Fic: Second Chance in the New Year

[mini_fest_mod]

Title: Second Chance in the New Year
Author: bk03
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Katie Bell/Harry Potter
Prompt(s): Snowed in & New Year's Eve
Summary: After a run in with her ex on New Year's Eve, Katie realizes that she still loves him and wants to be with him again.
Word Count: 1468
Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns Harry Potter
A/N: Thanks to phil_urich for the beta read.



Nervously, Katie waited on his bed, her ears straining for any sound of his impending arrival. She had no idea what she was going to say to him; coming here had been nothing but a spur of the moment decision. Having seen him earlier in the evening had thrown her in to a tailspin. She had made herself believe that she was better off without him, but just one glance from him had destroyed that illusion.

Everything had come back in that one moment. All of the good times, fun and desire that had been there in their short time together. It was probably what aggravated her to begin with, and he had been a target of convenience. Being the type of guy he was, he simply took it and didn't say much of anything back. The cold glare, the snide remarks; nothing.

She knew he had grown tired of apologizing long ago, but the kicker was that he’d never been at fault. She knew that know and if she were truthful with herself, she knew that back then too. He had done nothing but practically put her on a pedestal and cater to her every desire. At first it was exciting, but after awhile the whirlwind that surrounded his life began to take its toll.

The whispers grew louder and the rumors began to sound more believable. Looking back, she realized her self-consciousness had made her paranoid. Wondering where he was and who he was with. Had he found someone better; someone prettier than her? These were fears that were growing quickly inside her until they reached the breaking point and she had stormed out on him.

Katie didn't know why she had been surprised to see him there. Why wouldn't the Ministry have the "Living Legend" at his annual New Year's Gala. It was one of the few formal social events he would reluctantly agree to go to.

A little smile tugged at her lips as she remembered last year's party. She had never seen him like that before; so outgoing, charming and personable with people who more often than not annoyed the hell out of him. He had done everything with her on his arm. The royal purple gown she had worn was worth almost twice her annual salary in the Ministry, but he had insisted.

So wrapped up in her own thoughts now, she didn't hear him return. It wasn't until he was standing before her in the doorway of the bedroom that she realized he was there.

"Harry," she spoke, her voice timid and scared. "Can we... umm, talk?"

~*~

Quickly recovering from the surprise of discovering his ex sitting and waiting for him on his own bed, he looked at her curiously. "I figured you said pretty much everything you wanted to say earlier." He cursed himself as he realized that Katie was still keyed in to the wards of his flat. With her having come over so often this past year, it just seemed like it was easier to simply key her in instead of having to have someone else let her in. He had been meaning to change that, but it became something he found himself reluctant to do. He just hoped right now it would be something he would not regret doing.

Harry watched her shake her head no. He tried to suppress the tinge of attraction as her long blonde hair swished back and forth.

"So there's more?" he asked harshly, only to grumble to himself as he saw Katie flinch. He didn't want her to be scared of him, but this was ridiculous. All these months later, he still had no idea what she was so angry about.

Standing over her, he watched her as she pulled her legs up against her chest and began to nervously play with her stocking clad toes. He knew she was nervous and that was what intrigued him. Katie Bell was perhaps one of the most open and forward persons he had ever met. She always said whatever was on her mind, sometimes getting her into trouble. She was also one of the few to not give a damn about his fame and reputation, or so he had thought.

"I didn't mean what I said," Katie finally answered. "Any of it. All of it. My head's a mess right now."

Slowly looking up at him, he found himself staring longingly in to her blue eyes. "I hate you," she told him, and he jerked back a little. "I hate you because you treat me like I'm some sort of... goddess-"

When he snorted in amusement, he saw her flash him a grin that always sent chills through him.

"You know what I mean," she continued. "As much as I enjoyed... everything, the deeper I got, the more scared I got."

"Of what?" When the timid look returned, Harry moved forward and crouched before her.

"Of that moment when the rug would be ripped out from underneath me and the game would be up. I knew it was only a matter of time before you found someone better."

"Better?"

Katie nodded. "Funnier, smarter,... prettier."

"Ah," Harry nodded. "So that's what this is about."

"I heard all these people talking, and like an idiot, I started listening. The more I listened, the more believable things were. I started seeing shadows at every turn and it just got worse. The worst part was I was taking it out on you, and you hadn't done a damn thing."

"So you felt cornered with timing running out," Harry said."And in typical fashion, if you're going down, you're going down swinging.

"So," he said slowly. "Where does that leave us?"

Katie shrugged her shoulders. "It's probably too late anyway."

"For what?" he asked, smirking just a little bit.

"Us," she answered. "What's to stop it from just happening again? This time I just told you to bugger off-"

"I happen to remember another word being used," he interrupted.

Katie rolled her eyes. "Whatever. What'll happen next time?"

Resting his hands on tops of hers, he looked up at her quietly for a few moments. Watching her shift nervously, he pondered his next move. He knew she could very well be right. The press would just love to witness a public row involving Harry Potter. It'd be all over the headlines before the dust could settle.

"Because I've never seen you make the same mistake twice."

"Uh?" was the only thing that came out of her mouth.

He chuckled softly. "You've realized what happens when you listen to that bullshit. It seems like you went through hell," he said while admiring her. "I know I did. Another thing, it's not just some passing infatuation with you. There are no other girls; here or on the road.

"You should know by now that I'm either all in or not at all," he told her.

"So... does that mean we're back together?" she asked, her voice almost cracking.

It was too easy. After all the years of having the three Chasers tease him mercilessly, he had to needle her a little bit. "Whoa, it's not that easy. You really hurt me there," he said. "I think I should be given some kind of compensation. At least a little groveling is in order."

"Huh, really?" Like a cat, Katie sprang from the bed and onto Harry. The pair tumbled backwards on to the floor, with her pinning him to the floor. "I've got your groveling right here," she told him and then leaned down, aggressively pressing her lips against his.

While he could've easily gotten out of her grasp, he wasn't stupid. The benefits of being taken and used by a firmly fit blonde was certainly worth it. When she finally released his lips, he gasped for breath as she tore his shirt out from his trousers.

Outside they began to hear fireworks going off. Slipping her hands underneath his shirt, she grinned down at him. "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year."

Sliding down against him, so she was now laying on top of him, she nuzzled his neck. "It's really starting to snow out there."

"Said it was supposed to be a couple of inches."

"Probably going to paralyze the city for a bit."

"Doesn't matter," he said, freeing his hands and arms so he could wrap them around her. "We're wizards."

Katie giggled and Harry felt goosebumps where her warm breath played against the skin of his neck. "Never mind that. Guess I'm just going to have to show you the fun of a Muggle snow day."