Classes started the next day. The first lesson was Defence against the Dark Arts. Tiannah, although she usually enjoyed this subject, found that she hated it. Gilderoy Lockhart was vain, arrogant and very self-absorbed. Oliver, as a Quidditch captain, and Tiannah, who in the past was a captain, both hated people who boasted about their abilities. People who boasted about their abilities were certainly not assets to teams, or anything for that matter. Even Hestia, who usually fawned over people like Lockhart, was curling her lip in disgust at the sight of him.

"Damn it!"

Oliver was pacing around the common room, a million thoughts rushing through his head.

"I'm sorry Oliver! My parents want my grades to go up, and they say that Quidditch is a distraction," Alicia Spinnet cried in indignation.

"How am I supposed to find another Chaser? The Quidditch season starts in three weeks!"

Alicia thought for a moment.

"What about that Hestia girl, you know, the girly one. She has a Chaser's build."

"No, she hates Quidditch... THAT'S IT!" Oliver yelled, wondering why he didn't think of it earlier. He walked over to where Tiannah was sitting in the common room and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Tia, can you come with me?"

She nodded and followed Oliver over to where Alicia was standing.

"Meet Gryffindor's newest Chaser," Oliver said proudly, wrapping an arm around Tiannah's waist and squeezing her.

"Tiannah, Chaser? She has more of a Beater's build, with the height factor and the broad shoulders..."

Tiannah interjected, not about to let anyone get in the way of her sudden appointment as a Chaser on Gryffindor's Quidditch team. "I was captain of my team back in America, and I have always played Chaser. Ever since I was a little kid."

Alicia smiled at this. Tiannah had the enthusiasm, and, apparently, the talent. Although Alicia would greatly miss the team, she trusted Oliver's judgement.

"Well, Tia, welcome to the Gryffindor Quidditch team."

Tiannah started jumping up and down, squealing at Oliver's words.

"Thank you so much, Ollie! I won't let you down!" She had somewhat come to terms with the fact she wouldn't play Quidditch at Hogwarts, so this felt very serendipitous, as though it were meant to be. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face.

It had been three weeks since Tiannah was accepted into the Gryffindor team, and it was an early Saturday morning. Oliver and Tiannah were the only people awake in the common room, as Oliver was showing her the diagrams of some new formation ideas.

"Okay, Ollie, I'll go and wake up Katie and Angelina," she said, once the explanations were over.

Oliver and Tiannah were the only people who were fully awake as the team walked down to the pitch. Tiannah had met Harry Potter the day before, and she had never seen such talent in someone so young. Fred and George were falling asleep, and Angelina and Katie were yawning. Oliver ploughed on with his pre-practice pep talk, but Tiannah could see the irritation on his features.

"Well, let's get started," he eventually sighed, upon realising nothing but actually flying would wake anyone up.

They walked out onto the pitch happily and mounted their brooms. Tiannah felt a rush of wind and she grinned. Flying was the one time she felt completely blissful. The happy feeling soon faded, as she saw that Marcus Flint was leading his team onto the pitch.

"I booked the field for today! We'll see about this," Oliver hissed in outrage. He shot toward the ground, landing harder than he meant to, purely out of anger, and he staggered slightly.

"Flint!" he bellowed at the Slytherin captain. "This is our practice time! We got up especially! You can clear off now!"

Flint had a look of trollish cunning on his face, and he leered slightly at Tiannah, causing Oliver's face to take on an even angrier expression.

"Plenty of room for all of us, Wood."

"But I booked the field!" Oliver said, spitting with rage.

"Ah. But I've got a specially signed note from Professor Snape."

Tiannah and Oliver glanced at the note that Flint was holding.

"You've got a new Seeker?" Oliver asked.

And from behind six large figures came a seventh, smaller boy, with an arrogant sneer on his pale features.

"Malfoy," Harry said incredulously. Flint nodded.

"It seems like you also have a new member. Pity, Wood."

"What do you mean by that?" he asked sharply.

"You kicked off Spinnet for your little girlfriend. That hardly seems fair, does it?"

If Oliver was angry then, he was furious now. The rest of the team were glaring daggers at Flint, who was smirking. Tiannah drew up to her full height and stepped in front of him, features hardened. She couldn't believe the nerve he had. It was of no fault of her own that Alicia could no longer be a part of the Quidditch team, and anyone who knew Oliver would know that only the most talented players were allowed on the team. There were no favours.

"It won't matter how I got on the team when I kick your ass on the field," she said shortly, giving him her most filthy glare. Flint merely smirked in response before his eyes focused on a point behind Tiannah.

"Oh look. Pitch invaders," he drawled.

Tiannah looked behind and saw Ron and Hermione, Harry's two best friends, making their way over. Oliver was glaring at Flint with distaste, when he spotted his broom.

"Where did you get that!" he gawked, as Ron and Hermione stood next to Harry.

"A gift, from Draco's father. They outstrip the old Nimbus range considerably," he added, glancing at Harry's broom.

"You see, unlike some, my father can afford the best," Malfoy said smugly. Before anyone could interject, Hermione cut in.

"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in. They got in on pure talent."

"No one asked your opinion, you filthy little mudblood."

Those awful words rung through the air. Tiannah and Oliver hated the disgusting bigotry that surrounded muggleborns. It was something both their parents were passionate about. Tiannah yelled, "How dare you!" and Oliver had to hold Fred and George back. Ron drew his wand and yelled, "eat slugs!"

The curse backfired and hit Ron, who fell to the ground. Harry and Hermione rushed to his side as he started belching slugs.

Overall, Tiannah had had some better Quidditch practices. But one good thing did come out of witnessing the unpleasant behaviour of the Slytherin team: a newfound determination to make sure they wouldn't win the cup this year.

The first Hogsmeade visit was drawing near. It was the Friday before the visit, and Tiannah was talking to Oliver about Quidditch at breakfast. Ken and Hestia were arguing about something undoubtedly pointless. They were truly perfect for each other; Hestia was outspoken and bold, Ken was charming and smart, and together, they made a really good power couple. But Tiannah couldn't help but feel jealous that she didn't have someone special. Her crush on Oliver was starting to fade a bit – well, if nothing else she was distracted by it - to be replaced by a crush on Cedric Diggory. Tiannah was happy about this. Finally, they could go back to their uncomplicated friendship! Oliver passed Tiannah a piece of toast, and she gave him a smile. The smile soon brightened when she saw that Cedric was making his way over to the Gryffindor table. Hestia gave Tiannah a subtle thumbs up and Tiannah's hand flew to her a hair.

"Hey, Tiannah."

She turned around and smiled. "Hey, Cedric."

"Would you mind if I had a word?" he asked, eying Oliver, who was furiously glaring at Cedric.

Tiannah got up and left the Great Hall with Cedric. They walked out of the castle and into the grounds. Tiannah loved the grounds of Hogwarts. The rolling hills and vivid green forestry were far more beautiful than the industrialised area of the Institute.

"I was just wondering, are you and Oliver dating?"

Tiannah shook her head. "Nah. Just best friends."

Cedric looked very happy about this, which Tiannah noticed, hoping it may be a sign that he liked her.

"Well, if you have no plans at Hogsmeade, I was wondering, would you like to go with me?" he asked nervously, running his fingers through his golden-brown hair. Tiannah's stomach flipped and she smiled.

"I would love to, Cedric."

"Wake up, wake up, wake up,"

Hestia was poking Tiannah, who groaned.

"You bitch; you just ruined my perfect dream."

Hestia smirked.

"I'm the bitch that is going to make you drop dead gorgeous for your date."

Tiannah got up quickly at the mention of her date with Cedric Diggory.

"No dresses."

Hestia rolled her eyes and groaned.

"Fine, but there will be make up."

She begrudgingly agreed.

"Now, it's a shame you don't fit into my clothes, you giant. Go shower, and I'll find you something nice."

Tiannah picked her bathrobe off the floor and walked into the bathroom to shower.

Hestia finally settled on black tights, a shortish denim skirt, blue converse shoes, and a matching blue jumper that brought out Tiannah's eyes. When she hopped out of the shower, Hestia showed her the outfit.

"It's great, Hest. How am I wearing my hair?" Tiannah asked. She rather liked being pampered once in a while, as she rarely had cause to dress up.

"I was thinking that you should wear it down. Good for hiding behind, in awkward situations."

How does Hestia think of everything?!

"Straight or curly?"

"Hmmm, straight. It's your natural hair type, after all. We can't make it look like you're trying too hard."

"True. So, makeup?"

Hestia thought about it.

"A little mascara and eyeliner. Lipgloss, of course. I think that about covers it," she finished.

When Tiannah was dressed, she showed Hestia, who clapped.

"Perfect. Now, let's go."

Hestia dragged Tiannah down to the entrance hall. Oliver stared at Tiannah, who had a wide smile on her face as she talked to Hestia. He hadn't seen Tiannah looking so... girly in a while.

"Why are you dressed so nicely?" Oliver enquired.

"I'm meeting up with Cedric Diggory in Hogsmeade," she replied casually, but found she couldn't look Oliver in the eye as she said it.

Hestia saw that Oliver paled, and his eyes showed how hurt he was. But when he replied, his voice was carefully controlled.

"That's great. I hope you have fun," he replied.

"Thanks, Ollie. Well, I guess I'll see you there?"

"Yeah, I guess."

A few minutes later, once Oliver was gone, Cedric appeared. He stared at Tiannah and smiled.

"You look lovely, Tiannah."

Hestia took this as a good time to leave. With a wink, she skipped off out of the hall, blonde curls bobbing behind her.

When Cedric and Tiannah arrived in Hogsmeade, they decided to go to the Three Broomsticks first.

"I'm really glad that you said yes to coming with me," Cedric said shyly, a smile playing on his lips.

Tiannah smiled, blushing. "I wanted to go with you, I just didn't know how to ask."

"That's good. And there I was thinking that you and Oliver were a couple..."

"No, we're not. I've known him since I was born, and we've never been anything more than friends. Its gets a little tiresome, really. People always thinking that we are dating," she admitted. Cedric gave her a smile.

"Well, I'm glad you're not dating."

"And why's that?"

"Why do you think? he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I have no idea!" Tiannah teased.

"Could we leave?" Cedric asked. Tiannah nodded and he wrapped his fingers around hers. They walked until they found a pretty tree, and Cedric turned to face her.

"Tiannah, I was wondering... will you be my girlfriend?" Cedric asked nervously.

"I would love to," she replied, her cheeks glowing and a grin plastered on her features. He slowly leant in and their lips met. Tiannah kissed him back, as his arms laced around her waist. When he pulled away, Tiannah couldn't stop smiling. Just as she leaned in to kiss him again, there was a bang. Tiannah turned around, and saw Oliver angrily stalking off.

For some reason, the sight made her heart sink.