Sparks

Sparks 18

Chapter Eighteen

January 14^th: Hogwarts: 7:30 p.m.

"Marcus," gasped Katie. "We are in the middle of a hallway."

"I know," said Marcus with a muffled voice. His face was buried in her neck. He lifted his head reluctantly. "I haven't been able to touch you for nearly two weeks. I swear to Merlin that good for nothing Scottish twit is trying to keep us apart. Are you sure he doesn't know?"

"No he doesn't know," said Katie as she tried to squirm away from Marcus and his hands. "Anybody could come down the hall at any moment, Marcus. I have a practice in a half hour and I still need to change." Katie extracted Marcus's hand from under her skirt.

"Oh, come on Bell," coaxed Marcus. "I'll only take a minute."

"Marcus," said Katie as she giggled helplessly at the serious look in Marcus's eyes. "Like that is going to make me say yes, you git. We are in the middle of a hallway."

"I'll make it up to you later, love," said Marcus. "I'll do that thing you like. I have a game tomorrow and I need you to help me relax. Please Katie." Marcus started to rain kisses along Katie's throat. She liked kisses there. He could feel her weakening. He decided to play dirty. Marcus pulled her hands under his jumper so she could feel his stomach.

Katie shivered as she felt the ridges in Marcus's lovely stomach. "You do not play fair," said Katie huskily. "Now, I'm going to be late for practice. And you better not only take a minute."

Marcus smiled in triumph as he pulled Katie into an empty classroom. He did have that game with Ravenclaw and he was seriously missing his girlfriend. That Scottish git was going overboard with his practices. In fact, he and Davies had complained to Hooch about the fact they could not get enough pitch time.

An hour later, a very relaxed Marcus strolled into the Slytherin Common room. He sat down on a sofa and stretched in contentment.

"My, my, my someone looks relaxed," said Tarquin as he came up behind Marcus.

"Yes," said Marcus with a grin. "Now Tarquin have you done your homework?"

"Yes sir," said Tarquin. "Although having me chat up that Ravenclaw chaser was pretty blatant Marcus."

"Did he notice?" asked Marcus.

"What do you take me for - an amateur?" said Tarquin with a grin. "I'm hurt."

"What did he have to say?" asked Marcus.

"Well," said Tarquin. "Davies is really organized this year and that new seeker is quite good. The two chasers are in their seventh year and have been working together for nearly three years. And the keeper is strong. He has two weaknesses. One is that he is terrified of Derrick and me. I guess that bludger I connected to his head last year still haunts him. The other is you. He said that the keeper sometimes has this nightmare that you and Johnson are on the same team. He dreams that he lets both of you score over and over again."

"Good work, Tarquin," said Marcus. "I guess we know how to play it then. We'll have to make sure he has either you or Derrick in his line of sight at all times. Bugger it though, Ravenclaw is strong this year. On a lighter note Tarquin, did you end up having to snog the Ravenclaw for all this information."

"Nope," said Tarquin. "Flirting is all about eye contact, mate. My eyes just made promises that unfortunately I'm not going to keep. Just in case though, I'm going to smile at the guy a few times tomorrow at breakfast. It will throw him off. How did you know about his crush?"

"I didn't," said Marcus. "But he does tend to stare at you a lot in the Great Hall. Plus there is your status as a professional flirt."

"Wait a second," said Tarquin with a frown. "You never had me do these missions before. Who did you send in the past?"

"Do you have to ask?" asked Marcus with a laugh. "Pucey, of course. Although you are much better than he is. Adrian didn't just promise; he tended to deliver. But I think that was out of personal preference. Adrian has never shied away from new experiences."

"Oh," said Tarquin thinking back to the whole Hooch-Pucey incident.

"Hello Marcus," said Circe Jones as she passed the couch. She glared at Tarquin as she passed but smiled at Marcus. Tarquin blew a kiss at her. Circe's face flushed as she mouthed at Tarquin: I hate you.

"My," said Marcus. "You are popular with Circe, aren't you."

"Would you believe I had to spend Yule with that girl," fumed Tarquin. "My father invited her family over and my mother made me entertain both Circe and Cassandra. Now Cassandra was fine. That charm bracelet worked like a..err...charm. But that termagant is the most stubborn, infuriating evil Slytherin woman ever to walk the Earth."

Hmmm....," said Marcus looking at Tarquin speculatively . "She looks nice in blue doesn't she?"

"Yes, she does and that skirt is very flattering, " said Tarquin sulkily. "But she's still evil."

Marcus saw Malfoy enter the common room and called him over. Draco was looking pale and out of sorts. Montague came up behind Malfoy and joined the group by the fire.

"Everything okay?" said Marcus with an edge to his voice. His mind flashed to Malfoy's father.

"Yes," said Draco faintly. "I just get real nervous before games."

"Well," said Ty. "No worries about the Chang girl. I just saw her looking as pale as parchment in the hallway. She's just as nervous. And she's good but not in your league Draco. Our brooms will give us the advantage speed wise. You'll just have to use it, mate."

"We'll meet in the common room after breakfast tomorrow and I want everyone to get a good night's sleep. Where's Myles, Chris and that nitwit Keeper, what the hell's his name again. I have a mental block," said Marcus.

"Myles is sleeping already," said Ty. "He said he was tired from all the homework this week plus practice so he went to bed."

"Ablesworth is probably in his room praying to whatever he believes in that he won't screw up tomorrow," said Draco.

"Good," said Marcus dryly.

"Chris is right now relaxing like you did earlier," said Tarquin.

"Doubly good," said Marcus. "Everyone take it easy and don't exert yourself unduly. Save it for the pitch and the game."

With that last pronouncement, Marcus dismissed the impromptu meeting.

The next night: the Slytherin common room:

"Marcus," said a breathless Circe when she went up to him after the game in the Slytherin common room. "That was a great game. I knew Ravenclaw didn't have what it takes to win." She smiled up at Marcus flirtatiously.

Marcus looked into her face and smiled. He knew Circe had a crush on him and he genuinely liked her so he didn't want to hurt her feelings. Although, it did help that she had grown into a very pretty witch who favored low cut robes. He loved Katie but he was not dead yet. Marcus still appreciated a pretty woman. He was about to answer her when Tarquin interrupted him.

"Why Circe," said Tarquin with a smirk. "Aren't you going to congratulate me as well? I'm hurt."

Circe smiled at Marcus then turned and glared at Tarquin.

"Bole," said Circe. "Go away."

"But why?" asked Tarquin with mock sadness. "I thought you liked me?"

Circe's face flushed red as she moved closer to Tarquin with an angry glint in her eye. Tarquin and Circe were both oblivious to the fact Marcus had left the confrontation.

"I. Hate. You." hissed Circe.

Tarquin leaned closer and whispered. "That's not what you said at Yule. Do you not remember the events in the Library?"

"I was daft and lost my wits momentarily. I'm sure I was just another in a long line of witches, Bole," snapped Circe as she stepped back and looked around for Marcus. "I won't make that mistake again. Trust me. Where did Marcus go?"

"Why do you persist in chasing Flint?" asked Tarquin. He dampened down the annoyed note in his voice with difficulty. "He has a girlfriend, you know. A girlfriend that he is crazy about."

"You are lying," said Circe with a worried look. "I've never seen this girlfriend."

"She goes to Durmstrang," lied Tarquin. "I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up marrying her." Tarquin only said this last bit because he wanted to see Circe's reaction. He wasn't disappointed.

"What?" said an upset Circe. "That cannot be true. I'm going to ask him." Circe made a move to leave in order to find Marcus. Tarquin caught her elbow.

"Don't be daft," said Tarquin. "Marcus will be very unhappy if you go up to him and ask him that question in the middle of the common room. Don't you know anything about him?"

Circe pulled her arm away from Tarquin and lifted her chin. "Do you want to know why I like Marcus?" said Circe sweetly. "He's a better man than you and I emphasize the word man."

Tarquin watched her go with a hard look in his eye. He was startled when a small hand tugged on his robe a few seconds later.

"Tarquin," said Cassandra. "I could see from across the room that you and Circe were fighting again. You know when Circe gets mad, she says things she doesn't mean. Would you like one of my Ice Mice?" Cassandra looked up hopefully at Tarquin. During the holidays, her father told her to pay attention to Tarquin and to try to make him happy. Candy always made her feel better especially after fighting with Circe.

Tarquin looked down into the earnest eyes of his soon-to-be fiancee and felt like an utter shite. He smiled and accepted one of her treats and listened to her tell him about her classes.

"Is Medea having a good time as well," asked Tarquin idly. Medea was one of Cassandra's dolls. He had been initially mortified to discover that she still played with dolls. If his mates ever found out, they would tweak him about robbing the cradle harder than they were currently doing.

"We don't talk about Medea here, Tarquin," whispered Cassandra. "She's at home. The others would make fun of me if they knew about her."

"Cassandra," said Tarquin. "The others would have me to deal with if they ever made fun of you. I can pretty much guarantee that will not happen."

"Oh good," said Cassandra complacently. She chattered on about Quidditch until Tarquin was smiling again then said, "I have to go to bed now but your friends Flint and Warrington are by the fire. You should join them instead of talking to a boring little girl like me."

"You are not boring Cassandra," said Tarquin.

"No?" said Cassandra with a smile that lit up her face as she got up to join her friends waiting for her. "You say the nicest things Tarquin. Good night!"

Tarquin watched her leave and immediately afterward caught sight of Circe leaning over Marcus. He narrowed his gaze at them and strode out of the common room and went to bed as well. His head was aching with stress.

Tossing and turning in bed, he realized that on one hand, Cassandra would make a good wife in about ten years. She was sweet in a way most Slytherin girls were not. She had dignity that belied her years. The way she handled the incident in the Hall was proof. Cassandra was his mother's polar opposite. On the other hand, Circe was the one that made him crazy. He was not sure if it was love but he wanted her. But she was Cassandra's sister. And she was in love with Marcus. And she did not like him. Tarquin sighed and turned over onto his back in his bed. Whoever said love was great was a daft git.

The Great Hall, Monday morning:

Marcus was watching the Gryffindor table discreetly. One of the Weasley twins was napping on the other's shoulder. They had an early morning practice again. Katie was nodding off over her food. That meant that once again, Katie would be going to bed early. Their practice schedule was starting to get him annoyed. A series of hoots alerted him to the postal owls' arrival.

His eagle owl held out his leg with a proud glare at Marcus. Marcus gave him the rest of his bacon and a few Knuts. He idly wondered where Damien spent the Knuts he collected. Was there a shop in Hogsmeade especially for owls? A letter from Adrian diverted his attention. The final paragraphs made him go still with surprise.

Marcus mate, you know that we have been friends since we were two, right? So I think that I need to say something that the other guys have been too scared to say. I'm not daft so I'm saying this from two continents away and if I'm wrong, you can plant me a facer when I get back from Asia.

Is this Katie thing serious or is it a replay of the whole Morgana fiasco? You have to admit there are similarities. One, her friends had no idea that she was dating you for an entire year. You introduced her to your friends in Slytherin but the Ravenclaw bint never did the same. Two, she was one of those unattainable cool Ravenclaws. Like Katie is one of those unattainable Gryffindors. Three, you thought you felt something deeper than lust for Morgana too. Wait, I can hear your teeth gnashing from Bangkok. I will not go on; you got the point.

Here's the deal mate. I know the Quidditch season is heating up but if she really loves you, she will take your relationship public. Sure Hogwarts will go barmy for awhile but it will cool down. Not even Wood would toss her off the team. He's stupid but not crazy. This plan would prove to you that she's not Morgana, Part two. I hope that I'm wrong. I like your Katie, Marcus.

Please don't hex me to Hades next time we meet mate. I'm only saying these things because I don't want to see you upset like last time.

Adrian

Marcus stared at the parchment and without a word headed for his first class. Tarquin and Chris trailed after him in silence. They knew him long enough to know not to bother him when he had this expression on his face.

Marcus fumed silently in History of Magic. "How dare Adrian bring up Morgana?" thought Marcus in a furious rush. "She is nothing like Katie. I never really bothered to get to know Morgana. She was so wrapped up in her studies that she tended to bore me to death when she talked. So, I made sure we didn't talk much. Katie is different. I actually know things about her. She likes the Harpies and Puddlemere United. She likes butterbeer and champagne. She likes fish and chips over caviar. I couldn't tell you the color of Morgana's eyes without thinking hard. Besides I was never faithful to Morgana. I shagged Bathsheba Baddock, Isolde Warrington (Note to self: never mention this to Chris) and Persephone Stebbins while I was shagging her. Well, maybe Morgana was my favorite but I never introduced her to my parents. What the hell could Adrian be thinking? He doesn't know how I feel about Katie."

But Marcus couldn't silence that inner voice that kept nagging at him. The Ravenclaw girl had seen him as thrilling fling like Katie had to begin with. And he had been Morgana's first lover like he was Katie's. And Morgana and he kept their relationship secret like he and Katie did. Sure, he's met Katie's parents but he at least should be formally introduced to Spinnet as Katie's boyfriend. Bugger. Marcus told his inner voice to shut the hell up and turned his attention to the class. Merlin knows, he wanted out of Hogwarts come June.

A long boring hour later, Marcus decided to owl Ter and see whether or not he agreed with Adrian. Granted Ter was not exactly impartial but he knew Morgana. In sixth year, when this affair happened, he and Ter had known everything about one another. Marcus's mind shied away from the whole mess but he forced himself to think about it. He had broken up with Morgana after finding her fooling around with some Ravenclaw in the Astronomy Tower. Ter and he were skulking around at the time looking for Oliver Wood and Bletchley. Blackmail photos of those two would have been worth a thousand words. They had accidentally come across Morgana in their search. Luckily, Ter had prevented him from tossing the bastard out of the window. In retrospect, Marcus felt that maybe it was his possessiveness rather than sentiment that made him so angry. His inner voice was trying to protest but Marcus told it to shut it again. He turned his attention back to class.

Gryffindor Tower: Tuesday Evening

A desperate Katie looked at her mountainous pile of homework and groaned. She flopped onto her bed and gave a long sigh. "There was just no way I'm going to be able to see Marcus tonight. He is getting very impatient," thought Katie. "Hell, I'm getting pretty anxious to see him too. That Jones girl has been hovering lately."

Angelina came in with Alicia and a stack of books she piled on her desk. "Will this homework ever end?" asked Angelina with a tired groan.

"Never," said Alicia morosely. "I don't know about you or Katie but all this homework and all those practices are going to kill me."

"I haven't felt dry since Yule," complained Katie. "I should just wear my Quidditch uniform to class and bed, it would cut down on time spent changing."

"I haven't had a decent night's sleep in ages," groaned Angelina.

"Hell, I haven't had a decent snog in ages," said Alicia.

The group of girls started to snicker then laugh.

"Only you love," said Katie. "Would mention snogging as a necessity after sleep and homework."

"Speaking of snogging," said Angelina with a determined look. "Exactly who are you snogging Katie? I'm pretty sure it isn't Oliver."

"I'm sorry," said Katie with a fake yawn. "I didn't hear what you said over my extreme tiredness."

"No putting me off," said Angie. "Is it Davies? He likes blondes."

"Close," giggled Alicia.

"Shut up," said Katie.

"Tarquin Bole?" asked Angie. "He likes...well anybody not Slytherin."

"Close," said Alicia.

"Alicia," said an outraged Katie.

"Oh please Katie," said Angie with an air of disbelief. "Not Myles Derrick. I thought he only dated Slytherins."

"I'm not going to play this game," said Katie loftily. "I must study."

A shaky Katie fled the room. "Alicia had better keep her mouth shut," thought Katie. "I'll know if she didn't. I'll hear Angie's scream from the Library." Her lips twitched unwillingly as she thought about the look on Angelina's face when she finds out about Marcus. "After Quidditch season," promised Katie silently to herself. "I'll tell everyone after Quidditch season."

The Great Hall: the beginning of February:

Marcus read the owl from Ter intently. He could see that Higgs was trying to be as non-committal as possible. He reread the last paragraph.

Marcus, I don't know how to put this so I'll just say it. Yes, there are some parts of your relationship with Katie that reminds me of the fling you had with Morgana. But on the other hand, you really can't compare the two fairly. It's like pumpkins and pears. They have similarities but are in the end different. And seeing as how much I fancied one of the girls in question with all my heart just a short while ago, I must say I am pretty fair. I could have said yes, she's Morgana's evil Gryffindor twin but I didn't.

But if it makes you feel better, tell the witch you want your relationship to be more in the open. See what she says.

Hey, if you decide to break up with Bell in the near future, drop me an owl.

Just kidding.

Ter

Marcus looked towards the Gryffindor table moodily. Besides a few snatched moments in dark hallways, he and Katie have not been able to spent quality time together. Lately, she looked so tired that he had felt guilty about inflicting the doubts that were starting to plague him. A few hungry kisses in the dark did not satisfy him at all. He wanted to be with Katie all the time. And he especially hated that Oliver freaking Wood was sitting beside her all the time lately.

At the Gryffindor table, Katie sneaked a look towards the Slytherin table and saw Marcus glowering in her direction. Actually, he was glowering at Oliver who was currently rubbing his knee against hers under the table. A blushing Katie shifted her knee away and gave Oliver a chiding look.

"Merlin, I hope Marcus doesn't even have an inkling that Oliver has been flirting with me a lot lately," thought Katie. "Marcus is very touchy lately. It's like he-" Katie was distracted from her thoughts by the feel of Oliver's hand on her knee. She stiffened and was about to jerk her knee away sharply when Oliver squeezed her knee gently and got up to go to his first class. A thoroughly flustered Katie was unaware of the wink Oliver gave her when he left. She was still frozen in shock. A very angry Marcus caught the wink though and the lazy heavy-eyed look Oliver gave Katie before he left.

Katie spent the rest of the day confused and distracted. She was confused about Oliver's increased attention to her. "I thought I made it clear to him that we are just friends," thought Katie. "But Marcus has me worried. He's seems so upset lately. Maybe after the game, we could have some time alone. To hell with homework. I need to be with him." Katie's thoughts focused on Marcus and she dismissed Oliver from her mind. They were friends, nothing more.

Katie was completely unaware of the fact that Oliver Wood spent the rest of the day in a very good mood." My plan to make Katie Bell aware of my feelings for her is starting to work," thought Wood with a jaunty smile. "We have a practice the day before the Ravenclaw game. Maybe I'll ask her out then. After the game, we could go for a walk or something. That is, of course, if we win." Oliver started to think about the upcoming game and soon got immersed in Quidditch strategies.

Marcus spent the rest of the day fuming with barely suppressed rage. "What the hell was that look about?" thought Marcus. "That prat fancies her. Why can't she see it? Is she blind?" Later, an insidious thought occurred to the increasingly insecure Marcus. Maybe she did see that Oliver wanted her. Did she want him too? His mind quickly disabused itself of that notion but the thought lingered and festered.

Gryffindor Quidditch Changing Room: February 4^th

Marcus waited in his usual spot outside the change rooms waiting for Katie. They had exchanged owls about their plans after the Ravenclaw game and Marcus wanted to catch her tonight to confirm those plans and to steal a few kisses. He had also decided to come clean to Katie about his concerns about Oliver and the secret part of their relationship. In a way, it was a relief. Finally they would have time to really talk for the first time in nearly a month.

His heart jumped when he saw Katie leave the change room with a distracted air. He was about to open his mouth to surprise her when Oliver came out of the door right behind her. Without a word, Oliver pulled Katie into his arms and kissed her.

Marcus was stunned. He barely saw the Weasley twins come out the door almost immediately after. He closed his eyes in anguish. He didn't see Katie's angry face and Fred and George's amused ones. He didn't hear what Katie hissed at Oliver as the Gryffindors left the hallway. All he could hear was the sound of his heart beating. Later, the rage would come but for now all Marcus could feel was pain.

By the time he reached the Slytherin dungeons, Marcus was in an ice-cold rage. He was going to rip Oliver Wood apart slowly and painfully. He could not bear to think about Katie, not yet. He needed to speak to Tarquin or Chris. He also had every intention of getting extremely pissed in the shortest time possible.

When he got to his room, he found Draco waiting.

"Marcus," said a determined Draco. "I have just found out important information."

"Spit it out Malfoy," said Marcus as he opened his door. Draco trailed behind him as Marcus pulled a bottle of Ogden's from his trunk and proceeded to drink it straight. A surprised Draco watched him with a puzzled look. Marcus put down the bottle for a minute and asked again impatiently. "What is it Draco?"

"My source in Gryffindor House told me that Scarhead got his Firebolt back," said Draco quickly. Draco had no idea what was up with his captain but if he wasn't mistaken, Flint had nearly a quarter of the bottle already gone and he didn't look like he was in a good mood.

"What?" snapped Flint. "Oh this is really what I fucking need today of all days. Is your source reliable?"

"Yes," said Draco confidently.

"Your source wears pink lipstick," said Marcus sourly as he eyed Draco up and down. "It's on your neck."

Draco rubbed his neck self-consciously. "But she's always right," said Draco defensively.

"Is it Spinnet?" asked Marcus. He was beginning to get dizzy.

"No, it's one of their roommates though," admitted Draco.

"You like the older ones," said Marcus. "Don't you? Ahh hell, what are we going to do. The game is tomorrow." Marcus dampened down the feelings of betrayal and sorrow that were threatening to overwhelm him. The alcohol was making him weak. He was starting to think about Katie.

"I have an idea," said Draco with a gleam in his eye. "Remember Potter's accident with the Dementors? Why don't we recreate the scene for him at a crucial moment in the game? I know we can't recreate the cold feelings like a real Dementor but we can throw him off. He is afraid of them. That is a weakness we can exploit."

Marcus smiled at Draco. "You think like a true Slytherin Malfoy," said Marcus. "Come and get me tomorrow morning and we'll find the necessary equipment. You know we'll get detention at least."

"It will be well worth every minute," said Draco with satisfaction.

"Have a drink," said Marcus. " And we'll iron out the details."

After Draco left, Marcus passed out still clutching the bottle of Ogden's. A surprised Tarquin pried it out of Marcus's hands when he got back to their room after his date with a new Ravenclaw named Marilla. There was no sign of Chris. Tarquin maneuvered Marcus into bed with a levitating charm and wondered why Marcus had been drinking so hard.

Marcus spent a restless night. The scene with Katie and Oliver replayed over and over again in his dreams.