Oliver's Girl

Oliver's Girl

Throughout the day the news spread to the Gryffindor team that there would be practice. Fred and George, of course, weren't surprised because she had told them she was going to talk to their (cute) Quidditch captain. The classes went by slowly, but Serenity didn't mind because she kept stealing glances at Oliver Wood. In what seemed like days, their classes were over and they headed to the common room.

"Hang on, I'm just going to drop my books off!" she said over her shoulder, running up the steps to the sixth years' room. She flung her books on the bed and grabbed her Nimbus 2000.

She ran down to the common room at the same time as the twins slid down their stair's rails. They ran out of the portrait hole and down the hall. Fred was so excited that George and Serenity couldn't keep up.

"Hey! Slow down, will ya?" George yelled ahead.

Ren smiled and added, "With you running so fast, you'd think they just announced that Snape died or something!"

George gave her a high five and Fred stopped to wait for them. George and Ren began to sprint, and they finally caught up.

"Why must you run?" Ren asked, catching her breath.

"I'm sorry. I'm just so excited!" Fred smiled. "It's been a while since we've had practice. Oliver held try outs for a Chaser, but they were all inexperienced, and he said he'd rather wait for the right opportunity. I just can't wait to be up in the air again!"

By then they reached the door and stepped out into the dusk.

Fred hopped on his broom and flew to the field. George waited for his brother to get a head start, then flew after him. Serenity looked up and wondered if it was all right to just fly over there... you never knew with those two, always causing trouble. She finally decided that it must be, so she flew after her friends.

Oliver, Harry, Angelina, and Alicia were waiting for them in the middle of the field, and by the look on Oliver's face, he was getting ready to talk strategy. They all landed, but not before Fred did a flip, followed by a few snickers; obviously nothing had changed since the last they had practiced. Oliver blabbed for about 10 to 15 minutes on his strategy against the different houses.

"At least he's keeping it short this year," Fred whispered to Ren.

When Oliver was done, everyone seemed to snap out of their sleepy trance. All except for Serenity, because had paid attention to everything he said, and for less of the strategy part.

"All right! Now let's practice!"

Everyone snatched their Nimbus, Firebolt, Shooting Star, and Cleansweep before heading to the field. Once everyone got to the middle, Oliver began again.

"All right. First things first. When I say 'three' we'll all kick off and fly three laps around the field; opposite hoops being the boundary. First one to land back here in the center gets a million Galleons."

No one seemed to laugh at his joke; they just wanted to be up in the air, flying.

"All right then. It's actually just to see where we're all at... to see if we've gotten rusty." He smiled. "And I'd also like to see how you do with our new Chaser."

At this, a few of them smiled, though some were still in a trance.

"Alright. And 1... 2... 3!"

Everyone kicked off.

Harry and Oliver were ahead of the rest of the team, with Serenity close behind. The rest behind her weren't too far away, but they were surprised by her speed. She was determined to get back first. She hugged her broom tighter and leaned forward. She shot ahead and was right behind Harry. She could've easily reached out and snatched his robes. She flew to the side of him and gave him a little nudge. He didn't falter, but he was surprised, and it put him a second behind her.

Now she was behind Oliver and rounding on the last lap. She leaned forward so far that she could rest her chin on it. She pulled up beside Oliver. They made the last corner and she landed hard on the grass. Oliver landed at the same time, and Harry a second later. Then Angelina, George, Alicia, and Fred last. He had probably played around as usual. Oliver got their attention.

"Very good. We may need a little warming up though. How do you all like our new Chaser?"

The girls smiled, and Fred said, "I think she's awesome."

"I agree," said George.

Angelina, Alicia, and Harry said, "Me too!"
Oliver smiled. "Great! Now let's begin with our usual drills... we have A LOT to do..." his voice trailed off.

For the next few weeks they were practicing every afternoon and even Saturdays. The day was finally creeping up... their first game. They were to play Slytherin.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Oliver woke up to the sound of rain pattering on his window. "Well, at least we have a slight advantage," he thought. He got out of bed, grabbed his broomstick and some clothes, and headed out to the Gryffindor Shower Room. Hopefully no one was up yet. He strolled down the hall in his pajamas to the picture at the end of the seventh story hall. He woke up the lion that was sleeping in the frame, and stroked its back with his forefinger. The lion swung aside and allowed him to go through the doorway. Obviously, he had been the first to wake. He put his belongings on the bench and hopped into the shower.

A few minutes later, the lion started roaring, which meant that someone was out there and needed to take a shower. He decided that he was done anyway and turned off the shower. "Hold on!" he yelled. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. "Hope it's not a girl," he thought. He unlocked and opened the door.

Serenity was standing there in her sleeping pants and tank top, holding her toothbrush. She looked up and saw that it was him. Wet. "Oh! I... uh... er... just came to... uh..." she was blushing madly and had to look down at the floor.

"To take a shower?" he said, blushing a little himself.

"Yeah, er- I tried to stop Godric from roaring, but he wouldn't be quiet... and..." She smiled. "I'm sorry," and she looked back up at him.

"It's all right. I'm nearly done. Can you give me... two minutes maybe?"

"Uh, sure, I... uh... need to get a few things back up in my room anyways..."

They stood there for a few seconds, neither knowing what to say or do. Serenity smiled. "I'll... just go and get them..." She walked down the hall and Oliver smiled, and shut the door.

A few minutes later Serenity came back and petted Godric. He had hardly made a noise when Oliver stepped out, dressed, but hair still wet.

"Uh, thanks," Serenity managed.

Oliver smiled and moved out of her way. "You're welcome." He strolled down the hall and headed back up to his room.

9:15

* * * * * * * * *

Oliver looked around at his Gryffindor Quidditch team. Fred and George took a seat, and the rest stood or made themselves comfortable on the floor. "Alright then," he began. "Well, we've come a long way in a few measly weeks. I've pushed you... ordered you... been very harsh." Everyone looked up in agreement. They had had practice day in and day out. "And... I'm proud." Everyone gave slight smirks. That was definitely a compliment. "But today is definitely going to be hard."

They all hung their heads and went back into a sleepy state. "The Slytherin team has had a lot more practice... and I know I'm worrying a little too much... but this game is important. They're our main rival, but we DO have some advantages." A few people lifted their heads. "Of course, we all know that Slytherin doesn't like to play in the rain." A few smirked, and even Fred had to stifle a laugh. "And then, of course, we have a great Chaser."

They all looked at Serenity and smiled, making her slightly blush. "And, last but not least, we all know that we have the best team."

The whistle blew outside.

"Well, I guess that's that. Good luck. And remember, teamwork."

They grabbed their broomsticks and headed for the door.

Serenity walked between Fred and George, trying to breathe.

George said, "It's all right. Everyone gets nervous. Even Oliver."

Serenity smiled, feeling a little better. "Thanks."

They reached the door and lined up, mounting their brooms. They waited for Lee to announce them, and flew ahead. They made a big circle, and then landed on the ground in the center.

Madame Hooch was holding the Quaffle. "All right. Nice clean game, and everyone be careful." She blew her whistle and threw the Quaffle into the air.