Just a small tidbit before this chapter. They've announced who's playing Katie in Half-Blood Prince. Her name is Georgina Leonidas. I couldn't find any pictures, though. Also, thanks to SunnyDropped for reading this chapter and telling me that it didn't suck as bad as I thought it did.
Disclaimer: Need I really say it? This chapter contains a scene from PoA. I'm too lazy to look up the page number.
Visitor in the Night:::
I woke up early this morning and, I am embarrassed to admit it, but spent almost two hours getting ready. Insert gasp here. When I finished, however, I have to admit that I looked pretty damn good.
I had put on a denim mini-skirt with a top that Alicia had given me for my birthday. Now that I think about it, I think Leanne gave me the skirt. Why are all of my good clothes hand-me-downs?
Angelina and Alicia met me in the common room and we went to breakfast together, talking about what all we were going to do in Hogsmeade today. We arrived in the Great Hall and we each sat down across from our respective dates. You know, it's actually kind of easy when everyone dates within their own group of friends. Or extraordinarily complicated—I'm not sure which…
We talked for a bit about this and that but it wasn't long until Angelina, Lee, Alicia, and George took off for the village. I watched them walk out and then turned my attention back to Fred who was looking me over.
"Regretting asking me to go with you?" I asked.
"No, admiring it actually," he responded smoothly and I could feel my face starting to flush. "Come on, Mrs. Bell. The great village of Hogsmeade awaits us."
OoO
Okay, so Fred's definitely going to make a good husband for some girl one day. Dead serious.
When we arrived at the village, he informed me that he had the whole day planned, which was fine with me because I had no clue what to do with Fred. Our first stop was the Hogsmeade branch of Quality Quidditch Supplies and when we walked in, my heart almost stopped.
"Oh my god! That's a Firebolt!" I exclaimed, drawing way too much attention to myself. Fred just chuckled by my side and walked off to look at Beaters' bats while I stood back and admired the Firebolt. God, I've never been this close to one before!
The bell over the door tinkled, signaling a new arrival and I turned to see who it was.
Oliver and Leah. Of course it has to be them. God, why does this shit always have to happen to me?
I quickly went and picked out the pair of Chaser gloves that I had come in here for in the first place and went to pay for them. Maybe Oliver won't notice I'm here…
"Eight sickles," the man said. I reached for my purse (yes, purse!), but before I could even pull the money out, Fred had laid eight sickles on the counter.
"Fred, you don't have to," I protested.
"I want to," he said, grabbing my merchandise. "It's not everyday that I get to buy Quidditch supplies for a beautiful girl." Yeah, and it's not everyday that you get paid either.
There was a crash from directly behind us and I turned to see Oliver picking up the pieces of a Broom Servicing Kit that he had dropped. I can only assume Fred's words had surprised him. Oliver was still apologizing to the manager as we left.
We stopped by Zonko's, Honeydukes, and the Shrieking Shack before Fred finally agreed to end our outing with a trip to the Three Broomsticks. He led me into a booth at the back and then went to get our drinks. The atmosphere would have been perfect if it wasn't for the WANTED: SIRIUS BLACK posters.
"So," Fred said as he sat back down across from me. "What do you say we get to know each other a little better?"
"Excuse me?" I coughed out, chocking on my Butterbeer. Was that supposed to be a pickup line?
"I meant literally," he said laughing.
"Oh," I said calming down. "I hate to break it to you, but we already know each other pretty well, Fred."
"Not as well as I would like to, Bell. Who's the last guy you seriously dated?"
"You don't now him. He's a muggle."
"Don't I at least get a name?"
"No. Because he had a girlfriend at the time."
Fred fake gasped. "You scarlet woman!" I just rolled my eyes.
"I didn't know he had a girlfriend! And I broke up with him after I found out," I defended myself.
"So do I get a name?"
"I said no."
"And I said: do I get a name?"
"Tyler," I finally relented.
"I don't know him," Fred said after thinking about it for a minute.
"I know."
"So does that mean that you've never—shall we say—laid with a man?" he whispered and I once again chocked on my Butterbeer.
"Excuse me?" I asked with a laugh.
"Is your virtue still protected, Mrs. Bell?" he asked and I couldn't help but laugh. He just sounded so innocent.
"My virtue's still very much intact; unlike yours no doubt," I smirked.
"It's not my fault girls like me," Fred said with an evil grin.
"Yeah it's just your fault you can't keep it in your pants. So, why'd you ask me out today?" I asked, just wanting to see how he'd choose to answer that question.
"To get back at Oliver," he said simply. Not even pretending to be interested in me—nice.
"I know that, but why?"
"Because," he said, not looking at me.
"Because why?"
"Because he's being an idiot."
"Why? Just because he doesn't want us to date team mates? I'm not saying I agree, but I can see where he'd get concerned." Fred just stared at me for a few seconds as if debating how much to tell me.
"He likes you, Katie," he finally said and I couldn't help it; I started laughing. He had to be joking, right? If Oliver liked me at all, then he definitely wouldn't be ignoring me—or be in Hogsmeade with another girl for that matter.
"I'm serious!" Fred continued, annoyed, and that only me laugh harder because Fred is never, ever serious. Never!
"Katie!" he shouted, starting to get angry.
"I'm sorry," I said, crying because I was laughing so hard. "But you're going to have to do better than that if you're trying to trick me."
Sure, it'd be great if Oliver was really into me, but I'd faced the facts long ago. Oliver was nothing but a very sweet daydream; fun to think about but just beyond reach.
"Fine, don't believe me," Fred said harshly. "But it's true. He's liked you for ages. Since the end of your second year, actually. He's spent the best part of two years convincing himself that you weren't too young, and that we wouldn't mind if our captain dated a team member. Now that he's got his head on straight, he's being an idiot. Says it's too late—that he's leaving at the end of the year, and that you don't deserve that."
I just sat in silence for a moment. Sure Fred's a good liar, but is he that good?
"Fred, why are you making this up?" I asked, no longer laughing. This must be some kind of joke. He must have somehow figured out who I like and is just giving me shit about it.
"Ugh, Katie! I'm not making this up! Lee heard Oliver telling the whole thing to Cullen Burke after your birthday party." This definitely isn't funny anymore.
"Fred, I swear if you're lying…" I just let the threat hang. He knows that I can kick his ass anyday.
"I'm not lying! Do you want me to prove it to you?" Before I could reply, he was pulling me out of my seat and we were heading towards to castle. "Come on," he said, "I saw Oliver and Leah head back about an hour ago."
That brings up a good point.
"If Oliver is so desperately in love with me, then why the hell would he go to Hogsmeade with another girl?" I challenged as we walked—well, he walked; I was still being pulled—towards the school.
"He's in denial. Thinks that you don't like him and that you'd be much better off without him." I open my mouth to protest. Who said anything about me liking Oliver? "Save your breath, babe," Fred interrupted. "We all know you like him. Well, except for Oliver, but he's always been a bit oblivious." My jaw dropped. Damn! Was I that bloody obvious?
"Fortuna Major," he said when we arrived at the portrait hole. Fred quickly looked around to make sure Oliver was there, and then interlaced his fingers with mine, before leading me over to a sofa. What the hell is he doing? "Just play along," he whispered into my ear. I didn't even have to look up to know that Oliver was watching. I sat down next to Fred, closer than I usually would. Might as well do this right…
"Follow my lead," he said and pulled me into his lap. I tried to keep the look of surprise off of my face, but it must have shown. And the little jackass just sat there smirking at me. Just to inform you I'm totally clueless as to what the point of this is, but surely he must know. Bending close he whispered into my ear: "Giggle or something." And so I did.
He started laughing—at me I'm sure. Trust me, I'm no giggler.
We just sat there like that for a few minutes, him whispering what must have looked like sweet nothings into my ear. In reality however, the conversation was going more like this:
"Ok, when I kiss you don't freak out," he said, pulling me closer. "Many girls have said that kissing me is just as good as sex with any other guy."
"You flatter yourself," I said, putting on a smile for show. I looked over Fred's shoulder and saw Oliver staring at us. Just because he's staring doesn't mean he likes me, right? A lot of people are staring. I mean, it's not everyday that you see Fred Weasley with some girl in his lap. Okay, it is; but never me. I'm new!
"I am also legally obligated to warn you about the side effects."
"Side effects?" Doubt.
"Yeah. Clinical studies have shown that kissing me causes a risk of dependence. My lawyers feel that it is necessary for me to warn you of that."
"Is that supposed to be some sort of pick up line?" I asked, still faking a smile.
"I don't need pick up lines, babe."
"God, your ego's so fucking big!"
"That's no the only big thing about me," he said with a wink.
I couldn't help myself. I tuned everything else out and began concentrating on making Fred uncomfortable. I mean, when am I really ever going to get this chance again?
I began shifting my hips sensually across his, trying with all of my might to deflate his ego a bit. It's his fault really. He's the one who pulled me onto his lap.
"Your pants look a little too tight," I said with a smirk.
"God, Katie," he groaned. "You just can't say that to a guy."
"Well then, what are you going to do about it?"
"This," he responded and smashed his lips against mine. I responded with fervor that I didn't know I possessed. Fred ran his tongue along my bottom lip, sending shivers down my spine. I opened my mouth, allowing him entrance.
It might sound really crazy but in that moment I wasn't even thinking about Oliver. I was thinking about Fred. And not in a disgusting way either, just thinking.
Like how many girls has he really had sex with? Or even kissed? And do I amount to any of them? I could feel myself melting into him, letting out all of the sexual frustrations that had built up with Oliver, overflow into Fred. Unfair? Who knows, but he's responding rather enthusiastically so that must be a good sign.
It must have been five minutes later when we finally broke apart, desperate for air. You know, I had had my doubts when Fred started spitting out all of that dependency crap, but let me tell you: the boy knows how to kiss. He could totally get me into his bed anytime that he wanted.
"Come on," he whispered into my ear and I took his hand without question. We were already in his room by the time I realized that we had even moved.
"What are we doing?" I whispered.
"You'll see," he said with an evil glint in his eye. "Take your jacket off."
"What!?"
"Just do it," he urged. I did. God, I'm lame. I probably would have stripped if he'd told me to. Fred just has this way of making you feel comfortable around him. "Now drop it on the floor," he commanded. I did and then we waited. Two minutes…Five minutes…
"Fred, what are we…"
"Shhh!" And then there was a loud banging on the door. Fred smirked and motioned for me to sit down on his bed. Another knock. Fred counted to himself for a few seconds and then ruffled his hair before opening the door. Oliver quickly shoved past him and found me.
"Out," he told me roughly, looking directly at me for the first time in weeks. Normally I wouldn't have argued, but Fred must have passed some of his rebellious spirit into me with that kiss.
"Excuse me?" I argued. Strictly speaking, I have every right to be here. It's only five o'clock.
"Out! Now, Katie!" Oh boy, he's upset.
"What if I don't want to leave?" I asked. Fred was smirking behind Oliver and I knew that this was going way too far. Fred and Oliver have never been on great terms, but they've never hated each other either.
"Katie, the Halloween feast starts in ten minutes," Oliver said, trying to calm himself down. "Go find Angelina or Alicia and go."
"What if I don't want to?"
"GO!" Yes sir.
I fled, but not before I heard Fred say "Jealous much?"
"You have a problem with that?" Oliver said back. "Stay away from her."
I rushed down to the Common Room, hoping beyond hope that those two didn't get into some kind of fight. Mostly because if it was a muggle fist fight, Fred would be dead and then George would come seeking revenge. And then George would be dead and Alicia would be mad at me. It would just be bad. Then again, if they get into a wizard duel, Fred's going to kick Oliver's ass. He may not look it, but the boy's smart.
Three, no four words sum up this night: Oh my fucking God!
Not one to disobey direct orders from my Quidditch captain, I rushed to where Angelina was sitting with Lee and pulled her away, heading for the Great Hall.
"Katie," Angelina groaned. "I was talking to Lee!" And then I'm guessing she saw the look on my face because she stopped struggling and eagerly followed me down the hall.
"What happened to you?" she asked. I must have looked like an idiot, my face stuck somewhere between disbelief and euphoria.
"Fred was right," I managed to choke out.
"About what?" Angelina cried, desperate for information. I was saved from answering, however, when we arrived at the Great Hall, where the Halloween feast was already well underway. She continued to badger me until Lee showed up, during which time she seemed to forget that I was present. That was fine with me.
So Oliver Wood really did like me…or did he? Maybe he just went into big brother mode or something. But even my overanalyzing couldn't mistake the look of jealousy in his eyes. So what did that mean? Did it change anything?
Fred and Oliver both eventually staggered in, neither sporting visible injuries, thankfully. Fred sat down across from me (is he looking for trouble?) and Oliver continued down the table until he finally sat, staring at us. Fred gave me a wide grin and I returned it. God, I was happy. I don't really know why, but I was. Never mind the fact that things are about to get a lot more confusing.
The feast finally ended and people started making their way back to their common rooms. I was way too buzzed to turn in so I decided to make my way—somewhere. Anywhere. It's still an hour until curfew.
I wandered around aimlessly for a few minutes, just thinking. What does all of this mean?
"What do you think you're doing Mrs. Bell?" The stern voice of Professor McGonagall said from behind me.
"I'm—I'm just-"
"Go to the Great Hall—now! It's a danger to be roaming the castle right now."
"Professor—what?"
"Great Hall—now!" Whatever. I changed directions and headed back for the Great Hall. That's the second time tonight someone's ordered me there. Weird.
I still had no clue what was going on when I arrived in the already crowded Great Hall. McGonagall was right behind me and shut the door as soon as I was in.
"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle. I am afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here," she addressed the crowd. What the hell is going on?
"Oh yes, you'll be needing…" Professor Dumbledore's voice ran through the hall as hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags appeared. "Sleep well."
I turned to the person nearest to me, who just so happened to be Ginny Weasley, and asked, "What's going on?"
"Sirius Black tried to break into Gryffindor Tower," she explained, shivering.
Sirius Black? Here? My heart was beating so hard. I stayed with Ginny for a few seconds, trying to calm her down, but it wasn't really working. I was way too freaked to try and help anyone else. Thankfully, Fred and George came over and took Ginny away.
"You okay?" Fred asked. God, I must be as white as a ghost. I've been wandering around the school. Anything could have happened to me!
"I'm fine," I said and he just shrugged and walked towards the other side of the hall.
"Come on, Katie," a gentle voice said from beside me. Oliver. And he was carrying two sleeping bags under his arms. I didn't even have time to argue before he was pulling me to a secluded spot at the back of the hall. He unrolled me a sleeping bag and I quickly got in. Oliver lay next to me and for a minute I forgot all about today and Sirius Black. It was just me and Oliver. It was just perfect.
OoO
Review! I'm going to try and update one more time before Christmas but I won't make any promises. Happy Holidays everyone.
Next time on Love and Quidditch:
"I want you to say that you don't like Fred like that. He has a different girl in his bed every damn night. You don't deserve that. You don't deserve just being one of the many."
"I don't like him in that way and we haven't done anything but that one kiss—I swear." He visibly relaxed. "Oliver, why does it even matter?"
He shifted uncomfortably for a minute, but then his eyes found mine and I could tell something big was coming.