I went down to breakfast on Saturday and saw Katherine sitting at the table. She had been AWOL for the second half of the day yesterday and I was sure that she wasn't feeling well. My fears were confirmed when I sat down and she turned to look at me. There was a huge bruise on her face, suspiciously in the shape of a hand. I looked at Hermione who had tears forming in her eyes.
"Katy, tell us who hit you," she said in a soft voice while placing her hand on Katherine's. Katherine snatched her hand away and said venomously, "I told you, I fell!"
Even Harry looked concerned. "Katherine, it's so obviously a hand. Tell us; we'll get them for you."
Her eyes seemed to widen in fear and she whispered, horrified, "No. Don't do that. It'll only make it worse…" Then she seemed to realize what she was saying, shook her head and said firmly, "I'm telling you, I fell."
"Katherine, whomever you are trying to protect doesn't deserve you. I would have never treated you in such a manner," Harry insisted. I rolled my eyes. Not this again.
Katherine looked at him with steel in her eyes and said, "Bite me."
She got up from the table and walked away, only looking back once at the head table. I followed her gaze and saw Snape. I frowned. It was probably only a coincidence.
Hermione looked ready to burst into tears at the slightest provocation. Harry looked ready to kill someone, with or without his wand.
I figured I knew where Katherine would go, so I got up from the table without eating, figuring I could go to the kitchens to grab a snack later, and followed her.
I walked to the seventh floor and passed Barnabas the Barmy three times. A door materialized in front of my eyes and I opened it.
Katherine was sitting alone, crying. Her back was turned to me, but I could see every shaking movement of her shoulders and hear her every gasping breath. I thought I made out the words, "doesn't he love me?" but dismissed it quickly. She had long since gotten over Harry and there was no boy she was interested in at the present. She was too occupied with her daughters.
I walked slowly over to her and she stiffened at the sound of my footfalls. She whipped her head around and looked me dead in the face. Suddenly she seemed tired and said, "Go away."
Her heart wasn't in making me leave, I could tell. So I took advantage of that and sat down next to her. I put an arm around her shoulders and drew her close to me. She rested her head on my shoulder and cried out every tear she had. Her body was being wracked with sobs of complete and total grief. At one point I thought her fragile frame would break in two from the power that her shudders developed. Eventually her tears died down and she fell into a fitful sleep on my shoulders. It lasted about five minutes when she woke up yelling, "Don't do it!"
She looked around and remembered where she was and broke into fresh tears. I hugged her with my whole heart and let her know that I loved her and I hoped she was getting the vibe that I would kick anyone's ass for her. Even the greasy git Snape.
She hiccupped her way to recovery and looked me in the eyes. Hers were swollen and red and shined with some tears that were still trying to make their way down her cheeks.
I looked her dead in the face and asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"
She mutely shook her head no and I responded, "Alright."
I hugged her again and said, "I'll kick their ass if you need me to."
She gave a nervous laugh at this and said, "I really appreciate it Ron. You're the best brother anyone could want."
"Mind telling Ginny that?" I muttered, trying to get her to laugh again. It worked, and she chuckled in appreciation. "She'll understand someday," she reassured me.
She sighed and said, "I should be getting back to the girls. I told Dobby that I would be gone only for a short while and it's been nearly two hours. I know he doesn't mind, but I hate to do this to him."
She heaved herself up from the ground and I followed suit. I gave her one last hug and said, "If it ever happens again, don't shield them. You find me."
She nodded her head and walked out the doors, leaving me to wonder who the mystery abuser was.
Author's Note: I thought I would have a nice little chapter with Katherine and Ron. It shows that Ron truly is like a brother to Katherine and would do anything for her, and I think that sibling love is the truest kind of love you could have. Anyways, hope you guys liked, always review your comments and what you want to see. Until next chapter! :)
