The One to Keep

~ When Lions Growl and Badgers Bite ~

The Slytherin common room was darker and more eerie than normal. A few days after the attack on the Gryffindor tower, the students sulked around the common room engaging their attentions in journals and books. One student took the extra time to add to his extensive journal:

Volume XII November 4, 1993

My cousin has been unusually pleasant these past few days. Since Sirius Black recently found a way to escape from Azkaban, she believes her brother will do the same. I do have a measure of sympathy for her. Her father was killed before she was born and her mother died giving birth to her. All she had was her older brother, LeStrange Jr., who was thrown in Azkaban along with his wife. She was not old enough to hold actual conversation with her brother but she still remembers their bond. I can't help but wonder, if her upbringing wasn't so cruel then she might be pleasant all the time. She comes across as a bully to young girls, especially one Cho Chang, as if to prove her toughness and strength. But beneath the tough exterior is an abandoned and crying little girl. Her life was a mass entanglement of revenge and murder. After Longbottom and a band of Aurors executed LeStrange Senior, a faithful follower of Lord Voldemort, LeStrange Junior and his wife sought revenge on the Longbottom family and the other Aurors involved in the murder. They were successful in tracking and torturing the Longbottom family, but were caught soon after. The Auror that arrested the LeStranges, the notorious Jae Chang, is retired now. His daughter is in Hogwarts now and is the target for Eliza's cruelty. I fear that Eliza may inflict harm on Cho Chang since her father was responsible for the arrest, thus further alienating Eliza from parental support. Perhaps it is for the best Eliza was plucked from the rest of the LeStranges. She still has the opportunity to become a noble witch without the brutality of the LeStrange's bad blood tainting her attitude. However, she is the seed of Troy LeStrange and that cruel blood flows through her veins. . .

"Drew," said a distant voice, "it's time."

Drew closed his journal without finishing his entry and left the Slytherin common room. He was followed by Terrence Higgs, the boy that had called him. They headed for the Dueling Chamber.

"Are you reviving the Dueling Club because of the Sirius attack?" asked Terrence. "Or is it for your personal pleasure of seeing people beat each other?"

"Both," spat Drew as they stalked into the Dueling Chamber. The room was empty and dusty as it has not been used since Lockhart was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. "Where is Professor Snape?"

With Professor Snape's permission, Drew had taken the responsibility of reorganizing the Dueling club. Dueling was a tradition in the Thornborough family and particular favorite hobby of Drew. Other than writing, Drew dueled to keep his sanity. Minutes later, Dueling Club members filed in the chamber to begin the activities. When the students had gathered around the stage, Drew walked down the long stage drawing the attention of the surrounding students. Most of the students that had shown up were older boys, including Cedric and Oliver.

"As you know," Drew started, "dueling is one of the greater arts of wizardry. Without proper knowledge and practice, you can find yourself dead in the neutral streets of London!" He shot his club members a cold glare. "Now, Madame Pomfrey has asked that we not sent students to her if they are injured here. That means that any injuries will be treated by Professor Snape, and you all know what that means. Also, you would do well to keep in mind that there is an audience present. Aim your spells at your opponents, not the spectators."

The doors slammed open and all eyes turned to Professor Snape who stomped through the room with his usual sour face. He turned to Drew who welcomed him with a nod. Snape returned the gesture and stood in the back of the room to observe.

"I am sure that all of you have submitted your names in the goblet by the door," Drew continued. Several forgetful students scurried to the goblet. "As I was saying," he shot them a dirty look, "the goblet will randomly spit two names for the first tier of duels. Those people will duel, the winner will move on to the next tier," he shot a glare at Percy who puffed out like a proud peacock.

Drew summoned the goblet before the last entry had a chance to submit his name. He placed it in the middle of the stage and within seconds, the goblet spat out two pieces of paper. "Roger Davies . . . and Fred Weasley!"

Roger swallowed hard as he and Fred stepped on the stage. He had been on the receiving end of several pranks pulled by the Weasley twins, and none of them had been pleasant. And now Fred was grinning at him, an all too familiar gleam in his eyes.

"Sure you're up for this Davies?" Fred continued grinning.

"Anytime, Weasley."

"Are you sure Davies? You look rather scared."

"Gentlemen, sometime this century?" Drew said, impatiently.

Fred shrugged his shoulders. "All right. PETRIFICUS!" he shouted, pointing his wand at Roger.

Roger ducked to the floor as the spell passed over him and headed towards the end of the room. Only a quick word and wand wave from Snape kept the spell from hitting a spectator.

"SILENCIUM!" Roger shouted, thrusting his wand towards Fred.

Fred felt nothing, and went to cast another spell at his prone target. He opened his mouth, and no sound came out. He tried again with much the same result. Fred tried to yell out in frustration, but again, was only met by silence. He knelt down and tapped the base of his wand on the floor three times, a signal of surrender. Fred stepped off the dueling floor, and walked over to his brother. George patted his brother on the shoulder in support, but Fred continued to hang his head. After a few more first round duels with some students cheering in victory and others hanging their head in shame, Drew stepped back onto the platform to address the students.

"Everyone, it is now time for the second tier of the tournament. Congratulations to the winners. My condolences to the losers, except for Fred. Honestly Fred, it is a pleasure to have you shut up for a while. First up, the winners of matches one and two of the last round. Davies and Diggory."

Roger and Cedric stepped into their starting positions. "Well, good luck to you Diggory, I hope I don't hurt you too much. I'd hate to send one of my friends to Snape for treatment." Roger smirked.

"I'm hardly worried about what you can do Roger. You got lucky with Weasley, the same trick won't work on me."

"I suppose you're right Cedric. You think this will work then? FEMINITITY!"

Cedric raised his wand to defend, but was too slow. The audience began howling and laughing, as Cedric looked down and saw that his robe had turned into a black low cut blouse, a tight skirt, and his boots had become high heels. He shook his head trying to dispel his eyes of the illusion, and was hit in the face by long brown hair. His long brown hair.

"Roger, you rat bastard! How am I supposed to walk in these things?" Cedric's voice was now high-pitched.

Roger was doubled over in laughter, and couldn't answer.

"NASALUS WARTIUM!" Cedric yelled losing the depth of his voice.

Roger screamed in terror as his nose began to lengthen, and on the pointed end of it, a huge wart formed before his very eyes.

"My face! My BEAUTIFUL FACE!! Dammit Cedric, that's not funny! GUSTO VERTICUS!"

Cedric's hands instinctively moved to pull his skirt down, as a gust of wind rose from below him trying to blow the skirt up. The audience's roar increased, with a few catcalls to Cedric.

"Ok Roger, I see how we're playing. SKIVVIEUS DECREASIUS!"

Roger started yelling as he clenched his crotch. "That is so not cool mate! How can you do that to another man?" With every syllable, Roger's voice moved a few notes higher. "Diggory, that is the sort of spell you cast on a girl in a swimsuit, not your friend! AAHHHHHHHHHH! I SURRENDER, MAKE IT STOP! I NEED THOSE!" Cedric waved his wand again, and Roger sighed in relief. "That was a dirty trick Diggory. An underwear shrinking spell?"

"Well Roger, I'd say it worked. Now, would you be so kind as to get me out of this dress?" said Cedric with Roger wobbling off the platform. At the end of round two, Drew returned to the platform on once again to announce the matches for the next round.

"It is time for round three. I do realize that many of you are still trying to convince Diggory to take you to the next social event, but please, we have a tournament to continue. You can mob the lovely lady later. He is in our first match of this round, and his opponent is one Oliver Wood. Gentlemen, let it rip."

Oliver and Cedric's eyes clashed with such fury, the students felt nervous watching the two. Oliver and Cedric, on the other hand were smiling to themselves behind their bitter façade. They'd been waiting for an opportunity like this for a week, and it had just fallen into their laps. They stepped onto the dueling floor and took their starting stances.

"Wands at the ready!" shouted Drew.

Oliver and Cedric stood face to face with wands raised. Their eyes locked and glared at each other. The room fell silent from the weight of the tension in the air. All eyes were on the opponents as they faced off.

"I remember what you did to my girl, Diggory. I'm going to make you pay for it!" Oliver scoffed as his eyes pierced at Cedric.

"What I did to her? Why is it that you never go to comfort her unless I'm with her?" Cedric snapped with a locked jaw.

"Because when you're not around Diggory, she's happier. She's told me about you Cedric. You're her friend, and that's all you'll ever be. You'll never get to know her like I have."

Cedric's eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared. "You're not good enough for her Wood. You're just taking advantage of an innocent young woman. As soon as the Quidditch draft rears its head, you'll shatter her heart and leave her in a terrible state. I don't intend to let you do that to her."

They took back their steps and turned back at each other standing in traditional dueling manner. Oliver glared deep into Cedric like a lion preparing to attack his prey. His harsh glare intensified. If only looks could kill.

"INCENERUM!" roared Oliver. A ball of fire shot forth from Oliver's wand and raced towards Cedric.

Cedric raised his wand and chanted, "NEGATIUS!" He watched the fireball fizzle harmlessly, the last traces of it sputtering out centimeters from Cedric's face. "ARIANUS SCYTHEUM!"

Wind gusted around Oliver moving in incredibly small and fast currents. Small cuts began to appear all over Oliver's robe and hands. A small gash opened on Oliver's cheek, a drop of blood pooling at one end of it to run down Oliver's face. Oliver touched his face, saw the blood and slowly lifted his head to sever a defiant stare at his opponent. He shot another assault at Cedric. Cedric dispelled his attack, and moved to cast another, but Oliver beat him to the offense.

"IMPACTUS!" Cedric was knocked off his feet and flung against the wall.

Cedric landed on his hands and knees, and cast a spell before he stood. "CREPERUM PRAEUMBRO!"

Oliver tried to step forward to get closer to Diggory, but his legs couldn't move. He looked down and saw a knife made of darkness sticking out of his shadow, pinning his shadow in place. He looked up and heard Cedric casting the same fireball spell that Oliver had started with.

Oliver pointed his wand over his head and shouted, "LUMOS!" And his wand burst into a bright light. Oliver's shadow disappeared, as did the illusionary knife, and Oliver rolled out the way of the fireball just before it would have reached him.

Cedric cursed under his breath and started another spell. "ELECTRIUM!" Bolts of lightning shot out from Cedric's wand, and arced towards Oliver.

Oliver reacted quickly again. "EXCHANGARIUM A RUBBERIUS!" he yelled, and his robes morphed from cloth to rubber. The lightning hit Oliver's robes and dissipated harmlessly. "WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!" Oliver yelled.

Cedric almost laughed, that was one of the first spells every student learned, and nothing was moving. Recovering from his momentary lapse, Cedric bent his knees and prepared to conduct a more advanced spell. His wand glowed with fury as a gust of wind ruffled his hair. Oliver smirked. Cedric had closed his eyes and started a high order incantation that required a lot of skill. Oliver knew Cedric could pull it off, but Oliver wasn't going to allow the spell to finish. Oliver moved his wand, still charged with the levitation spell. George Weasley shouted in alarm as his chair moved from under him, dumping him unceremoniously on the ground. Oliver used his wand to steer the chair. Cedric, still concentrating on his spell, never saw it coming. The chair plowed into the back of his head, sending him to the floor. Professor Snape craned his neck to observe the defeat while the students, especially the Hufflepuffs, crowded around Cedric, worried about him. Drew made his way through the crowd and checked Cedric's pulse. He allowed a small sigh of relief when he found it. He then raised one of Cedric's arms, and let go. The arm dropped back to the ground.

"He's just unconscious. The match is Oliver's. Roger, take him to Snape's classroom and give him a Pepper-up potion."

After more duels in round three, the Hufflepuffs were calmed when Cedric emerged from Snape's office with an ice pack on his head. He held on Roger for support as they staggered to the corner of the room. Cedric had a dazed look on his face and seemed to not know where he was.

"Bloody eventful third round. Five injuries out of eight losers. We are now down to the quarter finals. Four of us remain, and only two will go on to the championship round. From that round, only one will become the champion. I see that the previous dueling champion, Percy Weasley, is on the road to reclaiming his status. He will be up first, against Oliver Wood." Oliver pompously stepped on the platform; Percy stepped on the other end. "Wood, do try not to cause any concussions this time, no matter how mild. Go for it."

Oliver and Percy approached each other, both of them smiling at each other.

"I must say Wood. That was a brilliant way to knock the Hufflepuff Golden boy down a few notches."

"Thanks Percy. I think that was one of my better duels. I was all over him like Harry Potter on a Snitch. It's a pity I'll have to do the same to you Percy."

"Don't count on it Wood. I wasn't the dueling champion before for no reason."

"TEMPERATURUS MINIMIRUM!" called Oliver. A blue light shot from his wand and raced towards Percy.

Percy smiled. "REFLECTUS! You made it too easy, Wood." The blue light slowed and stopped in front of Percy, then completely reversed itself. It raced towards Oliver, and before it had registered in his mind that the spell had changed direction. It struck him.

The air around Oliver froze, taking Oliver with it. His entire body turned blue and ceased moving. Drew stepped out onto the floor for a closer look.

"Hmm . . . completely frozen. That's a new one. Fred! George! Carry him, carefully, to Snape's office. Give him a defrosting potion."

Fred and George hurried to comply. Their captain had just become an Oliver-sicle, and for once, they weren't responsible.

Professor Snape took the podium. The room fell silent as the most feared teacher in the school spoke.

"As the faculty sponsor for the dueling club, it is my duty to start the championship match. This year we will see last year's champion, Percy Weasley," Snape hissed the name in a disgusted voice, "up against Drew Thornborough. Let the better student win." Snape stepped down and resumed his place in the back of the room to watch the action.

Percy and Drew stepped onto the stage. They each took a starting stance, neither had any expression on their face.

"Drew, how did you get this far? Last year, you lost every match you were in, even in practice against Neville Longbottom! How can you expect to beat me?"

"Last year, I was observing. Something you don't seem to have done tonight. Have you seen my matches this evening? I didn't get this far by luck pretty boy."

"We'll see Drew. VENI VENI VENIAS!" Percy shouted. Drew's wand shot out of his hand and landed in Percy's free hand. "Ready to give up Drew? You've already lost your wand." Percy smiled, thinking himself victorious.

Drew's smile matched Percy's as Drew began to slowly walk towards Percy. "Idiot. The wand is just a focus for magic talent. You really don't pay much attention, do you? Has Dumbledore ever waved his wand to change the banners in the Great Hall, or to summon food?"

Percy's mouth gaped open for a moment before he recovered. Using both wands, Percy threw two curses towards Drew at once. "PETRIFICUS! INCENERIUM!"

Drew held up one hand, continuing his walk towards Percy. There were faint crackles as the spells fizzled out in front of Drew's outstretched hand. Drew reached Percy before Percy could fire off any more spells, and grabbed both of Percy's wrists. Drew spoke a single word in a language Percy didn't understand. Even if Percy had known what the word was, he wouldn't have had time to understand it before the two wands in his hand flared, burning his palms. He could barely make out Drew's voice asking calmly, but loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Do you yield?" Percy slowly nodded his head, every move an agonizing blaze of pain like he had never felt before.

Suddenly as it had started, it ended. Percy collapsed to the ground and rested for a moment, eyes closed. When he opened his eyes, he saw Drew standing over him, offering him a hand up. The students were stunned to see the quiet Slytherin possess such advanced magic. Snape simply smiled and congratulated his protégé.

~*~*~*

Oliver hurried through the rain to his Captain's Tent, dressed in his Quidditch uniform and half smiling over the dueling events. The scene of Cedric falling to a flick of his wand replayed over and over in his head. The fact that he knocked down the 'Hufflepuff Golden Boy,' boosted his ego to a new level. After all, Cedric was the heartthrob of Hogwarts: Prefect, Captain, and all around good-looking. 'And, I Oliver Wood, crushed him!' Oliver grinned. He opened the door to his tent and found Cho asleep on his futon. He quietly walked over and sat at her side. She was in the deepest slumber. 'She must have been waiting for me.' Oliver bent down and kissed her on the forehead, waking her. She slowly lifted her eyelids to see Oliver over her and she smiled softly.

"Told you not to wait up for me," Oliver smirked.

Cho rubbed her eyes. "I missed you!"

"Aww," he smiled and hugged her.

"You're in a good mood," said Cho.

"It's been a good week," he replied and beamed at her sleepy face. "And with you here, it could only get better."

Cho's heart melted. Since the incident with her and Cedric in the kitchens, Oliver hawked over Cho like a Dragon protecting her eggs. He showed no affection, but only jealousy and possessiveness. Cho missed Oliver's charm and warmth and was determined to pry through the envy and expose his devotion. She smiled and gave Oliver a heart-felt kiss.

"I got something for you," said Oliver as he reached in his pocket. He pulled out a small box.

"For me?" Cho certainly wasn't expecting a present. She accepted the box.

"Open it!"

Cho opened the box and found a set of gold earrings in an unusual design. They were three bars with rings on the end that resembled inverted Quidditch hoops. The hoops that Oliver defended.

"Oh! Oh my gosh!" Cho cried. "Oliver they are so beautiful! Thank you!" She flung her arms around him nearly knocking him off the futon.

"Whoa, easy there kid," he said trying to support her weight. She looked up at him with watery eyes. "Here." He removed the earrings from the box and carefully placed them on her ears. "Beautiful. I will always be here to protect you as I protect the hoops on the Pitch."

"Oh, Oliver!"

Cho beamed as her lips were sealed with Oliver's tender kiss. She had missed his gentle touches all week. She ran her fingers along the side of side of his face until she brushed against the abrasions he received from the duel with Cedric. Cho shot back and observed the cut with wide eyes.

"Where is this from?" she wondered as she petted his skin millimeters from the slash. He grabbed her hand, thus revealing more scratches. "And these?!" She grabbed both his hands and saw them lashed with cuts. "Oliver! What happened?" Tears ran down Cho's eyes when symbols of Oliver's pain flashed before her eyes.

"Oh . . . Quidditch!" He would rather lie to her than admit Cedric inflicted harm on him. "Rough practice!"

"Oliver," Cho said softly with tears, "why didn't you seek Madam Pomfrey. She heals cuts in minutes."

"Babe, it's not that bad!"

Oliver tried to hide his flinch as Cho gently touched his wound. He wiped her tears and kissed her to alleviate any worries. He embraced her closer to him and engulfed her tiny frame with his strong arms. Cho felt like princess in his arms. He was like the knight in shining armor, here to shield his princess from harm. Oliver broke their embrace to see the glimmer of the gold Quidditch hoops on Cho's ears.

"Just a few of my favorite things," he said softly and slowly gave her a passionate kiss. He quickly became more eager with his kiss until they heard the tent door fling open letting in a gust of wind and rain.

"What the . . .?" Oliver looked up have disgruntled, "FLINT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET LOST!"

"Bad news Wood, very bad news," Marcus Flint, the Slytherin Quidditch Captain strutted in the room soaked from the rain. "Wipe that silly tint off you face, Wood!"

Oliver rose from Cho and wiped the remains of her lip-gloss from his lips while gritting his teeth at yet another threat to his beloved Quidditch Cup. "I will bathe my Quidditch hoops in your blood for that comment, Flint!" He faced Marcus closer threatening him with his glare. "This Saturday!"

Cho shuddered at Oliver's malicious words. She's known him to be charming, romantic, and sometimes moody, but never threatening.

"This Saturday? Perhaps a Saturday in the spring when Gryffindor plays Slytherin?" pressed Marcus.

"What are you talking about?"

"Malfoy is still injured. Slytherin can't play. You'll be playing Hufflepuff this weekend. Perhaps it is best for Gryffindor to start off the season with an easy win." He averted his eyes to Cho. "Then again, I can't imagine Diggory has a pushover when he finds you roughing up this one." Marcus's tongue flickered at Cho in a most disrespectful manner.

Oliver's nerves were too shaken to respond. 'HUFFLEPUFF?? HUFFLEPUFF!! But I spent so long preparing for Slytherin!' Marcus shoved a parchment signed by Madame Hooch making the switch official. Oliver's shaky hand managed to unroll the slip, as the words burned their message in his brain. Marcus gave Oliver one last pompous grin as he turned on his heel for the door.

"Oh, Wood," he said at the doorway. "You may brand your pretty little hoops with my blood," he paused to notice Cho's dangling earrings, "after I win the Quidditch Cup again!" He slammed the door.

Oliver stood astonished at the door half shaking half frozen. He had put so much time and effort into preparing his team for a Slytherin match. Now all that effort had been flushed down the drain. He had barely opened his Hufflepuff tactics.

"Ol . . . Oliver?" Cho asked softly.

Oliver blinked, still facing the door. Suddenly, he left his frozen stage and exploded in a fury of anger. He stormed to his desk, flung his arm across the stacks of Slytherin tactic parchments knocking them across the floor and breaking bottles of ink. Cho cowered in the corner as he wrathfully slammed bottles and parchment on the table. She watched her boyfriend transform from a charming lover to an angry obsessed bludger. Eventually, Oliver calmed himself, slumped in his chair, and engrossed himself in studying his plays. Cho watched him for moments as he scribbled in his book, forgetting her presence. She walked to him and ran her hand across his shoulder and gently up his cheek. Oliver forcefully grabbed her hand to stop her tender touch. His sudden roughness startled Cho. She wanted to cry as she looked down at the wounded hand that did not want her comfort.

"Cho, please," he scoffed with his eyes not leaving his parchments.

Cho swallowed hard. "It can't be that bad. Slytherin and Hufflepuff are not that much different. Besides, Hufflepuff is not as strong." Oliver pressed his lips and focused his eyes on his parchment. "I . . . I have to go back. It's dark and raining!"

Oliver slammed his quill on the desk and pinched the bridge of his nose. He let out and exasperated sigh and handed Cho his rain jacket. "You're a big girl, you know the way!"

Cho hung her mouth in shock. "But," she continued in a shaky voice, "there are Dementors out there! I'm scared."

"Cho, either stay here, or run," he said coldly, eyes still on his parchments. "I have a lot of work to do."

Cho took Oliver's coldness as a sign to let him be. She had been with him long enough to know when he wanted to be alone. Reluctantly, she opened the door and let rain and wind howl in the room. Oliver did not budge. Cho gave him one last sad look and braved the threatening weather.

The wind angrily howled across the Pitch as the heavy drops of rain stung her face. She had difficulty running for the wind was so strong that it could carry her to France. From the side of her eye, she noticed a dark figure that seemed to be coming towards her. Fast. 'Is that a Dementor?' Panicking, she tried to pick up her pace toward the castle, but was unsuccessful. The muddy path and dominating wind kept her from moving. She was like a fly that was caught in a spider web. She looked around her and saw the dark figure meters away. It was catching up to her. Cho felt a cold wet hand grab her arm and pulled her to a mess of black robes. Cho screamed in fear.

"CHO! Cho! It's okay! It's me! What are you doing out here?"

Cho calmed herself and heard the strong pounds of a human heart under the chest her head was pressed against. She looked up and saw Cedric's worried face as his umbrella protected their heads. His face sunk when he realized where Cho was running from.

"And where is Wood?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"Oh, Um . . . He's in the tent studying his Hufflepuff tactics. Are you aware of the switch?" Cho's said in a shaky tone.

"Yes." Cedric looked up and made out a faint light emerging from the Gryffindor Tent. 'You're a bigger bastard than I thought, Wood.' "C'mon, Cho. I'll walk you back."

Before Cho could respond, she was abruptly pulled to the side, away from Cedric's protection.

"You don't know when to give up? Do you Diggory? Or maybe another blow to the head will clarify things for you?"

Cedric said nothing. He stared angrily at the rain soaked Oliver, the boy that stole his love and defeated him in a duel. Oliver returned the glare through the water dripping from his face. The fury of the rain reopened his cut. He held Cho tightly to him burying her face in his drenched robes. Oliver turned his glare at Cedric to a loving gaze for Cho. He bent down and whispered lightly in her ear. Cho met his gaze, and looked at Oliver in a way that Cedric could only dream he would ever receive.

"Come Cho," he said softly kissing her cheek. She smiled adoringly at him, clenched his arm, and rested her head on his shoulder. Oliver shot one last glare at Cedric before they turned their back to him.

"Oliver!" Cedric called and received a hard look from Oliver accompanied by a curious from Cho. "Take this," he offered his umbrella. It took seconds before the rain soaked his dry hair. "I don't want Cho sick."

Oliver refused the umbrella and rolled his eyes at him. He then waved his wand over Cho's head. He charmed a shield over her head, protecting her from the rain. He gave Cedric a cocky grin and placed his arm around Cho. Again, she looked at him so tender and loving. Then, Oliver drove her out of Cedric's sight. There was nothing for Cedric to do now, save standing in the rain, as he watched the lady he loved walk away leaning against his rival, the guy that had bested him in every way that seemed to matter to Cho.

~*~*~*~

Oliver frantically paced in front of the Pitch gate. His crimson Quidditch robes swiveled with every move has he clutched his broom harder. Only moments remained before the first Quidditch match of the season. The Gryffindor team nervously waited for the gates to open to enter the Pitch. They could hear the fury of the storm banging on the door.

"All right there Harry?" Oliver asked his Seeker, who was looking as pale as Oliver. "It's a bit rough out, just remember to stay on your broom and . . . "

"Relax, Wood!" said Fred. "Hufflepuff is a pushover!"

"Too right, Wood!" said George. "Hufflepuff is weak . . . well . . . except for Diggory!"

"ENOUGH!" scoffed Oliver. The Hufflepuff Quidditch team never really was a threat to Gryffindor, but Oliver was not one to tolerate arrogance by his own team members. "Don't let your guard down for one minute! The weather is against us. Damn that Flint. Malfoy's not injured. They were just too chicken to brave this weather. But not us," Oliver suddenly felt flair of determination, "we will win this game rain or shine! We are the best ruddy team in the school! WE WILL DEFEAT HUFFLEPUFF!"

Oliver's speech created such uproar with the team, even the nervous Harry Potter managed a smile, moments before the gate opened for them to make their way onto the Pitch. From the other side, Cedric lead the Hufflepuff team to the middle of the Pitch. They marched towards each other like soldiers in battle. Crimson and yellow met.

"Captains shake hands!" ordered the referee. Oliver and Cedric glared at each other, each trying to crush the other's hand. "Now I want a nice clean game! Take your positions."

The Hufflepuff and Gryffindor players took their positions on the field and the referee released the ball, starting the game. Through the haze of the rain, the Pitch filled with a flurry of red and yellow. Oliver's eyes were glued to the Quaffle, but occasionally darted to Harry who was struggling on his broom. The intense wind and hard rain seemed to give Harry a bit of trouble. It didn't seem to affect Cedric as bad. He was rather large for a Seeker and his weight definitely was an advantage in this situation.

After a successful block and pass, Oliver looked to the other end of the Pitch and saw a stream of yellow followed by red. Harry was having a hard time keeping up with Cedric. 'C'mon Harry! You have the better broom! Damn Diggory and damn his fat arse!'

"GOAL! Ten points for Hufflepuff!"

Oliver was too lost in his thoughts to react in time. He hung his head briefly in disappointment until Gryffindor regained possession of the ball. He watched the Quaffle zip back and forth from Katie to Alicia to Angelina back to Katie. "GOAL! YES!"

Now the Quaffle was in the hands of the Hufflepuff Chasers. They plowed their way through the storm as is they were bulldozers. With the ball whizzing between the Chasers, Oliver prepared himself for another block. In attempt to confuse Oliver, Joey hurled the ball between two posts passing it to another player who passed it back to Joey. He tried to make another goal, but Oliver was too quick. He stopped the ball mere centimeters from the goal. From the stands, a young Ravenclaw bounced up and cheered.

"Cho! Pay attention to the Seekers! You'll be up against them soon enough!" ordered Roger as he poked Cho.

Given the cruel weather, there were not many spectators at the game. Most of the audience were diehard Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs supporting their teams. Roger thought it would be useful to take notes on the game for future reference in their upcoming games. Cho however, was a faithful girlfriend who wanted to support her Keeper. Under the protection of the umbrella, Roger hastily took notes on damp parchment. Cho focused her attention briefly to the Seekers, but darted her eyes back at the Gryffindor posts and beamed at her Keeper.

Cho looked adoringly at Oliver. 'He looks so handsome up there. Every move is absolutely perfect! Look at the determination on his face. He is so focused. So talented, so . . . '

"OY! I can't note all the team plays by myself Miss Chang!" he scolder her and shoved a quill and scroll in her arms. Her eyes were still fixed on Oliver. "You may take my place as Captain when I graduate, so . . . AHHHH DAMMIT!"

Cho jumped from her seat and cheered for another one of Oliver's captivating blocks, knocking ink on Roger in the process. Her face glowed with pride as she waved to him while Roger furiously shook excess ink off the parchments. Roger scowled when saw Cho beaming at Oliver. He angrily grabbed her sleeve and forced her back down to the seat.

"Ow!" yelped Cho. "Sorry!"

She took the parchments and quills and averted her attention to Cedric and Harry. She jotted down a few pointers on Cedric's moves. She drew diagrams of his turns, twists, and paths. She started taking notes on the Gryffindor Seeker, but stopped when she noticed Harry's struggle. Cedric zipped through the Pitch looking like a perfectly flowing yellow streak, while Harry bounced around like one of Madame Pomfrey's medical charts.

"That's unlike Harry! Roger! Something's wrong!" Cho said in a shaky voice as she pointed to Harry.

"Uh Oh. Timeout. Oliver must have also noticed."

Oliver signaled for timeout and the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs met on their respective sides of the Pitch. Cedric was the last to join his teammates.

"Good job team," he panted. "Just keep the same strategy. You three," he referred to the Chasers, "excellent with the Quaffle, but watch them Gryffindors. They are mighty fast. Brian and Edward, don't let them twins own the bludgers. AND KNOCK DOWN THAT KEEPER!"

With a blow of the whistle, the players were airborne and the game resumed. Cedric flew high to try and get a better look for the Snitch. He was followed by Harry who seemed to have regained a measure of control. Cedric squinted, and scanned the Pitch for a faint flicker of gold. He could hear the announcements of scored goals but paid no attention to which team made them. His concentration was heavily focused on looking for the Snitch. He couldn't give in to the rain stinging on his face and the cold wind trying to knock him off. He desperately wanted to win the game. Suddenly Cedric saw a faint glimmer on the other end of the Pitch.

'You defeat me in a duel. You steal the girl I love before I can tell her as much. You rub my face in the dirt every time you get the chance, Wood, but not here! Hufflepuffs are represented by the badger, noble and hard-working, but do NOT upset us! NEVER forget badgers have teeth!'

Cedric plowed his way through the storm after the flicker of gold. Harry Potter was right behind him. However, the frail boy was having trouble maintaining his course. Cedric only pushed himself harder. He ignored the rain stinging on his face and the wind howling in his ears. As powerful as the winds were, Cedric did not allow them to slow him down. Suddenly the atmosphere seemed to get colder and darker, but Cedric paid no attention. All he could think about was the glory and honor of defeating one of Hogwart's most powerful Quidditch teams. Defeating Oliver Wood's team. Those thoughts only drove Cedric faster towards his goal. The rain pelted harder on his skin as he extended his and to reach for the Snitch. To reach for nobility and glory. He caught the golden ball, expecting to feel the rush of glory and honor he had just won Hufflepuff. But, it would not be as honorable as he wanted it. Tragedy had just reared its ugly head on the Quidditch Pitch. Cho screamed in horror at the sight. Oliver's heart plunged to his stomach like a rock plummeting to the bottom of the pond. Cedric's elation was short lived as he noticed a pack of Dementors and Harry lying unconscious on the Pitch.