"Hello dear captain," Fred said as he and George sat on either side of me on a couch in the Gryffindor common room.
"Hi guys," I said offhandedly. They shared a look.
"So, who's got you all down in the dumps?" one of them asked. I was past caring which one of them it was.
"Huh?" was my brilliant reply.
"Obviously some girl's got you down. Tell us who, we can help!"
I shook my head. "There's no one," I said.
"Sure there's not."
"There isn't!"
"Who is it Oliver!?" they cried together.
"I'm not telling."
"It's Katie, isn't it!?" one of them asked.
"No!" I defended a bit too quickly.
"It is!" they yelled simultaneously.
I hung my head.
"She likes you," one of them said softly. They said it sadly, and I knew it must have been Fred.
"Liked," I corrected. "Not any more."
"What!? What happened?"
"She kissed me."
They sniggered. "You that bad, Wood?"
"Shut up!" I groaned.
"We can help you win back Katie," Fred told me.
"No you can't!"
"No we can't," George agreed.
"What!?" asked Fred, astounded.
"Cedric asked her out this morning," he replied, shaking his head sadly.
"Diggory!?" I asked angrily. George nodded. "What did she say."
George bit his lip. That was all the answer I needed.
*****
"Hey Katie," I said the next day at breakfast.
"Hey Ollie," she replied.
"So, Diggory?" I asked, my eyebrows raised.
"Yes," she replied. "Problem?"
"So, got a thing for Quidditch captains?" I joked, causing her face to turn bright red. Now that Roger Davies was a Quidditch captain, and she was dating Cedric, who was one also, and she had like me, all that's left was…
"Going after Flint next, eh Katie?" Fred jeered.
"Yeah, because I like people who are commonly confused with apes," she scoffed. "Puh-lease."
We all laughed, and I was happy to see that Katie didn't suspect a thing.
Now, Operation Win Back Miss Bell.
*****
I didn't follow Katie and Cedric to Hogsmeade.
I didn't follow Katie and Cedric to Hogsmeade.
I didn't follow Katie and Cedric to Hogsmeade.
I didn't follow Katie and Cedric to Hogsmeade.
I didn't follow Katie and Cedric to Hogsmeade.
I didn't follow Katie and Cedric to Hogsmeade.
I didn't follow Katie and Cedric to Hogsmeade.
I didn't follow Katie and Cedric to Hogsmeade.
Do you believe me yet? No? That's okay, I believe me either. Because one way or another, I ended up outside Madam Puddifoots at the same time they were in there.
What was with that anyway? That place just wasn't the kind of place Katie would go to willingly! She would much rather go to The Three Broomsticks, or The Shrieking Shack, even! But not Madame Puddifoots!
Ugh! It was killing me! I could I be falling for her anyway!?
A little while later (yes, I stood there the while time they were in there, that's how pathetic I am), Katie and Cedric walked out holding hands.
"Listen, Cedric," Katie said. "That was fun, but…" she trailed off, and he picked up.
"But you don't think this is going to work?" he suggested. She nodded sheepishly, and he sighed in relief. "That's good." She looked offended. "Oh, no!" he said, quickly, realizing his mistake. "You're a great person, and very beautiful, it's just that we don't have much in common."
She nodded, understanding. "Well, I'm glad we're on the same page. Now, go talk to Cho."
"Huh?"
"Cho," Katie said slowly. "You were talking about her a lot."
"I was?" he asked, sounding like he genuinely hadn't realized.
She nodded. "Yeah. You guys would make a great couple! She definitely likes you. Go talk to her."
Cedric nodded vaguely. "Thanks Katie," he said, kissing her on the cheek. Then he rushed away to find Cho.
"Damn," Katie muttered. "He was good looking, too."
I laughed as my star chaser walked away from her date, completely alone, as they guy she'd been with went off to another girl. That was Katie. Watching out for others.