Author's Note: I wrote this Oliver/ Katie fic since Katie and Oliver does not appear much in any of the Harry Potter books. I felt that their characters should be developed more so that they can be appreciated. Of course, the real Oliver isn't really like that, but I want him to fit him into the story. I was also inspired by many of the brilliant authors who wrote about Bell and Wood. I know I will never be as good as them, but all the same, I can try, can't I?

Disclaimer: I own nothing that appears familiar in this fic.

Summary:

Oliver Wood— Quidditch captain and heartthrob of Gryffindor, can have any girl in the school except the one he really wants. Katie Bell, as friendly as she might be, is cold and aloof towards him as he gives her the impression that he is an egoistical prat. Will Oliver finally win the girl of his dreams?

Chapter 1: Hope?

There she was. The girl who loathed him, the girl whom he yearned for. Chatting animatedly with the Weasley twins and her best friends Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell's divine emerald eyes sparkled with a light that charmed him. She laughed, and her infectious peals of laughter rang high into the air, brightening his day. His heart sank when he knew that he could never possibly join part of their group with civilized conversation, without getting shot down by Katie first. Nevertheless, he strode up to her, putting on an aura of confidence, determination unwavering in his eyes.

"Katie, he's here." Angelina said, knowing her best friend's immediate response. The rest of the gang instinctively backed away, in case Wood got on her nerves and blew her top. Katie had a hot temper, which could even scare away the male species.

Without turning around, Katie groaned inwardly. Him. The conceited Oliver Wood, who thought highly of himself as Mr. Universe, with girls clinging on to him 24/7. She couldn't stand any part of him; the way he smirked at girls just to get their attention, being such a big flirt, and worse of all, treating his girlfriends like toys, where he could just dispose of them when he got fed up with their whining. She promised and vowed to herself that she would never subject to be one of his "toys", and end up heartbroken with nothing but tears.

"Hey babe, looking hot today!" he grinned at her cockily.

Whirling around, her short-lived laughter ceased as her green orbs turned cold and hard, glaring at him with such intense hatred that none dared to rival it, in amazing contrast to her previous joyful state. Oliver didn't know what he had done to Katie in his past lives to make her despise him to such an extent. Every time he merely entered her sight, she would refuse to even hold a civilized conversation with him. The only time she would ever bother to obey him was when they had Quidditch practice, whereby Oliver was the Captain and Katie was a chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team.

"Excuse me, Wood. I'm a girl, not a babe, for your information." Katie's voice dripped with extreme sarcasm, no signs of a smile seen.

"Whatever you say, my dear. Bell, what about going out with me? I'm a decent guy you know."

The twins, Ange and Lish snickered at their choice of words, and scurried away to their classes, leaving Katie and Oliver to themselves.

"Oh? How come I've never seen a shred of evidence of it? And I'll appreciate of you'll stop stalking me around, and treating me like those registered members of the Oliver Wood fan club, drooling at you all the time, wherever you go."

That was true, in a way. Since both of them had known each other, he had been lusting after her doggedly, refusing to give up hope. Katie hated Wood, as he was such a big flirt; he had a new girlfriend every week, and it made her sick to see all those girls crying their hearts out because of that playboy. Now he was out to capture her heart, probably to end up breaking it for another bitch, she cogitated bitterly. No way was she going to be so naïve and fall prey to his antics. She liked to be independent and stand on her own two feet, therefore very much preferred to be single, even though many guys had asked her out. Katie was also very afraid of love; she was scared of being heartbroken. She never actually experienced it, but was still frightened of the aspects of it, for her fear blinded her to see that not all guys were like Wood.

"Do you know that you look most ravishing when you're mad, Bell?" Oliver Wood told her truthfully.

Katie glared menacingly at him, clamping her mouth firmly shut. Her cheeks were tinged pink, indeed the essence of beauty.

"Come on now. What class are you having now?"

"Transfiguration" she replied curtly, hoping that he would take the hint and get lost.

"I'll escort you, fair maiden, to your destination."

"No thank you, knight in shining armour. Milady has no need for your company."

"Unfortunately, I 'm not the type who takes no for an answer. My sweet, you should know me very well by now."

With that, he gripped her hand like a vice, ignoring her loud protests and struggles, forcing her to follow him till they reached the classroom. Katie was too shock and furious to say anything for a while. How dare Wood do something like that?!

"What was that for, you bloody prat?!" she said with clenched teeth.

"Can't you be nice for once? I'm just hurrying you for your lessons so you won't be late and get detention. That's the least I can do for such a lovely lass like you. Thy abominable name-calling makes thee sad."

Oliver put on his cutest pout and puppy eyes, with worked effectively in making nearly the entire female population in Hogwarts swoon, minus Katie. However, Katie could not help thinking how adorable Wood looked. Hey, Wood looks quite handsome; how come I've never realized it before? Hang on… Katie, what the hell were you thinking?! Wood and adorable should never exist in the same sentence! She mentally slapped herself for such "forbidden thoughts". Nevertheless, hints of a smile were playing on her features. Surprisingly, she smiled graciously at Wood.

"Well, thanks for nothing Wood. Just don't even dream of doing that again." She said pompously and took her seat in the classroom.

Oliver's heart lurched with immense pleasure. Katie had smiled at him. Her small yet beautiful smile was like sunshine after a storm. The battering of eyelashes of the girls that followed him everywhere was nothing compared to this. Feeling optimistic, he entered the classroom with an extra bounce in his step, just as Professor Mcgonagall came in. Maybe, just maybe, there was a ray of hope for him after all.


Is the starting of my fic ok? Too lame? Nice? Boring? Read & Review please. Flames are permitted but please be nice. Constructive criticism is welcome. Thank you. =]