Albus strode through the Ministry, a look of determination on his face. He was a man on a mission, one of mercy. Such was his intent that most wizards simply ducked out of his path. Few if any had ever seen him like this, and those who had knew better than to cross him. The normally kind face a mask of anger and frustration. Such was his bearing that when he entered the minister's office, the clerk simply stood out of the way.

Leonard looked up from his papers, regarding Dumbldore passively. "You could have knocked." He said dryly before scooting back in his chair, tenting his fingers in front of him.

"Where is she?" Dumbledore said suddenly, casting a glance around the office before looking right at the Minister.

"Where," Leonard drawled, pouring a cup of tea for himself and one for Dumbledore. "is who?"

Albus turned on him, fire in his eyes as he slammed a fist down on the desk, completely upending the teacup. "Don't play dumb with me Hector. You know who I'm talking about." He said through clenched teeth. "Do I have to say it? Fine. Catherine. I know she was here, and I need to see her. I need to stop her before she..."

Leonard paused only long enough to clean up the mess before looking up to Dumbledore. "Stop her before she follows her own path?" As he spoke, he looked up to the taller man and then sighed sadly. "You can't keep protecting her you know. Everyone has to follow their own path Albus. Even she."

Albus sighed at this, finally collapsing in the chair across from the minister. He looked utterly defeated. After a moment, his rage got the better of him, causing him to lash out and strike his thigh. "Damn it." He cursed and then looked up to the Minister. "She doesn't know him. What he's capable of..." Albus said, tears forming in his eyes. "I...I don't want her to make the same mistakes I did." The minister nodded slowly, standing to look out the magical window. "If I was a betting man, I'd say there's more there than just a worry for a former student of yours Albus." He said, not even looking back. "Hell, I suspect that if you were given a chance, you'd be down at the docks trying to prevent her from leaving right now."

Dumbledore's head shot up, and in an instant he was gone. The minister didn't need to tell him twice.

Night had fallen, and the last of the cargo was being loaded. Catherine sighed, watching this impassively. While porkey might be an easier way to travel, it only worked when you knew where you were going. So, she was having to slum it with muggles. Truth be known, that wasn't much of a trouble to her. She'd grown up around them, and from time to time had needed to blend in. A seemingly sixteen year old girl, blonde hair and blue and green eyes, didn't stand out that much. Less considering their destination of Germany.

Taking a last drag from her cigarette, she tossed it off the dock and into the water. Exhaling slowly, she looked up to the old steamer and sighed. It would be a rough crossing.

"Those things will be the death of you." A voice said from the shadows. It was a voice she knew quite well. Turning she looked to the figure and laughed gently. "Should have known you'd find me." She said, her speech accented lightly. Planting a hand on her hip, cocking it just slightly, she rolled her eyes. "Come to see me off Albus?"

Stepping forward, he looked into her eyes, those mismatched pools of light and slowly shook his head. "No Cat." He said sadly. "I've come to stop you."

Still smiling, she looked to him and then slowly shook her head. "I have to do this Albus. It's...well, I feel the power drawing me. I can't resist it, and you know that well as I do."

"Bullshit." Albus spat out. "You can resist it. Bloody hell Cat, how many times have you resisted that damn call before? Ten, fifteen, hundreds? You've lived this long, why go toss the experience of lifetimes away to follow..."

She looked to him kindly, slowly stepping forward. Taking one of his hands she held it, and he squeezed it in return. "I don't have a choice Albus. Gellert..." She paused, looking at his old hand in her seemingly young one. "He knows."

"So what?" Albus said quickly, taking her hand in both of his and holding gently. "He knows you're more than you seem? What that you're a Valkyrie? Cat, that's nothing. Nothing at all, just stay and I promise we'll work something out. He'll just..."

"Use me." She said with a shrug. "I know it. Albus, for all you say, I'm not stupid. What do you think the Ministry would do if they found out? I mean really? I'll tell you. They'd toss me in some cell to study me, prod me, poke me, and try to brew a potion out of me. Then, there'd be those dark wizards who would seek to steal my life, such that it is. Gellert knows, but he won't tell."

"How can you be so certain?" Albus asked tartly. "He's a liar, trust me, I know that personally."

The ships horn sounded, and she looked back. Stepping from his grip, she smiled lopsidedly at him. "I have something he wants very badly Albus. Badly enough to keep his mouth shut. Besides, he's afraid of me." Turning she started walking before looking back, flashing a smile and showing a pair of sharp fangs in her mouth "Not unlike how rich men keep tigers around them. Goodbye Albus." With that, she headed up the gangplank. In time, the ship left. Albus watched it depart, and for several hours stood there on the dock. Eventually a small smile crossed his lips, his hand clutching the locket she'd pressed into his hands.

"God speed Valkyrie," he said with a smirk, and then gave a light salute as he turned to walk away.