"You make me breakout." – Breakout by Foo Fighters.
Chapter 2: Risky Situations
I've always been an angry person.
I don't exactly know why. My parents are fairly mellow people, and it isn't as though I have a hard life. Well, apart from the fact that Lily is no longer alive...
But anyway, I guess that I am angry at the world, how unfair life is... just shit like that. But I take it out on people who deserve the anger. Brats like Izzy Carter, for example.
"CARTER!" I yelled. "Put some effort into it!"
"Fucking hell Wood!" she growled, narrowing her eyes. God, this infuriates me so much. She clearly has no feelings apart from anger. For some reason, I wanted to hurt her verbally. I wanted to push her to breaking point. Not to see what happened, but to see if she is human.
"Potter is three years younger than you and was raised by muggles, and HE can do better than you!"
God, I was annoyed. All I could see was anger. No hurt. No emotion that would show that she can feel in any way whatsoever.
"Why do you treat me like shit?" she demanded to know.
"Because you are shit! I don't know what delusion you are under, but you are crap at Quidditch! I am seriously considering finding a new Chaser, because Gryffindor can't afford to lose because of one incompetent player!"
That was a little harsh of me, I suppose. I almost felt a little bad as I reflected on what I said, but when I looked into her hazel eyes, all I could see was utter anger. No hurt. No sadness. Maybe she realised that every word I said was a lie...
Or maybe she's stronger than I initially thought.
"I quit, Wood. Obviously, I'm not up to your exceedingly high standards. Or maybe you are just a ridiculously harsh captain. Either way, I'm gone," she hissed.
Is that woman an idiot!
However, I tried to look cool and indifferent. She's trying to get some reaction out of me for her sick satisfaction, and I am not going to be giving it to her.
"Good, Carter. Finally," I drawled, trying not to let my anger and annoyance show on my features. I mastered the art of concealing my emotions years ago now. Girls may try to invade my private life, but they don't really know me. Unlike Izzy, who is as easy to read as a book.
A meaningless, pointless book, mind you.
"Have fun finding a new Chaser, Wood," she said, glaring at me before stalking off, with more than a touch of melodrama.
She has to be bluffing. I know how much Izzy loves Quidditch. Given, she doesn't like the attention and hype that surrounds it, but she loves the game, and would never sacrifice it for anything.
Or would she? Would she sacrifice it to annoy me? Make me angry?
Mission accomplished, Izzy.
Not that I will be letting her know that.
oOo
Understandably, I was in a bad mood for the rest of the afternoon. I walked around, not caring that I was bumping into students and suits of armour alike. My angriness came to a halt when I ran into McGonagall, and knocked over the piles of parchment that she was carrying.
"Sorry, Professor," I said, hastily helping her pick up the parchment. She looked distinctly miffed, but she clearly accepted my apology.
"How is the Quidditch training turning out, Wood?"
Suddenly, an idea appeared in my head. I can make Izzy feel how I feel...
"It's good, Professor. However, Isabelle Carter has decided to resign the team."
Her eyes literally boggled out of her head. "What? Why?"
"She claims that I am training her too hard," I said smoothly, a smile tipping at the corner of the lips at the vision of Izzy's angry face.
"That is hardly solid means for resignation."
"I agree. Should I tell her this?"
She pursed her lips. "Yes, Wood. I am not looking forward to seeing Severus's smug face at the end of the year."
oOo
I walked up to her dormitories and sat on her bed. It smelled like peaches and some other scent that was really appealing. Shit... I'm saying that Izzy Carter smells nice!
I lay there for a while, until I heard a noise.
And there stood Izzy, half-naked.
Well, she was wrapped in a towel. I had a great view of her fantastic legs and her obvious curves. I was just enjoying the view, until her voice cut through the air like glass.
"What the BLOODY HELL!"
I rolled my eyes. "Hello, Carter," I said in what I deemed to be a polite way, locking my eyes on hers.
She put her hands on her hips. "What are you doing in my dormitory?"
Trying not to let my eyes wander across her body, I answered. "Well, I came to talk about your resignation."
I decided to infuriate her even further, this time by ruffling through her drawers. According to Zach, girls keep all their worldly possessions in the drawers of their bedside table. I was expecting a diary, but the thing I found was much more satisfying for me, and embarrassing for her.
Well, at first I found nothing: a few blank pieces of parchment. She snatched them away from me and spoke.
"Talk, or I beat you up."
I snorted. "Fine, love. I spoke to Professor McGonagall, and you have to have means for your resignation."
"Why did you go to her in the first place? I thought that you were happy that I was resigning?"
Not only is Izzy annoying, she is also exceedingly naive and slow on the uptake. Doesn't she see that she is amazing? At Quidditch, I mean.
"Well, she asked me about how the team was going, and it came up in conversation. So, love, what are your reasons for resigning?"
A positively dangerous look crossed her features. I tried not to laugh, as she spoke.
"Firstly, you train me unnecessarily hard. I don't know nor care why you hate me so much, but it is completely uncalled for. Secondly, you criticise every. Single. Damn. Thing. About me. Carter, your hair is messy, Carter, you are flying sloppily, Carter, you aren't listening, Carter, you have a bloody eyelash missing! I could go on!"
All my amusement dispersed. She isn't bloody perfect, contrary to her thoughts. Hey, there is a lot to criticise, and I will do it if I wish to. She needs to get her head out of her arse and get a grip on life. Not everyone is going to be nice to you. I learned that, not from personal experience (well, apart from Snape) but by witnessing what Lily went through.
"I'm harsh on you because you need it. Sure, you have the makings of a good player, but something is blocking that... you aren't focused."
She scoffed, intensifying my anger. Does she think that she is bloody perfect? Yes, she is good. But she isn't focused. Despite my hatred for her, I hate to see talent go to waste.
"I am focused, you egotistical ass hole! No, you are using Quidditch to uphold your personal vendetta against me."
I decided to continue going through her drawers, and I found the aforementioned item that would embarrass her, and satisfy me.
It was a card with a love heart on it. Obviously, who sent this to Izzy clearly has no idea. Even I know that she hates romance. I opened it, and saw that it was from someone whom clearly fancied her. I felt a twang of a not-so-foreign feeling – jealousy – in my chest. What?
However, I feigned a smirk and read the card aloud.
"Dear darling Isabelle-"
Darling Isabelle? Izzy hates being called Isabelle, probably even more than she hates being called darling!
"Give it here-" she began, but I cut her off by reading more of the card.
"I had a great holiday with you-"
"WOOD!"
"And I sincerely hope that we can catch up over the Christmas break-"
"OLIVER WOOD!"
"Because you are beautiful on the inside and out, and I really am quite in love with you!"
I felt like punching something. But before I could fulfil that urge, Izzy had jumped on top of me. I almost gasped at the feeling of her body on mine, but I finished reading the card.
"Love, Dominic! Is he blind or brain damaged?" I said, attempting to be casual, but sounding way too angry.
I was so confused. How did Izzy get a boyfriend? No one except for her nutso friends can put up with her!
Secondly, why is she putting up with someone who doesn't even know that she hates her full name?
And thirdly, why, why was I so angry at the prospect of her dating someone?
I didn't want her to grab the card, so I placed a hand on her bare thigh, stopping her from leaning upwards.
Then I noticed that I had a great view... down her towel. I smirked slightly as I realised that we were at a stalemate: if she moved, the towel would fall down. God, I hoped that she would move-
Realising that I had control of the situation, I reached my arm over and grabbed an envelope that was dangling out of her drawer. A photo dropped out, but I decided to have a look at what the card said first.
I scowled. God, was this guy going for the award as the cheesiest guy ever?
"So you have a boyfriend! A dumb one, by the looks of it... well; now I know why you haven't been focused in Quidditch!"
The front of her towel fell down, and I resisted the strong urge to look down.
Then some 'risky' things started happening.
Shit. I was getting turned on by the thought of seeing Izzy Carter naked.
Shit, again. She is lying on top of me, practically straddling me! She would feel that-
I shoved her off me, trying to calm my breathing and my current state. She fell on her side and I got a glimpse of the very things that were causing my current state.
Oh sweet Merlin.
Her fingers wrapped around my neck, but I quickly pried them off. Then I spotted a second envelope and card, which I ignored, and instead picked up the photograph.
The photo started making me feel... really angry. Like I wanted to punch something. She was smiling broadly, her hand on this Dominic's leg. They were at a beach, and had clearly just built a sandcastle.
Her smile... it was unnatural. Izzy isn't a happy person. She looked beautiful... but it was strange. It reminded me so much of how Lily changed when she was with Jason...
"You look so happy," I said softly, more to myself than anything. I looked up at her hazel eyes, and they had softened slightly. They hardened as quickly as they softened, and she tried to grab the photo. Sadly, she achieved in doing so, throwing it on her dressing table. This diverted my attention back to the fact that she was straddling me, and that I was very... turned on. I tried to grab one of the cards I hadn't read so I could read it out to her, but her nose brushed against mine in the flurry.
My lips were centimetres from hers, her eyes locked on mine. They were a really pretty colour; deep green mixed in with brown. In fact, I was realising that she was very pretty. Her lips had a natural pout about them, and she had bangs that framed her face well. If only she had the personality to match it. Maybe then I would consider-
Ow!
Her hand was pressing against my crotch, which was, erm, already having some risky things happening to it. It really hurt, but it was a good sort of pain.
I didn't know what to do. Well, she was in a compromising position. Her towel would fall off if she moved, and if that happened... well, I don't know whether I would be able to control myself-
Oh god. I'm having thoughts about shagging Izzy Carter. Well, this day just keeps getting better and better, eh?
"My eyes!"
I looked and Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson stood at the door, both with unusual expressions on their faces. The pain was almost too much to handle now, but I was trying my best to suck it up...
"Aw! Angie, let's go; we don't want to spoil the moment!"
There is no moment!
Izzy seemed to read my mind.
"There is no fucking moment. Wood was going through my personal items," Izzy growled, looking positively terrifying.
"What, your love letters?" Alicia asked, and I tried to conceal my anger at those words. Why was I so annoyed at the fact that Izzy had a boyfriend? It isn't as though I like her or anything. And even if I did, teammates aren't supposed to date, but everyone breaks that rule. And she isn't on the team anymore...
That's it.
"Um, Carter?" I began, as the pain became too much to bear.
"What?" she snapped.
"Could you get off?"
"Close your fucking eyes," she snarled, and I realised that her towel must have fallen down. Damn. I did as she asked, and the pressure was relieved. I glared at her when she was off, for many reasons.
Damn Izzy Carter for being a bitch.
Damn Izzy Carter for quitting the team.
And most of all: damn Izzy Carter for being the source of these forbidden thoughts.
"You have to tell McGonagall your reasons for resignation, okay? Personally, I think you're just being sissy-"
I was cut off by her angry voice. "Wood, close your mouth right now, or I'll do it for you. OUT!"
I finally did as she said, feeling angrier than I had felt in ages. When I arrived back in my dorms, Zach was reading a magazine, and Percy was scribbling something on a piece of parchment. Zach looked up, blue eyes roaming across my features, before smirking.
"Let me guess. You've been to see Izzy about the resignation and she attacked you."
"Sorta."
"Well?"
I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. "She didn't really say much about that. I found out that she has a boyfriend." I spat out the last word with anger that seemed to take Zach aback.
"Well, what did you expect? She's hot."
I rolled my eyes. Maybe she is, but she is an angry bitch as well.
Zach smirked again. "You look like you need a nice cold shower."
I actually felt my cheeks burn. I was blushing at the thought of-
"Yeah," I mumbled.
oOo
At breakfast the next morning, I was hoping to see Izzy and see if she calmed down, concerning what happened yesterday. I got my wish.
She sat across from me, and I noticed two things. Firstly, she looked well rested. And secondly, she was wearing the same shirt as me. It was a Nirvana shirt (they are my favourite band).
I smirked. "Nice shirt," I drawled, watching her almost placid expression deepen.
"You like Nirvana, do you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Who doesn't? They're a really great band.
"Yeah. What's your favourite song?" I asked. Well, I may as well be polite to her. She doesn't have as bad of a taste as I thought she would.
"Come as you are," she answered slowly, looking a little shocked at my manners. Hey, I am polite. Just not to her.
"Same, but I also like About a Girl," I responded with.
I heard a chuckle, and looked over at Zach, who was making a kissy face at me. I cleared my throat as I realised how polite we were being to each other. I will prove to Zach that I certainly do not have a crush on Izzy.
"Your hair looks like a rats nest."
Wow, Wood. So mature.
"So does your face," she retorted, glaring at me. I smirked and cocked an eyebrow. Her eyes were locked on mine for longer than what was acceptable...
Woah, was she checking me out?
I glanced at Zach, who was continuing to make kissy faces at me.
Time for a change of subject.
"Did you talk to McGonagall about resigning?" I asked politely. Well, it was a perfectly legitimate question! And I need to know. Please tell me that McGonagall said she can't!
"Yeah, I did. It is perfectly fine for me to resign."
Well that is just sodding wonderful.
"I think that you're being pathetic, love," I snapped, narrowing my eyes at her. I was more than just pissed off.
Whoever says that winning isn't everything is a bullshitter. I love the feeling that comes with accomplishment, the euphoria of victory... and I know that without Izzy, our side won't be as strong.
"Firstly, I am not your 'love' or anyone else's-"
Yep, she is an achiever at making me furious.
"Oh, sorry, I forgot about your darling Dominic."
"Shut up," she hissed, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "Have fun losing the cup again, Wood."
With that, she stalked out of the Great Hall. That little cow! She's so-
"You just got burned, mate," Zach chuckled, smirking at me. I shot him a death glare and stabbed my bacon.
That girl will be the death of me.