I do not own any Harry Potter Characters. I used a lot of lines from my favorite shows, if you spot one, I didn't credit let me know. So, I can add it to the list. Do not own Vampire Diaries quotes, the 100 Quotes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer quotes, or Once Upon A Time quotes. If you notice any mistakes let me know. Thank you.

Chapter 7:

Soon it was the Yule ball, Katie had agreed to stay for the holidays at Hogwarts. Angelina and Alicia had been very convincing, that they all had to go together. Katie was starting to get worried, lately she would find herself walking in a direction and have no idea what was happening, or where she was headed. She hadn't confided in her friends about it because they were still acting strange around her. Their friendship hadn't been same since last year, wondering if they were only friends because of quidditch. Feeling like that was the only reason the girls even talked to her in the first place. Katie was just a third wheel.

She had wanted so badly to just go home for the holidays, but something made her stay. So here she was, attending the ball in beautiful grey long-sleeved backless dress. With Angelina, Alicia, Fred, George, and Oliver. Angelina of course would be attending with George, Katie with Oliver, and Alicia and Fred had to agreed to go together as friends. After the opening ceremony, Katie and Oliver joined hands and danced. She had her head pressed to his shoulder. "You look really beautiful" He whispered to his girlfriend.

She smiled as they rocked back and forth "And you look very handsome yourself."

He pulled his face back slightly looking down at her and whispered, "I love you." He had finally said it, they had been together for 10 months now, and she had been waiting for this moment. The first time a boy ever declared his love for her. Waiting a moment for him to continue, he cleared his throat waiting for her to say it back.

That was it? Expecting a small speech at the very least, about how he loved her eyes, or how she made him feel. Just I love you. She felt a tightness in her chest, almost a doubtful feeling. "I love you too" She whispered back, knowing that it wasn't true. Katie had strong feelings for him, but it felt wrong saying it. Knowing she didn't mean it.

Their lips brushed in a soft kiss, and when he pulled away, he smiled at her. She should want this. He was an amazing guy, and he did and said all the right things. Ignoring the feeling, it was just too soon. Time makes the heart fonder as they always said.

They finished the song and she excused herself to go to the bathroom. Walking out of the room and onto a patio. She made her way down some steps and found a small bench. Sitting down she started taking a few deep breathes. Why did she run away from him? Shouldn't she be happy? He loved her. Life could be simple with him.

She laughed to herself, knowing the second she looked up he would be there. He always found her. Did she want to be found? Then she heard him "So can we expect to hear wedding bells in your future?"

She smiled and shook her head looking up at him "Hardly I'm only 15."

He looked handsome, dressed in all black dress robes, a smile on his face. He sat down next to her giving her a smoldering look "Well, hurry up I plan to be your second husband."

She smiled lightly "What happens to my first one?"

"Nothing you can prove" There was a glint in his eye, and his face brightened as he smirked. She couldn't help but let out a snort. Enjoying his lightheartedness. She felt comfortable with him, he always knew what to say to make her smile.

"You trying to end up in Azkaban?" Was she flirting back with him? She couldn't tell, everything felt so muddled right now.

"Is that a hint of concern for me I detect in your voice?" He nudged her with his arm smiling down at her.

"Oh, we wouldn't want that now, would we?" she was smiling in the glow of the moonlight, repeating back something he had said to her in the past. He picked up on it and smirked.

"You look gorgeous tonight, princess" He whispered, sliding his hand around her, holding her lower back. When she heard his voice, she felt content. Happy even. "You may not know it yet, but I see it. I know you have feelings for me."

"Don't make me regret being your friend" She sighed lightly. This wasn't the night for this, her emotions were in a turmoil state right now. Her head was pounding and there was no way she was thinking clearly.

"You know he's not the one for you. Love isn't supposed to be simple, its passionate and wild. Even dangerous at times. It burns and consumes." Simple, there was that word again. It seemed to haunt her.

"Up until there's nothing left. Love like that never lasts and it doesn't matter I'm with Oliver" Katie whispered back clenching her hands to her sides.

"It matters and you know it!" His voice boomed as he grabbed her by the shoulders staring into her eyes. "You have feelings for me, admit it." He couldn't hold back anymore, couldn't pretend that she wasn't exactly what he wanted. She could make him happy. Even though being happy, was one of the most terrifying things. Because once you're happy, it could be taken away.

"I do" She whispered a tear falling down her cheek.

"Katie, I love you." Rubbing the tear from her cheek with the pad of his thumb. "and it's not because I want you, or because I can't have you. It's got nothing to do with me, I love who you are. I've seen your compassion, and your strength, I've seen the best and the worst of you. Katie, you are a hell of a woman. You are, the one for me." He said helplessly, as if he wished for the words to heal her.

Wasn't that what she wanted? The grand speech about true feelings. It hurt that that Oliver wasn't the one who said it. Yet it warmed her heart, to know the boy who was so rude to everyone else could care so deeply for her. It made it more special, didn't it? Truthfully, she had pictured what it would be like, to be in a relationship with him. Witnessing in her mind them doing normal things, like holding hands in the hallway. They say there is no harm in daydreaming, but there is. She stopped for a moment, biting the inside of her cheek. "I don't want to be the one."

"I don't want to be this good looking and muscular, but we all got crosses to bear." he brushed the hair out of her face, tangling his fingers through her blonde hair.

"I'm with Oliver, I just can't. You don't understand." Katie pulled her head back, freeing her hair from his hands. She had never realized that it could be so hard to struggle to keep her hands off him, digging her nails into her palms.

"Oh, I understand, he's the reason you live. His love lifts you up where you belong." There was something in the air, a watchfulness laced with anger. "Speaking of the bloody wanker, here he comes now" He said with malice laced in his voice, as he watched the other boy walk toward him. Marcus sat up from the bench squaring off his shoulders.

She stood up quickly "Please don't do anything stupid" whispering to Flint as Oliver got closer.

"Stupid is much more enjoyable." He looked down at her with a smirk before bringing his attention back to Oliver.

"Katie, is he troubling you again?" She hadn't heard Oliver get mad often, but he was livid now. Hands clenched in fists at his sides, and a fire burning in his eyes.

"Look at you. All worried that I'm hot for your lass." Marcus sneered. It was crazy to her, watching how quick he could put a wall up when someone else appeared.

"Because you are" Oliver shot back, pulling Katie behind him. Shielding her like the time at Hogsmeade.

"Even if I wasn't in the picture, you'd never be able to keep her." Marcus said contempt flattening his voice. Katie gawked at him. Where was this coming from? There was no way it could be true right? No, she loved Oliver. He was good for her. "She's not going to end up with you and you know it." One of those most fantastic, and the most horrendous things, about Marcus loving her was that he didn't give a shit about anyone else.

Oliver shoved Marcus as hard as he could "Katie is off limits to you; she's my girlfriend and you need to back up Flint."

"I used to envy you, holding her hands in the hallways, while other times I think I got the better deal. To be close to her and not have her, to know I'm the one she confides in. She may be with you, but it will never last." That was the last straw Oliver fist connected with Marcus, who didn't even attempt to block it. Almost like he wanted to be hit. Oliver gave one last glance at Katie before storming off. She felt ashamed to know that she was a part of their animosity towards each other, just a symptom though, not the disease. Knowing their rivalry started in quidditch didn't ease the tension she felt.

"Are you trying to make me hate you?" Katie whispered tears coming down her face. Unsure if there was any truth to what he had said.

He sighed before placing his hand on her cheek "This is on you, princess. You're the one who choose that wanker."

"Did you enjoy it? Rubbing it in Oliver's face? Just when I thought there was something redeemable about you." She was beyond frustrated with him. "The second you think you aren't worthy of something; you ruin it. Well, congratulations. You did it, you've lost my friendship." Katie ran off, running back to her dorm room. Tired of this night, tired of everything. It was stupid of her to think her life could be normal. The second she let herself be happy, the world crashes down on her. Katie felt helpless to what had just happened, having been too weak to stand up for Oliver. Realizing there were parts of her personality that she didn't like very much.

Terrified of seeing him again, she gave in deciding to go find Oliver and try to salvage their relationship. Finding him in the common room he looked distraught. He led her up to his room they sat on his bed, awkwardly unsure of what to say. Katie was the first one to break the silence. "I'm really sorry for what happened."

"Every day you're just a little further out of my reach" Oliver looked it her, keeping his hands to his sides.

"I know and I'm sorry. I just feel like lately everyone has been trying to connect with me and I'm just slipping away" She confessed not knowing how else to explain it. All she felt, was empty on the inside. It was her grief; she could feel it fading away into something that she just accepted as normal. Knowing eventually, it wouldn't hurt so bad, but it was living until then, that was difficult.

"You love him, don't you?" His voice was quiet, barely above a whisper.

"I don't know." A tear slid down her cheek and her throat felt like it was closing.

"Katie I…" Before he could finish, she cut him off.

"I know what you're going to say to me." Katie whispered to Oliver, another tear escaping. She knew if he ended things with her that she'd survive it, but it didn't make it feel any better.

"Then let me say it. I love you so much, but I can't be second best. It's over." She knew it was for the best, it was only right. How could she be with him if she had feelings for someone else.

Alicia was the first to get back to the room to find Katie crying on the bed. She could do nothing but stare in shock as Katie told her the events of the night. How both boys had admitted to loving her, the fight the boys had and how Oliver had broken up with her. "Katie it's impossible for you not to see how wrong Flint is for you" Alicia insisted. He may have been helping Angelina and herself, but it was only to get in Katie's good graces down the line. She was convinced that as soon as Marcus got her, he'd be done with the chase. "You need to worry about the things and the people who matter in your life."

"Things are different since my mom, everything that used to matter doesn't." Katie was exhausted and done with the day. All she wanted was to be happy. She had a bad feeling in her stomach knowing Oliver wanted nothing to do with her. Katie hadn't even defended him. She had just stood there like a statue, cold to what was happening around her.

"Listen why don't you head to bed. I'll help you tomorrow and we'll come up with something to say to Oliver. We can figure it out together" Alicia reassured her. Katie nodded her head and got ready for bed, in a pair of red shorts with a black t shirt. Falling asleep almost instantly.

On a mission Alicia ran from the room looking for Angelina, finding the girl easy enough. She was dancing with George "We need to talk" before yanking her away, filling her in on the details of what she knew. They headed up to their room trying to figure out a plan of attack.

When they returned to the room Katie was nowhere to be found. Panicking the girls searched the school for Katie. Eventually making their way outside, and finding Marcus Flint, sitting on a bench head buried in his hands. He almost looked human. "Flint, you are a son of a bitch" Angelina screamed going right up to him, with not a care in the world.

"What do you want" He sighed, noticing who it was he stood up. Arms crossed over his chest in his usual stance.

"Why are you doing everything possible to ensure Katie's life is miserable." It was Alicia's turn to question him.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He shrugged his shoulders acting nonchalant.

"Don't play dumb, Flint, you just tried to end Oliver and Katie's relationship. Its not your place to get involved." She jabbed him in the stomach with her finger, as if scolding him like a child. "Do you understand what you put her through."

"She doesn't love him" He said in a softer voice.

"Flint there is no fairytale ending for you. It's always going be Oliver and Katie, and hopefully you didn't go muck everything up for her." Alicia was seething mad. Her friend was a wreck because of this asshole. He just wanted to take advantage of Katie, and her kindhearted nature was her downfall with him. She always tried to see the best in everyone.

"We have bigger issues then who Katie's dating" Nodding his head to the side they looked over and saw Katie walking through the dark. Headed towards the forest, still clad in her pajamas. Taking a few steps Marcus went in Katie's direction, only to be stopped by Alicia. Angelina ran off after Katie while Alicia stood her ground in front of him.

"We don't need your help anymore, you're not her friend. Get out of here. Whatever you think you have with her…get over it because she loves Oliver." Alicia was stern making sure he knew he was not welcome, before chasing off after Angelina and Katie. Not long after she reached Angelina's side who was tailing Katie. "Do we wake her up?"

"No let's see what happens" Angelina whispered back. Alicia debated this for a moment unsure. They had no other clues and with Marcus no longer helping them they couldn't get inside information. The best shot they had would be to see who she met with or what she did. So, they followed her through the woods keeping as quiet as they could.

"I think it's an Imperius curse" Alicia whispered to Angelina. "See how she's in a trance-like state? It's the only thing that makes sense."

They headed deeper and deeper into the forest, Katie stumbling as she walked through the overgrown roots. There was an eerie chill in the air as the girls hid along the trees. Suddenly watching in horror as Katie was walking straight toward an Acromantula. Glancing around they noticed Katie was surrounded by them, all in the trees above her. The huge brown spiders were about fifteen feet in leg span. Frozen in fear they didn't know what to do, shuffling to find their wands.

"Arania Exumai!" A deep voiced yelled followed by a blue light shooting at the closest spider. Marcus Flint came running through the woods heading straight for Katie, who was still just walking forward. He grabbed her wrist pulling her in the opposite direction. He could see that Katie was disoriented and confused, there wasn't enough time for that. Marcus grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder, so her body was sideways. Wrapping her right arm and leg around his neck, using his upper body to carry her. He ran as fast as his legs would take him with the extra weight.

The two other girls began running as well, chasing after him. When they made their way out of the woods Marcus placed Katie on the ground. Hands gripping her shoulders as he searched her eyes "Are you okay?"

"I uh… think so, what happened?" Katie looked disheveled and confused. Her head hurt more then ever and the last thing she had remembered was going to bed in her dorm. Yet here she stood, just outside the forbidden forest. She didn't know how or why it was happening, but she was terrified.

"I'll tell you what happened, your friends almost got you killed." He glanced up at Alicia and Angelina glaring at them "You ungrateful little traitors." His voice was cold and filled with revulsion.

"We were only trying to help, we're her friends" Angelina seemed shaken up, she stood there with her arms wrapped around her body.

"Oh, that's bloody brilliant, you're her friends yet you betray her like that. She could have died!" He was beyond angry. Marcus had waited outside the forest and when they hadn't return for a few minutes had decided to chase after them.

"We didn't mean…" Before Alicia could apologize, Marcus slid his hand to Katie's back and led her away from them.

They walked in silence for a while before Katie couldn't wait any longer "What happened?" She was so confused and didn't understand what her friends had done.

Clearly, they did something bad enough that they would let her walk away with Marcus. He explained what happened and she was stunned. Her friends had treated her like a science experiment, risking her life. If Marcus hadn't of showed up, she'd be dead. "Are you okay?"

"Well, I told a girl I loved her tonight and she kind of left me hanging." He looked down at her with his usual smirk, and eyebrow ever so slightly raised.

"Echh what a flake" She joked. Hoping to make light of the situation. She still didn't know how she felt about the whole thing. It was surreal to her that she had admitted her feelings to him. Yet it wasn't awkward between them. She was still mad at him for what had happened with Oliver, but then he had gone and saved her.

"It's alright she's probably doing some soul searching." He shrugged his shoulders casually. "I want to apologize, What I did was wrong."

"Yes, it was."

"And I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I hope you'd consider it."

"I need some time, maybe a lot of time." She wanted to think everything over. So much had happened in one night, and Katie needed sleep. Hopefully by tomorrow her head would be clear and wouldn't hurt so badly.

"Sure, whatever you need. Listen, if you lose your memories again let me know" He nodded his head, turning to her as they arrived at Katie's common room entrance. Pausing for a moment he kissed her forehead. "Goodnight blondie" He walked away knowing he didn't have much time left.