I Only Wanted

****

    The first Hogsmeade weekend was at the end of October, and Katie was actually in the mood to go. Being on relative speaking terms with Alicia now, she decided it wouldn't be so bad to spend a day with everyone. She did always like how the Weasley Twins got all childlike in Zonko's.

    She got up early that morning and went down to breakfast with everyone. She noticed that Harry wasn't his usual self. She pondered him for a moment, before voicing her concern for her youngest teammate.

    "Oy, Harry? What's wrong?" she said, trying to sound casual.

    He shook his head and went back to his food, but Ron turned to her instead.

    "Those muggles he lives with, you know? They didn't sign his permission slip for Hogsmeade. Right evil they are," he said, rolling his eyes slightly, "And he asked McGonagall and she wouldn't sign it for him."

    "Everyone's being right protective of you this year, eh Harry?" Katie said, smiling when he chanced a glance up the table.

    "Yeah, suppose so," he said, his eyes almost returning to their normal brightness.

    "Don't worry about it, Harry. There's always next year. You've got plenty of time to see Hogsmeade. And honestly, it gets boring after going there for a few years," Oliver said, happily eating his breakfast.

    Katie reached across the table and smacked Oliver on the head, which caused their section of the table to burst into laughter.

    "He's half right. But to obsessed Quidditch boy here, Hogsmeade would get boring," she said, trying to use Fred as a shield beside her to fend off Oliver, "Cheer up, Harry. It's not the end of the world. You'll always have Quidditch practices," Katie said, avoiding Oliver's gaze.

    "You better watch your back today, Bell," Oliver threatened in a teasing tone.

    Katie looked at him disbelievingly, and he just laughed.

    "I'm sure Fred and George would assist me. Remember that incident last week at practice-"

    "Oh no you don't, Oliver Wood. That was not my fault! It was Ang!" Katie said, pointing at Angelina who was sitting on the other side of Fred.

    Angelina blanched. "Katie!"

    Katie blushed and looked to her, mouthing 'Sorry' and nodding towards Oliver. Angelina rolled her eyes in forgiveness for her friend. Oliver looked between the two of them.

    "I had a feeling it wasn't Katie. That’s not her style," he said, going back to his food.

    "Excuse me, but I so could have thought of that," Katie said mocking offense.

    "Sure you could have," Oliver said, reaching across the table and patting the top of her head.

    Katie slouched in her chair. She hated when he did that. She wasn't a bloody dog after all. But out of the corner of her eye, she could see Harry, thoroughly enjoying the madness happening at their end of the table. She allowed herself an internal smile. She had gotten to know Harry better while they were both staying at the Leaky Cauldron that summer. Even more than she had being his teammate. He was a good kid, she thought, watching Harry and Ron tease Hermione. And he had good friends, she concluded, going back to her food.

****

    As Katie walked around Hogsmeade, she felt abnormally self-conscious. It felt like everyone could see right through her. She had put on a brave face that morning to cheer up Harry, but truth be told, she would rather be hiding beneath her covers in her dormitory. Winter was coming fast and it always brought depression with it for Katie. Winter was when Katie wished she could hibernate. Go to sleep at the first sign of snow and wake up when the flowers bloomed in Spring.

    Consequently, Katie had cut herself the night before. Not as bad as the previous time; meaning, she didn't pass out this time. She had been so angry at herself for doing so. But even so, every time she did, she felt as if everyone was looking at her. And knowing exactly what she had done. Therefore, Katie found herself walking around Hogsmeade with her arms pulled up inside her robes, feigning that she was cold.

    She had allowed Angelina to pull her and Alicia into a dress shop while Fred, George, and Lee had occupied themselves in Zonko's. But Angelina had no intention on looking at dress robes.

    "When the hell are you going to tell Oliver, Katie?" Angelina asked.

    Katie blanched and looked at Angelina with a carefully guarded look of disbelief. She had only told Lee about her feelings for Oliver, and she trusted Lee. Had she been that obvious?

    "What are you talking about, Ang?" Katie asked back.

    Angelina rolled her eyes. "Katie, how long have we known each other?"

    "Forever."

    "So, how well do you think I know you?"

    Katie sighed, knowing exactly where this was heading. "Very well, I imagine."

    "Then how come you think you can just fucking lie to me? I know, girlie. I think everyone knows. Well, everyone except Oliver. He's not the brightest crayon in the box when it comes to things like that," Angelina said, hands on her hips.

    Katie sighed resignedly and through her hands up in the air. "So what if I do, huh? He's never going to like me."

    "He likes you well enough," a voice behind them said.

    They all jumped slightly, seeing Paris standing there.

    "Oh, hi Paris," Katie said, forcing a smile, and trying to control the blush rising in her cheeks.

    This was not going to be good. True, Oliver and Paris weren't dating per say. But he did like her, and Katie knew any girl would be dumb not to like Oliver if he were showing interest in them.

    "Katie, is what I heard true? Do you really like Oliver?" Paris said, looking saddened by this news.

    Was she mad? Was she absolutely, join-the-Death-Eaters mad?

    "Well, not exactly. Its just a crush," Katie said, and upon hearing Angelina snort in indignation, she glared at her menacingly, "Although, some people, would like to think otherwise. Honestly, Paris. I may like him, but he likes you."

    Paris looked at her, still with that look of sadness in her eyes. "Oh, alright. I just wanted to ask," she said, before walking away.

    "What in the world was that all about?" Alicia said, looking to Katie having also noticed the sadness that Paris was expressing.

    "Well, if she thinks I'm competition, she needs to get her head checked," Katie said, looking in the mirror beside her, "I mean, who am I?"

****

    Everyone seemed to meet up in the Three Broomsticks later on in the day. Percy, Penelope, Paris, and Oliver were sitting at a booth. Fred, George, and Lee were sitting the booth in front of them. They waved Angelina, Alicia, and Katie over to join them, as Lee ordered them all Butterbeers. Katie had the unfortunate luck of being forced to sit on the inside of the booth, so she couldn't escape. She also had the perfect view of Oliver. She lowered her chin to rest on her fist to avoid even chancing a glance at Oliver, and listen as the twins talked animatedly about the things they had bought at Zonko's and there plans for it all.

    "Better not talk to loud, Fred, you're brother is right behind you," Angelina said sweetly.

    Fred blushed, but looked at Angelina curiously. "He wouldn't turn in his blood! He knows it would only throw mum into a fit."

    This caused Percy to turn around and eye his younger brother suspiciously. "Don't be so sure, Fred. I'm Head Boy now. I have responsibilities."

    Katie rolled her eyes and looked up at Percy. "Please spare us the responsibility speech. We don't want to grow up yet," she said cracking a smile as Percy's eyes narrowed on her.

    "Fine, but you will have to one day, Kate," he said importantly, before turning around.

    Katie stuck her tongue out at the back of his head. Fred started to laugh and to her horror, so did Oliver. But as always, Lee came to her rescue, with Butterbeers.

    "Here you go ladies, warm up," Lee said, passing the mugs around.

    Katie just sipped at her Butterbeer for the rest of the time. Nodding or agreeing in the appropriate places. Before she knew it, she was at the Halloween, successfully closing herself off and ignoring everyone. She just sat there, eating her food, nibbling on some of the Halloween sweets and not being bothered by anyone.

****

    Laying in a purple, squishy sleeping bag, Katie put her hands behind her head and thought about what had just happened.

    At first, everything was just fine. They were making their way to the common room, pretty much beat, and ready to go to bed. But when they got to the portrait of the Fat Lady, there was a back up. Percy, thinking that everyone had forgotten the password, pushed his way to the front. But instead of saying the password, he shouted in the sharpest voice Katie had every heard him use, for someone to run and get Dumbledore. Katie thought maybe some kid had fallen ill or something because of all the Halloween treats. She intended to stay back in case it were true. She watched as a sixth year ran down the corridor to find Dumbledore as Fred and George grabbed her and dragged her around the edge of the crowd.

    "Perce won't yell at you like he will us," Fred has said as an excuse, as Lee, Angelina, and Alicia followed, Paris and Oliver hot on their heels.

    Before they could squeeze through to reach Percy, the crowd parted, allowing Dumbledore to walk to the front. In a rush, they all ducked around the people back up, to get a front row look. What Katie saw, nearly took her breath away and she backed up, stepping on Fred's foot. She wanted to run, but Fred grabbed a hold of her shoulders and held her in place. The Fat Lady's portrait had been slashed, strips of which were hanging from the portrait. But the Fat Lady was gone. Dumbledore, soon joined by McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape, announced that they need to find her and to search all the portraits.

    That was before Peeves showed up. Peeves, who ruined the fact that Katie could now be sleeping in her comfortable bed instead of a squishy, purple sleeping bag in the Great Hall. He rushed down to give the good news that Sirius Black had slashed the portrait after the Fat Lady wouldn't let him in. Next thing she knew, the whole bloody school was in the Great Hall, preparing for a very long night. Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Fred, George, and Lee had found a place by the far wall with some of the other Gryffindors, and began to softly discuss the events. Well, Katie didn't. She was planning on how to murder Peeves, even though she didn't think it was possible. Katie decided to place her sleeping bag on the outside of the group, to give her some privacy. After Percy had told off the group for talking, they had decided that it was time to try and sleep.

    But sleep was eluding Katie once again. She heard all the conversations of the teachers. Hearing how Snape was rather uptight about something. And actually hearing Dumbledore get angry when he reprimanded Snape. Percy kept walking in between the rows of sleeping bags, checking to make sure everyone was asleep. She would close her eyes and wait for him to pass and then go back to staring at the starry sky that was the ceiling of the Great Hall. It was truly beautiful. She sighed and then felt the overwhelming feeling that someone was watching her. She looked to her right, and jumped slightly at seeing Oliver there. He smiled apologetically and turned back to his stargazing as well.

    "Can't sleep?" he whispered, so quietly that she almost didn't hear him.

    "Yeah, you?"

    "Yeah. Nice sky," he whispered, a hint of a smile on his face.

    "Yeah, it is nice," Katie whispered, glancing at him quickly, "Well, good night," she whispered quickly, turning her back towards him.

    "Sleep well, Kate," he whispered and she heard him move around in his sleeping bag preparing for sleep too.

    Katie rolled her eyes. 'Did he have to pick the spot right next to me,' she thought angrily.

    Then after some consideration, she reasoned that who better to be surrounded by, if there was a murderer loose in the castle, than by strong, Quidditch players. That thought made her laugh, and she was reprimanded by Percy. She smiled to herself before falling asleep.