Author's Note: If you are Team Flint, keep reading. If you are Team Wood, go back to the last chapter. 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 Marcus, 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 Wood," Marcus replied, smirking. Lottie froze for a moment before hopping up and turning to Oliver. 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," Oliver said. She blinked a few times, then looked to the ground.

"I… did…"

Lottie shot up on the sofa, gasping slightly as her heart pounded. She turned, tossing her legs over, as she rubbed her face. The sun was still up, but from the looks of the shadows in her living room, she had been asleep for some time.

"It was only a dream," she murmured. "Only a dream…"

She then looked up, her eyes wide. Wickers had tried to kill Oliver and Marcus. She couldn't put up shields fast enough for both. She had chosen to throw herself in front of Marcus.

"Marcus," she whispered as the maelstrom in her head finally quieted and everything fell into place. All the worries she had before didn't matter.

Sure, Oliver had been her first crush. Made her comfortable, but she wasn't that girl anymore. She was someone completely different and Marcus saw that. Oliver would always be a dear friend, but Marcus… he was her future.

Lottie shot up from the sofa and headed towards her bedroom. She needed to see him. Tell him. But first, a shower.

Marcus sat on the sofa, flipping through the Prophet, but then ended up tossing it aside and sitting up on the sofa, rubbing his face.

He really screwed things up.

At the time, he thought he and Wood were making the right move with Aiden. Protecting Lottie. But in the process had ignored the fact that she was completely capable of taking care of herself. Something she had more than made clear last night. And plenty of times before that.

Then there was the whole fact that he and Wood were so caught up in their little feud that neither thought how Lottie might take it when she found out. He wasn't sure just how he had intended on telling her the truth, but it most certainly did not include having everything come out at a party in front of loads of people.

He had barely slept the night before, worrying that he had royally fucked up what could have possibly been one of the best things in his life. If she ever spoke to him again, he wasn't even sure what to say to her to try and make up for it. But Merlin, he would give just about anything for the opportunity to at least try.

Sighing, he stood and walked towards his kitchen, thinking he should make some tea to try and calm his frazzled mind. But once there, he found himself going to the firewhiskey. Just as he was about to pour, there was a frantic knocking at his door. He stopped, looking towards it, his brow furrowed. The knocking came again, this time a bit more urgent.

He put down the bottle and walked to the door, not hesitating to pull it open.

Lottie was standing there, slightly out of breath.

"Lottie," he said, surprised to see her. "Did you… did you run here?"

"Just shut up and kiss me, Marcus," she said before grabbing the front of his shirt and yanking him down to her.

What the hell was going on? Was he dreaming?

No, he wasn't, he decided as he closed his eyes, his hands wrapping around her waist as he pulled her closer. He could feel Lottie's hands running through his short hair as he deepened the kiss.

This was real and most definitely happening. Though for the life of him he couldn't understand how or why. Though it really didn't matter to him in that moment.

After some time, Lottie stepped back, breathing heavily.

"I'll never do that again… keep secrets from you like that," he vowed before she could speak. "Or step in for you." She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Good," she said.

"I know you are capable of fighting your own battles," he added for good measure. Lottie chuckled.

"Seems there's no need to ream you out then," she said before kissing him again. Marcus managed to pull her into the flat and shut the door before pressing her up against it.

"Wait, but… Wood," Marcus said, pulling away again. Lottie smiled at him.

"Thought it was obvious… I chose you," she said. His eyes widened as he stared down at her.

"Me?" he asked. "But… figured… you have history and-"

"Shh. Exactly. We have history. But I'm not Smelly Bells anymore. I'm Lottie. And I want to be with you," she said firmly. "May have taken you a fair bit of time to notice me, but… I can't imagine being with anyone else right now." Marcus grinned down at her.

Part of him couldn't believe that this was actually happening. They were going to be together. She had chosen him.

"Besides, I think I promised you that you wouldn't be alone," she added softly. Marcus leaned his forehead against hers.

"You have no idea how happy I am right now," he said.

"Think I have a decent idea," Lottie remarked, a small, smug smile on her face. He chuckled and kissed her again, more than thrilled when she kissed back with abandon.

She had chosen him.

Six Months Later

Lottie chuckled as she listened to Katie rehash a particularly funny injury that had befallen Davies earlier in the week, then glanced around the bar. The chaser had thankfully been in fine, working order that day and helped Puddlemere pull off the win, even if Maddie hadn't caught the snitch.

Though part of that was also thanks to Oliver, who had pulled off some spectacular saves. She met his eyes across the room, and he nodded, raising his glass to her.

"So, it's true… you two really are friends," Alicia said, getting Lottie's attention. She looked back to the group, taking in their various expressions. Katie was smiling, while Penny had her usual smirk. Angelina was rolling her eyes at Alicia, who wore a look of shock.

"Yes," Lottie said. "Why wouldn't we be? Just because we didn't work out as a couple doesn't mean friendship was off the table. And really, when you think about it, we are much better suited as friends." Katie gave Alicia an "I told you so," look as the chaser huffed slightly before turning and walking off.

"It's been six months. Even Wood is over it," Penny said with a chuckle. "Not sure why she's put out."

"She lost money betting on it," Angelina said.

"To whom?" Lottie asked. Angelina grinned.

"Me," she replied before walking over to George.

"I did not see that one coming," Penny commented. She then turned to Lottie. "So, Ms. Bigshot Team Leader, how was your first week bossing people around?" Lottie laughed.

"I do not boss people around. And it's just Potter and two others, so not like I even have a large team," she replied. "But it feels amazing."

"I still can't believe that wanker Aiden did that to you," Katie said, now frowning. Lottie shrugged.

"I would have gotten a promotion eventually. Even if MACUSA hadn't figured out he doctored those reports and then shared it with the Ministry," Lottie said lightly.

"Helps you brought in that dark wizard a few months ago. Tell me again how Bernie took it," Penny begged. Lottie laughed and shook her head. He had been gobsmacked. But once he had regained the ability to speak, he congratulated her more exuberantly than anyone else.

"At least he's laying off at work, yea?" Katie asked. Lottie nodded. "He and Adam any closer to warming up to Flint?" Penny snorted as Lottie shot her a look.

"They're getting better," she said. Penny just laughed loudly. "They are!"

"Only because he gave them box tickets to a few matches as penance," Penny said. Lottie just huffed and rolled her eyes.

"What's this about box tickets? You know you only have to ask if you want them, Clearwater," Marcus said as he walked up, holding a glass out to Lottie before kissing her cheek and wrapping his arm around her waist.

"I am fine in that regard," Penny replied. "We were talking about you bribing your way into Bernard and Adam's good graces."

"They were actually nice the last time we saw them, right?" he asked, looking down at Lottie. She nodded, though glanced away as she took a drink. "What did you do?"

"Nothing! Well… may have possibly slipped something into their pints a few nights before we met up with them…" she admitted. Katie started chuckling as Penny laughed again. Lottie looked up at Marcus, who was frowning slightly. "May have been whatever it was that George slipped you…"

The frown faded as Marcus grinned. He kissed her lightly on the lips.

"May make a Slytherin out of you yet," he said.

"I'm still very much a Ravenclaw, if you haven't noticed," Lottie replied primly, though she was still smiling.

"You're brilliant, that's what you are," Marcus replied.

"Gag me," Penny said before walking off to get another drink. Lottie chuckled as she looked over at Katie.

"How's things with that bloke of yours?" she asked. Katie just shrugged and smiled.

"Good," she said. "Going out again this weekend." Lottie smiled at her.

"What's that make? Four dates in the last couple of weeks?" she asked.

"Something like that," she said. "Though… Lee Jordan asked me out the other day…" Lottie's mouth dropped open.

"What did you say?" she asked. Katie just shrugged and smiled slyly.

"Told him I'd think about it. Not sure I can handle dating two blokes at once. Learned from your example," she said, grinning. Lottie frowned at her and started to say something.

"I think we all learned a lot from that whole thing," Marcus said, interrupting her. "But hey, we got each other out of it, didn't we?" Lottie looked up at him, starting to smile.

"Suppose so," she said before kissing him.

"And George and Lee learned not to mess with you ever again," Katie added.

"Pucey too," Marcus said. Lottie looked over at Oliver.

"Wonder what he got out of it?" she murmured.

"How to put himself out there," Marcus said. "Been seeing this lass that plays chaser for the Kestrals." Lottie looked over at Marcus, her eyes wide.

"He didn't say anything to me," she replied. Marcus chuckled as he looked down at her.

"Probably wouldn't. But about convinced him to bring her out with us, so you'll meet her soon enough," he replied.

"Marcus Flint going on a double date with Wood. I should check and see if hell is frozen over," Katie said with a snort. Lottie just continued smiling up at him.

"Things change," she said.

"That they do."

Right, so I couldn't decided who I wanted her to end up with, so I wrote two endings... Surprise!

Thanks everyone for reading and following!