In the hopes that there are still some Katie/Oliver fans out there: please enjoy!

Chapter 1: New beginnings

Oliver Wood was nervously fumbling his fingers through his dark brown hair as he was standing in front of the mirror. The Gryffindor captain didn't even see what he was doing, nor did he care. His mind was set on one thing and one thing only: Quidditch. This was his last chance to finally win the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup. All summer long, he had been studying every book he knew existed that mentioned something about Quidditch. Oliver couldn't even begin to describe how much he wanted to win. How he would hold the shiny Cup up in the air while the Slytherins could do nothing more than watch. Man, what he would give to wipe that smug look off of Flint's face. He smiled as he imagined what it must feel like to be the actual winner of the Cup. Surely it would be a great stepping-stone to a successful Quidditch career. But he should not get ahead of himself now. He still had his entire last year at Hogwarts to finish and a lot to prove. There was really no time to waste; he would get to work the instant he stepped foot into Hogwarts. Or maybe even sooner, if possible. If his friends didn't bother him too much, perhaps he could get some work done on the Hogwarts Express.

"Darling, are you almost ready?" Oliver's Mum was standing on his doorstep, watching him.

Oliver nodded, as he picked up his bag. "I'm all set."

His Mum smiled and walked over to him. She pulled him close to her, messing his hair up again. "I can't believe it's your last year already," she said softly. "I remember your first day as if it were yesterday. Most students are scared they get sorted into Slytherin, but your biggest fear was to be a Hufflepuff."

Oliver smiled. "Have you seen the Hufflepuff Quidditch teams of the past fifty years? I would have to be a fool to want to enter that House. And is this going to be one of those sentimental talks about me growing up so fast? Because if it is, I might want to sit down so you can take your time."

His mother laughed. "Give me a break! My only son is graduating this year. I'm just very proud of you."

Oliver smiled. "I'll do you proud, Mum. Once I can show you the pictures of me winning the Cup."

Mrs. Wood shook her head. "Merlin, you remind me so much of your father. Just as crazy about the game as you are. On the verge of madness, too. Just remember: there are other important things besides Quidditch. Such as graduating. Don't go lacking behind. Your N.E.W.T.S are very important for your future." She was giving Oliver a stern look now.

Oliver grinned. "Don't worry about that. Your son is both a genius and a champion. Anyway, we really should get going, it's 10:45 already. The Express will leave in a couple of minutes."

Oliver and Mrs. Wood took out their wands and both started spinning on the spot. When Oliver opened his eyes again they were standing on a crowded Platform 9 3/4. The train was already fuming and the students of Hogwarts were saying goodbye to their families. Oliver looked around him to see if he could find any of his friends. They were probably in the Express already. They had better saved him a seat so he could quietly work on some plays. A good start was of vital importance.

"Well, Mum, I guess I'll be seeing you in December." He leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. "Take care of yourself and don't worry about me too much. I'll owl you as often as I can."

His Mum hugged him tightly. "I'll tell you once more, don't get too obsessed over Quidditch. I've seen you transform into a raging lunatic from time to time."

"Why, my dear Oliver, there's a description we can underline!" A familiar voice called from behind them. "Old Wood can never seem to let go." Fred Weasley came walking towards them, followed by his twin brother George.

"Hello Mrs. Wood." George bent down and kissed Mrs. Wood's hand. "Always a pleasure to see you."

Mrs. Wood smiled at the twins and wrapped them tightly in a hug. "My dear boys," she said. "Charming as always. Will you make sure to look after Oliver a bit?"

"Mum, come on!" Oliver bellowed. "I'm older than them, you know!"

"Ah, and still you can learn so many, many things from us, Ol. In practically all aspects of life." Fred patted his shoulder as Oliver glared at him. "Is it OK if we steal him away Mrs. Wood? We sure like a comfortable compartment so we can already start our homework." Oliver rolled his eyes. The twins hadn't touched any homework since the first day they had set foot in the Gryffindor Tower.

"You go right ahead," Mrs. Wood said. "Now Oliver, make sure to write me at least once a week. And please: go easy on that Quidditch business of yours."

"You know I will and you know I won't." Oliver waved one last time before stepping onto the Hogwarts Express with Fred and George. They entered the first empty compartment they could find and all ploughed down.

"So, let's get to business," said George as he threw his bag under his seat. "Any action with beautiful Françaises beneath the Eiffel Tower or what?"

Oliver sighed and shook his had. That hadn't taken very long. He had indeed visited Paris over the summer, but he had been more interested in his plays and the French Quidditch stadium than in some foreign girls.
Their compartment door opened and Tom, Oliver's roommate and one of his best friends was grinning madly at them all.

"Look who's back!" He yelled, announcing himself, and he shook all of their hands. "Man, I'm psyched!" Tom said enthusiastically. He sat down next to Oliver. "A whole new year ahead of us. And the last one for us, Ol. Ah, the beauty of it all."

Tom had been Oliver's friend since their first day at Hogwarts. They had become roommates and bonded over a mutual dislike of professor Snape and a shared love for anything that involved The Weird Sisters. The blonde boy was known to have a way with the ladies, but Oliver had always liked him.

"So how have you been? Tell me about your summer." Tom asked.

"Well actually, we were just asking Oliver about his holiday in France. We've been wondering if he had been getting some lip locking action," Fred said. "After all, it has been a while since the Penelope Clearwater incident, as you like to call it. We need some new mocking material."

Oliver winced. "Yeah, really nice guys, thanks for reminding me again. I repeat: that was two years ago and she cornered me against my will. But I'm going to have to disappoint you: I've had a very quiet summer. The Eiffel Tower did have a very nice view though."

"I can imagine, probably of somebody's-"

"Of Paris,Tom. Thank you very much."

Oliver sighed inwardly. Barely minutes had passed and all his friends could talk about were hot girls. Again. Oliver always tried to avoid these conversations, not feeling comfortable with the subject at all. He did not have too much to say about it either.

"What about you, Tom?" George asked. "Had some fun in Spain?"

Tom held up his hands over his head and smiled smugly. "Hey, I don't kiss and tell."

"No, you don't have to, you just make out with everyone in public," Oliver said.

"There, my friend," Tom said, "you have a fair point."

In the meantime, the train had started moving and Platform 9 3/4 was slowly disappearing behind them, leaving all the waving parents out of sight. Oliver leaned forward to grab his bag. He ruffled through it and took out his playbook. It was a giant red and gold book that weighed a ton, but nevertheless he carried it everywhere in case he needed to note something. Fred and George were eyeing him closely.

"You're kidding me, right?" Fred blurted out. "Quidditch already? We're not even out of London yet!"

Oliver shrugged. "Quidditch knows no time or place when you're truly dedicated." He opened up the book, which was full of scrabbled words and drawings. He took out a quill and some ink and was ready to start writing when Tom snatched the playbook out of Oliver's hands and threw it out of the compartment door.

"NO!" Oliver screamed. "ARE YOU MENTAL!?" He fell onto the floor, crawling to the door to grasp the book from the hallway. As he re-entered the compartment, he slapped Tom hard against the head.

"For all you know Davies or Flint could have walked by! They could have stolen all my plays! We all would have been incredibly screwed! Don't you understand? I need to win the Cup!"

Tom was rubbing the spot on his head where Oliver had hit him. Then he slowly shook his head. "I thought you were already losing it last year. Oh, how wrong was I..."

Fred and George, who had been watching their friends going at it, stood up and solemnly put both their hands together in front of them.

"Oliver Wood, this is an intervention," Fred spoke. "You have got to relax a bit."

"Fred and I were already expecting maniacal actions on your part, so us geniuses have come up with a perfect solution." George paused for a while to create a dramatic effect. Tom was looking up at the twins with great interest.

George cleared his throat and looked at Oliver intently. "We have decided you should have a girlfriend."

Oliver threw his head back and heaved a heavy sigh. Not this again.

"Wow guys," he said in a sarcastic tone, "you haven't made this decision for about a month now! Congrats on the record. And just to be clear, you know, for future reference: this is a perfect example of a situation that cannot be 'decided' by the Weasley twins."

"No, no, no!" Tom was saying, waving his hands frantically as if to catch their attention. Which wasn't really hard anyhow, considering the fact they were in a small compartment. "Not too fast now, Oliver. That is actually a verygood idea!"

Oliver couldn't help but laugh at this. As if Tom had never heard of this idea before; it was one of his friend's favourite hobbies trying to figure out which girl would be perfect for him. A very annoying hobby, if he may add.

Just at that moment their compartment door opened again. A very bewildered-looking Katie Bell was standing in front of the four friends. Despite himself, Oliver couldn't help but notice that his Chaser had grown from beautiful to stunning over the summer.

"Hey Katie, how was your sum-"

"The plays!" Katie interrupted Tom, staring accusingly at Oliver. "Are they safe? I heard you screaming just now. Please tell me you still have them!"

Oliver's mouth curled into a smile. Such passion for the game, Katie had. He held up the playbook that was still lying in his lap. "Everything is fine," he stated.

Katie looked relieved. "What happened? Don't tell me it was you, Tom," she said.

"Well, actually - OUCH!" Tom screamed as Katie stomped him on the exact same spot as Oliver had done.

"Are you a Gryffindor or what!? I'd rather die than see that Cup in Snape's office for yet another year." Katie shuddered at the thought alone.

"Exactly my thoughts, Bell," Oliver said, pleased that at least someone agreed with him.

"Well, it certainly is nice to see you again," Tom grumbled from his position next to Oliver. He was rubbing the terrorized spot on his head again. "Damned Quidditch players."

Katie laughed apologetically. "I'm sorry, Tom." Katie walked towards him and gave him a hug. That seemed to shut Tom up. He looked a little bit too pleased with himself. Oliver could smell a flowery scent coming from Katie as she stood up straight again. It smelled pretty good.

"Anyway, has anyone by any chance seen Angelina? I've been looking all over for her." Katie asked.

Fred grasped his chest theatrically. "Oh, if only I'd have had the pleasure of seeing her. What a woman..."

Katie tilted her head. "If that's the case, then when exactly were you planning on finally asking her out, Fred?"

"I do not wish to hear those comments of you," Fred mumbled, becoming slightly red.

"HA!" George pointed at his brother, clearly enjoying his embarrassment. "Could you get any redder!?"

Katie smiled and began walking backwards. "Right then, I'll leave you guys to it. I'm just going to keep looking; after all she should be here somewhere... See you at Hogwarts!" She winked and walked out of their compartment.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Tom stomped Oliver's shoulder. "Whoa!"

"Hey!" Oliver protested. "What was that for?"

"What was that for? Seriously? What do you think!?" Tom asked incredulously. "Didn't you see her wink at you? She wants you, man."

The twins nodded eagerly and looked expectantly at Oliver.

"Sorry, what?" Oliver asked in complete surprise. "You're kidding me, right?"

None of his friends were looking as if they actually were kidding.

"She was winking at everyone in general,you morons."

Fred, George and Tom ignored him. They were all looking at each other conspiratorially. Oliver was wondering if they had some weird kind of Occlumency thing going on. Then they all began to smirk.

"So, we have come to an agreement then?" George finally said.

"Definitely." Tom and Fred nodded.

Oliver looked at them in bewilderment. "Er, excuse me? What have we agreed on?"

"Katie Bell," Tom said matter-of-factly. "Your soon to be girlfriend."

Oliver groaned. This ride was going to be longer than he thought.

Feel free to review :) The next chapter will be up soon.