Disclaimer: J.K owns Harry Potter and all associated stuff.

A/N: Here it is! The chapter you've all been waiting for! Ok, maybe not all of you. If you don't like the idea of Oliver/Alicia then perhaps you should skip this chapter. I really don't want any flames telling me Alicia should be with George or Oliver should be someone else. I've warned you. Read at your own risk.

Thanks for all the reviews and birthday wishes!

Dedicated to paradise_or_poison for being my 300th reviewer! It's always great to see new reviewers. I also want to dedicate this chapter to Noodlejelly because it seems she's the only one looking forward to O/A! This is for you guys!

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Chapter 28

Alicia opened Lee's red and gold umbrella and hurried across the wet grounds. Every time the wind blew, rain managed to sneak under the large umbrella so she got wet anyway. She broke into a jog as she cursed the weather, Dementors, Malfoy, Oliver.pretty much anything she could think of.

There was a loud crack of thunder as Alicia reached the stadium. She closed the umbrella and shook some of the water off it. She knocked on the change room door first. "Oliver? You in here?"

No answer. She pushed the door open and entered. The only sound was the distant dripping of water into water. Oliver's Quidditch uniform was lying in a crumpled ball on the floor. His bag was still open on the bench so he couldn't have gone far.

Alicia called out to him once more and checked all the shower cubicles. No Quidditch captain. She left the change rooms and stood in the tunnel to the pitch for a moment. "Where the hell is he?"

She wandered down the end of the tunnel and there he was. Through the sheets of rain she could just make out a lone figure standing in the middle of the pitch. Alicia fumbled the umbrella open again and dashed out of the tunnel. Fresh mud splattered over her uniform and her shoes were sucked into the mud on every step.

"Oliver!"

He turned around slowly and gave a hollow sort of smile. "Hi."

"Don't you 'hi' me, Oliver Wood!" Alicia yelled. "It's pouring rain and you're standing right out in the middle of it! Have you gone completely mad?!"

He just shrugged and wiped some water from his eyes. Something about seeing him all sad and wet made Alicia's heart melt. "Your lips are turning blue. I'm taking you in to have a warm shower."

"I already had one," he said quietly.

"Well, you're having another then. Come on, you want to get pneumonia? That would really end our chances of winning the Cup."

"We're not going to win the Cup, Alicia."

"Come on!" She grabbed his arm and pulled him under the umbrella. Oliver shook his head and struggled away from her. He began to walk away and Alicia sighed and hurried after him. "Would you get under the umbrella!"

"I'm already soaked. What does it matter?"

"You're a crazy prat, Oliver. You know that, don't you?"

"Yes, I'm aware of that."

Alicia sighed again and prodded him in the back to make him walk faster. After what seemed like ages, they reached the relative shelter of the tunnel. Oliver stopped walking and Alicia closed the umbrella again.

"You should get back up to the castle," he said. "Your friends are probably wondering where you are."

"They can take care of themselves. I'm not going anywhere till you've taken a shower." Alicia smiled and flicked a drop of water off the end of his nose.

"I really don't want to take a shower."

"You don't have a choice. Now get going," she said firmly jabbing him with the tip of the umbrella.

He looked like he was going to challenge her for a second then his shoulders slumped in defeat. He groaned and reluctantly opened the door to the change room. Alicia entered right behind him and propped the drenched umbrella up against the wall. "Right. Do you have any other dry clothes?"

"No."

"I figured that would have been hoping too much. All right then. Shoes and socks off."

"Come again?"

"Take your shoes and socks off," she repeated slowly.

Oliver just gave her an odd look then sat down and pulled his muddy trainers and wet socks off. "I really don't need to take another shower."

"Like hell you don't. You're as pale as Moaning Myrtle and-" she put a hand on his cheek "-you're ice cold."

"All I want to do is curl up into a ball," he mumbled dejectedly.

Alicia's heart nearly broke at that. "Oh, Oliver, it's not that bad."

"It is so."

She sighed and pulled him back to his feet. "We can still win! The others and I worked it out while we were visiting Harry. We still have a really good chance."

"I know that, but if the Dementors come back next game."

Alicia hadn't even thought of that. Oliver nodded smugly at the look on her face. "But they wouldn't dare try that again. Dumbledore would flip."

Oliver was doubtful they'd listen to the Headmaster for much longer. He decided not to push it though. "Is Harry all right?"

"He's not injured, which is a small miracle in itself, but he blames himself for the loss. Poor kid, it was his first defeat. It's easier for us because we're used to it. He'll be all right in a couple of days," she added.

"You should probably tell him that you don't blame him though."

"I will," he promised.

"All right, captain." Alicia grabbed the hem of his navy blue, knitted jumper.

He pushed her hands away, looking alarmed. "Alicia! What are you doing?"

"Relax. I was just going to take your jumper off for you."

He raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me? You were just going to take my jumper off?"

"You don't shower in it, do you?" she demanded, putting her hands on her hips. "I want to try a drying spell on it."

"Fine, but I'm quite capable of taking my own clothes off." With that he pulled the jumper over his head and handed it to her rather abruptly.

"Thank you. Go have a nice hot shower and I'll wait out here for you," Alicia gave him a shove towards a shower cubicle and she went to the girls side of the change rooms and grabbed her wand out of her bag. She spread the jumper over a bench and scratched her head in thought. She muttered what she thought was a drying spell and tapped it with her wand.

It didn't become any drier but it did turn bright pink. "Whoops," Alicia said as she cringed. She tried but she couldn't undo her spell. It would probably wear off in a few hours. Hopefully.

Alicia grabbed the pink jumper and went back to the other side of the change room. Walking past Oliver's shower cubicle, she realised the door was wide open. She yelped and put her hand over her eyes. "What's wrong?! You can't shower with the door open!"

There was no answer but Alicia could still hear the running water. "Oliver? You all right?"

"Not particularly," came his reply.

"Ok, I'll come in. You're not - you know - naked or anything?"

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm fully clothed."

"I'm not disappointed, you egotistical git," Alicia snapped. Her flushed cheeks, however, told a different story. She buried the pink jumper in the bottom of his bag and cautiously stuck her head in his shower cubicle. Oliver was sitting in the corner with his knees drawn up to his chin. He was just out of reach of the water. "What are you doing down there?!" she demanded, slightly alarmed by his behaviour.

"Do you think it's a sign, Leesh?" he asked, ignoring her initial question.

"What are you prattling on about?"

"Maybe it's a bad omen."

"You don't believe in omens. You told me so."

"Maybe that's why it's happening. Maybe I'm supposed to believe in omens." He frowned, obviously deep in thought. Oliver Wood definitely wasn't introspective by nature but the events of previous years had pushed him over the edge. Alicia was more than worried at this point. She was literally frantic.

"Oliver! Tell me what's wrong!" She edged along the wall to avoid the water and knelt beside him.

"It has to be a sign. I'm not supposed to succeed at Quidditch. I'm never going to play in the professional league and I certainly won't play for Scotland."

"That's insane." Alicia shook her head and put a tentative hand on his shoulder. "You live and breathe Quidditch. You could never do anything else."

"Maybe I can become an accountant. I can add up well enough. Or a professor," he said thoughtfully.

Then he sighed deeply. "Except I don't know anything but Quidditch. Who am I kidding? I'll probably end up at the Ministry with Percy."

"Don't talk like that! Honestly, you're making a mountain out of a molehill. You have to be optimistic. The teams needs you!" Alicia said passionately. She felt like one of those weird Muggle motivational speakers.

"You need me?"

She nodded. "The team needs you."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Do you need me?" He looked into her eyes intently. Alicia just blinked in surprise. "I said, do you need me?" Oliver repeated.

"I heard you the first time," she said a little snappily. "This isn't about me. The team."

"The team?" he said with a dark laugh. "If they need me so much why aren't they here? Can you answer me that, Alicia."

Of course, she couldn't. She'd backed herself into a verbal corner. Alicia groaned and massaged her temples. "I don't know, I can't speak for them, Oliver."

"But you came," he said softly.

"I was worried about you," Alicia said uncomfortably. She suddenly realised she was shivering. And she knew it had more to do with Oliver's chocolate brown eyes than the weather.

"Why?"

"What is this? Twenty-bloody-Questions?" she shrieked, her voice reverberating through the change room.

"That got you riled up," Oliver noted casually.

"Yeah, well stupid questions have that effect on me."

"Anyway, I'm glad you came," he said earnestly.

"Me, too."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"No idea," she admitted with a smirk. "It just popped out. Finished wallowing on the floor of the shower?"

"I guess so." Oliver ran a hand through his hair, causing it to stick up. "I think I overreacted a little."

"No arguments from me." Alicia stood up and offered her hand to him. Oliver hesitated then took it gently in his own. "You're still cold."

"I'll go put on my jumper then."

"Uh, umm, maybe you shouldn't do that," Alicia blanched, remembering the drying spell gone wrong. Throwing caution to the wind, she gave Oliver a slight push so he was standing under the stream of warm water. He coughed and spluttered in surprise, spraying water all over Alicia's face in the process.

"What was that for?!"

She smiled as innocently as she could. "Accident."

"Bollocks it was!" He stepped up to her and gazed into her eyes with that penetrating look of his. Alicia's heart began to pound against her ribcage so loudly that she was sure Oliver would hear it over the cascading water. They stood nose to nose for a moment and Alicia couldn't help but stare as he licked a drop of water from the corner of his mouth. She was considering telling him to step back when his hands slipped around her waist.

"What are you doing?" she gasped.

Oliver quirked an eyebrow in amusement. He twisted the taps behind Alicia's back. "I'm turning the water off. What did you think I was doing?"

At that very second, Alicia wanted nothing more than to dig herself a big hole to hide in. Of course he was turning the water off. It was naïve of her to think otherwise. This was Oliver for Christ's sake! She was acting like one of his bimbo groupies.

"Or perhaps a more appropriate question would be what did you want me to do?" he said tentatively.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Alicia whispered. He was still standing much too close. His breath was warm on her cheek and she was finding it hard to concentrate on anything other than his lips.

"Oh, you know exactly what I'm talking about," he said confidently. That made Alicia silently fume. Only a moment ago he was sitting on the bottom of the shower mumbling about omens and the Ministry and now he was so damn sure of himself.

She narrowed her light brown eyes. "Could you give me a little room to breathe?"

"Sure." He took two steps back and spread his arms. "Breathe away."

"Thank you," she saidd crisply and adjusted her ponytail. "I'm going back up to the castle now. I want to shower before dinner."

"Dinner isn't for hours."

"Well, I want a really long shower," Alicia replied tersely. "I'll see you back up at school."

She'd only taken a step when Oliver's arm shot out and blocked her exit. He leant casually against the wall and Alicia stepped back again. "What are you playing at, Wood?"

"I've been meaning to do something for a while now," he said distractedly as he stepped up to her again.

Alicia's stomach did a somersault and she gulped. "So? What does that have to do with me?"

Oliver considered answering her but quickly decided that actions spoke louder than words. He put a cold hand to her cheek and she inhaled sharply as his lips descended on hers. A jolt of electricity ran through her body as his soft, warm lips brushed over hers. It was really nothing more than a gentle caress, but it worked all the same. Oliver's hand slipped to her neck and he pulled back an inch or so. He smiled and Alicia just stood there with her mouth open.

"I've wanted to do that for so long," he explained softly. "You remember when we met on platform nine and three quarters?"

Alicia made an odd croaking noise. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Of course I remember, you rescued me from Flint."

"Well, back then I thought you were gorgeous."

Alicia's knees wobbled dangerously. "You were a thirteen year old boy. Anything with two legs and a uterus would have looked appealing to you."

"Maybe so, but there was something about you. Back then I could ignore it but then you grew up and you're still this gorgeous, sweet girl. I ignored my feelings for as long as I could, I really tried-"

"Shut up," Alicia interrupted suddenly.

"Excuse me?" Oliver withdrew his hand, looking unbelievably hurt. "I'm pouring my heart out here and you just-"

"Shut up and kiss me again," she ordered.

Oliver's eyes widened in surprise. He couldn't believe his luck. He thought he was going to be shot down for sure. "So, does this mean it's not just one sided?"

"Kiss me again and I'll be able to tell you."

He didn't need any more encouragement than that. This time his lips captured hers passionately and she responded by sliding her arms around his neck. Though neither of them was very experienced their mouths moved automatically and they went with it. Alicia smiled into the kiss as she felt Oliver's hands grasping her hips tightly.

As tongues came into play, Alicia was pleased to note his mouth was as sweet and warm as she'd imagined. What really surprised her was how well he actually kissed. She promised to write a thank you note to the girl who had taught him to use his tongue like that. Actually, forget the note, she was going to send a fruit basket. The biggest one she could find.

The kiss became more insistent as she threaded her fingers through his damp hair. Oliver took a step forward and pushed her up against the wall. Alicia moaned and gathered all her strength while Oliver pressed his body against her. She let her hands slip down to his chest then shoved him away with all her might. Caught unawares, he stumbled back and his feet slipped on the wet tiles. He just managed to grab hold of the wall before he fell on his backside.

Oliver stared at Alicia, trying to catch his breath. "I shouldn't have kissed you in the first place. I'm so sorry," he apologised desperately. He couldn't help but think how he'd surely ruined their friendship with his errant hormones.

"No," she said quickly and soothingly. "You pushed me into the tap," she explained whilst rubbing her lower back.

"Oh," he mumbled, feeling extremely foolish. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Alicia lied. She was going to get a horrible bruise. But right now that seemed a small price to pay for a kiss like that.

The two of them stood in an uncomfortable silence. Alicia smoothed a crease from her uniform, though that was pointless considering it was covered in mud anyway. Oliver examined his hands pedantically. He was the first to speak. "So.what do we do now?"

"You're asking me?" she said, a wry grin on her flushed face. "You've been the one in control so far."

"I hadn't thought this far ahead," he admitted. "I was expecting you to slap me or something."

"Would it help if I did?"

"Possibly." He took her hand and kissed it gently. "Do you mind if we keep this just between ourselves for now?"

Alicia managed a small shake of her head. It was too hard to concentrate on one thing at a time. Especially when Oliver was holding her hand. He could have asked her to do anything and she wouldn't have had the presence of mind to refuse. As it was, he simply pulled her into his arms and put his chin on top of her head. Alicia breathed deeply. He smelt like rain.

"You smell nice," she said vaguely.

He chuckled and the sound reverberated through his chest. "You smell like sweat coated in mud."

"Alicia!"

The voice echoed through the tunnel outside and Alicia jumped, causing Oliver to almost bite his tongue. She recognised the voice immediately. "It's George!" she hissed.

"Oh no." Oliver let her go quickly. He furiously began to rearrange his hair and his shirt. "How do I look?"

"Wet," Alicia answered shortly. She rubbed the back of her hand across her mouth and tightened her ponytail. "How do I look?"

"Like you've just had the snog of your life."

"Excellent," she groaned. "George is going to spot it a mile away."

"Just act natural," he advised.

"Hanging around in the same shower cubicle isn't natural," she pointed out.

Oliver seized her arm hastily and dragged her out into the change room. He directed her towards the bench. "Sit here and look casual."

He disappeared back into the cubicle and shut the door. Alicia heard footsteps approaching so she put her knees together and clasped her hands in her lap. Sure, that wouldn't look guilty, she thought bitterly. She crossed her legs and folded her arms across her chest. No, that just looked defensive.

It hardly mattered. George would read her like a book. She wished he didn't know her so well. The door banged open. "Licia? Are you in here?"

That wasn't George. It was Katie. She must have come, too! With her around George might not notice anything.

"Thank God," Alicia whispered. "I'm in here!" she called to them.

Katie came around the corner with George trailing behind with a dripping wet umbrella. They were both clean and warm, unlike her. Katie smiled and George frowned.

"What took you so long?" Katie asked.

"Where's Wood?" George asked, looking around and spotting his bag and uniform.

Alicia was saved the trouble of answering as he emerged from the shower. "I'm here," he said brightly. A little too brightly.

"Why are your clothes wet?" George's voice was curious bordering on suspicious. Oliver hadn't bothered to come up with an excuse for that. His mind caved under pressure and he stammered.

Thankfully, Alicia could think on her feet. "He was being a stupid git, blaming himself for the loss and stuff, so I threw him out into the rain to bring him to his senses. Cold water does wonders."

George looked between the two of them and Oliver nodded in agreement. George shrugged and began to look disinterested again. Alicia and Oliver started to breathe normally.

"It's nobody's fault," Katie said. "Not yours and certainly not Harry's."

"Can we discuss this later?" Alicia said. The last thing they needed was for Oliver to slip into one of his moods again.

"Good idea," George agreed immediately. "Can you help us bring up everyone's gear?"

"Sure."

So the four of them gathered up their teammates' belongings along with their own. Alicia huddled under an umbrella with George and they trudged back up to the castle. The rain was gradually beginning to ease up and the sun was even starting to peek through the dark clouds. She couldn't help thinking of the kiss as she followed her friends up to the Tower. She wasn't quite sure what it meant for her and Oliver but she wouldn't ever forget it. Her first real kiss. In a shower of all places.

She giggled despite herself and George gave her a sideways glance. "What's so funny?"

"Nothin'"

George was a little disappointed that she was obviously keeping something from him. But at least she was happy again. She gave the two boys a small wave as she headed upstairs with Katie. Oliver waved back practically skipped upstairs. He left Harry's things in his room then continued up to his own room.

His roommates all looked at him hesitantly as he dropped his bag on his bed and began to unpack. He whistled to himself as he shoved his strategic boards back under his bed. Matt and Percy exchanged a curious glance. Oliver didn't even notice. He was reenacting the kiss in his mind.

It had been such a perfect moment. And only now did he realise what it truly meant. There was no way they could have a relationship. Fred and George would have a field day. Oliver constantly preached about Fred and Angelina's relationship getting in the way and now that the tables were turned he was doing exactly the same thing.

He threw his gloves in a drawer. He'd have to talk to Alicia as soon as possible. There was no point making decisions now. If she agreed that a relationship was too difficult then-

Hang on.why was his jumper pink?

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A/N: What an appropriate chapter to have out for Valentine's Day! I hope it didn't make you gag or anything. I tried not to make it too fluffy. Partly because most of you are hanging out for G/A but also because Oliver and Alicia's relationship isn't like that. Aah, I'm getting ahead of myself again! That will be explained more in the sequel. Yes, there is a deeper meaning to their snog!

I hope you enjoyed it even if you're not the biggest fan of O/A. Please review and tell me what you thought of it.

Sorry. I won't be addressing reviewers this chapter because I'm in a hurry to get it posted before they take the site down. If you're reading this before that then I hope you have a nice Valentine's Day. I'm going to have a cup of tea and read a book for Valentine's Day. Extremely exciting.