Chapter 4-Strike 3! You're out!
As Oliver lay in bed that night, he thought about the argument with Alex and the flying lesson with Allyson. The two girls were so different but they were both beautiful and fun to be around. At least, Alex used to. He didn't understand why she had gotten so mad about Allyson. 'Why can't she see that she's a perfectly nice person?' he asked himself 'I do. Guess that's not enough.' He wanted to be able to let go of Alex but not to stop being friends. 'Well, if we do then it's her fault,' he told himself stubbornly. He rolled over and closed his eyes. Soon, he was dreaming of flying again with Allyson.
Early Monday morning, Allyson got up a little earlier than usual. She had overheard Landon and Oliver talking when they got back to Hogwarts. Oliver had sounded upset and she had heard her name mentioned a few times. She was very curious and wanted to find Oliver before breakfast and ask him what was wrong. She didn't need him dumping her now when she had just gotten on his good side.
As Oliver descended the stairs that led up to the Gryffindor dorms, he saw Allyson standing at the door to the Great Hall scanning faces as if she was looking for someone. As he approached her, she turned and saw him. A smile lit up her face as she hurried to him.
"I've been looking for you," she said.
"Oh really? Why?" he asked curiously.
"Well, yesterday I accidentally overheard you talking to your friend Landon and you sounded upset. Plus, I heard my name and I was wondering if you are mad at me or something," she replied.
"Oh, you did? No, no, I'm not mad at you. A friend and I just had a little argument yesterday. That's all,"
he assured her.
"About me?" she inquired.
"Er, yes, kind of. She doesn't like the fact that I'm tutoring you but I didn't let that bother me. So, if you're worried that I'm going to quit teaching you then just relax, cause I'm not," he told her.
"Ok, but you said she. Is she your girlfriend?" she asked.
"I wish. I mean, I used to wish that she were but not anymore. No, I don't have a girlfriend at the present," he replied softly.
"Oh, I see. Well, sorry to bother you," Allyson said with a hint of a smile on her face.
"Not at all. I'll see you at 5, right?" he asked.
"Right," she answered as they entered the Great Hall. "Bye"
Oliver waved and headed over to the Gryffindor table to sit next to Landon. Landon glanced curiously at Allyson as Oliver sat down.
"So you're talking to her regularly now?" he asked Oliver.
"Oh, come off it. She just got some notion into her head that I was gonna stop giving her Quidditch lessons. It was nothing, ok?" retorted Oliver.
"Fine. Whatever you say. So, are you gonna make up with Alex?" Landon asked.
"Why should I? She's the one who has a problem," protested Oliver.
"All right, I'll drop the subject. But are you starting to like Rosendale, Wood? I mean, you keep on standing up for her and stuff. What's up?" inquired Landon.
"Aw, please! No, she, she's just a nice person, ok?" Oliver frowned.
"Since when did you stand up for the average "nice" person? Or maybe she's not average? If that's the case then you sure got over Alex mighty fast," said Landon playfully.
"Damn it, Landon! I'm not going to put up with this crap. It's my life. I'll do whatever I want with whomever I want, whenever I want. Got it?" replied Oliver heatedly.
"I don't know what the hell has gotten into you, Wood, but I swear that you're not the same person you were last week. Maybe I should stay out of your way for awhile till you cool off." Landon rose from his seat and moved down the table to sit with the Weasleys and Harry Potter.
'Damn it, Oliver! What are you doing?' Oliver asked himself "You're losing your best friends."
During the lunch hour that day, Alex, Andy, and Landon went to Dead Man's Dungeon. Alex and Andy had already arrived and when Landon came in, Alex asked, "Where's Wood?"
"Well, he's not being all that nice today so I'm giving him room to breathe," said Landon scornfully.
"Why doesn't that surprise me? I don't get why he's acting so bloody rude all of a sudden," replied Alex.
"I know. I mean, what did we do to him? All I did was mention Allyson Rosendale this morning and he basically blew up," Landon informed her.
"There's something going on between them. He's being very protective of her for no reason at all. I mean, I don't really have that big of a problem with his tutoring her but to make it personal like this isn't right. I never did like that ho," said Alex.
"Me neither. I'd like to know what's so bloody important about her but if I dared mention her to him he'd go all bloody protective again," agreed Landon.
"I know. Do you think if we gave him the cold shoulder that he would come around?" Alex asked.
"Probably not. He's obviously too caught up in his "student" to pay any attention to what we're doing. What do you think, Andy?" he asked.
"Well, I'm none too happy about how he's acting but you don't have to put him down so," she retorted.
"Oh fine. We'll hold off of dissing Wood 'till you leave," reasoned Alex.
"Oh, well fine. Maybe I will," said Andy with a huff.
"Andy! I didn't mean in a mean way," protested Alex.
Landon smirked and leaned over to whisper in Alex's ear. "She's faking. How do I know? She tries to pull it on me all the time."
"Andy! You bad thing! How dare you! Wait a minute, how come I don't know she does this?" squealed Alex.
"Well, since you're my best friend I don't need to pull it on you," Andy grinned.
Landon looked down at his watch. "Hey guys, I mean girls, we need to head back. It's almost time for afternoon classes to start," he informed them.
"'Kay. Now you two remember. If you meet Wood, be nice!" said Andy.
"Fine," Landon and Alex said in unison as they walked toward the entrance.
"But that doesn't mean I will," Andy said under her breath.
At 5 o'clock that Monday afternoon, Oliver and Allyson were getting ready for the next flying lesson. They were flying around the field and practicing a few basic techniques when Allyson half-turned and told Oliver, "Oliver, I'm sorry if I'm causing you trouble. I know that I have a bad reputation but I didn't think that it would affect tutoring me."
"Nonsense! We're still having our flying lessons aren't we? Don't worry, my friends will come around once they see how nice you are," retorted Oliver.
"Aw, thanks. You're pretty sweet yourself," she replied.
He smiled and wrapped his arms a little tighter around her waist. He didn't know what it was but something about this girl was so tantalizing. She was sweet and beautiful and she didn't snob him like he thought Alex did. She was so perfect but in the back of his mind he still loved Alex and that's what made it hard for him to give in to his desires for Allyson. If not, then he would have bloody kissed her on the spot. He didn't care how many other guys she'd been with. He was with her right now.
Just then Oliver happened to glance down. He saw a figure walking out onto the field. He tapped Allyson on the shoulder and pointed to the person.
"Let's fly a little lower so we can see who it is. I don't want to get into trouble," he said.
It turned out that the person was Andy and she wanted to talk to Oliver, only she wasn't so civil in saying that.
"Oliver fuckin' Wood! Get your bloody self down here this minute!" Andy yelled.
"Um, I think we need to make a landing so I can sort this out," Oliver told Allyson. She nodded and they glided to a stop. Oliver climbed off as Andy approached.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Andy shouted "You are ruining friendships over a bunch of crap! You ought to be ashamed off yourself, you son of a bitch!"
"Um, Andy? Can you do this somewhere else?" asked Oliver timidly. He tipped his head toward Allyson.
"Hell no, we can't! Oh, uh, sure. Let's just go around the corner," Andy retorted. "Would you excuse us for a very long minute? Thanks," she said to Allyson who stood there, bewildered.
Andy led Oliver around the corner and the minute they cleared it she erupted.
"Damn you Wood! What has gotten into you? You're being a total jerk and don't you dare say that you aren't cause you sure as hell are! You are blaming your best friends for everything and they don't have a bloody idea why. Do you have any explanation at all as to why the hell you are acting this way?" she fumed.
"Aw, come on Andy. I don't have time for this shit," Oliver turned to go but Andy grabbed him by his shirt and slammed him up against the wall.
"Oh no you don't. You're not leaving 'till I get some bloody answers outta you!" she cried, "This is obviously about that bitch over there, isn't it? Something's going on between you and her and you can't be the least bit civil when your friends are curious. They just want to know what you're getting yourself into. We bloody care, ok? Looks like that's more than you do. You could care less if your friends got hurt over some dumb girl!"
"She's not a dumb girl! Her name is Allyson Rosendale and she's one of the sweetest and most beautiful people I have ever met. And, if it weren't for you "friends" I would have probably already slept with her. See, you do have an effect on my life. If it weren't for the fact that I'm still in love with some fuckin girl that didn't love me then I would have a life and you wouldn't have any control over it! The reason that I'm pushing you away and don't answer questions is because I know that if I tell you how I really feel then you will try and keep me away from Allyson so I don't "dirty" my reputation! Can you understand that?" protested Oliver angrily.
"Maybe I do and maybe I don't. If that's the way you feel about us then I guess we aren't your friends. I don't know about Alex and Landon but I guess that if you feel like talking to me I'll talk back. But for right now I am getting out of your way and you know what? Sleep with her, Oliver, sleep with her and see if we fuckin care!" shouted Andy as she turned and walked away.
"Bloody hell! Why is this happening to me?" screamed Oliver as he kicked the wall, "What the hell did I do to deserve being treated like this? Damn it!"
He ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath. After regaining his composure he went back to where Allyson was standing. She had heard them yelling although she couldn't make out what they were saying and then she had seen Andy storm back inside. Now she studied Oliver as he walked back towards where she stood. 'He doesn't look that mad,' she thought to herself, 'I would be if someone had yelled at me like that.'
But when Oliver reached her, she could see the anger in his eyes. "What's wrong, Oliver? Who was that?" she asked him.
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong. She just felt like speaking her mind. That was Andy DelMarr, one of my best friends. Or at least she used to be," Oliver replied stiffly.
"All right. Well, maybe we should end my lesson now, ok? How about if you and me just take a walk? You look like you need some cooling down time," Allyson suggested.
"Er, yeah, that's fine," he said, "Let me put this stuff up. I'll be right back."
'It looks like a walk is all I need. He's so ready for me,' she thought as he walked away. 'Maybe even tonight if I play my cards right,' she thought smugly.
When Oliver returned a few minutes later, Allyson gave him a big smile. "Come on, let's walk around a bit," she crooned.
"All right," replied Oliver. He felt his anger leave him as he was filled with her warming presence. As they started walking, he glanced down at her hand. 'It would fit perfectly in mine,' he thought, 'But dare I?' Mentally saying yes, he tentatively moved his hand to clasp hers. Allyson glanced up at him with a twinkle in her eye before clasping his hand tightly in return. Inside she was bubbling, 'Keep it coming, Oliver Wood, and I'll give you everything you ever wanted,' she thought.
They continued to walk along silently until Oliver spoke Allyson's name.
"Yes?" she inquired, looking up at him.
"You… you're so beautiful. I mean sexy!" he blurted out blushing slightly.
Smiling contentedly, she didn't reply only squeezed his hand and continued walking. Mustering up his courage he turned to her and confessed, "Allyson, I really only just got to know you a few days ago and already you've changed my life. I, I can't describe how I feel about you but I can say this. I want to be with you, to sleep with you, I mean."
Allyson looked up at him sharply. "Sleep with me? Are you sure? After all, don't you know what I am?" she asked him.
"Yes, I know what you are but I don't bloody care. I think I love you, Allyson," he replied gazing into her eyes.
"Oh come on. You know you don't; you only think you do. I'm not sure we should do this. I mean, we barely know each other. You'll regret it, Oliver," she tried to tell him.
"No, Allyson. I've decided to give in to my desires. I want you… tonight," he replied softly "Don't try to convince me otherwise."
"But…" she began. She was silenced by Oliver's lips on hers. Her body responded by parting her lips and deepening the kiss. Inwardly she rejoiced as his arms encircled her and pulled her body against his. This was just what she had wanted.
Oliver's head whirled as he felt her body responding to his movement. 'She is so intoxicating,' he thought 'But if I don't stop now, I'm going to end up making love to her right here on the Quidditch field.' Reluctantly, he pulled away from Allyson and caressed her cheek.
"What do you say about 11 o'clock, in the Gryffindor's Quidditch locker room?" he asked grinning down at her.
"I'd say that's perfect," she replied returning the grin.
"Great. I'll see you then. Bye," Oliver planted a soft kiss on her lips before turning to go inside.
'I knew it! I knew that I could get him tonight! Allyson, you are a genius!' she proclaimed to herself 'Only a little while longer and all my waiting and planning will finally pay off.'
After supper, Andy and Alex were talking again in their dungeon. Andy was filling in Alex about her blow-up at Oliver. Alex was listening intently.
"He kept on trying to defend her so finally I couldn't take it any longer and I told him that we aren't friends anymore," Andy was telling Alex.
"Oh that bastard! I hope he gets what's coming to him," said Alex but in her head was a different thought. 'Why does he treat us this way? All we ever did was look out for him. Now, I wished that I'd given him my attention so he wouldn't have had to find the school whore to keep him company,' she thought.
"And you know what else he told me?" Andy asked her.
"No, what?" said Alex.
"He told me right in my face that if we hadn't had tried to interfere with him and Allyson that he'd already have slept with her. Can you believe that? I hope he does sleep with her and shames himself. And I told him so, too," informed Andy.
"He said what? And, and you backed him up? Do you know what this means? This means that he probably will sleep with her! I can't believe you!" exclaimed Alex.
"What? What's wrong with you? It's not like you like him or anything. You shouldn't care," retorted Andy obviously surprised. But then she realized what Alex just had. Alex did like Oliver. "But, why now? After he's already gotten over you and everything," questioned Andy.
"I don't know. I guess that when I had him, I thought it was just a crush on his part. I never realized that he was serious. I should have given him my attention. I realize that now. What a fool I've been! But I can't let him sleep with Allyson! I can't!" cried Alex.
"Um, Alex? I bet that's just what he's going to do. And he's going to sleep with her tonight, now that he doesn't have anyone in his way. It's his way of getting back at us, I think," Andy suggested.
"Oh god, no! All right, think Alex! What the bloody hell can I do?" Alex cried.
"I've got an idea! They can't do it in a dorm, so that means that Wood will have to leave his. And who rooms with Wood?" asked Andy.
"Oh… Landon!" breathed Alex.
"Right! So, if we ask Landon to watch Wood and see where he goes then we can stop him," said Andy.
"Andy, if you weren't my best friend then I would call you a genius," Alex told her "Let's go see what Landon's up to."