After some serious contemplating at the dinner table, I decided to screw
Oliver. Oh, no! I didn't mean it like that - - - forget about Oliver. After
months of waiting to see Evanescence live, I was NOT going to waste my time
pretending to be a boring old hag when I could be rocking out. Besides, I
had made myself look like a fool in front of him before. I didn't see the
hurt in doing it once more.
At 5:30, I stood up, made my way over to the Hufflepuff table, and scooted my way onto the bench between Cedric and another Hufflepuff named Justin, despite the confused looks of the latter.
"So, Cedric, which one is this girl you've been telling me about?" I questioned, glancing down the long table.
"Oh, you mean Aurora?" Cedric winced, the conversation obviously causing him pain.
"Yeah," I chuckled. "I mean, you've told me all about her, and, as your friend, I thought it about time to actually see what the girl looks like."
After a short hesitation, Cedric leaned back in his seat and tapped the girl to his left on the shoulder. And, I must say, she didn't disappoint me in the least. She was exactly what I had expected as one of Cedric's girlfriends. A porcelain, doll baby face was topped with satiny smooth, long, blonde curls which ended right before a tiny Buns Of Steel (I said I TRIED to stay away from the muggle world, but there are just some things that you can escape) bum.
"Aurora," Cedric began, looking sort of nervous, "this is my friend Katie Bell. She's in Gryffindor. Katie, this is Aurora."
"Yeah, I've seen her around," Aurora smiled. "Nice to meet you."
"Same here. Cedric has told me all about you," I tried to smile graciously. "Well, I have to go. Places to be. Nice meeting you, Aurora. See you, Cedric."
I really didn't know what had possessed me to go over and meet Cedric's problem girlfriend. I suppose the good mood I was in had led me to do stupid things, but on the bright side, it did put me one step closer to finishing up with Cedric. The girl had seemed nice enough considering the entirety of the ten words she said to me. However, while Cedric's predicament was important, the concert that night was more so. I gathered together Alicia and Angelina and we started off to the portraits on the fifth floor.
There was something invigorating about being all dressed up, I must admit. The whole outfit made me feel feminine and the looks people gave me as I passed by obviously appraised the new style of clothing. And wearing a skirt gave me the strange feeling of being free. It was flowy and didn't confine my body in the least. As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help myself from spinning around in a circle and watching the material's shreds flow around me, resulting in a grin from Alicia and a snort of laughter from Angelina.
At five fifty-five, we reached the suits of armor to find Fred and George already lounging there. They both let out a low whistle as the three of us approached and Angelina elbowed me in the side.
"You're not allowed to wear girls' clothes ever again. You're making me and Alicia look bad," she muttered.
"Sorry, but I'm growing accustomed to this skirt. I'm not sure if I'll be able to give up wearing it," I snickered.
Angelina was jealous of ME! That was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was going to bask in all the sunlight that I could. I found that I sort of liked being noticed for being more than just the tough Gryffindor Chaser. This kind of attention gave me a different kind of power than I was used to; instead of hurting guys by breaking their noses, I could twist their hearts. I wasn't sure if I liked this newfound power, yet.
"Are you two going, also?" George asked, motioning towards Alicia and Angie.
"Yeah," Angelina answered. "Katie just took all the muggle clothes."
"Then you can have our tickets," he handed the two paper tickets to Angelina.
"Snape caught us after we gave a Slytherin a Canary Cream. We have detention tonight," Fred exclaimed.
"But, here," George held out a wizard camera. "Take pictures for us."
The two of them looked absolutely sullen about not being able to go and I felt really bad for them. While Fred and George snuck out a lot, this was going to be our first illegal group trip off-campus and I really wanted the two of them to be there. I took the camera from George's hand.
"I promise. We'll meet up with you later. Thanks you guys!" I hugged the both of them at once.
"Yeah, yeah, Katie," Fred grinned.
"Ritago," George mumbled, after glancing down the hallway and pointing his wand at the stone wall.
The wall
faded
away,
revealing
a stone
hallway,
lined
with a
blood
red
carpet.
"Just walk straight until you hit a wooden door about a mile down. Have fun," Fred pushed us through the hole in the wall.
"Bye," we all waved behind us.
"Have fun with Snapie!" Angelina yelled back to them.
"Eat dungbombs!" George's voice bellowed after us, followed by a green dungbomb.
"Run!" Alicia laughed and took off down the hallway, Angelina and I in suit.
After about four minutes of jogging down the stone corridor, we slowed to a walk.
"So," Alicia grinned, "Oliver's gonna be there tonight, eh Katie?"
"Yeah, that's what he said," I answered, trying to play it cool. "Why?"
"I don't know," Angelina caught onto Alicia's train of thought. "Maybe it would be a good chance for the two of you to. . .bond."
At the mere mention of Oliver's name, my heart had begun beating faster with nervousness. I wanted to get closer to him, I really did! But every time he was around me, my mind went to mush and my mouth went spastic. I had no control over what I said or did, and I HATED that feeling. I hated losing control.
"Okay, well since we're on the topic of crushes," I grinned wickedly. "Alicia, how's that dare in which you were supposed to ask out that Ravenclaw - Terry Boot, I believe it was - coming?"
Alicia's face turned considerably brighter, as I could see it in the dark hallway/ cave. "Fine, point taken. Different topic."
"Okay, well let's just get a move on, I don't want to be late. Plus, the two of you could use the conditioning for quidditch," I winked and took off ahead of them in a quick jog.
"No, Katie!" Angelina's desperate voice called behind me. "I don't WANT the conditioning - that's why we have broomsticks!"
"Fine," I sighed, exasperated. "I'll meet the two of you there. I'll be sure to wave from the front!"
It may have seemed a little rude, leaving my two friends behind in a dank cavern, but they HAD invited themselves. Plus, they would understand. I needed to run, get some of the excitement flowing in me. Like I said, tonight was a time for freedom and running gave me that.
After about 2 minutes, I reached the wooden door that, presumably, Fred and George had told me about. I cast a quick Dispelling Charm and climbed up the stone stairs and out of the small hole in the ground. It was about time too; claustrophobia was beginning to kick in down there. The door had led me into what seemed like the backstage area, due to the bustling people and instruments and other stage equipment. Have I mentioned how AWESOME Fred and George are?
I took my time wondering around, searching for anything interesting I could set my greedy little eyes on that night. If I was going to break the rules, why not go all out? So, in short, I was looking for my muggle idol: Amy Lynn Lee. Ben Moody, the guitarist, would have done fine too, though. I said I was greedy, not picky.
The backstage area wasn't that large. A few rooms lined the hallway that I was meandering down, somehow unnoticed in the craziness of the pre-show preparations. Unfortunately, though, only two of these doors were open to my wandering eye. One I had already passed (it was full of different soundboards) and the next was at the very end of the hallway. The room was larger than the last one I had peeked into and various make-up supplies and articles of clothing littered the tables.
"Beth," a familiar voice called through the door. "Toss me the liquid eyeliner."
"Bloody hell," I squealed and gave a little jump. "It's her! Right beyond that door."
"Excuse me," a deep voice spoke behind me. "Can I see your pass?"
"Bloody hell is right," I grumbled to myself before turning to the oversized American security guard. "I don't have one."
"Beth?" the door on the far side of the room opened and Amy Lee stepped into the room.
"Eep!" a small squeak escaped my mouth without my permission.
"What's wrong, Bob?" she addressed the six foot six man standing behind me. It never ceases to amuse me how the most complex looking people have the simplest names.
"A fan without a pass," the same voice that ruined my almost perfect moment spoke again.
"I'm sorry," I spoke up, "I really didn't mean to end up back here, I just came in . . . the wrong way. I saw that the door was open and just couldn't stop myself from checking to see if someone was in it, and, alas, the one person I was hoping to see was there. My life is now complete and you can drag me to where I'm supposed to be, if you'd like." By this point, I was on the verge of giddy, so, naturally, I wasn't going to let the moment go without making a complete arse of myself. "By the way, Amy, I'm Katie and I am SO happy to meet you! Your music is amazing and inspirational and absolutely beautiful. Thank you for being brilliant!"
The last part of my soliloquy was given as I was being dragged down the hallway to the part of the arena I was actually allowed to be in.
"Nice to meet you, Katie," the rock goddess called after me.
"You rock!" I screamed and took off in the direction of the stage to get the best spot possible for what was bound to be one of the most amazing concerts ever. The fates had a not-so-exciting plan in mind for me though, because the spot, which was undoubtedly the best for the concert, was also coincidentally the worst for me. My predestined position was right next to the one and only Oliver Wood.
"Katie," he grinned as I stepped up next to him. "Where's everyone else?"
"Fred and George are in detention. Snape caught them using a Canary Cream on a Slytherin. Angie and Alicia I left behind on the way here because I felt like going for a run."
"You still do that?" he grinned.
"Run? Yes, occasionally," I gave him a look clearly labeling him strange.
"During our first years here, whenever you were nervous you ran. That's how I found you before all of the Quidditch matches," he explained.
His smile made me feel like I was in the most comforting place in the world. And that made me uneasy. Control was again slipping from my grasp and going into that of Oliver's.
"So, are you . . ." he made an obviously uncomfortable pause, "going out with Diggory?"
"You mean, dating him?" I smiled, enjoying the fact that Oliver was uncomfortable with the idea of me dating his adversary.
"Well, yeah," Oliver answered sheepishly and the outer layer of my heart melted.
"And if I were . . .?" I questioned. I was eager to find out his answer - see what his reaction would be to my involvement with Cedric.
"I wouldn't be comfortable with it," he replied straightly after a moment's hesitation. "I realize you're free to see whomever you want, but you know that Dig - Cedric and I don't get along very well, and, somewhere inside of me, I like to think that the two of us are still friends and you would respect that. But, most of all, I don't want you to become another of his toys, Kates. He's like a spoiled child, once he gets sick of one girl, he throws her away and moves onto another one."
"You do the same thing, Oliver," I pointed out matter-of-factly.
"I do not!" he proclaimed. "It may look that way, but I promise you I don't have a lack of compassion like Diggory. A lot of girls go in and out of my life, but usually I'm not on the dumping end, believe it or not."
"You mean to tell me that the school-proclaimed sex god, right behind Cedric of course, has been dumped more has dumped?" I raised a disbelieving eyebrow toward him.
"School-proclaimed, not self-proclaimed," he clarified.
"Oh, I see," I grinned. "But, then again, I should have figured. You're perfect, right?"
"Most of the time," he joked. "Occasionally, the rare spectacle of my being stupid may be presented, but I can keep it under control - usually."
"Congratulations, you've accomplished what 99.9 percent of the male population have consistently failed to do throughout history."
"Why, thank you," Oliver grinned. "But, now it is time for the concert to start, so, enough about me, let's inch our way closer."
And as the crowd followed our lead, we did move closer. To each other. The punks, Goths, preps & wanna-bes, and other groups surrounding us pushed in closer to the stage and I was squished between some random girl in front of me and Oliver behind my body. Not an inch of room was allowed for me to move to either side and our bodies were pressed together like the opposing curves of Roman statues. His leg cradling mine from the back became all too apparent and his chest pressed against my back sent a strange tingling sensation down my spine.
I closed my eyes, both savoring the moment and despising it. That one instant showed me both what I wanted most dearly and what I could never have.
A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry again about the long update time. I finished writing it a while ago, but my computer broke yet again (it's pretty damn old) and every time I was on the school computers, it was for a paper. The last one was 42 pages ( Plus, I've been busy setting up my trips for next year. England over Easter break and Italy over the summer! I'll really try to get the next one out sooner. I should be getting my computer back in a few days.
THANK YOU for all of your reviews! Can't wait until we reach 100 ;)
At 5:30, I stood up, made my way over to the Hufflepuff table, and scooted my way onto the bench between Cedric and another Hufflepuff named Justin, despite the confused looks of the latter.
"So, Cedric, which one is this girl you've been telling me about?" I questioned, glancing down the long table.
"Oh, you mean Aurora?" Cedric winced, the conversation obviously causing him pain.
"Yeah," I chuckled. "I mean, you've told me all about her, and, as your friend, I thought it about time to actually see what the girl looks like."
After a short hesitation, Cedric leaned back in his seat and tapped the girl to his left on the shoulder. And, I must say, she didn't disappoint me in the least. She was exactly what I had expected as one of Cedric's girlfriends. A porcelain, doll baby face was topped with satiny smooth, long, blonde curls which ended right before a tiny Buns Of Steel (I said I TRIED to stay away from the muggle world, but there are just some things that you can escape) bum.
"Aurora," Cedric began, looking sort of nervous, "this is my friend Katie Bell. She's in Gryffindor. Katie, this is Aurora."
"Yeah, I've seen her around," Aurora smiled. "Nice to meet you."
"Same here. Cedric has told me all about you," I tried to smile graciously. "Well, I have to go. Places to be. Nice meeting you, Aurora. See you, Cedric."
I really didn't know what had possessed me to go over and meet Cedric's problem girlfriend. I suppose the good mood I was in had led me to do stupid things, but on the bright side, it did put me one step closer to finishing up with Cedric. The girl had seemed nice enough considering the entirety of the ten words she said to me. However, while Cedric's predicament was important, the concert that night was more so. I gathered together Alicia and Angelina and we started off to the portraits on the fifth floor.
There was something invigorating about being all dressed up, I must admit. The whole outfit made me feel feminine and the looks people gave me as I passed by obviously appraised the new style of clothing. And wearing a skirt gave me the strange feeling of being free. It was flowy and didn't confine my body in the least. As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help myself from spinning around in a circle and watching the material's shreds flow around me, resulting in a grin from Alicia and a snort of laughter from Angelina.
At five fifty-five, we reached the suits of armor to find Fred and George already lounging there. They both let out a low whistle as the three of us approached and Angelina elbowed me in the side.
"You're not allowed to wear girls' clothes ever again. You're making me and Alicia look bad," she muttered.
"Sorry, but I'm growing accustomed to this skirt. I'm not sure if I'll be able to give up wearing it," I snickered.
Angelina was jealous of ME! That was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was going to bask in all the sunlight that I could. I found that I sort of liked being noticed for being more than just the tough Gryffindor Chaser. This kind of attention gave me a different kind of power than I was used to; instead of hurting guys by breaking their noses, I could twist their hearts. I wasn't sure if I liked this newfound power, yet.
"Are you two going, also?" George asked, motioning towards Alicia and Angie.
"Yeah," Angelina answered. "Katie just took all the muggle clothes."
"Then you can have our tickets," he handed the two paper tickets to Angelina.
"Snape caught us after we gave a Slytherin a Canary Cream. We have detention tonight," Fred exclaimed.
"But, here," George held out a wizard camera. "Take pictures for us."
The two of them looked absolutely sullen about not being able to go and I felt really bad for them. While Fred and George snuck out a lot, this was going to be our first illegal group trip off-campus and I really wanted the two of them to be there. I took the camera from George's hand.
"I promise. We'll meet up with you later. Thanks you guys!" I hugged the both of them at once.
"Yeah, yeah, Katie," Fred grinned.
"Ritago," George mumbled, after glancing down the hallway and pointing his wand at the stone wall.
The wall
faded
away,
revealing
a stone
hallway,
lined
with a
blood
red
carpet.
"Just walk straight until you hit a wooden door about a mile down. Have fun," Fred pushed us through the hole in the wall.
"Bye," we all waved behind us.
"Have fun with Snapie!" Angelina yelled back to them.
"Eat dungbombs!" George's voice bellowed after us, followed by a green dungbomb.
"Run!" Alicia laughed and took off down the hallway, Angelina and I in suit.
After about four minutes of jogging down the stone corridor, we slowed to a walk.
"So," Alicia grinned, "Oliver's gonna be there tonight, eh Katie?"
"Yeah, that's what he said," I answered, trying to play it cool. "Why?"
"I don't know," Angelina caught onto Alicia's train of thought. "Maybe it would be a good chance for the two of you to. . .bond."
At the mere mention of Oliver's name, my heart had begun beating faster with nervousness. I wanted to get closer to him, I really did! But every time he was around me, my mind went to mush and my mouth went spastic. I had no control over what I said or did, and I HATED that feeling. I hated losing control.
"Okay, well since we're on the topic of crushes," I grinned wickedly. "Alicia, how's that dare in which you were supposed to ask out that Ravenclaw - Terry Boot, I believe it was - coming?"
Alicia's face turned considerably brighter, as I could see it in the dark hallway/ cave. "Fine, point taken. Different topic."
"Okay, well let's just get a move on, I don't want to be late. Plus, the two of you could use the conditioning for quidditch," I winked and took off ahead of them in a quick jog.
"No, Katie!" Angelina's desperate voice called behind me. "I don't WANT the conditioning - that's why we have broomsticks!"
"Fine," I sighed, exasperated. "I'll meet the two of you there. I'll be sure to wave from the front!"
It may have seemed a little rude, leaving my two friends behind in a dank cavern, but they HAD invited themselves. Plus, they would understand. I needed to run, get some of the excitement flowing in me. Like I said, tonight was a time for freedom and running gave me that.
After about 2 minutes, I reached the wooden door that, presumably, Fred and George had told me about. I cast a quick Dispelling Charm and climbed up the stone stairs and out of the small hole in the ground. It was about time too; claustrophobia was beginning to kick in down there. The door had led me into what seemed like the backstage area, due to the bustling people and instruments and other stage equipment. Have I mentioned how AWESOME Fred and George are?
I took my time wondering around, searching for anything interesting I could set my greedy little eyes on that night. If I was going to break the rules, why not go all out? So, in short, I was looking for my muggle idol: Amy Lynn Lee. Ben Moody, the guitarist, would have done fine too, though. I said I was greedy, not picky.
The backstage area wasn't that large. A few rooms lined the hallway that I was meandering down, somehow unnoticed in the craziness of the pre-show preparations. Unfortunately, though, only two of these doors were open to my wandering eye. One I had already passed (it was full of different soundboards) and the next was at the very end of the hallway. The room was larger than the last one I had peeked into and various make-up supplies and articles of clothing littered the tables.
"Beth," a familiar voice called through the door. "Toss me the liquid eyeliner."
"Bloody hell," I squealed and gave a little jump. "It's her! Right beyond that door."
"Excuse me," a deep voice spoke behind me. "Can I see your pass?"
"Bloody hell is right," I grumbled to myself before turning to the oversized American security guard. "I don't have one."
"Beth?" the door on the far side of the room opened and Amy Lee stepped into the room.
"Eep!" a small squeak escaped my mouth without my permission.
"What's wrong, Bob?" she addressed the six foot six man standing behind me. It never ceases to amuse me how the most complex looking people have the simplest names.
"A fan without a pass," the same voice that ruined my almost perfect moment spoke again.
"I'm sorry," I spoke up, "I really didn't mean to end up back here, I just came in . . . the wrong way. I saw that the door was open and just couldn't stop myself from checking to see if someone was in it, and, alas, the one person I was hoping to see was there. My life is now complete and you can drag me to where I'm supposed to be, if you'd like." By this point, I was on the verge of giddy, so, naturally, I wasn't going to let the moment go without making a complete arse of myself. "By the way, Amy, I'm Katie and I am SO happy to meet you! Your music is amazing and inspirational and absolutely beautiful. Thank you for being brilliant!"
The last part of my soliloquy was given as I was being dragged down the hallway to the part of the arena I was actually allowed to be in.
"Nice to meet you, Katie," the rock goddess called after me.
"You rock!" I screamed and took off in the direction of the stage to get the best spot possible for what was bound to be one of the most amazing concerts ever. The fates had a not-so-exciting plan in mind for me though, because the spot, which was undoubtedly the best for the concert, was also coincidentally the worst for me. My predestined position was right next to the one and only Oliver Wood.
"Katie," he grinned as I stepped up next to him. "Where's everyone else?"
"Fred and George are in detention. Snape caught them using a Canary Cream on a Slytherin. Angie and Alicia I left behind on the way here because I felt like going for a run."
"You still do that?" he grinned.
"Run? Yes, occasionally," I gave him a look clearly labeling him strange.
"During our first years here, whenever you were nervous you ran. That's how I found you before all of the Quidditch matches," he explained.
His smile made me feel like I was in the most comforting place in the world. And that made me uneasy. Control was again slipping from my grasp and going into that of Oliver's.
"So, are you . . ." he made an obviously uncomfortable pause, "going out with Diggory?"
"You mean, dating him?" I smiled, enjoying the fact that Oliver was uncomfortable with the idea of me dating his adversary.
"Well, yeah," Oliver answered sheepishly and the outer layer of my heart melted.
"And if I were . . .?" I questioned. I was eager to find out his answer - see what his reaction would be to my involvement with Cedric.
"I wouldn't be comfortable with it," he replied straightly after a moment's hesitation. "I realize you're free to see whomever you want, but you know that Dig - Cedric and I don't get along very well, and, somewhere inside of me, I like to think that the two of us are still friends and you would respect that. But, most of all, I don't want you to become another of his toys, Kates. He's like a spoiled child, once he gets sick of one girl, he throws her away and moves onto another one."
"You do the same thing, Oliver," I pointed out matter-of-factly.
"I do not!" he proclaimed. "It may look that way, but I promise you I don't have a lack of compassion like Diggory. A lot of girls go in and out of my life, but usually I'm not on the dumping end, believe it or not."
"You mean to tell me that the school-proclaimed sex god, right behind Cedric of course, has been dumped more has dumped?" I raised a disbelieving eyebrow toward him.
"School-proclaimed, not self-proclaimed," he clarified.
"Oh, I see," I grinned. "But, then again, I should have figured. You're perfect, right?"
"Most of the time," he joked. "Occasionally, the rare spectacle of my being stupid may be presented, but I can keep it under control - usually."
"Congratulations, you've accomplished what 99.9 percent of the male population have consistently failed to do throughout history."
"Why, thank you," Oliver grinned. "But, now it is time for the concert to start, so, enough about me, let's inch our way closer."
And as the crowd followed our lead, we did move closer. To each other. The punks, Goths, preps & wanna-bes, and other groups surrounding us pushed in closer to the stage and I was squished between some random girl in front of me and Oliver behind my body. Not an inch of room was allowed for me to move to either side and our bodies were pressed together like the opposing curves of Roman statues. His leg cradling mine from the back became all too apparent and his chest pressed against my back sent a strange tingling sensation down my spine.
I closed my eyes, both savoring the moment and despising it. That one instant showed me both what I wanted most dearly and what I could never have.
A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry again about the long update time. I finished writing it a while ago, but my computer broke yet again (it's pretty damn old) and every time I was on the school computers, it was for a paper. The last one was 42 pages ( Plus, I've been busy setting up my trips for next year. England over Easter break and Italy over the summer! I'll really try to get the next one out sooner. I should be getting my computer back in a few days.
THANK YOU for all of your reviews! Can't wait until we reach 100 ;)