Author's Note – If you are Team Wood, keep reading. If you are Team Flint, skip this chapter and go to the next one. Enjoy!

To Make A Choice

Lottie groaned as she shuffled out of her room the next morning and stopped, taking in the mess that was her living room. The empty tequila bottle sat on the table next to the glasses, along with a few other bottles that were varying degrees of empty, dirty plates and empty crisp bags.

She couldn't remember when Penny and Katie left last night but had a vague recollection of them helping her into bed.

Sighing, she continued her trek to the kitchen for much-needed water and some pain potion for the pounding headache she currently had. If there was any sort of luck in the world, she might find some hangover tonic, but she couldn't remember if she ever had Charlie make her a new batch.

She chugged a fair amount of water before waving her wand and putting on a pot of coffee. She then dug through her potion cabinet, groaning again when she saw the empty bottle of hangover tonic. Looked as though she were going to have to suffer through the hangover the old-fashioned way, though at least she had some pain potion.

She took a sip of it, sighing in relief when the pain slowly began to subside though she was still a bit tired and ragged. Once the coffee was finished, she poured a mug, picked up her wand and a bottle of water and shuffled back into the living room. Putting down the coffee and water on the table, she then waved her wand, muttering a spell under her breath that had last night's mess clean itself up. The empty bottles went into her recycling box, while the rubbish went to the bin and the other bottles went back to her liquor cabinet.

On days like today, Lottie loved being a witch.

With that taken care of, she sat down, took a sip of coffee and then sighed again. Lottie had hoped that cleaning up the flat would help clean up her mind, but that was still a tangled mess of thoughts.

Everyone knew about her, Marcus and Oliver. There wasn't anything she could do about that, so decided not to dwell on it. Besides, it wasn't as though it affected the decision she needed to make that much.

She then focused on the fact that Marcus and Oliver knew about each other and neither had told her. Truthfully, she was a bit upset by this. But at the same time, it would have taken a miracle for them not to find out considering they spent a vast majority of their days around each other. It was really only a matter of time.

Okay, so that she figured she could let slide. For now, at least.

This all led to the big decision. Who did she want to be with? Did she want to be with either? If she chose one how would that affect her relationship with the other? Could they still be friends at least? Because at this point, Lottie knew that it would be difficult to completely cut either one of the men out of her life.

But then if she did choose one man, would the one she chose be okay with her still being friends with the other?

Lottie groaned and dropped her head into her hands. This is why she hadn't been able to make a decision before now. Too many questions.

She then looked up and pushed off the sofa, starting to pace in a slow circle around the living room.

"Okay, Lottie. You are an adult. You can figure this out," she muttered to herself. "Just… okay. Pros and cons. First, Oliver…"

He was kind. Thoughtful. Understood her and always seemed to have. He noticed her back in school. He showed that he could be romantic. She loved his family and he got on with hers. He was a good man. Made her feel comfortable and safe.

He didn't challenge her. He got on with her brothers too well. The Gryffindor in him would always likely want to try and protect her, when she could take care of herself. He was safe.

But Marcus on the other hand…

He could be exciting. He was continually surprising her. There was something about him that pushed her out of her comfort zone in the right sort of ways. He was different. He was a good man. There was a vulnerability to him that Lottie hadn't known before. He was alone. He needed someone like her.

Her brothers couldn't stand him. Would he be able to fit in with her family? Did Lottie need him? He was secretive, but was it out of distrust or did it just take a long time to get to know him? Would he ever fully open up to her? He didn't know her the way Oliver did. Had only noticed her after she had changed. He had bullied her in school.

Lottie stopped pacing and ran her fingers through her hair. She was going in circles here. It was the same lists over and over again. Nothing had changed since the first time she compared the two.

"You aren't going to figure this out with lists and charts," she told herself firmly. "This is a matter of the heart."

She walked over to the sofa and lay down, staring up at the ceiling. How the fuck was she supposed to make a decision? But she knew she couldn't speak to either until she did.

Time started to pass and Lottie lost track of how long she lay there staring at her ceiling. She didn't even realize her eyes blinking closed.

Lottie pulled her coat collar up against the strong, cold breeze, then shoved her hands into her pockets, gripping her wand as she looked around the deserted street. It was odd. There should be more people around at this time of day.

She glanced up at the overcast sky, wondering just why she had an off feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something was wrong, but she couldn't quite place her finger on what it was.

Onward, she continued, not knowing just where it was she was attempting to go. She just knew that she needed to keep walking. Keep moving.

She rounded a corner and froze, seeing a dark figure up ahead, quickly moving down the street. Her eyes narrowed as a surge of adrenaline flooded through her. Weeks of searching for the bastard and there he was. Practically gift wrapped for her.

Lottie launched forward, her wand out of her pocket and already slicing through the air as she sent a stunning charm towards Wickers. But just before it hit him, he stopped and turned, the spell bouncing off a shield.

"So, you're the one searching for me," he called out in a deep gravelly voice. "Becoming a thorn in my side."

Lottie didn't say anything, just studied him silently. He looked younger than she was expected, though there was a hardness to his eyes and sharp angles to his face. He grinned slowly, his dark eyes fixed on her. He moved his wand, sending a hex at her, though his lips didn't move.

She quickly put up a shield charm and then sent another spell towards him, the two entering into a furious back and forth.

"All you aurors are the fucking same. What makes you think you'll be the one to bring me in?!" he shouted.

"Just what makes you think that you'll get away?!" Lottie shouted back, slowly starting to gain some ground. She was getting closer to him.

"LOTTIE!"

She turned her head slightly, seeing Oliver run out from an alley.

"GET OUT OF HERE!" she shouted back, dodging the hex just before it hit her. Oliver was already running towards her. "NO! GET BACK!"

"LOTTIE!"

She whipped her head over to see Marcus coming out of another alley on the other side of the street.

"Well, this is interesting," Wickers said. Lottie locked eyes with him just before he waved his wand, shooting off two more hexes in rapid succession.

"NO!" she shouted as she began running. Both of them were running towards her and neither saw the hexes heading towards their backs. She pushed herself to move faster, knowing that she couldn't put up shields for both.

Time slowed as she pumped her legs and arms, the air barely reaching her lungs.

"Can't… lose him…."

Lottie launched herself forward as she stuck her wand out, casting a spell just before she collided with his tall, hard body, the two of them hitting the ground and rolling. When they came to a stop, she just stared down at Oliver, her eyes wide as she breathed heavily.

"Are you okay? Did he hit you?" she asked quickly.

"I'm… I'm fine," he said. Lottie began kissing his face.

"I told you to get away," she said urgently between kisses.

"Lottie…"

"Don't ever do that again!" she snapped, now staring down at him again.

"Think you could let me up? We should check on Flint," Oliver replied, smiling slightly. Lottie froze for a moment before hopping up and turning to Marcus. He stood there, unscathed, though Wickers was nowhere to be found.

"Where did he go?" Lottie asked, already scanning the street.

"Disappeared as soon as the hex bounced off the shield," he said, a sad smile on his face. Lottie turned back at him, her brow furrowed.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Seems you made your choice," Marcus said. She blinked a few times, then looked to the ground.

"I… did…"

Lottie shot up from the sofa, gasping loudly as she looked around her flat. It was still daytime, though from the shadows, it was sometime later. She turned and rubbed her face.

"It was just a dream," she murmured, though her heart was pounding.

Wickers had tried to kill Marcus and Oliver. She had chosen to throw herself in front of Oliver.

Looking up, Lottie realized that all along, she had always been more drawn to him. He was her first crush, after all. Had always seen her when she thought no one else had. Been kind to her when others had not been. Already she felt as though he were part of her life even though everything had changed.

"It's always been Oliver," she whispered to herself as a smile broke out. It was as though a heavy weight had been lifted from her chest. "It's always been him."

She then launched off the sofa, running to her bathroom. She needed to see him. Now. But not while she was still wearing last night's makeup and her pyjamas.

Oliver made his way towards his door, wondering just who would be banging on it on a Sunday evening. Well, that's not true. He was worried that it was Lottie come to yell at him after what happened at the party last night. He should have known it was a set-up by George when he saw her face as she walked into the flat.

He had had a couple drinks with Flint then headed home, not really feeling up to a party after everything. Not to mention, people kept looking at him and Flint and whispering. Neither really knew where they stood with Lottie at the moment. She looked upset when she left, for good reason. He wouldn't be surprised if she decided to have nothing to do with either of them again.

But still, the thought made his heart twist. The thought of not being around Lottie - in any capacity - brought a heavy feeling to his chest. Oliver only hoped that he would have the chance to try and make things up to her. At the very least that they could stay friends.

He stopped in front of the door a moment, steeling himself, before he reached down for the knob and pulled the door open. Lottie stood there, looking as though she had hastily thrown on some clothes before coming over. The ends of her hair were still damp. What on earth could this mean?

"Lottie," he said.

Without another word, Lottie launched herself forward as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him so fiercely that he was propelled back a few steps. While he was curious as to what brought about this reaction, he decided to go with it, bringing his hands to rest on her waist.

Lottie finally stepped back for air, staring up into his eyes.

"Don't ever pull another stunt like you did with Aiden," she said seriously. Oliver shook his head quickly.

"Lesson learned," he replied.

"And no more secrets," she said. "I'm still sore that you hid the fact that both you and Flint knew."

"Right," Oliver said. It then hit him why she was there. Why she was kissing him. "Wait… does this mean…" Lottie grinned.

"When it hit me, I realized that it's always been you," she said. "You saw me when no one else did… you always understood me… made me feel safe… accepted me. I mean, you were my first crush and all…"

Oliver couldn't help the grin that came over his face as he looked down at her. She had chosen him. After everything, she chose him.

"Does this mean I can start calling you my girlfriend?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her. Lottie laughed loudly, tossing her head back slightly.

"Yes, Oliver," she finally said.

"Grand," he said before bending down and kissing her again. He then easily lifted her up, Lottie wrapping her legs around as he turned and started walking towards his bedroom.

Lottie Bell had chosen him.

Six Months Later

Lottie sat back down in her seat, still cheering as her eyes were fixed on the match.

"Brilliant save," she said, turning to look at Penny sitting next to her.

"We get it. He's your boyfriend. You don't have to say it every time he stops the damn quaffle," Penny said dryly, though she was smiling. Lottie chuckled and turned back to the game. "By the way, how was your first week as team leader?"

"Brilliant," Lottie said, still watching the match. "Potter's doing well as are the others. Couldn't ask for a better team, really."

"It's about damn time, if you ask me," Penny said. "Took the Ministry long enough to work through all the damn paperwork. You brought in Wickers three months ago."

"Well, and then they were dealing with Aiden's termination. Loads of back and forth between them and MACUSA over that one," Lottie said with a sigh. She looked over at Penny, starting to grin again. "But at least it's all worked itself out."

"I always knew you'd get there eventually," Penny said. "Even when you didn't."

"I know," Lottie replied.

"How did Bernie take it?" Penny asked. Lottie chuckled.

"Threw me a party with Adam," she replied.

"Well that's a nice change from their usual antics," Penny replied.

"Yea, well, they gave Oliver 'the talk' at it," Lottie added.

"Okay, now that sounds about their usual speed," Penny said.

Lottie couldn't help as her grin widened as she looked over to Oliver, hovering in front of the hoops as he watched the chasers on the other end of the pitch. Her boyfriend, Oliver. She still got a bit of a thrill every time she thought or said it.

Her gaze then traveled over, finding Marcus in the middle of the fray. He had taken the news rather well. She supposed in a way, they all had known that she would eventually end up with Oliver. But it hadn't stopped her friendship with Marcus. While things were a bit awkward at first, the three had settled into a comfortable space finally.

In fact, Marcus had mentioned the other day that he had asked someone out, though he was scant on the details. Lottie and Oliver were both curious as to who it was, though no amount of prodding would get him to fess up. Said he wanted to see where things went first.

"Still can't understand just how it is you manage to stay friends with Flint," Penny said, as though she sensed the direction of Lottie's thoughts.

"Not that hard," Lottie said, still watching the match. "Well, okay, so it was awkward at first. Not like we started having lunches and tea and whatnot the day after Oliver and I got together."

"You were dating both of them at the same time. Nearly slept with both, as I recall," Penny said. Lottie looked over at her, an eyebrow raised.

"Yea, after you suggested it," she shot back. Penny chuckled.

"It was a reasonable suggestion. Though you didn't need it," Penny said.

"Glad we didn't. Don't think we could have stayed friends if we had," Lottie said, turning back to the match. "But it's fine. Still don't expect the two of them to be best friends, but Oliver is okay with me still being friends with Marcus."

"At least there's that…"

"Can't believe that you're really okay with it," Adrian said. Marcus lifted an eyebrow at him and then looked across the bar in the direction Pucey was looking in. He saw Wood and Lottie standing with Katie Bell and their other friends, his arm around her waist. He turned to look down at her, grinning, before pecking her on the lips.

"He won fair and square," Marcus replied with a shrug. "And it was months ago. We only went on a few dates as it was."

"But still-"

"It's fine, Pucey," Marcus said tiredly. It was, but he was tired of having the same conversation with his friend over and over again. Pucey was a bigger sore loser than he was, it appeared. "She chose him. I'm not about to wallow in self-pity for six months. And the way I see it, saved me a lot of grief. Now he gets to deal with her brothers."

"After all our hard work…"

Marcus rolled his eyes and walked over to the bar to get another drink and away from his friend. Pucey was starting to annoy him. He flagged down the barkeep and ordered, then stood waiting.

"Fancy meeting you here…"

He glanced over, seeing Penny Clearwater leaning against the bar. She was looking at him out of the corner of her eye, a small smirk on her face, before she turned to smile at the barkeep and order her own drink.

"I am on the team," he replied with a sigh, his face neutral, though his eyes were twinkling.

"Oh, that is right, isn't it?" Penny said.

"Probably wouldn't forget if you came to more matches," he stated.

"If I didn't have a job, I'm sure I could, but I do spend a fair amount of time doing important work at the Ministry," she said lightly, smiling as the barkeep handed her a drink.

"Yes, of course. Very important work," Marcus said, turning to face her after nodding towards the barkeep and accepting his own. Penny stared up at him, her familiar smug grin spread across her face.

"See you Tuesday night," she said softly before walking off. Marcus chuckled before taking a drink and watching her make her way over to Oliver and Lottie.

"See you Tuesday…"

So... I basically couldn't decide who she would end up choosing so wrote two endings...

Aphrodite-Venus-u.k - Thanks! Hope you enjoyed the ending!