I started quidditch practices as early as possible, to maximize the amount of practice we get before the start of the cup. Oliver did the same thing, so throughout the first month, it was a battle between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor for the quidditch field. This was an issue I spotted on the first day of practice.I was watching and taking notes of my teammates practicing from the ground. The corner of my eye caught a small dot in the distance, that was fast approaching me.

"Aye Stone!" The dot yelled in a recognizable Scottish accent.I pretended not to hear and continued staring up at my team."Stone!" He yelled again, this time only 20 feet from me.

"What do you want?" I finally turned around to look at him, covering up my notes.

"Can you let us have the field tomorrow?" Oliver was now standing in front of me. "I mean since quidditch season hasn't properly started yet, I thought we could at least act chivalrous.

""Anything for you Woody." I blew him a kiss.

"Thanks, Stone." He smiled and rushed off.

"Alright team pack it up!" I yelled into the air, watching my teammates swoop down. "Everyone did an amazing job. Tryouts are next Friday, and our next practice is tomorrow right after school."

~~~~

"Aye Stone!" I heard someone yell from below.

Quickly throwing the quaffle at the goalposts and scoring, I flew down to find the whole Gryffindor standing on the field.

"Come to take notes?" I snickered, hopping off my broomstick.

"It was our turn today." Oliver's brows knit together."Oh, right, about that..." I smirked, pulling out a small piece of paper signed by Flitwick allowing Ravenclaw the whole field for the day.

Oliver took the paper, his eyes narrowing in anger."We had a deal Stone!" He hissed at me, taking a step closer to me. I could see his face contort with rage, our faces only inches away in a brutal stare down.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember signing an unbreakable vow." I grinned.

"I-you-we-deal-" Oliver sputtered, too angry to form a coherent statement."You're pretty cute when you're angry you know that?" I said, placing a quick kiss on his cheek. "Well, I've got to get back to my teammates, see you around Woody."

I quickly mounted my broom, and sped upwards, but not before shooting another wink at Oliver. The whole Gryffindor team was doubled over in laughter, and Oliver was standing, obviously confused about what just happened.

~~~~

As we entered into November, the weather grew very cold. The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. I could hear my team complain about how cold it was while changing before practice. Playing early in the morning was something because I'm fairly certain I couldn't feel my nose by the end of practice. I had done my fair share of spying on the other teams, and couldn't help but notice how Wood had tried to keep Harry Potter being the seeker a secret. I of course quickly leaked this information, making Oliver quite frustrated.

~~~~

I walked into the library very early Saturday morning. It was the day of the first quidditch match, Gryffindor vs. Slytherin, and I smiled thinking about how stressed out Oliver must have been.I looked around to find a table I liked, all of which should've been empty. Early rays of the morning sun were hitting the vacant library, and I could see a hunched over and shaking figure of a tall boy I knew all too well. Oliver was clearly distressed and muttering something to himself about the match. All of my malicious thoughts left at that moment, and I couldn't help but feel bad for him.

"Hey, Woody." I smiled, sitting down across from him. Oliver quickly straightened himself out and puffed forward his broad chest.

"What do you want Stone." He frowned, scanning my face.

"I just wanted to wish you good luck," I said, feeling that I really did mean it.

"You what?" Oliver gaped but quickly regained his composure. "What's the real reason?"

"Am I not allowed to wish an old friend good luck?" I snickered, and Oliver relaxed.

"I just wasn't expecting you to have good wishes for Gryffindor." He shrugged.

"Oh no I don't, I just want to wipe the floor with you in the finals," I smirked, watching Oliver's grin grow wider.

"In your dreams Stone." He crossed his arms arrogantly.

"Oh yeah Woody, wanna bet?" I cocked my eyebrow."10 galleons Gryffindor will win the house cup and beat Ravenclaw."

Oliver declared as if this had already occurred."10 galleons Ravenclaw will win the house cup and crush Gryffindor." I retorted, forgetting all about the friendly feelings I held only seconds prior.

"You've got yourself a bet Stone." Oliver grabbed my hand in a firm handshake, and I couldn't help but notice how big they were.

~~~~

By eleven o'clock the whole school seemed to be out in the stands around the Quidditch pitch. Many students had binoculars. The seats might be raised high in the air, but it was still difficult to see what was going on sometimes. I sat huddled with my fellow teammates, trying to make out what was going on down below. Madam Hooch was refereeing. She stood in the middle of the field waiting for the two teams, her broom in her hand. Finally, I saw the Gryffindor team make their way out following Wood. Opposite to them, I saw the Slytherin team step out, headed by Marcus Flint.

Marcus Flint has had a known crush on me since the second year, making it quite obvious. I wish he didn't, because he looked like he had some troll blood in him, and acted like it too. He was about as crude as they come and was quite honestly very terrifying. I've talked to him on multiple occasions at parties, and he always had an off feeling about him.

Fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off."And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor -- what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too--""JORDAN!""Sorry, Professor."

The Weasley twins' friend, Lee Jordan, was doing the commentary for the match, closely watched by Professor McGonagall.And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve -- back to Johnson and -- no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes -- Flint flying like an eagle up there -- he's going to sc -- no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle -- that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and -- OUCH -- that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger -- Quaffle taken by the Slytherins -- that's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goal posts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger -- sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which -- nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes -- she's really flying -- dodges a speeding Bludger -- the goal posts are ahead -- come on, now, Angelina -- Keeper Bletchley dives -- misses -- GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"

I rose out of my seat and started to clap, followed by the rest of my team.Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air, with howls and moans from the Slytherins.I saw Harry do large loops way above the main game, obviously looking for the snitch. Angelina scored again, and Harry continued to do loops above the stadium. A rogue bludger almost hit him at one point, but he managed to dodge. He wasn't too bad for a beginner player.

"Slytherin in possession," Lee Jordan was saying, "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the -- wait a moment -- was that the Snitch?"

A murmur ran through the crowd as Adrian Pucey dropped the Quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear.I looked over and saw the snitch pass next to Harry's shoulder. I could tell he saw it, but the Slytherin Seeker Terence Higgs had seen it, too. Neck and neck they hurtled toward the Snitch -- all the Chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in midair to watch. Harry was faster than Higgs, speeding up exponentially until I saw Marcus Flint fly in front of him, blocking him on purpose. Harry's broom spun off course, and I saw the small boy holding on for dear life.

"Foul!" screamed the Gryffindors. Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint and then ordered a free shot at the goalposts for Gryffindor. But in all the confusion, of course, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.

In the stands over, I could hear Dean Thomas yelling, "Send him off, ref! Red card!"

"This isn't soccer Dean!" I yelled over to him.

Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides.

"So -- after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating--"

"Jordan!" growled Professor McGonagall.

"I mean, after that open and revolting foul..."

"Jordan, I'm warning you--"

"All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so a penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Spinner, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue to play, Gryffindor still in possession."

I looked over to Oliver. Through my binoculars, I could see his face was that of utmost concentration.

"YOU GOT THIS WOOD!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, and for a moment I could've sworn I saw him smile at me.

I looked back at Harry, who had now dodged another bludger, which only missed his head by inches. His broom looked to be lurching back and forth, as though he had no control over it, which would've been somewhat expected from a cheap broom, but Nimbus Two Thousands did not suddenly decide to buck their riders off

.Lee was still commentating."Slytherin in possession -- Flint with the Quaffle -- passes Spinnet -- passes Bell -- hit hard in the face by a Bludger, hope it broke his nose -- only joking, Professor -- Slytherins score -- A no..."

I could see Harry's broom violently shaking, carrying him higher and higher. The Slytherins were cheering. No one seemed to have noticed that Harry's broom was behaving strangely. Suddenly, people were pointing up at Harry all over the stands. His broom had started to roll over and over, with him only just managing to hold on. I gasped. Harry's broom had given a wild jerk and Harry swung off it. He was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand. The whole crowd was on its feet, watching, terrified, as the Weasleys flew up to try and pull Harry safely onto one of their brooms, but it was no good - every time they got near him, the broom would jump higher still. They dropped lower and circled beneath him, obviously hoping to catch him if he fell. Marcus Flint seized the Quaffle and scored five times without anyone on the Gryffindor team noticing.

Up in the air, Harry was suddenly able to clamber back onto his broom.I watched him begin speeding toward the ground, and I saw him clap his hand to his mouth as though he was about to be sick -- he hit the field on all fours -- coughed -- and something gold fell into his hand."I've got the Snitch!" he shouted, waving it above his head, and the game ended in complete confusion.

~~~~

"Party at Gryffindor Towers at nine o'clock!" I heard the twins shouting. "If you're not a Slytherin, you're invited."

"How does that sound to you?" June nudged me in the side.

"Sounds like a fun time." I nudged her back.

"A certain Sarah Frank will be there.""How did you know?" June started to blush furiously."I see the way you look at her." I shrugged. "Don't worry I'm not going to tell anyone."

~~~~

To say the party was wild was an understatement. Some of the seventh years managed to sneak in copious amounts of alcohol past the fat lady, and even knowing that there was a silencing charm on the door didn't stop me from double-checking that no teacher had entered the room. June was flirting with a blonde Hufflepuff girl, Sarah, who looked to be enamoured with my best friend. I couldn't help but trail my eyes over to where Oliver was standing, casually drinking beer with Percy, who was animatedly telling him about something that seemed to bare no interest to Oliver whatsoever. Our eyes locked for a moment, and he jumped on the opportunity to excuse himself from Percy. I watched as he made his way over to where I was standing, a second plastic cup appearing in his hand.

"Looking good Stone." He smirked, leaning against the wall next to me.

"Me wishing you good luck before your game doesn't mean I don't hate you." I scoffed, hesitantly taking the offered drink.

"Awh come on, who can anyone hate this sexy face?" Oliver ran a hand through his hair.

I laughed, and looked down at my drink, suspicious of what was in it.

"I didn't spike your drink if that's what you're worried about." Oliver chuckled, sensing my discomfort.

"How do I know you're not lying." I glared at him.

"Do you want to swap cups?" Oliver offered, taking another swig from his cup.

"No, I believe you." I sighed, taking a sip from my cup, feeling the warmth of the alcohol wash down my throat.

We stood in awkward silence, watching the couples around us snogging, and I noticed June doing the same with Sarah on the couch.

"I heard our families will be spending Christmas together," Oliver said, trying to break the ice.

"Lovely." I rolled my eyes. "I can't wait to spend more time with you."

"I'm not that bad you know." Oliver shrugged, swigging his beer.

"No, you're worse," I said, feeling annoyed at his ever-present smug smile.

"You really are insufferable." He turned away.

"And you're an ass," I said, suddenly losing my good mood.

I threw my drink into the nearest trash can and walked over to June, who was in the middle of a very intense make-out session.

"I hate to break the spirit, but I'm going back to the dorms, so don't look for me after you're done," I said, loudly enough for June to hear and pull away from Sarah.

"Oh, alright. Do you want me to walk you back?" She asked, clearly not wanting to leave Sarah's embrace.

"No, I'm fine, I'm just tired," I said, waving her goodbye.

I walked down the dark hall towards the west tower, where my dorm was located. Oliver was such an asshole, and I couldn't even stand being around him. Everything about Oliver Wood pissed me off; his smile, his eyes, his posture, the way he walked, that air of self-confidence that seldom slipped, and his stupid insults. How can anyone be friends with him? I'm insufferable? He's one to talk.I quickly solved the riddle and walked into the empty common room, briefly glancing at the time. It has only been an hour since the start of the party. I was alone in my dorm at ten pm. On a Saturday. Pathetic.