OTP Competition III: Round 1 (Bartender AU)

AU Challenge and Competition: (Bartender AU)

WC: 3,041


"Evening, Madam Rosmerta! How's everything since I left last night?" Katie called as she walked up behind the bar, tapping the older bartender on the shoulder.

"Oh, love, it's been darling. We had two bar fights and a drunken profession of eternal love to our lamppost in the corner. It was entertaining, to say the least. I'm sorry you missed it." Madam Rosmerta handed Katie a rag and a glass. "Start wiping and I'll tell you all about it!"

Katie's mind began to wander as Rosmerta began to chatter about the evening's events. She had her medical exams in a week, and if she passed she'd finally be an official doctor. Right now, all she wanted to do was study, but she knew that working at Rosmerta's Tavern was the only way her rent would be covered. She could afford one day off before the exams, and that wasn't today.

"Sweetheart, you listening?"

"Huh? I'm sorry, Rosie - I was just thinking. Go ahead."

Rosmerta smiled and took the rag from her. "Go grab your books, love. There's not much left to do and no one's around yet. I know you'd much rather be cramming knowledge into that pretty head of yours then be listening to my talk. You can study out here until the customers start arriving."

Katie smiled in relief. "Thanks, Rosie." She ran back to grab her books - any studying could help her now.


"Oliver Wood! My man, my love, my best bud!"

"What do you want, Davies?" Oliver grimaced as his teammate bounced up behind him like a puppy dog. Davies was a good enough guy, but Oliver knew when he acted like this, it was because he wanted something.

"Well, it's Friday, but Charlie Weasley is off with his girl Isobel and Percy is an awkward government worker who wouldn't know how to talk to a girl if his life depended on it, and, well, Fred and George are just dangerous to be around when drunk, so... I have no wingman. And I need one."

"No, Davies."

"Come on, Wood! You need to get out more! Ever since that stupid Ruby girl broke your heart you've been downright hermit-like. You have got to get laid. All you think about is rugby and more rugby. You eat, sleep, and play rugby."

"So?"

"So aren't you tired of being alone? Don't you want to at least find someone to share it with? What's the point of playing rugby if no one comes to your games? What's the point of making a bunch of money playing professional sports if there's no one to take out to dinner, or buy gifts for, or build a home for?"

Oliver sighed and shut his locker, grabbing his bag. "Look, Davies, even if I did want that, how would I find it by going to a bar with you? All you want to do is get drunk and pick out your next flavor of the week. You don't want to settle, and being your wingman wouldn't help me at all. So why bother?"

Davies blocked Oliver's path to the door. "Look, Wood. Come out with me tonight. We'll go to one bar and we'll stay for an hour, and if you haven't found anyone even remotely interesting to talk to, we can leave. We'll do what you want. Just- You need to get out of the house tonight. Ok?"

Oliver sighed. Davies wasn't going to shut up about this if he didn't go, so... "Fine. I'll go. For one hour! And we can leave whenever I say we leave after that, okay? No matter what."

Davies grinned. "Deal! I'll meet you at my place at 7!"


"Katie! Scarf on the end needs a Jack Daniels on the rocks!"

"On it!" Katie yelled back, grabbing the bottle of Jack Daniels and picking up a glass. She prepared his drink and slid it down the counter right into his waiting hands. He glanced up in surprise and grinned at her, throwing a wink in her direction. She half-heartedly smiled back, then turned to serve two new customers who had sat down.

"Hey, what can I get you today?" She paused to look at the two guys. They were both about her age, probably, and the one nudged the other with a pointed glance.

"Yea, Wood, what do you want to drink?"

The one called 'Wood' threw a glare towards the other. "I'll just have a rum and coke, I guess. And a water."

"Oh, come on, Wood, drink a little!"

"Davies, I said one hour. One. Hour."

Katie grinned. "A rum and coke coming up, sir. And I promise you'll get plenty of water, too." She fixed his drink and pushed it across the counter towards him. "And for you?" she asked, turning to the other guy. He grinned at her, leaning across the bar to look deep into her eyes. Katie pulled back a bit, narrowing her eyes.

"What's your strongest liquor? I'm going hard tonight."

"I'm not sure you can handle that," Katie said, pulling out a glass and filling it with water before handing it to Oliver. "It's strong. Really strong."

"Oh, I'm sure I can handle it. Just give it to me."

Katie shrugged, preparing the drink. "Here you go."

He looked at the red liquid with suspicion. "What is it?"

"Rosmerta's FireWhiskey. It's a signature drink. It's got whiskey, absinthe, and a dash of hot sauce. It's strong, I told you."

"Well," he began, turning to his friend."if it kills me, Oliver, tell the Captain that Roger Davies went down in style, drinking strong liquor provided by a beautiful girl." He winked at Katie, then tossed back the shot.

"Wow, that is strong stuff," he said, grimacing. "Get me another, fair maiden!"

Katie raised an eyebrow. "How hard did he pregame?"

The boy called Oliver shook his head. "Absolutely none. This is just Roger Davies in action. I'm Oliver Wood, by the way."

"From Ireland's national rugby team?"

"You know rugby?"

Katie grinned. "Three older brothers and no sisters. I was raised a tomboy and the sports part stuck, I guess. So yea, I follow rugby. You play well, especially for having started out so young."

"Thanks, Miss..."

"Katie. Katie Bell. There's no need for the 'Miss' part." She stuck her hand out and he shook it, smiling.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Katie Bell."

"Katie! Glasses needs a refill of his bourbon!" Madam Rosmerta called down the bar.

"On it, Rosie! It was nice to talk to you, Oliver. Let me know if you need anything." Katie smiled as she hurried to help her other customers, and Oliver watched her until it was time to drag Davies home.


One month later

"Rosmerta! I passed! I got my results and I passed! I'm officially a doctor now!"

"Oh, that's great, love! Oh-" and suddenly Rosmerta was hugging Katie as tightly as she could. "I'm going to miss you, love. You're going to be a full-fledged doctor. Oh, how am I going to find as good a barmaid as you were?"

"Oh, Rosie, it'll be fine. You'll find someone even better than me to come help out at the bar. And I'll come back to visit you every once in a while, you know!"

"What am I going to say to that boy who comes in here sometimes just to talk to you?"

"Who, Oliver? Oh, he won't care. He just talks to me because he doesn't want to get as drunk as his friend. He just babysits Davies and then they go home. It's nothing."

Rosmerta raised an eyebrow. "If it's nothing, why are you blushing?"

Katie threw a rag at her friend. "Oh, shut up!" she cried, laughing and blushing some more. "Come on, let's get the bar ready. It's my last Friday shift, and I don't it to be too exhausting."


One day later

"Oliver Wood, ask her for her number. You've got to. She's hot, she's probably single, and she's not a bimbo. In other words, she's perfect for you! She actually gets what you talk about when you go on your rugby tangents, so ask her out, man!"

Davies and Oliver were standing outside Rosmerta's Tavern, and Davies was trying to get Oliver to actually go inside and ask out Katie. "Come on, let's get a little drink into you, and then you can talk to her. You got this, Wood."

They walked inside, and Oliver searched the bar for her. He saw the older woman, Rosmerta, and there was some brunette at the bar, but no Katie. They sat down at the bar, and the brunette came up to them, hips swaying and shirt riding low.

"Hey, guys, what can I get you tonight?"

Davies glanced at Oliver. "Well, I'd like a scotch, and he'd like Katie Bell."

The brunette glanced between them, confused. "I'm sorry, this is my first day on the job. I don't think I know of a Katie Bell drink. Is that some sort of specialty? Rosmerta didn't mention it."

"No, it's not a drink. It's a girl. She usually works Friday and Saturday nights. We were wondering if she was here."

"Oh, um, not tonight. But you could speak to Rosmerta, she would know when this Katie would be back on shift. Can I get you a drink to start off with, sir?" she asked, turning to Oliver.

"Just a water, please," he grumbled quietly. Davies just sighed.

An hour later they both left, entirely too sober and discouraged for their own good. "So, Katie Bell is a Dr. Bell now. And not a bartender. Well, I guess she always seemed to be too smart to be just a bartender. Well... I guess... Maybe it wasn't meant to be?" Davies said hesitantly.

"That's not good enough, Davies," Oliver said harshly, shoving his hands in his jacket. "Just leave me alone." He hunched his shoulders down and stalked off towards home. Davies sighed, turning towards home himself. He'd need to figure out how to find Katie again.


"Oi, Bell!" Dr. Lupin ran up to the young intern and handed her a clipboard. "We run physical checkups on the sports teams each year, and you've been requested to come with me to shadow and help out."

Katie looked at the clipboard in confusion. "Me? Why'd they request me?"

"I don't know, maybe because you're one of our best interns and they want someone competent around to help. Come on, Doc. You want the job or not?"

Katie glanced at the clipboard. Perhaps they'd get to stop by the rugby teams...

"I want the job. Let's go."


"Alright, checkups will be in alphabetical order. Wait patiently for your turn and cooperate with the doctors. Let them know immediately if anything's bothering you. We want you all in top shape for the beginning of the season." Couch Reed glanced at his clipboard. "Astor, you're up first with Dr. Lupin. Go on in."

Wood slumped to the ground and stuck his iPod in. He hated check up days, because they didn't get to actually play. Davies sank down next to him.

"Oi, dude, cheer up. You've been a sour puss ever since Bell stopped working. Enjoy the fact that we don't have to work our butts off today. We just get the checkup and then go back home."

"Go away, man," Wood grumbled, shoving his headphones back in. He knew he'd be the last one in, so it didn't really matter if he listened.

"Davies, you're up next," Coach called, and Davies stood, heading towards the office the checkups were taking place in. He walked in, grinning - and stopped when he saw Katie Bell.

"Whoa, Bell? You're the doc on call for this thing now? Damn, Oliver's gonna freak when he sees you. How are you?" He grinned and sat down in the chair.

"Do you know Mr Davies, Bell?" Dr Lupin asked as he set up his equipment.

"Oh, yea, he and Mr Wood used to frequent the bar I worked in while I was finishing med school. How are you doing, Roger?"

"Fine. We've missed you at the bar. Service just isn't the same, you know. And that new girl can't make Rosie's special as well as you can," Davies said with a wink, and Katie laughed.

"You know, I'm sure Oliver appreciates not having to wipe you off the floor each weekend."

Dr. Lupin watched his intern interact with his patient. "You know, Katie, I'd like you to take this one yourself. And Mr Wood's. Let's see how you do."

Katie's eyes widened. "Oh, of course Dr. Lupin," she said, then turned back to Roger to begin the checkup.

Half an hour later, with a final "Don't drink too much during the season!" Roger walked out of there with a grin.

"Oliver, the intern is hot. Super hot. You're gonna love her," he said as he walked by Wood.

"Fuck off, Davies," he growled, and Roger just grinned even more. He wished he could stick around to see Wood's reaction when he saw Katie, for he was certain it was going to be hilarious.


"Wood, your turn," Coach called, and Oliver pulled himself to his feet. He just wanted to get this over with.

"Hey Dr- Katie?" He asked as he stopped short in the doorway. She looked adorable in her white doctor's coat over blue jeans and top, and she smiled at him as he walked in.

"Hey, Oliver."

"Bell, you can handle the rest, right? I'm going to take my lunch break," Dr Lupin said, and Katie nodded.

"Have a seat, Oliver."

He sat.

"Alright, so it's a standard checkup. Everything I ask you is confidential, and I'm really just here to make sure you're fit for the season. Understand?"

"Understand."

"Right, to start off with, is there any physical pain you're worried about?"

"Nope," he answered. His mind was churning. How could she act so normal? Maybe she wasn't as into him as he was into her. But he'd thought there was something there. He should've acted faster.

"Oliver?"

"What? Sorry, I got distracted."

"It's fine. I just need you to sit still while I check your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth." She shone a light in his face, moving closer. This close, he could see the light dusting of freckles that adorned her nose and cheeks. Her eyes were a really pretty green that he hadn't noticed before. They looked different under bar light, but he liked them better here.

"Now, I'm going to check your elbows and knee caps," she said, taking out a small rubber hammer and hitting his knees. She nodded and made a little note in his folder, scanning through it. "It looks like your blood work and vaccines are all up to date, so we don't need you to come into the office for that. And... oh, the last bit. The personal questions. These are the ones about healthy activities, and you're free to not answer any questions you feel uncomfortable answering."

Oliver nodded.

"How much do you drink?"

"Not much, as you know," he said ruefully.

"Are you sexually active?"

He blushed. "Not since my girlfriend left me."

Katie winced. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Oliver. That's difficult. Um, last one, how are you feeling mentally? How do your emotions range on a day to day basis?"

"Well, Doc, I've been feeling a little down, lately. You know, I met this really great girl, and I didn't pull my shit together soon enough to get her number. By the time I got up the courage to ask her out, she'd left her bar job and got a real job as a doctor."

Katie paused, blushing as Oliver looked at her. "Good thing she believes in second chances, right?" she said, scribbling something down on a corner of notebook paper and ripping it off. She slid the paper across the table to him. "This never happened, and if you happen to call me later, we met in a bar."

Oliver grinned as she winked at him. "Well, thanks, Dr. Bell. Is that all?"

"Of course, Mr. Wood. Stay healthy," she said. He walked out of her office with his hand gripping the paper tightly. He couldn't wait to call her.


One year later

"Katie! What a surprise!"

"Hey, Rosie! I'm here to help out for the evening. I miss working the bar," she said, pulling an apron on and grabbing a rag.

"I'm happy for the help!"

Katie smiled as her next customers sat down at the center of the bar. "What can I get you lads?" she asked, and they grinned at her.

"I think I'll have a scotch, and my friend wants a Katie Bell," one said to her, and Katie laughed. She grabbed two glasses, filling one with Scotch and filling the other with water. "Here's your Scotch, Davies. And here," she said, grabbing the other man's tie and pulling his face closer to hers, "is your Katie Bell." She closed the distance and kissed him sweetly, then broke away and pushed the water forward. "And your water, of course. Can't have you getting too drunk on too much Katie Bell," she said.

"Love you, Kates," he whispered, raising his glass to her.

"Love you too, Oliver," she replied, and turned to her other customers. Life was good.