A/N: Gahh! Sorry, I really hadn't intended to make the chapter so long. This is supposed to be a side project. And remember, try not to get too antsy because this is a developmental fic about Oliver and Katie! Thanks for the sweet reviews. I might not post for at least another week seeing as how I'm going to be off vacationing and plotting the next chapter of my Draco/Hermione fic. Happy reading and don't forget to drop me a line so I know if I should keep on posting or not!

Disclaimer: (Sadly) © of J.K. Rowling… INDEED!

Kisses and Cuts

Katie tramped into the locker room, soaked to the bone and muddied from top to bottom. Alicia and Angelina were already helping each other unbuckle their Quidditch wear. Alicia looked up and smiled, her brown eyes glowing with amusement as Katie collapsed onto the bench. Katie stood her broom up against the lockers jerkily, making a clattering noise of wood against metal.

"All right there, Kate?" Angelina said with a wink.

"If I pass out right here right now, just… just leave me here, all right?" Katie muttered as she slumped forward, her head tucked between her knees, sputtering for breath. She was cold, tired, sore, and just miserable all over.

"Just one more week 'til we play Slytherin," Alicia chirped. Angelina, finally managing to untangle Alicia from all her gear, turned around so Alicia could get started on her. Katie looked at the mud lines all over her fellow Chaser and burst into giggles. Alicia looked like a drowned zebra.

The sudden sound of a door slamming and the slapping of muddied shoes on bathroom tiles alerted the girls of the boys' arrival. Wood and the others had stayed out for a short game of Bludger Dodging in the now light, misty rain. Katie looked up and watched as the jolly pair of Weasleys and the drenched Harry Potter tramped in.

"Where's Oliver?" She asked automatically.

"Trying to wrestle the Bludgers back into the box," George answered with a grin.

Katie frowned but slumped up and held her arms out by her sides. "Help!"

Fred beat George to it.

"No funny business, Weasley," Katie warned as Fred winked at her.

"Who? Me?" He asked innocently. But he quickly unstrapped her gear and waited patiently for her to unlace the sides of his plastic bodyguard. As soon as Katie was finished he went galloping off between the lockers, chasing his brother in raucous shouts, hyperactive as usual. Katie tore her armguards off and wriggled out of her body gear. She sat down on the bench and stripped off her shin guards and emerged much like Alicia. Crooked lines of mud ran across her clothing and her skin, not to mention, she was completely waterlogged.

Harry, after helping George out of his now brown things, merely wiped off as much mud as he could, not wanting another run-in with Filch, and cleaned off his glasses. His messy black hair was all over the place as he grabbed his broom and walked towards the entrance to the castle.

"I'll see you all later then," Harry said, glad that another wet and cold training session was over.

The rest of the team waved him off cheerfully and Fred shouted as an afterthought, "Don't forget practice on Monday!"

Harry groaned as he disappeared into the corridor, all his gear still fully attached. He seemed more preoccupied than usual of late. What a strange little boy, Katie thought. She began chucking her gear into the large, black bag she kept her Quidditch supplies in. 

She heard the showers go on and knew the other two Chasers must've started rinsing off. Bad idea. The girls never got naked of course, none of them were that stupid, but they were dressed scandalously when they hopped in to clean off all the muck. It was never a good idea when the Weasley cannons were loose though. Sure enough, there was a loud shriek, followed by an explosion, and a flume of purple smoke wafted out from the showers. She heard Angelina shouting herself hoarse as the Weasleys rioted with laughter and came sprinting out of the showering section, even wetter than they'd been when they'd snuck in.

Seconds later, Angelina came flying out dressed in a wet T-shirt, her hair splattering Katie with water as she held up her wand and pointed them in the Weasleys' direction.

"Good show!" George shouted.

"See you later, Kate!" Fred grinned.

The two of them had somehow managed to scoop up their gear before a fizzing, popping noise burst from the end of Angelina's wand. They scrambled to the door just as Angelina shouted, "Tantegrella!"

"She carries a wand with her in the shower!" George shrieked.

"Tells you loads, doesn't it?" Fred managed to holler at Katie before slamming the door shut… Just in time, too. A glimmer of orangish sparks slammed into the woodwork as both Weasleys disappeared. Katie's eyes widened as Angelina swiveled around looking murderous. Katie could hear the Weasley twins' laughter in the corridor as her fellow Chaser stalked back into the shower.

Katie sighed and finished stuffing the rest of her gear into her bag. She had managed to roll off her muddied sweatpants and change into a loose-fitting pair of shorts when she heard Wood's footsteps from the field entrance entering the locker room.

"Hello, Bell," he said cheerfully.

"Hello, Oliver," Katie sighed.

Wood looked up at the flat tone in her voice, his eyes narrowing. She had her back turned to him and he watched as she stiffly stood on her tiptoes and began stretching out her cramped muscles. Her lithe body bent and swayed as she rolled her shoulders and shook her head with a groan. Wood swallowed sharply and turned away. He reached for his shin guards and unfastened them, kicking them off in a rush.

He suddenly realized he needed help with the rest of the gear when he looked up to find Katie watching him. Her blue eyes reflected a mixture of resignation and adoration. She smiled ruefully and asked, "Assistance, Mister Wood?"

"If you'd be so kind, Bell," Wood grinned.

"Anything for you," Katie said, rolling her eyes.

"I know," Wood said.

If only.

He shifted to face her as her slender fingers picked apart the fastenings to his bodyguard. She worked expertly and had it loose in about a minute. She slid her fingers beneath the vest and helped hoist it over his head. Wood dropped it carelessly onto the floor. It clattered as it bounced off the bench and hit the tiles. He held out his arm and watched as she pulled apart the straps of his forearm guard.

Oliver unconsciously moved closer to her and watched her work. He watched her graceful, simple movements as she shifted to his other arm. He noticed that her eyelashes were a dark-chocolate brown color; it matched her hair, which, in its current state, was wild and dripping water. Her cheeks were flushed, a tribute to the harsh weather outside, and her lips were slightly parted. She was probably the only person he knew who could practice for two hours in the shoddy weather and still smell sweet afterwards.

He felt the base of her palm brush against his skin as she slipped the final piece of gear off. He grabbed her hand and intertwined her fingers with his.

"You're freezing," he muttered.

"Well, if you haven't noticed, we've been outside in the rain for about forever," Katie replied cheekily. She smiled at him, that sweet, reserved smile she only saved for him.

"My fault," Wood said as he pressed both his hands against hers.

"As always," she said.

Wood rubbed her right hand and then shifted his attention to the left. He held it longer than was necessary but he liked the feel of her soft skin against his. His thumb traced her wrist bone as he asked, "Better?"

"Slighty," she answered softly.

She couldn't help staring at him. She'd stared half her life away anyway. He kissed her forehead affectionately and Katie felt that familiar lump of disappointment sink into her gut. She waited for him to back away as usual, grin lopsidedly at her, and walk away, but this time he lingered. Katie shot him a confused look and froze at the glint in his eyes. He looked… hungry.

"Oliver?"

He adored the way she said his name, like it rolled off her tongue.  

Wood dipped his head forward. Katie inhaled sharply, feeling like her heart would explode, as she felt his velvety lips against hers. She gloried in the soft pressure of his lips parting her mouth when they heard Alicia shout, "If I have to spend another Friday night like this, I'll kill him!"

Wood jerked backwards as if he'd been shot. Katie stepped into the locker with a crash, blushing furiously.

"Honestly, Wood. I know it's your last year but don't you think you're taking it a bit too far?" Alicia said as she stepped into view. She'd changed into a clean shirt and pants already. She looked up to find Wood and Katie staring at her and she barked, "What?"

"Uh, no choice," Wood said, without his usual gusto.

Alicia turned from Wood's harassed frown to Katie's flustered blush.

"Did you have another argument about Quidditch?" Alicia asked in exasperation. Their arguments over professional Quidditch teams were practically legendary.

"No," Katie managed.

"I'll see you two tomorrow," Wood said sharply. With that he shoveled up his gear and disappeared into the corridor. Katie traced the floor pattern with her eyes. She could feel Alicia's questioning gaze on her as she gathered up her belongings, too.

"What's wrong with you two?" Alicia muttered.

"Oh, you know, the usual," Katie said forcedly with a smile.

Now she'd done it, but for three or four seconds she'd finally managed to get Wood to see her and she wouldn't trade that in for the world.

Wood was dreading the Halloween Feast, but he had to face Katie sooner or later.

Call him a coward, but Wood spent most of the day wandering Hogsmeade with the Weasley twins and several other upper-year classmates and close friends. Katie, bored with four years of visiting the quaint town, had already told him she hadn't planned to go. She had a lot of studying to do for her Arithmancy class and had decided to stay behind at Hogwarts this one time. Wood had simply hopped along for the trip because he didn't think he could talk to her just yet. After what he'd done in the locker room, he didn't think he could manage. He'd avoided her all night yesterday and all day today but now he had to go back to the Tower to change and head off to the Feast.

Wood didn't know what had possessed him to kiss her last night. No, it hadn't even been a bloody kiss, bless Merlin. He'd only managed to taste her when Alicia had shrieked. If Alicia hadn't interrupted, who knew what he would've managed. All he did know was that it had been both simultaneously the dumbest and best thing he'd ever done.

"Fortuna Major." The Fat Lady swung the portrait door open as Wood parroted the password.

He clambered into the noisy common room. With no sign of Katie around, he hurried up to his dormitory to change into a nicer set of robes. He made it to his room without a hassle and changed in record time. On his way back down to the common room he ran into Percy.

"Oh, good. Are you going to the Feast now, too?" Percy asked happily.

"Yeah, let's go," Wood said.

Percy shot him a curious look but followed his friend out the portrait hole.

The feast was relatively uneventful. Relatively being the keyword. George and Fred were having the usual Exploding Cracker show and the ruckus from the students was loud as ever. Wood was well aware of Katie sitting a few people down from him on the other side, but chose to ignore her. The food was absolutely delicious and Wood tried to forget about the strain by hooting and laughing with the rest of the Seventh Year boys. He only managed to forget for a short while though because halfway through the Feast, he noticed Katie stand up and walk out of the Great Hall. She had been grinning and laughing when she'd waved good-bye to Angelina but he couldn't help but feel a nagging sense of worry as he watched her narrow back disappear.

Seconds later, Angelina had managed to sidle in next to him. She propped her elbows onto the table, swiveled around to look at him and said, "Hello, Wood."

"Angelina," Wood nodded at her.

"Having fun?" She asked.

"Why? Aren't you?" Wood answered smoothly.

"I'm absolutely terrific, now what the hell is going on between you and Katie?" Angelina asked.

Wood doused a cup of pumpkin juice and shrugged nonchalantly. "What makes you think there's something going on between me and Bell in the first place?"

"Six years, Wood, and I've never seen you two manage a day without speaking to each other," she answered matter-of-factly.

"I've been in Hogsmeade all day, Johnson. What do you expect?" Oliver said flatly.

"Golly, I wonder why," Angelina said, feigning ignorance. With that, she stood up and disappeared down the table to where she'd been sitting originally.

By the time the Feast had ended, Wood had been feeling more miserable than ever. It was true, six years and he'd never managed a day without talking to Katie. He missed her irrepressible company and had resolved to talk to her when he reached the Tower when Wood found himself in a throbbing crowd of Gryffindors outside the Fat Lady's portrait.

"First years forget the password?" Lee Jordan snickered.

Wood heard Percy crash through the crowd, muttering "You can't all have forgotten the password." Just then a silence had crept through the Gryffindors as Percy shouted for someone to find Dumbledore. Wood felt his heart jump into his throat as Dumbledore, McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape came rushing down the hall minutes later.

The Fat Lady was gone; her painting was ripped to shreds, cut to pieces, torn beyond repair.

The pounding in Wood's ears cleared enough for him to hear Peeves cackle, "He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see. Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

Before he could do anything, Wood had been pushed back in the flood of Gryffindors returning to the Great Hall. He managed to grab Angelina and ask her where Katie had gone, but Angelina shook her head. She was scared stiff and her blue eyes were wide with fear as she trundled alongside Wood.

"I have to find Katie," Wood said firmly.

Percy, overhearing Wood, asked where she was.

"In the Tower," Wood answered weakly.

Percy's eyes widened as he turned around and hurried over to Dumbledore.

Angelina's hand gripped Wood's arm.

"Don't worry. They'll find her. The Fat Lady didn't let him in," Angelina said in reassurance to Wood, seeing the panic in his eyes.

Wood paced the steps of the Great Hall impatiently as the other three Houses began to filter inwards. Fear coursed through him at the thought of Katie lying murdered in the dormitory. He knew he was being paranoid but he couldn't choke back the uncertainty until he heard her call his name.

"Oliver! Angelina! What happened?"

Wood, unable to contain himself, swept her into a massive hug as she came bounding into the Great Hall. She was alive and healthy but he had to make sure for himself. She looked astounded as he released her and began asking her if she'd been in the Tower.

Dumbledore announced that the teachers would be searching the castle for the night so the students were to stay in the Great Hall. With a casual flick of his wrist, the long tables in the Hall disappeared and rows and rows of plush, purple sleeping bags lined the hall. The moment Dumbledore stepped out the Hall exploded with excitement. Conversations, questions flew everywhere as the Gryffindors had to relate their story to the other Houses about the Fat Lady and Sirius Black. Everyone knew Black was off his rocker, completely mad, the biggest supporter of You-Know-Who out there. Why was he at Hogwarts? What did he want? How did he get in?

Percy, being completely anal retentive, rushed to yell over the bustle and immediately forced the students into their sleeping bags. Minutes later the candles flickered out.

Wood could see Katie's slender form moving beside him as she breathed. There was still an undercurrent of uncertainty between them, but he'd decided to stop being a prat. He heard spattered whispering here and there as Percy patrolled the aisles of sleeping bags, barking at anyone who was still trying to carry on a conversation.

It was well into the early hours of the morning when Wood noticed Katie shift her position and sigh. He knew immediately that she wasn't asleep. He wasn't either, too many "what ifs" were running around in his brain. He'd never been more scared in his life when he'd seen that tattered picture of the Fat Lady. The not-knowing had nearly killed him. Imagine if something had actually happened… He shuddered at the thought.

"Katie?" He said softly, not wanting Percy to hear.

He saw her freeze before turning around to face him. He could only make out her outline in the dark so he slid his hand over her sleeping bag, to make sure she was still there.

"Oliver?"

"I'm right here, Bell." He tried to come off humorously but he was still scared out of his mind, not even about bloody Black, but about Katie. What could've happened if he hadn't been there…

"I'm scared." Her whispered confession made his chest clench in some unknown way.

Wood lifted up his head to survey Percy's position. The "Bighead" Boy was all the way at the opposite end of the hall whispering to Dumbledore. Wood quickly lifted the side of his sleeping bag and motioned to Katie. He heard more than saw her hesitate before a ruffle of blankets and the feel of her sliding beneath the covers next to him indicated her soft acceptance of his comfort.

He was finally reassured that there was no harm to his precious Katie. Feeling he could sleep at last, he looped his arms around her thin waist and pulled her closer up against him. Her back curled against his front side.

"Oliver?" She whispered.

He hummed in acknowledgement.

"About yesterday…"

Wood breathed in sharply and interrupted her. "Don't worry about it, love. It was stupid. It's over with now."

"Right," he heard her sigh.

An hour later, Katie's breathing had finally evened out. Slowly, as not to wake her, Oliver tucked her against him and sighed. He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep, completely unaware that he'd used the word "love" for the first time in his life.