Wow. To say it has been a long time is definitely an understatement. I apologize profusely to those out there that were so supportive of me whenever I began this fic so many years ago. I do wish to complete it, but honestly I don't know if I'll be able to do it any justice. I have no notes or anything from whenever I was originally writing this, but I feel as if it deserves some closure. I'll try not to rush it, but I would like to wrap it up shortly. Thanks again to all of you out there who have read my story or reviewed it.

Gryffindor lost. After all of the planning and preparing, Hufflepuff had won it fair and square whenever Cedric caught the snitch just as Harry plummeted to the ground thanks to a handful of Dementors who chose that moment to make their presence known on the pitch. Harry was thankfully okay and Cedric even had the decency to protest the Hufflepuff victory, but fair is fair and he had caught the ever-important golden ball before Harry had hit the ground.

Regardless, Oliver Wood was currently trying to drown himself in the Gryffindor showers. This had been Gryffindor's year. His year. He felt like a complete bastard for not being in the Hospital Wing with the rest of his teammates checking on Harry, but he just couldn't get his limbs to take him out from under the hot spray of the shower.

Which is why one irate Katie Bell was currently marching across the grounds, having just left the Hospital Wing.

She was just outside the locker room door, prepared to barge into the men's section and tell Oliver exactly what she thought of him for not being there for Harry whenever she saw another figure standing outside. It was none other than Cedric Diggory.

Katie could not resist a little barb his way, "Not celebrating with some helpless victim back at your dormitory, Diggory? Oh wait, your spot is the Shrieking Shack."

Cedric let out an exasperated sigh, "Can't we move past that, Katie?" A glare from the aforementioned Katie had him shaking his head, "I came down here to apologize to Wood, again, but he's suddenly quite infatuated with the shower stall."

The Gryffindor Chaser decided to opt for the civil path with Cedric and let out a sigh, "There's no need to apologize, Cedric. You won fair and square. Even I believe that you had no idea what was going on with Harry. Gryffindor isn't so conceited that we think that it takes a fluke to beat us; every team has their moments and today clearly was not ours," She went as far to offer a small smile before continuing, "While Oliver probably wouldn't put it so eloquently at the moment, I think his sentiments would be the same. Win some, lose some."

"You are Katie Bell, aren't you?" Cedric joked, garnering a glare sent his way.

"Very funny. Just because I'm usually quite irrational does not mean I'm incapable of somewhat mature moments. Just don't let that get out," She made to move towards the Gryffindor locker rooms, "Now, before the inevitable bitch that I've been suppressing decides to rear her not-so-pretty-head towards the wrong Quidditch Captain, I must go unleash my wrath on a certain inconsiderate Scotsman."

"Nice chat then," Cedric gave her a nod and his ridiculously signature smile, "I'll keep Oliver in my prayers."

If she hadn't been trying so hard to appear angry, Katie might have smiled at the exchange with Cedric as she entered the male locker rooms.

"Oliver Wood, if you haven't drowned yourself already, you're going to wish you had!" Was her announcement as she burst into the nearly empty locker room.

"I know, I know," Was the pitiful moan that escaped from one of the shower stalls, "I'll save you the hassle," He paused for a moment before continuing in a low, even more pitiful tone, "'Oliver, you are not only a terrible person, but a god-awful Captain for deciding that wallowing in your own self-pity is more important than checking on the state of your teammate'," a loud sigh escaped from the stall, "Close enough?"

Katie wanted so desperately to be angry with Oliver, but for the second time tonight, she just could not remain angry at yet another Quidditch Captain. Instead, she plopped down on the bench nearest the shower stalls and made herself comfortable, "Harry is going to be fine, Ol. Thankfully – or maybe not so thankfully – he has bigger fish to fry than holding a grudge against a melodramatic Scottish maniac," At this, Oliver made a noise of protest, but Katie did not let him get a word in, "Yes, Oliver, you are being melodramatic. Mathematically – and no, I don't have the figures, but I'm sure someone else does – we could still win this thing."

The water was subsequently shut off by the melodramatic Scotsman and Katie instinctively grabbed a folded towel from the end of the bench and tossed it over the divider. She didn't hear it plop to the floor, so at least Oliver hadn't lost his touch while throwing his little pity party. Oliver emerged without a word from the stall, towel secured around his waist and not a stitch more on him. Katie could not help but appreciate his half-naked, still damp body, but even at her highly hormonal state as of late, she knew that now was not the time to be going down that route.

"I'm going to go see him, you know," Was the first thing Oliver said as he made his way over to his locker to retrieve some clean clothes, "I do realize I'm being a prat – although I would argue the melodramatic bit," Katie opened her mouth to argue, but this time it was Oliver who did not let her get a word in, "This means a lot to me, Kates, you know that. Every single year since I've been Captain there has been something that got in the way and I just want to go out on top. To prove to this school that we do have the best ruddy team around. I know we do – and maybe it's a bit ridiculous – but it is one of those things that I want to be able to brag about and be able to back up with a title," He had managed to towel his hair dry and something had suddenly struck him as he pulled his shirt on.

Katie had to admit that he looked quite adorable – really? Adorable? – as he turned around with nothing but a towel and a dark navy t-shirt on with a concerned look on his face, "Shit. Didn't you need to talk about something?"

"Ah, that," Katie gave a small smile, "That can wait," She had pushed that little confession concerning Marcy out of her mind due to what had happened on the field, "As much as it pains me to say this, why don't you put some clothes on and we can go see Harry. Together."

This got a genuine smile out of Oliver and he gave a nod, "Close your eyes," He commanded, expecting some sort of playful remark on how he was suddenly deciding to be so modest, but whenever Katie wordlessly obliged, he decided to take advantage of her obedience and quickly put on some boxers and training pants. He threw on his cloak and tossed the used towel into the proper bin.

"Is it safe now?" Katie queried, already peaking through her fingers that were assisting her in covering her eyes, "I'd hate to be scarred for life!"

Oliver pulled her from her seating position and wrapped her in a tight embrace, "Shut up," He kissed the top of her head, controlling the urges that being so close to her often brought out in him quite well, "You're lucky I'm being – what did you say again? – ah, yes, a 'melodramatic Scottish maniac' or else I would be inclined to take advantage of this empty locker room."

She laughed against his chest, taking in the smell of his body wash that lingered against his skin, "Hmm, lucky me... Oh!" She drew back with a start.

"What?" Oliver looked genuinely bewildered as Katie pulled back from him slightly. They were still in an embrace, but not so tightly.

"How could I forget! Cedric was waiting on you whenever I got here," She noticed the murderous look in Oliver's eyes and quickly continued, "He was really nice about things, Oliver, honestly. He was coming to apologize to you, but I told him there was no need. Hufflepuff did win fair and square."

Oliver hung his head, accepting the truth to her words and agreeing with her, "I know. That was very... Cedric of him, I suppose. I'm much happier that it was you that I got to see first. Diggory isn't quite as easy on the eyes."

"Is that a joke? Why, my dear Captain, did you hit your head?" She smiled up at him, holding his gaze for a moment, taking the time to really savor this relaxed moment with him.

"I'm trying to be positive," He brushed her lips with his in a chaste kiss, "Lets save the Diggory talk for later. No matter how nice he intended on being, I still would like to play the sore loser card for a bit longer."

Katie laughed at him before pulling away until just their hands were locked together, "C'mon my melodramatic maniac, lets go see to Harry before he changes his mind about forgiving you for moping about down here in the showers."

OK, as I said it has been years - so I hope this isn't too awful. Thanks again to ALL of you that have reviewed and read this story. You each deserve a personal reply, but I have no idea where to begin. Thank you so, so much and I hope I don't let you down :)

xoxo