Chapter 3

New is Born Out of the Old

AN: This chapter is slightly longer than the other I managed to make two pages on word! I know it's still not much but it's an improvement. I tried to keep this chapter in the same style as the first two but it was difficult cos there's now dialogue. Review and let me know if I managed it.

'Katie!' Aude Puddlemere united's keeper had just sprinted over and launched herself at Katie, engulfing her in a bear hug upon her entrance to the pitch. Katie bit down hard on her lower lip as pain coursed through her body, fortunately her friend didn't seem to notice. Aude was one of Katie's closest friends along with fellow chaser Joslyn; she hadn't really seen Angelina or Alicia since she'd left Hogwarts.

'Oh my goodness Katie, I have the best news-I'm finally pregnant!' Katie let out a shriek of happiness and hugged her best friend once more, smiling though the pain.

'Congratulations! You'll make a fab mum,' Katie said smiling. She knew Aude and her husband Josh had been trying for over a year.

'Thanks Katie, Josh and I were discussing it last night and we want you to be the God mother, that is if you want to?'

'Of course!' Aude hugged her yet again, pressing hard on the bruises covering her arms, stomach and back. 'There is just one thing though; I'll be leaving the team.'

'Oh,' her smile faltered.

'They've already found a replacement,' there was a slight solumness in her voice.

Katie pulled her belongings out of her locker and made her way to a cubicle so she could change in private. She mentally kicked herself, why hadn't she thought of it before? Of course Aude would be leaving the team. She was upset be this, since securing a place on the team she and Aude had become very close, when nick had started abusing her she'd lived her life through her friends, Aude in particular. Katie had been there when the tears had come in the fear of infertility, when Josh had been promoted in his job at the ministry and as chief bridesmaid at their wedding. Aude was so happy now and even if Katie never got to see motherhood, at least she'd be a God mother. So what if she didn't get to see her at practice, she could still see her at other times, though she'd pay the price on her return home.

As Katie stripped down to her underwear, she realised she'd forgotten to cast the concealment charms to hide the hideous bruising, in her inferior of Nick waking up before she'd left the house that morning.

Once fully clothed in her blue Puddlemere United Quidditch robes, she joined her fellow team members in awaiting the announcement of their new keeper.

'Alright team, as you all probably have heard by now our lovely keeper, Mrs. Aude Gardener is resigning to have her first child,' informed their captain Evan Johnson.

The team let out a cheer.

Joining us for practice today and many practices to come in Aude's place will be the Appleby (sp?) Arrow's former keeper Oliver.'

At that moment a tall man of 6 foot stepped over the threshold, his hair falling messily a centimetre above his eyebrows. His chocolate brown eyes instantly connected with Katie eyes, also brown. She had not looked into those eyes for 6 years.

'Hey,' he greeted the room.

'Oliver, this is Hugo Sanders, the less worthy beater.'

'Oi,' Hugo responded smiling followed by 'Hi.'

'Our seeker Matthew Hart,'

'Alright?' Oliver nodded.

'You've met Aude, you'll be replacing her.' They gave each other a friendly nod. 'And finally, our beautiful chasers,' he winked at Joslyn. 'Joslyn Smith, Ria Brooks and Katie Bell.'

'Hi' we spoke in unison, Oliver gave me a smile and I could have sworn my heart beat quickened. I smiled back. Maybe dear Aude leaving the team wouldn't be totally terrible.

Thanks to Emelinee, xtotallyatpiecex, Apathetically Interested, Tea/Anzufan, marylovesharry, Phyre's child13, Fun stuff05 who've reviewed already, love you. (my spell check's now going crazy.)