Smelly Bells No More

Lottie sighed as she sat back from her desk and rubbed her face. She had just finished up the last of her paperwork and was ready to get out of the Ministry for the weekend. She had only been in the auror department for a week, but already her workload was rather heavy. Granted it wasn't as though she weren't used to it. She had a rather large caseload when she worked with MACUSA.

She glanced around the office, taking in the various aurors as they bustled about. In a way, it was a bit strange to be back in England. Just after she graduated from Hogwarts, her father had taken up a temporary six-month posting with MACUSA as a liaison with the British Ministry. Lottie had gone along with him, still unsure about what she had wanted to do with her life.

She had always been smart and clever - she had been sorted into Ravenclaw, after all. But all that studying had left her a bit lacking in the social department. Sure, she got on with her friends and such, but most of them she had met through her cousin Katie or her brothers and half the time she felt it was because of them that they even allowed her around. Penny Clearwater was the only friend she had truly made on her own.

Lottie also never dated in school, finding herself rather unattractive to the opposite sex, as well as too caught up with classes and such. Wasn't as though her glasses and untameable hair and plump appearance had helped her out there, either. And then there was the horrid nickname that Marcus Flint and the other Slytherins had given her second year that stuck around far longer than she had hoped. All because of some stupid mistake in potions her second year. She made sure to never make another such mistake.

Outside that, she just couldn't seem to find anything that struck her fancy in life, outside quidditch, though that was a hobby more than anything. Her brothers had all picked out their chosen professions - and excelled in them - long before she did. It had left her feeling a bit lost, but at the same time lit a fire in her to find something she could be good at. Something that would help her finally break out of her brothers' shadows.

The opportunity had come along one day when she went into MACUSA with her father. He had been called into a last-minute meeting and she was left wandering around the floor where his office was. She had come across the auror department and struck up a conversation with one, mildly interested as her older brother Bernard had become one. What she hadn't been expecting was to find it far more interesting than he had ever made it seem. The auror she was chatting with mentioned the MACUSA auror training program was currently accepting new candidates and she should apply. Lottie thought it over all of about 10 minutes before doing so.

It had been the best decision of her life.

Lottie found that she had found her calling in work as an auror - especially one far from her slightly overbearing and annoying brothers. When her father returned to England at the end of his assignment, she had stayed and threw herself wholeheartedly into training. It was harder than anything she had ever done before, but all the work paid off. She quickly became a promising auror-in-training and was offered a position in MACUSA upon her graduation. What was just going to be three years of training turned into a promising new career. More than that, she had finally found her confidence. Transformed herself from the once shy, timid girl who preferred books over human interaction, into an outgoing, daring young woman. Didn't hurt that she had finally gotten her eyesight fixed, so no longer needed glasses. And finally lost her baby fat. Oh, and figured out how to tame her hair.

Though, she had a bit of regret that she hadn't returned when things got really bad during the war. She had tried to transfer over, but with Death Eaters controlling the Ministry, she had no such luck. And then by the time it was over, she had settled into her life in New York and stayed longer. Enjoying the new life she had made for herself.

But now she was back home. And everything had changed. Well, most things had changed. Her best friend Penny was still the same - the two had kept in touch and Penny had come to visit her as often as she could. Her cousin Katie had also come over whenever her work scheduled allowed and hadn't changed all that much. But Lottie couldn't help but wonder how all her other friends had turned out.

More than that, she wondered about Oliver Wood. Penny and Katie still gave her shite about her school crush. And Lottie would be lying if she said that her first thought upon arriving back in London hadn't been about him. Of course, she knew that he had gone into quidditch, getting on his beloved Puddlemere's reserve team and working up to first string. Outside of that, she didn't know much else other than his playing stats. But she supposed she would find out soon enough. She was due to meet up with Katie and the others that night once she finished work. There was a flair of nerves in her stomach at the thought of meeting up with people that she hadn't really seen or spoken to since she left school.

"Settling in, Bell?"

She looked up, seeing none other than Harry Potter walking up to her. Imagine her surprise when she found out that she was assigned not only to his team, but that they would be working as partners. Her. Little shy, Lottie Bell. Working with The Boy Who Lived. As the senior auror, seeing as he was still technically finishing up his training. She was just grateful that she hadn't been placed with Bernard, though he took to checking in on her often.

"Yea, though about ready to get out of here," she said, sitting up in her chair and reaching for the report she had just finished.

"Meeting up with Katie and the others, yea?" he asked. Lottie nodded as she handed the report over.

"Think you could take that to Rollins?" she asked.

"Sure," he replied. Lottie stood and reached for her purse. She then stopped and looked over at him as he started walking to their team leader's office.

"Say, Potter… care to join?" she called out. He stopped and looked back, smiling at her.

"Thanks, but got plans," he replied.

"Ah, right. The girlfriend," she said, smiling. "See you Monday, then?"

"Yea, Monday," he replied, waving at her before turning and continuing on. She then sighed and nodded.

"Best to get on with it, Lottie," she said to herself.

Lottie felt her stomach begin to twist a bit the closer she got to the pub. She was gripping the strap of her purse tightly, beginning to get terribly worried. What if they all hated her for not coming back? Or held it against her? But she had tried to come back. They had to know that. Katie had assured her that it was fine, and they were all looking forward to seeing her again.

She turned a corner and ended up running into someone, she was so caught up in her thoughts. Hard. She stumbled back and would have fallen over it if it wasn't for a pair of strong hands gripping her arms to steady there.

"Whoa there," a deep voice said.

"Terribly sorry," she said, looking up. Her eyes widened as she took a step back.

Bloody hell. It was her old bully - Marcus Flint.

A warm smile filled his face as he took her in, and she couldn't help the wave of confusion that came over her. Didn't he recognize her?

"Don't mention it," he said, continuing to smile as he ran a hand through his hair, not making any move to walk away. Lottie just blinked. What the hell? He didn't recognize her, did he? A smile came over her face. She could have some fun with this.

"You sure? Don't want to injure you or anything," she replied, remembering that he had gone into quidditch. He studied her a moment.

"I'm sorry, but have we met before?" he asked, taking a step towards her. "You seem familiar… but I'm rather sure I'd remember meeting you…"

Lottie fought from laughing. He certainly was trying to charm her, wasn't he? Oh, she was going to enjoy this.

"Well… we have met, actually," she said, crossing her arms in front of her as she tilted her head to the side, allowing her dark waves to swing behind her. She had an easy grin on her face and her blue eyes were twinkling.

"Remind me again," Marcus said, leaning towards her. Lottie reached up, tapping her finger against her lip.

"Well… it's been a rather long time," she started.

"At least tell me your name," he said.

"Nah, think it's more fun if you guess," she replied, smirking. Marcus chuckled.

"Do I get any hints?" he asked.

"Let's say… you knew me in Hogwarts," she replied.

"Same year?" he asked.

"Yes," Lottie said.

"House?"

"I wasn't Slytherin," she said. He looked her up and down.

"I'm guessing you weren't Hufflepuff…"

Lottie laughed again and shook her head.

"What makes you say that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I never paid attention to Hufflepuffs and I know I would have paid attention to you," he said. Lottie couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips. Merlin, he was just as full of himself now as he was back then.

"Well… you did pay me some mind," she replied. She glanced down at her watch. As much fun as she was having with this, she was about to be late to meeting her friends.

"Gryffindor?" Marcus then asked.

"Ravenclaw," she said, looking back up at him. Marcus looked away, seeming as though he were deep in thought.

Lottie couldn't help but wonder if he was ever going to guess right.

It was starting to drive Marcus mad. He never forgot a pretty face and he knew that he should bloody well remember the gorgeous witch standing before him. There was something about her eyes, the planes of her face, that were so familiar. But for whatever reason, he just could not put a name on her.

"Ravenclaw? Same year?" he asked, looking back down at her. Her lips stretched into a mischievous grin. Merlin, how did he not remember that grin? "Make a deal. You give me one more hint. If I get it right, you have dinner with me."

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. She considered it a moment and then nodded.

"Alright. You gave me a nickname," she said, a twinkle appearing in her eyes. He studied them a moment. He knew those blue eyes.

It then struck him.

"Wait… Smelly Bells?" he said, not really believing that was who he was speaking to. There was no way. Lottie Bell had been a dumpy sort back at school. Shy and terribly easy to tease and embarrass. Not this confident, vixen of a witch standing before him. Just what had she been doing in the US?

"None other," Lottie said, holding her arms out. "Though I'd appreciate it if you called me Lottie or Bell."

"Of course," he replied quickly, smiling. "Believe you owe me a date."

"It would seem that I do," Lottie replied easily. She pulled out a piece of paper and pen from her purse, jotting something down. She then held it out. "My address." Marcus accepted it, looking down at it. "I do hate to run, but I'm a bit late to meet my friends."

"Of course," he said, looking back up at her. "Good to see you again… Lottie."

"You as well, Flint," she said with another smile before walking on. Marcus stood there a moment, staring down at the paper and then looking over his shoulder as she walked off. She glanced over her shoulder at him, smiling.

Bloody hell… he was going to go on a date with Smelly Bells. No. Lottie Bell. Marcus chuckled to himself as he started down the sidewalk. Wait until the lads heard about this.

Oliver laughed at George's story about the latest trick gone wrong at the shop, reenacting the explosion with his usual vigor. Angelina sat next to him, shaking her head in disapproval, though she was grinning. Oliver couldn't help but take in the sight of all his friends, laughing and enjoying themselves.

It was hard to believe that just two years ago, he wasn't sure if he'd see any of them again. But now wasn't the time to dwell on that. The war was over. They had all survived. And moved on.

He reached for his glass of ale and brought it to his lips, wondering just how long it was going to take Lottie to get there. The rest of the group had arrived about 30 minutes ago and he was halfway through his first drink.

"Oi, Kates. So, where's Lottie?" Lee Jordan asked. Katie looked down at her watch and then over at the door.

"Should be here," she replied with a sigh. "Suppose the auror department is keeping her late."

"Auror department? That's what she got up to then?" George asked.

"Thought I told you that," Angelina said, looking at him.

Oliver's eyebrows rose slightly. She had become an auror? That didn't seem like the Lottie he remembered from school. The girl couldn't even bring herself to try out for quidditch, though she had been a decent chaser in the pick-up games they had played growing up. Granted that may have had more to do with the fact that her brothers had all played and she thought herself not nearly as good as them.

"Yea. She was just going with my uncle to stay in the US during his six-month assignment and then… dunno… next thing I know, she's owling me about joining the MACUSA auror training program," Katie said. "Who would have guessed."

"That's about right," Alicia replied. "Figured she'd go into research or something. She was always spending most of her time in the library."

"Isn't Bernie an auror?" Oliver found himself saying. While Lottie and her twin Charlie had been in Ravenclaw, the older Bells had been Gryffindor.

"Yea," Katie replied. "Thankfully they aren't on the same team otherwise I'd never hear the end of it. She always was fighting with him and Adam. Don't blame her. They were a bit annoying. Still are."

"I always thought Adam and Bernie were rather fit," Angelina said with a sigh.

"Oi! I am sitting right here," George shouted playfully.

"Yes, and you are my true love," Angelina replied, batting her eyelashes at him with a cheeky smile. George just grinned goofily at her before pecking her lips. Oliver chuckled with the others.

"Ah! Finally!" Katie exclaimed, hopping off her stool and moving towards the door. Oliver followed her with his eyes and then couldn't help as his mouth dropped open.

"Bloody hell," Lee murmured from his side. "When did Lottie Bell grow up into that?"

Even Oliver had to admit that he nearly didn't recognize her. She was the same height - still had the same dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. But other than that, she was completely different. She had slimmed up. Was dressed a bit more stylishly than she ever had in school. The glasses were gone and her hair now hung in sleek waves. More than that, she held herself differently. There was an air of confidence around her that hadn't been there in school. He found himself gulping slightly as he watched her hug Katie and then turn to look at the group.

"Aren't you lot a sight for sore eyes," she said brightly as she walked up to the table. She looked at all of them, but Oliver couldn't help but think she lingered on him a bit longer than the others.

Merlin, she was beautiful.

Granted, it wasn't as though she was bad-looking to begin with. Just… not much to write home about, he supposed.

"Could say the same about you," Lee said, grinning. Lottie chuckled as Katie led her over, putting her on the stool next to Oliver.

"Good to see you, Wood. Seems you're doing well," she said, looking over at him.

"Yea," he said, finding words had temporarily left him.

"Forget Wood. Kates says you're an auror," Alicia said, stealing her attention. Lottie nodded.

"Yea, started in MACUSA," she said before turning and waving down a server, then ordering a beer.

"How's it being back home?" Angelina then asked. Lottie was quiet a moment before smiling.

"Good," she said. "Wanted to come back sooner, but well… suppose life got in the way a bit." There was a bit of awkward silence as no one wanted to bring up the war. She then smiled brightly. "How have you lot been? Been following the League while I've been gone a bit, but don't know much outside that..."

From that point on, it seemed like the entire group was fighting for Lottie's attention, talking over each other to get in a few words. But Oliver remained quiet, just listening as she answered questions here and there. Every so often, she'd glance at him and he swore she blushed once. He wasn't sure why.

But as the night continued, he couldn't help but wonder just why he hadn't paid more attention to her in school. She had been part of the group enough. They had been in many classes together. Had even hung out and talked. He blamed it on his quidditch tunnel vision. But now, years later, he decided he wasn't going to let that be the case again.

"Take it you're happy to be back," he said, leaning towards her when the others were focused on teasing Alicia about her new boyfriend. Lottie smiled at him, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Yea. It's good to be home," she said, reaching for her glass. "Really didn't mean to be away for so long…"

"You get a place in the Alley?" he then asked. Lottie nodded.

"Not far from here," she said.

"Ah, so we're neighbors then," Oliver replied. "I'm just a couple blocks down." Lottie studied him a moment.

"Near the big blue building that looks a bit like a cake?" she asked.

"Brown building next to it," he said. Lottie chuckled.

"We are neighbors. I'm in the building next to that," she said, leaning her head on her hand. Oliver's eyes widened slightly.

"Well then, suppose there's no excuse to not meet up for dinner or something," he said. "Seeing as we are neighbors and all." Another blush came over her pale cheeks.

"Guess not," she replied.

"Grand…"

Sorry it's taken so long to update! Had a bit of a life-interrupting moment – came home one night last week to find my bathroom – toilet and sink included – in my living room. Turns out I was getting a new bathroom floor and the landlord didn't fully explain it to me. Had to find a place to stay for a few days and didn't get to move back in until yesterday (was supposed to be on Sunday). But I have a bathroom and hot water again, so I can focus a bit more on writing this story. I've finally plotted out the whole thing and finished up chapter five, so should be smooth going from here out.

Aphrodite-Venus-u.k – Haha, it's been fun so far! About to get into writing some of the really funny stuff coming up. ^_^

babyks2 – Haha, well, she's met them. The tricky part coming up, but I'm enjoying writing it.

Thanks for reading and following!