Author's Note: Hi I'm back! As usual, thanks to my faithful reviewers. And I felt that my last chapter was not very well written. Oh well, I sincerely hope this chapter is better. It definitely has lots of fluff! Read on and enjoy. If you have reviewed and I didn't acknowledge you, feel free to send me an email. I may have missed out any, as I am quite 'blur' recently. By the way, this chapter and the next one is actually one whole chapter, but I cut it off halfway, as I haven't finished the later part. So please don't blame me and review. Next part of the chapter will be up ASAP.
Disclaimer: As usual, I don't anything except my plot. Thanks to Rowling.
Chapter 6: Valentine's Day
"Katie, wake up! It's Valentine's Day!"
Katie sat up groggily, still completely oblivious to her surroundings.
"What?"
"It's a day when love is in the air! Aren't you excited?" Angelina asked.
"Why should I be? It's not like anyone's going to give me anything." Katie said shortly, still irritated at being woken up.
"There's going to be a Hogsmeade trip in the afternoon. I wonder what Fred planned for me?" Angelina said in a dreamy voice.
Katie and Alicia laughed.
"Well, good for you Ange. However, I don't think I'm going to Hogsmeade today."
"Why? Oh come on, Katie, don't be such a party pooper. What's wrong?"
"My dear, I don't see what's the point of going there alone. I don't have a date."
"Why didn't you say so sooner? Ange and I could have helped find one for you." Alicia said.
Katie shuddered and replied quickly, "No thank you. No matter how kind your intentions are, I'm sorry to say you two have extremely poor taste."
"Hey!" the two girls chorused.
"Remember you tried to set me up with your cousin, Alicia? And what happened?"
"It wasn't my fault! I had no idea he wasn't single anymore."
"Precisely. With your help, I'm bound to get into trouble. Besides, I don't think any guy would want to spend his day with me."
Angelina frowned.
"Don't ever say that again, Katie. You're one the prettiest and best girls in the school. Any guy would love to have you. And even if none of them want you, at least…" Angelina grinned mischievously.
"At least what?" Katie narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"At least Oliver would. He really loves you."
"That's a load of bull. He's just a prat that likes to play around with girls. I'm just his next target." Katie replied stubbornly.
"That's where you're totally wrong, Kates. No matter how smart you are, you are really innocent in the game of love." Alicia shook her head sadly.
"Whatever." Katie brushed that comment away, not wishing to hear anymore about the boy she hated. She entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
"Morning." Oliver said, seating himself for breakfast at the Gryffindor table.
"Morning." Four voices chirped back. Katie, however, remained silent, still thinking about the conversation she had with Ange and Lish. Did Oliver really love her?
No. A tiny voice in her head told her. For some strange reason, she didn't want to believe it.
"Hey Katie, where's your greeting?" Oliver asked, smirking at her.
Katie chose to ignore him.
"Katie." Oliver repeated patiently.
No response.
"Katie!"
"Wood."
"My mother named me Oliver."
"Ah, but I insist on calling you Wood. Got a problem with that?"
"Fine, Bell."
They ate in silence for a few moments, with the exception of Fred and George, who were currently having a toast-eating competition.
Suddenly Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat. The whole hall went silent, waiting.
"Students, please be reminded that the carriages going to Hogsmeade will leave at 12 o' clock sharp. Kindly be ready by then, with your significant other. Other than that, good day." His eyes twinkled merrily at the twins.
"Bell?"
"Yes?"
"Do you have a date for later?"
"Why do you inquire?"
"Go with me."
"No to both questions." Katie replied curtly, not even glancing up from her food.
"Why not?"
"Must I give a reason?"
"Yes."
"I don't feel like going with you." Katie said firmly, ending the short-lived conversation. The twins, Angelina and Alicia exchanged looks, but said nothing. Things were not going well. Katie could be darn stubborn when she wanted to. Oliver did not say anything more, but one could detect a hint of humiliation in his eyes. He had never been rejected by any girl before. Blessed with good looks, he always had girls drooling all over him, falling at his feet and begging for his attention. He had taken it for granted; much to the amusement of his friends. However, Katie Bell was a different kind of girl altogether. She was a smart and sporty girl, and never put any makeup on, unlike other girls. Nevertheless, she possessed a natural beauty, which marveled him. Would she ever fall to his charms? She didn't seem to be affected by his trademark smirk, which successfully affected the rest of the female population. For once in his life, Oliver Wood, heartthrob of Gryffindor, was at a loss at how to make a girl look twice at him.
Oliver was still brooding over Katie's reply when he felt a hand running down his back. Turning around, he saw Veronica Anderson, a sluttish girl he had just dated last week. He had dumped her as her irritating, whiny voice got on his nerves. True, she was very pretty, but it was only skin deep. She could never hold a candle to Katie's ethereal beauty.
"Ollie, care to take me to Hogsmeade later?" She smiled seductively, sitting on his lap without hesitation. Oliver panicked and tried to push her off, but to no avail. She was persistent all right. Surveying the scene with utter disdain, Katie rolled her eyes and pulled out a book to read. She was laughing inwardly. Finally, the great Oliver Wood had a taste of his own medicine. Served him right. She did not feel a tinge of sympathy for him.
Fred glared at Veronica in disgust.
"Get lost, Veronica. You're not welcome here."
Veronica scoffed.
"This is none of your bloody business, Weasley."
"Veronica, don't insult my friend." Oliver said through clenched teeth.
"Never mind them, Ollie. So meet me outside the Great Hall at 12 ok?"
"Listen, Veronica, I don't…"
"I know you love me, honey. You don't have to say it." She smirked, straddling him, much to the disgust of the people around her.
Oliver looked flustered. He certainly didn't want to spend his Valentine's Day with some bimbo. He would a thousand times rather admire the newest Quidditch brooms and supplies alone. His brown eyes met Katie's green ones for a second. Katie could see how neurotic he looked. As much as she wanted him to learn his lesson, she could not help feeling sorry for him.
Oliver's eyes pleaded with hers.
Katie sighed. Well, now you owe me one, she said silently.
Right, Bell. Anything you say.
"Excuse me, Anderson, but I'm already his date."
Veronica looked enraged.
"You little whore, you don't deserve him."
Alicia gasped. Angelina stood up, seething, her wand an inch away from Veronica's throat.
"Watch what you say, you filthy brat."
Katie said calmly, "Let her go, Ange."
"But she…"
"Just let it go. She's not worth talking to." Katie repeated quietly.
Embarrassed, Veronica stomped back to the Hufflepuff table, where her gang of friends crowded around and comforted her.
"Thanks, Bell. I definitely owe you one." Oliver said, pushing his bangs out of his eyes.
"Whatever." Katie noticed out of her eye that Angelina was beckoning her to leave. The moment she stepped out of Oliver's sight, two pairs of arms grabbed her.
"Ange, Lish…"
"Katie, how can you just stand there when you and Oliver have finally gotten together?! This calls for a celebration!"
"What are you talking about, Ange? I was merely doing him a favour."
"Since you've got one of the hottest guys in the school, you'd better start preparing for the big date NOW!" Alicia shouted excitedly.
"Whoa, calm down guys! It's only 9! There's still 3 hours left!"
"Oh no, we're wasting time. Hurry!" Katie was dragged immediately to their dormitory, hardly given any time to catch her breath.
Katie had been letting her two mad friends fuss her around for an hour and a half, and she was getting tired. She was gazing at Alicia digging out a miniskirt from her suitcase, when she snapped. She hated exposing herself, even though she had a perfect figure. That was really the last straw.
"I'm not wearing that, Lish."
"But you'll look splendid in this!"
"Nope, I'll just settle for a pair of jeans."
"But Kates…"
"This is my date, Lish, and I'll wear what I like."
"Fine, I give up." Alicia sighed, exasperated. Nothing else could convince Katie once she made up her mind.
Half and hour later, Katie was ready. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a pink spaghetti-striped top, and her hair was tied up in its usual ponytail. Alicia and Angelina had gushed all over her, and said that she would make Wood's jaw drop; but she did not believe them one bit. What was the big deal with a date anyway? Sighing with annoyance, she sat in a corner reading a book while Angelina and Alicia prepared themselves for their dates.
Oliver and the twins waited in the common room. Oliver was dressed in his casual wear, trying to hide his nervousness. What if Katie changed her mind? How was he going to escape from Veronica then? Seeing his anxiety, George clapped him on the shoulder.
"Hey mate, we're in the same boat. This is mine and Lish's first date. I'm afraid it won't go smoothly."
Oliver smiled. If a Weasley twin spoke so seriously, he must be truly worried. Only Fred appeared to be composed, pacing around and whistling. That, however, made him more tense and edgy.
After waiting for fifteen minutes, the girls finally appeared. Angelina emerged first. She looked radiant, her hair not in its usual braid but cascaded beautifully down her shoulders. She wore a dress that showed off her feminine features, and a pair of high-heels. Fred smiled and offered his arm to her.
"Ready to be escorted, love?"
"As always, Mr. Weasley."
Fred put on a pompous act and made Angelina giggle. He turned around and mouthed, "Good luck" to his twin and Wood before he disappeared out of the door.
Alicia came down the stairs next. She looked extremely pretty, with a miniskirt and a tank top. These showed off dips and curves she never knew she had, as she had always been wearing baggy Hogwarts robes. George saw her, and his jaw dropped open in amazement. Oliver smacked his head. Trust him to make a fool of himself.
Alicia approached him, smiling shyly. However, her smile faded when she saw her boyfriend's expression. Looking confused, she asked, "What's the matter? Is there something wrong with me?"
"No. It's…it's…" George stammered, at a loss of what to say.
"I know. My taste is horrible. I'll go back and find something better." Alicia was on the verge of tears.
George finally found his voice.
"No, no! Lish, it's not like that! You look…perfect." He said, flushing slightly.
Alicia too blushed a deep red. She mustered her courage and linked her arm around Georges'. To her relief, he wrapped an arm around her petite waist and escorted her out of the door.
Oliver panicked. Where was Katie?
Aw, poor Oliver's worried. Next chapter will be up shortly. In the meantime, do review and make my day =)
