Chapter 7

Okay, I told Katie I loved her exactly two days, four hours, and twelve minutes ago.

Why am I counting? - Because I haven't seen her since then. And I told her I loved her.

I feel happy, in a way, because I finally said it, but her walking out like that … I just guessed it wasn't a good thing.

It's so depressing. I mean, I love her and she walks out and doesn't talk to me. What's with that? She said she loved me. What's the problem?

Let's just say, the whole situation confuses me completely, and I wish I was never in this … what? Mess? I guess it was a mess. I could've done things differently … could've told her sooner … could've said it in a different way … but this is how things have turned out, and I need to put up with it. I hate that. Not being able to change the past is crap.

I got up from my bed on Friday morning, yawning and go ready for the classes ahead. Fridays are really bad for me - Divination first, History of Magic before lunch, then a double period of Potions. Wonderful, isn't it?

I sat at the breakfast table on my own, feeling too tired and grumpy to talk to anyone. I munched some toast and gulped down some pumpkin juice. Sigh. Why is everything all the same? Every morning I do the same routine. It's boring, my life.

I walked slowly to the North tower, dreading stepping foot into the smothering-ly warm and strangely scented attic-like room that Professor Trelawney inhabited, with all the little poofees and round, low tables draped in weird rag-like cloths.

"Good morning. Ah, future is bright my dear, very bright, ending in a flash of light … oooh, my …" she passed a girl called Sophie in my year, and predicted her 'death'. The class chuckled, along with Sophie. "What, my dears, do you find amusing?" Trelawney asked snappishly. "I have just enlightened you on your future, and you find it amusing?" She glared at Sophie and her friend, Gabby.

"Professor? Can we start the lesson?" someone yelled from the back of the classroom.

"Ah, yes," Trelawney adapted back to her usual misty voice. "The lesson today is on palmistry … you remember how to read palms, my dears? We discussed it in fourth year?" Some people nodded, others glanced at the 'nodders' with panicked looks. "Some of you do? Alright, those who know what they're doing, pair off and read your partners palms. The rest, gather around the front and I will demonstrate."

I made my way down to the front, as I had no idea about palmistry.

"Now, my dears, I need a volunteer for my demonstration. Mr Wood, care to let me use you for a moment?"

I grinned. "Not at all, professor," I replied and made my way to her. She sat me down on a cushion and she knelt in front of me.

"Your hand, Mr Wood?" I gave her my hand. "Oh, I see your life line is quite long … longer than most, I must say." Well, that's surprising … "Your love line is quite braided, meaning lots of broken hearts … I can tell you're a heartthrob, Mr Wood … ah, you have a destiny line … fairly short, meaning you have quite straightforward later years … and many later years you will have, Mr Wood ... Ah, heart line is quite normal … no breaks …"

"What does that mean?" asked a Hufflepuff girl near the back. I looked at her and she flushed.

"It means, my dears, that Mr Wood has a strong heart, and will not fall for the wrong person. When he falls, he's with the right girl …"

I walked out of Trelawney's classroom at the end of the period on my own. 'When he falls, he's with the right girl …'. Those words kept resounding in my head.

Had I fallen for Kates? If I have … and if palmistry is correct to some degree … I'm with the right girl?

… Only problem with that is I'm not with her, and she's avoiding me like the plague.

Sigh.

I slowly, slowly made my way to History of Magic. There's one good thing about this class and it is that you are able to sleep without, one: the teacher noticing, and two: anyone caring.

I settled myself at the back of the room in a corner, resting my head on the wall, gazing out the window, watching the leaves as they started to fall from the trees.

I wish Katie would talk to me.

…

I love her.

…

She's so perfect.

…

And beautiful.

…

Sigh.

…

I'm tired, was my last thought before I slipped away from full consciousness.

I woke up again abruptly when the bell rang. I saw a couple of other people awaken with a start too. I got up and put my things in my bag and swung it over my shoulder.

I made my way to the Great Hall for lunch. I sat down, alone. I was doing everything on my own lately ... I wasn't talking to as many people … but that's probably because I don't feel like talking because I know Katie will be brought up.

The guys in my dorm have stopped bothering to talk to me, because I'm 'too much like a girl when I'm like this'. 'Like this'! I sighed again, putting some chicken and carrots on my plate. I ate, not looking around me, and finally, someone spoke next to me.

"I know about you and Katie." I didn't need to look up. I knew it was Diggory.

"Do you now?" I replied, bored and uninterested in what he was going to say. "And what do you 'know'?"

"I know that there's something going on between the two of you," Diggory snapped.

"I don't know what you mean," I said silkily, still not looking up at the Hufflepuff.

"Wood, just, back off, alright?"

My head snapped up. "'Back off'? What do you mean, 'back off'?"

"I asked her out first!"

"She doesn't even like you!"

"At least she talks to me!" he yelled. Something inside me burnt out. I punched Diggory in the stomach, picked up my bag and walked out of the hall, everyone watching me, then glancing back at Diggory, as if asking me how I could do that. I glared at some, and they went back to eating their lunch. I walked up to the Gryffindor common room, as lunch wasn't over for about another hour. I sat down in one of the armchairs in front of the fire and, yet again, sighed. I was doing that a lot lately.

I glared at the fire. Nothing was going right in my life right now. Nothing.

"Why did you do that, Oliver!" I was dragged out of my stupor by Katie. I was so shocked that she was talking to me, I didn't answer. "Oliver!"

"'Cause," I muttered.

"What was it about!"

" … You …"

"What about me?" she asked snappishly.

"Diggory … told me to … back off … said that he asked you out first …"

She sighed. "He did …"

"I know that!"

"Then ... maybe you should … do what he says …"

"Wait … what?"

"Look, Oliver, I really like you … but I never thought you'd like me back … now it's all weird between us …"

"The only weird thing is the fact that you've been avoiding me for two days!"

"Oliver, don't yell at me … look, I'm sorry … maybe I shouldn't have said anything …"

"When? Before, when you said you loved me, or what you said just now?"

" … Before"

"So … you … you don't -?"

"I … I don't know, Oliver ... well, I know I love you, but … I don't think …"

"You 'don't think' what?"

"That we should be together … I'm with Cedric -"

"You said you were playing him though!"

"I …was …"

"You were? What does that mean?"

"He's okay really … once you get to know him … I do like him, Oliver …"

"So, all that stuff … all the things you said … I should just forget?"

"Yes."

I glared at her. "I can't do that, Katie. You should know I can't."

"Look, Oliver, you're going to have to forget about it."

"Why did you say it if you wanted me to forget?"

"Because … because I wanted it … you …"

"So … you don't want me … now? You're confusing me, Kate."

"I … do … but I don't at the same time. I'm sorry … I'm confusing myself …"

"Then stop this … please Kate …"

She sat down next to me and sighed. "I don't … I can't explain … it's just …Oliver, you've been my friend for years … you are like brother to me … I can't do this ... it's too weird."

"It wasn't too weird for you to like me for years though?" I gave a short sarcastic laugh.

"Oliver, don't be so dry … it doesn't suit you," she half told me off.

"So you like me the opposite of that?" I smirked at her squirming.

"You know that's not what I meant, Oliver."

"Sounds like you do, judging by your discomfort."

"Oliver! Just drop this. I want you to forget what I said. I need you to leave me alone for a bit, okay? I am still going out with Cedric -"

"'Cedric'" I adapted a whiney, babyish voice in imitation of hers.

"Oh, grow up! You're such a child!"

"At least I don't change my mind every two bloody seconds," I muttered.

"Oliver, I'm sorry, okay!"

"No. No, not okay!"

"Oliver, you saying that won't change a thing. You need to grow up, and you need to leave me alone. Goodbye," she stated, and as the bell rang for after-lunch classes, she left the common room. I had to go to Potions. I picked up my bag and made my way down, just making it by the second bell.

"In the nick of time, I see, Mr Wood. Do try to keep your head out of those Quidditch books to remember to go to class on time in the future," Professor 'slimy' Snape said silkily as I passed him on the way into the dark, dank classroom.

I scowled at the moody professor as I sat down at my usual seat at the back of the class, next to Alex and Paul, Ravenclaws in my year.

"How's it going, mate?" Paul asked quietly.

I shrugged.

"Woman troubles?" Alex grinned.

I glared at him. "Yes."

"Older or younger?" Paul asked.

"Younger …"

"It's Katie Bell, isn't it?" Paul asked excitedly

I looked at him, quite surprised he'd guessed. "Yeah, it is …"

"Aha!" he said so loud, that Snape made his way over to us.

"Mr Kearney, if you do not lower your voice I will give you detention, AND deduct points from Ravencalw. Do I make myself clear?" he growled at Paul.

"Yes professor," I grumbled. Snape went back to the front of the class.

"Today," Snape began loudly, "We are going to learn the Calming Elixir. It calms the body and mind into a stasis-like freeze until the potion wears off … very useful in stressful situations … now … the ingredients and instructions are on the board. Follow them carefully please. I do not need anyone dropping off to sleep in my class, so pay attention. You may begin."

"So, what about Katie, Oliver?"

"It's nothing," I muttered.

"Obviously is, mate."

"It's nothing," I repeated firmly and took out my ingredients and looked at the board.

"Dude …"

"Drop it, guys."

"Okay … okay…"

"If you're sure mate …"

"What, Mr Wood, are you doing?"

"I'm cutting some … stuff," I answered the Professor.

"On the board, Mr Wood, I have clearly stated that you must notcut the jackal spleen. Restart, Mr Wood, and do it correctly this time."

"Yes, sir," I grumbled as the bat-like Professor left my table, smirking. I hate him so much.

Potions finished eventually, and Paul, Alex and I left the cold (yet a little warmer since the cauldrons were lighted) damp dungeon to go to our respective towers.

"So … you don't want to talk about Katie, then?"

"If you don't, she must've done something horrible to you. I see the way you look at her. You're pretty hot for her," Alex chuckled (A/N: I hate that word with a passion, but never mind).

"I am not!"

"You so are, man. So, what's she done?"

I glared at them. "Something bad … and I'd rather not talk about it."

"C'mon, tell us what she's done," Paul grinned.

I glared at them, and then, deciding it wasn't working, and I'd have to tell them anyway, I sighed. "She told me she loved me … and when I said it back -"

"Wait, what?" Alex interrupted.

"She told me she loved me, and when I said it back she ran off and said she didn't love me unless I didn't love her …"

"I'm really confused," Paul said.

"Join the god-damned club," I muttered.

"So, she said she loved you, and when you said you loved her ... she went back on it?" Alex summarised.

"Yep," I sighed as we made it to the top of the grand staircase.

"She's crazy," Paul said in awe.

"Thanks," said a feminine voice from behind us. We all span around and saw a pissed off Katie a couple of steps below us.

"Uh … gotta go, mate … see ya later," Paul said and Alex and him left me standing in front of Katie on my own.

"Hi Katie," I said stiffly.

"I broke up with Cedric," she blurted and went pink.

"So?"

She looked confused. "I thought that's what you wanted, Oliver?"

"Why do you care what I want?"

"Because I lo-"

"Don't you dare say that again!" I grabbed her arm. "Do not say it, Katie." I let go of her arm.

"But -" she began, looking upset.

"No, Katie. I refuse to listen to those words coming out of your mouth again. You went back on those words-"

"I – I know, Oliver, but -"

"Katie, no!"

"Oliver, listen to me!"

"I don't want to listen to lies!" I yelled and stormed off, and upon hearing her footsteps following me quickly, I fastened my pace.

"Oliver. Oliver, please!"

I turned to her. She was crying. "What?" a little softer than before.

"Oliver," she sobbed. "Oliver, please listen!" I nodded slightly. "I still like you. I … I needed time to clear my head … make sure it was what I wanted, and it is, Oliver, it is," she sobbed, gasping for breath.

"I can't trust your words, Katie," I sighed and put my face in my hands. "I love you, and you confuse me and say you don't love me, when, apparently, you do!"

"I was confused myself, Oliver. I never thought you'd like me back. I …" she trailed off, staring into my eyes.

"Katie …" I sighed and looked at her. Her green eyes were sparkling with unshed tears, cheeks streaked with the tears that had fallen and her hair, brownish blonde, was waving down past her shoulders. I mean, yeah, she'd bloody gorgeous, but that's not why I'm in love with her. No way. No, I'm in love with her because of … her. She's such an amazing person … so understanding … so sarcastically funny … so … Katie. There are no other words to describe her. I placed a hand on her cheek, and she looked up at me questioningly. "I love you … I'll never go back on those words. Ever," I said seriously.

"Oh, I love you too, Oliver. So much," she said as seriously as I had done. I smiled, and she smiled slightly back. "And I'll never take it back again, I promise."

I stared at her, smiling. "I know you won't. I won't let you," I grinned. I placed a soft kiss on her cheek and hugged her. I let her go and we walked back to the Gryffindor common room, hand in hand.

Heya everyone! Hope everyone's health is good … mines isn't  lol. Aaanyway, hope you liked the update. It's neeear thhheeeee eeeend, loool.

Best Writing Wishes,

Black Flaming Heart xxx