Dark Secrets

Disclaimer: Characteres are not mine, I'm just borrowing

Katie Bell was running like a madwoman. She, like many other witches and wizards had been shopping in Diagon Alley when the Death Eaters attacked. It was sudden and without warning and the Death Eaters had started throwing curses immediatly.

The blonde dared a look over her shoulder. Damn, she was beeing followed. She held her Wand in the direction of her follower, shouting curses at him. Distracted through this, she didn't notice were she was running.

„Damn it Bell! Stop it, you're going to hurt yourself!", shouted her follower after another poorly performed spell he dodged easily. Katie slowed down, stunned. Who was that? How did he know her name?

„Who are you? What do you want from me?" she screeched panicked as she realized she was stuck.

She was backing against the wall that was blocking her way.

The Death Eater stopped running and came slowly towards her. Realizing she was about to try to hex him again he pulled his mask down.

„It's just me Bell." rubbing a hand over his forehead, mask in hand, was none other than Marcus Flint. Katie stared. It was unmistakable him. He had outgrown his trollish looks, his teeth were set straight and there was dark stuble as proof he hadn't shaved for at least 3 days, but it sure as hell was him.

„Flint!" Katies voice was a pitch higher than normal.

„Hi Katie. It's been a while." The broad man smiled at her.

„What do you want?" Katie asked.

„Trying to keep you from getting yourself killed. Even if you aren't making it easy." he answered somberly.

„Why would you do that? Your friends sure would want to get me killed, haven't you heard, I'm a blood traitor now, no better than a Muggleborn." Katie shoot back. Marcus grinned. There she was, the little Spitfire he enjoyed arguing with back at Hogwarts.

„You're a pureblood Katie. Even though that doesn't matter to me personally, it's going to be easier to save your life because of that. And my friends certainly wouldn't want to get you killed. They know what I would do to them if they did." Marcus looked at her seriously.

„And why would you care?" Katie drawled sarcasticly.

„Why do you think no one has been after you? You know what happened to most of the blood traitors by now. So explain to me why you've been safe and sound even though you haven't left the country?" Markus roared, desperatly trying to keep his temper in check.

Katie looked at him stunned. Marcus had to remind himself that she couldn't know what he had done for her. Regaining his composure he took a few steps closer to her. „I've been keeping you safe, and if you let me, I'll keep doing just that." he said, staring directly into her green eyes.

Katie just opened and closed her mouth several times. Unable to form a coherent thought much less a sentence.

In this moment, another Death Eater rounded the corner. „Flint!" he bellowed.

„I'm right here, Pucey. No need to get your panties in a twist." Marcus drawled in reply.

„What are you doing?" Pucey asked, keeping a safe distance from them.

„What does it look like? I'm consoling my fiance, of course. You guys scared the shit out of her. Told you it was a bad idea to pull a stunt like this here, were our own people are among the crowd."

Marcus shot back, now every bit the intimidating man he was.

Fiance? Katie thought irritated but to afraid to say anything.

Adrian Pucey meanwhile looked scared shitless. „Damn." he mumbeld. „I.. I'm sorry Bell."

Katie merely nodded in his direction, dimly registrating she was clutching Flint's arm tightly.

Marcus let out and audible sight.

„Look man, I'm going to take her home. You gotta sort this shit out yourself." he spoke in Puceys direction. Adrian just nodded and turned to walk back to the others.

„Hold on." was all he said to Katie before he apparated them to his Manor.

Katie was feeling a little queasy, like always after side-by-side apparation and kept holding onto Marcus even though they were standing on steady ground.

After a few moments she looked around her and noticed she was standing in a huge entrance room, the floor out of white marble.

„Were are we?" she asked lowly. „Home" was Marcus curt answer.

„Come on, we've got much to discuss." and just like that, he was leading her into a room to his left, that seemed to be a study. He positioned her on a chair in front of his desk and poured them both a drink. „Here." he pushed on of the glasses in her hand and drowned his in one gulp.

Katie merely eyed the glas. „Drink up, trust me, you'll need it." Marcus encouraged her.

Katie did as he told. Pulling a face at the strong burning sensation the whiskey left in her throat.

After a little coughing, she felt her senses come back to her.

„What is the meaning of all this Flint?" she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest.

„I told you. I've been trying to keep you safe." he answered.

„But why?" Katie asked fiercly.

„Let's say, a mutual friend suggested it." Marcus drawled.

„Good one. We don't have mutual friends." Katie shot back in a no-nonsense voice.

Marcus merely raised an eyebrow. Katies mind was reeling. It couldn't be, she hadn't had any contact since... she let out a gasp.

„I see you remembered her." Marcus sounded amused.

„Alicia?" she asked. Angry with herself for sounding this guilty.

„Exactly. Mrs. Warrington, even though she was sad you abandoned her like that when she's done nothing expect marrying the man she loved, does not want to see you hurt."

Katie had to look down so he wouldn't notice the tears in her eyes.

But Marcus hunched on his heels in front of her and put a finger under her chin, lifting it up.

„She's still your friend, You know?" he said affectionately. Katies tears started to roll down her cheeks. „I've been a horrible friend to her." „You can make it up to her." Marcus assured.

Katie dried her tears with the back of her hand.

„Why did she ask you?" she wanted to know.

„Because of something silly Cassius told her." Marcus waved his hand in the air. „It doesn't matter."

„Why did you call me your fiance?" Katie simply asked the next question.

„Because that's what you officially are. I needed a srong enough claim on you so no one would dare go after you." Marcus answered, sounding a little too pleased with himself.

„How did we came to be? Officially?" Katie prodded on, even though she had a bad feeling about it.

„You've had the hots for me since Hogwarts. We met after the Falcons- Puddlemere Game last Spring, I invited you to join me for a drink for old times sake. The rest goes unsaid..." Marcus stated.

Katie had blushed at his first sentence. He couldn't know how close to home he hit... She had indeed had a crush on him back in Hogwarts.

„Listen, I know you might have had different plans, but Alicia agreed that it was the safest position for you. I've had a room prepared for you, we can go collect a few of your belongings from your flat. You'll stay here from now on. I suppose I can't keep you out of the social events without people growing suspicious, but the women usually stand togehter and make small talk and Alicia will help you with getting through this. You don't even have to kiss me or anything, we'll simply say we arent the PDA type of couple. A little affectionate behaviour will be necessary, but I do belive your acting skills are good enough for that."Marcus made a small break and continued a little lower „This war will only get worse and I can't protect you from afar anymore. Today opened my eyes. I've almost been to late. This can't happen again. I won't be responcible for your death."

Katie stared at him silently for what felt like hours. „Ok." was all she said after a while.

Marcus looked at her like she had grown a second head.

„Ok? Thats all? I thought you were putting up a fight or otherwise creating Gryffindor-Drama." he asked scandaliced.

„I'm not a little girl anymore, Marcus. I know this is a dangerous world we live in, and I won't put up a fight with you when you're risking your own life to keep me safe. We'll make this work. I'd like if we could get my stuff today, I'd also like to see Alicia if that'd be possible and we need to get to know each other, cause I'm sure the other Women at this „social gatherings" will ask questions and I can't be engaged without knowing anything about my bethrothed." Katie stated, her hands on Marcus shoulders.

AN: Hey Guys, I'm back :) While writing this, it was for my eyes only, but i thought, what the hell... there's too few out there about this couple. This is unedited, and i haven't written anything in... damn...3 years? So please have mercy, i know my grammar sucks.