Classes the following day were completely boring, and I hardly paid attention to them as I was busy doodling various Quidditch plays in my notebooks. Nor did I take account of Wood as he insisted on sitting next to me in DADA, Charms, and Care of Magical Creatures. I certainly hadn't noticed how his arm would brush against mine or how our fingers slightly touched every now and then. Alright, so perhaps I had noticed that, but I definitely did not let on that I had.

The team and I made our way down to the Quidditch pitch after classes, chatting amongst ourselves about the upcoming match. I saw that Wood was following us, so I slowed my walking and encouraged the rest of the team to continue. Fiona gave me an odd look before she glanced over her shoulder. A small, knowing smile spread over her face. "I'll start the warm ups," she said, nudging me before taking off at a light jog.

I sighed, leaning against my Nimbus 2001.

"Wood, I see you there," I called.

His head poked out from behind the tree trunk. I waved him over, slightly annoyed and even more amused by his efforts to hide.

He loped down the hill and stopped in front of me.

"What are you doing?"

"Taking a stroll and enjoying the weather we're having."

I raised my eyebrows at him. The weather certainly wasn't enjoyable. The air was cold and crisp, and I had already lost sensation in the tip of my nose.

"By that you mean you're going to watch my team practise again."

"Well, if you're inviting me," he started, excitement evident in his voice.

"I wasn't, actually," his face fell. "But, if you truly must, then I suppose you can watch. Just don't get in the way." I had a sinking feeling that I was going to regret this.

"I was going to whether you agreed to it or not, Rue," he said smugly as we started down the hill to the pitch.

We'd been practicing for about 45 minutes, everything going perfectly. We ran some of the new plays I had created during my classes earlier in the day. Jamison and Hewes were practicing with the bludgers.

I was flying down the field towards the goalposts when I heard Max bellow, "Look out!"

I turned and saw the bludger just in time, dropping on my broomstick as the bludger flew over my head. My heart was pounding as I turned to glare at Max and John, furious that they were being so careless.

I opened my mouth to scold them when I heard a sickening noise. I spun quickly to see Wood rubbing his head, the bludger having flown off in another direction.

I raced over to the stands where Wood shakily sat and dismounted my broom. Fiona landed behind me.

I leaned over, putting my free hand on his shoulder, "Are you alright? What happened?"

"It knocked him on the head, I saw it," Fiona said from beside me.

"Wood, can you hear me?"

"Huh? Oh, aye, I can." He looked up at me, his eyes somewhat glazed.

I turned to look at Fiona, "I'm going to have to take him to Pomfrey. Can you handle the team?"

Fiona nodded.

"End practice in an hour if I'm not back."

"Yes, Captain! Now go, that bloke needs help." She mounted her broom and ordered for practice to continue.

Wood's arm was thrown over my shoulders. I had one arm wrapped around his waist and the other holding onto his hand as we slowly made our way to the Hospital Wing. The pair of us received more than a few strange looks on the trek, but I tried my best to ignore them. I couldn't wait to hear the rumours that this incident would bring about.

"Rue," Wood mumbled as we reached the top of a flight of stairs.

"Mmhmm."

"I think I'm going to faint."

I shifted under his weight. "Don't you dare do that to me, Oliver Finley Wood," I hissed, looking up at him.

A lazy smile graced his lips, "I'll try not to, Rüdiger."

We'd made it to the entryway of the Hospital Wing when I felt Wood slacken against me. I struggled to hold him upright and had to push him over slightly so that he leaned against the doorframe.

"Madame Pomfrey," I cried desperately.

She stepped out of her office and hurried over to me. She pulled out her wand and levitated him to a cot. "What happened?"

"He was hit with a bludger," I said meekly, peering over her shoulder as she inspected him. "He passed out just when we got here."

She nodded and pushed me out of the way, returning to the bed a few minutes later with a tray. I watched her do her handwork, trying to stay out of the way as I sat in a chair near the wall. I glanced at my watch, realising that I had missed the rest of practice.

"Well, he should come around sometime soon," she said as she pulled a dividing curtain between his bed and the next. I nodded.

"Are you going to be staying with him, Miss Von Straussburg?"

The response was automatic. "Yes, I am."

Madame Pomfrey nodded before returning to her office. I pulled my chair closer to his bed, looking at his peaceful face.

I felt something stirring in my chest. For some reason, I felt dreadful about what had happened, even though I had nothing to do with it. He'd said he was going to watch us practise whether I agreed to it or not. I desperately wished at that moment that he had noticed the bludger coming at him. He'd had enough run-ins with those particular buggers over the years, one would think it'd eventually knock some sense into him.

I reached my hand out and set it over his. I bit my lip and gently squeezed his fingers. I knew Madame Pomfrey would have him right as rain, but I couldn't help worrying.

And then I began worrying about why in Merlin's name I was worried about my enemy. This wasn't my fault at all; it was Jamison and Hewes' fault. I sat back against the chair, but left my hand over his.

It was all so confusing. If you'd had asked me last month if I was capable of feeling anything besides pure loathing towards Wood, the answer would have been a resounding and absolute 'No.' Now, however, I wasn't so sure that that would be my answer. And I hated not knowing how I felt about people, especially the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain lying before me.

Time passed rather quickly, and dinner would be served soon. Wood hadn't stirred at all in the past hour, so I spent my time mulling over everything that had happened between Wood and I so far this year. After a rather lengthy internal debate, I found myself standing and leaning over Oliver's still body, my hand pressing against the bed near his.

I couldn't help thinking to myself that I had just called him Oliver in my own stream of consciousness, but I quickly brushed the thought aside, knowing that if I dwelled on it too much, I would change my mind.

I hesitantly drew in a breath and pushed some of my wavy auburn hair behind my ear. I licked my lips and slowly, ever so slowly, bent further over him and pressed my lips against his.

I pulled away gently, my eyes still closed and my face still near his. I tenderly pressed a hand against his chest. My mind was reeling, and I felt compelled to go in for another kiss, so I did.

This time, however, I felt his lips smile against mine.

I quickly pulled away and looked down at him. He didn't make any movements. I hoped to Merlin he was still asleep, but I decided not to stay to find out. With a huff, I turned on my heel and left the Hospital Wing.

I was late for dinner.

So, that was the little plotbunny! Shout-out to BlueRose22 for coming up with the idea! And I pose another challenge- whoever the 121st reviewer is will get a similar treat! Meaning I really would like for you all to review, review, review! As you know, J.K. Rowling created the Harry Potter Universe, so all that you recognize from it belongs to her. That you don't recognize from the series belongs to me. Yours.