This little chapter is dedicated to an awesome person who gave me a fabulous suprise today. Sternenstauner this ones for you. I can't get over how amazing it is. THANK YOU!

Chapter twenty eight

It was a week and a half later when Oliver and Ayla finally bumped into each other at Flourish and Blott's. The two had not spoken about the events after Sarah's baby shower, so the moment was awkward. Neither had had the chance to think about what had happened, let alone deicide how they felt about it. Yet here they both were, standing face to face, both looking for the quickest exit. This was definitely neither the time nor the place to discuss such a topic.

"So," Oliver started. He had hoped that more words would follow, but the attempt died somewhere in the back of his throat. Merlin he hoped she could make a better effort than him.

"Yeah." Ayla muttered. God what was that? This was the second time she'd lost the ability to speak around him, she was really beginning to hate the sensation.

"I, uh." Oliver made what he thought was a valiant attempt at a full sentence. He had started off well. He just needed some more words.

"How's training?" she blurted out. Was she really that desperate for a topic of conversation that she'd sink this low? Apparently so, as the words hung in the air before her.

"Good! Yeah good. Did you see the article in the Prophet?" Oliver silently thanked Merlin that he hadn't had to think about what he was saying now. Talking about Quidditch was easy. Talking about Feelings was, well a nightmare really.

"About all the National Teams? Yeah, I can't believe Flint and Davis are being considered for the England squad."

"Yeah it'll be weird playing against them again, after all this time."

Ayla glanced at her watch. As fascinating as the conversation was her break had finished five minutes ago.

"Look I've got to go. Work." she said. "I'll see you again or something?"

"Sure. Bye then."

Oliver breathed a sigh of relief, glad the torturous conversation was over. He decided he deserved a drink after that, and after paying for his book, headed off to the Leaky Cauldron for what he believed was a well earned Fire Whiskey.

"What the hell was he talking to her for?"

"Who? What? When?"

Kate Green had also been in Flourish and Blott's when Oliver and Ayla had bumped into each other. The scene she had just witnessed did not please her in the slightest.

"Oliver Wood. Talking to my geeky cousin, Ayla honestly I don't know why he was bothering, she's not even interesting."

"Oh." said Billie Fisher, not entirely sure that she knew what her friend was talking about.

"Is that all you have to say? Billie she's trying to get her claws into my Oliver and all you can say is oh?"

"Right."

Kate sighed dramatically.

"Oh this is just awful. What if he prefers plain girls? I won't stand a chance."

Billie had been Kate's friend long enough to know when to turn a laugh into a cough, and lower her eyebrows before Kate caught her expression.

"I'm sure you have nothing to worry about Kate. He hardly knows you right now."

"Oh you're sure! Well I feel comforted. What would you know Billie? You've never even met him." Kate exclaimed angrily.

"My brother said so."

"Oh don't talk rubbish. How would your brother know?"

"Wood told him. They were talking about Ayla in the pub the other day."

"Why would your brother be talking about her to Oliver?"

"Well she's Adam's ex. And he wants her back. He was warning Wood off apparently. Quite pathetic if you ask me."

"Really? You know, I think I'd like to speak with your brother sometime."

"Please. Even I don't want to talk to my brother. If we weren't twins I'd demand a blood test. He's a complete loser."

"Yes, but Billie don't you see how perfect it all is? The one thing standing in my way is Ayla. And the one person who wants her is your brother. He can help me."

"Oh Merlin you aren't serious? Do you have any idea how crazy this all sounds?

"It's not crazy. It's perfect, too perfect. You have to introduce me to your brother."

"I'll introduce him to you. Only because I know you're not going to let this go. But that's it. I don't want anything to do with anything you two think of."

"Oh Billie, you're the best friend ever! When can I meet him?" Kate was practically squealing with joy now.

"Well now I guess. He's supposed to meet me outside. He owes me money, it's the only reason I'll be seen with him in public. There he is now, come on let's get this over with while we're still young."

The two girls left the musty bookshop, walking out into the bright sunlight towards where Adam Fisher was waiting patiently for his sister.

"My name's Kate Green. You're sister tells me we have something in common."

"Oh right? What's that then?"

"Dear Merlin, what have I started?" Billie muttered, her face in her hands.

Ayla spent the rest of the day in work, cringing at her earlier chat with Oliver. It had been so uncomfortable. But it was Oliver. The guy who made her heart beat that little bit faster. The man who consumed most of her thoughts. Sure it had taken them a long time to get where they were but it had been nice. Taking time to get to know him. Being his friend and then… Had things happened to fast? Should they have stuck to their usual slow pace? Things were clearly not the same any more, Oliver had never been so unsure around her before.

She liked him, she had to sort things out. Reassure him, she has wanted what had happened to happen. So why couldn't she say the word? One small, simple, three letter word? One word that she just couldn't get out. It was stupid really. She was good with words, both speaking them and writing them. So why was this one word causing her so much trouble?

Right, she thought, she had resolved her conflicted mind. She grabbed the nearest piece of parchment and a bottle of ink. She'd write Oliver a note. A nice, casual note to a friend. Without mentioning the word, but not not mentioning it, is that made any sense. It took her three attempts to come up with the ideal note.

'Hey Oliver. Great to see you today. Hope training was good. Is there any chance we could meet up again? It's strange not having you around. Can't wait to hear from you. Ayla."

Ok so it wasn't perfect. But it was the best she could manage, without sounding desperate. She sent the owl off immediately, knowing that if she changed her mind now; she might never speak to Oliver again. Why did life have to be so complicated?