Barrowing the world of JKR
Chapter 10.
It was easily some of the best flying she had ever seen. Harry Potter against that Dragon in the first task. Even sense she had been civil with two of the meanest Slytherin's (who were out of school), and had confronted her brother and his wife the time seemed to pass faster. It was not that it was better, it was just that she did not think on it as much.
The next thing she knew she was surrounded by giggling girls and about who was going with whom to this silly Yule Ball. Katie knew she really had no one to with. Oliver was in no way able to come, and other than that she really did not care.
"So it was really sweet. I know Adam and I are dating but he handed me a rose and a note. I then had to follow to clue all the way up to the one that asked me to the Ball." Ali was grinning ear to ear holding a dozen roses. She was telling Katie (for the 3rd time) about how romantic Adam was. This time she was sitting in the common room trying to focus on her work.
"Oh Katie I wish you had someone as nice as Adam."
"I did, but he loves Quidditch more." Katie answered and got up. "I'm going to the, going somewhere." She muttered as she walked out of the common room. Taking a step out she paused and leaned against the wall taking a deep breath in.
"You alright Kates?" It was Fred giving her a bit of a puzzled look.
"Yea alright you?" She asked.
"Alright." Fred walked over. "Why are you out here?"
"I needed some air, and I could not stand hearing about how Adam ask Ali to the ball one more time." She smiled. "Asking Ang?"
Fred only grinned and walked away. Katie laughed and headed down the stairs.
"Miss Bell." It was Moody. "Professor Dumbledore needs to see you."
"Pardon?" She asked always feeling a bit nervous around Moody.
"You heard me right girl." He snapped. "Now go on get before I make you go."
"Yes sir." Katie nodded and started to walk to Dumbledore's office. She wondered what on earth she could have done this time.
"Katie." Dumbledore smiled as she reached his office. "Please come up."
Katie nodded and followed him into his office, when he pointed for her to sit she did so.
"I understand this might be a bit hard for you." He looked rather seriously at her. "But I believe it is better for me to break the news to you than anyone else."
"Sir?"
"I've just received word that your brother and his wife died in a boating accident just off the coast of the Isle of Sky." Dumbledore looked at the shocked girl sitting across from him. "I always find it better to be honest rather than to hide the truth."
"When?"
"Yesterday."
"Do my parents know?"
"I would assume so."
"The Woods?"
"Yes. Mr. and Mrs. Wood know what has happened. They offered to let you come to their house for a few days if you would like."
"School. I can't stop my life." Katie looked up into his eyes. "I may have been having problems with him, but I know he would never forgive me if I did not keep living."
"Very well."
"Is their going to be a funeral?" She asked, but the second after she realized how dumb that was to ask, her brother insisted that he did not want a funeral, and would rather have people just keep going on with their lives.
"I believe for Samantha Bell."
"I know Gavin does not want one." She swallowed trying to take in everything that had just happened. It seemed unreal, was she dreaming? Well she wished she had been, but she was not.
"Katie?" Dumbledore asked after 5 minutes of looking at the girl.
"Sorry sir I'll get out of your way." She got up and took a deep breath in.
"Katie you're not in my way, and if you need anything feel free to ask."
"Thank you sir." She said as she walked out of his office to see McGonagall waiting for her.
"Katie would you like to stay in the hospital wing tonight?"
"No thank you, I just want to go to my room." She looked dazed and puzzled.
"Very well."
"Thank you." Katie muttered and started to the tower. Walking into the common room she nearly walked straight into Sean.
"Katie." He looked at her extremely worried. "What's wrong."
"Gavin, Samantha, Isle of Sky, dead." Was all she made out before she flung her arms around him and nearly burst into tears.
Sean really did not know what to say, in fact he really just wanted to take her pain away, but he also knew that Katie really wanted Oliver.
Most of Katie's friends, and even a few who were not friends stopped and looked at her worried. Sean only told her close friends what was wrong. Katie stayed in his arms for at least an hour letting her tears fall.
She wondered what her parents would say, or if they would even contact her.
"I'm going to bed." She said finally walking up the girls stairs. As she walked into her room she saw a letter had been left on her bed.
She sat down on her bed, cross legged, facing the center of the room was when she received the first letter from her father.
Katie,
I know losing your brother is hard on us all. Your mother and I have talked it over and we believe that you should come live with us in America for the summer.
I talked your mother into letting you stay at Hogwarts, but I do believe that it is best for you to live with us. We have a room set up for you and everything.
Please write.
Your Father.
"No way in bloody hell am I going to live with you." She snapped reaching for some parchment and a quill.
Father,
I am very happy living with the Woods, and I have no need to leave them. They have taken me in as one of their own and I feel at home there.
When I got the news of Gavin the first thing I thought was how I wanted to go see my family. And my family is in Scotland, The Woods. You lost me the second you shoved me on Gavin.
I love you because you are my father, and I love my mother, only because she is my mother. I have not seen either of you for years, and neither of you even remembered my birthday this year.
I would be more than happy to have you both come visit me, but I will not be coming to the states.
Your Daughter,
Katie.
With that she jumped up and snuck through to common room running head long into Harry.
"Oh sorry Harry." Katie muttered as she started to walk past him.
"Katie?" He looked blankly at her. "You alright?
"I'm fine." She lied. "Just need to send a letter."
"Take Hedwig she needs a job."
"It's to America."
"That's fine." He smiled.
"You look awfully upset is everything ok with Wood?"
"Yes." She smiled. "My brother died." And with that she turned. "Thanks Potter."
Harry looked after her for a moment before Hermione dragged him away.
Katie walked up and found Harry's Owl.
"Hello." She smiled at the owl. "Harry said that you needed a trip. This goes to Mr. Bell in America." She said as she tied the letter onto the owl.
As Hedwig took off Katie sighed. Turning she was not sure she really wanted to walk back into the tower yet. So she looked around the owlery at all of the owls. It was amazing to see how many there were.
"Katie?" Cedric Diggory asked as he walked in.
"Hi." She gave a weak smile.
"I heard." He opened his arm and pulled her into his arms. "I'm really sorry T."
"No worries." Katie managed to say as she tried to fight the tears. "I hear you asked Cho."
"Yea." Katie pulled away to a very wide smile on Cedric's face.
"I'm happy for you Dig."
"How about you? Going with Sean?"
"I am trying to get him to take Emily." She sighed. "Emily kind of likes him."
"Emily likes the guys who like you Miss T."
"I noticed." She said and let him hug her one more time.
"Call on me if you need anything."
"I will, but I see Cho, go talk to her." Katie smiled and pushed her friend in the direction of Cho Chang.
"What did Katie need?" Cho asked somewhat glaring at Katie.
"She needed a hug." Cedric answered. "She lost a family member."
"Oh." Cho looked back at Katie and than took Cedric's hand.
"He's not my type anyway." Katie sighed as she herself turned to walk back towards the tower.
"Thank god." George said running up to her wrapping her into a hug. She really started to wish that people would stop hugging her…
