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It feels strange to be on the Quidditch pitch now. In all her time at Hogwarts, Katie's only ever bothered with it whenever the sport was directly involved. The season is over, and the school year is rapidly coming to a close, but Oliver asked to meet her here. How could she refuse? This is Oliver's last year. Soon, he will be off in the real world, doing amazing things with Puddlemere, and Katie will be left behind.
She scowls to herself. Left behind implies that she actually means something to him. Of course she doesn't. Oliver is just a good friend, her beloved captain. Her crush really means nothing in the long run. She doubts he even knows how she feels.
"I didn't know if you would come." Oliver appears from the changing area, looking strangely sheepish, almost embarrassed.
Katie shrugs. "Of course I would," she says, and she feels ridiculous. Does he hear how incredibly eager she sounds? Pathetic. "I mean… I assumed it was important."
It isn't a smooth save, or, really, a save at all, but Oliver doesn't seem put off by it. Good. The last thing she needs is for him to leave Hogwarts thinking she's some sort of weirdo.
For a moment, there is only silence except for the wind that whips Katie's dark hair against her face. Then, Oliver lets out a heavy sigh.
"I think I might have waited too long," he says.
She blinks slowly, trying to process what he's said. It doesn't make sense, but she isn't sure to even begin looking for some rhyme or reason in his words.
He laughs, an awkward sort of sound. "Sorry. I guess I just always get a bit flustered around you," he explains, a soft pink staining his cheeks. "I sort of lost my train of thought."
"That's okay. Take your time."
She makes him flustered? Something about that brings a soft smile to her lips. It doesn't make any sense. She isn't exactly special. Why should she make him flustered? And yet, she'll take it. It makes her feel strangely special.
"I'm leaving soon," he continues. "Not much longer."
Katie nods. She wants to ask him questions, to keep him talking, to savor these moments with him because soon she won't have him there. All she will have are the memories.
Stop that, she scolds hers, clenching her jaw. You're being ridiculous.
"You know, I…" He lets the sentence die, laughing awkwardly and scrubbing his palm over the side of his face. "I always sort of… I fancy you, Katie."
It's almost funny. He can ramble for hours about Quidditch and give long-winded pep talks before matches. Katie can't recall a moment Oliver's words have ever failed, or one where he stumbled over the things he had to say.
"You don't have to say anything. I understand if you don't feel the same," he adds quickly.
"Of course I feel the same, you dumbo."
His cheeks flush. Given the heat in her own face, Katie suspects she must look just as flustered.
"You do?"
She laughs. "As long as I can remember. I think maybe since the first time I ever saw you," she confirms.
"Oh." He grins. "I think it was maybe the year you tried out for the team."
Part of her wants to ask why he never said anything, but she stops herself. Why had she never made the first move? It isn't as though she feels like blokes have to make the first move. Maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe, in the end, every time she's swallowed down her words and chickened out has led to this moment now.
"So… What now?"
Not her smoothest line, but she doesn't know what else to say. Maybe this won't even matter in the end. He's still leaving, and she will still be at Hogwarts.
"I don't know," he admits with a soft laugh. He takes her hand in his. "I was hoping, if you wanted to, we could sort of figure the rest out together."
She doesn't know where this will lead. For all she knows, he could bring her heart and be out of her life before the start of the next school term. Right now, though, it doesn't matter. She has this chance to make something beautiful with the boy she's always wanted. There's no way in hell she'll waste it.
"Yes."