Chapter Eight

"Catie! Will you wake up already!"

"Harry! Let her sleep!"

"Yeah, Hermione. See, if we do that, I'm afraid we'll be standing here for ten years before she so much as moves a finger."

"Ugh. You are all so dumb." Catie felt a splash of water smack her face. She opened her eyes, gasping for air, staring into Lizz's face.

"What was that for?!" Catie exclaimed.

Lizz laughed. "You wouldn't get up."

"So you drown me?"

"Oh, stop being a drama queen and get up." This time, it was George who was speaking. Catie just realized that aside Lizz stood Harry, Hermione, George, and Ron, with the support of his brother.

Catie looked down. She was still wearing her white T-Shirt from the other night; Lizz had just splashed her with water.

"I would love too, but..." She shot of a nasty look at Lizz, who laughed and threw her a towel. Catie slowly sat up, wrapping the towel around her torso. She got out of bed, where George was waiting for her with open arms. He eyed the towel up and down. Catie rolled her eyes, mouthing "White shirt," to him.

George's eyes widened in understandment, and a smirk spread across his face. "Keep dreaming," teased Catie. George put his arm around Catie's shoulder, pretending to help her walk. "Why do you guys want me up so bad, anyway?"

"Oh, I don't know," Lizz said sarcastically. "Maybe it's the fact that today is the last day before we leave for the entire summer?"

Catie stopped dead in her tracks. "That's today?" Everyone nodded in response. Catie let out a sigh of remorse before being engulfed in George's arms once more. Catie stole a look over at Ron: he was pretending to look the other way, but she saw him staring at them out of the corner of his eye.

"He had a 'talk' with me last night," George whispered in Catie's ear.

Catie's heart stopped. "What'd he say?"

George chuckled. "Later." He kissed the side of her head.

Catie's face flushed, but she brushed it off as they approached the Great Hall. Everyone made to enter; then Catie remembered her wet shirt.

"I can't go in!" Catie exclaimed. Harry raised his eyebrows at her until she simply looked down at the towel. He let out an, "Oh," of understandment.

George looked around at everyone standing awkwardly around the door. "You know what. You guys go ahead and eat. I'll take her up to get changed, and we'll meet you in the Hall in no time."

Catie was fine with this. More than fine, actually. But when Ron opened his mouth in protest, Hermione elbowed him in the stomach. "We'll see you soon," she said, speaking for the group. They headed inside, and George waited until they were all out of sight before scooping Catie up in his arms and walking up the staircase.

"What are you doing?!" Catie exclaimed and laughed at the same time. She wrapped her arms tight around his neck, and he tightened his grip around her waist.

"Don't worry. I've got you," was all George said before speeding up, playfully spinning here, twirling there, and slamming Catie's foot into an occasional wall every so often. It seemed that it was way too soon when the two approached the Fat Lady's portrait. George murmured the password to her, leading Catie inside the moment she opened the door.

It seemed as though ages had gone by since the last time Catie had been in the Common Room. Everything seemed to be going by so quickly lately.

George laid Catie down on the closest couch, sitting down on the floor right next to her. Catie realized that, once again, they were alone in the Common Room.

George was the first to speak. "Okay. Whether you like it or not, we are going to have a little talk here."

Catie was utterly confused. "You mean about Ron?"

George smiled, melting Catie's heart. "Only if you talk to me about something else first."

Catie nodded. "Sure."

George took Catie's face in his hands. "What's going on with you?"

Catie's breathing slowed. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean."

"If I did, would I be asking you?"

George sighed. "I mean, this." He held up the piece of parchment Catie had been writing on a few days ago.

Catie nervously smiled. "Never seen it before."

"Oh, really?"

Catie nodded, keeping her mouth closed. She was afraid that George would hear her lying right through her voice.

George kissed Catie's forehead, making her stomach do back flips. "Are you sure?" He planted another kiss, this time on her cheek.

"No fair," Catie breathed. She knew George would never give up the argument. Sighing, she took the parchment from his hands.

George took Catie once again in his arms, bringing her down from the couch and sitting her right next to his side. He put his arm around her back, Catie leaning her head on his shoulder. "You already know," was all she said.

George raised his eyebrows. "Do I?"

"Mhm."

"Why don't you clear that up again for me."

Catie sighed. "The fight with Lizz. The loss of my sister. Not to mention the end of the year was coming up..."

George nodded in understandment. Catie looked up at him, him back down at her. He was smiling. Actually smiling. Catie shook her head in disbelief.

George sat upright, alarmed. "What is it?"

"You'd think that you would actually show some emotion when I'm spilling my heart out to you."

"I... What do you want me to do? If I... I don't know, cried or something, that would make everything worse, wouldn't it?" George countered.

Catie bit her lip. "I guess," she mumbled.

George planted his lips to her chin. "Exactly."

Catie sighed, burying her face in George's chest. He smelt of cinnamon. The scent of him engulfed her, making her drowsy. Catie nearly fell asleep when she heard a soft voice whisper, "Your shirt, remember?"

"Hmmm?" Catie mumbled, fighting off the temptation to ignore the sound and fall back into George's chest.

"You need to take off your shirt!" George laughed impatiently.

Catie sprang up from her position. "What?!"

George raised his eyebrows. "It's soaked through in water, remember?"

"Right." Catie chuckled nervously.

George laughed back, picking Catie up again and carrying her to the stairs. "This is as far as I go. I remember when me and Fred tried to get up these stairs in our first year..." Catie looked at him questioningly. "Well... Fred fell first, and our first rat, Remmy, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Let's just say something besides Fred's leg broke."

Catie shook her head, jumping out of George's arms. "Dork." George stuck his tongue out at her before she slowly made her way up the stairs.

Catie emerged at the top of the stairs in the bright sunlight, squinting her eyes against it. She immediately headed over to her bed, opening her huge trunk of clothes. Catie knew she had to change, but what would she wear? Should she wear something flirty to catch George's attention?

After a few minutes of deliberation, Catie decided on a shirt that she had never worn before. It was a Christmas present from her mother: a dark purple blouse, V-Cut, that came complete with a black ribbon, which tied around to her back. The gleam of the ribbon brought out the shining of her eyes.

Catie was just about to remove her wet shirt when a voice from behind her made her jump, freezing mid-movement. "You might not want to do that until after I'm gone."

Catie grabbed her wand and turned around in one movement, forcing her wand towards the intruder. She blushed a little when she realized that it was only Sirius Black, sprawled across a bed - Hermione's, in fact - while looking at Catie's photo album.

Sirius laughed. "Somebody's a little uptight."

Catie rolled her eyes. "Well, it's not every day that there's some random voice coming from a supposedly deserted Dorm."

"True, true." Sirius didn't even seem to be paying attention to Catie; he was too busy looking through her pictures. Why he would do such a thing, she wasn't sure. After all, they were all pictures of Catie and her family. Before she found out about her "talent," at least.

Sirius was lost in thought. His eyes were glimmering; it was almost as if he was crying. After a few minutes of silence, he said: "So. You and your family are close?"

"Sure," Catie scoffed. She took a small blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

Sirius raised his eyebrows, looking up from the album to meet Catie's gaze. There was not one hue of emotion in her eyes that would suggest she was lying. "What do you mean? Look at all these pictures!" he questioned.

Catie turned the album towards herself, looking through the latter pages. "And do any of them look recent?"

"Now that I come to think of it..." Sirius looked off into the distance again before continuing. "It was after they found out about you, wasn't it?"

Catie laughed. "It's that obvious?"

Sirius nodded. "For me it is."

"What do you mean?"

"I think you and I are more alike than you think." He sighed. "My entire family, literally all of it, all belonged to the house of Slytherin. It was natural that I, too, should have been Slytherin upon entering school. But as soon as the Sorting Hat touched my head... it automatically sorted me into Gryffindor. And that was the end of them liking me." Sirius closed the album, handing it back to Catie.

"What's wrong with Gryffindor?" Catie asked, offended.

Sirius looked at her like she had three heads. "Oh, that's right!" he said, remembering something. "You're the Muggle... no offence or anything." He winked at her, laughing. "It's just... how do I put this? You know of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, correct?"

"Yeah... he's the one who mu-" Catie didn't answer too much before Sirius cut her off.

"We don't need to get into the details. Anyway, He has followers, people devoted to him. Some are actually devoted, but most are just terrified of what he would do to them if they ever left. Once you go in, there's no turning back. Understand?" Catie nodded before Sirius continued. "The thing is, there's some belief that anyone and everyone who go into Slytherin will almost positively turn Death Eater."

Catie raised her eyebrow. "Death Eater?"

"That's what they called His followers. Terrible name for horrible people. Definitely not a misnomer. Anyway, as I said, all of the Black family were sorted into Slytherin, meaning-"

"Meaning all of them are Death Eaters," finished Catie. It all made since now. No wonder Sirius didn't think he would be let off easy. His entire family has a history of murders. Why would he be any different?

"Precisely. And you're a Gryffindor. 'The brave and noble.' The exact opposite of a Slytherin. Just take a look at that Malfoy kid. How does he treat anyone besides a Slytherin?" Sirius stared at Catie while she thought. "Not so pleasantly, eh? Now imagine your family treating you like that. And that's how I grew up."

Catie laughed a fake laugh. "As if I have to imagine that."

Sirius looked at her, shaking his head. "That's what I don't understand. You said that you and your family aren't close anymore. But... why? They're all Muggles, aren't they? It's not like they have anything against simply being a witch."

"And that's where you're wrong," Catie said, standing up again. She walked over to her bed, grabbed her shirt, and closed the curtains around her. It wasn't long before George began to question where she was. "You'd think they would be happy for me. Instead, my dad talks about how I 'contaminate' our family. As if it they're not bad enough."

Catie could sense Sirius staring at her, despite the curtains. "That still isn't right. Are you sure there's nothing else?" he asked.

Catie emerged from behind the curtains in her new shirt, plucking off little piece of fuzz here and there. "I'm sure. But, why are you here? Not meaning to be rude or anything, but George is waiting for me. I was only supposed to get changed. I don't want him to suspect anything..."

"No, no! I only meant to be here for a minute, anyway." Sirius got off the bed, strolling over to Catie. Before she knew what was happening, Sirius had embraced her in a hug. Confused, she wrapped her own arms back around him. Sirius then grabbed her shoulders, holding her from him at arms' length. "That's the first time in a long time I've had a real hug." He smiled. "I just wanted to let you know that I was okay. The last thing you saw of me wasn't too pleasant... I didn't want to leave you with a sour note of me, either. I just wanted to say thank you. For everything."

Catie smiled. "I almost forgot what I saw. Honestly. So much crap has been going on, it's hard to even keep track of the date anymore. But, your welcome. And I'm glad you did come back. I wouldn't want you to leave thinking I'm some sissy." Catie winked, laughing along with Sirius. He started to walk away; then Catie realized something. "Wait, Sirius! How are you going to get out of here?!"

Sirius winked over his shoulder. "What, do you think I'm that dumb? Azkaban didn't do too much damage." He stood on the windowsill; Catie followed him, her breath gasping out of her body when she saw what loomed next to the expanse of glass. Hagrid's hippogriff, Buckbeak, was floating in the air next to the brick wall, smiling up at Sirius. He mounted the bird, looking back at Catie. "One more thing. I know that they will most likely disagree, but keep an eye on Remus and Harry for me. I know both of them more than you would think, and I know that if something's wrong with either of them, they'll hide it. I wish I could be here with them, but I'm afraid that won't work out." Sirius sighed.

Catie walked over to the window, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Of course. But make sure you take care of yourself as well."

Within the next second, Buckbeak had pushed off the wall and was now hovering twenty feet away from the wall. "What, do you think I'm some Azkaban escapee whom the entire Ministry is searching for?! Preposterous!" Sirius laughed, waving before Buckbeak took off into the clouds.

Catie shook her head, finally starting back down the stairs. When she emerged from the bottom, George jumped up from the couch. "What, did something try and eat you?!" he exclaimed.

"Not exactly," Catie laughed, grabbing George's arm. "I don't know about you, but i I /i am starving."

George smiled. "Sure." He put his arm back around Catie's shoulders, and the two headed back down to the Great Hall. When they entered, there were hardly any people left.

"Dena vu," Catie whispered to George as Ron looked up at the two, still pretending not to notice them; he busied himself in trying to crack open a peanut. George laughed as they joined the rest at the table.

Well... we're not too late, Catie thought, observing that everyone that was left was still eating.

George began plopping helpings of eggs onto his plate when Catie thought of something. Leaning over to his ear and whispering so no one else would hear, Catie asked: "Wait. What did Ron tell you? You forgot to tell me."

George looked up, looking alarmed at her question. "So you remembered," was all he said.

Catie stared at him, waiting for George to answer. When he didn't go on, she said, "Of course I remembered. After all, it did involve me." Catie smiled at him, but again he didn't answer. "Oh, come on! It can't be that bad!"

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," George laughed.

Catie smirked. "Try me."

Sighing, George turned to face her. When he realized that Ron was still watching them, he cupped his hands and put them up to her ear, whispering to her. "I don't know how you're going to take this... Let's just say he doesn't want me to get too... er... physical with you."

Catie pulled back, looking at George. "He's worried about us kissing?"

"Not... exactly kissing," was all George said before turning around and remaining quiet again. Catie turned around herself, focusing on her food. Then it struck her like a bolt of lightning.

"WAIT A SECOND!" she nearly screamed at George. Alarmed, he spilt his Pumpkin Juice all over his pants. Catie looked around to see that everyone was staring at her. With a little smile, she quickly said apologies to everyone before turning back to face George. "Define physical."

George just looked at her with a blank expression; then his lips corrupted into a smirk. This time Catie almost choked on her juice. "WHAT?!" She turned to face Ron, who was now staring at them full on. Catie got up, strode over to him, and smacked him upside the head. Everyone else sitting at the table had a look of alarm and confusion on their faces; all except Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George left the hall. George opened his mouth to speak, but Catie simply shot a look at him and he fell silent.

Ron, who finally gathered enough courage to speak, said: "And may I ask you why you just hit me?"

Catie laughed. "Oh, Ronald. Do you recall a certain talk you had with one of your brothers the other night?"

Ron's face went red. "N-no."

"Should I refresh your memory?" Catie asked, jabbing her finger in Ron's face.

Ron suddenly jumped out of his seat, turning his back to Catie and screaming at George. "You told her?!"

"Yes!"

"After I asked you not to!"

"Obviously."

Harry leaned over to Hermione and Fred who were sitting at the table, looking up at the other three with bewilderment written all over their faces. "Do any of you have an idea of what they're talking about?"

Fred shook his head. "Not a clue."

"WHAT WE DO IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, RON!" George and Catie shouted in unison. Fred, Harry, and Hermione's faces dropped when they suddenly knew what the three were arguing about. They were arguing so loudly that none of them heard the doors open.

"Woah! What are you three yelling about?" yelled Remus, placing nearly five trunks on the ground and walking over to the group.

"Nothing," muttered Catie, glaring over at Ron.

Remus shook his head, walking over to Catie. "Can I see you in the hallway for a second?" Catie nodded in agreement, heading outside with Remus. She could hear George and Ron going at it again as soon as she shut the door behind her.

"Anything I need to be worried about?" Remus questioned.

"Not at all," Catie answered, smiling.

"Good. Not to sound rude, but I don't think I can handle much more on my plate." Remus sighed, sitting on a nearby bench. Catie could see the cuts from a couple nights ago still jutting into his skin.

Catie sat herself down next to her, concern drowning her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Remus sighed, leaning his head against the wall and closing his eyes. "As you've probably heard a million of times before, I'm leaving. That's what all those suitcases are for."

Catie put her hand on his arm. "So what's the problem?"

Remus sat up straight, looking Catie in the eyes. "I knew I should have never come here."

"What are you talking about?! If you hadn't come here, Harry wouldn't have known enough to save Sirius!"

"I guess that is true. But if I hadn't come here, I wouldn't have met you."

Catie felt like someone punched her in the stomach. "That was a bad thing?"

Remus let out a sigh. "For me it was."

"Oh..." Catie looked down to her feet, not wanting to look Remus in the eyes.

"It's not that I hate you, Catie. It's the exact opposite of that. I promised myself I would never get attached to anyone. Now I have not only Harry, but you to worry about."

"You don't have to worry about me," assured Catie. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Remus; he had been through so much already.

"It's not that I'm worried about you; your one intelligent witch. Same to Harry. I just won't be able to rest again until I know all of this is over." Remus suddenly sat up again, looking alarmed, as though he had said too much.

Catie took in a sharp breath. "Until what is over?"

Remus sighed yet again. "I know I shouldn't be worrying you like this... But... You won't tell anyone what I tell you, correct?" Catie nodded. "I - actually, Sirius and I alike - believe that something is going to happen. Something that will put everyone in danger. Mostly Harry and those close to him, and from what I've observed, you are mostly at the top of that list."

Catie's heart began to race. "What's going to happen, Remus? What are you talking about?"

Remus shook his head, pulling himself to his feet. "All in good time. But now, I must be off."

Catie brought herself to her feet, handing Remus one of his trunks. She wrapped her arms around Remus' back. "I'll miss you."

Remus smiled. "As will I." He put his suitcases down and put his arms around Catie's back. Again, Catie felt a splash of water from above her.

"Remus?" she quietly asked. He shook his head in response, facing the other way. Remus quickly grabbed his belongings; then he was gone, heading down the path towards the grounds' gates.

Catie stood there by herself for a moment, then headed back inside. Everything settled down. George and Ron were no longer fighting. Instead, George nudged Ron in the ribs when she entered, forcing Ron to his feet.

Ron walked towards her. "I'msurryiwentinwhereidonotbelonganditwillnothappenagain," he mumbled.

Catie smiled. "It's fine Ron... Guess I did go a little overboard with your head. By the way, how is it?"

Ron laughed. "'S fine."

George rose to his feet. "Now that everything is settled, we really need to go pack." Everyone grumbled and mumbled as they headed back towards the Common Room; no one seemed to want this year to end.

The train ride passed in a blur, though it was over four hours. Ron, Harry, Hermione, George, Catie, Lizz, and Roxas all squeezed themselves into one car. Harry and Ron spent the ride playing cards and wizard's chess while Hermione read her latest book. She looked up occasionly to shoot disgusted glances at Lizz and Roxas, who had been snogging since the train took off.

Catie and George sat themselves in a corner next to a window; Catie sat with her back against the wall, lying her legs over George's. She brought out her pad as a demand by George, reading countless songs she had written over the years.

When the train began to slow and passengers began to collect their belongings, Catie leaned her head against George's shoulder. He placed his arms around her shoulders, pulling her until she was curled up in his lap. Catie smiled as she placed her head against his chest and intertwined her fingers with his. It was the perfect moment.

"George?" Catie whispered, not wanting to ruin anything.

"Yes?" he whispered back in her ear.

"Promise me you'll write this summer."

George planted a quick kiss on the top of her head before answering, "Of course."

Just then, the train began to slow, and finally stop. They all grabbed their things and headed off the train together. When they emerged in the sunlight, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were there, waiting for their children. Off to the side, Hermione's parents stood, beaming at everyone passing by. Lizz's mom was standing by a bulletin board, reading certain things as her little sisters ran in circles around the pole. Finally, Mr. Dursley stood impatiently at his car, shouting incoherent things at Harry. Catie looked around, searching for her parents; they were nowhere to be seen.

The Weasley clan was the first to leave; George gave Catie a huge hug before departing, not wanting his parents to suspect anything between the two. Not yet, at least. Harry and Hermione left together, since both Hermione's parents and Vernon were next to each other. Lastly, Lizz said goodbye to Catie, heading over to her mom with Roxas, hand in hand. Her mom obviously wanted to meet the blonde-haired boy to approve. They left Catie standing alone in the station, looking for her parents.

After ten minutes of waiting, Catie made her way out in the bright sunlight and began her long trudge home. What a way to start the summer.