Chapter Forty-Four | Parchment and Prose

Hey mum.

I don't know if you heard the news, but Catherine is wanted now.

Please, please don't believe what the Ministry is saying. I know you sometimes get caught up in the news and all, but she's with Dumbledore last we heard and I'm hoping things manage to work out. Umbridge turned into a monster and things are complicated - Catherine fought her - please ignore that.

Honestly I don't know what to write, but Hermione and I think she might be at headquarters. Don't be mad, but we're going to try and go and talk to her. Things are crazy right now and we just need to make sure she's doing okay, especially after everything. I'm sure if you ask Dumbledore he'll be able to tell you what's going on, but right now that's up to Catherine and I don't want to say anything without her permission.

Love you, Ron.

Dearest Mother.

I believe a vacation in France, or perhaps America might do us some good these coming months. I've always wished to see the Grand Canyon.

Your loving son, Draco.

"What the hell was that?" Ginny finally managed to choke out, rubbing at her eyes and looking down to find spots of blood on her knuckles. They sat in the foyer, maybe half an hour after she had been swept from the Great Hall, every student lifted in a wave of overwhelming magic and dragged outside, blubbering and screaming.

Luna only stared, stared off into the ether, lips slowly working as she tried to muster up the willpower, or ability to think. "I don't know, but- but I saw it. I saw it, and it saw us."

Ron, of all the ridiculous, hare-brained things I imagined you would do, this takes the cake.

You're lucky this isn't another howler. Your father and I are beyond disappointed that you would act so rashly, and after your incident in second year I'd hoped that you'd learnt your lesson, but running away from school and dragging poor Hermione along with you? Even we couldn't have predicted this.

I can't speak on what's happening with Catherine, but to be frank, what I have heard has worried me. She's been through quite enough in her life already and it's disheartening that you think I'd believe that rubbish being peddled by the Prophet.

I understand you're worried for her, and I am too. You know that she's all but family to us, but that doesn't mean you can go running off when you please without word nor warning until after the fact. You-Know-Who is lurking about, scheming, and things simply aren't safe. Your father was attacked only a short few months ago, and you know how I worry about you and your siblings.

We'll be discussing this in person, I promise you that, and please, dear, take care of yourself. Don't give your poor mother a heart attack. Have some trust in Dumbledore as well. The man has made mistakes in the past, but I think we all know he has the best intentions with Catherine.

I believe a meeting will be called soon, and if I can give you, the twins, and Ginny any peace of mind, I will in my next letter.

Love, Mum.

Draco

I've never known of your interest in the wonders of nature. I think I would enjoy a trip myself.

Much love, N.

Severus threw a vial against the wall, sneering at it as it shattered. "Damnable girl!" he roared, kicking over a chair before letting out another shout, clutching at his arm. "Idiot! Idiot!"

He swept out of the empty room in a whorl of black, cursing the day Catherine Potter ever set foot at Hogwarts.

Sirius

What the hell is this I hear about Catherine being at headquarters? An attack at Hogwarts? Do I need to come visit?

I'm losing my mind over here with worry, please tell me what's going on.

Remus.

Catherine

We tried to call on the mirror I found in your trunk. I know, it's awful that I went rummaging through your things but Padfoot isn't picking up and I'm practically screaming over here trying to figure out if you're alright.

I love you. I know I only said it in the heat of the moment, but I love you so much. I'm in love with you. I know you're trying to help us in the only way you know how, but you should know as well that I'm just as stubborn, if not more stubborn than you.

Ron and I tried to run away from school, find our way to number twelve, because where else could you possibly be? We got stopped by Moody. Shouted at us in the streets.

This school owl next to me is refusing to take the other letters I've written, so I assume that you're blocked off, but I want to give this to you the next time I see you. I want to give this letter to you, and all the others, and tell you what a ridiculous git you are, and how much I love you no matter what you think of yourself.

I ache to see you, to hear you laugh, to get one more glimpse of your smile. I'm not one for poetry, more non-fiction obsessed, but damnit you just make something inside me shine and I refuse to let you think the world isn't a brighter place for having you in it.

I love you.

Hermione.

Catherine Potter - Wanted by the Ministry of Magic

For: Murder, Battery of Aurors and Ministry Officials, Assault - Intent to Resist Arrest

Reward of Ǥ1000 upon capture. Suspect is considered highly dangerous, approach with extreme caution. Any information leading to the arrest of this woman shall be duly awarded.

-::-

Albus Dumbledore - Wanted by the Ministry of Magic

For: Secondary Liability, Battery of Aurors and Ministry Officials, Assault - Intent to Resist Arrest

Reward of Ǥ2000 upon capture. Suspect is considered highly dangerous, approach with extreme caution. Any information leading to the arrest of this man shall be duly awarded.

Mum

I really think you should stop bad mouthing Potter, especially after the latest news. It's safest for all of us.

Seamus

Draco

What's this I hear about you and your mother taking a 'vacation'? You know what's expected of you. If you disappoint me, the consequences will be dire.

Your father.

That letter, upon being read, was summarily torched by Draco, his hands shaking as he watched the ashes fall to the dorm room floor. Crabbe and Goyle watched, but chose not to comment.

They, too, felt nothing but fear as of late.

Hermione

I've heard news about Catherine becoming wanted by the Ministry? Have they lost their minds?

Thankfully, in Bulgaria we haven't ignored the news of Voldemort's return, and are still healing from the wounds of the war that came before him. Please, write me back when you have the chance, I'd like to hear if you are okay.

Your friend, Viktor.

P.S. Thank you for the books you sent, they've helped my English. I hope I don't butcher your name if we run into each other again.

Cedric

I know you're dead, but my therapist says these letters help.

They do, and they don't.

I have no idea what to do. I don't think you would have believed me if you weren't there to see it, and you're somewhere else. I hope you're able to rest, wherever that is.

One of our teachers turned into a monster and Catherine ran at her, like she wasn't twenty feet tall and made of claws. Is this what curse breakers have to expect? Or is it just mummies and ghosts?

I'm scared, Cedric. I'm so, so scared.

I miss you,

Cho

One night, a few days after the disaster, the last members - what remained of the scraps of the D.A. - even more slipping away from Catherine's prior tutelage, got together in the Room of Requirement.

Drinks were drunk, poor decisions were made, and all in all, they had no idea where life was taking them.

Hermione did not show. Ron apologized. Luna cried. Fred and George simply offered a toast, solemn, hoping against all hope that Catherine was okay.

The night passed, and if McGonagall noticed their hangovers the next day, she did not comment. If any of them noticed the bags under her eyes, neither did they.

Albus

Thank you for not too thoroughly embarrassing myself and Amelia. I'd also like to apologize for Cornelius' behaviour, as the man has never been one to conduct himself in a respectable manner and I feel in some part responsible for that.

I believe I ought to knock some sense into him.

If you and Catherine would allow, I'd enjoy the opportunity to continue our conversation.

Awaiting your reply,

Saul Croaker - Director of the Department of Mysteries

Amelia stared at the stacks of parchment littering her desk, wondering when she'd become nothing more than a figurehead in her own department.

She glanced towards her tea, long forgotten, and mused for a second over the possibility of adding a splash of something stronger to it.

No. She'd seen her mother and far too many colleagues stolen away by the siren song of liquor.

Sighing deeply, she kneaded her forehead and tried to figure out when it all went wrong.

Catherine

I'm going to find a way to save you, I promise.

I love you,

Hermione

Hey

I've caught Hermione writing letters to you that she knows won't get delivered. I get it, sort of, but I still feel a bit strange putting this together.

I miss you.

Things are a nightmare now. Aurors are all over the school and I know they're just waiting for one of us to slip up and say something, thinking we know where you are.

We do, but, can't really say it, can we?

I wish I could do something to help. I know Hermione has her nose buried in a book somewhere searching for something, but I don't know what it is we can actually do. You said it yourself, right? This is above us.

And Merlin, look at all of us, a bunch of idiots running around with our heads cut off, trying to help a friend caught up in fighting gods.

Gods. Bloody gods. Still makes my skin itch just thinking about it.

I don't really know what else to write, but I hope I can see you again some time and we can all look back on this and laugh about it.

We're all waiting for you.

Ron.

"It doesn't make any sense, Lucius!" Fudge argued, pacing about his office. "I saw Amelia's memories, you saw them! I've never seen anything like that before!"

"I've told you before, Minister. The girl is obviously dangerous."

The man, tall, blond, and beyond imposing slipped out of his chair, hand gripping his cane tight. "I'll confer with some of my associates about this."

Nodding, Fudge opened the door for him. "Good, good. And Weasley? Weasley!?" He roared, sticking his head out and catching sight of Percy as he nearly dropped the stack of parchment he was holding. "If I find you're still talking with your family, you're out of a job!"