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Chapter 11 – Just Friends, I Think
Before long it was September 1st and Kat was preparing to begin her first term as Charms Professor. She was happy to be able to help her grandfather and Filius out but she knew before the students even arrived that she would do the short period that was needed until Filius returned and then she would retire from the life as a professor. Katerina had learned over the years that while she had patience for creating new potions or product and she had patience with her friends (most of the time) she had no patience for teaching other people, especially children that usually only focused on fashion or Quidditch, not charmswork. She had spent so much time between catching up with friends, helping out at the Hogsmeade location of WWW getting it ready, singing for Draco's club weekly (the blonde prat had bugged her for hours on end to sing again saying it was doing great for his business), and preparing for the students arrival that she was almost able to ignore the fact that Severus was still holding her at arms' length.
It was a good thing that she was so busy because she knew that if she stopped to think about it, she would have probably get so angry she'd blow up something unintentionally. She had hoped after the Order dinner and the way that she had caught him staring at her when she sang at the club would have finally brought them together but it was no luck. They still got together multiple times a week to talk and she saw him constantly in the labs when she was working on her Mastery potion but nothing went farther than heated gazes and flirty comments that left her wanting more every night she returned to her rooms.
She was currently sitting at the VIP table at the Dragon with Hermione, Luna, and Ginny watching two young wizards practically trying to swallow each other's face. She sighed deeply, "Bloody hell I'm even getting turned on by two males going at it." She put her face into her hands as the girls laughed.
"Woman, you have got to get laid." Ginny said taking a sip of her drink.
"Who needs to get laid?" Draco had returned with another round. "And where are all the men?"
"We are having a girl's night out," Hermione said. "And Kat needs it. She's been staring longingly at the couple eating each other."
"I'm surprised she hasn't asked to join," Ginny snorted.
"Still no luck with my Uncle?" Draco asked as he tossed his legs over the edge of the arm chair he had plopped himself on.
"Nope. I think I'd be able to walk into his room bloody naked and he'd just ask about the damn weather." Kat said savagely.
"Do you ever think it's time to broaden your horizon? There are other wizards out there that would kill to get into your bed." Draco said wiggling his eyebrows. "We could auction you off to the highest bidder."
"You are not going to sell her," Hermione chastised.
"What happened with that Terry fellow you girls were talking about?" He looked confused when all the girls at the table laughed with glee.
"Terry's gay." Hermione managed to wheeze out.
"I suggested that we tease Severus a bit, try to get him to see the light," Ginny smirked at him. "Obviously your Uncle is more obtuse than a bloody mountain troll."
"I can ask Neville if he knows any wizards." Luna smiled.
"I don't know…"
"Kat, you can't wait around for Severus to pull his head out of his arse," Ginny commanded. "You'll be waiting for years."
"From what I heard at the wedding, she has been waiting years." Draco said brazenly.
"Oh I know! What about Roger Davies?" Ginny said suddenly excited. "He's the new chaser for the Grodzirk Goblins and I'm sure he'd love to hear about you!"
"Wasn't he a Ravenclaw captain?" Kat asked trying to remember.
"Yes! And absolutely gorgeous."
"And very intelligent if I remember correctly," Hermione added.
"And had an amazing arse," Luna said lightly while Draco coughed into his drink.
Kat bit her lip thinking about Severus. She didn't want to make him upset by accepting the possibility of a date but at the same time she really didn't want to wait forever. There were tons of people who didn't marry their true soulmates and they still lived quite happily together. She hadn't realized that she had started to watch the couple on the dance floor hungrily, a soft moan escaping when she saw the taller of the two wizards grind their hips into his partner. Draco laughed deeply and she felt her hair flash bright pink. Closing her eyes to control herself, she muttered, "Ok Gin, go ahead and talk to Davies."
Roger had quickly taken Ginny's suggestion up and owled her within the week, asking if she would join him for dinner that Friday night. Kat informed him that she'd be delighted, saying she'd be ready at the castle entrance at eight o'clock.
"Slow down Kit-Kat, you're going to choke." Charlie laughed as he sat down at the head table for dinner that Thursday. They had only a few more days of freedom before the students arrived and the other Professors had finally begun arriving back to the castle. Kat was ecstatic that the curse on the DADA position had lifted with the final death of Voldemort and was enjoying having Charlie around so much, he helped her feel at home and he was one of the few that weren't scared to talk about Fred or her son.
Kat growled as Severus laughed and pulled a curl. "Is there a reason you are inhaling your food like a vacuum?"
"Running late. I'm supposed to meet Ginny in Hogsmeade in ten minutes. I got caught up in some research."
Charlie snickered as this was nothing new. Severus had had to charm her bracelet to alarm every few hours to remind her to eat as she was still slightly underweight from her time traveling and she kept forgetting to get food when she got involved in her work. "What are you meeting her for? I'm surprised the Harpies gave her a night off."
"Not a night off, more like two hours," Kat looked up at him. Merlin he was attractive. I really need a good shag. "She's taking me shopping. Apparently I do not own anything appropriate for a first date." She heard a straggled sound from her left but ignored it.
"A date?" Charlie asked her though he was looking pleased at Severus for some unknown reason.
"Yes, a date. Gin set me up with Roger Davies." Kat grinned when Charlie stared at her.
"Roger Davies? As in professional Quidditch player, Roger Davies?" Charlie was trying hard to not flick an annoyed look at the potions master who had stopped eating, his knuckles white from gripping his fork.
"Yes, the same person." Kat was getting frustrated that he seemed this surprised by the news. "Is there any problem with that?"
"I just thought, well you know," Charlie blushed and gave a subtle wave to the man next to her. His gaze softened when he took in the blue tint that her hair now held.
"I ah," Kat felt empty as the man in question stood quickly, his chair moving violently backwards and he stormed from the room. Charlie watched as Katerina's eyes never left the raven-haired professor and her hair went completely dark blue. She shook her head and it was back to white with flecks of reds and oranges. "To be honest, I'm tired of trying for something that he obviously does not want and well, I don't want to remain alone forever."
"I understand. And I think you're right." Charlie said lightly before he got a mischievous grin. "You know, if all you're looking for is a great shag, I know a redheaded former dragon tamer who has been known to make girls see the stars." Kat laughed as she whacked his arm, her hair turning bright pink again.
Severus avoided her for all of Friday and she could say with certainty that she was happy he was making himself scarce. Every time she had a thought of him, her hair would flash multiple shades of blue, red, and green. She had hoped that after everything that had happened between the two of them that it would just naturally move into a relationship, especially after the mind-blowing snogging after the wedding but Severus wouldn't allow it. She knew that many people thought that Severus was her other soulmate but she just laughed at them. What person would be able to push their soulmate away so easily? What hurt the most is that she was positive that she loved him and spending time with him was beginning to bring her pain.
Trying to bring herself away from those thoughts she started to get ready for her date. She hoped that her hair didn't scare Davies off. She only slightly knew of him in school and while she knew that he was a pretty good Quidditch player she didn't know much else. Luna had told her stories of how he became a little too attached to witches but surely he had grown out of that now that he was older. At a quarter to eight, Kat put on some light dress robes over her dress, grabbed her purse, and walked to the front of the castle praying that her hair wasn't showing how nervous she was, though she knew that it was.
Walking up the path was a tall, tan brunette who walked with such arrogance that Kat was sure he'd beat out Percy Weasley in a contest of who could be more pompous. Kat had to bite back a laugh as she took in his expertly tailored dress robes, his expensive haircut laid out just so, and his pretentious gait. She internally groaned as he proceeded to undress her with his eyes making her feel extremely vulnerable and kind of dirty.
"Ah Miss Dumbledore, may I say you look absolutely dazzling," Davies said formally, taking her hand into his and gently pressing his lips onto her knuckles.
"Thank you, but the name is still Weasley." Kat replied.
"Weasley?" She did not like the tone he used when he said the name she loved so deeply. "Surely you've moved on. It's been what, two years since he died?"
"Three," Kat growled. "I may be ready to date again, but I will always honor my first marriage." The night was not starting off very well and Kat wasn't entirely sure she wanted to leave the castle grounds at all.
"Of course, I meant nothing ill towards your late husband," He gave her a smile but it didn't comfort her, instead it made her want to grit her teeth. "I understand it must have been difficult losing someone after such a short time together."
"Seeing as he was my Bonded Soulmate, it was extremely difficult. I hope that you understand what you are getting yourself involved in."
"Yes, yes," Davies grinned again. "And maybe you'll be shocked to find your other Soulmate where you least expect it." Oh Merlin the way his eyes were assaulting her body she knew that the arrogant git was hoping that he'd be that person. Or at least get the opportunity to find out if he was. He held out his arm, "Shall we proceed, my lady?" What the bloody hell had she said yes to?
Kat groaned as yet another damn owl made its way to her dropping the letter it was carrying into her bowl of oatmeal. Irritated at the bird and its' owner she glared at the brown bird. "Go away. And tell your bloody owner to stop sending me bloody letters." The owl had the audacity to snip at her hand as she waved it away from her toast. "No treats for you, you damn pain in the arse. I told you last time not to bring me anymore crap from him." She saw Charlie watching her. "What?" she snapped.
"Jeez Kit-Kat, I'm taking it as you didn't get lucky?"
"Screw you Charles Weasley." Kat growled as she cleaned up the mess the owl had made. Ripping the letter open she read with disgust as the wizard she had gone on a disastrous date rambled on and on about how she should give him another chance as she obviously didn't know what she was missing out on. When she got to the sentence about how if she was only willing to work on her issues they'd be a perfect pair she felt her hair spark and she pushed her excess magic into the letter causing it to burst into a powerful flair of fire and smoke. "Arrogant, pompous, egotistical jackarse."
"Date go well?" Severus sounded just a bit too happy.
"He thought I should feel privileged to go on a date with such an amazing celebrity and I should be happy to have found someone not only well off and capable, but also someone who was willing to overlook my freakish condition and my dreadful ancestry. Though if we were to be married eventually, I would have to be ok with him impregnating another witch because he had to have an heir for the massive wealth he would be accumulating as a world-renown athlete." Kat rolled her eyes as Charlie started to get red with anger. "He dared to call me uptight and a prude for not giving it up that night as he knew I wasn't pure and no one said no to him before. According to that bloody letter, all I need is a good shag and to work on my issues and I'd be perfect for him. Fucking git."
"What me to kill him?" Severus asked seriously.
"Please tell me you hexed him," Charlie was ready to blow. "Tell me he won't be reproducing any time soon."
"No, I ah, was so stunned with how the 'date' was going that I excused myself to the restroom and disapparated out without telling him. I mean he brought up sleeping with me halfway through – I'm embarrassed that I didn't leave sooner." Kat felt angry tears threaten to fall out, her hair an interesting combination of green and red. "Don't know why I'm even bothering with dating – they'll all run away for some stupid reason or another. Maybe I'll just get another cat. At least Loki doesn't treat me like I'm fucking broken." Hair now sparking she got up and quickly walked from the room before she exploded the plates again ignoring the looks that Severus and Charlie were giving her.
Charlie watched the furious witch storm out of the Great Hall, her angry power vibrating off her small body before turning and glaring at the idiot man beside him. His anger subsided briefly as he took in the love and sadness that the grim professor had on his face as he watched Katerina leave but it quickly came back. "What the hell do you think you're playing at?"
"Excuse me?" Black eyes met his.
"I asked what you are playing at. You are obviously in love with her and she is most definitely in love with you though why I cannot comprehend. Why are you holding back?"
"If someone loved someone else I doubt they would accept a date from a complete imbecile, no matter how famous." Severus snapped.
"She only accepted the bloody date because you were completely ignoring her advances," Charlie rubbed his eyes. "She wants you, in all your irritable cranky goodness. Everyone believes that you are her other soulmate – you both literally glow when you get close. Why are you pushing her away? You do know that a witch like that won't always be single."
Severus was quiet for so long that Charlie didn't think he'd actually answer him. He was turning back to finish his breakfast when he heard a very soft answer. "I don't deserve her." Charlie's head shot up and he stared unbelieving at the man who now looked so unsure. It was unnerving. "Look at who I am. I'm an old, miserable man who has made too many horrible mistakes in my life. Then look at her – she's absolutely amazing. Beautiful, intelligent, powerful, and so incredibly strong. She deserves someone much better than me."
"Do you love her?"
"Yes," Severus was now looking at his plate allowing his long black hair to hide his face from the redhead. "I have for longer than I probably should have."
"Before the war ended." It wasn't a question. Severus nodded. "Then stop hiding from it," Charlie said earnestly. "You aren't a bad person Severus. As much as I will deny saying this, you are actually a good friend of mine and you do deserve to be happy. Katerina, as stubborn and frightening as she can be, is a witch that you should never stop running after. You need to fix this and give it a chance."
"You have got to be fucking kidding me." Kat growled walking over to the bar and slamming back another Firewhiskey. It had been a long freaking month. The students had arrived back to Hogwarts and she realized just how freaking happy she was that she was not a permanent teacher. She had told Severus that she thought he was a sadist for willingly returning year after year to deal with the little prats. Severus had laughed gently and pulled on her hair, amused that there was something out there that the witch wasn't amazing at. Now she was dealing with Davies yet again. The damn bastard would not take no for an answer and this was the third time she had run into in public.
"Uhh, something the matter there Weasley?" Draco asked backing away from the blood red witch.
"That stupid, annoying fucktwat is here." Kat reached for the bottle and poured herself another shot. "He won't take a fucking hint that I am not bloody interested in what he has to offer."
"Hey did you know that Roger Davies is here? I wonder if I can get his autograph," Ron jumped backwards as a sharp spark came out of Kat and burned his arm. "Bloody hell Kat, what was that for?"
"Katerina, would you like me to escort Mr. Davies out?" Severus asked with a delightfully evil smile.
Kat took another shot and stood up. "Nope, it's about time that arsehole gets to meet the real Kat. Maybe my freakish condition will help get it through his thick head." Severus watched with pleasure as his witch walked down the stairs, people moving away from her as they felt her power touch them. Severus had decided that soon he would try to pursue the witch and hopefully make her his. Grabbing a drink he followed the others over to the railing to watch the show below. Kat was currently speaking to Davies, obviously trying not to hex or punch the highbrow man. He laughed when the young man's eyes widened and he took a step back but the idiot still didn't seem to get a clue as he stepped forward and grabbed Kat's arm. Severus could practically feel the energy coming off the upset witch up on the second floor.
"That guy is either extremely brave or he has a death wish." Draco observed.
"A death wish if he continues touching her," Severus growled. He watched as Katerina turned back to the wizard, her stony gaze on the hand that was wrapped around her arm. He was confused by the smirk on her face until the man jumped backwards clutching his now burned hand. The smile she was giving the snobby man could only be described as pure malevolence. He laughed again when her eyes moved from the injured man's hand to his more precious body part and stepped forward making the wizard flee into the crowd.
"That's our girl," George said laughing. "Terrifyingly amazing."
Kat looked up to Draco and nodded, pointing to the stage. Draco clapped with excitement. "Kat's going to sing!"
"Oh no…" Hermione grimaced. The others glanced over to her with confusion. "Just watch. There is going to be a lot of male emasculation occurring."
They turned and watched Kat walk on to the stage smiling innocently but her hair was still red with black tips. She picked up the mic and tapped it, getting the attention of the crowd. All of the regulars started yelling in anticipation when they recognized who was about to perform. "Hello everyone, I know it's not the normal night for Amateur Night but tonight is a special night. You see I have a very special someone out there in the crowd and well, I want to sing this just for him. Roger, love, I mean every word."
"Oh fuck," Draco looked worried. Everyone else looked happy and curious as to what Kat would want to sing to the little prick.
He watched as Kat moved to the magical music box and pointed her wand at it to choose the music. He was surprised when a hard rock tune began to come out. George and Charlie catcalled the witch when she transformed her outfit into a pair of extremely tight black pants, spike covered black heels, and a deep red shirt that appeared to be painted to her body. She started to move seductively to the music and smirked as she caught eyes with the wizard in question. Severus groaned when he realized the man thought that this was going to be a good thing for him.
You took me to your crib
Guess it must have been a big deal
Got me starring in your wet dream
Not it's time to get real
I'm not looking for love
No not today
But you call me up and had the nerve to say
See you next Tuesday
You call me a bitch like it's a bad thing
You call me a freak like that means something
Can't get your way so you insult me
I think we know the rest
Get it off your chest
I don't give a shit
I love it when you call me a bitch like it's a bad thing
You show up everywhere I go
Get a grip you're acting so weird
I don't need your jager bombs
I think I can take it from here
You got to learn to leave when the party ends
I don't really care what you tell your friends
Tell me again
You call me a bitch like it's a bad thing
You call me a freak like that means something
Can't get your way so you're angry
I think we know the rest
Get it off your chest
I don't give a shit
I love it when you call me a bitch
Severus could not stop laughing as he watched the face of the now completely red wizard as he was stuttering and sputtering at the singing witch. George and Charlie were watching the singing siren with admiration while the others were laughing along with Severus as the witch not so gently told the dense man what she truly felt. George collapsed when Kat gave a small smirk to Davies and gave a small delicate wave goodbye as the embarrassed man finally had enough and stormed out of the club, flicking her off as he passed stage. He grinned when she blew the man a kiss. The crowd screamed and hollered when Kat finished the song, giving a small bow and transforming back into her regular clothes.
He followed her as she walked back up to the second floor balcony his body growing warm with desire as he met her gaze. His body moved forward instinctively when she licked her lips and her hair flashed that amazing combination of red and pink. He felt important and lucky when she ignored all the men trying to talk to her instead walking straight to him. "See something you like Mr. Snape?" She smiled devilishly.
"Most definitely. I approve of the way you handled that, it was extremely…sexy." Kat's eyes widened and her hair flashed yellow before returning back to the lustful color he so badly wanted to see more of. He reached out and pushed a curl behind her ear, gently resting his palm against her cheek, trying his hardest not to fuck it up again. "Kat…I would like to apologize for my behavior again and I was hoping that you would give an old fool a chance to –" He hadn't finished the sentence before she crashed her lips to his, her hands flying into his hair, her body pushed against his. He thought he heard clapping and whooping behind them but all he could focus on was the heat that was coming off the witch in front of him. He groaned when her tongue slid against his lips pushing her up against the wall and passionately kissing her.
"OI!" A voice broke into their embrace and Severus had to take several breaths to calm himself.
"What?" He snapped.
"You can't bloody do that in public!" Ron was bright red.
"I remember telling Kat that a lot before," George said laughing. "I personally think she's a bit of an exhibitionist."
"Well Severus, what do you think?" Kat said huskily. "Want to get out of here?"
"Fuck yes."
Song is You Call Me A Bitch Like It's A Bad Thing by Halestorm
