I do not own any Harry Potter Characters.
Chapter 12:
Practice was long and exhausting, by the end of it, Katie was sweating heavily doing her best just to keep her breathing even. She couldn't focus on the practice, and everyone noticed. Often messing up plays, and even fumbling the Quaffle.
They were playing a scrimmage match to end the practice. The team was split up evenly between the reserve and the starter players, and Katie's team was losing badly. Katie zoomed forward trying to catch up to Marcus who was about to score for his team, only seconds short. Another goal. Katie cursed to herself.
The match continued and Katie again found herself chasing after Marcus again. Doing her best to rest her stomach completely to the handle of her broom, to gain extra speed. She was catching up to him fast when she noticed Marcus's head twist around to look at her. His eyes widened in shock, "Katie watch out!" he shouted panic lacing his tone, doing his best to slow his broom. He dropped the Quaffle just as a Bludger was making its way straight to Katie's face. Using his body, he pushed Katie away just in time for the Bludger to hit him directly in the back, knocking the air out of his lungs. He scoffs, "Pay attention!"
Katie could hear Lucius Paddon another chaser whisper to Brian Davies their Seeker. "He used her first name. Think they're still dating?"
"I don't need you looking out for me!" Katie yelled at Marcus her eyes narrowing.
"I've never seen someone yell at Flint before." Brian whispered to Lucius.
Lucius head snaps in Brians direction before mumbling back, a smile forming on his face "I know, I like the new girl."
"That's it. Practice is over!" The captain, keeper Mack Clifford, shouted annoyed. "Everyone to the locker room, except you Bell."
Defeated Katie returned to the ground and got off her broom. Then Mack gave her an earful, telling her that she needed to focus if she wanted to get off the reserve team.
After practice Katie met up with Brenton, and decided on a restaurant near her apartment in the muggle area. It was a small Italian restaurant that Katie often got takeout from when she got out of practice late.
They finished their meal and headed outside into the snow swept town. "I'm really sorry for how today went for you, I had really nice plans for us tonight, but it can wait until you are up for it." Brenton explained. "I was planning on asking you to be my girlfriend tonight."
She knew she was charmed by his looks and his personality, but was he what she wanted?Brenton angled his head to the side, then flicked his eyes to her face. As if emerging from a daze, Katie realized he was waiting for her to reply.
She gazed up at him, lifting a hand to cup his face. "I would love to be your girlfriend." His hands tightened around her waist, his fingers just grazing the bottom of her rib cage. His eyes were locked on hers. Faster then she could see, he grabbed the back of her head. Pulling her into a deep sensual kiss.
After they pulled apart, they headed towards Katie's apartment hand in hand. Rounding a corner, they came face to face with Theodore, and an older woman, around his age. She had long brown hair that was braided to the side. "Katie?" Theodore questioned caught off guard, his Grey eyes widened in shock, as he looked back and forth between the woman and his daughter. Unsure of what to say. He took a small step behind the woman and mouthed the words "Muggle."
What was her father doing with a muggle? Let alone why was he walking the streets without another wizard. It was against the law. "Adeline this is my daughter Katie, and her…" he paused before finishing the sentence eyeing the taller man.
Brenton squared his shoulders, and said clearly, "boyfriend, pleasure to finally meet you, I'm Brenton Allen." Taking her Theodore's hand firmly in a shake.
"What are you doing out here so late?" She questioned her dad, unsure of what just happened.
"Your father was just walking me to my cab. Thanks again Theodore." The woman said. She then pulled him into a tight hug before walking off to the waiting cab.
"Why aren't you with another wizard or witch, you know it's illegal." Katie whispered fiercely at her father.
"She's a friend from a long time ago that I don't get to see very much." He explained. "Perfect timing though, I'll head home with you and use your Floo."
"Well, that's the way we are headed, you are more then welcome to join." Brenton said
The following morning Katie had finished breakfast and was starting to pack her Quidditch gear up, when her father appeared from her Floo. Shocked she took a small half step back her eyes widening slightly. "You scared me!" She exclaimed placing her hand on her chest willing her heart to stop beating so fast.
Her dad wiped the soot from his clothes before stepping away from the Floo. "Sorry I came unannounced, I just wanted to talk to you before you headed off to practice."
"It's got to be quick." Katie grabbed her Quidditch bag hastily, fumbling with the straps.
"I'll get straight to the point then, it's about Brenton, I don't think you should trust him."
"You met him for maybe five minutes." Katie rolled her eyes, walking towards the Floo and her father.
"Just trust me, there's something off about him." He hurriedly tried to explain.
"You know how I know you are wrong? Marcus is the only other person who doesn't like him." Katie defended.
"I don't approve of him." Theodore tried to take a different approach.
"Well, good thing it's not your decision. Listen I need to go to practice, let's talk about this another time." She was annoyed and gave him a stern look.
Katie stayed focused in practice, doing every play perfectly. When practice was over, she noticed Theodore standing on the side of some bleachers. "You played amazing today! I watched the last hour of your practice." He said enthusiastically.
"Thanks, I'll be out in a little bit. I need to hop in the shower and get changed." Katie explained before walking off the Quidditch pitch.
Theodore noticing a familiar face, produced a quick plan. "Mr. Flint, Good to see you!" He called out to Marcus who was just within hearing distance.
Shifting his attention to the older man he walked over, still covered in sweat and mud from practice. "How's it going" Marcus greeted with a handshake.
"Well, I can see that you guys are really rough on my daughter during practices" He teased.
"It's the nature of the sport, really." Marcus struggled to explain. Only to be met with a large warmhearted laugh.
"I'm just pulling your leg. I do have a question for you." Mr. Bell looked around before continuing, "I wanted to know what you thought of my daughter's boyfriend."
An hour later she left the locker room and headed towards where her father had been sitting. Surprised to see he was still there and sitting next to… Marcus. Katie debated on either going home or breaking up this little pow wow.
"Oh Katie! Sorry we were just chatting about Quidditch" Her father stammered, giving off the impression he was lying. "Would you want to go for dinner? You must be starving" Her dad questioned. As if on que her stomach growled loudly.
"I can't tonight, I need to go to bed early." Katie admitted in a soft voice, keeping her eyes trained on her dad. Not daring to look at Marcus. "I have food at the apartment I can heat up."
"Okay no problem, at least take this." He handed her a plastic shopping bag filled with mail. "It's all your mail."
She thanked him giving him a fast side hug before heading to the Floo and disappearing back to her apartment.
Noticing a letter from the real estate company Katie opened it first. The house had successfully sold, but without the furniture, so Katie would have to empty the house before, giving her only two weeks to remove the property.
What was she going to do with a mansion full of furniture? It was supposed to all sell as a bundle. Katie sighed, deciding that she'd go through the house and pick out anything she'd want to keep for whenever she bought her own home. She'd have to get a storage unit for what she kept, and just donate the rest.
There was several letters from both Angelina and Alicia, she felt her heart clench. Deciding on putting it off until later, she put in in a box with the rest of the letters they had sent her. She just wasn't ready yet.
Evelyn was helping her move, and Brenton would be showing up later when he finished his practice. They were both walking through the house, Katie was going room by room marking what furniture she wanted and what she didn't with red tags, and green tags.
Arriving in her grandparent's bedroom Katie started tagging everything with red tags, not wanting to keep anything. The next room was filled with tons of artwork that was stacked in a corner. Katie took the time and went through every painting. "Katie if you mark something as red and I want it can I change it to green?" Evelyn pleaded. "I can't believe you are going to donate that makeup vanity!" Katie let out a laugh.
"Yes, you can totally have that vanity, I'm keeping the one that's in one of the guest bedrooms." Reaching the end of the pile Katie noticed a mirror tucked in the corner wrapped in a sheet. It was a beautiful ebony mirror, which was six feet tall. She didn't dare try to move it, marking it with a green tag.
When Brenton finally arrives, he shows up with a tea for Katie and a Coffee for Evelyn. "So, how did it go today?" He asked kissing Katie on the cheek.
"It went well, everything I want, or what Evelyn wants" Katie teased elbowing Evelyn lightly. "Is completely out of the house. The rest gets donated and then I'm all done!" Katie said proudly.
"How about we head to dinner then?" He asked wrapping his arms around her stomach, pulling her into his chest.
"With that, I'm going to say goodnight." Evelyn laughed heading towards the Floo. "I know when I'm no longer wanted." She joked.
"I just want to head home and shower first if that's all right with you. I'm covered in dust, and cobwebs." Katie pointed out her dirty clothing.
"Dumbledore says people find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right." — Hermione Granger