Why Can't You See?

Chapter Five

Paul knelt down in front of me. Why him? I didn't want him to be my knight in shining armor. Wait a minute. I rubbed my eyes. Did I hit my head? It wasn't Paul. No, Oliver was kneeling in front of me, his breathing shallow. Oh, thank God. He brushed a strand of fly away hair out of my eyes.

"Are you okay, Katie?"

I nodded slowly, trying to be calm, but the tears flowed anyway. My body was shaking violently and my heart was pounding so hard, I thought it would jump out of my chest. He took me in his arms and held me tightly as I cried like a little girl.

He stroked my hair and rocked me. God, I hate feeling helpless. "It's okay, Katie. It's going to be all right," he assured me softly. "He won't ever hurt you again."

I couldn't find my voice. It just didn't seem to want to work. The oddest things were running through my head. I wanted to know why he was in Hogsmeade. Or if Flint was guessing the truth about him being in love with me.

Oliver picked me up easily and I snuggled into him, shutting my eyes. My head was still spinning wildly, but I felt safe nonetheless.

I vaguely remember going through the tunnel or being carried to Gryffindor tower, except for Angie and Alicia fussing over me, and Fred and George threatening to kill Flint and Paul.

Oliver laid me on my bed and my eyes snapped open. I grabbed his hand as he was turning to leave and pulled him down next to me.

He pursed his lips in confusion and his eyebrows raised to the roof. "What is it, Katie? Do you feel sick?"

I shook my head fiercely. Tears were filling my eyes and I wanted to smack myself for being so weak. "Just stay with me Oliver. Please," I managed to whisper hoarsely.

I saw Oliver swallow noticeably, but he lay down next to me anyway, wrapping me up in his arms tightly.

I sighed contently and closed my eyes, snuggling closer so my head lay on his chest. My head felt less dizzy, but it was still a little foggy. I could hear Oliver's heart beating rapidly under my ear, almost as if he was nervous.

I could feel sleep start to overtake me and just before I went under, Oliver kissed me softly on the forehead.

~*~

Oliver was gone when awoke at five-thirty the next morning. It was probably the best night's sleep I'd gotten in a long time. It almost made me forget about what happened at the club. Almost. And then I remembered and I couldn't stay in bed a minute longer.

I changed into my Quidditch robes and headed towards the pitch. No one but Oliver was there. He was standing by the entrance, tossing the quaffles around. It took my breath away, watching him do what he does best. Quidditch is life after all. His first and only love.

"You're up early," I heard myself say suddenly.

He looked at me in surprise. "I didn't think you'd come to practice today."

I frowned at him. "Why wouldn't I? We have a game next week. We need all the practice we can get."

"Well with what happened last night, I thought you'd want to take the morning off," he told me, tossing the ball aside.

I walked towards him slowly. "I just couldn't stay in bed any longer. Or else I'd think about it again and go crazy in my room."

He nodded, a frown forming on his face. "I'm just glad you're all right, Katie."

"I didn't thank you for saving me last night, Oliver."

He shrugged slightly. "It's something any one would have done."

I was standing right in front of him now, and for once in all the years I've known him, he looked really nervous. "Paul didn't," I argued softly.

Oliver swallowed. "Yeah, well. Maybe he's not the right guy for you."

My mouth turned up slightly. "Well, he seems to think you and I are secretly involved."

His eyes went wide with surprise. "Why does he think that?"

I shrugged, looking up at him. "Why were you in Hogsmeade?"

Two bright pink spots were noticeable on his cheeks. I leaned in close enough so our breaths mingled. He sucked in a small ounce of air.

"Katie, I-'

His words were lost as a loud scream interrupted. Angie and Alicia came running onto the pitch, followed by Fred and George.

I don't think I've ever wanted to hit the lot of them more.

Oliver stepped away from me hastily, as if he didn't want to be bothered by me anymore, and went into automatic Quidditch mode.

"All right, people," he said loud enough for them all to hear. "Let's get into the air."

He didn't give me a second glance as he mounted his broom. The only clue I had that anything had even come close to happening, were his pink tinged cheeks.

I sighed in defeat as I got on my broom and followed my teammates.