AN: Thanks to all who have reviewed, not only this chapter but also the whole story. To receive such encouraging and constructive criticism has been enlightening. In the words of Matthew Reilly, one of Australia's bestselling writers, "To anyone who knows a writer, never underestimate the power of your encouragement."

Where to go from here? Upwards is always a good start. I have a stack of things still up my sleeve that I love to deliver every now and again. If you want to see all of these, I advice you to drop me a review and I'll get straight onto penning the next chapter.

CHAPTER NINE: BREAKING POINT

After going though the terms of my detention, it was not surprising that there would be a less than favourable condition that would bring the whole good fortune I had received crashing to the ground.

"I'll be writing a letter home to your parents to explain the events of Saturday's match and what the punishment is for your actions," McGonagall said grimly, with a tight lipped smile. "Apart from that, Madam Pomfrey will be expecting you in the hospital wing tomorrow afternoon after classes to start your detention."

I nodded sadly; more worried about the letter to my parents than actually starting my detention. I wasn't naïve, it was going to be hard work, Madam Pomfrey had reminded me that countless times in the past twenty minutes, but I would prefer to do anything that suffer the wrath of my parents. I hadn't told anyone but after the incident with Oliver, I had been grounded for 2 weeks – for sheer idiocy. That gesture from my parents had hurt me greatly and spelled out that their like for Oliver was greater than their love for me.

At the time it had seemed that simple – they really did love him like their own son. Who wouldn't? He was charming (at times), intelligent (also at times) and he was absolutely gorgeous (all the time) and kind natured (most of the time). He was the perfect son…that they never had and he was the perfect son that the Wood's worshipped due to their loss of Duncan.

In no uncertain terms, I was jealous of that because I was the middle child of the Bell household, the mediocre child that wasn't the perfect successful one (Gwen) or the cute promising one (Lizzie). I was just Katie…who had disappointed them more than once in the past and was soon to disappoint them again. Things were not looking as fine as I thought…. I could just about always count on things going tremendously bad when I though that were about to start picking up and going amazingly better than I could have imagined.

"Furthermore, on Tuesday," McGonagall continued, giving me a couple of minutes to digest the thought that the next time I saw mum and dad they would kill me, "is the First Task in the Tri -Wizard Tournament and you are required to help Madam Pomfrey in the Medical tent."

Bugger, I had forgotten about the First Task starting on Tuesday. Another moment for me to watch Diggory ride to fame. With any luck, Harry would beat him with flying colours and I wouldn't have to deal with any more adversity. Taking a deep breath, I realised that the whole time I had been thinking about me.

I had been thinking about myself when I hit Cedric, thinking about myself when I broke up with Oliver and thinking about myself when McGonagall mentioned that she had a better idea of detention for me. The whole time…for a good long while, all I've been thinking about is myself. Oliver and Cedric didn't deserve to be treated how I treated them and in all honesty, deep down I did deserve to spend ever waking hour outside classes scrubbing Dungeon floors and cleaning up green potions from the floors and school cauldrons. I deserved everything I got and I would deserve that Howler if it came tomorrow morning.

McGonagall and Pomfrey stood, looking at me questionably. I looked up quickly, realising that I had probably been staring out into space running though an internal monologue.

"So any questions?" Madam Pomfrey asked, handing me a white apron and a hat identical to hers.

I looked at the attire, searching for inspiration. There was none…except…"Do you really have to owl my parents? I mean, I can do it. Confess if you will, just admit that I had done something completely brainless and that as an act of faith I would be serving my detention in the Hospital Wing, gaining some skills for my further studies," I said quickly pleading with them.

McGonagall gave me a pitying look and shook her head. "Sorry Miss Bell, but that is not up to you." She gave Madam Pomfrey a quick nod before turning on her heel and leaving.

I waited for a moment, this time standing though a pitying glance from Madam Pomfrey. "Thank you," I said appreciatively, quickly following McGonagall's route out of the wing. "I'll see you at 4pm tomorrow."

"Don't forget to wear your uniform," she called after me.

I nodded in acknowledgement, even though she couldn't see the gesture. I followed McGonagall, calling out to her and meeting her at the stairs. "Please, Professor wait."

McGonagall paused, her lips pursed. "Katie," she said finally. "No matter how you can explain your behaviour, its my duty as your head of house to write a letter home informing your parents of what you have done. I'm sorry if that is inconvenient for you Miss Bell, but you don't have any say in it. I'm sorry."

Again I nodded obediently. "Understood Professor, completely understood."

And it was…I just dreaded the result of the letter.

Monday came, and thankfully, there was no sight of a Howler from Mum and Dad. I didn't dare look up as the mail was delivered, in fear that one of the tawny barn owls swooping down over the Gryffindor table was delivering me my final summons from my parents.

Breakfast also saw the surface of Angelina – but at the end of the table, accompanied by none other than Krystal Stehbens. Word around the Common Room was that Krystal had received my position. There was no surprise there – only that Alicia and the Weasley twins were not overly happy.

"I can't believe this," Alicia said sadly, pushing her cereal around her bowl. "She practically promised Krystal the position on the team full time."

"That's not exactly truthful," Fred added diplomatically, "She's just doing what she thought was best for the team. And at the moment, we can't continue on during the season without a third chaser. We need Krystal – no offence Katie – but we need Krystal to stay afloat."

Alicia shook her head at Fred across the table. "Angelina and I can cover Katie's position," she said angrily.

George raised his eyebrow. "Come on Leesh you're not really being fair. Let's face it, Katie was in the wrong and she's admitted that. The only person here who hasn't-" George cut himself off, and stared down at his toast. "Is you."

Alicia looked at them both, completely offended. "You're defending her? She's just booted Katie out and you're defending her actions?"

I smiled half-heartedly at Alicia. "It's okay Leesh, George and Fred are right. I was in the wrong and I'm suffering because of it. You don't have to be angry at her – she's acting for the benefit of the team."

Frowning, Alicia glanced down the table at Angelina and Krystal, who were sitting with a piece of paper between them, engrossed in tactics. Angrily, Alicia pushed her breakfast violently towards George, sloshing milk all over his robes, and then getting out of her chair. "Stick up for her then! See if I care. Let's see how well Gryffindor does without two primary chasers!" and she left the hall.

I looked at Fred and George apologetically – once again this was my fault. "Sorry," I said, handing George my napkin to mop up the spill. "I've tried explaining to her that it doesn't bother me. I deserved my suspension and therefore Angelina has every right to do what she wants with my positions during that time. She won't listen."

George frowned, mopping the milk up grimly. "I've tried talking to her as well. As you can see she won't listen. And now she's gone and thrown the towel in as well." Grimly, he looked up at me. "You have to sort this out Katie. You're two best mates are at war over you and the rest of us are suffering. Gryffindor can't do overly well without you, but without you and Alicia, frankly we're doomed."

I looked over at Fred. "Is there any chance you can talk to Angelina?"

He shook his head, raising his hands as a sigh to keep out of it. "I'm not even going to mention the subject of Quidditch to Angelina. She's focused on winning that Cup Katie, and I'm not even going to risk my relationship with her by meddling in the friendship of you three girls."

I exhaled deeply, and found myself pleading to them. I was unable to break the Weasley twins. They were right, it was up to the three of us to sort the riff out, not them. I hated when they, of all people, were right. When Fred and George were the wise ones in these situations, you knew that it was time to wake up to yourself.

I skipped lunch and opted to head to the Common Room to catch up on some homework before the start of my detention in the afternoon. Absentmindedly I gave my password to the Fat Lady and stepped into the Common Room. Dumping my bag on the table.

From the couch, Angelina turned, startled at the sound. She had been grossed in her own homework. Sighing she rolled her parchment up, placed it on the couch beside her and got up.

"Katie," she said, catching me unaware, as I was about to cowardly sneak up the stairs.

I nodded dumbly, hoping that this was the start of making peace. It certainly seemed like it until Angelina added, "This came for you about 5 minutes ago." She then walked towards me handing me a letter. "I thought it might be important."

"Thank you," I said, smiling half-heartedly as stood awkwardly in front of me. "It's probably from my parents."

She nodded. "Maybe they can knock some sense into you," she said heavily. "Heaven knows that everyone else has tried."

I frowned, watching as she walked away. "It was nice talking to you," I said loudly as she left the Common Room.

The words echoed around the room, bouncing back at me. So much for making up. I guess revenge was a dish best served cold and Angelina was making good in the Ice Queen act. Chewing my lip angrily, I walked towards the couch and sat down, ripping the letter open. I recognised the writing immediately as Gwen's.

The letter was desperate and my stomach knotted as I read though the sheer emotion of what my sister had put in her letter. We had a small bond, but it was a strong one and I immediately began to worry about her. The letter read:

Katie,

Bad bad news…. with a rather enormous emphasis on BAD! I need to talk to you desperately, about a certain thing that had evolved in my life. Please send the date of the next Hogsmeade weekend so that I can talk this over with you face to face…. you're the only one I have Kates, Mum and Dad are going to hit the roof when they find out… and with any luck I'll be halfway to Hawaii before they know something.

Yours desperately,

Gwen.

Grabbing a quill and spare piece of parchment from my bag, I eagerly I scrawled a note back to Gwen, perhaps to try and settle her before we could meet. In the back of my mind I reminded myself that Gwen only asked for my help when something was drastically askew. I was definitely not comfortable being the person to have to solve this problem – I couldn't even solve my own.

Gwen,

This weekend is the earliest Hogsmeade visit and the last before Christmas (so you can at least help me with my Christmas shopping while I sort out your life). Whether or not I can go…is a different thing, but I will try and organise something.

What ever it is that's worrying you, don't let it; I'll do my best to help you out of your predicament. I'm sure that once we talk everything over, you'll be fine and you won't have to move to Hawaii.

But, if you do, fancy some company? I could do with getting out of this country at the moment. Why isn't important, just rest assured that I am here for you if you need me. Just an owl away if you really need me.

Anyway, must dash, have to head to DADA.

All my love,

Katie.

I conveniently left out the tale of the past week and how I would have to most likely leave a spleen on deposit for getting out of detention. I didn't need to muddle Gwen's life up with my problems – I seemed to have enough of a horrible affect on my friends.

Feeling heavy with concern, I packed up my bag again and left the Common Room venturing to DADA. It would be my last class before the commencement of detention.

And I was as nervous and scared as hell, because someway or another, Lizzie may turn out to be the only surviving Bell daughter. Eeep. That was not a comforting thought.

TUESDAY – THE DAY OF THE FIRST TASK

Madam Pomfrey religiously read over her tatty piece of parchment, ticking of potions, lotions and all sorts of concoctions with her quill. I stood uneasily at the door of the Medical Tent, watching as the remainder of the school, made their way down from their previous lessons and towards the large grandstands that had been erected in the grounds.

The atmosphere was charged full of excitement, much like the atmosphere present before games of Quidditch. People chattered excitedly and nervous as they walked by, discussing wild and fantastic ideas of what the First Task held for Cedric Diggory, Harry Potter, Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum.

The champions of the other hand, all seemed to know their fate and were acting in the most peculiar ways. Fleur Delacour, the long blonde haired Veela from Beauxbatons was hunched in the corner on a low wooden stood, rocking back and forth with sheer overcoming emotions. She did not look as composed and perfect as the woman usually declared to be – her face was pale and clammy with red blotches marring her usual faultless complexion. I didn't know the woman very well at all but she was giving me the chills up and down my spine. I was feeling the nervousness for her. Thank Merlin I wasn't old enough to enter – I would have been pulling my hair out my now and probably going crazy with the onset of metal illness.

Viktor Krum, the famous Bulgarian Seeker, was standing to the site of the tent, eyes down cast, arms folded against his chest looking surly and moody. Watching him carefully, I wondered what it was he was thinking. Was he freaking out, but trying to stay calm for the sake of not looking cowardly?

Because in my opinion, that was the front Cedric was putting up as he paced back and forward in front of me and the Champions from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. I dismissed even giving his behaviour a second though and walked towards the table in the centre of the tent, which housed a pitcher of water and 4 goblets.

"Does anyone want a drink?" I asked softly, breaking the silent tension more than I would have liked. They all stared up at me blankly and I smiled apprehensively. "No?" Still no answer from the company and they all went back to freaking themselves out. All except for Cedric.

He stopped pacing and smoothly made direction for me standing beside the table. "Nice outfit," he said smoothly, looking me up and down in my apron and hat.

I poured myself a goblet of water and gulped it down as Madam Pomfrey bustled by and out the tent doorway. "Thanks," I said, ignoring his sarcasm.

He studied me carefully. "You took me by surprise on Saturday," he said softly leaning towards my ear so that only I could hear what was going on. "I wasn't expecting you to assault me, although I guess I should have guessed that it was bound to happen. Word is you assault all your boyfriends."

I bit my tongue. "Well you're wrong there Cedric. I only reserve violence for those who truly deserve it," I said. "Not like it is any of your god-damned business anyway."

He tutted sleazily – unrecognisable as the caring, proper and sensitive guy he had once been. The Cedric standing before me was only a glimmer of the former person he had been. I didn't want to think why or associate my name with that change. I took a step back from him, staring his squarely in the eye. "This isn't you Cedric…what happened to you?"

He frowned, demonstrating that I had caught him off guard. I took a deep breath, and stepped around him to replace my goblet on the table. "Good luck," I said softly to him as I left the Tent.

I came face to face with McGonagall and Harry as I immediately stepped out. Harry nervous entered the tent, leaving McGonagall. She smiled sadly at the door of the tent. "Madam Pomfrey would like your help setting up in the second room of the tent. The Task will start any minute."

I nodded, "Yes Professor," I replied, making my way towards the smaller door of the tent, which led into the area we had set up as a makeshift Hospital Wing.

"And Katie?"

I turned, "Yes Professor?"

She gave me a weary grimace. "How about you keep some distance between Mr. Diggory and yourself. We don't need anymore bloodshed."

I nodded obediently. "Yes, Professor, as you wish." And I bustled off to do my job.

Fifteen minutes later, Cedric stumbled into the Medical Tent, bloodied, burnt and carrying what appeared to be a golden egg.

Madam Pomfrey rushed over to him, helping him stumble towards a canvas cubicle and a bed. Lips pursed tightly, she frowned at Cedric. "Dragons!" She said desperately. "What an awful idea for a task! I bet your not the only one who'll come limping in here!"

Cedric looked at her bewildered and motioned to the burns down his arms and side of his face. Sighing, Madam Pomfrey obliged, handing me a bowl of thick purple paste and a cloth. "This is to clean the wounds out, just wipe it on gently leave for a few moment and then wash off with hot soapy water," she said, gesturing to the tub of hot soap water at my side. "I have to go and settle Miss Delacour down before she goes out there." And once again, she left me.

Cedric averted his eyes from my gaze and lay down on the bed. I sighed deeply, lathering some of the purple paste onto the cloth and then placing the bowl on the table next to hot water.

"This might hurt a little," I said warningly, knowing that it would burn like hell itself.

Cedric flinched as I touched the cloth to his arm. "Sorry," I said softly, concentrating on spreading it on evenly. "I know it must hurt, the pain should stop in a few minutes."

He nodded, clenching his teeth as the paste began to emit smoke from his arm. "I'm sorry about before," he said awkwardly, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. "I don't know what came over me – I've acted like a real prat to you and you probably think that I am some sleazy cocky bastard."

I gave him a small smile. "That's one way of putting it," I said, lathering some more paste to finish covering the abrasions on his arm.

"Well I want you to know that I'm not," he said. "And that I feel really horrible for the whole Cho thing."

"So you and Cho are dating?" I asked candidly, looking down at him stretched out on the bed, his feet dangling off the end.

He paused and then shrugged. "Yes and No. It's hard to explain. She asked me out and I really haven't given her an answer."

I nodded, dropping the paste drenched cloth into the bowl and soaping up a sponge in the tub of hot water. "So you weren't cheating on me?"

He looked up at me alarmed. "No, what gave you that idea?" He asked breathless.

I shrugged. "That wasn't why I hit you, it was something just on my mind."

"Katie," he said sitting up gingerly. "I've been a prat yes, but I wouldn't have done that to you."

He reached out and stroked my face softly with his good arm…and then he kissed me.

What unfolded next felt like a bad dream. I returned the kiss against my better judgement and by the time I had come to my senses, Cedric had his tongue down my throat. I gently pushed him away and stumbled away from him.

"Jesus," he said, looking at something over my shoulder and then dropping his eyes to the ground again. My stomach lurched as I turned around to see Oliver standing in the doorway, an expression of astonishment and disgust. And I was guessing that that disgust was directed at me. "Sorry," he said ducking out of the tent.

"Bugger," I said angrily, following him out. I caught up with him about 10 metres from the door, thankful that because he was limping along with the aid of his cane I had the speed to catch up with him and stop him.

"Oliver wait," I said desperately, as he stopped in front of me.

He shook his head and pushed past. "Why Katie? If you want to throw your life away why let me stop you!"

I started after him. "What the hell does that mean?" I asked hurt.

He stopped and spun to face me. 5 metres separated us – great shouting range. I didn't want him to think that Cedric and I…Jesus, the look on his face said it all.

"How many times does he have to hurt you before you get the message Katie? He's using you!"

"I don't give a damn what he's doing Oliver! He could jump of the edge of a cliff for all I care! What happened in there was not what it looked like!"

"What happened in there," Oliver said gesturing to the tent. "Was a fault of stupidity on your behalf. Go running back to him Katie and see how it turns out. If you and Diggory want to go back to sticking your tongues down each other's throats then go ahead. But don't expect to come crying on my shoulder when he hurts you!" He yelled at me, stalking off again.

I followed, this time grabbing hold of his hand to stop him. He reefed it from my grasp – a gesture that brought tears to my eyes. Couldn't he see? I was in love with him – not Diggory!

"Oliver, please listen to me."

He shook his head. "It's none of my business," he said angrily, starting off again, "and I'm sorry that I ever got involved."

I let him stride away about 20 metres as I choked back tears, then I chased again. If there was one thing I had learnt, it was never given up on Oliver…no matter how hard things got. "I'm in love with YOU, Oliver, not Cedric."

Shakily, Oliver stopped, but did not turn to face me for some time. "And how do you explain that?" he threw at me, staring me down as I approached. "A way of getting some anyway?"

"Please don't make me fight with you over it…I don't want to have this battle Oliver. I just told you…I LOVE YOU…in there…in the tent…that was Cedric not me. I wouldn't have kissed him Oliver, I thought you had enough faith in me to know that although I may not make the best decisions some times, I know what's right for me. And Cedric and I isn't one of those things."

Tears billowed from my eyes and I silently prayed that he would relent and that what I was saying seriously. Sighing, he stepped closer to me, but not to embrace me but to make it meaningfully clear what he was about to say. "I DON'T love you Katie. Right now, I'm finding it hard to even like you. No amounts of crying or pleading will ever change that. I'VE moved on. I'm in love with Lindsay and that's how it's going to stay. We'll NEVER be together again and that's exactly how it should be."

I gulped, trying to get my lungs to work again. I felt smothered and it wasn't because of overreaction. I had some idiotic notion that if I told him I love him, he just sweep my up into his arms and we'd be together again. I swallowed painfully, the words feeling like poison in my throat. "So that's it? We're back to square one?"

He shook his head. "Square one would mean that we knew each other. I don't want to know you Katie. I'm sorry," he said earnestly, before walking off again.

"What about my family?" I threw at him, hoping he'd oblige with the reasoning as to why they were so attached and visa versa.

"I LOVE your family Katie, I just don't LOVE you." And he was gone, engulfed into the night.

"Katie I am so sorry," Cedric apologised profusely, as I walked back into his canvas cubicle 10 minutes later.

I waved my hand at his speech, dismissing it with the movement. I picked up the sponge from the tub of now lukewarm water, and bathed at his arm. "When you walk out of here after this, I don't ever want to talk to you again. No glances of acknowledgement, no conversations and certainly no moments where you think that it's okay to ram your tongue down my throat. Is that clear?" The words came out completely void of emotion. I didn't think that I had any left.

He nodded grimly and lay back onto the bed. "If that's what you want."

"I do," I said softly. I finished bathing his arm and cleaned up the other abrasions ready for Madam Pomfrey to finish looking after Cedric.

"Have a nice life," I said, leaving the medical tent and going back to the open tent to finish cleaning up.

AN: sniff! Please review! Thanks! See ya next chapter!