Good-Bye::

As the year drew to a close and Oliver's graduation drew nearer, Leanne and I agreed to just have a day to ourselves. No Cullen, no Oliver—just us two girls, like old times. We grabbed a spot under a tree by the lake, plenty of food in tow, and had all the intention of just staying here and relaxing all day long.

"I can't believe that this year's almost over," Leanne says, staring out across the lake as if dreaming of a far away place.

"Yeah, me neither. I don't want it to end—it's just started getting good," I sigh.

"Having too much fun with Oliver?" she asks with a laugh.

"So what if I am?"

"I guess I just never thought that you and Oliver would actually end up together," she says, with an apologetic smirk

"Well, thanks for the confidence," I say sarcastically. "I can't say that I ever really imagined you and Cullen together either…Wait a second! Cullen!"

"Yeah, what about him?" Leanne asks, worriedly.

"He's a seventh year; he's graduating!" I say, probably happier than I should have been.

"Well, thanks for bringing that up, Katie."

"No, Leanne, I need help with this. What are you and Cullen going to do? Are you going to stay together after he graduates?" Leanne paused for a second.

"Yeah," she finally answers. "We've agreed to stay together. I'm going to spend the month of July with his family. Or so my family thinks. He's used some money that his parents left him to buy an apartment in Hogsmeade and I'm going to stay there for a month."

"Like you're going to live there? With him? There—in the same house?" I question and she nods, a slight blush rising to her cheeks. "That's big, Leanne!"

"Yeah, I know. I'm really not looking forward to it, though. They say that you don't truly know a person until you live with them and I don't think I'm ready to know the real Cullen yet. I've got to do it though; I have to be near him."

"You two have only been going out for six months…"

"It doesn't matter," Leanne muses. "I love him."

"But how are you going to carry on a relationship while you're at school?"

"Hogsmeade trips, holidays. It'll be tough, but…I've told him that while I'm here, he's welcome to shag as many girls as he wants. As long as he doesn't tell me about them."

"You're really okay with that?" I ask, shocked.

"Well, not really. But since I told him that he can, there's a lesser chance that he actually will." I laugh at her logic. "So, what about you and Oliver?"

"Well, he says he wants to stay together," I say.

"That's good."

"Yeah, but I just don't understand how we can make it work."

"You'll figure it out, Katie. You always do."

OoO

I walk into the Common Room a few hours later to find it deserted except for Angelina and Lee who were locked in a close embrace and kissing fiercely.

"Having fun?" I ask brightly, and they immediately spring apart.

"Damn it, Katie. You scared us half to death," Angelina exclaims.

"Just be happy that I wasn't Fred. You do realize that it isn't safe for you two to kiss in public, right?" I ask as I walk over to the couple, Lee looking extremely embarrassed. It's something about people being embarrassed that makes me want to embarrass them even more. Poor Lee; he walked right into my trap. And Lord knows that Angelina will play along.

"Shall I join you?" I ask Lee, sitting down in between him and Angelina, while resting my hand sensually on his knee.

"What?" Lee asks worriedly, staring at my hand as Angelina is laughing her head off behind me.

"You know what?" Angelina asks once her initial laughter subsides. "I've always wanted to try a threesome." I laugh and watch as Lee's eyes widen. He doesn't quite know what to make of our joking—that much is obvious.

"What about you, Lee?" I ask, holding back laughter.

"Oliver would kill me," Lee says simply.

At that precise moment, the portrait hole opens and Oliver steps through.

"You just ruined our fun, Oliver," Angelina greets. "Lee won't agree to have a threesome because you're dating Katie."

"Oh, well, in that case, you have my permission, Lee," Oliver says, used to our perverted humor from Quidditch. Lee just stares at Oliver as if questioning his sanity.

"You know what? I'm going to leave now," Lee says getting up from the couch. If his skin was a just a little lighter, he'd be as red as a quaffle.

"No, stay," Angelina says, reaching up and pulling him back down to her. "We were just joking; we'll stop."

"Yeah, no hard feelings, Lee. I'll get you into bed one of these days," I joke as Oliver laughs and Lee chokes on the butterbeer that he had been taking a sip of.

"Okay, Katie," Oliver says, laughing. "If you're done harassing Jordan, can I talk to you about the Graduation ceremony for a minute?

"Yeah, sure," I say, throwing one last flirtatious glance at Lee. Oliver leads me out of the Common Room and takes my hand in his as we begin aimlessly roaming the school.

"So, do you really still want to go to my graduation?" Oliver asks after a few minutes of walking in silence.

"Of course I do!"

"It's going to be boring, Katie," he urges.

"I want to see you," I answer simply. "Oliver, what's going on?"

"My parents are going to be there. It's just a whole bunch of family. And I know my mother kind of upset you last time."

"No, Oliver, she didn't. I was just surprised she knew my mum is all; I've never heard mention of my mum in the wizarding world. It just took me by shock," I assure him.

"Okay, well…my grandparents are going to be there too and it's just going to be a mess. They don't really approve of my career choice—actually, my parents don't even approve of my career choice. Anyway, I think it would be better if you didn't have to sit through that. With Cullen's family there too, it's going to be a gang-up-on-the-graduates day. His dad wanted him to join the family at the ministry and needless to say…"

"Oliver, you're rambling again. This is the last time I'll see you before summer. The graduates leave right after the ceremony, so I'm going."

"Katie, please," he whines.

"Oliver, what is it that you're trying to hide?"

He sighs loudly, preparing himself for what came next. "Okay, listen. Don't freak out. Promise me that you won't freak out."

"Well, I can't until I know what you're about to say," I reply worriedly, getting vivid flashbacks of the time that he broke up with me.

"Okay, here it goes. My grandmother is like a dictator, I swear. She insists that I get married right out of school, like my father. I told her no, but she kept going on and on about how I'm going to burn in hell for playing the devil's sport as a living and the least that I could do was provide her with great-grandchildren before I do. I just kind of snapped." I look at him expectantly. "So, I kind of told her that we're engaged."

"You did what?" I ask, surprised.

"Sorry?" he answers, sheepishly.

"I'm only fifteen, Oliver!"

"Yeah, and we're not really engaged. We just have to pretend. Please? My dad said that it would be better for us to pretend than to admit that I lied." He looked so worried and the situation was so funny that I couldn't help but laugh.

"So you'll do it?" he asks, cautiously.

"Yeah," I say, still laughing.

"Thanks."

"Not to scare you or anything, but what happens if we end up breaking up later on? What would you tell her?" I joke as we continue walking down the hall.

"Probably that you'd died," he answered honestly.

"Oh thanks. Can I come to the funeral?"

"Actually, if you think about it, the lady's 105. We may not even have to tell her! She can't live that much longer, can she…?"

OoO

The day of Oliver's graduation dawned and an uneasy sense of foreboding filled me to the brim. This is it: the beginning of the end.

The graduation ceremonies are always held on the castle grounds, where parents and a select few guests are allowed to attend. The past few years I've sat in my dormitory watching from the window, but now I've finally been invited to one—and I'm not so sure that that's a good thing.

The student body as a whole typically isn't allowed to congregate on the grounds to watch, but I'm pretty sure that Fred, George, Lee, Alicia, and Angelina are all going to sneak down anyway.

I quickly dress in my best set of dress robes and, using a spell Leanne taught me, I watch as my hair magically straightens itself. And I thought that my hair was long curly…I'm definitely going to have to cut it when I get home in a week. A week—God, how time flies!

Deciding that it's probably not the best idea to dwell on my reflection for too long, I walk down into the Common Room, thinking that I'll arrive a little early and find a good seat. When I get to the Common Room, however, Fred, George, and Lee are all sitting on the couch, Fred and George in dress robes and Lee in a muggle tuxedo.

"Wow, you guys clean up nice," I comment, walking up behind them.

"I always look like this," Fred says as I walk around to sit with them.

"No, not really," I joke and then turn to Lee. "You look like a black James Bond." Sorry, couldn't help myself.

"Why, thank you," Lee says with a smirk.

"I like your hair," Fred says, lifting a lock off of my head and examining it.

"Thank you," I say, grabbing my hair back. "I'm going to go on down to the ceremony—don't want to be late."

"I'll come with you," Fred says, throwing one last longing glance towards the girls' stairs. "Not like I have a girlfriend to wait on or anything."

"Shut up, mate," George mutters and Fred sticks his tongue out at him.

Probably to cover up for his comment about needing a woman, Fred makes fun of me actually taking the time to fix my hair all the way down to the lake where the ceremony is being held. It came as a relief when we finally arrived at the set up of white picket lawn chairs.

"Invitation?" Professor McGonagall asks strictly as soon as we arrive. I hand her mine and she stares hard at it as if wondering if she should allow someone who only barely passed their Transfiguration exams into the graduation ceremony. Finding no forgery, she turns instead to Fred. "Invitation, Mr. Weasley?"

"I'm here for my brother," he lies smoothly. His parents forbid him from ever coming to a graduation after him and George set the Head Boy's robes on fire during their older brother, Charlie's. McGonagall seemed to be aware of this fact.

"He's with me," I clarify.

"Miss Bell, I may be an old woman but don't think that I haven't noticed you and him together," she says, throwing a glance over her shoulder and pointing at Oliver, who just so happens to be right in the middle of having a row with Percy Weasley. McGonagall does a double take. "Goodness gracious. The head boy and my Quidditch captain? MR. WOOD, MR.WEASLEY!" she shouts and walks over to the two boys to sort out whatever their problem happens to be.

"Hurry before she comes back," Fred says, pulling me over to a row of empty seats.

"Never have I been more embarrassed in my whole life!" I hear McGonagall yell and Fred and I burst into a fit of silent laughter. "Two grown men arguing about something that happened nine months ago? It's insanity! Gryffindors are supposed to have more class than this! Is this how you want to be remembered at Hogwarts?" She probably doesn't realize that she's making a bigger scene than either of the two boys were. Oliver and Percy just stare at their Head of House warily, as if wondering whether she was still allowed to give them detention.

"Sorry, Professor," they mutter. McGonagall just rolls her eyes and arrives back at her post just in time to yell at Alicia, Angelina, Lee, and George as they arrive. Graduation must be stressful for her…

"I'm glad you came," Oliver says, walking over and kissing me lightly on the lips. "Fred," he greets, acknowledging my companion.

"What? No kiss?" Fred asks and I can't help but laugh. Oliver just shakes his head.

"What were you and Big Head Boy discussing?" Fred asks, using his preferred name for Percy.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Oliver answers with a smirk.

"You're kidding me!" I exclaim, knowing in an instant what they had been yelling about. "Was he seriously just now yelling at you about telling him that he needed to get laid at the Welcome feast?" Oliver just nods.

"The prat said that we needed to clear the air before entering the real world—he's seriously been mad at me about that this whole year! Your brother's got the emotions of a thirteen year old girl, mate," he says to Fred.

"Sings like one, too," Fred says with a laugh.

"All graduates to their places, please," Professor Flitwick's small voice echoes across the lawn.

"You are coming back after the ceremony, right?" I ask worriedly.

"Of course I am, Katie. Calm down." Does he know just how much I can not calm down? After the ceremony it is traditional for Hagrid, the gamekeeper, to ride the graduates across the lake in the same wooden boats that they arrived in first year; we leave the same way that we come in. "I'll tell you good-bye," he promises and kisses me one more time before taking his place on the very last row, right next to Percy Weasley.

The last few stragglers (George, Angelina, Alicia, and Lee included) make their way into the remaining seats as Dumbledore takes the stage.

"I have here before me, a very noble group of students. Students that I've grown to love over the past seven years and am sorry to see go. Students that have forever touched my life and made me different because of it. Without further ado, I welcome the 1994 graduating class' Head Boy, Mr. Percy Weasley." Percy takes the stage to a smattering of applause. Looking around, I find his mother and watch as tears fall freely from her eyes.

"Hogwarts has been our home for seven years," he starts, and even though I'm not that fond of Percy, I feel that his words affect everyone hearing them. "We've had both memories good and bad and now it's time to put all that we've learned into practice in the real world. We're all going off to different careers: some to the Ministry of Magic, some to the Daily Prophet, and some even to foreign countries to carry on our name there. It is time for us to continue our magical learning in the venue set before us…"

I have to admit that Percy's speech was very eloquent and by the time it was over, I felt tears fighting to fall from my eyes. I can't believe that Oliver is really graduating. I can still remember the first time that I laid eyes on him back in my first year…

When Percy finishes, McGonagall takes the stage, a look of tranquility washing over her face. "Now, as I call your name please step forward to receive your diploma," she tells the long line of graduates.

Watching as all of the seventh years make their way one by one over to Professor McGonagall, it's interesting to recall just how similar this ceremony is to my sorting in first year.

I wait for Oliver's name to be called; he just has to be last in line, doesn't he?

"Mr. Percy Weasley….and Mr. Oliver Wood," Professor McGonagall finishes, rolling up the piece of paper that she had been reading from—you'd think she'd know all of their names by now.

The ceremony finished shortly after and Oliver hurried into the audience and headed straight for his mother. He only has a few minutes before he has to go. Ignoring the greetings from various relatives, Oliver whispers something into his mum's ear and even from this far away I see her roll her eyes. I do notice, however, how she stealthily hides her hands behind her back and slips off her engagement ring; Oliver takes it from her and quickly heads over to me.

"Here you go," he says, handing me the ring and positioning himself so that his family doesn't see me putting it on.

"I still think that this is crazy," I mutter.

"What's' going on?" Fred asks, staring hard at the ring. Oliver was about to explain, but I felt that I could do it better.

"We're engaged," I say, trying to hold back my laughter at the look on Fred's face.

"Wait, what?" he cries, dismayed.

"I'll explain later, mate," Oliver says, pulling me over to his family. When we get there, I remain silent, not sure of what I am supposed to say.

Oliver's mother, the only one of the assembled group that I have ever met before is staring at me encouragingly while trying to conceal her un-ringed hand behind her back; his dad looks almost as uncomfortable as Oliver himself, and is completely ignoring me but staring instead at Cullen's family saying their good-byes with Leanne trailing along behind. I turn my gaze instead to his grandparents and find no comfort there, either. Oliver's grandfather seems to have no clue where on Earth he is, while his grandmother is staring me up and down like apiece of meat.

"Well," she snaps at Oliver. "Are you going to introduce us or not?"

"Oh right. Katie, this is my mum, Elizabeth—you've met. My dad, Will; my grandfather, William; and my grandmother, Emma. Everyone, this is my fiancé, Katie Bell." Even though I know that it isn't true, the sound of his voice saying those words sends a flutter to my heart.

"Bell," his grandmother muses and, as I knew it soon would, realization dawns on her face. Great—she knows my mum too. "I knew you looked familiar. Spitting image of Caroline."

"Thank you," I manage to get out.

"Caroline was such a beautiful woman," she continues. "We worked together at the ministry for a few years after she graduated."

"I hate to break this short," Oliver interrupts. "But I need to do a few things before I leave so…"

"It was a pleasure to meet all of you," I say.

"You too, Ms. Bell. You're going to make a great Wood," Oliver's grandmother says, bringing a healthy blush to my cheeks.

Before I can reply, Oliver pulls me away. We finally find our way to a secluded spot and without a word, he pulls me to him and presses my lips against his. Desperate for him, I respond fiercely not even caring that Professor McGonagall could very well walk around the corner any minute now. When we finally break apart, I'm struggling for air.

We stand there staring into each others eyes for the longest time, both of us wondering how much things are about to change. If only I could stay in this one moment forever.

I'm snapped out of my wishful thinking, however, when the booming voice of Hagrid sounds across the grounds. "Time ter go! Over here!"

"I have to go, Katie," Oliver says, burying his head in my shoulder and pulling me into a hug. "I'll meet you at Platform nine and three-quarters in a week, okay?"

"Okay," I agree sullenly, just now beginning to realize that this is only going to be the start of many goodbyes over this summer. "I'm going to miss you, Oliver."

"Katie, come on. It's only a week," he says, taking my chin in his hand and tilting my head to place a gentle kiss on my lips. "But I'll miss you, too. This isn't good-bye though. Not yet." He kisses me one more time and then takes off for the boats gathered on the shore.

I walk back to the ceremony and watch as the boats magically carry their passengers to Hogsmeade station for the last time. I watch in silence as the vessels carry my lover away from me.

OoO

I hope you enjoyed it! Strictly speaking this is the final chapter. There will, however, be an epilogue that will help carry my story into the sequel. So if you're interested in following Katie and Oliver through their journey, the last chapter should be posted within a week or maybe just a little longer. Thanks again for reading and reviewing. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!

Just a note: the epilouge will cover Katie's remaining time at Hogwarts. This is mainly because I can't really write a Katie/Oliver fic while she's at Hogwarts and he's at Puddlemere. It would get repetitive and boring. For this reason, I'm setting the sequel right after Katie graduates. It will cover the events in the seventh book and continue after the last battle, showing some of the aftermath. Thanks again,

HorcruxFinder