Chapter 11.
Katie,
My mother sent me an owl the second she found out, are you ok? I wanted to come to Hogwarts to see you but I have the match and I know you would yell at me…
But if you want me to come, I'll be there in a second. I also heard about the letter from your father, I can't believe now he wants you to come live with them. Well I guess it makes sense but I am really worried.
I don't know what to say to make things better, I wish I could just hold you…
Love,
Your Oliver.
Katie read the letter five times before putting it on her bedside table.
"Kates." It was Ang. "Sean's really worried about you. I know it's been a few days sense you even talked to anyone, and I don't want to be a bother, but we're all worried."
"Thanks Ang." She smiled standing up.
"Ok." Ang put an arm around her friend as they walked down to the common room.
"Katie." Sean nearly screamed, causing everyone in the common room to look up at her.
"Hey Sean." Katie managed to smile.
"Are you ok?"
"I'll be alright." She answered. "Have you asked Emily yet?"
"Yes." He smiled. "It was nice to see her so happy!"
"Good." Katie smiled. "I'm actually not going to the Ball. I'm going to go visit my family."
"In America?" Sean's eyes went wide.
"I have too."
"Oh."
"Don't worry you'll have a good time." Katie smiled and punched her friend's arm lightly.
"Yea! Yea." He laughed and slung her over his shoulder and carried her to a couch setting her down. A few moment's letter all of her friends had showed up and they sat around laughing.
The days you leading up to end of term were really rather normal. It seemed that everyone Katie knew spent the time trying to get her to laugh. Which was rather easy being that she had always been the type to laugh easily.
Fred and George spent time coaching a few of the first years on what made Katie laugh, which some of the things were just to odd that you would have to be either daft or a Slytherin not to laugh.
Finally it came time for her to go. Everyone she knew was staying, she was one of maybe 10, 4 year and up who was on the train. It made for a rather boring train ride, but she had time to think. She would stay with the Woods for 2 nights, than go to her parent's house in the states for as long as she felt she needed too. Katie really did not want to go, at least not alone, but she said she would, so she had too.
"Um… Katie Bell?" A first year Gryffindor asked as she stepped in Katie's compartment. "I was wondering if I could sit in here."
"Of course, you alright?" Katie looked at the girl rather worried.
"I… I just thought I'd be safer in here." The girl barely got out, she was clearly fighting tears.
"Safe from what?"
"Matthew Flint." The girl nearly broke into tears by his name.
"A Flint aye?" Katie sighed.
The girl nodded.
"Come here." Katie took the girls hand. "Show me where this Flint is."
"But—"
"Don't worry." Katie smiled at the girl. "Afterwards I'll teach you a few good tricks on how to deal with a Flint in the hallways."
"Ok." The girl looked a bit better and walked Katie to where a group of first year Slytherin boys were sitting. "He's—"
"The one that looks like his brother." Katie finished. "Yes I knew, well know Marcus."
"And that's Sam Higgs—"
"And all the old team's little brothers. Well most of them." Katie sighed blinking at them. It was like watching history repeat itself.
"Sorry?" The girl asked.
"No worries." She smiled and pushed open the compartment. "Let's see we've got a Flint, and a Higgs."
"Yea, so who the bloody hell are you." The young Flint sneered at her.
"I'm this girls older sister." She nodded in direction to the girl who squeezed her hand. "And I hear you've been as bad as your brother. Not a road I would advice following. Last I looked every disliked the lot of your brothers."
"What would you know, you're just a Gryffindor."
"A Gryffindor Chaser." Katie corrected.
To her surprise Higgs and Flint eyes widened.
"We, we wont mess with her." Flint looked rather worried.
"Good our I'll let the Weasley twins know who to test new things on." At that all the boys looked extremely worried. "Oh and Higgs tell your brother you nearly sent me into a rage."
Katie smiled at the girl next to her and walked her back to her compartment.
"What's your name anyways?" Katie asked as they sat back down.
"Michelle Page." She smiled. "So how do I deal with them?"
Katie spent the rest of the trip teaching Michelle Page how to trip a Slytherin, and how annoy them the best. As they pulled up to King's Cross Katie helped the girl out, and find her parents.
"I'm Katie Bell." She said to the girls mother.
"Its nice to meet you Katie." She smiled. "And thank you for watching Michelle here."
"She ran into a few bullies, whose older brother's used to try and bully me, I gave her a few tips."
"The Flints." Mrs. Page sighed. "Their father was awful to me at school, from what I hear Marcus is the worst of them."
"I think Marcus has a shot at coming around." Katie said which even shocked her. "Well it was great to meet you. And Michelle I'll see you in a few weeks." She hugged the girl and turned around nearly walking straight into Marcus and Matthew Flint.
"I might be able to come around?" Marcus gave a rather smug smirk, but he's eyes showed a bit of surprise.
"Giving you the benefit of the doubt. I believe in the good of people." She gave a sweet smile and pushed past him.
"Katie." Marcus called. She turned and looked at him for a moment. He opened his mouth to say something but shut it and gave her a true smile.
"Just do me a favor, get your brother to lay of Michelle Page." Katie smiled. "And have a good holiday."
"You too." He sighed and Katie could hear him asking who Michelle Page was to his brother. Katie finally found Mr. and Mrs. Wood.
"Katie dear are you ok? I've been so worried." Mrs. Wood hugged her tightly, and than Mr. Wood hugged her almost tighter.
"I'm ok I just need a good night's sleep. Can we go home?" She asked which caused both of the Woods to beam.
Mrs. Wood cooked an amazing dinner, and told Katie that Oliver would be home tomorrow. They also had a long talk about where she wanted to live. Her answer caused both the Woods to smile even though they kept asking if that is really what she wanted.
The next day when Oliver came home Katie could not have been happier to see him. She jumped into his arms the second he walked into her room and would not let go of him for at least 20 minutes. Not that he was complaining or anything. He was worried about her, and missed her something awful.
"I know you have to go to see your parents tomorrow, but will you be back for Christmas?" Oliver asked hopeful.
"Honestly Ollie I don't know what's going to happen. I would rather spend Christmas here, this is my home, not some place where my parents happen too live. They were kind enough to give me money, but that's all they have ever really done." Katie shrugged and curled up into Oliver's arms and fell asleep.
Before she knew she was standing in front of the Woods fire place with a bag and Oliver wrapped around her. He did not want to let her go.
"Oliver I have to go." She sighed leaning back into him a bit.
"You sure seem to want to leave." He gave a weak smile.
"The sooner I leave the sooner I can come home." She sighed turning in his arms letting her head rest on his chest.
"Ok." He muttered. He kissed the top of her head and let her go.
"I'll see you soon." Katie smiled and kissed his check. She sighed and stepped into the fire. "Bell American Residence."
In a flash of green light she stepped out of the fireplace to see a large living room and a house elf waiting for her.
"Miss Bell?" The house elf asked.
"Yea." She rolled her eyes.
"Is I in trouble?" The elf asked.
"Oh no, I was just wondering why my parents were not here to meet me." Katie smiled at the rather nervous elf.
"They is out with the Flints." The elf answered.
"The who?" Katie blinked.
"The Flints." The elf repeated.
"Ok." Katie sighed.
"If you will follow me to your room Miss." The elf turned taking Katie's bag and leading her out the left door and down a hallway to the room at the end of the hall.
All the doors were closed except for one that seemed to lead to the kitchen and of course where the stairs were.
"This your room." The elf opened to door waiting for Katie to walk in. "I hope you like it Miss. I decorated it with things that seemed to repeat in the photo albums you give Master."
The room was all red and gold, with the Gryffindor crest everywhere. Not to mention all the brooms, and quaffles.
"It's amazing." She looked to the elf with a soft smile. "What's your name?"
"Pacifico." The elf answered a bit nervous.
"It's amazing." She smiled.
"Thank you Miss."
"Please call me Katie."
"Yes Mi—I mean Katie." Pacifico smiled. "Do you need help unpacking?"
"Honestly I don't think I have enough to unpack." She sighed.
"Well if you have dress robes, Master wanted you to look nice for dinner tonight." The elf looked nervous. "They are having a welcome dinner for you with, with friends."
"Friends?"
"Yes." The elf looked scared.
"Are you alright?"
"I can't.." The elf started to mutter over and over again.
"The friends are mean?" Katie sighed. "Please speak freely around me Pac, can I call you Pac?"
The elf seemed excited at the idea of a nick name and jumped up and down. "Of course Katie."
"Good."
"I am your elf by the way." The elf smiled. "I was told that you are to be my main master from now on."
"I take it they don't like you much?" Katie asked.
"I'm always punished." The elf looked nervous.
"Well let them think what they wish." Katie smiled. "The room is amazing. And perhaps when I leave I can take you with me."
"Thank you Katie." The elf bowed. "I need to get back to work."
"Have fun." Katie smiled.
"Oh and if you could be ready in an hour your escort will be waiting outside your room at 6 sharp."
"Escort?"
"Yes it is a formal party, you mother picked out an escort for you."
"Great." Katie sighed. "Thank you Pac."
The elf left leaving Katie to unpack her things and get ready for this party. She sighed putting on the robes Marcus got her, she let her hair down with lose curls and a even put some make up on. She never knew how uptight her family was, come to think of it she never knew what house her parents were in. She knew Gavin had been a Ravenclaw, but she never knew what her parents were.
A few minutes before 6 she sighed and looked at herself in the mirror, she was actually shocked at how good the robes looked on her. She could not help but laugh and look around her room. It was amazing how much time Pac put into it. Then a thought came to her, who exactly was her date?
Knock, knock. She sighed looking at her door.
"Guess I get to find out." She muttered as she got up, completely forgetting to put shoes on. As she opened the door she found she was not to surprised, "Flint."
Marcus was a few steps away form the door holding a white rose. His mouth dropped open at him and than he gave her a true smile.
Katie laughed and walked out of her room. "Flint you might want to try saying something."
"You look good Bell." He managed to say and held out the rose.
"Thanks." She took it and looked him up and down, he was wearing a navy blue dress robes. "You actually don't dress up to bad yourself."
She laughed at the shocked looked on his face and took his forearm.
"Katie you don't have shoes." He stated.
"Oh well." She answered with a shrug. "Who ever said shoe's we're important?"
Marcus laughed and looked down at her.
"What?" She looked up determined to have a good time.
"I've never seen you like this." He answered.
"I've never been in a situation like this. And the last time I saw my parents I was 9." She sighed. "I know nothing about them, and they very little of me."
He nodded and led her to the ballroom with ease.
"Been here before?" Katie asked looking around at all of the paintings and such. Marcus chuckled and nodded yes. "Oh." She paused just before they reached stairs that would take her down. "Marcus I can't do this."
"Yes you can." He said oddly soft.
"Right." She took a breath. "Ok Mr. Flint."
Katie plastered a bright smile on her face and gripped onto Marcus's arm. He gave a sideways glance and could not help but smile.
"Presenting Mr. Marcus Flint and Ms. Katie Bell." A voice said as they walked down the stairs.
The room stopped and looked up at them. Katie managed to keep a smile on her face as she looked around the room.
A couple walked up to the center. It was clearly Katie's parents, she had her father's eyes, and her mother's hair, but the rest of her looked nothing like them.
As Marcus and Katie reached the last step and her parents approached, Katie never once in her life thought that she would be glad to have Marcus Flint next to her.
"Katie dear you look amazing." Her mother walked up and kissed her check.
"Amazing." Her father nodded.
"It's nice to see you both." Katie lied.
"Mrs. Bell, you would think you were Katie's sister not mother." Marcus said which caused Mrs. Bell to smile.
"Thank you Marcus." She said looking at him. "And thank you for agreeing to escort Katie here."
"My pleasure." He nodded. Katie wanted to laugh but knew it was not the place too.
"Katie how is school?" He father asked her.
"It's been good." She answered. "A bit sad that we don't have Quidditch this year, but I'm supporting Potter and Diggory." She answered.
"Potter? Harry Potter?" He mother asked.
"Yea. Harry." She smiled. "He's a good kid."
"Oh." She said. "What house are you in again Katie?"
Before she could answer Marcus cut in. "Mr. Bell if you would excuse us, Katie promised me the first dance." Mr. Bell nodded and Marcus led Katie to the dance floor. As they started to dance Katie was shocked at what a good dancer he was.
"Marcus—"
"Your parents don't know your in Gryffindor and keep it that way."
"How can they not know?" Katie looked up into his eyes, she felt like she wanted to cry, but forced a smile instead.
"Your house elf is smarter than I would like to admit." He growled at her.
"Pardon?" She looked at him. "You saw my room." She paused. "But then again they never really cared about me."
Marcus didn't know what to say to her, so he figured that he should just try and keep her away from her parents for the night.
"I take it they were both Slytherin?" Katie asked Marcus as dinner was called.
"Yes." He nodded at her and took her hand.
"Figures." She laughed noticing all the other witch's looking at Marcus and glaring at her. "Well your popular."
Marcus could not help but laugh as he pulled out her chair for her. To her disgust she had to sit next to her father. Again she could not believe that she was happy that Marcus was with her.
"Katie dear, have you thought about moving in here?" He asked her.
"Nope." Katie answered rather honestly. "I have the chance to train with some of the best Quidditch players in the world." She took a bite of salad and looked her father in the eyes.
"You have your grandfather written all over your face." Her father said with a smirk. "He was the first Bell to end up in Gryffindor."
"That makes me the second." Katie said and rolled her eyes. "Sad that my own parents still believe in old house rival bullocks and disapprove of their own daughter. I happen to be a damn good chaser, and have the chance to train with Troy, from the Ireland team." She lowered her voice. "I'll stay the night and leave in the morning."
Her father to her surprise smiled at his daughter. "Stay two nights for your mother, and we have some talking to do tomorrow. And tomorrow night the Flint's are expecting us at their home near here."
"Ok." She sighed and looked at Marcus. "You better be my escort or I might just scream."
Marcus who had been about to take a bite of chicken looked at her sideways and smirked. "I don't know Bell two nights in a row people are going to talk."
"Don't even try Flint." She gave him a bit of a glare, but her eyes were light.
He shrugged and engaged her father in conversation. It gave Katie the time to look around the room, she was shocked at how nice the house looked, and how out of place she was. She was a Gryffindor at heart, and in her soul, yet she came form a long line of Slytherin's, and yet neither of the Bell kids had gone to Slytherin.
Gavin had once told her that the hat thought about putting him in Slytherin, but Ravenclaw won out. Katie on the other hand barely had the hat on her head and Gryffindor bombed out.
"Thinking about how the hat barely touched you?" Marcus asked looking at Katie.
"That transparent?" She asked with a bit of a smile.
"At the moment yes." He answered honestly.
"We all have our times." She answered as the dinner finally ended for more dancing. She was happy that most of the other young men thought she was Flint's girl, it meant she could avoid the rest of the world.
Finally the last song ended and she would be able to go to her room, the sooner these two days ended the sooner she would be able to go home.
Marcus walked her back to her room, but on the way he showed her where a few things, like the kitchen was.
"Thanks Flint." She smiled and hugged him. She was shocked that she actually liked being held by him.
"Anything to see a Gryffindor weak." He said out of habit.
Katie let go and glared at him. "And old habits die slowly." She smiled. "We aren't on fighting teams Flint, and Oliver Wood may be my best friend, and—"
"Boyfriend?"
"No, the guy I could kind of be dating." She sighed. "But you can be quite charming for a brute."
He sighed and smiled at her.
"Glad to see that you do actually have a heart Flint." She smiled, turned and walked into her room and shut the door.
"Pac?" She called and the house elf appeared.
"Mi—Katie?" The elf asked.
"I think I've lost my mind." And with that she bonded with the house elf over her thoughts on Oliver, Sean, George, and to her surprise Marcus Flint.
"Pac are my parents, were they, Death Eaters?" She asked her eyes going wide.
"Nope. They never did." The elf answered. "But that does not mean they did not agree about pure bloods and all."
"Figured as much." She sighed and slumped into her bed and fell asleep nearly at once.
