Hello! Sorry that this is a day late. There was a family emergency that happened yesterday but everything's good now, and I'm back! So here's the next chapter that I had a lot of fun writing. I really like the idea of Lupin playing a roll in Emma's life. So he's in this chapter as is a bit of quidditch fun. I really hope you guys enjoy. Also make sure you review on this because it really is a big help!

Chapter 9- Cats and Catastrophes

The weeks of September flew in a blur, between keeping on the work load of classes, training with Callie, and early morning quidditch. Wood had decided that it was the year that we were going to win the house cup.

He told us so one Thursday evening, the first meeting as a full team. A quidditch team was composed of three chasers, two beaters, a keeper, and a seeker, making a total of seven players. All of us were seated in the locker room full of hot and stuffy equipment. It almost reminded me of the training rooms at camp.

"This is our last chance- my last chance- to win the Quidditch cup," Wood said, striding the lengths of the room. "I'll be leaving at the end of this year. I'll never get another shot at it.

"Gryffindor hasn't won for seven years now. Okay, so we've had the worst luck in the worl- injuries- then the tournament got called off last year…" Wood paused and Harry and I glanced at each other. The tournament had gotten canceled last year after yet another person got attacked by the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. "But," Wood continued, a manic glint in his eyes, "we also know we've got the best- ruddy - team - in - the - school.

"We've got three superb Chasers."

Wood gestured to where I was sitting with Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson, two girls who I befriended at the beginning of last year.

"We've got two unbeatable Beaters."

"Stop it, Oliver," Fred and George began in unison pretending to blush, "you're embarrassing us."

"And we've got a Seeker who has never failed to win us a match!" Wood said, his voice carrying a sort of furious pride. "And me," he said, almost as though he was an afterthought.

"We think you're very good, Oliver," George said.

"Spanking good Keeper," Fred added, grinning.

"The point is," Wood continued, going back to his pacing, "the Quidditch cup should have had our name on it these past two years. Ever since Harry joined the team, I've thought the thing was in the bag. But we haven't gotten it. But this year is our year! We have both Potters, we have the Weasleys, we have the two 'A's, and we will have the cup!"

"This is our year, Oliver," Alicia said.

"We'll do it!" Angelina added.

"Definitely," Harry and I added at the same time. The team laughed.

"Is that a sibling thing, then?" Wood asked.

"Yes," the Weasley twins intoned.

Filled with a determination only a team activity could bring, we started training three evenings a week. The weather was starting to get colder and wetter, the nights darker, but no amount of mid, wind, or rain could tarnish Wood's wonderful vision of finally winning the Quidditch cup. It reminded me strangely of capture the flag back at camp. But fewer swords. And blood. And a worse award.

The team was getting increasingly more and more irritable after more and more cold, tiring practices.

After one particularly awful practice, Harry and I were trudging back to the common room with Fred and George trailing behind us when we found the common room buzzing with anticipation.

"Everything alright?" I asked Ron and Hermione, coming up to them with Harry.

"First Hogsmeade weekend," Ron said, looking excited. "End of October. Halloween."

"Excellent!" Fred said while he and George grinned like lunatics. "I need to visit Zonko's. I'm nearly out of stink pellets."

Harry threw himself down in a chair next to me looking exhausted. I followed suit and then Fred and George were next to us.

"Quidditch?" Hermione asked, sitting in an arm chair.

"Wood's working us like a mile a minute," I said, grimacing while I stretched out a sore muscle. Training with swords required way different muscles than training in the air did. Now instead of just part of me hurting, all of me was hurting.

"I don't think I'll ever be dry again," George agreed.

"Oh stop your whining," Wood said, coming over to look at the board. "It's not that bad."

"Shut it, Oliver," Angelina said, pushing George over and squeezing herself onto the couch. Alicia did the same, causing the couch to become increasingly uncomfortable.

"Am I missing the party?" Ginny asked, walking over and joining Hermione.

"I'm sore," came Harry's response, muffled by the pillow he was pushed into.

"Well you don't look all that comfortable either," Ginny pointed out. "All six of you decided it would be a good idea to squeeze on the couch?"

"No," I replied, my face pushed into Alicia's shoulder.

"Team bonding!" came Wood's cheerful answer as he took a seat on the couch's arm.

"And down goes that idea," Fred said, standing and all of us went tumbling.

"Fred!" Angelina and Alicia cried as the former fell onto the latter. Harry and I ended up sprawled on the floor with George.

"Stop injuring my team, Weasley!" Wood called from his spot still perched on the arm.

"OI!" Ron screamed, yanking his bag, that still had an attached Crookshanks hanging off of it, up into the air. "GET OFF, YOU STUPID ANIMAL!"

"Ron, don't hurt him!" Hermione squealed as Ron swung the bag around. The whole common room had stopped what they were doing to turn and watch. Ron whirled the bag around again, and Scabbers came flying out.

"CATCH THAT CAT!" Ron cried as Crookshanks began to sprint after the terrified scabbers. Fred, the only standing member of our little group, made a lunge for Crookshanks but missed by a mile. Scabbers continued to run through legs before he shot beneath an old chest of drawers.

Crookshanks made furious swipes with his paws, trying to reach the trembling rat.

Ron and Hermione rushed over to where the cat and mouse chase was going on. Hermione grabbed Crookshanks and began to stroke his back before taking him away. Ron went flat on his stomach and after great struggling, managed to pull Scabbers out by the tail.

"Look at him!" Ron cried. "He's skin and bone! You keep that cat away from him!"
"Ron," Ginny said calmly. "He's a cat, and cat's. Chase. Rats."

"There's something funny about that animal!" Ron insisted, his face turning as red as his hair. "It heard me saying that Scabbers was in my bag."

"Oh what rubbish," Hermione said, speaking for the first time. "Crookshanks can smell him, Ron. How else do you think-"

"That cat's got it in for Scabbers," Ron cried. "And scabbers was here first. And he's ill!"

Ron marched through the common room and up the stairs, people chortling at him the entire way.

"I think he's completely lost it," George prophesied.

"I think we've decided that a while ago," Ginny agreed.

"You alright, 'Mione?" I muttered to the silent girl. Hermione didn't reply but instead opted to maker her way up the stairs and into her dorm.

"Well this should be fun," Harry muttered, crashing back onto the couch that Wood, Angelina, and Alicia had recently vacated.

"Do they do this often?" Fred asked, taking a seat of his own.

"Well they always are arguing," I replied.

"Why don't they just kiss already?" George asked, lounging back and laughing at all of our stunned faces.

O

That morning at breakfast, Ron and Hermione sat on opposite side of our little group, Ron throwing daggers at Hermione and Hermione sending tentative glances when Ron wasn't working. Breakfast was so tense that it was almost a relief when Ginny and I bade them farewell and went to Defense.

For the first time in my entire Hogwarts career, I couldn't focus during class. I went through Defense, Herbology, and Runes memorizing the information but not hearing it. By the end of class, I was starving and half asleep.

"Are you alright?" Ginny asked while we walked to the common room.

"I'm fine," I replied, taking a breath. "Or maybe I'm not," I said as my vision started to dance with white, than go completely black.

Now if there was one thing I will never in my life stop hating, it's demigod dreams. Or demigod blackouts, I guess.

My vision started to regain color, but it felt like I was looking at things from above. Below me was a large room with a large throne like chair in the center. Seated in it was a shadowy figure, cloaked in darkness. A door swung open, revealing Kyle, his black hair as dark as the shadowy figure.

"You called?" His voice was as smooth as I remembered.

"Is that how you address me now?" the figured mused from the chair.

"I'm sorry, master," Kyle said, slight sarcasm in his voice.

"You seem tense Mr. Gillian," came the figures response. "I take it you haven't talked to your girlfriend?"

"She's not my girlfriend," Kyle gritted out. "And… I'm getting to it. It's kind of hard to get to her while she's at school."

"We've discussed this," the figure said. Do it when the security is most lax. We need her on our side, and fast. Before she figures out-"

The image cut out and shifted to one that I was familiar of. Halfblood hill came barreling into view and my vision stopped short on a huddle of figures.

"How long?" came a voice I recognized. Lizzy, older than she was when I last saw her, was standing in full battle armor.

"Four days," Sammy said, also in full armor.

"And how's Emma," Lizzy said, a hint of fear creeping into her voice.

"Still in capitated," Michaela answered.

"I can't believe I'm saying this," Lizzy heaved, "but we need backup. We need more people. We need Emma. Now. I need to get to London."

My vision cut out again and switched to the grounds of Hogwarts. I flew over the forbidden forest and landed by the lake. Black, cloaked dementors flew over the lake and straight to the shore. I focused in on four of the figures huddled there, two passed out and two struggling to their feet. I saw myself, wand flashing, white smoke emitting from the tip. Harry was next to me, pale and shaking, just like I was. Crumpled on the ground were Hermione and a figure with matted black hair. His face was masked by the ground, obscuring his features. Dementors came swooping down, down, down, until… everything went black.

O

"Do you think she'll be alright?" came a voice that somewhere in my groggy mind I recognized.

"She just… collapsed."

"She looks so small."

I peeled open my eyes, fumbling around for my glasses.

"Here," came a voice, directly to the right of me. I reached towards them and put my glasses on my face. Multiple faces swam into view, all looking worriedly down at me.

"Are you alright, Emma?" Ginny said from my left. I turned and found her seated on a chair next to me.

"Y-yeah, of course," I answered. "What happened?"

"You sort of… collapsed," Ginny answered for me. I felt pressure on both of my hands and found both my brother and best friend squeezing them.

My stomach grumbled and suddenly I felt hunger and pain both hit me at the same time. The back of my head started to throb with an unrelenting pain.

"You missed dinner," Colin said, passing me an apple.

"Thanks, Colin," I said, taking a bit and finding my head throb more.

"I need all of you to leave," Madame Pomfrey said, bustling out. "She needs rest, and you are all way passed the maximum allowance anyway."

Grumbling and groaning, my friends left, leaving me with Ginny on one side and Harry on the other. Pomfrey came over and began to feel my head, take my pulse, and so on.

"You have a mild concussion. I can give you a few things for the pain, but no quidditch for three weeks and no classes for the rest of the week." Pomfrey continued to run tests while I sat there, dumbstruck.

"But- but it's Monday!" I argued. "That means four days out of classes."

"And you're lucky it isn't more," Pomfrey agreed. "Ms. Potter you have a concussion. And seeing as you have no ability to heal other than a muggle, you are going to rest for the next week or you will be out of classes much, much longer."

"Isn't there any way we can figure this healing thing out?" I asked, heaving a sigh.

"I have talked to your… camp director, and I would suggest magical meditation," Pomfrey replied. "At least an hour a day in quiet meditation attempting to make peace between both your magical and godly sides."
"That makes no sense, though," I replied. "It's just, well, blood."

"The way I see it," Pomfrey began, "is like two forces. Your magical force which allows you to perform magic, and your godly force. They're like two strings that are currently intertwined and trying to cover the other. You need to separate them, allow them to work together instead of one being dominate."

"It sounds very… wishy washy," Ginny said. "Like… mystical."

"Oh so like how being a wizard or being half god sounds?" Pomfrey asked. "And didn't I say that everyone needs to leave."

Harry and Ginny began to protest. Eventually, Pomfrey relented, allowing Harry to stay since he was family, but forcing a grumbling Ginny out.

O

I spent the week in the hospital wing in total boredom. I attempted to do the meditation thing that Pomfrey had suggested to no avail. Since classes were in session, I only got to see my friends before or after them. But, eventually, Madame Pomfrey released me back into the hustle and bustle of things with a pounding headache and a concerned older brother who refused to leave me be.

"I swear to you, Harry. I am alright!" I protested on Halloween morning.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked, following me down to breakfast.

"I promise you that you can go to Hogsmeade and not have to worry about me passing out in the middle of the halls. I mean, it's been two weeks, Harry!"

"And Pomfrey said you won't be completely ok until at least 3, probably four weeks," Harry replied, turning a corner a few paces behind me.

"I'll watch her," Ginny said as we sat down at the Gryffindor table.

"I'm not a two year old in need of a babysitter," I said, frustratedly.

"But you are like a two year old on the inside," Anthony said from farther down the table.

"Harry, I think Anthony is making my head hurt more," I said. "Maybe you should yell at him."

"Wouldn't that have the opposite effect?" Michael asked, a small smile tugging on his lips.

"Go to Hogsmeade," I said to Harry, standing up with a piece of toast clutched in my hand. "I, on the other hand, have a meeting with Professor Lupin. I will see you," I kissed the top of his head, "at the feast."

I walked out of the great hall, waving to Callie and Tessa when I passed them. Callie got up and joined me while I made my way through the halls.

"Where you off to, supergirl?" Callie asked.

"Lupin's," I answered. "I have a meeting with him. What have you been up to? How are classes?"

"Tough," Callie answered. "Binns is probably the worst."

"I don't understand why you all hate him," I groaned. "History is great."

"Yeah, sure Emma. Anyway, how are you feeling?"

I shot Callie a long glance. "Did Harry put you up to this?"

Callie turned red and looked down. "Emma rotecton sod," was the sounds that came out of her mouth.

"Again," I said, with an annoyed look.

"Emma protection squad," Callie said. "At least, that's what Tessa and I call it. Harry has us all watching you certain days of the past two weeks."

"I am going to kill him." I went to turn back to the great hall before realizing that at this point, they were all probably at Hogsmeade. "I am going to kill him when I get back," I amended, making my way to Lupin's office, trying to shake off Callie.

"He's just worried about you!" Callie called after me, but I slipped through a couple of bodies and found myself in a corridor without Callie.

I silently cursed Harry and his over protectiveness. I get that he was just trying to help, but I've been through a lot worse than a few nightmares and blackouts.

"Emma! Emma wait up!"
"Astoria I swear if you're here because of Harry, I will curse you into oblivion," I said to the blond girl behind me.

"Don't worry. It's Callie's day anyway. Mine's not until Monday," Toria answered, swinging her arm over my shoulder. "I'm just sick of being with Slytherins."

"Well I have a meeting with Lupin so I'm afraid I have to let you down," I told her, turning a corner and finding myself outside of the professor in questions door.

"I hate you," Astoria groaned.

"Go hang out in the Gryffindor common room with Ginny till I get back," I told the grumpy blond. She huffed and turned away, leaving me at Lupin's door.

I raised a hand to knock, but the door swung in before I had the chance. "Emma!" Professor Lupin said, a smile on his face. "Come on in."

"Thanks professor," I said, a smile playing on my lips.

"Would you like some tea?" Lupin asked over his shoulder. "I was just about to put a pot on."

"You don't happen to have coffee, do you?" I answered, taking a seat at the table in his office.

Lupin made a disgusted face. "You like coffee?"

"You like tea," I defended.

"Yes, but coffee?" I nodded. "Fine," Lupin replied. He bustled around for a few minutes before sitting at the table with a cup of tea and a cup of coffee. "Do you at least want milk and sugar?"

"Of course not," I said, grabbing the mug and taking a sip. "That ruins the taste completely." The professor shook his head disapprovingly.

"You know, sometimes I think you're exactly like your parents, but then you do things like this," Lupin said, sighing.

I nearly dropped the mug. "You-you knew my parents?"

"Yes," Lupin said, a hint of sadness coming to his eyes. "I knew Lily and practically lived with James and Kate on occasion. You look nearly identical to Kate with your red hair and grey eyes. And you have your Uncle's-Father's Mischief."

"You knew them well then," I said.

"James, Lily, and I were all in the same year and Kate was one below us," Lupin explained. "James and I were together a lot when we were teens."

"Professor," I said tentatively, "Do you… I was wondering if you knew about my true father-"

"Emma," Lupin said kindly, "I know. I know where you really go in the summer."

I nodded my head. "Do you know how I ended up in America?"

"You weren't supposed to," Lupin said, his eyes hardening. "You were never supposed to. Dumbledore chose where you went, but you're parents wanted you and Harry to go with your god parents. You were supposed to end up with me."

"You-You're my… godfather?" I asked incredulously.

"I am," Lupin answered.

"And you're just opting to tell me this now?" I said, feeling giddy. It felt nice, going from having no family to having a brother and a godfather all in less than two years.

"The, um, time hasn't been right," Lupin said, going red. "On a different note, I'm guessing you didn't come here to talk about your parents, Emma."

"Um, no I didn't," I said, shifting slightly on my feat. "I was wondering… you know that spell you used on the train-the one to ward away the dementors? I was wondering if you could, um, teach it to me?"

"That spell is very difficult," Lupin said thoughtfully. "Most of age wizards can't even produce the patronus charm. I'm not sure if it's the best idea."

"But that wasn't what I was asking," I told the professor. "I don't care if it's a good idea, I want to know if you will do it. The way those dementors affected me isn't something I'm keen on experiencing again."

"It's a difficult spell, Emma," Lupin repeated. "Very difficult."

"Professor, my life is the definition of difficult," I told him. "I'm willing to work towards this spell and do whatever it takes for me to learn this spell. Now, are you willing to teach it to me or not?"

Before Lupin could answer, there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," Lupin said pleasantly. The door open, and in came Snape. I felt my mood immediately shift towards the worse. It seemed that Snape had similar feelings, as his black eyes narrowed to slits.

"Ah, Severus!" Lupin said, smiling. "Thanks very much. Could you leave it on the desk, please?" Snape's eyes narrowed even more at Lupin's cheerful tone. His slits passing off as eyes switched between Lupin and me.

"Emma and I were just having some tea," Lupin said kindly.

"Coffee," I supplied. "Tea is, quite plainly, rubbish." Lupin shook his head sadly at this statement.

"Fascinating," Snape said in his usual bored tone. "You should drink that directly, Lupin."

"Yes, yes I will," Lupin replied.

"I made an entire cauldron full in case you need more," Snape continued.

"Yes, I should probably take some more tomorrow," Lupin said pleasantly. "Thanks very much, Severus."

"Not at all," Snape said, his eyes flicking towards my face. He swiped his eyes up and down in an obvious look of distaste and… something else. I caught his glance and matched it with a glare of my own. We both stared at each other for a couple of seconds before Lupin cleared his throat politely and Snape left, unsmiling and watchful.

I glanced curiously at Lupin who smiled back.

"Proffessor Snape has kindly concocted a rather difficult potion for me. One that I couldn't dream of making for myself. I've never been much of a potioneer myself."

"I'm not much of one either," I replied. "I guess it does happen if you can't read the instructions on the board."

"Ah yes, I heard about that," Lupin said, swirling the goblet a bit.

"What's the potion for, Professor?"

"Well I've been feeling a bit off color lately. This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to have a potioneer like Snape around to help me out. Most people aren't up to making it."

"That's… nice," I said, slightly confused as to what potion it may be. Most of the time when we were feeling sick, Madame Pomfrey gave us a pepperup potion, which is fairly simple for any advanced potioneer.

Lupin took a small sip and shuddered slightly. "Pity sugar makes it useless."

"You can try supplements," I supplied. "Like… splenda or something."

"What's splenda?" Lupin asked.

"It's like- do you really not know what splenda is?" I said, shaking my head. Lupin took another sip from his goblet.

"And you like coffee. I guess we're both a bit strange."

"Oh you haven't even started to see strange," I sighed, leaning back in my seat and draining my coffee.