Disclaimer: if something seems familiar I don't own it.

(A/N: See, I came back. The reviews are lovely, if you keep them coming I'll keep on writing. Sound like a plan? Sorry if this chapter seemed rushed. I was writing under odd circumstances. Oh and don't get too excited, the drama has yet to unleash itself. Insert evil laugh here.)

Chapter Eleven, "Infinite"

He stared at me for a moment seeming perplexed. I assumed that perhaps he didn't hear me through all of the cheering and shouts the first time, so I cleared my throat and spoke louder.

"Oliver."

It was a statement now, no longer a question.

He didn't smile, but he didn't glare either.

"Congratulations," I said calmly trying to force out a small smile.

He opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off when the vile arm of Emily Keyes wrapped itself around his arm. Now, maybe I'm being biased, but I swear I couldn't see what he saw in her. Dark hair against porcelain skin, full glossed lips, demure green eyes, and I still couldn't see it.

"Thanks," he mumbled as Emily sent piercing daggers my way through those so-called perfect eyes of hers.

"Well, if looks could kill," I said as I made my retreat.

I could still feel her eyes searing holes in my back, but I was too upset to care. What was she glaring at me for? It's not as if I was flirting with Oliver. Was it a crime to congratulate a friend? I did want to turn back though, just to catch a glimpse of Oliver's face. There was this farfetched idea in my mind that maybe he'd be looking at me in that way that he used to. Honestly, all I wanted was for him to want me.

---

Tension was at an all-time high. Apparently, Sirius Black had gotten access through the Gryffindor portrait hole and nearly killed Fred and George's little brother Ron. The school was now under tight surveillance and the hostility between Gryffindor and Slytherin only made everyone seem on edge. So many little fights had broken out that it was like people were casting spells blindly. Hell, I nearly got hexed one day while chatting with Fred. Luckily no one was hit.

I was on my way to Muggle Studies with Delson when I heard someone calling my name. Normally that is a sign for one to turn around, but I kept walking because I knew that voice and I just didn't want my day to be ruined already. Besides, it probably wasn't that important anyhow.

"Charlene!"

I cringed, why the use of my whole first name?

He was catching up now and I tried to walk faster, but it was as if Delson was walking in slow motion. I would definitely have to kill him for that later. Oliver finally caught up and squeezed through the crowd of people beside me. He blocked my way and stood firmly making his point that he was not going to let me get away.

"What?" I asked dully.

Good, show him no emotion.

"I wanted to say sorry if Em was being rude or anything to you that day after the game. It's just that she knows you and I used to date, so she's a bit paranoid."

I was seething, "Paranoid? What the hell does she have to be paranoid about? Oliver, me and you are over. Besides she seems to have a tight grip on you already."

He looked a little scared, "Wow Char, you didn't have to snap."

I let out a frustrated sigh and continued my angry rant, "So now it's time for my apology, right? Well, sorry. Sorry for being a friend. Sorry for being happy for you. Sorry I make your girlfriend worry and sorry for thinking you cared about anything other than her and quidditch."

I was almost crying and a little shocked at myself. I shoved my way past him and ignored Delson's calls. I was sick and tired of feeling like this. It hurt to think I would always be sick and tired of the feeling, but never ever sick and tired of Oliver. Note to self: don't hold in your emotions again because you're bound to explode eventually.

"And tell your girlfriend if she looks at me like that again I'll rip her eyes out," I shouted before I got too far away.

The rest of the day was nothing other than meaningless time for me to cool off. Thankfully Delson decided not to bring it up, but he did ask Amber if it was "that time of the month" for me. Amber was confused, but still said no.

The corridors were dimly lit as I walked back to the common room. I had just finished a tiny fraction of a monstrous amount of homework and I was ready to pass out as soon as I hit my bed. A yawned escaped my lips as I felt a tap on my shoulder. I groaned and turned around. Somehow I expected it to be Oliver, but it wasn't.

"Gavin?"

"Hey Charlene, I saw you in the library and well, I know you're not too bad in Potions so I was wondering if maybe me and you could get together sometime and study."

I stared at him in disbelief. Me, good in Potions? Very funny.

"Gavin, I don't think you'd want me helping you. I'm barely passing as it is."

He laughed nervously; boy was this kid anxious about something. Gavin was a seventh year Slytherin. Yes, Slytherin, but he wasn't like most. For one, he was actually pretty attractive and I had never known him to be mean to anyone. Gavin was an all around sweet kid whose family line just happened to fall in the Slytherin house.

He took a deep breath, "Okay, so I don't want you tutoring me, but I figured since you and Oliver weren't a couple anymore that me and you could, I don't know, date?"

I tried hard not too look too discouraging, "That's really nice to hear, but I don't think I'm quite ready to date again. Sorry."

He seemed utterly depressed.

"But, hey, if we stay friends who knows what could happen in the future," I added quickly trying to pull off a hinting grin.

"Yeah," he smiled a little, "Who knows. I gotta go. See you around."

He walked away before I could reply.

As I lay restless in bed I forgot how tired I was earlier. I did however remember the look on Gavin's face. I wanted so badly to say yes, just to give it a try, but I knew that it would only remind me of too many sad things. Amber was snoring and someone was talking in their sleep, but my eyes couldn't stay closed for long. Every time they shut I only saw one thing. Stupid Oliver Wood.

---

The Great Hall was alive that morning with the excitement of the Gryffindor vs. Slyterin match that would take place later in the day. It was all a mass of scarlet, gold, emerald, and silver. I myself donned a maroon and yellow thermal under my robes and had Amber paint a simpler imitation of the Gryffindor crest on one of my cheeks. I walked over to where George, Fred, and the rest of the quidditch team were sitting while avoiding Oliver at all costs.

Fred saw me before I could say anything, "Why I believe we'll have a little cheering section from the Ravenclaws today."

They all turned to look and I could feel my face heating up, "Good luck you guys," I said cheerily.

They all offered meek smiles except Fred and George who thanked me nervously and offered a seat. I declined, but reminded them I'd be cheering them on at the game. Oliver stared off in the opposite direction the whole time. I was going to go when someone gripped my arm tight, I turned and saw that it was Gavin who whispered harshly into my ear, "Can I have a word?"

His grip was firm the whole way as he dragged me out of the Great Hall, "Is this why we can only be 'just friends'?"

I was puzzled, "Is what why?"

"Don't act stupid," he sneered, "You still like Oliver."

My mouth gaped open. So much for being a "sweet kid".

"You," he said menacingly as he waved a finger at me, "You won't even give me a chance when I could offer way more than he did."

I was speechless and shocked, so I tried to do what I always did, get away.

But he didn't let me, "Where do you think you're going?"

He got a hold of my shoulder and gripped hard. The next sequence of events happened in a flash. Gavin's hold was broken and someone was pinning him the wall, arm across his throat. It was then that I realized it was Oliver.

"Don't you ever touch her like that," he stated, "If you do I will make sure you never walk again."

I could've sworn he was growling.

Gavin merely glared at him and pushed him off, "Fine then," he turned to me, "If you want to waste your time waiting for this jerk, go ahead. You could've had anything you wanted with me Charlene, anything."

He stalked off leaving Oliver and me alone, "Thanks," I squeaked.

He still wouldn't look at me, "No problem."

We both walked away like nothing happened.

---

My breath caught in my throat. Harry held his hand high, waving the snitch frantically, and the stadium erupted in a series of cheers as well as disappointed mutters from the Slytherins. I quickly rushed down the pitch to give Fred and George the biggest hug of their lives. When I finally maneuvered my way through the crowd, most of whom were delirious with joy, I found the team emerging from a group hug. The twins saw me and I shouted their congratulations as they forced the life out of me. No more simultaneous hugs from them. When they finally released me from their grip I stumbled a bit and bumped into someone.

"Oliver," I cried gleefully, "You won. The House Cup! Can you believe it?"

At that moment I really didn't care how much I both hated and liked him because the atmosphere was so thick with happiness I just couldn't let it go. He was crying as he scooped me into a tight embrace and whispered something inchoherant in my ear. I could see Fred give me a thumbs up and I smiled so hard my face hurt.

He let me go for a moment, gently pushing me away from him, I thought that he might have realized it was me he was hugging and not Emily, but his hands were still on my arms. He brought his face up to mine and it only took a matter of seconds before his lips came down on mine. I could feel his tears when I placed my hand on his cheek and I laughed inside at how it was him crying and not me for once.

We stayed like that for awhile, people still bumping into one another around us, but for that moment everything disappeared because I had gotten what I wanted. Not a kiss, but that feeling, butterflies in my stomach and a glow on my skin. This was perfection at its finest. Even if it would only last a couple of minutes.

When we pulled apart he looked at me and I was infinite.