Sparks

Sparks 14

Chapter 14:

Saturday afternoon, The Quidditch Pitch:

"Merlin," thought Marcus as he watched the rain pour down from the Slytherin Quidditch tower. "Could it rain more?" He raised the omnoculars to his eyes and sought out Katie. "She looked like she was getting drenched. He could feel his face tighten. "She had better not have given the charms to that Potter, or I'm going to be very angry. It would be like that stubborn witch to do something like that after I specifically asked her not to."

Marcus moved the omnoculars and gazed at Potter. "Good," thought Marcus. "That little git looks soaked as well. Well, Hufflepuff is giving Gryffindor an actual fight. This does not bode well for us."

"Marcus," said a rain-soaked Tarquin. "Can we go now? I'm cold and wet. You know how much I hate being wet."

"No," said Marcus. "We are going to watch this match to the end." He turned and glared at the rest of his team. "The rest of you should be watching the players on the pitch. I know that it's just Hufflepuff but Gryffindor is playing well and there is no taking teams for granted in Quidditch."

The rest of the team smothered their groans and obeyed Marcus. Slytherins were not stupid, besides Marcus was looking annoyed.

"Especially you," said Marcus as he pinned his keeper with a sharp glare. He could never remember the git's name. He was third year and unfortunately the only Slytherin who had a drop of keeper talent in Slytherin House. He would be good in about a year or so but Marcus didn't have a year to wait. Marcus decided that he would even be grateful for Bitchley to be back. The girl was a first class bitch but she was still a good keeper.

Marcus turned to Tarquin and watched quietly as he handed Emma a spare set of omnoculars. She was watching the game in the rain without a glimmer of discomfort. Moira would have been screaming in ten seconds flat. Curiously enough, the Parkinson girl was here too, hanging on Malfoy's every word. "I guess she really does like Draco," thought Marcus as he watched as Pansy unobtrusively helped Draco adjust his omnoculars.

In fact, every member of the Slytherin team and reserves had their girlfriends at the game except for him. Marcus felt a pang of longing but shrugged it off. After all, Katie was playing in the game; she wouldn't be here even if she could.

Suddenly Marcus felt a familiar feeling of cold envelope him. He quickly looked towards the pitch and saw the Dementors glide onto the field. What happened next stunned him. He saw Potter plummet to the ground. Marcus ignored the chaotic yells and screams around him as he took in the scene. The rest of the team stood their ground when they saw Marcus not budge an inch.

While a lot of people missed Diggory catching the snitch, Marcus did not. He also witnessed Dumbledore's display of power. The slightly mad, twinkly, trusting Headmaster was gone. In his place was the wizard that defeated Grindenwald and frightened Voldemort. Marcus knew he would never forget the true face of Albus Dumbledore as long as he lived. This man was a dangerous and powerful wizard. He knew that Snape respected the Headmaster and now he knew why.

Later, in the great Hall, Marcus listened as the rest of table discussed Potter and Gryffindor's loss. He could not believe that the normally so astute and aware Slytherin House had missed the point. So what if Potter had fallen and so what if Gryffindor had lost. The point was that Albus Dumbledore was powerful enough to push back a crowd of Dementors. And those Dementors were scared of Albus Dumbledore. He turned his gaze towards the Headmaster and looked right into his eyes. The twinkle was not there and he gave Marcus a nod like he knew what Marcus was thinking.

Marcus gave an involuntary shiver and looked away but not without giving the Headmaster a nod back. Slytherins were not fools. He decided to think on this subject another time and turned back to his House.

Tarquin was trying to gain Marcus's attention. "Marcus," he said. "What are you thinking so hard about?"

"I'll tell you later," said Marcus quietly. He turned and listened to Malfoy. Apparently, Draco had heard from one of his sources in Gryffindor House that the reason Potter had fallen was because of the Dementors. Marcus would bet ten galleons that Draco's source was a girl. Speaking of girls, Marcus turned his attention towards the dejected Gryffindor table.

As always he looked for Katie. He watched as she got up from the table and walked out the doors. He followed a discreet time later. He hoped that she was still up to their date.

As he walked into the hallway, he ran into Oliver Wood. Marcus sighed as he watched Katie give him a surprised look over her shoulder. He willed her to go down the stairs towards the dungeons.

"Flint," said Wood with loathing. "I guess you are satisfied now aren't you."

"Satisfied?" asked Marcus with a raised brow. This confrontation was going to annoy him.

"Yes," said Wood. "Because of you and switching the schedule, we lost."

"Please Wood," said Marcus with a smile. "You lost because Hufflepuff caught the snitch. You've been relying on Potter too much. If you had more points, you still would have won."

"I do not need a Quidditch lesson from the likes of you, Flint."

"I beg to differ, Wood. It looked like you needed help today now didn't it. And I bet the noble Diggory offered to replay the game, right. I bet it just killed you to do the Gryffindor thing and refuse."

"You bastard," said Wood as he flushed red and looked like he was going to plant Flint with a facer.

"I assure you," said Flint as he merrily pushed Wood's buttons. "My parents were married. I'm not quite sure about yours."

Wood pulled back his fist to punch Marcus when Katie's voice stopped Oliver cold. She had come behind the fighting pair.

"Oliver, Ma...Flint," said Katie. "What are you doing?"

"Step behind me Katie, " said Oliver. "Don't let this bastard get near you."

Marcus felt his face tighten with anger. A surge of possessive rage flooded through him when he saw Wood touch Katie to pull her behind him.

The only bastard I see is right in front of me," bit out Marcus. "Or shall I say loser. How many years had Hufflepuff gone without winning a game?"

When Oliver pulled her away from Marcus, she could see his face go white with rage. Her heart was pounding because she knew how close Marcus was to the edge. Oliver had no idea that what had made Marcus so mad was the fact that Oliver was touching her. "I have to stop this right now," thought Katie. Her thoughts were cut off when Oliver turned and pushed her towards the Tower.

"Please Katie, " said Oliver. "I don't want you to see this. It is between Flint and myself. Just go and wait for me in the common room."

When Marcus heard that comment, he growled and was about to pounce on Wood when he heard Katie start to yell.

"Oliver," screamed Katie. "I am not a helpless female waiting for a knight in shining armor. I can handle Marcus Flint but it is clear to me that you cannot say the same. So why don't you go to the common room and calm the hell down before you get points taken away from Gryffindor for brawling. Thank Merlin no one else is in this hallway."

"I'm not leaving you with him!" said Oliver stubbornly.

"Fine then, I'll go with you. But Flint," said Katie menacingly with a glint in her eye. "You'll get yours." She stomped away towards the stairway but not without giving Marcus a wink that was not seen by Oliver.

The Gryffindor Common room:

Later, in the deserted common room, Katie cut off Oliver's defense with a slash of her hand.

"Oliver, I know you and Flint have a history but I don't think it gives you the right to fight in the hallways. We are all upset when we lose but it is in the past now."

"Fine then," said an angry Oliver. "Since you will not listen to me, I think I will leave."

Katie watched him storm up the stairs with a sigh. She was going to give Marcus a piece of her mind tonight. She knew Marcus liked to needle Oliver but she didn't think she could handle the stress any more. Their secret relationship combined with the fact that Oliver liked her in that way made her head ache. She would never tell Marcus that his suspicions were correct and Oliver was flirting with her. He would go completely mental.

Marcus and Oliver had some deep-seated issues and a bitter rivalry. If they found out about each other, it would diminish her relationship with Marcus. Katie was determined not to be just another bone of contention between them. She was a person not a prize to be won.

She went to meet Marcus near the Potions classroom with a purposeful air.

Outside the Potions Classroom:

Marcus leaned against the dungeon wall waiting for Katie. He hoped that she would be in a good mood but he was certain the fight with Oliver had ruined any chance of it. Merlin, he hated that Scottish prat.

He heard someone coming down the hall and looked up expectantly.

"Katie?" asked Marcus. "Is that you?"

"So much for secrecy Flint," said Katie. "I could have been anyone."

"No, only you wear that perfume Katie."

"Marcus, we have to talk."

"Do we?" pleaded Marcus. "The git started it Katie."

"Yes, but did you have to finish it?"

"I can't help it. It is a habit honed down through the years."

"Could you stop it?" asked Katie seriously as she moved closer to Marcus against the wall. For once, she hated the fact that Marcus could make her knees weak by just leaning there looking all casual and sexy with that pleading look in his eyes that said 'please, I don't want to fight'.

"I don't know," said Marcus just as seriously. He knew he should concentrate on what Katie was saying but she was wearing a buttoned up shirt that was not all buttoned up. In fact, he could see down her shirt if he leaned just right. No girl could distract him quite like Katie Bell.

"I want you to try Marcus," said Katie with a determined tilt to her stubborn chin. She tried not to look at his hands. His big strong hands that really made her treacherous knees weak. She looked at his chest, which was a bad move because Marcus started to absentmindedly scratch his lovely flat hard stomach. She tried to look away but he had pulled his jumper up. Honestly, did the man have no shame? She jerked her eyes away from his hands.

Marcus noted her stubborn chin and sighed. "Okay," said Marcus. "I'll try Katie." He scratched his stomach in a nervous gesture. His temperature soared as Katie moved unconsciously closer. Now, Marcus could definitely see down her shirt.

He cautiously looked at her face and noticed her eyelids were drifting closed as she leaned into him. He could feel the pull of their amazing chemistry as he finally gathered her up into his arms and turned so she was up against the wall instead of him.

She looked into his eyes as he leaned his face towards hers. He was a whisper away from her lips when he ran his thumb over her bottom lip. The look in his eyes as he did that made every inch of her skin aware of his presence against her body.

"Still," murmured Marcus against her lips. "So innocent."

Katie's heart was thumping hard as she stroked the back of his neck and waited for him to kiss her. She was expecting a hard passionate kiss but got a slow soft one. He traced the shape of her lips with his tongue before closing his lips softly over her own. She shivered with pleasure as they exchanged kisses that steadily increased in hunger until Marcus pulled his mouth off hers with a soft moan.

"We can't stay here," said Marcus huskily. "Come with me and see your surprise." Marcus pulled Katie down the hall and towards the staircase leading up to the Great Hall. Instead of going up the stairs, he veered off under the stairs and stood facing a stone wall. Marcus took out his wand and said with a grin at Katie, "Oliver Wood is a prat."

Katie smacked Marcus on the arm and then gasped as the wall started to shimmer. Marcus led her through the wall into a quiet corridor hung with green and silver tapestries on the walls and a plush black rug on the stone floors. Katie felt like it was like swimming through thick cocoa because it gave her a warm, tingly feeling.

"Marcus," whispered Katie. "Where are we?"

"The Slytherin Dungeons," said Marcus. "We'd better hurry before someone comes down the hall." Marcus led Katie into the room closest to the shimmery wall. He ran his wand down the door and disabled what Katie assumed were wards.

Her heart was pounding as she entered Marcus's room for the first time. "Merlin," thought Katie. "Never mind that, I don't know anyone that even knows where the Slytherin dungeons really are."

She gasped as she took in her surroundings. Marcus had lit candles all around the room bathing it in a soft glow that reflected off the green and silver bed hangings. This room had to be three times the size of her dorm room. It had a seating area, a fireplace and it's own bathroom. She looked down at the table and saw the red roses he had placed there along with what looked like strawberries and something else in a silver bucket. She looked up at Marcus watching her nervously. They were just inside the room still beside the doorway.

"Katie, we really can't go the broom shed tonight because of the Dementors," said Marcus hesitantly. "So I decided to bring you here through the Quidditch entrance to the dungeons."

"Oh," said Katie softly. She could tell Marcus was nervous because he had brought her to his bedroom without really telling her where they were going first. They really couldn't go anywhere else unless they tried to sneak out of Hogwarts and go to Hogsmeade. She decided to put Marcus out of his misery. "That's okay Marcus, I understand."

Marcus watched Katie sit on the edge of the couch self-consciously. "What the hell," thought Marcus. "I'm a little nervous as well." He could tell she was aware as much as he was of the bed just standing a few feet away. He cleared his throat and asked her, "Would you like some champagne?"

"I've never had champagne before," said Katie. "Why not?"

Marcus poured them two flutes of wine and offered her a strawberry with it. "The champagne tastes better with strawberries," said Marcus as he sat down beside her. They sipped the beverage in a tense silence for a few moments. Finally Katie gave a little giggle as she let Marcus pour her another glass of champagne.

"What is it, Katie?"

"The champagne has little bubbles in it. They are tickling my nose," said Katie with a laugh. Her giggles relaxed the atmosphere as they started to talk about the game in a very round about way.

Marcus pulled a strand of her long hair and lazily wrapped it around his finger. "Katie," Marcus asked. "Why didn't you use the charms I had given you?"

"I did," she said dreamily. "I used the warming charms only. I would have had to answer too many questions about the drying charms. By the way, how nice of you to rub it in that we lost to Hufflepuff."

"I said that to piss off Wood," said Marcus as he shifted closer to Katie. "Besides, I don't do nice."

"You are nice to me," said Katie as she leaned closer to Marcus.

"That's because I love you Bell."

Katie ran her finger down his jawline and said, "I love you too, Flint. Aren't you going to pour me another glass of this lovely wine?" The champagne was making her feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

"Yes," said Marcus as he topped up her glass. "You like champagne better than butterbeer. You have expensive taste."

"Hmm," said Katie. "Look who is talking. I bet those sheets on that bed over there are silk." Katie ran a hand up Marcus's thigh. Marcus picked up his flute as drank it all in one go.

The atmosphere between them thickened as Marcus then leaned over her and started to kiss Katie softly starting on her neck and leading up to her ear. Her heart started to pound with anticipation. She gasped when he whispered in her ear, "Yes, the sheets are silk Katie."

Marcus slanted his mouth over Katie's after whispering in her ear. The exchanged a series of soft slow kisses. He could feel his heart start to thump with expectancy. He groaned when she pulled away from him.

"Marcus," asked Katie breathlessly. "Where are Warrington and Bole?"

Marcus blinked at her then smiled. "They won't be back until eleven."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive, now keep kissing me Katie."

Katie relaxed when she realized that Marcus's roommates would not be back for hours. She wrapped her arm around his broad shoulders and leaned into to him for another kiss. She gasped against his mouth when she felt him start to undo the buttons on her shirt. He shushed her with another hot soft kiss and kept undoing her buttons. She gasped again when she felt his Quidditch rough hands against her bare skin. She pushed her hands underneath his jumper and ran her hands up his chest. All Katie could hear is their ragged breathing as they continued to frantically kiss each other.

Several minutes later, Marcus pulled his mouth away from her own and leaned down looking at her intently. Katie blushed when she realized she was on her back on the couch with Marcus lying half on top of her with his jumper off and her shirt long gone and her bra undone. She felt like she just did ten laps around the Quidditch pitch. She was out of breath and look in his eyes made her even more breathless.

Marcus leaned his forehead against hers and gazed into her eyes intently. "Come to bed with me Katie," said Marcus. He felt like his heart was going to pound out of his chest. He wanted her so bad. His heart soared as she answered him with a soft yes. He pulled her off the couch, into his arms and carried her to his bed. The time for words was done.

Several hours later, Katie opened her eyes sleepily and languidly stretched. She could feel Marcus's solid chest against her face, his arms wrapped around her waist and the silk sheets wrapped around their intertwined bodies. He was asleep. She looked up into his unguarded face.

Katie reflected on the past hours she had spent in Marcus's bed. They had been a revelation. This time the pleasure had been intense. Katie had quickly realized that she knew nothing and he had known everything. He knew how and when to touch her. And he had shown her how to touch him back. Then he had promised that it would get better with practice. She was looking forward to his workouts. She turned her face back into his chest and went back to sleep safe in his arms.

Marcus opened his eyes and sighed as he felt Katie's soft curves against his body. He could hear her steady breathing and tightened his hold around her waist. He looked down to see her beautiful amber hair spread out against his chest and her face nestled against him. Marcus had fantasized several times about what it would be like to have Katie here in his bed. The reality far outstripped the fantasy.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. He was about to go back to sleep when he realized that his bed hangings were pulled closed on one side, the side that faced Tarquin's and Chris's beds. "Merlin," thought a shocked Marcus. "What time is it?"

Without disturbing Katie, he leaned over and grabbed his wand from the table beside his bed and whispered a question. The clock answered with 'Twelve-thirty in the morning.'

"Merlin," thought Marcus. "The guys are going to kill me. And I have to wake up Katie and get her back to the Tower." He groaned when he remembered the trail of clothes, he and Katie had left in the room as well. He didn't want her to be embarrassed. He whispered a silencing spell and started to kiss her face softly to wake her up. Katie sleepily opened her eyes and gave him a smile. He kissed her mouth softly and apologized for waking her up. All of a sudden, her eyes snapped open and she shot up in bed.

"Marcus," whispered Katie frantically. "What time is it?"

"Twelve-thirty love"

"Merlin, your roommates. They can hear us!"

"Silencing spell."

"Good," said Katie. Suddenly she remembered that she had no clothes on and blushed. Katie pulled the sheets up to her chin and gazed down at Marcus. "How am I going to get out of here? And where are my clothes?" asked Katie with a worried frown.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it. First, I'll see if they are asleep and get you a robe."

"Marcus, you are naked," hissed Katie as Marcus got out of bed.

"I know."

"Shameless man," she muttered as Marcus found his robe for her then he closed the bed hangings so she could have some privacy. "Of course, black silk," thought Katie as she put on his robe behind the hangings.

"Tarquin," Marcus whispered. "Chris, are you asleep?"

"Yes," answered Tarquin as he poked his head out of his bed hangings. "I am sleeping. And Chris is sleeping in Hufflepuff Tower tonight. He gave up waiting. I was idly thinking of sleeping with one of the Slytherin seventh year girls but then I snapped out of it and snuck in here. Where my bed is and where I am currently fast asleep so Bell can sneak out of the room without me knowing. Besides, I didn't even sneak a peek at the sight of a Gryffindor chaser fast asleep in the bed of a Slytherin Quidditch captain. A sight I would have bet a million galleons that I would never see as long as I lived last year. Nope I didn't look. You are of course lucky that I'm not Terrence Higgs. He would have taken a picture."

"Good," said Marcus. "As long as you remain 'sleeping' until she leaves so she doesn't get embarrassed."

"As long as you put some clothes on, mate."

Marcus pulled on a pair of boxers and gathered up Katie's clothes then opened his bed hangings. He leaned in and kissed Katie quickly. He took off the silencing spell and explained that Tarquin was asleep and luckily for them completely pissed drunk. Tarquin obliged Marcus with a couple of sleepy groans and mutters to make the story believable.

Marcus tidied up the seating area and dressed when Katie was in the bathroom taking a quick shower. After ten minutes, Katie came out dressed and found her shoes.

"Are you sure he's asleep?"

"Positive. And as drunk as a lord. Tarquin won't remember a thing tomorrow. Chris is spending the night with Sarah."

"Okay, I'd better go."

"I'm walking you back."

"You don't have too."

"I want too."

"Okay."

Outside Gryffindor Tower, Marcus kissed Katie good night and smiled as she confessed, "I wish I didn't have to leave your bed tonight Marcus."

"That makes two of us," said Marcus with a grin as he stroked her face. "Don't worry. There's a Hogsmeade weekend coming up. We can stay behind."

A few soft kisses later and Katie disappeared inside the portrait. Marcus turned towards the dungeons and his annoyed roommate.

Unbeknownst to Katie, someone was awake in the Gryffindor common room and saw her come in late. He was lying down on one of the couches and she didn't see him.

Lee, Fred and George had stayed with him until ten minutes before Katie came in. They had been trying to help Oliver drink away his troubles but had given up trying to cheer him up. Oliver narrowed his gaze on Katie as she disappeared up the stairs. "Where was she coming from?" thought Oliver. "Funny, I was positive last year that she liked me but now she was playing hard to get. Women. I'll never understand them. Quidditch at least until now, has never let me down." Oliver lay back down and decided blearily to think about it more tomorrow. Maybe he should ask Katie to go to the next Hogsmeade weekend with him.