I heard Oliver shouting at me, something about getting to the Quaffle. I ignored him; school was out and so were Oliver's practices.

"Bell! Get over here!"

I stopped. 'Bell'?!. Oliver had never called me that before. I was always Katie, even before we were together.

I didn't blame him much; he was devoted to Quidditch and I needed the work. I ignored what he called me.

"Katie, get over here!"

It was an improvement, but not that much better. I reluctantly flew over to him. He was hovering beside the goal post.

"What, Wood?"

Oliver reacted to that like it was nothing. Almost everyone called him Wood, he was used to it, almost everyone but me.

"You need to move faster, turn faster. Stop being predictable."

I stared at him blankly. I was predictable?! What the hell did he mean by that?! He shook his head and started to fly off. I heard him mutter, "Even Hufflepuff could do better than you right now." Ouch. Not that I didn't like Hufflepuff, or that they sucked, but that was an insult.

"I just have to practice more, that's all," I said in my own defense.

Oliver turned around. "That's damn right!"

I took a sharp breath. He scowled and turned away. He was pissed. This wasn't the Oliver that I had fallen in love with.

Thought: Did I just say that I loved him??

Comment: Yep, but not right now, if he's gonna be all pissy.

Thought: But I did say that I loved him, right?

Comment: Yep.

Thought: Well, at least he didn't hear me.

"Oliver?"

"What?" he snapped at me. I flew over to him. "What's going on?"

He looked at me harshly. "Being out here practicing is pointless. The Quidditch season is ruined."

"Well, when it comes back up, we'll be ready," I said, trying to be reassuring. I didn't think all that was happening would affect him like this. I tried to understand.

"No," he said, facing me, "We wont be ready because we don't have enough people to practice and who need to practice."

"I'm here, aren't I?"

He didn't say anything. Nothing; just quiet. I considered going back to Gryffindor Tower; although I wanted to stay and comfort Oliver, part of me knew that it wasn't worth it. I started down towards the ground. I wasn't angry with him, I just thought that it would be good if I got away.

As I descended, I heard Oliver say something. I turned my head just in time to see him close his mouth from muttering something. He looked at me with sincerity. For a moment, I thought that I had heard him say that he was sorry. Wishful thinking.

I started moving and I felt a hand on my back. I looked over and I could see Oliver hovering slightly behind me, but still beside me. He had a look of apology in his eyes. He moved so that he was totally beside me. He leaned towards me, closing the space between us on our broom.

I pulled back. I was not going to let Oliver's kiss be his apology for snapping at me. He should know better than that. He sat straight up on his broom again. Honestly, I would have loved to kiss Oliver, I always did, but it didn't feel right kissing him just after he snapped at me. He might get the idea that if he snapped at me from now on, just kissing me would be an apology enough.

I landed on the ground and started in. I heard him land as well, feet landing on hard ground. I sensed that he was walking behind me even before I turned around. He caught up with me; standing beside me, his shoulder was only a few inches higher than mine. He was always taller than me.

I could feel him looking at me. I saw him out of the corner of my eye; the look on his face was almost begging me to forgive him.

"I'm sorry," he said slowly. I didn't respond. I was thinking. I don't think I even looked at him. I continued to walk. It wasn't a big deal to me that he wanted to kiss me in exchange for forgiveness; it was just that it sort of annoyed me. Boys always thought that kisses solved everything and anything. Sometimes they did. But not this time. This wasn't one of the special occasions.

"Do I have to say it over again?" he asked, I looked at him, "Because I will, anything."

I stopped walking. I shook my head; no. "No, you don't have to."

"Are you sure?" He stopped walking, too. I thought about it and nodded. It wasn't only that Oliver tried to kiss me after yelling at me, like it was no big deal, it was the idea that he snapped at me; bitter. If he could try and kiss me after yelling at me, would he venture to possible hitting me and then trying to apologize by kissing? Hitting me? No, that wasn't Oliver. Definitely not my Oliver. He would never do something like that, never. (SEE IMPORTANT NOTE ON BOTTOM).

"Just promise not to turn and yell at me like that again," I said with a slight smile; I knew that it was a stretch; forgiving him, "If you're all emotional and angry again, you can talk to me, just don't take out all your anger on me, okay?"

Oliver grinned. "This would be the part where I'd hug and kiss you, but I don't want to make the same mistake again."

I smiled and brushed a piece of hair away from my face. "True. Smart thinking, Oliver."

He smiled and tapped his forehead with his index finger. I smiled back at him and we began walking back toward the Tower.

-------------

It was late afternoon by the time we got back. I left Oliver in the Common Room alone as I went to the Owlry to see if I had any new mail.

I searched the school owls to see if there were any letters tied to their legs. I didn't see any. I was about to turn around and leave when I heard the ruffling of feathers and I looked around at the window. I saw a familiar small, brown owl fly in, Pig. I smiled.

He flew around for a while, looking for a place to perch. He looked exhausted. He was about to land next to Harry's white owl when Pig spotted me and flew overhead. He dropped a thick envelope in front of me and I reached out and caught it, skills courtesy of being a Chaser in Quidditch.

I waited until I had gotten back to the Common Room to read the letter. When I walked in, Oliver was nowhere to be seen. Good. I wasn't sure if I wanted him to read Fred's letter. I assumed Oliver was up in his room. I looked at the address on the front. Katie Bell. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the arms of Oliver Wood, Gryffindor Quidditch Team Captain and Keeper. Now I definitely didn't want Oliver reading the letter.

I sat down on the couch, almost anxious to heard Fred's words in my head. I opened the envelope carefully. There was actually more than one letter in the envelope.

I pulled one out and unfolded it, setting the envelope beside me.

'Katie,

Hey there, love, Fred here. Mum got sick of me and George and we're as annoyed as usual, so guess what?! We're comin' back to Hogwarts! I suppose Wood already told you. Yes, I hear that you and Wood have become a couple. Hmmm...Romance on the Quidditch Pitch. I like the sound of that. I may ask out Katie or Alicia to continue this romance. I hope Christmas at Hogwarts won't be terrible boring. Of course, I'll be able to witness you and Wood in all your glory. It should be entertaining.

What did your parents say when you told them that you were staying at school for the holidays?? I suppose your mum flipped, huh? I don't expect that your dad said anything opposing, right? I saw him the other day when George and I went with dad to the Ministry. He asked me how you were. I don't suppose he knows about Wood, does he? To your credit, I didn't tell him about Wood. I did, however, tell Mum. The rest of the family, sans Dad, knows. Mum is ecstatic. She is already wondering if she should make look-alike sweaters for the two of you. Boy, do I feel sorry for you, Katie.

Well, I trust you are having a wonderful time with Wood. See you when George and I get back.

Love you,

Fred.'

I smiled at Fred's letter. I set it down beside me and picked up another letter. I unfolded it. It was from Mrs. Weasley, in her curly loopy handwriting.

'Dearest Katie,

I hear you and that sweetheart, Oliver Wood, have finally 'hit it off', if that is the right phrase. I am absolutely overjoyed for you! Fred and George have insisted on going back to Hogwarts during the holidays and I have permitted them to do so. I told them to keep an eye on you, to make sure you don't do something unacceptable.

I saw your father the other day. He is looking as young as the day I met him. Mr. Weasley was telling me that he may get a promotion soon. I'll let lawn gnomes wreak havoc on my garden if Nicholas Bell doesn't end up at the head of the ministry.

I have heard many things from Fred about you and I am getting the impression that you are having a very good school year. Keep that up. I am sending with Fred and George presents for both you and Oliver, as well as the twins. Do remind them to give them to you. I have reason to believe that they may hoard all the sweaters I make. If they want, I'll make them more. There is no need to steal sweaters from others. I have included some family photos that I thought you would like.

Have a WONDERFUL year and I will send you an owl soon.

Love,

Mrs. Weasley.'

I grinned. If only she knew that the boys hated those sweaters, especially Ron, with his maroon sweaters. I dug through the envelope and produced a stack of photos. I frowned when I realized that they didn't move. They must have been taken by a Muggle Camera; probably another experiment of Mr. Weasleys.

I flipped through them. One of Fred, George, Percy, and Ron at Gringotts; one of Ginny at a Puddlemore game; one of Mrs. Weasley chasing after Fred and George, angry, with a purple- haired Percy in the background. There were so many of the familiar faces I loved. There was one of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, just before a match, with Oliver grinning with confidence and the rest of the team looking rather tired. I went to the next picture and stopped. It was of Oliver and I, our backs turned, watching something. I blinked and went to the final picture. This was the only one that moved. It was of the entire Weasley family, Oliver, and I.

I didn't even know where the picture was taken. It didn't look familiar to me. The eldest Weasleys waved at me, while Fred and George looked devious and guilty. Ginny and Ron looked like they'd rather be somewhere else. It was strange seeing me waving at myself. I looked beside me at the Oliver in the picture. He was smiling and snuck glances at me. In the picture, I was oblivious, as usual.

I sat there, staring at those picture for a while.

"What are you looking at?"

Oliver's voice was beside my right ear. I hadn't noticed him, so I jumped when he began to speak. I heard him laugh and I slipped the photos back into the envelope quickly. Oliver leaned over the back of the couch and reached for the envelope, reaching around me with both hands. I struggled to keep it out of his reach. He finally grabbed it and hopped over the back of the couch beside me. I tried to grab it out of his hands, but he was too fast for me. Damn.

He grinned and took out the photos, nothing else. He flipped through them. Oliver stopped and smiled when he found the picture of the two of us.

"I remember this," he said, "When we played Ravenclaw for the House Cup."

He almost put it back with the rest of the stack but he kept it in his hand. He smiled faintly, "Well, this would be the greatest picture to begin the collection, if there ever was one?"

I raised my eyebrow at him. "Collection?"

Oliver smiled and scooted closer to me. "Yes, pictures of us together."

"Okkk, Oliver," I said laughing. He looked into my eyes then quickly looked back to the pictures. He grinned when he came to the family picture plus Oliver and I.

"I think this is my favorite," he said. I smiled, nodding in agreement. Respecting my privacy in what the Weasleys had written to me about, Oliver put the photos back into the envelope and handed it back to me.

I smiled at him and dropped them on the floor by my feet. I looked back at him and he was closer to me than I noticed. He smiled at me devilishly. I knew what that meant.

I turned to him and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him against me. Oliver slid his hands around my waist as our lips met. His lips were soft and tender, nibbling against mine gently.

My back touched the arm of the couch and he was over me, rubbing my side slowly, never pushing. He pulled back and leaned towards my neck. I felt his breath on my skin before I felt his lips. He brushed the side of my neck and I shivered. I knew he was smiling and he kissed the hollow of my throat, then my collarbones.

Oliver came back up and he kissed me again. I was so comfortable there, lying beneath Oliver, his body keeping me warm while he kissed me.

I actually never thought that anything like this would ever happen. Oliver Wood was the kind of guy all the girls went after, and they did anyways. I never thought he would have paid any attention to me. And now look where we were.

His hand was under my shirt, touching my skin, but not roaming any higher. If that happened, I would have slapped him. Lovable, sweet, hot Oliver or not. I didn't care.

He kissed my cheek and I zoned back into reality. I tilted my head to look out the window. It was getting dark. The days passed quickly when you were in love.

Question: Did I just say that I was in love?!

Thought: I think so.

Comment: No way!

Thought: Yep.

Question: Does Oliver love me?

Thought: Well, didn't he already say that?

Comment: Yes.

Thought: Good.

Comment: All right, am I willing to let something good finally happen to me?

Thought: What?

Comment: Are we finally admitting that Oliver loves me and I love Oliver?

Thought: Maybe....

Comment: Maybe....yes!!

Thought: Oh shut up.

Comment: 'I love Oliver and he loves me', there, just say it.

Thought: I love Oliver and he...what is the point of this?!

Comment: 'and he...'? Oh come on, I might as well say it!

Thought: And he loves me. There, satisfied?

Comment: Not overly, but it will do.

Thought: Good!

I blinked. Oliver was still kissing my neck and I heard the old clock begin to chime, signaling Dinner. I started to sit up and Oliver got the hint. He sat up off me and stared at me. I stood up and he watched me. It was strange feeling his eyes on me like that. Somewhat possessive. I sort of like that. The idea that I was only his.

"Dinner?" I suggested. He nodded. He stood up and followed me out of the Common Room like nothing happened.

------------------------------

After Dinner.

I yawned. Dinner was eventless and I exchanged words with Cedric. He gave no hint to what he meant the other day.

Oliver and I entered the Gryffindor Common Room together. I turned in the direction of the Girls' dormitories when I stopped. I turned back to Oliver. He stood there, in the dim light, watching me with his alluring eyes.

I stepped closer to him. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him. He held me as I whispered in his ear.

"Goodnight, Oliver," I whispered in his ear. I pulled back from him and his arm remained tight around my waist. I kissed his cheek and he let me go. I hurried up the staircase and didn't look back. I feared that if I looked back, I would go back down to him.

I got to my room and changed into my pajamas. My room was always very heated, so I didn't have need for heavy pajamas. I settled for my midnight blue shorts and black tank top.

As I crawled into bed and pulled the thick quilt around me, I laid there. Why is it that you're tired when you are no where near your room and bed, but when you get there you are no longer tired?! It all didn't make sense to me.

I sat up. I started to think about Oliver. This was going to be the last night that we were going to be somewhat alone. Tomorrow the twins would be back. I wondered if Oliver was still awake.

Rather than sit around and wonder, I got up and went to my door. I slipped into the hallway. It was rather cold. Instead of grabbing a jacket or coat, I dashed to the Common Room, pulling the quilt off the back of the couch. I wrapped it about me quickly, shivering as I did so.

I quickly ran to the Boys' Dormitories; my feet were slowly freezing. I got to Oliver's door and I halted. I heard his steady breath inside. I knocked on the door softly. No answer.

I pushed the door open slowly. I adjusted the quilt around my shoulders and my hair fell into my eyes.

"Oliver?" I whispered through the darkness.

I could barely see him. He was smiling. I closed the door behind me and I could see him sit up.

"Looking for more Quidditch practice, Bell?" he said jokingly. I hopped onto the end of his bed.

"Hardly."

Oliver grinned and laughed to himself. "I see you can't go even a few minutes without being with me."

I smiled. Maybe it was true. "Minutes? Try seconds," I said, playing along.

Oliver smiled and reached out to me, pushing some of the hair out of my eyes.

"Why'd you come here?" he asked softly.

I couldn't take my gaze from his eyes. "I don't know," I answered honestly.

I could see him smile faintly. "Is your room as lonely as mine?" he asked, glancing over at the empty beds. He reached beside him and lifted up the corner of his quilt and sheets, scooting towards the wall. I knew what his gesture meant.

I got up off his bed, dropping the Common Room Quilt onto the floor. I adjusted my shirt and climbed into bed with him. His bed was about the same size as mine, pretty small. He waited until I was totally in when he let the edge of the quilt fall around him. His blanket was up to my neck and his arms were instantly around me, holding me close.

Oliver was warm and his breath tickled the back of my neck. I snuggled my back into his chest and closed my eyes in content. His spooned his body against mine and he sighed into my ear.

I opened my eyes when I realized that this was probably going to be the only time this ever happened. I turned in his arms and pressed myself closer to his chest. His hands caressed my back at the same time. Oliver kissed my forehead and then my neck. Just as before the feel of his lips on my skin made me tremble.

I knew I had to tell him. I knew that there wasn't anything holding me back.

"Oliver, I love you,"

There I said it. No hesitation, no breaking voice, nothing. Actually, I said it all in an as-a-matter-of-fact sort of voice. I waited for his reaction.

He stared at me before grinning. Oliver smiled a smile that almost made me melt. That stupid romantic.

"I love you, too," he whispered back through the darkness. He leaned down and kissed me. For the first time in a long, long time, something was actually going right. I loved Oliver Wood and that was all I cared about. I actually did love him. I didn't just think I did, I actually truly cared about him more than anything.

That was the flaw in human nature and humans in general. Love makes you weak. It gives you the illusion that everything will turn out fine. It will, in the end, but love doesn't make it that way. Life does.

I thought about that as I lay there in Oliver's bed with Oliver curled around me. If only I knew that what I had just said was true. I thought it was. But I think I loved Oliver enough that I could get through anything. I could make it through anything.

I thought that statement was true, the one about life and love. But, of course, I was stupid enough to doubt what one love-sick, love-obsessed author had once written: "Love conquers all".

Smart people believe that. Even if it is stupid. And pointless. And ridiculous. In general, it was a load of bull. But I should have believed it. As stupid and crappy as it sounds. The thought of love or the act of being in love keeps us going. Even if it hurts.

Important!!

The hitting statement is not foreshadowing into some sort of abuse. I love Oliver Wood/ Sean Biggerstaff just like the rest of you; I would NEVER make him a bad guy. :-) Just thought I'd clear that up.

You guys had better be dedicated! Lol. I've planned this whole story out and its sortve long. All in favor of a really long, possible having to make a sequel to split it up(with lovey-dovey ness thrown in everywhere to make it better)? will last many more chapters/possible new story to complete it (old story-this one- will end in cliffie until i can get new story up to finish it)

Or a short uneventful lovey-dovey thing? will last only few more chapters

R&R love ya!