Written for The Ultimate Shipping Challenge Extravaganza.

Oliver Wood/Alicia Spinnet

Ritual

The sun had barely made a golden sliver of appearance against the velvet sky before Oliver Wood rose forcefully out of bed and stared out of the window. The neighbourhood was still and breathed in quiet slumber, but nothing could keep his mind at ease. Visions, worries, ideas all tumbled around inside his brain, making it difficult to concentrate on anything other than the humming of his own mind. With a deep sigh, he rested his head in his hands and took slow, even breaths in an attempt to calm his nerves.

He felt her weight shift beside him and soon her small hands were gliding over his shoulders, the nimble fingers digging into the tense muscle and releasing his anxieties. He rested his head back against her and allowed himself a moment of complete bliss, letting the warmth of her hands calm him down.

Alicia Spinnet smiled at him and pressed a sweet kiss to his brow. Oliver opened his eyes to stare into her light brown ones and he reached up to gently stroke her cheek. Nothing could compare to the beauty of Alicia in the morning – her thin, blonde hair a messy halo around her face, her eyes bright and alive, and her skin slightly flushed – she was beautiful and he loved her more than anything. Even more than Quidditch.

"Feel better?" she quipped, her voice lit with humour as she smirked down at him. He nodded contentedly and angled his head to kiss her parted lips.

"Much," he replied when they pulled away. A delicate blush decorated her cheeks and Oliver felt a surge of pride at evoking such a reaction from her.

"I don't know why you stress so much," she told him. Her fingers trailed from his neck down to splay across his chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart. "I know you'll be brilliant. You always are."

Oliver shook his head at her, his worry lines returning. "This time is different. It's the final. If I fail..."

Alicia placed a finger over his mouth and smiled at him. "You won't fail me. I'll always be proud of you, Oliver."

He kissed her quickly again and cupped her face gently. "You have too much faith in me. I don't know what I did to deserve you."

Rising and stretching his long limbs, Oliver staggered towards the bathroom, stripping out of his pyjamas and almost tripping over in the process. He heard Alicia laugh at him as he shut the door and turned on the tap. Immediately, jets of ice cold water streamed from overhead, and he swore loudly and withdrew his hand. Reaching blinding for his wand, he pointed it at the water and soon, wafts of steam erupted out of the shower and filled the bathroom. Oliver stepped into the welcoming warmth of the water and let it wash over his body, soothing his anxious muscles.

Today was the day. Puddlemere United had finally made it to the Quidditch Final after several years of bad luck and retiring players. There was a lot at stake for this match. If the Arrows won, it would be their third championship in a row. Puddlemere needed this victory. They needed to prove to their supporters that they had what it took.

Time passed quickly, and Oliver had no idea how long he had spent in that shower. As he stood under the warm water, letting his mind wander, the door opened and Alicia entered wearing nothing but her pink dressing gown. She shamelessly pulled aside the curtain, exposing Oliver and frowned at him.

"What?" he asked, too surprised to care that she was watching him shower.

"You have spent half an hour in there! It's time for you to get out."

He pouted at her. "But, it's a pregame ritual! I have to relax my body."

Brown eyes flashing wickedly, Alicia pulled on the tie of her dressing gown, letting it fall open to reveal her naked, slightly tanned skin. The corner of her mouth curved up into a smirk, and Oliver felt himself become suddenly excited, and frightened at the same time.

"Oh, I can think of a much better way for you to relax," she drawled seductively, letting the robe drop from her shoulders and pool around her feet. Before Oliver could respond, she stepped inside the shower and pushed him up against the tiles, kissing him hard.

"Have I told you lately that I love you?" Oliver asked in between kisses, staring at his girlfriend in complete awe.

She winked at him. "You could stand to mention it more often."

Needless to say, Oliver certainly enjoyed that particular pregame ritual.

A/N: Oliver and Alicia fluff :) I love this couple! They're so cute. Please feel free to drop a review before you leave :) xx