Aria Black and the Prisoner of Azkaban *Re-Write*

Upstaged by a Flipping Sport

September passes by slower than ever. Somehow no one has forgotten my attack, and my friends have people in constant guard around me. I've little time to get out and visit Eleazar. People still say mean things, but I guess I've gotten used to them by now. Katie and Cormac grow closer than ever. I rarely see them apart. She still can't look me in the eyes without flinching. Nor can I gather the courage to speak to her about what happened. No other of my attackers have been identified. Zacharias Smith struts around the place as usual. He always smirks at me when he sees me. Git.

By October, I am ready for Quidditch to begin. The first Thursday, Wood and I meet with the Quidditch team to talk about it. We gather everyone: Fred, George, Harry, Wood, me, Angelina, Alicia, and Katie. Katie will not look at me, but when I see her, my stomach contorts into a funny type of twist. How can I be anywhere near her after what she and her friends did to me? The very sight of her should be revolting. But I see those eyes, those sad, hopeless eyes. She's being tortured in her relationship.

We gather on the Quidditch Pitch. Wood makes the team all wear their uniforms just to get into the spirit of things. I have no uniform, so I am just in a scarlet and gold sweater with jeans. It's my official team manager outfit.

Wood clears his throat. "This is our last chance.... my last chance.... to win the Quidditch Cup." He says, pacing in front of the team menacingly, back hunched like an old man ready to strike. "I'll be leaving at the end of this year. I'll never get another shot at it."

That fact seems to sink into everyone for the first time. Wood is heartbroken that he cannot have the one thing his heart desires.

"Gryffindor hasn't won for seven years now. Okay, so we've had the worst luck in the world. Injuries, then the tournament getting called off last year...." He takes a deep breath, remembering the horrible time for him. "But we also know we've got the best-ruddy-team-in-the-school." His fist collides with the palm of his other hand in angry determination.

"That's bloody right." I pipe up.

Wood gives me a stern nod of acceptance. "We've got three superb Chasers." He gestures to the Chasers. "We've got two unbeatable Beaters."

Fred and George fan themselves. "Stop it, Oliver, you're embarrassing us." They say in perfect unison.

"And we've got a Seeker who has never failed to win us a match!" Wood cries, thumping Harry on the back so hard he stumbles forward a little bit.

I clear my throat jokingly.

The twins smirk at me. "We think you're very good too, Oliver." George says, just to annoy me.

"Spanking good Keeper." Fred adds with a grin in my direction.

"And the best bloody team manager in the school!" Alicia cries. I notice that she and Angelina are standing away from Katie, who is alone.

I chuckle, as Ange says. "That's because she's the only team manager in the school."

"Great vote of confidence for your best bloody manager." I mumble.

Wood clears his throat and starts pacing again. "The point is.... the Quidditch Cup should have had our name on it these last two years. Ever since Harry joined the team, I've thought the thing was in the bag. But we haven't got it, and this year's the last chance we'll get to finally see our name on the thing...."

His voice bore a distinct sense of regret and dread that he might not make it.

"Oliver, this year's our year." Fred exclaims.