Author's Note: No, I haven't forgotten all you lovely people. I've just been having a rough time recently and well, I was just feeling blue so I haven't been updating like I should. I'm back from my hiatus though, so be happy!

Disclaimer: I've got a leash, leather, cellophane, spikes...and..oh....we're not talking about THAT are we?

You're So Tactless

Chapter 8: What Flash Beyond That Window Flies?

Nothing can ever go my way, can it? Why can't we just swallow our stupid pride and apologize?

Because we're so self important, that's why. Because we're selfish and arrogant. Because we aren't perfect.

Merlin, what I'd give for everything to be perfect. I wouldn't have to put up with my disgusting blunders, my sister would speak to me again, mom and dad would get back together, and Oliver and I would be friends again. All that and Snape would be sacked. And then sent to wallow in depravity with Filch. And a bunch of syrup.

I shook my head. That needed to be extricated from my memories. I slouched my way into my own bed, and collapsed on my pillows. This just wasn't fair. How am I supposed to say I'm sorry without sounding pathetic, without sounding like some lovesick puppy coming and crawling back submissively? Besides, I'd already been told that it wasn't my fault.

He needs to apologize, I told myself. I'm not the one at fault.

I fell asleep and had no dreams. Just a mass of black as I slept, thinking of nothing until-

A face wafted into my vision. It had messy brown hair, chocolate eyes, and an inviting and charming smile. It danced with me, it spoke to me, though I couldn't hear, and it laughed with me. It took me on a wild broom ride over the Forbidden Forest. I woke up with a start, knowing who that was. Oliver.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD YOU SOD!

I got up; no- I stormed out of the dorm, forgetting that I'd been in bed for hours, and that it wasn't likely that he was still up.

I nearly fell down the stairs I was so preoccupied with my anger. My robe billowed behind me and my pajamas pants hindered my normally agile footwork (outside of the fact that I do have the horrible misfortune to trip a lot) by being way too long. The end of my tank top rippled every time I bent and straightened with every step downwards, and my brown hair flew in my face. Tears half blinded me by the time I got to the bottom and as I ran to the nearest couch, the wind resistance died down, and my effect floated back to a stationary position. Well, all except my hair. Strands kept getting my face no matter how many times I brushed them aside.

Strange…

Where's the wind coming from? The place is sealed ….

I let my train of thought linger and hang as I glanced at the two large windows of the Common Room. The one nearest to me was slightly ajar, and I moved over to get a closer look.

The moon was shining brightly, and the stars twinkled dully, giving the night sky a lazy look, infecting my soul. I began to feel drowsy just watching the stars until something flashed in front of me.

What the hell was that?

I peered at the moon, and the flash came again. It looked like- no, it couldn't be! Trying to get a better glimpse to confirm my suspicions, I climbed onto the ledge, hoping that I wouldn't fall. I couldn't see much from where I stood. And then it flashed by me again. I glanced to my right, and saw where the ledge made a right angle and led to a small balcony.

Under the normal circumstances, I would never have dreamed about climbing the castle's exterior at all. But somehow, the moon was so enchanting, the stars so alluring, and the breeze so inviting. The cold night air had me feeling so at peace, but so unruly all that the same time. Somehow, I wanted to take a risk.

I sucked in my breath, wondering why I was being so reckless, and I stepped out onto the ledge, inching my way along. I passed along the ledge, crossed over the angle, and tiptoed on the ledge.

" Bloody hell!" I exclaimed when I almost lost my footing.

I scrambled up the slanted roof, and dropped down to the balcony. The wind picked up and blew my hair all in my face, obscuring m vision. I stood stock still, letting the wind surround and caress me, and I waited for the flash.

There it was!

Excitement bubbled up inside of me, and I got up on the thick stone railing of the balcony. I was trying to get my balance when a particularly strong gust of wind rushed by me. I screamed and fell from the railing.

I knew it. This was so stupid! Why couldn't I just have stayed in the Common Room? Why? Why can't I just be a good little girl for once, and listen to my own mind?

My mind went blank, as I slowly realized that I was going to die. My Quidditch reflexes were evaporating just as quickly as my hope. and by the time I wanted to react, I figured it would be too late. The wind howled in my ears, and I felt such a tremendous amount of turbulence around me, and finally, just before I hit the ground-

My world went black.

" -such a stupid thing to do, Katie, I can't believe you'd risk everything like that. You're such a fool!" a voice was saying, rather shakily at that, sounding as it if had been crying previously.

The wind was still rushing in my ears, and for a moment, I remembered falling. My body jerked without my okay, and my eyes snapped open. I was still falling. I was falling on a- broomstick?

" Merlin!" I screeched, as I gripped onto whatever I was holding tighter.

I heard a muffled 'oof' and a loud, purposeful cough. A very Scottish cough.

" Oliver?" I whispered, awed and bewildered at the same time.

" Katie? Are you okay?" He said quietly, the tenderness in his voice sending me for a loop.

I thought he was pissed off at me…

" You're so obnoxiously you! How could you possibly get the urge to climb onto the rooftops of Hogwarts at night? In all my years knowing you I'd never expected such foolhardiness on your part. I'm glad you're okay but-"

" But what?" I nearly screamed, " But you're actually not? But you only saved me because you didn't want some scandal, or you felt sorry for me? But you really hate me because I'm so childish and petty, and I'm selfish on top of that? But you really just don't care about me at all?"

I felt sure he opened his mouth to say something, but I wasn't done yet.

"Well guess what? I care about you! Get over yourself already! You're acting so juvenile! Penelope doesn't like you, okay? So just cry me a bloody river, build me a sodding bridge, take your wagon of pity-party goodies and accessories, and get the hell over it!"

" Katie-"

" No! I want to be friends again, is that so damn bloody impossible? Look I'm sorry I punctured your ego and all, but I was just trying to help you. I'm sorry that I was an arrogant, self-important stick in the mud for a while. But hey, I'm over myself. And I've apologized, take it or leave it!" I finished, nearly out of breath.

" Katie, I do care about you. I do want to be friends. I saved you because you're a brilliant chaser-"

I snorted warningly.

" - and you're one of the few people who will openly, not to mention honestly tell me to my face -or rather to my back, but loud enough for me to hear it- a rotten, no good, lousy wanker, and I admire you for it. I know Penelope doesn't like me. I've just been treading the waters of denial and self-pity, and I've gotten used to it. I didn't want to be saved at all. I had grown accustomed to her face in my dreams. But lately, she hasn't been in them-"

" And who has?" I asked sarcastically.

" Well-"

" Forget I asked it," I said hastily, not wanted to know.

It was probably that miserable Cho Chang from Ravenclaw anyway.

" Right, so like I was saying. I'm really sorry for being an insufferable git and a terrible plunker, so can we come to some sort of truce?" he asked, sounding hopeful.

I thought about it. It would be pretty stupid to tell hi to sod off for 3 reasons.

One- He needs my brilliant chasing skills. Two- we had just made up. Three- I was on his broom, and I could very soon not be.

" You know what? Forget it all. The whole thing is silly. Let's just pick up where we left off eh?"

" Yeah that sound good," he murmured and trailed off.

I tightened my grip around his waist, and I senses his smile. Tonight, was a good night. I should scale castle rooftops more often.

End Chapter. Sorry it's so short!!