A/N: Ignore all canon! Look at who I'm shipping—I'm messing with a lot of things here people so time, dates, and well facts have no place in this fic. This story will probably be written as a series of one-shots though I really haven't completely decided about that.
Be fore warned and enjoy!
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Background One:
Oliver taught Katie how to fly a broom.
That's what Mr. Wood would say if asked. Ms. Bell on the other hand knows that she had been able to fly a broom since she was eight years old, ever since her father kind of threw her onto a new model Cleansweep to demonstrate their safety to her muggle-born mother while poor Katie held on for dear life. She eventually had gotten the hang of it; as she was only eight at the time she couldn't be held responsible for this lateness in training or for the fact that Oliver Wood seemed to have been flying since before he could walk. Katie would acquiesce to the fact that Oliver had given her the opportunity to increase her flying abilities—adding her to the Gryffindor roster in her second year—and if she happened to pick up some tips on turning while speeding recklessly yet perfectly around the quidditch pitch, well, then all the better. Katie was a smart girl and usually picked things up quickly. Usually.
Oliver was Katie's best friend.
Well that was debateable. Katie had lots of friends—had always had lots of friends. Not that Ms. Bell had entered Hogwarts with the single ambition of being Popularity Queen of the first years, far from it. She was quiet, a little shy and unassuming; Oliver was the loud mouth who from day one had tracked down Captain Charlie Weasley to discuss page after page of chicken-scratch quidditch plays. But Katie had a heart larger than Honeydukes and a gentle touch and a readily given kind word and a warmth that people just couldn't help but wish to be near. Katie, Alicia Spinnet, and Angelina Johnson had become a group upon being sorted instantaneously, brought together by the fact that they liked flying more than combing their hair or simpering over probable pureblood marriages—their parents would never be so cruel—and that girls needed to present a formidable front in the presence of the likes of Fred and George Weasley and Lee Jordan, who would just as soon tickle you as toss you in the lake or offer a candy that would turn your lips yellow for three days.
She never lacked company on train rides or in study hall or in the common room, though there were times when she stayed in the library for hours to get some time alone not just to finish Professor Snape's latest essay on the effects of dragon's blood in paralyzing draughts. It was during these times surprisingly that Katie had run into Mr. Wood—the older boy sometimes hiding from over-affectionate Hufflepuff girls who couldn't get enough of his Scottish accent or zealously copying chapters from the copious books written on, for, or about Quidditch that were piled high in Madame Pince's cavernous book depository. He had appreciated that Katie hadn't giggled at the sound of his voice or had tried to kiss him after first introductions. They had actual conversations—yes, mostly about the sport he seemed to live and breathe, but she found ways to worm out other relevant information, like his favourite classes and if he had any siblings. He wasn't thick enough to ignore the hint and took the time to reciprocate before heading back to his favourite topic. Katie No Siblings was rather good at Transfiguration while Oliver Four Sisters was convinced he could take over Madame Hooch's position in another year and a new friendship was born beneath a portrait of a sleeping guard dog named Yeats.
Alicia and Angelina suspected quietly that the two were a couple, interrogating Katie in their dorm room late at night. Fred and George weren't so subtle with their suspicions but then again their names had never been used in conjunction with the word "subtle." Their identical laughter could be heard all over the castle when Oliver gave Katie broom polish for Valentine's Day, but by that time they were more interested in making their younger brother's life a living hell than the suspected love-life of their esteemed Captain and fellow quidditch team mate. It was all very funny to Katie. Oliver was handsome and sweet but they were only friends who, contrary to popular belief, had not snogged for two and a half hours behind the broom sheds last fall. Katie would have to wait another year for her first real kiss for Merlin's sake, and even then it would come from Ravenclaw Captain Roger Davies! He ended up breaking his nose a week later and surreptitiously avoided her for the remainder of their time at Hogwarts. She cried for a day or so, in which every male in a fifteen foot radius was public enemy number one, then won an impromptu Exploding Snap tournament in the common room, scaring her friends with theretofore unheard cackling laughter. Life got easier and Oliver got over being glared at for no apparent reason.
Oliver was bisexual.
That was obvious—at least to his best friend. They spent enough time together for Katie to notice Oliver checking out Cedric's arse about as much as Alicia's…but then again, besides Katie, who didn't check out Alicia's arse? Oliver spent so much time talking, playing, and dreaming quidditch that Katie just wanted someone to make him happy. Whether that person was equipped with a penis or vagina didn't matter.
He graduated and was signed to Puddlemere United's reserve list probably as soon as he got home while she had another year to deal with the Golden Trio and NEWT's and less-obsessed quidditch fans who only emphasized his absence even more with their periodic team spirit. But Katie Bell didn't begin or end with Oliver Wood. She faced her final year with determination. Her father had been questioning about careers—Thomas Bell himself being an accomplished healer at St. Mungo's—and even though that was already decided in Katie's mind she thought it wise to keep her options open.
Potions went better than she had ever expected, but in the end being a Gryffindor who didn't purposely antagonize anyone and handed all her assignments in on time worked in her favour. Charms and Transfiguration had been her best subjects all along and Katie didn't disappoint herself, getting top marks in both. Ancient Runes and Arithmancy were a struggle but she knew she was capable and with tutoring from Hermione Granger of all people she made it through. She barely passed DADA. Angelina and Alicia were brilliant at disarming and stunning and hexing and Merlin, Katie did just not have it in her to want someone incapacitated or hurt. The girl's called her a bloody idiot and stuffed her imagination so full of images of her late mother and her father and Oliver and every other person she ever loved tortured by Death Eaters that Katie couldn't help but produce her Patronus—a happy little tree frog—and blast the animated dummy attacker into bits. The Boggart hadn't stood a chance but a future Auror she was not, which was good because she didn't want her father getting ideas. The quidditch season had not gone particularly well, but Ravenclaw at least won the cup which was always better than Slytherin.
Oliver didn't meet her at the station.
He was working! They weren't dating for Merlin's sake, but no matter her protests Fred and George continued teasing when they sat around the Three Broomsticks two weeks later; Angelina continued to punch Fred in the shoulder as her Amazon legs took up most of the room under their table; Alicia continued to order drinks and make eyes at her date, Terence Higgs. Who knew?
It was another week before Oliver came 'round to Bell Manor. Katie always chuckled when her home was referred to by that. There were no sweeping manicured gardens or iron fences; a rubber tire and a much safer swing hung from large oak trees and Katie suspected their house elf Eely was secretly trying to set her father up with their widowed neighbour just to insure she would never have to leave the beloved estate. Oliver had changed little in a year, but when he picked Katie up in a teeth-gleaming bear hug she could feel the extra muscles underneath his pretentious collared shirt. He still wore the same spicy cologne that Katie wouldn't be able to name even if her life depended on it but always made her want to rest her head on his shoulder, and his chestnut brown hair was only a little longer in the front. They sat on the grass as he waxed poetically about PU and the four games he had started this season. Katie was to try out for the Harpy's next month so there was another reason to listen eagerly for repeated names or moves besides general interest. She had really, truly missed him and her sincere eyes proved it. Yeah, she could agree that Oliver Wood was her best friend.
He talked about his new flat. Apparently it was big and she needed to visit as soon as possible. Oh, and, if she was interested, one of his roommates was leaving for a new job in Spain at the end of the month. Was she interested? Katie looked back at her childhood home and laughed.
"Whenever have I been able to resist a set of brown eyes?"
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A/N 2: Also, I own nothing. No money is being made from this or any of my stories. I'm just trying to create a fun little world for a few of my favourite characters.