Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter at all!
Note: I started to write this before I read Deathly Hallows.
Katie Bell was ecstatic; her plans to start her own business had been falling right into place. All that was left for her to do was to find a business partner or someone that would be willing to help fund her business.
But Katie wasn't worried about that at the moment. Instead, she was enjoying a nice luxurious bubble bath in her flat. Or she was, until Angelina Weasley apparated right outside the door and barged in.
"Angelina!" Katie screeched.
Angelina waved dismissevly and said: "The bubbles are covering the important parts, Katie. Anyway, I've found you a business partner that is also willing to help fund your book store."
That caught Katie's complete attention.
"And who might that be?" She asked curiously.
"Oliver Wood."
Katie's mouth dropped open. "When did you see Oliver?"
"He was in St. Mungo's when I went in for a misfired spell, which of course was Fred's fault. Anyway, he was in there at a follow up appointment from his leg injury. So, he told me that he has to go on leave and that he's been looking for something to do. So, naturally I mentioned your situation and he'll be here in..." She paused to check her watch. "Fifteen minutes."
"FIFTEEN MINUTES!? Are you crazy?"
"Calm down; once I leave you can get dried off and dressed." Angelina said. "Now, I think I deserve a thank you for going the extra mile."
Katie plastered a fake smile on her face, gritted her teeth, and said: "Thank you Angelina...now get out."
Angelina grinned, "You'll thank me more later."
Before Katie could open her mouth to ask the obvious question, Angelina was gone.
"Bloody Weasleys." Katie muttered as she got out of her relaxing bath.
With only fifteen minutes to get ready, Katie knew she had to use magic. Normally, she preferred to take care of herself the natural way...mostly because of a freak accident that had left her hair in tangles for a month. But just as Katie finished her hair successfully, she heard a thump from the living room.
"Hello." Called out the familiar Scottish brogue of her old Quidditch captain.
"Katie?"
Katie ran out of her room and to the living room, where Oliver Wood stood tall and proud.
"Sorry about that; Angelina just told me you were coming about fifteen minutes ago."
"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" He asked sheepishly.
The image of her nice hot bubble bath swam before her eyes, but Katie pushed it aside and smiled up at Oliver.
"No, but it's great to see you Oliver."
And it certainly was great to see him. He was as tall as she remembered, but more filled out from his years of Quidditch. His light brown hair was still in a messy disarray about his head and his hazel eyes were as sparkly as ever.
Katie shook her head to get back into reality and smiled up at him again.
"It's good to see you too, Katie." He grinned. "Anyway, when Angelina told me about your bookstore I was immediately interested."
"Angelina told me something about an injury...?"
"Yes, I fell off my broom at practice and I decided that with this injury I might as well take a break."
"So, are you interested in being my partner or just funding me?"
"I want to be your partner and help fund us." Oliver smiled.
"You sure? It's just a bookstore."
Oliver smirked, "A bookstore you run. But tell me...is there a Quidditch section?"
Katie blushed, "Not a huge one, but you can stock it with anything you want."
"So does that mean you'll have me?"
"Yeah...I think I will."
Katie held out her held and Oliver grasped it with his rough and much larger hand.
"Don't worry Katie, this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership."
Three Months Later
It was the grand opening at the 'Worm in the Apple' bookstore, and tensions were high.
"What if no one shows up?" Katie asked Oliver frantically.
"Katie, we've been advertising for three months and well...you sure have celebrity endorsement." He assured her with a cheeky smile. "Now listen, when the people start coming in and when that very first purchase it'll be instant gratification."
Oliver then pulled Katie into his arms, and that's when Katie knew that not even the success of her store would give her the gratification she needed.
