Happy New Year to all my readers. Read and Review.

Random Guys:::

How do I always manage to get myself into these messes? Recap: I'm totally and irrevocably in love (yes, I used the L-word) with my Quidditch captain, who cares more about Quaffles than he does about me.

As if that's not enough of a problem, his best friend and I are going to Hogsmeade together today. Awkward much? Oh yeah. But Oliver's and idiot and won't ask me out, even though he likes me. My guess is he's going to beat Cullen's head in for asking me…or mine in for agreeing to go. He is always saying I need to be more aggressive. Sure, he's talking about on the Quidditch pitch, but I think it could apply here too.

Anyway, to top all of this off Fred has decided to add to my difficulties by actually asking me out! Is he mental? We have a totally platonic relationship—have I missed something?

I was rudely awakened by Angelina and Alicia early this morning, both of them singing some stupid muggle song that I didn't recognize. I groan as they pulled my bed hangings away. God, I hate sunlight.

"Wake up, babe," Angelina says from my dresser while messing around with my scarce supply of make-up. "You've got a date with one of the hottest guys in Gryffindor. Be happy." Oh, right. They don't know I'm obsessed with Oliver. But Fred does. Great…

I do my best to make myself presentable and once Alicia and Angelina re-do everything, we make our way down to the Great Hall.

"Oh good, there's Oliver," Alicia says and starts heading that way. "I need to ask him about our practice schedule next term." Like I'm going anywhere near him today. I make a quick U-turn and head over to Leanne who is sitting alone at the Ravenclaw table.

"Hey," I say, sitting down across form her.

"Oh, um, hi," she says, looking up from her book but not making eye contact.

"What's wrong?" It's obvious she's hiding something.

"Nothing," she says, much too quickly. Whatever.

"So what are your plans for today?" I ask politely. "I'm going with Cullen Burke." I try to keep the slight disappointment from my voice but I'm sure she caught it. She knows how much I care about Oliver.

"Oh," she says, brightening immediately. "So you finally realized that you and You-Know-Who would never work out?" Oliver, not Voldemort.

"I don't know. I mean, Oliver says he likes me, but I don't think that he has any intention of asking me out."

"Are you sure you didn't misunderstand him when he was saying that he 'likes' you?" she says harshly, putting air quotes around the word 'likes'. What the hell is she saying? I know she has a little tiny miniscule thing for Oliver, but they don't even talk. Do they?

"No, I'm pretty positive I know what I'm talking about," I say rudely.

"Well then, you must be mistaken." Oh no she didn't. Someone hold my earrings.

"Leanne, what are you trying to—?"

"Ready to go?" A voice interrupts me from behind. I turn around to see Oliver standing directly behind me. For a second I actually believe that he's talking to me, but as always Leanne is there to prove me wrong.

"Yeah," she says with a giggle. Someone should really tell her that she can't flirt to save her life. She stands up and exits with him, leaving me alone and broken-hearted at the Ravenclaw table where I am already receiving dirty stares. I get up quickly and turn to leave, running straight into Cullen.

"Hi," I say with a laugh.

"I was just coming to get you," he replys, steadying me on my feet.

"Well, I was just coming to find you. Do you mind if I run up to my room and get a bigger jacket? It's freezing outside and Alicia wouldn't let me grab a warm one." So we make our way back to Gryffindor Tower and I go get the jacket that I had originally put on that Alicia had dubbed "too boyish." I really couldn't argue with her there. It's my Cousin Aaron's jacket. But it is warm.

As we make our way down to the entrance hall, I notice Cullen glaring at my jacket. After about five minutes of this, I just can't stand it anymore.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing," he says quickly. I was about to argue when Alicia showed up behind me; Fred, Lee, and Angelina in tow. I think George has a date…

"Katie Bell, I told you not to wear that jacket!" she shouts, stunned that I would disobey one of her sacred fashion laws.

"I would have frozen to death if I'd gone outside in that thing you gave me!" I argue.

"It doesn't matter," she explains as if I was a little child. "Your date would have kept you warm, right Cullen?" Poor boy, being put on the spot like that.

"Um, yeah."

"See!" she continues. "And that's not even the point. That's a boy's jacket, Katie, which means that you either got it from a guy or you just suffer from some sort of Gender Confusion Disorder. And since normal girls don't wear hand-me-downs from their male cousins, it looks like you're wearing an ex-boyfriend's jacket." Whoops. That does make some sense. "I'm writing Aaron tomorrow and telling him to stop sending you clothing," she says harshly, rolling her eyes one last time before stalking off with the rest following close behind her.

"Sorry," I said once they left. "I don't think about my clothes that much."

"It's not a problem," he says, suddenly much more comfortable around me. "But why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Wear guys' clothes? I've seen you in boys' jeans before."

"Okay, that was once. I didn't have any clean clothes and Fred let me borrow a pair."

"But is there a reason?"

"Besides the fact that skirts make my skin crawl?" I joke, and then decide to tell him the truth. "I used to feel guilty asking for new clothes because we didn't have a lot of money, so my Aunt would buy me some and send them over. My Aunt is a former model, and needless to say, the clothes were totally not me. So every time my cousin, Aaron, would sneak some of his hand-me-downs in. I eventually yanked up the courage and told my dad I needed new ones, but I still have some of Aaron's old stuff."

"Got any left from your Aunt?" he asked with a smirk.

"Yes, and their hidden, because if Alicia and Angelina ever found out they would chunk the clothes I actually wear." He laughs, but I know that he understands. That fact, more than anything else, is why I decided to interlace my fingers with his as we neared town. As the temperature continued to drop, I was thankful for the contact. God, it's cold.

As soon as we arrive in town, we head straight for the Three Broomsticks. It's way too cold to wander around today. We take a seat in a booth towards the back, beating the crowd of students sure to arrive within minutes.

"So, tell me about your family," I ask after Madam Rosmerta takes our drink orders.

"Well, both my parents work for the ministry—Unspeakables. I have no clue what they do, so don't ask. I have an older sister and an older brother. They pretty much took care of me because my parents travel all the time. I, um, actually moved in with Oliver last summer. His family's great; this is better for everyone."

"You mean you and Oliver actually live together?" I ask, stunned. Why didn't I know this?

"Yeah," he says. It's obvious he doesn't want to spend this date talking about Oliver.

"Were your parents mad when you moved out?"

"I'm honestly not sure they even noticed," he said and by the tone of his voice I could tell he wasn't joking. That must suck. "So, anyway…" he said after a while. Neither of us seem to know how to continue this conversation and neither of us wants to.

"I got a 'P' on my Transfiguration exam yesterday," I finally say. "Best I've done all year."

"Good," he says happily and then we both drifted back into silence, looking around the pub absent-mindedly. I think this is the epitome of awkward silences.

Suddenly, I burst out laughing. I couldn't help it. Something about this whole situation is ridiculously hilarious.

"What's so funny?" Cullen asks, laughing at me.

"I don't know," I say, still laughing and he joins in. We must look ridiculous…

Somehow my laugh attack broke the ice and we drifted on to a topic that we both enjoy—Quidditch. Cullen doesn't play, but apparently he's a huge supporter of the Wimbourne Wasps. Don't know why—they suck—but whatever. I then told him about my love of the Holyhead Harpies and he informed me that his sister is on their reserve team—oh my God! He's my new favorite person. I've never actually considered playing Quidditch professionally, but if I change my mind I'm definitely going to look her up.

"So what made you decide to go with me today?" Cullen asked after a while. I knew that question would come eventually.

"Fred," I say truthfully.

"Ok," he says totally confused after I don't elaborate. "Well, remind me to send him a thank you card."

"He asked me out." Again with the cryptic answers; I'm good at that.

"He did what?" Cullen asked, shocked. I knew no one would believe that…

"Yeah, he actually asked me out."

"That would explain why him and Oliver are always at each others throats." Yeah, you know, that does make more sense now.

"I just can't believe he did that! He's like the one person I can tell everything to—well, him and Leanne, but I don't have to worry about him going out with the guy I like." Cullen's face fell instantly. Shit! I'm really good at messing this date up, aren't I?

"Cullen, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—"

"Katie, don't. I didn't come here expecting you to stop liking him. I just wanted a chance—no strings attached." I just nod. "But I still don't understand why you agreed to go with me."

"Well, the whole thing with Fred really got me to thinking, and I don't want to spend my whole life waiting. Oliver's main goal is getting accepted to Puddlemere and I'm sick of waiting for him to get his head together." Cullen just sat there smirking at me and I regretted having to add this last part. "But I can't be with you. Not right now. It's not fair for either of us; I've got to get over him first. You deserve way better than me—don't argue. I'm just not ready to be with anyone else right now."

"I know, Katie. I understand," he says, staring hard at me. "Friends?" he asks, holding out his hand for me to shake. I gladly take it. With the prospect of friendship hanging in the air, conversation became much easier. It isn't long however until our perfect mood evaporates. His eyes widen, staring behind my head and I quickly turn around to see what he's looking at.

There, only two booths away sit Oliver and Leanne. She's wrapped in his arms and he's kissing her without a care in the world. I watch as his hand travels up her shirt and I quickly turn around, not wanting to see anymore.

I turn the conversation back to Quidditch, acting as if nothing's happened, but my heart really isn't into it. In fact, I think my heart just shattered into a million pieces. I just don't understand! If he won't go out with me because of Quidditch, then why the hell is he willing to go out with Leanne?

OoO

I convinced Cullen to take me back to the castle early and he didn't seem to mind. Even though it was only seven, I showered and got into bed, knowing full well that no matter how hard I try to stop him, Oliver'll be waiting for me in my dreams.

I wake up around one to the harsh breathing of my roommates. Just that small sound is about to drive me crazy. I get out of bed and head down to the common room with my pillow. I just need to be alone for a while.

The couch, however, is already being occupied and at the sight of Oliver lying on top of Leanne—their lips caught in a fierce embrace—I feel my heart break for the second time that night.

God, they're practically shagging. People study on that couch. Wait, is that my Transfiguration notebook?

Even though I know it's wrong, I stand there and just watch them for a few seconds. God, why does that look so fun? I'm about to turn around and try to find alternate sleeping arrangements when I realize there's no where I could go.

My dorms full of bimbos, Alicia and Angelina would laugh at me for liking Oliver, and if I try to leave the common room Oliver will notice for sure. My next best bet would be Fred but seeing as how he apparently wants in my pants, I don't think that's a good idea right now.

So where am I supposed to go? Oh fuck this; I want that comfy armchair by the fire.

"Oi! Get a room, you two," I call. Oliver breaks his contact with Leanne and looks up at me without changing positions.

"Well, we had one until you came along, Bell," he says harshly. I was about to start yelling when Leanne suddenly sat up.

"Bell? Katie?" she says, looking around. "Katie! Oh my god, Oliver. It's Katie. Don't you just love Katie, Oliver?" I roll my eyes and turn to Oliver.

"She's drunk," I accuse.

"I can't control your friend," he retorts.

"She may be my friend, but she's your date! You're supposed to watch her, not buy her firewhiskey!" Leanne's taken to looking at the ceiling. Alcohol doesn't set well with her; she'll probably be throwing up within ten minutes. How could he be so clueless? He's just sitting there staring blankly at me. The sad thing is that he's perfectly sober.

"God, you're such an ass!" I shout and grab Leanne by the arm, pulling her towards the portrait hole.

"Where are you going?" he calls after me.

"None of your business!" I yell, slamming the portrait hole behind me.

Fuming, I take Leanne back to her own common room. We had to stop half way there to allow her to throw up in a potted plant. I dropped her off and headed back to Gryffindor Tower, thinking about how I should have sent her to the hospital wing where she'd have to explain her alcohol consumption to Poppy. But I just couldn't do that. Leanne might be a guy-stealer, but she's still my friend—for now.

Oliver won't still be in the common room will he? Surely, he has the sense to get out of my way…

And alas, no. There he is, moodily staring into the fire.

"Why the hell are you still here?" I whine.

"Because we need to talk," he says calmly, walking over to me.

"Fine. Talk." And it better be good.

"I really like you, Katie." I roll my eyes.

"We've been over this before, Oliver! You like me, I like you. End of story. It's not like your going to do anything about it!"

"I was planning on asking you to Hogsmeade, actually, but you'd already agreed to go with Cullen. Do you know what that feels like?" he yells at me.

"Yeah, actually, I do! It probably feels a little something like you going with Leanne. And when were you planning on asking me—the day before? I waited for you to ask me for a whole damn month," I yell right back. It's going to be a miracle if no one wakes up.

"I only went with Leanne to make you jealous."

"So you used her?" I yell. Right now my anger at him outweighs my anger at her. He looks at me sadly for a few seconds and I can tell I've hurt him. "God, I can't do this right now," I say softly and turn to go back to my dormitory.

"Wait, Katie," he says, turning me around. "We have to do this now. Holidays start tomorrow." I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. Why does he have this effect on me?

Noticing my tears, he pulls me close and I let him hold me, even though I know I will only feel worse when he lets go.

"We can't do this—I can't do this," I say, pulling away. "Every thing you say makes me feel great because I think that things are finally going to change and they never do. I can't go through that again."

"Well, what if things really do change this time?" he says with a boyish grin plastered on his face.

"I don't know, Oliver." My heart is screaming at me for making that comment, but my head is telling me that no matter how hard he tries, Quidditch will always be his first love. Am I willing to share him? It got quiet for a few seconds.

"So, why'd you agree to go with Cullen, anyway?' he asks.

"Because Fred asked me out and I was pretty damn confused."

"Are you serious?" he laughed.

"It's not funny!"

"Trust me, it is. That should teach you not to kiss random guys: first Cullen, now Fred. You must be a bloody brilliant kisser."

"Shut up," I say, rolling my eyes.

"Katie?" he asks, drawing me closer to him.

"What?" I reply, barely able to think.

"I want to try this—try us. We deserve a chance."

"But I'm two years younger than you," I joke.

"I don't care," he says nuzzling my neck. It feels so good I lose my train of thought.

"But it's Quidditch season," I say softly, melting into his touch.

He gently nips my ear and a sharp tingle travels down my body. "I don't care," he says and I can tell he means it. His face is only inches from mine and it takes all of my will power to stop him.

"You told me not to kiss random guys," I tease.

"I'm not random." And then he gently pulls me to him and presses his lips against mine. And it is so much better than anything I've ever imagined.

OoO

Okay, we're now half way there. Well, almost. I guess now would be a good time to tell you how this story is going to play out. There will be 15 chapters and an epilogue; 16 in all. The actual story ends with Katie's fourth year at Hogwarts and the epilogue takes it a bit further.

On another note, I'm going on vacation tomorrow but I'll be back within a week, so the wait won't be too totally unbearable. I hope.

Next time on Love and Quidditch:

"Come on," Fred said, pulling me towards the door leading to muggle London.

"Wait, where are we going?"

"London," he said as if I should know that already.

"But Diagon—"

"Katie, how many times have we been to Diagon Alley? I'll tell you: tons. We need new places to make adventures."

"Have you ever been to muggle London before?"

"Nope." Great.