You Made a Rebel of a Careless Man's Careful Daughter

Katie Wood is 14 when her letter arrives. How does Hogwarts cope with a girl who is smarter than Hermione Granger, more competitive than Oliver Wood and determined to become the Minister for Magic? Rated T because I'm paranoid and a bit mouthy. OC/Fred

Chapter 12 –In Front of the Fireplace

Katie

I practically stormed down the stairs to the Common Room, where Oliver was sitting alone. Throwing the recent letter from our parents at him, I paced back and forth while he read it. "Katie? Why are you…" he asked tentatively.
"Six hours!" I exclaimed, "I spent SIX HOURS deciding if I wanted to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas or not. Could they not have sent this letter six hours earlier?" I threw my hands up, exasperated.

Oliver scoffed, then completely collapsed in fits of laughter. I stared at him in disbelief. "What?"
"I'm sorry." He said through his laughter. "Katie, they're going to Switzerland. It's not the end of the world." I stopped pacing and glared at him. "Come here."
I sat down and he put his arm around me, pulling me into his side, "Is this about Weasley?"
My eyes widened in horror, "How did you…" He chuckled again.
"Katie, I know everything." He gave my shoulder a squeeze, "Don't think I haven't noticed how he stares at you with puppy dog eyes and how you blush every time he walks into a room?"
"I do not blush when…" Fred walked in from class at that precise moment and I felt my cheeks burn. Oliver gave me a knowing look. I picked up the nearest cushion and threw it at him. "Shut up."
"Katie. This is ridiculous." Oliver smiled at me, "Go out with the guy for goodness sakes!"

I stuck my hand over his mouth, "Oliver! Time and a place!"
"Why not, Katie?" he asked, with a serious expression on his face. I wrapped my arms around myself and shrugged, "I don't know… I just…"
He dug his hand into my side, forcing me to stand up. "Go talk to him." He shoved me forward and I glared back at him as I walked towards Fred, my heart speeding up as I did. Fred was sitting alone, but the common room was starting to fill up. I took a deep breath, trying to ignore the thumping in my ears and sat down next to him. "Hey…" I smiled, silenced as he looked up at me. I stared dumb-founded at the red-haired in front of me, trying to formulate words. "Um…" I mumbled, and then shook my head to dismiss the thought. Fred reached for my hand and was about to say something when we heard screams from outside. "… NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE!"
A rush of dread spread over me, "Oh no…" I whispered. He grabbed my hand and we rushed out into the corridor, where people were running around screaming. I rushed through the crowds until I found Harry staring in horror at someone on the ground. It was the Hufflepuff kid from the Duelling club, and Nearly Headless Nick. I tried to push through the crowd to reach him but Fred caught up to me and grabbed my hand again.
"Katie, there's nothing you can do." He said severely, as I struggled against his grip. Before I could protest, Professor McGonagall showed up and the crowds of screaming students were dispersed. I watched as McGonagall marched Harry off to Dumbledore. "Poor Harry," I whispered sadly

Fred

After the double attack on Justin and Nearly Headless Nick, there was a mad panic that swept the school. Those who had initially signed up to remain at Hogwarts for Christmas ran to book seats on the train and one evening, I watched Oliver and Katie in deep conversation about whether they should go home or not. Katie was incredible unnerved by the attacks and spent a lot of her time in the library with Hermione, researching the chamber. The evening that Oliver persuaded her to stay for Christmas, he came up to talk to me. "Hey, Weasley. I need to talk to you about Katie." We looked over to the window seat where she was sitting, her knees in her chest and staring blankly out into the darkness. He sighed, "I'm worried about her."
"That makes two of us." I replied, unable to drag my eyes away from the fragile and beautiful girl who was sitting a few metres away.
"Exactly," he said, "which is why I need your help." I looked at him, interested, "Go on."
He folded his arms and glared, "Well, as much as I disapprove, I know what you feel about my sister and I know that she feels exactly the same." I blinked back my disbelief. "I can't believe I'm asking you this… Fred, will you ask her out?"

My jaw hit the floor, "Hold on, you're giving me permission to date Katie?" I thought back to a few months ago where the exact same brother had be up against a wall and was threatening me.

-"Go take a long walk off a short pier, Wood" I glared at her brother. Katie laughed, a twinkling beautiful sound and walked between us, glaring at one another. She hit us both round the head and walked down the stairs smiling. I smiled after her, my heart racing. Suddenly, I was slammed against the wall with Oliver breathing angrily in my face, his wand at my neck. "Let me break it down for you, Weasley: you dare touch my sister again and I swear to Merlin that I will smash your face in." He grabbed the front of my robes for good measure. "Got it?" I nodded, like the pathetic wimp that I was. Why wasn't I fighting for the beautiful girl that I was in love with? For one, Oliver was bloody terrifying when he was angry. Secondly, I was terrified that I would hurt her. She was so fragile, so innocent and so beautiful….-

I shook my head to erase the memory, and then looked at Oliver seriously. "Are you sure that this is a good idea Oliver? She's already turned me down, twice." I winced as the reality hit me.
Wood stifled a laugh, "That was a few months ago Weasley. She may have changed her mind by now. She's not the lost new girl anymore."

I folded my arms, "No, she's the lost and terrified clever girl now."
"This is precisely why she needs you to comfort her." He glanced back over his shoulder at her. "Please Fred. It hurts me to see her like this" I nodded and began formulating the conversation in my head.

Katie

When I looked up from the chapter of Hogwarts: a History, the common room was empty apart from someone sleeping on the sofa by the fireplace. I couldn't tell who it was and the clock chimed somewhere as I got up. It was past midnight. I walked over to the sleeping figure and was surprised to see Fred still in the common room. Sitting down as softly as I could, I watched him for a few minutes, smiling at how peaceful he looked. As I looked closer, I noticed how worried his expression was, how his fists were clenched tensely at his sides and how uncomfortable his sleeping position was. I knelt on the floor next to him, sweeping the hair that had flopped over his eyes out of the way and placing a hand gently on his arm. "Fred." I said quietly, waiting until his eyes opened, "Hey, what are you still doing down here?"
He mumbled groggily, "I was waiting for you."
I frowned, "I've been here all evening. What do you…?" I stopped, as he touched my cheek tenderly. "Fred…" I whispered. He sat up and took my hands in his, leading me onto the sofa next to him. His hands moved up my arms, wrapping themselves around my waist as he moved closer. Almost through instinct, I ran my shaking hand up his chest, which was perfectly chiselled where it came to rest on his cheek. I smiled lightly as we stared at one another for a moment, before closing the gap. Fireworks shot up behind my eyes, annoying little birds buzzed around my head and I let my emotions take over. A few minutes passed as he kissed me in a way that should be illegal. My hands wove themselves into Fred's hair but he pulled away and held my face a few inches away from his.
"I'm sorry." He muttered, sweeping away a tear that I didn't know had fallen.
I touched my cheek, surprised to find it wet with tears.
"It's too soon isn't it?" He sighed, "I'm sorry Katie." He kissed my forehead as he got up. His hand lingered on my shoulder, and I put my hand on top of his to stop him from leaving. "Fred. Don't go." I whispered. Standing up, I took both of his hands, but he slipped out of my grasp. "I… Fred…" I stumbled.
"Shh…" He said, tucking a piece of hair behind my hair. "We'll work something out." His hand lifted my chin, "I promise."
He sat with me for a few minutes and once he went up to bed, I stared sadly into the fire. Stupid emotions.

AN: I'm sorry... anther almost. Don't hate me. The time will come. Now if you are a little confused please read the previous chapter, as I did a bit of admin and it may have got lost in the post. The bit in italics is a flashback from 'Almost'. I really dont know what to do with Fred and Katie until they get together but that won't be for a little while longer. Please please please be patient. I must also confess that I have been jumping ahead and writing chapters that I won't use for 3 or 4 more books, namely Deathly Hallow... and the Final Battle. And I will say no more.

Please Review.

~ CARLEY IDONEA xx