I do not own any Harry Potter Characters.
Chapter 22:
Despite her best attempts to keep her breathing steady, Katie gasped for air as she flew across the Quidditch pitch. Practice was dragging on especially long that day, and she was ready to call it quits. Everyone else on the team appeared to feel the same way, as the plays had gotten sloppier as time went on. Marcus on the other hand was a different story, if he was winded, he did not show it, besides a slight glimmer of sweat.
Lucius finally deciding he had enough and began chanting as Marcus got the Quaffle heading towards the goals. "Be aggressive, be, be aggressive." Lucius sang out in a terrible tune. Albert let out a throaty laugh, while Marcus lined up to take his shot. "No one can, no one can, throw the Quaffle like Marcus can." Lucius continued, the team all laughing when Marcus shot Lucius a dirty look, the Quaffle hanging limply at his side.
"Are you trying to make us all go deaf?" Marcus shouted back giving him a pointed looked.
"I should continue then, practice makes perfect, correct?" Lucius questioned with a large grin plastered on his face. "We are the Falcons! Mighty, mighty Falcons. Brian's a bitch and Albert's an Alcoholic! Titties and beer!" Lucius continued his chant while his face brightened up like a tomato with laughter.
"That's not singing mate, you're just being annoyingly loud." Mack sniggered, as he flew up to Lucius shoving into him lightheartedly.
"I'm hurt, none of you recognize the true talent of a future superstar." Lucius acting upset, held a hand to his heart in a theatrical fashion.
Katie slowed down to a stop, hovering in the air next to Lucius. "Maybe you need to clean out your ears." she joked, the team laughing at her comment.
"You guys just don't appreciate me at all." Lucius continued "I mean not one of you, has even asked me how my date went last night!" He stretched out his arm, pointing at each member of the team, as they hovered in the sky, forming a sloppy circle.
"How did your date go?" Brian asked with a laugh, taking the bait.
"She's perfect, definitely going to marry her." Lucius said proudly, eyes looking up at the sky.
"Oh no, you didn't tell her that did you?" Brian winced, fearing what his friend's response would be.
"Of course, I did!" Lucius said after a moment. Albert let out another short laugh.
Brian gave him a glare with a ferocity that made Lucius recoil slightly. "Mate, you can't propose on the first date. How many times do we gotta tell you?" Brian scolded, while shaking his head in disapproval.
"That's where you are wrong, I want to marry the girl who's crazy enough to say yes." Lucius said, his grin unwavering.
"Oh, so you are looking for someone who is psychotic." Adam concluded.
"I want the female version of Jenson Barnett." Lucius said. "I'm sure if Bell proposed to him, he'd say yes." The team laughed and Katie's cheeks brightened. "Oh, shut it." She deflected, casting her eyes to the fading sun, which cast a golden red across the ground. She couldn't help but admire the beauty of it.
"She's not denying it! Maybe she likes him!" Jerry teased. Marcus remained calm, yet there was a sparkle in his eye, as if he knew something they didn't.
"Even if I did, it wouldn't be any of your business." Katie said modestly, giving a winning smile.
"Flint you aren't worried about Barnett?" Lucius teased; it was a dangerous question. Katie did her best to keep her face calm. Oh, it could be risky to pry, if Marcus were in a bad mood, he'd make you do laps around the pitch for hours.
"Nope." Marcus replied, as if he were uninterested. Doing his best to act serious.
"Why not?" Brian asked his eyes shining with mirth.
"Flint is scary when he's being mysterious" Lucius gave a snakelike smile, and clapped Marcus on the back.
Out of the corner of his eye he spied on Katie, as he explained "Mr. Bell was very adamant that he didn't approve of Barnett." Marcus slowly, mischievously grinned. Sending a wink in Katie's direction. The team was silent as they waited for Katie's reaction.
Snapping her head towards him, she stuttered, "what the… wh… When did you talk to my dad?" The corners of her mouth drifted down gradually. Despite the confusion she could feel the anger boil inside. Wanting to punch the smirk right off his stupid face.
He sucked on his lower lip for a second before replying, "Your dad and I are pals, he wants me to take diligent care of you." He teased, a sly grin warming his face. "And he says that you should listen to me more." Her sapphire eyes flashed as she watched him, and his heart quickened. Yes, even though she was covered in sweat, and angry, he still found her beautiful.
Katie clenched her fingers into a tight fist around her broom handles, her knuckles visibly turning white. She couldn't help but wonder how often the two saw each other. Deciding that she would need to pay her dad a visit after practice. "I'm not a dog and have no intentions of listening to you about anything not pertaining to Quidditch." Her brows narrowed.
"Of course, you're not a dog, dogs are obedient." Marcus taunted with a smile. It was infectious. His green eyes glittering in the sun. Albert and a few others burst into laughing fits. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off.
"The couple's bickering again, how cute." Lucius pestered.
She glared at him. "We're not a couple!" Katie was seething, but that didn't stop her from continuing to scowl at Marcus.
"I know I'm attractive but why do you keep staring." Marcus teased with a quick smile, and another wink sent in her direction. She was still red. Marcus found himself fighting back another smirk. This was just too much fun. His eyes lingered on her for a moment.
"You're so full of yourself." Katie's fists were aching to bash his teeth in, then he'd have to get his teeth fixed a second time. Marcus let out a low, rumbling chuckle that she felt in her core.
"Stop flirting with each other, get a room." Lucius smiled roguishly, with a sharp laugh. Flustered, she jerked her eyes from Marcus and met Lucius stare.
Unable to hide the flash of anger, she grumbled, "I was not flirting!" Crossing her arms, she did her best to swallow her hostility. Marcus eyes gingerly moved to her, and to his relief, she was as crimson as he, if not more so.
"Why can't you two just get along?" Brian asked, waving his arms melodramatically.
Practice ended, and everyone but Marcus headed to their respective locker rooms, having to pack up the equipment. Lucius pulled the team together when they got into the men's locker room. "So clearly we all know that Flint doesn't have the competence to date women." Lucius said just loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
"We all see the problem; the real question is how do we solve it?" Brian asked with a frown.
"If we don't do something, Flint is going to end up dying alone, because he's too busy sabotaging himself." Lucius continued, taking a swig of water.
"So, what should we do?" Jerry questioned, clearly puzzled.
Katie arrived at Spintwitches shortly after practice ended, wasting no time. Walking into the back room she found her dad hard at work. When the door cracked open, he looked up from the broom he was working on to give her a pleasant smile. "Hey honey, how was practice?" Setting his tools down he made his way over to Katie pulling her into a tight hug.
"Hey." She said with a smile. When they pulled away Katie couldn't help but blurt out, "so I have a question." She paused for a moment, as if debating on the right way to word the question. "What is the deal with you and Marcus? You two seem to be hanging out a lot."
"He's a nice guy, he comes and visits me while I'm working, brings me dinner couple nights a week." He offered with a genuine smile.
"Don't you find it weird that you are hanging out with my ex-boyfriend?" Katie couldn't help the frown that had formed on her face. What was Marcus's deal?
His smile quickly deflated. "I'll stop if you want, but honestly honey, I don't think it has anything to do with you. I think he mostly likes the fatherly advice, him and his pops don't get along." He told her honestly. Katie wondered what Marcus and her father talked about. "I don't mind it; I didn't get much of a chance to be a father to you." Katie felt her heart clench, feeling the pain in his words.
"You're here now, that's all that matters." She reassured him, resting a hand on his shoulder. After a moment she asked, "how often does he come here?" Katie urged herself to look at him and did her best to keep her features neutral.
"Hm I'd say three to four times a week." He shrugged, not understanding why she was upset.
Katie snorted, raising her eyebrow. "He visits you more than I do?" she said, almost whining. Finding herself giving him a withering glare, as her temper rose.
Her dad coughed, suddenly extremely interested in the broom he had been working on. "Honey, I know you are busy, don't worry about it." He did his best to sound dismissive, running his hands through his short hair.
"My ex-boyfriend visits my dad more then I do, how am I not supposed to be bothered?" Katie pouted. Looking at the ceiling, she blew a couple stray hairs out of her face.
Her dad sighed through his nose. "He's a good guy, unlike his father." Was his only reply. Doing his best to reassure her and change the topic at the same time.
Katie took a deep breath before she asked, "do you know his dad?" Feeling curious.
"Only briefly when I was growing up, your grandfather knew him, but he was older, got along with Marcus's grandfather more than the dad." There was a long pause as Katie debated on what to ask next.
Her dad let out a sigh, before taking a seat, and looking up at Katie. "Listen I know it's not my place, but Marcus's tough guy personality is just an act, he's lonely. From what he's told me, growing up he saw his parents only a few times a year. From the moment he was born, he was never treated as a friend or a son. He was raised by nannies, always surrounded by people who only saw him as the only heir to the Flint fortune." He paused giving Katie a once over before asking her, "Could you imagine growing up like that?"
"No, I couldn't." She said softly, casting her eyes to her feet.
The following day Katie walked onto the pitch, ready for practice. A few of the team members stood around chatting, while they waited for Marcus to finish setting up. Katie walked up to Lucius and Brian who were in a heated discussion over who was the hottest female player. She couldn't help but laugh, as both men were clearly not backing down.
Katie was taken off guard when she heard someone clear their throat from behind her. "Hey Bell, can I have a word with you?" Marcus asked. She looked up at him and stiffly nodded her head, following behind him as he led her across the pitch. All the while the team acted as if she had been pulled into the principal's office.
"Bell's in trouble!" Lucius teased.
When they were out of earshot of the team, Marcus turned to Katie. She waited for a sneer or sarcasm, but it never came. "Listen, if you want me to stop hanging out with your dad I can. Honestly, I never knew what having a dad was like, but after I met him, I think I understand. If it bothers you though, I'll stop."
After a moment he gave her a pointed look, clearly waiting for an answer. There was another pause before she said, "no, it's fine. All I ask is that you stop talking to him about me." Katie examined him, with her head tilted to the side. Her flushed cheeks made her sapphire eyes look brighter.
"So, I can see him again?" He asked almost hopeful, fighting the urge to reach across the space between them and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah, it's fine." She nodded her head.
During practice Katie found herself watching Marcus more then what was required. Drifting off into her thoughts she hovered in front of the goals for a moment. Only to be pulled out of her daydream when she heard someone yell, "BELL DUCK." Katie turned her head only to be smacked right in the face by a bludger. Albert had hit it with all his might, trying to go for Lucius and unfortunately missing.
She felt the blood cascading down her face, the pain made her eyes well up with tears. Katie resisted the urge to cradle her face in pain, knowing it would only make her broken nose worse. Marcus flew up to her, grabbing her shoulders roughly as they hovered in the air. "Are you stupid? Why wouldn't you get out of the way!" He exclaimed, moving her chin from side to side, to inspect the damage. "Someone, get the healer!" He yelled, turning to the team.
She started talking before she even knew she had opened her mouth. "Don't call me stupid." Katie muttered, keeping her eyes cast down on her broom handle. One moment he could be the nicest guy and the next moment he snaps. It was like Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde, you never knew which Marcus you were going to get.
"When someone says duck, they should duck, not look at what's about to hit them. That is called being stupid." He chided her, using the sleeve of his robe to wipe up as much blood as he could from her face. While doing his best to avoid touching her nose.
"Oi Flint, why don't you get concerned for me when I get hurt?" Lucius whined in a mock, mournful voice, causing Marcus to flash him a dirty look. Katie winced, putting her hands to her temples, and closing her eyes. Soon the healer arrived and was setting Katie's nose.
Lucius took this opportunity to whisper to Brian, "we really need to help him out, he's never going to get her if he keeps calling her stupid."
"Tell me about it." Brian whispered back, getting a suspicious glare from Marcus, who was too far to hear what they had said. "Stupid git."
Despite what happened earlier, Katie found herself agreeing to go out for a drink with the team that night. Deciding on going to their usual bar, she headed into the locker room to get ready. It had taken her a little longer than the boys to get ready, when she left the locker room, she noticed the rest of the team had already left for the bar without her. Wearing black jeans, and a dark grey peacoat, thick enough to keep the chill out, she walked out of the stadium. Sighing as the cool air met her flushed skin. The nights were getting longer and darker as winter approached. She loved this time of the year, right before the first snow fall. You could just barely smell it in the air.
Deciding against trying to apparate, she chose to just walk the block to the bar. It wasn't that far and would only take two minutes. The stadium was in a muggle area but was heavily enchanted to make muggles not notice it. Within eyesight of the bar, Katie felt someone attempt to rip her bag from her arms. She turned around to face the person spotting a tall, hooded man. "Let go of the bag bitch." The hooded stranger cursed in a thick voice. She couldn't. Her new wand was in there. She couldn't give a muggle a magical item, it would be a death sentence in the Wizarding World. Katie didn't know what to do as she struggled to hold onto her bag, as best as she could.
She couldn't even cast magic in front of him. That would be another crime. Katie froze hesitant on what to do. "HEY" She heard Marcus bellow out from the entrance of the bar. Running towards them, she didn't dare look over her shoulder at him. Only focused on the bag. She couldn't give it up. Thinking quickly, she stomped on the man's foot, hoping to loosen his grip. Unfortunately, it didn't. The man shoved Katie to the floor, still clutching the bag he dragged her across the cement a few feet before she finally let go. The hooded man took off, Marcus hot on his heels.
By the time Marcus reached the man they were several blocks away, and she could just barely make out Marcus kicking the man who was now laying on the ground. Katie soon found the rest of the team surrounding her, asking her if she was all right. Nodding her head, they helped her off the ground, wiping off the dirt from her clothing and body.
"So, what happened?" Brian questioned Katie when they had finally entered the bar, sitting at a table off to the side of the bar.
She could feel the adrenaline rushing through her body, as her heart hammered in her chest. Taking a deep breath, she did her best to calm down. "I was walking down the street and he tried to take my bag, my wand was in there." She whispered to them.
Marcus and the rest of the team entered the bar, joining them at the table. Marcus walked past Katie placing her bag on the table in front of her, not even glancing in her direction. Before making his way to the other end of the table to sit down. "Thank you." She said sincerely. He kept silent though, it's not like he could tell her how afraid he had been for her.
"Katie, I think you at least owe Marcus a date for saving you." Lucius pestered, bumping his shoulder into her with silent reassurance, a casual gesture. Giving her a slow, considering nod.
She crossed her legs. "I don't think that's how that works." Katie quipped back giving Lucius a sharp glare, her eyes narrowing.
"This had to be the most heart wrenching love story, a powerful and solid man like Marcus, risked his life for the woman he loves." Lucius said dreamily, resting his chin into the palm of his hand as he stared into the distance.
"Katie you must have a lot of good karma to get a man like Marcus." Brian urged Katie with a grin, her eyes widening.
"I know right! He's strong, handsome, and a great chaser." Jerry added, starting to laugh as he slid down in his seat. She however seemed more interested in her feet, as she picked the hem of her jacket. Oh, she felt uncomfortable all right.
"What do you think Katie?" Lucius pestered, trying to get a response from his fellow chaser. She felt heat rising to her cheeks but couldn't help but marvel at how shameless they were being.
The only question that occurred to her was stupid, but she asked anyway. "What's your guy's deal? Why don't you go on a date with him if he's so great?" Katie rolled her eyes, refusing to meet their stares.
"I mean it. You two should be treating each other better." Brian smiled, and it was as if the sun had come out.
"That's right. With a manly guy like Marcus, you know he'd always keep you safe." Albert added. Katie couldn't help but wonder why the whole team was in on this. She watched Marcus with raised brows, while she fiddled with her jacket, nervously. Marcus didn't seem to be affected, but it would be difficult to tell if he was. His face remained unreadable.
"Come on Katie, tell us why you don't like Marcus, he's essentially invulnerable." Lucius chuckled while pointing at Marcus, as if to help his point. All Katie could do was shift in her seat awkwardly.
Something dark flashed across Marcus's face. "Leave her alone." Marcus called out, getting grumbles from the team. It was silent for a moment as the team looked at one another, slowly excusing themselves from the table one at a time and heading to the bar. Until only Katie and Marcus sat there, uncomfortably.
She hesitated before she finally broke the silence to ask him, "Did you put the team up for this?" She said it absently, as if she was thinking about something else.
Emotion swept through him, squeezing his chest. Words had never been his strength, often saying things he didn't mean. He thought about his response before, he looked up at her, replying softly, "no, I swear I'm done trying to get you." There was a pause, bracing his hands on the table he continued. "I'm sorry it's taken this long, but I'm done making an ass out of myself. I'm not sure what they are up to, but I'll get them to stop." Katie looked up at him, and their eyes connected. Not long after Marcus looked away, smiling tightly, and excusing himself from the table. Katie sighed, that's what she wanted right? She bit her lip.
Katie sat at the table alone for a moment before the seat next to her was roughly pulled out. Catching her attention, she looked up to see, Jenson Barnett. Oh no. She felt her body tense up, not looking forward to seeing him at all. "Hello beautiful." He said in a dreamlike voice as he sat down next to her, propping his head up to gaze at her with his arm that rested on the table. Katie's eyes searched the bar, hoping that someone on the team would notice.
"No thanks" Katie said with a small laugh, feeling awkward. Making eye contact with Lucius finally, only to realize that he wasn't going to help as he was too busy watching and laughing. Katie gave Jenson a nod before she shot from her feet and headed over to Lucius. "You really weren't going to help me" She whispered fiercely to him, bumping him with her hip.
"Maybe you should ask Flint for help, I'm sure he'd be more than willing." Lucius gave her a playful wink.
"Oh, shut it, can you apparate me home?" Katie asked him. She really needed to practice more; it was getting ridiculous that she was so terrified of it. When he agreed Katie said her goodbyes before heading out with Lucius. After dropping her off at home safely, he apparated himself back to the bar. When he walked in, he noticed Marcus and Jenson, in a match of pool. Oh, this would be interesting.
"Hey what happened?" Lucius asked Brian, in a muffled voice.
"Jenson challenged Marcus to pool and is now getting his ass kicked." Brian replied not taking his eyes off the match. Soon Marcus struck the eight ball into a corner pocket finishing the game, with most of Jenson's balls remaining on the table. Marcus walked over to Lucius and Brian; a smirk proudly displayed on his face.
"Why did he want to play against you?" Brian asked Marcus.
"I think he's trying to date our chaser Katie Bell" Lucius said giving him an odd, wise look. They all knew he was only trying to rile the captain up. Marcus looked up at Lucius shocked, then looked back at Jenson. They could see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to decide what to do. He gave Jenson a long thoughtful look.
"One more game, I went way too easy on him." He said, before walking back over to Jenson.
"I can feel the jealousy." Brian whispered to Lucius. They watched on as Marcus in one turn finished the entire game, not even giving Jenson a chance to shoot once. It was humiliating.
When they made it back to their table Lucius sat down next to Marcus saying, "If you are trying to get back with Bell you aren't doing a very good job at it."
"There's nothing else I can do, besides let her go." Marcus said, the corner of his lips descending.
"You get all sentimental without even a drop of alcohol, how is that possible." Brian complained but got no response from Marcus.
"You can't just give up." Jerry added. "You don't apologize with words; you need to show her how much you've changed."
"You guys need to drop this." Marcus said flatly. There was too much that he couldn't explain to them. He had been ordered not to talk to her by the Dark Lord. How could he tell them that he was a Death Eater?
"I've met a lot of wonderful people yet here I am, stuck here with a Jackass like you." Lucius said annoyed.
"Excuse you." Marcus said gruffly sitting up in his seat, giving Lucius a venomous glare.
"Why quit when it's to make yourself happy?" Lucius asked. Marcus didn't have an answer for that. Time had passed, and his longing for her had changed, it felt hollow now. He knew he still loved her, but her wouldn't let that affect her life in any way.
The next morning Katie had breakfast with Alicia and Angelina. Angelina had exciting news that her and George had gotten engaged the previous night. Flashing her new sparkling diamond ring at her friends, the girls congratulated her and talked about wedding plans. Eventually the topic switched to Jenson Barnett, Katie explaining that he had showed up to the bar.
"What did you say to him?" Angelina questioned excitedly, holding onto Katie's arm.
"I said two words" Katie paused for a slight dramatic effect, before saying, "no, thanks." Both girls let out an aggravated sigh, Angelina dropping Katie's arm in disappointment.
"Your pretty face is wasted on you." Alicia complained shaking her head. Katie crumpled up her paper napkin and chucked to towards her friend, lightly hitting her in the chest. They all laughed in unison. "I can't even get a second date, and this girl has an army of men chasing her." Katie shrugged at Alicia's comment, stuffing her hands in her sweatshirt pocket. Katie shook her head but didn't reply.
"Did you guys hear about what happened to Draco Malfoy?" Angelina gossiped, crossing her arms over her chest.
"What happened?" Katie asked shrugging.
"He got the shit beat out of him not long ago, turns out he was the one who gave you that cursed necklace." Angelina explained, watching Katie's reaction.
Alicia clicked her tongue. "I wouldn't doubt it if it turned out to be Marcus." Alicia smiled, her teeth gleaming in the morning light. Katie didn't say anything, but they could see her stiffen slightly. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Speaking of Marcus. Katie be honest, how do you feel about him?" Alicia questioned studying her carefully. Doing her best Katie focused on her breathing and quelling her urge to fidget. She knew it wasn't healthy to yearn for your first love for too long. It wasn't good to drag out anything. He had been a huge comfort to her at a time in her life that was exhausting. It had been short but bright, but that's all it had been.