Author's Note: Sorry I took so long to update.  Stupid teachers at school have no compassion for us poor things.  Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers and readers out there!  I contracted this disease called Writer's Block.  And I returned from camp last week.  It was so fun!  Especially the instructors, Eddie and Shai.  They rock forever!  I really miss them.  We learned so many cheers, songs, dances and made new friends.  But all I have left from the camp is only memories that will last a lifetime.

Ice And Vanessa  Thanks a million Frodo for being my ichiban reviewer.  I'll try to write longer.  See you at school!

Ryu of the Azure flames  My utmost thanks to you! I hope that what I write will be enjoyable to all!  Sophisticated name you have.

flowerdrum  Your wonderful support has inspired me.  I'll try my best to update ASAP. This pairing is not really very rare.  There are many other better authors than me though.

Kathy  I can't answer all your questions at the present moment, as some of it will be in the later chapters, but I'll answer what I can. Hmm Oliver might seem like a playboy on the outside, but deep down he's really a nice guy =]

filipinsyncaddict  Thank you so much for your kind intentions.  I'll appreciate your marvellous ideas.  By the way, your name is very unique and cute.

HermioneG7  Aw...your words are very flattering blushes Thanks for your support! I'll update ASAP.

Spexy  I've just finished reading your fic, and it's great!  Sorry if my fic is similar to yours as I wanted their relationship to be like L/J kind.  I thought this plot was one-of-a-kind.  But I was wrong...so sorry.  You can sue me for copyright laws if you want =/

YoursAlwayS  I've heard of this movie but never watched it before, but I'm sure it's nice.  Katie is not a prude; she's too nice to be one.  I'll check out your account ASAP. What's risqué, by the way?  Do expand, I'm intrigued.

stef  Thanks for reviewing!
 

Disclaimer: Nothing I can possess…

Resources: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K.Rowling, Pages 108 & 109

Chapter 2: Mettle

"Wake up, my lovely chasers!  Time for another beautiful day of Quidditch!"  Oliver Wood banged on the door of the girls' dormitory incessantly.

"For god's sake, Wood!  It's only 5am in the morning!  All of us, with the exception of you, have a desire for this essential thing called sleep!"  Angelina mumbled into her pillow.  But even her complaints and grumbles could not deter Wood from barging in.

"Up!  Get up now!"  Oliver strode into the room, his scarlet Quidditch robes billowing behind him, broomstick in hand.  He began tapping his broomstick on Alicia's headboard in an annoying rhythm, ignoring the girls' indignant protests, till Alicia and Angelina had no choice but to get out from their cozy nests.

"Wood, I'm going to sue you for harassing us ladies at such an unearthly hour!  By the way, since when did any law state that boys were allowed in these premises?  Wait till Percy hears about this…" Alicia groused as she entered the bathroom with her Qudditch robes, slamming the door behind her.

"Oh no, don't worry.  This so-called "harassment" is perfectly legal, so long as you are a member of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team."  Oliver smirked.  His eyes traveled to a slim figure sleeping soundly on the bed.  Grinning, he sat on the bed and drew his finger down the person's spine.

"Bell, wake up…oh my love, wake up to see your Prince Charming kneeling at your feet, ready to serve your bidding."

Katie shifted and groaned.  Her arm rose up slowly.  In one swift motion she hit Oliver hard on the shoulder.

"Ow!  What was that for?  Even if you are not in the best of moods, kindly do not vent your anger on me, ok?"

"Get off my bed, Wood.  You're not welcome."  Katie rose up from her lying-down position and put her hands on her hips.  Just then, Alicia came out of the bathroom.

"Tsk tsk, Oliver and Katie, I never knew your relationship had reached that level."  Raising her eyebrows in a very suggestive manner, Alicia smirked, causing both girls to break out in tears of mirth.

"Ange, Lish, get your perverted minds out of the gutter now.  There is absolutely no intimacy between me and your dear captain. "  With that, she pushed Oliver off the bed, and grabbed her Quidditch robes.

"I'm going to change."

Oliver's eyes widened at her choice of words.  Angelina noticed that, and snickered.

"My dear Captain, what could have possessed your sanity to make you think that Katie is going to show certain parts of her body to you?"

"When was he ever sane?"  Katie remarked breezily.

Oliver flushed a deep red as Angelina and Alicia hooted with laughter.  However, he continued staring at Katie's silhouette till she entered the bathroom.  Both girls nudged each other and grinned, causing Katie to shoot them a disgusted look.

"Those two sure make a cute couple.  I'll bet both of them will get together.  It's just a matter of time."

"All right, girls.  Be down at the pitch in ten minutes time.  Be sure to inform Bell about it."


Oliver paced up and down the room nervously in front of his team, which was unusual for him, for he was normally a person with too big an ego, and pumped full of resilience and confidence.

"Look team…this is our last chance…my last chance…to win the Quidditch cup.  I'll be leaving at the end of the year.  I'll never get another shot at it."

"Gryffindor hasn't won for seven years now.  Ok, so we had the worst luck in the world, with countless setbacks— injuries, biasness, and tournament getting called off last year…"

Oliver swallowed, as though the memories still brought a lump to his throat.

"But we also know that we've got the best – ruddy – team – in – the – school," he said, punching a fist into his other hand, the old maniac glint back in his eye.

"We've got three superb Chasers."  He pointed at Alicia, Angelina and Katie.

"We've got two unbeatable Beaters."

"Stop it, Oliver, you're embarrassing us," said the twins together, pretending to blush.

"And we've got a Seeker who has never failed to win us a match!"  Wood rumbled, glaring at Harry with a kind of furious pride.  Harry glowered back, but it was a look overwhelmed with fierce and unstoppable determination.

"And…me."  Oliver added thoughtfully after a moment's silence, as though digesting the thought slowly.

"We think you're very good too, Oliver," said George.

"Cracking Keeper," said Fred.

"The point is, the Quidditch cup should have had our name on it this last two years.  Ever since Harry joined the team, I've thought that the thing was in the bag.  But we haven't got it, and this year's the last chance I'll get to finally see our name on that thing…"

Oliver spoke so dejectedly that even Katie, who never felt sorry for him, her eyes shone with sympathy.

"Oliver, this year's our year!"

"We'll do it, Oliver!"

"Definitely!"

Oliver gave a crooked smile as he saw the unwavering fortitude of his team.

"Let's go, team."

Katie lingered behind the others, deep in thought.  She was impressed by Oliver's seriousness and dedication to the team.  This was a side of Oliver Wood she had never noticed before.  It immensely contrasted with the casual flirting he and herself always had.  He deserved every right to be Captain.  If she had been in his shoes, she would not have been so inspiring.  Who knows, she thought with a genuine smile playing on her features; this might even be a side of Wood that I may grow to and love and admire.


How was it?  Read and Review please.  Constructive criticism if you wish.