I am SO SORRY for the long wait! My life is so hectic, I hardly ever get the time to write. Not to mention my computer crashed. I lost all of my information, including this chapter - it had to be rewritten from scratch - and an entire nearly completed story for the Matrix, which I am too depressed for words over.

I'm sorry this chapter isn't as long as the last one, but it's close.

And just to keep you all updated on some stuff, you'll probably have to wait a while for the next chapter as well. I'm sorry! .::Ducks as rotting vegetables are thrown at her::. I'm going back up to New York later this week, then as soon as I get back, band camp starts. Three weeks this year, thirteen hours a day. I guess it goes to say I'll be a bit too tired to write after spending my entire day out in the hundred degree weather.

Sorry again! Now, on with the chapter…

Later that day, the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station and the students filed off. Parents were waiting, most rushing forward to hug their children as they appeared. Katie and Angelina lugged their heavy trunks down the stairs, laughing over something they had been talking about earlier.

"Don't forget to tell me what happened," Angelina reminded her friend, referring to the incident in the train car after she had left.

"Only if you tell me what happened with you," Katie rebutted good-naturedly.

The other chaser nodded but was cut off from saying anything else when a shrill cry cut through the crowd.

"Katherine!" A tall, light-haired girl with a huge smile plastered on her face ran forward and wrapped her younger sister in a huge hug.

Katie eagerly returned the embrace, her trunk dropping to the ground with a thud. "Artemisia!" She said, thrilled. "You're here!" Her sister had graduated from Hogwarts three years ago, and was currently going to a wizarding academy to better herself in Charms. This school was in northern Italy, keeping her quite far away from her family.

The older girl pulled back. "Of course I am! I couldn't miss another Christmas. Mum would turn me into a cow, just like she always threatens."

Katie grinned. "Mia, you remember Ange,"

"Of course! It's a pleasure to see you again," Artemisia turned a brilliant smile at her sister's friend. "Katie, Mum and Dad are waiting for us; we should get going,"

"You go on," The blonde waved off her sister, "I'll be along in a minute,"

"All right," The older girl nodded, "Bye, Ange,"

As Artemisia walked off, the two Chasers turned to each other. They smiled and hugged. "I'll owl you, okay?" Katie said.

Angelina nodded. "Okay. See you in two weeks,"

They pulled apart. "Have a good break," the blonde said enthusiastically.

"Aw…how sweet," The two turned around, only to come face to face with Marcus Flint.

"What do you want?" Angelina spat.

"Just to remind you to stay fit for Quidditch," he said smugly, eyeing his opponents. "Don't eat as much as you usually do. It really shows,"

Katie raised her eyebrows, fuming at the snide comment. "Why you little -"

The black girl grabbed her friend's arm. "Ignore him," she hissed. "C'mon, your parents are waiting."

The blonde glared at the Slytherin captain before grabbing the handle of her trunk and following the other girl, sticking her nose in the air.

Flint watched her go, his brow furrowing in anger at her attitude. He scowled as he saw her enveloped in a group hug with her parents and sibling. Something tugged at his heart as he observed the obvious love between the family.

"Marcus, sweetie," He turned and saw a short, pudgy woman with gray hair heading for him. He resisted the urge to smile. His house's maid, who had been with the family for almost two generations, had been more of a mother figure to him than his real mother and he enjoyed her company. She knew more of his secrets than his closest friends, which were few.

"Hey, Nana," Flint said, sparing her a smile. The woman's real name was Flora, but he had come to think of her as a grandmother of sorts.

"Oh, come 'ere an' give me a hug!" Flora waddled over and wrapped her arms over his shoulders. Flint leaned down a bit to make it easier for the small lady. "Ow' was your semester? Meet any girls?" She winked at him.

"No, Nana," He risked a glance in the other direction and saw that the two Gryffindors had left.

"Ah, well, there's always next time, eh?" She patted his cheek. "Let's get goin',"

Flint picked up his trunk and looked back at the maid. "Where are my parents?"

Flora sighed, frowning, before she answered. "They decided to vacation in the Alps for the holiday. Won't be back for a few weeks, sweetie." She forced a smile on her face for the boy, trying hard not to notice her charge's downfallen expression. "It'll be jus' you an' me again this year. Where's that owl o' yours?"

"He's over there," The Slytherin pointed to his left.

"Well c'mon, then. Dinner's already cookin'." The woman's attitude had changed to her usual no-nonsense air.

"How are we getting home?" Flint asked as he led the way to retrieve his pet. Flora was a witch, though a very out-of-practice one. She had not made it all the way through school before she took the job with his grandparents when his father was a child and was a bit uncomfortable with using magic.

"I've brought money for a taxi, no need to worry,"

Flint nodded as Flora picked up his owl's cage. Once they got outside, they'd let him fly off to stretch his wings a bit before heading home as well.

"No more dawdling, we need to be going,"

"Yes, of course," He nodded again distractedly. Although he liked Flora, he was not looking forward to another lonely Christmas in that big, cold house alone. His parents were always away on vacation somewhere or other and seemed to miss seeing him, their only child, whenever he came home from Hogwarts.

"Katie," There was a knock on the door, waking the girl inside. "Katie, get up!" Artemisia pushed the door open without waiting for a response.

The seventh-year eyed her sister wearily. "Why?" she asked, letting her head flop back to the pillow. "It's early,"

"Because," the older girl replied, "someone is here to see you. He's got a broom, and wearing robes from your house…any guesses as to who it is?"

Katie's eyes shot open. "Oliver is here?"

Artemisia nodded. "And he's asking that you come down ready to fly,"

The other groaned. "Of course, leave it to Wood to make the only Chaser nearby work as hard as him,"

"Yes, well," She threw her sister's trunk open and pulled out the warmest practice robes inside. "You should be polite anyway. He's been waiting for fifteen minutes already."

Katie stood and stretched, grabbing the robes from Artemisia's outstretched hand. "Tell him I'll be down in a minute,"

"Sure," Artemisia shrugged and left, closing the door behind her.

Once she had been left alone, Katie dropped the scarlet robes and walked to her dresser , picking up her brush and pulling it through her tangled dark blond hair. She pulled it into a ponytail high on her head and tied it there with a scarlet ribbon. After her hair had been dealt with, she went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face to wake her up enough to stay balanced on her broom. She dried her face and pulled on her robes.

Yawning, she made her way through the hall and down the stairs. She could see Wood standing in the front foyer, waiting somewhat patiently. He looked up an caught sight of her as she descended the stairs.

"Morning, Katie," He smiled at her.

"Oliver, you are insane," Katie said, her lips twitching upwards. "It's snowing outside, you know that, right?"

"Of course I do," He moved out of her way as she stepped around him to open the hall closet, pulling her oldest broom from inside. "Is that still flyable?"

"Of course it is," Katie stoked the handle lovingly. "It's my favorite,"

"If you say so," Wood shrugged.

"Are you hungry?" the Chaser asked, moving from the foyer down the hallway to the kitchen.

"Not really,"

"Okay," She pushed open the swinging door, revealing her mother standing at the counter kneading biscuit dough.

"Good morning, sweetie," Elizabeth Bell looked up and smiled. "Oliver,"

"Good morning, Mrs. Bell," Wood nodded.

"Morning, Mum," Katie kissed her mother's cheek and grabbed a cooled biscuit from an earlier batch. "Wood and I are gonna go fly for a while,"

Elizabeth glanced over their clothing. "Will you be warm enough?"

Katie nodded as she opened the biscuit and smoothed butter over the inside. "We'll come back if we get cold,"

"Will you?" Her mother raised an eyebrow.

"Yes ma'am," She took a bite of her breakfast and followed Wood out the back door. "Do you really expect me to practice now? It's a holiday!"

"No, no practice," Wood chuckled. "I just wanted to fly, and wanted some company,"

"Oh," Katie grinned at him. "Okay. Where do you want to go?"

He shrugged. "Anywhere, as long as we're flying,"

"Fine then," The Chaser shoved the rest of the biscuit into her mouth. "Off we go!"

The two mounted and were going up in the blink of an eye. Wood threw his head back as he pushed off from the ground, smiling widely as the cold air rushed around his body. There was certainly nothing like flying.

"Where are we going?" Katie asked, coming up on his right.

Wood glanced at her before looking to the ground, where their little town quickly grew small as they gained altitude. "I was hoping to go to Diagon Ally,"

"But that's in London!" The girl fixed him with a shocked stare. "It would take -"

"Three hours, by air," the captain cut in.

"Do you know how to get there?"

"Yeah, I've flown the rout a few times before,"

Katie followed as he flew a bit lower. "If you say so,"

Wood smiled at her. "I'll treat you to your favorite chocolate from the sweet shop, as an early Christmas present."

"Sounds good to me," She nodded her approval. "Let's go! The sooner we get there, the sooner I get that chocolate!"

Oliver laughed and gave chase as Katie sped past him.

"Down here," Wood pointed to a deserted alley a block from the Leaky Cauldron. Together, the two Gryffindors landed softly out of direct view. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?" he asked, grinning as he brushed some snow from his hair and shoulders.

"I guess not," Katie wiped the snow off of her own shoulders. "Now how are we going to get to the pub? I'm sure we'd be noticed dressed like this," She gestured to their robes. "Not to mention our brooms,"

Wood walked to the entrance of the alley and peaked out. "There aren't too many Muggles. They're probably all out of town for the holidays," He looked back at her. "We should be fine,"

"All right," Katie walked up to him and looped her right arm through his left, holding her broom in the opposite hand. "Let's go,"

Oliver smiled as together they left the alley and walked confidently down the sidewalk. The captain pushed the door of the Leaky Cauldron open and ushered the Chaser inside. The warm, thick air was a shock after the freezing wind outside. While Katie leaned their brooms by the front door by the others that had been left and sat at a table by the window, Wood went to the counter to get two warm butterbeers. He made his way over to the table and handed one to his friend.

"Thanks," Katie said, grasping the drink graciously and taking a sip. Almost the instant the liquid touched her tongue, she could feel the heat working to dispel the cold in her body.

Wood sat across from her and put his own mug up to his lips. "Where would you like to go first?"

"Flourish and Blotts," was the reply. "I want to find a journal for Alicia; there weren't any nice ones in Hogsmeade."

"A journal?"

Katie nodded and took a long gulp of her drink. "She likes to write,"

"Ah," Wood looked out the window at the family of Muggles that passed on their way to the movie theatre down the road. "Can we go to the Quidditch shop as well?"

"I should have known," The girl laughed. "Sure. Then we can get that chocolate. And I need some dragon scales from the Apothecary,"

The Keeper nodded. "We've got plenty of time,"

After another fifteen minutes, the two had finished drinking. Katie stood. "Well, we should get a move on,"

Wood nodded and stood. He fetched the brooms and met his companion behind the pub. "Ready?" he asked. When she nodded, he pulled out his wand and tapped the proper brick. Diagon Alley was much emptier than it usually was, but that didn't mean it still wasn't crowded.

Katie shouldered her way down the street to the book shop. She narrowed her eyes at the 'Wanted' poster hanging on the door as she pushed it open. "You'd figure they'd take these down already," she muttered to Wood. "Everyone knows that Sirius Black is wanted,"

"Shouldn't let anyone else hear you say that," Oliver warned, wagging his finger playfully at her. "They might think you don't think he's dangerous,"

The Chaser snorted. "The only reason you think he's a danger is because he might kill Harry,"

The boy looked at her with innocent eyes. "Can you blame me?"

Katie shook her head, giggling. "No, I guess not," She picked up a few journals and checked their prices, finally deciding on a small leather-bound book with a rose emblazoned on the cover. "This is nice," she said, holding it up. "I'll go pay."

Wood nodded and looked at the shelves. Some ran all the way up to the ceiling, spilling over with spell books of all different colors and sizes. Seeing nothing of wonderful interest, he went up to the counter and waited for his companion as she handed the cashier a few Sickles.

"Okay," she said, noticing him beside her. "On to Quidditch supplies,"

He smiled at her. "Works for me,"

They walked back out into the light snow. Katie quickly shoved the journal into a pocket in her robes to keep it from getting wet. This part of the village was relatively empty, most of the people who enjoyed the shops here - mainly students - being home with their families. Oliver navigated the streets easily, knowing them like the back of his hand. They came to their destination. The wooden sign, reading Quality Quidditch Supplies, swung in the breeze overhead as they went inside.

"Remember, Oliver, that we only have a little bit of money. No shopping sprees today, okay?" Katie quirked an eyebrow at him.

Wood nodded sullenly. "All right," His face brightened as he looked over her shoulder at the display in the window - at the Firebolt. "Just look at it, Kates," he whispered, turning her by the shoulders to see what he was talking about.

"Stop dreaming," Katie turned back to face him. When he didn't meet her eyes, she put her hands on his cheeks and directed his gaze to her own. "Unless you have enough money to buy it yourself, you'll never get it."

Wood sighed. "I know…but I can hope, right?"

The girl just laughed and shook her head, dropping her hands. "Don't you need a new pair of gloves?"

The rest of the day passed fairly quickly. Both students had a wonderful time, whether it have been by sharing the other's company or getting out of their houses for a while. It was just past six by the time they returned.

Katie paused in front of her house. "Hey, Oliver," she said, "Would you like to come to my family's Christmas party tomorrow night?"

Wood thought for a moment, glancing down the road to his own house. "We usually spend Christmas Eve together, but yeah," He nodded. "I guess I could come after dinner."

"Good," The girl smiled. "I look forward to it,"

I hate Christmas Eve, Marcus Flint thought. He sat up in bed and looked around his room. It was large, the walls painted a mint green. To most, it would seem a calming, cheerful place, with the beautiful mahogany furniture and hardwood floors covered in lush rugs. But to the occupant, it only signified emptiness and loneliness.

Flint stood and picked up a little figurine of a figure riding a broom. It was one of the presents his parents had left him last year when they went to Switzerland on a skiing trip, leaving him behind. Like usual. He dropped it carelessly on the floor, where the glass shattered into pieces. Without a second glance, he left the room and stepped out into the hall. His footfalls echoed noisily around him, another sign of the complete emptiness of the mansion.

Flora had left earlier that morning, leaving him the solitary occupant of his family manor. She had wanted to go to her own home, to spend Christmas with her own family. He couldn't really blame her. Christmas was a family holiday - which his parents seem to have forgotten. The cook had left about an hour ago, leaving him dinner for the night and food for the next day. Flora had offered to take him home with her for a warm meal, but he had turned her down. It's not that he liked being alone; it was more that he just wanted to be in his own home rather than someone else's.

Flint walked to the large bay windows at the end of the hall looking out over the large garden behind the mansion. Snow covered the ground and trees, reflecting the golden light of the setting sun. He leaned against the cool glass, watching as the sun slowly sank behind the mountains in the distance. After it had disappeared completely from view he turned and descended the grand staircase into the front foyer. Candles automatically lit themselves as they were cast into darkness. The oak floors turned to a cheery rosewood as he entered the living room at the back of the large house.

This was his favorite room in the house. It smelled faintly of his father's pipe smoke, reminding him of the days when he was a child and would sit on the floor while his father puffed away on his pipe. In the corner by one of the many fireplaces was a fairly small tree, decorated only in silver garland. Beneath the pine were his many presents. He sighed. This was how he had spent every Christmas for the past three years. Eating a cold meal for Christmas Eve and opening his presents alone on Christmas morning.

He jumped when there was a scraping at the window. Zeus, his great horned owl, tapped at the glass again with his talon.

"I've been wondering where you've been," Flint said as he opened the window and offered the owl his arm. Zeus hopped onto the clothed limb and stuck out his leg, exposing a rolled piece of parchment. The seventh year took the paper and unrolled it.

'Dear Mister Marcus Flint,

'You have been cordially invited to Mister Draco Malfoy's holiday party on Christmas Day. The party begins at Noon at the Malfoy home. Formal dress required. Food will be provided. Your attendance would be greatly appreciated.'

Flint glowered at the invitation before ripping it in half and throwing it in the fire. He hated the little brat, not that he would ever admit that openly. He had to keep up the outward friendly appearance to make sure he stayed on the Malfoy family's good side. It was never good to have any of them as your enemy. Besides, who needed friends who only wanted to show you off? ('Hey, look, the captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team is my friend!')

He just didn't understand what made having a friend so appealing. Sure, he got lonely sometimes, but he would much rather be alone than spend time with another person his age. Then again, it was much safer without someone who knew everything about you. He would talk with his roommates and teammates sometimes, but nothing very personal.

Flint took a deep breath and turned to where Zeus had perched on the expensive couch. He held out his arm again, letting the owl perch on him instead. "Why don't we go get something to eat, hm?"

As he made his way through the dim corridors of his home, his thoughts traveled back to something a much too self-assured Ravenclaw had asked of him. The girl, obsessed -much like every other young girl in the school- with Oliver Wood had given him a chance to get to Bell only if he helped her win Wood. The plan was simple, really. When Wood was distracted with the airhead, Flint would go after the opposing Chaser, somehow leaving Oliver with the other girl. Some details still needed to be worked out, but it could be pulled off. If only he were willing…

Normally, Flint would jump at the chance to get down two opponents at once, but there was just something about this Ravenclaw girl that irked him. She had no idea what he wanted to do to Bell, or why. But even if she did know, as long as it got her the 'man of her dreams' as she so aptly put it, she would probably still do it. Although he hated to admit it, the thought of a person stooping so low as to turn two lovebirds against each other, even at the expense of pain on their behalf, just to get someone as their own was disgusting.

No matter how tempting the offer may have been, he would turn her down. He would get the revenge he craved on his own.

Katie sat at her vanity, fixing her hair up in a French herringbone. Her parent's party had started a few minutes ago, but she had been so busy helping her mother with the cooking and her father and sister with the decorating that she had just now had time to actually get ready. But time was no barrier, especially since she hardly took ten minutes to get ready on a daily basis. She was interrupted from applying her mascara when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," The girl screwed the cap back onto the bottle and looked in the mirror.

"Hey, Bell," Wood pushed open the door and closed it again, sitting on the bed.

"Oliver," Katie turned on the little stool to face him. "I wasn't expecting you until later,"

The Keeper shrugged, smoothing out the pale yellow comforter beneath his hands. "I talked my parents into coming here right after dinner. Everyone's downstairs, mingling with the other guests."

"Well," The Chaser stood and opened her Hogwarts trunk, rummaging through the clothes she hadn't seen a point in unpacking. "Let me put on my dress robes and we can make a grand entrance together," She flashed him a brilliant smile and turned her back.

Wood shyly averted his eyes as Katie pulled her shirt up over her head and shrugged the garnet colored robes over her shoulders. He had no idea why he was suddenly so bashful; they had bathed together as children, for crying out loud! He should be used to having her change in front of him. But that hadn't happened for a while. Some things were a bit…different now. Before he really had a chance to ponder down this trail of thought, the girl cleared her throat.

"Okay," She grinned at him, gesturing to his own fiery orange and gold robes. "Quite a pair we make, hmm?"

"Yes, indeed," He let his eyes trail over her, taking in every inch of her appearance. He was reminded again of just how much he loved her. "You look beautiful," Taking a deep breath, Wood stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her muscular waist.

Katie smiled again, something she had caught herself doing quite often. "Thank you,"

"You're always beautiful, you know that?" He leaned down until his lips were almost brushing hers.

"I think you may have mentioned it once or twice," the girl mumbled as she looked up into his chocolate eyes.

"Katie, I want to tell you something," Oliver pressed his lips to her cheek, letting the kiss linger for a moment before pulling back and meeting her eyes again.

"What is it?" She felt her heart fluttering in her chest as he moved even closer, if that were even possible.

Wood lifted one of his hands and let his fingers trail lightly across the cheek where his mouth had been before running slowly down her neck. "I think I -"

He had hardly started speaking when the door flew open. "Katie -" Artemisia stopped, her mouth dropping open. "Oh, well, I can see that you're a bit…preoccupied at the moment," Her eyebrows raised to meet her light bangs.

The two Gryffindors looked at her with wide eyes. "Mia, please…"

"Oh, right," The older girl took the hint. "I just came up to say that mum wants you to come on down," She winked at her sister before slipping back out the door.

Katie turned back to the Keeper. "Sorry about her…she tends to barge in without knocking…" She gave him a lopsided grin. "Now what is it you were going to say?"

Wood looked away, color rising in his cheeks. There was nothing for it; the mood was broken. "It was nothing," He released her and offered his arm as he had done before. "Shall we?"

The Chaser nodded. "We shall," She looped her own arm through his and together they walked to the stairs, pausing at the landing.

"I see Mia has already made herself reacquainted with Noah," Oliver whispered in her ear, tilting his head toward his own older sibling. Artemisia and Noah Wood were sitting quite close together on a little loveseat by the far window in the parlor. They were nearly unnoticed by the large group of witches and wizards gathered all around on the ground floor.

"Well, I guess we both have blackmail then," Katie smirked.

Wood chuckled but didn't have a chance to say anything when Elizabeth Bell caught sight of her daughter. "Katherine, dear, there you are," The woman shouldered her way through the growing crowd and came to the bottom of the stairs. "Come on down, sweetie, there are some people here I want you to meet." With that, she had disappeared into the throng toward a group congregating in the foyer.

Katie sighed. "I hate parties," she muttered under her breath. "Why don't I go meet the people mum wants me to meet and find you somewhere in a few minutes?" She turned back to him, glancing up at the ceiling as she did so.

"Okay," Oliver nodded. "I'll wait for you in the dining room, then?"

"Sounds good," She patted his cheek and started to go down the stairs. Before he could follow, though, Katie turned back to him, going back up the stair she had descended. Without warning, she pulled his face down to hers and pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss. Just as quickly, she pulled back and went down the stairs to join her mother.

Wood stared after her, baffled. He looked to the ceiling, a thought occurring to him. A bit of mistletoe was hanging just over his head. Sighing, he descended the stairs and made his way to the dining room. The dark table was covered in a red and green tablecloth, food laid out on top in a buffet style. There was an array of different foods, from ham and turkey to any dessert you could imagine. Smells wafted around the dark-paneled room, tempting most anyone who stepped inside to taste something.

Oliver swallowed and took a seat by a curtained window. Snow was still falling from the sky, covering the ground with a fresh sheet. Christmas was his favorite holiday. Not because of the presents -though they were nice- but because of the happiness that seemed to come with it. Snow was always a nice companion to the occasion. As he gazed outside, he nervously fingered the little box in the pocket of his heavy robes. He had been saving every coin he had for this… Maybe he'd even have the courage to spill his heart to her, as he had almost done earlier.

"Nice to see you again, Oliver,"

He looked up, startled at the deep voice. It was Edward Bell, Katie's father, and the parent from whom Katie got most of her looks. Wood nodded politely. "Likewise,"

Mr. Bell ran an overly large hand through his dark blond hair. "How have you been keeping up at school?" he asked, taking a seat beside the teen and leaning his tall frame against the back of the chair. "Still captain of you house team?"

"Yes, sir," Wood smiled at the mention of the sport.

"Good for you," Edward nodded approvingly. "I always knew you'd be good at Quidditch. You've got the build and stamina for it, not to mention the devotion. I'm sure you'll get a spot on a professional team by the end of the year."

The Gryffindor was at a loss, quite unsure of how to reply. He was saved, though, when Katie suddenly appeared before the two. "Hi Daddy," she said with a smile.

Mr. Bell stood and patted his daughter's shoulder. "You have good taste in friends, sweetie," He pointed to the Keeper. "You hold on to this one,"

Katie blushed and ducked her head. "Daddy,"

The man chucked. "Have fun," He kissed the girl's forehead and went off in search of his wife.

Katie sat in the seat that had been vacated. "He wasn't bothering you, was he?"

Wood shook his head. "I like your father,"

"I'm glad," The Chaser smiled. "Would you like to go someplace a bit more private?" she asked softly, keeping her eyes locked on his.

He was taken by surprise at the question. He was almost afraid to wonder what was going to happen. Quickly squelching the nervousness that had sprung up in his chest, he nodded.

"Let's go back up to my room," Katie stood and extended her hand, which he grasped with his own. "I have something for you,"

She gently pulled him to his feet and led him through the swinging door into the kitchen. No one was inside and the two went up the small stairway. Once they came to her room, she opened the door and let him go on in as she closed the door behind them.

"Have a seat," she said, gesturing to the bed. As he did so, she went to her desk and opened one of the drawers, pulling out a wrapped parcel. "Here,"

Wood took the present from her and pulled the wrapping off. He gasped as the gift was revealed. It was an old, pen written book , the title - The History of Quidditch, First Addition: 1873 - was painted on the cover in peeling gold paint, a little Snitch decorating the lower right hand corner. He opened the book and ran his fingers over the browning pages, covered in a flowing script, complete with illustrations.

Katie smiled. "Do you like it?"

He looked up at her, an awed expression on his face. "I love it,"

"I'm glad," She looked over his shoulder as he flipped through some of the pages.

"Oh, Kates," He reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Thank you so much,"

Katie's smile turned slightly melancholy. "Something special for our last Christmas together," She rested her head against his chest. "I'm going to miss you,"

Wood looked down at her questioningly. "What makes you think that this is our last Christmas together?"

The girl shook her head before settling back against him. "I know it's silly…but it is our last year at Hogwarts. We might loose touch over the next few years,"

The Keeper put a finger over her lips. "We still have a few more months left; let's not think of all that yet." He reached into his pocket for the gift he had brought for her, easing her back a bit as he handed it to her.

Katie looked at him, her lips turning back upward, and took the lid off the box. Her eyes widened at what lay inside. It was a shining silver ring, crafted in the shape of little leaves and vines opening up to a rose at the center. She picked it up, the bright metal catching the soft light in her room and making it glow. Tentatively, she slid the slim ring on her right hand, holding it up and taking in the sight of the precious silver against her pale skin. "It's beautiful," she breathed.

Wood just watched her, smiling widely at her reaction. After a moment, the girl pulled her watering eyes from the gorgeous gift and met his gaze. "I don't know what to say," She shook her head. "Thank you,"

The box dropped to the floor as she threw her arms around his neck in another embrace. She buried her face in his neck, tears now falling freely from her eyes. "Thank you, thank you, thank you,"

The Keeper wrapped his own arms around her. "You're welcome,"

Katie pulled back just enough for her face to be even with his. "Thank you, Oliver," She brushed her fingers down the side of his face before pulling him closer. She closed her eyes, squeezing the last of the salty water from the lashes, and kissed him fully on the mouth.

Oliver felt his heart nearly explode with emotion. He let his hand stray up her back and neck. She slowly deepened the kiss, parting her lips and letting her tongue trace his upper lip. By now, he was swimming through a haze, so overwhelmed by what was happening, and he didn't know how to respond to such an open display of affection. Tell her… his mind nagged. He decided against it and pushed the thought away. At a light pressure from her persistent tongue, he accepted the invitation and opened his mouth to give her the access she wanted.

He nipped lightly at her lips before breaking the contact there and trailing feather-light kisses down her neck, sucking slightly when he met her shoulder. He pushed her robe away from the skin to give him more room, letting his lips touch everywhere the ivory was exposed. The smell of her was intoxicating, leaving him wanting more. She brought him back up to kiss her face, returning the favor by moving her own mouth across his jaw, pressing her lips randomly to his skin. The thought hardly crossed her mind that they were really getting carried away.

Suddenly Wood jerked back as though he'd been shot. Katie's eyes flew open, worried she had done something wrong. Then she realized why he had stopped. Footsteps could be heard walking down the hall toward her room. Both Gryffindors sprang from the bed just as the door opened to reveal Mrs. Bell.

"Oliver, honey," she said, smiling, "You're parents are looking for you. They're ready to go on home now."

Wood swallowed harshly before answering. "Okay. Thank you,"

Elizabeth eyed the two suspiciously before she left, leaving the door open.

Katie coughed and dropped her eyes almost shyly. The Keeper turned toward her, redirecting the gaze by lifting her chin. "Happy Christmas," he whispered into her ear before kissing her cheek. "Goodnight," He left without waiting for her response.

The girl watched as he walked out of her room. She listened as his footsteps receded down the hall and descended the stairs into the foyer. Once she heard the gracious thanks from her parents to the Wood family and the front door open and close, she closed her own door and rushed to her desk to write a long overdue letter to Angelina.

Once she had finished with that, Katie hid the parchment beneath some of the other things on the desk, away from prying eyes. She stood and walked to the full-length mirror on her closet door. As though to remind herself of what had just happened, she pulled the collar of the robes down, revealing a light-colored bruise on the skin where her neck met her shoulder.

"Good Lord," she mumbled as she stared at her reflection, "I love him so much,"

Now for the long list of thanks to my reviewers. =D

Kalyra Shadowdancer: You gave me my 200th review! YES! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. =D

Rosie: Thanks!

Alex: I haven't given up. =) Thanks for your review for this story and my Matrix ones.

Whippy Bird: Thank you so much for your encouragement!

PuddlemereSurprise: Yes, you did help. Thanks. =)

Hayla A. Canter: .::Blush::. Thank you.

Lady Idhril: Isn't Oliver just so cute? Now why don't you trust little Lexi? I agree with you about Flint and Natasha. They both need to get a change of attitude. Once I'm finished writing, you can do anything you want to them. Mwhahaha!

Munchyhoneycakes: I'm glad that you like the length of the chapters. I always try to fit as much as I can into them with out overstuffing. Thank you for your compliments. =)

Demetre Ironhilt: Yeah, we Jews need to stick together. I'm glad you like the chapter length.

IHopeForAnarchy: If I can find a bridge, I will definitely shove her off.

DiscordandDragon: Thanks! =)

Kathy: Yeah, I think Oliver and Katie are perfect for each other. Thanks for your review.

Mep1: Gee, thank you. .::Shuffles feet and looks down::.

Colorado-chick: Thanks for your review!

Shayley Rain: =D

Winter's Roar: The whole thing with Flint and the twins cracked me up the whole time I was writing it. =D And again, Oliver looses his nerve, leaving those three relatively important words unspoken. Thanks for the review!

Swimgirl: Can I have a cookie now? =P

Tara6: It makes me happy that you like my little story. =)

Amanda Lupin: I'm glad you think the length of the chapters makes the long wait worth it. And maybe there is something between Percy and Alicia…I'll have to ask them.

XxGREEN BAYxx/Jen: Thanks. Was this a bit hot enough? Hehehe…

VoicezWithin: Thank you so much for your compliments! =D

Eowebriviel: I'm glad you thought it was worth it. =)

Aussie: I'm glad you like it!

Lady Laffs-a-Lot: The first, but not the last. Hehe..

Cho-Look-Alike: I'm glad you like it. =D

Forensicfreak14: Congrats again on the Musical! I hope the sets were to your liking. I worked very hard on them, as did the rest of the Art Club! Thanks for your compliments.

Sammie Tonks: Thank you! I would go with the rape thing, but it's a really touchy subject (and been used before). I'm sorry about the wait. I hope it was worth it!

Alwaysremember: Thanks for your review. =) Go band!

Oohwhatnow: Another Linda Eder fan! Yay! And you know the album the title came from! Finally someone who does… Thanks for your compliments as well. Now, what would you like as a reward for answering my question? =)