A/N: Another short chapter. Sometimes, it's just going to happen.

Chapter 9: Practice

Mark

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I swerve down to dodge Jones coming at me. I swoop to the left around Julie and straight on to the goal posts we're using. I have a clear shot only having to get past Ann Marie, which is a feat in itself. I make like I'm going to feign but then follow through on the shot. The Quaffle zooms through, and I smile. At least I'm good at this.

We've been fighting; she can just be so harsh sometimes.

"Great shot, Mark" Anjali calls from across the field, "I think in two weeks, we'll definitely be ready for the match." The buzz in the school is unbearable. Two weeks from today, the first game of the season, Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff. I feel like we have a real chance this year. The team is good, better than we were last year. I think it may happen.

It's my fault, I know. Relationships are about compromise, and I have to accept that she's just more critical than I am. It comes with being as smart as she is.

I catch sight of Jones when he doesn't know I'm looking. He's upset, I know it, and I know he doesn't want me to see it. He tries too hard to hold it in. I play along. Pretend I don't notice, but whether it's for him or for me, I can't say. I'm not good at talking about it. I let it fester as well.

I like her a lot. At least, I think I do. I don't have much to compare it to.

We go again. I fly around the field ready to receive a pass or distract one of the beaters. Ann Marie is on defense this time. We practice late into the night.

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When she came over the next day, I was extremely nervous. I felt more like I was proposing than asking her out. I suppose I was worried about what would happen if she didn't like me back. I couldn't bare an instant end to our friendship. Several times throughout the morning, I contemplated not going through with it, but whenever I did, Jones gave me a look. He's almost a mind reader when it comes to Kathryn and me.

He disappeared just before she showed up, likely to prevent me using him as an excuse to not tell her. She stepped out of the fire and smiled when she saw me. I felt like I was going to explode.

"Where's Jones?" she asked first thing. To be honest, that made me a little angry, but I decided to not let it bother me.

"He had to go home today," I responded. "It's just the two of us." The words are scary to me. "I thought we could go eat out in the meadow." I figure although picnics are a little cliché, you shouldn't mess with the classics.

"Oh, okay," she said with a look in her eye that made me think she suspected something was up. I brushed it off; I can't back down now.

We walked out on to the grass in an awkward silence. I spread out the blanket in awkward silence. We start eating in awkward silence.

"I never really liked picnics," Kathryn finally said and I crumble. My whole plan had gone straight down the drain.

"Fantastic," I muttered.

"What? You couldn't have known that so don't worry."

"Well it's just that I planned to tell you I like you by doing something nice for you, and now that failed."

"What?" I realized too late what I said.

"Oh," I stuttered, "I, um, like you."

The silence seemed to stretch on forever. "Really?"

"Yeah," I replied looking straight at her this time.

"Me too," was all she was able to reply.

We sat in silence again. "Well," I said breaking the final silence, "are we…"

"Yeah," she responded, "I'd like that." After that, there's no more awkwardness. That part is over. We went right back to us again. It was like old times, nothing changed. The change came later. It's not effortless like it was that first time. I can't help but think that that means something bad. Maybe I'm wrong; I don't know. I'm not very good at this.

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"Are you okay?" Jones asks after practice.

Desperate to avoid this topic I attempt to change the subject, "are you?"

"This isn't about me. You and Kathryn have seemed off."

"Well, we are a little bit, but it's no big deal. You've seemed off."

"This is the first time you've actually asked me about a problem I've had."

"We've talked about you before."

"Yes, but I always initiate it."

"Well, I'm trying to be a better friend."

"Well, since you ask, Linor is driving me crazy."

Now I'm stuck. I'm not good at advice, and especially in this instance, I don't know what to say. "Well, maybe she's right. Maybe you two just can't be friends again."

"Are you serious?"

"Well, yeah."

"I can't do that though. I owe it to her to make it better."

"Do you owe it to her or to yourself?"

"Whose side are you on?"

"I'm sorry I sort of suck at this." I'm digging myself deeper.

"You didn't used to."

"Well I can't be expected to just take your side all of the time."

"I do." He's right. Never once has he told me I'm wrong when I come to him with an issue.

"I'm sorry, but if this is causing you unnecessary pain then…"

"There's nothing unnecessary about this pain. I'm trying to right the wrongs in my life. God, why did I even ask you? Thank goodness I didn't bring up the other problem. That would have been worse."

I've screwed up badly, but no situation in unsalvageable. "No, I want to hear about it."

"I think I have feelings for her brother," he says bluntly wheeling around and looking straight at me. I'm reminded of Linor. Then I realize what it is he said. He was right. I have no idea what to say here. "I knew it." He walks alone back to the castle. I give him his space. I'm not good at this.

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I find Kathryn in the common room. "Hey," I say coming up behind her, "can I talk to you for a minute?"

"You're talking to me now, and of course." I take a seat on the couch next to her.

"I just wanted to apologize. I've been trying to force you to be someone you're not, and that's not fair of me."

"No, Mark. Don't sell yourself short like that. You're right to get mad at me for that. I'm too mean to people I know. It's not your fault that my people skills suck."

"Kathryn," I say hugging her. "You're beautiful and wonderful, and you don't suck with people. It's my fault okay."

"Thanks for lying."

"I'm not. I wouldn't like you if you were as bad as you think you are."

A beat. I stare at her. She stares back. Is this that moment? I lean in.

"What're you doing?" she asks suddenly.

"I was going to kiss you," I reply confused at why she stopped me.

"Here? Now?"

"Um…yes."

"No, I don't want it to be like that. Good night." She quickly gathers her things and leaves for her room.

We haven't kissed yet. I don't know why. Maybe it's because we haven't had a real date, but the time felt right. I'm floored. Does she not like me anymore? I don't get this. Forget not being good at this, I suck. I'm really trying, but I'm not getting anywhere. This is awful. I have to keep trying though. I want this to work. It can work; I know it.

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"Are you okay, man?" Teddy asks me the next day. I don't see him coming. I had been walking around the grounds just trying to clear my head.

"No," I reply, "Jones is angry at me and thinks he's gay, Kathryn doesn't want to kiss me, and neither of them seems to want to talk to me. It kind of sucks actually."

"I'm sorry; I wish I could do something." I look at Teddy closely. After all of the crap he's been through, some of which I caused, he can still be apologetic and kind. I admire that. I'd always seen him as just a bully, but I am again reminded that people are much deeper than they appear.

"What about you? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm cool." We walk around the grounds and we talk, seriously for the first time. Well, I talk. Teddy just listens. And it's great.

"So you have like seven siblings, right?" he says at some point. I can tell he's just trying to change the subject, but that's okay. He chose a good topic to make me feel better.

"Five," I reply smiling. "Elizabeth, Henry, Luke, Maria, and Jesse."

"Wow," he says, "your house must be ridiculous."

"A little, yeah." I realize how potentially disastrous this line of conversation could be. I don't want to brag about family and make him feel bad.

"I'm with the Weasleys and the Potters so much; they're kind of like siblings. Just around the holidays it gets nuts." I hadn't really figured this as something we'd have in common, but I'm glad it is. I'm closer to my family than I am to anything else. In fact, had it been last year, I would have gone to Elizabeth with these problems.

"Tell me about them," I say. We continue walking chatting about his family and mine. It makes me happy again. I'm good at family.

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At Monday's practice, I fly gracefully around the field ready for a pass. Jones throws the ball perfectly to me. I'm glad to see our fight hasn't affected our chemistry on the field. I fly around Julie once again but am not ready for Anjali right behind her. I fumble the Quaffle, but Jones picks it up.

Jones is always there to help pick me up. I have to make it better with him. That's step one.

Jones flies down the field and almost gets the ball past Ann Marie, but she moves just a little too quickly. "Nice save," Jones says sincerely before flying back for the next practice play.

I'm surprised that Teddy has become such a good friend. I suppose you never know how much people will really affect you.

Practice continues as always. We play a few more scenarios. I play okay. I'm excited for the game.

Things will be better with Kathryn. It's a momentary snag. If we like each other enough, we'll make it work. I know it. I'm not good at this, but I can get better.

We practice late into the night.