Ah, I'm so happy that Winter Break is here! =]

Hopefully this will free up my time to write more chapters of this amazingly growing story, heh.

Oh! One last thing, thank you to everyone who reviewed. Seriously. I know how easy it is to read something then move on, but I really appreciate the extra effort.

Okay enough of me, go on read!

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Harry Potter

'I'm obsessed and stressed with this mess, I can't think of things'

Lyrics From Cute Is What We Aim For's 'Risque'

~*~*~*~

"Our noble captain returns!"

Oliver was met with a frenzy of applause from his teammates as he sat down to breakfast on Sunday morning. He forced a grim smile at George, who was now being smacked by Angelina for screaming in her ear.

"Really mate, you did fantastic." Fred lifted his cup to Oliver's who, when he didn't respond, clinked his glass with George.

"Come on Oliver, it was one game." Alicia gently touched his hand. Her small gesture reminded Oliver of how nice Katie's hand had been on his. Looking around him, he found that he youngest chaser was nowhere in sight.

"Uhm… guys?" They each looked slightly surprised at how dead his voice sounded. Oliver was shocked too, which is why he tried desperately to clear his throat.

"Yeah?" Angelina was leaning attentively forward. She liked to think of herself as the 'den mother' of the group. It was just in her nature.

"Where's Katie?" It felt like time had stopped. Everyone went into that sort of silence where they know what you're asking, but don't want to tell you. Fortunately, as soon as Oliver had asked the question, Angelina's eyes had darted right behind him. It was only for a fraction of a second, but years of Keeper training had let Oliver catch it.

Narrowing his eyes in confusion, Oliver slowly turned to look behind him. It didn't hit him as to why he was looking at the Ravenclaw table, but hearing an all too familiar voice another table back soon lead him to the answer. Sitting at the Slytherin table, next to a smug looking Flint and obnoxiously loud Bletchley was Katie?!

Oliver thought he was dreaming. There was no way she was over there. He looked back to his friends, who had all decided that their breakfast was suddenly fascinating.

"How did- Why is…," He couldn't seem to get the words out. Glancing once more behind him almost made him sick as he saw that she was now laughing at something that pompous jerk Miles had just said.

He couldn't stand it anymore. He had to get out of this room, hell out of this castle. Getting up without another word, he swiftly left the Great Hall.

~*~*~*~

Katie's POV

Ever have that feeling that the world is somehow conspiring against you to make your life abso-freaking-lutely miserable?

Well, I do and it sucks. Big time.

As you could probably guess, I had to "make-up" with Miles last night. And let me tell you it wasn't pretty. To sum it up short, I blamed the outburst on PMS. Just mentioning anything feminine around Miles got him to take me back pretty fast. I may have to remember that for the future...

And please don't even get me started on Oliver last night. When I was told that I'd have to go back with Miles, I promised myself I would try and distance myself from Oliver. Out of sight, out of mind you know? Anyway, we can all see how badly that plan went.

A sudden jerk from my right caused my hand to streak a huge glob of ink across my freshly written page. I was ready to kill whoever had done it, but remembering what kind of company I was in, well what can you do?

I grudgingly shoved my journal back into my bag, where I knew it was stay out of harms way for the rest of breakfast. Fortunately, the conversation centered on Miles, who seemed to be in the middle of a really long and really boring story.

"… and he just fell right on his face!" He had apparently been telling a story about how much fun he was having torturing first years.

He looked over at me, to see my reaction I guess. I gave him the smallest smile I had, and then quickly turned my attention to the plate of cold, untouched food before me.

"Oh it was great, you should've been there." Yes, such a shame I missed that. Not.

"Hey, I've got some work I want to finish. I'll see you later, okay?" I couldn't wait to get out of there. Not only were Miles's stories boring me to death, but the glares from the rest of the Slytherins were enough to do me in also.

"You're such a nerd sometimes." Clenching my jaw in irritation, I grabbed my bag headed out of there as quickly as possible. I will never understand why my life had to take such a sucky turn. I always thought my parents divorce would give me enough 'pity points' so that the world wouldn't let me deal with stuff like this. Hmm, guess I was wrong about that.

Since I didn't actually have any work to do, I headed outside. It was still chilly, but refreshing. The crisp wind felt like it was just blowing all my cares away. Sticking my hand out, I felt my way along the stone walls and columns that surrounded the small courtyard. It was then, right in the middle of my peaceful time, that I heard a shout. More accurately it was a lot of shouts and the sound of something smacking into the stone. I was so mad at that moment that I didn't think about what I was doing. All that was running through my mind was marching up to whoever was making the ruckus and scream at them.

As my footsteps got increasingly louder as I reached the culprit, so did whatever they were saying. You'd think something would have clicked in my brain that this person would much rather be left alone, then to have someone shout at them, but of course that wasn't the case. I swear I'm going to have a talk with myself later about this sort of thing.

When I rounded the corner, I had everything planned out of what I was going to say. Though it was hasty, I thought I would get my point across quite well. Even with the occasional swearing that seemed to follow when I get cranky. I was all prepared, with my voice at its proper shouting level, when I finally saw who was standing before me. It was Oliver. Blinking in shock from that fact that the boy swore like a sailor, I was then able to get a good look at him. He seemed to be pacing, every few seconds taking a break to slam his foot or hand into the nearest object. I could honestly say that I was a little bit terrified right now. I thought I'd seen him at his worst moment, but apparently I was wrong. It was then that I decided to walk, hell, run back to the common room. Never, ever speaking of what I saw, when as luck would have it I stepped on a very, very loud stick.

"-and that stupid bloody git! How could anyone even think-"

Shit, shit, shit! I cringed, as I slowly turned around to face him. I started praying to God, Buddha, and heck anyone that even listen to me, that he wouldn't be too pissed about me walking in on his rant session.

"Katie?" His voice sounded shaky and quiet. Hopefully he used up most of his screaming voice.

"Uhm… yeah it's me." All I wanted to do was hide my face in my hands, I was so embarrassed.

"What are you doing out here?" Good question!

"I was, uh, just going on a walk and I heard shouting and now I'm here?" The last part sounded more like a question, than an answer.

"Is Bletchley out here too?" At this, I snapped my head up. Oh God, he knows!

"No." I said shaking my head. "I'm by myself."

"That's a first." He started walking over to the one of the benches.

"What's that supposed to mean?" My cheeks were beginning to burn. With embarrassment or anger, I'm not sure which one.

Oliver turned his head to me, looking straight into my eyes with his.

"What I mean Kate, is that you seem to be more involved with this guy then you told me."

"It's not like that." I could feel my voice shaking. I wasn't sure whether it had to do with the fact that he thought I was lying to him or that he called me Kate.

"Oh yeah? Then tell me what it is!" His rage had come back and this time it was directed solely at me.

"It's complicated." I'm not making that part up- it really was.

"Is that all you have to say?" He looked at me, pleading that it was all some sort of sick joke.

"Yes." I could barely whisper it out. It hurt like hell.

"Okay." With that he got up from the bench, passing by me only slightly. I could feel the tears coming and nothing I could do would stop them.

~*~*~*~

"Hey there, stranger."

Oliver's previously un-occupied arm was now snaked through Ana's.

"Hey." He didn't feel much like talking to anyone. Everything had taken such a dreadful turn in his life. It was surprising to still find people who wanted to talk to him.

"I haven't seen you in forever! How are you?" Her overly-positive attitude radiated onto Oliver. It was like being smothered by a fuzzy blanket.

"Fine, I guess." Oliver started taking turns that would eventually lead them to the Gryffindor common room. He wondered how much longer it would take until she got the hint.

"I'm glad to see you've recovered from that awful game. I mean, it sucks to lose but, you know, life goes on." Ana tried giving him a reassuring squeeze.

"Mhm." Just a few more staircases…

"So… I was wondering about something." Her voice was dripping with excitement that was meant to be masked in mystery. It was difficult for Oliver not to pick it up, since Katie had used this kind of trick all the time on him when they were friends. Ugh. He mentally kicked himself for thinking about Katie again. It was like his brain and heart were on two completely different frequencies; frequencies that Oliver could never tune into to.

"How about it, can you go?" He was completely oblivious to what Ana had been saying. Thankfully, they had reached the portrait and Oliver excused himself in a manner that included a hurried password and a run/slip down the stairs. Smooth. Very smooth.

Once inside the safety of the common room, Oliver immediately sunk down into one of the chairs by the fireplace. He was surprised to find one open, but when he looked at the clock he instantly knew why. It was still early afternoon, which meant that people were probably out with their friends trying to enjoy the last fleeting moments of the weekend. Well, everyone that still had friends. Sinking down lower in the chair, Oliver now started rubbing his temples. He now suddenly had a massive headache, which was partly due to lack of sleep and the other to… Katie. Oliver couldn't believe that his mind was still on her, when he thought he had made it quite clear that he was done. Trying to take deep breathes, a sudden thud, followed by an "Ouch!" shifted his attention.

"You okay, Fred?" Oliver was now trying desperately to stifle a laugh. Fred had apparently been attempting to sneak around Oliver, but had failed to notice the large message board and had stubbed his toe. Fred was now hopping on one foot and saying many unpleasant things.

"Hah, yeah, I'm- Mother of Merlin!" Fred, while still hopping, had now crashed into a small table which caused him to fall flat on his back.

Oliver couldn't stand it any longer, he was laughing so hard tears started coming out of his eyes.

"Laugh it up, Wood. I'll just lie over here in PAIN and AGONY!"

"I'm sorry it's just-" Oliver had left the chair to help Fred off the floor and onto the couch, "I haven't laughed in awhile."

"Yeah, well I'm glad I could keep you entertained. That seems to be my only job around here." Fred started digging around his pockets until he came up with some old pieces of candy. "Jackpot! D'you want some?"

"Sure." Though he was hesitant at first, Oliver figured the candy must be safe if Fred was going to have some. Taking what looked to be a blue circle thing, he popped it into his mouth. Instantly he felt the cool sensation hit his tongue. In a few seconds, his teeth were chattering and Oliver was pretty sure his lips were blue.

"Be grateful you got that instead of the red one." Fred was now chewing some bubble gum that when you blew it out, shifted into random shapes.

It was silent for a few minutes, each boy trying to enjoy his candy. After Oliver had finally swallowed the freezing ice ball, he cleared his throat.

"Something you want to talk about?" Fred was now eyeing him curiously. He had been present at breakfast when the news of Katie and Miles had been brought up. Now he was wondering if the ever secretive Oliver Wood was going to spill.

"Only if you promise to tell me why you're crushing on Alicia."