I do not own any Harry Potter Characters.

Chapter 15:

For a month now, she had the same dream every night. Over and over, until she could see Evelyn dying even in the hours, she was awake. She could feel Evelyn's pain every time she heard the blood curdling scream. Katie would wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air, as if it had been sucked out of her tiny bedroom. She never saw what held Evelyn against the wall, or the creature that chased her up the stairs.

Katie had spent the month training at the stadium six days a week with the Falmouth Falcons. The team had three games over this time and Katie had been benched for each one of them. Marcus left her alone for the most part, not engaging her whatsoever. However, she would catch him staring at her from time to time when he thought she wasn't looking. She didn't care anymore though. He had lost her completely. Katie just pretended he didn't exist; he was just another guy on the team that she'd have to throw the Quaffle to during practice and that was all.

After practice one night Katie was walking towards the Floo when she heard him shout out to her. "Bell, wait up." Scoffing she said the address to her apartment as low as she could, that way he wouldn't hear her. Disappearing when he was only a few feet away from him, she gave him a one fingered message.

Katie arrived at her place stepping out of the fireplace and brushing off some soot that had been on her shoulder. She had plans to go to Spintwitches with her father that night, he had a hefty order to fill out and needed help. He arrived just after Katie finished showering and getting dressed. Normally she would have used the Floo to head over to Spintwitches, but Katie needed to get groceries beforehand, along with run an errand and wasn't allowed to go by herself. A new law had been enacted that month, that no wizard could walk around the streets alone. Too many people were going missing, and the Ministry of Magic couldn't ignore the facts anymore. Even though they continued to pretend that Voldemort wasn't back.

Taking the elevator down, they walked across the lobby of the apartment building heading towards the exit. "Katie, I need to speak with you." Her father and herself both turned around, Marcus walking toward them. Tall, broad-shouldered, every inch of him covered in muscle. He continued, "I hope you don't mind Mr. Bell; it will only take a moment." He asked politely, looking between the two. That was unusual for him.

Her father glanced down at her, silently asking if she was okay with that. She stiffly nodded her head, and her father retreated to the front entrance waiting just before the door.

"What do you want." She hissed.

Oh, he did not like her tone, not one bit. Narrowing his eyes slightly. "What's going on with you?" He met her gaze, but there was nothing kind in it.

"What do you mean?" She was losing patience.

"You know what I mean, I know you. I know you better than anyone. This isn't you." He had always been able to see through the cracks of the mask, but not this one. This mask hides everything, her joy, misery, even her fears. He just hoped she didn't forget who she was under it.

"You're going to have to be a little more descriptive than that." Katie said as she stared off, at nothing.

"You've changed. You're colder." But in reality - there was no cold, just a lack of heat. Which was the result of too much love being given and not enough in return. Some would think of her as cold, but Katie knew better. She had reached a place where she didn't need anyone. And as any person who has been there can tell you, that's a hard place to leave.

Katie had the nerve to shrug. "Yes, I have changed. I removed toxic people from my life, I've been cutting out the things that waste time and energy." Her voice was as cold as ice. She had cried for this man, never holding back her feelings. But now? Her feelings had started to harden and die inside her.

Marcus nodded, trying to find anything to say to her. The conversation could have ended there, there was a small part of him that wanted it to, but he forced himself to say. "So, what's going on with you and this new guy?" Marcus met Katie's eyes, noticing that they looked cloudy.

"That's none of your business" She tightened her fingers into fists.

Marcus knew he should keep quiet but ended up asking. "Does he make you happy?"

"He doesn't make me sad." She said, giving him a cruel smile. Misery cut through him, raw and razor-sharp. He really had lost her. Her new boyfriend would never hurt her like Marcus had. And he would always envy him. He would always love her, but if he could turn back time, he would have made it right.

"I'm sorry for that." He murmured.

Katie abruptly turned from him, heading toward her father. Not every 'sorry' deserved an 'it's okay' in return. Marcus didn't call after her.

They walked down the street in silence for most of the trek. Until her father couldn't hold back anymore. "So, are you going to tell me about that guy? Do we hate him for any reason?" He gave a low laugh.

"What?" Her voice was flat, bored. But slightly curious.

He went on. "Do we hate him…" he trailed off trying to explain. "Am I expected to hate him?"

"No, you can think whatever you want." She said quietly.

"Good, I think I like him. He seems like a good guy. I can see how much he cares for you in the way he looks at you"

"Hmm" Katie mumbled rolling her eyes.

"I know you don't think I pay attention to your boy troubles, but I do. Was that the guy that broke your heart in Hogwarts? Or the new guy you are seeing?" He pressed.

"That was my ex." Katie admitted.

He was quiet for so long, she wondered if he was trying to put the pieces together, or if he was regretting his previous comment. "Oh… well… he clearly is regretting his choice now." Her father gave her a lazy grin.

"I'd rather not talk about this." It wasn't the answer he had been hoping for. "We're here." Katie stopped in front of a small post office. "I need to pick up a package here really quick, would you mind waiting out here?"

"Not with the new bans, you know I have to join you." He explained.

Katie nodded, hoping The Order wouldn't be upset that she brought her dad along, they couldn't have expected her to come alone, right? Heading inside together, they found the PO Box with relative ease. Opening it with the key they had given her, she pulled out a small parcel, pocketing it without haste.

Marcus stood in the lobby to his apartment complex, waiting for Terrance to arrive. When he noticed Brenton walking in the front entrance and heading to the front desk. Wondering what he was up to. Clearly, he wasn't here to see Katie as she had just left. Marcus was too far away to hear the words exchanged between Brenton and the receptionist. He did however see Brenton pulling a letter from his jacket pocket and placing it on the counter.

When Brenton turned around night-black eyes shifted in his direction. A glimmer of shock and amusement crossed Brenton's face as he made his way over to him. Marcus cursed, low and viciously.

"We haven't met yet" Marcus held down on his retort. "Brenton Allen." He said as he reached out to shake Marcus's hand. Marcus scoffed as he crossed his arms across his chest. When it became obvious, he wouldn't talk, Brenton dropped his hand to his side and continued. "I've heard of you though, Katie's mentioned you." Brenton took a step closer.

"Oh, has she now?" Marcus feigned interest, pondering how severely he could bloody Brenton up before someone broke them apart.

Brenton sighed; his gaze was unflinching. "I wouldn't get too excited about it, she said you were a jackass." He was taunting him, trying to get a reaction out of Marcus.

Marcus gazed off into the distance, nostrils flaring. "How about you sod off?"

Marcus tried to walk around him, but Brenton cut in front of him. "Are going somewhere?" Brenton taunted. "I'm just trying to get to know you" Marcus couldn't shake the feeling that he recognized his voice.

Marcus looked sharply at him. "It's going really well, if you couldn't tell."

"I'm guessing you're mad since she's mine now."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that possessive pronoun if I were you. She'll never be yours. I'm assuming you already know this since you guys aren't even official yet." Marcus had only assumed, but from the look Brenton gave him, it confirmed his suspicions. Maybe. Just Maybe.

When the shock wore off, Brenton glared at Marcus. "If you think I'm going to stand by and let you break Katie's heart again, then you got another thing coming."

Marcus kept his mouth shut. He'd already said enough to damn himself.

The receptionist walked up to Brenton politely announcing herself. "Mr. Allen thank you again for waiting, the approval came through, if you could come back to the front desk, we can get everything prepared for you."

Brenton looked back at Marcus matching his cold stare. "Pleasure meeting you Mr. Flint. Don't forget my warning."

Katie and her father returned to her apartment later that night, planning on spending the rest of the night making dinner together. She headed into living room and placed the small parcel behind her collection of books. She had been instructed to deliver it in the morning to someone at a park close to her apartment.

When they finally sat down to eat, they were chatting about Katie's new Quidditch team and what her practices consisted of. "I feel like I haven't seen you much these days." Katie complained. He had changed a lot since the last time she had seen him a few weeks ago, his sandy blond hair was cut short and it looked as if he had lost weight.

"I've been busy with orders and all, just trying to keep up the best I can. Especially after you stopped coming in to help. Not complaining at all, I understand your team comes first. Just wish they would hire someone already." His grey eyes looked dull with the dark circles that had formed from lack of sleep and age.

"You need to take care of yourself, you don't look heathy." Katie couldn't help but feel worried.

"I'll be fine, I have tomorrow off. Why don't you come over at some point and pick up all this mail that I have for you? One of your friends keeps sending it here."

Katie agreed, feeling annoyed. Knowing it was probably Alicia or Angelina again. "Okay well I need to take a nice long bath and then head to bed, let me get started on these dishes first."

"I can do the dishes, go relax, I'll take the Floo once I'm done." Her dad insisted.

Heading to her room she grabbed some pajamas and headed into the bathroom locking it behind her. She spent a half an hour soaking the warm water, before finally getting out. Getting ready she headed to bed, exhausted.

The following morning Katie awoke early, trembling. The nightmares were only getting worse, her body felt heavy and her mind cloudy from the lack of proper sleep. Sighing she got up and dressed for the day. When she was ready to leave, she headed to the bookshelf grabbing the parcel.

It was an easy task just as always and didn't take her more than a few minutes before she headed back home. Crawling back into bed she couldn't help when blackness surrounded her. Falling asleep immediately.

It wasn't till noon did Katie finally make it to her dad's house. They went to a restaurant close to his house and had lunch. When he mentioned he had a follow-up appointment that day with the healer, Katie volunteered to go with him.

Arriving at St. Mungo's, Katie followed her dad as he led her to the section of the hospital where his appointment was. Reaching the wing, her dad headed to the check in desk. Walking behind him, Katie glanced around the room. Only catching a small glance of what she thought was Angelina walking into the back area with a healer. Why would she be in the memory lose section of the hospital? Weird. Probably just someone with similar hair color.

When her dad was finally called back, they both made their way into a small room. They chatted quietly while they waited for the healer. An older man soon arrived, knocking on the door before stepping inside. "Hello Mr. Bell, good to see you again. I see you brought your daughter this time." He greeted cheerfully smiling towards Katie.

"So, we got some results back in, everything is looking good so far. Have you had any hallucinations or nightmares?" The doctor questioned, a sinking feeling settling in Katie's stomach.

"Not since I started drinking that potion before bed." Her dad replied.

"Good, good, so then I will see you again in two days for next appointment. The nurse will be in shortly to take some samples and run some quick tests." The healer stood from his chair and headed towards the door.

"Wait, before you go, I have a question." Katie couldn't ignore it anymore.

"Of course." The healer's attention focused on Katie.

"I had previously been looked at in the past by another healer as I had been cursed as well. They said everything is alright, but I've been having terrible nightmares. Is that a sign of something? You asked my dad if he had nightmares." Katie rambled.

"Let me see if you have any residual memory altering charms on you." The healer began casting a few spells on Katie. "Hmm and you said you had the Imperius Curse cast on you as well? I'm not sensing that, but I am sensing something, I'm not quite sure to be honest. We would need to do further testing. Before you leave schedule an appointment with the front desk."

A few nights later Katie was heading out to celebrate with Brenton and his team, they had won a match against the Chudley Cannons. Katie and Evelyn made their way through the snow-covered cobblestone streets, up to the entrance of the bar. Her delicate image filled the entryway, which was back lit from the street post's outside. Her light-blue silk blouse sparked through the white decorative lace along the neckline and sleeves. Dark blue jeans showed off her shapely profile. The banter temporarily quieted as she stepped inside, Evelyn at her side in a green long-sleeved dress that was sashed at the hip, and a chocolate brown peacoat.

Brenton approached them, pulling Katie tight in his arms. His mouth was hot against hers; Katie lost all sense of time as she kissed him back. Her body felt light and heavy at the same time, and the room spun around her. But she couldn't stop, couldn't pull away.

Frowning, Marcus watched her from across the room. He had come to the Quidditch bar to watch Katie, with the added benefit to see Brenton up close. He didn't trust the beater, sensing something off about him. He watched as Brenton pulled her along to where his team members sat. He watched the way Katie laughed, the way her lips broadened in a smile and her eyes shone with light as Brenton whispered something to her. He hated that he wasn't the one making her happy.

"Don't you dare cause trouble for them." He heard a voice say, raising an eyebrow he looked up to see Oliver as he sat down next to him, with a pint in hand.

Marcus gritted his teeth, "There's something about him I don't trust."

Oliver couldn't help but laugh. "Well, let's see, it's probably because he's most likely shagging your ex-girlfriend."

Marcus snorted. "It's not that. You're on the same team as him, you can't tell me you haven't noticed anything off about him." He stared at Oliver carefully, accessing his reaction.

Oliver shrugged. "My opinion doesn't matter, only hers does."

"But you do have an opinion." Marcus pressed.

He let out a breath, then rubbed the back of his head. As if trying to make up his mind. After a long moment, he said. "I mean yes, I've never really liked the guy; he's always been a ladies' man. People can change though."

"You don't seem too sure about that." Marcus took a swig from his pint. His frustration got the better of him and he was no longer worried about keeping a clear head.

"You need to let her go." Oliver stated.

Marcus turned his gaze back towards Katie, Evelyn had her arm wrapped around her as they laughed cheerfully. "You don't think I've tried?" He muttered. "Come on, she hasn't been acting off at all? Almost as if she's under a spell?" He leaned back in the bar stool, keeping his face blank. There were too many eyes on them.

Oliver let out a sigh. "No."

Marcus thought about it for a moment before continuing, "what about mind control or a love potion?"

Oliver's eyes were fixed on his face. "Oh, that's a great question. Still no."

Marcus couldn't help but clench his jaw. "And, you're sure?" Willing his face into a mask of icy calm. He couldn't accept it, there had to be some sort of magic in play.

Oliver took a drink before taking in a sharp breath. "Flint, you lost her. Accept it."

Marcus couldn't help but frown, shifting in the bar stool. "I know I will never get another chance with her, but that doesn't mean I don't care about her. Which means I'm not going to let her end up with that asshole." He paused for a moment then looked back at Oliver giving him a once over. "Or you."

Rolling his eyes at the shade thrown his way. "You are missing the point." Oliver tried to explain. "She is clearly moving on, and you need do the same, and maybe one day you'll get her. But if you keep running in the same place, she will be long gone."

Marcus sighed and took a deep drink from his glass, defeated. "If you notice anything off about either of them, tell me." Paying for his tab he looked over at Katie one more time before making his way out of the bar. Oliver looked over at Brenton, as if he were looking at him in a whole new light.

The following morning Katie patiently waited in her apartment waiting for Tonks to show up to give her a new assignment. Unfortunately, that was not the case this time. When the purple haired woman showed up, she was not alone, accompanied by Professor Lupin, both had deep frowns etched in their faces.

Katie was sitting at her kitchen table drinking a tea when they arrived through the Floo. "There's warm water in the kettle if you'd like a tea." Katie offered.

"Unfortunately, we won't be staying long, we are here to let you know that your services are no longer needed with the Dumbledore's Army or The Order of the Phoenix." Professor Lupin stated.

"What? Why?" Was all Katie could manage to say, completely stunned.

"We know what you did!" Tonks said venomously, only to be shushed by Professor Lupin.

"The information that was in the parcel you were to deliver, was leaked and a previous classmate of yours was seriously injured last night." Professor Lupin continued. "We did a spell and figured out that you opened it the night before you were to deliver it. You had been given strict instructions not to, and it jeopardized the safety of countless others."

"I swear I didn't" Katie promised, panicked. How could they think she did it? She would never. She wanted to help stop Voldemort at all costs.

"What a liar! Angelina was seriously injured because of you!" Tonks shouted. Again, she was shushed.

Katie felt her stomach tighten in shock. The only person who had been around her with the parcel had been… her dad.