Disclaimer: This chapter contains dialogue from page 143 of The Prisoner of Azkaban, which belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Quidditch:::

As October began, Oliver was rarely seen outside the company of his handy, dandy playbook. That could only mean one thing: Quidditch season has arrived. He is always alone, sometimes even skiving off of classes to spend more time making plays as McGonagall made sure the whole Great Hall knew early one Tuesday morning. He honestly should have known better than to skip her class.

And speaking of Transfiguration, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite subjects. The more homework the better, because Oliver is still sticking to his promise and meeting with me two times a week to work through my Transfiguration retardation.

On our first study session since his recluse had started, I firmly convinced myself that he wouldn't show, so it was a pleasant surprise when he joined me at our usual table in the library. I spent ten minutes trying to convince him to leave my hopeless self and go work on Quidditch, but he refused to leave until he'd seen me turn a teacup into a goblet.

God, he's so perfect.

I'm starting to get those younger sister vibes again, though. Does he have siblings? Cause if so, I really think he's using me to practice on.

For example, the other day I was talking to Cullen Burke in the hallway (turns out he's a really decent guy) and all of a sudden Oliver's pulling me away—mid-sentence I might add—and talking about some new chaser formation he wants to try. Can you say overprotective much?

It was the first Thursday in October when Wood finally called us all together to talk tactics. We were gathered in the Gryffindor locker room when Oliver walked in with that glint in his eye that is only produced by the thought of Quidditch. God, how often do I wish he got that look while thinking about me?

"This is our last chance—my last chance—to win the Quidditch Cup," he began without further ado. "I'll be leaving at the end of this year. I'll never get another shot at it." Damn; way to ruin the mood. "Gryffindor hasn't won for seven years now," he continued. "Okay, so we've had the worst luck in the world—injuries—then the tournament getting called off last year…." He paused and we could tell that he was trying to repress those particular memories. Yeah, okay, he's a little bit obsessed. "But we also know that we have the best-ruddy-team-in-the-school!"

"We've got three superb chasers," he said, gesturing to Angelina, Alicia, and myself. Thank you, thank you very much.

"We've got two unbeatable beaters."

"Stop it, Oliver, you're embarrassing us," the twins said together, pretending to blush. Oliver ignored them and continued his well-rehearsed monologue.

"And we've got a seeker who has never failed to win us a match!" he said fiercely, pointing to Harry. There was silence for a few seconds. "Oh, and me," he added as an afterthought.

"We think you're good too, Oliver," George said. Agreed.

"Spanking good keeper," Fred added. It looked like Oliver was going to smile for all of two seconds, but I guess he changed his mind. I wish he wouldn't; I love his smile.

"The point is, the Quidditch Cup should have had our name on it these last two years. Ever since Harry joined the team, I've thought the thing was in the bag." I joined the team the same year as Harry but notice how he doesn't mention me? Yeah; it looks like I might have some competition for Oliver's affections. "But we haven't got it, and this year's the last chance we'll get to finally have our name on the thing…."

"Oliver, this is our year," Fred said seriously.

"We'll do it, Oliver," Angelina added.

"Definitely," Harry agreed.

"Okay guys," Oliver dismissed us, "practice three nights a week, starting tomorrow." Oh joy.

OoO

The next night I was walking down to the Quidditch pitch when I was unexpectedly joined by the Weasley twins.

"Bonjour, Mrs. Bell," Fred greeted in his best French accent.

"Bonjour, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley," I replied back. They then began talking about Quidditch and the torture Oliver was going to put us through but I wasn't listening. I was slightly distracted by the looks some girls were throwing me as we walked, Fred with his arm casually draped across my shoulders. Maybe Fred and George were more popular than I'd realized…

Oliver spent the first hour going over plays and such, but then—finally!—we got to fly. I love flying. All of your worries are forgotten once you're in the air. It's like chicken soup for the Quidditch player's soul, I swear.

We fly well together; we all know it, and unless disaster strikes (yet again), then I don't see why we can't win the Cup.This practice we're just working on the basics, but by the end of it Oliver had stopped yelling so I took that as a good sign.

"Good practice, guys," he said after two hours of doing drills. "Our first match is against Slytherin so we're going to have to kick up our game." We all just stand there nodding. There's no use in interrupting him in the middle of one of his pep talks. He continued talking for at least another half hour and I'm not the only one who almost dozed off.

"Ok team, hit the showers." Finally! We all headed for the changing rooms where the girls went one way, while the guys went the other to their separate showers. I washed quickly and then walked back into the main area to stow my robes in my locker before heading back to my dorm. Harry was already there packing his stuff.

"See you later, Katie," he said, heading for the door.

"Yeah, you too, Harry," I said as he left. He's such a sweet boy. I feel sorry for him sometimes; all the stuff he has to go through. I grabbed my bag and turned to follow him.

When I turned, however, I found a body blocking my way. Fred. He was standing less than inch from me. How does he manage to get into rooms without me noticing?

"Damn it, Weasley, don't do that!"

"What? Am I getting your hormones all in a twist?" I rolled my eyes. Why does Fred insist on flirting with everything that has two legs and breasts? And why do I always insist on playing along? I'm such a hopeless flirt.

"Maybe," I said stepping closer to him. He put his arms around my waist and gave me a smirk.

"Well, I guess I'll have to do something about that, then," he bent down to whisper in my ear and an involuntary shudder ran through my body. What; it tickled!

"You don't have to be in love with someone to want to kiss them, Bell. It's a science," he whispered and lowered his head so our foreheads were touching. I could tell then that he was going to kiss me and strangely the idea didn't repulse me like it had only a few nights ago.

"No dating team members!" an angry cry sounded from behind us and we quickly pulled apart. Oliver was standing there with an angry gleam in his eye.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Fred asked, not the least bit embarrassed.

"You heard me," Oliver yelled right back, bringing Angelina, Alicia, and George into the room. "No dating team members!"

"What?!" Angelina, Alicia, and George cried at the same time that Fred said, "We're not dating, Wood!" Then, a cacophony of voices sounded through the room but I managed to tune them out. I was just mutely staring at Oliver and watching as he stared right back. What was going on in his mind? Does this mean that I have absolutely no chance with him?

"Oliver, this isn't fair," Fred said breaking into my reverie. "Me and Katie were just messing around. Are you honestly saying that if I really wanted to, I couldn't date Angelina or Alicia?" For some reason I was getting the feeling that Fred wasn't speaking for himself anymore. I looked up and noticed George staring hard at Alicia. Aw! They'd make such a cute couple. Why does George have to be the shy twin? Ok, well the shy-er twin. He's the only one of them that can actually hold a relationship for longer than a week.

"Dating team members just complicates things," Wood explained calmly, looking at all of us in turn. "What happens if you break up?" It sounded to me like he was making things up off of the top of his head and Fred seemed to think so too.

"You don't give a rat's ass if we date each other," he said gesturing behind him to Alicia, Angelina, and George. "All you care about is her," he said, looking at me. Oliver turned bright red. What is going on? "Well, guess what?" Fred continued. "If you don't make a move, someone else will." And with that he filed out of the changing room taking the other three with him.

And then there were two.

Oliver's eyes met mine and for all of two seconds I thought he was going to say something but then he left and I was alone.

What the hell did Fred mean? Make a move or someone else will. Does Fred know something I don't? Is it really possible that Oliver Wood has feelings for me?

OoO

Saturday. It's the weekend—finally! It's also one of the days that I normally study with Oliver, although I highly doubt that he's going to show up after that episode last night. I headed for the library at seven, nonetheless. Optimism has always been one of my strong points—at least when Oliver's concerned.

I quickly scanned the library and was unsurprised to find that Oliver was no where in sight. I sat down anyway, and tried to work through my Transfiguration homework alone.

Ten minutes went by—then fifteen…. It's obvious Oliver's not going to show. He's never late. I was just about to get up and leave when Fred and George's younger sister, Ginny, came over to me.

"Katie?" she asked hesitantly. Is my disappointment so obvious on my face that a second year decided to come comfort me? God, I'm pathetic.

"Yes, Ginny?" I said forcing a smile.

"Wood told me to give you this," she said and handed me a letter. I thanked her and watched as she walked away.

I opened the letter and took in every word:

Dear Katie,

I'm sorry, but I can't make it to our usual study session tonight. I'm really busy right now with Quidditch and I apologize but I won't be able to help you with Transfiguration for a while.

Sorry Again,

Oliver Wood

I crumpled the note into a ball and stuffed it into my bag. Quidditch, my ass. Does he really think I'm such an idiot? He's embarrassed about last night if anything. And since when does he sign his surname on a letter to me?

Over the next couple of days I watched Oliver closely. He hasn't been making eye contact with me lately, which I now realize is a strange occurrence. We used to say hello to each other in the hallways and our eyes would sometimes meet in the Great Hall. I know because I was always so happy when this would happen because I knew that in that one moment, he was thinking about me. I tried to corner him after Quidditch practice a few nights ago, but he practically ran back to the castle after dismissing us.

It's official: he's avoiding me.

But why? Does he really have feelings for me after all? Or am I just over thinking things once again?

OoO

"Katie, over here!" Angelina called to me one afternoon, standing by the notice board. I put my homework down (it was Potions so it can wait) and headed over to her.

"What is it?" I asked and she pointed to a flyer.

"That's perfect!" I exclaimed. "I am so ready for a break."

"Yup, Hogsmeade next weekend," she said happily. "And on Halloween too!" She then called Alicia, who had just walked into the common room, over and we repeated the whole process.

"Girls, I have an idea," Angelina said as we took seats by the fire.

"Oh no," Alicia and I said together.

"Why don't we make a little bet," she continued, ignoring us. "Each of us has to get a date for Hogsmeade. If we don't, the other two get to pick out a guy that the loser has to kiss." Alicia and I looked at each other warily.

"I'm in," Alicia finally agreed.

"Fine," I groaned.

We'd done this once before. It was on my very first Hogsmeade trip last year. That's how I ended up spending a whole day with Cormac McLaggen. Actually, it wasn't the whole day, which was how I ended up having to kiss Lee Jordan. Alicia's choice—I don't think Angelina would have approved. He still swears it was the best kiss of his life, although he might just be saying that.

But now I've put myself in the same situation that I was in then. I have to convince someone to go to Hogsmeade with me because I don't think they'll let me off as easy as Lee this time. The look on Angelina's face is screaming Marcus Flint.

I went back to my homework, but I was now unable to pay attention. Screw this, Snape can give me a T; I don't care.

Who the hell would want to go to Hogsmeade with me? Maybe that creepy Ravenclaw in my year—he's got really bad acne but he has been flirting with me a little…

What the hell am I saying? God, I'm so stupid! I'm not about to go to Hogsmeade with a guy I don't even like! I could always ask Oliver…Actually, no I couldn't. Whatever, I'll just wait and if a guy doesn't ask me by Saturday I guess Marcus Flint and I will be spending some time together.

Five days till Hogsmeade.

Okay, this is so unfair! Lee asked Angelina. He asked her! As friends, but still. She didn't even have to grovel! And George agreed to go with Alicia. I don't think that that should count. Those two are like best friends; of course he'd agree to help her. How is it that those two can get dates without even trying and I'm still over here moping because Oliver won't even look at me?

Three more days…

Guess what Angelina told me today? Guess! Nope, sorry, you're wrong. Oliver's going to Hogsmeade with that Ravenclaw bitch, Leah. Actually, that was a little uncalled for. I've never met her; I'm just assuming she's a bitch. I'm also assuming that I'm right.

Who knew Oliver dated? Not me, and I'm actually keeping tabs. And during Quidditch season! Is he like high or something? God, I was such an idiot to even briefly think that he liked me. An idiot, I tell you!

One day till Hogsmeade…

I guess it really is Marcus Flint for me. Shit!

"Oi, Bell," a voice yelled from across the common room. I looked up from my work that I wasn't paying any attention to and my eyes met Fred's. He turned briefly to look at Oliver who was warily staring back and forth between the two of us. "Want to go to Hogsmeade with me?"

Hell yeah. I knew Fred was just doing this to get back at Oliver for telling him who he can and can't date, but you know, I really don't care. The look on Oliver's face was so worth it and I would pick Fred over Marcus Flint any day.

"Sure," I yelled back. I guess I have a date after all.

OoO

Please review! I really appreciate all of them…

Next time on Love and Quidditch:

"Oliver likes you, Katie," Fred finally said and I couldn't help it; I started laughing. He had to be joking, right? If Oliver liked me at all, then he definitely wouldn't be ignoring me—or be in Hogsmeade with another girl for that matter.

"I'm serious!" Fred continued, annoyed, and that only me laugh harder because Fred is never, ever serious. Never!

"Katie!" he shouted, starting to get angry.

"I'm sorry," I said, crying because I was laughing so hard. "But you're going to have to do better than that if you're trying to trick me."