Three weeks passed following Puddlemere United's loss to Holyhead, and Oliver seemed to get over the defeat as he and Katie resumed life as normal.

Katie and Angelina busied themselves with planning Alicia's engagement party, set to happen on a Friday night at one of Alicia's favorite London restaurants.

Oliver, who had to go to Japan for a photo shoot with three of the world's other top young quidditch players, had to miss the party.

"Our little Ollie, the global star and sultry quidditch model," George had pretended to sniffle when he found out.

Alicia and Lee both came from large, close-knit families. Both also had muggle relatives, meaning Angelina and Katie were forced to set up the party without magic. They met three hours before the party was due to begin at the muggle restaurant and managed to decorate and coordinate everything just before guests began arriving.

"Lee's cousins are awfully cute," Angelina noted in Katie's ear as they helped themselves to some appetizers.

"You already have a man, don't be greedy," Katie hissed back.

"I wasn't looking for myself," Angelina retorted with a raised eyebrow.

"I have a boyfriend."

Angelina gave her an annoyed look. "As much as I wish he were actually your boyfriend, you've done your best to make it clear that he's not," she said. "So sadly, I must continue my search to set you up with someone."

"Or you could mind your own business," Katie said as she reached for a piece of bruschetta. "Besides, don't you have your own wedding to finish planning?"

Angelina and George were set to be married in late May, after Angelina's season ended. Katie was to be the maid of honor opposite Charlie Weasley, who would be the best man.

Angelina shrugged. "The planning's practically done. Though Molly might lose her mind if I incorporate one more muggle tradition into the ceremony. She keeps forgetting I have some muggle relatives."

"She'll forget all about the silly traditions as soon as her little Georgie ties the knot," Katie said. "Besides, she adores you. She'll just be happy to gain another daughter."

"I can't believe Alicia's finally engaged," Angelina said as they watched Alicia happily chat with some of Lee's relatives. Alicia had managed to show off her ring to anyone who would listen, and she already seemed to have the vision for her wedding sorted out in her head.

"It was a long time coming," Katie agreed. "I'm glad she's getting the happy ending she deserves."

"That makes you the last one standing from the old team," Angelina commented.

Katie heaved a dramatic sigh and wished she could summon more wine. "Not true," she noted. "Oliver isn't married." As soon as the words left her lips, she knew Angelina would seize the opportunity.

"I wonder how we could resolve that issue," Angelina teased.

"I am not marrying Oliver and our relationship is not real," Katie hissed.

"Oh, come on. Wood would be a great husband."

"I'm not saying he wouldn't be! I'm sure he'll make his future wife very happy, whoever she may be, but it won't be me."

"And what's so awful about Wood that you won't even entertain the notion of having a real relationship with him?"

"Angelina," Katie said in a reasoning tone. "Wood is brilliant and very pleasant to look at and I enjoy the time I spend with him, but he has been my friend for nearly half my life."

"If he wasn't your friend and you'd only just met him, would you be interested in him?"

"I don't know! What's the use in hypotheticals? He is my friend and I don't want that to change."

"So why not allow him to be more than a friend? The two of you already have a good start. He's the full package!"

"Allow him to be more than a friend? Angie, Wood does not have romantic feelings for me either. We are mutual friends in a mutual agreement."

"Bollocks. I see the way he checks you out all the time."

Katie rolled her eyes. "He's a straight man in the company of a woman who snogs him. Of course he checks me out. I have to get dressed up half the time I'm around him, so of course he notices. That doesn't mean he's in love with me. Two people can be attracted to one another without any feelings involved."

Before Angelina could badger her any more, Lee appeared with two of his cousins.

"Ladies," Lee greeted. "Just thought I'd introduce you to my cousins, Bradley and Chester."

Bradley appeared to be about the same age as the rest of the group while Chester seemed a few years younger. Both were handsome, though Chester had noticeably crooked teeth. Bradley was considerably taller, though Katie noticed his hair was slightly disheveled.

"It's nice to meet you," Katie said kindly as she shook their hands, failing to notice Angelina's sly smile.

"It's a pleasure, but I do believe I need to find my fiancé," Angelina said, flashing Katie a smirk. Katie watched Angelina slink off before turning to smile at Bradley and Chester.

"Erm, do you live in London?" she asked politely.

"I do, but Chester lives in Newcastle," Bradley answered.

"And what do you do for a living?" Katie asked.

"I'm in real estate," Bradley answered.

"And I'm currently interning at a law firm," Chester added.

Katie was relieved she asked about their careers before offering her own as she realized Lee's cousins were muggles.

"And what do you do?" Bradley asked.

"Oh. I work for the government," Katie offered. "Um, public relations and communications stuff."

"And are you here on your own?"

"Oh. Erm, yes, I am. I'm Alicia's roommate and friend since Ho- since grade school, so it was sort of on me to plan the party."

The trio chatted about Alicia and Lee momentarily before Chester excused himself to catch up with more relatives, leaving Katie and Bradley to find a table to themselves.

Katie let Bradley talk about his work, which was interesting to her. She loved houses, especially old homes full of charm and character, so Bradley told her about some of the houses he was currently listing for sale for his clients.

Bradley also talked about his family and childhood growing up with Lee, who was just as mischievous as a kid as he was as a student at Hogwarts. Katie told a few stories about her "grade school" days with Lee and Alicia, taking care not to mention any pranks that involved magic.

Soon, 11 p.m. arrived and the restaurant employees began wiping down tables, an indicator that it was time to head home.

"Do you live close by?" Katie asked Bradley as they watched some of the party guests filter out the exit.

"Aye, about a 15-minute walk from here," Bradley answered. "Would you mind if I walked you home? It's late and I don't think you should walk by yourself."

"Oh, um, sure," Katie replied. She couldn't apparate in the presence of so many muggles and Alicia had already made plans to crash at Lee's that night, meaning Katie had no excuses for Bradley. They said goodbye to Lee and Alicia, who shot Katie a look as she realized Katie was leaving with Bradley. Katie flashed Alicia a rude hand gesture before she slipped her coat on to leave.

As they walked, they discussed some of their favorite London spots and Bradley talked about his experience growing up in Newcastle. Katie remained tight-lipped on her own upbringing, but smiled and laughed at more of Bradley's childhood stories about Lee and himself.

"This is me," Katie said as they approached her flat building. "Thank you for walking me home. It's been nice chatting with you tonight."

Bradley stood with his hands shoved in his pockets. "Forgive me for being this bold," he said. "But do you have a boyfriend?"

Katie swallowed and offered him an apologetic smile. "I do," she answered, hoping to cut the sudden awkward moment short. "He's in Japan for work this weekend."

Bradley grimaced and nodded. "Ah, I see. Of course. Just my luck." He smiled back at Katie and gently reached for her hand. He lifted it to his lips and placed a soft kiss. "Well, it was still a pleasure getting to know you. See you at the wedding?"

Katie nodded and grinned at him. "I'll save a dance for you."

Katie slept in the following morning, taking advantage of the quiet flat in Alicia's absence. Around 10:00, she ventured outside with a croissant and latte from Luchino Caffe on her mind. Oliver had introduced her to the spot, and though the cafe was a bit dingy inside, Katie had grown to love their pastries.

With a paper cup and croissant in hand, Katie decided to head to Diagon Alley to browse her favorite book shop.

As she arrived in the alley and nibbled at her croissant, the atmosphere seemed to shift as she weaved through the crowds of Saturday shoppers.

One woman seemingly walked straight into Katie, hitting her hard on the shoulder. Katie spun, her jaw hanging open at the rude woman who didn't even bother to look back. Katie shook her head and continued on, catching the glance of another woman who was looking at her curiously.

As she browsed through the piles of books inside Flourish and Blotts, Katie couldn't help but feel as if she was being watched. Lo and behold, she glanced up from the pages of an adventure novel and noticed a trio of girls watching her. They appeared to have been whispering, but quickly spun away when Katie noticed them.

Katie blinked and returned to her book, though she was distracted by the peculiar feeling she had. People in public certainly began treating her differently when she and Oliver went public with their relationship. Some women shot her nasty glares while others gushed over her, telling her how lucky she was. This, however, felt different and Katie couldn't shake the feeling as she left the store.

It wasn't until she passed a news stand that she realized why everyone seemed to be acting odd towards her. Katie had picked up a copy of The Daily Prophet to leaf through the sports section for the latest quidditch scores, but nearly dropped the paper as a photo caught her eye on page six.

There she was, standing on the steps to her flat building as Bradley kissed her hand. The headline read "Another Loss for Wood?" and Katie felt winded as she read the brief cutline below the photo.

Katie Bell, girlfriend of Puddlemere United Keeper Oliver Wood, was seen strolling through a north London neighborhood Friday night with an unidentified man. Wood was not present. No word yet on the status of Bell and Wood's relationship. The Daily Prophet is working to learn more.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," Katie cursed as she tossed the paper down. The man selling the papers rose an eyebrow at her and Katie glared at him before apparating home.

Tears stung her eyes as she sank onto the sofa. How didn't she see a photographer near her flat? How did they even know where she lived? And how could she have been so careless?

She felt terrible. Now everyone was going to think she was unfaithful to Oliver.

"Fuck," she muttered under her breath as she thought about Oliver. She felt embarrassed for him. He didn't deserve this kind of negative press. Letting him down felt like the worst thing she could do to him.

Worst of all, Oliver wouldn't be home until Sunday evening.

The jingle of keys could be heard outside the flat and Katie was relieved as Alicia returned home, a copy of The Daily Prophet in hand.

"Did you see?" Alicia asked, waving the paper around.

Katie nodded silently.

Alicia's expression shifted to sympathy as she sat next to Katie. "What happened?" she asked soothingly.

"Nothing!" Katie exclaimed. "Nothing happened! I swear!"

"I know," Alicia said sympathetically.

"I just let him walk me home," Katie continued. "I told him I have a boyfriend and he understood and left, that was it."

"The Prophet is rubbish," Alicia said as she shook her head. "Clearly their photographer got one photo and they turned it into a story because they had nothing better going on."

"Everyone's going to think I'm a slag now!"

"Let them think whatever they want. It doesn't matter what they think. You didn't do anything wrong. Wood will understand."

"Will he?" Katie bit her lip for a moment as she debated telling Alicia about what had happened with Trent Healy. Finally, she explained the entire story, leaving Alicia with wide eyes.

"Wow, Trent Healy really fancies you?"

"Alicia!"

"Right, sorry. But Trent's awfully fit. Not as fit as Wood though."

"Alicia!"

"Right. Wood. He apologized to you, though. If he said he was just mad about the loss to Holyhead, then he should understand this situation. He knows you wouldn't do anything like that. Unless…" Alicia trailed off to study Katie's expression for a moment, to ensure her friend was okay. "Unless there's another reason why Wood was mad about Trent."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, what if he was jealous?"

"Jealous? Of Trent? Alicia, Wood is Puddlemere's star player. Trent's spent years in the reserves. Wood has nothing to be jealous of."

"But he clearly didn't like Trent talking to you."

"It had nothing to do with jealousy," Katie repeated. "Besides, Wood doesn't know that Trent knows about our arrangement."

Alicia let out a low whistle and shook her head. "I don't envy you right now," she said. "I mean, I do, because you're dating Oliver Wood and his handsome teammate is also after you, but I don't envy the drama."

"I didn't ask for any of this," Katie whined.

"I know," Alicia said kindly as she pulled Katie into a hug. "It's not fair to you. But I think that's just how life goes when you're dating a quidditch star. When does Wood get home from Japan?"

"Not 'til tomorrow night."

"Well, I'm sure he'll understand."

"But what if he doesn't?"

"Then you can make it up to him with sexual favors."

"Alicia!"

Katie moped around for the remainder of the weekend as she anxiously awaited Oliver's return. Though they hadn't made plans to see each other that night, Katie spent Sunday evening staring at the clock. Oliver was due to arrive home around 9 p.m., and Katie already had her shoes on and was out the door by 8:45.

As she walked to Oliver's, she mulled over what she would say and how she would explain herself. Should she beg him for forgiveness even though she hadn't done anything wrong? Should she offer to call off their arrangement? Would all of this be another distraction to Oliver? Would she be blamed if Puddlemere lost any more matches?

As she approached Oliver's door, Katie stopped in her tracks to inhale slowly before she anxiously knocked.

Oliver, who was clearly fresh out of the shower, looked confused as he answered the door wearing only a pair of sweatpants.

"Katie? Did we make plans for tonight? Sorry, I only just got back from Japan."

At first, Katie was relieved that he didn't seem angry or upset, but she quickly realized she would have to be the one to tell him about the photo in the paper.

"Have you seen The Prophet?" she blurted out before she could offer any kind of cordial greeting.

"Er, no. I only just got home." Oliver stepped aside to let Katie in, still looking confused. He was exhausted from traveling and, though it was nice to see Katie, he hoped they hadn't made any significant plans.

Katie heaved a sigh as she fished her copy of The Daily Prophet from her bag. Without a word, she handed Oliver the paper, which was already folded open to the photo of her.

Oliver furrowed his brow as he studied the photo and caption. Katie chewed the inside of her cheek in agony.

"Merlin," Oliver finally said as he tossed the paper on a side table. "Are you okay?"

Katie blinked, unprepared for such a question. Familiar tears welled in her eyes and she swallowed before a quiet, "No" squeaked out.

Oliver frowned as he realized Katie's state. "Come here," he said, pulling her into his arms. "What's wrong? It's just a rubbish story. The Prophet publishes nonsense like this every day."

Katie, who had buried her face against Oliver's chest, pulled back to study his expression. "You're not mad?" she sniffled.

Oliver's frown somehow managed to deepen. "Of course not," he answered soothingly. "I mean, nothing happened, right? And even if it did, The Prophet's photographers had no right to be spying on you like that."

Katie shook her head. "Lee's cousin just walked me home after the engagement party. He's a muggle so I couldn't tell him I was going to apparate, and it was late, so I didn't see the harm. And when he implied that he was interested in me, I told him my boyfriend was in Japan."

Oliver maintained his frown, but his eyes narrowed more. "He asked you out?"

"He asked if I had a boyfriend. But he was completely understanding and left right away when I said I did."

Oliver nodded in understanding and hugged Katie, whose nose had started running. "Please don't cry," he begged. "It's nothing and you didn't do anything wrong."

"I'm just so sorry!" Katie blubbered into Oliver's chest. "I feel like I've embarrassed you and let you down!"

Oliver ran a soothing hand up and down Katie's back, unsure how to make it clear that Katie was overreacting. "Katie," he said calmly, "You are not an embarrassment and you could never let me down. I wouldn't be pretending to go out with you if you were."

"I just don't want to make you look bad."

Oliver blinked. "Katie, you and I both know that you're always the one who makes me look good."

Though Katie's cheeks were stained with tears, she offered him a tiny smile. "I really am sorry though," she said. "I'll be more careful now."

"There's nothing to be sorry about," Oliver said firmly. "The Prophet thrives on ruining lives with lies and nonsense. I'm just sorry they made you a pawn in their game." He chewed on his bottom lip briefly. "Are you sure you don't want to call all of this off? I don't want you to have to put up with this rubbish."

Katie shook her head. "I'm fine," she said confidently. "I just feel bad. You shouldn't have to deal with this."

"I told you before, I can deal with this kind of stuff as long as you can. Now come have a cup of tea… or some firewhiskey."