We were best friends.
As sickening and ironic and horrible as it was, the day she started thinking of me as a brother was the day I fell in love with her.
But I could ruin our friendship.
So I stood by. I stood by while she went out with a couple guys in her year. I held my tongue when she went out with guys above her year. I comforted her when the losers hurt her. I helped her with homework, I sat with her when she needed a friend, and I held her when her favorite aunt died.
I was probably the greatest best friend ever for the rest of that year.
And it was horrible. It was horrible, and terrible, and awful, and I wanted to kiss her like I had that one day, and I wanted to tell her I loved her, and more than anything else, I wanted her to say it back.
But I didn't do any of those things, and she didn't do the last one.
We won the house cup, and I very nearly pronounced my love for her that day. But I didn't. because after the game, she had a very thorough snogfest with some guy, what's-his-name from some-house-or-another.
Yeah. Aren't I a lucky guy. Not.
*****
And then I graduated. And spent what should have been the best summer of my life with the girl of my dreams. But it wasn't. Because we spent it together as bloody best friends.
And then she went back to school, and I became the keeper of (at?) Puddlemere.
Dear Ollie,
Hogwarts is no fun without you here. I know you weren't in my classes anyway, that's why I had Leanne. But you always brightened up the common room. Aw, bloody hell, look at me being all poetic.
So how's Puddlemere? Dream job going good? I'm sure you're amazing. Probably every girl that sees you's after you, eh Ollie?
Just don't forget about ol' Katie here, ya hear?
Yours Truly,
Katie
Forget her? How could she possibly think I'd ever forget her.
Dear Katie,
Forget you? Never! In fact, I think I kind of annoy me teammates by talking about my best friends. And the team of course, but you're the only person who's in both of those groups.
I heard that Angelina's the new captain. Good for her! I was so hoping you'd get it, but ah well. You were never after that, were you?
Don't try and deny that you're relieved you weren't made captain. I know you too well. You don't want to be in charge, because although everyone else knows you'd do great, you'd be too afraid of making a mess of things. That's alright, though. Now you don't have to worry about anything but scoring, and you'll win whether Potter catches the Snitch or not!
Sincerely,
Oliver
Dear Oliver,
Quidditch has been canceled for the whole year for the stupid Tri-Wizard Tournament! And somehow, Harry's name got put in there! I'm so worried about him. He really is too young. A lot of people don't believe that he didn't want to be in it. But I do. I know Harry just wants to be normal.
I do hope he wins though. I mean, Cedric's nice enough and all, but Harry's a Gryffindor, and a friend, so he trumps Cedric. In my mind at least.
Love,Katie
Dear Katie,
Some days I think I'm just going to collapse after practice. You guys think I worked you hard? Try playing for a professional team!
Anyway, I'm a little bored honestly. I'm sort of lonely without you guys. I have a little flat here, and that's where I spend most of my time when I'm not playing. I can't cook for myself, though, so I go out to eat a lot. And yes, you are allowed to make fun of me for that. Not that you ever cared about having permission.
Sincerely,
Oliver
Dear Oliver,
There's going to be a ball. The Yule Ball. Guess who the first person to ask me was? Go on, guess.
…
You'll never guess, let me tell you. Roger Davies. I almost considered giving him a second chance when I noticed that his nose was a little crooked. That reminded me of why it was a second chance, and I (semi)politely declined.
Anyway, George asked me after that, as friends of course, and Fred's going with Angelina. The twins' friend Lee is taking Alicia, but really were all just going together as friends.
Oh, I have to go to dinner now. Bye!
Love,Katie
Dear Katie,
I'm sorry it's been a while since I've written. I've been so busy with practices. Anyway, I really hope you had fun at the ball, and I heard what happened with Harry and Cedric. It's all over the news. Wow.
How's Harry taking it? I know school's almost over, and he has to go back to those horrible muggle relatives of his. I hope he's alright.
On a lighter note, do you want to come to my flat some time this summer? I mean, if your parents are okay with it. They know we're just friends.
I put down the quill. Bloody hell, it almost killed me to write that last part about us just being friends. But not only was it true, but I had to writ it to hopefully appease her parents so she could come over here for a while.
So, what do you say? Let me know.
Sincerely,
Oliver
Dear Oliver,
This is a short letter, because I'll SEE YOU IN A FEW DAYS! So I just wanted to tell you that, but I really must go, so I'll tell you everything else later.
Love,
Katie.