Heptagonal:

"What about the other guy?" said Oliver, looking at Katie carefully, with his head tilted to the side so she wouldn't notice. "What's his name? Jordan? The one who used to commentate?"

"Lee?" said Katie with some surprise.

"Yeah, him," said Oliver gruffly, perhaps misinterpreting Katie's shock for enthusiasm. "Always liked him. Best commentator I've heard yet. Biased though."

Katie laughed, "You never heard Luna Lovegood."

"Lovegood?" said Oliver, genuine surprise sidetracking him. "She's that balmy girl right? One of Harry's friends?"

"Right," said Katie. "What were you saying about Lee?"

"Well just," Oliver searched for the right words, wanting to portray his message but half losing his nerve and wanting to materialize an excuse. "He and you are together, aren't you? I heard something from Angelina…."

Katie started, "What, Angelina spreading rumors?"

Oliver turned his head slightly so he wouldn't have to look her in the eye. Goodness gracious, he was twenty-seven-years-old. Adults had the right to be forward. "Lee's nice. I – I hope your happy, Katie."

"Oh no – Oliver – no… Lee," Katie hesitated and Oliver looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "Well, maybe I did like him – did, as in past tense. But he…he always liked Angelina, and what with Angelina being with George –"

"I thought Angelina liked Fred…" said Oliver. It was always hard, saying the name.

Katie hesitated, too, before she answered, "She did. George and she have worked things out…I think."

"Then what about Lee?" said Oliver, feeling painfully confused.

"He sulked for a good bit – that was when I like him – but now he's run off with Varity. You don't know her. She worked in George's shop…she always liked George."

"What is this, a love heptagon?" said Oliver. He was trying to be funny. He knew it didn't work, but he didn't know how else to react. This was all making his head spin. Katie was making his head spin.

"That's not the half of it," said Katie, "You know how Harry and Ginny are together? Well before that it was Ginny and Dean – you don't know him either, he was Chaser after you left. But anyway, since Ginny broke it off with him, Dean hooked up with Luna Lovegood – and Neville Longbottom always like Luna, but she just liked him as a friend, so now Neville's been dating this other girl – forgot her name – and Luna and Dean aren't together anymore – but anyway, Dean's hooked up with Demelza Robbins – she was also after you left. And I always suspected Demelza liked Harry a little, which can be expected because practically everyone has liked Harry at least once in their lives."

"Have you?" Oliver asked.

"I'll admit that while I was in hospital seventh year I entertained visions of him visiting me," said Katie. "But I was honestly a bit miffed that he got Captain and I didn't – which was the obvious choice but – you know," she shrugged in explanation, "vanity."

Oliver looked at her in confusion. He felt his forehead furrow. He didn't know quite how to react to this overflow of information. Katie had always been quiet. He wondered if she'd been storing it all away, looking for an avenue of release. He laughed uneasily, "What tangled lives we live, eh?"

Katie smiled. "Do indeed."

"So you and Lee – what I mean to say," Oliver stopped. This was utterly ridiculous. He had hoped Katie had felt the same, but from the way she was acting it was obvious she was oblivious.

"Yes?" prompted Katie.

"So that bit about you and Lee isn't true?" said Oliver, forcing himself to say it and get it bloody over with. "I mean, not that it matters. I just wanted to know if you were – were happy."

"Not a bit of it," said Katie. "I'm honestly surprised Angie's been talking. I've never known her to repeat something that hasn't been checked against three references."

"Well, she didn't technically say anything," said Oliver uncomfortably. "It was more…implied. She said something about going out for drinks and how you wouldn't go unless Lee was there. Besides, it was a long time ago."

"I didn't know you'd pay attention," said Katie, "to something like that."

"Well," Oliver mumbled, low enough that possibly she wouldn't hear but hoping she possibly might, "to me it mattered."

Katie didn't say anything. They sat together in not quite companionable silence – because Oliver's answer seemed to have created a rift. He stared at the stained counter-top of the bar, not quite certain if Katie was looking at him but imagining he could feel her eyes boring side of his head. He sneaked a look and felt a surprisingly crushing sense of disappointment when he saw that, she too, was only looking at the bar.

Katie didn't speak. Oliver didn't speak. He began to think that she, perhaps, had really not heard his answer and was only waiting for him to proceed. What a ridiculously awkward situation, Oliver thought spitefully. How did he always manage to get himself into spots like this?

"That's sweet," murmured a voice. Oliver thought perhaps it was his imagination, until Katie spoke again. "I've never pictured you being jealous."

I wasn't jealous, Oliver almost said, but stopped himself because he had.

"I assure you there really is nothing between me and Lee," continued Katie. "You know, in case you needed any more approval."

Oliver looked up, because it was so casually put he had to make sure this wasn't a farce. She was laughing at him…had to be. Katie looked up at the same time and their eyes met, for what was shockingly the first time that evening.

She was beautiful. She had brown eyes and brown hair and the long scar running down her left cheek only showed she was brave, and loyal, and a hero. She was smiling, but in a way that made Oliver's question Are you serious? dissolve on his tongue.

He felt his lips curve upward, in a smile that could only look punch-drunk and undignified. "I'm – glad to hear it," he said.

"So'm I," said Katie, in a voice that spoke Well?

"I'd love to – erm," Oliver cleared his throat. "I'd be flattered if you wanted to do this some time again." He waved vaguely to the half-empty bar, his hand sweeping past the landlady who was wiping a glass and staring at them.

Katie smirked, but in a surprisingly becoming way. "I'm flattered to be asked – and accordingly accept."

Oliver smiled, if that was possible – because he was still smiling from before. "Why that's – that's smashing, Katie. I'm more than flattered…."

"I'm glad it's been put to a unanimous decision," said Katie, looking radiant – and Oliver didn't think it was his imagination this time, "absolutely corking, Oliver."

Now that their gazes were locked, it seemed impossible to turn away. At least it didn't seem a circumstance to happen anytime soon.

The Broomsticks, sitting in the shadow of Hogwarts and holding ghosts of school-time jaunts, had always been Oliver's favorite spot. That was not to mention its less-then-poetic title, which reminded him of blue sky, the wind in his hair and Quaffle in his hands.

Apparently Katie felt the same, because he'd found her curled around the bar with a glass of mead and chatting amiably with the landlady, about things that breathed of mischief and nostalgia.

Her back to him, he'd ambled over and said, "Hello, Katie," as casually as he ever could and as if the meeting had been previously arranged. He'd already turned to Madame Rosmerta to order his own drink by the time Katie turned to meet him, mumbling as she recognized his voice, "Hello, Oliver."

They'd kept in touch, obviously. The whole team had kept in touch. They met for drinks, tried to ignore the absences, and played pick-up Quidditch when he, or Ginny, or Angie hadn't a game the next day. Consequently, the conversation between he and Katie was not apt to be forced.

"I apologize for rambling earlier, Oliver," Katie's voice brought him back to the present. She looked flatteringly ashamed, "I don't usually talk so much – least of all about other people."

"It's alright," said Oliver, admiring the flecks of scarlet in Katie's eyes. "I shan't let them know it was you who told."

"I suspect they'll soon be loads of gossip about us, won't there?"

"Any with a grain of truth?" said Oliver.

Katie smiled, a mysterious, devilish smile, which Oliver could not rightly see, because he was so transfixed with her eyes.

"Possibly."

I would like to personally extend my gratitude out to the reviewers, favoritors, and followers. Your support is so appreciated. I cannot convey enough the joy I receive when someone responds positively to my work – or responds at all. I hope that convinces you to review, as it is truly a wonderful display of love and very much cherished.

Thank you again,

- Foolondahill :)+(