Epilogue
Katie still often finds herself lost in her memories. No longer trapped, she now lingers in the scenes from her life, savoring the recollections.
xxxxxx
Katie is twenty. She holds Oliver's hand as they walk up the lane from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts. Today marks one year since The Battle of Hogwarts, and they have returned for a remembrance service and to see the dedication. A sculptor was commissioned to create a memorial for the Fallen Fifty, and today it will be unveiled at the school. Katie isn't sure what to expect from the day's events. She had been back to Hogwarts a few times in the early months after the Battle to help with rebuilding, but she had stuck mostly to the Quidditch pitch and the grounds. Being in the castle was painful, and her memory spells were always bad after she spent much time inside her former school. After a few months, Oliver had suggested she stay home when he went to help with rebuilding, claiming he didn't want her to strain herself too much as her pregnancy progressed, but Katie suspected he knew she was having difficulty with being back at Hogwarts. After Callum was born, she hadn't been able be apart from him for long enough to be of any use at the castle. But when the Memorial was announced, Katie was resolute that she wanted to attend.
When they arrive, Katie is glad to see the faces of those she hasn't seen in a while. She is also sad to notice the faces that are missing; the ones who will always be missing.
When the memorial statue is unveiled, it is beautiful. It's placed near Professor Dumbledore's white tomb, which has been repaired. The grounds are green and lush with late spring foliage, and the castle has been restored to its former glory. Even the Quidditch pitch looks just as it did, the flags atop the stands waving in the breeze. Katie smiles to see the fruits of the hard work put in by Oliver and the countless other volunteers.
The service is somber but nicely done, with speeches delivered by Minister Kingsley and Professor McGonagall, and even a few brief words from Harry (Katie notices he looks quite uncomfortable speaking in front of a crowd, but he does a good job nonetheless).
Afterwards, the crowd lingers on the grounds, with everyone mingling amongst one another talking. Katie receives congratulations from several people on the birth of her son, who is at home with Katie's mother. At first, she feels a bit awkward, like she shouldn't be cheery on such a solemn day, but when she mentions this to Oliver he reminds her that people are just glad for a reason to be joyful, and new babies are more pleasant to talk about than loved ones who are gone.
Katie is standing next to Oliver as he chats with Madam Hooch about Quidditch, when she sees a woman approaching her tentatively. It's Madam Rosmerta. Katie hasn't seen the other witch since the day she was cursed, and she is unsure what to say. It looks as though Madam Rosmerta feels the same way.
Madam Rosmerta reaches Katie, a regretful look on her face.
"Katie, I'm so sorry," she begins, but before she can finish, Katie pulls her into an embrace. Even though Madam Rosmerta played a large part in the day Katie was cursed, she doesn't hold any resentment toward her.
"He did it to us both," Katie quietly tells her as they embrace. When Madam Rosmerta steps back, Katie can see she has tears in her eyes.
"I reckon I'll see you next week as well?" she asks Katie.
"I suppose so," Katie responds with a sigh.
The trials for Death Eaters have been taking place for months now; Katie received a notice a few weeks ago that Draco Malfoy's had been scheduled, and that she was being summoned to testify.
"I hear congratulations are in order for you both as well," Madam Rosmerta tells Katie, gesturing to Oliver, who glances to Katie, looking desperate to escape his conversation with Madam Hooch. Madam Rosmerta picks up on his look and smiles.
"Married and a new baby. How about a Butterbeer to celebrate?" she offers. "My treat."
Katie smiled appreciatively, and Oliver shoots them a look of relief.
"That sounds lovely," Katie accepts.
Oliver excuses himself from Madam Hooch, and he and Katie walk down to the Three Broomsticks. Several other people from the ceremony make their way to the pub as well, and soon the room is filled with loud conversation. For a moment, Katie feels as though she's a student again on a Hogsmeade weekend.
She and Oliver seat themselves at a table with their Butterbeers. Oliver looks around for a moment then smiles at his wife.
"Do you realize where we're at?" he asks.
"If you mean the very same table we sat at when you visited me all those years ago, then of course I do," Katie responds with a laugh. "I only hope you don't have some party ditch me for this time," she jokes.
Oliver takes her hand from across the table and kisses it, returning Katie's smile.
"I was a bloody idiot back then," he concedes.
"Well, it all worked out in the end," Katie tells him as her joking smile morphs into a loving gaze.
"Aye, it did," Oliver agrees.
xxxxxx
Katie is twenty-two. She is sitting in a box suite reserved for players' families at Puddlemere United's Quidditch stadium. Oliver's afternoon match against the Ballycastle Bats is in its third hour, and Callum is getting fussy. Katie pulls him into her lap and rests his head on her shoulder. Rocking him is getting more difficult as her belly grows, another baby due to arrive in just a few months. She strokes his brown curly hair as she shushes his cries.
"Need some help?" a deep voice asks next to her.
Katie looks up and smiles at her brother. After the war, Ryan received recognition for his actions in protecting their mother from the Snatcher, and he was given special permission by Minister Shacklebolt to accompany Katie to Oliver's matches. Ryan has quickly become a big fan of Quidditch, even talking plays with Oliver when he visits for dinner.
"Thanks," Katie replies, "but I think I'm going to lay him down for a bit. There's a back room the office manager has set up with a crib for him."
Ryan ruffles Callum's hair.
"Sweet dreams, buddy," he tells him.
"Unca Ry," Callum says, waving sleepily at him.
Katie rises and carries Callum through the facility to the unused office that has been furnished as a makeshift nursery. Some of the older Puddlemere players have children as well, but Oliver's son is the only young child and the staff at the stadium has taken to spoiling him. By the time they reach the room, Katie sees that Callum has already fallen asleep in her arms. She gently lays him in the crib and covers him with a blanket. He stirs for a moment, then settles in to sleep with his thumb in his mouth. It drives Oliver crazy that Callum still sucks his thumb, but Katie doesn't mind. She knows he'll grow out of it in time. She lingers, watching the little boy breathe deeply. After a few minutes, she sets a monitoring charm on the room that will alert her when Callum wakes, then gently closes the door.
On her way back to the suite, Katie uses the loo then stops at the snack kiosk to purchase a Pumpkin Pastie. When she returns to her seat, she sees that Ryan is chatting animatedly with a pretty brunette witch. Katie recognizes her as Alison McKinnon, younger sister of Oliver's teammate and former flatmate Evan. Katie smiles and shakes her head with amusement. She's seen Ryan and Alison talking (and flirting) at the last two matches, and although she hasn't yet interrogated her brother about the woman, she suspects he fancies her. It would certainly make things easier if Ryan ends up with a witch, Katie thinks to herself.
She takes her eyes off Ryan and Alison and turns her attention to the match. One of Ballycastle's Chasers is in possession of the Quaffle and, flanked by the other two, is attempting to score. Katie jumps from her seat and cheers as Oliver makes an impressive one-handed save, and the baby in her belly stretches and kicks in response to its mother's sudden movement.
An hour later, the Snitch is caught and Puddlemere wins the match. After handshakes are exchanged, Oliver flies his broom up to Katie's suite and lands. He walks over to his wife and gives her a sweaty kiss.
"Good match, Wood," she congratulates him.
He gives her a smile.
"Thanks, love," he replies, then looks around. "Where's the lad?"
"Having a kip," Katie tells him.
"Aye?" Oliver asks, grinning at her suggestively. "Think we have enough time to visit that dark corridor down by the visitors' locker room, just like old times?" He gives her a wink.
Katie rolls her eyes and laughs. Just then, a cry echoes from her wand. Callum is awake.
"I'll get him," Oliver volunteers as he leaves the suite.
Katie silences her wand and glances back at her brother and Alison.
"I'm going to go find Evan," Katie hears her tell Ryan. "I'll see you Friday?"
"I'll see you then," Ryan replies.
Alison leaves through the same door Oliver had. Ryan catches Katie's surprised look.
"Friday?" She asks him teasingly.
Ryan's cheeks blush a light pink.
"I'm taking her to the cinema," he answers. "Can you believe she's never been?"
"Well, a lot of witches and wizards haven't," Katie reminds him. "And I thought you weren't keen on the idea of dating a witch." Katie raises her eyebrows at her brother.
Ryan shrugs nonchalantly.
"Alison's cool," is all he replies.
The door to the suite opens, and Oliver returns carrying Callum, whose has moussed-up hair and a smile on his face.
"Ready to go home?" Katie asks the toddler.
"Home!" he replies.
Oliver leans down and gives Katie a kiss.
"I'll meet you there," he says.
"Here, you can come with me," Ryan says as he takes Callum from Oliver.
Oliver gives Katie one more kiss and lovingly rubs her belly, then leaves to go to the locker room.
Ryan carries Callum, and the three of them walk toward the Floo lobby to return to Katie and Oliver's home.
xxxxxx
Katie is pacing the floor of her sitting room. It's a warm summer Saturday night, and the windows to her and Oliver's home are open to let a breeze flow through. Katie has been feeling light contractions off and on for most of the day, and she knows that her second baby's birth is likely approaching soon. A back ache had made it impossible for her to get comfortable in bed, so she'd slipped out after Oliver fell asleep and now found herself looking out the window at the full moon over her garden. A stronger contraction tightens across her back and stomach, and Katie grips the back of the couch to steady herself. It passes, and she continues her pacing. She considers waking Oliver but before she can decide, another strong contraction begins. Katie closes her eyes and tries to breathe deeply as the pain arcs across her midsection.
"Love?" Katie hears Oliver's voice.
She opens her eyes to see him standing in the doorway wearing a pair of plaid pajama pants with no shirt, a concerned look on his face.
Katie gives him a weak smile.
"I think the wee one is on the way," she told him.
Oliver hurries over to her, taking her hands off of the back of the couch and holding them.
"Do you want to sit?" he asks.
Katie shakes her head. "It feels better to stand," she replies.
"Have you sent for the midwife?"
Katie shakes her head again as another contraction grips her.
"Haven't had a chance," she manages to say between breaths.
Oliver holds her against him until it passes.
"I'll call on the Floo for the midwife," he tells her. "You'll be ok here?"
Katie nods as she grips the back of the couch again. The contractions are coming closer and closer. She tries to breathe. She feels a wet trickle down her thighs and knows her waters have broken.
Oliver returns a few moments later with a worried look on his face.
"I spoke to the midwife's husband on the Floo," he tells her. "She's out at another birth. Not sure when she'll be back."
Katie nods her head, unable to give more of a response as she winces in pain.
"Do you want me to send for my dad?" Oliver suggests. "He's a mediwizard, perhaps he's delivered a baby before?" His voice begins to sound anxious.
Katie shakes her head. She is beginning to feel a building pressure as the contractions come one on top of the other.
"No time," she exhales. She looks up at Oliver. "The baby's coming now," she tells him, her face contorting with pain again. "You're going to have to do this."
"Oh, Merlin," Oliver says, his voice panicked.
Ten minutes later, the baby is delivered into Oliver's hands. Katie sits up to look at him. He gazes with amazement as the baby's arms move jerkily and a cry fills the air.
"It's a girl," he whispers, a smile spreading on his face. He looks up at his wife with tears in his eyes.
Katie smiles widely at the sight in front of her. She waves her wand to summon towels from the kitchen, then gently wipes her daughter clean. Katie holds the baby in her arms as Oliver retrieves a blanket. The little girl is wrapped up and drifts off to sleep.
Oliver kisses Katie's forehead.
"You were amazing, love," he tells her.
Katie smiles.
"You did well yourself, Wood," she tells him with a tired laugh.
They gaze down at the sleeping baby in Katie's arms.
"She's bonny," Oliver murmurs as he strokes the dark blonde wisps of hair covering the little one's head.
"Our Flora Bell Wood," Katie declares with a smile. She kisses the baby gently on her forehead.
Just then, the Floo roars in the other room and the midwife arrives. She examines Katie and the baby and declares them both healthy. She severs the umbilical cord and congratulates Oliver on a successful delivery, then helps Katie get settled with nursing the baby.
When morning arrives, Oliver owls his parents and telephones Katie's, and Ryan.
"Ryan wasn't home, so I left a message with Thomas," Oliver tells Katie. She and Flora had moved up to Oliver and Katie's bedroom so that Katie could rest more comfortably. "Your parents said they'd be 'round in about an hour."
Katie hears the patter of little feet in the hallway, and her bedroom door creaks open. Callum peeks his head in, then runs into the room in his pajamas. He pauses bashfully when he sees the baby in Katie's arms.
"Come and meet your sister, Callum," Katie tells him.
Oliver scoops the boy up and sets him on the bed next to his mother. He peers into the wrap of blankets with interest.
"This is Flora," Katie introduces. "She's your baby sister. You get to be her big protector."
"Fwor-uh," Callum repeats seriously. He looks at the baby for a moment, then gives her a clumsy hug.
The Bells are the first to arrive to meet Flora. Mr. and Mrs. Bell lovingly hold the baby and play with Callum. They leave just as the Woods arrive – all of them. Kinna and Yindi had arrived at Oliver's parents' house the previous day to visit for a week and came along with Mr. and Mrs. Wood to visit. A few minutes after they arrive, Sean, Claire, and their daughters come through the Floo as well.
After passing the baby around and hearing Oliver's exciting story of delivering his own daughter, the Woods begin to converse and joke loudly. Katie gives Oliver a pleading look, and he understands her meaning. Oliver politely but forcefully shoos his family away, promising to visit in a few days, so that Katie can rest. After they leave, Katie thanks Oliver tiredly and returns to their bedroom to nurse Flora and lie back down.
Oliver wakes Katie up around lunch time with a sandwich. He tells her that Ryan had phoned and promised to be there as soon as he could. After Katie feeds the baby again, Oliver takes her in his arms and instructs Katie to get some more sleep, telling her that he will mind the bairns for a bit.
Katie agrees and falls back asleep almost immediately. After what she judges to be an hour or so, she awakes to the sound of Callum's giggles and her brother's voice. From what she can tell, they are wrestling playfully in the sitting room. She gingerly stands up and slowly eases down the stairs.
Ryan smiles when he sees her enter the room.
"Hey, Katie Cat," he greets her, giving her a gentle hug and a kiss on the top of the head. "That's a beautiful little lady you've got there." He gestures to the baby in Oliver's arms.
Katie smiles and sits down on the sofa near her brother.
"Thanks, Ry," She replies. "Have you held her yet?"
Ryan shakes his head.
"I was attacked by this little weasel as soon as I walked in the door," he jokes, tickling Callum.
"Here, mate," Oliver says as he crosses the room and hands the bundle of yellow blankets to Ryan, then scoops up Callum.
Ryan delicately takes the baby and cradles her.
"She's lovely," he says tenderly.
"Did Oliver tell you he had to deliver her?" Katie asks him.
Ryan gives his brother-in-law a surprised look.
"No shit?" he asks. He shoots Katie a quick apologetic look. "Er, no kidding?" He glances at Callum, who didn't seem to notice his godfather's slip.
"Aye," Oliver answers. "She was in a hurry to get here."
"Wow," Ryan responds as he gazes at Flora.
"Did you have practice this morning?" Katie asks him. "Oliver said you weren't home when he phoned."
Ryan gives his sister a sheepish look.
"Er, no," he replies, "I was er, still at Alison's flat."
Katie gives him an incredulous look.
"Ryan Bell," Katie mockingly admonishes him and shakes her head. "So that's going well, I take it?"
"It is," he answers coyly, looking back down at the baby in his arms.
Katie laughs and rolls her eyes.
"Well, do bring her 'round sometime," she tells Ryan. "We'll be much nicer to her than you were to poor Oliver."
Ryan laughs.
"Yes, poor Oliver," he jokes as he looks at him. "Not that my intimidating big brother act worked. I warned him not to knock up my sister and he did it anyway."
The three laugh.
"And you love your nephew," Katie reminds him.
"I do," Ryan concedes. "And this one is pretty wonderful too," he said, looking to Flora again.
"Well in any case," Katie said, "we'll not coerce Alison into licking salt off your neck in the middle of a pub."
Ryan laughs.
"Hmm, on second thought, maybe you could convince her to do that," he says mischievously.
Katie playfully hits him on the arm, and the baby wakes and starts to fuss. Still laughing, Katie takes her daughter and climbs the stairs to change her nappy and feed her.
xxxxxx
Katie is twenty-four. All around her are loud conversations and a crowd that is getting rowdier by the minute as the beginning of the match draws closer. It's time again for the Quidditch World Cup, and Scotland is playing in a semi-final match against Chile, and Oliver is the first-team Keeper. The match is being hosted in Wales, in a moor in the northern part of the country. Since the match is happening so close to home, many Scottish fans – including most of Oliver and Katie's friends and family – have come to watch. Katie is making her way to one of the family suites where she and the children will watch the match. She adjusts Flora on her hip and grips Callum's hand tighter as they weave through the excited crowd.
"Katie!" she hears her name called out. Scanning the crowd, she sees Angelina and Alicia waving to her, smiling. Katie returns their smile and makes her way over to her friends. The two witches embrace Katie before turning their attention to Callum and Flora, who adore their aunties.
"Big match today!" Angelina declares as she lifts Flora from Katie's arms. "How's Oliver feeling?"
Katie laughs.
"He's excited. A bit nervous, I think. Constantly reviewing the scouting reports on Chile's Chasers," Katie responds. "He's been driving me properly mad."
Alicia laughs.
"He's probably giving the rest team one of his famous locker room speeches as we speak," she declares.
"The poor souls," Angelina adds.
The three witches talk for a few moments before Alicia glances at her watch.
"I've got to run," she tells her friends. "The press box is on the other side of the stadium and the match is getting ready to start."
"I'd best crack on as well," Angelina agrees. She addresses the children. "Cheer loud for your daddy, yea?"
The three Chasers embrace and part ways, then Katie and the children climb the stairs to their suite. They make it through the door just as the magically magnified voice of Ludo Bagman announces the start of the match. Already present are the rest of the Wood clan. Callum and Flora run to their grandparents, who scoop them up into an embrace. Claire gives Katie a welcoming hug.
The Chilean team is announced first, then the Scottish. Katie notices the loud cheer as Oliver's name is called, particularly from the female spectators. She knows that a good deal of witches consider him attractive, and she's gotten used to the extra attention he gets from female fans. Oliver is gracious about it publicly, but privately he finds it a bit annoying. 'I want them to be fans of the way I play, not the way I look,' he had told Katie. She had laughed and told him that ticket sales were ticket sales, and Puddlemere had never been more popular.
"Hey Mack," Kinna calls out in a teasing voice. "You should try telling some of these witches you're Ollie's cousin; maybe you could actually land a date."
Mack gives a good natured laugh, then goes to retrieve a wrapped package he's stowed under his seat.
"Check out what I found one of the vendors selling outside the stadium," he said, barely able to contain his laughter. "Think Ollie will sign it for me?"
He unwraps the package and shows a wall calendar. The cover reads "Quidditch Hunks of the 2002 World Cup." Mack flips it open to show September, which shows a picture of Oliver sitting on his broom in front of a set of goal rings.
"Would you like me to get you a copy, Katie?" Mack jokes.
"No, thanks," Katie replies with a cheeky wink. "I get to see the real thing every night."
Mack and Kinna howl with laughter and mock disgust.
"Would you lot hush?" Sean says, turning to scold them, but cracking a smile. "The match is getting ready to start."
Katie stifles a giggle then turns to find her seat. She glances around and smiles. Callum and Flora are both sitting on their Granda's lap, pointing excitedly at their father flying around the pitch. He waves as he passes their box, then takes his place in front of Chile's goalpost. Mrs. Wood is handing out toffees to Annis and Isla, to which Claire is protesting that the girls have had enough sweets. Sean catches Katie's glance and gives her a look as if to say Claire's objections are a lost cause. Katie smiles. She and Sean have enjoyed a much friendlier relationship since she and Oliver got married, and she is thankful. Mack and Kinna are still snickering over the calendar, and Yindi is carrying on a conversation with Aunt Jenny.
About two hours into the match, Katie excuses herself from the box to use the loo. On her way back to her seat, she turns the corner and sees a familiar face.
"Alison!" she calls out to the other witch.
Her brother's girlfriend turns and smiles widely when she sees Katie. The reach one another and embrace.
"How are you?" Alison asks. "I was hoping I might run into you!"
"I'm doing well!" Katie answers. "I've missed you though, it's been too long since we've got together. I told Ryan as much last time we spoke on the phone."
"Merlin, I wish he could have come today," Alison laments. "He'd be loving this match. Those Chasers from Chile are incredible, but Oliver is playing flawlessly today."
"Thanks," Katie says. "He is doing well. And I know, I tried to talk Ryan into letting me request permission for him to come today, but you know he won't miss his youth team's match."
"He does love those kids," Alison agrees. "And speaking of kids, I need to see yours again soon. Let's get together soon, yea?"
"Absolutely," Katie tells her. "As soon as the Cup is over, we'll have you 'round for dinner."
"That sounds lovely," Alison says. "I will let you get back to your seats. It's good to see you."
"You as well," she tells her as she gives her a hug.
xxxxxx
Katie is twenty-five. She is sitting at a white clothed circular table with Oliver and their children. A beautiful floral centerpiece sits in front of her place seating. She glances over at Oliver, who looks very handsome in his navy blue Muggle suit. Flora fidgets on her lap. She bounces the little girl on her leg.
Just then, the emcee's voice comes over the speaker.
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce, for the first time, Ryan and Alison Bell!"
The guests applaud as the bride and groom enter the reception hand in hand.
Katie has scarcely seen her brother look so happy. She lays her head on Oliver's shoulder as she watches as Ryan take his new wife into his arms, and they dance.
The song finishes, and the crowd claps. The new couple is seated, and the servers begin to bring out the dinner plates. Katie gives Oliver a peck on the cheek and rises, holding Flora and guiding Callum by the hand. She takes them out to the hotel lobby. Alicia Spinnet is waiting there for them.
"Auntie Alicia!" Callum exclaims as he runs to her. Alicia bends down to hug him.
"Thank you again for watching them tonight, Alicia," Katie tells her friend graciously.
"Of course," Alicia responds as she takes Flora into her arms. "Enjoy the party. And the hotel room alone." She gives Katie a wink.
Katie laughs.
"You two be very good for Auntie Alicia tonight," she instructs the children. "Muma will see you in the morning." She kisses each of them.
Katie returns to the banquet room. On her way back to her table, she meets Thomas.
"Little Katie!" he greets her jovially, his arms spread wide.
Katie gives him a warm hug.
"Can you believe it?" he asks her. "Ryan's a married man."
Katie laughs. "I was beginning to wonder if he'd be holed up in that bachelor pad with you forever!" she teases. "Now it's about time we find you a nice girl, eh?"
Thomas laughs as well. "Maybe Alison can set me up with one of her bridesmaids," he says. "Save a dance for me?"
Katie smiles. "Of course," she says, and she returns to her table.
Evan is there in her seat, talking with Oliver. He sees Katie and stands to return her chair to her.
"Thank you," she tells him as she sits.
"You look lovely tonight, Katie," Evan tells her as he surveys her long, strapless cornflower blue dress. "Now that we're basically family, am I still allowed to say your arse looks superb in that dress?"
"You were never allowed to say that," Oliver informs his teammate. "Now do sod off so I can eat dinner with my wife."
Evan laughs and turns to leave, when Katie calls to him.
"Evan?" she says, standing to address him privately. Evan turns to face her.
"I'm really glad to see your grandparents here," Katie tells him quietly. "Thank you for whatever you did to encourage them." Katie knows that Evan and Alison's mother's Pureblood parents have not always been keen on the idea of Alison marrying a Muggle.
Evan waves his hand dismissively.
"Ah, it's nothing," he tells her. "I just told them they were being backwards. Ryan won them over, really. Bloody charming, he can be."
"Well, all the same, thanks," Katie says with a smile as she returns to her seat. Evan gives her a nod, then returns to his own table.
Katie and Oliver enjoy a delicious dinner. They watch Alison dance with her father, and Ryan with Mum. Katie's father appears and offers her his hand, and they share a dance as well. When the song finishes, she finds herself dancing with her brother.
"I can't believe you're married," she tells him.
"I know," Ryan replies as they sway. "When did we get so grown up?"
Katie laughs, though her eyes are beginning to tear.
"I'm so happy for you, Ry," she says, her voice cracking. "Alison is wonderful."
Ryan looks over to his bride, who is dancing with her brother Evan, and smiles.
"She is, isn't she?" he says fondly.
Katie wipes a tear from her eye, and Ryan laughs.
"I must say," he says lightheartedly, "It's much easier to dance with you tonight than it was at your wedding. You were so bloody pregnant I could barely reach my arms 'round you."
Katie smacks Ryan on the arm but laughs. "I should hex you for that," she tells him. "Do yourself a favor and don't say anything like that to your lovely wife when you two have children."
"I'll keep that in mind," Ryan says with a smile. The song ends and he kisses Katie on the top of the head.
"Love you, Kates," he tells her.
"Love you too, Ry," she replies.
Oliver approaches and offers Katie his hand.
"May I have this dance, Mrs. Wood?" he asks formally.
Katie giggles. "You may," she answers.
He pulls her into his arms, and they dance.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" he asks her.
"Mm," she responds with a playful smile. "You have, but you could tell me again."
Oliver leans in and whispers in her ear.
"You look amazing, Mrs. Wood," he tells her flirtatiously. "That dress is beautiful. But I'm afraid it will have to come off soon."
Katie giggles again. She raises her head up to kiss Oliver, then lays it on his chest as they sway, just as they did at their own wedding, and just as they did on the beach.
xxxxxx
Katie is twenty-six. It is a sunny Saturday afternoon, and she has just left the home of Annie Wilson, a six-year-old Muggle-Born girl. Annie's family has been contacted by the new Muggle-Born Children Liaison Program that Katie is piloting. The goal of the program is to integrate Muggle families of magical children into the magical community earlier in the child's life and provide them with resources to assist them in having a magical child before the child is ready to attend Hogwarts, and throughout their education. Once a magical child has been recorded by The Quill of Acceptance and The Book of Admittance at Hogwarts, a record is made, and then when it is detected that the child has performed their first significant display of magic, Katie's program dispatches a witch or wizard to that child's home to explain everything to the parents.
In the meeting with Annie's parents, Katie let them know that the girl will likely continue to exhibit magical abilities, she educated them on the magical community and about Hogwarts, and she provided information about what to do if they need assistance (such as help maintaining the Secrecy Statute if their daughter has a magical display in public). Katie put them in contact with another Muggle family who had a child attend Hogwarts so they could make connections with others who have gone through their situation. In Annie's case, her parents were matched with the Granger family.
When Katie and Professor McGonagall had met to work on the details of the program, they had sent owls to several families to see if they would be mentors. They had received overwhelming interest from the families. In addition to Hermione's parents, Colin Creevey's father had returned her owl, volunteering to be a mentor parent. Katie had difficulty holding back tears when she met with Mr. Creevey, who told her that he wished to participate in the program to honor his son's memory.
When Katie had first developed the plan for the liaison program, it had been met with several obstacles. First, the records of Muggle-born children (the Quill and the Book) were traditionally kept top secret by Hogwarts and not shared with anyone, including the Ministry. Katie had met with the Board of Governors of the school multiple times, as well as Professor McGonagall, before she was able to convince them that sharing the information would be beneficial to future Muggle-born students at Hogwarts. Katie then had to work to secure funding for the program from donors before she met with officials from Minister Kingsley's office. In the end, the program was designed to work in close partnership with the Ministry, with Arthur Weasley serving as her point of contact.
The first year of the program has been very successful, and Katie has been given approval to expand. She has overseen the hiring of two additional staff members (both former Muggle-born students), and she's working on reaching out to contacts at Gringotts and the Department of Magical Transportation to develop additional resources that will aid in transitioning Muggle-born children into the magical world.
Katie walks down the street away from Annie's home, satisfied that her initial meeting had gone well. Her parents had been understandably shocked, but Katie felt she had been able to address their concerns and provide them with helpful information in navigating their new reality. Katie finds a grove of trees, steps behind a large oak, looks around briefly, then Apparates.
She arrives back at her home, a beautiful white thatched cottage set in a large green garden. Ivy grew up one side, and it overlooked Loch Linnhe. After Flora had been born, the bungalow that she and Oliver had purchased became a bit cramped; Oliver had been trying to persuade Katie to move up to Scotland for a few years and after Ryan got married, she had agreed. Ry and Alison's home was outfitted with a Floo (and Mum and Dad's home already had one), so being within driving distance of her brother was no longer a factor in Katie's decision. The countryside home they had decided on was grander than Katie would have chosen, but Oliver loved the beautiful setting and insisted that the expansive outdoor space for the children to run and play would be perfect.
As Katie strides up the walk, she is met by the door swinging open and the excited shrieks of her children as they run to her. She kneels to embrace them and looks up to see Oliver leaning against the door frame, looking as handsome as ever.
"Muma, Daddy took us flying AND he gave us ice cream for lunch!" Callum tells her excitedly.
"Is that so?" she asks with an amused look to Oliver.
Oliver gives her a guilty look, then cracks a smile.
Katie stands, taking her children's hands.
"Come along, loves," she tells them with a smile. "Let's get some dinner started. Something with a vegetable, perhaps."
She releases their hands as they reach the door, and the children run inside. Oliver wraps her in an embrace.
She pulls back and gives him a teasing smile.
"Ice cream for lunch?" she says. "Really, Oliver?"
He returns her smile.
"Sorry, love," he tells her. "I'll make it up to you later. After the bairns go to bed, perhaps." He gives her a wink.
Katie can't suppress a giggle as she takes his hand and leads him into the house.
"AND you can help me prepare dinner," she tells him.
"Aye, love," he agrees as they walk hand-in-hand into the kitchen.
xxxxxx
Katie is twenty-eight. It is two days before Easter, and she is working diligently to finish up her tasks for the week so that she can celebrate the holiday with family. Oliver is at training, and Katie needs to get some funding proposals written, so she has asked Isla to come and babysit her children for a few hours while she works. Typically, Mrs. Bell helps with watching the children when Katie needs it, but she and Mr. Bell are visiting Nan for the holiday. Katie's niece is home from Hogwarts for two weeks, and Katie can scarcely believe how much she's grown. This is the first time the younger girl has babysat for her cousins; typically Katie asks Annis, but the seventh-year has her N.E.W.T. exams soon and is busy studying. Isla was thrilled when Katie asked her.
Isla is in her fourth year, and Katie knows she is having a difficult time at school. Unlike her Head Girl, leader of the Charms Club, top-of-her-class Ravenclaw sister, Isla was sorted in to Hufflepuff and although she tries hard, Katie knows she is struggling academically and socially. Katie wants to take some time to check in with her while she is there. As the girls' youngest aunt, she's become something of a counselor and confidant to her nieces, and it's a role she both enjoys and takes seriously. She's given boy advice to Annis a few times (after the girl found out that her Aunt Kinna's advice can be a bit more than she bargained for), but she hasn't connected as much with Isla. Katie wraps up the proposal she's working on and heads out to the garden, where she finds Isla reading over her History of Magic textbook while Callum and Flora kick a football back and forth.
"Did Professor Binns give you homework over the break?" Katie asks as she sits next to her.
Isla looks up with a grimace.
"No, but I'm trying to review for exams," she says. "I can never keep the bloody names from the Goblin rebellion straight. I'm doing so poorly in this class."
"I wish I could help you more, but I was always rubbish in History of Magic," Katie admits.
"Actually, there is something you could do to help me," Isla says tentatively. "I've been meaning to ask you."
"Anything!" Katie exclaims, eager for a chance to assist.
"Well, as you know, the anniversary of the Battle at Hogwarts is coming up," the girl began. "Professor Binns is offering extra credit to anyone who gives a presentation about it. And I was wondering if you would come and speak to my class. Like an interview, perhaps. Since you fought in the Battle and all."
"Oh," Katie says, surprised by the ask.
"But if you can't, of course I understand," Isla interjects quickly, looking back down at her book.
"Of course I will," Katie tells her. "I'm only surprised you asked me. Wouldn't you rather have your Uncle Oliver come and speak?" Katie thinks for sure that Isla would have preferred her professional Quidditch player uncle for the assignment.
Isla groans and shakes her head. Katie gives her an inquiring look.
"All the girls in my year think Uncle Ollie is hot," she says sourly. "One of them even has his poster next to her bed."
Katie tries very hard not to laugh.
"Oh dear," she responds. "Not the shirtless one?"
"The shirtless one," Isla confirms with distaste. "I don't want to hear any more about him from the other girls. Or about my Mum's romance books. Or my perfect sister." A sad look appears on her face.
Katie senses that the conversation has slipped into something more significant than a History of Magic assignment.
"I'm sure it's difficult to feel like you're in your sister's shadow," Katie sympathizes. "And I know that anything that makes you different can put you in the spotlight, and that can feel uncomfortable. I certainly didn't have a hunky famous uncle, but my two best friends thought my older brother was rather fetching, and that was bad enough."
Katie laughs as she remembers when Alicia and Angelina would visit her over summer holiday and fawn over Ryan any time he came 'round. She had been equal parts embarrassed and repulsed by their fantasizing over her brother.
"And getting cursed in my seventh year was more than enough to put me at the center of all sorts of gossip," Katie adds.
"How did you deal with it?" Isla asks.
"I relied on the people I was closest with. My friends, my teammates," Katie answers.
"I haven't got many friends," Isla admits. "I'll never be as smart as Annis. Or as talented as Mum or Uncle Ollie."
Katie takes her hand and pats it, fighting back a wave of emotion she feels for the young witch.
"My best advice to you is to not try to live up to your sister's reputation or anyone else's spotlight. Lean in to what you enjoy most, and what makes you unique. It's there that you'll find likeminded friends to connect with. What's something that you enjoy, just for yourself?"
Isla considers the question for a few moments.
"I really enjoy Care of Magical Creatures," she answers.
"Do you know of any others who also enjoy that?" Katie asks.
"There are a few of us that like to talk about magical creatures in the Library," Isla tells her. "But we're not a club or anything."
"What if you started one?" Katie inquires. "A Care of Magical Creatures Club?"
"What would we do in a club?" Isla wonders, and Katie can see her mind beginning to work.
"Well, I reckon you could get together and learn from witches and wizards who work with magical creatures for a living," Katie suggested. "I know Mack would come and speak about his work with griffins. And I'm sure Charlie – sorry, Professor Weasley – could share loads of stories about caring for dragons. And Hagrid, of course; I imagine he could even bring some interesting creatures for you to meet."
Isla's face brightens.
"That sounds brilliant!" she exclaims. "I'm going to talk with Professor Weasley once the holiday is over."
Katie smiles.
"I think that's a great idea," she tells her. "And if you still want me to come and speak with your History of Magic class, I'd be honored."
She leans over and embraces her niece, hoping that she's done something to encourage her.
xxxxxx
Katie is thirty. She and Oliver are attending the annual British and Irish Quidditch League banquet and awards ceremony. Most years, Oliver opts to skip the event, but as he is receiving an award this year, Katie has insisted they attend. Plus, she has been looking forward to having an excuse to dress up and have a fun night out. She and Oliver are standing at the bar ordering their drinks for the cocktail hour when Katie spots a familiar face – Heidi, her fellow former reserve Chaser on the Prides. She hasn't seen the other witch in years.
"Katie Bell!" Heidi greets her with an embrace. "Or Wood, I should say," she corrects herself with a smile. "How are you, dear? It's been much too long!"
"Heidi Macavoy!" Katie exclaims. "It has! I'm doing well! And how are you?"
"Well, I'm not Macavoy anymore," Heidi says, holding up her hand to show a wedding ring. "I've been Cameron for nearly three years now! You know Andrew, right?" She gestures to a nearby table.
Katie looks over to see Andrew Cameron, her Hogwarts ex-boyfriend. He gives her a wave, then continues his conversation with the wizard next to him. Katie returns his wave and laughs to herself; she hadn't thought of Andrew Cameron in years.
"How on earth did I miss that?" Katie asks Heidi. "Belated congratulations! And you're with the Falcons now, is that right?"
"I am, just finished my seventh season with them," Heidi agrees. "And of course I've read all about the work you're doing with the Muggle-born program, that's just wonderful."
"Thank you," Katie tells her.
"Did you ever think about coming back?" Heidi asks. "To Quidditch, I mean? You were such a good Chaser. You probably still could come back, if you wanted." She nudges Katie's arm playfully.
Katie smiles. It's a debate she had in her own mind when she was a bit younger, whether to return to Quidditch. But she'd come to realize that even if having young children to care for hadn't changed her career path when it did, she would have still found her way to working in Muggle Relations. Her heart truly was with helping families of Muggle-born children. It was challenging work, but she had so many success stories and reaffirming moments that she no longer doubted whether she was where she should be.
"Well, I play in a recreational league with several people from the Ministry, but no, I'll leave the professional playing to Oliver," she answers with a smile.
Just then, Oliver himself turns to Katie.
"We'd best find our seats, love," he tells her. "The ceremony is getting ready to start."
Katie nods and turns to Heidi.
"It was so lovely to see you," she says as she embraces the other witch again.
"You as well!" Heidi replies. "And if you ever change your mind, I'd love to fly with you again!"
"Cheers," Katie tells her with a smile. Oliver places a hand on the small of her back and guides her to their table.
Oliver is awarded League MVP at the ceremony, his second time receiving the honor. He and Katie enjoy the banquet and even some dancing at the end of the event. They return to their hotel room where they'll spend the night. Callum and Flora are staying with Sean and Claire.
The reach their room and Katie kicks off her high heels and falls backward onto the bed.
"Heidi's right, you know" Oliver tells her as he sits next to her and rubs her feet. "You could go back to Quidditch if you wanted."
Katie raises her brow at him. It's a conversation they'd had several years ago, but Oliver hadn't brought up her playing Quidditch in quite some time. He sees her expression and amends his comment.
"I only mean you're still good enough to play professionally," he says. "I know you enjoy your work. I just don't want you to ever think you don't have options."
Katie gives him a teasing smile.
"You'd hardly be winning League MVP if you lost horribly to your wife every time our teams played each other," she joked. "We both know I can score on you."
Now it's Oliver's turn to raise his brow at her, returning her teasing look. Before he can turn her comment into a double entendre, she softens her expression.
"But thank you," she tells him. "I appreciate that you are always so supportive of me." She gives him a wide smile as she elbows him playfully. "I always knew you were a Keeper."
Oliver rolls his eyes at her corny joke.
Katie stands.
"Now, help me unzip this dress so I can shag the League's Most Valuable Player," she says cheekily.
Oliver gives her a roguish look and stands to meet her.
"You've got it, love," he answers.
xxxxxx
Katie is thirty-one. She applies a sunblocking charm to Flora's arms as she watches Callum kick a football across the sand to his uncle Ryan. Katie, Oliver, and their children are spending a week at the beach in Dorset along with Katie's parents, Ryan, Alison, and their children to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Bell's thirty-fifth year of marriage. Flora runs off to continue building her sand castle with her Gran. Oliver and Mr. Bell, or Papa Bell as the children call him, are casting their lines into the surf, hoping to catch a fish. Katie leans back in her beach chair next to Alison, who is struggling to stop baby Eleanor from eating sand.
"Ellie, let's eat something tastier than sand," Alison implores her daughter. "How about a banana?"
The little girl squeals and shakily rises onto her chubby legs, running from her mother. As soon as she's out of arm's reach, she grabs a handful of sand and sticks it in her mouth.
"Eleanor!" Alison scolds, then groans in frustration. Katie laughs.
"She'll be alright," Katie assures her sister-in-law. "Sand surely won't kill her."
Alison snorts.
"After three, you'd think I'd have this Mum thing figured out better," she says, shaking her head.
"You're a wonderful Mum," Katie tells her. She watches her niece toddling away. "Merlin, I can't believe she'll be a year old in just a few weeks."
Alison nods.
"I know," she agrees. "And you've got one headed off to Hogwarts in September!"
Katie shakes her head in denial.
"Don't remind me!" She exclaims. "Merlin, that makes me feel ancient!" She looks out at her children, and Ryan and Alison's two older children Ethan, age 5 and Libby, 3, who are digging in the sand with their garden shovels.
"It's probably for the best that they won't all be at Hogwarts at once," Katie continues with a laugh. "Can you imagine? All five Bell and Wood children in the castle at the same time? If ol' Filch hasn't retired by then, that would surely be the end of him!"
Alison gives Katie a bashful smile.
"I think you mean all six of them," she says cryptically.
Katie gives her a puzzled look.
"Six?" she asks, then it dawns on her. "Do you mean…?" She looks to Alison with surprise.
Alison nods, her smile weary but happy.
"Yup," she says. "Again."
Katie leans over to give the other witch a hug.
"Congratulations," she tells her warmly. "How are you and Ry feeling about adding a fourth?"
"Ryan's over the moon, you know how he loves babies," Alison answers. Katie smiles. Before Callum was born, she never would have thought of her brother as paternal. But after spoiling and doting on his niece and nephew, he transitioned seamlessly into fatherhood. He'd retired from playing football shortly after getting married and now coaches at a prestigious academy so that he can have a more consistent schedule at home with Alison and their children.
"I think he'd have a whole football team if I was on board." Alison says, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "Which I'm not," she clarifies with a laugh. "I was quite shocked at the news, but I'm excited. Libby swears it's a boy. Actually she told me I was pregnant before I even knew. I think she's got some Seer abilities or something, because that child always seems to know things before anyone else."
Just then, Ryan jogged over. He rummaged through Alison's bag and pulled out a bag of crisps. He opened it and began crunching.
"Ry, I hear congratulations are in order," Katie tells him with a knowing smile.
Ryan raises an eyebrow at his wife, who nods with a laugh.
"Yes, I told her," she says.
"Thanks, Kates," Ryan tells his sister with a smile. "Bit of a surprise, but we're excited." He nudges her arm playfully. "Looks like you're not the only one who can't manage a proper contraceptive charm every time."
Katie snorts.
"Yes, well, we figured things out after the second unplanned baby," she says. "You'd better watch yourselves or you'll have outgrown that ridiculous van you drive, Ry!"
"Hey, my van is spacious, you even said so yourself!" Ryan defends with mock indignation.
"If your twenty year old self could see you now," Katie teases, shaking her head.
"He'd be impressed at how much I can haul in my van," Ryan finished with a laugh. "Shall we tell Mum and Dad then?" He looks to Alison.
"I suppose the kneazel's out of the bag," she concedes, standing to chase after Eleanor, who is eating sand again.
"They're going to be so excited," Katie tells her brother with a smile. "Truly, congratulations, Ry."
Ryan wraps one arm around Katie, kissing the top of her head.
"Thanks, Katie Cat," he tells her sweetly. He releases her and cups his hands to his mouth.
"Hey Mum! Dad!" He calls out. "Guess what!"
Xxxxxx
Katie is thirty-three. She sighs and leans her head against Oliver's chest as they wave at the Hogwarts Express. It slowly pulls away, carrying both of their children for the beginning of term – Callum for his third year, and Flora for her first. Callum is excited to try out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team – a Chaser like his mum – and Flora is hoping to be sorted into Gryffindor as well. Katie will be surprised if her daughter ends up in any other house, as the girl is utterly fearless.
They watch the train fade out of sight, then Oliver takes Katie's hand and squeezes it.
"Shall we?" he prompts.
Katie glances in the direction of the departed train, then to Oliver.
"I suppose we shall," she responds, her voice resigned, and the two turn to Apparate.
They arrive back at their country home, which already feels too quiet to Katie. It had been wonderful having Callum home for the summer holiday and one last summer with Flora before she began school, and she was going to miss both of her children terribly – watching them play Quidditch and football together, hearing their laughter at dinner, even their bickering. Katie would certainly not be sitting home with nothing to do now that her children are at school, though. Her work with the Muggle-born Children Liason Program has been growing and keeping her quite busy. Katie had designed the program's workflow to ebb in the summertime so that she (and the five others employed by the program) could spend extra time with the children over the break, and now she was eager to dive back into the new initiatives she was developing. Her mind drifted to the list of tasks she knew was waiting for her when she got into her home office.
"We could have another, you know," Oliver says, breaking Katie's trance. She looks at him with incredulous surprise and finds a teasing smile on his face.
"You've taken too many Bludgers to the head, Wood," Katie replies with an eye roll before she breaks into a laugh. "You're off to the pitch, I imagine?" She asks, knowing that it's the first day of the League season and that Oliver would need to report for training soon.
"Aye," he replies with a nod. "Puddlemere's picked up five rookies this year, so it should be an interesting practice." He gives Katie a weary look.
Katie laughs.
"They just need a wise, experienced player to show them the ropes," she teases.
Oliver gives her a deadpan look.
"It sounds like you're calling me old, love," he accuses teasingly as he wraps his arms around Katie.
Katie feigns offense.
"I was only pointing out that those rookies will be learning from a three-time League champion, two-time League MVP and three time member of the Scottish National Team," she says dramatically, cracking a smile.
"When you put it that way, I reckon I sound like I know what I'm doing," Oliver concedes.
"Oh, you definitely know what you're doing, Wood," Katie replies, her tone full of innuendo.
Oliver raises an eyebrow at her, then glances to the clock on the wall.
"I've got a bit of time before I have to be at the pitch," he begins.
"I think I could spare a few moments myself," Katie adds nonchalantly.
The two exchange a flirtatious smile and Oliver lifts her in his arms, Katie wrapping her legs around his waist.
"Oliver," she whispers in his ear as he carries her toward the stairs.
"Mm?" he answers
"I love you."
Oliver stops for a moment and pulls back to look at Katie. He gazes at her for a moment before brushing a gentle kiss across her lips.
"I love you, too, lass."