Disclaimer: Aside from the original characters in part or whole I don't own them, don't sue me, and don't hex me. Enjoy

Chapter 10:

Side effects of Denial

I'm pretty sure I can't take this anymore. Herbology has become my own personal hell. Madam Sprout, who is usually one of my favorite professors, has become my sanity's warden, not that she knows this of course. The first 20 or 30 minutes, I was obviously not paying attention, were spent listening to Madam Sprout's lecture on aconite and belladonna, and how even though both were very much poisonous if mishandled they had their uses. She also went on to assign us into pairs for the period, I had gotten some what used to being paired with Oliver by now, so when she paired me with a 7th year Ravenclaw by the name of Logan Docherty, I didn't know if I should be grateful or reproach her for denying me his closeness for the period. I felt that I wasn't getting enough air into my lungs, ironic as I am technically, at least partially undead.

I can be sure of one thing, that particular vein in Oliver's forehead doesn't normally protrude in such a manner. He was paired with another Gryffindor boy whose name escapes me and rather stubbornly maneuvered his way to share the large table used in the Greenhouses with Logan and I.

"Name's Docherty, Logan Docherty, at your service m'lady…" Speaking of my 'partner', I suppose he is handsome with dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, broad shoulders and a rather chiseled face, but he's coming off as a bit pompous right about now as he takes my hand and kisses the back of it. I bite my tongue fighting the urge to point out that I had been trying to pull on my dragon hide gloves when he stole my hand.

"Pleasure, you can start by letting go of my hand…thanks" The hair on the back of my neck stood on end as I pulled my hand away from his, and a flitter of emotion passed across his blue eyes that didn't quite fit with the benign smile he was giving me. I have the feeling I will have to keep my eyes on this one, and as I notice Oliver watching from his side of the table I know I won't be the only one.

"Bit early to be a slimy git with her isn't it Docherty?" Oliver's tone spoke volumes, I don't' know if they had gotten along before this, but from the smirk on Logan's face I have a feeling they have some sort of personal feud going on.

"No idea what you could ever mean Wood…surprised you would notice her, she looks nothing like a Quaffle…" I was starting to get annoyed, I hate when people talk about me like I'm not in the room, and frankly I don't feel like listening to them right now so I do the only thing I can do while in class, I walk away.

I went to get the plants we would have to work on today, aconite and belladonna. When I got back they had gone back to just glaring at each other, I put the plants down and started trimming them, and preparing them to be used in potions. I ignored the attempts Logan made to start a conversation with me, not to be rude, but because every time he did I could feel Oliver glaring our way. Each of those glares caused my stomach to churn and threaten to revolt…if they keep this up I'm going to lose what little breakfast I had.

I had managed to make it halfway through the class period when Logan, deciding to make it impossible for me to ignore him, decided to corner me when I turned to get a pot to replant some of the belladonna.

"What are you doing?" I could feel the bile build up in the back of my throat as I hissed at him, hands full with a heavy clay pot, it was nearly impossible for me to push past his larger frame to get back to our table.

"Didn't anyone ever teach you s'not polite to ignore people that are attempting to be friendly? I'm sure you've got manners…don't you Isabella?" The same emotion from before seemed to flash in his eyes, and suddenly so close to him I was assaulted with his scent, under the smell of the Greenhouses I could distinguish his natural scent a mixture of some smoky sort of wood and a scent that I knew didn't quite belong.

"Maybe I don't want your friendship Docherty, did that not cross your mind. Now move…I've no time for you…" I held my tone from wavering, but the panic was starting to rise in me as quickly as the bile, there was something wrong about his scent.

"You say that now, but you'll see; you'll fall for me…" Something cold and ugly passed through his otherwise beautiful blue eyes as he leaned in. I leaned back as far as I could, but there was a cabinet of pots behind me, if I jostled them there was the possibility of them falling on me. Luckily, Logan was suddenly pulled away from me by the robes roughly.

"Oi, what'd you think you're doing to her?" Oliver looked livid, but restrained himself only just from hitting Logan, which to be honest I was thankful for, as otherwise Madam Sprout would have come over and handed out detentions faster than Snape, which is saying something. Logan only rearranged his robes, half glaring, half smirking at Oliver, dusting himself off as if Oliver were filth. There was this odd little voice in the back of my mind, throwing insults left and right at the boy, but my mouth held firm simply because I was afraid of the violent revolt happening in my stomach.

I pushed passed the both of them, trying to control my stomach, I could feel Oliver's anger, and though intellectually I was pretty sure he couldn't be angry at me for anything, emotionally however was another story. I wanted to do nothing more than rush to him and wrap myself around him to make it better…whatever it is that happens to be wrong.

I set the pot down on the table, taking a moment without Logan around to take in a slow steady breath through my nose and out of my mouth. I must have angered the fates today, because the moment I exhale and start inhaling again deeply, using my mouth, Logan walks up and I can't control my stomach anymore.

"Isabella?" I push passed Oliver who is standing behind me when I turn away from Logan, one hand covering my mouth as I try to make it out of the Greenhouse.

I realize I won't make it to the door and instead try to find a clear patch of soil before I empty my stomach. The bile burns my throat as it forces its way out of my stomach and out of my body. What was still left of the tea this morning followed, and much to my horror and annoyance, a bit of blood as well.

"Merlin, Isabella…" I feel him step behind me even before he speaks but I can't say or do anything. Part of me wants to die of embarrassment; the other of pain, throwing up this violently can't be good for me. I do however appreciate Oliver as he stands to one side of me and pulls my hair gently from my face with one hand, the other providing resistance against my forehead.

I can't help but cringe as my body empties itself, over and over until the dry heaves kick in. I close my eyes tightly and feel tears trickle down my cheeks; a sudden pain in my leg however causes me to lurch, momentarily stopping my dry heaves. I feel something sink into my calf, and half growl as I hear Oliver cussing rather fiercely.

"Diffindo! Bloody menace! Madam Sprout the Venomous Tentacula is trying to attack Isabella…who's ill." He doesn't let go of my hair though he had to switch hands to be able to cast the spell at the Tentacula, which I'm guessing is now reeling and plotting its revenge. I can hear Madam Sprout shuffling over to us, and feel her casting basic healing spells on my leg, unable to give me an antidote because of the vomiting.

"Oh dear, Wood can you carry Isabella up to the Hospital Wing? I've contained the venom so Poppy can fix her up." Madam Sprout pressed something against the back of my ear, from the tingling sensation it's her herb compound to quell nausea, and I only hope it works.

"If she feels the need to vomit again, you may have to stupefy her, in order to get her to Poppy on time, do not hesitate, any consequences will be cleared by me later." I was too weak to argue or struggle as Madam Sprout took my robes, she knew it would make it more difficult for Oliver to carry me with them.

Oliver nodded simply picking me up bridal style once again, and headed out of the Greenhouses without another look back. Luckily the sudden allowance of fresh air helped; I can feel my stomach attempt to keep itself in place. Granted the combination herb compound and my removal from one Logan Docherty's presence are doing wonders as well. My leg hurts where the tentacula bit into it, but I decide to keep my silence, laying my head on Oliver's shoulder and holding on tightly. He was quick as he made his way back towards the school, but the movement is starting to get to me.

"Isabella…stairs…" Oliver's voice broke the silence we had settled into. I blinked confused as I lifted my head to look at him.

"What…oh…the stairs…crap…don't drop me." It took me a moment to remember that we would indeed have to go up the stairs now, which I'm sure isn't going to help my stomach.

"Aye not planning on it, you'll be alright?" Oliver's voice washes over me as I cling tighter to him, hiding my face in the crook of his neck. I can feel his heartbeat just under the skin as I nuzzle his neck without much thought. Oliver takes in a shaky breath and shifts me before starting up the stairs slowly.

If I wasn't feeling so lousy I'd be enjoying this a bit more, though even with how lousy I feel I have no complaints. I have to admit it feels nice to be in his arms, to feel safe, cared for. Not to mention I am completely wrapped in his scent this way, I press my nose against his neck a bit more and feel the erratic rhythm his heart is taking on. I have to give in, if only for this moment, to what I have been trying to deny all along. This is so right, him, here now, this closeness, this need, the desire and all of the other emotions that flow through me whenever Oliver is around or I think of him.

I don't know anything about relationships or how they should work, my only point of reference would be the Wynters, but they're a vampire couple, they've been mated since before electricity, I think. It was just so hard, all these feelings, all these urges. Like now for instance, Oliver is working his way up the stairs with me, I think we've just cleared the second floor landing. He's doing all the work carrying me up the stairs, and what am I wanting to do?

All I can think of is how good he smells, how nice the skin of his neck feels against my face, and how it would feel to drag my tongue along that spot right below his earlobe.

"Isabella?" His voice came out in a shiver and he stopped, his body tensing as I tongued his pulse, nipping at his earlobe. I could feel my canines extend, some small voice in my mind was screaming for me to stop. But his skin tasted so good, the way his strong body shivered at my touch was too much to resist. Standing in front of the infirmary, I couldn't help myself, I sank my fangs into Oliver's neck, causing him to moan loudly and his body to shiver. His blood sang across my tongue, and I knew I would never again be able to deny him, let alone be rid of him. I was lost in this feeling and taste.

"ISABELLA!" Madam Pomfrey had come to the door hearing Oliver's moan.