A/N: Hey guys! I'm so close so very very close to completing this story it's all very nerve racking for me. Also I think this is the longest chapter I have written for this story so double wow there for me at least. Let me know what you readers think! =)

Krista let out a long yawn as she rolled onto her back and stretched her tiny body where she laid on the comforter beside the Slytherin prince.

Staring up at the dark ceiling Krista gave a long sigh, 'This will be the third day,' she thought sadly. She couldn't believe it. It seemed so long ago that she found herself turned into a cat. Who knew how much longer she would have to remain so; at least until she was able to reach her friends again? And then there was the question of how long it would take before they would figure it out? By her reaction last night it was only too clear that Becca hadn't a clue to who she was. This train of thought about her situation only caused her to feel depressed. Feeling the bed shift Krista looked upside down to see Malfoy roll over to face her side of the bed, still asleep.

'At least there is one up side to all this,' Krista thought with a small smile. Originally, at the start of this mess, she remembered how she wasn't exactly thrilled at the thought of being taken in by Malfoy of all people. But now Krista was kind of glad he did. She was able to find out some interesting things during her stay with him. Looking at him now Krista realized that this was the first time that she had woken up before him. Malfoy looked surprisingly peaceful showing no hint of the scowl he usually wore around the school. His platinum blonde locks were tousled this way and that sticking out in odd directions. It was almost too funny to see his usually perfect hair all messed up. Krista could also hear just the smallest snore coming from his mouth.

'Oh, that's rich,' she laughed on the inside. Yes, Draco Malfoy was something else indeed. Sitting up now Krista looked down at his handsome face. Never before being this close she took the time to stare openly at him. She could see every delicate blond eyelash, the tiny ghost wrinkles around his eyes, and even the light layer of stubble that was starting to grow in.

Suddenly, she found herself staring into a pair of stormy grey eyes. 'Eeeeep!' Krista tumbled back in surprise. She heard his deep chuckle as she regained her composure mortified at being caught in the act.

"Well, good morning to you, too," he greeted still somewhat in a daze from just waking up. Malfoy reached a hand over to lightly ruffle the hairs on her head. He seemed to be surprisingly in a good mood compared to the times Krista had seen him in the Great Hall for breakfast. Malfoy had always appeared either grumpy or bored.

Malfoy looked over at the clock that hung on the far wall, "Bloody hell, is that the time?" he exclaimed sitting upright. "I'm going to be late for potions," he said jumping out of bed and darting around the room to get his stuff together before heading out the door to quickly do his morning bathroom routine.

'Potions? Becca is in that class,' she thought excitedly. If she could just get to that class then she would be able to try and get her friend's attention once more. Malfoy soon returned already in his school uniform before snatching up his book bag and leaving once again. But as the door closed behind Malfoy, Krista's hopes where instantly deflated only to rise again as the door bounced back open. It seemed that the latched on Malfoy's door was a little stubborn and in his rush Malfoy didn't pay enough attention to close it properly.

'Works for me,' Krista thought not wasting a second as she made a beeline for the door. Hopefully, in this escape she wouldn't run into Gilbert.

Sitting in the Great Hall for breakfast Becca and Luna were in deep conversation about what had transpired in Becca's Divination class yesterday. They hadn't seen each other much the other day so Becca had not been able to tell Luna about Professor Trelawney's pitiful trip into the "beyond". Also, because Becca had been in the library working with Malfoy on that paper for Trelawney late last night the two hadn't had the chance to really talk to one another.

"So what exactly did Professor Trelawney say again?" Luna asked intrigued about hearing precisely what the Divination teacher had said.

"She said that Krista was in a cold, drafty place and that she smelled catnip. Honestly, she really had me going there for a minute," Becca shook her head in disbelieve. Professor Trelawney was such an odd teacher, indeed.

"Interesting," Luna said tapping her chin deep in thought.

"It was ridiculous!" Becca corrected her.

"Not ridiculous at all," Luna waved off, "It's better than working from nothing."

"If you say so," Becca sighed as she looked at the clock. "Shoot, look at the time. I have to get to Potions before Snape starts deducting points. Where are you off to?"

Luna swirled her glass of pumpkin juice, "I'm going to go check on something."

"Alright, I'll catch you later."

Swinging her book bag over her shoulder, Becca exited the Hall leaving Luna to the thoughts turning in her wondrous mind.

"Hmmmm, I wonder…" Luna spoke softly before she herself got up from her seat and made her way out into the corridors.

With Malfoy's error of not shutting his door properly Krista was able to follow him silently for a time before losing him in the maze of corridors of the dungeon. Blast him and his long legs. Krista didn't want to waste time getting lost down here. She was barely able to make her way out the first time.

'Damn it! Why does he have to walk so bloody fast?' she wondered as she scrambled to catch up to him.

"Meow."

Krista immediately recognized that meow. 'Oh, no. Not again!' she screeched not daring to look at what she already knew was behind her. 'Run, Krista, run like the wind!'

Running down the corridors Krista had to rely on nothing but luck to guide her out of this labyrinth. Coming up to a fork in the path Krista took a sharp right just barely avoiding crashing into a pair of black stocking covered legs before picking up her pace.

The girl looked at the pair scurry past her as they continued down the hallway.

"Krista?"

In the cold and dreary room that served as their classroom Becca sat quietly in her assigned seat at her group table. Here she knew a few others from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Across the room sat Malfoy with his goons and Parkinson.

"Hey, Draco," Zabini nudged his arm, "What's up with Odeir over there giving you the evil eye?"

Malfoy glanced over at her table and attempted to stare Odeir down, but she didn't even bat an eye at him as she stood her ground. Getting bored of the exchange Malfoy was the first to look away.

"I don't know, possibly just blaming me for her temper tantrum yesterday."

Professor Snape walked briskly into the room.

"Turn to page two-hundred and forty-eight," he spoke sharply, "Today you will hopefully learn to properly make a Wit-Sharpening potion. Do try not to fail in this assignment, which I am sure most of you will do. You have precisely one hour before I come around to evaluate your…"

Hearing a crash at the back of the room Professor Snape broke off his speech snapping his cold eyes to the doorway to see two blurs of screeching fur come dashing into the room. Identifying them as cats Snape watched as the two raced around the room causing havoc as they went. Jumping on stools and tables, knocking over cauldrons and scattering potion indigents everywhere. Soon students began tripping over their own feet with all the commotion.

In the mist of all the panic Krista was able to escape Gilbert for the moment before being snatched up.

"Gotcha you little rascal," Krista heard being whispered recognizing the snatcher as Malfoy. Before she knew it Krista found herself being stuffed gently into his bag before he hastily pulled the flap down.

"Silence!" Snape barked as he found himself once again levitating the same cat from just the other day. Everyone immediately froze in place as Snape's attention instantly snapped to Parkinson.

"Ms. Parkinson!" Snape growled, "Did I or did I not warn you about what just might happen if I found this flea bag of yours in my presence again?"

Pansy was ghost white at feeling Snape's full fury on her, "I…"

Before Pansy was able to wheeze out a reply an unexpected visitor strolled into the room.

"Ms. Lovegood!" Snape said turning his attention onto the Ravenclaw, "What business do you have in my classroom?"

Luna appeared to be unaffected by Snape's tone of warning, "Forgive me, Professor, I just…"

Hearing the voice of her friend Krista couldn't hold herself back as she popped out of Malfoy's bag and jumped straight to her friend's feet.

"There you are!" Luna exclaimed happily as she picked up Krista. "I thought I saw you come in here," she said practically beaming at the cat.

Snape glowered at her, "Does that cat belong to you, Ms. Lovegood?"

"No, I don't own her, Professor."

"Then whose is it?" he growled in frustration.

Luna steadily walked up to Snape completely immune to his intimidating stance.

"Sir, it's Krista," she whispered.

Snape gave her an odd look before looking down at the cat nestled in her arms, "Autwin?"

All Krista could do was blink here big amber eyes at him while Luna simple nodded her head in response.

"Very well," Snape said, the heated tone slowly leaving his voice, "Ms. Lovegood, Ms. Odeir, and Mr. Malfoy follow me," he instructed as he headed for the door before addressing the class, "When I return I expect to find this room spotless. Or else."

Malfoy sat motionless for a moment before following after the girls confused as to why Professor Snape would want him to come. He hadn't done anything. Barely keeping up with the fast pace that Professor Snape set and seeing the two Ravenclaws dragging not far behind Malfoy chose this moment to speak up.

"Professor, I don't see why I have to come along. I didn't do anything."

Snape didn't even bother to so much as glance in his direction, "Don't play the fool, Mr. Malfoy. Don't think I didn't notice you placing that cat into your book bag."

Seeing has how he was caught in the act of it, Malfoy for the remainder of the trip, stayed silent.

Snape led the three students directly to Professor McGonagall's office who was sitting craned over her desk grading papers.

Noticing that she had visitors Professor McGonagall looked up from her notes and addressed those before her. "Yes, Professor Snape? What brings you to my office?"

"Ms. Lovegood here assures me that she has located our missing student."

Surprised at hearing this pleasant news McGonagall looked to Luna, "You have found Ms. Autwin, Ms. Lovegood?"

"You found Krista?" Becca exclaimed upon hearing this.

"Yes, Professor," Luna smiled.

"Well, then where is she?" she asked clearly confused that if Luna had indeed found Krista then why wasn't she here with them.

"She's right here," Luna told her as she held up the small patched kitten in her arms.

Becca was clearly shocked at this tidbit of information, "Krista?" she choked out.

'Autwin?' Malfoy panicked at the mere thought of the possibility. 'No, it couldn't be,' the idea of it was just ridiculous to his ears. Perhaps Looney Lovegood had really fallen off her rocker this time. Still the thought of it did not settle well with him.

Professor McGonagall surveyed the students before her, "Well, I understand why Ms. Odeir and Ms. Lovegood are here, Professor Snape. So I must ask you how Mr. Malfoy fits into all this?"

Snape explained the chaos that had erupted in his class, "In my class I saw Mr. Malfoy place this cat, that we are assuming is Ms. Autwin, into his book bag. I figured it a safe enough guess that he was somewhat involved in this."

"Mr. Malfoy?" she looked at him expectantly for an explanation.

With all curious eyes on him now and the sharp look that McGonagall was looking at him with, Malfoy saw that he really had no choice but to tell them. "Look, alright, I found that cat out on the grounds three nights ago and I've been looking after it."

Becca scoffed at this, "You looked after a little wee kitty cat?"

Malfoy snarled at her, "I admit it alright, but that's not Autwin."

'It can't be,' he thought.

"Only one-way to find out, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said as she made her way around from the back of her desk stepping in front of Luna. "May I, Ms. Lovegood?"

Luna handed her friend over to the Transfiguration teacher who took a few steps back where she placed the feline on the stone floor. With a wave of her wand Professor McGonagall wordlessly cast her spell.

In an instant the room whirled around Krista before coming to a sudden standstill.

"Whoa," Krista said hoarsely finding it strange to hear her own voice once again after so long. Returning to her original size she felt very disoriented and she nearly tipped over before Professor McGonagall up righted her to keep her from falling.

Krista was barely able to find her footing before the breath was knocked out of her.

"Krista!" Becca called at a run as she hugged her dear friend in mid collision.

"Hey! Careful," she warned playfully, "By the way, I'm gonna hang onto you until the room stops spinning." Being back to her original height everything felt very strange. It would take her some time to get use to being back to normal.

"For Merlin's sake!" Becca exclaimed as she pulled back a little, "No wonder we weren't able to find you."

Malfoy looked on disbelievingly at the scene before him. There, right in front of him, where the little rascal he had been caring for the last few days had sat now stood Krista Autwin. An icy fear shot through him as bits of memories flashed before his eyes. Finding the kitten, saving it from Gilbert, the comfort he had found with it, and worst of all every word of conversation that he had confided in it, he now instantly regretted. He had unknowingly told Autwin everything that he had never wished for her to hear.

"Are you alright, Ms. Autwin?" Professor McGonagall asked with great concern evident in her voice.

"I think so. The only thing I can really complain about is that I'm finding it a bit difficult to stand on my two feet at the moment."

"Oh, please sit then, my dear," directing her to a chair in front of her desk.

Sitting down Krista felt the dizziness start to fade a bit, but not quite completely. At least she no longer had to worry about colliding with the floor.

"Now, Ms. Autwin," Professor McGonagall began, "as happy as I am to see that you are well and safe, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you a few questions. What is it that you remember?"

"I…" Krista thought for a long moment as she tried to look back on the events that occurred for the past three days as a cat running about the castle. As hard as she tried she found her memory to be clouded in a haze that she couldn't break through.

"I don't know," she admitted.

'What?' Malfoy thought.

"You don't remember?"

No, that wasn't true, there were a few snippets that she did recall. "I remember sitting on a hillside. It was Sunday and I was outside... I know that much and I know I was a cat these past few days but…"

"But what, dear?" Professor McGonagall encouraged placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"It's like… it's like all I remember is the first few moments when I was turned and when I was turned back just now. Everything else is all blurry. I know that I was a cat but the memories… they just aren't there, Professor."

"I was afraid that might be the case," Professor McGonagall sighed sadly.

"What do you mean?" Krista asked.

"When someone uses transfiguration on a person there are times when that person's memory might be clouded over the events that occurred during that time," she explained.

"So we might never know who it was that spelled her?" Becca asked.

"Actually, a student has recently claimed fault for the deed," Professor McGonagall announced before turning her attention on Snape.

"Professor Snape, would you please bring Mr. Jamie Lvie here, if you will?"

"Of course," he replied obviously detesting the idea of being sent off like an errand boy.

Sooner than expected, Professor Snape returned with a young boy. This student looked to be a first year with shaggy dirty-blonde hair, frightened green eyes, and with the crest of Hufflepuff stitched on the lapel of his black robes.

"Mr. Lvie, Professor McGonagall."

"Thank you, Professor Snape," she said as she waved the boy over. He didn't hesitate to come stand by her eager to escape the presence of the Potions teacher. "Mr. Lvie here came to me earlier today to confess that he was the one who accidentally placed the spell on you, Ms. Autwin."

"Accidently?" Becca asked with a touch of disbelieve.

"Mr. Lvie will more than happy to explain that," Professor McGonagall said patting the lad on the shoulder.

"Lvie?" Krista asked as she took a hard look at the boy, "You're… You're Owen's little brother, aren't you?" Her ex Daniel's best friend was Owen Lvie a sixth year like Daniel who was also housed in Hufflepuff. In the few months that Krista had known him she never recalled Owen mentioning that he had a little brother.

When Jamie spoke his words came out in such a rush that Krista had a hard time keeping up with what he was saying. "Yes. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it honestly. I just wanted to try a spell I found in one of my brother's books. I didn't mean for it to backfire the way it did."

"Practicing advanced magic? Tsk Tsk," Snape murmured disapprovingly.

"Indeed," Professor McGonagall agreed, "Mr. Lvie was practicing magic well beyond his experience. The boy thought that he had cast a vanishing spell on you, Ms. Autwin, before fleeing the scene. We were just in the process of preparing a complex locator spell to find you. Use of such advanced magic, especially in the hands of a first year, is intolerable here at Hogwarts. Proper punishment will be given and a letter sent home explaining the situation."

"I'm sorry," Jamie apologized again looking shamefully down at the floor.

Krista wasn't sure exactly what she should say. Ya, she was obviously none too happy about being a cat for these past few days, but what could you say to a first year who didn't know better? "Just be more careful next time, Jamie. Oh, and wait till you're older to learn the more complicated spells, alright?"

"Yes," he agreed instantly.

"Alright now, Mr. Lvie, why don't you return to your dorms and don't forget that you start detention with Professor Sprout tomorrow after class," Professor McGonagall strictly reminded him.

"Yes, Professor," he replied before scurrying for the exit.

Becca waited for the boy to leave before she spoke, "So my best friend disappears for days because of a spell backfire?"

"Yes, Ms. Odeir," Professor McGonagall said sadly, "I'm afraid we do get a few cases each year with the newer students who give their hand at such foolishness."

"So what happens now, Professor?" Krista asked more than ready to go up to Ravenclaw tower and sleep for the next week.

"As I said before, Mr. Lvie will be punished for his part in starting all this and a letter will be sent home to his parents. Hopefully, he will learn his lesson and will ensure that an incident like this doesn't happen again. Involving him at least. But, for now, I suggest that you, Ms. Autwin, go to your dorm and recover from this event. I will excuse you from your classes tomorrow so that you can adjust begin your rightful self again."

"Thank you, Professor," Krista said giving a small smile of appreciation, "I appreciate that since I can barely walk without falling over."

Professor McGonagall offered a small laugh of amusement, "Trust me, dear, I know exactly how you feel. When I first passed my Ministry test it took me quite sometime to adjust from reverting to and from my animagus form. Now go on and get some rest. I will alert Professor Flitwick and the other teachers that you are found and among us once again."

"Thanks, Professor," she said again as she struggled somewhat to get up. The room hadn't stopped spinning just yet.

"Yes, thank you so much, Professor," Becca expressed gratefully to Professor McGonagall as she assisted her friend to her wobbling feet before throwing Krista's right arm over her shoulder. "Now come on, Kris, you heard her."

"Yes, teacher's orders," Luna said as she bounced over to help, "let's get you back up to your room."

With the support of her friends Krista was able to walk somewhat straight before stopping in front of Professor Snape and Malfoy who had been utterly silent during the entire thing. She had to say at least something to him. He did, after all, say he took care of her during her time as a cat.

"Thank you, Professor Snape," she said for more so out of politeness for his help no matter how small it was, "Malfoy." It was a pathetic attempt at showing her gratitude but really what more could she say to him?

Continuing her way to the door Krista believed that she had regained the better half of her balance.

"Guys, I think I can walk on my own." Abandoning the support of Becca and Luna Krista didn't walk two steps before tilting over before and the two had to come her rescue.

"Aw," Becca tried not to laugh, "it's kind of like watching Bambi learn how to walk."

Krista snapped at her friend as they walked out the door, "How 'bout this, we turn you into a cat for a week and see how you walk?"

"Why a cat? I hate cats," she said making a face in distaste.

"I know you do," Krista smirked.

Luna only shook her head at their antics, "You haven't even been back for five minutes and already Becca's teasing you."

"Ya, I know. Just what kind of friend are you? Luna here on the other hand is…"

Those remaining in the room had silently watched the trio leave the room to hear their conversation fade down the hallway. Malfoy didn't know what to make of everything that just happened. It was just all one confusing mess that's what it was. The little rascal of a cat he had taken in, the one that he had just gotten use to being around had been Autwin the entire time, the girl that he had been secretly crushing on for the past year. On top of that he had unknowingly told Autwin a lot of things that she was never meant to hear. But she had forgotten all that hadn't she? Or had at least claimed, but what reason did she have to lie about such a thing?

Malfoy didn't know how long he had been staring at the doorway before Professor McGonagall snapped him out of his thoughts. Looking to his side he noticed that Snape had already left, most likely eager to return to his classroom to hopefully find that the students left behind had not completed their task yet.

"Are you alright, Mr. Malfoy?" she asked politely seeing the bit of confusion that was visible on his face.

"I'm fine," he replied with a bit of bitterness.

"You sure there isn't anything you wish to talk about?" she offered.

"No, Professor."

"Very well, then you may return to your class, Mr. Malfoy."

Malfoy didn't need to be told twice before he swept out of the room. After everything that had just happened he was only more than eager to leave.

A/N: Wow! 10 down and 1 last and final chapter to go! I'm terrified to the point where I am shaking with excitement eeeekkkk! Hope I don't disappoint you guys, oh no major pressure gah!