Sparks

Sparks 23

Chapter Twenty-Three:

Katie pulled her arm out of Marcus's father's grasp and tore her eyes away from him.

"You have such soft skin Katherine,' said Aurelius Flint in an amused tone. "For once, my son has good taste."

"I love Marcus," said Katie quietly. She couldn't look at him.

"I'm sure you do," said Aurelius Flint dryly. "I wasn't asking for your love."

"I don't know what you are asking," said Katie as she bit her lip. She hoped that if she pretended not to understand him, he would stop. Where was Marcus?

"I'm sure if you think about it, you'll understand," said Aurelius softly.

"I don't think you heard me the first time," said Katie carefully. "I love your son."

"You don't think he loves you back," said Aurelius with a snicker. "The boy is better than I thought."

"You don't know him," snapped Katie as she turned and glared at him.

"Like you think you do, dear?" asked Aurelius with a lift of his eyebrow. "Such fire and passion, I sure my son loves that."

"Yes," said Katie coolly. "He does."

From the corner of her eyes, Katie could see Marcus coming towards them. She was never in her life so relieved to see him. She gave him a relieved look as he settled back into his seat. She gave his father a quick glance. She could feel her temper start to rise as he gave a mocking look that dared her to tell his son what he had just attempted.

Marcus gave his father a measured look. He could feel the tension between Katie and his father. He wondered what the prat had said to her to make her this tense. He pretended not to notice the glares that Katie was shooting at his father. Instead, he concentrated on his father's reactions. His old man's face was not giving away a thing. He turned his marked attention away but kept the prat under a more covert eye. At the end of dessert, he was sure his father was hiding something and Katie knew what that something was.

Katie excused herself at this point and Marcus and his father were left alone for a few moments.

After a tense silence, Marcus asked his father how his mother was.

"The last I saw of your mother Marcus," said Aurelius coolly. "She was off to Paris and the spring collections with Narcissa Malfoy and Ivy Parkinson. It was last week some time. Since she was off to spend my galleons, I'm sure she's having a wonderful time."

"I'm sure of that," thought Marcus. "She's away from you."

"Your little girlfriend Marcus," said Aurelius idly. "You aren't allowing her to get the wrong ideas are you?"

"What are you on about?" asked Marcus coolly.

"She would make an ideal mistress Marcus," said Aurelius blandly. "But she's not appropriate wife material."

Marcus could feel his temper start to boil. He dampened it down with difficulty.

"She's a pureblood from a good family," said Marcus.

"She's barely a pureblood and from a broken family," said Aurelius. "Her family may be good but she is not wealthy and not wife material."

"I believe I can decide for myself who I want for my wife," said Marcus quietly and dangerously.

"Ahhh," said Aurelius with a small mocking smile. "Funny thing about family trusts boy, I can and will decide for you what is appropriate in a wife. Have I made myself clear?'

"Yes," ground out Marcus.

"Good, I knew you could not be that thick," said Aurelius as he stood up and put on his gloves. "Please tell Katherine I said goodbye for me, will you boy?" With that pronouncement, Aurelius left the restaurant.

Marcus gripped the table hard. He was so angry; he was trembling. He closed his eyes and cursed his father mentally to Hades. The confrontation had come out of the blue. His father had thrown down the gauntlet and refused him permission to marry Katie. He pulled himself together and waited for Katie to come back. He forced the calm on himself. He decided not to tell her what his father had said about her or their relationship. In the back of his head, he knew he didn't want to lose her. Maybe, she would leave him if she knew. He would find a way around this obstacle. After all, some one worth having was also worth fighting for.

Katie slashed cool water on her face in the restroom of the restaurant. She looked into the mirror pensively. Thank Merlin, it wasn't enchanted. Quickly, she decided not to tell Marcus about the pass his father made at her. They had enough troubles with each other. She did not want to make a bad situation worse. She squared her shoulders and made a determined effort to smile. She left the restroom and found Marcus.

"What do you want to do, now," asked Marcus with a strange smile.

"Whatever you want,' said Katie with a bright grin. She was so determinedly smiling that she didn't notice the forced look in his eyes.

"Well, Lee had said he was going to keep a place for us at the Three Broomsticks," suggested Katie with a little grin.

"I'm not sure if he meant it love," said Marcus with a real smile.

"Serves him right," said Katie. "Let's go."

The Three Broomsticks:

Fred, George and Lee were at a large table poring over a large piece of parchment. Angelina and Alicia joined them as they hastily put the paper away.

"What are you up to Fred?" asked Angelina.

"A little something for later on in the term," said George. "But it is a secret."

Katie sauntered up to the table and sat down.

"Lost your Slytherin Katie?" asked Fred.

"No," said Katie serenely. "He's gone up to get us butterbeers."

"What?" sputtered Lee.

"Merlin," sputtered Fred.

"Don't you remember Lee," asked Katie. "You invited us over last week."

"You are one incredible witch, Katie Bell," laughed George.

"I know," said Marcus in his trademark throaty drawl. He gave a Katie an unreadable look and sat down. Marcus could hear the gasps throughout the Three Broomsticks.

Madame Rosemerta came over with the butterbeers for the entire table. She gave Marcus a saucy wink as she left.

"She's never brought over the drinks personally before," said an awestruck Lee.

"Yes," said Katie a touch coolly. "She seemed to know you Marcus."

"A friend of the family," said Marcus blandly.

"I'm sure," said Katie tartly.

George and Fred watched the exchange with bright interested eyes. Angelina kicked Fred under the table.

"Thanks for the butterbeer Marcus," said Alicia with a smile towards him.

The boys grunted their thanks quickly after Alicia did. Marcus politely accepted their thanks. Katie gave him a grin. Shortly afterward, Tarquin and Ty walked in the pub and by the table.

"Hi, Marcus," said Montague casually. He stopped abruptly. Tarquin didn't say a word. He just stopped in his tracks and stared.

"Tarquin and Ty," said Marcus quickly. "Why don't you join us?" Through gritted teeth, Marcus mouthed the words: 'sit down, now.'

Montague instantly obeyed but had to tug a comatose Tarquin down on the chair beside him.

Lee and Fred choked on their butterbeers, as did several people at tables around them. Alicia gave Ty a flirtatious look, which he returned. Tarquin opened his mouth then closed it. Katie thought it was the funniest thing she had ever seen - a silent Tarquin.

"Tarquin," said Marcus as he kicked him under the table. That kick seemed to wake him up. "Where's Chris?"

"Somewhere with his tongue down his girlfriend's throat," said Tarquin distractedly. His eyes asked Marcus what the hell he was doing.

"Oh," said Marcus. His eyes answered back that his witch made him.

"Actually," said Sarah tartly. "We are right behind you."

"Oh," said Tarquin a bit sheepishly. "Sorry, please join us."

"No thank you," said Warrington with his eyes sparkling. "We're having lunch at the tearoom. Just dropped in to say hello."

"Yes, the tearoom," said Sarah dryly as she was leaving. "That's when he'll have his tongue down my throat, Tarquin."

"I will," asked Chris hopefully. He waved goodbye absently.

"If you are a good boy," said Sarah as they walked out the pub door.

"I may have to buy her a charm bracelet," said Tarquin. "I really put my foot in my mouth."

"Tarquin," said Marcus with a small grin. "You shouldn't always try to buy your way out of trouble."

"It hasn't let me down yet," said Tarquin lightly. "Nothing says sorry like a piece of jewelry."

"I like a boy with taste," said Alicia fascinated.

Madame Rosemerta sauntered over to the table. She gave Tarquin her special smile.

"Mr. Bole," said Rosemerta. "What can I bring you today?"

"Another round for the table Madame," said Tarquin with a flirtatious grin.

"Your house account," asked Rosemerta.

"Of course," said Tarquin with a wink.

"Your family has an account here?" asked Lee. His eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"No," said Tarquin. "I do."

"So tell me," asked Fred. "Are you as rich as everyone says?"

"Fred!" said Angelina in an outraged tone.

"That's all right," said Tarquin. "You want to know the truth?"

"Yes," said George as the three Gryffindor boys leaned closer. Tarquin drank a sip of his butterbeer and leaned in.

"I'm richer than they say," said Tarquin with a grin. "By the way, I believe that you three owe me some galleons."

"For what?" asked Fred.

"I believe a certain T.C. Andragon placed a bet with you concerning a certain matter," said Tarquin airily.

"You are T. C. Andragon?" asked George.

"I'm the T, Warrington's the C and Malfoy is the 'and Dragon'. Clever, eh?" said Tarquin.

"You had an inside track," said Lee with a glare. "You knew about Katie and Flint."

"You did place a bet," said an outraged Katie.

"A substantial bet," said Fred unhappily. "Early too."

"Well," said Katie with a hard gleam in her eye. "I'm sure that Tarquin is not going to hold you to that bet seeing as he did know ahead of time."

"But," said Tarquin with a whimper. "It was a lot of galleons."

"They'll give your original bet back," said Katie as she looked at Fred and George expectantly. Both Gryffindors smiled at each other and nodded.

"What will I say to Malfoy and Warrington," asked Tarquin plaintively.

"I'm sure you'll think of something," said Katie repressively.

Tarquin looked at Marcus with a pleading look in his eyes.

"Can't help you mate," said Marcus unsympathetically. "You should have collected when she wasn't here."

Katie punched Marcus's arm.

"What?" asked Marcus.

"They shouldn't have placed the bet in the first place," said Katie with a glare.

"Sure Katie," said Marcus. He looked at Tarquin and mouthed the word 'Gryffindorks'.

"I can read lips Marcus," said Katie.

"I'm sorry love," said Marcus with wide innocent eyes. Katie was giving him her evil eye. "I said prefects."

"I'm sure," said Katie.

The table of Gryffindors were watching them bicker with ill concealed avid curiosity.

"Slytherins," said Katie airily. "You can't give them an inch."

"Gryffindors," drawled Marcus. "I like giving them more than an inch."

"Marcus," sputtered a red faced Katie. "I'm going to get you for that."

"I certainly hope so," said Marcus with a lazy grin as Katie turned bright crimson red.

"And quit rubbing my leg," said a thoroughly flustered Katie.

"I'm not rubbing your leg," said Marcus with a sudden frown. He looked around the table with a hard glare. Lee squeaked.

"Oh," said Montague with an apologetic glance at Katie. "Sorry Marcus, I thought the leg belongs to someone else." He gave Alicia a quick look. She was sitting next to Katie.

Fred, George and Lee glared at Montague as he straightened up in his chair. Angelina diffused the situation by dragging the boys off to Honeydukes. Alicia and Ty left shortly afterwards to parts unknown. Tarquin sighed melodramatically.

"What is it mate," asked Marcus.

"I should go get Cassandra some more Ice Mice," said Tarquin. "The negotiations are going faster than I thought. Her birthday is next week. I wonder what she would like."

"Why don't you ask Circe," said Katie innocently. "She is her sister."

"Circe isn't speaking to me right now," said Tarquin. "She says she's never speaking to me again. It will make future family gatherings a little awkward."

"What did you do?" asked Marcus.

"Is it always something I did?" asked Tarquin with an insulted air.

"Yes," said Katie and Marcus at the same time.

"Okay," said Tarquin. "I just mentioned that Cassandra had nice hair. Then I wondered, aloud it turns out, what happened with Circe's hair."

"Tarquin, that's not nice," said Katie aghast.

"I'm a Slytherin," said Tarquin stubbornly. "We don't do nice."

"I know," said Katie dryly.

"I didn't know I said it aloud. Okay, maybe sometimes my mouth says things before my head stops it," admitted Tarquin. "Besides, I insult her all the time. She's never taken me seriously until now." Tarquin looked a little despondent.

"Buy her something," said Marcus.

"I can't," said Tarquin with a long sigh. "She thinks that I try to buy my way out of trouble too much like you do, mate. She won't fall for it."

"Apologize," said Katie softly. "And then tell her how you feel."

"Feel?" asked Tarquin with his hackles up. "I have no idea of what you are on about, Bell. Look, I'm going to be late. See you both later." Tarquin practically ran out of the pub.

"Katie," said Marcus ruefully. "If there is one thing Tarquin hates to deal with is feelings. He has not even admitted to himself how much he fancies Circe. I doubt he'll be able to tell her."

"Soon," said Katie sadly. "It is going to be too late."

"I know," said Marcus. He turned at looked at her with his heart in his eyes. "I love her so much," thought Marcus. "I don't want to lose her."

"What?" smiled Katie as she caught his stare.

"Nothing," smiled Marcus.

For the rest of the day, both Marcus and Katie avoided the subject of Marcus's father. Neither noticed that they both were being purposely cheerful.

Sunday: The Gryffindor Quidditch Locker room:

"Merlin, this is mad. It's Sunday! I'm supposed to be sleeping," said Fred. "Why are we having a meeting again?"

George leaned over and whispered in his ear.

"Oh yeah," said Fred as his eyes darted towards Katie.

Katie was staring off into space. She was not looking forward to this meeting. It was going to be unpleasant. She just knew it.

Alicia had a determined gleam in her eye. Last night, Katie had teased her about where she and Montague had been. Alicia laughed and said it wasn't serious. They were just having a laugh together. Alicia had said their 'thing' wasn't like her and Marcus. Katie wondered what she had meant by that. Alicia had explained that any fool could see that her and Marcus were in love. Katie blushed as she thought about Alicia's words. She wondered where Marcus would be later.

"Right," said Oliver as he stormed in the room. He startled George so much that he nearly fell on the floor. "Harry can't make it. There has been some dust up about Hogsmeade, Snape and Lupin so we will have to have this meeting without him.

An hour later, Oliver was still rattling on about Quidditch plays. Katie could not believe that he still had not looked at her. This was quite an achievement seeing as there were only four other people in the room. Wood called the meeting to a close a mind-numbing hour later.

Alicia, Angelina and Katie looked at each other in consternation. Fred and George were just flabbergasted.

"Oliver," said Fred. "I don't understand."

"What about the situation?" asked George.

"What situation?" asked Oliver with his head down. He was sorting parchments.

"My situation," said Katie loudly.

"I thought we had that type of situation sorted out last time," said Oliver blandly. He still would not look at Katie.

"But," sputtered Fred. "It's the Slytherin Quidditch captain we are talking about here."

"I know," said Oliver. "But she wouldn't betray her teammates, would you Bell?"

"No," said Katie firmly. She heard the emphasis Oliver gave the word betray.

"Not even for love," asked George. Oliver winced when George said the L word.

"Marcus would never ask me," said Katie quietly. "He has too much pride."

"That's settled then," said Alicia. The team got up and stretched.

Katie went up to Oliver and stopped him with a hand on his sleeve.

"Oliver," said Katie. "We should talk. Or maybe you should at least look at me." The rest of the team had melted away out the door when they saw Katie and Oliver talking.

"I think we have nothing left to say to each other," said Oliver quietly, as he looked her in the eyes. "And I have been looking at you for years."

"Yes," said Katie sadly. "But you have never really seen me, have you? Marcus sees me. I didn't chose him over you, Oliver. I was already in love with Marcus."

"He thinks he owns you," said Oliver. "He's going to break your heart."

"Maybe," said Katie. "But that's the strange thing about love. You have to risk breaking your heart in order to find it. I'm still your friend Oliver."

Oliver looked at her and nodded. They walked away from each other in silence.