Disclamer: All Characters etc., property of JK Rowling, I'm just a Fanfic author.
AN: Mkay, so we all know that JK said George marries Angelina. If that makes Rowling sleep at night, good for her, but for me I was rather bumbed. I mean, when you read the book, we all knew Fred liked Angie and Angie liked Fred, so George marrying her, I was a little troubled. . . so cue fanfic Idea. I had always imagined George with Katie. She only has that 'large' roll in Book Six with the Opals--but I've always thought that those two would have made a great couple (not as great as Ron and Hermione, but come on, you'd have to be Clarke Gable to beat that!). So let me introduce to you my new little baby, Catch me when I fall, the story of George and Katie, from the beginning.
February 1990
Hogwarts Quidditch Field
"Oi George," Charlie Weasley called to his younger brother, engaged in a game of Exploding Snaps with Lee Jordan and Fred. The young George Weasley lifted his head as his brother motioned for him to come over, a startled look crossing his face. "Want Fred too?" he yelled in return nodding his head towards his twin, "Nah-just need one troublemaker," Charlie responded. George watched as his twin who shrugged his shoulders. "Must be you're turn to write to Mum, I did it last week," he responded as George rose from the ground. "Right. Well, I'll see you to in a while," he responded, as he followed Charlie out of the Common Room and into the corridor.
"I really think that it's Percy's turn to write to Mum," George said, his shoulders down, walking as a condemned man. He hated writing back to mum the same thing over and over again: We can explain about McGonagall's last letter...We're doing fine... thanks for the Christmas Fudge...tell Ron to get over his Jumper already...McGonagall always exaggerates...It really was Snapes fault we failed the last exam...
Charlie Weasley gave a chuckle and turned to his brother as they turned the corner. " I don't need you to write a letter to Mum—it's mine turn for that—However I need you to do me a favor," Charlie said as they walked down corridor after corridor.
Mischievous excitement danced across George's face. "You want Fred and I to take out Snape with a few Wizard Crackers?" he asked, eyes brimming with ideas, "I swear Charlie, we can make it look like an accident— I've been thinking just load his cauldron when he isn't paying attention..."
"No," Charlie laughed, "But thanks for the offer. Rather it's Qudditch related."
George nodded, the excitement diminished but not totally wiped away. This was his first year officially on the team, he was excited to be part of his brother's final year, a member of the golden team.
"Has Norton got out of the hospital yet?" George asked, curious to the condition of the Seventh year chaser that had been a severe 'accident' following the last matched against a plotting Slytherin team.
"That is actually why I request your services little brother," Charlie laughed as the two turned down the staircase that would lead them to the entrance hall and to the grounds outside.
"Ah, I see. So rather than Snape, we need to get rid of Flint?" George asked curiously, kicking a stone and watching it bounce along it's way. "That'll be easier. Flints loads dumber than Snape. We can make this look like he did it himself the oaf—"
"No—but you may want to do that regardless of my order...You see Spencer won't be joining the team again once he's been released from the Hospital Wing..."
"He WHAT?" the younger brother gapped, nearly falling down the hill they were currently descending. "Spencer's is our top Chaser. I mean, Angie and Alicia are my year. They're still learning! We can't go into next week's match without him!"
Charlie sighed rubbing his forehead. "He's already signed with Belfast. They want him to start playing as soon as he graduates and if he gets another substantial injury they might cut his contract... I can't ask him to risk that for a game."
"But Charlie this is your year! You're supposed to win—"
"Regardless of who's year it is," Charlie spoke as they approached the Qudditch field. "I still have a favor of you to ask."
George, evaluating we're they are now raised his eyebrows. "Charlie, you know I can't play Chaser, we established that when we we're young, remember when I broke Mum's —"
"I didn't mean for you to play Chaser George, rather I want you to help train one."
"What do you—"
The brothers paused outside the field, behind a hedge of a gigantic Lion. George followed his brother's gaze to where he was then looking a small first year that he had seen around the common room. Her hair was brown, and tied back in a long ponytail that blew in the evening wind as she flew toward the goal post, throwing Quaffle after Quaffle through.
"Shouldn't Wood be out here?" George asked turning to his brother.
"That's where you come in," Charlie respond. "Oliver Wood, he has great potential. I've had him on the team since his second year and I've picked him to be my successor as captain. You'll need to keep that hushed by the way— but as great as he maybe, this is only his second year on the team and his short temper precedes him. I'm sure that he'll eventually simmer down but with so much pressure on the team for this season, I'm afraid that he'd crush Bell's self esteem..."
George paused and then looked again to his brother, "You mean, we're going to take on a First year for Chaser?"
Charlie Nodded. "Bell's a good Chaser, I've seen her play around with her friends sometimes when we have weekends off. I've asked her if she had any prior experience and she's had her share. Played on her town's team in Tinsworth, and has been playing since she was five with her cousins..." The ringing sound of another Quaffle through the hoop rang through the air. " I've been running drills with her for two weeks now and she's just as good as Angelina or Alicia—she just needs the confidence."
George gave a nod. "Alright, that sounds great bro—but where do I come in?"
"You're going to be the one playing Keeper in her practices," Charlie said casually.
"What d'yo—"
"You are rather thick aren't you?" the elder brother laughed. "You'd play keeper sometimes when we we're younger before we realized Fred and you as our dream team Beaters. You have some experience, and a rather calm temper. You won't be as harsh as Wood, but you won't let her off easy."
George gave yet another nod. "When do I start?"
"Funny you should ask dear brother," Charlie pulled a hidden Cleansweep from the Hedge. "Right now."
With that, Charlie gave out a whistle and emerged from behind the hedge. The girl named Bell descended as the two brothers went to great her, in center field.
"Doing alright Bell?" Charlie asked with a smile on his face, as friendly as ever. George looked at her face; it was kind enough, her cheeks pink with cold, a nervous smile glued to her face as the legendary coach and his not-so-legend brother in her presence drew closer and closer.
"I'm doing fine sir," she smiled, brushing some sweat from her brow.
"This is my brother George," Charlie introduced, George extending his hand expecting a small handshake in return. Instead he was suprised by the firm grip underneath the leather gloves. "I know, I've seen you and Fred around the common room," Bell answered with a smile. " You nearly exploded Moaning Myrtle's stall at Christmas right?" George let out a laugh, "Nearly, McGonagall caught us or we would've."
"Well Bell, George is going to be you're coach for a while. I want you to spend evening practicing out here with him for a while, get a groove of things and Wednesday I'll start having Oliver being Keeper and we'll have you practice with Angie and Alicia." Charlie instructed, "Don't be too hard on her George," Charlie muttered as he turned around and headed back inside.
"So—err—I'm going too—" George was starting to get a grasp on the situation. It was usually Fred who would take on the roll of leader, and he himself would be the right hand man. Now he was the leader, short a right hand man. He hated the feeling and hoped that it wouldn't be one he'd ever have to live with...
"Practice being a Keeper and help me be a Chaser?" Bell offered kindly, her voice a little shaky from what had to be heavy nervousness. He had her in one of his classes—she must be nervous talking to an older year, she was unusually quiet...
"Yeah, that sounds good;" Placing his broom between his legs he kicked off, Bell following in suit. "By the way, what do you want me to call you Katie? Bell?"
She turned around, "My teammates in Tinsworth would call me Imp," she smiled, as she started juggling the Quaffle in her arms.
"Imp?" George asked as he took position at the Keepers hoop, having serious doubts that this kindhearted, rule-abiding first year could be anything but a Imp.
She suddenly flew about the stadium at quick pace, shooting the Quaffle into the hoop closest to George.
"Imp." She smiled, "I had a tendency to suprise people, a little mysterious, a little mischievous, but when you get to know the mystery, I'm just a girl that likes to have fun." George nodded as she continued.
"So how did I do Coach?" she asked, her voice that had been beaming with confidence now a little shaken at the thought of an evaluation from a senior player.
Taking the Quaffle from we're it had landed on the ground he gave a nod. "Did well Imp," he said as he through it back to her. "Lets try that again—"
Weeks later, the day of the match arrived: rainy, the sky dark and a heavy wind coming from the West.
"This isn't a good omen is it?" George asked as the two walked out to the Quidditch pitch after Breakfast.
"I'm afraid that it's Mother Nature's way of telling us we're screwed," Fred said as though it was common fact, clutching his leather bag that probably held Charlie's Broom polishing kit. "Want to make any bets on today's out come?"
George shrugged slightly, "I say that we'll make a good effort but the Slytherins will play dirty and try and pick off one of us before the game even gets good."
Fred nodded in agreement, "Just what I was thinking. Maybe they'll take out Wood—"
"Nah—they'll probably go after Charlie or Imp—"
Fred turned to his brother while they walked into the Locker room, "Imp?"
Katie turned around, hearing her nick name, "Yes?" her trembling voice answered. She was sitting on a bench, closest to the edge, Her robes seemed too big for her, that was certain enough, the confidence that she a displayed earlier was absent from her eyes. She looked at the twins with a new glisten in her eye—absolute fear.
"Are you alright Little Miss. Imp?" George asked, after pulling his robes over his head, beginning to lace his shoes next to her.
"I'm just a little ner-nervous," she answered quietly. "Melivicent Bullstrode said that I was going to fall of my broom and Wilson Smith said—"
"Pft—don't listen to them Katie," George said with his utmost confidence. "For starters, they're Slytherins. They want you to think that. Secondly, if you did fall from your broom, do you think we'd let you fall?" she turned her head up and shook it. "That's right. See, you're lucky. You're coach and his not-as-handsome twin are the team lifesavers—"
"What do you mean?" her eyebrows bent as she asked her question, "I've never heard of that position, I though you were Beaters—"
George nodded, "We are Beaters, but that position has a second roll. Now if you fell We'd want Angie and Alicia to keep on playing, we couldn't loose possession of the Quaffle. Oliver must stay stationed as Keeper or the hoops are open. Now Charlie might act as though he's a super hero, but we need him be on alert for the snitch, right? So, you can't count on the Slytherins to save you, so who does that leave?"
"You and Fred—" Katie answered with a weak smile.
"Exactly. Now, Fred's the king when it comes to whacking people, and that is exactly what he'd do if you fell, he'd smash the living day lights out of the scum who made you fall. I'm the fastest of us two, so while he gets your attacker, I'll be nose-diving to catch you. Easy as that."
"You'd really do that George," Katie asked, her voice sounding a little more light hearted. "In a heartbeat little Imp. I'll never let you fall," he tugged the end of her ponytail lightly as color touched her cheeks. Charlie entered the room as did the reaming team members, his speech at the ready.
"Alright Men—" Charlie started, until Angelina gave a little cough,
"And my three lovely ladies," she gave a grateful smile and he continued on.
"We've gone through too much this year to let it go now. We have fought to hard to give up now," George rolled his eyes and looked at Fred on the other side of Katie, pulling faces at Angelina sitting across from him, her face turning a light pink under her cheeks. Katie was actually listening to the speech, as was Wood, but her reasoning was different. She was nervous, she was seeking the comfort of the captain and to make matters of a greater interest that would push her while she flew her first game. Oliver—he was listening, but it was out of a strange admiration, as though he was thinking what he would be saying when it was his turn to do so.
"—Whatever happens today, play hard, work hard, and don't take prisoners." Charlie closed, "Good Luck team."
"What do you want us to do about this weather Chuck?" Fred asked as they stood up, the sounds of the outside stadium growing loud with the crowd as well as the crackling thunder.
"Well, I guess stick to the code." Charlie said as he led the team out. Katie jumped up and turned to George, "What's the code?" Fred, overhearing turned and answered. "If you know you're going to fall, try and make your goal first and then try taking out an opposing team member while you fall," he joked. Her eyes grew, "Don't worry Bell, Fred's just pulling your leg—just do you're best—"
"Although taking out the opposing team is well advised," Oliver remarked as they reached the end of the tunnel and entered flying out.
"Hello and Welcome to Hogwarts Quidditch House Cup Final. My Name's Lee Jordan and I'll be your commintator for today's match."
George turned towards where his friend was sitting with Prof. McGonagall. "Here comes the Gryffindor Qudditch Team, There's a change in line up, Chaser Spencer Norton having been injuried following the last match by some brutish Slytherin Oaf—" "Mind your mouth Jordan," McGonagall started, "Right professor—Change in line up, Norton has retiered from the team in hopes of keeping his contract with Belfast. Out flies Seeker and Captain Charlie Weasley, surley the best seeker ever to fly at Hogwarts—Gryffindor house will have a hard time finding a replacement for him next year. . . followed behind him is Oliver Wood, Keeper—favored to be Weasley's sucessor as captain. . . next the Weasley twin Beaters, Fred and George, don't ask me which is which—impossible no doubt. . . finally the three lady chasers, Angelina Johnson—I'm still waiting for you answer on that date love—"
"JORDAN!"
"Oh won't you accept a little love Professor? Followed by Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and new comer Katie Bell, Nortons Replacement... We then have the opposing team, Oafs 1-7"
"JORDAN IF YOU AREN'T GOING TO DO THE JOB PROPERLY..."
The teams met in the middle, within their respected sides. "Flint," Charlie said, the wind blowing in from behind his face, his hair covering his eyes as he extended his hand. Flint responded as he spat at Charlie's hand.
"Try doing that again you ba—" Fred started, only to have George and Angelina grab his arms. "It landed on him you idiot, Angelina muttered, "The bugger didn't even take into account the wind was blowing in his direction, landed on his own uniform..."
The coin was flipped, Slytherin won possession. The rain came as soon as they had kicked off, George watched as Katie took her first interception, taking the ball from Ruddings and then passing it superbly to Angelina. It rang through the goal post as the thunder rolled.
"And after a Bell-Johnson play, Gryffindor scores!" Lee's voice echoed, until the thunder cut him off. "Oi Fred," he called, "Mind Alicia," with that the twin through hit the Bludger towards Flint. "Beater Weasley takes aim at Flint-the-man-who nearly killed Norton—" "Jordan—"
Within the moments the Slytherin's scored, much to Woods despair. They were tied 10 to 10... until Alicia and Angelina made their respected goals, Katie making one right as the rain turned into hail.
George moved quickly though the air, trying to back off the bludgers from Angelina and Katie, he saw his brother make the dive after what must be the snitch. Drivorski must have also seen it as the two where then in a race to see who would have the win. The score was 40 to 10... surly Charlie would get it, he would have—
The lightening illuminated the sky as a cry came from the stadium. Drivorski rose above the crowd, a little gold ball in his hand, George looked down at the ground, his brother lying in the mud.
"No—"
He flew down their as quick as he could, as did the rest of the team. By the time they got their Charlie was on his feet, his head covered in mud.
"He pushed me and I lost my grip. They won fair and square—"
Wood looked as though he was crying. "It's alright Charlie, we gave them a run, we did alright..." Alicia shouted amid the rain. "Lets get inside, we'll catch our deaths we will—" Angelina sounded as they turned towards the locker room.
"You did well Imp," George said before a cough racked through him, "I'd be willing to say you'll see several Quidditch championships."
"Of course I will," she agreed, ringing the water from her drowned ponytail, "You'll be flying—as will the rest of us. We just got it bad this time around..."
"That's right, Fly with me?" he joked, taking her hand, "Of course—"
AN: Alright, a rather long chapter I know but I tried to make it as accurate as we know of from the books. Although Katie is a first year and on the Quidditch team, they don't mention her learning or being knew when they talk about Harry's first year game, so hence her entry towards the end of Charle's year. Also I'm pretty sure (and correct me if I'm wrong) but we know Slytherin won the house cup last (the Gryffindor team getting it back in book 3, the last time they had it was in Charlie's years,) so if it doesn't seem to flow, I'm really sorry. I wanted to include this chapter as the starter because we know Harry's years at Hogwarts, but I don't think I've ever read anything Pre-Potter other than Maunder stuff. I hope you liked that little change, if not don't fret, we get to a new start in Chapter two. Hope you enjoyed and please remember to leave a reivew!Kait Hobbit.