Chapter 17

It was a few days until Christmas, which meant it was a few days until Oliver and Tiannah would go home. They were going to stay, until the muggleborns were being petrified. Oliver woke up on the common room couch with Tiannah in his arms. He looked at her sleeping facial expression, and couldn't help but smile.

"Morning, Tia. We need to get up," he whispered into her sweet smelling hair.

"NO! I don't want to face people today," Tiannah moaned, burying her head in Oliver's chest.

"Diggory has probably told everyone what happened, Tia. Why don't we just pretend, for the sake of it, that we are dating?"

Tiannah sat up straight.

"What do you mean?" she asked sharply.

"Show everyone that you can move on and that you don't have a care in the world," he said gently, pushing a piece of her brown hair out of her eyes.

"But I do care. I can't believe him!" Tiannah fumed, remembering the events of last night.

"Pretend, Tiannah. I have to pretend all the time. Like that Hestia doesn't get me really pissed off. Or that Fred Weasley hitting on you doesn't annoy me, even though I know it's for a joke."

"And it annoys you because...?"

"Because I don't want to see you hurt," Oliver said simply. Tiannah had a vague feeling that it wasn't the only reason, but she was too tired to press the matter. What Oliver said was true, and she gave him a smile.

"You're right. And I shouldn't care, I know. But wouldn't it be a little awkward pretending to be your girlfriend? I mean, we're best friends-"

"Exactly. We're best friends, and I want to help you. It won't be awkward. Though I suppose that I will get a fair bit of hate from the males..."

"And what do you mean by that?" Tiannah questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Well," Oliver began, grinning. "You're pretty, you're sporty, and you've got nice boobs and legs."

Tiannah raised an eyebrow once more, blushing, as a warm feeling spread through her body.

"Been noticing my boobs, Ollie?"

"Hard not to."

"Are you saying that as a pretend boyfriend or honestly?" she asked, hoping for the latter. He's too bloody sweet for his own good...

Oliver felt his face burn. Why the fuck did I tell her that? I sound like such a wanker...

"Honestly," he eventually replied with.

Tiannah felt her cheeks turn a furious shade of red. However, she sounded amused when she replied. "So I have nice boobs?"

Oliver nodded and Tiannah smirked.

"Boys," she muttered, shaking her head. "For the record, though, I think that you're pretty attractive."

Oliver snorted, and Tiannah shook her head in disbelief. Oliver was one of the best-looking guys at Hogwarts, even better looking than Diggory! He was tall and lean, muscular without having bulging muscles, and a sweet guy to boot. He's the perfect guy... wait, no! I don't like him like that!

"Are you saying that you don't find yourself attractive?"

"No. I know that I'm sexy," he grinned, and Tiannah knew that he was joking around. "I just don't believe that you find me attractive."

"I don't believe that you find me pretty."

"Well then," he said huskily, licking his lips. Tiannah shivered. "I guess we'll have to agree to disagree."

"Fine," Tiannah replied, smiling widely. "Oh, and because you've been such a good friend, you can be my pretend boyfriend."

A wide smile crossed Oliver's features. That's as close as I'm going to get, he thought to himself.

"I'm going to go get dressed," Tiannah said awkwardly, trying to hide her raging blush as she realised how attractive Oliver was when he smiled. She went up to her dormitory and faced the mirror in the bathroom.

"You do NOT like Oliver. Don't ruin things by having a crush on him!"

But the voice in her head was telling her otherwise.

He's acting like he likes you. Admit that you like him too.

She shook the voices away and got dressed. She walked back downstairs and was greeted by a dressed Oliver.

"You look cute, Tia," he said softly, eyes locking on hers.

Tiannah giggled slightly at Oliver's first act of being her pretend boyfriend, but he truly meant it. He held out his hand and Tiannah took it, just as Hestia met up with them. At the sight of Hestia Lawrence, Tiannah's happy mood completely dispersed.

"Are you two-" she froze and stared at their hands.

"Dating? In a manner of speaking, yes we are," Tiannah snapped, still furious at her friend.

"What happened last night? I saw you crying and I told Oliver..."

"If you stopped being an idiot for one second and dropped the whole I'm not speaking to you thing, you may have noticed that I was really upset. Now, duties call, and as Oliver and I are not really dating, that means that you should be along, ignoring me and shagging your boyfriend," the brunette fumed. Hestia gave her a hurt look and walked away.

"Little harsh?"

"She is not talking to me until we get together for real. Fat chance!" Tiannah snorted. She spotted the hurt look on Oliver's face and frowned.

"You alright?"

"Yeah."

Breakfast was a little awkward, as everyone noticed that Tiannah and Oliver were holding hands. Cedric glared at Tiannah, as did HEAPS of girls.

"What's her problem?" Tiannah snorted, glaring right back at a raven haired girl.

"Apparently," Oliver began, spearing a piece of bacon, "Diana really didn't like that way that I ended things."

"And what exactly happened between you two?" Tiannah asked sharply.

"Come for a walk with me," Oliver said, holding his arm out. She took it and they walked out to the lake.

"She and I dated for a while a few years back. Um... Tia, I should probably tell you something... er... well..."

"You know what? I really don't want to hear it. Let's just sit down."

They sat down for a while, just staring out at the lake.

Before lessons, Tiannah spotted Cedric and Cho Chang kissing in a hallway. She pretended that she couldn't care less, when really; she still felt an attachment to Cedric. She told Oliver this that evening.

"-And I don't think we should pretend that we are dating. It just doesn't feel right, pretending something like that. Is that okay?"

Oliver stared at her for a moment, before nodding. Tiannah gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you, Ollie," she whispered into his ear. "You really are my best friend."

Tiannah and Oliver packed to go home for Christmas. Hestia had decided to go with Ken, which was fine by Tiannah. Cedric seemed pretty happy with Cho. They took the Knight Bus back to Tiannah's house, which is where Oliver was invited.

"It's good to be away from Hogwarts. I love it there, just not the drama," confessed Tiannah. Oliver brushed his fingertips against hers and eventually entwined his fingers with hers. She glanced at him and smiled. She knocked on the door and they were greeted by Jane and Daniel smiling down at the two. Oliver quickly removed his hand from Tiannah's and looked down.

"It's great to see you both! Gosh, Oliver, you have grown!" Jane exclaimed, making way for the two to walk inside. Daniel and Jane engulfed their only daughter in hugs and kisses.

"Stop it! You're embarrassing me!" Tiannah squirmed, spotting Oliver's smirk.

"Sorry, Tiannah. We wouldn't want to embarrass you in front of your boyfriend!"

"AGH!"

"Sorry, we mean your pretend boyfriend," Daniel added in, smirking.

"What?"

"Hestia. We started writing to her a while back and she's continued. So why is he your pretend boyfriend?"

Oliver glanced at Tiannah and nodded.

"You go and unpack, Tia. I'll tell them," he said in a gentle voice, sending shivers down her spine.

For some reason, she had the urge to tear his shirt off and snog him senseless.

When Tiannah got upstairs, she groaned and hit her head on the edge of the bed.

Not this crush again! I tried so hard!

After lying on her bed for a while, groaning and cursing herself, she went back downstairs. When she saw that Oliver was still talking, she lingered on the stairs.

"-I went after Diggory and gave him a piece of my mind. I comforted her last night when she was upset, and on the morning afterwards, I persuaded her that maybe it would be a good idea for us to pretend to date, so that people would think that she doesn't have a care in the world. It didn't really work though," he said awkwardly, going red. Tiannah could see that her father was furious.

"Amos has always been so good and loyal... I wouldn't have believed his son did that... thank you, Oliver. You've always been there for her, and I will be forever grateful."

Tiannah coughed and her parents turned around. Jane hugged her.

"Are you okay, dear? Oliver told us what Diggory did!"

"Mum, I'm fine, really-"

"If he goes near you again, Tiannah-" Daniel growled.

"Guys! Chill out, I'm fine! You obviously told them the sob story version, right Oliver?"

"I just told them what happened. Sorry," he mumbled.

"Whatever. I'm going upstairs," Tiannah sighed. Oliver took this as a cue NOT to follow her.

Oliver's parents arrived later that day, which happened to be Christmas Eve. Benny had already been greeted by both Oliver and Tiannah, and he was currently dressed as a reindeer. Tiannah had gotten over her huff and was downstairs with Benny.

"Don't I have the most adorable brother ever?" she cooed, as Benny ran around like a reindeer.

"Just like his sister," Oliver stated, as Tiannah blushed heavily. He's so sweet...

"I don't appreciate been told that I am as adorable as my five year old brother who is dressed as a reindeer, Ollie," she said sarcastically.

"I would like to see you in a reindeer costume. That would be cute!"

"Wishes come true, Mr Wood," Daniel said, walking over to the two, holding something behind his back. He pulled it out and Tiannah laughed as she saw a suit exactly like her brother's, but a lot bigger.

"We were shopping and he wanted you to have one. Don't worry, Oliver, he got you one too."

"Aw! Ickle Ollie as a reindeer. How sweet!"

"Shut up."

Benny approached the two.

"Get the suits on! They are really warm and we can play reindeers!" Benny said. Tiannah awwwed at how cute he was being, and agreed. Oliver did too, because Benny was, admittedly, adorable.

Tiannah went upstairs and pulled the costume out. It came with antlers too, which Tiannah laughed at.

She walked downstairs ten minutes later, grumbling slightly. Oliver and Tiannah burst into simultaneous laughter as they saw each other.

"You look so stupid! Imagine Fred and George's faces!" Tiannah wheezed, doubled over in laughter.

"What about you! You look so stupid! Imagine the Quidditch team!" at this point, Oliver paled, remembering that he too was on the Quidditch team.

There was a snap and Tiannah whipped her head around and saw that her parents had taken a photo.

"NO! That photo would ruin my chances of getting on a Quidditch team! Give it back!" she cried, trying to grab the camera.

"We won't share it with anyone, don't worry. Just for our own amusement!" Jane assured.

"Tia! Ollie! Come and catch me!" Benny cried. Oliver and Tiannah put up a good show of trying to catch Benny, which ended in a lot of laughter. Both Quidditch fanatics were very puffed and sweaty, especially in their costumes.

"Alright Benny, that's enough, don't you think?" Tiannah wheezed. Benny burst into tears and his godmother and Oliver's mother, Meredith, took him in her arms.

Tiannah walked back downstairs after getting dressed, dressed in a thick, woollen blue jumper and black jeans.

Oliver's feelings for Tiannah were getting out of control. He couldn't glance at her without feeling the massive rush of hormones. She was so beautiful, with those killer cheekbones and those bright blue eyes... damn. Oliver was trying so hard and had been for months now not to notice it, but he couldn't.

"You look nice," he said weakly, trying not to let his eyes roam anywhere where they shouldn't be. Tiannah flashed him a grin.

"You're sweet," she said, giving him a big hug. "And I'm lucky to have you as a friend. Thanks for being so supportive during the Diggory situation. I guess that I shouldn't have been so stupid as to date someone I hardly know. Next time, I'll date someone I've know well, like you."

Tiannah pulled away from the hug and clapped a hand over her mouth. Shit... I did not just say that...

She locked eyes with Oliver, who had turned an unusual shade of pink.

"I didn't mean it like that... ugh, just forget I said anything," she said, looking at the floor. Oliver placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," he assured her. Tiannah sighed, but unknown to her, Oliver wasn't about to forget that sentence any time soon.

Tiannah and Oliver sat on one of the balconies in a large sofa, watching the light snow falling upon the ground.

"I'm so tired," Tiannah yawned, resting her head on Oliver's shoulder. Distantly, he nodded, as she slowly fell asleep.

When she had fallen asleep, Oliver looked down at her sleeping figure. It would be so easy for me to kiss her right now, he thought to himself. However, his thoughts were broken when Meredith walked onto the balcony, smiling at her son.

Meredith and Oliver had a good mother son relationship. He told his Mum everything... well, almost. Tiannah used to tease him, saying that she was a mamma's boy, and he would say that she was a Daddy's girl.

"Okay there, Oliver?" Meredith asked, taking a seat opposite him.

"Yeah," he said softly, rubbing circles into the sleeping girl's arm. He wanted to tell his Mum how he felt, he really did... but he couldn't bring himself to do so. Only Hestia knew, and he wanted it to stay that way.

"How's Quidditch been going?"

"Good," Oliver began. "Tiannah is really a great Chaser. I think that this will be our year, Mum. Harry's really good too-"

Oliver was cut off by a soft noise coming from Tiannah's mouth. He looked down at her sleeping figure, a smile unfurling on his lips as she saw what she did next.

"Ollie..." she mumbled in her sleep, curling her hands on his chest and resting her head on his torso. Oliver stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. She's bloody adorable...

"Oliver, when are you going to realise that you and Tiannah are soul mates?"

Tiannah woke up an hour later to the sound of heavy breathing. Blearily, she opened her eyes and trained them on the figure of Oliver, who was breathing hard and moaning. Tiannah smirked. Dreaming of some girl, eh?

She looked around and realised that she was in her bedroom. Ollie must have brought me up here...

She smirked once more as he moaned again. He's so cute... I wonder whom he's dreaming about?

Tiannah sat up slightly, looking down at Oliver. She felt that urge to kiss him again, as she did earlier that day. It would be so easy to do too...

"Tia," Oliver moaned, reaching his hand up and brushing his fingertips against her breast. Tiannah's breath hitched in her throat at the intimate physical contact. He was still sleeping, Tiannah could tell that much. A warm, tingling feeling spread through her body from where Oliver's fingertips were previously. Bloody hormones...

"Tiannah... fuck me..."

Tiannah turned a furious shade of red. Oh my god... is he dreaming about me?

The thought made Tiannah's heart soar with happiness.

"Ollie," she whispered, gently shaking him. "Wake up."

Slowly, he opened his eyes and focused his gaze on Tiannah. She was blushing and was looking a little embarrassed... mingled in with a look that he couldn't put his finger on.

"Nice wood," she said weakly, glancing down at his pants. God, he's huge. I wonder what it would be like if he... NO! Bad Tiannah! Best friend, remember?

"Shit," he groaned. He so happened to be having dreams about Tiannah, a table and scanty clothing.

He sat up and gave Tiannah a small smile.

"You fell asleep on me and I brought you up here."

"Oh," was all Tiannah could say. Oliver noticed that something was up.

"Okay there, Tia? Sorry about that... but I'm a teenage guy, and I really can't help it..."

"Its fine," Tiannah assured, trying to plaster a fake smile on her features.

"What's really up, then?"

Tiannah looked down at her hands, which were in her lap. Was he seriously dreaming about me? He wanted to shag me? God...

"Um... well, you were mumbling stuff in your sleep... about me..."

Oliver sat up straight, a blush spreading across his cheeks.

"What sort of stuff? Tell me, Tia."

She turned the deepest shade of red that he had ever seen. "Uh... you wanted to..."

She trailed off and gave Oliver a look, hoping that he would catch on. She thought that he did, because he nodded gravely and looked extremely abashed.

"Sorry," was all that he could say. He took a deep breath and decided to tell Tiannah what she deserved to know. "Tia, I can't stop thinking about you."

Tiannah looked at an embarrassed Oliver in the eye.

Everything about him seemed to be in so much more focus. She was noticing how his brown eyes had speckles of gold in them, how his short hair suited his light skin and sharp cheekbones, how he had slight dimples when he smiled...

She was also noticing things about herself. How her heart was beating faster, how a warm, loved feeling was spreading throughout her body, how badly she wanted to snog the living hell out of him...

"Ollie..." she breathed, leaning forwards on her knees and touching his cheek. "You're so... sexy," she murmured, moving in a centimetre closer to him. She couldn't help it; and Oliver wasn't complaining by any means. In fact, he wanted her to kiss him...

Just as their lips were about to touch, Tiannah pulled away, eyes wide. She realised how stupid it was; she was alone in a bedroom with a very horny Oliver, who was just dreaming about her. She heard Oliver sigh and locked eyes with him.

"I really wanted you to kiss me, Tiannah," he confessed, brown eyes wide and completely honest.

Tiannah didn't know what to think. Less than five minutes ago, Oliver was dreaming about her... and then they almost kissed...

Not five days ago, Tiannah only considered Oliver to be a friend. Is that true, though...

She shook off the thoughts and attempted to shake off the warm feeling in her chest.

"Hey!" she suddenly exclaimed, looking at the clock on the wall. "We need to have our snow fight!"

The awkward moment dispersed as they shared a reminiscent gaze. When they were younger, they would always have a snow fight on Christmas Eve. It was a tradition that they maintained since the age of four, but hadn't been upheld since Tiannah went to America. It was about time for the tradition to be reinstated, Tiannah reckoned.

"Let me just put on warmer clothes, then I'll meet you at the stairs," Tiannah said softly, as Oliver left the room. When she did, she looked at her reflection in the mirror.

"Stop looking so happy about the fact that Oliver said that he wanted you to kiss him. Or the fact that he was dreaming about you," she told herself firmly. "He's horny and it probably doesn't mean much."

However, her own advice didn't stop the grin that was unfurling on her features. Once she was dressed, she met Oliver on the top of the stairs. He placed a hand on the small of her back and let her walk down the stairs first. Tiannah stopped and turned to Oliver, as they were midway down the stairs.

"About what almost happened..."

Oliver smiled slightly. "Forget it."

"No," Tiannah said firmly. "I need to know if you meant it, or if you just said it because you were horny."

It seemed as though Oliver's secret was unravelling...

"Yeah, I did mean it. But it isn't going to happen so, like I said, forget it."

Tiannah felt slightly hurt at Oliver's brash tone of voice. Why does he think that nothing is going to happen?

As they walked over to the willow tree, Tiannah initiated conversation.

"Remember the snow fight we had when we were five?"

A grin crossed Oliver's previously clouded over features. "Yeah. I shoved so much snow up your shirt."

"And my Dad got so angry at you for it."

Oliver hesitantly wrapped an arm around her waist. "When I realised how cold you were, I ran upstairs and grabbed you a blanket. Then your Mum made us a hot coco, and you spilled yours all over mine. I remember giving mine to you."

Tiannah widened her eyes at how sharp Oliver's memory was. They sat down at the base of the large willow tree, Tiannah still marvelling over Oliver's memory.

"I didn't expect you to remember that, Oliver."

"Of course I would! That was such a fun day."

She tentatively entwined her fingers with his. "Ollie, I missed that. All those Christmas's without you in America... they were hell."

"Aw, thanks," Oliver teased, kissing her nose, which took her by surprise. "I missed your pretty face too."

Tiannah shyly smiled and then bit her lip.

I fancy Oliver Wood.

Unlike the first time she realised this, she wasn't beating herself up over it. Instead, a grin was forming on her lips. She knew. She knew that Oliver Wood fancied her too.

"Oliver, if I kissed you right here, right now, what would you do?"

Oliver blinked rapidly for a few moments, as he noticed the cheeky smile on Tiannah's face.

"I would kiss you back."

A indulgent smile crossed Tiannah's features, as she placed a hand on his cheek. For a moment, she stared into Oliver's brown eyes, breathing in the same air as him. Her eyes closed as she pressed her lips upon his.

The kiss was everything Tiannah never knew she wanted: it was strong and tender, loving and passionate, determined but caring. It was everything Oliver. She was entranced by how soft and strong his lips were, his scent, his touch, his taste... everything. He was her everything. The warm feeling that occupied her body whenever he complimented her was occurring during the kiss, but in a much more intense manner. Her skin was burning where his hands were pressing into her waist, her veins were coursing with adrenaline, and she knew that she fancied Oliver Wood. She one hundred percent knew that it was true.

She pulled away, as grins of identical happiness expanded on their features.

"How could I have been so naive?" she whispered, as Oliver tucked hair behind her ear. "I'm completely mad for you!"

He pressed his forehead against hers. "I think that I always have been."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't think that you felt the same way," Oliver confessed, brown eyes burning into blue.

"You're so stupid," she joked, tapping him lightly on the head.

"That's no way to treat your boyfriend!" he exclaimed in mock indignation.

"Who said anything about dating?" Tiannah asked, her chest bursting with happiness.

"I did. Be my girl, Tia?" he asked, rubbing his neck. She thought that it was so cute, seeing him look so nervous.

"Oliver, I would love to," she replied, dazzling him with a grin.

That kiss was the best kiss of Oliver's life; he had dreamed about it innumerable times, but dreams never met what reality really felt like. He thought that he knew everything about Tiannah. He didn't know that her lips tasted like berries, that she was a fantastic kisser... or the fact that she fancied him back.

The latter didn't matter anymore.

Tiannah stood up and hugged Oliver.

Nothing could top that early Christmas present.

Disclaimer: When Kurt Cobain comes to life, I will own Harry Potter.