Sparks

Sparks 20

Chapter 20

Katie looked at Marcus's retreating back in disbelief. "Marcus," sobbed Katie. "Marcus, don't go." She felt helpless. She realized that she felt like her mother. She was watching the man in her life walk away too. A surge of adrenaline rushed through Katie. She vowed years ago never to be like her mother. She was not just going to watch Marcus leave. She ran up behind him and threw her arms around his neck. Marcus staggered under her weight. She let him go when he turned around and faced her.

"Katie," said Marcus. "I thought we decided to do what's best."

"No," said Katie determinedly. "You decided what's best. I love you and I'm not going to let you walk away from me without a fight."

"I don't want to fight," said Marcus wearily. "And I don't want to be your secret anymore. You can't make me."

"Then you won't be my secret," said Katie shakily. Her heart was pounding. "Tell me what you want me to do. Tell me how you want me to prove that I love you."

"I don't need proof," said Marcus. "I saw it last night. If push came to shove, you would chose your mates over me."

"No," said Katie. "You can't hold something I didn't do against me."

"You kissed that prat back," said Marcus dangerously. "I saw you!"

"I did not," said Katie heatedly. "How many times have I kissed you? I've never kissed a guy like that."

"How many guys have you kissed," asked Marcus loudly. "Are there that many?"

"No," shouted Katie. "Besides look who's talking! How many other girls have you shagged before me? Wasn't it twenty?"

"Well," said Marcus. "I haven't shagged or kissed anyone else after I started dating you. You can't say that you haven't kissed any other guy besides me since we've started dating, can you?"

"For the last time Marcus," said Katie with her hands on her hips. "He kissed me. I was not an active participant."

"He still kissed you," said Marcus stubbornly.

"Oh yeah," said Katie. "Don't think I didn't see that Jones girl give you a nice long look down her skankily low-cut robe in the Great Hall yesterday. I wasn't that tired. But, I was giving you the benefit of the doubt."

"I didn't notice that," said Marcus.

"Whatever," said Katie.

"Still," said Marcus. "I can't be your secret anymore Katie. You either love me in public or not at all."

Marcus and Katie eyed each other in the corridor. A heavy silence fell. Marcus sighed.

"I can't do this right now Katie," said Marcus. "I'm too hungover and I am too tired to argue with you."

Katie flung herself against his chest and buried her face against his jumper. "If you don't talk to me now Marcus," said Katie. Her voice was a bit muffled so she raised her head and looked into his eyes. "You'll never talk to me again. I couldn't bear that."

Marcus looked into Katie's tear stained face and pushed away from her. He was about to open his mouth when a loud voice interrupted them.

"Flint," said Angelina in a threatening voice. "Get away from her. What have you done? She's been crying."

Marcus smiled at Katie in a sardonic way and turned away from her. He didn't give Johnson the time of day as he passed her. A stunned Katie didn't hear Angelina ask if she was okay. Time seemed to slow down as Katie realized that the time to chose was here: Marcus or her mates.

Angie jostled Katie out of her reverie by gently shaking her arm.

"Marcus, wait!" yelled Katie as she took off after him. She ignored Angelina's shouts as she caught up to Marcus at the end of the hall.

"Katie," asked a surprised Marcus. "What are you doing?"

"Choosing you," said Katie breathlessly. "I would always choose you. Don't you know that?"

"Katie," asked Angelina as she came up to the couple. "What are you doing? Why are you so upset?"

"Angie love," said Katie as she didn't take her eyes off Marcus stunned ones. "I'm in the midst of a lover's quarrel with my boyfriend. Be a friend and go away."

"Boyfriend?" asked a shocked Angelina. "Flint is your boyfriend?"

"Yes," said Katie firmly as she turned to look at Angie. "He is my boyfriend." A completely surprised Katie was stunned by Angelina's reaction.

Angelina started to hoot with laughter. "Ha! I've won fifty galleons from that prat Jordan. I knew it was Flint you were seeing Katie. I had to be him."

"What do you mean," asked Katie.

"Oh please," scoffed Angie. "I'm not that thick. What other guy at Hogwarts could it be? Alicia's clues were priceless. Let's see: A Quidditch player that wasn't Roger Davies but close, another captain perhaps? Next, a Slytherin Quidditch player that was not Bole or Derrick but close. It had to be Flint. Besides I've caught a few of the looks that you two have been throwing each other."

"They thought you were dating Tarquin or Myles?" asked Marcus suddenly amused. "Poor Myles wouldn't be able to handle you and Tarquin would drive you crazy in two minutes. He'd flirt with McGonagall."

Katie suddenly smiled at Marcus with her heart in her eyes. He was finally unthawing. Marcus smiled back. Their reunion was interrupted by a cough from Angelina.

"Please Flint," said Angelina with her eyes narrowed. "Don't think I won't kick your ass if you hurt my girl here. For reasons unknown to me, she has her heart set on you. Do not mess it up. And I have not forgotten the bloody prank you helped pull today. I know Malfoy was behind it. The prank lacks your usual polish. I predict Malfoy and Potter are going to be worse than you and Oliver ever were. Now Katie, I know you'll explain why you kept the whole thing a secret later in detail. Carry on." With that pronouncement, Angelina left the hallway.

"Katie," said Marcus as he took her hand. "I didn't expect you to do something like that. You are really going to tell your mates about us? And I have to say I didn't think Johnson would react quite like that. She's one slippery witch."

"Marcus," said Katie quietly. "Like I have been saying, I love you. I will always choose you. And I will say it over and over again as long as you need to hear it. By the way, what I said back there is still true, isn't it? I'm still your girlfriend?" Katie asked this question apprehensively.

"Yes," said Marcus gruffly. "I only said all that because I was jealous and I felt a tiny bit guilty over the prank. In my defense though, I am really hungover. I can't think straight when I'm hungover. My brain is mush."

"Yes, the prank," said Katie with her eyes narrowed. "You felt a tiny bit guilty?"

"A smidgen," admitted Marcus. "Mostly because it didn't work."

"Marcus," sighed Katie. Her hand was still firmly wrapped in his larger one.

"Katie," said Marcus seriously. "Never let me see you kiss another man again. Not even a friendly kiss."

"I promise," said Katie just as seriously. She always knew that she was a possessive person. She now knew Marcus was just as possessive.

"Are you going to tell all your mates?" asked Marcus.

"Yes, tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Tonight, all I want to do is be with you," said Katie quietly.

"Katie," said Marcus with a rueful grin. "All I want to do right now is sleep and maybe have a glass of water."

"I'll go with you," said Katie as she pulled Marcus towards the dungeons.

"You are still wearing your Quidditch gear," said Marcus as he let her guide him back to his room.

"I know," said Katie. "Where is the Slytherin main entrance?"

"To hell with the main entrance," said Marcus. " Let's use the Quidditch entrance because I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open."

Marcus's room: Slytherin dungeons: Two hours later:

Katie could feel Marcus's arm tighten around her waist as he shifted in his sleep. They were lying wrapped around each other on his bed. Katie was drowsy. She had fallen asleep with him after they had entered his room a few hours ago.

Marcus stirred and opened his eyes. He stretched and rolled over to gaze into her eyes. He reached up to stroke her hair with a thoughtful look on his face. Several minutes later, he started to talk while still smoothing her hair with his fingers.

"Katie," said Marcus seriously. "We still need to talk. I think I need to tell you things."

"Okay," said Katie softly.

"First," said Marcus. "Have you seen Tarquin or Chris? And what are you wearing?"

"They are probably in the Great Hall. It's six o'clock. Before you ask, Tarquin borrowed a couple of butterbeers and says he's going to bribe a house elf to bring us some food in a little while," said Katie. "Chris also mentioned that neither of them will be back until late. And I'm wearing one of your shirts. I had a shower while you were sleeping and I had no clothes to change into."

Marcus nodded then rolled over on his back and gazed at his canopy with a look of deep concentration. "Katie," said Marcus as he cleared his throat. "I think we need to clear the air. Things between us have been tense lately. Let me say what I need to then we'll talk."

She was a little scared of what Marcus was going to say. Katie realized though that he was right, they had to clear the air and be very honest with one another if their relationship was going to last.

"First, I do love you Katie," said Marcus seriously. "I mean every word. I have never told any other girl that. Even if we had broken up tonight, I would still love you. But for awhile I wasn't sure if you really loved me back. Hush - let me finish. You've only been to bed with me and no other man. You do know that what we have together in bed is not common, right? Most couples don't have this chemistry we seem to have together. What if you were confusing sexual compatibility with love?"

"I-" said Katie. She was confused and embarrassed but she finally said what she was thinking. "I really enjoy, oh Merlin, Marcus I really love being with you as in-." Katie closed her eyes then said, "Marcus, you showed me how enjoyable and pleasurable sex can be. You showed me a part of myself I had no idea existed. But what I really like is how close it makes us. You show me a part of yourself you don't show anybody else because when you are making love to me it's like I can actually feel how much you love me. The best part is afterward when I'm in your arms and I can feel your heart beating and I listen to you breathe. I may not be experienced but I know that is something you only find once in a lifetime."

Marcus reached out his hand and tightly grasped hers. "I think it is," said Marcus as he looked into her eyes.

"Why did you get so jealous," asked Katie. "We were so close during the holidays. Surely you know I would never be unfaithful."

"It was a lot of things," said Marcus. "There's my history. I used to date this girl in sixth year. My relationship with her was kind of like our relationship. We never went out in public either. Then I caught her cheating on me. But this time, she was actually shagging the other guy at the time. When I saw the Scottish prat kiss you, I got a nasty flashback. But it was also very different. I was so angry and..." Marcus stopped talking for a full minute.

"I was hurt," said Marcus finally. "I never wanted to see you again because to look at you would have hurt me so I went out and got drunk. And in the meantime, I agreed to a ill-conceived prank."

"Oh Marcus," said Katie. "Would you have really broken up with me?"

"Maybe," sighed Marcus. "I think it is a good thing you forced me to talk to you or else I don't think I would have. Finally, I don't think I can handle the secrecy thing anymore. But when you told Johnson about us so calmly today, it made that boggart disappear. You are not ashamed of me, are you Katie?"

"Never," said Katie fiercely.

"I need to see you on a regular basis Katie," said Marcus. "Or else my temperament gets too crazy. I know that I'm not the easiest wizard to live with. I have mood swings and I tend to brood a lot. Being near you makes my demons go away."

"I knew that you were getting upset. I should have paid more attention to you but I got caught up in the homework and Quidditch practice. I tend to do that Marcus," said Katie. "Sometimes I get too wrapped up in external things that I forget what is important."

"Katie," said Marcus softly. "I didn't scare you today, did I? My temper sometimes gets the best of me. You know I would never-"

Katie put her fingers over his mouth. "I was only afraid that you were really going to break up with me," said Katie. "You were so cold. I tried to get you mad because I wanted you to tell me what was wrong. I had no idea you saw what Oliver did. I admit that last year I had a crush on Oliver but that crush was nothing compared to what I feel for you."

"A crush," said Marcus tightly.

"Yes," said Katie firmly. "A teenage infatuation."

"Maybe I'm a crush," said Marcus uncertainly.

Katie frowned at the note of uncertainty in Marcus's voice. For as long as she has known him, Marcus was always so confident. Gradually it dawned on Katie that Marcus was insecure about why she loved him. Maybe it was years of being compared to Oliver Wood.

"Marcus," said Katie. "You are not a simple little crush for me. You are real to me. I find you to be the most infuriating, stubborn, challenging, annoyingly Slytherin guy in the entire world. When you are near me, I sometimes can't breathe because I find you so sexy. I wish I could spend every waking moment with you. Oliver was one-dimensional. I liked the idea of him when I was a girl. I want the reality of you."

Marcus turned to gaze into Katie's eyes intently. She returned his look with an intense gaze of her own. Before Katie realized it, she was half under his straining body and they were exchanging heart felt kisses. They were hard, desperate and a little clumsy. Clothing melted away and suddenly they were making love. They never took their eyes off one another or exchanged a single word. The air crackled between them. Their heightened emotions and the inherent passion they had for one another fueled their lovemaking.

Much later, Marcus raised his head from Katie's stomach. He could fell her hands stroking his skin lazily and unrelentingly. His hands were stroking her soft skin as well. It was like neither of them wanted to let the other go. He raised his head until he could see her eyes. They were closed in dreamy pleasure.

"Katie," whispered Marcus.

"Hmmm," answered Katie softly.

"I'm so hungry, I could eat a hippogriff, a raw hippogriff."

Marcus could feel her stomach vibrate against his chin in silent laughter. "I'm serious Katie," said Marcus. "Where's the food you promised me?"

Katie opened one eye and motioned towards the fireplace. "Check to see if it's on the table," said Katie. Her eyes snapped open. "Merlin, did we just make love with the curtains open? What about your roommates? And the house elves?"

Marcus stretched and went to retrieve the sandwiches and juice left on the table. He brought them back to the bed.

"Marcus," said Katie affectionately. "You are such a hedonist."

"Why do you say that?" asked Marcus as he settled down beside Katie and started to share his sandwiches.

"You like walking around naked," chided Katie. "And your sheets are silk. And you spend more money on clothes than I do. Need I go on?"

"Hmmm," murmured Marcus. "Yes, I know. I like the finer things in life like you for instance. You do realize that you are scolding me lying amongst my silk sheets, naked as the day you were born except for a diamond necklace I bought you?"

"Yes," said Katie with a small grin. "You are a bad influence."

"I won't let you have some of my chocolate frogs for dessert if you insist on being a bad girl," teased Marcus.

"And I won't wear my Gryffindor Quidditch robe for you later. I feel like being a naughty girl," said Katie with a twinkle in her eye.

"Merlin, you are pervy Bell," gasped Marcus.

"What, you don't want me to wear the robe?"

"Wait, I didn't say that," purred Marcus. "Let's skip dessert."

Much later, Marcus sighed as Katie rested her head on his shoulder.

"What's wrong?" asked Katie. "I thought you liked the robe?"

"Oh," said Marcus with a grin. "I liked the robe."

"What is it then?"

"You are going to have a rough ride in the next few days Katie. Have you thought about that?"

"A little," admitted Katie. "I have to have a talk with my close friends and the rest of the team first because it just wouldn't be right if they found out from the Hogwarts gossip mill."

"Are you scared, love," asked Marcus lightly but with a concerned look in his eyes.

"No," said Katie airily.

"Here I thought that Gryffindors never lied," mocked Marcus.

"Okay, I'm a little frightened," said Katie with a sigh. "But it will die down-"

Katie stopped talking and raised her head. "Do you hear that Marcus?"

"No."

"That noise. Do you have a silencing spell on the door?"

"No, but the doors of the Slytherin dungeons are charmed to not let in noise."

"Could you go se if someone's there?" asked Katie as she pulled the sheets around her body. "Merlin, what if it's Snape."

"It couldn't be him," said Marcus. "I hope."

"What do you mean, you hope?" asked a suddenly panicked Katie.

"People are going to know about us sooner or later Katie," chided Marcus.

"Marcus, you prat," hissed Katie. "I would rather not be caught naked by Professor Snape in your bed, thank-you very much."

"Go hide in the bathroom then," said an amused Marcus. "You know for a Gryffindor, you aren't very brave."

"And Marcus," hissed Katie as she slipped into the washroom. "Put on some clothes!"

A clothed Marcus opened the door to his room to find a panicked Alicia Spinnet and an annoyed Tarquin Bole.

"Wait," said Tarquin. "Before you hex me, you got to listen to the crazed witch I have with me."

"Get in here," said a resigned Marcus.

"Where is Katie, Flint?" asked Alicia.

"What makes you think she's here," said an unhelpful Marcus.

"I'm thinking the pile of Gryffindor Quidditch robes on the floor beside your unmade bed is making me think she's here," said Alicia in a sarcastic tone.

"Thank Merlin, the door is finally open," said Chris as he came through the door. "I have to find- what the hell is Spinnet doing in our room? Merlin Tarquin, I had no idea you dated Gryffindors. Is this a recent thing?"

"Please Chris," said Tarquin. "I'm only on the M's in Ravenclaw Tower. Where would I find the time?"

"Hello," said Alicia. "I'm standing right here you gits. Flint, is Katie here? I went through a lot of trouble to corner Bole and get him to bring me here."

"Okay," said Marcus reluctantly. "She's in the washroom. But right now is my time with her. You come to spoil it, haven't you?"

"Merlin," screeched Alicia. "This is important!"

"No need to scream," said Tarquin. "Merlin, the last time a Gryffindor girl screamed in this room must have been...what twenty minutes ago?"

Chris and Tarquin snickered in amusement.

"Slytherins," said Alicia with a reluctant twitch of her lips. "Here's the deal, Sirius Black broke into Gryffindor Tower an hour ago. Now, McGonagall is trying to find all the prefects for a meeting in her office in less than twenty minutes. I have to find Katie or else she is in big trouble. I've already covered for her during the incident. Angelina told me she was here."

"Merlin," said Katie as she threw open the washroom door.

"Hey," said Chris. "That's my robe."

"Oh," said Katie as she moved to take it off. "I'll take it off."

"No," growled Marcus. "Keep it on. You never wear that robe anyway Warrington."

"Yes, I know," said Chris. "I just said that in order to see if she would take it off."

"Boys," said Alicia.

"Merlin," said a panicked Katie. "I have no clothes to wear."

"I know," said Alicia. "They weren't allowing anybody into the Tower so I couldn't get you any."

"Wait, I'm sure Tarquin has some girl's clothes tucked away," said Marcus. "After all those one night stands, there's bound to be a least one skirt. You can wear one of my shirts."

"Wait a second," said an offended Tarquin. "You guys are making me sound like a tart."

"But you are our favorite tart," offered Chris.

"Okay then," said Tarquin. "I may have a souvenir or two in my trunk." Tarquin appeared a moment later with two skirts, one long and one short.

"Take the long one," said Alicia. "It will hide the fact you have no shoes. Everyone will notice if you wear your Quidditch boots."

"I'm a witch," said Katie. "I'll just transfigure a pair of Marcus's shoes. Merlin knows he has plenty to spare. You know this would be easier if only I could transfigure Hogwarts issued clothes. Too bad, they have a charm against that."

Katie disappeared to shower and dress. The boys and Alicia exchanged wary looks.

"Are you really only on the M's Bole?" said Alicia after a few minutes of silence.

"Yes," said Tarquin cheerily. "I have only five months to go to make my way to Z. It's going to be tight but I think I'll be able to do it." Everyone in the room started to laugh and the tension eased.

"Flint," said Alicia. "I don't know how you managed to do it but it looks like Katie forgave you for the prank. You know its going to be tough for her in the next few days. Gryffindor House can be rough when it wants to be. You are not the most popular guy in the common room today."

"I know," said Marcus seriously. "You will let me know if it is getting too rough, won't you Spinnet? Katie will never admit it if it does."

"I will," said Alicia with a speculative look in her eye. Katie interrupted by flying out of the washroom and gathering up her belongings. Alicia helped her miniaturize them.

"Tarquin," asked Marcus. "Which way did you and Spinnet come?"

"The common room way," said Tarquin casually. "You should have the seen the looks." Especially from a certain witch thought Tarquin with a grin.

"Wait," said Tarquin. "Don't leave that way. Think of what it will do to my reputation. It's only been fifteen minutes."

"Okay then," said Marcus. "I'll take you through the Quidditch entrance. It's at least ten minutes faster anyway."

Just before Katie and Alicia disappeared through the entrance, Marcus made Katie promise to owl him immediately after the meeting to tell him if she was all right. He watched her go reluctantly.

As Katie sped off towards her house head's office, her heart felt light. For the first time in months, she felt as if an enormous weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Her relationship with Marcus was about to emerge from the shadows. There would be no more lying and no more secrets with her roommates and housemates. Katie could not wait until tomorrow.