A/N: Next chappie up, read all about it.

Chapter 9: After the Scrimmage

"Chang caught the Snitch. Ravenclaw wins." Lee Thompson wasn't as ecstatic as he would have been if Harry had caught the Snitch.

I was somewhat torn. On the one hand, I was glad my House had won. But, on the other, I was very upset that Gryffindor had lost. I shrugged my shoulders and ran down to the pitch. It was just a scrimmage.

"Great job, Cho!" I grabbed my friend in a huge hug.

"Thanks, Ginger," Cho said shyly. "But I didn't do as well as you would have."

I rolled my eyes. "Right," I announced sarcastically.

Cho laughed. "I've got to go change. See you in Hogsmeade for a victory drink?"

"We'll see," I shrugged. "Bye."

I walked away from her and toward the Gryffindor team. Fred and George looked downcast and Harry looked as if he was mentally chiding himself. They were all on their way to the showers.

"Guys! Wait up!" I ran after them.

"Oh, hey, Ginger," Harry said sadly.

"Oh, guys, it was only a scrimmage. It doesn't really count. You were all just getting re-used to being back on the pitch. It won't last forever, I promise." I hugged the twins.

"Easy for you to say," Fred whined. "You're always on his good side."

I looked at him questioningly. Then I smiled. "Oh, Oliver!" I looked at all of their depressed faces. "Is he still that obsessed with the game?"

Katie nodded. "Stupid git got off his broomstick yelling and screaming."

I folded my arms across my chest in a thoughtful manner. "Maybe I could talk to him before you all go in. That way he won't be such a git."

Angelina's eyes lit up. "Would you, Ginger?"

"Why not? I had to put up with him, too, once upon a time. Maybe I can get him to lighten up."

"That'd be great, mate," the twins chimed in unison.

I rolled up the sleeves of my sweater under my robe and marched right into the locker room. "Wood! Where are you?"

"Get out, you stupid prats! I'm not ready to see you're faces!" came Wood's voice from the showers.

"I'm not going anywhere!" I screamed in determination, while holding my ground. I'd put up with this act a thousand times before. I put my hands on my hips. "Are you going to come out and yell at me face-to-face, or are you going to be a git and make me come after you?"

Wood laughed as if what I'd said was hilarious. "I'm so sure you would, Katie."

I rolled my eyes and started into the showers. I leaned against the entrance, steam floating out around me. I folded my arms against my chest.

"I'm not Katie, you moron."

"Fine, Angelina. Get out all the same." Wood was on the far side of the showers, his back to me, leaning his arms against the wall as if he needed the support.

"Wrong again," I said in an annoying sing-song-y voice.

"Alicia, I'm really not in the mood, mate!" His voice was getting a frustrated edge to it.

I laughed silently as I slid off my robe and my shoes so they wouldn't get drenched. Then I walked into the steam produced by the hot water and toward Wood. "You are so wrong, mate."

"Just leave me alone, right?" Wood whirled around, pure fury on his features. The look melted into one of embarrassment.

I laughed again, only this time out loud. "See what I mean?"

"I…You…But…" Wood looked at me in shock. "You shouldn't be in here, Ginger."

"I know, but I was recruited by the team to make sure you were in better spirits, mate." I smiled at him. I took a step closer to him. "So, why are you so bloody mad?"

"Because we lost," he yelled throwing his hands into the air.

"Oliver Wood, don't you dare yell at me! I'm not your stupid, easily-intimidated teammate anymore!" I took a deep breath and looked at him. "The team doesn't like the way you're treating them. It's not their fault, you know. They did their best."

"Ginger, their best isn't what I'm worried about," he said heatedly. "It's Potter's best that I'm worried about. He likes Cho and he isn't as good as you…Those two things were in his head as he went flying about out there. He forgot why he made the team in the first place!"

"Well, maybe if you had told him, 'Better luck next time, mate,' instead of yelling and screaming at the whole team, he wouldn't have been close to tears when I walked up." I was right in his face. I lowered my voice and put a hand on either side of his face. "Oliver," I started, looking into his eyes. "It was just a stupid scrimmage. Let it go, mate."

Oliver stared back. Then he nearly collapsed in relief. "I know, Ginger. I know. I'm just so frustrated." He looked me up and down. "You're soaked!"

I took a step back and looked down at my clothing. "Well, would you look at that?" I looked back up at him, the steam still cascading about us. "One of the downsides of talking to the boss, I guess. What, Oliver?"

Oliver was a bright pink. "I-um, I mean-Well, I've been arguing with you and I'm not even decent." He laughed nervously.

I chuckled, my hands sliding down to his shoulders. "That's alright, mate. I'm leaving now, anyway." I chucked him on the shoulder and started to turn to go. I hesitated briefly and turned back to Wood. "Oliver?"

"Yes, Ginger?" he asked, his hands slowly going up to my waist.

"Why didn't you start to make out with me once you realized who I was?" I don't know why I asked it, but he had surely wanted to be alone with me like this…the other night, anyway.

"I was too consumed by anger to realize what was going on," he said coyly. He pulled me toward him. "Forgive me?"

I started to push him away. "Oliver! I don't want to get any wetter!"

"That's understandable," he whispered, his voice heavy.

"Oliver, please!" My hands slipped on his chest up around his neck.

"Just one kiss, please, Ginger?" he whispered against my lips.

I didn't get a chance to answer. As soon as he asked me, he pressed his lips to mine and pulled me into him. I didn't know what to do; I tried to move to push him away, but almost immediately I found myself enjoying it.

Oliver pulled away first. "Thank you, Ginger."

"Don't mention it, Wood," I whispered. "I'll see you in Hogsmeade in a few minutes, okay?"

Oliver nodded and returned his attention back to his shower.

I grabbed my robe and shoes from the floor and started to the door. I soon realized I was dripping wet and I'd have to explain why to the team. I sighed and went out the door onto the pitch.

"He was in the shower. I had to get right in his face to yell at him. He's not too mad now." I looked right into every person's eyes as if daring them to say otherwise.

"Thanks, so much, Ginger," Katie said. "I'd hug you, but I don't want to get wet."

"Understood," I replied. "See you later."

I walked off the pitch toward the castle. I went to my dorm and quickly changed into some dry clothes. I dried my hair and left toward the village. Wood would be waiting for me. Not that I knew why I cared.

A/N: Fun…I'm gonna go eat. Bye, y'all. Nellie