14
Dear Marcus,
How's Quidditch going? Is it different from playing at school? I suppose it would be, playing for a professional team and all. Is it everything that you hoped it would be?
Katie Bell.
Bell.
Put it this way; there are days where I would give my entire fortune to be able to play school-yard Quidditch again. At least you know your own team-mates aren't out to injure you, so that they have a better chance at making it out of the reserves and into a senior position. You think that Slytherin play a rough game? The reserves make Slytherin look like a bunch of pansies.
How are your holidays?
MF
Dear Marcus,
Surely, it isn't that bad!? Does that truly happen with your team mates? How horrible – have you been hurt?
And my holidays are all right. I'm working in the pub a fair bit, but I still get to enjoy a walk on the beach most days. Lee and I went to the Summer Music Festival the other day, and listened to some great music. It was nice, being able to catch up with him. I plan on meeting Angelina and Alicia next week in Diagon Alley. They said something about the team getting together at the Burrow for lunch and a game of Quidditch on Sunday.
Have you seen any of your old school friends?
Katie Bell.
Bell.
I had three broken ribs, and a concussion by the end of my first training session. What does that say about it?
I enjoy a walk most evenings after training myself, and a swim in the mornings if I Floo out here early enough.
I saw Adrian yesterday, and we've made plans for him to come and stay with me for a few days.
What else have you spent your summer doing? How was the Quidditch game?
MF
Dear Marcus,
That's terrible! Surely the coaching staff say something to stop this type of behaviour? What happens if you are seriously injured?
As for what else I have been doing, not a great deal to be perfectly honest. I work, and I spend time with Lee and Angelina when time permits. Lee and I share not only Wizarding friends, but a few Muggle friends too, so we catch up with them when we are on holidays. There is another music festival coming up, which is always a lot of fun.
The game at the Burrow was a load of laughs – Mrs Weasley made a fantastic lunch, and we spent most of the day laughing at some of the pranks the twins were telling us they had planned for when we return to school. Charlie Weasley was home, so it evened it up a bit – he was telling us about the dragons he looks after. It sounds exciting, what he does for a living.
What's it like being out of school, and knowing that you don't have to return this year?
Katie Bell.
Bell.
Nothing is said by the staff. This is how professional Quidditch is played. You get side-lined, and there are younger, fitter players just waiting to take your place. It only takes one new player, and an exceptional game for the senior staff to look at you. Until then, you are a reserve player, and it comes down to who makes the better impression on the day.
As for not returning to Hogwarts, I'm relieved to have left my school days behind. There are down sides of course – I'll miss seeing my mates. But I've met a new lad who is a team-mate, and he seems all right.
Dragons, hmm? Dangerous, if you ask me. But Charlie Weasley was a nice enough bloke when he was at Hogwarts – even back then I knew he'd go into something like Dragons. He spent enough time with Hagrid when he was at school, learning about the more obscure types of creatures.
As for the twins, they're right scary. Brilliant, but right scary. I'm almost glad I won't see what they do this year – the stink bombs they set off were bad enough!
How was the music festival?
How's pub life?
Marcus Flint.
Dear Marcus,
Well that's just terrible. I hate the idea of you being hurt like that, because of a position. You've always been a fantastic player, so I have no fear that you won't make it.
The twins are brilliant, aren't they! It wouldn't surprise me what so ever, if they make something out of how smart they are. Most people only see the joker – they don't see the smart behind it. They'll shock a lot of people in the future, I'm sure.
Lee and I didn't get a chance to go to the festival this time around – one of our friends had a party instead for his birthday. Jonsey turned seventeen, and his parents said he could throw a big bash, so we spent the weekend with our Muggle friends.
Pub life is OK. I have my mornings off to see my friends, and the sea is lovely at this time of the year.
Katie.
Bell.
I'm glad you'll think I'll make it. Most nights when I head home, I wonder if it is worth it, I'm hurting so badly. The Falmouth motto is, "Let us win, but if we cannot win, let us break a few heads." They just don't tell you that in training to break other heads, they break yours for good measure; you learn how to do it right rather quickly after that. The days are long, but the pain at night can make them seem longer. I suppose it will be all worth it in the end, but there are days where I wonder.
Did you and Jordan see that there is another music festival coming up?
How does your father feel about you working in the pub?
Marcus Flint.
Ouch! Are you serious? I'm so sorry that you are hurting the way you are, Marcus. It makes me wonder why we love Quidditch the way we do, when we end up getting hurt so badly.
Yes, Lee mentioned the Summer Big Bash – how did you know about it? Lee is trying to see if we can go – it's an all weekend type festival, and being the age we are, I don't know if we can go or not. If not, it doesn't matter. My grandparents sent an owl and asked me if Lee and I wanted to take a day trip to France instead, but Lee has gone away for a week or so with his parents. But that's OK - maybe I'll explore Paris on my own.
As for the pub, Dad's actually not working there at this point, so he doesn't really say much about it.
Tell me about Falmouth. Do you live there now?
Katie.
Bell.
We love it because we're daft, I suppose. But it is what separates us from the others – even after a fall like we had, I'm still back up in the air, and chasing the wind. We do it because we love it. I'm learning to deal with the pain, and the Coach is brilliant at strategizing. I've learned a lot from him.
Falmouth is all right. It's right on the coast, and you know what life like that is like. Sea breezes, cliffs to walk on – it's peaceful. I enjoy it there after training, but I prefer the bustle of Central London.
Paris, hmm? Nice place, but like London, a little snobby. The pastries are brilliant though.
As for how I'd known about the festival, I read about it in the newspaper.
Does your Dad know you're working at the pub at all?
Marcus.
Dear Marcus,
You live in Muggle-London? In the Muggle world? What do your family and friends think about that?
Katie.
Bell.
My mother is currently searching for the latest beauty thing to make her appear younger. I think she's in Argentina at the moment. My friends are fine with it. Adrian spent a weekend with me and he couldn't get over how different it is to the quietness of the Wizarding world.
And why wouldn't I want to live there? I don't get chased by Rita Skeeta, or annoyed by Wizarding folk every second of the day. I can just relax and be myself. Besides, there are so many things to learn about here, that I never knew. Muggle football, and you were right – Muggle candy is fantastic. I tend to head out a fair bit with a fellow team-mate – he's a half blood, so he knows more about the Muggle world than I do.
You never said - does your Dad even know you are working at the pub?
Marcus.
Dear Marcus,
I suppose that playing at a professional level does have its down side like Rita Skeeta. I never really thought about the bad side of professional Quidditch. Surely, the good out-weighs the bad though? Fame, money, and the game you love? And yes, Dad knows where I am most days. You continue to surprise me, Marcus, but on the other hand, you don't. I never thought that you would willingly be-friend a half-blood, but then we're friends, aren't we?
Katie.
Bell.
Sure, the money is great, and I've always wanted this, but the complete lack of privacy can be a right pain in the arse. It's why I moved to London in the first place – the brilliant thing about it is, is that I am already well known in the Wizarding world due to Quidditch, but in London, I'm unknown. I come across as a rich lad, who has too much time and money on his hands to do anything else.
The only thing stopping Skeeta running a piece on my father, is the fact that she knows I could sue her for everything she has, so much so, that her great, great grandchildren would still be paying off her debt when she is long dead and gone.
So yes, the good does out-weigh the bad, but then I've never had a problem with squashing reporters like Skeeta.
As for my friendships, Katie, I never looked at your blood status – or have you forgotten the conversations we had when I was still at school?
Anyway, enough of that, and you can answer a question of mine – what did you mean when you said your Father knew where you were most days? Does he know you are working at the pub?
Marcus.
Bell.
Either you answer the question, or I'll ask you face-to-face.
Marcus.
For the love of Salazar, woman! Answer the owl, Katie! I can Apparate, you know!
Marcus.
Dear Marcus,
I have to say, seeing you walk into the pub this afternoon was a bit of a shock; but then, nothing you do any more surprises me.
Thank you.
You are such a stubborn girl, Katie. But you were right - you are learning to build the perfect Guinness. I'll see you next Sunday. You can show me around your seaside a bit more.
(And no, I'm not doing it out of pity.)
Marcus.
Dear Katie,
How's school?
Marcus.
Dear Marcus,
School is ok. We are hosting the tri-wizard tournament this year. Because of that, we are playing host to Durmstrang and Beauxbatons respectively. It will be rather interesting to see the three schools come together, and the different cultures that come with that when they arrive.
How is Quidditch going for you?
Katie.
Dear Katie,
Quidditch is good. I am getting a lot of playing time now, and I haven't had a serious injury this month at all. Might be that I threatened to shove the Beater's broom up his own arse, I'm not sure.
Durmstrang, hmm? You might want to avoid that lot, Katie. They take practicing the Dark Arts to a completely new level over there. And the Head-Master makes Snape look as if he enjoys quiet time with fluffy bunnies.
As for the Beauxbatons lot, they're a pack of condescending, snooty little girls. Give me Hogwarts any day. At least you Gryff girls don't run crying to Dumbledore if you break a nail playing Quidditch. Are you getting any play time this year?
Marcus.
Dear Marcus,
I can't believe you threatened your own team-mate! Your temper was legendary at school - we used to get a real giggle out of watching you speak down to Malfoy, and then watching him try not to cry in front of you. That's so mean, isn't it! What did the Beater say?
No, Quidditch has been cancelled this year due to the tournament. I think I'm ok with that. I love Quidditch, I always have. But I never really wanted to head in that direction after school, you know? I don't have the talent that Angelina or Alicia does, and it was always just about having fun for me.
I see what you mean about Durmstrang. Karkaroff give me a real case of the willies. There have been a lot of whispers that he and Professor Snape have been arguing. But it has been interesting watching the students mingle together. The lads from Durmstrang tend to stick together, and they are quite opposing when you pass them in the halls. And I never thought I'd see Lavender Brown out-Lavendered, but I was wrong. These girls from Beauxbatons make her look like a right tomboy!
I hope that you've been doing well, Marcus.
Katie.
Dear Katie,
He just smirked, and told me I'd do well. Seems it was the player's way of sorting out the weak from the strong.
As for Malfoy, he's alright. You don't understand the hierarchy of Slytherin, let alone out in the Wizarding world, where blood status is everything. Draco's young, and easily influenced by his father. He hasn't been pushed as yet, to make a choice. If and when the time comes, Draco will choose a side, and give that side his complete loyalty, of that I am certain. In the meantime, he is what he is – a mouthy swot with too much money and not enough knowledge to know that absolute power isn't everything he thinks it's cracked up to be.
Why don't you think you have the talent that Johnson and Spinet do? I've played against you, remember? You're quick on a broom, and you're agile. You always managed to out-fly many of the other Chasers easily.
If not Quidditch, what are you planning on doing after school?
Marcus.
Dear Marcus,
Coming from you, that is quite the compliment. But no...I don't miss it like I thought I would. I'll always love the game, but playing it? I haven't really enjoyed playing since we fell. You said a while ago that we get back in the air, and that we chase the wind. After I fell, it took everything I had in me to get back on my broom, and I often wonder if getting back in the air was something I should have done. Watching you on a broom, Marcus, is like poetry, you know? You were born to fly. I just don't feel that way about it anymore.
What did you mean by Malfoy choosing a side? He's all about blood status – or do you not remember him calling Hermione Granger a Mud-blood in his second year? I certainly do. It seems he made his choice.
I was thinking of heading into Medi-witchery and Healing after school. I'm just not sure yet.
Katie.
Dear Katie,
If Medi-Witchery is what you want to head into, you should talk to Professor Snape. He will be able to tell you which areas you should concentrate on. Or if that makes you hunch your shoulders, then talk to Madam Pomfrey. You'd be brilliant at healing, Katie.
As for Draco, don't be so certain. He's good at running off at the mouth, and being surrounded by the people he's friends with, has clouded his judgment. He'll learn who he can trust as he gets older.
Marcus.
Dear Marcus,
Malfoy's just like the rest of them – unless you have pure blood in your veins, you aren't worth noticing, unless of course, it is to insult the utter shite out of them.
Do you really think I'll be good at healing?
Katie.
In a word? Yes. Happy birthday. I hope you have a great day. M.
Dear Marcus,
Thank you for your birthday wishes, and yes, I did have a great day; my housemates made sure of it. I saw you in the Daily Prophet the other day – it was brilliant to read about your first game. Congratulations. Did you enjoy it?
The first tournament was held yesterday – they used bloody dragons! I guess that's why Charlie Weasley was home over the holidays. Harry was brilliant, but there is still a lot of anger that he is competing at all. Cedric Diggory was the other student chosen by the Cup. He's the Seeker for Hufflepuff, and has done remarkably well.
Katie.
Dear Marcus,
How's your season going? I know you've been very busy – I've read more about you in the Daily Prophet over the last three months, than at any other time.
I spoke at length with Madam Pomfrey, as you suggested, and she said the same thing that you did – I would be better off speaking with Professor Snape. I'm thinking about asking to speak to him after Potions this week.
The tournament is going well, and the other students have settled in well at our school. Even Victor Krum is here, not that he has much to say. I see him the library a fair bit – he tends to keep to himself, and has taken to sitting where you used to sit. I think he's actually shy, rather than snobby, which was what I first thought when I met him.
I hope you're well, Marcus.
Katie.
Bell;
You are fairly good at judging people without knowing who or what makes them tick, aren't you.
M.
Dear Marcus,
What did you mean? When you said I was good at judging people? Are you angry?
Kate.
Bell;
Why would I be angry? After all, I'm just a Slytherin – we're all the same. All brawn and cruelty, and no real emotion, right?
M.
I didn't mean it like that! You know I didn't mean you!
Didn't you? Or do you not remember another one of our conversations? The one where you couldn't believe that I though You-Know-Who was a stark raving idiot! We might be born with pure blood, Bell, but not all of us believe in wiping out the rest of the Wizarding population! That's the problem with Hogwarts, and why Dumbledore will never be able to achieve House Unity – while Slytherin are indeed prejudice and believe in the old ways, the rest of the houses are prejudice against us – they think we're all killers in the making.
M.
Marcus, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. You have to believe that. I know how you feel about You-Know-Who, and what happened to your family because of him.
Katie.
Let it go, Bell.
M.
Dear Marcus,
I can't let it go. Why does writing about this make it so awkward? It was so much easier when you were still at school with me – we could have had this conversation face to face! It might have resulted in a few choice insults being thrown back and forth, but that would be a lot better than this stilted conversation.
Katie.
It's awkward, because they are words on paper, Bell. Just that...words. Besides, the last time we were face to face at school, I kissed you. I've only seen you twice since then, and both times we were aware of each other in a whole new manner. That is why this is so awkward.
M.
Dear Marcus,
Yes. Yes, you did kiss me. And you visited me. And you have been nothing but up front and honest with me since I first woke up in the hospital wing with you. Maybe I should do the same.
I hate walking these halls, knowing that you aren't here. I hate reading the Daily Prophet, and seeing pictures of you out with other witches. I hate that you believe we can't be together because of my age, yet neither of us can seem to let go. I miss sitting down to dinner, and watching you across the table; watching you watch me in return, while we both silently wonder why none of our house-mates pick up on the fact we are friends. I miss our conversations. I miss you.
Katie.
Damn it, Katie, why did you have to admit that? Do you really want to have this conversation?
Yes, Marcus, I do. I really do. Why? Why can't we be together?
You know why we can't be together, Katie. Do you think that I don't feel the same way? I know about the pictures and the stories in the paper – the pictures of me with other witches, and the articles speculating on whether or not I'm fucking them after we've had dinner. Do you honestly think that I don't read those articles the next day, and feel sick at the thought of you sitting down over breakfast and reading the exact same article as me? I picture the hurt on your face, the look in your eyes that you always get when you're trying to hide how hurt you are, and I feel like I'm headed for a Dementor's kiss for doing the one thing I swore I wouldn't do.
I know it hurts you. Circe's hell, Katie, I think about the boys who'd walk the halls of Hogwarts with you, and then I think about them looking at you the way I do, and I can honestly say that I'd cheerfully survive a stint in Azkaban for murder, if it meant that they'd never look at you that way again. I think about you spending time with Lee Jordan, and wonder if I'd get away with ripping his eyeballs out when you go swimming together like we did that day over your summer holidays.
I know you think that I'm being overly cautious. But I'm not. I'm trying to do the right thing here. I'm not only protecting my own arse from landing in Azkaban, I'm trying to protect your reputation too, Katie. Because if we entered into a relationship, your privacy would be non-existent. Why do you think I Appirated to your home town that day? The same reason I live in London. Once you reach the level I have in the public eye, your every move is recorded and speculated over. I don't want that for you, Katie. Not while you are still in school, and I'm not there to keep the gossipers at bay.
Now take it deeper, Katie. Do you really think I could give you up after having you? Do you really think I could let you slip away after stealing few kisses in some darkened hall? It would eventually lead to me fucking you, consequences and your age be damned; there are nights where I lay in bed, and say fuck it all, I want you. I want you more than I want my career. I want you more than some nameless, faceless witch that I fucked after we had dinner in France or Italy. You're worth throwing it all away for.
But we can't, Katie.
Don't push me on this. It's hard enough as it is.
I'm sorry. I don't know what to say. For someone who is as quiet as you are, you have a way with words, Marcus, that make me feel inferior, and so unworthy. But your feelings don't scare me, and they never will. Since the day I woke up with you by my side, I've always felt safe when it came to you. But right at this point in time, I could cheerfully kick you in the shins. I know you're doing this for the right reasons; I just wish you wouldn't. I just wish you were still here.
There are days, Katie that I wish I was still there too. How's the tournament going?
Dear Marcus,
The tournament is doing well. The second task is coming up soon, as is the Yule Ball. When we found out about it, Lee and I agreed to go together. Much easier to go with your friend, than with a complete stranger. I wish you were here though; I wish we could sit down over a Butter-beer and laugh it off. I wish…
Katie.