Chapter Six: Life Was Sweet

We settled into a booth at The Three Broomsticks and Oliver ordered two butter beers. Our "date" had been going great. There hadn't been one awkward moment and everything had been quite respectable.

We had discussed Snape ("Disgusting! Does he ever wash his hair!), the twins and Alicia ("What's up with them?") and Quidditch. Mostly Quidditch. It was just like it was when we were usually hanging out, except that Oliver kept his arm around my waist all afternoon. Oh well, I wasn't objecting to loudly.

Oliver got up to get the butter beers so I was sitting in our booth all by myself. Someone moved behind me.

"Thanks for dressing up for me, Kate." Flint whispered into my ear, "I was hoping we could meet a little more intimately. I really need to talk a few things over with you. No funny business, I promise. Meet me down in the dungeons at six and we'll talk. And don't even think about bringing anyone along. You'll just have to take my word for it." He walked away before I had a chance to say anything.

"Meet with Flint?" I thought. "No funny business my arse. And why would he want to meet in the dungeons? So there'll be no one to help me? No way I'm not going!" But then I realized that I had let him control my life for five long years and I was sick of it. Screw him! I'd meet him at six, but he was going to get a piece of my mind. The reign of Flint's terror was over, this was my last year, he couldn't hurt me now anyway.

"Katie!" Oliver shouted, waving his hand in front of my face. "What's up?" I had been so intent on my thoughts that I hadn't even noticed Oliver sitting down beside me.

"Sorry, just thinking about some stuff." I replied, a determined smile on my face.

"Me, I hope."

"Of course!"

Oliver leaned over and gave me a kiss. He slipped his arm protectively around me and grinned. I saw that Flint was glaring at us and smiled innocently at him.

Oliver and I finished our butter beers and headed to Quality Quidditch Supplies, hand in hand. I thought Oliver was going to faint when he saw a Firebolt in the window. Which, of course, would have been bad, considering I was feeling a bit weak in the knees myself. I'm not sure how long we stood there hand in hand staring at it but it must have been at least fifteen minutes.

Finally Fred, George and Alicia came along. The twins were standing on opposite sides of Alicia, competing to see who could impress her more. "Jolly good day isn't it, old chap?" Fred asked, breaking Oliver out of his trance.

"Huh? Oh hi, Fred, George, Alicia. Bloody brilliant out this morning!" I could have sworn he was drooling. Okay, this was almost taking the obsession a bit too far. I mean, come on, there has to be a healthy limit. "Check it out, a Firebolt." Oliver said the word with undisguised reverence, like it was a holy object. Oh my... I think I'll need to teach this boy there's more to life then Quidditch.

Oliver, Fred and George started talking about brooms and Alicia and I tried are best to listen, acting like we were good chasers. I love flying and Quidditch, but these guys have the ability to ruin it with all their talk of strategy, tactics and techniques. Flying is just something you do!

Alicia and I wandered away a bit and I asked her what was going on with the twins.

"Well," she replied, taking her time, "I'm not sure. I know they both like me and I just can't decide which of them I like more. They're both great and so different, once you get to know them." she paused, "Plus it's sort of fun having them fawn all over me. I like the attention."

"Just make sure you don't play them so long that you lose them both."

Alicia nodded, thoughtfully. "What's up with you and Oliver?"

I shrugged, "I'm not quite sure. It seems like he wants to make a move but he's so easily distracted by anything involving Quidditch. I may have to teach him a thing or two about how to treat a girl."

Alicia laughed, evilly, "Something tells me that wouldn't be much of a punishment."

I grinned as the boys walked back over, "We were thinking about heading back to Hogwarts, what do you guys think?" Fred asked.

Alicia and I nodded in agreement and the five of us headed to the carriages. We all climbed into one carriage and started back for the castle. Fred and George were bickering over something completely pointless and I had never seen them jump down each others throats like this before. Alicia had better make up her mind soon.

Oliver smiled and whispered to me, "I have to go to the library when we get back but I'll meet you in the common room at seven." I nodded my agreement, I couldn't wait to have Flint out of the way.

Six o'clock came too soon as I drudged down to the dungeons. Flint was no longer in control of my life, and I was going to let him know. Whatever he had to say, he'd better say it quick, because I wasn't sticking around for long. I had already wasted to much time on that slime ball. Life was sweet, or at least, it was going to be soon.