Cho-Look-Alike: I promise, things will get better for Katie, and Oliver will make more appearances.

Kathy: I solemnly swear to find someone for George, after the proper mourning period of course.

The Mex: I'm sorry I almost made you cry. I almost cried, too, but it was important for the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter books. We all know this.

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Old Wounds and Battle Scars

Oliver tossed his bags to the floor the second he was in his flat. Every muscle in his body felt stiff and sore and a few minor wounds were still bleeding slightly. It was impossible to receive good medical care after a mission. It would be too obvious that he was involved with the Order if he showed up at St. Mungo's too soon after battle. Instead, he would soak in a warm bath while drowning his pain in butterbeers.

He kicked some dirty clothes out of his way as he stumbled down to his bathroom. The quiet seemed particularly grating after spending 4 days in the wilderness trying to maintain absolute silence so he tuned the radio to the Wireless Wizarding Network.

Warm water flowed into the tub, steam rising slowly from it. He remembered Angelina, Katie, and Alicia making fun of his habit of taking warm baths after Quidditch. They referred to it as a "feminine habit" to relieve stress that way.

Alicia

Even after 3 weeks, it was still hard to comprehend that she would never again make them laugh with her jokes or wrestle George to floor when he teased her about her habit of reading muggle crime novels. As hard as Alicia's death was on him, he knew it was worse for George and Katie. George had been prepared to ask her out just a week before her death and had locked himself in his room for 2 days when he learned the horrible news. But George had Fred and Angelina to turn to for support. Katie had no one.

Suddenly, a hot bath didn't seem like such an enticing idea. He needed company. He needed companionship.

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Katie looked over the pile of documents Dumbledore had brought her concerning her next diplomatic mission, at least half of which concerned Denmark's Minister of Magic. Normally, Katie thrived on being given information for a new assignment, but today her mind simply wasn't in it. It had been an incredibly long 3 weeks with no rest and she was exhausted.

She yawned. A quick nap seemed like a good idea, but a loud thud quickly changed her mind.

Anxious, she grabbed her wand from the coffee table and scanned the room. Nothing seemed out of place in the main room which left only the kitchen. She got up off her couch as quietly as she could and tip-toed to the adjoining room.

"Bloody hell," she muttered, "One of these days I'm going to have a heart attack."

Oliver was lying sprawled out across Katie's kitchen floor looking rather sheepish.

"Sorry," he apologized, "I guess Dumbledore isn't as good at transporting people as I thought."

Katie shook her head and offered him a hand.

"And why exactly are you crashing into my flat unannounced?"

"I was lonely and I figured that you had to be lonely since none of us has dropped by in about…"

"3 weeks and 5 days," she finished.

"Sorry."

"It's not your fault," she shrugged, "There is a war going on. We have duties to fulfill."

An awkward silence fell over them. Oliver looked her over. As bad as she had looked at the first visit, she looked worse now. Dark bags had formed under her eyes as though se hadn't slept since they had left. He knew that he couldn't possibly look much better, but a long sleeve shirt was covering the worst of the damage.

"If you're not feeling well, I can contact Dumbledore and leave," he offered.

"No, no, you're fine," she assured him, "But let's continue this in the other room. I need to sit down."

He followed her to the couch, hoping she wouldn't notice the slight limp in his step.

"How is everyone?" she asked, pushing some papers on the coffee table aside for him to put his feet up.

"Pretty good. Sometimes I wonder about George. He refuses to mention Alicia, covers up his pain with jokes and all."

"Typical George Weasley response."

"Yeah, but he's got Fred and Angelina to help. How about you? Are you holding up all right?"

There was a small flicker of pain in her eyes.

"I really haven't had much time to think about it. I spend a lot of time in diplomatic meetings now. It feels like I'm going somewhere new every 3 days. You?"

"Alicia and I weren't as close as the others. I'm probably dealing the best out of everyone."

He stretched his arms out.

"Fuck," he muttered as his back gave a twinge of pain.

"Are you all right?" Katie asked, concerned.

"I think so," he attempted to sit up, only causing himself more pain. He could feel something warm and wet trickle down his back and realized an old wound had probably opened up, "You wouldn't happen to have some bandages would you?"

"Here, let me see," she leaned over to him and gently lifted up the hem of his shirt, "Merlin, Oliver. That looks horrible. Don't tell me you haven't seen a medi-witch for this."

"Can't," he grimaced, "It would be a tad too suspicious if I showed up at a hospital every time there was a battle."

"Well, at least let me do something about it. My mother used to work in a hospital. She taught me almost everything she knows."

She disappeared into the bathroom and returned with some alcohol, cotton swabs, gauze, and medical tape. Oliver made a face.

"Can't you just use magic?"

"Wimp, now take off your shirt."

He tugged the light cotton material over his head and tossed it aside. Katie sat down beside him and began to clean the cuts. The alcohol stung as it hit his open wounds.

"Those must have been some missions," she commented.

Oliver simply nodded, not wanting to relive what he had seen and heard over the past few days. He quickly changed the subject.

"It must be tough to be alone all the time, not getting to hang out with friends or go out on dates."

"Dating is prohibited in the Blue Flame Order anyway," she replied, "along with marriage and children. Spouses and children would be too much of a liability if Voldemort found out."

"Wouldn't family and friends be a liability, too," he countered, gasping slightly as 1 of his wounds began to sting even more.

"Yes, but it would be suspicious if we just suddenly vanished. It was only after Voldemort captured one of our members and managed to learn of all the Blue Flame members, that we were sent into hiding," she sighed, "Voldemort knows who I am. He knows what I do. He just doesn't know where I am or who my friends are."

"What about your family?" he asked, "Wouldn't it be easy for him to find them?"

"Yes. Our families are in various safe houses around the world."

She put the lid back on the alcohol and took out a roll of gauze and medical tape and carefully created makeshift bandages for his injuries. He gasped again as her fingertips touched his skin.

"I didn't hurt you did I?"

He shook his head. "No, your fingers are cold."

"Ah." She cast a warming spell on her hands and touched his back again. "Is that better?"

"Yes."

He didn't say a word as she quickly bandaged the wounds and then handed him his shirt.

"That should help until…" she yawned, "…you can see a medi-wizard."

"Katie, you look exhausted," he said, pushing some hair out of her face, "when was the last time you slept."

"I catch a few hours here and there."

He frowned slightly. "I should go and let you rest."

"No," she protested, "I don't know when I'll get to see you again. Stay just a little longer."

She gave him the same look she used to use to convince him to let practice end early. It had never worked before, but this time, a part of him didn't want to say good-bye just yet, either.

"Fine," he relented, "I'll stay, but you have to get some sleep. I swear I won't leave without telling you."

"Deal." She yawned again. Her eyes were already half shut. "But you have to tell me everything that's happened in your life since I left."

She laid her head in his lap and he began to play absentmindedly with her hair.

"Well, for 2 years I played for Puddlemere…"

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I promise to update as soon as I can, but school and work might get in the way a bit. It doesn't mean I've given up on the story. So just be patient and continue to review.