Sparks

Sparks 21

Chapter Twenty-One:

Gryffindor Tower: Girl's Sixth Year dormitory

After all the excitement died down and most of Gryffindor House had settled down for the night, Katie and the other prefects went to bed in the early hours of the morning. Before she went up to her room, Katie wrote Marcus a quick note to tell him she was all right. She would never neglect Marcus again. A tired Katie went upstairs to give the note to her owl, Viktor. When she entered the room, she saw her two best mates flopped on her bed waiting for her. Katie quickly gave the note to Viktor and sent him on his way. She turned and straightened her shoulders. It was explanation time and Katie had a feeling that she was about to answer a ton of questions.

"Well Miss Bell," said Angelina with a faint smile on her face. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Please girls," said a disembodied voice from one of the other beds. "Use a silencing spell for Merlin's sake. Do you have to talk Quidditch all the time in the middle of the night?"

Katie pulled her curtains closed and performed a silencing charm.

"Lumnos," muttered Alicia. "There, we can see each other. I have told Angie about how I guessed the truth a few months back already, Katie."

"Merlin Katie," said Angelina a little hurt. "Months?"

"I'm sorry Angie," said Katie. "But I was a little afraid of your reaction. I know Marcus is not your favorite person."

"Do you love him Katie?" asked Angelina seriously.

"Yes, I do," said Katie firmly. "It started out a fun fling and it turned into something I never thought I would find - love. I know him intimately, faults and all. I love him anyway. In fact I like that he is unpredictable and little snarky. I like all his rough edges. I don't expect you to understand."

"And Angie," said Alicia. "If I'm not mistaken, the Slytherin git is head over heels for our Katie as well. I saw the way he looked at you tonight, Bell. He was very upset that I came to take you away."

"I guess I don't need to ask but are you sleeping with him?" asked Angelina.

"Well," said Katie. "Truthfully, we don't sleep much."

Angelina and Alicia gasped then laughed. "Merlin, where did our sweet and innocent Katie go?" asked Angelina. "You were fighting about that prank today. Are you okay? He doesn't have the best temper, love."

"Yes, we were having a very long and loud argument," said Katie. " I wanted to know why he'd do such a thing. It is not like him to be so..."

" Manipulative?" offered Alicia.

" Sly?" said Angelina.

"Oh," said Katie with a grin. "He's sly and manipulative all right. Do not forget that he is also devious. No, this plan was not well thought out. It's not like him. He is a very intense guy. He likes his ducks to be all in a row first. He was extremely angry with me last night. That's why he helped Malfoy pull that prank."

"Why was he angry?" asked Angelina shrewdly. "Does it have anything to do with Oliver? I saw his face when I mentioned Oliver today. Those boys have issues."

"Yes, he saw Oliver kiss me last night," said Katie softly.

"What?" said Alicia. "Merlin, he must have went completely mental."

"He nearly broke up with me," said Katie a little sadly.

"Nearly?" said Angie.

"I refused to let him," said Katie. "We were fighting about the prank and Oliver and he said he was finished with the secrecy. So our relationship will not be a secret anymore. I don't want to lose him."

"Katie," said Alicia. "Does this mean that you and Flint are going public with your relationship."

"Yes, it does," said Katie a little apprehensively. "We are still friends aren't we?"

"Of course," said Angelina. "You are going out with one of Gryffindor House's greatest enemies, so what? The fireworks in the Great Hall are going to be out of this world. I wouldn't miss that for all the galleons in Gringott's. Besides, I'm dating the prankster who turned you into a canary for a few days. You didn't get mad at me."

"Katie," chided Alicia. "You know I don't care who you are dating as long as you are happy. I braved the snake pit for you today. How many friends would do that? Do you have any idea how hard it was to pry that Ravenclaw off Bole?"

"Thank-you," said Katie with tears in her eyes. "Alicia, I'm quite sure it was hard to scrape that Ravenclaw off Tarquin and vice versa. And Angie, the only reason why Fred is still breathing is because I know you love him." She grasped both girls clumsily around the shoulders and hugged them. "I'm so sorry Angie that I didn't tell you about Marcus sooner. I wanted to so many times. Alicia guessed who he was after the whole Montague thing. Do you think Oliver is going to toss me off the team, now?"

"Not unless he would like replace all his chasers as well," said Alicia with a determined glint in her eyes. Angie nodded her agreement.

"Now," said Angelina with a glint in her eye. "Tell me all about Flint. I hate to ask this question and if you ever tell Fred these words passed my lips I'll deny it until my dying day but are Flint's muscles as hard and firm as they look?''

Katie blushed as Alicia laughed. "I asked the very same question Angie!" said Alicia.

"You better believe it," said Katie. "But you'll have to take my word for it because Marcus belongs to me. Thank Merlin, I can now make sure those Hufflepuff and Slytherin hussies know it too."

"Katie," said Alicia as she settled against the pillows. "Show Angie the jewelry Marcus has bought you. You know he took her to the London Yule Ball, Angie."

Katie endured a few more hours of intensive interrogation from her mates until she begged them to let her sleep. She had a feeling that these questions were only the beginning. A niggling thought kept bothering her slumber though. The niggling worry's name was Oliver Wood. Katie did not want to hurt him. She had spent a good half-hour threatening Marcus. She was quite sure he had plans to kick Oliver's ass in the near future. Marcus had denied it but Katie was not fooled. His puppy dog-eyed innocent look needed some work.

Katie was up bright and early the next morning. "Thank Merlin," thought Katie. "It's the week-end. I have to see the rest of the team before breakfast." She went down to the common room and found Fred, George and Lee conspiring in a corner.

"Well if it isn't the absent prefect," said Fred as he caught sight of Katie. The rest of the room was empty. It was still very early.

"What are you three up too," asked a worried Katie.

"Just a little something," said George vaguely.

"Is it true that we have to travel in pairs around Hogwarts now," asked Lee.

"Yes," said Katie with an inward sigh.

"Fred, George and Lee," said Katie seriously. She decided to tell them about Marcus since they were alone in the room. Telling people in small increments might be better.

"What," said Fred a little worried that she found out about their latest prank. All three Gryffindors regarded her in a worried manner.

"I have something to tell you so I'm just going to say it," said Katie. "My boyfriend-"

"Wait," said an excited Fred. "You finally are going to tell us the name of the mysterious boyfriend?"

"Loads of galleons ride on this Bell," said Lee seriously.

"Galleons?" asked Katie with her eyes narrowed.

"Are you kidding," said George. "The bets started to swell when people heard about the smooch Oliver laid on you a couple of days ago. Now, who is it?" The three boys leaned closer in anticipation.

"I'm so sorry boys," said Katie. She was more than a little annoyed to find out people had been betting on her love life. "I'm dating Marcus Flint."

The boys started to laugh.

"Good one Bell," said Fred. "You almost had me going."

"You should have said Derrick, more believable," said Lee. "We have quite a few bets on him."

"Are you guys telling me that you don't believe me?" asked an incredulous Katie.

"Nope,' said George.

"But I am," said Katie. "I skipped the party yesterday to be with him. Well, actually to yell at him at first over the prank."

"Nice try," said Fred. "A believable cover story."

"Merlin," said an exasperated Katie. "What will it take for you three to believe me?"

"Oh," said George with an annoying smirk. "Maybe a snog over breakfast in the Great Hall."

"Fine then," said Katie as she stomped back upstairs. She had an owl to send.

"The lengths those girls will go to get one over on us, eh Fred?" asked Lee.

"Do you think she would go as far as kissing Flint?" asked Fred.

"No," said George. "Don't you worry Lee, your galleons are safe."

Katie was back downstairs fuming in a chair waiting for Alicia to go for breakfast ten minutes later. There was no sign of the terrible threesome. Katie could not believe that those gits had laughed at her. And why did everyone always assumed she would date Derrick? All thoughts of Fred, George and Lee fled her head when she caught sight of Oliver coming down the stairs.

"Oliver," said Katie nervously. "I have to talk to you."

"Yes,' said Oliver just as seriously. "We do have to talk."

All thoughts of Alicia disappeared from Katie's head as she left for breakfast with Oliver. They walked slowly and silently down towards the Great Hall. They had a halfhearted conversation about the game the day before but talk petered out. Katie stopped abruptly when they were a few feet away from the Great hall. Oliver stopped and frowned at her. She motioned him towards a bench and sat down. Oliver sat beside her.

"Katie," said Oliver. "I'm sorry I caught you by surprise with that kiss on Thursday."

"That's all right Oliver," said Katie. "I really should have spoken up before."

"Spoken up?" asked Oliver with a confused look.

"I was just afraid," said Katie as she looked at her hands. This was the hardest conversation she ever had.

"Afraid of what?" asked Oliver.

"Of your reaction," said Katie as she took a deep breath. "Remember when Alicia had a few dates with Montague? I was afraid."

"Go on," said Oliver as his chin came up and his eyes got wary.

"I'm dating a Quidditch player from another team," said Katie as she inwardly groaned at herself for not being brave enough just to come out and say it. This conversation was not going the way she planned.

"Who?" asked Oliver with his eyes cold.

"Marcus Flint," said Katie cautiously. She jumped when Oliver got to his feet. She called his name but he walked away without even looking at her.

"Bugger," said Katie softly as she watched him walk out the main doors towards the Quidditch pitch. She turned to go into the Great Hall for breakfast. She really bungled that conversation. Katie mentally shook herself and walked into the Great Hall. She had to have her wits about her today. She couldn't obsess on things she could not change. She did not have that luxury.

Katie sat down next to Lee and waited for Alicia to come down to breakfast. She looked towards the Slytherin table and caught Marcus's eye. She discreetly winked at him and smiled.

"So Katie," taunted George as he piled up his plate. "Aren't you going to have breakfast with your ickle sweetie Flint?"

"Later," said Katie vaguely. "I have to tell Alicia where I'll be. So I'm waiting for her."

"Yes later," said Fred sarcastically. "I'm sure Flint is waiting with baited breath. Are you going to Hogsmeade next weekend with him?"

"I think so,' said Katie.

"Well, we'll be sure to save you two a seat at the Three Broomsticks," said Lee. "You are a deluded witch, you know."

"I'm sure that we'll be there as long as you guys don't mind that the rest of the Slytherin team comes," said Katie casually.

The boys laughed.

'I'll give you this Katie," said George. "You sure know how to string a joke out."

Alicia and Angelina joined the group a few minutes later.

"Katie, aren't you eating?" asked Angie.

"Later," said Katie.

"She's going to eat with her ickle sweetie Flint," said Fred.

"Oh," said Angie.

"I just had to tell you girls that I'll be at the potions study group at three," said Katie as she stood up. Katie could feel her heart pound and her mouth go a little dry. "When exactly did the Great Hall get so large and forbidding and full of people?" thought Katie. "Well, it's too late to stop now."

"See you later, love," said Alicia with an amused glint in her eye.

Fred and George elbowed each other as they watched Katie get up and walk towards the Slytherin table. Katie felt like she was walking for hours as she went towards Marcus. She could see fellow students looking up as she passed them wondering where she was going. She could feel the eyes on her. Was this how Harry felt most of the time?

Marcus smiled up at Katie as she walked towards his table. She looked a little pale but very determined. He made room for her beside him when she reached him. Earlier in the morning, after he received her indignant owl, Marcus arranged for Tarquin to be on her left and Chris and Draco opposite her. His mates knew that she would be joining him for breakfast. Having four of the wealthiest boys in Slytherin house surrounding Katie would protect her from censure coming from his house.

Besides, Slytherins knew not to cross him.

Marcus could hear the gasps of surprise echoing through the Hall as Katie sat down beside him. He lightly squeezed her hand as she settled in beside him. All activity at the Slytherin table halted. Marcus looked down the table with one of his patented glares and an arched eyebrow. One by one, the Slytherins turned their attention back to their breakfasts.

"You know," said Tarquin conversationally. "I bet not one single person in this Hall is eating right now."

"Whatever," said Draco. "Greg and Vin are always eating no matter what. Trust me, I've known them all my life."

"I'm eating," said Chris. "Even though my body is screaming at me that I'm supposed to be still sleeping. Merlin Katie, do you always get up this early on a Sunday?"

"No," said Katie a little faintly. Marcus motioned at her to eat so she picked up her fork. "I was too nervous to sleep."

"So the twin weasels," said Marcus as Katie glared at him. "I mean the Weasleys did not believe you when you told them about us."

"So," said Tarquin. "Were they taking bets about your mysterious boyfriend in their infamous betting pool?"

"How did you know?" gasped Katie. "I still can't believe they would do something like that. You didn't place a bet did you?" Katie glared at Tarquin.

"Merlin no," said Tarquin, Chris and Draco at the same time.

Marcus looked at them with an amused grin that he wiped off his face when he saw Katie look at him suspiciously.

Katie poured herself a cup of tea and sipped it while looking towards the completely flabbergasted Gryffindor table. She turned her head and looked down the Slytherin table to see nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, all the Slytherins that were there were casually having breakfast. Katie suspected that Marcus had a bit to do with their studied indifference. She looked toward the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables and blushed. Every member of those Houses had moved so they could get a better look at her and Marcus. Their avid curiosity and blatant staring were making her nervous again.

Katie forced herself to look at her House's table again. Her gaze collided with an ice-cold glare coming from Oliver Wood. Her heart fell. He looked away first. Next, Katie looked at the twins. They were exchanging furious mutterings with Alicia and Angelina. Lee was just looking at her shell-shocked. Katie jumped when she felt Marcus's hand touch her back.

"So Katie," asked Chris. "Is Wood tossing you off the team today or tomorrow?"

"Not if he wants to replace Angelina and Alicia as well," said Katie as she buttered toast and gave them to Marcus.

"Do you think that will really happen?" asked Draco hopefully.

"No," sighed Marcus. "That daft git is not that daft. It would be nice though if he snapped and did that something that stupid. No offense love."

"None taken," said Katie.

"Marcus," said Tarquin with a grin. "Can I tell Circe? I notice she's not here. It will be my pleasure to keep housemates up on the news."

"Tarquin," chided Marcus. "She hates you enough already."

"No kidding," said Draco.

"Circe as in that Slytherin girl who drools all over you?" asked Katie with an arched eyebrow as she looked at Marcus coolly. "Tarquin, why don't you introduce me to her later?"

"Katie," said Tarquin. "Please don't make me do that. I just got this jumper. I don't want blood splattered all over it."

"Now Katie," said Marcus. "You will not let me rearrange the Scottish git's face. Therefore you are not allowed to stomp on Circe."

"What stomping?" asked Katie innocently. "I'm only going to have a small chat. I'm having the same chat with those hussies in Hufflepuff later."

"Hufflepuff hussies?" said an amused Draco.

"Yes," said Katie. "They've been trying to seduce Marcus for a few months now. Marcus thinks I haven't noticed. Honestly, begging for rides on his broomstick? I'm not that thick Marcus."

"I haven't laid one hand on anybody," said Marcus.

"I know," said Katie.

Up at the Head Table:

"My," said Hooch with her strange eyes glittering in amusement. "Sunday breakfast is very interesting today, Severus. Don't you agree?"

"Why are the students in such a tizzy Albus," asked a confused MaGonagall.

"I do believe Minerva," said Dumbledore. "That the relationship between Mr. Flint and Miss Bell has gone public."

"Katie Bell?" said a flabbergasted MaGonagall.

"Marcus Flint!" said an outraged Snape.

"I'm surprised that neither of you noticed," said an unperturbed Remus Lupin. "The pheromones those two put off when they are near each other are extraordinary. I could smell them from here."

"But she's such a sweet girl," said Minerva.

"And I thought he had more sense," said Severus.

"The path of young love is neither sensible nor predictable," said Dumbledore with a thoughtful air. "Over the years I have seen my share of unlikely couplings. It is the really shocking ones that seem to last. Nobody would ever predicted that Lily Evans and James Potter would have made a match of it. This girl could be the making of that young man."

The professors threw Katie and Marcus speculative looks from the head table.

"One thing is for sure, this is going to throw the Quidditch final into high gear," said Madame Hooch with a grin. "Wood must be spitting nails."

At the Gryffindor Table:

"I cannot believe Katie would date that git!" said Jordan.

"I can't believe our pool lost that much money," said Fred mournfully.

"What does she see in him?" asked George with a puzzled face.

"Besides the hot body, sexy voice and loads of galleons?" said Alicia tartly.

"And the fact he treats her like a princess, has introduced her to his parents and is completely mad for her," said Angelina with a raised eyebrow. "Lee, Fred and George, you are just upset that you lost money."

Silence fell across the table when Oliver abruptly got up and walked away.

"I think we should let him cool down before anybody tries to talk to him," said Angelina with a worried frown. "You know how broody he gets."

"Yes," said Lee. "Maybe Fred and George can help me to calm him down later." Lee gave Fred and George a significant look.

"Yes," said George. "We've got just the thing."

"You know all Oliver has to do is lift his eyes off the quaffle for one minute and see the horde of stalkers he has," said Fred. He turned to regard Angie with an impish grin. "Do you have any plans later this afternoon my princess?"

"No," said Angie. "I have a study session at three and later I plan to count my galleons."

"You are so mean Angelina," said Lee mournfully.

At the Hufflepuff Table:

"Sarah," said Cedric Diggory. "Did you know about Flint and Bell?"

"What is up with that?" said Susan Bones. "He's so scary."

"Not really," said Cedric. "His reputation precedes him, that's all. But still, I thought Wood fancied her.

"I may have known a little about it," admitted Sarah. "Chris is Flint's roommate. I still can't believe Chris got his arse out of bed early. He claims that sleeping is his hobby. Flint must have dragged him out of bed."

"Enough about your evil boyfriend. What do you know?" said another Hufflepuff.

"I can't," said Sarah. "You know those Slytherins, but I can tell you that Katie and Marcus are head over heels in love."

At the Ravenclaw Table:

Cho Chang walked up to her table late for breakfast. She wondered why everybody was facing the Slytherin table. She looked over and gasped.

"Merlin," said Cho. "I must be still sleeping. For a second there, it looks like Bell and Flint are having breakfast together."

"No," said Moira. "You are awake."

"What the hell?" said Cho. "After the dirty trick he played on Potter yesterday?"

"I know," said a Ravenclaw. "I just can't understand Gryffindors sometimes."

"Slytherins are shifty and secretive as hell," said Moira. "I had no idea and I dated Flint's roommate for months. I've heard they've been dating since the beginning of the year."

"Is she still on the team?" asked Davies. "Wood must be furious. You know, I thought he fancied her. If I had known she crossed house lines I would have asked her out last year."

"What?" said Cho.

"Have you seen those legs?" asked Roger. "And you know I love blondes."

At the Slytherin Table:

"Has everyone gawked to hearts content yet?" asked Chris. "Because I'm going back to bed."

"Your girlfriend is over the Hufflepuff table," said Draco helpfully.

"Oh, I know what I'm taking back to bed with me then," said Chris as he left the table.

"Here come the owls," said Tarquin as he reached up to catch a package from one of his owls.

Damien landed in front of Marcus with his leg full of parchments. He held out his leg disdainfully. Marcus fed him and he flew off.

Draco left with a large box of sweets his mother sent him. " I have plans to annoy Potter in the Library later," said Draco. "So I had better get my potions done."

Marcus shuffled through his owls and stacked them beside his plate. He took the largest parchment and handed it to Tarquin.

"I finally got those papers," said Marcus.

"The trust papers?" asked Tarquin.

"Yes," said Marcus. "By the way, why do you have a lawyer? Your family must have it's own law firm by now."

"Because it is a good idea to have someone who is firmly on your side when it comes to legal matters," said Tarquin. "I've learnt that a lawyer is loyal to whomever pays his bill."

"Could you give me his name?" asked Marcus. "I have a feeling I'm going to need a lawyer in the near future."

"Why?" asked Katie.

"I'll explain later love," said Marcus.

Tarquin copied down the address of his lawyer for Marcus on a piece of parchment then left the table.

"See you," said Tarquin. "I have homework I have to finish and a witch to annoy in the common room."

Marcus and Katie sat together in the Great Hall alone at last. Marcus opened an owl he thought was from his mother and gasped.

"What is it?" said Katie.

"My father is coming to Hogsmeade next weekend and wants to have lunch with both of us," said Marcus.

"What about the rest of your family?"

"Just him," said Marcus with a grimace. He sighed then pulled Katie to her feet.

"To hell with him," said Marcus. "We can go anywhere now, Katie. Where shall we go?"

"The Gryffindor common room?" asked Katie with a grin.

"NO."

"The Slytherin common room?"

"And ruin Tarquin's fun?"

"Let's go sit by the Lake in the tall grass and make out," said Katie. "I don't want to think about anyone else but you."

"That sounds like a great plan," said Marcus as he led Katie out of the Great Hall. "I've got some interesting news to tell you."