O.W.L.s And Quidditch With the Gryffindors

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Disclaimer: See Prologue

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Thanks to Dragonslayer101 (Guest) and botskey for reviewing! :)

Sorry it took so long for me to update... It's just... Well I'll tell you at the end. ;)

PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE REVIEWWWWWW!

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I grabbed my Astronomy Chart and headed out of the Common Room. Wood was already waiting for me. We began heading to the Tower, chatting about the long wait until the next Quidditch Match (although we didn't mention that it was going to be against each other, we figured we could wait for that argument).

As soon as we got up there, I took out my chart and began working, Wood laying on his back and looking up at the stars. I could tell he was wondering what he was going to learn, but he was patient and waited until I was done with my chart.

Finally, after about quarter after eleven, I finished and (after shoving my things back into my bag), decided to lay next to Wood on the cold stone floor, thankful I was bundled in a sweater, a warm jacket, wool leggings, and my warm Ugg boots. I couldn't wait until it was finally March and things began to warm up again.

"So," I said. "What do you want to learn about?"

"I don't even know enough about Astronomy to tell you that," he said, smirking.

"Fine," I said. "Do you want me to tell you about the galaxy we are in, or do you want me to show you more constellations? We'll have to wait until some other time for more advanced stuff, but those are what I'm willing to teach at the moment."

"What's a galaxy?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"I guess we'll start there then, eh?" I asked. He grinned sheepishly.

I began talking about what a galaxy was and I told him about our galaxy. He just sat and listened, staring at the stars with me. Every once in a while, he'd ask me a question, but for the most part he just sat and listened.

It was the only time in my entire life I didn't feel judged. Which, you know, is weird. I'm always judged and watched by everyone.

He and I were there for almost two and a half hours talking about the galaxy before we decided to head to the kitchens for a quick hot chocolate before bed.

It was rather uneventful, which was refreshing.

The recent event with the prank-gone-wrong wasn't brought up. He didn't say anything weird about how 'beautiful' I was or how 'wonderful' I was. It was actually rather comfortable. I even began to wonder if I should consider being friends with him.

So, as I snuggled into bed that night, I couldn't help but think to myself about possibly giving him the chance.

Because maybe I didn't always have to retaliate and act like a bitch all the time to save my image.

Maybe I didn't really need that image.

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It wasn't until the last weekend in March that I told Wood I thought we could try and be friends, to which he said "we aren't already?"

But although we finally decided mutually that we could be friends, my inner bitch began lashing out at him from the exhaustion of taking eight O.W.L. classes. We were only able to go to two other 'sessions' in the Astronomy Tower since the one where we talked about the galaxy. He's learned what a nebula was and he heard the story of the Draco constellation. I was thankful it was already almost spring break, because I was getting so much work from all of my teachers, I barely had a minute to spare.

Wood's mom had already owled me asking me if I could possible come back for the holiday because she really needed a shopping buddy so she could get new clothes for the summer. Although I liked the idea, I respectfully declined and decided to stay at school. The thought of having tea with Dumbledore and Professor Lupin on Easter morning sounded rather inviting.

But as it was a Sunday, and I didn't have much to do except study until Quidditch practice that evening, I decided to head to Professor Lupin's office. It was before the Quidditch game in February that I had seen him last, and I felt I should have gone to see him before now. I was having rather disturbing dreams about the night my memory was wiped, and wanted to speak with him about it. So, I brought all the school work I had to finish up and walked up the stairs.

Once I knocked on his door and as soon as I heard his quiet "come in," I opened the door, closing it behind me he hadn't even looked up from grading his papers yet.

"Hello Professor," I called.

"Claire! How are you? It's been a while. I see you're still sporting your red hair," he said.

"I'm... Alright, Professor. I er wanted to ask you something."

He noticed my slightly uncomfortable look and asked me to sit while he made some tea. After a few minutes, he came back and handed me the cup. "What's wrong, Claire? Did something happen?"

"Er, yes... And no," I said. He looked confused. "Well, you see Professor, I... Well, you know how I have dreams about my past? Before my memory was wiped?" He nodded. "Well I had another one last night, except this time it was the whole memory. When I was listening in to Voldemort's conversation with that man? Normally, I only dream about that one moment when the man takes me from my home... And then again when Voldemort tells the man to bring me to the Malfoys. But this time, the dream... It began with everything I heard. Not just the verdict... And... And he called the man... He called the man Peter... And... W-well, when he put me down once he got to the house Voldemort was staying in, I remember trying to grab on to his finger, but... It was gone. His middle finger, the one I tried to hold on to... It was just... Gone." I knew my face was as pale as Professor Lupin's.

"We've been hearing quite a lot about Peter Pettigrew recently," he said. "Did your mind maybe incorporate it into the dream?" I didn't even hesitate.

"Sir. A few weeks ago, I had another dream. One I never had before. One with my parents. Harry was only four months old, and... And... Sirius Black came to visit us. He said he wanted to meet his god son. Once he came in and he saw me, I was so excited and he twirled me around, and I was... Well, I was... Happy." I could feel tears welling in my eyes. This was the first time I spoke of the dream and the kind-hearted Sirius I once knew. "I giggled and I would always call him Si-Si cause I couldn't actually say his name," I told him with a watery smile as I stared into my cup of tea. "Even before, when I first had that dream, even before I had this dream about Pettigrew, I knew there was no way Sirius could have killed all those people. I think... Sirius isn't to blame. Peter seemed to know exactly where my family was. I think it was him."

I finally looked up at him, and his face was still as white as a sheet. The shocked look was unbelievable.

"Sir, I just thought you might want to know. It seems as though you were close with both of them and my father. I just wanted you to know the possibilities," I told him as I got up and left, heading to the library to finish my work.

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It was finally break. Many people decided to go home or visit friends, but I (along with most of the fifth and seventh years) decided to stay at school so I could study for my O.W.L.s. There was so much work from all of my teachers it was near impossible for me to find much time to myself without having to do any work.

But, once Tuesday came around, I was able to clear a few hours in my schedule. With that time, I decided to go down to the tree in front of the lake with a blanket and my Quidditch notebook to think up some more plays for the game against Gryffindor.

Yes, it was only mid-April, but I didn't get much time with all my studying and work to actually think out legitimate plays. So I spread out the blanket, wondering what Wood was doing as I lay myself down, pulling out my quill, ink, and my note book. I hadn't had the time to actually ask him what he was doing over break.

I was sitting and working on all the different possible plays under that tree, not even looking at the time, and next thing I knew, it was dark and definitely time to head back to the castle for dinner.

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"Oh my God. Ohhhhh my God. Oh my God," Riley was mumbling as we stood in front of the Great Hall, where we would be taking our DADA exam. In other words, out final O.W.L. exam ever. It was finally the first week in June, and I had only seen Wood two more times in the tower for our Astronomy lessons. I promised him once exams were over and I had more time we could meet much more often. Every night if he wanted.

"Shut up," I hissed to her. "I'm already nervous enough without all your "oh God"s!"

"Sorry," she said quickly, biting on her finger nails.

We stood there for two more minutes before the doors opened and we were let in.

"Oh God," I said. Riley shot me a look that said "oh, but you can say it all you wan,t can't you?" as we went to sit down.

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I walked out of the Great Hall with Riley, laughing.

"I can't believe we were so scared for that!" I said.

"I know," she agreed. "It wasn't difficult at all! I was expecting so much worse! What did you do when they asked if you had anything to impress them for extra points?"

"My patronus, of course! And boy, were they surprised!" I laughed. "What about you?"

"Nothing close to a patronus," she mumbled as we headed out to the fields. I couldn't help but grin as I felt the sun.

We stopped in front of the lake and I turned to her, grinning.

"What?" she asked.

I tore off my cloak, unbuttoned the top three buttons of my chemise which showed a slight bit of cleavage but I didn't care, loosened my tie, tore off my shoes and stockings while she looked at me confused. As soon as I was done, I looked at her.

"Guess what?" I asked.

"What?" she asked cautiously.

"I'm finally free!" I shouted, running into the water and laughing. She grinned.

"Hello, Claire! It's nice to meet you!" she shouted.

"What do you mean?" I asked her, no longer splashing around when I turned to look at her.

"Come on, Claire," she said. "I don't know what it is, but this year changed you. You're no longer that bitch that always pissed people off. You're different. I like the new you."

I thought for a moment before turning back around to look at the mountains past the lake, thinking. I have changed. But for some reason, I don't care.

I laughed and began splashing around in the knee-high water again. For the first time since I was a little girl, the first time since before my memory was wiped, I was free.

And I felt it, too.

"What the hell are you doing!?" I heard someone call from back toward the school. I turned to see Wood standing next to Riley who was now sitting, grinning at me.

"Having fun for once!" I shouted back to him before turning back to splash some more. A minute or two later, I heard someone running into the water as well and turned to see Wood running towards me, his robes, shoes, and socks with mine, his tie loosened, and the top two buttons of his chemise unbuttoned.

Suddenly, I realized he was coming straight for me.

"Wood! Don't you dare!" I yelled, running as fast as I could away from him, trying not to get my white shirt wet. He just laughed and ran after me, causing me to giggle as well.

Suddenly, I looked up to see the sun setting. It was beautiful on the lake. I stopped running and stared at it. I sighed.

"Beautiful," I said, sighing.

"Look out," I heard from behind me. Wood snaked his arms around me.

"Wood! Don't! My shirt!" I yelled. But it was too late. He already pulled me under with him.

I sat up, gasping and dripping wet. He came up out of the water, laughing.

"Wood! You arse!" I shouted at him, as I splashed him. He continued laughing and wiped his eyes.

"Sorry, Claire, I- oops," he said, looking at my chest. I blushed, trying to cover my chest. Of course today of all days I decided to wear a lacy black bra that only covered half of each boob. I blushed. "Sorry," he said. "Let's go get you dry, yea?" he said with a softer tone, no longer looking anywhere other than my eyes. I nodded and he helped me get to land. "Here, let's get you behind a tree so you can wring that out," he said, leading me to the edge of the forest.

As soon as we got to a tree where no one could see me, I began to unbutton my shirt.

"I really am sorry," he said. "I guess I forgot you were female for a moment." I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Git," I said, wringing out my shirt.

"You know the game's next week, right?" he asked.

"How could I forget?"

"I know it's going to be a good game," he said. "Something tells me you'll be hard to beat."

"You know it, Wood," I told him, smirking as I began putting my shirt back on now that it was considerably drier. "We'll be so hard to beat that you'll lose."

I heard him chuckle.

"We'll see."

"So when do you want our next Astronomy session to be?" I asked him, still grinning.

"Well, you may have had your exams this week, but I have all mine the next, remember?"

My face fell.

"Oh. Right."

He didn't say anything for a moment.

"But I can go Wednesday night after Quidditch practice," he said suddenly. "I don't have an exam until noon on Thursday."

Suddenly, the smile was back.

"Deal," I said as we headed back to Riley, my shirt much less see-through.

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I was sitting in the Common room, joking around and goofing off with Terence, Adrian, Riley, and the twins when I realized how late it was.

"Shit," I mumbled. "Guys, I gotta go or I'm going to be late. Wood and I have another Astronomy thing tonight. We're finally going to get to constellations."

"Took him long enough!" Riley shouted. I laughed, walking out of the common room, not hearing whatever they began whispering about.

It only took me about five minutes to get to the spot Wood and I would meet up. And as usual, he was already waiting.

As we went up to the tower, I told him we were finally going to get to constellations.

"Finally!" he said. "I thought we'd never get there. And that's my favorite part!"

I laughed at him and once we made it up to the tower, the sun was still setting, so we sat and watched the sun go down over the lake while I quizzed him about everything I had taught him so far.

Once the stars were in the sky, I showed him the two asterisms that most seven-year-olds knew. The big dipper and the little dipper. Those didn't require much to show him. All I had to do was point him in the right direction and he found them pretty quick.

I told him about the stories behind the big dipper and the little dipper. I told him which star was polaris and why it wa called that. We spoke about the two constellations as we went to lay down on the cool stone ground. I told him the big dipper made up part of Ursa Major, so he asked me to show him what that was.

So I took his hand and I outlined Ursa Major.

"See?" I asked him. "The handle is what makes up the tail. And the cup is what makes up its flank."

"What's its story?"

"It was a Native American constellation. In parts of America, you can only see this low in the Autumn sky, so they said the hunters had injured the bear and its blood is what caused the trees to change their color to red."

"Wow," he said. "Did the Native Americans often have legends like that?"

"Yes, actually. That's how they explained everything they knew," I told him.

So we spend the rest of the night looking at the stars and talking about all the different Native American legends I knew.

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It didn't feel like a very large stretch of time had gone by once the game between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The day before the match, Draco was stupid and jumped off his broomstick from fifteen feet in the air and all he could do was stare after it as it went into the Whomping Willow because no one there knew how to say "Accio" apparently, and I wasn't there to say it for them because I had to help Adrian bring the trunk holding the practice balls out to the pitch.

After that, he wished he was the one who got blown into the Whomping Willow.

But he was able to get the Malfoys to send him his Nimbus 2001 from home.

So, as I made my way down to breakfast, my stomach was doing backflips. I knew they'd be difficult to beat.

But I had to if I wanted that cup.

I sat down with the team who was just as mean as ever before a match with Gryffindor, and I was kept busy telling them off for their bad sportsmanship.

"God dammit! Why aren't you guys eating anything!? We need our strength!" I yelled at them.

"YOU eat something!" they shouted back at me. I slammed myself back into my seat, picking at my food some more. The random Slytherin outburst caused some people to turn and look over at us, confused.

I looked up in time to see Wood smirking at me.

We have to win this game, I told myself.

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"Alright guys," I said. "We've been training a lot this year, and I know we've basically become a family. And what an amazing family we are." My team grinned at me. "And this is our very last match together. This is our chance to really shine and show those Gryffindors what we've got! It's time for us to really step up to the plate." Some of them nodded. "This may be our last game together, but the one thing I'm never going to forget is flying with you all fifty feet in the air when we took down Gryffindor."

Everyone cheered and clapped, excited for the match.

As we made our way to the pitch, we heard people screaming and cheering for us. I grinned at them and waved as I made my way to the center of the pitch.

I looked at Wood.

"Ready Potter?" he asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I told him.

"I bet we'll win."

"Stakes?"

"We win, you kiss someone of my choice in front of the entire stadium."

"We win, you kiss someone of my choice in front of the entire staduim!"

"Done."

We shook hands, smirks on our faces as the crowd roared and we mounted our brooms, kicking off.

Maybe I'll make him kiss a Weasley Twin,

I thought as I winked at Harry.

We heard the whistle blow and I got my head into the game straight away.

I searched the pitch with my keen eyes for a flash of gold, and after five minutes, I barely missed a bludger that made me roll over on my broom.

"Sorry, Claire!' George called. I waved at him as if to say 'no worries' and went right back to searching for the Snitch. It took twenty minutes, but suddenly, I caught a flash of gold on the other side of the pitch.

Unfortunately, Harry was on that side of the pitch and he caught sight of it only moments after I did. I weaved in between the Gryffindor and Slytherin team mates until I was level with it. Unfortunately, Harry was still about a foot ahead. I pressed my body onto my Firebolt and gained a little speed.

Suddenly, I was really angry. Why did Harry have to get a bloody Firebolt now of all times?

I reached out for the Snitch, neck and neck with Harry and I heard something along the lines of "AND BOTH POTTERS ARE AFTER THE SNITCH, NEITHER ONE HOLDING OUT ON THE OTHER DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY'RE SIBLINGS!" But a second later, I saw another Bludger headed my way and I had to roll if I didn't want to fall fifty feet to the ground.

But that also meant Harry caught the Snitch.

My heart felt heavy as I flew to the ground.

It was my fault.

If only I was a little faster.

I hit the ground at the same time as Wood and he walked toward me.

"Alright, who am I to kiss? Is it Angelina?" I asked him. He smirked. "It is, isn't it? Alright, where is she?" I asked. pushing past him to get to Angelina who just hopped off of her broom and safely onto the ground.

Suddenly, he snaked his arm around my waist, putting a hand to my chin so he was looking into my eyes.

"Me."

For some reason, I didn't even hesitate to drop my broom and kiss him full force, passion, lust, and even... Love pouring into the kiss. I didn't hesitate to snake my arms around his neck and wind my fingers into his hair. I didn't even notice the crowd screaming louder than I'd ever heard with shouts of "YES!" and "FINALLY!" or even just a long "YEAAAAAAAA!"

All I knew was his other arm went around my waist after he dropped his broom next to mine and how the feeling I had once his lips met mine was indescribable.

The firey feeling that was always there when he touched me spread through my entire body as his lips moved against mine, and I felt my cheeks heat up.

I was entranced by him. Every bit of him.

That was when I realized.

I loved the way he was always smirking or grinning at me.

I loved it when he smiled.

I loved hearing him say my name.

I loved the way it felt when I said his name. His real name.

I loved the way he always listened to me.

I loved the way he called me beautiful.

I loved when he'd talk about Quidditch as if it was his first love.

I loved his laugh.

I loved it when he held me.

I wanted him to kiss me like this every day for the rest of my life.

And most of all, I realized that I loved him.

When we finally pulled away, breathing hard, we looked into each other's eyes.

"Oliver."

"Say it again," he said, laying his forehead against mine, closing his eyes.

"Oliver," I whispered against his lips.

"Claire," he mumbled against mine before pulling me in for another amazing kiss.

He pulled away for a moment, looking into my eyes.

"Claire... I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," I whispered back. I didn't even hesitate to say it. I knew it was true. No matter what, I knew I'd love him.

Suddenly, we were being pounded on our backs by the twins, causing us to pull away and laugh as they said, "It's about bloody time!"

We began going through the crowd, hand-in-hand until we reached the Captain of Puddlemere United. I had forgotten he (and the other captains) was coming.

I was wondering what he wanted to say until he asked Oliver if he was looking for a future in Quidditch.

The smile on his face made my heart soar.

He spoke with the man from Puddlemere and once he was gone, he turned, picking me up and twirling me around, kissing me excitedly.

"I've never been this happy in my entire life," he mumbled against my lips once he put me down.

"Neither have I," I told him.

We may have lost, but I didn't care anymore.

And although the team was disappointed, they were happy as well.

Because for the first time ever, they saw me happy.

Actually happy.

With the love of my life,

Oliver Wood.

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Okay guys this is why I took so long to update... I didn't want the series to end! :'(

But although it's been a long and hard (no perverted comments, okay?) haul to get all of these done, it's been amazing. Really. I loved writing this story, and now that I'm done with this one, I can focus on my Remus/OC one. Yay! :) And also, you guys really have been a fantastic audience. I loved writing for you and you're always so sweet! So for that, I thank you with all of my heart.

AAAAAAANYWAYS take my poll okay? I want to know if I should make a sequel (although I don't want to ruin this...), an epilogue (which I think would probably be better than a second series because it most likely wouldn't ruin anything...), or if I should just leave it as it is! PLEASEEEEEEE VOTEEEEE! AHHHHHHH!

... Can't believe it's over... :'(