Disclaimer: Not own HP anymore than I own the world.

Chapter 7: Jealousy Leads to a Fight

Summary: Katie decides to go with Roger. Oliver respects her decision but is disappointed all the same.

A/N: I decided on Roger, since it would go well with my plot, also because most family and reviewers want it to be.

Katie lay in bed, debating with herself. Oliver or Roger? Oliver was her best friend, but he liked her now. Roger was her friend (she thought) and new-crush. Both liked her, so which one?

Al and Angie looked worriedly at their good friend. Try as they may, they could not help decide for Katie.

Katie stood up suddenly.

"I'm going with Roger."

Al asked,"Why?"

"Well, Ollie's my best friend and I can go with him anytime, but Roger is my crush and this might be his only offer…" Katie babbled.

Angie went to comfort her. "Look, Katie. Oliver would understand, OK?"

Katie wiped her eyes on her sleeve and thanked Merlin for her friends. Al and Angie offered to go down with her, but Katie refused stubbornly.

Oliver was sitting on the couch, staring blankly into the fiery flames. Katie swallowed, thinking that perhaps it would have been easier with her friends backing her up.

"Ollie?" her voice sounded strangled.

Oliver turned to see Katie in her nightgown. Merlin, she was pale, he thought.

"Hmm?" Innocent enough.

Katie had heard the sound many times before, a Scottish growl in his throat. It made her feel stronger.

"I…uh…I…" Damn it, she was stuttering like a small child!

"Hmm?" Oliver looked puzzled.

"IcantgotoHogsmeadewithyousorry," Katie blurted.

Oliver looked crestfallen. Since he had also talked that way earlier, he could decipher her words. He nodded, looking away.

"I'm sorry," Katie whispered, hating herself at that moment.

As she turned to go, Oliver asked very softly, "Why?"

Katie's throat constricted.

"I'm going with Roger," she rasped, her throat dry.

"Oh." He looked away, hiding the tear that threatened to drop.

"Good…goodnight," Katie said softly.

"Yeah…" he muttered.

As the dorm door closed, the tear from the boy's brown eye dropped onto the carpet.

:::Halloween Feast:::

Katie felt miserable. She had had a wonderful time with Roger, but after seeing Oliver's sad face, the whole date seemed all wrong.

Al and Angie looked on anxiously as Katie pushed her plate away, muttered an excuse and ran away. Both knew what the real reason was.

:::Quidditch Practice:::

Katie trudged to the wet Pitch. It was a week after the outing and she still felt unhappy. Oliver had not spoken to her since, which made her sad.

"BELL! Why are you so late?!" Oliver yelled at her, hair dripping with rain. "We have our match next Saturday, if you haven't noticed!"

Well, except yelling at her during Quidditch practices.

Katie did not answer. She grabbed her broom and took off silently. The Weasleys, Al and Angie shot Oliver death glares. The two girls had explained everything to the twins.

Everyone was silent throughout the practice. Katie cried silently, the rain masking her tears.

:::Common Room:::

Katie went up to her dorm for an early sleep. Al and Angie went with her, winking at the twins solemnly.

Oliver was on the couch, going over his plays. Nearly everyone was gone, save him and the Weasleys.

"So Oliver, why are you so mean to Katie?" Fred demanded bluntly.

"Huh?" Oliver was genuinely baffled.

"You've been treating her like a stranger and she's really hurt," George added.

"It's worse, seeing that her Gram died just yesterday," Fred looked infuriated.

"WHAT?" Oliver shouted. "Why didn't she tell me?"

"Oh, because you were giving her the cold shoulder and making her feel like she's the worst friend in the world?" George suggested.

Oliver buried his face in his hands.

"She even avoids Roger like the plague now," Fred told him.

"Why can't you just let her have her pleasures, Oliver?" George asked.

"We know you have had a crush on her since fifth year but this isn't the way to do it!" Fred said.

"Think about her feelings, Oliver," George advised.

"Think about it," the twins left, satisfied with their speech.

Oliver sat on the couch, as he did every night, just thinking.

:::Great Hall:::

Katie sat looking at her plate. Al and Angie tried to persuade her to eat. She relented a little, munching on a bit of toast.

Her owl, Snowflake, flew down to her. Katie immediately reached out to stroke her. Snowflake dipped her beak into Katie's water and hooted softly. Katie took the two letters from her leg and let the snow-white owl fly away.

Unrolling the parchment, she read the first letter.

Dear Katie,

We have talked to Oliver for you. He seemed to wake up, but we can't guarantee anything.

Give him a day. If he does not apologize by then, forget him and go on.

Your friends,

Messrs. Fred and George Weasley.

Katie smiled. The second parchment was from Roger.

Dear Katie,

I've noticed that you've been avoiding me lately. Whatever the reason, I hope it would not jeopardize our relationship.

Secondly, I've heard about the demise of your grandmother and am very sorry. If you ever need a shoulder, you can count on me to lend you one.

Forever yours,

Roger.

Katie was touched and sniffed. She looked for Roger's face. Their eyes met and she smiled, a lovely smile.

Oliver looked up at that very moment. His heart filled with jealousy as he watched Katie.

:::Common Room, Katie's POV:::

I read and re-read Roger's note. Al and Angie were very much relieved as I took the twins' advice.

"Roger's such a sweet guy," Al said dreamily.

"Yeah. Katie, you are so lucky!" Angie congratulated me.

I grinned at both of them. Within moments, the grin was gone. I looked away as Oliver's shadow fell on us.

"Katie, I need to tell you something," he said.

I remained silent, staring at the nearest cushion. He repeated the sentence. This time, I responded.

"OK, tell me."

"I meant in private."

"Either you tell me now or don't tell me."

"Alright. Katie, don't date Roger."

I stared at him. He was completely out of his mind.

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Because he'll want you to tell him all our plays."

I could not believe it. The gall of him!

"Roger wouldn't do such a thing!" I stood up slowly.

"What IF he does? I can't afford it!" Oliver was beginning to shout, attracting other people's attention.

"Oh, I see! You'd rather I lose my boyfriend than the Cup!"

"Yes!"

I felt tears on my cheeks, though I had no memory of crying. I could not believe that my best friend would be that selfish to me. Drawing my hand back, I slapped Oliver on the cheek.

"I never want to talk to you ever again!" I ran up to the dorm.

:::End Katie's POV:::

Oliver held his hand to his stinging cheek.

SLAP! Angie slapped his other cheek.

"What did you do that for!" he bellowed.

"Katie." She answered defiantly, walking up to the dorm.

"Oliver, you are definitely pissing off every girl in here. Especially Katie," Al told Oliver frankly. "To me, if Angie hadn't slapped you, I'd done it."

Turning on her heel, she walked up.

Oliver was left alone to think.

A/N: Whew! Finally, this is all written out. I had nightmares about this one. I think it's cheesy and that Oliver's a little not-himself. Sigh R&R!

Thank you to all my reviewers!