The Luckiest Man on Earth

The Luckiest Man on Earth

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and no trademark infringement is intended or implied - not to say that I would not like to but please do not sue.

Chapter 6: A Slip of the Tongue

Three Days Later:

“Katie,” whispered a familiar raspy voice in her ear. “You promised.”

“Marcus,” said Katie with a blush. She pulled out of the Slytherin’s embrace. “Not in the hallways!”

“You were going to show me the present,” said Marcus with a smirk.

The sea of students passed the couple with sidelong glances of surprise and interest. Kate blushed again. She knew that they were the main topic of conversation at Hogwarts, especially after the whole Madame Puddifoot incident. Honestly, she and Marcus were engaged. It was like everyone thought they didn’t kiss each other the way people carried on about it.

Marcus leaned in closer and gave a slow smile. She was so pretty when her cheeks grew rosy. “Love,” said Marcus. “You promised.”

“I know,” hissed Katie. “But I had left it in my room and then Snape has been patrolling the Slytherin dungeons like a hawk lately.”

“He heard about Alec’s little soiree,” said Marcus with a shrug. “Snape was most displeased. He may have called Alec on the carpet, which would be a surprise. Snape absolutely dotes on Alec. That would explain why Alec’s been a little down lately.”

“Marcus,” chided Katie. “You are such a boy sometimes. Haven’t you heard?”

“What?” asked Marcus as he slung an arm around her waist and steered her towards the dungeons. She had potions next.

“Didn’t Alec say anything at all,” asked Katie with surprise.

“About what?” asked Marcus.

“Eleanora Cauldwell just got engaged,” said Katie.

“So,” said Marcus with a frown. “Alec’s getting married the weekend after we are.”

“Hush,” said Katie with a frown at Marcus. “Not so loud.”

“Our invitations are going out soon,” said Marcus with a confused look at Katie. “Shouldn’t we tell everyone before that happens?”

“Our close friends know,” said Katie fretfully. “No need to start more gossip about us.”

“I don’t care about gossip Katie,” said Marcus seriously as he looked at her flushed and upset face. “It will fade in time like gossip always does.”

“I know,” said Katie with a sigh as she stopped in front of the potions lab. “I hate it when people look at me and whisper, that’s all.” She looked at the wall pensively then looked Marcus in the eye. “You should talk to Alec. You say he’en den down lately. And I think I know why he’s been…. well shagging all those girls.”

“Because he likes sex,” guessed Marcus. He snickered when Katie slapped his arm.

“Honestly,” said Katie with a slight grin at Marcus. “Marcus, it’s as clear as day, Alec still loves Eleanora Cauldwell. And he’s marrying a girl he’s still never met. He must be devastated. You should talk to him.”

“Katie,” said Marcus with dawning horror. “I’m a bloke and blokes don’t talk about things like that. That’s a girl thing.”

“Marcus,” said Katie as she turned to leave. “It’s also the right thing.”

Marcus watched her go into the classroom with a mutinous expression on his face. Katie just didn’t understand. She was such a Gryffindor sometimes. Men did not talk about their feelings especially to each other. He turned and started to sprint towards his Defense class. Marcus thought that it was rather good thing Lupin w sof soft touch because he was going to be late.

“Well hell,” said Marcus aloud as he rounded a corridor. “I forgot to pin her down about the damn present! She still hasn’t told me what it is.”

An hour later, in his class, Marcus thought about what Katie had said about Alec. He looked at Alec, who was sitting in front of him with curiosity. Alec wasn’t acting brokenhearted or lovesick. Then Marcus really looked at him. He wasn’t taking notes and he was looking out the window, which was highly unusual, because Alec was ambitious and a very good student. Alec also liked this class and this particular teacher very much. Marcus then noticed Terry give Alec a confused and concerned look.

“Damn it,” thought Marcus. “Katie is right. He is depressed lately. He’s never mentioned Nora since he broke up with her. He used to spend most of his time with her. Merlin, how would I feel if, for some crazy reason, Katie and I broke up?”

Marcus stiffened and then spent the rest of the class watching Alec covertly. He noticed that Lupin was giving Alec searching glances as well. Alec was very silent today. He usually asked questions or answered them.

“If Katie and I broke up,” thought Marcus as he shuddered at the thought. “I would go absolutely crazy. Maybe I would shag every girl I could lay my hands on trying to get her face out of my head. Who am I kidding? Hell no! I would steal her and make her realize that I love her and she loves me. But Katouldould never break up with me. She’s stuck with me, til death do us part!”

Marcus blinked then heaved a sigh. He was starting to work himself up with the thought of an imaginary break-up. He barely noticed that the class had ended. He stood and followed his mates out the door.

“Lads,” said Marcus diffidently. “I have an idea.”

“What idea,” asked Terry suspiciously. “The last time I heard that tone in your voice, I was banished to my room for a week this summer. My mother still thinks that you are the devil. Merlin, I also had scrapes on my knees. And a hangover that lasted three days.”

“Yes,” said Adrian with a small grin. “But do you remember how much fun we had?”

“Not really,” said Terry with a laugh. “But from what I could piece together from my drunken memories, I did.”

“I am still glad I couldn’t go,” said Alec with a slight hint of a smile. “Did Tarquin Bole’s father really bail you lads out of ministry custody?”

“Yes,” said Marcus loftily. “It’s a good thing that I, at least, could remember to make sure Tarquin slurred his name out clearly enough so those gits could understand who to call.”

“My father would have let us rot,” said Terry with a shudder.

“My father would have picked us up,” said Marcus with a shudder. “But not without dire consequences. Terry, your mother would have been rather cross if she found out about that little misadventure, eh?”

“I would have been shipped off to Durmstrang,” said Terry with a shudder. “Do you think it is true that they make you run a mile in the cold before breakfast?”

“Good thing Tarquin’s father just laughed and took us home,” said Adrian. He slung an arm around Terry’s shoulders companionably.

“What did you lads do by the way?” asked Alec. “You never said.”

“Nothing,” chorused Marcus, Adrian and Terry in unison.

“I’m so sure,” said Alec with a snort of derision.

“It’s a very deep dark secret,” said Adrian with a wide grin.

“If we told you,” said Terry with a mock air of sadness. “We would have to kill you.”

“What deep dark plan do you have cooked up,” asked Alec to Marcus.

“It’s a secret. But it has to wait until Friday. We will need recovery time,” said Marcus with a smile.

As the rest of the Slytherins made their way to their next class, Marcus chewed his lip as he realized that he had to come up with some plan to entertain his mates and get Alec to talk, at the same time. Pity, he had no idea of what he was going to do. He’d better talk to Katie. After all, this whole thing was her idea in the first place.

Over dinner later that night, Marcus gave Terry a knowing smirk.

“What?” asked Terry as he noticed Marcus leering at him.

“Adrian tells me that you have a girlfriend,” said Marcus with mock gravity. “It wounds me that you were never going to tell me about her yourself.”

“I do not,” sTerrTerry protestingly.

“Terry,” said Adrian with a raised eyebrow. “Have you not spent the past four evenings with Miss Greengrass?”

“Yes,” said Terry with an air of resignation.

“Terry,” said Marcus. “Have you not spent these evenings studying? I mean really studying. You even had books open.”

“And your hand on her thigh the entire time,” said Adrian with a smirk.

“Yes,” said Terry sulkily. “But we are not boyfriend-girlfriend, honestly!”

“Terry,” said Adrian mockingly. “Have you kissed her?”

“Yes.”

“Do you carry her books for her?” asked Adrian leaning forward.

“Yes,” said Terry with a scowl.

“Have you seen her naked in the past week,” asked Marcus with a smile.

“Yes.”

“Then Terrence, old pal,” said Adrian with his eyes glittering with mirth. “She’s your girlfriend.”

“Merlin,” said Terry with a moan. “She is, isn’t she?” He scowled at his best friends as they laughed at him. They were just plain mean.

“Speaking of,” said Marcus as he got to his feet. “I have to speak to my girl.”

“How Marcus?” asked Adrian innocently.

“Talking Adrian,” drawled Marcus. “Is what most people do BEFORE shagging.”

“I know that,” said Adrian with mock indignation. “Terry explained it to me once. No, I meant how would you talk to Bell? Usually you two are attached at the lips. I was wondering how you two managed a conversation.”

Marcus just glared at him and ignored the snickers coming from the Slytherin table as he made his way to the Gryffindor one.

“Katie,” said Angie. “Here’s comes your man.”

George groaned but stopped when Alicia kicked him in the ankles.

“Marcus,” smiled Katie. “You are just in time.” She pulled a whole bunch of fabric swatches and pictures out.

Marcus gave Katie a look of horror that had Fred and George snickering into their glasses.

“For what?” asked Marcus as he saw her smile dim.

“Marcus Flint, we have to make some important decisions,” said Katie testily. “My mother is driving me batty with all of her owls. I need to make a decision about, among other things, my robe and the colors for the wedding.”

“Can’t you do it,” said Marcus with a pained expression. “I don’t care.”

“What do you mean you don’t care,” hissed Katie as the Gryffindor table got quiet.

“I mean,” said Marcus carefully. “That anything you want is fine with me. Youide.ide.”

“Oh no you’t,”’t,” said Katie as she got to her feet and put her hands on her hips. “You don’t fob me withwith that Marcus Aurelius Flint. If you think that I am going to do all the work for this wedding, you have another thing coming.”

“Of course not,” said Marcus with a confused look. “My mother has hired piles of people to do things so you won’t have to.”

“There are still things we have to do ourselves,” said an exasperated Katie.

“Like I said,” said Marcus testily as he could feel his temper begin to slip. “You decide.”

“You don’t care,” shouted Katie. “We are getting married in less than three months and you don’t care if this entire wedding is a disaster! I have half a mind-“

“Katie,” interrupted Marcus.

“What?” snapped Katie. She rubbed at her temples. Her temper was just so uncertain lately.

“Katie, you let it slip,” said Marcus with a pointed look at the now silent Great Hall.

Katie looked up in confusion then gave a start of surprise as she realized where she was. She paled when she realized what she had just said.

“Hell,” said Katie as she sat down and looked like she was going to cry.

Marcus could hear the whispers start as he sat down beside her and threw his arm around her.

“I am such a prat,” moaned Katie as she buried her face in his hard shoulder.

“Yes,” said Marcus as he soothed her. “But you’re my prat. And the invitations were going out soon anyway.”

“Married,” said a stunned Lee Jordan. “In July?”

“Actually,” drawled Marcus. “June 24th – just after Hogwarts gets out.” Marcus ignored the whispers as he pulled Katie away from the furor. He gave a small sigh as he realized that his viewing of the engagement present from Isabelle Bell would have to wait, yet again. Worse yet, he would have to look at those damn swatches of fabric.

“The things I do for love,” thought Marcus. He smiled as he pulled Katie closer.

Later that Night: Near Gryffindor Tower:

Alicia dropped her book bag as she was leaving the Library with Angelina.

“Merlin,” complained Ally as she picked up ink bottles and books. “Go on ahead Angie. I know you have a previous engagement.” She smirked up at Angelina.

“Your engagement is waiting in the common room,” said Angie. “Are you and George really dating?”

“I think so,” said Alicia with a frown. “I mean we’ve never really said anything specific.”

“You should find out,” said Angie with a smile. She leaned down and picked up a book. Alicia shooed her away with a laugh.

She was still trying to find her quills when a voice interrupted her.

“May I have a word Spinnet,” said a familiar languid drawl
A
Alicia sighed and looked up into Terrence Higgs’s carefully neutral face. She looked behind him pointedly.

“Where’s your girlfriend,” asked Alicia coolly as she got to her feet.

“Where’s your boyfriend,” said Terry back at her quickly.

“What did you want to talk about Higgs,” asked Ally.

Terry’s temper was starting to fray as Ally’s cool detached demeanor got to him. He gave Alicia a slow up and down look that made her face turn red.

“Well,” said Ally as her heart began to pound. She tore her eyes away from his sulky mouth.

“I wanted to ask why you decided to screasleasley instead of me,” said Terry as he stalked towards her menacingly. He backed her into a dark classroom.

“Is this before or after you fucked Daria Greengrass,” asked Ally sarcastically. She raised her chin as she stood her ground in the dimly lit room.

“After,” said Terry with a shrug. “I saw you go into the back room of Madame Puddifoot’s with him.” He backed her against the wall and braced his hands on either side of her head.

“You have such nerve,” said Alicia as she swallowed nervously. She could feel his body heat and the musky smell of his cologne. Her nipples tightened in awareness.

Terry gave a snicker as he leaned into her and rubbed his erection against her belly with slow circles. Every inch of Alicia’s body was alive with sensation.

“Feel that,” said Terry harshly as he ground into her harder. “For some reason, only you can do that for me so easily and so quickly.”

Alicia licked her lips and gave a soft moan. She gave a helpless cry when Terry shoved her skirt up and plunged his hand into her pants. He stroked her cleft coaxingly and Ally parted her legs. She groaned when he slid two fingers deep inside her.

“So hot and wet for me,” whispered Terry hotly in her ear. Ally panted as his fingers plunged in and out of her pussy.

“Yes,” moaned Alicia helplessly.

“For me?”

“For you, Terry.”

His fingers stilled as an angry look passed his features. He pulled his fingers out of her.

“For me,” hissed Terry. “Or for Weasley?”

Alicia gave his angry face a confused look then a look of horror flashed on her face.

“Just remembered about him?” said Terry mockingly. He leaned in and said, “Good. Next time Ally, you have to come to me. You have to make the decision to choose me over Weasley. You have to cheat on him willingly.”

“What will you do,” said Alicia heatedly. “Go back to your Slytherin girlfriend?”

“I just might,” said Terry with a heated look of his own. “I am giving you no guarantees. I might choose you and I might choose Daria. But first you have to decide who you want –me or him.”

“That’s not fair,” said Alicia.

“Who ever said life was fair?” said Terry over his shoulder as he left the room.


Author’s Note:

First off, thank you so much for the lovely reviews. I like to know what people think. I know that all the characters are getting confusing so I will try not to throw too many at you at the same time. But Daria and Alec are important to the plot of the story. Eleanora has played her role and will most likely making no more appearances. But primarily this is a Marcus/Katie story.

I have put up a live journal to tell people when the current fics I am working on are ued: ed:

http://www.livejournal.com'aureliaflint/