I do not own any Harry Potter Characters.

Chapter 3

"Just be quiet for a moment" He whispered at her, taking his hand off her face. He pressed his ear to the door listening into the hallway.

"Oh my gosh you scared me" Katie heaved holding her hand to her chest catching her breathe, clearly not expecting to be hauled into a classroom.

He shushed her again "I'm hiding from Greengrass." He quickly placed a silencing charm on the room when he heard the girl getting closer. She listened as well and distinctly heard Daphne Greengrass calling Marcus's name over and over as she made her way down the hallway.

She used this time to observe him, he was wearing dark slacks again only this time he was wearing a plain white t-shirt. He was slightly crouched over so she admired his back muscles flexing to hold his weight in his awkward position. Her eyes wandered to his butt, pinching her arm when she realized what she was doing. Not wanting to drift into further thoughts. She knew it was in bad taste to ogle at someone's assets, no matter how much on display they were.

"Why are you hiding from her?" Katie questioned a little curious about the situation she found herself in. It was probably a bad idea, but once you've had a thought it's hard to erase it.

"She talks more then I care to listen" He stated bluntly clearly annoyed with the girl searching the halls for him. She stood a foot or two behind him, uncomfortably waiting for him to open the door.

"Oof that's rough" Katie moved to the teacher's desk and sat on it, wanting to put some distance between them. He finally stood up from the door and leaned with his back against it, folding his arms over his chest making his arms slightly bulge.

"Plus, her voice reminds me of nails on a chalk board, so I can't really see it going anywhere" Marcus said as he shrugged, acting nonchalantly about the whole ordeal. Almost like it was an everyday occurrence hiding from girls. She watched his eyes scan her body, a dimple forming on his face when he smirked. Did he just check her out?

"Never pictured the Slytherin captain to be scared of a girl." Katie sneered.

He laughed and quickly replied "No just don't want to hurt the poor girl's feelings."

Katie didn't believe it, there is no way this guy cared about breaking a girl's heart. She had seen how ruthless he could be on the pitch, let alone someone passing him in the hallways. "Careful, I might start to believe you can care about someone besides yourself."

"Oh, we wouldn't want that now, would we princess?" He said as he raised an eyebrow hoping to get a rise out of her. What she really wanted to know is why she cared if the girl found him. Screw him, right? Realizing that this was the second time she found her self stuck in a conversation with him. She needed to get out of the room and away from him.

"May I go now?" Feeling uncomfortable. She stood up and headed towards the door.

He was still resting against the door, observing her as she walked closer to him "It was not my intent to make you uneasy." he said.

"Oh bullshit, you know exactly what you are doing. You need to stop the flirty remarks." She scoffed while he chuckled. Did he think she was stupid enough not to notice? He smirked again and pushed himself away from the wall, closing the gap between them in a few quick strides.

He dipped his head down to her and whispered in a husky voice. "You're right I do have other intentions, but I don't think I'm a lone party in this. I see you staring at me in the great hall, when you think no one is watching. I know you secretly want me."

"Ugh as if!" She didn't stare at him that much. Did she? Now she wasn't so sure.

"I know you're obsessed with me; you often find yourself fantasizing about me, and right now… you want to kiss me." He whispered, his mouth hovering over her. His eyes were alert and his gaze bore into hers. Waiting, testing the waters to see if she would close the gap.

Staring into his eyes she shook her head and took a step back. "No, I don't" She paused before continuing "It's not right."

"Oh, it is, maybe not now" He said suggestively, waggling his eyebrows. He turned around and left poor Katie there, speechless. Unsure of what had happened. Was it possible that Marcus had some redeemable qualities?

Eventually Katie found herself back in her home in New York, it was a two-story house nestled between trees, down a long dirt driveway. It felt nostalgic sitting with her family at dinner. She had told her parents about Quidditch and her classes. Her father excused himself having to take a business call and left the room.

It was quiet as they both chewed; the only sound was the ceiling fan above them and the sound of crickets outside. "Katherine, the least you could have done is brushed your hair before dinner." Her mother remarked as she cut her food elegantly.

Katie winced and looked up at her mother. "Sorry mom" she said.

"You better be trying harder in school, your O.W.L.s next year are very important" she scolded.

"Yes ma'am" Katie said nodding her head.

"I sure hope you haven't been eating too much food over there, you look a little bloated." Oof. That one stung. "And why are you still wearing that ratty necklace. At the very least you should clean it" Caroline said in a demeaning tone.

That was usually how their conversations went now a days, Katie nodding her head and saying yes. Didn't matter what she was asking or saying it was either yes, or sorry. Katie excused herself, her chair scraping against the floor as she went. "I want you to march yourself upstairs and clean your room" Mrs. Bell said.

After washing her plate, she headed up stairs. Sitting at her antique wooden desk she let out a sigh, taking off her necklace and stuffing it into a drawer. These next two weeks were going to be hell. Her mother came into her room, with a fierce look. "You live in the most beautiful house and yet you left your room is a disaster before going to Hogwarts. Do you call this clean?"

Katie looked around the room, everything was put away tidily, only a thin layer of dust sat on the furniture. "Yes, I do."

Her mother's eyes ignited, striding over to Katie and slapping her across the face. "You love it don't you? You love to make me hit you." Katie's mom didn't slap her often, only when she talked back. "No more smart-alek backtalk, I want this room clean." Her mom said before leaving the room.

Just after Christmas Katie found herself feeling unwell and spent the last week of break bedridden. As the days past by Katie debated on owling Angelina and Alicia to tell them what had happened with Marcus Flint the other day. She opted to not say anything knowing she made a promise not to until after the holidays. So, she kept it to herself, although she still sent them a letter each day.

Soon the Holidays were over, and she found herself with Angelina and Alicia riding the train into Hogwarts. Katie still hadn't said a word.

"So how was Paris!" Angelina asked enthusiastically.

"What are you talking about?" Katie asked her confused. Currently throwing her robes over what she was wearing, that way she was prepared when the train pulled in.

"You told me you spent a few days in Paris." Angelina explained.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, I spent the whole break with my parents in New York" Katie said.

"Have you been drinking already?" Alicia scolded Angelina, giving her a knowing look.

"I'm not drunk, I totally remember you saying that" Angelina defended. Katie rolled her eyes, clearly her friend needed to slow down on the drinking. The train arrived and Katie headed out of the train before the other two.

"Alicia, why won't you believe me? You know what, I'll ask my mum to send it" Angelina said walking away with a boost of confidence.

A couple days later Angelina had finally gotten a package from her parents, finding the letter inside. She showed the girls, and Katie was stunned. "I don't remember writing this." But plain as day was a post card from Paris with a picture of the Eiffel Tower. Confused she turned it over the card read 'Angelina, Je ne sais pas. Xoxo Katie.' "Why would I write I don't know?" Katie asked. Did she really go to Paris? She thought about asking her parents about it but reconsidered. Wouldn't they have mentioned it? If she had used magic on her own outside of Hogwarts, wouldn't she have gotten a letter from the Ministry of Magic?

Months past and Katie had only seen Marcus a few times during this time, somehow managing to avoid him. Often running into her common room where he could not follow her. Another time she had to run into a girl's bathroom, which had caused her to miss a class because she refused to go out and look. Eventually the girl she met at the sorting ceremony; Hermione found her hiding out. When she knew the coast was clear she had dashed out of the bathrooms as fast as she could.

Eventually Katie found her eyes set on a new boy, Cormac McLaggen. She found him to be quite handsome although he did have a reputation for flirting with girls. He was a few months older than her and was in the same house as her. They shared a few classes together and Katie enjoyed spending time with him. He was an exceptional keeper; she had wanted to ask him why he had not tried out that year but assumed it was because of Oliver Wood.

They often played on the pitch, with him guarding the goals and her attempting to score on him. When he asked her to the following Hogsmeade trip, Katie agreed but knew she had to think of a plan. Letting Cormac know that she would have to meet him at Hogsmeade and couldn't take the carriage. She needed to sneak into Hogsmeade, and luckily, she knew just the right knuckleheads to ask, Fred and George.

So, the day of the trip Angelina and Alicia helped her to get ready. Picking out a simple outfit, a white crop top, blue cardigan, and a high waisted black skirt. Her mid drift only sticking out by a few centimeters, while wearing a pair of comfy heeled boots and black tights.

Heading to the statue of Gunhilda of Gorsemoor she whispered "Dissendium." It took her almost and hour to make her way through the passageway. Eventually ending up in the storage room outside of Honeydukes. Sneaking out she headed outside looking around for Cormac. Spotting him she realized he had two other girls trailing behind him. Recognizing the girls as the Patil twins, Parvati, and Padma. He waved to her as he walked over. "Hey Katie, we were just heading to Honeydukes, come join us." He said his face beaming with excitement.

Stunned Katie was left without words, obviously she had misunderstood the situation, thinking it was a date. Katie had tried her absolute best to participate in their conversation. Feeling deflated about how the day had turned out. Heading inside they all stocked up on candy. As they passed Tomes and Scrolls Katie excused herself from the group and went in. Finding the other girls to be kind of irritating, she needed some time to herself. She spent a good amount of time picking out a few books and then made her way to the clerk to pay.

Katie had a passing thought for a moment, what if she just went into Spintwitches and tried to see her uncle. Surely, he wouldn't know what she looked like? She had never met him, so there would be no way he'd know who she was, so long as she didn't use her real name. Convincing herself, she headed in, there were couple kids her age all looking around at the new brooms, and others at quidditch gear. Katie did her best to make herself scarce and she stared at the man who worked there.

He had sandy brown hair that was long and matted, hanging down in front of his face. His face was pale, and his cloudy grey eyes had a far-off look to them. Katie couldn't help but think he look haunted. Probably having felt her intense stare, he looked up at her almost reminiscent. He walked up to Katie and said, "You look just like your mother."

"Uh, thanks." Katie didn't know what else to say. Katie had been caught off guard, never having been told that before. Most poeple had told her that she looked like her father. Katie shook her head, getting her thoughts back on track. The most imporant detail was that, he knew who she was.

"Can you wait here just a moment?" He asked hopeful. She nodded her head and he dashed off into the back room. Should she wait? Why was she sticking around and waiting for a murderer? Katie felt like if she were watching this in a movie theatre, she'd be throwing popcorn at the screen yelling at the main character for being stupid.

When he came back, he had a broom wrapped up in brown wrapping paper "I owe you at least 15 birthdays" He said sounding ashamed and it hurt her heart. It was a kind gesture, she had to accept it right?

"Thank you" She whispered not wanting to meet his eyes, keeping them focused on her new broom that was in her hand.

"Would you mind, if I owled you every once and a while?" He asked with an optimistic tone.

Katie thought it over for a moment. "Sure" she said hoping she wasn't making a huge mistake. When Katie got outside and couldn't help the sigh she let out. It had already been one hell of a day. Wishing Angelina and Alicia had come to Hogsmeade, but they had stayed at the castle, needing to catch up on schoolwork.

She then noticed Cormac with both of his arms wrapped around the twin's shoulders walking into Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Watching them walk in she could not decide what to do.

"That bloke is no good for you" Katie startled, turned around and noticed Marcus leaning up against one of the shops gazing at her. Surprisingly, his voice sounded fond and warm. How did he always show up at the most inopportune times? "Hell, even I would be a better choice and I'm your enemy." Katie snorted and turned away deciding to walk back to Honeydukes. "Oi, where are you going" He shouted after her.

"Away from you, obviously" She threw over her shoulder, rolling her eyes as she walked on. Behind her she could hear him following her, clearly not done torturing her. "You know there's a million other people, I'd rather be with right now."

"Couple of thousand at most" He caught up to her, not having a problem with his longer strides.

"You know all I wanted was a peaceful day in Hogsmeade and being stuck with you, is not what I had in mind." Katie mocked hoping to get him to leave her alone. She picked up her pace hoping he would get the point, keeping her eyes forward.

"Rude." In a couple strides he stepped in front of Katie causing her to abruptly halt. "So are we ever going to talk about what happened, if I didn't know better, I'd say you've been avoiding me." He crossed his arms over his chest as he gazed down at her.

"Most people would take that as a hint" Matching his pose, she challenged him back.

"We did come pretty close to kissing." She could see the gleam of his teeth as he smiled. Clearly, he wasn't planning on dropping the subject anytime soon.

"What are you talking about, I was caught off guard, that's all" she hissed back at him, not liking what he was implying.

"Why are you acting surprised?" Really that is what he wanted to ask her? She couldn't help but think that this was a dare. There was no way that Marcus liked her. Right?

"Why would you think I would ever kiss you back." She huffed trying to hurt his feelings. There had to be something that she could say to just get him to finally back off.

"Oh, I'm hurt" He mocked as he held his hand to his chest in a dramatic fashion. He took a slow step before her "you're lying, I can prove it."

Her eyes widen with shock when he grabbed the back of her neck with his right hand, while his left held her waist, keeping her steady. Katie was unable to fight back as her hands were still occupied, with one hand clutching her broom while the other held her bag with her candy, and books. He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her hard, willing her to respond. She couldn't help the blissful relaxation roll through her body, a kind of unfamiliar comfort. That's what surprised her most.

Shaking herself from the fog she proceeded to stomp on his foot as hard as she could, effectively getting him to pull away. "What the fuck is wrong with you."

"Oi Flint, what the fuck is going on" Katie heard a boy's voice call out. She looked up and saw Oliver Wood walking over to them at a brisk pace. She let out a sigh of relief to see rescue on its way.

"She's embarassed, we kissed." Marcus had a dark look in his when he stared at Oliver. Knowing just how to rile the other boy up, clearly having experience. By that time Oliver was standing in front of Katie, he was attempting to shield her from Marcus.

"Come again? You kissed?" Oliver was clearly in shock, turning to her he searched her face for the truth.

"Do I got to spell it out for you Wood?" That was when Marcus realized that Oliver had a crush on Katie Bell. He couldn't help the sneer that formed on his face, his eyes darkening.

Ignoring Flint, Oliver looked at her with a sincere look "Katie you need to stay as far away from him as you can."

"I'm trying, but he just keeps showing up" She huffed throwing her arms in the air in frustration, all the while shooting a menacing glare in Marcus Flints direction.

Marcus turned his gaze to Katie, a smirk appearing on his face. "I'm like a fever you can't shake."

"More like a cockroach that wont die" Katie had a firm scowl on her face. Didn't he have anything better to do then bother her? Deciding that was a good exit line "Come on Oliver, let's go back to the school" She walked around Marcus and towards the carriages, Oliver jogging behind her to catch up. Marcus however did not follow her this time.

When they got far enough away, Katie changed their direction heading back towards Honeydukes. Explaining to Oliver that she wasn't allowed to take the carriages. Oliver waited a few moments before speaking. "You, okay?" He asked earnestly reaching one hand out and tangling their fingers together.

Looking down at their hands intertwined she looked up at the boy and smiled. "Now I am, thanks for coming to the rescue. I really appreciated it" Giving his hand a light squeeze. "Would you mind not telling everyone else? I'd rather not have George and Fred get expelled for whatever revenge they would come up with." Katie rested her head on the young boy's shoulder as they talked the rest of the walk back.

When Katie arrived back to the common room, Angelina dragged her away from Oliver by the arm. The girls headed up the stairs to their room and start squealing when they closed the door. "Spill" Alicia all but screamed.

"Before I tell you what happened with Oliver, I need to tell you what happened at Spintwitches." Katie said holding up the broom. She explained what had happened with her uncle and about him giving her a broom. After telling the story she finally decided to open the wrapping paper, curious to what was inside. It was a beautiful African blackwood handle with black straw at the end, with gold metal holding it all in place. Along with spells etched into the handle in a golden color. It was a custom broom and must have taken ages to make. She had never held such a magnificent broom before only having seen ones like it at professional quidditch matches. It was such a nice gift. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all? Maybe Azkaban had reformed him?

Her friends eventually made her tell them about what happened with Cormac. She left out the part about Marcus and told them that Oliver had only taken the carriage ride home with her. It didn't feel good lying to her best friends. They continued to question her, and Katie mentioned that they held hands on the walk back.

The girls could not have been more ecstatic. "So, are you official?" Angelina questioned. Katie explained again stating that they were not official and just friends who held hands for a bit. They clearly did not believe her. Katie would not find out until the next day what a bad idea it was to tell her friends about holding the Scottish boys hand.

"The truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." — Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone