To all those effected by the storm, my prayers are with you, and to those of us who have not, realize how truly lucky we are, and how short life can be.
Now..
Onto the next chapter of QTTA.
Enjoy
-Angelina's P.O.V-
Alright, I may not be the most observant girl in the history of Hogwarts, but anyone with two eyes and a brain can tell that something is totally up with Katie. I mean, she was all creepy happy on the train, and cuddled up with Lee about fifty billion zillion times more than she usually does.
I'm pretty sure the thick dolt just thought his girl was just deeply in love with him.
Licia and I think otherwise.
When we were on the train, Alicia pointed out to me how silent Katie was. At first I hadn't noticed, because Fred was going on and on about how Ron was a Prefect. After I was able to tune the red headed dolt out, she was oddly silent. Even for someone who was normally silent.
"So," I said, cutting off Fred just as he was about to announce Ron's Prefect gift. I looked directly at Katie, and she looked me back in the eyes, "How was everyone's summer?" I then averted my gaze to everyone else, smiling cheerfully. I guess I smiled a little too cheerfully because Fred gave me the stinky eye.
"Is there something you aren't telling us Angelina?"
Now all curious eyes were on me.
Well, that plan failed miserably.
"No," was my slow answer. "Can't I just ask how everyone's summer was?"
Lee and George looked at each other, than over to me before replying in unison, "No, not really."
I sighed and leaned back in my seat. Hopefully finding out about Katie's summer would be more successful for Alicia than for me.
-Alicia's P.O.V-
Oh, she's a slippery one that Katie Bell. She thinks that she's pulled the whool over everyone's eyes. She may have had fooled Lee, Fred and George, maybe even Angelina, I can't tell all the time, but she hasn't fooled me at all. I, Alicia Carina Spinnet with a hint of Johnson, will not fail in finding out what happened.
At least, that sounded all confident like in my head about twenty minutes ago right after dinner.
Me, Katie and Angelina had just walked into the common room, and decided that going to the dormitories was an overrated action for the time being, and crashed in the couch and arm chairs of the common room.
Merlin I love those plush couches!
Anyway, after a few minutes, we started talking about our summer, well, me and Angelina did. Katie just listened, and purposely did not speak of her own summer. This drew suspiscions from me.
Finally I broke down, there was no way I could let her just dance around something like this, because it was driving me absolutely bonkers!
"Katie!" I finally spit out. "You haven't breathed a word of your summer, so spill! What happened?"
That had felt really good to get out, and I really thought I would get an answer that involved a certain Oliver Wood. I even thought she would blush for Merlin's sake. But it didn't happen. Instead, she told us about how she spent her summer in souther France with her family. She even told us about her cousins and uncle.
Angelina was just as shocked and disappointed as I was.
Family?
That was it?
I felt my left eye twitch in annoyance.
That was seriously it?
A family vacation to France?
That didn't include a tale of Oliver or even a blush on Katie's part!
I was shocked and appauled.
Now I sit in my four poster bed, pissed as hell because I had been so convinced that Katie was holding some deep dark secret that she wasn't telling us about.
But then again, this was Katie we were talking about. Something bad to her would be like finding herself alone with Oliver and kiss--
I gasped.
"Katie!"
Katie's eyes slowly opened as she heard Alicia screech her name. With a small roll of her eyes, the small blonde turned over on her bed and threw her pillow over her head after muttering, "Bloody hell, 'Licia, aren't you a little old to be having nightmares?"
Alicia jumped onto Katie's bed, causing it to sink slightly under the new pressure. A moment later, Katie's bed sunk in a little more as Angleina joined in, wanting to know what all the yelling was about. Alicia opened her mouth to speak, but noted how Katie was still settled under her pillow.
"This is important," Alicia growled, ripping away Katie's pillow and tossing it to the other side of the dorm. She turned her friend over and poked her in the side. "You aren't sleeping, so stop faking it."
Katie's eyes opened, but barely. She glared heatedly at her friends, "Alright, Alicia, you have my attention, now what's all this about?" She let out a small yawn.
"I know what happened! I don't know when, but I know what happened," Alicia hissed triumphantly.
Angelina cocked her head to one side, "Sorry, but what do you know happened?" She looked over at Katie for a hint, but the blonde only shrugged and shook her head. Angelina's gaze went back to her step sister.
"Like I said, I don't know when it happened, but you and Oliver kissed didn't you!" Alicia exclaimed excitedly, making more of a statement rather than an actual question. When Katie blushed brightly and looked down, Alicia's eyes widened considerably, "You really did? Kiss him I mean? Oh my goodness! When?"
Angelina was beyond confused now. She shook her head and narrowed her eyes in thought, "Wait. I don't get it. Katie and Oliver kissed? But that's impossible! Katie, you're going out with Lee. You should be kissing him."
Katie let out a gruff sigh and hid under her blankets, "I'm really tired, guys. Just let me go to sleep."
As the two girls silently left Katie's bed, and retreated to their own, Angelina shook her head, "Way to go, Alicia."
"What did I do?"
"They're gone!" Knowels muttered, wringing his hands together and pacing through his office. He turned and looked at the fireplace to his left, "I don't know where they went, but where ever they are, I think they might be together."
"Why do you say that?" Answered the head in the fireplace, a stately looking wizard.
Knowels stopped pacing and finally collapsed into his armchair, "Because Crystal doesn't know much about Europe. If you haven't noticed, she's either with you, me or back at home in America. I doubt she would wander off on her own, Mr. Phantom." His hands gently rubbed his his temples. "Oliver knows this place like he knows the rules to Quidditch. Thouroughly."
"You worry too much for someone your age, Christopher. If Crystal is with Oliver, all will be fine." Mr. Phantom replied calmly. He nodded his head, "Now, if you don't mind, I have to get a few things in order. I will be seeing you around Cristopher, and do try to relax."
As Knowels nodded, the head quickly vanished, leaving the man alone in his office.
Now the pair of Quidditch players in question, were in fact many many many many many many miles away in Hogsmeade village.
"This is Zonko's Joke Shop," Oliver said, grinning from ear to ear and leading Crystal trough the small wizarding village.
Crystal rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, looking over the shop with a slightly narrowed gaze. She then glanced at Oliver, "You know, kid," she began dryly, "I do know how to read for myself, but I suppose it's nice to know that chivalry ain't completely dead."
Oliver rubbed the back of his neck and mumbled an apology, before dragging her off to Three Broomsticks for a mug of butterbeer. Crystal declared it a rich, warm treat that she'd love to get the recipe to. Oliver was glad that she had finally let down her tough girl act.
As they sat there in the relatively empty pub, Crystal looked around, "Is this place always so empty? With stuff this good, it seems like it would be more, I don't know, full or something like that."
"It get's rather full when the Hogwart students come around. Every now and then, with parent permission of course, students come to the village. Since there are so many of them, the vendors don't worry much if business it a little slow." He grinned slightly, remembering his own trips to Hogsmeade, and one in particular with a little blonde--
He shook his head, realizing that Crystal had said something to him. "I'm sorry," was a quick apology, "You said something, Crystal?"
There was odd glint in the young woman's eye, and she smirked, "You like your little blonde friend, don't you?"
"Wh-what?" Oliver sputtered, his hands fumbling over the table for his butterbeer. He gripped it with white-knuckled hands and took a deep gulp. "That was rather random, I mean you just don't--"
"You like her or not?" Crystal interrupted him sternly, a curious brow raising, a broad grin forming over her face. "Because if you do, now's the time to tell her." She winked and jerked her head to the large window that overlooked a majority of the village. "She's right there."
Oliver didn't even bother to look. Judging by the students that were slowly trickling into the pub, he knew Crystal was more than likely right in pointing Katie out.
Not that he cared or anything.
Katie linked hands with Lee was they walked to Hogsmeade. It was so wonderful to get out of the drabby confines of the castle, especially with that terrible Umbridge woman lurking around every corner and making everyone's life a living nightmare. With a small smile of content, she leaned against Lee's shoulder as they walked along the village.
Angelina and Alicia had been dragged off by the twins to Zonko's, leaving the couple to do whatever they wished. As they continued on, strolling past Three Broomsticks, Katie glanced around to see who was in the pub, which slowly begining to fill beyond capacity.
Her eyes widened slightly at spotting Oliver, but then she noticed Crystal sitting across from him at the very same booth and her eyes practically popped from her head. Lee noticed Katie's reaction, but didn't see her what she was looking at, "Katie, are you alright?"
"Uhm--" she shook her head, and felt her muscles relax a small fraction. She looked up at Lee and forced a smile on her face, causing those muscles she had just managed to relax to tighten once again. "I'm just fine. Why don't we go over to the gift shop over there."
Oliver was the last person she wanted to see at the moment, but after being in the shop for a few short minutes, the center of her thoughts had entered the very same shop. Katie practically hissed as seeing that he was once again with Crystal.
Katie's blue eye's were alight with anger, and she narrowed them in his direction.
Oh yeah, this was war.
fussyrussy - LOL Was my update quick enough for ya? I really hope it was. Heh.. heh..
Depth.of.a.Shadow. - Ha! My ultimate goal of confusing you has finally worked! BWAHAHAHA! I'm so proud of myself, I think I'm going to eat me a cookie, and give myself a pat on the back. But you're right, Ollie is such a kid, but isn't that why we love him? That and his accent and his odd obsession with Quidditch? Hehe.. He's great though. I wanna hug him.. Lee too.. Kind of.
tagS16 - We haven't had a Katie Ollie moment yet, but.. Oh never mind, you'll find out in the next chapter. And yes, it is very important to keep up with the happenings of the overly adorable Oliver Wood. Hehe... Thanks for the review!
dreamy-crazygirl - Firstly of all.. Is college difficult? I mean, I'm all like.. I'm gonna die when I leave home and I worry about the unknown a lot and all that jazz, but anyway.. to the fic.. Uhm.. I hope you liked the chapter!
QHLuver - SWEETNESS! But I'm still really really scared of horses.. Heh.. Glad you're enjoying, hope this chapter is up to par. And uhm.. Want a cookie?
TheBrassPotato - TWINKIES! YES! I'm glad you like Winston.. I like him too.. I kind of wish I had a really little brother now.. That was just like him.. And with an accent.. Ok never mind.. I'm happy with being the youngest. And the whole hair clip being used as a pupper thing? Did it to my sister all the time. That scene was like a me moment.. Heh.. It was absolutely great and satisfying in an evil little sister way. Thank you thank you thank you for the review and your continual support.
rembrandt - Well.. Oliver and Crystal are sharing each other's company, but they are not together... So is it safe to keep my doors unlock? Or perhaps I should sleep with one eye open or something like that. Hehe.. And Lee needs to go? Aww.. But that would take away like.. the uhm.. whatever I have going on in this fic! I still haven't decided if I'm going to keep Katie and Lee together or not.. Hmm.. Maybe I should.. OH! And in the future they could get married and have a bunch of little Katies and Lees running around a cute house with a white picket fence! Wouldn't that just be adorable? Ok.. Maybe now I should lock my doors. Hehehehehe.
Maria Casey Wood - Happy Be-lated Birthday to you! And for your birthday I will take your word that you are innocent, well at least somewhat, and torture you even more! Hahahahaha! But honestly, torturing the reviewers makes the fic even better.. Hehe.. Gives me new and interesting ideas on what to do next. Know what I mean? Well, continue to enjoy!
Eruaphadriel - I wanted to punish Katie for not writing Lee, and yell at her and be all like "You meanie head!" But then I remembered... I wrote the fic... So I had a real bad me moment and stared at the computer trying to decided or not if I was going to put Katie through moral angst and all that, but then decided, with the few chapters I have left, I can torture her even more! Hehehehehe! I'm evil, but the characters are well paid for it. Katie: We get paid?
Wingsofthefae - I totally agree that the transition was wierd and random.. Kind of like me.. And J.K Rowling is so offically fired because she messed my whole 'Lee, Katie, Angelina, Alicia, Fred and George are all in the same year' theory. So now, this fic is officially dubbed AU. With it's complete contradiction of HBP everyone now knows that I really truly don't own anything Harry Potter related, unless you've never ever heard of it and can't find any proof of its exsistance. As to my essay? I guess it was alright.. It was about four hundred something words with no grammatical errors, yay me, and I sent it in with my application. So now I have to cross my fingers and hope for the best.
Later Days my precious kiddies!
Richi Sama