Enter the Dark Horse

Lottie shifted in her chair, pouring over the contents of a file on yet another known accomplice of the dark wizard they were searching for. Most of them were dead or in Azkaban, which was making her think they weren't going to find him this way. But she wanted to be thorough and cross out as many names on the list as they could.

She was getting a bit antsy, wanting to be out actually doing some tracking. But their last lead had gone cold much like the others. She was going to go out of the box with this one, most definitely. But then again, that's what made her good at her job in her mind.

"You sure it doesn't hurt?" she heard Potter ask yet again. She looked up at him, catching the look of concern on his face. She huffed slightly.

"It doesn't hurt," she replied flatly before returning to the file and then finally shutting it and tossing in on her desk before massaging her temples. This was getting them nowhere. Perhaps she should go out for lunch and clear her head. Not to mention, it would get her away from all the questions about her face, which was still fairly bruised after her collision with the bludger.

She had already had to tell the story about 10 times so far that morning. And more often than not, the other person struggled to contain their laughter.

More than that, it brought up lingering embarrassment. She sent Adam a howler after the potion had worn off and Oliver left, knowing full and well he had given her that particular pain potion intentionally. Only a handful of people had that reaction, as they had discovered when she was still in school. Bernie had accidentally broken her arm in a rough quidditch match in the backyard and Adam happened to have it on hand.

She had apologized a million times to Oliver for how she had acted, but he had taken it in stride. She woke up to a vase of tulips on the coffee table with a small container of the salve. He had even picked up some food, accurately guessing that she would be starving when she finally woke up. They had a relaxed dinner before he left, with Lottie assuring him that she would be fine to take care of herself. Though that didn't stop him from sending an owl the next day to check on her and ask if she needed anything.

Lottie had then spent the rest of Saturday night and then Sunday holed up in her flat, agonizing over everything. She had seen a more vulnerable side of Marcus on Friday night that stuck with her and made her all the more attracted to him and curious to know more about him. But then the next day with Oliver, she had managed to not think of Marcus once. She had felt at-home with his family. As though she was already part of them, and that feeling had settled warmly with her.

Then there was the potion debacle – he hadn't taken advantage of her temporary inability to lie – even if he didn't really know it was a side effect. And had taken care of her.

In short, Lottie felt that she was truly and fully screwed, because she was dating two wonderful men and date-by-date falling equally for both of them.

She needed to talk to Penny. And fast.

"Bloody hell, Char."

Groaning, she turned in her chair to see Bernard standing next to her desk, his eyes wide in shock though he was grinning. He started chuckling, but then broke out into loud belly laughs that started garnering attention from other aurors in the office. She crossed her arms and glared at him.

"Get it all out," she replied dryly as he leaned against another desk to brace himself. While the salve had helped, there was still a rather ghastly purplish-greenish hue around her eyes.

"When Adam said you looked like a raccoon, didn't nearly believe him," Bernard said, straightening up and wiping a few tears from his eyes. "You're not in pain, are you?"

"No," Lottie said firmly, guessing Adam had probably told him about the potion as well.

"Wood get you home alright?" Bernard then asked, his blue eyes still dancing with mirth. Lottie narrowed her eyes at him before taking a deep breath and opening her mouth to let him have it.

"Good, most of you are here."

Lottie snapped her mouth shut and jumped to her feet as their boss Collins walked in. There was someone just behind him, but she couldn't make out who it was as they were looking around the office in the opposite direction. But there was something familiar about him.

"We have a new transfer from MACUSA. This is Aiden Crestwater. He'll be taking over Dagger's team, but I expect all of you to make him feel welcomed and help get him settled," Collins said in his usual clipped tone.

Lottie froze as her eyes widened and she stopped breathing for a moment. Harry looked at her in confusion and then over at Bernard, who had gone stiff, though he was glaring at the newcomer.

"You know Bell, I take it?" Collins asked, looking at the man. "I mean, Lottie, that is. This is her brother Bernard Bell. He's currently heading up his own team as well."

Aiden flashed a charming smile and nod towards Lottie, ignoring Bernard. He was taller than her brother - though Bernard was stockier - and had sandy blonde hair that looked effortlessly tousled. His light blue eyes were firmly fixed on Lottie as though she were the only person in the room.

"Yes, we worked together in MACUSA," Aiden said smoothly. "Good to see you again, Lottie." Lottie bristled but gave him a tightlipped smile in return.

"Good, this is her partner, Harry Potter. I'll give you the rest of the tour and then introduce you to your team," Collins continued. "Follow me."

"Yes, sir," Aiden said, following Collins though he shot one more smile at Lottie before they left.

"What the hell," Bernard bellowed as soon as they were out of earshot. He turned to Lottie. "Take it you didn't know about this?"

"Does it look like I knew?" Lottie shot back at him.

"And I take it neither of you are particularly fond of Crestwater?" Potter asked cautiously. The two siblings looked over at him with expressions so ferocious that he backed away with his hands up even though there were two desks in between them. "Sorry I asked…"

Lottie sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.

"Sorry, not your fault," she said, collapsing in her chair. "Fucking hell… why is he here?"

"Probably here to steal more of your glory," Bernard replied, glaring towards the door that Collins and Aiden had left through.

"Argh! As if I needed something else to worry about!" Lottie groaned as she dropped her head on her desk. Bernard looked back towards her, his face immediately full of worry.

"You need me to talk to him? Tell him to stay away from you?" he asked. Lottie shot back up and glared at her older brother.

"No! You and Adam have done quite enough meddling in my life as it is!" she shouted. Bernard took a few steps away from her.

"Just offering," he said. "You know that we'd do anything for you." Lottie groaned and pushed up from her desk then turned to scowl at him.

"When are you two going to learn that I don't need you to protect me anymore?!" she shouted. She then started towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Bernard called after her.

"Lunch! You coming, Potter?!" she barked in response.

"Yes, sure. Coming," Potter said, moving quickly to follow her. He wasn't sure he wanted to, but it was better than facing her wrath by staying. Bernard just watched the two walk out of the office and then sighed.

"Better tell Adam," he muttered to himself before going back to his own desk.

Penny watched as Lottie downed yet another glass of wine, her eyebrows arched. She knew that the woman was no lightweight, but if she kept this up, she was going to have one nasty hangover at work the next day.

"So… he's here," she said, the only response she could manage after Lottie had hurriedly told her that her ex had transferred to the Ministry's auror department. Penny had never liked the bloke, even told Lottie so several times after first meeting him before the two got together. It was probably the one time that Penny hadn't encouraged her to go on a date, getting a feeling that he was the sort that didn't have anyone's interests in mind but his own.

"Yes," Lottie said, reaching for the bottle on the coffee table and then shaking it. Upon realizing it was empty, she got up and started towards the kitchen.

"I really don't think another bottle of wine is going to help the situation," Penny shouted after her.

"It won't hurt either!" came the response. Penny sighed and shook her head, reaching for her own glass. She knew better than to push Lottie when she was like this. Best to let her get to it her own time. "I mean… of all the…" Lottie walked out of the kitchen and stopped, growling in frustration. "What the hell is he doing?!"

"Well… he truly is out to steal more of your credit, or he wants you back," Penny said, thinking it was rather obvious why Aiden was in the UK. Lottie looked over at her, the shock clear on her face. Penny really wanted to chuckle, finding it amusing just how unaware of her own allure Lottie was.

She had emerged from auror training with far more confidence than she had ever had. Her nervous ticks had lessened exponentially, and she had a focus in life other than studying and in general trying to be unnoticeable.

Add that to her new look and Lottie was overall rather attractive to the opposite sex. While she had finally figured things out in that department, there was a time when she was still a bit clueless. Penny knew right away after meeting Aiden the first time that he fancied Lottie and was attempting to take advantage of her cluelessness. Six months later, the two were officially a couple.

It was of no surprise whatsoever to Penny that both Marcus Flint and Oliver Wood had asked Lottie out just after she had returned to England. But that wasn't the point of tonight.

"You don't think he really wants to get back together, do you?" Lottie asked, rushing back over to the sofa and sitting back down. Penny really did have to fight against her laughter. The look of utter disbelief mixed with Lottie's bruises was rather comical. She just shrugged instead and took a sip of her wine.

"Suppose we'll just have to wait and see, but even if that's it, it doesn't matter," Penny said firmly. "You broke up for a reason. And I know that you won't take him back."

"Of course not," Lottie replied as though just the idea of it were ridiculous. "May have broken up some time ago, but I certainly remember everything." She then reached for her glass and poured more wine. "I'd never go back to him. Not after what he did."

"Good to hear you say it, though I never doubted you," Penny replied.

"Besides, got too many men on my plate as it is," Lottie said ruefully as she brought the glass to her lips.

"And how is that-"

"Can we not talk about Marcus and Oliver right now?" Lottie said with a grimace.

"Shall we talk about your brother, then?" Penny asked, smiling slightly. Lottie rolled her eyes.

"I cannot believe he would give me that damn potion! Actually, no, I can believe it. Just… the git," Lottie fumed. "And then Bernard went all protective today when Aiden arrived…. Can I not have brothers? Well, save Charlie. At least he understands me."

Penny leaned over and patted her on the back. She really did feel for Lottie there. Being an only child, she had always kind of wished for siblings. But then when she met Lottie's older brothers, she thanked Merlin she was an only child. Charlie wasn't nearly as bad as Adam and Bernard, but even he and Lottie would occasionally get into rows.

"Adam invited Oliver and I over for dinner," Lottie said before taking a large drink of her wine. "He and Bernard have certainly made it known who they would prefer that I date."

"And Charlie?" Penny asked.

"He says whoever I choose is likely to be a good bloke," Lottie replied. She looked over at Penny. "This is getting difficult." Penny sighed again. While she had encouraged Lottie to continue seeing both, even she had thought that at some point she would start to lean one way over the other. Certainly by now, at least.

"Well… it still has only been a few dates with each. Perhaps you just need more time," she replied.

"Right… I keep forgetting that this is still all rather new," Lottie said.

They had had so many talks about the two men that Penny sometimes forgot as well that both were still in the beginnings of a relationship. Weren't even to the actual "exclusive" bit.

"Well, whatever you decide, I support you," Penny said. Lottie flashed a smile at her then leaned over and hugged her.

"Thanks," she replied.

"And if you want to hex Aiden, I fully support that as well. In fact, I'll help you," Penny added. Lottie chuckled.

KNOCKKNOCKKNOCK

Both women paused and looked towards the door.

"You expecting someone?" Penny asked.

"No…"

Katie dashed up the stairs to Lottie's flat in record time, happy that she still worked out often otherwise she'd be out of breath. As soon as Charlie had sent word that Aiden was in town - after hearing from Adam, who in turn heard it from Bernard - she knew that she had to go check on her cousin.

The two aurors had had a rather tumultuous ending to their relationship, after all.

She stopped at the door and took a deep breath before banging on it. It only took a few moments before a confused Lottie opened the door, a wine glass in hand.

"Kates? What are you doing here?" she asked. Katie launched into a hug.

"Just heard from Charlie about Aiden and had to check on you," she said in one breath. Lottie rolled her eyes.

"How did Charlie know?" she asked. "No… I know. Merlin, bet the whole family knows and I'll be getting an owl from Mum and Dad soon." Katie walked into the flat and put her bag down before pulling off her medic robes. She saw Penny on the sofa and waved at her before going into the kitchen to retrieve her own wine glass.

When she came back out, Lottie was already moving to sit back down on the sofa.

"How are you really?" Katie asked as she walked over and poured some wine into her glass before perching in an armchair.

"I'm fine," Lottie said.

"Took a bottle of wine to get there, but yes, I can attest to the fact that she is, indeed, fine," Penny said, smirking at Lottie, who shot her a look.

"Really. Is it annoying that I'm working with him again when that was part of the reason I left? Yes. But I'm an adult and I can handle this," Lottie said. "Like a mature adult." Katie felt somewhat relieved, though she still worried.

More than Aiden arriving, she worried how this would affect the current situation. Namely that Wood and Flint were currently battling it out for Lottie's affections and her cousin had no idea. She watched as Lottie and Penny continued discussing Aiden, her heart twisting slightly.

Katie should tell her. She wanted to tell her. But at the same time, she worried what sort of affect that would have on everything. Would derail everything? Maybe it was better if Lottie found out on her own.

"Really, it doesn't look nearly as bad as you think," she heard Penny say. Katie tuned back into the conversation, finally taking a good look at Lottie's face.

"Wait, what the hell happened?" she asked. She knew that Lottie had dates with both Wood and Flint that weekend. Did something go wrong on either?

"Rogue bludger to the face at the Little League match," Lottie said with a sigh. "Thankfully the bludger was a bit softer than the usual sort." Katie's eyes widened.

"Ah, but worth it to get Wood to dote on her for the rest of the day and evening," Penny said with a grin. Lottie blushed slightly. Oh good, it didn't seem to have thrown her off from him, Katie thought with relief.

"How was it before the accident?" she asked, eager to hear Lottie's opinion on the date. Plus, she knew that Alicia and Angelina would expect feedback.

"It was really nice," Lottie said, a small smile on her face. "Got to catch up with Clara and meet his nephew. Really is adorable. We had a good time. And Oliver really is sweet. Brought me this salve to help with the bruising and dinner."

"Seems things are really working out with him," Katie commented happily. Lottie nodded and then flinched slightly. Oh dear. What was that about?

"Be right back. Loo," Lottie said as she stood and made for her bathroom. Both Katie and Penny watched her leave and then Katie turned back to look at the table, a frown on her face.

"Alright, out with it," Penny said. Katie looked up at her in surprise. "You know that she's also seeing Flint, don't you?" Katie just blinked a few times and then sighed. She took a large drink of her wine.

"More than that… Both Wood and Flint know," Katie said, unable to stop speaking now that it was all coming out. "They're in some sort of competition to win her over. And… me, Angelina and Alicia are helping Wood. Got a good feeling Flint's got his own help. Merlin, I think I should tell her."

"No," Penny said quickly. Katie's eyes widened.

"But shouldn't she know?" she asked. Penny thought a moment and then shook her head, smiling slightly.

"No. I think it's more interesting this way," she replied.

"But this is Lottie we're talking about," Katie pushed.

"Yes, and we both know how incredibly flustered she'll get if she knows. Just… let things play out as they will. She needs to focus on her own feelings, not worry about what those two idiots' friends are doing behind the scenes," Penny said.

"Don't you think it a bit unfair though? I mean-"

"We tell her and she starts second-guessing everything. I take it Wood's got genuine feelings for her?" Penny asked.

"Well, of course," Katie replied, as though the idea of Wood going after someone merely for sport were preposterous. It was. That was more Flint's thing. "But what if Flint is only in it now because it's some sort of… game…"

"Then that will come out in due course," Penny said. "I trust Lottie's judgement. She'll figure it out." Katie huffed and sat back in the chair.

"Fine," she replied.

At that moment, Lottie walked back into the room.

"Katie knows about Flint," Penny declared, causing both Bell woman to freeze. Lottie looked at her cousin.

"What? How?" she asked. Katie sighed and shot a traitorous look towards Penny, who was just grinning. Sometimes she wondered if Penny would have been better off in Slytherin. But that was not the thing to worry about right now. She needed to come up with a believable story as for how she knew that wouldn't lead her to saying that both men knew the full truth.

"Bernard told me," she lied, though made a mental note to beg him to go along with the story just in case her cousin asked him about it. Honestly, Katie doubted it – it was long known that her brothers were the biggest gossips in the family. Lottie just huffed and sat back down on the sofa.

"Bloody git," she muttered. "But suppose it's about time you knew. Merlin knows I often need advice…"

"How are you managing that? You know they're teammates," Katie said.

"I know. It's a miracle neither have found out yet. Don't blokes always discuss that sort of thing in locker rooms?" Lottie asked, thinking it over.

"Not Wood," Katie said quickly. "And, well, don't know about Flint, but suppose he hasn't…" Lottie just sighed and reached for her glass.

"That is the absolute last thing I need – the two of them finding out about each other. At least until I sort things out myself. I'm not even sure I want a serious relationship with anyone right now," she replied before taking a long drink. Katie looked over at Penny who just gave her a smug look as if to say, 'Told you so.'

"Well… tell me how things are going with Flint…"

Hope you guys enjoyed that little wrench there. Of course, I'm not going to make things easy for anyone… And Aiden is going to pop up here and there.

Guest – Well, I've finished writing the whole story, so figured it wouldn't hurt to post two chapters in a day, especially since they were date chapters and I knew folks would be eager to read both of them. Haha, I was cracking myself up with that chapter when I was writing it. I mean, I felt that it was obvious that George was going to step in with a prank. Haha, I know! It was sooo hard to decide who she would end up with – right up to the last couple of chapters I was going back and forth… but just wait and see…

I'm the Galactic Starfish – Haha! I honestly wait until I have a lot of chapters finished before I start posting stories so there's no lag in chapters going up. Then when I finish, I tend to post more often just because I get excited and want readers to get to the good stuff. This story is finished, so may post multiple chapters here and there. And we get into dealing with both sides in the next chapter. Wood and Flint are about to have their own separate team meetings.

Aphrodite-Venus-u.k – Glad that you liked them! I had fun writing them. ^_^

Thanks everyone for reading and following!