Let the games begin!


Chapter 44

Team Effort

Katherine's POV

Neville had told everyone about the Room of Requirement before I could.

"Always equipped for whatever the person needs." I said.

"So, say you really needed the toilet…." Ron said.

I sighed.

"Charming Ronald. But yes, that is the generally idea." said Hermione.

Harry looked at me.

"How are things going with the distracting plan?"

I smiled and I saw Peeves poking his head through the opposite wall.

"I have a solution…."

"But?" he asked.

"It comes with a price."

"What sort of price?" he asked suspiciously.

I bit my lower lip. Peeves took possession of a death eater dummy and came rolling at Harry. Everyone screamed and jumped away. Peeves came out of it cackling.

"Katherine!"

"What!? He said he'd help me. He didn't want to help everyone so I made him a deal."

"Yeah! Great deal! So get on with the security. Umbridge is making an inquisitorial squad. And I'll bet Malfoy's itching to sign up."

I kept my emotions hidden as always and gave Peeves a warning glance. He and I left the room and Draco found me.

"Kat…I joined her squad so I could help protect you. But Snape wanted to see you right away."

I sighed.

"It's a Sunday! He always needs me when I'm doing something."

He chuckled.

"That's family I suppose. Now go. I heard Umbridge wants this floor checked. Quickly!"

I kissed him quickly on the lips and then Peeves and I were off.

"So what's the plan head cat?" Peeves asked.

I smirked and looked over at him.

"Well seeing as how I can imitate your voice….I was thinking along the lines of a wild snitch chase."

He started to cackle and we walked into Snape's office.

"You wanted to see me?"

He took one looked at the poltergeist and raised a brow.

"What? You know I hang around Peeves sometimes. I spent most of my first and second year with him."

He remained silent and I sighed.

"Wait outside Peeves. This won't take long I swear."

"Just hurry up head cat."

I nodded and walked forward.

"Umbridge has been requesting Veritesirum."

My eyes widened.

"Truth potion? Why?!"

He raised his brows.

"Why do you think?"

I nodded.

"So when she questions me…."

"Do I look foolish to you? Do you think I would let her give you a truth potion? Of course not. When she asks if you want tea, tell her no. And if she insists tell her you don't want to make an enemy. She'll understand. And if that doesn't work tell her you're allergic to that particular tea. She only ever has one."

I was a little confused but I nodded.

"Let's go!"

I growled in frustration but ran out with Peeves.

"Do you know where they are?"

He nodded.

"You have the cloak?"

I smirked and nodded. I pulled out my brother's invisibility cloak.

"Lets have some fun shall we?"

He laughed loudly and zoomed off.

Sometimes, its good to have a poltergeist for a friend.

I headed off towards the seventh floor and saw the inquisitorial squad. I took a deep breath.

"SNEAKY POTTER! I SEE YOU THERE!"

The squad came running and I tripped Crabbe for good measure. I saw Peeves out on the grand staircase and they saw him too.

"PEEVES! YOU WRETCHED SPECTER!" Filch roared.

He cackled and went floating away. They chased him and then they would start to come back. I knew our little game wouldn't work for long, but it was still immense fun. Draco helped too by telling everyone the poltergeist had it in for Harry because Harry threatened to tell them his secret or something like that. Peeves and I made a pretty good team. And in turn, I let him watch and even plan when I did those prank spells on Umbridge.

"How about when you're on your duties and she's in the dungeons. She likes to yell and the potions master."

I looked at him.

"What?"

He nodded.

"Says his godchild could do with some discipline."

I clenched my fists.

"Surely you can think of a better prank than that?"

"You didn't let me finish head cat."

I stopped and waited for him to go on.

"You're not the only one good at imitating voices. And you can't possess things like I can."

I started to smile.

"Peeves I like the way your demented little mind works."

He tipped his hat.

"Umbridge idolizes Fudge. There's even a picture of him in her office. Can you get it?"

He nodded and left. I waited there for him to come back. As I waited I heard shouting.

"I know it's her! She's the bad one of the family! Worse than her lying brother!"

Rage boiled in my veins.

"Prove to me it was her and I'll handle it."

"Head cat!" hissed Peeves.

I turned and found him there. Not only did he have Fudge's picture, he had my brother's invisibility cloak.

"You're the governor!" I whispered.

He possessed the photo and I threw on the cloak. I pounded on the door in a menacing way.

The door flew open with a flick of Snape's wand. Peeves was up.

"I've been watching you Dolores." came Fudge's voice.

I smirked.

He really is good at that.

"C-Cornelius!"

"I'm highly unimpressed!"

Umbridge looked on the verge of tears. I slowly crept inside the room and Peeves moved forward as well.

"These students still running amuck!? Dumbledore still not brought down!?"

"I-I-I…."

"Bothering fine professors like Severus Snape!? Have you forgotten your mission entirely!?"

This is so fun its almost criminal!

Snape was staring right at me. I knew he knew I was there.

"Do you know what disappoints me the most Dolores?"

Her lip was quivering and she looked horrified. Peeves let the photo drop and she screamed.

"YOU HORRID SPECTOR!"

He flew off and I set the picture on fire and then lifted it into the air. I flew it at her and she dove away.

"I know someone's in here! Accio spelled cloak!"

My eyes widened and I grabbed the cloak tightly. It didn't even try to lift away. I smiled in triumph.

"You should Dolores, that Peeves takes great pleasure in taunting people. You're not alone in that. The only one he doesn't taunt is the Headmaster. And he seems to delight in his pestering of me."

She looked very angry and there were angry tears in her eyes. She picked up the picture and left in a huff. I started to go towards door but Snape spelled it shut and locked it.

I wonder if I can wait him out? I doubt it but I can try.

"Katherine. Draco. I know one or both of you are here. You better come out now or you won't be leaving for the rest of the night.

That's fine with me.

"You'll also have detention every other night until the end of the year."

That I'm not fine with.

I took off the cloak and slowly turned to face him. He didn't look pleased.

"Sit." he said.

I walked up and sat down in a desk.

"What are you doing out of bed? Don't tell me you have prefect duties because I know you don't."

I remained silent.

"Katherine you're fifteen years old! You're not a child anymore! You can't be doing things like this." He scolded.

I still didn't say anything. If I told him I was just trying to help him, he'd tell me I didn't need to help.

"What have you to say for yourself?"

I got angry and stood up.

"I was trying to keep her from giving you problems! I thought that maybe if I did what I did she wouldn't come back here anymore! I was trying to help you. But go on! Tell me I don't need to help and that I should just be focusing on school."

I sat back down and waited for the lecture. It never came.

"I appreciate what you did. And I even admit it was rather amusing, however…..you're right you should be focusing on school. Making an enemy out of Dolores Umbridge is not a wise idea. You're a smart girl so I would expect you to act like one. Especially since you have OWL's this year. If this happens again there will be a punishment, am I understood?"

I nodded.

"Now go to bed."

I stood up and walked out.

"So what happened?" Peeves asked as he floated down next to me.

"I didn't get scolded like I thought I would. Brilliant work back there though. I don't think she'll be down here for a while."

He looked immensely pleased with himself. I sighed with a smile.

"Alright, but you know the rules. No brother, Snape or Draco or Patil twins. Anyone else you can go right ahead."

He was grinning from ear to ear.

"A gift for you, the Malfoy boy is up in the Room of Requirement."

I smiled.

"Thanks Peeves. Now go off and do your worst."

He flew off cackling as always. I shook my head and made my way to the Room of Requirement.