Authors Note: I've done some editing and re-writes and decided that I'll be finishing this story up. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter One: Who We Are

There are certain men that stand out in a girl's life. There's the first love, the best friend, the tormentor, the father, the brother, the bully and the true love. We all see something different in them and they all give us something in return, even if we don't believe it. When it comes to the ones you've loved, or thought you've loved, the list can seem endless or very short. There are so many types of love that it's hard to define them but I'm going to do my best.

The first man I ever loved was my father. He was the most amazing man I'd ever met and I was very fond of him. I'm not anything like my mum. She's proper, dainty, patient and kind. I, on the other hand, am stubborn, impatient, demanding and a bit of a tom-boy. Let's not forget reckless and maybe a little bit moody. But that never bothered her. She always said there was no doubt I was my father's daughter. I even looked liked him. I was blessed with my mother's figure and hazel eyes but everything else was a replica of my dad. My father was a tall man, six foot three. He always seemed so much bigger.

I was a bit awkward in my youth but being tall will do that to a girl. I had a nasty and painful growth spurt in fifth year and reached my current height of five foot ten. Thank Merlin some of the boys finally caught up with me or I'd never had a boyfriend. My dad was a muggle-born wizard. He grew up just outside of London and played football until he was accepted at Hogwarts. There he learned about Quidditch. That was it. It was love at first flight. He passed his athleticism and love for all sports to me. I guess I was the son he never had; though he claims he never wanted one.

When I was six years old I met a boy who used to pull my hair and throw rocks at me. I accidentally set his toy broom on fire. It was the first time I'd ever seen a boy cry. Our dad's were best mates at Hogwarts and were sorted into Gryffindor together. They did everything together; sat next to each other in the same compartment on the Hogwarts Express, shared the small boat across the lake, made the house Quidditch team second year and even played the same position. Beaters.

Now while they had a lot in common they also had a lot of differences. My father was rubbish at Potions and Herbology while his mate excelled at them. Michael Bell and Mackenzie Wood were truly inseparable. I've heard the stories hundreds of times and each year they were a little more exaggerated. They were so close, in fact, that Mack named his son after my father and I was named after Mack. That's how Michael Oliver Wood and Katherine Mackenzie Bell came about. Our dads were the only ones who called us by our first names. Everyone else just said it was entirely too confusing. I could hear my mum's teeth grind whenever someone shouted for Katie Mack to come out. Our families spent numerous holidays together and took trips together and spent many summers attending Quidditch matches. I'm pretty sure I learned to fly before I could even walk.

Oliver and I have been through a lot together. He's three years my senior and would never let me forget it. When he went off to Hogwarts I missed him. Of course, I never would have admitted this to him. Eventually it was finally my turn to leave for the school I'd been hearing so much about my entire life and I couldn't wait.

In true older boy fashion, Oliver ignored me, refusing to associate with a lowly first year. But as I got older and he finished his prat stage, we grew closer. I don't know if I ever would've classified him as my best friend but I guess he was. At some ages, three years is just too much. But we had our moments and he was there for me and I for him, at least, when no one was looking. He put me on his Quidditch team second year, something I never expected but was eternally grateful for. I pulled him out of his pouts and sulks when we lost matches. He made sure to knock me down when I got too arrogant or cocky. We kept in touch when he left and saw each other on Holidays. I was the first one he told when Puddlemere offered him a spot on the reserve team and then when they moved him up. He was at St. Mungo's just about every day when I was cursed. He hadn't left my side since.

They were both out of Hogwarts now and Katie had just celebrated her nineteenth birthday not even a month ago. It was a cold day today. The rain was falling in a light drizzle and the chill of winter had yet to be overthrown by the warmth of spring. Oliver's arm was around her as she stood stiffly by the gravesite. Uncle Mack and Aunt Jenny were standing by my mum. Their arms wrapped around her protectively as though they could shield her from the pain. She was crying but Katie couldn't manage tears. It was Oliver's presence that kept her her comforted and safe.

His strength kept her from breaking. He clutched her tight and she knew that if he let go, she'd fly to pieces. Katie glanced around at the people standing by, listening to the words spoken about her beloved father. He was a well-liked sort of man. George, who'd lost his own brother, stood to Katie's right and silently offered his unwavering support. Alicia and Angelina were behind her, their eyes rimmed red from grief. She was surrounded by those who loved her the most but there would always be one person missing from that circle.

Katie hadn't even realized the minister had stopped speaking until Oliver led gently led her towards the casket. Katie laid a simple white rose atop the glossy surface. Leaning over her lips pressed against the waxed wood. "Goodbye dad," she whispered. "I'll miss you."

Katie watched as Oliver ran his fingers lightly over the wood and smiled before saying his own goodbyes. Meeting his gaze, he gave Katie an encouraging smile before offering her his hand. She took it without hesitation as he stood by next to her as people offered their condolences.

"I'm so sorry Katie," Alicia said, standing on her tip-toes to hug her friend tightly. "If you need me, please, please, just come over. Any time. Day or night."

Katie nodded and squeezed her friend back. "Thank you," she whispered.

Angelina embraced her. "It'll be ok. We love you. I'm here."

Katie looked into George's brown eyes and nearly broke then and there. His pain was all to real. It hadn't been too long since they'd lost Fred. He reached for her and she collapsed into his arms. George's hand combed through her hair as he rubbed her back. He met Oliver's eyes over Katie's shoulder. "I'm here for you love," he whispered, pulling away. George gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. Glancing back at Wood, he said, "Take care of her."

Oliver nodded and pulled Katie gently from George's embrace, wrapping his arms around her. "Always."

The chill and rain had finally seeped through and perhaps a bit of the shock as well. Katie started trembling and shaking. "I'm cold," she whispered, leaning her head against Oliver's shoulder.

"Come on Katie," Oliver said softly, wrapping her in his coat. "I'll take you home."