Chapter 12 - A Dream, a Discussion, and a Kiss
Oliver's POV
Her hair was astray, falling in her smoldering green eyes as she looked down.
Cheeks were a crimson red, flushed brighter than a red sunset. She had never
looked more beautiful.
She couldn't help but have small, almost bittersweet smile on her face, and
an insignificant outburst of bitter laughter escaped from her soft, plump lips.
"I suppose I was such a fool, wasn't I?" she said mockingly. He shook his head
and took her head in his hands. She looked up into his eyes, unable to avert her own.
"You never are a fool. You are always so wonderful to me. Stop beating
your self up," he murmured, wiping her falling tears away with his thumbs.
They both broke into smiles. She let out her deep, throaty laugh (which he
adored so much).
"But can you blame me? All these years, and I didn't have a clue?" she
sighed, tears ceasing. She gazed up at him unblinkingly.
"I've waited every moment of every day since your first year. I've been patient,
patient as a boy on Christmas Eve, maybe. But I can still wait as long as you
need. I'll wait for you, my gift," he whispered into her hair, softly kissing
her ear, leaving her suddenly breathless.
"Oh Oliver, I…" she whispered, covering his hands with her own, foreheads
touching. He smirked, leaning in.
"Katie…"
"Katie…"
"Wood. Snap out of it. Now."
I awoke to the feeling of a huge slap in the face. Can somebody say ouch?
"What?" I looked around too see where I was and who my potential face slapper
was. Oh, that's swell. Still at the pitch, eh? And my attacker?
"Hello Fred," I groaned, rubbing my now probably red face. At least, the side
of it…
"We need to talk," he said flatly, sitting on the ground next to me. I looked over
at him, sighing. Oh, I knew what this one was all about.
"Look, Fred, I know what you're going to say, so.."
"Why, Wood?" he interjected, cutting me off abruptly. I laid back on the dewy
grass, resting my hands beneath my head. I thought for a good moment.
"Fred. You and I both know that I didn't actually mean it. Jealousy and man
pride got in the way. I had wanted to be George then, to feel her lips..." I said after
a few seconds of silence. I could feel the uneasiness slide off of him like a droplet of water.
"Woah, slow down there, Ollie dear. Too much. Sure, you and I both know that. But
what about Katie? She is what really matters here. Though she isn't trying, things are
very dramatic right now, and when this happens, she gets so wrapped up in the
drama that she doesn't always think with her head. She doesn't realize any of this," he
replied gently, looking at me with pity in his eyes. He was right. I almost laughed
aloud at my own stupidity.
Wow. I cannot believe that I just said a Weasley twin was right. Strike me down.
"I already heard her side. What exactly did you say to her?" he asked quietly. I
stared up at him for a second or two, thinking of where to begin.
Minutes (though what seemed like hours) passed as I told him. Fred simply stood
there, watching my every gesture and listening to my every word. A long, rather
uncomfortable silence passed between us after I finished. Finally, he spoke.
"I was just with Katie in her dorm, Oliver. She looks like hell," he stated, looking
me straight in the eye. I squirmed uncontrollably under his gaze, feelings of guilt
washing over me like a hurricane.
"What did she say?"
"A lot of things. Things that really aren't my place to say. Only when she is
ready will she tell you. She cares for you Wood. More than you know," he shrugged.
"I know," I whispered hoarsely. I sat up, hunching over my crossed legs.
"Gods I am such an asshole!" I shouted at the sky, throwing my fists in the
air. I could hear Fred chuckle. Stupid Weasley. Who happens to be right.
"No need to tell me that one Wood. I am rather disappointed in you. I would
have thought you could control your anger a lot better than what you did
today. But, I know you still care for her." I stood up, turning to face the castle.
"What do you suggest I do then Fred? Win her heart? Be the gallant white
knight of her dreams and sweep her off her feet?" I asked sarcastically.
"You know, that isn't such a bad idea. You should have done that ages ago…"
Fred trailed off.
"Hmph. It isn't that easy, you know," I snorted. I had to think of something.
Obviously.
"Fred? Do you really think I can, er, 'win her heart'?" He looked at me as if I
was the stupidest human being on the planet. Well said, Wood.
"Are you barking mad! Of course! Besides you being the block head you are,
how could she not fall for you? Or maybe, she already has fallen for you,
but you don't know that," he murmured slyly. Wait a tic!
"What? What do you know?" I asked frantically. All I got was a bit of shaking
red hair. Damn kidgeons.
"My lips are sealed. Not my business."
"I need to talk to her."
"Oh no you don't. Not tonight!" Fred held me back. Literally. I turned to face him.
"And Why not!"
"She doesn't want to see anyone tonight. Told me so herself. She needs
time to think," he replied, still clutching my robes.
"Damn."
"Damn indeed, Wood. Now. I must take thy leave and go calm the others
before all hell breaks loose. I bid you a fond farewell, Mr. Wood!" Fred
exclaimed, jumping up from his seat and prancing off into the distance.
"Oh, and I will warn you. Next time something like this happens to Katie,
your arse is mine and George's!" he yelled.
"That's reassuing."
I must indeed be careful now.
Nobody's POV
Dusk is approaching.
Eternal night dominates my realm.
Enter a world of darkness.
Enjoy your stay.
Dinner was approaching.
How fun.
"Er, where is Oliver? And Katie? And Fred?" asked Alicia, looking up from her
dinner and glancing at everyone else. Shrugs could be seen and Murmurs
of "I dunno's" could be heard throughout the group.
"Katie won't be coming to dinner. And Oliver… I am not quite sure what
he is going to do at the moment."
Fred had silently crept up to everyone at the Gryffindor table in the Great
Hall. They all looked up at him in surprise.
"Fred! What happened! Is Katie alright!" exclaimed Angelina, pulling Fred
down next to her, worried about her best friend. Fred cast sad eyes toward her.
"She will mend. After all, it was only a few words between the two, nothing
more," he shrugged.
"How can you be so careless about her feelings, when you are the only one
who knows what is even going on!" shrieked Alicia, practically pulling her hair
out. Someone seemed a bit on edge this evening…
"I am in no way careless. I care more than you think, Alicia. I just got back
from Katie's dorm, and we talked. I really can't say what about, exactly, but
I can say that she and Oliver had a huge row. He insulted her greatly. And
she took it badly. Bloody Oliver, letting his anger get in the way of rational
thinking," murmured Fred, shaking his head and leaning toward some extremely
delicious looking potatoes. The gang stared at him in shock.
"Is that all!"
Angelina snorted into her drink and glared at George.
"Is that all! I believe it is a tad bit more than 'is that all!'! Two of our best friends'
relationships are on the brink of destruction here! We must do something,"
she said firmly, leaving George sputtering and blushing. Fred turned to her and
shook his head.
"No, you misunderstand, Angie. George is quite right. As much as you may think
it is a lot, it really isn't. Oliver knows what he has to do. It is merely a matter
of how he is going to go about doing it, and whether Katie is smart enough to
realize what really matters, which I know that she is smart enough for that," he
replied calmly.
Not such a good thing to say to Angelina.
Her eyes narrowed, faced flushed red.
"What! Don't you tell me I'm misunderstanding the whole thing, Frederick!
Don't you dare!" she yelled, glaring angrily at the boy sitting next to her. Before
she could say another word, the said boy took her in his arms and held her tighter
than he ever had before, leaving Angelina stuttering.
"Er… Fred…"
"I love you, Ange."
"I love you too, Fred," she sighed, anger slowly evaporating. Lee and George
snickered at the lovesick couple. (A/N: I know this is kind of like a repeat
scene, but please, bear with me.)
"Heh… on your period, are, we, Ange?" murmured a grinning Lee. Angelina
stared at him for a moment.
"Why yes, actually. They really aren't fun, periods. You know, having to wear
the pads so you don't have to worry about the leakage…"
TWENTY MINUTES LATER
"RUN LEE! JUST RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!" exclaimed George, breaking
into a full run.
"My ears! My poor ears!" Lee yelled as he too ran after George up to
the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Wait! I haven't even finished telling you two about how dangerous
tampons can be for a girl!" wailed Angelina, starting to jog after them.
Poor boys.
Fred and Alicia stared at each other for a second. Then came the laughter.
"Oh Gods! That really… Is too much… for the boys… isn't it!" gasped Alicia,
doubling over with laughter. Fred smiled down at her.
"Yes. But I suppose they did deserve it, eh? Come on. Let us follow them
to the Common Room. At a much slower pace, of course," he replied, placing
his hand on the small of Alicia's back, ushering her out of the Great Hall.
It was at that exact moment that he looked up the stairs and saw Oliver,
panting heavily and glistening with seat from running. Though he kept walking
with an oblivious Alicia, he and Oliver exchanged a long, silent glance. Oliver
nodded determinedly and quickly ran up the stairs towards the Common Room.
Katie's POV
I remember waking up from a dreamless sleep. Thank Merlin. At first, I felt…
refreshed and happy.
And then I remembered. Meh.
Fred had told me to think on it, and think on it I did. I knew that Oliver
probably didn't mean any of it (well, most of it, anyway). Man pride. Haha.
That is just too bloody hilarious for me.
I got out of my bed and walked over to my open window overlooking the
quidditch pitch. It was such a beautiful night. I could see so many stars. A
full moon tonight. Beautiful. The light night breeze felt so cool as it swept
through my hair and across my skin.
And then, I heard a knock on the door. I jumped back into bed as quickly as
possible and drew the curtains around me, not wanting to be disturbed.
Not tonight.
"Katie?" I heard Alicia's voice timidly calling me out. No answer from me.
"I guess she's sleeping then," Angelina whispered quite loudly. She always was
the loud one in the group.
"Alright, well, let me just get the Exploding Snap, and we'll go back
downstairs," replied Alicia, rummaing around the dorm, probably in search
of the said Exploding Snap.
A minute or two later, the door was shut. I was left alone once again.
Though, I think I have always been alone.
Oliver's POV
My, it sure is dark outside. Extremely difficult to ride a broom at this time of day…
er, night. No matter. Katie's dorm isn't much farther.
Wouldn't this be the perfect way to apologize?
I happen to think so.
"Get the broom, ride to Katie's dorm, ask her to ride, fly to a romantic spot,
apologize and admit my feelings for her. Okay, I think I can do this," I muttered to myself.
I can do this.
I think.
Nobody's POV
The essence of slumber vibrated in the dorm. Alone, she slept peacefully and
dreamlessly. Without any fears. Her defenses down.
For once.
A knock on the window.
"Katie?"
No answer.
The window was opened, slightly creaking. A figure nimbly crept in through
the window, sneaking over to her bed, towering over her small figure. He held
his breath. What a sight.
Long, chestnut brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, covering her frame,
curled at the ends. She was lying on her side, facing him. One arm underneath
her head, the other laying casually on her slim waist. No pillow could be seen.
A dark slip covered her body, carefully revealing the right places. Curves shined
spectacularly as she slumbered silently. The moonlight made her skin
glow, as if a halo wrapped around her. Breathe in. Breathe out. Silent, peaceful
breaths escaped from her soft-to-the-touch lips that were curved into
a slight smile.
She was such a beauty. A rare beauty.
He kneeled down next to the bed, stealthily laying his head close to hers,
seeing her eye to eye. He traced a finger or two down her body. First,
through the hair. Fingertips touched shoulders, met with arms, felt waist,
traced face. Quietly, he trailed a finger down her arm, tracing little
circles as he stared into her young, almost naive face. He held his breath,
unable to find where it had run off to.
"Katie," he whispered, eyes focused on her breathing lips. A small moan
escaped from the said lips, eyes still shut. He leaned over, kissing her
soft, sweet lips as lightly as he could without waking her. A moment of
ecstasy shot through him. Again, a soft moan was breathed out. This
time perhaps by some other nature than hearing a voice.
He slowly stood up from where he was uncomfortably kneeling, unaware
of the pain shooting through his knees. One last touch of her hair, and he
smiled, backing away towards the window, unable to let go of the sight
before his eyes.
At least, he reached the window, now an unwanted exit.
"Good night, Kates."
He flew out the window, out into the starry night sky, with a huge grin on his face.
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