DO YOU TRUST ME?!

The last week of summer was very stressful, and my whole family seemed on edge. With my dad working endless hours to try and clean up after the catastrophe at the world cup match, I was shipped off to Grandmum and Grandfather's. It's not that I minded spending time with my grandparents, but I felt like a little kid that needed watched all the time. Oh, it has it's perks staying with them. I'm a 'spoiled pampered princess' as Kevin likes to call it, but I just call it using my resources. There are also negatives of being the only girl in a family as Ginny Weasley knows, so when the perks come up you have to grab them.

I did notice over the course of the week that grandfather was more quiet than usual. He seemed worried about the world cup situation. It appeared that all of the adults who remember the first war seem to be the most sensitive to the death eaters parading around the wizard camp site. I didn't know what to think of it all, because nothing bad had happened since..

On Friday I was lounging in the library reading a novel, when Ella apparently flooed over, "KATIE!" Her voice rang throughout the house with the soronus charm.

I hurried down to the parlor, "Ella! You can't let Grandmum hear you yell like that. Why didn't you just ask Fin to come get me?"

She shrugs, "I wanted to see if you would apparate. As I suspected, you didn't. I can't decide if it's manners, or you're so used to being babied by everyone in your life and simply forget. Now are you all packed? You're staying with us tonight, and we are going to the game tomorrow. Then on Monday I'm taking you to the platform! Kevin has practice."

I beam at her as I hurry off to say goodbye to my grandparents, and gather my trunk. This is going to be an interesting weekend with my brother. There's never a dull moment when Kevin and Ella are together.

..

The game was amazing! It was weird to watch Oliver play from the stands (in a color much too similar to Ravenclaw's blue for my liking I might add), since I'm so used to playing with him. I was also a little more anxious about the talent of the beaters on the other team. They are out to end the game for the other team's players. I noticed Cal stayed close to Oliver, and was grateful for that. The whole team played extremely well, and pulled out a win easily. Oliver only let 3 goals past him, Kevin nearly scored his highest score in a regular season match, and their seeker caught the snitch.

I had made sure to wear my Oliver Wood keeper puddlemere shirt, and Ella had made sure my hair and makeup were done to perfection. I glanced nervously at her as we made our way down to the press room. After the game all of the players return to the locker room to shower and have a post game talk. Then the players go out and address the press and their questions. Family members can join the players, so they don't have to wait in the crowds and most players apparate away from this room to avoid crazy fans.

We walked into the room full of yelling. "Bonner did you mean to crack the chaser's broom?!" "Bell how do you feel about your near record scoring today" "Bell, Do you think you will go for any records this season?!" "Wood how long have you been playing?" "Wood, Where did you go to school?" "Wood, How difficult is it to break in on a veteran team?" "Wood, Do you feel like you feel like your age is an advantage or disadvantage?" Wood, Is it true that you and the veteran keeper got into a fist fight?"

I'm a bit overwhelmed as we walk further into the room. Everyone is yelling, and then shoving to try and hear the player's answers. I try to take a step back out of someone's way, but then run into someone else. "HEY watch it lady!" An angry reporter glares at me and then eyes widen as he looks and Ella and takes in her pregnant belly. "Now Mrs. Bell how do you feel about having a child while you husband is working such long hours? It seems so soon after the marriage, was it an accident?"

Ella looks really flustered, so I step in front of her, "Excuse me sir, but you are only here to ask the players questions. If my brother knew what you were saying.." I paused and let him fill in the blank as the person I had been talking about strode over.

"Baby Kate! Ella! Did my girls enjoy the game?" He asked with a smile until he noticed Ella's strained face. He glanced back behind me, and noticed the reporter. "I thought I told you to leave! Did you come and harass them?!" Kevin raised his voice, and I could tell people around us were pausing what they were doing to see that the problem was.

The room was much quieter, and I was worried Kevin would get himself in trouble because of his temper. Suddenly Cal came striding up, pushing people out of his way. "Take Ella to your house. I'll take Katie and be there in a minute. Now Kevin." He looked so serious, and was not surprised at all that Kevin listened to him.

I even found myself reaching out for Cal's extended hand, and smiling nervously at him. I was looking around for Oliver and barely heard Cal explaining to the owner of Puddlemere what had happened, or addressing the reporter. I desperately looked around for Oliver, and spotted him completely surrounded by reporters. He was watching us nervously and with a frown on his face. I gave him a sad smile just as Cal turned towards me, "Okay I'm ready now. Kevin is probably worried sick, but I wanted to make sure everything was sorted out to tell him." He put his arm around me, shielding me from the press as I felt myself pulled into the darkness for apparating.

As soon as I felt my feet on the ground again, I smelled the familiar aroma of Kevin's house. I could also hear his familiar voice yelling from the other room. I started to run to tell him I was fine when Cal grabbed my arm, "You're alright?" He looked me over as I nodded my head. He looked so worried as he looked at me, it was a little offsetting. He smirked at me, and then strode from the room to tell Kevin the news. The reporter was never allowed back, and the rest were warned against ever addressing family members.

I found Ella sitting on the couch with a cup of tea. I sat next to her and cuddled close to her as Kevin got his anger out. He has always been protective of me, and now Ella. With the baby coming, he has been even worse. I sighed as I leaned over on Ella, at least I was going back to school and wouldn't have to deal with papa bear much longer.

...

The very next night as I lay in my bed at Hogwarts next to my best friends, I couldn't hold back a smile. We had just begun our annual beginning of the year sleep over for the very last time. It had been a long day on the train, and at the feast. Returning for my last year was exciting as well as sad, but the shocking announcement of no qudditich and the triwizard tournament was almost too much for one day.

Also, I hadn't found a chance to tell the girls my big news. I couldn't tell one before the other, and I wanted to see their faces... soooo I can't stop myself from starting to giggle. My two best friends gave me a weird look. I smile at them because I know they will be surprised once I decide to blurt out my news, "I kissed Oliver Wood."

"WHAT!" They both shrieked. Their faces priceless.

"I didn't want to tell you separately. So here is what happened..." I recounted the entire encounter multiple times, and we broke down what everything could mean over the next couple hours and 2 honeydukes bars.

...

The first week of classes flew by, but it was wonderful to be back and see all of my friends. Quite often I would feel as though someone was missing, but I tried to ignore it and keep myself busy. The teachers made it very clear the NEWT year was no joke, and they weren't going to let the Triwizard tournament effect our studies. I did find myself wondering about the other schools that would be arriving later this month, and if I would see Ella's cousin again... he went to that French school right? I would have to write her to ask..

It wasn't until Friday at breakfast that I finally got an owl from the one person I wanted to hear from the most. I began to read as I ate at the Gryffindor table, where he had always used to sit near me lecturing me on my passing arm.

Hey Kates,

Sorry for the late response, but I've been super busy. Thanks for coming to the game, and wearing my shirt. I saw you from a distance, and it made my day. I wish I would have been able to talk to you, but I understand why Kevin wanted you guys to leave. The reporters should not have been interviewing you or Ella, and Cal talked to the owner of Puddle mere about it. I noticed him with you in the commotion.

I can't believe all that's happening at Hogwarts! The triwizard tournament hasn't happened in ages, so I bet it's all so exciting. The no qudditich thing sounds terrible though. I miss you Kates. Tell the team I say hello, and I hope to hear from you soon. I would make up some plays for you guys, but I guess they aren't needed.

Oliver Woob
(you dont have my signature so you still have to keep writing.)

The letter makes me smile, as pass it off to Alicia. I open the paper to look to see how the boys did in the weekend game. I figure it will be quicker to just let her read the letter, instead of her asking 50 questions. I open to the sports section, and stare at it in shock. I set the paper down, and look at Alicia who just finished reading the letter.

She looks up happily, but as she sees my face she begins to frown, "What's wrong Katie?"

I take a deep breath and look back at the paper. Maybe I read it wrong... nope. There in large print on the front page of the qudditich section of the Daily Prophet is the one thing that could break my heart. "SENSATIONAL ROOKIE QUDDITICH STARS FIND LOVE" underneath that gut wrenching headline is a picture of Oliver leaning against his broom in full uniform looking devastatingly handsome. Next to him is a beautiful brunette, who is the new seeker for the Harpies. My heart hurts looking at their two smiling faces. They remind me of Oliver and Olivia. A perfect couple.

I hear Alicia gasp and grab the paper. I stood up, feeling as if I were going through an out of body experience. What HAD our kiss meant? And everything he said? I couldn't comprehend... anything. Where could I go to get away? The lake is no longer a private place, because that's where everyone hangs out in the nice weather. Plus my friends know where to find me there. I need to be alone.

I decide to go to the astronomy tour, and write Ella a letter. I'm sure she saw the paper, and is worried about me. As soon as I get there I let myself cry if only for a little while. Then I begin to write a 3 page letter to Ella, and afterwards I feel better. Only after I fold the parchment and look out over the grounds of Hogwarts do I realize the sun is high in the sky! It's in the middle of the afternoon?!

I hurry to my room, and can't believe lunch is almost over. I missed charms and transfiguration this morning, and will be cutting it close to get to potions on time. I sprint down to the dungeons, and arrive just as he starts to lecture. Snape looks back at me and narrows his eyes. I lower my face, and sit down in my chair trying to catch my breath. I pull out my quill and paper to take notes, but I can only hope no one can tell I had been crying. Surprisingly Snap let's my entrance go without comment. I try to pay attention without success, but soon we are brewing and I get in the zone. I finish my potion with time to spare, and begin to clean up my surface area.

As I'm finishing upcleaning, I notice Snape glaring at the back of the room. I look back to see Alicia standing in the back of the room. She looks very nervous but determined, and I know how much she's scared of Snape. I turn in my potion and hurry towards the back of the room.

"I'm FINE," I say as I'm walking towards her. I can tell she doesn't believe me.

Alicia glares at me, "Where have you been?! Ang says you weren't in your morning classes. I showed her the paper and she was worried too." She hisses at me.

I can feel Snape watching us with open curiosity from nearby, so I shove Alicia out the door. "Come on, don't you have class or something?"

She starts to walk with me back to the common room, "Katie talk to me please!"

I pause in an abandoned corridor, "Alicia, I don't know what you want me to say? My heart hurts? That's obvious. I feel foolish for thinking Oliver felt the same way with all of the attention he's getting? Should have known that from the beginning. I love you like my sister, but I can't talk about this. I just have to ... try and forget, I guess. Please don't make me talk about it."

Alicia stares at me in shock, and notices my eyes watering. I feel so stupid for being so upset, but I thought our letters and night of confessions with the kiss meant something. It's not like I thought it meant we were dating, but I thought it meant SOMETHING. He didn't even mention that girl in his letter.

Alicia glanced down the corridor, "You're right. Just let me know if there's anything you need or something you want to talk about."

I sigh, "Thanks. Could you tell Ang, please?"

She nods, and we begin to make the rest of the way to the common room. I have so much homework to do. Maybe if I stay really busy, I won't have time to think about Oliver and the Harpie seeker. My heart seems almost broken, and I can't force myself to reply to his letter to pretend everything is fine. I wonder if he will even notice...

Well? ..How was this chapter!? Remember to trust me! What about a chapter from Oliver's POV?

~Grace