Catch a Falling Star
By: Illuminate
Chapter Four
Rain was never good for Quidditch.
Except when you were playing Slytherin. They absolutely sucked in the rain.
The rain had been pelting the Gryffindor quidditch team for nearly two hours. Harry was exhausted. He had caught the snitch a total of twenty-seven times and he was getting tired. He wasn't even looking for it anymore. Fred and George were either resting their eyes, or actually sleeping on their brooms; the bludgers already locked away in the trunk. All the chasers kept missing the hoops, most of their throws falling short, though Katie was trying her best to pelt it past Oliver.
"Come on, Wood!" Angelina yelled, "It's almost ten-thirty! We're tired."
Oliver caught the quaffle fired by Katie, who scowled, and glanced around at his team. They were soaked and weary.
"Okay team! Practice as soon as the weather gets more bearable. Hit the showers."
Everyone scrambled inside the locker room like a herd of buffalo. Oliver laughed slightly and was about to mosey inside himself when his attention was diverted by someone still in the air. A girl by the looks of it.
"Katie." he said simply, gliding up towards her.
She kept throwing the quaffle into the hoops and levitating it back up with her wand. She looked determined, but was drenched and visibly tired. Her hands were red and her hair was sticking to her face.
"Katie."
No answer.
"Katie Bell, what is your problem?" Oliver said, getting frustrated.
She turned towards him sharply, "What? Come to make fun of me for not getting one single solitary shot past you tonight?!"
Oliver looked shocked, "No....besides...the weather sucks."
She took another shot, "That didn't stop the other two from kicking your butt!"
"Katie, it's been a hard night. Get some sleep."
"What's the matter Oliver? Afraid I might get one past you?" she challenged.
"I think--"
Come on Wood! Go play keeper! Let's see what happens."
Oliver, realizing she wasn't going to relent, flew over to the goals and switched to Keeper Mode.
"Alright, Bell. Give me what you got."
"Thank God Wood let up on the practicing. I think my blood is turning blue." Angelina said, examining her hands as she headed briskly towards the castle with Fred, George, and Alicia after their showers; all huddled under one very large umbrella.
Fred laughed, "Awww. Does wittle Angewina need some warming up?"
She put her hand out to stop him, "Not today."
George snickered, and glanced around the pitch, noting two figures still flying arounf the hoops, "Hey," he tugged on Alicia's sleeve, "Who's that?"
Alicia squinted to see, "Oliver and Katie I think."
Angelina gaped, "Still?!"
"Yeah. She was having a pretty rough day and I think she needs to let off some steam
Angelina looked perplexed, "Why was she having a bad day?"
"Didn't you know? Donnie broke up with her."
"Donnie? The seventh year Ravenclaw?"
"Yeah....you didn't know they were dating?" Alicia said, astonished.
"No!!" Angelina replied starkly, "For how long?"
"He asked her out over the summer, about two weeks after school let out."
"Why wasn't I informed?!"
Alicia waved her hands frantically in front of her, "I wasn't either! I overheard a couple of their conversations and thought it was best to keep it to myself. It is their business after all."
Fred glanced up at Oliver and Katie, stepping inside the castle "Well, one things for sure....if they stay out there any longer, they'll be sicker than dogs."
The two chasers stopped in their tracks and looked at Fred.
"What? he asked innocently.
Angelina turned to her friend, "Operation Matchmaker, Plan A in progress."
Alicia grinned widely and looped her arm through her friend's, "We age geniuses." She said as they made their way to the common room, Fred and George trailing behind.
"WHAT'S PLAN A?"
It was now eleven-fifteen and Katie was hurling the quaffle even harder at Oliver. She had got it past him a fair number of times, but seemed to be aiming for something else. She threw it again as tears welled up in her eyes, blinding her vision. Oliver caught it with some difficulty; noticing she was about to cry.
"Kate, what's--"
She flew down to the ground and dashed into the locker room. She couldn't cry in front of him.
She made it inside and to her bag quickly. Shedding her clothes and grabbing a large scarlet towel, she hopped into the shower and turned on the hot water, full blast. Tears streamed down her face as she pounded her fist against the stall. Why did life have to be so hard? She slid down to sit on the floor and let the water rush over her.
Oliver came in a few minutes later to find the locker room deserted, with the exception of one shower running. He stood in front of it and noticed through the curtain that someone was sitting on the floor, shaking.
"Katie...." he mumbled as he proceeded to take a shower himself.
Ten minutes later she emerged from the shower, the towel wrapped tightly around her, eyes red from crying. She made her way to her stuff, but noticed Oliver sitting there in his boxers, obviously waiting for her. She looked around distractedly and played nervously with her hair. Oliver noticed she was there and stood in front of her. It was now that he noticed she was only in a towel. He squirmed lightly.
"Want to tell me what's wrong?" he asked.
She wiped her eyes and said, "Not particulary." as she moved around him to her bag.
Oliver turned to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "You can trust me, Katie."
She stood rooted to the spot. "I know I can."
He pulled her down so she was sitting on the bench, "Then tell me what's going on."
She wrung her hands in her lap before she spoke, "Over the summer, I was dating someone."
"Who?" Oliver asked, confused.
"Donnie Marsh. The seventh year Ravenclaw. He asked me out during the dummer and since we only live half an hour apart, it was pretty easy to see each other. I had such a great summer with him. I almost thought I was in love." She finished sarcastically.
He kept looking at her, "What happened?"
"Today before practice, we were talking. He told me things couldn't work between us because we hardly see each other. I figured he was being honest. But as soon as he got to the end of the corridor, I saw another girl take his hand and kiss him." -she wiped her eyes- "I came to practice in a bad mood. I'm sorry I took it out on you." she finished, tears filling her sapphire eyes.
Oliver stared at her. She looked so heartbroken, and it tore at his heart. He enveloped her in his arms and rubbed her back soothingly. "It's alright, Katie. He's a git, to let you go. Don't worry about it."
She laid her head on his shoulder, "He was only my second boyfriend and already I'm beginning to distrust the male gender."
Oliver broke away from her, "Hey!"
She laughed and stood up, "I have to change. Do you mind?"
Not at all. He thought. "Sure." he said, leaving her to finish dressing himself.
Ten minutes later they met at the doorway carrying their bags, a black umbrella in Oliver's hand. He glanced at her choice of clothing.
"Ready for bed already?"
She glanced down at her pajamas -- dark blue plaid flannel pants and a light-blue t-shirt that stopped just above her wist, revealing little of her stomach, "I'm comfortable."
He laughed, "Let's go before we get poured on."
"Can we go to sleep now?" George asked, stifiling another yawn.
"Something's going on, I know it." Angelina said, staring at the portrait hole, as if willing it to burst open.
"Maybe they got caught. McGonagall is like the corridor nazi nowadays."
Angelina gave him a sour look, "Nah. Something else."
"Well, I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Night." said Fred, walking up to the sixth year boys dorm.
"Me too. G'night." George followed.
"Let's go too. They'll be back soon." said Alicia, tugging on the sleeve of Angelina's nightshirt.
As they ascended up the stairs to the girls dormitory, a faint noise caught their attention.
"Hey it's them! Angelina whispered, pulling her friend into the shadows as Oliver and Katie walked into the common room.
"I know! I think Fred was snoring." katie laughed as she stopped next to the girl's staircase. The two eavesdroppers recoiled away, fearing they might be spotted.
Katie set her bag down, "Thanks for the talk. I really appreciate it." She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.
Oliver was taken aback at first and before he could react, she pulled away.
"Goodnight." she called as she darted up the stairs, bag in tow.
Luckily, Angelina and Alicia got into the dorm before Katie. They quickly pulled out magazines and pretended to be immersed in them as Katie walked in and sat on her bed.
Angelina looked up, "Where were you?"
Katie glanced at her, rummaging through her bag for a hair tie, "What d'you mean?"
"You didn't come inside right away."
"Oh! Oliver and I were practicing then we talked. Nothing major."
Alicia stood up next to Katie, "Just talked?"
"Yes! Just talked! I'm no Aliana." She said, referring to the seventh year Hufflepuff who was known for her....shameful reputation."
"I nefer did like her." said Angelina, flipping through her magazine.
Alicia sat on Katie's bed, "Anything else you want to tell us, Bell?"
Katie glanced between her two best friends, "Do you know something I don't?" she said accusingly.
Alicia and Angelina exchanged guilty looks, and that didn't go unnoticed by Katie.
"What is going on?!" she spat.
Angelina sat her back down, "Now, Kit, don't get mad, but when you and Oliver came in, we were...kinda...watching."
"YOU......" she stammered, pacing the length of the dormitory, "I should've known."
"We were just waiting up for you. We were about to get some sleep when you waked in. Then, we were interested." Alicia explained.
Angelina nodded, "Yeah. Now, I wanted to ask you about that hug...."
Katie laughed, "How did I know that was coming?"
Angelina nearly pounced on her best friend, "COME ON! What was that about?"
"It was a simple thank-you! Am I not allowed to hug a friend?"
"It seemed our pal Oliver was a little more than stunned."
Katie rolled her eyes and stood up, "You know what? I don't care. Oliver can think what he wants."
"So..." Alicia started, "What did you and Wood chat about?"
"And don't worry, we know all about your pal Donnie." Angelina interjected, waving her hand in the air.
Katie whirled around, "HOW?"
Angelina pointed to Alicia, "Seems little miss eavesdropper over here heard some conversations of yours."
"What is it with you two and spying?" Katie glowered.
"You do talk pretty loud, Kate-ums."
She sat down again, "I just told him why I was so mad. He didn't care I was out with someone, he cared that I was alright."
Angelina and Alicia snickered.
"I'm going to sleep." She said, pushing Alicia off her bed teasingly, "Goodnight."
Just then their other roommate, Madison, walked in and plopped down on her bed.
"Another detention with Snape?" Angelina questioned.
"Uh huh." came the muffled reply, "So, what's been going on here."
"We were just exploring the possibilities of Katie's love life."
"AGH!!"
"Katie!....ugh...wake up!"
Ow..my head....agh pain...
"Katherine Melinda Bell, Get your butt out of bed!"
Katie slowly opened her eyes, despite the incessant pounding in her head. Angelina was looming over her, already dressed for the day.
"Ugh, morning already?" Katie muffled.
"Whoa, Katie. You sound like you just swallowed a hippogriff."
A sudden sneeze erupted from Katie before she could answer. Three more followed suit and she fell backwards back onto her pillow.
"Forget what I said. Go back to sleep." said Angelina, holding a tissue over her mouth.
"No really, "Katie started, rising from her bed, "I'm fine. Besides, we have that potions test today..."
"Nope. You're sick. You're staying right here."
Alicia came out of the bathroom, dressed as well, "No more late night practices for you."
Katie sneezed again and rummaged through her trunk for some warmer clothes, "What am I supposed to do? I'm not staying in the dorm all day."
" Come on, bring something with you to do. You can occupy the couch in front of the fire for the day. We'll see Madame Pomfrey about some soup for you." Angelina said, helping Katie change into large green pajama pants and a gray sweatshirt.
"Thanks." she said, following them down the stairs, "I feel awful."
Alicia set Katie's stuff on the table beside the couch and helped her under the large Gryffindor blanket. Angelina snickered, "Did you even comb your hair?"
"No. Too tired."
Just moments later, Fred and George came hulking down the stairs, arms filled with pillows, a blanket, books, and a deck of cards.
"What's that for?" Alicia inquired, taking some of the pillows off George's hands.
Oliver appeared at the bottom of the boy's staircase, clad in dark blue sweatpants and a black sweatshirt, "For me." He said, sounding as sick as Katie.
"Okay, that's is! No more late practices for you two." said Fred warningly, pointing his finger at the two sick students, who were now seated on the couch under a mass of blankets and pillows.
"We'll be fine. Just go and do what you have to do. We'll see you later." said Katie, shoo-ing them out with her hand, "We don't want to get you contaminated."
"Going! Going...." they said, meandering out the portrait hole.
"I hope they don't kill each other. Eight hours stuck in the common room can't be good." George stated, shaking his head nervously.
"Nah. Katie's too sick to move. Besides, all they can do is sleep."
Alicia poked Angelina in the arm, "Wasn't that the plan?"
"The couch thing...yes...the killing each other...no."
"Plan A has been executed."
"I seriously hope you have a plan B." said Fred as they entered the Great Hall.
Katie took the thermometer out of her mouth, "What's yours?"
"100.8" said Oliver, "You?"
"101.2. I win." she declared, tossing the object on the cart Madame Pomfrey had brought, containing medical supplies, medicine, and a large quantity of chicken soup.
"I wasn't aware we were playing." He retorted, tossing his on the cart as well.
"Nobody wins as far as I'm concerned. You both are sick!" Madame Pomfrey shot, pushing two large bowls of soup in front of them, "Now eat this and get some sleep. I'll be back later to check on you." She finished, exiting the tower with haste.
Katie glanced at the bowl with steaming soup, "Today really didn't feel like a chicken soup kind of day."
Oliver took a spoonful, "But it's good."
Katie peered suspiciously at her bowl. He hesitantly took a spoonful and emptied the warm contents into her mouth, "That is good." she said brightly.
Ten minutes and five napkins later, they set their empty bowls on the side table and sighed contentedly.
"Now I'm tired." said Oliver, shifting his pillows.
"Yeah. Me too." Katie replied, starting to shiver.
"Are you cold? Didn't the soup warm you any?"
"Not really. I think I've got the chills."
Come here. I don't think chills can be good for Gryffindor's best chaser. Let's get you warmed up." he held out his arms.
Katie crawled over to him appreciatively and and sank under his mass of blankets, and into his arms. He was definitely warmer than she was.
"If I fall asleep on you, I'm sorry." she said groggily.
"That's okay." he said, yawning.
Within minutes, they were both asleep.
Alicia tapped her quill on her Transfiguration desk, annoyed. Professor McGonagall had been droning on for over forty-five minutes, all of which was directed at a Ravenclaw who didn't understand a simple switching spell. She turned toward Angelina who looked about ready keel over. She tore a piece of parchment out of her notebook and hastily scribbled a note to her friend. She nudged Angelina and slid the paper over to her.
How do you think Oliver and Katie are?
Angelina looked over at Professor McGonagall before writing her reply.
I dunno. Hopefully better. I don't want to catch whatever they have.
I mean in the relationship department.
Oh. Who knows. They'll probably sleep all day.
Fred was right. We need a plan B.
We'll have too see what comes along. We could always tell the others to skip practice one day. That'll give them time alone.
Are you mad?! Do you know how angry he'd be? He would come after us intead of Katie.
Right. Well, we'll think of something.
Alicia stuffed the note into the pocket of her robes as the Professor passed her desk, still speaking. Angelina rolled her eyes and resumed staring blankly at the large shiny gold thing on the desk.
Katie awoke a couple of hours later, feeling much better. She stretched her arms and nearly missed hitting Oliver in the head. He was still sleeping. She had fallen asleep on him, but he didn't seem to mind. She glanced at the clock on the wall; 4:26pm. She had been asleep since 11am.
She took a swig from the water glass on the table and turned as she heard Oliver mumble.
"Ugh. It's warm in here." he said, sitting up next to her.
"Yeah. We must be feeling better." she replied, pulling off her large gray sweatshirt. She wore a green tanktop underneath.
"I'd take mine off too, but I'm not wearing anything underneath." He chuckled.
"That's okay. I'm going to change anyway. They'll be getting out of class soon. Fancy a game of chess before dinner?" she asked, collecting her things and advancing towards the girls staircase.
"Sure. Meet me here in twenty minutes." he replied, gathering his things and dashing up the boys stairs.
Katie watched him retreat and thought back at earlier. It felt comforting to be with him. He was warm and inviting. She laughed at herself. Good Job Katie. Nearly fell for him there. she thought.
She made her way to her dormitory, wanting a nice, refreshing shower to clear her head. Maybe getting sick wasn't so bad.
A/N: Well.....I REALLY LIKED THAT CHAPTER,. It took me forever and a day to write it though. Hope you all liked it.
Another good piece of info -- I am going to be the owner of the Katie Bell/Oliver Wood fanlisting!!! I'm so happy. I finally got confirmation a few days ago. I'm going to build it right now! 2 DAYS UNTIL BOOK 5!!!! YAY!!!
Review Please!!