Girls' Night Out

Katie couldn't help but laugh at Finn as she gleefully paid for the round of shots at the bar and then somehow managed to carry all five glasses over to the table where they was sitting with Alicia, Angelina and Haley without spilling anything.

She had to admit she was glad that Finn suggested a night out with their friends that weekend. It was a good way to let off some steam and push aside the growing guilt over keeping secrets from her. Seemed Finn needed it as well with her mother's visit growing closer.

"So, how long before Mother Dearest lands?" Haley asked as she reached for her shot.

"No. Uh-uh. We're not ruining tonight by talking about her," Finn snapped.

"Fine," Haley said as she looked around the bar. "You'd think there would at least be some good options out tonight." Katie chuckled as she shook her head.

"Not that we need a lot. Those two are already taken," Finn said, looking over to Angelina and Alicia. "What is it your fiance does again?"

"Owns a joke shop," Angelina said quickly. "And hers is a radio announcer."

"That's so random… who even goes to joke shops anymore," Haley replied, looking over at the two. Angelina just shrugged.

"It does surprisingly well," she said. "And as long as he leaves his experiments at the shop and doesn't bring them home, I'm happy." Katie laughed to herself, knowing that Angelina and George had had more than one argument about that very thing. He was always convinced she would never know when he worked on things at home, but then usually ended up blowing something up. He would never learn.

"So… do you two know this mysterious Oliver that has Finn going red in the face whenever his name comes up?" Haley then asked, a smirk on her face. Finn's cheeks started turning red as she frowned at her best friend.

"Seriously, Haley!?" she shouted, the edges of her lips starting to turn up.

"We all go way back. Went to school together," Alicia said, a conspiratorial grin on her face as she leaned towards Haley. "And he did seem rather taken with Finn at the party…"

"Apparently not taken enough. I haven't heard from him since then. Didn't even get his number," Finn grumbled slightly. Both Alicia and Angelina looked over to Katie with surprised expressions. For her part, Katie was looking down at her beer glass. Couldn't very well explain the truth to them with Finn and Haley sitting there.

He had asked after Finn several times over the previous weeks. And Katie had avoided dealing with it, giving him vague replies about what Finn was up to. She was still a bit stuck on deciding if it were a good idea or not. Just being friends was fine and all. But if things were to get serious, that would create all sorts of complications that Katie wasn't completely sure that Oliver understood or was ready for.

"He's been really busy," Katie said, looking up as Alicia raised an eyebrow at her, clearly knowing there was far more to that story. "But… maybe we could all hang out again soon when he's not so busy…"

"God, no. I don't think I can see him again," Finn lamented as Haley laughed at her.

"It's the first bloke that you've shown an interest in since the douchebag. Meet him again," Haley said, pushing Finn slightly. "If anything, maybe you'll at the least get a good shag out of it and god knows how long it's been since you've had that."

Angelina nearly spit out her drink, she was laughing so hard. Alicia was also grinning slightly as Katie shook her head. While handsome and a famous quidditch player, Oliver was not the one-night sort of guy. Far from it, in fact. He tended to either be single for long periods of time or in long-term relationships. It was all or nothing with him.

"What?" Finn asked, her eyes wide. "What do you know about him?"

"It's nothing bad," Angelina finally said after she finished coughing. "Just… he's not a very big ladies' man."

"He's actually very sweet and thoughtful," Alicia continued. "I think he's only had about… three relationships in all the years I've known him. And all of them were on the more serious side…"

"How long's it been since he and Susan Bones broke up?" Angelina asked, looking over at Katie expectantly.

"About a year," she said. "Merlin, he was seriously thinking about proposing. Took him forever to get over that-"

"What?" Finn asked, staring at her with an odd look on her face. Katie took in the shocked expressions on Angelina and Alicia's faces. Though she knew they were all reacting to different things.

"This boarding school of yours must be strange… you say the oddest things," Haley replied with a chuckle, though there was a hint of something in her dark eyes. Katie mentally reminded herself to be more careful. Haley was much more observant than Finn.

"Yea," Katie said. "Ehm… they were together a couple years, I think. Rather serious until she broke things off a bit suddenly..."

"Sudden to you, but I saw it coming," Alicia said, shooting looks at Katie. "They wanted different things. She wanted excitement and exotic locations. He wanted to settle down. But it's not like he wallowed around forever. He eventually he got over it."

"Said he knew that she wasn't the right one, if I remember correctly," Angelina said. "If it's not meant to be, then it's not meant to be." Finn had gone quiet, taking in all the information. She then smiled brightly and shook her head.

"Well, I think upchucking on him definitely puts me in the 'not meant to be' category," she said with a laugh, though Katie could tell that she was partially putting on an act of cheerfulness. "I mean, god, I barely spoke to him before spewing on him. I was either rambling about stupid shit or running away..."

"I've told you - he's not bothered by that," Katie said, surprised that the normally confident woman was still dying of embarrassment. "He really did want to help you home and make sure you were alright." Angelina and Alicia sent her more odd looks.

"Can't believe he left his own party. That, my friend, sounds like a keeper," Haley added, causing the three witches to start giggling. "What?"

"Nothing," Katie managed to get out. If only they knew the truth.

"Just… he's a, ehm, right, he's a goalkeeper," Angelina said. Haley nodded slowly, though the look from before was back in her eyes.

"Okay, enough about Oliver," Finn said, as she turned her sights to Katie. "I want to talk about Katie and Taylor…" Katie froze mid-laugh, already feeling her cheeks heat up.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said automatically as she reached for her glass of beer. Angelina and Alicia were already wearing matching smug looks. Bugger - she had mentioned him too much, hadn't she?

"You so like him," Finn said. "And really, you could do worse. A lot worse."

"Taylor's such a catch," Haley said with a sigh. "Shame neither of us are attracted to him, otherwise one of us would of snatched him up ages ago… I'm actually surprised he's single, to be honest…"

"He may be a massive flirt sometimes, but you know as well as I do that he's the type to take his time before getting involved with someone - when he does get involved anyway," Finn replied, shooting a look at Haley. "Though he loves to joke that it's because he's waiting for the perfect woman..." Haley snorted and started laughing. "But really… he's got a good heart."

Katie couldn't help but wonder about the blonde man. There had been things about him that sparked her interest, for sure. But he had come off a bit too flirty for her - Roger had always been a massive flirt as well. However, he did come all the way to the flat to take care of Finn the night after she drunk texted him. That wasn't the actions of a ladies' man, was it? And then the bit about taking his time - sounded like hesitation to Katie. Had he been hurt in the past as well?

"What exactly does Taylor do again?" Angelina asked.

"Something with numbers and translating or whatever...," Finn said, waving her hand in the air. "He's tried explaining it a million times, but it's all Greek to me. He finally gave up."

"The one thing Finn can't seem to understand," Haley added.

"You don't understand it either," Finn said, shooting an amused look at her best friend. Haley just shrugged. She then sat up in her chair as the music changed.

"I love this song," she exclaimed as she hopped out of her chair. "Come on, ladies, we're dancing…"

Katie laughed as she moved around on the dance floor. She had lost track of how many songs it had been, though every so often one woman or another would drag them over to the bar for another shot. All Katie really cared about was that she was having a rather good time and didn't want it to end. While dancing, she didn't have to worry about magic or secrets. She could just be free and enjoy the moment.

Finn tossed her head back as she shimmied over to Katie and bumped into her, obviously enjoying the night out as well. Katie knew that as her mother's arrival approached, she was getting more and more stressed by it. It was the whole reason Katie had suggested they go out in the first place. Finn had wanted to invite Taylor at first to join them, but then vetoed the idea, saying they needed a good ladies' night.

Katie was starting to think that Haley and Finn's assessments of him were rather spot on. He was handsome and successful. Incredibly caring to his friends. And yes, a bit of a flirt. But at the same time, Katie knew she wasn't ready for another relationship just yet. Especially with someone as obviously flirty as Taylor. Not to mention the added layer of keeping secrets. No, it was best not to go down that road.

Finn grabbed Katie's hand and spun her around, causing her to laugh as she spiraled out of control slightly, not stopping until she found herself staring at a broad chest as firm hands steadied her by gripping her waist.

"Sorry!" she shouted over the music as she looked up. Her eyes then widened as she quickly stepped back. What on earth was Roger doing here? At a muggle bar? Of all nights?

"Katie," he shouted, smiling slightly. "Funny running into you!"

"Where's your girlfriend?" she replied looking around. She was fairly sure the woman would charge up and slap her if she saw the two of them together right now. Especially with the look Roger was currently giving her.

"Out with her friends. Having a bit of a lads' night," he said, stepping closer to her. "You look… amazing… Wasn't expecting to see you here, but I think perhaps it was fate."

Katie frowned as his hands found their way to her waist again, pulling her close as he gazed down at her, his brown eyes definitely smoldering.

Bugger. He was drunk. Or well, drunk enough to do something stupid.

"I've missed you…" he murmured.

"And you're the one who broke up with me, if I remember correctly," she shot back, once again stepping out of his grasp.

"Is this dude bothering you?" Finn shouted, immediately at Katie's side as she frowned up at him, her hands planted on her hips. Despite the fact that he was much larger than her, it appeared that didn't seem to matter to Finn. There was a ferocious look on her face.

"Excuse me, but this is between me and Katie," Roger replied, frowning at her. "And you are?"

"Ah… Roger the dipshit," Finn said harshly. "I'm Finn - the roommate." A confused look came over his face as he studied her, likely trying to place her. Hogwarts wasn't a particularly large school, after all. But at the same time, there was no way for him to know that she wasn't magical. Hell, how did Katie warn him that Finn was muggle right now?

"Pardon, but what did you say?" Roger asked, leaning closer to her.

"I said I'm the roommate and you're the dipshit," Finn said louder, still glaring at him. "Come on, Kates. This guy is an idiot." She then grabbed Katie's hand and started to turn away.

"I was in the middle of talking to her," Roger shouted angrily. Finn huffed and turned back to face him, an eyebrow raised.

"Looked like you were about to shove your unwanted tongue down my friend's throat," she shot back. Katie looked back and forth between the two a bit, wondering just what she should do.

"It's none of your business what Katie and I do," Roger spat.

That had Katie rolling her eyes. She could see Angelina and Alicia already starting towards them while Haley was watching the exchange in confusion, not knowing what exactly was going on. Regardless, Katie needed to do something before this got out of hand.

"Roger, stop," Katie shouted. He laughed a bit harshly as he continued to glare at Finn.

"You don't know what you're talking about, Kates," he replied. Katie huffed slightly.

"Leave me alone," she said firmly. He whipped his head back to stare at her, surprise entering his features.

"But I thought we could talk-"

"You're drunk. And you were about to shove your tongue down my throat," Katie found herself saying. She wasn't sure if it was Finn's peptalk a few days ago or the alcohol, but she found a new sort of strength coursing through her. "But while we're at it, we don't need to talk. You broke up with me. You cheated on me. And I'm finally over you." Roger's mouth dropped open as she saw Finn start to grin out of the corner of her eye. "I don't need you in my life. And I certainly don't need a boyfriend like you. Seriously, Roger. What the hell is wrong with you? You dumped me for another woman - just because she's more successful in your eyes - and now you're here trying to hit on me behind her back? Did you seriously think that I would go along with it?"

He didn't reply but the look on his face clearly read that he had thought she would come falling back into his arms. At least for that night.

"God, you really are a douche," Finn stated. Roger glared at her, finally realizing why he didn't recognize her and putting it all together.

"Look here, you fucking muggle bitch-"

"Ooo, I'm so scared," Finn retorted, jutting her chin out slightly, daring him to say or do something more. Roger just sputtered a bit before looking back and forth between the two and then spinning around, stalking off. Just after he left, Finn hopped over and threw her arms around Katie in a bear hug.

"That was amazing!" she shouted over the music as the others finally reached them. Katie felt her lips tugging up into a smile.

"Felt pretty amazing," she admitted. Finn laughed as she looked over at the bar where Roger was sulking.

"I don't think he's leaving, so how about we take the party back to ours?" she suggested, looking back at Katie. She nodded and turned towards the table where their things were.

"Let's."

Finn fell over on the sofa, laughing loudly after she had re-enacted the conversation with Roger for the others, an empty bottle of beer in her hand. Angelina and Alicia both looked like proud mothers as they gazed at Katie.

"It wasn't nearly that dramatic," Katie said, blushing slightly.

"Shut up. It was bad ass," Finn said. "I was proud." Katie just shrugged. "Though seriously… where was this school? Muggle? You guys talk weird." Finn pushed herself up off the sofa and started towards the kitchen to get another beer. Haley was staring at Katie with a calculated expression, which had her squirming slightly.

"That's just… Roger," Angelina said. "He's… loads of odd slang where he's from."

"And I thought I knew it all," Haley said casually, her gaze moving to Angelina and Alicia. For their part, if they were bothered by it, they didn't react.

"Countryside, you know," Alicia said easily enough. Haley just continued watching them as Finn returned, two bottles in her hand. She gave one to Katie and settled on the sofa next to her, still grinning.

"Now. We just need to get you to have it out with Ryan," Katie said, looking over at Finn.

"Now that's something I'd like to see," Haley said, finally smiling. "God knows you've had many choice words for the bastard in the comfort of your own home." Finn rolled her eyes.

"I don't need it," she said.

"You need closure," Haley pushed.

"He's moved on. Time I did as well," Finn said, leaning back into the cushions.

"And you need to tell him that to his face," Haley said. "Surprised you didn't in the shop when you ran into him." Finn rolled her eyes. Haley knew good and well why she didn't rail into him then. They were in public at a grocery store. And Finn didn't really like making scenes - had witnessed it far too often courtesy of her mother. But she had to admit, after seeing Katie with Roger tonight, the thought had entered her mind.

But she found that she didn't want to go seeking it out. If the opportunity came up, then she would take it. But for now, she was happy without it. She looked around the group as Angelina and Alicia began teasing Katie, the woman in question firing back at them just as much as they were giving her. Haley laughed from her chair.

She couldn't help but think that this was much better than yelling at Ryan. All she needed in her life was a good, strong group of girlfriends. It was all she wanted. Sure, Haley was a wonderful best friend. But this… she hadn't realized just how badly she needed something like this until it fell into her lap.

And it was all thanks to the blonde woman seated next to her.

Sighing happily, Finn brought the bottle to her lips. She wasn't sure if she would push anything with Oliver. Or Ryan. Or what would happen next in her life. Yes, she would need to get through her mother's visit. But she felt better about it, knowing that she could call upon the four women present to rant about it.

Yes, this was moving on, she thought happily. In the best sort of way.