"I'm Cedric," He smiled down at me and I took in just how handsome he was.

He had to be over six feet, perfectly chiseled, a smile to die for..

You know, the type that makes you feel like - BOOM! Lightening in yoo pants! - just by glancing at him?

"J-Jessica," I stammered, my blush becoming more furious by the second. "Sorry about that."

Busying myself with adjusting my clothes and dusting off imaginary dirt, my face slowly returning back to it's normal shade of tan.

"It's fine. Where were you heading?" He asked, as I maneuvered myself around him.

"Dinner." I squeaked, walking backward for a moment then turning to walk right before I fell into something - or someone - again.

Cedric's feint foot steps became louder and louder until he fell in step with me half way down the corridor. "Mind if I walk with you?"

"Weren't you going to the dungeons?" I questioned, eyeing him from the side.

Cedric's mouth curved upward, "I could always speak to Snape later."

"If you say so," I sang, hopping up the stairs two at a time dying to get out of this situation.

I was a few feet away from the Great Hall's entrance when Cedric's hand gripped mine.

"Wait!" He said, "Can I ask you something?"

He set my hand free and rubbed the back of his neck, waiting on me.

I nodded, not trusting my mouth for the moment.

"Do you have a date to Hogsmeade next Saturday?"

Shaking my head, I felt the blush creeping back onto my cheeks. He wasn't about to do what I think he's about to, is he?

Oh god, no. I never had a boyfriend or a date. I can't do this-

"Maybe I could take you? You know, to make up for what happened back there?"

NO! He did it. Oh, dear.. What do I say to something like this? My brother will kill him if I say yes!

Then again, Oliver has a date with that blonde from Arithmacy, so why shouldn't I go with Cedric?

Not that I should care about Oliver or who he's dating or anything.. So, maybe this is a good idea?

I could convince my brother to let him take me out and possibly have this poor innocent bloke murdered in the process?

Decisions, decisions..

I must have been making faces, because he chuckled lightly and tilted my face to meet his

"So?" He smirked, leaning on the cold stone wall next to us..

Oh my goodness! My face heated up again and I pulled my eyes from his. I can't take this kind of pressure!

Who gives someone this limited amount of time to decide?

A light chuckle was heard and Cedric spoke, "How about I let you think on it and you get back to me, yeah?"

Shooting him a forced smile before zooming into the great hall, I agreed. "Alright."

I immediately regretted it when my eyes locked with my brother's blue orbs from across the room.

His eye brow was raised and curiosity was evident on his face. Did he see me with Cedric?

He hasn't dared let any guy come near me besides Oliver after what happened the day before my ninth birthday, and that was only because he was the one who saved me..

The next morning after my workout, I showered and fixed myself up a bit.

I spotted my friends in our usual spots and I swished my way over to them

"Good morning, loves," I sang, snatching the bagel from Graham's hand and plopping myself in between him and Daphne

Everyone's eyes were on me."What?" I asked

"When were you planning on telling us about your date with Cedric Diggory?" Miles snarled, stabbing at his food.

My face scrunched, "I didn't said yes to him."

How dare he? Was he spreading rumors? What the hell?

"Well, what happened then?" Daphne questioned, "It's all around the school."

"I don't know?" I scanned the Hufflepuff table while making a mountain of waffles and sausages on my plate. "I literally ran into him on my way to dinner last night. He asked me if he could take me to Hogsmeade to make it up to me. I didn't answer him and he said he'd let me think on it."

"Kinda sounds like a date to me." Marcus muttered into his tea

Pulling a piece from Graham's waffle, I chucked it across the table at him. "Shut up.."

"What's there to think of?" Cassius sneered, "I would have taken you."

Cassius was glaring at the food on his plate, not bothering to look my way.

"Are you angry at me, Cass?" I sighed, sliding under the table and pulling myself into the seat next to him

I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head in the crook of his neck.

My new friends being mad at me was the last thing I needed right now.

"I could always tell him no or that we could go another time?"

Before he could reply, Professor Snape's soul sucking voice came from over my shoulder.

" , can I see you for a moment?"

"Sure?" I took my bag and a couple muffins to go, "What's going on?"

"I've managed to find a way for you to get out of your 'withdrawl', as your friends put it."

My lips formed a small smile.

He led me to the up the stairs, guiding me down a dimly lit corridor while I devoured my muffins.

Stopping in front of a statue, he whispered to it and led me up a spiral set of stairs.

"Sit." He commanded, taking a seat in front of a large wooden desk

I obliged, taking the empty chair next to him and placed my hands neatly in my lap.

"Ahh, ." Dumbledore nodded, "I've wondered how long it would take you to inquire about quidditch."

The smiling man didn't sit, instead he made his way over to a phoenix who was sitting on it's perch.

I watched as he stroked the bird's back before he continued, "You're here today because I have a proposition for you. Because you are a profession player, it pains me to say that I can not allow you to play for the whole season. That would be unfair to the other students who haven't had your priviledges."

I grimly nodded and sat up straighter, tucking my right foot behind my left ankle.

"But since there are 16 matches in our regular season, 5 in each round of our semi-finals and 3 in our finals, I will offer you a chance to play in any six matches of your choosing. I have a schedule with the dates for each match. Now, you don't have to choose what games you want right this moment," He paused, waiting on my nod of understanding

"I definately want to be in the first one." I said inching toward the edge of my seat

"By all means, place your signature next to that option."

I grinned and looked over the schedule.

Slytherin v. Gryffindor Novermber 13

Writing my name next to the date, I glanced up at my headmaster, "Could I have a copy of this?"

"Yes, of coarse." Dumbledore smiled, searching through a short stack of files

He handed me the schedule and dismissed me back to breakfast.

I was almost back to the Great Hall when someone pulled my hand, making me slam into their chest

"Ow! You ars-" My eyes landed on Cedric Diggory's face, "Oh..you."

"Good morning, beautiful." He half smiled, steadying me on my feet once again.

"Can I help you?" I frowned, smoothing out the imaginary wrinkles on my skirt

He sighed, "Look, I know you've heard the rumors too. I swear I didn't start them!"

I narrowed my eyes and folded my arms over my chest. "Who did then?"

"Well," He rubbed his hands together, "How about we talk about this while I walk you to your first lesson?"

"No." I rolled my eyes, standing my ground. "Tell me now."

Cedric licked his lips and nodded. "Well, when I got back to my dorms last night, I told my lads how I saved your beautiful face from the dusty old dungeon floor and asked you to Hogsmeade."

Reaching into my purse, I pulled out my last muffin and waited on him to continue.

"I told them you didn't answer and that I suggested you should sleep on it, but you know how people are.."

My face twisted in confusion as I chewed. You see, i'm not too good with the whole dating thing. Was sort of turned off by the whole idea after Oliver..

"So, how did that become a date?"

He raised his eyebrow, staring down at me, "You're serious?"

He chuckled at my obliviousness and I shrugged. "I wasn't allowed to go out with guys.."

His mouth fell open, "Never?"

I shook my head slowly, "Nope."

An over-bearing father, two brothers, coach, and roughly twenty male teammates personally made sure of it.

I was raised by men. Sorry if i'm a little awkward in these situations..

The only female guidance I've ever had was Oliver's mother. That woman's a saint, mind you.

He grinned down at me and interrupted my thoughts, "If you'll allow me, I'd love to take you on your first official date."

I tapped my chin, pretending to think it over. Should I really set this kid up for potential big brother damage?

He runched his eyebrows together and I sensed his body tense. I smirked and started making my way to the Potions classroom with Cedric trailing behind, leaving him in anticipation the entire way down.

Pulling his face down to meet mine, I tilted his head so I could whisper in his ear.

"Alright." He pulled back grinning in my face. I kissed his cheek, and backed away. Slowly letting go of his hand with every step. "Just make sure your friends mind their business, yeah?"

"What the hell does she see in that arse, anyway?" I fumed, pacing the floor of the common room

News of Jessica accepting Cedric Diggory's offer to go to the first Hogsmeade trip last night spread like wildfire, and I was not happy about it.

Rob sighed, shaking his head, "I told you to make amends,"

I slid into an arm chair, "You think she really likes him?"

"Maybe, I haven't seen them together to tell," He placed a finger to his chin, "But maybe this has something to do with you going to Hogsmeade with that Collins broad?"

Thinking back to yesterday's arithmacy lessons, I did notice that Jessica didn't smile much after I agreed to go with Anna Collins of Ravenclaw.

Anne was a bit promiscuous and had a bit of a reputation. Even though she was easy on the eyes she was nothing compared to my best friend.

Yes, I still consider her my best friend and as cliche as it sounds, she's the only person who 'got' me.

But, Collins was easy, and it's been a few weeks since i've had a good shag..

"You think she only said yes to Diggory out of spite?" I asked, scooting to the edge of my seat

He looked thoughtful for a moment, then finally said, "Probably."

My heart pumped a little harder at the thought of Jessica still having feelings for me.

I smiled a little, reaching for my bag that was at my feet, "Let's go to potions."

I was half way to the dungeons, smugly walking down the corridors but stopped dead in my tracks at the sight not far from me.

Jessica was walking with Cedric Diggory.

My chest tightened, but Rob forced me to keep on. I watched as they met Snape's classroom.

Jessica pulled his face down to meet hers. She whispered something in his ear to make him smile, kissed his cheek and backed away slowly letting go of his hand and turning on her heel.

"Wood," Rob said wrapping his hand around my arm, attempting to pull me away from the scene, "Come on,"

I yanked my arm from his grip and stalked over to Diggory.

Before this, I've never had a problem with him off of the pitch. We didn't talk much.

"Diggory!" He whirled around, a questioning look plastering his face

"What's going on, Wood?"

"What's going on with you and my girl?"

Woah. Did I really just call her mine? My eyes widened a bit from the realization.

His face scrunched up for a second then a smirk appeared. "Your girl? Funny. She hasn't spoke of a boyfriend or even looked your way as far as I can recall."

"Call off that date, Diggory." I glared. I'm not allowing this happen! She's not dating anybody! I told her I'd always protect her.

"No." Diggory scoffed. He adjusted the books in his arms and went to walk off, but I spun him around. My fist collided with his nose and he dropped everything.

He swung back back and we went at it until both of us were being held back by the crowd.

I relaxed a little when I saw her push through the swarm of students, her eyes falling on me then landing on Diggory.

She slapped a hand over her mouth and her eyes were wide.

Blood was everywhere on his face. His nose was crooked and oozing and I wasn't sure of my condition.

She rushed to Diggory first. He clearly had more damage done, I think, and a smirk crept on my face because of it. Jessica muttered something and the blood stopped oozing, his nose was back to normal, and swelling ceased.

She returned her wand to her bag, collected his books and sent him on his way.

Strolling over to where I was standing, she began muttering healing spells and pointing her wand in my face at different spots.

I felt the pain slowly seep away along with whatever that sodding Hufflepuff did to me.

Jessica pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment. Then, she raised her right hand slowly, and SLAP!

The smirk that was on my face was wiped clean

"What the hell is your problem?" She growled, shaking her head.

Not even giving me a chance to answer, Jessica shoved her way back into the classroom

"Damn.." Rob clapped a hand on my back, "It wasn't supposed to go like that."

I couldn't wait for lunch.

Everytime I tried to apologize to Jessica, one of her body guards from the Slytherin quidditch team showed up attempting to start a fight.

I even tried writing her a note. Which she burned as soon as she got, while I watched.

I don't understand why she's so upset that I punched Diggory.

I just finished my first half of classes and was hurrying down the stairs to eat

"Did you hear? Jessica Cesari is playing for Slytherin?" Nearly Headless Nick's voice boomed above me as he floated with another ghost

My eyes grew wide and I ran into the great hall nearly knocking over a few first years in the process

To think I felt bad about taking Anna to Hogsmeade and hitting her bloody Hufflepuff!

"She's on their team!" I shouted slamming my bag onto the table,

"We know, mate.." George said quietly toying with his food

"Did you also hear that she's only allowed to play in six games?" Fred asked sipping from his goblet

"And she got to choose what six she played in?" George continued

I scrunched my face in confusion before Fred said, "She chose to play in the first game of the season."

"Which happens to be against us." George finished pursing his lips

I blinked a few times before saying, "You've got to be kidding?"

"No, lad-"

"We are not."

"Flint's boasting. Spreading it all around."

"As well as the rest of Slytherin."

Jessica's brother, Steve, strutted in with their sisters slugging behind, taking their places around the twins and I.

"I can't believe she did that.." Mary whined before biting into an apple

"She's going to ruin you, Wood." Steve said as he patted his sisters back soothingly

"Of coarse, she just HAD to find some way to play!" Theresa huffed, crossing her arms over her chest

"Give it a rest, Reese!" Mary glared, shaking herself from Steve's grip

I searched the Slytherin table behind me for Jessica, but she was no where in sight..

"Hey brother,"

My head snapped back around, she was standing behind her brother with a piece of parchment in her hands

"What do you want?" Theresa sneered, "Here to ruin something else?"

I watched Jessica exhale and continue on, "I wanted to kno-"

"You're going to ignore me, now?" Theresa scoffed, "Just like Daddy!"

The next thing I knew Jessica had Theresa's head pinned against the table, her right hand on her throat

"What did you say?"

"Jess! Let her go!" Mary shrieked, attempted to pull her younger sister from her older one, only to be pushed on the ground

"No! She has that big mouth to get her into trouble, let's see her get out of it!"

This is my chance. "Jess, let her go.." I quietly advised, rising to my feet

Her head shot in my direction and her lips thinned in a small line

She pulled Theresa's head up and slammed it on the table again

She snarled, "We'll see who catches the snitch first." Then stalked off toward the Slytherin table.

Despite what just happened, I breathed a sigh of relief. Not just because she listened and let her sister go, but because she didn't go after me for doing it.

Steve was grinning his head off at the sight, "That's what you get!" he mocked, tucking into his food

Tears were streaming down Theresa's face and Mary was doing all that she could to console her sister

My gaze landed on Jessica again. Her brows furrowed, her rosy lips angled down.

Theresa had no idea of the real reason why their parents divorced and what a great man their father was. I just don't think I should be the one to tell her..

I ate my lunch quietly after the run in with my loud mouthed sister.

She has no right to speak badly of my father.

I blinked the tears out of my eyes, deciding I was finished with my food.

Pulling Cassius up by the arm, I dragged him out of the Great Hall

"You know, you're making a habit of this.." He groaned stuffing his last bit of biscuts into his mouth

Giving him an apologetic smile, he pulled me into a side ways hug

"You forgive me?" I asked, pinching his cheek

"Of coarse. You just have to tell Diggory that you'll be escorting him some other time, the first time is mine." He smirked, pulling me up the stairs into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Every Monday, Wendsday, and Friday we have DADA and every Tuesday and Thursday we have Arithmacy, all with the same students of coarse.

Personally, I think this is a stupid schedule. But, then again, I don't really care considering Cassius usually guides me to the right place anyway.

I mock scowled at him, slapping his hand away, "And what if I want to go with him?"

"Well, we could always go to your brother and see how he feels about this. He was looking for you earlier, actually."

There's that damn smirk, again! Ugh, was one date with Cedric worth the aggravation of Stevie following me around all day making sure he stays within his 'boundaries' aka three feet away or not with me at all?

Hmm, possibly. Considering it will kill Oliver to see me with him. I'll weigh the options later.

I sighed, shoving Cassius to the side and walking into the room first.

The rest of my boys piled in minutes later, Miles forcing Cassius from the seat next to me

"So, about your date with Diggory-" Cassius turned to face me half way through class, "You gonna call it off?"

I sighed dramatically, still scribbling on the worksheets under my nose. "No, Cassius."

"You're joking!" He scoffed, knocking over Mi's ink bottle and making him scream in frustration.

"What are you two blubbering on about?" Marcus complained, eyes still on his work.

"Nothing." I responded massaging my temples, "I'm going to speak to Professor Snape about times I will book practices sometime after class. He gave us the pitch to-"

"Jess, no offense, but I'm the captain," Marcus interrupted reluctantly, placing a hand on my arm.

I narrowed my eyes and replied, "Not anymore if you want to win. But that's entirely your own decison, captain."

"Alright!" He gulped turning his attention back to his work

"Very good." I smirked, "First practice is at 3:15. DON'T be late. I have LOTS of evaluations to do."

The boys huffed and groaned a bit before nodding. So I continued,

"I want to play seeker in the first game. Which means, i'm going to turn you lot into quaffle hogs!"

"Yes!" Miles and I high fived, waaay over dramatically might I add.

"Marc, I'll also need to see all of the plays that you have, and an analysis of each player and reserves from each house. Preferably by tomorrow tonight."

He was glaring daggers at me, causing me to smile oh so sweetly in return, "Fine."

"I'm assuming that she will most likely play seeker after what happened at lunch earlier," I glared in Theresa's direction, "So, that means YOU have alot of training to do."

The team and I were on our way down to the pitch, and since it was nearly six, it should be clear by now.

That damn girl never left my mind. Maybe I was wrong for coming out of no where two years later and calling her mine in front of a crowd.

Yeah, that probably wasn't the best idea..

"She's probably trying to trick us into thinking she'll play seeker and switch to another position on game day!" Theresa piped up.

That was probably true. Jessica might even choose to play keeper after what happened between us. I've never had a problem with guessing a players next move, but she wasn't just an ordinary player.

Jessica could play every position, but favored being a chaser because she's small, fast and could intercept a pass quicker than anyone known..

I groaned inwardly. She was even a reserve keeper, seeker, and beater for the Goblins. She's had training for every position. How could I forget something like that?

Upon reaching the pitch entrance, my jaw clenched as I heard the familiar voice giving commands, "No, no, no! Martinez, if you want to catch the snitch, look with your eyes! Do NOT turn your body to find it unless absolutely necessary. You're making yourself too obvious!"

"Bloody hell! She's training them!" Fred whined leaning against the entrance of the pitch

I watched as Slytherin's seeker was now undetectably searching for the snitch, It looked as if he was just floating, staring into space dimwittedly

"Very nice!" She cried throwing her arms in the air before hopping onto her broom and zooming into the sea of green

I folded my arms over my chest, watching her with the rest of my team

"Now, I am going to teach you position 4. It will teach you to fly flawlessly. If you can't avoid eachother, how will you avoid other players?"

She signaled for Flint to follow her and she had him hover infront of her

"Positon 4 is just a zig zag! Simple, but effective! Watch me, then I want you all to do this for twenty laps around the pitch, in and out of the house towers!"

She and Flint manuevered around each other three times before she had the rest of the team line up

The Slytherins began bumping into eachother shortly after starting, earning smirks from me and the twins

"Guess even she can't help them?" I chuckled leaning more of my weight against the wall

"Stop, stop!" Jessica demanded, "Start SLOWLY! Stop rushing. You will not get this the first time. Now, SLOWLY, try again."

The Slytherins lined up again, now with Cesari leading them, a few moments later they were successfully zig zagging around eachother

She flew to the middle of the feild with a smile on her face, "Good job, keep it at that speed for nineteen more laps! I'll have you all gradually increase your speed over the next few practic- Take your time Graham! I'll have all of you do it over again until i'm satisfied!"

"Sound like someone we know?" George joked tapping Katie in her side.

I sighed. Katie. The reason my best friend left me. I told Jessica I didn't love her back because of Katie. She was my first and last girlfriend. She cheated on me, with Rob of all people, not even a week later.

I just wanted to see if she was really into me and if I made the right decision, so I sent Rob in to try and get her caught up. Low and behold, she 'lost her virginity' to him.

I doubt she was one in the first place by the way she would practically jump on top of me if I kissed her.

I decided to focus on the game after that and just have my fun with girls. Relationships weren't my thing. The only woman I'd ever trust hates me.

I glared in George's direction, and when I turned back I was met with Jessica Cesari, with her hands on her hips and eyebrows raised

"Spying on my practice, Gryffindors?"

I smiled a little. She was so tiny. It was adorable to watch her take charge.

"More like laughing, sister." Theresa smirked, "You're team can't even fly without hitting each other!"

Jessica scoffed, peering up at her sister who was almost a head taller. "Like I said earlier, we'll see who catches that snitch first."

She licked her lips, hesitantly turning away. "By the way,"

She stepped toe to toe with Theresa, "Don't call me your sister."

She strolled back to the middle of the pitch, observing her guys one last time before calling them down

"Aren't we going to kick them off?" Angelina Johnson questioned, "I'd love to catch dinner before it's over."

"Just give her a minute, they'll leave. Start with suicides down the left side," I ordered

My team obliged and the Slytherins surprisingly didn't pay us any mind. Every last one of them, except for Jessica of coarse, was red faced and covered in sweat, each gulping down the water she had dispensing from a cooler

From what I've seen in their workouts today, I was definitely impressed. Of coarse I wouldn't admit it, but I was impressed nonetheless.

I watched as she stood before her team, stretching with them and encouraging them to stretch deeper

"I'll call it!" She shouted, earning cheers of gratitude from the Slytherins who looked as if they could fall over at any moment,

"Bleachers!" I commanded, finally pulling my thoughts and attention from Jessica. "Fifty times!"