A/N: Here you go! Only a week between updates. Are you happy now? No, that
was last chapter. (sorry, in a really weird Socials homework-induced mood)
Thanks again to Michelle Branch, who has once again provided the chapter
title. Thanks also to Pirates of the Caribbean, who provided one little
snippet in this story (see if you can spot it . . . there's a jellybean in
it for you =-) This is the second part of chapter ten - there is one more
part to come. Since I can't spend the same amount of time every day or week
working on this as I did during the summer, I'm going to publish some of my
chapters in sections, just so you don't have to wait for a month again!
NOTES TO MY ChERisHed REVIEWERS:
You guys are what keep me going! =-)
pixydust3 - Really? Promise? Lol Here's your update! Get all your friends to review hehe.
IEatGlue17 - Don't worry, it's all planned out. I know how it's going to end. Well, actually there are two different versions, but I think I might go with the happy ending. (Unless you're mean to me lmao) Thanks for updated DiftF@3! =-)
Cho-Look-Alike - lol Keep your hat on - you got your update! (and you only had to wait a week . . . can you see my halo yet?)
kat6528 - No I didn't HAVE to do that. But it makes it more interesting, don't you think? Stories all fluff and no conflict get boring after a bit . . . Besides, I'm writing to get better at writing as well as just to amuse myself.
Professional scatterbrain - I know . . . I have to admit I've cried over this myself . . . *sniffles*
AllyCat13 - *sighs and casts quick shield charm to protect herself from AllyCat's missiles* My apologies lol I can promise some stuff that's a little happier next chappie . . . or perhaps the chapter after that. No eviction notices! Lol I'd just become a squatter . . . (couldn't desert Sean lmao)
zingy - I'm glad you liked this one better. Yep, that'll have to be the eventual moral of the story, won't it? Lol Keep on R&Rin'! =-)
Little House Girl - This soon enough for you?
Sunnyflower2005 - That letter was really hard for me to write, actually. I just couldn't imagine Katie saying anything like that . . . *sniffles* Now I'm all depressed . . . lol
ktluv - Homework, just gets in the way all the time, doesn't it? lmao Hooray for cookies! I think they're the only think that gets me through my homework, actually lol
itefaq - Yay! You're the only reviewer who's told me it would be OK if I didn't use a classic "happy ending". I always love to hear from you. Good luck with Chemistry!
Marissa - Thanks so much. Believe me, making a reader cry makes authors very happy. That sounds really bizarre, now that I think about it, but it's a compliment to the writing, I guess . . . Enjoy this chappie.
Koala Tangerine - How could I stop? I think I'm addicted . . .
mione1031 - They will, eventually, I think . . . Hang in there . . .
icegirl-kat - Aye, aye, ma'am! Here's your update, SIR!
SkysTheLimit - Well let's just hope it all gets better lol
thatgirlfromcamp . . . I feel like a horrible friend! I STILL haven't mailed that letter. *cloud of guilt* I will try to mail it this weekend . . . Luv n hugs!
TheOneandOnlyElbereth - *sigh* I know - what's with reviewers and only reviewing happy things? Lol Oh well, it'll get happier sumtime I guess and then they'll review some more! =-)
colorado-chick - I know, I know, sometimes life just sucks . . .
*
ON WITH THE FIC!!!
*
.- ~*~ -.
Disclaimer: I'm sure you get the point by now. If not, well, I won't be rude.
.- ~*~ -.
Relating Relations ~ Chapter Ten: Part Two: All You Wanted
I passed numbly through my Easter holidays. My days fell into a grim routine. I rose early, though rarely refreshed. Dreams continued to torment me, visiting me nearly every night. I breakfasted by myself before escaping with my texts and NEWT notes to the library or a secluded area of the grounds. I studied for hours on end, rarely stopping even for lunch.
Mid-afternoon I met the rest of the Quidditch practice. Oliver was driving us harder than ever, forcing us out in all weather six days a week. He spoke to me only at practice, and then rarely to praise.
I ate supper quietly, letting the babble and excited chatter of the Great Hall wash over me. I said as little as possible, ignoring any hurt looks and concerned whispers my friends shot my way. At first Lish and Ange had tried to talk to me about Oliver (it was, by now, common knowledge throughout the school that we had broken up), but I had told them I needed time, and they had proven themselves true friends by giving it to me.
The evening found me studying again. I went to bed before my dormmates, only to rise again a few hours later when my dreams drove me out of bed. I wandered the corridors, not caring how cold I got. It was during these midnight excursions that I began to work on the lamia deflagratio potion that would solve all my problems.
Many of the ingredients were hard to find. I pillaged Snape's stores several times as I began to gather my materials. A sterling silver ladle and cup were obtained at great expense by OwlOrder, upsetting my normally conservative bank book, but, as I reminded myself, you can't take money with you. I would begin the potion soon, but I had to wait for the next full moon, which, I discovered after consulting the almanac at the back of my astronomy text, was to be on April 9th.
Meanwhile, I led a desperately lonely existence, but it was the one I had to live out until I could end it. The only bright spots were Quidditch and the occasional minute spent with Oliver, which were few and far between as I was forced to snatch them when I thought nobody, including Oliver, was watching.
Once I stopped him in the hall, where he was badgering Harry about the Quidditch final AGAIN.
"Only if we're MORE than 50 points up, Harry! Only THEN! More than 50 points, all right? Got that?"
"YES OLIVER!" Harry shouted in exasperation. "I KNOW!!!"
I had fears for Oliver's reproductive health if he continued to pester Harry like this. Not that I had any particular interest in Oliver's reproductive health - I just wanted to make sure we had a functional Keeper for the final. Yep, that's it.
"Oliver!" I called across the hall. He snapped around at the sound of my voice - I hadn't spoken to him in days. I crossed the hallway.
"Oliver, Harry knows, all right? We all know . . . it'll be fine." Harry had already made his escape. "I mean, the boy has fought off You-Know- Who twice - I think he can handle the concept of point differentials . . . "
I rubbed his back reassuringly and turned to go.
"Katie?" he rasped, grabbing my arm. "Are you sure? About us? I mean . . ." He trailed off, suddenly very close.
"Oliver . . .," I let out a warning whisper. He paid no heed but encircled my waist with one arm pulling he roughly against him.
My heart raced. I missed this SO much. My eyes fluttered closed. I felt Oliver's breath on my cheek, and then-
NO!! What the hell was I doing? How could I?
My eyes jerked open. I pressed two fingers over Oliver's lips, stopping him, although the sensations running up my arm made my heart beat even faster.
"No, Oliver. I'm sorry-we can't, w-we mustn't."
I shoved him off me and ran, not daring to look back.
.~*~.
The Saturday a week before the Quidditch match I began to make my potion. I had found the perfect place to brew my potion without the danger of discovery: tucked away on a little island in the middle of the lake, protected by a powerful warding charm which made my cauldron impossible for anyone to find save those who knew where it was. I tended the cauldron every second night, using a little rowboat I had transfigured from a boulder to get out to the island. Sometimes I took scraps of bread or banana to feed the Giant Squid.
I paid dearly for my moment back in Oliver's arms. He refused to speak to me, but I felt his eyes following me. Whether they glared hatred or exuded sympathy I couldn't tell.
I remained distant from Ange and Lish, simply telling them that I was tired and stressed out - a good excuse as NEWTs loomed only a dwindling two months away - whenever they questioned me. I doubted that they were fooled, but they left me alone, which was, after all, what I wanted.
When classes resumed in the week preceding the Final, Oliver finally began talking to me again. However, I didn't really see this as a perk as it meant I had to dodge Oliver as well as numerous lurking Slytherins on my way to class - either party was bound to make you late.
.~*~.
The day of the match found me excited and nervous. I hadn't slept at all, but I had restricted my wanderings to my dorm, as rumor had it Oliver was prowling the common room to make sure his players were in bed.
He fluttered over us during breakfast, forcing us to eat while touching nothing himself. Things were still stressed between us. This would never do.
"Oliver-can I talk to you outside for a minute?" I asked, and cut Lish off mid-giggle with a well-placed glare.
Oliver didn't look at me, but walked out to the entrance hall. I sighed, grabbed a piece of toast, and followed.
Out in the relative quiet of the entrance hall, Oliver turned and looked somewhere above my head. "Yes?"
"Oliver, look at me."
He complied for a moment, gave me a sarcastic smile, and looked away again.
"Oliver, I can't play like this, if we're still fighting."
"Who says we're fighting?"
"Well the fact that you hardly talk to me might give me some sort of clue that you're not happy." I couldn't keep the sting out of my voice.
He took a deep breath, and looked straight at me. "Katie, all I've ever wanted is to be with you. But there are some things I won't take. It's not just Slytherins that have their pride, you know. May I remind you that you told me you can't be with me because you're betrothed to some Slytherin lout and that you were just playing with me? I fail to see how you can be the victim in this."
I looked away from his intense gaze.
"Look, can we just be friends for the rest of the year?"
"Friends? After that letter? You're nuts, Kat. Just be happy I don't hate you." He turned on his heel and headed back to the Great Hall.
I held back tears. No. I was not going to do this to him just before the match of his life.
"Oliver!" I ran to catch up to him. "I'm sorry. Really I am. Perhaps someday you'll understand," I looked at my feet.
"I understand that you treated me like scum and now you want to pretend everything's hunky-dory."
"Fine! Don't try to work with me! That's just fine!" I yelled. "But it works both ways, Wood! Try finding another Chaser in the next two hours!"
I ran up the stairs that led to Gryffindor Tower, and I didn't hear him follow.
.- ~*~ -. A/N: There you go! Another chappie! Be happy! lol
There has been a decline in reviews . . . I know you're busy, but so am I. If you guys don't want it, I don't have to post it . . . OK, I would never actually be that mean, but my poor little author ego's suffering. Reviews cheer me up when I'm waking up at six after five and a half hours of sleep. Reviews and caffeine, that's all *I* want . . .
Toodles. .-MadMadamMim--.
NOTES TO MY ChERisHed REVIEWERS:
You guys are what keep me going! =-)
pixydust3 - Really? Promise? Lol Here's your update! Get all your friends to review hehe.
IEatGlue17 - Don't worry, it's all planned out. I know how it's going to end. Well, actually there are two different versions, but I think I might go with the happy ending. (Unless you're mean to me lmao) Thanks for updated DiftF@3! =-)
Cho-Look-Alike - lol Keep your hat on - you got your update! (and you only had to wait a week . . . can you see my halo yet?)
kat6528 - No I didn't HAVE to do that. But it makes it more interesting, don't you think? Stories all fluff and no conflict get boring after a bit . . . Besides, I'm writing to get better at writing as well as just to amuse myself.
Professional scatterbrain - I know . . . I have to admit I've cried over this myself . . . *sniffles*
AllyCat13 - *sighs and casts quick shield charm to protect herself from AllyCat's missiles* My apologies lol I can promise some stuff that's a little happier next chappie . . . or perhaps the chapter after that. No eviction notices! Lol I'd just become a squatter . . . (couldn't desert Sean lmao)
zingy - I'm glad you liked this one better. Yep, that'll have to be the eventual moral of the story, won't it? Lol Keep on R&Rin'! =-)
Little House Girl - This soon enough for you?
Sunnyflower2005 - That letter was really hard for me to write, actually. I just couldn't imagine Katie saying anything like that . . . *sniffles* Now I'm all depressed . . . lol
ktluv - Homework, just gets in the way all the time, doesn't it? lmao Hooray for cookies! I think they're the only think that gets me through my homework, actually lol
itefaq - Yay! You're the only reviewer who's told me it would be OK if I didn't use a classic "happy ending". I always love to hear from you. Good luck with Chemistry!
Marissa - Thanks so much. Believe me, making a reader cry makes authors very happy. That sounds really bizarre, now that I think about it, but it's a compliment to the writing, I guess . . . Enjoy this chappie.
Koala Tangerine - How could I stop? I think I'm addicted . . .
mione1031 - They will, eventually, I think . . . Hang in there . . .
icegirl-kat - Aye, aye, ma'am! Here's your update, SIR!
SkysTheLimit - Well let's just hope it all gets better lol
thatgirlfromcamp . . . I feel like a horrible friend! I STILL haven't mailed that letter. *cloud of guilt* I will try to mail it this weekend . . . Luv n hugs!
TheOneandOnlyElbereth - *sigh* I know - what's with reviewers and only reviewing happy things? Lol Oh well, it'll get happier sumtime I guess and then they'll review some more! =-)
colorado-chick - I know, I know, sometimes life just sucks . . .
*
ON WITH THE FIC!!!
*
.- ~*~ -.
Disclaimer: I'm sure you get the point by now. If not, well, I won't be rude.
.- ~*~ -.
Relating Relations ~ Chapter Ten: Part Two: All You Wanted
I passed numbly through my Easter holidays. My days fell into a grim routine. I rose early, though rarely refreshed. Dreams continued to torment me, visiting me nearly every night. I breakfasted by myself before escaping with my texts and NEWT notes to the library or a secluded area of the grounds. I studied for hours on end, rarely stopping even for lunch.
Mid-afternoon I met the rest of the Quidditch practice. Oliver was driving us harder than ever, forcing us out in all weather six days a week. He spoke to me only at practice, and then rarely to praise.
I ate supper quietly, letting the babble and excited chatter of the Great Hall wash over me. I said as little as possible, ignoring any hurt looks and concerned whispers my friends shot my way. At first Lish and Ange had tried to talk to me about Oliver (it was, by now, common knowledge throughout the school that we had broken up), but I had told them I needed time, and they had proven themselves true friends by giving it to me.
The evening found me studying again. I went to bed before my dormmates, only to rise again a few hours later when my dreams drove me out of bed. I wandered the corridors, not caring how cold I got. It was during these midnight excursions that I began to work on the lamia deflagratio potion that would solve all my problems.
Many of the ingredients were hard to find. I pillaged Snape's stores several times as I began to gather my materials. A sterling silver ladle and cup were obtained at great expense by OwlOrder, upsetting my normally conservative bank book, but, as I reminded myself, you can't take money with you. I would begin the potion soon, but I had to wait for the next full moon, which, I discovered after consulting the almanac at the back of my astronomy text, was to be on April 9th.
Meanwhile, I led a desperately lonely existence, but it was the one I had to live out until I could end it. The only bright spots were Quidditch and the occasional minute spent with Oliver, which were few and far between as I was forced to snatch them when I thought nobody, including Oliver, was watching.
Once I stopped him in the hall, where he was badgering Harry about the Quidditch final AGAIN.
"Only if we're MORE than 50 points up, Harry! Only THEN! More than 50 points, all right? Got that?"
"YES OLIVER!" Harry shouted in exasperation. "I KNOW!!!"
I had fears for Oliver's reproductive health if he continued to pester Harry like this. Not that I had any particular interest in Oliver's reproductive health - I just wanted to make sure we had a functional Keeper for the final. Yep, that's it.
"Oliver!" I called across the hall. He snapped around at the sound of my voice - I hadn't spoken to him in days. I crossed the hallway.
"Oliver, Harry knows, all right? We all know . . . it'll be fine." Harry had already made his escape. "I mean, the boy has fought off You-Know- Who twice - I think he can handle the concept of point differentials . . . "
I rubbed his back reassuringly and turned to go.
"Katie?" he rasped, grabbing my arm. "Are you sure? About us? I mean . . ." He trailed off, suddenly very close.
"Oliver . . .," I let out a warning whisper. He paid no heed but encircled my waist with one arm pulling he roughly against him.
My heart raced. I missed this SO much. My eyes fluttered closed. I felt Oliver's breath on my cheek, and then-
NO!! What the hell was I doing? How could I?
My eyes jerked open. I pressed two fingers over Oliver's lips, stopping him, although the sensations running up my arm made my heart beat even faster.
"No, Oliver. I'm sorry-we can't, w-we mustn't."
I shoved him off me and ran, not daring to look back.
.~*~.
The Saturday a week before the Quidditch match I began to make my potion. I had found the perfect place to brew my potion without the danger of discovery: tucked away on a little island in the middle of the lake, protected by a powerful warding charm which made my cauldron impossible for anyone to find save those who knew where it was. I tended the cauldron every second night, using a little rowboat I had transfigured from a boulder to get out to the island. Sometimes I took scraps of bread or banana to feed the Giant Squid.
I paid dearly for my moment back in Oliver's arms. He refused to speak to me, but I felt his eyes following me. Whether they glared hatred or exuded sympathy I couldn't tell.
I remained distant from Ange and Lish, simply telling them that I was tired and stressed out - a good excuse as NEWTs loomed only a dwindling two months away - whenever they questioned me. I doubted that they were fooled, but they left me alone, which was, after all, what I wanted.
When classes resumed in the week preceding the Final, Oliver finally began talking to me again. However, I didn't really see this as a perk as it meant I had to dodge Oliver as well as numerous lurking Slytherins on my way to class - either party was bound to make you late.
.~*~.
The day of the match found me excited and nervous. I hadn't slept at all, but I had restricted my wanderings to my dorm, as rumor had it Oliver was prowling the common room to make sure his players were in bed.
He fluttered over us during breakfast, forcing us to eat while touching nothing himself. Things were still stressed between us. This would never do.
"Oliver-can I talk to you outside for a minute?" I asked, and cut Lish off mid-giggle with a well-placed glare.
Oliver didn't look at me, but walked out to the entrance hall. I sighed, grabbed a piece of toast, and followed.
Out in the relative quiet of the entrance hall, Oliver turned and looked somewhere above my head. "Yes?"
"Oliver, look at me."
He complied for a moment, gave me a sarcastic smile, and looked away again.
"Oliver, I can't play like this, if we're still fighting."
"Who says we're fighting?"
"Well the fact that you hardly talk to me might give me some sort of clue that you're not happy." I couldn't keep the sting out of my voice.
He took a deep breath, and looked straight at me. "Katie, all I've ever wanted is to be with you. But there are some things I won't take. It's not just Slytherins that have their pride, you know. May I remind you that you told me you can't be with me because you're betrothed to some Slytherin lout and that you were just playing with me? I fail to see how you can be the victim in this."
I looked away from his intense gaze.
"Look, can we just be friends for the rest of the year?"
"Friends? After that letter? You're nuts, Kat. Just be happy I don't hate you." He turned on his heel and headed back to the Great Hall.
I held back tears. No. I was not going to do this to him just before the match of his life.
"Oliver!" I ran to catch up to him. "I'm sorry. Really I am. Perhaps someday you'll understand," I looked at my feet.
"I understand that you treated me like scum and now you want to pretend everything's hunky-dory."
"Fine! Don't try to work with me! That's just fine!" I yelled. "But it works both ways, Wood! Try finding another Chaser in the next two hours!"
I ran up the stairs that led to Gryffindor Tower, and I didn't hear him follow.
.- ~*~ -. A/N: There you go! Another chappie! Be happy! lol
There has been a decline in reviews . . . I know you're busy, but so am I. If you guys don't want it, I don't have to post it . . . OK, I would never actually be that mean, but my poor little author ego's suffering. Reviews cheer me up when I'm waking up at six after five and a half hours of sleep. Reviews and caffeine, that's all *I* want . . .
Toodles. .-MadMadamMim--.