Author's Note: Yes- I still love you, and I still have red hair. No- This story isn't over, and I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Maura and Robert are all miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine. Not that you'd want them anyway....

You're So Tactless

Chapter 9: Waltzing With Worries

" That's not fair!" I screeched, the evidence of my bad aim laying in front of me.

Fred's black eye was blooming too quickly for my taste.

" Oliver!" I protested, placing my hands on my hips, turning my broom around to face him.

" What?" he said, pretending to sound concerned.

The Gryffindor Quidditch team hovered in the air around me, laughing. Fred himself was beginning to snicker. Harry was about to fall off of his broom, but luckily Alicia was there to gently shove him back on.

" Oliver, you-you really s-shouldn't do that!" I sputtered, not sure whether to feel bad or laugh.

The Quidditch season had started up again, as well as my friendship with Oliver. He had now cut himself off from Percy and Penelope completely, and I was really proud of him. Unfortunately, he was now hanging on me every moment he got, and as much as I really, really, didn't mind-

" What?" he repeated, a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

" Don't tickle hug me when I'm throwing the Quaffle!" I screeched, gesticulating wildly.

I actually did.

" I'm sorry Katie, I'll stop," Oliver said, not bothering to hide his mirth, doubling over in another round of laughter.

I gave a huff, and rolled my eyes, flying over to where Fred was, checking to see if he was okay. Angelina offered to fly him to the hospital wing, and I stayed with Alicia as we put up the equipment. Harry was talking with Wood, asking about some play we practiced today. Alicia kept looking at me, purposefully, eyeing me, and grinning wickedly.

" Alicia, I swear if you don't stop-"

" What's going on with you and Oliver?" she gushed, obviously dying to know.

Gossip freak, I shook my head amusedly.

" Nothing," I said casually, shrugging my shoulders and hanging up my robe in my locker.

Her eyes widened. Remind me not to be casual with her again.

" Liar!" she hissed, smacking my shoulder lightly, smiling broadly.

" Oh right," I said dryly, shutting my locker with a soft 'clang', walking away with Alicia following behind, hanging on my every word. " I forgot, Oliver and I are shagging every night like mad rabbits."

Unfortunately, Oliver just had to show up the split second I said the last thing, blanching as I blushed furiously.

" But other than that, nothing," I said hastily in a high-pitched voice.

Oliver looked as if he were suffocating with laughter, which made my face undoubtedly turn even redder. I sped out of the locker room as fast as I could, bumping into Angelina on the way. I could hear footsteps behind me,and guessed that it could only be me gal pals. I spun on the spot and squeezed my eyes shut, balling my fists at my sides.

" NOTHING IS BLOODY GOING ON 'TWEEN ME AN' OLIVER!" I bellowed, rendering myself breathless and hoarse.

" Um, Katie?"

And obviously, I also rendered myself brainless. I stared at Oliver agape, ignoring Angelina and Alicia clutching their sides as they walked past in fits of giggles and tears.

" Yes, Oliver?"

" Well, since we aren't shagging like mad bunny rabbits right at this exact moment, I was wondering if you'd like to play Quidditch later tonight," he said uncertainly.

Poor thing. But tonight was the night I was going to be with Lee and the Twins. And my soon-to-be-maimed gal pals. Bugger all. I wanted to go with Oliver too! No, no, no! Tonight we were going to go to the Forbidden Forest to make plans!

I looked up at Oliver sheepishly, hating to leave him out, but knowing that this had to happen between me and the gang only. Perhaps Angelina would kick around with him. I made a mental note to myself to ask her about it later.

" Sorry Wood, I've got plans with Lee-" and there he cuts me off.

" It's alright Bell, just practice your moves," Oliver said, before walking around me, brushing against my shoulder.

Again, my jaw dropped. What had I just done? No, sod it! Had I fallen off of the castle for nothing? Damnit, I just had to be such a blundering idiot!

" Wood-" I shook my head, "Oliver!" I shouted, correcting myself.

" Yeah?" he called back, stopping and turning slightly.

" Let's go to Hogsmeade together," I said, unsure of how stupid I sounded.

He brightened up, " Sure, Bell- I mean, Katie."

Apparently not that stupid. What a bloody relief.

" I'll check for the date and get back to you," he said, walking away.

I heaved a sigh and pushed my damn annoying brown hair out of my face, letting my shoulders slump and my back slouch over. I saved that one. I trudged back into the castle, and into my dorm, shedding my Quidditch uniform, and pulling some jeans and a blouse on. I let my hair fall loose about my shoulders, and I yanked some socks on. I shuffled over to my bed where my owl, Harper, was sitting impatiently, hooting huffily.

" Alright, what have you got?" I asked playfully, knowing his irritation was just his little act.

Cheesy bugger, I thought affectionately, stroking him and I pulled the letter away from him. He snipped at my fingers gently, and hooted soft and low. I unrolled the parchment and looked at the signature.

Robert Bell.

Oh no, a letter from my father. I hastily scanned it.

Dearest Katherine,

It has been too long since I've seen you, and I am eager to seen how you've grown. No doubt, you're a graceful young with by now. I hope you're still on the Quidditch team, because I'm coming up to England for a few months on a business trip. Don't say anything to your Mum, or she might not let me see you!

Love and Hugs,

Robert Bell

Merlin's ruddy, sodding, bloody, wizened beard! My father was coming to England for a few months.

"Yes!" I shouted, punching the air, and jumping up and down on my bed.

Dad is going to be here, Dad is going to be here! I ran around the room, dancing and twirling like a child. I bounced down the stairs and gave the Twins a huge hug. I kissed Lee on the cheek, and ran over to Alicia and Angelina.

" Guess what?" I said breathlessly.

" You're cheating on Oliver with Lee?" Angelina replied, quirking an eyebrow at me.

Twit.

" No," I said scathingly, crossing my arms and accidentally crumpling the letter a bit.

I gasped and quickly tried in vain to smooth it back out.

" Chill out Katie, that parchment isn't exactly Excalibur!" Alicia said, getting up out of her chair slightly, with a questioning glance that could question only one thing.

My sanity.

" When did you get that blouse?" she said suddenly, fingering the sleeve.

Or my sense of fashion.

" That doesn't matter," I said impatiently, brushing her hand away.

Alicia was ready to fire back with a "Hell yes it is," but I prevented her from doing that, spilling my beans.

" My dad is coming back to England for a few months!" I squeaked, jumping up and down again, waving the parchment at Angelina's nose.

I she took it carefully from my grip, because at first I didn't let it go; I was treating it like the Holy Grail.

I began to twirl again, and in vain, I tried to waltz with Harry for a bit. Lee cut in, because he actually knew how to waltz, much to Harry's relief.

" Nothing can bring me down!" I sang, " I'm dancing on the clouds!"

I spun gracefully out of Lee's hold, and back over to Angelina, who was wearing a look of concern on her face. I braced myself on the arm of her chair, as I leaned over to read what she was looking at.

There was a P.S. I had missed.

P.S.- Your sister has taken up room with me, hope you don't mind.

I felt my stomach plunge downwards, and I began to feel sick. I seized my stomach, and doubled over a bit, placing a hand on my forehead.

" Katie- are you alright?" Angelina asked, tossing the letter at Alicia, and getting up to place an arm around my shoulder.

" I don't believe it!" I whispered.

" What?" Alicia said frantically, scanning the letter.

" Maura's back," I said, and I heard a terrified shriek come from Alicia direction.

End Chapter