Ch 6: Karma

I see him flush with anger and embarrassment, and he opens his mouth to say something, but promptly closes it. I flare my nostrils angrily and glare. He takes in a deep breath.

"I was with Lore," he says quietly. I fake that I didn't hear him and place a hand to my ear.

"What was that?"

"I was with Lore!" he says quite a bit louder. My hand drops to my side and all I can do is stare at him. He blew me – no – Quidditch – off for a girl?

"You blew Quidditch off for a girl?...Who the hell are you and what did you do with Oliver Wood?" I ask angrily.

"I thought you'd be happy for me, Katie. After all, you spent every waking moment at Hogwarts telling me to get a life outside of Quidditch. Now I have one and you're telling me to lose it? I don't think so, Katie," he spits. I stand up.

"I don't know you anymore," I whisper, shaking my head at him and stalking off to my room. Maybe if I let the bastard stir in his own juices for a while he might come to his senses.

I slam my door shut and jump on my bed. I reach out as far as I can go and just barely grab the edge of my novel. I bite my lip in concentration and finally pull it into my lap. Maybe some reading will help me keep my mind of that dumb jerk in the living room.

Well, I just spent an hour trying to read, but I couldn't keep my mind off Oliver. Grrr, I kept reminding myself of him and then I'd get angry and then I'd try to forget by reading. Then of course I'd be reminded of him again. It was like a vicious cycle of doom.

I hear a soft tapping on my door and look up to see Oliver closing the door behind him. He turns and looks at me, his brown puppy dog eyes look placid and clear, and I set my book down and shift some pillows around so I'm propped up against the headboard. Let's see what you got to say, Ollie dear. He walks over and sits down on the edge of my bed. He's hunched over and facing the wall, and we both sit in silence. I stare at his back and he's staring straight ahead.

A moment of thoughtful silence passes and he turns to look at me. He holds his arms open to me and whispers, "Come here, Katie," to me. I don't know why, but I'm in his arms before he finishes his sentence. I feel tears starting to spring up in the corners of my eyes as I wrap my arms around him and bury my face into his neck. He places his large hands on separate sides of my back and slowly rubs up and down. I take in a deep shuddering breath, and feel him do the same.

"I'm sorry," we say in unison. We both laugh quietly and hug tighter. We separate, but we're still in each other's arms. I smile as his warm, callused, Quidditch-worn hand cups my face and his thumb wipes my tears away.

"Katie, I'm sorry I was stiff about you talking to Flint, but it's just hard for me to trust an opponent. I can't shake the feeling that he wants something," he whispers gently. I nod gently, placing my hand over his to make sure it doesn't leave my face. He's so warm...

"And I'm sorry that I was being so rude to you and saying such mean things about Lore," I say. Ok, so the last part is kind of a lie, but he doesn't need to know that. It'd ruin our cute little makeup ceremony!

"It's just...I really like Lore. I missed the game because I spent time with her in the park today. I lost track of time and I'm sorry," he admits.

"S'OK," I murmur. He shakes his head no.

"No, it's not OK. I'll make it up to you. I'm not sure how, or when, but I'll make it up to you," he vows. I nod and we embrace again. I feel the muscles through his shirt as his chest presses up against my breasts. It's sort of painful, seeing as how were hugging each other tight, but it's a good kind of pain.

He gets up to leave, to meet Lore no doubt, but he stops in the doorway.

"Katie?"

"Yes?"

"You'll always be my Katie Girl," he smiles. My throat and chest constrict and all I can do is smile back. He closes to door gently and I stare after it. What're you expecting, Bell? You expecting him to open up the door again and come sweep you off your feet?

"It's not gunna happen," I whisper aloud. Maybe I'll just rest my head down and close my eyes. I'll just stay like this for a minute...

I wake up tangled in my sheets and look around frantically. It's 6:33 in the morning, and I smell breakfast! I try to disentangle myself from the sheets for what seems like hours. Stupid sheets won't let go of me! I struggle and end up falling flat on my ass on the floor with an audible thump.

"Ouch," I grumble. Blah, I'm still in jeans, and my eyes feel a wee bit puffy from last night. Ooh...is that bacon I smell?

I fix my hair and smooth out the wrinkles in my shirt and pants before I stalk out into the living room and kitchen. Oh man, I'm gunna start drooling if I don't get some of this delicious smelling food in my stomach soon.

"Wanna make me a plate of that, too, Oliver?" I call as I sit down on the leather couch. Ack! Cold! I bounce myself up and shove the blanket under my butt and sit down. Ah, much better.

"What?" Wait a minute, that didn't sound like Oliver. I lean over the arm of the couch, but I can't see who it is. Better not be who I think it is...I pad over to the kitchen and my eyes bug out of their sockets.

"Lore?!" I cry. She spins around quickly, skillet in one hand, spatula in the other.

"Katie! Good morning," she says. She sounds surprised at first, but then it dies down into her usual icy cool tone she uses with me. She blows her hair out of her face and I can see she's standing there in Oliver's light blue dress shirt and socks. Ew, she's not wearing pants or shorts or anything. I shudder involuntarily. That...'girl' better be wearing underwear!

I hear a door open and I spin around. Oliver exits the bathroom, sweat pants on his lower half and a towel around his neck, draping down his chest.

"Morning ladies," he says as he walks down the hall into his room, closing it behind him. I stare after him. Get back here, Oliver, and tell me what Lore is doing in your shirt and why she's not wearing pants!

Oliver emerges a minute later. He's wearing a heather grey Puddlemere United shirt and Lore has gone back to work making eggs. He pads up behind her and grabs her around the waist. That's OK, Ollie. I'll just stand here and be ignored! It's OK! I don't mind! I look over and see her swat his hand away from creeping up her thigh. Ew. Gross. No undies from what I can see. Suddenly 'the couple' turns around, plates in hand.

"Want some, Katie?" he asks. Yeah I want some, but not exactly what you're trying to offer. Bah! Bad Bell! He has a 'girlfriend' now. Can't be like that!

"No. I suddenly lost my appetite," I say, putting a hand to my stomach. Maybe if there wasn't a half-naked woman in my kitchen, a woman whom I strongly dislike, then I might be hungry.

Oliver frowns, and Lore rolls her eyes.

"You sure?" he asks.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll get something on my way to work," I say. I pick up my purse, but drop it again. I'm wearing the same clothes I did yesterday. I'm sure Alicia would be thrilled to see that. I sigh and close my bedroom door behind me.

Let's see what we got in my trusty closet...Hmm, haven't worn my Puddlemere United tank in a while...I raise my hands and peer down at my underarms. DAMMIT! Body hair is like...the bane of my existence. Not to mention it's hard to charm away! I toss the tank on the floor and pick up a shirt off the rack on my left. Hmm, nice ¾ sleeves button down top. I pick up a tan, pleated skort. I smirk to myself as I pull it on and look in the mirror. It looks like a kilt.

I pick up my tan shoulder bag and stash my keys and wallet into it as I walk out the door. I take a chance and cast a look down at the kitchen, and see Oliver smiling at me. Lore is blatantly ignoring me. Not that I care. The ice queen could have been giving the finger and I wouldn't have cared. Wait, I take that back. I'd actually like that. It would give me incentive to kick her ass.

I smile back at him and open the door slowly. I close it behind me with an audible click, and I lean up against it. Stupid Oliver, why does he have to like that stupid girl? Why can't you like me?

I apparate outside the shop, and look around for Alicia. I look at my wristwatch. Dammit, I'm a half hour early. I sigh, and decide to walk around, looking for a bite to eat. The cobblestone path clicks under my short, tan, heels as I stroll briskly down the street. There's a surprising amount of people up this early. I look up to the sky, which is dark and grey. Just like my mood.

Ooh, what's this? Up ahead I see a brightly lit coffee shop with a bunch of people inside. Maybe it's good. I wouldn't know, since I don't usually walk around the town that much. I look up at the wooden sign which sways creakily.

"Grandma Bethany's Coffee House," I say aloud. I tilt my head down, brushing my hair behind my ear, and peek in the window. The glass is frosted, but I can still make out many figures standing about or hunched over what I can only assume are tables. I glance at my watch again and sigh. What have I got to lose?

I open the door, and just like at 'Flaunt,' a small bell tinkers overhead. I smile, and look around. The décor of the room is just like you'd picture your Grandma's house to look like. Each piece of furniture is different. There's a foreign-looking couple sitting close together on a floral love seat, and by the window, I see a man sipping on a steaming cup of coffee in a dark aqua recliner. Different colored rugs litter the hardwood floor, and straight ahead of me is a brass-rimmed wooden counter, with a little old grey-haired woman smiling at me from behind it. It feels so...homey.

I step up to the counter and look above the old woman's head. On a pine green chalkboard, in shimmering silver letters are the drink choices. What a wide variety...Tons of different coffee flavors and tons of different drinks. They've got cappuccinos, frappuccinos, coffee by the mug, and a large assortment of teas.

"Can I get anything for you?" the elderly woman asks. I assume she must be Grandma Bethany. Aww, how cute! She's wearing a frilly pink apron over her little plaid skirt and burgundy shirt. She smiles even wider and I realize I should probably order something. Hmm, what sounds good at 7:30 in the morning...

"Can I just have some earl grey tea?" I ask as sweetly as possible.

"Of course dear! That will be three sickles," she says before bustling back behind the counter. I don't really pay attention to the process, but by the time I look from fishing out the elusive silver coins, she has a steaming cup waiting for me. Wow, great service!

"Thank you, have a nice day!" she chirps cheerfully as I take the mug and go to sit down at a little table. I find an intricate black Victorian style table with a cushioned high back chair and sit there, my back to the door. My purse is between my knees and I enchant some sugar to pour itself into my cup. A very tiny silver spoon pops up and stirs the white powder up.

Mmm, this tea smells really good. Ack, it's hot too! I can feel my nose starting to run from the steam. But man, nothing is better than hot earl grey tea when you're stressed, which I definitely am. Not sure why, besides Lore's everlasting presence, but I've just been really tense and emotional lately. Dunno why, though.

"Is this seat taken?" I jump halfway out of my seat, and see Marcus standing on my side, a black mug held tightly in his hand. He looks cute in a navy blue sweater and black slacks. It fits well with his dark look.

"Not at all," I say, grinning at him. It'd be nice to have some company besides Alicia and the dynamic duo of love. He sits down opposite of me and sets his glass down, folding his arms on the table.

"So what are you doing here?" I ask, taking a sip from my cup. Ow! HOT!! I slam my cup down on the table, a few drops landing on my hand, as I bring up my other hand to waft air onto my sizzling tongue. Marcus laughs and I know for a fact that I'm some awkward shade of red.

"The equipment room flooded last night, so they're working on it. And since I'm already up, and have the day off, I thought I'd come to my favorite coffeehouse," he comments as he takes a sip from his own mug. How come he doesn't burn his tongue? Is this karma or is he just lucky?

"You're favorite coffee house?" I ask. Interesting...

"Yeah. Before I started doing Quidditch full time, I came here every morning. It's the best place in town," he laughs, then looks around and leans forward, "Not to mention the cheapest,"

Soft giggles escape my lips. He smiles at me, but his eyes turn serious. He leans across the table and puts a hand around mine, so there's a three inch barrier of human skin around my mug. I look up at him in question.

"Hey, Katie. Would you like to go out for dinner with me sometime?" he asks. Oh wow. What, am I like the new hot thing or what? Pfft, yeah right. Me? Cute? No way.

"Sure. Sounds like fun. You pick the day and the time and I'll see if I can fit you in," I add a wink and he smiles. Ooh, there's one of those retro black cat clocks above his head. Hmm, interesting. Uh oh...

"Yeah, just owl me at my store with the date and time, ok? Sorry to run off, but I have to get to work. I'm only a few stores down if you want to pop in," I say, as I grab my purse and stand up.

"Alright then. See you around, Katie," he says. He sure does say my name a lot. O well. Can't think about that right now since I'm late!

I tear down the street, dodging people left and right. Hey! If there is this many people puttering around in the village, how come they never stop inside my shop?! GRR!

I come skidding by as Alicia unlocks the door. She looks up at me and laughs.

"I'm not late!" I declare indignantly. She laughs and shakes her head.

"Now you're not late, but you, young lady, have some explaining to do," she says letting us both in the store.

"Lumos!" I yell. Every wall light and candle in the room illuminates it, each and every shadow disappearing within seconds. I turn to Alicia who opens up the cash register and begins sorting through the coins. She would occasionally do this to see how much we're making and if anything got stolen.

"Now what, exactly, do I have to explain?"

"You never told me and Ange about the game. How did it go? And you never told us who the mystery man is!" she reprimands me. I hold my hands up and laugh. Oh Alicia, such a nosey, nosey girl. But I love you anyways.

"The game was great. Magpies slaughtered the Caterpillars and you won't believe who the mystery guy is!" I say enthusiastically. Hehe, now to be cruel and unusual.

"Well...who was it?" Alicia asks. I'm laughing so hard on the inside right now, but no, must keep a straight face! I finger a dusty pink fake daisy in a vase nearby.

"I don't know if I should tell you or not," I say quietly. Heh, this should do it.

"What? Why not?!" Alicia cries.

"Katie!" she whines my name.

"What if I just don't want to?" I ask her. Her eyes flash with anger. Uh oh, I better tell her soon. She's getting that 'slow-death-by-torture' look in her eyes.

"Marcus Flint," I say. Her face is wiped clean of emotion until she bursts out.

"WHO?!"

"Marcus Flint. You know, he went to school with us. Slytherin captain and chaser," I say nonchalantly. I better not do that again, I think I just gave her a heart attack.

"Really?" she asks, a little breathless from her previous shrieking. I nod.

"So what'd the great clod have to say to you?" she asks. Was that annoyance I heard?

"Well, apparently upon the death of a friend, he had an epiphany, and he told me he wanted to get to know me. I've been talking to him a lot lately, and he's really changed a lot. He's a lot nicer, and he's gotten a lot better looking," I comment. Alicia looks at me blankly.

"Well it's true! His teeth aren't so yellow and disgusting anymore, and I'm pretty sure he's done something with his eyebrows," I stare off into space, trying to recall those thick eyebrows I remember from way back when. There was definitely a chunk missing.

The conversation is short lived, as a trio of witches comes in. I can almost smell the coins they have in their pockets.

Sure enough, an hour and 6 minutes later, the three Austrian witches leave, each with two bags of clothes under each arm.

I smile as I hang up some more clothes to take the place of the ones bought as Alicia counts all the coins.

"Katie...we just made more than 300 galleons!" she says, looking at me in pure unadulterated shock. A smile soon forms across her lips and her eyes narrow in happiness.

"That's great, Alicia!" I say happily.

"Looks like more good news is on the way," she comments. I give her a confused look and she just smiles deviously and goes back to counting coins.

"Miss Katie Bell?" What? Who said that? I spin around a see a tiny tike holding up a dozen pink roses.

"Awwww!" I coo as I fall to my knees to take the flowers from the little boy.

"Thank you! Here let me get you a tip-"

"No, no, Miss. I've already been paid and tipped, but thank you anyways," the small boy squeaked out. He looked so cute, in a little argyle sweater-vest and knee highs. I wanted to pinch his little cheeks, but I was more intrigued in reading the little white card in the midst of the pink petals.

Aww how cute...Wonder who the mystery man could be ;-) heheh, only Ash and I know! Bwuahaha. And for those of you who still haven't figured this out; This story is already done, but i'm just posting it a chapter a day. And it's a LONG story, so you'll have a lot to look forward to!

Okies, the Wall of Fame for chapter five!
-Soccer-Bitch (love your name! ;-P)
-Crying Pixie
-Inu-Kokoro
-ShadowStar21
-XTruetilltheendX
-Yami Keckley (long time no talk, eh?)
-Creepy Susie (LOL, only cured by sex eh? haha, i smell a plot bunny!)
-Christy
-Denise
-Katie (yep, the whole things done, so you can always look forward to more!)
-Tammie
-Lindalee4 (haha, thanks for all your devotion!)
-Im rad
-Phyreprincess

Thanks you guys! I feel so awesome when i open my inbox and see like 15 review alerts. Thanks so much!! I love you guys, so...UNTIL 2MORROW!! bwuahaha

English-Foxlette

PS- I'm still looking for any plot bunnies, so if you have any OWKB ones for me, I'd be delighted to try ;-)