Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Katie Bell has been alone for the last four years. After the wedding of her best friend, she heads to the Leakey Cauldron. After she gets drunk, will she make some mistakes that she'll regret later? Oliver Wood/Katie Bell

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Harry Potter. Get over it already.

Author's Note: I know, I know it took me two and a half weeks to get this chapter out, and I'm SO sorry!! Please forgive me, please, please please!! I will attempt to get the next chapter out in less than a week to make it up to all of you wonderful people that read this fan fiction! I've been sick for the last couple days, with a terrible cough and fever, and my mother dead refused to let me on the internet, much less write my fan fiction. And also, I've been studying to take my Driver's Exam, so I've been soooo busy!! I'm sorry, and I plan to make it up to you guys.

Chapter Eight: Ron, SHUT UP!!

Oliver has left the building.

I was stuck listening to Satine and Christian serenade each other on the TV. I stared blankly at the screen, watching Christian chase after Satine, when it hit me. I literally felt a jolt as I realized it. I was pregnant. As silly and as stupid as that sounded, it hit me right then that I had a life growing inside of me. I looked at my clothed stomach, covered only by a purple shirt. I touched it lightly, almost if I thought that it had a chance of breaking if I touched too hard. I laughed. I felt damn near giddy! I was pregnant!

I began to dance around my flat to the sounds of Christian singing, "I was made for loving you, baby, you were made for loving me..."

It must've been those mood-swings.

I stopped short in my kitchen, thinking hard. I should go back to work. I wasn't sick...technically, so I might as well get that Potchkins case done. Kevin was expecting it by the end of the week, and if I got it done and over with today, I could have the weekend to see that obstetrician that Dr. Witson had suggested...what was her name?? Oh right, Dr. Soorenko.

With my mind made up, and my spirits flying high, I Apparated to my office.

*+*

I was humming when Hermione walked up to my cubicle, and working diligently on the Potchkins case. How many times did I have to tell these people that they could well do bonfires in their back-yard with purple flames and sparks that shot fifteen feet in the air?? It's called common sense!

"Ahem." Hermione coughed loudly. I looked up sharply, startled. She was wearing her dark brown hair in a ponytail, tied back from her face. She looked like she had been in gym, or there had been a call in the Junior Oblivaters Division, but no one from Magical Catastrophes had been dispatched, so I opted for the gym option. She was wearing jeans and cute top with a single flower print near the top, and heel boots and she raised a eyebrow at me.

"Oh, it's you Mya." I said, putting my quill down and looking at her. "What's going on?"

"I was just wondering if you were coming to lunch today." Hermione said, giving me a bright smile. "Erica said that she was looking forward to a excellent Oliver date story."

I groaned, good-naturedly. "I told her all about the date last Tuesday. Just because her love-life is sagging, does not mean she can hoard on mine."

Hermione shrugged. "Well come on then, just come to lunch today with us. You've been working too hard lately."

"So I tell myself." I looked painfully on the piles of paper on my desk. I bite my lip, trying to decide whether I should chance going to lunch, or do work. I sighed. "Fine, I'm coming, I'm coming."

"Great!" Hermione said. "Ginny said that she found this Mexican place called Grilly's. Should be loads of fun. Follow me."

I did so, and we were walking along the streets of London, having fun entertaining ourselves of chatter. I entered Grilly's after Hermione, and spotted Erica, Ginny and Susan at a booth. "Oy, I found her!" Hermione said loudly to them, over the loud noises of the people ordering their food up front.

"Give the lady a prize!" A surprisingly handsome man said, who was drinking a beer. I registered that he was drunk in an instant. He made suggestive moments towards Hermione, grinning, thinking he was the hottest stuff this side of the Atlantic.

"Oh bite me." Hermione said testily. I knew that she got a lot of this, since she looked like she could be toppled over by the wind and pretty, but was, in reality, very tough.

"Time and place honey..." The man said, getting up and grabbing her forearm.

"Get off me!" Hermione cried. I saw Erica, Susan and Ginny all get up from the table, seeing what was happening.

"Get your bloody hands off of her." I hissed through clenched teeth, trying to rip his hands off Hermione, who was struggling to get away.

"Who's gonna make me?" The man hissed back at me, and I could smell the booze on his breath, making me want to faint, my eyes watering. My temper rising, I was ready to beat his oversized ego into a pulp on the ground, I drew back my fist...

"I will." A new voice joined the fray, and I looked up to see Ron staring furiously at the man trying to pull at Hermione. I felt scared of Ron just then. His blue eyes that were usually full to the brim with laughter, looked furiously at the pitiful man. If looks could kill, the poor guy would be in his coffin, the service over and being lowered into the ground right about now. Though I was a couple inches shorter than Ron, him standing at 5"11, he looked nearly a foot taller right now, and he was clenching his own fists, making his biceps flex unintentionally. "Let her go." He said in a deep voice, that made him sound like he was growling.

The man looked like a shrimp compared to Ron. He gave Ron a nasty look and turned to Hermione, as a tiger might survey his prey. She glared at him, daring him to try anything. He let go of Hermione's arm, and she backed up into me, and I put my arm around her. "My offer stands sweet-thing." He kissed the air, and I felt Hermione shiver in my arms.

"Come on you two." Ron said, still glaring at the guy. The three of us walked over to Ginny, Susan and Erica, all of whom were looking astonished.

"Whoa..." Susan said, looking at the man, who was now hunched over at another table. "Good thing you showed up Ron. I've seen Katie in the Wizard Boxes. She kicks butt in those things, even without her wand."

I shrugged. "I took Tae Kwon Do when I was younger. I know how to protect myself." I looked at Hermione, who looked slightly shaken up. "Are you alright?" I asked her gently.

Hermione nodded her head. "I'm fine." She gave Ron a smile. "Thank you."

"It was no big." Ron said, waving his hand. He looked over at me. "Aren't you supposed to be at home today? I thought you were sick."

I became rather quiet, not sure how to approach this subject. I really wish that Ron couldn't read my thoughts like that! It's very annoying.

"Katie, are you okay?" Erica asked, looking concerned. "I didn't know you were sick!"

"I'm not." I said, shooting a Katie-Bell-Death-Glare look at Ron. "I went to see a doctor today, and I'm fine." I tried to avoid Ron's eyes, in an effort of making him be quiet.

Obviously, guys don't get subtle hints.

"Katie, what do you mean? You were sick yesterday, weren't you?" Ron asked, looking questionably at me.

Ron, SHUT UP! I thought furiously.

"Well....I..." I stuttered, very aware that everyone's eyes were now on me, and I was blushing furiously. I stared determinedly at my hands that were playing with my rings on my fingers in my lap. "I'm pregnant." I whispered.

I expected them to gasp, I expected them to laugh, I expected Susan at least to ask me if I was kidding.

I certainly didn't expect there to be silence.

When I looked up I saw four pairs of eyes staring wide-eyed at me. Ron's eyebrows had a very good chance of disappearing into his hairline. Ginny was the first to speak. "Katie, that's wonderful!" She exclaimed, running around the table to give me a hug. "You're pregnant? I can't believe it!"

"Aggh!!" Erica cried and enveloped me in a hug. "I can't believe it either, honey! Oooh, what are you going to name it? I hear Erica is an excellent name this season!"

I laughed, surprised and happy at their reactions. I noticed that Ron was looking at me oddly, and Hermione was grinning at me mistily, and I knew that the wheels in her head were turning and she was figuring everything out. I knew she had figured out Snape's riddle that was guarding the Sorcerer's Stone, so this was a no-brainer compared to that.

"It's Oliver's, isn't it?" She asked me a couple second later in a soft voice.

It became silent again, while I stared at my hands. "Yes, it's his." I said softly.

"Well?" Ginny asked, excitedly. "What did he say?"

"I haven't told him yet." I said, looking up at Ginny, my blue-gray eyes brimming with tears. "And I'm not going to."

They all looked at me as though I was crazy, which I was pretty sure I was anyways. "Why in the name of Dumbledore's woolen socks not?" Susan asked me, looking bewildered.

I looked at her, my eyes were desperate, and I didn't need a mirror to tell me that. "Puddlemere United has been offered the chance to go on a World Tour, and he's going to be gone for a year. If I told him he had a kid coming, he'd give up Quidditch! I know he would. He'd be willing to give up this once-in-a-lifetime chance for a child. I don't want to be responsible for that. He'd give up his dream."

"How far are you along, Katie?" Susan asked me seriously, cocking her head sideways for a second, looking confused.

"About two months." I said.

I saw all four of them trying to calculate how long I'd been going out with Oliver, with the length of my pregnancy. I savored the silence, because I knew it was about to get loud.

"Wait a minute..." Hermione said, looking at me, confused. "That can't be. You just started dating two months..." She saw my face. "What happened Katie?"

I took a shuttering breath and began. "I was at Alicia's wedding and I got sort of out of shape because it was my eighth wedding that I was a bridesmaid, and I went to the Leaky Cauldron. I kinda got drunk..."

"Kinda?" Erica repeated. "How much is 'kinda'?"

I sighed. "Really drunk, and anyways, Oliver saw me at the Leaky Cauldron, and offered to take me home, but I couldn't find my way, I was so drunk. I started hitting on him, and we let our primitive instincts take over." I said with a blush creeping over my features.

"That was before you started dating?" Hermione exclaimed.

I nodded, to embarrassed to speak.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Erica asked.

"Well it didn't really seem like the appropriate thing to discuss at lunch, thank you!" I said. "I prefer to keep my personal life the way it's supposed to be, PERSONAL!"

Erica looked embarrassed now too. "Sorry Katie, I didn't mean to pry."

I sighed and held my head in my hands. "I'm sorry I'm randomly blowing up at people. I hate hormones."

"That's why I'm glad I got rid of them at Hogwarts." Susan said. We all had a good laugh. When we were done laughing, I took a swig of soda from Ginny's cup. Susan looked at me again.

"He's going to be pissed off when he finds out, Katie."

I felt my insides turn. I wasn't sure if that was because I was feeling guilty, or if it was because of my hormones out of whack. "He's not going to." I said firmly, with more conviction than I thought. I turned to Ginny. "You cannot tell the press. They'd have a field day. I can see the headlines. Teenage Heart-throb Oliver Wood's Baby..."

"I promise." Ginny said, cutting me off, and nodding.

"When is Oliver leaving?" Ron said, the first thing he had said after my announcement of my pregnancy.

"He's leaving in a week." I said, feeling tears starting up again. Ginny gave me a short hug.

"Do you think he can get me tickets to any of the Australia shows?" Ron asked eagerly.

Ron, SHUT UP!! I thought.

"Ron, shut up!" Ginny exclaimed, looking annoyed at the audacity of her older brother.

I love having telepathic powers with my friends...well not really, sort of...oh, never mind.

*+*

I was sitting in the waiting room for Dr. Soorenko's office a couple days later. It was a pretty room. I couldn't really get into it, since it was decorated all in pink and blue. It was hurting my eyes. I guess it was to make sure the kids were distracted when they were in here... or even the adults. I played with a long strand of hair that that made its ways out of the ponytail that I had the rest of my hair in. I twisted it between my thumb and forefinger, absentmindedly. I was thinking about how much I hated Hermione at that moment. She had figured out a spell to keep the vinegar taste on my fingernails to keep me from biting them. So now whenever I bit my nails, the bitter taste filled my mouth.

I sighed, and patted my stomach. I could have sworn that it had slightly swelled from it's normal state. But I couldn't be sure at all. All I knew that I was seriously craving a pickle and pumpkin seed sandwich. I crossed my legs. I was wearing some baggy jeans and a skin tight black shirt that had a golden tiger on the front of it. My light brown hair was pulled back away from my face, and my nose was in a magazine called "All About Kids."

I was incredible bored. Sue me.

"Ms. Bell?" A nurse said, opening a door leading from the waiting room.

"Yes, that's me." I said, standing up, and put the magazine down on a random table. I picked up my jacket and followed the nurse into an examination room.

"It's a pleasure to have you here, Ms. Bell." The nurse said, with a smile. "The doctor will be with you soon, okay?"

I nodded, mutely. I looked on the walls. They were covered in pictures of children. Newborns and toddlers mostly, that were all smiling brightly at the camera. I had to grin back at them, their smiles brightened up the room in a way that fluorescent lights could never do. I sat, holding my jean jacket close to my stomach, feeling the butterflies start up in my stomach again.

The door opened less than five minutes later, and an average looking woman walked in. She was not exactly tall, but she wasn't short either. She had nice heels on that accented her height nicely. She was slim as a rail, with not a pound of fat on her anywhere, making her limbs look like a baby horse's. She had bushy, almost frizzy, black hair with dark hazel eyes. Her nose had several freckles dotting it, but they were fair enough so that they didn't show up that much. She held a clipboard in her hands, looking at it, as she walked into the room, and she looked up to see me, and she gave me a smile. "Ah, Ms. Bell, it's a pleasure to see you here. Doctor Witson owled me about your surprise."

I felt right at ease with her. She seemed like a generous person with a large smile. "Thank you, Dr. Soorenko." I said with a brief smile.

"Oh, please, call me Ilana." She said, waving her hand. "Now, let's take a look at that belly of yours, please lift up your shirt to your rib cage."

I followed her instructions, so that my stomach was showing. She set down the clipboard on a counter where a sink was, and came and looked at my stomach intently. She pulled out her wand and then looked at me. "So, you're about two months along?" She inquired.

I nodded. "Ok, please lie down so I can perform the spell." She said, pushing slightly on my shoulders.

"What are you going to do?" I squeaked out, feeling paniced suddenly.

Dr. Soorenko laughed. "Don't worry, I'm just going to check on the baby's condition, see if it's developing alright, and if it is healthy, and check it's gender." She lifted an eyebrow at me. "Do you want to know the gender?"

I debated the issue in my head. I wasn't the kind of person that liked to be surprised, so I said,

"I'd love to know."

Dr. Soorenko smiled at me, and tapped my stomach with her wand, muttering, "Germen, coarguo ipseaum nostertratrum oculatusaum" And she lifted her wand, and a spell shot into my stomach, making me laugh as it tickled my sides. I couldn't help but snort with laughter. Dr. Soorenko smiled at my reaction.

The spell shot out of my stomach again, and burst into the air in a whirl of colors, that looked almost blinding to my eye, but Dr. Soorenko seemed to know what the colors meant. She picked up the clipboard again, and began jotting down notes on it with her quill. I pulled down my shirt and waited for her to finish. Dr. Soorenko pulled her head up to focus her eyes on my face and the corners of her lips tilted up. "Well, you'll be happy to know, Ms. Bell, that your exactly on schedule and healthy."

I narrowed my eyes quizzically. "And the baby?" I asked.

She gave me a bright smile. "That is some more good news. You're expecting twins."

My eyes widened, and a smile broadened on my face, without my brain telling it to. "Twins?" I said breathless, feeling the butterflies start up again. I felt giddy again.

Dr. Soorenko nodded. "Yes, twins. A boy and a girl I believe. They are both healthy as can be"

I laughed out loud. I couldn't believe it! Twins! I was going to have twins! But I knew there was a part of my mind irking to make sure not to let Fred or George near them as they grew up.

*+*

"I can't believe it's been so long since I've seen you!!" Alicia said, walking into my flat and giving me a brief hug. I was so excited to see my best friend again.

"I know." I said. "A couple of days feels like forever, doesn't it?" I said, winking. Alicia looked full of joy. She was enjoying her marriage to George, without a doubt. They had moved into their own house in May. A beautiful house on the outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole, to be near the family house, the Burrow.

"Well, I didn't get to talk to you much during Ginny's party, did I?" Alicia said, grinning. She turned around to look at my flat. Her long dark brown hair was loose around her face, and her dark black liquid looking eyes were sparkling. "Wow, I'm surprised that even you can keep this junk pile clean."

Alicia was never one for beating around the bush, like I was never one for reserving my temper. That's one of the reasons she's still my best friend. She always was honest, especially when it came to clothes. When I didn't look good, she told me. Saved me from a many embarrassing moments. Though I still think that she was off when it came to the bridesmaid dresses, but that's all in the past.

"Well, Kates, I've got some news for you." Alicia said excitedly.

Really? Everyone's got news for me nowadays...

"What is it?" I asked, just as excitedly.

"Here, let's sit down." Alicia said, sitting down on my couch. "I wanted to tell you first, since, of course, you're my bestest friend in the entire world. George doesn't even know."

"Oooh, juice gossip. Give it to me." I said, laughing, and leaning forward.

"Kate..." Alicia said, damn near trembling from excitement. "I'm pregnant!"

My jaw dropped. What were the odds?? Probably one in a million. We had agreed to get married on the same day when we were eleven, and to die on the same day, but certainly not get pregnant at the same time!

"Are you joking with me?" I wondered aloud.

"No!" Alicia squealed. "Can you believe it?"

"No!" I repeated her word. "But, you'll never believe this..." I swallowed hard.

"What, Kates?" She asked me, leaning forward, just as I did seconds before.

"I'm...pregnant too." I said, biting my lip.

"What?" Alicia cried, looking positively ecstatic. "Are you JOKING?"

"No!" I yelled, and we both squealed and hugged each other tight.

"Oh, I cannot believe this Katie!" Alicia said. "To think of this, we're going to get fat together."

"I'm so glad that you're putting it that way." I said laughing. "I just can't believe this. Who would have thought?"

"Well someone did..." Alicia said, turning her eyes skyward to my ceiling and we dissolved into laughter again.

*+*

Laughter was the last thing on my mind about five days later. I was at the airport. I was watching Oliver check in his luggage. "Yes, thank you." He said to the flight attendant. A tall blonde that I couldn't help feeling a pang of jealously. He turned back to me, and I felt my heart flutter. His hair was falling into his eyes again, and he smiled at me.

"You alright Katie?" He asked, tugging at a strand of hair, and grinning at me. I couldn't help thinking that he looked like the boy I knew at school when he pulled my hair in Potions to get me in trouble with Snape.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said with a shaky voice. I felt the tears ready to overflow, but I held them back. Oliver drew me into a tight hug. I didn't want to cry, I didn't. I couldn't in front of Oliver.

I could decided whether I should tell him or not. I couldn't do it here. It would be seen as a desperate attempt to keep him here with me. I was not going to be the damsel in distress this time.

He was the one to let go first. He pulled back to look at me in the eye, his brown eyes boring into mine. I shivered at the intensity of his stare. "I love you, Katie." He said so softly, I almost had to strain to hear it.

My eyes sprang with tears, and this time a single tear made it past the barrier I had set up, and it slid down my cheek. Oliver took his thumb and wiped it away and hugged me again.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Ollie." I said softly.

"Don't call me that in public, Kates." He chuckled.

"And why not?" I asked, joking around, and pulling away from him.

"Because I might be forced into tickling you in public." He said with a mischievous grin, I knew he had learned from the twins.

My blue-gray eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare..." I whispered.

"Try me." Oliver said.

"Team, let's head out!! We've got a long flight ahead of us." The coach of Puddlemere United called out.

"Saved by the coach." I muttered, leaning my forehead against Oliver's.

"I won't forget this." Oliver muttered back, holding my hands in his. "The first thing I'm doing to you when I get back, is a major tickling fight."

"I'm holding you to your word." I said. I kissed him on the cheek softly. "Take care Ollie."

Oliver smiled at me and pulled away and started walking to the boarding ramp. "Missing you already." He called out to me.

I waved at him and blew him another kiss. Another ten seconds and he was gone from my line of vision. I wiped the tears away furiously. I couldn't do this. I just couldn't. I had more important things to worry about. Like the two life's growing inside me right then. Righty-oh then. Back to my crazy life.

Author's Note: Aaaagh...Ollie's gone!! *sob, sob* BUT...don't worry, I have this planned out, but I'm refusing to disclose any more information about the future plot line of this story. I apologize if you angry at that. Too bad.

Thank-Yous

Xnedra ~ Basically the same thing I told Allie-Marina LaCross. Katie was hitting on Oliver, and he's a guy!! lol. I don't think I'll have anything by Ollie's perspective. I did too many POV switches in another story of mine, and I'm keeping it with Katie in this one.
Ash Carroll ~ Cassidy is my least fav. But she's fun to beat into the ground. You might see her a lot later, but I'm going to keep quiet now. I think we ALL wish that we can find a guy like Oliver. Only in our dreams and fan fictions.
catzway22; swimgirl; Lesley; Midnight Ashes; Little Miss Lena; fruit loop; rb; Qryffindor Qudditch Gal; kat tak; Becky Frostine~ I love reviewers like you guys, but you're inflating my ego and sooo nice to me!! I'm sorry I'm not the best updater in the world, but I try right? Thank you thank you thank you for all the nice reviews!!!!!
Nikka ~ Thank you. I've been trying a new style of writing, and I'm glad you like it. I don't really like doing first person as much, but it works for this story.
Elbereth ~ Oliver in the same bed as you. Doesn't EVERY girl want that??? I know I do!! I know, I love the word snogging. It's great. I hope to have more of that word to use later...heh heh heh. I won't say much, but Oliver will make a great father. I won't say why though. *zips lips*
Quidditch ~ Ah, throwing veggies at teachers are always fun. I do it often. Unfortunately, I cannot take credit to the wonderful nickname of Hermione. It was created by VenusDeMilo, in her fan fiction, Lost. Excellent writer, and I admire her VERY much. Did you find the key points?? Snogging IS a fun word, and I promise that Oliver will come back, even though he's not in this chapter alot.
Doleninziliel ~ If you don't get EverPresent going again, I might be forced to write a Lord of the Rings fan fiction!! The horror!!
Isabella Jynx ~ Erica is definatly cool, and Cassidy IS a b***h. Too bad I'm actually basing her on someone at my school. *shudders* I'm trying to continue as best as I can!!
Allie-Marina ~ Me? Funny?? *gasp*
tricia ~ What happens next? You'll have to read, cuz I'm not telling.
Azkaban Canuck ~ I ADORE dancing. I tried to teach my best guy friend to dance, and he just couldn't. I gave up after about five hours. He just doesn't have rhythm. Oh well... Fate of a bridesmaid. HAH!! I love that. Do you mind if I use that sometime?
Hina ~ *winces* Usually I'm TERRIBLE at grammar and spelling. I'm usually the worst in my class, so I'm very lucky in this fan fiction. I'm trying to work Cassidy into the plot, but it won't happen until probably next chapter. But shhh...keep that secret.
Hoarse Swan ~ You're an excellent reviewer, your reviews make me laugh!! I'm sorry, but Katie is NOT going with Oliver. That would be fun to go to Australia though...I'd love to go there for vacation... I don't think I've ever been called Evil Child before though... thanks!!
winney ~ Sorry I leave on cliffhangers...it's a habit!! And a hard one to break at that.
The Real Slim Shady ~ You'll what huh?? Sorry I'm not the best at updating.
Becca Black ~ Katie is an itty-bitty like me...she doesn't think before she acts. She's scared to tell Oliver, since she doesn't want him to give up his dream. And plus it's conflict. Excellent for fan fictions, right?
CrazyCheeseGirl ~ *laughs* I certainly don't mind suggestions. Sometimes I get good ideas from them! But some things are already set in my mind, so...you'll see...*laughs again*
strawberry-chick ~ Like I said above, who DOESN'T like sexy Ollie???
Dixiehnsluver ~ Oliver WILL find out, but I'm not disclosing how. That's for me to know, and you all to read.
jenny ~ *shocked* Wow, there's something about being praised by a non-huge Harry Potter fan!! Thank you. Even if it's because of hot Oliver, it's nice!! lol.
 n1ghtsh8 ~ I tried as hard as I could to get this chapter up!! Hope you like!
plain jane ~ I'm so glad you like!! Thanks for saying my story is original. I dunno why, but that felt good. Sometimes I expect people to flame me or something!! lol.
Elle-poohbear ~ *shakes head* nope. She's not going to tell Ollie.