Disclaimer: I solemnly swear I do not own Harry Potter or anything associated with J.K Rowling. Disclaimer managed.

Chapter Nine

The school was bustling with excitement as they hurried to get back to their respective dorms. Snow covered the ground in a thick layer, with still more falling in little flakes. They chattered with each other happily, arms laden with shopping bags.

Catherine's arms were laden with bags, though not with those from shopping. She'd packed all of her possessions in her trunk and carried it out with Remus's help. Lily had already said her goodbyes and was currently eating lunch with James. Sirius and Peter were busy pulling pranks and weren't very good at goodbyes anyway.

"You'll be coming back on time, right?" Remus questioned as he set down one of her trunks. He could see her mother waiting for her in some kind of flying car.

"Yeah, I should be." She smiled up at him. "I'll see you when you come home for break."

"Yeah." He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Be safe." He whispered before pulling back.

"See you soon, Remus." She gave a slight smile, turning and walking towards the car. As she reached to open the door, she called out, "I asked Amanda Bayne if she would go to the Yule Ball with you!" She smirked at the surprised look on his face. "Widen your horizons a bit, Remus; she said yes." The door to the car shut with a slam and the thing took off, leaving Remus thoroughly stunned. Catherine smiled faintly, wondering what would happen in the week they were apart.

"Dear, would you like some food when we get home? Pinky is making a roast." Her mother questioned in a sweet voice as she straightened the collar of Catherine's cloak.

"Sure." Catherine replied, turning her face towards the window. She couldn't see much besides the clouds and the blue of the sky, but she didn't want to face her mother right then. She knew the only reason she was preparing such a delicious meal was because they would be having guests. The guest of honor was one who had been a repetitive guest in their house, almost a constant presence.

He was well-known, older but handsome. He had power beyond imagination and the coldest personality of anyone she'd ever met. He would kill you on the spot if you displeased him, though sometimes he preferred to torture within an inch of life. He was becoming even more renowned, too, with a title to match his personality: the Dark Lord.

Her mother had been strictly against the Dark Lord and everything he stood for, going so far as to burn anything that had his name on it. Then Catherine's father had grown ill and the treatments stopped working. He feel into a deep coma and the doctor's said they couldn't do anything about it. They let him sleep on, trying to ignore the fact that he was dying slowly each day.

He had approached them with an offer; his life in exchange for a refuge. He promised to heal him to the point where it was as if he was never sick, returning him to them if they gave him a safe house. Catherine's mother had agreed wholeheartedly; anything to get her husband back. Catherine never accepted it, never wanted him anywhere near them. She had no say in any of it because she was underage. Even now, being of age in the Wizarding community, she couldn't do anything; it was too late.

Her father wasn't getting any better, but rather it was as if the sickness had stopped completely. He never woke up, never moved, and Catherine was sure that if he knew what was happening that he would wish he was dead. The Dark Lord in his house? He wouldn't stand for it. Wouldn't accept the horrible things that went on inside the walls of their home.

Remus would be coming in a week and, with His presence a constant, it wouldn't be long before he realized what had been happening in those years since she'd forbidden him to come to her house. He would want to see her more often, would want to come over and sneak into her room like he used to when they were young; she wouldn't be able to keep it a secret any longer.

She realized long ago that Remus would never be hers. She'd given up hope the moment the Dark Lord had walked through the door's of her home. Her life was set out before her with no room for change. She knew Remus could never love her and that their friendship would be over the moment he found out.

She had just hoped she could put off the inevitable for as long as she could.

A/N: Oh, what's this? A little twist in the plot? Yep. Well, I'm off to write the next chapter now.