I do not own any Harry Potter Characters.
Chapter 19:
Katie awoke to her alarm clock going off, picking it up she found the right button, shutting it off. Setting it back down next to her picture frame of Angelina, Alicia and Katie dressed in their quidditch gear in their fourth year. It felt good to have the photo back on her nightstand.
Hopping out of bed as quickly as she could. It had been a long time since Katie had felt this excited. Stumbling to the bathroom as she attempted to put on her black running tights at the same time. Wanting to get to the Quidditch pitch early to assess her new broom before practice. Throwing on a plain white t-shirt she grabbed her broom running to the Floo. By the time Katie got to the field she was three hours early, wanting to get as much time as she could before practice. Deciding not to put her uniform on yet, she flew with what she had on. Not wasting any time.
Smiling to herself with a ludicrous grin, she steadied herself on the broom. Kicking off the ground, she soared off, almost having to hold the broom back to go a normal speed. When she felt comfortable enough, she began surging around the pitch in large circles going as fast as the broom was capable. It was phenomenal.
By the time practice rolled around Katie felt exceptionally comfortable with her new broom. Heading into the locker room she put on her grey and white training gear, it wasn't as heavily padded as their competition ones. When she got to the pitch most of the other players were chatting on the grass, while a few others were already on their brooms passing a Quaffle. Katie noticed Marcus chatting with the team on the grass, so she opted to join James and Lucius. Flying up to them, James quickly spotted her new broom. "Look at you, with your new firebolt, now you can keep up with the big boys." James teased her, as he showed off his own, it was older but maintained properly.
Katie laughed, saying "Yeah, hopefully the speed can get me away from Lamb's fucking deadly bludgers."
All three laughed. "You took it like a champ though." Lucius offered.
Soon the Captain, their keeper Mack Clifford started the practice, running them through drills. The first tactic they practiced was the Hawkshead Attacking formation, where three chaser's lines up in an arrowhead, they switched between that and a Thimblerig Shuffle. Where the chaser in the front would drop back, once lined up the chasers would shuffle positions, passing the Quaffle between each other. Eventually shifting to have every chaser attempt the Porskoff ploy, where a chaser would fly above the formation with the Quaffle to get the other teams to go after them, then the chaser throws the Quaffle directly down at another chaser who would now be free to get away.
When the practice switched to a scrimmage, Katie was teamed up with Lucius and Marcus, playing against Jerry, Carran, and James. The opposing team took an early lead, while Katie's team struggled to coordinate properly. At 60 to 110 their team losing, and Marcus called for a break. Flying over to Lucius, Marcus exchanged heated words with the chaser. When he finished, he flew over to Katie, saying "Listen I get you don't like me, but I at least need your cooperation, pay attention to our signals for the next play. You missed two plays in the last five minutes. You need get your head back in the game, Bell." Her head felt heavy as she nodded, he flew off.
Katie knew he was right, she needed to pay more attention to her teammates. Marcus's speech helped turn the tide, catching up with the other team and passing them, 180 to 130. Adam was doing his best to try and hit Katie, but with her new broom she kept evading. Katie and Marcus flew in a formation, passing the Quaffle back and forth, Jerry flew up to them, shoving into Katie hard. She spotted the bludger too late as it came right for her. Ducking her head down to at the last second to lessen the damage. Marcus however saw the bludger, ramming his shoulder into Jerry he pushed the chaser into Katie. She was only pushed to the side slightly, whereas Jerry got hit directly in the face, his nose clearly broken. Katie looked up at Marcus just as he looked away from her.
The scrimmage paused while Jerry had the healers fix his nose. Marcus, Katie, and Lucius flew together talking about the next play. "Katie, I want you to run the Spellman steal, while Lucius and I keep the other two chasers busy." Marcus said.
Katie was surprised he wanted her to do it, she had been practicing that move for the last couple of weeks. Had he seen her practicing it? It was extremely difficult to pull off, let alone to land back on the broom once completed. Katie didn't argue and they flew into position. Marcus and Lucius were distracting Jerry and Carren, leaving Katie open to chase James who had the Quaffle. Taking a deep breath, she flew behind him just slightly above him, jumping from her broom she used her feet to kick James's broom. James struggled to stay on his broom dropping the Quaffle. Katie was plummeting as she grabbed the Quaffle, just barely landing on her broom. Mounting the broom properly she took off scoring for her team.
No matter how well Katie did in practice the captain would still not give her a starting position. The Falmouth Falcons ended up losing the last three games, and all Katie could do was watch. The final game of the season Marcus and the Captain got in an intense argument over a play. Mack refused to back down or even listen to Marcus's ideas. Which resulted in them losing the finals for that season.
Katie had a week off until summer practice started early in June. When it did there was a big announcement from the Coach stating they had a new Team Captain. Marcus. Of course. Just peachy.
Training shifted from then on, instead of switching teammates, everyone was set in certain teams. Reserve team had three chasers and the starting team had three chasers. He told them, that if even one starting team member couldn't make a game, then the whole starting team would be benched. He wanted chasers that exclusively collaborated with each other, that way they would work together perfectly. It was a smart move, but Katie felt defeated when she was put on the reserve team with James and Carren.
A week into the new training schedule Katie couldn't hold back anymore. She was good enough to be a starter and she wanted that spot. Katie showed up early to practice, a few hours in Marcus was the first to show up. Deciding that it couldn't wait anymore she flew down to the ground, Katie scowled as she walked up to him. Noticing her heading towards him he greeted her, "Bell."
"Flint, we both know I'm better then Halloran, why am I still a reserve?" Katie was fuming. If he was putting her on reserve because of their past relationship, then she was going to blow up. Katie raised her chin in a way that indicated saying no wasn't an option.
He observed her before he spoke, "Yes you are better than Halloran, but he's more of a team player." He instantly knew it was the incorrect thing to say when some of the light dimmed from her eyes.
"How is he more of a team player then me?" This was bullshit. He studied her beneath his thick dark eyebrows.
"You show up hours before practice to train by yourself, whereas Halloran stays after practice with everyone else and does additional training. No matter how good you are, he has more practice and training with the team then you. Want a starter position? Become a part of the team." His face was blank. She knew deep down he was right, shifting on her feet uncomfortably.
So, when practice ended, she stayed on the pitch, even though her body ached. Katie had been training since five in the morning. By the time eight rolled around, she was fifteen hours into practice and the team finally called it quits. She limped to the locker room, only just making it to the shower, her legs no longer able to support her. Sitting down she lathered her hair and washed her body. Finishing she leaned back against the tile wall. Letting the steam and warm water relax her body. Closing her eyes, she listened to the falling water.
"Bell" "Bell" "Katie?" Her eyes opened, finding herself still sitting in the shower. "Bell you alive in there?" She heard Marcus ask from the door. Katie shifted on the floor; her tailbone was aching from sitting too long.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Katie shouted back. She went to stand up, but her legs had no strength left. "Fuck" she muttered to herself.
"Do you need help?" Marcus asked. Heat rose to her cheeks, imagining him finding her like this. She tried to swallow but her mouth was dry.
"No, go away." She could do this, she could. She just needed to get her towel, and her spare clothing, which sat on a bench just outside of the stall she was in. Taking a steadying breath she grabbed the towel rack, using that to stand up shakily, with one hand she reached out turning the shower off. She looked towards the bench. It was only three steps; she could do this. Her first step was questionable at best, the second step her leg gave out and the third step she fell, banging her shin into the bench hard. "Fuck." Katie cursed, holding her shin while on the ground.
"Sounds like you need help" Marcus said
"No" Katie shouted frustrated, crawling onto the bench, using her upper body strength. She dried off and slowly got dressed in black shorts, a heather grey t-shirt, and her slip-on shoes. Now she needed to get to the door. Katie wished she weren't so bad at apparating she could just be in her bed right now. Sitting there for quite a while, she debated her options.
"Are you planning on sleeping in there or do you need help?" She heard him call out.
She sucked on her lower lip for a moment. "Can you send someone else in?" Katie asked not wanting his help.
"Everyone is gone, unless you want me to call a janitor." She was stuck, unsure of what to do. Katie picked at the hem of her shirt nervously. When she didn't reply he called out again "I'm coming in." He waited for her to protest, when she didn't, he walked in. Spotting Katie sitting on a bench, hair soaked, and her body covered in bruises. All assorted colors and sizes, stretching across her skin. Her face was cast down, avoiding his gaze. "So, what's going on? You've been in here for over two hours." He had changed out of his Quidditch gear, wearing a pair of grey sweatpants and a black long-sleeved shirt, his hair still damp.
Had she really fallen asleep for that long? She kept her eyes down, refusing to make eye contact. "None of your business." She offered him a tight smile and quickly looked away.
"What are you waiting for then?" Marcus's insufferable grin returned. She glared at him.
Katie remained silent for a while before muttering, "my legs are sore from clutching the broom all day." He thought for a moment. Then he grabbed her bag, throwing the strap over his shoulder and across his body. Katie was surprised that he hadn't made a smug comment. He bent down, scooping her into his arms, carrying her bridal style. His intoxicating familiar smell enveloped her. "What's your address" he asked. When she remained silent, he let out a groan, "Apparating would take me a minute to take you home, I can bring you to the Floo but chances of you standing properly in the Floo don't sound likely." Katie nodded her head giving him the address.
They arrived outside her house, walking up the porch he set her down on the bench. Katie told him where the house key was in her bag. After finding it, he opened the door and set the bag inside. Walking back over to her, he picked her up again. When he got inside, he used his foot to kick the door shut behind him, then he waited for her to tell him where to go. "It's that room" she said pointing to the door. He walked over silently, setting her down on the bed, "Goodnight, Bell. I'll lock the front door." She glanced up at him, but he disappeared before she could reply. With heavy eyelids, Katie fell asleep soundly.
Katie no longer came to practice early, taking Marcus's advice she stayed later to practice with the rest of the starting team. Time flew by and June was close to being over. Practice had been grueling that day, Katie didn't get out until nine. She had planned to have dinner with Alicia and Angelina after practice. Wearing a pair of jeans, a black sweater, and running shoes.
By eleven she was home, heading to her room, she changed Capone's water dish and set out some fish for him. He hooted happily. Katie laid down on her bed staring at the wall. Too tired to change her clothes, Katie reached to turn off the light on her nightstand, stopping suddenly and withdrawing her hand. The photograph that sat on her nightstand was facing away from the bed, not towards it.
In the darkness, her house that once felt safe now felt terrifying. The way the vanity mirror reflected her backyard light through the curtains, the sight of her closet door left slightly ajar. Katie found little comfort, in the dark.
Getting up from her bed she snatched her wand from atop of her dresser, creeping to the door that lead to her living room, quietly, listening. Her wand clutched tightly to her side. When she poked her head out of the door, she saw something slam down on her head out of her peripheral vision. Katie hit the ground, dropping her wand. It was kicked across the floor by large black boots. Whoever it was grabbed a clump of Katie's hair, dragging her out into the living room. She screamed, trying to claw at the attacker's hands as best as she could.
The person dragging her threw her across the floor, violently. Clumps of her hair ripping out in the process. She was hit again across the face, her vision clouded. She could only make out dark figures in masks. Death Eaters.
Her front door opened, a figure in red walked towards Katie. Tears were coming down her face, from the pain. Her head throbbing and pounding in the places she was struck. "Let's get this over with quick." Evelyn said without emotion.
Katie cried out as her hand was cut open with a blade, blood pouring all over her wooden floors. The Death Eater hauled her from the ground, taking her bloodied hand and placing it on her golden mirror. The glass shifted into a soft purple no longer casting a reflection, "Let's deal with you first." Evelyn turned to Katie. Grabbing Katie's wand, she snapped it into several pieces pocketing the remains. "Diffindio" Evelyn said. Katie felt pain in her leg, looking down there was a deep cut in her thigh, slicing through her jeans. Blood began gushing out. "You'll be dead soon enough." Evelyn said before they all disappeared into the mirror, leaving Katie to bleed out.
Katie was frantic, she needed to stop the blood, it was her femoral artery. She could do wandless magic. She just needed to calm down first, she took a few shaky breaths. "Vulnera Sanentur." Katie chanted holding her hands above her leg, as she repeated the words the wound began to stitch itself together. When her leg was healed, she stood up, putting her bloodied hand onto the mirror it changed back to a purple. Katie walked through.
It was pitch black. Placing her hands in front of her she searched for a wall. Anything. When her hand felt a stone wall, a chill ran through her spine. It couldn't be. She listened. Not hearing anyone, she cast a Lumos spell to see the room. The stone hallway lit up, filling the dusty gaps between the stone, turning everything a blueish silver. It was the place from her nightmares. Extinguishing her Lumos, Katie followed the twisting passage by touch alone. Katie carefully made her way down the stairs.
When she hit the last step, an uneasy feeling hit her stomach. Reaching for the wooden door, she walked through. The room was silent but this time it was lit up by torches. By the next door, Katie was feeling fidgety. Cracking the door slightly she peered through the crack, spotting Evelyn and Death Eaters. "The fucking doors changed! How is this possible." Evelyn screamed.
They walked through the next door, and Katie crept into the room looking at the first door. The symbols were gone. No. This couldn't be possible. Wait… by the door handles, it looked as if the symbols were carved into the doors. Hiding back behind the door she waited for Evelyn and the Death Eaters to try the next door. She made a break for it. Scanning as many doors as she could. Then she saw it.
The creature's door. Just as she reached it Evelyn walked out, followed by the Death Eaters. Oh, she hoped the thing was in there. She ripped the door open, hauling it all the way open and hiding behind the door, pulling the handle towards her to secure it. A load roar filled the stone hallway, the whole room rumbling. It took slow powerful steps outside of the room. "Run" Evelyn screamed trying to make her way back through the door they had just left, the Death Eaters following. The creature ran towards them, making it through the doorway before they could close it.
Katie sprinted down the hallway, closing the door and trapping them in with the creature. Screams… horrifying, traumatizing… ear shattering screams. She needed to find the exit… the door from her nightmares. Continuing down she found the symbol. This was it. She would finally see what was behind the door. Walking through she found herself standing just outside the Gryffindor wing.
What the hell.
Her grandfather must have used this tunnel when she had been in school. The mirror only opened with her blood, her family blood. Katie looked behind her and saw a matching mirror to the one in her house. Katie was fuming. Had her grandfather used this tunnel when her dad had been in school? "Confringo" Katie cast a powerful blast that hit the mirror, shattering it into millions of pieces. That's when Katie heard hundreds of footsteps, the whole Gryffindor wing evacuating, heading away from where Katie stood. Perplexed, she followed them down to the courtyard, where all the students and teachers were lined up. Albus Dumbledore lay on the ground in the middle of everyone, unmoving.
The Ministry of Magic soon released a statement, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was back. That's how Katie found herself standing at her front door, Hermione in front of her asking for help to search for horcruxes. Hermione explained that they knew the truth about Evelyn.
"I… I can't Hermione, my life just started to become normal again. If you need me in the last battle, you know I'll be there, but until then, I'd rather focus on Quidditch."
"Harry Potter Undesirable #1" the headlines read a few weeks later. "Ministry Seeks Education Reform" "Mudblood's and The Danger They Pose" "Purebloods the Perfect Society" "When Muggles Attack" Half bloods were being brought in front of The Ministry of Magic, their wands confiscated and arrested.
Katie stood on the Quidditch pitch; the late-afternoon sunlight warmed her face. They were having a meeting about the upcoming changes to the team. Unlike other teams they didn't suffer as badly. Losing only two Chasers, James and Carran, and one of their starting beaters Henry and two reserve beaters. Other teams had lost mostly all their teammates. Quidditch teams were heavily recruiting, Angelina and Alicia, both made it onto the Holyhead Harpies.
Marcus stood in front of the team. "I know there's been a lot of talk, about us losing so many teammates. We are in the process of making a couple trades with other teams that didn't suffer as badly. Unfortunately, the teams that don't even have seven players are taking top priority. Until then when we scrimmage it will have to be against magical opponents as we don't have enough people. However, I would like to introduce a new member to the team, Adam Fletcher. I'm sure, you've heard of him, he was in the French league on the Agincourt Axes, he will be our starting beater, along with Lamb. The starting lineup for chasers has yet to be announced, today I want myself, Paddon, and Bell running the plays." Katie looked up at him when her name was mentioned. "Okay, let's go." He yelled, everyone got on their brooms taking off.
"Today we are going to practice Sabryn steals, and D'Orazio Dives." Marcus announced, a few people groaned. When Katie's turn was up, she was partnered with Lucius, he had the Quaffle and Katie had to do a double somersault, and steal the Quaffle from the opponent's hands, then land back on her broom. She knew if she fell, they would be prepared to levitate her, but she still felt anxious. Her first attempt she had the Quaffle just in her grasp, but Lucius pulled it away. Missing her broom completely she fell towards the ground. "Wingardium Leviosa" Marcus shouted, levitating Katie just above the ground. "Again."
Not even Oliver Wood had been this tough during practices. She understood she was in the professional league, but damn Marcus was an intense Captain. They still had a month left of training before the Quidditch league's season would start again.
Many things had changed for this year's season of Quidditch. With so many people being arrested, major companies were going out of business. The Falmouth Falcon had started to lose their investors. The team only recently acquired a new shareholder, so to celebrate they coordinated a trip. They would stay for one night at a hotel, and the following day the team would be interviewed for the Quidditch Daily, and other news groups. The first day of the event they arrived at the hotel, the team was escorted to the meeting room. Where the new shareholder greeted them and gave them a list of questions that would be asked the following morning.
When the meeting ended Katie and the team headed to the front desk to receive their keys for their individual rooms. Thanking the receptionist, she grabbed her duffle bag and walked back to where the team was standing. "I'm starving" Lucius complained.
"Me too" Brian agreed.
"I'll buy dinner." Marcus offered.
"Let's go!" Albert cheered a grin forming on his face. Everyone headed out of the room, except for Lucius and Katie. Lucius walked around a chair standing beside her. "Bell, are you coming?"
"No, I'm not going to go, I'm not that hungry." Katie declined; her sapphire eyes were distant.
He paused, and she knew he was contemplating on how to convince her to stay, before he could say anything she said, "See you in the morning."
Katie headed up to her hotel room, getting into a pair of pajamas. Slumping into her bed. She was tired, but the sun had just hardly set. Katie chose to pull out her book, flipping onto her stomach, she began to read. Quickly getting lost into the words.
Meanwhile the rest of the team, sat around a table eating as much as they could. The server walked by, and Marcus asked her, "Is the to-go order ready?"
"Let me go check on that." She walked off. Returning a couple minutes later with a brown take out bag. Marcus signed the check, standing up he said, "I'm going back to the hotel."
"You aren't going to wait for us?" Lucius asked.
"Don't want the food to get cold." Marcus said before departing.
The team stared at each other, staying quiet until Marcus was out of the restaurant. "Do you understand what just happened with Flint?" Brian the seeker asked, Albert their beater who had a mouth full of food. He looked up at the ceiling as he chewed, pondering the question.
"He just wants to eat in his room, probably." Albert replied. Everyone else laughed.
Katie heard a knock on her door, confused she set her book down. Looking out the peep hole she didn't see anyone in the hallway. Opening the door, she spotted a brown bag just outside. Katie looked around the corner and noticed Marcus walking into his room. Her heart thundered in her chest. She grabbed the bag and closed the door. Finding two plastic containers, one with chicken parmesan and pasta, the other with carrot cake.
Katie ate the food while she continued to read, sometime later she got up and went out to the balcony. Admiring the city lights, Katie heard the patio door next to her room slide open. From her place on the balcony, she was able to see Albert and Brian walking out. After they lit their cigarettes, they noticed Katie. "Hey, Bell." Brian greeted loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear.
Katie smiled over at them saying, "You guys got back late, where did you go after dinner?"
"We didn't go anywhere. We came straight back." Albert looked at her confused.
"Then why did Marcus get back so early?" Katie asked puzzled.
"He didn't want your food to get cold." Brian teased. She was thankful that it was dark, so they couldn't see the heat rise in her cheeks. "What you still not speaking to him?"
"Not really." Katie said, looking anywhere but at them.
Silence fell; then Brian asked, "You two. One of you is too proud the other is too arrogant. Why do you want to keep fighting?" The two men sniggered, and Katie gritted her teeth.
"I'm going to go to bed, night guys." Katie said, walking back into her room.
The following morning Katie was doing the last touches on her makeup, still not in her Quidditch Uniform, wearing a large black shirt, and grey leggings. A knock sounded on her door. Opening it, Marcus stood outside, dressed in his Quidditch gear. Katie's freckled face paled a bit. He handed her a Styrofoam box, and a coffee cup. His brows lowered as his eyes traveled along her body. Cocking his head to the side he greeted her with a quick smile saying "Breakfast." His heart accelerated when her gaze rose to his face. He felt extremely idiotic, and for a moment he debated on whether to run from her room or not.
"Thanks" she said, looking down at the ground.
"We will meet you in the conference room." He smiled roguishly. Marcus remained standing there for a moment longer, examining her, before briskly heading down the hallway. Katie took a sip of her warm drink, raspberry tea, her favorite. Katie closed the door, sitting down at the small desk she ate her breakfast, staring out the rain-splattered window. In the silence that followed his departure, a familiar ache filled her chest as she contemplated her Captain. When she finished her food, Katie got dressed, heading down to the conference room to meet up with the rest of the team.
They were lined up behind a long table that was situated on a stage. The rest of the room was filled with reporters, and camera crews. Katie sat on the end, next to Lucius but four seats away from Marcus. Katie nervously picked at her Quidditch Uniform sleeve while she waited for it to start.
"Welcome everyone, as you all know we have The Falmouth Falcon's team to answer questions about the upcoming season." The announcer then turned to the team and asked. "Do you have anything to say to your fans?"
"Thank you for your support. We are going to do our best in the upcoming season." Marcus said into the microphone in front of him.
"Let's start the question's then" the announcer pointed to a slim, tall man with thinning black hair.
"Flint as the new team captain how do you feel about the roster for this upcoming season?" He asked in a timid voice.
"The most important thing is to have a roster that will get us the greatest number of wins. I've been putting thought into it, but nothing is set in stone for now. We want to be better, coming into this year."
"Next question, you in the front." The announcer walked across the stage, pointing at the next reporter.
"Davies after this summer you are up to extend your contract with The Falmouth Falcons, are you planning on staying?" A small man with a withered face asked.
"Unfortunately, that hasn't been talked about yet as per an agreement. It will be up for discussion in six months or so." Brian responded curtly his crooked teeth glowing yellow in the light.
"Yes, you." The announcer pointed to a woman with fiery red hair.
"Flint is it true, that you are getting along especially well with your new chaser?" The woman asked, looking between Katie and Marcus. Katie tensed.
"No not really." He said, looking over at Katie, her face colored, but she did not drop his stare, his emerald eyes sparkled with amusement. "But she's a great Quidditch player, and she has a serious attitude. As the team captain, I'm glad that she's, my teammate." Katie adverted her gaze back to the crowd.
Author's Note: I do want to announce that I do have plans to making Theodore appear more then he is. Thank you, Ginny blue for the support. I do want to make a few things clear. Evelyn and Katie were friends when they were in school together, Evelyn was told to come back into Katie's life to find another portal to enter Hogwarts. To me it seems unlikely that Voldemort would leave everything up to Draco and the Vanishing Cabinet, a plan b seemed more reasonable to me. I know poor Brenton, hopefully he will find someone in the future, who doesn't have crazy friends.