Chapter 10 – The Date
Last chapter I asked for reviews, and I was SOOOO happy with the response I got :) I didn't even know that many people were keeping up with this story. But, I was a bad person and I disappeared for 3 months. That's 1/4 of a year. I haven't updated this story for 1/4 of a year. I'm sorry! I feel bad now!
But I am still bursting with ideas and I will NOT abandon this story, I'm too invested in it.
You're reviews were awesome. I replied to the reviews I could, but to all the guest reviewers, a HUGE THANK YOU!
Specifically to Lacey S, thank you so much for the constructive criticism. I am aware that Katie is being a little stupid, and I actually was wondering if she was annoying anybody, so your comment helps a lot!
So, I present Chapter 10 :) (Finally...)
"Alright Katie, I give up. I will never understand you," Angelina said. She was sitting on her bed, looking at Katie as if she had grown a third eye.
"I'm with Angie on this one," Alicia called from the bathroom, where she was trying a new hairstyle for whatever reason. "This is insane. I thought you'd learned your lesson after Lee. Making Fred jealous is not going to work."
"I know that, and I'm not trying to make him jealous," Katie replied, lying on her bed and staring up at the ceiling.
"Then what is this all about?" Angelina asked.
"I had a realization," Katie began.
"Oh no. Stop right there Bell," Angelina said, standing up and crossing her arms. "Your realizations tend to be quite stupid, so please, let's hear it and hope you haven't made a dire mistake."
"My realizations are not stupid," Katie argued, glaring at her friend. "And it doesn't feel so nice to know that your friends think of you as an idiot."
Angelina's features softened. "I'm not saying you're an idiot Katie. You're just rash, and you do things without thinking them through. You're too instinctive and spontaneous, and it lands you in trouble more often than not."
"Well that's better than being a boring, stick in the mud, who plans what they're going to do every second of their life," Katie shot back.
"Calm down Kates. We're not insulting you," Alicia said, sticking her head out of the bathroom. "We're just pointing out some flaws, and everyone has flaws."
"Well I'm sure you'd be very pleased to have me point out all of your flaws. It's not as if it hurts or anything, to have your friends point out your flaws. Not only that, but to have your friends gang up on you and point out your flaws."
"Alright, sorry. I guess that was a little harsh," Angelina admitted. "I'm just trying to figure out your reasoning. I just don't get it."
"Well maybe if you'd let me explain…" Katie trailed off. Angelina nodded and she continued, "I just realized that I can't waste my life sitting around and hoping that one day Fred will declare his love for me. It hasn't happened yet, and I have no clue as to why he hasn't said anything. I haven't been intimidating or imposing or anything of the sort, have I?"
"Well, no, but-"
"Exactly. So maybe we got the whole thing wrong! Or even if we didn't, I can't just wait my whole life. I have to move on, see new people, start a life. And Will asked me to go with him to Hogsmeade. What better way to start the process?"
"Have you not considered just talking to Fred about this? Even me or Al could go and-"
"No," Katie said firmly. "What if he doesn't like me? Things would be so awkward. Or what if he lies?"
"It's better than just turning your back on him," Alicia pointed out from the doorway.
"I'm not turning my back on him. We'll still be friends, even if I start dating Will. And this will be our first date, it doesn't mean we're going to get married."
"So you won't be coming to Hogsmeade with us?" Angelina asked, now sounding a little sad.
"Sorry," Katie answered, feeling a bit sad herself.
"But it's always been the six of us. You, me, Angie, Lee, Fred and George. It's always been that way," Alicia said quietly.
"We can go together next time," Katie suggested.
"Yeah, I guess."
"Come on guys! Not going to Hogsmeade together one time is not going to ruin our friendship. It'll always be the six of us, always."
"Promise?" Alicia asked. Katie nodded.
"I promise."
Alicia smiled. "Well in that case, let's get you ready for your date. You're going with Will Freyton, for Merlin's sake!"
An hour later, Katie was finally ready. She was wearing a simple light blue dress with a thin brown belt wrapped around the waist, paired with brown flats. Her hair was in a side ponytail and she was carrying a small brown bag enchanted so inside it held as much as could fit in a backpack. Alicia was fussing over her hair and Angelina was sitting on her bed, watching with amusement.
"I think that's enough Al," Katie finally said, swatting away Alicia's hands.
"But Katie," Alicia whined.
"Her hair looks fine, let the poor girl go," Angelina intervened. Pouting, Alicia stepped away. "You look amazing Katie."
"Thanks to you two. Now watch me trip or spill something on the dress," said Katie, adjusting her shoes.
"Way to be optimistic!"
"Optimism isn't really my thing," Katie replied sourly.
"So, ready?" Angelina asked, standing up. She looked nice in her black jeans and dark blue top, with her hair slightly curled. She was adjusting the top a lot, looking nervous. "Oh, and by the way Al, I meant to tell you earlier… George and I will be splitting from you guys for just an hour or so. We figured we could fit in a short first date and still have group fun." So that's why she was nervous.
"Oh," Alicia said, her smile fading a little. "Lee and I were planning to do the same. I was going to tell you. Why don't we just split up at the same time then?"
"Well, actually, in that case… I mean with Katie gone and then us planning on splitting up… why don't we just all go separately for the whole time? It wouldn't be the same without Katie anyway, and as she said, we can go together next time like tradition, right?"
"I suppose," Alicia said slowly, "but what about Fred? If we all ditch, he'll be going to Hogsmeade alone."
"Oh, Fred will be fine. He's not without other friends you know, he could easily find a group to go with," Angelina assured.
"Then I guess it works," Alicia said smoothing down the black dress she was wearing. "We'll all just walk to Hogsmeade together and then-"
"Oh, wait, no, Will is meeting me in the Common Room. We'll walk to Hogsmeade together from there," Katie interrupted.
"But-"
"Then we'll wait in the Common Room for George and Lee too, and we'll tell Fred," Angelina decided. "Okay Alicia?"
She nodded though she didn't look very happy about it.
"Let's go then," Angelina said cheerfully, and the girls walked down to the Common Room.
It was empty, most people had left already by this point, or they were still getting ready. Will wasn't there yet. The girls sat down on armchairs, quietly sitting in a comfortable silence.
The silence was broken by the pounding of feet coming down the stairs, and then the grinning faces of the twins and Lee appeared.
All three of them were wearing button-down shirts with jeans, all varying colors. George's was orange, but not nearly as bright as his hair, and a purple tie hung loosely from his neck. He walked over to Angelina and produced a bouquet of colorful flowers.
"Oh, George, is that for me?" Angelina said, reaching for the flowers. George looked confused.
"What? No?" He turned to Lee, who was wearing a red shirt. "These are for Lee, of course." He held out the flowers and Lee took them, handing them to Alicia.
"For you, fair lady," he said with great exaggeration.
"George Weasley, I-" Angelina began.
"Love me? Yes, I know," George broke in, grinning widely. He produced a bouquet of dark blue flowers, the color of Angelina's top. "So I got you these."
Angelina didn't accept them. "You expect me to walk around on our date carrying flowers?" she asked.
"Good point," George agreed, and he tossed the flowers to the side. "But the thought still counts."
"Maybe."
"I can't believe those two got together," Fred muttered. Katie jumped, not having noticed Fred sitting on the arm of the chair she was on. "I never thought…"
"Strange things happen," Katie replied. "I guess we have to accept that."
"Hmm," was all Fred had to say about that. Then, "Lee seems to have bounced back quickly." I glanced over to wear Lee and Alicia were smiling and laughing about something in close proximity with each other.
"Yeah. I'm happy for them. I have a feeling Lee always had a thing for her. I'm not mad at him or upset or anything."
"Good."
"So Fred," Angelina said, turning towards them. "We had a change in plans. See, George and I will be going on a date today as will Alicia and Lee, so we won't be going in the group as we always do. Next time, though."
Fred shrugged. "Looks like it's just me and you Katie-bell," he said, turning and winking at her.
Suddenly, Katie was disappointed. All she wanted was to go to Hogsmeade alone with Fred and wander the streets with him. He was looking even more handsome than usual in his light green shirt with the loose blue tie handing from his neck. She wanted to laugh and talk with him, even if nothing necessarily romantic happened. And the desire for it was a little overwhelming.
But she had said yes to Will and yes to a new part of her life. So she tried to push away the images that were swimming into her head. Images of her laughing with Fred in Hogsmeade. Instead she steeled herself.
"Sorry Fred, I have a date."
His smile wavered for a second, but then it was back, though it looked fake now. "Who with?"
"Will Freyton."
"Oh."
"We should go now," Alicia suddenly said, saving the situation from becoming overly awkward. "Katie, you'll be waiting for Will right?"
Katie nodded. "I'll stay with her till then," Fred said. Alicia nodded and left with Lee, George and Angelina. Fred got off the arm of the chair and sat in the armchair across from Katie. The distance between them seemed endless.
"So, Will, huh?" Katie nodded. "How'd that happen?"
"He asked me and I said yes," Katie shrugged. Fred nodded.
"Are you happy?"
The question surprised Katie. Was she happy? In all honesty, she was not. Not at all, really. But why was Fred even asking? Why did he even care in the slightest? She looked at him, hoping the answer would be written on his forehead, or his mouth that wasn't grinning, or his tie that hung with the perfect amount of looseness, making her feel even more sure that she liked him. But the answer wasn't there. In his brown eyes, Katie so true concern for her happiness. So should she tell the truth or lie? The answer seemed obvious.
Katie forced a smile. "Yes."
"Good."
Katie had no idea what to say, but she was saved when Will came down the stairs. He was wearing a light blue button-down shirt that happened to be the same color as Katie's dress with brown pants. It looked like he had made some attempt to tame his dark brown hair, but it was still messy, which was endearing in its own way.
"Katie, I'm so sorry I got late, my friend-"
"It's fine," Katie cut him off. She stood up and glanced at Fred who was watching blankly.
"You look amazing," Will said, smiling.
"Thanks, you do too."
There was a moment of silence before Will said, "Shall we go?"
"Sure."
The walk to Hogsmeade had been filled with small talk, things like background and family and friends and hobbies. Once they reached the town filled with Hogwarts students, Will turned to look at her.
"Where to?"
"Anywhere is fine," Katie answered, not really having an idea.
"Anywhere is fine with me too, so you can pick."
"No, really. You decide."
"No, you."
"I don't have an idea."
"Neither do I." Katie couldn't help but laugh.
"How prepared are we?" Will laughed a little. Katie scanned the town. "Why don't we have a Butterbeer?"
"Sounds good." Once they reached The Three Broomsticks, Will held the door open for her while she walked in, which Katie found both sweet and annoying for reasons she had trouble identifying.
"I'll go get the drinks, and you can find us a seat," Will said cautiously. Katie nodded and started wading through the chairs and Hogwarts students to find an empty table. A few people called out greetings to her. Finally, she found an empty table for two and sat down. Will returned with two mugs of Butterbeer and placed them on the table.
The liquid was warm and delicious like always.
"So Ms. Bell," Will said, setting his mug back on the table. "I wish to learn about you, which means learning about your passions slash obsessions. So, tell me about Quidditch."
Katie smiled wryly. "You're asking me about Quidditch? Big mistake. I could talk about that all day."
Will returned the smile. "I find that people are at their most attractive point when they talk about something they are passionate about, because they get lost in the topic and stop being self-conscious and nervous. The passion shines through and passion brings out the best in people."
"Hmm… interesting. Well then get ready. I started playing Quidditch when…"
It was an hour later that they finally left The Three Broomsticks.
"I told you not to get me started on Quidditch," Katie said.
"No, I'm glad I did. I feel like I know you a lot better now, and I like to know the girls I date."
"That's actually very sweet."
"Speaking of sweet… Honeydukes next?" Will asked.
"Lead the way."
After Honeydukes, Katie and Will walked around for a while, without a clear destination. They passed Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, where the door was open and the smell of strong coffee was wafting from inside. Katie could see all of the couples inside, kissing or holding hands or gazing at each other lovingly. Katie and her friends referred to them as the gooey's.
"I hope you don't mind that I didn't offer to take you there," Will said, gesturing towards the shop. "I kind of figured you were the kind of girl who wouldn't like that place."
"You figured right. That place disgusts me."
"I hate it too. I went there for a date one time. It was awful. It smells too sweet and the tables are too close and all of the kissing couples are nauseating."
"Definitely," Katie agreed. "Let's keep walking? I'm already feeling sick just from out here." Will laughed quietly and they kept walking.
"You know you're different from most girls," Will commented after a while. "You'd rather go to The Three Broomsticks than the tea shop. I like it."
Katie blushed at the compliment. "So where do we go now?"
"Maybe I'm crazy, but I get the feeling you'd like to go to Spintwitches to make use of their sale."
"You're feeling is correct," Katie confirmed. "Fifty percent off Quidditch gloves, and mine have holes in them. I can't hold them together with magic any longer, I need some new ones. And they have these padded ones that are Gryffindor themed! The most gorgeous shades of red and gold and a lion on the back!"
"Let's go then," Will said, changing direction so they were headed towards the shop.
"You don't mind, do you?" Katie asked.
"Of course not. I love Spintwitches."
It was freezing when they left the store. Katie had put her newly bought gloves in her bag, but she had forgotten to pack herself a jacket.
"You look cold," Will commented. "If I had a jacket, I would have given it to you at this point." Katie laughed.
"Well I guess neither one of us is well prepared."
"Back to Hogwarts then?"
"Okay."
They started walking back to the castle.
"Well Ms. Bell, I certainly had fun today."
"As did I," Katie replied.
"I'm glad." Will pushed his hands into his pockets. "So, would you be willing to do this again sometime?"
Katie thought, and answered, "Definitely."
"And… I'm really bad at this, but… would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"
"Yes," Katie said, smiling, "I would." Will grinned.
They arrived at the castle and walked to the Common Room together. They stood in front of the fire for a moment, not saying anything.
"Thanks for the wonderful evening," Katie finally said.
"Thank you," Will countered. They laughed a little and then fell silent. Will leaned in and kissed Katie on the cheek. "Good night Katie," he said quietly before disappearing up the stairs to the Boys Dorms. Katie was a little shocked as she walked to her own dorm.
It was empty. Alicia and Angelina still weren't back. Katie changed to her night clothes and sat on her bed, trying to read for a while. She couldn't focus on the book though. Her thoughts kept drifting to Fred.
Had he even gone to Hogsmeade? Who had he gone with? What had he done? What would it have been like if she had gone with him instead of Will? Would he have said anything? Declared love for her? Maybe even kissed her again? Would she have wanted that? What would she have done? How would she have reacted?
And then suddenly she was imagining walking the streets with Fred. She was imagining that he pulled her to a corner where nobody was there. She was imagining him leaning in and kissing her, slowly, because they had all the time in the world.
And then she pushed those thoughts away. She told herself not to think about those things, to replace Fred with Will in those thoughts.
Because now Katie Bell was determined to move on.
I don't deserve reviews after making you wait so long... (but leave them anyway?)