For the Midnight Challenge. And for Lizzie because this collection is entirely her fault, and I love her for it.
She sits in the common room, sleep-heavy eyes reading the same sentence of her Charms notes for the umpteenth time. With a yawn, Katie stretches, popping her neck. She needs to stay awake. If she doesn't finish her assignment by morning, she's doomed.
"Oh, good. You're here. I didn't fancy trying to sneak into your dormitory."
Katie turns to see Oliver leaning against the stairs of the boys' dormitories, a broad grin on his face. She hates him sometimes. No one should be able to be that perky this late at night and so early in the morning.
"You were going to sneak into my dormitory after midnight?" she asks, shaking her head. "Don't you know that's how rumors get started, Wood?"
A faint pink stains his cheeks, and Katie almost forgives him for being so energetic. It's so rare that the great Quidditch captain gets flustered, and she finds it cute.
"That wasn't why I was going to. Though I wouldn't say no to a nice shag if you're up for it. I'm joking!" he says quickly as she sends a book flying in his direction, nearly hitting his stomach. "No need to be so violent."
"I have to finish this essay," she says. "And I'm exhausted. Sorry I'm not as chipper as you."
"Well, you're in luck. Because I have the perfect way to wake you up, pretty bird."
.
Katie feels nervous as they reach the Quidditch pitch. Sneaking out has never been her thing, and she can't help but to look over her shoulders every few seconds.
"Don't worry. Once you get past the door, you're pretty much safe," Oliver says, wrapping an arm around her.
"How do you play Quidditch with only two people?" Katie asks, fighting a yawn. The last thing she needs is to fall asleep out here. Awake, they might be able to avoid getting caught, but she's pretty sure Oliver dragging her sleeping body through the castle later would be harder to go unnoticed.
"You have no imagination," he teases.
.
The cool night air rushes against her face, and Katie grins. Oliver had been right. She's wide awake now, adrenaline pulsing through her veins.
"You cheated!" Oliver calls as she gets the Quaffle through the left goal.
"Did not! You're off your game tonight, Ollie. Think you might need some sleep!" she teases, catching the Quaffle as he throws it back.
He smiles at that, returning to the center goal. "Says the girl who was using parchment for a pillow in the common room," he laughs, diving to the right and catching the Quaffle.
"Says the girl who's gotten, what was it, seven past the Keeper, who, by the way, has only saved two."
He tosses it back with a laugh. "Maybe I'm going easy on you."
Katie smirks. "I know you better than that, Wood."
.
It's nearly three in the morning when the two reach Gryffindor Tower again.
"And where have you been?" the Fat Lady asks, painted eyes narrowing at their sweaty, disheveled state.
Oliver just laughs, offering the password and leading Katie into the common room.
"I could help you with your homework, you know. Charms is easy," he offers as Katie returns to her chair and picks up her book and parchment.
"Shouldn't you sleep?" she asks.
He shrugs. "I don't sleep much, anyway," he answers. "And you'd be a good reason to lose sleep."