Chapter Ten: Eyes

Katherine laid on the hard gym floor, the celling was the only thing in her view. Sweat clung to her skin, making her clothes stick to her body. Everything on her was worn out, her body and mind.

A groan left her lips, she didn't want to practice with Samuel anymore. She didn't want to do anything today.

Yesterday, wasn't the best of days.

Being accused of adultery then cutting her husband with words, she didn't want to be an evil person. Rage is an emotion that consumed her lately. Katherine missed the happy girl she once was. Happiness was something that seemed impossible to achieve without the worst pain being brought to light.

Her nostril's flared, bottom lip trembled. The pain of it all. She wanted to hold Harry, to smell his innocence and make a new beginning.

Katherine's self-pity was interrupted.

"Will you just lay here and not get up; we have much to do. Little Dove," Samuel's firm tone filled Katherine's ears.

She wanted to stay down.

"If a spell knocks you down, will you just lay down like a dog or will you get up, like the witch you are."

Sitting, Katherine looked at him.

For the first time in days, she traced his features. Samuel was older than her, she would assume late forties. His dark skin had a few marks, scars. A story for each one, Katherine assumed. His hand reached out for her, Katherine grabbed his callus fingers, slowly rising.

Her shoulders slumped. The will to continue was gone. He shook his head with a gaze of disapproval.

The plus side, she was no longer galloping like a horse. Instead, her foot work was smooth. Today was hard. She didn't have it in her bones, the will of getting up. She kept reminding herself, Charity got up every day. She didn't mope around. Katherine watched her handle it all.

"You are thinking too much, you have to much going on in your head." Samuel noted out the obvious.

"I have a lot going on, I've explained it all to you," Katherine pulled her long sweaty hair into a ponytail, pulling the strands away from her face. She felt disgusted with herself, knowing she had to meet with Lupin in a bit, having no time to clean up and bathe.

Samuel kept staring at her, something seemed off. She knew he agreed very quickly to help her. Hoping the man before her was not getting cold feet. She had only informed him of events with her godchild, she refused to give him much detail of her marriage, past, anything that was a bit personal. He was the same.

Secrets surrounded Samuel, its what made Katherine want to keep coming back. She was drawn to his mysterious aura.

"Yes, and I told you that the house is ready in America, tomorrow night you will be on the cargo ready to go. Tonight, I work and will make sure everything is prepared for you. But right now, we learn." He snapped his fingers together.

She didn't want to learn. Allowing the second groan to escape her lips. They practiced. Hit and blocks, he threw items in her direction. Wanting her to catch them quickly. The goal was to work on her reflex.

The mind held power; it was his motto. Her mind was on meeting Lupin. The hope of him agreeing to help her. She missed the leap when he swung the large pole in her direction, tripping over the stick. She landed once again on the floor.

He stood over her, "Dove, listen, clear your mind. Look into my eyes. You are in control of your mind, body and soul."

His eyes, they always looked familiar. An almond color, honey, all of it was similar. Lost into his eyes. His mouth opened, calling her name. Her mind became fuzzy.

The sun was bright above her. The heat from the grass clung to her knees as she kept digging in the cold dirt. She was trying to find the nightshade within the ground. Tom had informed her she needed to collect the ingredients. The ingredients of the potion that he gave her at times.

Katherine hated the potion. The potion was not simple to make. A sleeping potion never was.

The difference with this sleeping potion, he would add his blood. Tom added one drop before they both consumed it. He assured her that he would rest on the side of her. That the dreams that haunted her mind at night would not continue.

The creature's warm breath haunted her mind. The hot breath consumed her. She was trapped. Tom always saved her in the end of the nightmare.

Telling him of the dream when she first arrived, he would help her thru the dreams by being around, holding her. Making the fear vanish. Later on, he started to give her the sleeping potion. It wasn't every-night. The thing that was strange, he was always up before she would rise. Tom always took a sip of the drink mixed with the potion. But it was only her who swayed back and forth.

Pushing the running thoughts away. The snake near her leg slithered away from her body. She was never exactly alone. They always followed her, the snakes.

The reptile before her was the length of one of her arms. She didn't dislike the snakes but they still sent chills down her spine. It was one thing to wear a crest of a snake. To be around them was different. They were not like dogs, where they enjoyed affection.

Though they were loyal to Tom. Keeping an eye on her.

She thought of the times the pair of them traveled, he had taken her to many places. The village of Little Hangleton was where it all started. The first time she was told to take the sleeping potion. The traveling continued, where she continued to take the potion.

Katherine glanced at her right arm; it was wrapped with a bandage. A long cut was on her forearm beneath the wrap, it was healing. Tom always apologized for the scar, it being a side effect from the potion. He had explained it.

The guilt had started to appear on Tom's face as time went on. She hated the scar but she hated the dreams more.

Snap

Hearing the branch break in the woods, she looked up. Scanning the woods. It was only darkness and trees. A part of her wanted to stand but she felt her hand upon the nightshade. She pulled the root up but kept her eyes ahead.

The snake slithered back to her.

She saw it.

The eyes in the woods stared back at her.

The same eyes she saw each time she was outside in the garden. To be seen was not safe. She knew the risk of everything if she was caught. One of the reasons the snakes followed her, Tom always wanted her to be safe.

The brown almond eyes moved out of the woods. For the first time she saw whom they belonged to. It was a beautiful girl, her skin dark, with her hair in a plait that draped over her shoulder. Her eyes were filled with curiosity watching her. The girl's gaze went to the snake for a moment before returning to her.

The muggle village was far away from the shack, Katherine stayed in. She slowly stood, keeping the nightshade in her grasp.

Another figure stood behind the girl, but the shadows covered the face. Broader and taller, Katherine assumed a man.

Maybe her lover?

His face hit the light. They looked almost identical, twins.

Brother and sister. His head shook, pulling the brown eye girl away, back into the darkness.

It was time for Katherine to bring the nightshade inside.

Seeing a sister and brother, made her long to see her family. A few years ago, she had left her family. She thought of them daily, Tom always reminded her that she had him now. Her heart started to become lonely, she missed her brother. To see the young man, he reminded her of James.

Katherine walked closer to the shack; it was time to return to her family. She didn't know how to inform Tom. They were having a rough patch at the moment. He had been consumed with going away, leaving her alone. He was consumed with learning more Dark Arts.

Darkness was starting to consume the man she had feeling for.

He was addicted. An addiction that Katherine didn't want their life to revolve around. Looking at the red rose bush near their door. The roses were magically perfect. Only items that were perfect at the moment. She opened the door.

Samuel snapped his fingers to get her attention bringing her back. The memory of the eyes and the two young pair she saw. The boy was Samuel.

"Little Dove," he called out. Touching her cheek.

Katherine shook her head. "Sorry, I think I need a bit of fresh air." She couldn't tell him about the memory. He never told her anything about the past.

Did he see her?

Katherine wanted to run away from her own thoughts, to realize that Tom was obsess with darkness, it made sense on what she always thought.

He was or is a Death Eater. She needed to get Harry. Not wanting to worry about the memories, she needed to leave Britain for good.

Samuel and Katherine gave quick goodbyes before she walked out the gym.

Katherine looked at the picture of Medusa once more that was painted on the entrance door. It was inspired by a drawing his sister did. The painting showed a mature woman. Medusa's features looked familiar. Reaching up to her own face, Katherine traced her features. They mimicked the drawing. The difference was Medusa was a tad older.

Shaking her head, she forced herself to laugh. Impossible. Medusa was a made-up story; gorgons were not witches.

Katherine took off running.

A part of her wanted to leave the information at the gym. Heading toward the park where Lupin planned to meet. The wind was cold against her sweaty face, the salt from her sweat started to burn her eyes making her slow down.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, pressing her fingers against her eyelids. The fall was a surprised. She felt the thorns of the bush prick her skin. Her body did not move. She felt weak, mentally drained.

Katherine tripped into the bush on the side of Hogwarts castle. The thorns pricked her skin, the pain was subtle. Tom's hand came into her view as he reached for her.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

Katherine couldn't deny that she was clumsy. The pair had talked over an hour about the war again. She confirmed Tom's speculations. That Albus Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald. She praised the older wizard.

With each praise she had given she watched Tom's posture change. He was no longer laughing. Katherine found her footing, and began sweeping the dirt off her school uniform.

Tom's long fingers began to gently pluck the leaves from her hair. She felt a gentle tug on a few strands, sending a tickle sensation to her scalp.

"I told you I was clumsy, no talent" She teased herself innocently wiping her hands together to try and get the dirt off of them. Her cheeks felt hot.

Tom leaned against the stone bricks of the school. "Everyone has a talent," he corrected with a playful wink.

Katherine tilted her head "Some people do, my good friend is amazing with her art work. She can paint almost anything and make it look like the actual item. Its stunning work."

Thinking of Charity. She noticed Tom was no longer looking at her but in the far distance, unsure if he was paying attention. "Do you have a talent?"

Tom pulled out his wand looking at it, "yes, but I want to know yours. I feel you don't want to share." He teased.

His attention was not on her.

A tickle on the back of neck made her a bit uneasy. The way his eyes looked at her, it captivated her. Quickly averting her own gaze. She did have a talent, not wanting to admit she was quick at taking items. Being a common thief was not a positive look. No matter what time.

Katherine's voice lowered "I have more flaws than skills."

The grass blades that were swaying with the wind reminded her of people dancing. She could hear chatter in a distance. A group of people were nearby.

A firm grip pulled her into the shadows that casted over the stone wall. Pulling her closer to his body. He never released her waist. With each deep breath she took, she felt restricted from his body pressed against hers.

It was forbidden to be here, to be near him. She couldn't escape the excitement of being close to him. His hand on her waist made her crave his touch more.

No one would know if she was hurt by him, not a soul. The thrill of the unknown, it was a rush that she found consumed her. Breaking the rules.

His face lowered, inch by inch it came closer. Katherine's mouth barley opened.

Tom's cheek rested on her cheek. "Watch mine" He whispered.

A simple command.

Tom's grip on her waist dropped, he turned to press his own back against the stone. Standing next to her.

She wasn't sure what sound he was making but the hissing and slithering words that escaped his perfect lips sent chills thru body. Parseltongue, it was a language that she read about but never heard with her own ears. His actions were confirmed as a black snake appeared from the shadows, it slithered around Katherine's shoes. She wanted it to stop.

To hear something rare escape the boy's mouth. Katherine said the first thing that came to her mind.

"Salazar Slytherin was able to speak to snakes, it's a trait his bloodline carries."

Stating history facts, a nervous tick

The snake slithered away, leaving the young pupils alone

Starring at Tom, her brows furrowed together. She didn't need him to answer, she knew that he was indeed from the same bloodline of Salazar Slytherin

. His talent was proof.

"Only his bloodline," Katherine added.

Tom shrugged his shoulders "I don't know my mother died when I was born, my father, I never knew him. Enough about this, but I showed you mine." His lips turned upward into a smirk.

It was obvious to speak about his family was not a topic he wished to chat about. Respectfully Katherine started to shake her head. Her brown hair fell into her vision. Tom's fingers gently placed the strand behind her ear.

"Well then I think I need to help you find that talent" his playful tone was like music to her ears, "we will find it together."

His smile. She felt like staying him would be perfect.

But everything must come to an end, staying was not allowed. She had a life, friends, family, school. Katherine reached for the time turner beneath her collar. She couldn't stay.

"Soon, we have a Gala at school coming up. I'll be away for a while." She confessed.

She didn't want to be away from him but realistically she didn't belong here. Separating herself was the best thing to do. Needing to focus on her studies since exams were near the corner.

"Alone?" Tom enquired.

"Right now, alone, but I plan to ask someone." Katherine retorted. She wanted to ask Snape. Being around Tom never erased her feeling for her fellow housemate.

The pair gave their quick goodbyes before she went back to her time period.

Katherine stood in the same spot, but her time, realizing that she was not far from a heartbreak happening before her eyes. She watched as Rita Skeeter kept pointing her finger at Sirius Black a few feet away from her. Not able to make out what was being said.

Katherine was no fool, when it came to Sirius. He had a reputation that was known for being one of the 'players' though to Katherine he was like a brother. She didn't see the side that all the girls cried over, thinking it was silly that they even went crawling back to him.

Katherine watched as Rita slapped the boy across his face.

He probably deserved it; Katherine told herself.

Rita stormed off leaving Sirius moving jaw around and rubbing his cheek. His dark eyes landed on her. A devilish grin took over his face.

"What are you doing out here?" Sirius probed as he made his way toward her.

Katherine rolled her eyes looking at the red mark on his cheek, "Looks painful." She teased ignoring his question.

Black ran his fingers thru his hair, sweeping it from his face. She understood why women flaunted in front of him, seeking his approval.

"She's a bit annoyed with me right now."

"I'm sure you will easily win her back." Katherine taunted. Rolling her eyes.

The laugh escaped her mouth from Black's arrogant grin. Living with her family did not erase the confident Sirius had.

"Maybe, but I may just find someone else to entertain me." Black wagged his eyebrows.

Katherine blinked a few times shocked with his gesture. "I'm too busy to feed your ego, find someone else," she mocked.

"Ouch." Sirius planted his hand on his chest.

"Come on Sirius, isn't she the third one this week?" Katherine continued to taunt his actions with the girls of Hogwarts.

Crossing her arms, he was still immature, her brother was slowly getting out of that phase. "Do we always have to act like a dog?"

Katherine turned on her heels and began walking toward the castle. Black followed behind her trying to keep up.

"You think I'm a dog?"

"You don't want to know what I think."

The castle doors opened before them, the Gryffindor and Slytherin pupil walked inside. He continued to question and figure out what she thought of him. Refusing to give him the satisfaction, she was not budging.

They watched Professor Flitwick move decorations into the great hall, using magic. Sirius changed to topic to the Gala and began picking her brain. She confirmed that she planned to attend the dance.

"Alone or with a friend." Black asked.

"Snape, I'm hoping he wants to go with me." Katherine didn't care that her brother and friends had a feud with him. It made it a bit exciting.

"He would be a fool not to, but why him," Black's tone was gentle but he wore a serious expression.

She wasn't use to the pair having a serious conversation, shrugging her shoulders. She didn't want to answer why him.

Her main question, why would he pick her?

The words that Black waited for never left her mouth.

Snape understood her. He understood what it felt like to be second best. Katherine was second best to her brother, to everyone. Something Snape understood.

Lily and Snape were no longer friends. Katherine wasn't happy the pair grew apart, but with them apart, it gave her hope.

Hoping that they could become closer. She didn't have the competition against Lily anymore.

All of it was Hope.

Katherine began to leave Black behind, she wanted to enter the library before dusk.

"Where are you going?" He called out. Knowing the boy didn't like to be alone.

"Find myself a talent." She giggled.

Thinking of how Tom told her they would find a talent together. Not giving Sirius the actual answer of her wanting to research more on Salazar Slytherin because of Tom. Katherine wanted to learn more of his talent. Learn more of his bloodline. Tom didn't want to speak about his mother or father earlier, but maybe he would enjoy the history of his lineage.

"You already have one." Black called back, she stopped walking her back still to him.

Katherine didn't know what talent Black was speaking of.

"Playing the piano."

Those three words created a smile upon her lips. She didn't think anyone remembered that talent. It was an old talent. A talent she stopped and swore the day her mother died; she would never play again. Being her mother's favorite thing to listen to, her playing the piano. Katherine didn't turn around to look at her brother's friend. She continued her journey to the library.

That talent was gone, she would find a new one.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

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Chapter Eleven: Moonlight

Coming June 1st