The Ravenclaw vs Gryffindor quidditch match started. The warmth from the sun kissed Katherine's skin as her eyes danced with excitement. James was flying on his broom looking around, the golden snitch was no where insight. The Gryffindor side cheered, as Sirius Black blocked the ball from entering the hoop for a point. Katherine clapped alone with her fellow Slytherin peers glaring at the Gryffindor team. James and her came to terms after the dueling incident. She promised him she would be on her best behavior. Pleased to have her brother accepting her apology. Watching her brother play his favorite sport was exciting for the young witch. Katherine continued to watch.
Helena's black and yellow uniform stood out in the crowd of green as she quickly made her way toward her best friend. The girls cheered loud for James, for catching the snitch and winning the game for Gryffindor. Gryffindor was in the lead for the quidditch cup. The fellow Slytherin's groaned as the win knocked them out of the competition. The final game would be against Hufflepuff vs Gryffindor. A friendly competition between both girls. The day passed quickly since the students were having a blast. Helena and Katherine walked away from the stadium. Linking arms the gravel pavement crunched under their feet. Wanting a place for quiet. Katherine lead the way to the seventh floor. She had shown Helena the room of requirments a few weeks back. As the girls paced three times, upon arrival, the door slowly appeared. Quickly entering the room the calming scenery came into view. Katherine made her way to the black leather chair near the table filled with paintings that Helena was working on for her. Helena wanted a place to work and escape the stress from school, N.E.W.T.S were not easy. Painting gave her relaxation. Katherine's small fingers traced the dried picture that was completed. The Hufflepuff cup. She knew Tom was obsessed with the four house items, his obsession of wanting to find them. Katherine wasn't sure if the items were ever seen after the founders died. Thinking painted photos would be a perfect gift for Tom Riddle. Getting lost in her thoughts of Tom. Katherine watched as Helena started to work on the Slytherin locket. Her brush glided upon the paper.
"Do you believe in true love." Katherine interrupted. Helena's brush never stopped moving as she allowed her lips to curl upward.
"Oh I believe a life without love, is no life at all...so yes...I do" dipping her paint into the gold liquid once more, Helena continued to paint "is their someone you are fond of" Helena asked.
Katherine immediately thought of Tom. Butterflies invaded her stomach as her head became light. The thought of him as something more than just an escape of her reality, began weighing on the young girl.
"Yes...I think so" Katherine confessed.
"Who?" Helena rose a brow while her eyes stayed upon her work.
The one word made Katherine hesitant. Not wanting to confess about the time turner, that she swore she would never speak about.
"A muggle," she lied. "Thing is I'm torn between my life and his." Katherine longed for help, Tom was growing older each time she went to see him. Both living their own lives seperate.
Helena paused from painting "If you feel like all you do is think of him, you both make each other happy...go for it." It was the permission that Katherine longed to hear.
"I'm worried, that it will be a mistake." Katherine whispered. Her fingers played with her soft locks, a nervous habit.
"Its better to live a life going for what you want, then sitting back and living in regret."
Helena always gave advice that she needed to hear. Raising her brow, Katherine was curious. "What do you want in life?" She asked her friend.
Helena's eyes widen as if she was watching the future play before her"I want to grow old, with a family...paint" ending with a soft smile. Speaking of all her dreams and wishes. The house with the perfect garden, children. Losing track of time, the loud crash out in the hallway made them realize it was time to leave. Peeves must of knocked the suit of armor down, on the seventh floor. Not wanting to linger much longer. The girls quietly yet quickly left the room. Helena and Katherine embraced in a short hug before their departure. Katherine quietly made her way down stairs alone. As she took a final step she ran into something hard. The issue was, nothing was visible in her sight. Katherine's eyes widen as she took a step back. A warm large hand gripped her small wrist.
As her mouth opened to scream she felt herself being pulled under a cloak.
Katherine nostrils filled with a warm wood scent as James hand covered her mouth. Not wanting her to draw attention to them. When her body relaxed from realizing it was her brother under the cloak he released his hand from her mouth, but kept holding her wrist. Not wanting her to move and slip the cloak off of them.
"What are you doing" Katherine asked.
"I was trying to find a place to hide something."James replied. Katherine couldn't see anything in sight. Trying to look inside his cloak, he covered the light brown map to conceal from her sight.
Katherine smirked as she rose her brow. "Head boy breaking rules." Getting excited from James being fun again. She knew as he aged, her brother was sneaking off less and less. Watching his lip turn upward, showing his straight teeth. Katherine mimicked his smile.
"Want to join, our last hoorah" he asked. Katherine couldn't pass it up. She nodded her head before the pair went on their last rule breaking moment. James kept the Marauder's Map hidden from his sister. Katherine and James walked as he looked around for a good place to leave the item behind. Once outside the school, the cold air nearly blew the cloak off them. James found a small bush not far from the forbidden forest to bury the item. Hoping a new group of friends would find and use the map, not knowing it would be confiscated by Flitch. Katherine stayed under the cloak waiting for her brother to return, looking toward Hagrid's small hut. As James stepped next to his sister to stand near her, under the cloak he looked at her familiar face. Katherine turned her gaze away from the hut to look at her brother. His stare was a give away. With all the time that passed, they both deeply missed their mother. Similar to the night they found out there mother was deceased, the siblings shared stories of their mum. How she wanted them both to be happy in life and their future. James admitted to his sister how being an Auror was his choice, something he was excited to do. To fight the war against the Dark Lord. Being part of the Order trying to conquer the darkness.
"I don't want you to be an Auror" Katherine complained as her bottom jaw started to chatter from the air.
"Why" James asked.
Katherine noticed her brother's posture became stiff. Not wanting to upset him she hesitated before answering. "What if something terrible happens...I can't imagine you putting your life on the line everyday. What about Lily...me"
"She plans to do the same, we all have our calling Kat...I believe mine is to protect...do you not wish to join the Order?" James retorted.
"Honestly no, so many of them," Katherine paused "die."
"Do not fear death, remember to always greet it like an old friend" repeating their father's words. He was sick with the same Dragon pox their mother died from earlier in the year. She knew her father didn't have much time left. James linked arms with his sister. Leading her back into Hogwarts. It wouldn't be long before her brother would become a Hogwart graduate and follow his dreams.
Within Snape's chambers, Katherine stood putting the back of her earring on. While Snape slowly zipped her dress. She was learning not to always use the magical way to get ready. Something Snape did daily. Katherine's face was firm as she was still upset with Molly Weasly. The moment was still fresh in her mind, even though the incident happened a couple weeks ago.
"Telling me I need to let the boy be...almost stating he was better off without me" Katherine snapped. Retelling the story. Snape rolled his eyes listening to the woman he was forced to be in a relationship with.
"Were those her exact words" he asked, raising a brow.
Katherine scrunched her face. "No but...I feel like that's what she was saying." She added.
"Listen carefully to my words" Snape physically turned Katherine around, she was able to see his face. "Your actions were foolish and childish." Snape added with disappointment. Katherine knew he disapproved of the relationship with her brothers child. Snape still held a grudge against James, even after his death. Immature in Katherine's opinion.
"What?...tell me how" crossing her arms, waiting.
Snape's tone was firm "Dumbledore had given you an order to back off from the boy, but the moment you see him, you spill...desperate" his lip curled into a wicked grin. Katherine was desperate, she couldn't deny it. Being desperate to have her family back. Snape's hand rested on her shoulder still, slowly she touched his hand. Torn between pushing him away or holding his hand. To feel alone, while not being alone was the hardest. Snape moved his hand as he started to fix the cuffs on his cloak.
Katherine ran her fingers thru her dark curls . Snape was invited to the falculty gathering at, Hogwarts. The pair were quickly getting ready to attend. It would be the second gathering that Katherine attended. The first year she went with him did not end well. She knew the party would be serving alcohol. The temptation. Once she felt that her attire was complete and ready to go. Katherine took a deep breath, knowing she should drop the situation. But she didn't understand the distaste her godchild's professor had for him.
Katherine tried to keep her voice calm, not to upset him "He said you dislike him...he's a child, Snape...a kid, why?"
Even with her tone soft, Snape's expression was full of loathing when she started to mention Harry Potter. Snape didn't answer but Katherine's eyes followed him as he glided toward her, slowly.
"I do not owe you an explanation" he hissed.
Katherine wasn't satisfied with his response. Backing up she continued to speak "He's not the only child to complain...maybe you need to be a bit nicer...kind." Snape grabbed her small wrist pulling James sister closer. Katherine knew she stepped over the line.
"I do not need you to tell me how to do my job...do you understand" he was trying to hold back his anger, Katherine knew he didn't want to cause a scene. She wanted to pick his mind on the situation, try and change his perspective. Hating she was dropping it Katherine gave him a small submissive nod. Snape led her out the room before they disappeared to attend the gathering, at Hogwarts.
The grand hall had tables pushed along the walls, filled with drinks and food. All house banners hung around with the floating candles giving light. The attendance was large. All falculty from Dumbledore, Professors, Flitch, Ghost and Hagrid were present. School governors and their spouses were in attendance. Katherine saw the Malfoys chatting with fellow governors. The witch quietly walked with Snape, he led the way to stand near Mcgonagall. Katherine barley listened to the competition between the two Head of Houses as they chatted. Snape complained about how Gryffindor students recieved points for rule breaking, which caused them to win the house cup. Leaving the pair to chat alone. Katherine walked toward the table with drinks, tempted to grab the wine, her hand reached for the lemon water. Professor Flitwick walked over giving a small greeting. It wasn't the charms professor that made her uncomfortable but the blonde bloke walking toward her. His grin was wide enough to show his perfectly white teeth.
"Well hello, I'm sure you recognize me, but may I have your name?" Lockharts cringy voice filled her ears. As he reached for her hand to kiss, she playfully pulled away.
"Katherine" She answered "yes you are the new teacher for defense against the dark arts" not wanting to speak with him. Flitwick stared at the pair while he sipped his gin.
"Yes, I did a few simple things that Im sure you read in my book. Magical Me." Lockhart flipped his blonde bangs out his face without using his hands. The arragonace was an understatement.
"I have not" Katherine tilted her head. She never read the book or planned to do such thing. Flitwick chuckled into his goblet trying to muffle the sound.
Lockhart glared at Flitwick before trying to charm Katherine once more. "I may have an extra copy, I'll sign it for you." His arm extended so she could link and follow. Katherine never moved.
"I'm a bit knackered, my apologies" she lied.
"No worry. I'm great at making potions. I can brew a quick remedy...I can make it then give you a lovely signed picture. My office" leaving his arm out for her. Katherine's blue eyes averted from the extended arm to the silhouette behind Lockhart.
Snape had stood in silence before his cold voice escaped his lips. "I'm sure if she needs anything I can tend to it." The potion professor made his way slowly to stand near Katherine. Lockhart dropped his arm quickly as he gazed at the pair. Once he started to connect the dots, he assured Snape he was just offering a signed picture. Katherine didn't say anything as he tried to assure the fellow Professor that she was a fan. Katherine watched him leave.
"Something is off about him" Katherine added. Flitwick nodded before walking away.
"Is Katherine truly getting a change of her taste of men" Snape smirked. Katherine couldn't help but laugh at his banter comment.
Gently shoving him she scrunched her nose."No, I'm not attracted to him...that should be a clue somethings off...I tend to go for wizards whom can achieve and do things" she had no shame in picking on herself at times. Especially when it came to her choice of men.
"You go for dark wizards...Lockhart claims he's a hero" Snape stated in a bored tone as his narrowed black eyes stayed on the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Katherine tilted her head as she swirled the water around in the glass. The men she dated in her past and even the odd arrangement with Snape, all three would put Lockhart to shame. Curious how Snape and Lockhart would be in a duel, the distaste Snape held in his eyes were a clue to Katherine that Lockhart would not stand a chance. As Katherine's eyes gazed upon Snape's face she went to speak but Albus Dumbledore made his way toward them. Snape greeted the headmaster stopping her from saying a word. She listened to the pair speak on matters that started to bore her. She didn't hear when Albus called her name. Serverus gently shoved her, with a confused expression she glanced at him and then Dumbledore.
"May we speak in private...its about the incident in Diagon Ally" his warm welcoming voice made her a bit nervous. Hearing the words Diagon Ally, she knew it was dealing with Molly and Harry. Immediately she knew it was Snape who snitched. Shooting him daggers with her eyes, she followed the headmaster. Katherine felt like a pupil following her headmaster to his office, ready to get fussed. Once inside the circular room she waited.
Dumbledore ate a lemon drop as he spoke "I see that you officially introduced yourself to Harry." Katherine nodded, allowing him to continue. "Remember the protection spell that protects him, with him being at the Dursley's home. Harry's saftey needs to be our top priority." His saftey was everyone's concern.
"I agree, but. . .I truly do not see the harm. Like I've said a year ago. . . He is the only family I have." Katherine pleaded. She didn't want to let him go, it may not have been the best way to inform her Godchild. Yet, what done is done. She kept reminding herself.
Albus listened to her words as Katherine waited for him to deny her.
"I want to make sure you understand the responsibilities that comes with this. A child is not a pet, his emotions will be invested. As yours will be too" his eye gave a small twinkle. "I feel you will not step aside if I ask you."
"I will not, if I'm being honest." Katherine retorted.
"Well, I cannot stop you, but the agreement on where he lives is final...and remember Katherine...He isn't James." His last sentence stopped Katherine from speaking. She knew the boy was not James. Yet she refused to back down. Katherine noticed Dumbledore's expression was filled with worry. She wasn't sure why he would be worry. She planned to work hard for the relationship. It's what James would want, she kept reminding herself. Turning to leave she stopped.
Her heart pounded in her chest from his words. "Before you leave...the time turner...where is it?" His voice calm.
Katherine lied "broken."
She knew he didn't believe her, but Georgia had taken care of it. Not waiting to be officially dismissed the witch walked out. Leaving Dumbledore sitting at his desk thinking. Katherine assumed he was trying to figure out where the Time Turner was truley located. She made her way back to the grand hall. Snape was chatting with Lucius, her least favorite person. Feeling that she would need wine to survive the time around Lucius, she refused it. Walking toward Snape, she quietly stood next to him. Not wanting to draw attention or upset him. Knowing that her seeking for a relationship with Harry Potter would drive the man insane.
Notes:Thanks for reading. xx