Disclaimer: If I did, I would have seen HBP at the world premiere in London.

Chapter Fourteen
Unseen Complications

"I won't be broken again
I've got to break through— I can't keep going under"
Going Under— Evanescence

December 26th
Kat's POV

I woke up at noon, yet I still felt tired. I lazily pulled on some clothes, and headed down to the Great Hall for lunch, hoping to meet George there, but I didn't see him. I ate my lunch in peace. I decided to get a start on my homework, considering I neglected it for a week. I walked back up to Gryffindor Tower to grab my books. When I entered the common room, I still didn't see George. Trying not to feel disappointed (what's the matter with me? Snap out of it, Kat!), I grabbed my bag, and headed down to the library

I didn't meet a single soul on my way to the library, not surprising I guess. I saw a few first and second years occupying tables, but other than that, no one else. I found a table, and set out to work. I passed the day focusing solely on my homework, and found myself shocked when Madam Pince told me the library is closed. I gathered my books, and left the library.

I had almost reached Gryffindor Tower when I heard the voices of Fred and George arguing in the corridor ahead of me. I quickened my pace. As I drew closer, words became distinguishable.

Normal POV

"...the bet."

Kat stopped in her tracks, a few feet away from the twins. George had his back to her, but Fred saw her, and motioned to George to turn around.

"Oh, um, hey, Kat. I've been looking for you," he said, giving her a weak smile.

"What bet?" Kat asked quietly and angrily. Both twins looked at her with alarmed and guilty expressions. Fred whispered something to his brother, and headed in the opposite direction. George watched his brother go before turning to Kat.

"Well?"

George sighed. He knew, no matter how angry she got, he had to tell her. "In September, I bet Fred and Lee I could get a date with you by the end of the school year."

"You WHAT?!" Kat shrieked.

"Kat, just listen," George pleaded, but Kat ignored him.

"So, you made a bet just because I'm pretty? I thought you were my friend. I thought you were different, but you know what? You're just like the rest. I trusted you," Kat said angrily, on the verge of tears. "I made a mistake. I let myself love you. Did last night mean anything to you?"

"Kat, it—" he began, but she didn't let him finish.

"What about what you said last night? Was that all lies?" she asked angrily. She knew her words were cruel, but she was hurt and angry.

"Kat, would you—"

"I thought—" she began, but she broke off with a shake of her head. "Never mind, it doesn't matter. I'm going."

She started to walk away, but George grabbed her arm, and spun her to face him. His blue eyes searched her hazel. He saw the unshed tears, and anger. She saw despair, along with a pleading look.

"Kat, don't do this," he said beseechingly.

"Leave me alone, George," Kat said softly.

Surprised by her words, he released her arm, and she walked away without a backward glance, leaving the boy who broke her heart behind. George stared at her retreating figure, before angrily hitting the wall. Ignoring his stinging hand, he headed off to the common room. He quickly located Fred sitting by the fireplace, and flopped into the chair next him.

"She'll forgive you," Fred said immediately. "She has to."

"I dunno," George said miserably. "She looked —and sounded— pretty pissed with me. I've never seen her so cross before."

"She's not here, if you're wondering. She came in about ten minutes ago, and headed straight up to the girls' dormitories," Fred said. "She'll come around."

After struggling into her pyjamas, Kat laid in bed, crying silently. Anya curled into a ball next to her. She heard her dorm mates go to bed, and fall asleep shortly afterwards. But now, well after midnight, Kat couldn't sleep. Her tears had long since dried up. The whole tower was silent, leaving Kat alone with her thoughts. She had never felt so angry before. She knew she should have listened to him, but she wasn't thinking rationally. Her temper had always allowed her to say cruel things she didn't mean, but that didn't mean she still wasn't cross with him, because she still was. The moment she had entered the dormitory, she had taken off the necklace he gave her, put it in its box, and threw it in her trunk. He lied to her! With that last thought, she finally drifted off to sleep.

George hadn't had much success in falling asleep either. All he could think about was Kat. He knew he had screwed up. He should have told her the moment he called off the bet, then maybe she wouldn't have been so angry. He called it off, because Kat didn't need that. She had enough bad things happen her in her life. He fell for her fast and hard. How could he not? Brilliant, talented, witty, not to mention beautiful. Why did he and Fred have to talk about it in the corridor? Why not in their dormitory where Kat wouldn't have heard them? Would she ever forgive him? She had to, didn't she?

Author's Note: Extremely short chapter, but that's all it needs. I'm so excited! I'm going to see HBP at 11:30 am ET!!! I can't wait!