushing it and styling it and now it barely came to her chin.
It made her look quite elvin and she decided she would just have to get used to it as she didn't fancy attempting a hair growing spell. She remembered how a curse from one of the Slytherin team had made Alicia Spinnet's eyebrows grow out of control and she kept tripping over them on her way to the hospital wing.
"Merlin, it's bloody worse than the blonde mass," Paris sighed to herself, letting her fingers slide off her hair and fall to her side. She turned to the side and as she was in her underwear, gave her stomach an inspection.
"Well, you've completely ruined my figure boy," Paris said fondly, running her hand over her tummy. "I suppose I'll be seeing you soon but please don't grow any more!"
Paris paused as if waiting for a reply. She knew babies could hear sounds inside so he must be listening.
"What's Daddy going to say when he sees my hair I wonder?" Paris continued, reaching up to touch it once again. The ends weren't even where she had cut it and it flicked out at angles.
Paris sighed again and put on her dressing gown. She decided to go and find Oliver.
Oliver had just gotten into his bed, every muscle in his body aching.
His mind was racing with thoughts and fear. Who would he get to play Seeker now? No one in their right mind would play with only a few days training against Slytherin.
He was going to let the team down, going to let his house down. He just wanted his name on the Cup – was that so hard? He wanted to make Paris proud and to show his brothers he could win the Cup. Maybe even his son would see it when he started school and get his own name on it.
Oliver rolled over and pulled the covers up to his chin and felt like crying. He was just so frustrated with everything, himself and mainly Ava.
He heard his dormitory door open and shut quietly, probably Tristan coming back from visiting his Hufflepuff girlfriend or something.
Oliver heard footsteps and someone pull back his bed sheets slightly.
"Dan, we've been through this...PARIS!?" Oliver hissed, startled. He had thought it was...never mind.
"Ssh Oliver, it's me," Paris said quickly, getting into bed with him and pulling the covers over the two.
"What are you doing?" Oliver asked, moving over to make room. "You're in your underwear!"
"Shut up Oliver. I've just seen Fred, says you chucked Ava off the team," Paris replied, looking directly at him.
"I did. She was making trouble and saying all kinds of crap. I had enough," Oliver sighed.
"But the match! It's Saturday Oliver, who are you going to get to play? I mean, Katie could do it but you'd be a Chaser short," Paris whispered frantically.
"I know," Oliver said sadly. Paris looked at him and could see he was very upset. She slipped her arms around him and held him tight.
"You're too fat to cuddle," Oliver teased. It was true; the baby was pushing into Oliver's stomach as Paris tried to hug him. "It's quite nice actually," Oliver said, putting a hand on it.
"He's so heavy Oliver, it's like carrying a bloody watermelon up you school uniform," Paris sighed, pushing a few hairs from her face.
"Where's your hair gone?!" Oliver asked, sitting up and touching what was left of Paris hair.
"I cut it off. Sorry," Paris admitted, as Oliver ran his fingers through it.
"No, I like it," He replied, stroking it flat and laying back down.
"Wait till you see it properly," Paris sighed but Oliver just kissed her slowly before settling himself on her shoulder and drifting off to sleep.
"Thank you so, so much," Paris kept repeating as she held out arm protectors. "Really, thank you. You have no idea just how happy Oliver will be."
It was Saturday morning, the morning of the final Quidditch match. Oliver hadn't been able to find anyone to play Seeker surprisingly and poor Katie had been having a crash course in Seeking skills. It still meant Gryffindor only had two Chasers and really didn't stand a chance against Slytherin so Paris had taken matters into her own hands.
"Its fine, you know I'll do anything for you," the new Seeker replied. "Are you sure Dumbledore said it was ok?"
"It's fine, perfectly legal," Paris replied, grinning. She was just so happy and giddy with excitement. "Come on, let's go."
The pair could hear the roar of the crowd from the safety of the Hufflepuff changing room Paris had begged the keys off Cedric for them to use. Anything to see Slytherin defeated and when they saw Gryffindor's secret weapon, they wouldn't know what had hit them. A part of her wished Marcus Flint was here to see it but she perished the thought at once. The less they saw of him, the better.
Outside, Oliver was looking a nasty shade of green. It was suicide playing with a member short but what else could he do? He'd never forfeit to them.
Andy Warrington, the new Captain was smiling smugly and Pansy was shooting dirty looks at poor Katie who looked worse than Oliver.
"Interesting match this will be for sure," Lee Jordan called into his microphone glumly. The Slytherin supporters were shouting all kinds of obscenities at the Gryffindor's.
"Come on," Paris said and threw the doors open onto the pitch. "WAIT!" She screamed, making everyone on the pitch turn and look. Paris wanted to laugh, she was unsure who looked the most shocked, Gryffindor or Slytherin.
With a big grin on her face, she walked to the middle of the pitch and joined the Gryffindor's.
"I present my new stand in, perfectly legal and a brilliant player if I say so myself," Paris announced to the two teams and Madam Hooch, who was smiling widely.
Standing next to Paris was the tall, muscled, red headed form of Charlie Weasley grinning madly and decked out fully in the Gryffindor uniform.
"You can't do that! Miss, it isn't allowed!" Warrington howled at once, the colour draining from his face. Oliver looked as if he may faint. Paris wished she had a camera to capture their faces.
"C-Charlie is playing? For me? I'm his Captain?" Oliver stuttered in disbelief and awe.
"I sure am Captain," Charlie replied, grinning from Oliver to Paris.
"Thank you so much Charlie," Paris said again and kissed his cheek lovingly. "Come on Oliver, Charlie needs to know the formation!" Paris said, laughing openly at her poor boyfriend.
Oliver said nothing, just grabbed Paris and squeezed her so tight; she thought she might pass out.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Oliver said frantically, kissing Paris senseless then letting her go and grabbing Charlie. Paris believed Oliver was actually sobbing into Charlie's neck but quickly let him go and pretended to sneeze so he could wipe his eyes.
"Well ladies and gentlemen, it seems Gryffindor have yet another new Seeker, none other than the legend that is Mister Charlie Weasley! I think I may cry," Lee Jordan cried to the crowd, who all immediately leant over the stands to gawp at Charlie. Paris had never heard the Gryffindor's scream so loudly.
"Good luck," Paris said, winking at Charlie before making her way to the Gryffindor crush to enjoy the match.
"Is this your doing?" Tristan shouted, looking at Paris in awe when she pushed her way to the front.
"Nope. Nothing to do with me," Paris shrugged, grinning at Percy then settling herself to watch the game.
The entire Gryffindor team played with such fire, Slytherin barely had a touch of the Quaffle. The Chasers were scoring left right and centre and Miles Bletchley, the Slytherin Keeper couldn't stop a single Quaffle.
Slytherin and Gryffindor were almost equal with points on the scoreboard so all Gryffindor had do was win and the Cup was theirs.
"Come on Charlie! Come on!" Paris, along with the rest of the supporters was shouting at Charlie. He looked great flying around the field, it was just like when he was at school and the huge grin on his proved he enjoyed it.
"Of course, this game will be a piece of cake for Gryffindor. Charlie Weasley is the best player this school has ever seen!" Lee Jordan shouted. So far, all he had done was shout things about Charlie.
"Jordan! Unless you're hoping for a marriage proposal from Weasley, can you please tell us what's going on in this game!" Professor McGonagall shouted at Lee.
"Certainly Miss," Lee replied, bowing to his Head of House and continuing commentating.
"Merlin, I can barely watch this," Paris cried, covering her eyes.
"Are you insane? This is the best game I will ever see in my life!" Tristan shouted at Paris, pulling her hands away from her face before shouting obscenities at the Slytherin team.
Suddenly, everyone began screaming. The din was deafening but it could only mean one thing, the Snitch.
Everyone pushed forward to see what was going on and flags and posters were going everywhere with every single person screaming their heads off.
Charlie was diving for the Snitch with Pansy no where in sight. All the players stopped playing and just watched in awe.
"And it's Weasley there going for the Snitch, oh this is confusing, three Weasley's on the pitch at once! And where is Parkinson? Come on Pansy, it's the Cup on the line here! Charlie dives up, he dives down, oh the Snitch sure is feisty today ladies and gentlemen. Oh and here's Pansy! You've got no chance girly; just go back to your lair or something! Charlie is close but can he? Can he? YES HE CAN! GRYFFINDOR WIN!" Lee screamed and almost fell out of the teacher's box.
The Gryffindor box erupted. Everyone jumped up and down, crying and hugging each other. Flags were floating happily down toward the pitch and the look on the Slytherin's faces was priceless. So good in fact, Paris took a picture with her little camera she had brought.
On the pitch, the Gryffindor's were jumping up and down and screaming with each other.
"We won! We won!" Katie shouted, tears streaming down her face as George hugged her tightly.
"Where's Oliver?" Angelina asked, looking around the pitch but he was no where to be seen.
Oliver was bravely making his way up to the Gryffindor box, everyone screamed louder when they saw him and everyone wanted to shake his hand and pat him on the back but he pushed his way through toward a very surprised Paris.
"Congratulations, Captain," Paris said, doing a little curtsy and grinning from ear to ear. He merely grabbed her and hugged her. Paris knew he was crying and felt her own eyes began to fill with tears of happiness too.
"Thank you," Oliver said so only Paris could hear. "Thank you so much."
"Go on, go hug your team. They've worked so hard," Paris said, pushing him away but Oliver firmly took her hand and pulled her toward the pitch with him.
The atmosphere was unbelievable in the stadium and as soon as Paris stepped onto the beaten grass, all the hairs stood up on her newly bare neck.
As soon as the Chasers clocked Paris they all rushed to her, screaming and laughing. Paris felt like it was she who had caught the Snitch.
"I, you were, thank you," Oliver stuttered, holding his hand out to Charlie but Charlie shook his head and with a smile, pulled Oliver into a manly hug.
Paris grinned and now the whole Gryffindor team was all crying freely. Paris looked up and saw Lee Jordan just clapping and Professor McGonagall giving Snape her condolences.
Finally, the team made their way up to the teacher's box to finally hold the beloved Quidditch Cup. Oliver went first, as Captain and tried to stop crying.
"Congratulations, Master Wood," Dumbledore said and passed him the gleaming Cup. Oliver took it and felt the breath escape his body. It was his. Finally he had earnt the Cup.
Oliver raised the Cup and the stadium was filled with deafening applause.
The party back in Gryffindor common room went on until the very early hours of the next morning. There was more food piled up in the common room than Paris had ever seen in one place before but the Gryffindor's took care of that.
Of course, the guest of honour was Charlie Weasley, who was smiling bashfully at all the attention. He hadn't felt like this since he left school.
Oliver was happier than anyone had ever seen him and spent the entire duration of the party talking and joking with every member of Gryffindor house.
Paris was teaching the twins how to play a Muggle game called Pokemon with a little first year boy called Duncan, who owned the cards. Duncan was also a Muggle born and Paris was the only one who knew how to play the game.
"Aren't the cards going to explode or something?" George complained, examining a card.
"Explode?" Duncan repeated timidly. "I hope not."
"They don't do anything Georgie, they're just cards. Why don't you teach Duncan Exploding Snap whilst I go find your brother?" Paris said getting up.
"I'd love to," Fred said evilly and produced a pack of cards.
"Nicely, he's only a first year," Paris said and made her way over to where Charlie was.
"I'm sorry girls but I just need to steal Charlie for a few moments," Paris said to a gaggle of girls who had surrounded Charlie since he'd gotten off his broom. They all gave Paris dirty looks and looked disappointed.
"You'll get him back, promise!" Paris called as she led Charlie over to the door to the boy's dormitory.
"Thanks, I was beginning to get scared," Charlie laughed as he and Paris sat down on the steps leading up to the rooms.
"Looks like Oliver has lost his fan club," Paris joked. "Anyway, I just want to say again Charlie, thank you so very much. You made Gryffindor very happy."
"It's fine," Charlie replied, running a hand through his hair. "I'm glad you pulled me out anyway, I wanted to talk to you."
"I wanted to talk to you too," Paris admitted. "You go first."
"I wanted to say sorry, y'know about Christmas. I was an idiot," Charlie said sheepishly.
"Forget it Charlie. Just promise me we won't fade apart. You're my very bestest friend in the whole world!" Paris joked, putting her arm around him.
"We won't fade apart Paris, I seriously doubt you'll ever let me go. Anyway, I'm spending summer at home with Mick. You remember Mick?" Charlie asked.
"The one who got drunk when he visited at Christmas ages ago and told me I was the prettiest fencing post he'd ever seen? Yeah, vaguely remember him," Paris said laughing.
"I'll have to remind him about that," Charlie replied, smiling. "Anyway, we better get back."
"OK," Paris replied, getting up.
"By the way, nice hair," Charlie added with a smirk and Paris punched him playfully on the arm.
"I think I'm going to be sick! I can't remember how to do a Switching Spell!" Percy said, panicking and fishing a huge book out of his bag.
"Calm down," Paris hissed, trying to breathe through her fear also.
It was the very first NEWT's exam and the seventh years were lining up outside the Great Hall waiting to begin their written Transfiguration exam.
"Hang on a minute, what's the spell for turning a table into a horse?" Marino said suddenly, grabbing the book from Percy and flicking to the appropriate page.
The seventh and fifth years had their exams all week and then on Saturday, the seventh years had their graduation which everyone was looking forward to.
Unfortunately, through most of the written exams, Paris had to sit near Ava. She vowed if she failed her NEWT's, she would blame Ava. In fact, she'd just blame Ava for everything.
The week went so very slowly and all Paris, Oliver, Marino, Percy did was revise until their eyes hurt and their brains couldn't store any more information.
"Where's Percy?" Paris asked, Thursday evening leaning back in her chair. Her back hurt, her feet hurt and she was tired of being pregnant. Madam Pomfry wouldn't give her any sympathy, saying there were women who were much bigger than Paris and she should think herself lucky she was only having one baby.
"He mumbled something about the library and Cornish pasties," Oliver said, also leaning back and pressing his palms into his eyes.
"He is so stressed, he gave a second year four hundred lines for walking too slow in the corridor this morning," Paris sighed, giving Oliver a tired smile.
"How're you feeling?" He asked, reaching over and squeezing her knee affectionately.
"I really cannot wait to give birth. It's just so heavy, I can barely move," Paris said, glad for a little vent. "I think I've thought of a name anyway."
"For what?" Oliver replied, looking at Paris.
"Our son, Oliver."
"Oh. Right, so what is it?" Oliver said with a nod.
"I was thinking, he's supposed to be really special right? I mean it doesn't matter if he isn't but Dumbledore said he'd grow to achieve great things," Paris explained. "I'm named after a Prince who wasn't exactly a hero but whatever and you're Oliver, could be after Oliver Cromwell who was also a great man -,"
"Who?" Oliver interrupted but Paris ignored him.
"One of the greatest men in history was of course, Alexander the Great and Alexander means protector of men. It's a nice name," Paris finished hopefully.
"Alex...yeah, I like it. Alexander Wood," Oliver said, sounding the syllables out slowly and smiling. "Wow, he has a name. We're really having a baby!"
"You've only just realized?" Paris asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Well he's going to be here soon, isn't he? Our own little boy. Us, parents! Think, we'll see him grow, see his first steps and school and Quidditch match - ,"
"Supposing he wants to play Quidditch."
"Oh, he will," Oliver confirmed and drifted off into a day dream about teaching his son Quidditch.
Paris was sitting in the Great Hall alone eating her lunch and keeping her head down. It was Wednesday and the Quidditch final was on Saturday. The NEWT's were the following week, followed by graduation followed by the end of year party. Somewhere along the lines, Paris was going to have a baby and hoped it would be sooner rather than later.
"Well, who is this? A lost student? It'd be my honour to help you back...ARGH!" Fred almost fell over George when he saw who he was chatting up.
"Fred! Shut up! It's me," Paris hissed frantically, sitting him down next to her.
"What on earth?" Fred said, bewildered.
"I've just had Potions. It's a Changeling Potion alright?" Paris said, pushing her waist length blonde hair over her shoulder. As she was busy worrying over Oliver and everything else, she had been a little too liberal with the ingredients and now resembled Rapunzel.
"It looks weird," George said, grabbing a handful. "But it smells nice!"
"It's heavy, just what I need with this!" Paris complained, motioning to her rather large bump.
"You are getting huge Par, are you sure it's just one?" Fred laughed, helping himself to five or six sandwiches.
"It feels like triplets. Merlin, I hope it's not triplets," Paris said, gulping. As she said it, Oliver and Ava joined the table, they sat next to each other opposite Paris, Fred and George.
"What in the name have you done?" Ava said immediately, clocking Paris' waterfall of blonde hair.
"It's a NEWT's potion," Paris replied sourly. Since Ava had won the last Quidditch match, Oliver had forgotten the hell Ava had put Paris through and become her new best friend.
"I prefer you with dark hair," Oliver said, smiling. He reached across the table to squeeze her hand but Paris quickly grabbed her fork.
"Yeah, blonde doesn't suit everyone," Ava added. Paris knew if she didn't leave now, she'd do something she'd regret.
"I said I'd meet Cedric in the library. See you later," Paris said abruptly, getting up and leaving.
"Paris!?" Oliver called but Paris ignored and hurried to the library, hoping to Merlin Cedric was in there.
"Great practice team! Come on showers and bed," Oliver called later that night. His team was tired out but it would all be worth it.
"I'm counting on you Ava," Oliver said as he followed the rest of the team into the changing rooms.
"I'll do it Oliver. You know I will," Ava replied without a trace of modesty. She followed him into the Captain's office, leaving the shrieks of the Chasers behind her. It was good the twins were occupying them, Ava thought.
"You've shown a lot of talent in the last few months. I couldn't have asked for a better replacement," Oliver said, sitting down and breathing a sigh of relief. "I just have to have the Cup and without Paris I didn't think I'd do it."
"Maybe you should've had me all along? You're a good Captain that deserves better players," Ava said sweetly.
"I had a good team, I have a brilliant team. Just because you won the last game doesn't make you a good player Ava, it's constant stamina and hard work that makes good players," Oliver replied.
"Yeah but Paris never managed to win the last game of the season, did she?" Ava argued, determined to turn the conversation on how crap Paris was.
"And neither have you. We always end up playing Slytherin and they always cheat. If they played fairly, we would've had the Cup every year," Oliver pressed. "Now without Flint, they'll either fail or play harder than ever."
"I won't let the team down Oliver. You did the right thing replacing Paris, don't worry," Ava replied, flicking her hair.
"I only replaced Paris because of her safety, if it wasn't for that, I'd be talking to her right now," Oliver said coldly, remembering why he didn't like Ava.
"Well you're talking to me and Paris is probably off with Diggory. I hear she told you all sorts to get her neck off the line," Ava said bitterly.
"That's enough Ava! Stop trying to cause trouble, I've warned you before," Oliver said, standing up.
"Oh come on Oliver! Open your eyes! She's no good for you, a waste of your time. You could have a real woman, a dedicated woman who'd give you everything you could ever dream of! What is the fascination with that cow anyway? She's crap at Quidditch, not exactly good looking and far too happy all the time! How can you stick it?" Ava yelled, also on her feet.
"Get out Ava! That's it! I've had it with you and your bitchiness! I wouldn't give you a second look and you know it so just leave and forget playing Seeker for Gryffindor. I don't want you on my team," Oliver shouted.
"Oh yeah? I'm your only hope! You can't afford to lose me," Ava replied, smiling nastily.
"Do you think I care? Get out! You stay away from me and you stay away from Paris!" Oliver roared. Ava glared at him for a moment.
"Fine. I'll expect an apology when you come crawling back me in a few days though. You can kiss your beloved Cup good bye," Ava spat and left with a swish of her perfect blonde hair.
Oliver threw himself in his seat and banged his fists on the desk in anger and frustration. What had he done? He had no Seeker with the final in a few days.
At the same moment in time, Paris was in the Prefects bathroom looking at her reflection.
Ina moment of wisdom, she had decided to cut her hair. The potion wasn't permanent thankfully but the weight of the thick, blonde hair had gotten the better of Paris and she had hacked it off.
She was angry at Oliver for forgiving Ava and even angrier at Ava's sly little comments so she'd cut her hair.
Paris watched in the mirror as her short hair turned slowly from blonde back to her usual dark brown. It remained short and Paris pulled at it, wondering what on earth she had done to herself. She loved her hair, loved brushing it and styling it and now it barely came to her chin.
It made her look quite elvin and she decided she would just have to get used to it as she didn't fancy attempting a hair growing spell. She remembered how a curse from one of the Slytherin team had made Alicia Spinnet's eyebrows grow out of control and she kept tripping over them on her way to the hospital wing.
"Merlin, it's bloody worse than the blonde mass," Paris sighed to herself, letting her fingers slide off her hair and fall to her side. She turned to the side and as she was in her underwear, gave her stomach an inspection.
"Well, you've completely ruined my figure boy," Paris said fondly, running her hand over her tummy. "I suppose I'll be seeing you soon but please don't grow any more!"
Paris paused as if waiting for a reply. She knew babies could hear sounds inside so he must be listening.
"What's Daddy going to say when he sees my hair I wonder?" Paris continued, reaching up to touch it once again. The ends weren't even where she had cut it and it flicked out at angles.
Paris sighed again and put on her dressing gown. She decided to go and find Oliver.
Oliver had just gotten into his bed, every muscle in his body aching.
His mind was racing with thoughts and fear. Who would he get to play Seeker now? No one in their right mind would play with only a few days training against Slytherin.
He was going to let the team down, going to let his house down. He just wanted his name on the Cup – was that so hard? He wanted to make Paris proud and to show his brothers he could win the Cup. Maybe even his son would see it when he started school and get his own name on it.
Oliver rolled over and pulled the covers up to his chin and felt like crying. He was just so frustrated with everything, himself and mainly Ava.
He heard his dormitory door open and shut quietly, probably Tristan coming back from visiting his Hufflepuff girlfriend or something.
Oliver heard footsteps and someone pull back his bed sheets slightly.
"Dan, we've been through this...PARIS!?" Oliver hissed, startled. He had thought it was...never mind.
"Ssh Oliver, it's me," Paris said quickly, getting into bed with him and pulling the covers over the two.
"What are you doing?" Oliver asked, moving over to make room. "You're in your underwear!"
"Shut up Oliver. I've just seen Fred, says you chucked Ava off the team," Paris replied, looking directly at him.
"I did. She was making trouble and saying all kinds of crap. I had enough," Oliver sighed.
"But the match! It's Saturday Oliver, who are you going to get to play? I mean, Katie could do it but you'd be a Chaser short," Paris whispered frantically.
"I know," Oliver said sadly. Paris looked at him and could see he was very upset. She slipped her arms around him and held him tight.
"You're too fat to cuddle," Oliver teased. It was true; the baby was pushing into Oliver's stomach as Paris tried to hug him. "It's quite nice actually," Oliver said, putting a hand on it.
"He's so heavy Oliver, it's like carrying a bloody watermelon up you school uniform," Paris sighed, pushing a few hairs from her face.
"Where's your hair gone?!" Oliver asked, sitting up and touching what was left of Paris hair.
"I cut it off. Sorry," Paris admitted, as Oliver ran his fingers through it.
"No, I like it," He replied, stroking it flat and laying back down.
"Wait till you see it properly," Paris sighed but Oliver just kissed her slowly before settling himself on her shoulder and drifting off to sleep.
"Thank you so, so much," Paris kept repeating as she held out arm protectors. "Really, thank you. You have no idea just how happy Oliver will be."
It was Saturday morning, the morning of the final Quidditch match. Oliver hadn't been able to find anyone to play Seeker surprisingly and poor Katie had been having a crash course in Seeking skills. It still meant Gryffindor only had two Chasers and really didn't stand a chance against Slytherin so Paris had taken matters into her own hands.
"Its fine, you know I'll do anything for you," the new Seeker replied. "Are you sure Dumbledore said it was ok?"
"It's fine, perfectly legal," Paris replied, grinning. She was just so happy and giddy with excitement. "Come on, let's go."
The pair could hear the roar of the crowd from the safety of the Hufflepuff changing room Paris had begged the keys off Cedric for them to use. Anything to see Slytherin defeated and when they saw Gryffindor's secret weapon, they wouldn't know what had hit them. A part of her wished Marcus Flint was here to see it but she perished the thought at once. The less they saw of him, the better.
Outside, Oliver was looking a nasty shade of green. It was suicide playing with a member short but what else could he do? He'd never forfeit to them.
Andy Warrington, the new Captain was smiling smugly and Pansy was shooting dirty looks at poor Katie who looked worse than Oliver.
"Interesting match this will be for sure," Lee Jordan called into his microphone glumly. The Slytherin supporters were shouting all kinds of obscenities at the Gryffindor's.
"Come on," Paris said and threw the doors open onto the pitch. "WAIT!" She screamed, making everyone on the pitch turn and look. Paris wanted to laugh, she was unsure who looked the most shocked, Gryffindor or Slytherin.
With a big grin on her face, she walked to the middle of the pitch and joined the Gryffindor's.
"I present my new stand in, perfectly legal and a brilliant player if I say so myself," Paris announced to the two teams and Madam Hooch, who was smiling widely.
Standing next to Paris was the tall, muscled, red headed form of Charlie Weasley grinning madly and decked out fully in the Gryffindor uniform.
"You can't do that! Miss, it isn't allowed!" Warrington howled at once, the colour draining from his face. Oliver looked as if he may faint. Paris wished she had a camera to capture their faces.
"C-Charlie is playing? For me? I'm his Captain?" Oliver stuttered in disbelief and awe.
"I sure am Captain," Charlie replied, grinning from Oliver to Paris.
"Thank you so much Charlie," Paris said again and kissed his cheek lovingly. "Come on Oliver, Charlie needs to know the formation!" Paris said, laughing openly at her poor boyfriend.
Oliver said nothing, just grabbed Paris and squeezed her so tight; she thought she might pass out.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Oliver said frantically, kissing Paris senseless then letting her go and grabbing Charlie. Paris believed Oliver was actually sobbing into Charlie's neck but quickly let him go and pretended to sneeze so he could wipe his eyes.
"Well ladies and gentlemen, it seems Gryffindor have yet another new Seeker, none other than the legend that is Mister Charlie Weasley! I think I may cry," Lee Jordan cried to the crowd, who all immediately leant over the stands to gawp at Charlie. Paris had never heard the Gryffindor's scream so loudly.
"Good luck," Paris said, winking at Charlie before making her way to the Gryffindor crush to enjoy the match.
"Is this your doing?" Tristan shouted, looking at Paris in awe when she pushed her way to the front.
"Nope. Nothing to do with me," Paris shrugged, grinning at Percy then settling herself to watch the game.
The entire Gryffindor team played with such fire, Slytherin barely had a touch of the Quaffle. The Chasers were scoring left right and centre and Miles Bletchley, the Slytherin Keeper couldn't stop a single Quaffle.
Slytherin and Gryffindor were almost equal with points on the scoreboard so all Gryffindor had do was win and the Cup was theirs.
"Come on Charlie! Come on!" Paris, along with the rest of the supporters was shouting at Charlie. He looked great flying around the field, it was just like when he was at school and the huge grin on his proved he enjoyed it.
"Of course, this game will be a piece of cake for Gryffindor. Charlie Weasley is the best player this school has ever seen!" Lee Jordan shouted. So far, all he had done was shout things about Charlie.
"Jordan! Unless you're hoping for a marriage proposal from Weasley, can you please tell us what's going on in this game!" Professor McGonagall shouted at Lee.
"Certainly Miss," Lee replied, bowing to his Head of House and continuing commentating.
"Merlin, I can barely watch this," Paris cried, covering her eyes.
"Are you insane? This is the best game I will ever see in my life!" Tristan shouted at Paris, pulling her hands away from her face before shouting obscenities at the Slytherin team.
Suddenly, everyone began screaming. The din was deafening but it could only mean one thing, the Snitch.
Everyone pushed forward to see what was going on and flags and posters were going everywhere with every single person screaming their heads off.
Charlie was diving for the Snitch with Pansy no where in sight. All the players stopped playing and just watched in awe.
"And it's Weasley there going for the Snitch, oh this is confusing, three Weasley's on the pitch at once! And where is Parkinson? Come on Pansy, it's the Cup on the line here! Charlie dives up, he dives down, oh the Snitch sure is feisty today ladies and gentlemen. Oh and here's Pansy! You've got no chance girly; just go back to your lair or something! Charlie is close but can he? Can he? YES HE CAN! GRYFFINDOR WIN!" Lee screamed and almost fell out of the teacher's box.
The Gryffindor box erupted. Everyone jumped up and down, crying and hugging each other. Flags were floating happily down toward the pitch and the look on the Slytherin's faces was priceless. So good in fact, Paris took a picture with her little camera she had brought.
On the pitch, the Gryffindor's were jumping up and down and screaming with each other.
"We won! We won!" Katie shouted, tears streaming down her face as George hugged her tightly.
"Where's Oliver?" Angelina asked, looking around the pitch but he was no where to be seen.
Oliver was bravely making his way up to the Gryffindor box, everyone screamed louder when they saw him and everyone wanted to shake his hand and pat him on the back but he pushed his way through toward a very surprised Paris.
"Congratulations, Captain," Paris said, doing a little curtsy and grinning from ear to ear. He merely grabbed her and hugged her. Paris knew he was crying and felt her own eyes began to fill with tears of happiness too.
"Thank you," Oliver said so only Paris could hear. "Thank you so much."
"Go on, go hug your team. They've worked so hard," Paris said, pushing him away but Oliver firmly took her hand and pulled her toward the pitch with him.
The atmosphere was unbelievable in the stadium and as soon as Paris stepped onto the beaten grass, all the hairs stood up on her newly bare neck.
As soon as the Chasers clocked Paris they all rushed to her, screaming and laughing. Paris felt like it was she who had caught the Snitch.
"I, you were, thank you," Oliver stuttered, holding his hand out to Charlie but Charlie shook his head and with a smile, pulled Oliver into a manly hug.
Paris grinned and now the whole Gryffindor team was all crying freely. Paris looked up and saw Lee Jordan just clapping and Professor McGonagall giving Snape her condolences.
Finally, the team made their way up to the teacher's box to finally hold the beloved Quidditch Cup. Oliver went first, as Captain and tried to stop crying.
"Congratulations, Master Wood," Dumbledore said and passed him the gleaming Cup. Oliver took it and felt the breath escape his body. It was his. Finally he had earnt the Cup.
Oliver raised the Cup and the stadium was filled with deafening applause.
The party back in Gryffindor common room went on until the very early hours of the next morning. There was more food piled up in the common room than Paris had ever seen in one place before but the Gryffindor's took care of that.
Of course, the guest of honour was Charlie Weasley, who was smiling bashfully at all the attention. He hadn't felt like this since he left school.
Oliver was happier than anyone had ever seen him and spent the entire duration of the party talking and joking with every member of Gryffindor house.
Paris was teaching the twins how to play a Muggle game called Pokemon with a little first year boy called Duncan, who owned the cards. Duncan was also a Muggle born and Paris was the only one who knew how to play the game.
"Aren't the cards going to explode or something?" George complained, examining a card.
"Explode?" Duncan repeated timidly. "I hope not."
"They don't do anything Georgie, they're just cards. Why don't you teach Duncan Exploding Snap whilst I go find your brother?" Paris said getting up.
"I'd love to," Fred said evilly and produced a pack of cards.
"Nicely, he's only a first year," Paris said and made her way over to where Charlie was.
"I'm sorry girls but I just need to steal Charlie for a few moments," Paris said to a gaggle of girls who had surrounded Charlie since he'd gotten off his broom. They all gave Paris dirty looks and looked disappointed.
"You'll get him back, promise!" Paris called as she led Charlie over to the door to the boy's dormitory.
"Thanks, I was beginning to get scared," Charlie laughed as he and Paris sat down on the steps leading up to the rooms.
"Looks like Oliver has lost his fan club," Paris joked. "Anyway, I just want to say again Charlie, thank you so very much. You made Gryffindor very happy."
"It's fine," Charlie replied, running a hand through his hair. "I'm glad you pulled me out anyway, I wanted to talk to you."
"I wanted to talk to you too," Paris admitted. "You go first."
"I wanted to say sorry, y'know about Christmas. I was an idiot," Charlie said sheepishly.
"Forget it Charlie. Just promise me we won't fade apart. You're my very bestest friend in the whole world!" Paris joked, putting her arm around him.
"We won't fade apart Paris, I seriously doubt you'll ever let me go. Anyway, I'm spending summer at home with Mick. You remember Mick?" Charlie asked.
"The one who got drunk when he visited at Christmas ages ago and told me I was the prettiest fencing post he'd ever seen? Yeah, vaguely remember him," Paris said laughing.
"I'll have to remind him about that," Charlie replied, smiling. "Anyway, we better get back."
"OK," Paris replied, getting up.
"By the way, nice hair," Charlie added with a smirk and Paris punched him playfully on the arm.
"I think I'm going to be sick! I can't remember how to do a Switching Spell!" Percy said, panicking and fishing a huge book out of his bag.
"Calm down," Paris hissed, trying to breathe through her fear also.
It was the very first NEWT's exam and the seventh years were lining up outside the Great Hall waiting to begin their written Transfiguration exam.
"Hang on a minute, what's the spell for turning a table into a horse?" Marino said suddenly, grabbing the book from Percy and flicking to the appropriate page.
The seventh and fifth years had their exams all week and then on Saturday, the seventh years had their graduation which everyone was looking forward to.
Unfortunately, through most of the written exams, Paris had to sit near Ava. She vowed if she failed her NEWT's, she would blame Ava. In fact, she'd just blame Ava for everything.
The week went so very slowly and all Paris, Oliver, Marino, Percy did was revise until their eyes hurt and their brains couldn't store any more information.
"Where's Percy?" Paris asked, Thursday evening leaning back in her chair. Her back hurt, her feet hurt and she was tired of being pregnant. Madam Pomfry wouldn't give her any sympathy, saying there were women who were much bigger than Paris and she should think herself lucky she was only having one baby.
"He mumbled something about the library and Cornish pasties," Oliver said, also leaning back and pressing his palms into his eyes.
"He is so stressed, he gave a second year four hundred lines for walking too slow in the corridor this morning," Paris sighed, giving Oliver a tired smile.
"How're you feeling?" He asked, reaching over and squeezing her knee affectionately.
"I really cannot wait to give birth. It's just so heavy, I can barely move," Paris said, glad for a little vent. "I think I've thought of a name anyway."
"For what?" Oliver replied, looking at Paris.
"Our son, Oliver."
"Oh. Right, so what is it?" Oliver said with a nod.
"I was thinking, he's supposed to be really special right? I mean it doesn't matter if he isn't but Dumbledore said he'd grow to achieve great things," Paris explained. "I'm named after a Prince who wasn't exactly a hero but whatever and you're Oliver, could be after Oliver Cromwell who was also a great man -,"
"Who?" Oliver interrupted but Paris ignored him.
"One of the greatest men in history was of course, Alexander the Great and Alexander means protector of men. It's a nice name," Paris finished hopefully.
"Alex...yeah, I like it. Alexander Wood," Oliver said, sounding the syllables out slowly and smiling. "Wow, he has a name. We're really having a baby!"
"You've only just realized?" Paris asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Well he's going to be here soon, isn't he? Our own little boy. Us, parents! Think, we'll see him grow, see his first steps and school and Quidditch match - ,"
"Supposing he wants to play Quidditch."
"Oh, he will," Oliver confirmed and drifted off into a day dream about teaching his son Quidditch.