Title: Stuck and Moving

Prompt: Use second word in team name; Catapult

Team: Caerphilly Catapults

Position: Seeker (Reserve)

Word Count: 1187 (Selected word count being 950-1200)

Oliver Wood and Katie Bell, keeper and chaser, flew across the quidditch stadium. The pair acted as one in the sky. They were the 'Dynamic Duo', never missing a beat. It was the pair who had driven the Puddlemere United team to the finals, and aided their win. Wood and Bell had a very large fanbase. Not only were the two terrifyingly terrific, but Wood and Bell were both polite as they were amusing to those that they met. Best friends since first reserving, the pair were inseparable both on and off the field. Their age difference left no dent in the friendship.

The two never kept secrets from each other - at least, not for long.

"I'm leaving."

"What?" Oliver asked, pausing to stare at her. "What do you mean you're leaving?"

"I…" Katie paused. "I'm leaving the country."

"Haha, very funny Katie." Oliver snorted, continuing to untie his shoes.

He glanced up when Katie did not laugh. She was not cracking a smile, or saying she was 'pulling his leg'. The lack of exuberance sent Oliver into high alert. No…

"You aren't laughing?" Oliver's voice wavered, panicked. "Why aren't you laughing?"

Oliver stared at his teammate, his best mate. Oliver hoped, desperately hoped that this was all a joke. Katie couldn't leave him. The very thought was incomprehensible - utterly unfathomable. Oliver without Katie was...could not…

Katie closed her eyes tightly, confirming Oliver's worst fear. She looked away, biting her lip.

His best friend was leaving him.

"Where?" Oliver asked, throat tightening.

Katie sighed to herself, throwing her quaffle against the wall. The quaffle bounced off and back towards Katie. The dark haired girl caught it easily. It did hurt her to leave Oliver like this. Katie felt torn when she had made her decision. Her heart ached at the sound of Oliver's hurt voice. It was the choice between staying in one spot for the rest of her life, or moving forwards. One of the two would do it eventually. Katie had not wanted to leave behind her friend, but it would not be long before Oliver would do the same to her. It happened all the time. That was what life did. Someone had to catapult themselves forwards. Others would soon follow, the setting just adjusted a little.

"America."

"America." Oliver repeated.

Katie chanced a glance at him, continuing to toss the quaffle against the wall.

She hoped that the man was not angry with her. It was the last thing Katie would be able to handle. Katie absolutely despised Oliver being hurt. She would always tear after the ex-girlfriends and give them a good talking to. Seeing Katie herself hurt Oliver was a piercing pain in her heart. It took all of Katie's strength to keep from breaking down.

"Why?" Oliver's anger kicking in.

Katie spoke quietly. "I have to?"

"That's rubbish." Oliver said blankly, before shouting. "Complete and utter rubbish!"

Oliver punched the bench he sat upon.

"I told you I got offers." Katie said, crossing her arms.

"I know you got the bloody offers." Oliver quieted. "I just...I didn't expect you to leave."

Katie's eyes were downcast. She planted herself beside Oliver. Katie hesitantly put out a hand on his shoulder. Oliver subconsciously leaned towards it, before realizing and scooting away. Katie's hand dropped to her side.

"Why are you leaving anyway?" Oliver asked. "What's so great about going to America?"

"I'm starting up a team with a new coach. I'll be Captain." Katie stood, pacing the room. "Not only is it a new role, but it is making history! Oliver, it's a dream I've had for awhile. To make history on a quidditch team."

Oliver breathed out through his nose. "I know."

"Then you must understand." Katie told him. "You would have done the same thing."

Oliver shook his head laughing. Katie stopped pacing, awaiting his harsh words once again. Katie was surprised when they did not come. Oliver spoke softly,

"No I wouldn't."

"You wouldn't?"

"No, Katie." Oliver said, looking up. "This was a dream. Being on the Puddlemere United. It was surreal when I became a reserve. Even more so when I became a full team member. I had achieved my dream. Everything had come to a full circle, or so I thought."

Oliver stood, approaching Katie. He placed his hands on her shoulders. Katie held on to her quaffle, staring up at the man who had once been her Captain.

"I had never realized the true meaning of a teammate until you came along. Hogwarts was one thing, but we did not know each other as much as we do now. It's...I don't know how I survived all those years without having you around me everyday." Oliver laughed. "You helped bring this dream together, you are so important to me. You need to understand that."

Katie smiled. "I do understand it Oliver. You are very important to me too."

"No Katie, what I'm trying to say is…" Oliver shook his head. "You see - I, well…"

"Sentences, Wood." Katie muttered goodnaturedly.

"It's just that you are very important to me." Oliver flushed. "More so than quidditch."

Katie stood, stunned at what he had just admitted. It was quite uncharacteristic of Oliver to say such a thing. The idea of her, Katie Bell, being more important than quidditch to him, Oliver Wood, was absolutely absurd. Katie supposed that she would be just as important as quidditch, but more? It was...it almost seemed...romantic. Katie's heart began to race. The close proximity definitely was not helping.

"Well Oliver…" Katie paused. "You're more important than quidditch to me too."

She squinted up at the keeper before her, searching his face for answers. Was this scottish man alluding to something? Was this his way of saying goodbye? The questions flew through Katie's head rapidly. Oliver stared at her, his face expressionless.

Then quite suddenly, Oliver's head moved.

At first it was an awkward jerk forwards before pulling back. A frown overcame his face. Then his features relaxed as he leaned forwards slowly.

It was absurd.

Oliver Wood was kissing Katie Bell.

And she was kissing back.

It was after a moment that Oliver slowly pulled away. Katie's eyes flashed open, not remembering when she had closed them. Oliver's face was completely red. He opened and closed his mouth, unsure of what to say. Katie did not say anything, either. The two stood for awhile, minds racing as the events caught up to them. The silence almost seemed comfortable.

Finally, Oliver broke it.

"I'll go with you."

"Oliver…"

"If I can't get on the team, I'll get any old job."

"No, Oliver…"

"The ministry is a bit dull, but I could get a job in the games department."

"You can't just…"

"Of course I got to tell coach and -"

"Silencio."

Oliver opened and closed his mouth. He stared at Katie, words not able to come out. Katie smiled, pocketing her wand. She looked up at Oliver.

"I'll stay."

Oliver's eyes lit up.

"You are more important than quidditch, after all." Katie laughed. "No matter how absurd it is to say."

A.N. Finally a new story for 2016!

Thanks Caerphilly Catapults for accepting me!

Catapult - Used as a metaphor which I kind of explained in the story!

This started originally with Oc characters at the beginning so I'm very sorry if it's a bit OOC!