I was the beauty and he was the beast. I was the rose and he was the thorn. I love him with all of my heart but he wanted to push me away. Now I would follow him into the darkness, hoping he would give me a glance.

Summary

A beautiful girl with a secret she needed to keep. Who would ever accept that Katharine Keeler was in love with Severus Snape? Not her friends and especially not her mother. After a year of passion and romance he pushes her away and instead of running she follows him to the darkest part of his life. She wants to be with him, she wants him to love her and she would do anything for him. Even if that meant risking her own life.

Dark - charmer . xo : Sorry for the wait and sorry if it's not up to par with the others! I always get one chapter that gives me serious writer's block and this one is it! I am honestly trying struggling to get through the Goblet of Fire because the real excitment starts after this year! I tried my best, please don't judge too harshly. But of course I will always welcome comments with an open mind. Review! Tell me what you think even if its that you loved it, hated it or if it wasn't your favorite! Thanks to everyone who reviewed before- I appreciate them all!

I made my way across the ground towards Hagrid's place; lately I had been visiting him and having a tea while we dicussed magical creatures. After potions, magical creatures was my next best and favorite subject. Hagrid informed me last time we talked they he may have something interesting to show me today, so I was eager to get there to see what this thing might be. He smiled brightly when he saw me, as per usual let me into his home.

"Katharine, you are going to be excited when you hear about this." he seemed more excited to show me then anything. "We have to go into the forest though, so good thing you wearing the proper gear."

I did a silent thank you to myself as well; I had decided to wear tight legged pants and high boots with a simple, ravenclaw blue bloose rather as opossed to my teaching outfits.

We headed out, deep in the forest where I heard faint sounds of an animal I didn't regconize. As we neared closer, the air became hotter and the noises were louder. I looked over at Hagrid who still had a small smile on his face. We walked a little further till he pointed up ahead and instructed me to look through the trees. What I saw made me understand why he was so excited; never in my life had I imagained I would have been able to see one of these before.

A dragon; four to be exact.

"Oh wow!" I inched closer. I identified all the dragons with ease. "The Welsh Green, The Chinese Fire Ball, The Sweish Short Snout and the Hungrian Horntail." I pointed at each of them as I said their names. The Horntail looked particularly mean, not something I would want to mess with.

"Wait," I turned to Hagrid. "These aren't part of the first task are they?"

"'Fraid so Katharine. Harry will have his work cut out for him."

We didn't stay much longer; my head kept wandering to Harry battling with a dragon. I was afraid for him.

"You can't tell him Katharine, as much as I know we both want too." Hagrid instructed before I left.

"Is there anyway to let him know?" Hagrid didn't respond. "Hargrid, Harry has to at least prepare for this. Try and think of something."

He nodded. "If there is a way, he will know. Don't you worry about that."

The next day as I walked though the halls, doing rounds to make sure everyone was out of trouble and to kill time. The students were out and about and the first thing I noticed were the badges some wore on their shirts. Some were to cheer on the three older contenstants but quiet a few had 'Potter Stinks" labled clearly across it.

I stopped one of the fourth year students who said hello to me. "Honestly Mr. Willams, you think the badge is approprite?"

He shrugged his shoulder. "It's true. He's a cheat."

I let him walk away without a fight; I was glad that I had never been one of these kids who felt the need to follow whatever everyone else thought. I was about to stop another student who said hello when I heard the distinct voices of Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, clearly having an argument as per usual.

"I don't give a damn what your father thinks Malfoy." Harry was saying as I approached the group.

Draco stepped closer to him, clearly angered now.

"He's vile, cruel and you're pathetic." Harry turned to walk away and I saw Malfoy raise his wand. Before I could step in, Moody was already there,

"Hold it there sonny!" Moody had his wand raised to Draco quicker than he could say any spell. I don't think Draco expected it because his face looked terrified as his body began to change into a small, white ferret. Moody used his wand to levitate him around in the air; the ferret squealed loudly.

"I'll teach you to curse someone when their back is turned. You stinkin', cowardly, scummy, backstabbing..."

I hadn't seen her arrive, but McGonagall stepped in, tryin to assest the situation. "Professor Moody- what are you doing?"

"Teaching."

"Is that a student?!"

"Technically it's a ferret."

I tried to hide my laughter and somehow I managed to hold the sound back but my face was still turned up in a small smirk. McGonagall turned to me witha glare and the smirk was instant wiped off; I didn't feel like laughing after that. Draco was changed back after an adventure down his friend Goyle's trousures and ran away from the yard quickly, yelling that he was going to tell his father about all of what had happened.

"I could tell you stories about your father that would curl even your greasy hair, boy!" He was shouted, trying to chase after the group of boys.

"Alastor! We never use transfiguration as punishment. Surely Dumbledore told you that."

"He may have mentioned it."

"Well you will do well to remember it." we watched as Moody pulled Harry off while grumbling something under his breath. She turned her attention to me.

"I expect much more out of you Katharine," she shook her head ."Either way, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office."

I had escaped McGonagall's wrath but was being lead to Dumbledore's office for some unknown reason. Perhpas Severus had went to him? Telling himn everything and requested that I leave Hogwarts for good? But after everything that had happened the other night, him asking me to stay, why would he go and change his mind? No, I was sure this was about something else, it just had to be. I couldn't help but walk a little slowly,if Severus had gone and said something, I wanted to make sure I could live in the moment where he still loved me for a little while longer.

"Ah Katharine," he was looking out the window when I had arrived. "Lemon drop?"

"Oh no thank you Professor." I sat down at the desk and he joined, sitting across from me. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes yes." he took a lemon drop for himself. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Of me?" What could he want with me?

"Yes. I need you to also keep an eye on Harry. My dear friend Alastor has...well he is different and I can tell there is something wrong. I just can't put my finger on it. Naturally, I worry for Harry. I know you two have had history at the Qudditch World Cup so I figured he wouldn't think anything of it if you were checking up on him from time to time."

"Well not only that but I have noticed him being seperate from his friends. Spends his time with Neville Longbottom on occassion." it was true; since Harry's name was annouced he sat by himself in class, at meal times and walked around, keeping his head down.

"There, even more of a reason. The dark times are beginning again Katharine. I know you were still young when they happened before but I am sure you remember things about that time."

I nodded; burning houses, tears, screams. My mother was always watching out the window during those times. At the height of the war, we had went into hiding at one of the safehouses for the Order of Pheonix members which, I never understood truly. We were pureblooded and didn't have to fear any backlash for not being true witches. But I didn't argue with my mother- I just figured she was being extra protective of me.

"I'll do the best I can sir." I stood up and thanked him..

"Oh Katharine," I stopped and turned to him before leaving. There was a twinkle in his eye. "I'm glad you have choosen to stay with us."

"Of course, thank you again." So Severus had talked to him.

It made me wonder how much Dumbledore knew about exactly what was going on.

With everything that had been happeming, I barely had time to think about Severus though he was always in the back of my mind. Though I found him watching me the one day after class, while I cleaned up. When the students had left and I had finished I went to see if he needed anything else from me.

"No, I should be fine." he didn't look up from grading papers.

I went to leave but then stopped; I couldn't help but feel we had made it back to square one. Before we could at least talk and have full length conversations. Sure, he was at least respectful to me now but I longed for the days when we could at least talk about what potion would be a good idea to do next or even what I could do to help him.

"Severus." he looked up from his paper for a brief second and looked back down.

"What is it?"

I crossed my arms, a little angered that I didn't even deserve to get him to look at me as we talked. "Can I sit with you during the first task?"

He looked up now and was staring at me like I was crazy.

"As friends..." My voice trailed off into a hushed tone. "Not anything else."

I couldn't read what he was thinking. "That would be fine."

I let out the breath I had been holding and left quickly; at least we were getting somewhere.

I made my way to find Harry, who I had yet to really have a good talk with. I found him sitting the courtyard on a ledge while other students passed by him, snickereing and pointing. I tapped him on the shoulder, not to spook him since he was lost in thought. He looked up at me but, didn't smile, and gave a small greeting.

"Harry, I'd like to talk to you. Do you mind coming with me?"

He got up pretty quickly and followed me silently until I made it to the small office that I had been given when I started teaching. I didn't spend much time in it unless it was to talk to a student about their grade. It wasn't decorated but had two soft chairs on both sides of the desk.

"Harry, how have you been?" I started. "I know things haven't exactly been easy for you lately."

He shrugged. "It's fine."

"Do you have any ideas about the first task?" I changed, realizing that he wouldn't want to talk much about himself. He looked up at me, his eyes told me he was having a small debate in his head.

"Yes. It's dragons. One of the others told me." For some reason, I didn't believe him. I figured Hagrid found a way to get the information to him but I didn't push it.

"Dragons are mean creatures Harry. You must stay calm and think quickly in order to not get yourself killed. I know a few things about dragons. There are to be taken seriously."

He looked generally interesting in what I was saying now. "Especially that Horntail."

I smiled brightly. "One of the others told you about that too?" I gave him a look to tell him I knew he was lying. "It doesn't matter either way Harry. Do you have a plan?"

"I can use my wand to get my broom. Professor Moody talked to me about it."

"Perfect!" I clapped my hands together. "That's excellent. It seems like you have this all under control."

He stood up to leave. "Thank you Professor."

"It's no problem and Harry," I nodded. "You're friends, they will come around."

He looked down at his feet. "Yeah I hope so."

For his sake, I hoped so too. It was hard enough for him being put in this situation but to be alone while in it? Right there made it ten times worse. I watched as he left and shut the door behind him, imagianing what it was like for him. I had isolated myself for a good deal of my life, only have Addison as my only friend in the whole castle. She had other friends that she saw from time to time but I stayed away when she was around them. Perhaps I was too much like my mother that way; she had never had time for anyone it seemed either.

I glanced out the window; a cold front seemed to be coming in to mask over the warmer weather we had been having. It was fitting too since the next task was coming in the next few days

I made my way up the the booth where the Professors sat and food Severus next to Professor McGonagall. I took the spare seat next to him and nodded to him and McGonagall next to him, As well, Dumbledore sat at the end seat and I made a quick hello to him as well. Not too long after, Dumbledore stood up and began to speak to the crowd; his voice amplified so all could hear.

"Your attention, please. This is a great day for all of us. Each of the three tasks involves very considerable danger. Please keep your seats at all times..." he continued on until the roar of Swedish Short Snout drowned him out. He quickly finished and sat back down while I leaned over to Severus.

"Is there any word on exactly what the task will be?" I asked at him quietly.

"They have to get a golden egg from the dragon. Seems simple..."

"But it's quiet the opposite." I finished for him. "I know a fair but about the dragons Severus. If I didn't get the apprenticeship under you, I considered asking about Magical Creatures."

I realized then, we had never really talked about me and my past. I mean he knew somethings from oour banters while grading papers but we had never really spoke of my past, my fears and my dreams. He looked interested but at the same time trying not to be too obvious. I didn't call him out on it though, I figured that would ruin anything I had going good with him and cause him to be embarassed. I was about to continue on, telling him about my school life when we heard the cannons, signaling for the first task to begin.

Cedric Diggory walked out, looking nervous as he should. His wand was tightly clenched in his hand and the dragon sat patiently behind a rock, watching the egg from afar. Cedric walked slowly towards the egg as the Short Snout lifted its head and moved towards Cedric; everyone sat on the edge of their seats and quiet a few screamed as the dragon let out a blast of fire. Cedric, however was quick on his feet and moved behind a rock to dodge the blast. He held out his wand to the rock across from him and said a quick spell; the rock had changed into a dog and caught the dragon's attention. Cedric waited for a few moments before taking a dash towards the egg. Just before he grabbed it, the dragon caught sight of him and let out a large blast, catching Cedric in the face. However, despite that, Cedric held the golden egg tightly in his arms. The dragon was stunned and Cedric was picked up and rushed to the healers who sat off to the side.

The crowd went wild; Cedric had succeessfully gotten the egg in a short amount of time. He was standing back up within seconds, waving to everyone and the crowd loved it.

The Welsh Green was brought out next and soon after Fluer Delacour walked out looking more nervous then Cedric did. She was quicker then Cedric though and charmed the dragon to sleep with ease. She walked swiftly over towards the egg when the dragon snored out flames and Fluer's skirt caught on fire. She easily put out the flames and grabbed the egg while the Beauxbatons crowds cheered the loudest. Not as exciting as the others but everyone was amazed at Fluer's grace even while putting a dragon to sleep.

I watched the Chinese Fireball being dragged out and wished silently that Harry would appear before us. But Viktor Krum's face is what I saw instead; now I was fearful even more for Harry. He had somehow ended up with the cruelest looking dragon of them all. I looked over to Severus who looked over at me around the same time; he must have seen the worry in my face. I answered before he asked.

"I've seen the Horntail, he is the meanest of the bunch. I was hoping that Harry wouldn't end up with it." I wrung my hands together.

Severus gave a small snort. "Whatever Potter gets is his own fault for not training more."

I glared at Severus who still gave me the same look as before.

Viktor Krum did very well with his egg; he blinded the Fireball with a difficult curse. However, before Viktor could grab it, the dragon stepped on the egg and crushed part of it. When it was finished, Viktor had been docked a few points because of the state of his egg.

Finally, Harry walked out after the Horntail was set up. I suppose many in the crowd believed that he would fail but that didn't seem to stop everyone from being on the edge of their seats. Harry started to walk towards the egg, much like Cedric did when the dragon appeared from nowhere and attacked. Everyone gasps and I swore I saw Karakroff laugh under his breath. Hermione's voice rang from the crowd for Harry to use his wand; Harry pulled it out and summoned what we soon after found out was his broom. The dragon broke free and chased him; the sounds from the crowd were a mixed between gasps and cheers.

I felt my stomach turn; we couldn't see Harry anymore and that made me more fearful then seeing him fighting the dragon in front of me.

I felt a hand being placed on mine and I looked over at Severus who was staring straight. I barely got out his name when he laced his fingers with mine and squeezed gently. "Stop worrying, he will be fine."

Sure enough he was; as Harry came back in I let go of Severus's hand and jumped up with a cheer. It felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders as the crowds begin to leave the stands. Severus walked beside me as we made it to dinner and we even sat next to each other. I didn't hide the fact that I was enjoying his company and I knew we were getting quiet a few looks from the students and even some of the teachers.

"Thank you for tonight. I enjoyed your company." Severus and I walked the hallway together, heading towards the hallways that split off to our rooms.

"The feeling is," he let the words roll off his tongue. "Mutual."

This made my heart sing and the smile on my face was probably showing it. We reached the split in the hall, stopped and turned to each other. The smile had left and instead we were staring intensely at each other. I took a breath and stepped back from him, not wanting to push anything. "Well it was fun Severus. See you tomorrow."

"Katharine," his voice stopped me mid turn. I waited for him to say something but he didn't; he turned and walked away down the hall.

As if my body was on auto, I began to continue my walk towards my rooms and tried to ignoring my head which, was telling me that somehow I was beginning to win Severus back. If I gave myself too much hope, I was setting myself up for heartbreak again. But the way he looked at me, the way he grabbed my hand when I was scared.

I really couldn't help but hope.