A/N: So originally this was going to be split into two chapters, but I thought it worked better as one. On the down side, this is actually the last chapter of this story—I'm sorry you weren't given more warning. There will be an epilogue, however, so there is one more update on the horizon.
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Fairy Tale Ending
It's a miracle that I manage to stay on my feet as I crash land into the waiting room of St. Mungo's. Several people give me annoyed glances as I scope the room, but I pay them little attention. Thankfully, this particular waiting room is strictly for the maternity ward so the people are in relatively good spirits.
Unlike me, of course, because I always have to be different.
The only people that I recognize in the room are Leanne's father and brother. I assume her mother is in the back with her and I have absolutely no idea where Oliver is. It's probably better that way, though. Right now would not be a good time for him to ask me how I'm doing.
George and Angelina!? What the hell is wrong with this world?
I quickly shake those thoughts out of my head. This is Leanne's day—thoughts of my dead best friend aren't going to mar this memory for her.
"Oi, Katie!" I turn to find Leanne's younger brother, Aaron, gesturing for me to join him. Although I'm not really in the mood for conversation, I take a seat next to him.
"How are you?" I ask, giving him a quick hug. "You're out of school for the year, right?"
"Yeah, just got out last week," he announces proudly. "Once the Carrows left, it wasn't that bad at all. I even think I did pretty well on my O.W.L.s."
"And what about your sister?" I ask. "Has she had the kid yet?"
Aaron smirks up at me slightly. "Nah. I think it's a pretty long process—that's what Mum keeps saying, anyway."
"You wouldn't happen to have seen Oliver, would you?" I ask, glancing around the room once more just in case I missed him the first time through.
"Cullen dragged him off as soon as he got here," Aaron answers.
"Great," I mutter, trying not to sound as dejected as I feel. Aaron seems to realize that I'm not in the mood for conversation and doesn't press the subject.
"Cullen said to send you back when you got here too, by the way," he says instead. I turn to look at him in shock.
"No, no, no," I argue. "I don't want to go back there." Aaron just shrugs and turns back to his magazine. Why would they want me back there? I am not about to watch Leanne give birth to that baby! What is she playing at? I can't even see someone get a paper cut without getting light-headed.
For the next ten minutes I sit stiffly in my seat, praying that no one comes searching for me. It soon becomes obvious that no one's going to come and I pull a magazine out from under the pile on the coffee table. I flip through it aimlessly, but it does nothing to calm me down. Thoughts of Angelina and George keep running through my mind coupled with worry that I'm going to be forced into the delivery room.
I quickly stand up from my seat and make my way to the stairs. This place is almost as familiar to me as Hogwarts since I spent so many months here during my seventh year. I need some tea.
I push my way through the crowded corridors until I reach the tea room. Several Healers are scattered about, taking their breaks, but they pay me little attention. I pour myself a hot cup of tea and sip on it slowly, allowing every scalding drop to touch my tongue in hopes that it will clear my head. It does nothing, however, except put me in excruciating pain.
I wait at a table by myself for the tea to cool and then down it slowly. I think about pouring myself another cup simply to waste some time, but I decide against it. I might as well go join Leanne's family in the waiting room once more.
When I arrive back in the maternity ward waiting room, however, I'm seriously regretting my decision to skip a second cup of tea. I'd almost rather join Leanne in the delivery room than face who is waiting for me now. Because sitting in the seat that I had vacated just minutes before is Angelina.
My first instinct is to turn around and make my way elsewhere before she can see me, but I'm not quick enough. She catches sight of me almost immediately.
"Katie," she says softly, standing up from her seat.
"I don't want to talk to you," I retort, taking a seat as far away from her as I can. She follows me. Too late I realize that there is an empty seat on my other side. She takes it before I can get up.
"Katie, please. Just listen to what I have to say." I look into her eyes and see no remorse there. She honestly doesn't care that what she was just doing was wrong.
"What are you even doing here?" I ask harshly.
"If you don't want someone to follow you, then don't tell them where you are going," she answers. I roll my eyes.
"You have no right to be here. You don't even know Leanne—you aren't friends with her."
"But I am friends with you and I need to explain myself."
"I don't want to hear an explanation of why you are with your dead fiancé's brother, thank you very much," I say, louder than I meant to. Curious glances are thrown our way, but I ignore them. Angelina, however, is blushing profusely.
"Katie, that's not fair and you know it. Fred and I broke up before he died. I'm doing nothing wrong!"
"This would be wrong even if Fred was still alive!" I argue. "What is George thinking? Does he not realize that he's dishonoring his brother's memory by doing this?"
"He is dishonoring no one!" Angelina yells. "And don't you even act like you know what Fred would want better than George does—because you don't!"
"Well obviously George's judgment has been clouded if he's sleeping with you!"
"Katie Bell!"
"Angelina Johnson!"
"Why does this bother you so much?" she asks, tears springing to her eyes. "I'm happy, Kates. For the first time since he died."
"He didn't deserve this, Ange," I say, barely above a whisper.
"Just let me explain. You know I would never do something that I didn't feel was right."
"I don't want an explanation today," I say. "Maybe later, but not now." Without waiting for her to speak, I once again stand up from my seat and make my way out of the room. Thankfully, she doesn't follow me.
My head is pounding from all of the worries that I've forced into it and I can't find a way to make it stop. I must look like a mental patient as I wander the halls with my hands clamped over my head.
"Katie?" I hear a voice ask. I open my eyes to find Oliver staring at me curiously. "I've been looking all over for you. What's wrong?"
Upon hearing the sound of his voice, my head miraculously clears and I'm left standing in front of him in awe. How is it possible that one person can have such a profound effect on me?
"I love you, Oliver," I say, voicing the first thing that comes to my mind. He looks at me with wide eyes.
"Well, I love you too, Katie, but—" Before he can tell me that now isn't the right time, I cut him off by pressing my lips to his. He lets out a gasp of protest before allowing me to kiss him. His hands settle on my waist and I lose no time in tangling my fingers in his hair. How did I go a month without this?
"Katie," he gasps, pulling away. "Not that I don't love this, but Leanne's in labor."
"I don't care," I argue, pulling him to me once more. He allows me to kiss him for several more seconds before pushing me away.
"We're in the middle of a hospital, babe. Anyone could walk by at any second." I roll my eyes, but look around for an alternate location nonetheless.
"There's a storage cupboard over there," I motion, already making my way over and pulling Oliver behind me.
"That's not what I meant," he groans.
"Are you complaining?" I ask, opening the door and taking a step inside. I turn around to face him as he stands on the threshold. He's leaning against the door casually and looking at me as if he's never seen me before.
"I have a feeling I'm going to regret this," he finally says, smirking at me as he enters the small room and shuts the closet door behind him, leaving us standing not an inch apart.
"Why did we never do this at Hogwarts?" I ask, throwing my arms around his neck. I can barely make out his smile in the dim light. "There were plenty of broom cupboards there."
"We never did this at Hogwarts because I couldn't trust myself around you," he says, leaning down to kiss my forehead lightly.
"But you can now?" I ask.
"No. But now it's not completely illegal for me to shag you."
"Are you suggesting something, Mr. Wood?"
"Am I suggesting we have a quick shag in a St. Mungo's storage closet while our closest friends become parents? Not in particularly." I laugh and am surprised at just how loud it sounds in the tiny cupboard. Oliver chuckles at the sound and then, to my surprise, he leans down and kisses me.
He kisses me gently and it's just what I need—something to get my mind off of everything else going on. Before long, however, the kiss becomes more urgent. Our limbs are tangled together as I lean against the wall of the closet and I can't help but wonder how I could have ever suggested that we take a break. Was I really so upset that I thought it would be a good idea to leave him?
I feel Oliver's calloused hands slip under my shirt and I revel in the warmth of his touch. I slowly begin unbuttoning his shirt, but he stops me and I don't argue. I'm not sure how often this cupboard is used after all…
Several seconds later I get my answer.
The door bangs open and Oliver and I quickly break apart. He doesn't let me go, however, for which I am grateful. We look up at our intruder and I am surprised to see—
"Cullen," Oliver groans. "Awesome timing, mate."
"It's a gift," he smirks. "I send you down here to look for Katie and this is what I find. Why didn't I expect this?"
"How's Leanne?" Oliver asks with a smile, obviously trying to tire Cullen so that he will shut the door once more.
"Un-pregnant," Cullen smirks.
"What?!" I cry, squeezing past Oliver and out of the cupboard. "She had her kid?"
"Sara Marie Burke," Cullen smiles proudly.
"That sounds like a girl's name," I say, my face visibly falling. Oliver said that if they had a girl, I was going to be Godmother.
"Well I would sure hope it's a girl with that name," Oliver laughs. "Congratulations, mate," he says to Cullen.
"Hey, Katie," Cullen smirks. "Leanne wants to ask you something. It rhymes with Kodmother."
"Shut up," I groan. "I can't take care of a kid!"
"Oh trust me," Cullen says. "I'm not about to let you take care of my kid without training."
"And who's going to train you?" Oliver asks and the two men begin laughing as they take off down the hall. I follow after them, still slightly overwhelmed.
When we arrive in the delivery room, the first thing I notice is the sheer look of satisfaction on Leanne's face. Cullen is immediately by her side and I can honestly say I've never seen the two happier.
"And this must be little Sara," Oliver coos, making his way over to the baby that Leanne is holding in her arms. "Hey, honey. I'm your Uncle Oliver." I watch him happily, wondering how he can be so good with children when I'm not.
"Katie, don't you want to see her?" Leanne asks. I smile over at my best friend and slowly walk over to her bedside. Oliver moves so that I can get a closer look.
I look down at the sleeping little girl in Leanne's arms and I know instantly that no matter how much I've disliked children in the past, this one is different. She's already stolen my heart.
"Merlin!" I whisper. "She's beautiful." I take a seat on Leanne's bedside and gently take Sara's tiny hands in my own. I find myself at a loss for words.
"Do you want to hold her?" Leanne asks. I'm jolted from my happy place at the sound of her words and immediately hop up from the bed.
"No, no, no, no, no," I say quickly.
"You're not going to drop her," Cullen says, taking his daughter from his wife's arms. "Here." He walks closer to me and although I know he's going to be standing right there, I am still worried that I'm going to do something wrong. This is a real human being and I am not the most graceful person in the universe. I don't recoil as Cullen places Sara in my arms and I'm surprised at just how light she is.
"Hey there," I whisper when I'm comfortable enough holding her. "You are so gorgeous—just like your mum. My name's Katie. I'm the one who's going to be spoiling you rotten." Cullen laughs lightly from next to me.
"I have a question for you, Katie," Leanne asks. I turn to face her with a wide grin on my face. "Wow, you look happy."
"This is amazing, Leanne!" I say. "I want one!" Cullen once again bursts into laughter as Oliver puts his hand on his forehead in embarrassment.
"Well, why don't you just help me with mine for now," Leanne giggles. "Cullen and I would like you to be Sara's godmother."
"Yeah, sure," I say distractedly.
I probably would have stayed there for hours more with Sara, but Oliver made me give her back to Leanne and excused the both of us from the room not minutes later.
"Oliver, I wanted to stay," I whine after he's closed the door behind us.
"Let them have a little time alone with their own kid before you become her favorite, okay?"
"I guess," I mope. "So, what now?"
"I don't know. How 'bout you tell me what spurred on our little snogging session back there."
"Not fair," I say. "You're going to take what I tell you the wrong way."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that the reason I kissed you was because I was freaked out about something I walked in on earlier," I say quickly. "But that's not accurate. I've wanted to get back together with you for weeks—that was just the driving force that pushed me to do it."
"And what makes you think we're back together now?" he smirks. I turn to look at him worriedly. "I'm kidding, Kates. I honestly don't care why you kissed me earlier. I'm just glad that you did." Without looking to make sure no one is watching, I kiss him once more. He looks down at me in surprise. "But that's not to say I'm not curious," he continues.
"Curious?" I feign ignorance.
"What did you walk in on earlier that mad you so mad?"
I shrug. "Angelina and George." Oliver stops walking behind me.
"Angelina Johnson and George Weasley?" he clarifies. "That's not something I saw coming."
"I kind of blew my top at Angelina," I confess. "I just…I know I shouldn't have—I had no right to. But…"
"Fred?" Oliver asks. I look up at him in surprise. This is the first time he's mentioned Fred to me since the day of his funeral. I inhale sharply.
"Yeah, Fred," I reply.
"Ange and Fred broke up, Kates," Oliver says soothingly. "Maybe this was meant to be."
"Well then that doesn't seem fair," I murmur.
"How so?"
"If Angelina and George are meant to be together, then that means Fred died without meeting the one for him. It's just sad."
"Have you ever thought that maybe Fred did meet the one? But maybe his one was already taken," Oliver says.
"Are you talking about me?" I ask in surprise.
"He loved you, Katie, there's no way around that. And I think that I'm right in assuming that he loved loving you. So if that's what you're worried about, then his life wasn't a waste."
"But I didn't love him like that," I retort. It's Oliver's turn to be surprised.
"What?"
"You didn't honestly think I did?" I demand. "Oliver, I love you. I always have and I always will. Fred was the best friend I've ever had. But he's not you. You're the one for me."
"You don't know how glad I am to hear you say that," Oliver says, smiling grandly. He wastes no time in kissing me once more. "What do you say we get out of here? Go back to my place?"
"I'd love to, Oliver, but there's something I have to do first."
"Okay," he consents and I love him even more for not asking any questions.
"But I'll meet you back at your place in a few hours."
"I'll be waiting." He Disapparates and I'm left alone.
I make my way down to the waiting room in order to check and see whether Angelina is still there—I think I'm willing to hear her out now. She's not, however, so I make my way to the ground floor of St. Mungo's where I know there is a gift shop. Once there, I buy two bouquets of flowers; one is to be sent up to Leanne's room, the other is coming with me.
With my flowers in hand, I Disapparate.
There's no one at the Ottery St. Catchpole cemetery when I arrive there. I've been coming here almost weekly (if not more) and never once have I seen another person. It's kind of sad that the dead all lay forgotten.
I make my way over to Fred's grave and take my usual seat next to the tombstone. It would be much more comfortable to lean against it, but Fred never was fond of me sitting on his lap and I don't think that's changed since he's died. His grave is covered with a myriad of items that I've grown accustomed to seeing. There's always some products from Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes lying there along with at least one bottle of firewhiskey. There's also letters from people thanking him for his sacrifice in the final battle. I place the flowers on top of his gravestone. The bouquet I left last week is already gone—I don't know who clears these gravestones up but they're pretty good at their job.
"I brought you another bouquet of flowers," I say needlessly. "I know you hate them, but I think it brightens up the place a bit." I sit there in silence for several minutes. It's getting easier to come here now. I think I'm getting used to the idea that he's really gone. And that scares me. "Oliver and I got back together today," I continue. "I know, shocker, right? And Leanne had her baby. It's a girl; her name is Sara. She's the most gorgeous thing that I have ever seen in my life."
We sit in silence for several seconds. "I miss you, Fred. I miss you so much."
"I'm sure he misses you, too." I turn around in shock to see George Weasley standing on the other side of Fred's grave.
"Holy shit, George. You scared me to death!"
"You don't look dead to me," he jokes, taking a seat next to me and casually reaching over and grabbing the firewhiskey off of Fred's grave. He pops the top off with his teeth and offers me a swig.
"Fred's going to come back and haunt you for drinking that," I say, pushing the alcohol away from me.
"Nah, it's the cheap kind. I'm pretty sure Lee's the one dropping this off. Anyway, we shared everything while we were living—I don't see why that has to change now that I have the upper hand."
"Well for one, grave robbing is illegal."
"I'm pretty sure it's only classified as grave robbing when you dig up the grave. And I have no intention of digging up his hairy arse tonight. Sure you don't want a swig?"
"Maybe just one," I consent.
"That's my girl," George laughs.
"What are you doing here anyway?" I ask.
"Just visiting my dear ole brother. I had some news for him, but it looks like you've gotten there first."
"What are you talking about?"
"I assume you told him about me and Ange?"
"He's already dead—I didn't feel the need to kill him all over again." George starts laughing from next to me.
"Well good," he chuckles. "I get to tell him, then."
"What are you going on about?"
"Fred, mate," George says much too loudly in order to cover up my voice. "You'll never guess who has finally decided to date me! Ange! Yes, you heard that right, dear brother. And you always said she would never go for me after she'd had you! How wrong you were."
I shake my head at my own stupidity as George continues to exchange quips with the gravestone. "He knew before he died," I interrupt. George looks over at me with a smirk before his face grows serious.
"Of course he did, Katie. Do you really think that I could be with Angelina in good conscience if we hadn't thoroughly discussed this." I cover my face with my hands to hide my embarrassment.
"I owe Angelina an apology," I moan.
"Nah, she understands. We're going to be getting a lot of that now that we're officially together. But I just want to make sure that you understand that Fred was all for this relationship, Kates. I love Angelina and he knew that."
"I think that you and Fred were way too close if you could talk about things like that," I retort.
"I told you—we share everything."
"Including girls?" I laugh. George laughs with me and nudges me gently with his elbow. "I'm sorry I doubted you."
"I don't blame you. And I know you hate these conversations as much as I do, but I have to ask: are you okay with all of this now?" I know without looking at him that he's no longer talking about him and Angelina. He's asking me how I am doing without Fred in the only way that he knows how.
"I just miss him," I say and I feel tears coming to my eyes. George throws his arm around my shoulder and I lean into him.
"I miss him too," he admits.
"The letter that we found," I shrug. "Did he die in love with me?"
"Honestly, Katie, I don't know. There were several months between that letter and when he died. We talked about it a little bit, but it was sort of a taboo subject with him so I never pressed it."
"More taboo than you dating his ex-girlfriend of like 4 years?" George starts laughing.
"Yes, more taboo than that. He referred to being in love with you as 'incest' if I remember correctly."
"Well then he really did have a mixed up view of family, didn't he?" I ask, patting the gravestone lightly. "I just kind of wish I had known."
"And why is that?"
"Because if I had known, maybe we could have tried…something. I don't know."
"He knew that you were happy with Oliver. He loved you with Oliver—he really did. He just wanted you to be happy."
"I am happy. Oliver and I are back together, by the way."
"Yes, I know. I just ran by his flat looking for you. He told me you'd be here." I roll my eyes at George.
"I didn't tell him I was coming here," I pout.
"Yes, well, that boy knows you better than you know yourself."
"George?" I ask, standing up from the ground.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"No problem. I'm just doing what Fred would do."
"I know," I laugh. "And thank you."
He waves me goodbye and I Disapparate to Oliver's flat. Before I can even insert my key into the door, Oliver opens it for me. I kiss him on the doorstep. I kiss him in the entrance hall. I kiss him on the sofa.
"Oliver," I laugh, pulling away.
"What?" he asks, smirking at me.
"Is it okay if I move back in?"
"I would be upset if you didn't. But, Katie? You really should put that engagement ring back on. My grandmother is still expecting a winter wedding."
"You know what?" I ask. "I have always thought that December was a beautiful month."
He smiles down at me once more before pressing his lips down on mine. And I can't help but think that through everything, Oliver's been there. A war has been raging around us and still he has stood tall. It's weird how just a few years ago the only thing standing between us was Quidditch.
Now look at us!
We stood united to help fight You-Know-Who. And Oliver was there with me as I grieved the death of my best friend. Times are changing, but the two of us have stayed the same. My feelings for him have never wavered, even if there have been a few bumpy stops along the road.
I don't know what the future holds—I don't think there's anyone who can know that for sure. But what I do know is that Oliver is going to be there with me every step of the way.
And that's exactly how I want it to be.
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I hope that lived up to everyone's expectations. But it's not quite the end and I need a bit of help on the epilogue. I've toyed around with a few ideas and I just don't know which one I like more, so I'm going to put it to a vote. I'm going to make a poll on my profile. So, if everyone could please check that out, it will contain several options as to what the epilogue will contain.
I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. This is not the end, however, so I'll say my final goodbyes next time.
Review, please :)
And yes I named a character after myself, but she doesn't spell it the same :D
SarahBeth.