Chapter 36
Tiannah and Oliver nervously sat on Tiannah's bed, waiting... waiting...
"I wish these fucking letters would hurry up!" Oliver snarled.
Tiannah stood up and sat back down on Oliver's lap.
"Calm down, love. They'll be here soon," she said soothingly, rubbing circles into his back.
They had slowly started kissing when there were two raps at the window. Tiannah pulled away and ran to her window to obtain the two letters from the owls.
"Here you go," Tiannah said breathlessly, handing the letter addressed to Oliver to him.
"We're opening these together, beautiful," Oliver said, squeezing her hand. With one shaky hand, Tiannah opened the letter.
To Miss Tiannah Summers,
Hello, my name is Tully Black, and I am the manager of the Holyhead Harpies. You are invited to come for an interview with Gwenog Jones and myself on the 7th of July. This interview will determine whether you will secure a spot on the Holyhead Harpies. Please meet us at the Holyhead Headquarters at said date, 3pm sharp.
We hope to see you then!
Yours sincerely,
Tully Black
Manager of the Holyhead Harpies
Tiannah looked up at Oliver, who was looking back at her. Simultaneously, their faces cracked into grins. Tiannah flung her arms around Oliver's neck and squealed in his ear.
"Bloody hell, woman, are you trying to deafen me?"
Tiannah grinned. "Sorry, Ollie."
She grabbed his letter and read it, finding out that they both had interviews on the same day.
"We're probably going to be on the reserve team for at least one season, Tia, but if there is an injured player... still, the Puddlemere Keeper has had some shoulder injuries of late... and you're lucky, because there are three chasers, therefore there is a higher chance of you getting on..."
"Oliver, calm down," Tiannah said, even though she was inwardly panicking herself, "we have three days until the interview. Don't waste your time freaking out until you need to, okay?"
Oliver nodded and kissed Tiannah softly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and bit down on his lower lip, eliciting a moan from him. Tiannah smirked in the kiss as Oliver's hand slipped up her shirt, kneading her breast through the material of her bra. Tiannah gasped slightly as Oliver's leg slipped between her legs.
However, they were very rudely interrupted by Daniel, who opened the door and was greeted by the pleasant sight of Oliver's hand up his baby girl's shirt. He cleared his throat and glared as Oliver pulled away from an embarrassed-looking Tiannah.
"Ever heard of knocking?" she grumbled, pulling her shirt down.
"Ever heard of locking the door?" he countered.
"Ever heard of not walking in when I have my boyfriend in my room?"
"Ever heard of protection? Because I'm pretty sure you weren't about to use it, at the pace you were going at."
Tiannah glared. "Daddy, it really isn't any of your business."
"Oh, I'm so sorry that I don't feel like being a grandfather yet!"
"Well, no need to worry."
Tiannah threw him the letter and watched his reaction.
He engulfed her in hugs and kisses, laughing with joy. Tiannah saw Oliver's smirk and stuck her tongue out at him.
"Dad, get off!"
He did so and grinned. "After the interviews, we're having a party in both of your honours!"
Tiannah blushed and shook her head. "Please no. If it goes well, all I want to do is be with Ollie."
"All the more reason! I'll tell your mother!"
When he had left the room, Tiannah groaned and rested her head in Oliver's lap.
"I HATE parties," she grumbled.
"There will the alcohol!" Oliver offered up.
"After what happened last time I consumed alcohol, I don't think I'll be drinking it any time soon."
"They all say that," Oliver whispered, lifting her off his lap and snuggling up to her.
Tiannah sat in the waiting room of the Holyhead Headquarters, shaking nervously, staring at a picture on the wall. Three minutes left...
Tiannah thought about how Oliver would be feeling. Maybe as nervous as she did.
After what seemed like an eternity, Tully walked out of one of the rooms and said that she was ready. Tiannah smoothed out her dress, calmed her breathing and followed Tully into the green room.
Gwenog sat on a chair, and smiled when Tiannah walked in. Tiannah attempted to return the smile, but her muscles seemed to be in spasm.
"Take a seat," Gwenog said, motioning towards the chair opposite her. Tiannah sat down, and Tully began to speak.
"Good afternoon, Tiannah. How are you?"
"Good," she squeaked.
"Well, let's get the small talk over with! Firstly, I was at the game with Gwenog, and I must say, you are very good. I've received good word from your first trainer, Coach Wayland, and Theo Jackson-"
"Theo spoke to you?" Tiannah asked, surprised.
"Yes, he did, and very highly too, I might add. Coach Wayland also said that you were a natural player, even when you were little."
"Thank you," Tiannah said, smiling genuinely.
"Also, Oliver Wood, who Puddlemere have decided to take on, is very good. Gwenog said that you and he have been best friends since you were little, yes?"
She nodded in response.
"Yes, well, it is obvious that you two trained together. You both have the same technique. If you join the Harpies, you must refine your own technique."
Gwenog interjected. "Don't be silly, Tully. She's amazing just as she is. If you ask her to change her technique after over a decade of training, you're asking for disaster."
Tully looked distinctly flustered. "Sorry, miss."
Gwenog shook it off and Tully spoke again.
"Now, you seem to be very humble, but we need to know what you think about Quidditch. What you think about winning. What you think about getting onto the Holyhead Harpies."
Tiannah took a deep breath and began to speak.
"I guess I'm selfish. I guess it's selfish, to want to win. But it's that feeling of accomplishment; the feeling that all of the work has payed off... that exhilarated feeling... that's why I love Quidditch. I was captain of my team back in America, and I knew that having the 'winning isn't everything' attitude wasn't going to achieve anything. If you don't have the correct attitude, the outcome won't be what you desire. When I was at Hogwarts, I would wake up every morning at four and go for a fly. The minute lessons finished, I was training. My belief is that you can be as naturally talented as possible, but if you are arrogant or not dedicated, you don't deserve it. It's the amount of effort you put in that shows how much you really want it. I'm not saying that I necessarily deserve it, but if I do secure a place on a team, I will work as hard as humanly possible to ensure victory, both mentally and physically."
Gwenog looked very impressed. Tully, on the other hand, looked sceptical.
"You do know that Quidditch isn't glamorous? There are going to be days when you are in agony and you don't want to play. It isn't all what it is cracked up to be. You'll have to be pretty tough to withstand the hype, the fans, the paparazzi, and the pain."
"I know. That's what I love about Quidditch. It is hard and tough. Ever since I was four years old and my parents brought me to my first Quidditch game, I knew that it was what I wanted. That may sound insincere, but it is the truth. I wouldn't have played Quidditch for thirteen years of my life if I didn't want it."
"You don't know what you want," Tully snapped, "You don't know what it is really like."
"Oh give her a BREAK, Tully!" Gwenog yelled irritably. "Thank you, Tiannah. As I said, you are guaranteed a spot on the team, even more so now that I know what your attitude is. Tully, would you mind leaving?"
Tully flushed and quickly gathered her items up, bowing in Gwenog's direction.
When she had left, Gwenog leaned forward, her brown eyes gleaming.
"Welcome to the Holyhead Harpies, Tiannah. You're reserve Chaser, but Holly really has been very weak lately... it won't be long until you are playing, trust me. I would kick her off sooner, but I have to give her three months notice, plus, you have to have observing time."
Tiannah grinned enthusiastically, her heart thumping excitedly. She knew that there would be squealing and jumping up and down, later. Her grin faded slightly, as she reflected on what Gwenog said.
Gwenog seemed to notice her reproachful expression.
"Tiannah, Quidditch is harsh. We play to win, but we won't ever cheat. I know that it may seem as though I'm being rough on Holly, but when you aren't putting in one hundred percent, you're off."
Tiannah gulped and nodded, promising to herself that she would put in one hundred and ten percent.
Gwenog pulled out a contract, which Tiannah quickly skimmed over. Gwenog handed the brunette a quill and she signed her name, tears of happiness springing to her eyes.
"I promise I won't let you down," she gushed, before wincing. It was such a cliché line.
"Good. I wouldn't expect anything less than amazing, from you. Now, just a little word about your charming boyfriend."
Tiannah cocked her head curiously.
"He's quite a looker, Tiannah. You have to be prepared for the fact that there will be screaming fans throwing their knickers at him. I hope that you trust him completely... because the amount of affairs in Quidditch that I've heard over the years is copious."
Tiannah's happy demeanour faded slightly. "I trust Oliver completely," she said coolly.
"I'm not saying that you shouldn't trust him, but be aware of the possibility. And the fact that you are on opposing teams... just be careful not to leak any strategies, okay?"
"I will," Tiannah replied, "And thank you again, Miss Jones."
"Please," she said, "Call me Gwenog."
Disclaimer: I own Tiannah and Hestia MWAHAHAA but not Harry Potter ;(