Author's note:Sorry for the long breaks between the chapters but for a while now I've been neck deep in my BA work, so it's kind of difficult for me to find time for my ff. Plus I could really use some help from a nice Beta, so if anyone would be as nice as to offer... I can promise loads of virtual chocolate and to be eternally grateful. Thanks for all the reviews (esmeralda023) and hope you have fun. - Martha
The age of fifteen is probably difficult for all teens. Catharina was no different as she started her fifth year. She grew a bit taller and her hair grew a little, but compared to some of the other girls from her house she was still a kid. Most of them started rounding up and not in the ate-too-much-pie way but the I'm-getting-sexy-and-I-know-it kind of way. But she didn't really pay too much attention to it as her head filled with plans of how to get the Marauders in detention.
Her enthusiasm dimmed a little during her train ride back to Hogwarts. First she had to stand being bossed around by the pompous Lucious Malfoy and then she was paired with Remus Lupin, of all people, to do her rounds with. And thanks to Avery she was left with all the first years to show around.
As far as surprises went, life had one more in store for her. After the first potions class of the term Slughorn had invited her to join 'him and a couple of bright young students, for a nice dinner and lively discussion' in his private quarters. It was all the more of a surprise, since the only people ever invited to the Club were either rich and influential or related to some famous witch or wizard. Or they were a famous witch or wizard in the making themselves. True enough she was a royal bastard of one of the most influential magical communities in the Eastern Europe, but she was sure that wasn't why she was invited. Slughorn already had Camilla in his clutches and she thought it satisfied his hunger for nobility. And as she never excelled at potions she couldn't really warrant for such an invitation. She just couldn't believe Slughorn was impressed with her school work in general. The very same day she noticed Snape giving her a nasty look during dinner. 'Gee, jealous, much?' she thought. She wasn't in the least bit happy about the invitation. Too much precious time lost on idle chit-chat. She would gladly give her spot up for Snape, but she knew that he'd rather die than take anything she gave him. Her life as a fifth year followed the familiar pattern that she created for herself in the last three years. With a couple of differences. Study, do the rounds with Lupin, study, go to the horrid soirées Slughorn organised for his 'Slug Club' and then study again.
'You really do like to study, don't you?' She was surprised to discover that remark was meant for her. She glanced up from the book she held and saw Remus Lupin standing in front of her.
'Not all of us can be as naturally brilliant as you, genius' she quipped at him. He sent her an easy smile and sat down beside her. She glanced at her charmed pocket watch and decided it was still a quarter before the next class started.
'So you come here early after lunch to read?' he was stubborn, and early in the year he somehow decided to make friends with her. And she didn't seem to have a choice in the matter. So she tried to ignore him every time they had rounds together, determined not to speak to him. He was a Marauder after all. But he told her jokes she couldn't help but laugh at and funny stories about Black and Potter. Contrary to what other people said about him he wasn't quite as shy as she believed him to be.
And so after a while they established an easy companionship, of sorts, and generally got along with each other.
'So what are you reading?' he asked . He could be really annoying sometimes. She sighed and closed the book. There would be no more reading for her, now that he decided he wanted to talk.
'A book, Lupin. You know, printed pages bound together and all that.' She sighed and looked at him. He was sitting there, at her desk in the back of the charms classroom, taller than her, with his tawny hair falling into his eyes, a nice smile tugging at his lips. He looked better today, not as tired and sickly. She smiled a small smile herself. 'You better run to your seat Remus. I told you time and again, you don't want your friends to see you with me.' His smile only broadened. 'You are my friend as well, Catharina' Her eyebrow arched and he laughed. He rose and still smiling like an idiot he sat in his usual seat.
At that precise moment Camilla and her entourage entered the classroom. As per her usual custom she ignored her cousin and sat chatting with the other snakes at the front of the room. Cat wasn't really unhappy that they drifted apart during their stay at Hogwarts. First of all because she'd rather jump from the Astronomy tower than sit there, with those girls, reading with excitement the newest 'Witch Weekly' and commenting on the gossip columns, and second of all, because she was used to it. People did that at her father's court all the time. One second you were best friends and the other you barely spoke to one another. A simple question of changing political alliances.
As it was Camilla found people whose company suited her better than Catharina's did.
People started filling into the room and she forgot all about her silly sentimental thoughts. Potter and Black strolled into the classroom laughing loudly. She rolled her eyes and turned to the front of the room where Professor Flitwick was starting a lecture on the use of the silencing charm.
She focused wholeheartedly on her work, not noticing that a student was missing from the room. At least not until Flitwick paused his lecture to say 'No worries mister Snape! Sit down, sit down!'.
She was surprised she didn't hear the latecomer. And then she noticed Snape standing by her desk, stiff and clearly annoyed. She decided it would be wiser just to ignore him. And she was right because the minute she turned away from him he put his bag by the desk and sat beside her. He took out some parchment and a quill, and trying to keep as far away from her as possible, begun taking notes. The lecture was an easy one. The Marauders were giggling on the other side of the room. Lupin glanced at her from time to time. Not having much to do, her thoughts started drifting away from the class.
After a while she found herself looking at Snape's hands rather than the professor. She watched in silent amazement the swift swishes of his writing. The gentle yet firm way he held the shaft of the quill. The precise movements of his wrist. It was the strangest sensation ever but she felt as if hypnotised. Suddenly she felt something hit her forehead. She snapped her head up and looked around puzzled. She saw Lily Evans looking intently at the small paper ball that hit Cat seconds before.
'Pass it to Severus' Evans mouthed to her. Shrugging she took the crumpled piece of paper and turned to Snape. She cleared her throat quietly but loud enough to get his attention. And he paid her no mind. She tried to make a 'psst' noise at him, also to no avail. Finally, a little irritated, she poked his arm. 'What?' he snapped at her angrily. Surprised, she could only hold out her hand with the paper and point at Evans, who was soundly ignoring them. At that Snape snatched the paper away and turned back to the professor. After he thought she was back to taking notes he unfolded the message, read it and then crumpled it again. All the while not a muscle moved in his face. Cat tried to concentrate for the rest of the lesson, and not to get annoyed when at the end of it, Snape jumped out of his seat and rushed out of the classroom as if she was a leper.
The rest of the day was as uneventful as any other normal day. After the curfew she found herself passing through dark corridors on the second floor admiring the waning moon reflected in the lake.
'Boo!' she heard from behind, and before she could scream a hand shot out from behind her and clasped around her mouth to stifle the sound. And that was how she found herself with her back plastered against Lupin's chest. She knew it was Lupin. Somehow even after she calmed down he was reluctant to let her go. He only released her after she struggled a little. She turned on him the instant she was free. 'What were you thinking?' She hissed angrily. Because she was angry. She didn't notice him and that annoyed her.
He flashed her that little smile of his and held his hands up apologetically. 'No need to get so angry' he seemed to be in a rather good mood. And it was probably contagious because suddenly she felt like giggling. And she did giggle, surprising Lupin. He stopped in his tracks and stared.
'What?' She asked a bit offended. She then felt herself blush. What was wrong with her? She spent the last three months, doing rounds with Lupin and never before had she felt so silly and self-conscious. Lupin just stared harder. Embarrassed she turned away from him and hurried down the corridor to get the patrol done with. He caught up with her soon enough, now somehow silent himself. 'What are you doing the next Hogsmead weekend?' he asked all of a sudden. Not thinking too much she replied 'I'll probably be studying, why?'. He stopped her and turned her to face him. She felt uncomfortable like that, but didn't want to move away least he feel insulted. 'Will you go with me?' He asked seriously. Now confused she asked 'Where?'. Lupin laughed. Then when she wanted to ask why he was laughing he kissed her.
It was just a simple kiss. Just his lips pressed against hers. It didn't last that long but to her it seemed a really long time before it ended. She felt the light, yet incredibly warm touch even after he pulled away, and blushing, looked at her.
She found herself just staring at him, dumbfounded. Then before he could say something or ask her out again, they heard an even more confused and surprised voice asking, ' Merlin, Moony! What was that?' And they turned to see Black and Potter standing behind them with some sort of cloak dropped to the ground at their feet.
