A/N: I want to thank everyone who reviewed. I appreciate every one of them. I would also like to thank SunnyDropped for helping me get this story posted.
Disclaimer: I own nothing even remotely recognizable. Pinky swear.
Surprise!:::
Okay, so it only took me all of one week to figure out that I'm going to fail Transfiguration without a tutor. I know that I sucked last year, but isn't the summer supposed to somehow make you good again? Like some sort of restoration period or something? It's ridiculous though. I can't even transfigure a damn button.
"Ughh!" I groaned over my homework one night, slamming my head down on the table. I don't recommend doing that by the way.
"Are you all right?" a voice said, sitting down next to me. Why does he always have to show up when I least want to see him?
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, lifting my head. A piece of parchment came up with it. God, that's embarrassing! Oliver laughed and pulled it off of my forehead.
"You don't look fine," he noted. Very observant, that one.
"It's just this stupid essay for McGonagall!" I cried, once again hysterical. "I just don't understand it and if my grade drops any lower I'm going to get kicked off of the Quidditch team, so this is really your problem too!" That's right, Katie, share the pain.
"It's only a week into classes and you're already behind?" he joked. I knew he was joking; I really did. So why did I have to get mad at him? Me and my stupid temper!
"Look, if you're going to make fun of me, you can just leave," I said glaring at him.
"I'm not trying to make fun of you," he said, laughing. "Do you want me to help?"
"I think I'm beyond help but you're welcome to try," I said throwing my quill aside. He reached across me to grab my textbook and that's when it hit me: Oliver Wood's helping me with my homework! I don't know why it hit me right then, probably because his hand was like two inches away from my breasts, but it hit me all the same. He grabbed my book and set it between us.
As he started flipping through the pages, I started thinking in overdrive. I hadn't done something stupid like scribble Mrs. Oliver Wood on my book had I? I'm not normally the kind of girl to defile textbooks with guy's names, but Oliver makes me do crazy things.
"Okay, look. Right here," he said stopping on a page. "Copy this down.
OoO
I think Oliver's a better teacher than McGonagall. Easier on the eyes too. My grades are improving, anyway. Oliver still insists that we meet twice a week to go over my work, however, and I'm definitely not about to complain.
The first month of school zoomed by and I'm honestly glad I had those study sessions to look forward to or I probably would have gone crazy. Soon, however, my days drifted into routine and I just wanted something to make life a little more interesting. I got my wish on September 24th—my birthday. I woke up early and it took me a while to figure out why.
It suddenly hit me what today was and I leapt out of bed. Sure enough, waiting for me and the end of my bed was a stack of presents. Happy 15th Birthday, Katie! Is it bad that the only thought running through my head at that moment was that now Oliver and I are only two years apart? Yeah, I think that's bad.
I rolled my eyes at myself (that's sad, isn't it?) and then, like a little kid, began unwrapping my presents. Angelina and Alicia had gone together and gotten me a whole basket of what they call "beautification products." They are always complaining that I don't take enough care of myself.
In the basket were the following items, most of which will never be used: make-up, hair products, hair clips, nail polish, some tight tops, and a matching bra-thong set. I seriously hope the last item was a gag gift because if they think I'm going to wear that, then they have another think coming.
Fred and George provided a bag of pranks, Leanne one of her favorite romance novels, Harry a broom-servicing kit, and my dad a CD from one of my favorite muggle bands. Never mind that I won't be able to listen to it until Christmas; it's the thought that counts. Finally, there was only one present left. I had purposefully saved Oliver's until last. When all of the others were opened, I turned to his.
Even though my expectations hadn't been high to begin with, I was rather disappointed when I unwrapped a copy of Quidditch Through the Ages. I was just about to throw the book against the wall, I was so mad, when I noticed a book mark sticking out of it. I quickly opened the book and there on the front page was an inscription.
To my star chaser,
Happy Birthday, Katie! Hopefully age comes with Transfiguration skills because I won't be around forever. I know you've probably read this book before so I guess my main present for you this year is a piece of advice.
Katie, you are by far the most awesome girl I've ever met. With talent like yours, you can do anything you want with your life. Don't waste that. Always live life to the fullest and never leave your feelings unsaid. That's the one thing I wish I'd known two years ago but now it's too late. I've made mistakes in my life and it would kill me to see you do the same.
I care about you, Katie, so take care of yourself!
Sincerely,
Oliver Wood
I read it through several times before I stopped to analyze it. Was there a deeper meaning to this?
I care about you, Katie…
I read it through once more. It wasn't particularly romantic. It sounded more like something my dad would tell me, a dad or a—older brother!
No! Damn you, Oliver Wood! I am not your sister!
Depressed by this turn of events, I got back into bed and decided that I wanted to sleep in late. It's my birthday and by God I'm going to get some beauty sleep. It's also a Saturday; that helps.
OoO
"Wake up, sleepy head," someone said, plopping down on the foot of my bed.
"Geroff," I groaned, pulling a pillow over my face.
"Come on, Bell," Alicia said, still trying to wake me. "We have the whole day planned." I just groaned.
"Here, get dressed," Angelina said, throwing me some of the clothes her and Alicia had gotten me. Another groan.
"Katie Bell, if you don't wake up right now I'm going to tell Cormac McLaggen that you want a special birthday present," Angelina threatened.
"You wouldn't," I hissed wide awake.
"Oh, wouldn't I?" she replied with a malicious glint in her eyes. I had no desire to test her resolve.
"OUT!" I shouted. "This isn't your room, so out!" They just laughed as they headed towards the door.
"Fifteen minutes then I'm going to find McLaggen," Angelina said at the door.
"She's going to need more than fifteen minutes," Alicia said looking me over. I pushed her the rest of the way out of the room and slammed the door behind them.
I then got dressed in my new outfit and was actually surprised when I found myself liking what I saw. I was wearing tight black jeans and a simple white—granted rather fitted—t-shirt, but somehow it made me look more feminine.
In a burst of confidence that I would probably regret later, I pulled my hair out of the elastic that was holding it up and watched as it fell onto my shoulders. Wow, my hair is long! I've never noticed that before.
I quickly applied a minimal amount of make-up and then made it down into the common room in less than ten minutes. Take that, Alicia! I was directly in front of my two friends by the time they spotted me. Alicia took in my appearance with wide eyes and a slack jaw.
"Oh—my—god!" Angelina said, turning me around to stare at my butt.
"Shut up! I know I look horrible," I exclaimed trying to get them to leave me alone.
"No, Katie," Alicia said as if I'd suggested that we try and rob Gringotts. "You look great!" Angelina was nodding. Who knew they were such good liars?
"If you don't believe us, then look behind you," Angelina said with a smirk. I turned around slowly and found myself looking at the wide eyes of Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan. Even I couldn't mistake that look: lust. Damn, now I am going to have two third years slobbering uncontrollably in my presence.
"Ok, so like I was saying, we have your whole day planned," Alicia started.
"I'm sorry guys but I promised Leanne…"
"We know," Angelina interrupted. "We factored that in. She only has you until 7 and then…"
"I meet Oliver at 7 to go over Transfiguration notes."
"We know, Katie," Alicia said calmly. "Oliver promised he'd have you back by 8:30 and then we're going to have a girl's night—sound good?"
"Uh, yeah," I replied.
"Good," Angelina said. "We'll see you at 8:30 then."
OoO
Every birthday that I can remember, I've spent it with Leanne. It's almost like a tradition. We walked around the castle and grounds all day just talking. It's nice talking to someone I don't have to hide my feelings for a certain Quidditch Captain from.
It was probably the fault of those particular feelings that I was ecstatically happy to be leaving Leanne after dinner. A full hour and a half alone with Oliver, here I come!
Well, my transfiguration homework will be there too. Three really is a crowd…
"Hey," he greeted as I sat down across from him at our usual table in the back of the library. He seemed to be taking in my appearance and for the first time ever, I wasn't self conscious. In fact, it felt nice, his eyes greedily roaming my body. "You look good," he finally chocked out. Was I misreading signs again or was he giving me the same look that Dean and Seamus had given me earlier? Guys don't give their sisters that look, do they?
"Thanks," I said confidently. Today was my day. "And thanks for the book."
"Oh, no problem," he said, never making eye contact. He then pulled Transfiguration Today out of my bag and started pointing out passages.
I did fairly good paying attention for the first hour but then I started getting restless and my mind began to wander. Not far though, just one seat over.
"Oliver, have you ever had a girlfriend?" I asked, surprising even myself.
"What?" he asked bewildered. He's like Professor Binns when he teaches, I swear. You can't even interrupt him correctly. I repeated the question. I probably should have denied that I'd said anything but if not today, then when?
"Yeah," he answered after a while. "Nothing serious, but yeah."
"Oh," I said. "I was just wondering because I've never seen you with anyone." He looked away shyly for a second and it was so out of character that I wanted to just hug him.
"What about you?" he finally asked. "Any boyfriends?"
"A few," I admitted. "Nothing major."
"I've never seen you with any guys," he said, nervously playing with his hand.
"Yeah, well you wouldn't have. Most of my relationships have just been flings with muggles." Hey, it's the truth! What else is there to do during the summer?
"So are you dating anyone now?" he asked after a second.
"Nope," I replied.
"Good," he said, locking his dark brown eyes with my blue ones. "Me neither," he added almost as an after thought. Is he trying to hint at something? And they say girls are hard to understand!
"So, anyway," he said, beginning to gather my things, "I promised I'd have you back by eight thirty and I don't think Angelina would be too happy if you showed up late." He then put my books in my bag, put my bag on his shoulder, took me by the hand and pulled me out of the library towards the common room.
He was talking about something—Quidditch, I think—but I wasn't really paying any attention; I'm much too preoccupied with the feel of his hand in mine. How right it feels! But before long we were in Front of the Fat Lady and he let go of my hand.
"Fortuna Major," he said to the portrait.
"Right you are," she said and swung forward. Before I had even taken a step, arms were wrapped around me as the whole common room shouted "SURPRISE!"
Angelina and Alicia pulled my shocked form through the portrait hole, both laughing at my surprise.
"So, what do you think?" Alicia yelled over all of the chatter, gesturing at the massive turnout.
"Oh my god, there's food!" I said, gesturing at the table filled with butterbeer and Honeyduke's chocolate.
"Fred and George did that," Angelina yelled over the noise, grabbing a butterbeer for herself and taking a swig. As if on cue, the Weasley twins appeared at my side.
"Happy Birthday, Mrs. Bell," the said at the same time and then pulled me onto the dance floor without another word. I was caught in the middle of them as they danced wildly to the music playing on an old phonograph. I'm an athlete for a reason and that reason is because I can't dance. At all. Under any circumstances.
"Now that won't do, Mrs. Bell," George said, taking my hand as Fred ran off and pulled Angelina onto the dance floor. Angelina rolled her eyes at me and I was about to make a joke when George suddenly spun me around wildly and then pulled me back in so that we were only an inch apart. Horny prat. He spun me out once more and I couldn't help but laugh. How in the name of heaven did George Weasley get to be a better dancer than me? Not that it takes much talent but…
I was soon passed from George to Fred, from Fred to Angelina, Angelina to an unsuspecting friend of Oliver's, Cullen Burke, and Cullen to Lee Jordan. By the time the song I was dancing to with Lee ended, I honestly was about to pass out from being forced to dance for so long. My two left feet were sore!
I excused myself and went to get a goblet of pumpkin juice. I had barely taken a sip, however, when Angelina began dragging me away again.
"No more dancing," I moaned.
"Agreed," she said with an evil glint in her eye.
"Angelina?" I said warily. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing you won't thank me for later," she replied, going to the middle of the room and standing on a chair.
"Angelina, what are you doing?" I hissed to no effect.
"If I may have your attention, please," she said addressing the now silent common room. "If I could have all single guys fourth year and up come over here, please." My jaw dropped. Literally. I probably looked like a goldfish that had been hit by a semi-truck. I could feel my cheeks flushing and I only got more embarrassed when over a dozen eager guys actually followed her orders.
"Ok, Katie. Spin the bottle," she said, grinning broadly. She downed the rest of her butterbeer and handed me the bottle.
"Absolutely not," I hissed at her, if for no other reason than the fact that Fred and George were both standing in the group of assembled guys, looking amused. Ew! I can't imagine either of them kissing anybody—even though they are total players—and I definitely can't see them kissing me.
"What? Are you scared Katie?" Fred asked loudly. Damn it! He knows I can't back down from a challenge.
"Shut up, Weasley," I fired back. Good job, Katie; very original.
"Come on, Katie," Angelina encouraged. "It'd be rude not to."
"I'll never forgive you for this," I hissed and then reluctantly spun the bottle. Why, oh why am I such a pushover? As the bottle spun around, I looked up and found Oliver's eyes locked on mine. The sad thing is that I really, truly do not want that bottle to land on him. I want our first kiss to be special; not the result of some silly game. As the bottle began to slow down, my heart started beating faster.
And then the bottle stopped.
Dead center between Lee Jordan and Cullen Burke. I let out a relieved sigh. No matter how bad of a kisser either of them is, they aren't Oliver—or Fred or George for that matter.
"It's closer to Cullen," Angelina said, swiftly picking the bottle up and removing all evidence of the contrary.
Oh god, now Cullen's walking towards me. Damn it, I barely know him. Sure, he's super cute and all but that doesn't mean I want to make out with him. Well, okay, maybe just a little but this is just downright embarrassing.
"So," he said when he got close enough that only I could hear.
"So," I agreed.
"I think we're supposed to kiss," he noted.
"Yeah, I do believe that is how the game works." He laughed gently and then put one hand on each side of my face, before leaning in and kissing me gently. And I'll be the first person to admit that Cullen Burke is a great kisser. And a seventh year. Does that make me fair game for Oliver?
"Happy Birthday, Katie," he said slowly backing away.
"Yeah, you too," I replied. Wait, what? "I mean…"
"I get it," he laughed and turned away. God, I'm such an idiot! I need another butterbeer…
"Katie?" a voice said from behind me. It was Oliver.
"Oh, hey," I greeted.
"Angelina kind of shanghaied you into that, didn't she," he said with a laugh.
"Yeah, I'm totally going to kill her," I said, temper immediately flaring at the mention of Angelina. The music suddenly turned to a slow song and that strangely worked to calm me down.
"So, do you want to dance?" Oliver asked and I must have looked like a complete idiot for a few seconds because then he started rambling which is what he does when he thinks he's said the wrong thing.
"Of course I'll dance with you, Oliver," I interrupted and then he smiled and I could literally feel my heart melting inside my body. He pulled me close and I rested my head on his shoulder as we swayed to the music.
"Happy Birthday," he whispered into my ear and I couldn't help but agree with him.
OoO
Review!
Next time on Love and Quidditch
"You don't have to be in love with someone to want to kiss them, Bell. It's a science," Fred whispered and lowered his head so that our foreheads were touching. I could tell then that he was going to kiss me and strangely the idea didn't repulse me like it had only a few nights ago.
"No dating team members!" an angry cry sounded from behind us and we quickly pulled apart. Oliver was standing there with an angry gleam in his eye.