Chapter Twenty-Two

"Come on, Oliver!" Christina called over her shoulder and ran past Hagrid's Hut. "Hurry up, Skyler!" Oliver and Skyler, who had been trailing behind Christina, glanced at each other and picked up speed. Oliver smirked to himself and tackled Christina, hitting her waist. Skyler, unfortunately, jumped at the same time and grabbed onto Oliver's ankles. The three of them went tumbling to the ground. Jacob jogged up to them, panting.

"Really, how do you guys run every single bloody morning?" he asked. "Fuck wits."

"Oh, shut up," Oliver muttered and stood up. he held out his hand and helped Christina to her feet.

"What does fuck wits mean, anyway?"

"Actually, it means 'idiots'," Jacob said and helped Skyler up.

"All right, let's get going, then. I need to take a shower," Oliver said and held Christina's hand behind their backs so Jacob and Skyler wouldn't see. They split ways as Jacob, Skyler and Christina left for the Castle as Oliver went to the locker rooms in the Quidditch Pitch. Once finished his shower, Oliver came out and wrapped a towel around his waist. There was a slow creak as the door slid open.

"Chris?"

"Oliver's been gone a long time," Christina said to Ginny in the Common Room.

"Don't worry about it, I'm sure he's fine."

"You haven't told anyone about us yet, have you, Gin?"

"Of course not, Chris. It was quite the sight, though, You and Oliver cuddling in my bed and all."

"Oh, shut up."

Twenty Minutes Later...

"Argh, Gin, it's been nearly forty-five minutes!"

"Chris, calm down."

"I'm going over there."

"Go ahead." Christina trudged through the Late January wind to the Quidditch Pitch and into the Locker Room.

"OLIVER!" she shrieked. Startled, Oliver pulled away from 'Christina'.

"What the..." He glanced at the girl in front of him, then at the girl with tears streaming down her face. Back and forth, back and forth when suddenly, one of them began to change into... Ariel. "WHAT THE FUCK!" Oliver jumped back and quickly pulled on a shirt.

"What the fuck is going on here?" Christina snapped.

"Chris... it... it's not - Ariel, get back here. SHIT! No, that sounded so wrong! Chris! Don't slap - ow!" Christina turned on her heel and walked back out of the Locker Rooms, completely oblivious that Zambini was following her around the Grounds.

"Ariel, you stay away from me. I could get you expelled for doing what you did! Polyjuice potion? Seducing a teacher?"

"Hey, if Riddle can do it, why can't I?" she asked slyly.

"BECAUSE SHE'S MY GIRLFRIEND, AND YOU AREN'T!" Oliver cried.

"Aah, back together... then again, maybe not anymore," Ariel said with a smirk forming on her face.

"You wretched bitch!" Oliver spat and threw the bench over. Just then, a pouch dropped from Ariel's robes. It clinked, like money, as it fell. "Howmuch did Zambini pay you to do this, Ariel?" She quickly picked up the pouch and pushed it back into her robe pocket.

"That is none of your concern," she retorted. Oliver pushed her aside, unaware that he was in boxers and an undershirt and ran back to the Castle. He ignored all the shrieks of girls and continued his way through the corridors.

"Blaise, I want to be alone for a minute. Leave me alone."

"What did Wood do to you, Chris? Did he hurt you in any way?" Oliver's blood boiled as he heard those words. He wnated nothing more than to beat that boy all over again. Suddenly, a hand shot out and slapped him across the face. Oliver stepped back and realized it had been Christina. Blaise stood behind her with a satisfied grin on his face.

"I think you should go, Oliver," Christina whispered softly yet sharply. Oliver knew not to argue with her and he could make things worse if he didn't do as he was told. A single tear dripped from his eyes as he pivoted on his heel and went back to Gryffindor Tower, passing a smug-looking Ariel.

"This is your fault, Kriton."

"Yes, yes, it is, isn't it?" she said and walked away from him. Oliver winced as her hand brushed his arm absentmindedly. "By the way, you are an excellent kisser. Let's do that again sometime." Oliver froze, seeing Ginny, Jacob and Skyler standing in front of him.

"No... this is not happening!" he exclaimed and pushed past them.

"I'll go talk to him. Skyler, Gin, go find Christina."

"What's this got to do with Christina?" Skyler asked.

"Just go with Ginny, Skyler."

"All right, Jake." The three split ways and Jacob ran after his cousin.

"Oh, bugger," Ginny whispered when she saw Christina with Blaise, kissing.

"So there was something between her and Wood," Skyler said quietly.

"Shit," Jacob said as he heard Oliver throwing things in his room. Ginny and Skyler went back to the Common Room and found Jacob sitting there with his head between his hands.

"Well?" he asked. The two of them shook their heads sadly and sat down on either side of Jacob. "I take it that's not good."

"Definately not," Skyler said. "I know Christina better than anyone here... she's... how do I put this, confused."

"What was she doing?" Oliver asked as he walked down the stairs slowly. "You know, I don't think you guys are even going to tell me." He left the Common Room in search of Christina. When he saw her and Blaise, he leaned back against the wall and scoffed. Christina broke away from Zambini and a look of horror spread across her face when she saw Oliver. He shook his head with a small amused half-smile on his face. He walked away as Christina let herself be taken by Zambini again.

"Night, boys. Gin," Oliver said and walked up the stairs without another word. "Funny what can happen in a week, huh?"