Chapter Three
Once Catie had calmed down, George walked her down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Not only was he glad to be escorting her there, but to finally be able to eat something; apparently, Catie hadn't even noticed his rumbling stomach.
Once they reached the marble staircase, Catie observed that Peeves was slowly, but rather loudly, following them, two water balloons in his hands. He floated behind a doorway that was sticking out, hoping not to be noticed, waiting for the perfect oppurtunity to drench the two opposing pranksters.
George looked down at Catie to see her roll her eyes. She grabbed her 11-inch, mahogony wand, with a strand of unicorn hair running through it, and turned around, facing the poltergiest, who had a very surprised look on his face.
Catie and George grinned broadly as they cornered Peeves into a dead-end hallway, while he was shaking all the while.
"You know Peeves..." George chuckled. "If you ever want to beat us, I think you'll have to take a step up from water balloons."
Peeves attempted to escape, but he was too slow. "Accio Balloons!" Catie shouted, as the two balloons released themselves from Peeves' tiny, white hands. "See, Peeves, this was a very bad idea for you," Catie said, with an air of mocking. "Just the other day, Mr. Potter taught me a spell that I think comes in handy at this very moment. How wonderful!"
Peeves was still trying to get away, but now George was blocking the hallway. "Engorgio!" Catie murmed to the spheres of water, as they grew nearly three times their size. She handed George a balloon, and both pelted the poltergeist until he was soaked.
Catie turned to give George a high-five, when she saw a sudden look of surprise and fear on his freckled face. She turned on her heels yet again, to see that Peeves was not only soaking wet, but was also growing quite large green bumps all over his body. He was cackling madly, swarming over Catie and George's heads.
"Now
picture this, picture this.
Ickle George and Catie poo walking
into the Hall,
Spots all over, looking sick and eery.
From
shame and embarassment you will fall,
the students will desert
you, while you become tired and weary."
Catie and George looked at each other, shock and confusion written all over their faces. Peeves continued.
"But
you had to be clever, just so smart.
You two should not worry,
though, no don't fret.
I will
get back at you, simple as treacle in your Treacle Tart.
I will
avenge myself, that much you can bet."
And with that, Peeves took off again, in search of a new target, still cackling wildely.
Catie turned to look at George, and both burst out laughing, watching Peeves run straight into the wall, as a green hump just grew over his eyelid.
"Apparently, he really did plan this one out. That's just too bad." George wiped a tear from his eye and looked over at Catie, who was smiling for the first time today. "At least your spirits have hightened."
Catie looked up at George and threw her arms around him, planting a soft, friendly kiss on his cheek. "And it's all because of you." She looked up into his brown eyes, which were full of satisfaction at the touch of her.
"Thank you, George."
"Any time. Honestly." He chuckled and extended his arm to Catie, in a deep bow. "May I escort this lovely lady to breakfast?"
Catie giggled. "You may." She took George's arm, and they walked together into the Great Hall, where only half of the students were still dining; they were obviously late.
As they entered the Hall, every pair of eyes seemed to be on them. Catie quickly dropped George's arm, and headed over to plop down next to Harry, face as red as the cherry pie he was happily eating. George laughed at everyone's reaction, and continued into the Hall, to take a seat next to his twin brother.
"And what in the bloody hell were you two up to?!" Ron snapped as Catie turned to face him. There weren't many Gryffindors left at the table. Only Harry, Ron, Hermione, and half of the Quidditch team still remained planted at the enormous, wooden table. Ron was the angriest looking out of everyone. As a matter of fact, he was the only snappy-looking one out of the whole bunch; everyone else laughed and seemed to be enjoying his attitude.
"Oh, please. Relax Ronald. We were simply talking. And if SOMEONE," Catie broke off for a hating look at Hermione, "hadn't let your dear brothers kidnap me and lock me in a closet, this wouldn't have happened."
Hermione's face suddenly became flushed as Ron's glare turned to her. Everyone else began to laugh, and Catie caught Fred murmuring something to George while nobody else was paying attention; she really didn't want to know what they were up to this time, so she simply ignored them.
The rest of the House waited for George and Catie to complete their meal before they all took off to leisure on the beautiful Saturday morning- now afternoon.
"Hey, Catie?" Harry questioned, his green eyes penetrating Catie's train of thought. He looked around the two of them, making sure noone was in earshot, before continuing. "What exactly were you two talking about?"
"It was nothing, Harry."
"I bet I know what it was." Catie turned and looked at Harry, rolling her eyes.
"And what is that, Mr. Potter?"
"You were talking about what was wrong with you yesterday, weren't you?"
"How'd you...?"
Now it was Harry's turn to roll his eyes. "Oh, come on Catie. Two things. One: I have known you since we were toddlers. Two: I am not as dense as Ron to think that you two were actually... snogging in there or something." Harry's face lit up as he laughed at this thought; Catie hit him on his arm due to his reaction.
"Well..." Catie started, making Harry turn to look at her as they walked towards the entrance to Hogwarts' grounds. "Yes to the first, no to the second."
Harry looked at her, full of confusion. "That doesn't even make sense! I didn't even ask you two questions!"
Catie watched Harry, laughing at his bewilderment. "Ah, Harry. You thought you were smart, didn't you?" The couple was making their way down an all-too-familiar path, towards a hut set up in front of the Forbidden Forest.
"Well... Yes to the first... that means you WERE talking about what happened to you." He stopped to look at Catie, who gave him a quick nod as an answer. "So, no to the second. Ah! You two weren't snogging. Well, that's good to know," Harry joked.
Catie laughed along with him as they approached Hagrid's hut. Hermione and Ron were already waiting for them, confused looks on their faces, staring into Hagrid's hut. Harry and Catie walked up next to them, nodding silently as a greeting, and looked into the window along with them.
Catie was suddenly reminded of her strange experience while she was unconscience; a deep, dark shiver ran down her spine. Harry looked down at her, eyes full of concern. She mouthed I'm fine to him, but he still watched her as if she were a toddler again who needed to be babysat.
Through the window, Catie could see two figures inside the house. The first, unmistakably large figure was Hagrid. He was wearing his apron again; he must have been cooking. There was a pot of tea on the table, set in front of the other figure, wearing his usual black cloak. Professor Snape sat, watching Hagrid intently, as he was apparently explaining something very deeply to Snape. It seemed as though he was questioning Hagrid, or something close to it, because Hagrid would talk for a few minutes, directly after Snape would say something quickly.
"What's Snape doing here?" whispered Harry.
"I don't know," answered Hermione. "But he's getting up now. We can't let him see you, Harry. We're not supposed to be out here, remember? Black is on the loose and-"
"I know, Hermione." Harry snapped. "You've told me plenty of times before, remember?" Hermione scowled as Ron grabbed her arm, dragging her behind the oppostie side of the house, Harry doing the same with Catie.
Snape walked out of the front door rather loudly, leaving Hagrid standing there looking flustered in the afternoon sunlight. He watched Snape stomp back up the path towards the school, obviously not satisfied.
Hagrid sighed and began to walk back inside when he noticed Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Catie approaching him. He became more flustered when he saw them, until Harry said, "Don't worry. We didn't hear anything." Hagrid sighed again, this time in relief, and let the four inside.
"Well, let's get right down to it. Now what are yer four doin' 'ere? Yeh know what 'appened last time ye came down 'ere!" said Hagrid angrily. Catie could only remember too well what had happened. They walked down to Hagrid's hut for tea as they often did, but this time they were followed by Draco Malfoy. He overheard everything they talked about, most of it being about Sirius Black, the escaped prisoner from Azkaban. He seemed to be after Harry, and after all of this was discussed with Gryffindor's Head of House, Minerva McGonagall, led by Draco of course, she forbid the four to go further off the grounds than the lake. And Hagrid's hut wasn't exactly a few minutes stroll from the lake.
"I know, Hagrid," started Harry, sounding apoligetic. "But, you see. We want to know as much about Black as we can. He's after me, remember?"
"I bloody well remember, Harry! Which is exactly why yeh four shouldn't be 'ere!" Hagrid roared. "Are yeh tryin' to get yerself killed, Harry?!"
"Hagrid..." Catie said quietly. Hagrid turned and looked at her, and she had to be completely honest with herself: he scared her sometimes, and this was one of those times. "Harry just wants to know about it, so he can protect himself!"
Harry looked up and nodded in agreement.
Hagrid sighed, and said, "I have been forbidden to do somethin' also. I am not allowed to tell yer that information. But..." Harry looked up in hope. "I can tell ye where ter go for it. Remus Lupin. I know yer already takin' classes with 'im, Harry. Ask him what ye need ter know. Now. Leave, before yeh four get caught again." Hagrid already made them rise out of their seats, and now he was pushing them to the door.
"But Hagrid!" Catie shouted over her shoulder. "Why was Snape here? Can't you at least tell us that?"
Hagrid quickly shook his head a thousand times, then shooed them out of the doorway, closing his tiny piece of bark-for-a-door behind them.
"What do you think, Hermione?" Catie questioned, getting a confused and startled look in responce.
"What do you mean, 'What do I think?'"
"Well, you are the smartest out of us. Do you have an opinion on why Snape was here?"
Hermione turned on the spot and glared at Catie, jabbing her finger into her shoulder. "Just because I get the best grades does NOT mean I have an idea on EVERYTHING! And I am tired of you three thinking so! Just because you can't think for yourselves-"
"Woah woah woah!" Catie exclaimed. "I was just asking for your opinion! And who says I can't think for myself?" Harry and Ron senced an argument coming on, so they walked away towards the school rolling their eyes all the while.
"Well," said Hermione. "I do! I mean, I always come up with everything! You put in no imput whatsoever!"
"I do sometimes!"
"Humor me," said Hermione smugly.
Catie turned her eyes up in deep thought. "In first year, for example."
"Oh wow! An example from two years ago! And what was it that you did yourself, Catie?"
"My dad didn't want me to come to Hogwarts. And I thought for myself and kept to it, and now here I am!" said Catie proudly.
Hermione walked up to Catie, smiling mockingly. "That's a false example. Your mother is the one who helped you here, correct?"
"That's not entirely true..."
"Oh, give it up, Catie! You know I'm right!"
"As always."
"Huh?"
This time, it was Catie's turn to glare at Hermione. "Do you think that me not thinking of things is the only pattern in this group?"
Hermione was bewildered.
"Think, Hermione. This should be the easiest for you out of all of us! I mean, you always think of things, correct?!"
"So that's what this is about!" said Hermione, fuming now. "Just because I AM smart does not mean you have to be jealous!"
"And what exactly am I jealous of?" mocked Catie.
Hermione seemed to be growling now. "You think you are so clever, don't you? Turning the argument against me. But you can't, Catie."
"Oh? And why is that Hermione?"
"Because. I know I am better than you. And I don't need you especially telling me otherwise."
"And what makes you better than me, Hermione? Besides your grades. We are both Mudbloods, even I'll say that. We both have the same friends, same likeness in family..."
Hermione smiled. "And that's where you're wrong."
Catie was speechless; Hermione seized the oppurtunity. "My parents were fully supportive. Your dad refused to let you here. You Mum did just because she saw how much it meant to you; she really didn't want you here, she just didn't want to upset you."
"You're wrong."
"Am I, Catie? Look at the facts. You are only happy away from you're family, and when you are, you still complain about them. When you are in their company, you get extremely depressed. I think you and Harry are the only students here who don't want to go home. I can understand Harry, but look how selfish you are. Harry doesn't even have parents. You do. And you complain about them all the time. I bet Harry wishes he could be like you. I mean, you have a Mum, Dad, and sister. And you of all people complain."
Hermione waited for Catie to respond with a rude remark, but when she looked up, Catie's eyes were full of tears.
"Catie...I-"
"No Hermione. It's my turn to talk now." Catie looked at her friend, jaw set, ready to fight back. "You really are jealous of me? I don't understand why. And I don't think Harry would wish for my family, either. Ha, I wish for his. And I am not talking about the Dursley's. I'm talking about the fact that his parents died for him. For him. I would love to know that my parents did that for me. My dad wouldn't die for me. He would most likely LET me get killed. And, why be jealous of my sister?" Catie was the one who was fuming now, hot tears streaking down her face. She turned and saw that Harry and Ron were nowhere in sight, obviously back in the common room. She saw Hagrid down the path a ways feeding his pet Hippogriff, Buckbeak. And she saw Remus Lupin, sitting by the lake, staring at a piece of parchment folded in all different directions; none of them were within earshot.
Hermione tried to speak again, but Catie lifted her hand up, stopping her. "No, Hermione. Listen. You think I have it made. Does having a perfect life include getting yelled at by my dad for being such a 'freak'? Does being perfect include having no friends at all back home, because your parents make you stay in the house, afraid you'll let your identity slip? Are you jealous of me being treated like some sort of monster in my own home? Being treated as if I ruin their lives? What about being jealous of the fact that your own sister, your best friend, tells you that she's done with you? That it has always bothered her, but she was just not speaking up? Are you jealous of me never wanting to go home, escaping it when I'm actually there? Are you jealous of the fact that I cry myself to sleep sometimes because of the things that my dad says to me?" Catie was sobbing uncontrollably now. "Because quite honestly, Hermione, I don't think you should be."
And before Hermione could say or do anything, Catie took off. She ran towards the bridge on the opposite side of the lake where Lupin was sitting. He looked up as Catie approached him, then looked back at Hermione, standing there, not knowing what to do.
Catie ran as far as her feet would take her, entering the forest on the other side, nearing a lake. Catie sat down on the bank, put her head in her hands, and cried. She had never felt as alone as she did now.
