I sighed, watching Wood as he climbed out of the carriage. I'd absolved to just try to make today as painless as possible and just go along with whatever the hell he wanted, so long as it wasn't snogging, fondling, or shagging related.

I stood awkwardly and moved to step down. I was all set to get down myself, when he offered me his hand. I took it after giving it a sneer, and planted my feet on the ground next to him.

"So," I began, looking out at the small village before us. We hadn't spoken the entire ride down. Well, I hadn't. He blathered on about something or another. I hadn't really been listening.

"Honeydukes, then?" He offered. I shrugged and followed him as he started off, his hands stuffed in his trouser pockets.

We wandered into Honeydukes, pushing through the throngs of third and fourth years who seemed to swamp the small shop. I sighed, watching Macduff's back to be sure I didn't lose him in the chaos.

I wasn't really paying attention to him when I spotted Sugar Quills that now came in a lovely purple colour. I smiled and opened my mouth to say something to him when I collided with someone how had stopped right in front of me. I latched onto them, feeling the soft fabric of their jumper, and, embarrassed, looked up to make eye contact with Wood. I quickly detached myself and mumbled a soft 'Sorry.'

He smiled gently at me. I innerly bristled.

"Something you wanted there, Rue?"

I opened my mouth like a fish, gasping for water, before some little twat bumped into me from behind, making me lose my footing. I once again found myself clinging to the stupid, bloody Gryffindor. His arms wrapped around me in a somewhat protective fashion. I froze, dragging my gaze from glaring at whoever had pushed me to his face.

He wore a disgusting smirk that made me want to duff him up a bit.

"Amused, are we?" I snapped, pulling away from him and stomping towards the purple Sugar Quills. I grabbed three boxes before turning and taking up a spot in the queue. Wood seemed to have followed me and stood next to me, a box of toffees in his hand.

I refused to make eye contact as we slowly made our way closer to the register.

I angrily dumped the three boxes down on the counter. Wood set his box of toffees down next to my boxes which were scattered across the counter haphazardly.

"Is this together, then?" The cashier asked, looking between us.

I opened my mouth to speak, "Ha, like he'd buy me-"

I was cut off. "Yeah, they are."

"Two galleons, please."

I looked up at him, my eyes wide from shock. Why was he paying for my candies? And did those toffees really cost that much? Bloody hell, the tosser had expensive taste when it came to sweets!

"Look, Wood, you really don't have to do this. I'm perfectly capable," I trailed off when he set two gleaming galleons onto the counter after digging around in his pocket. I held my tongue as the boxes were put in a brown paper bag. Wood picked up the bag, wrapped his hand around my elbow, and dragged me through and out of the shop.

"Can I please repay you?" I asked for the fiftieth time since we had left Honeydukes. He had dragged me through Zonko's to pick up something the Weasley twins had ordered last month and then proceeded to take me into Gladrags Wizardwear after I had jokingly remarked that I needed a new pair of socks.

He stopped and turned to me suddenly. I raised my eyebrows.

"Could you please stop being so annoying, Rue? This is a date. I can very well pay for your Honeydukes purchase and whatever you want at The Three Broomsticks later."

A few people around us turned, curiously eavesdropping on our conversation.

I shook my head. "No, this is a favour. That is very much different," I said matter-of-factly. "I wouldn't willingly go on a date with you anyway, and you know it," I added.

A look of disappointment set in on his features. Oh no. I'd gone and honestly hurt his feelings, what little he had of them. I awkwardly glanced around, desperate for something. I could hardly manage to cheer up the girls when they were upset, how in Merlin's name was I supposed to cheer up my enemy? And what was I doing feeling guilty about upsetting him? I would have to ponder that later, but, at that very moment, he needed to be distracted.

"Erm, ahh... Oh, look there!" I pointed behind his shoulder. He turned slightly, following my finger.

"Let's go to Spintwitches," I smiled warmly up at him and gently put my arm through his, pulling him after me. I hoped that my sacrifice of giving him female body contact would make up for whatever I had said to upset him.

Surprisingly, we spent a good two and a half hours inside the sporting shop, admiring and looking at every single Quidditch item the store had to offer. Wood was a good as a kid in a candy shop, sitting next to me amongst the shelves and marveling at a new broom care kit he had in his lap. I sat crossed legged, completely engrossed in chapter three of Beating the Bludgers.

Wood sighed beside me, breaking my concentration on new defensive strategies. I looked up, but didn't turn to face him.

"Rue?" He asked softly, heeding the shopkeeper's warning to throw us out if we were as rowdy as we had apparently been when we first waltzed into the store. He shifted next to me, and I could feel his leg pressed against mine.

I felt heat rising in my cheeks and looked back down at the book. "Yeah," I muttered.

"Why can't it always be like this?"

I turned to look at him, an eyebrow raised.

"Well, as it were, there isn't a branch of Spintwitches inside Hogwarts-"

"I didn't mean that," he rolled his eyes impatiently.

I took a deep breath and bit my lip, "Right."

"So?" He prompted.

"Well," I paused thoughtfully, "this is entirely a favour, you know that. When it comes down to it, as soon as we're back up to the castle, we'll continue hating each other. I'll still be plotting to ruin your chances at your match on the seventh, you'll still be a bloody Scottish tosser, and that's that." I snapped my book shut and stood.

He followed suit, our eyes staying locked the entire time. "It's just how it's supposed to be, you know?" I offered, not really sure what else to say.

He nodded.

"Now, I'm going to pay for this," I held up the most recent Whisp publication. "You going to buy that?" I pointed at the care kit still in his hands.

He shrugged, "I already have one."

I clicked my tongue, bent over to take it from his hands, and glanced at the price tag. Five galleons. "Well, I will kindly donate two galleons to the cause, but do not mention it to anyone, alright?"

A smile tugged at his mouth, "I wouldn't dream of ruining your spotless reputation."

We sat in The Three Broomsticks, having had a row over who would pay. It ended when I slammed two galleons on the bar and pushed them to a rather offended Madam Rosmerta. I don't think she'd ever heard more than three words come out of my mouth, and the row with Wood, which was laced evenly with a few racial slurs and lewd names, seemed to have affronted her.

Wood glared at me as Rosmerta put two butterbeers in front of us. "Why do you have to be so difficult?"

"Why do you have to be a sodding prat? I told you I can pay for myself."

"Then how in Merlin's name did you end up paying for me in the process?" He hissed.

"Because, this is not a date. Are you that thick?"

"Again, that brings me to question why you paid for my drink."

"Oh, sod off."

"Can't. We're still on a date."

I glared daggers at him before taking a large gulp of my butterbeer. I sputtered as I attempted to swallow and choked.

Wood chuckled into his own glass.

"Wanker," I gasped out.

He clapped me on the back a few times. I swatted his arm away when I finally regained a normal breathing pattern and fixed a strong, hateful glare at him.

After finishing our drinks, we gathered with the lot of our classmates and climbed into a carriage. I had half hoped anyone would come and join us, so it wouldn't be only Wood and I in the carriage like it had been before. Alas, my wishful thinking was only that. I sighed, digging through the paper Honeydukes bag. I pulled out Wood's toffee box and handed it to him. He muttered a thanks and put it in the bag that held his new broom care kit. Which I had helped to pay for. I was bloody barmy and I should probably make a mad dash for the Hospital Wing as soon as we reached Hogwarts.

I watched the scenery pass by, and Wood, thankfully, kept his gob shut. The carriage eventually came to a stop, and I gathered up my things and slipped out. Wood followed closely behind as I made my way up the stairs.

"Well, this is it," I said, shifting the bag I held in my arms.

"Yep," Wood said calmly.

"I still hate you," I watched him to gauge his reaction.

"I know, Rue," he offered me a small smile. I made a face and turned on my heel, knowing I would have to recount the entire tale to Rose, Fiona and Carrie as soon as I stepped foot in our room.

"Oi, Rue," I heard Wood boom. I stopped mid-step and turned, raising my eyebrows in exasperation. The many students who were milling about in the hallway, chatting animatedly, quieted down some, interested in what one rival had to say to another. "Thanks for the broom care kit! I'll be using it right away to polish my broom, if you catch my drift." Gasps filled the hall. He winked at me as a smirk tugged at his mouth.

I let out an angry groan before fleeing the vicinity. Oh, that boy was good.

And, there you have it! A super long chapter, wow. One that was delightfully awkward to write and hopefully made your skin crawl a little bit, as it certainly did for me! You know the drill: J.K. owns all the goodies except for those you don't recognize from the series. I would really appreciate it if you took the time to REVIEW. Please, please please. I'll have a shorter update out later. Yours!