Sparks

Sparks 33:

Chapter Thirty-Three:

Gryffindor Tower:

Katie stood outside the portrait holding Marcus's hand. It was nearly curfew. They had spent the evening walking back to Hogwarts at a slow leisurely pace, stopping to exchange hungry kisses every few feet.

"I'm so happy," said Katie with her face radiant in the torchlight.

"Well," said Marcus as he raised his eyebrow, "you did win that damn Quidditch game. Have I mentioned how much I hate that Potter kid?"

"You don't even know Harry," chided Katie. "I bet you wouldn't say that you hated him if he had been sorted into Slytherin."

"Katie love," said Marcus, "don't tease."

"You know," said Katie softly as she admired her engagement ring in the firelight. "This ring looks just like the necklace you gave me."

Just before they left to go back to Hogwarts, Marcus had taken her into the jewelry store at Hogsmeade and bought her a platinum and diamond engagement ring. He asked the smiling and indulgent jeweler to inscribe on the inside of the ring: Marcus & Katie ~ cariad tragywydd ~16-04-94. Katie had cried after she asked Marcus what cariad tragywydd meant. He said in his husky, throaty voice that it meant love eternal in Welsh just as meinhirion meant standing stones in Welsh as well.

"I know," said Marcus as he raised her hand and kissed her wrist. "If you are a good witch, I may just have to get you the matching earrings.

Why don't you just come back to my room," coaxed Marcus. "I bet it still a madhouse in the Tower. I can hear the music over the noise dampening charms."

"Marcus," said Katie with a blush. She saw the passion in his eyes. She leaned closer and whispered, "We have made love twice tonight already."

"Katie," whispered Marcus hotly. "There is no rule that says we can't make love again and again."

Katie gazed into his hot eyes and weakened. Her eyes fluttered closed and Marcus leaned in and captured her mouth in a coaxing kiss.

"Merlin," gasped an intruding voice.

Katie opened her eyes to see a completely flabbergasted Lee Jordan and Alicia Spinnet.

"I thought," stuttered Lee, "that you and he broke up ages ago."

Alicia gave a slow smile as she saw how radiantly happy Katie looked. The pinched, determinedly cheerful façade was gone. She looked Marcus Flint in the eyes, and grinned. He gave her a wink back.

"I had better go," said Katie regretfully as she gazed at Marcus.

"I'll see you tomorrow," said Marcus huskily.

Alicia dragged a protesting Lee down the hallway in rder to give the couple privacy.

Katie threw her arms around Marcus and kissed him with all the pent up love she had for him in her heart. Minutes later, Marcus tore himself reluctantly away from Katie and sighed. He watched her until the portrait closed behind her with a firm click.

"Oh," said the Fat Lady, "its Miss Bell's young man. You two spent quite a bit of time saying good night. "

Marcus smiled at the portrait and said goodnight politely. He made his way to the Slytherin dungeons with a spring in his step and a song in his heart.

The Slytherin Dungeons:

Any pretense that the drinks the Slytherin team were drinking in the common room were non-alcoholic, faded after the first hour.

A slightly apprehensive Pansy was ensconced firmly on Draco's knee. She pretended she couldn't see a rather flirty Derrick winking at her.

"Draco," asked Pansy apprehensively. "Should you be having so many drinks?"

"I am so sorry mummy," said Draco with a sarcastic tone. He had another glass clutched firmly in his other hand.

"I wish she was your mummy, Draco," said Montague with a slight leer. "Your mother is bloody gorgeous."

"Please Ty," said Draco with slight shudder, "that's just wrong."

"Draco," chided Pansy as she tried to take his glass away. "What would your father say?"

Draco's eyes flashed and he leaned in to whisper in Pansy's ear. "Seeing as my beloved father is probably shagging some whore right now," hissed Draco, "I sure he will not say a thing."

"I'm sorry Draco," said Pansy contritely.

"Then get me another drink," said Draco with a sulky glare.

A small group of Slytherin witches were on the outskirts of the impromptu party. Circe was right in the middle of the group. She avoided Tarquin like he had the plague. His dark eyes followed her movements.

"Circe," said a Slytherin girl with a slight giggle. "Bole has not taken his eyes off of you."

"He's probably so drunk," said Circe lightly, "that his eyes are just unfocused."

"Whatever Circe, Tarquin fancies you like mad," said another girl.

"He must have mistook me for one of his Ravenclaw slags," said Circe as she tossed her head scornfully. At that moment, Derrick sidled up to the group of Slytherin witches and refilled their drinks. He flirted his way around the group until he came to Circe. He gazed at her curiously.

"Yes," asked Circe with a raised eyebrow.

"I thought you and Tarquin were making a go of it," asked Derrick with an amused tone.

"No," said Circe with a deep sip of her drink. She gave a small cough when she noticed how much stronger this drink was than the last.

"Really," asked Derrick with a slight smile.

"Tarquin Bole and I are not dating or anything else," said Circe firmly. "After all, I am a Slytherin witch. I do not even know where Ravenclaw Tower is."

"What about Marcus," asked Derrick slyly.

"I believe he has a fiancée," said Circe as she raised her chin and gave Derrick a cool look.

"How very interesting," said Derrick as he raised his glass and saluted Circe. His gaze dipped lower and Circe blushed when she realized where exactly he was looking.

"You are an incorrigible flirt," said Circe repressively.

"I just need a strong witch to keep me in line," said Derrick with warm brown eyes.

"You need a strong hand all right," said Circe. "A backhand."

"My, you are a pervy witch," purred Derrick. His eyes dropped to her cleavage again. His eyes glittered with mischief.

Circe blushed and swept away with her head held high and her face flushed red with embarrassment. If she was not mistaken, Myles Derrick had been flirting rather outrageously with her.

"What the hell do you think you are doing," hissed a drunk Tarquin. He had a firm grip on her arm. He had come up behind her on soundless feet.

"What I am doing is none of your concern," said Circe icily as she wrenched her arm away from Tarquin's grip.

"You are flirting with Derrick," hissed Tarquin.

"So what?" hissed Circe right back at him. "It's not like he asked me to go to bed with him unlike some other wizards I could mention."

"Stop it," said Tarquin angrily.

"You do not own me," hissed Circe angrily. "I'll flirt with him if I want to."

"Oh no you won't," threatened Tarquin.

"Why shouldn't I," said Circe. She turned and was about to go up to Derrick again when Tarquin jerked her back against him with a firm tug on her arm.

"Because," hissed Tarquin, "I love you, you thick bitch."

"What?" gasped Circe. "You love me?"

"Yes," said Tarquin angrily. "You are all I think of. You are the first person I think about when I get up in the morning and the last one I think of when I go to sleep. You even haunt my dreams. I do not think I can live without you. When I saw you flirting with Derrick, I wanted to kill him and then throttle you."

"You call me a thick bitch then say you love me," said Circe with a frown. "Are you saying that so you can get under my robes before Derrick can?"

"See what I mean about thick," hissed Tarquin. "I love you. I cannot live without you. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Then why are you whispering," said Circe suspiciously. She looked over to the other Slytherins who were pretending that they were not dying to know what they were saying to one another.

"Merlin," said Tarquin with a sigh. "You are impossible, you know that?"

"If I am so impossible," said Circe with a hurt look, "then let me go."

"I can't," said Tarquin pensively. "Don't you love me?"

"I shouldn't," said Circe as she looked into Tarquin's face. "It's impossible. You are going to marry my sister."

"I asked you if you loved me," said Tarquin insistently.

"Fine then," said Circe angrily. "I do love you Tarquin Bole, even if you are a great prat."

"You sound so angry," said Tarquin sulkily.

"You sound just as thrilled," said Circe dryly.

"Oh Tarquin," said Derrick with a mischievous grin from behind the couple. They hadn't noticed him get closer as they argued.

"Myles," snapped Tarquin. "Now is not the time."

"I thought Circe would like to go see the moonlight from the top of the North Tower," said Derrick innocently.

Tarquin's face flushed with anger and he reached out and grabbed Derrick's collar. "Look here mate," said Tarquin quietly and dangerously. "You are going nowhere with Circe. She's mine and I love her."

"I know," said Derrick with a smirk.

"What?" sputtered Tarquin.

"Everybody and their owl knows," said Derrick with a snicker. "Everyone except you and the Jones girl. It was right in front of your faces. Neither of you can keep your eyes off of each other."

"We are not dating," said Circe stubbornly.

"Merlin," sighed Tarquin impatiently. He let Derrick's collar go and grabbed Circe around the waist and tossed her easily over his shoulder.

Circe was frozen with shock as were the rest of the Slytherins. Everyone else because Tarquin was a famously easy-going lad, he did not manhandle witches as a rule. Circe was shocked because he so effortlessly lifted her. She had no idea Bole was this strong, even though he was a beater on a team known for their big, imposing team members. Tarquin's sparkling personality tended to make people forget that he was, really, a big bloke. He was quite tall and sturdily built.

"Do excuse us," said Tarquin calmly. "Miss Jones and I have matters to discuss. " With that statement, Tarquin turned and left the common room for his dorm room.

"I'll just knock really loud when I get there," said Tarquin with a twinge of guilt. "Chris won't mind after I explain myself."

Just as Tarquin rounded the corner to the seventh year corridor, he ran into Chris Warrington coming the other way.

"Chris," said Tarquin in surprise. "Where's Sarah?"

"She went back to her House before curfew," said Chris as his eyes gave the squirming Circe a mildly curious look. He gave Tarquin a smirk.

Circe took this opportunity to try to get off of Tarquin's shoulder. She had come out of her shock. Tarquin gave her a quick swat on the backside as a warning. Circe stiffened in outrage.

"I have some business with Miss Jones in our room," said Tarquin calmly. He resumed his way down the corridor after Chris had whispered 'good luck'.

"Put me down Bole," said Circe through her teeth.

"Soon," said Tarquin lightly.

Back in the Slytherin Common Room:

"What was that about?" asked Warrington as he entered the now boisterous common room.

"What are you talking about Chris," asked Marcus. He had entered the Slytherin common room unnoticed. The room had been buzzing about the scene Tarquin had just made. "And why are we drinking in the common room?"

"Marcus and Chris," said Derrick with a shout, "about time you made it to the party! I expect that Warrington has been making his own party though."

"What he talking about?" asked a relaxed and happy Marcus to an equally relaxed and happy Chris.

"I asked Sarah to marry me," said Warrington with a wide smile.

Marcus reached out and shook his hand. "Congratulations," said Marcus sincerely. "She's a wonderful witch."

"I know," said Chris with a grin.

"Marcus," said Derrick with a chortle as they joined the rest of the Slytherin team. "Warrington asked his witch in front of the whole school."

"Really?" said Marcus as he accepted a glass of punch from Montague.

"On his knees in front of the Hufflepuff table!" said Montague with a snicker.

Marcus gave Chris an indulgent smile. Chris shrugged and tossed back a drink.

"How did dinner go?" asked Draco.

"Well," said Marcus with an inner smirk. "My father and I had it out. I dumped the fiancee he dragged out to see me and Katie and I are getting married as well."

"Be serious Flint," said Derrick.

"I am serious," said Marcus as he smiled at the suddenly shocked looks on his mates' faces.

"But your inheritance," said Malfoy with an intense look.

"It seems that I am the only viable heir in my generation," said Marcus complacently.

"You are serious," said Chris with a searching look into Marcus's face.

"One hundred percent," said Marcus as he poured himself another drink. A flabbergasted silence fell on the Slytherin common room.

"Good on you Marcus," said Draco as his voice broke the silence. "Congratulations on your upcoming marriage."

The rest of the gathered Slytherins offered their congratulations as well. The tension broke and the gathering became loud and boisterous again.

Chris tapped Marcus on his shoulder after the surprise and frenzy around him had dimmed. The rest of the crowd was oblivious to the conversation they were having.

"Are you happy mate?" asked Chris with concern.

"I realized Chris," said Marcus with a warm smile, "that you were right. Life is about choices. I chose Katie and somehow, someway I didn't lose my family or my inheritance. I made the only choice I could."

"I'm glad for you and Katie," said Chris simply.

"Thank-you," said Marcus. "Are you happy? This engagement is sudden."

"For a reason," said Chris simply. He leaned closer to Marcus for more privacy. "Sarah is expecting my baby."

Marcus's eyes flared in surprise.

"I know," said Chris a touch ruefully. "I was quite shocked. But now I am quite looking forward to everything. I really do love her. I never realized how much until I thought she was going to turn down my marriage proposal."

"I hope you are as grateful and happy as I am," said Marcus as he punched Chris's arm affectionately. Chris punched him back with a wide grin.

"Where's Tarquin," asked Marcus. Chris started to giggle helplessly.

"Last I saw," said Chris after he got control of himself, "he had Circe Jones slung over his shoulder and he was headed for our room."

"He announced to the common room that he was in love with Circe," said Derrick as he came up behind the two Slytherins.

"Merlin," said Marcus. "Was he drunk? Emotional outbursts are not his style."

"Actually," said Derrick thoughtfully, "I have seen him drunker. It might have been that his love for her suddenly had to burst free."

Marcus and Chris raised their eyebrows at Myles.

"Or it could have been when I was trying to goad him into finally telling that girl how he felt about her," admitted Derrick with a mischievous grin.

"How?" asked Chris.

"I flirted outrageously with her right in front of him," said Derrick. "I didn't think he liked that she flirted right back. His green eyed monster came out."

"Tarquin isn't jealous," said Chris with surprise.

"He was so Slytherin green with jealousy," said Derrick with relish, "we could have sold him to the leprechauns for real gold."

"Merlin," said Marcus. "I can't leave you lot alone for a minute, can I?"

"Say Marcus," asked Draco with a determined look at his captain. "Who was that girl with the naughty picture book?"

"I haven't thought of Persephone Stebbins for months," said Marcus with a laugh. "I must really love Katie because Persephone was...well let's just say that I will remember her for years. Fondly."

"Wasn't she that studious little Ravenclaw bookworm with long black hair," asked Chris with surprise. "She graduated last year."

"Yes," said Marcus a little dreamily.

Draco looked at Marcus's face with interest.

"I wonder," said Marcus with a crafty look, "if I can find that book and persuade Katie to...ummm...read it."

Tarquin's Room:

A second after Tarquin put his burden down, Circe's hand snaked out and she slapped Tarquin across the face with an audible snap.

"If you ever lay a hand on me again, I'll hex your bits off," said Circe angrily.

"Merlin Circe," said Tarquin as he held his cheek. "You would make a fair beater."

"Tell me why you dragged me in here?" asked Circe as she raised her chin defiantly.

"We have to talk," said Tarquin insistently. "I am not going to marry Cassandra."

"You are jilting her," said Circe in an outraged tone.

"No, Yes," said Tarquin with a frown. "I want to well.....that's to say...is that....I might...sometimes in the future....I will want to maybe marry you."

"That's such a romantic proposal," said Circe sarcastically. "I dreamt of one like it for years. When I was a lass, I dreamed that one day a wizard would come along sweep me off my feet and propose. Funny, isn't it, that when you get what you've wished for, it never turns out the way you imagined."

"Are you through making fun of me?" asked Tarquin through clenched teeth. "Do you know how hard it was for me to say that to you? All my life, women have been disappointing me. I tell you that I love you which are three words I have never in my life said to a woman and you made fun of me. Typical, isn't it?"

"Tarquin," said Circe seriously. She paled as she saw Tarquin's merry eyes grow cold with anger. His face was flushed with emotion.

"Forget what I said," said Tarquin stiffly. "I must have had too much to drink."

Circe's heart froze. She opened her mouth, but she did not know what to say. When she reached out to touch Tarquin, he flinched away.

"Just go," said Tarquin as he watched her face with an emotionless stare.

Circe stared at Tarquin like she had never seen him before. She realized if she left this room, she and Tarquin would never touch or kiss one another again. With a sudden burst of clarity, she realized that the rest of her life pivoted on this moment. Her heart whispered Carpe Diem.

"Tarquin," blurted Circe, "I love you."

Tarquin felt his heart swell when she said those three words. He waited for her to finish.

"I'm sorry," said Circe tearfully. "I must really be a thick bitch because I was pushing you away when all I really want to do is hold you closer."

Tarquin closed his eyes as a dizzying feeling of exultation went through his body. He felt Circe throw herself into his arms and bury her face in his robes. He wrapped his arms around her in a fierce embrace.

"Will you marry me then," said Tarquin against her hair.

"No," said Circe. She leaned up and kissed Tarquin's mouth sweetly.

"Why not?" asked Tarquin with a perplexed expression. He leaned down and kissed her tempting lips.

"I'm not that easy Bole," said Circe with a wicked smile. "I want it all. I want to be courted. You have to extract yourself from your betrothal and then I want to date, hold hands, and write love letters. I also want to you dump all of your Ravenclaws."

"You termagant," murmured Tarquin as he kissed her deeply.

Circe leaned into his mouth with a sigh and pulled him closer. A few minutes later, she tore her mouth away with a moan. "Enough of that," said Circe with a smile into Tarquin's surprised eyes. She moved out of his possessive embrace.

"Can I at least hold your hand?" asked Tarquin with shock.

"Tarquin Bole," said Circe with smiling eyes. "I will let you hold my hand only after you ask me on a proper date and not one minute before. You may escort me back to the common room."

"But I was hoping for something more," said Tarquin wickedly as he glanced towards his bed.

"Before marriage," said a scandalized Circe. She smiled and winked at Tarquin. "Have I mentioned that I want to married when I am twenty one?"

"Circe love," said Tarquin pleadingly. "You are going to drive me mad."

"I know," said Circe with a wide smile. Tarquin laughed.

Hours Later: Marcus, Tarquin and Chris's Room:

"Okay," said Derrick as he poured the next round of firewhiskey. He looked around at Marcus, Chris, Ty, Draco and Tarquin. They were sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace. "You're next, Marcus."

"Why me?" asked Marcus with a pleading look at Myles.

"Because Draco is no fun," said Ty. "Besides, I cannot believe you're not passed out cold, Draco. No offense, but recounting past shags only works when you've had more than one or two."

"No one can breathe a word of this to Katie," said a slightly drunk Marcus. "She would cut my bits off."

"Start with the bookworm," said Draco with a wicked smile.

"You heard about the book, right?" said Marcus with a smile of remembrance. "She also loved to shag outside. The Quidditch pitch was a memorable occasion as was an alleyway in Hogsmeade, in daylight. She had to have been the most pervy girl I've ever had."

"After Persephone," said Chris with a twinkle in his eyes, "there was my sister Isolde."

"You knew," said a surprised Marcus as Tarquin choked on his drink.

"My sisters like to talk like I'm not sitting in front of them," said Chris with a shrug. "If it's any interest Marcus, she rated you pretty high."

"Merlin," said Derrick.

"Then," said Marcus with a wicked twinkle in his eye, "there was Hooch."

Tarquin choked on his drink, as did the rest of the Slytherin boys.

"Lads," said Marcus conversationally, "you really didn't think I let her walk out of my dorm room scot-free after I caught her with Adrian, did you?"

"Marcus," said Tarquin with shock. "You secretive bastard."

"Let's just say that Adrian was completely right," said Marcus with a glint in his eyes. "I gained an education in her capable hands, all right."

"How does Bell rank with all those shags," asked Montague curiously after the laughter died down.

"Katie is not a shag," said Marcus firmly. "She's different. I suppose it's because I love her. I really do, you know."

"We know," said Tarquin with affectionate smile.