(A/N: Here it is: The dramatic ending... I hope you liked reading along! Don't forget to read the sequel! **Author currently can't remember the name... but will figure it out!** Oodles of happiness is wished towards the few good souls that reviewed, and my co-writer HpGrl(also known as Meagan) So sad to say goodbye, but it is the end...)
Chapter 35
The Past is a Shadow that Will Follow us Around
Cate stood there. Bellum's jaw dropped. Well, he had almost expected it. But it was still rather shocking. Cate glared at all the staring people. But then she turned to Bellum.
"Oh no... Don't you look at me like it was all MY fault!" he said, reading the look she gave him. "We were both... Um... Part of it...."
Cate ignored him and turned to the doctor. "How far along am I?"
"Erm... About 2 or 3 months..." The doctor said, a little scared of her.
"Abortion won't be an option. I wish to keep my baby." Is she had let Sirius live, she could let her own child live. That was what she thought on this matter. Bellum looked relieved at this. They were keeping their child, though he noticed Cate referred to it as "her" child. It was his too... He smiled nervously, and attempted to put his arm around Cate. She pushed him away.
"Well, I'll be going." She sniffled. "Home." She apparated on the spot. The doctor turned to Bellum. A hag sneezed in the background, and the chandelier narrowly missed Bellum. Things weren't going his way either. The hag sneezed again,
and a magazine flew up and hit him in the face. "Well, good luck sir, with your wife..." The doctor said. "Be sure to keep her under control. Happy Valentine's day sir!"
"You too mate. You too..."
The 14th of February was approaching. Bellum sighed. It was the 10th. This wasn't the way he was planning to spend his Valentine's Day. He sighed, just as the old hag sneezed, and appeared back at the farm...
~*~
"It'll all work." Dolere said to herself. " I know now that she isn't stable after that mental breakdown at breakfast this morning.
I think I'll win this round. She's-" There was a knock on the door. Bellum let himself in. He didn't look too happy at all. This made Dolere even happier. Perhaps something happened.
"You need to get out." He said, looking around the rather empty room with disgust. "We're all sick of you moping around. Go do something."
"What are you? My father?" Dolere shot at him.
"No... People are going to think you're up to something crafty..."
"Well, we ARE up to something... taking over the world!"
"Just get out!"
"Wanting the house alone again? Something up with the wifey? Just remember this: Children in the dark cause accidents, but it's the accidents in the dark that cause children." She said, and she walked out.
But before she was out the doorway, she was hit with a bit of magic. She couldn't move. He had hit her with that stupid invention of his. He carried the little magical things around in his pocket.
"What was that you said?" He said, an he snapped his fingers and she could move again.
"Are you a little sensitive? Is there something about children by any chance?" Dolere hissed, and Bellum didn't answer. She
grinned. "Oooh.. Are you having a baby? How convenient. Bet you weren't expecting that one..."
"Get out before I kill you."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... I'm going. Enjoy your time alone with Catie dearest..." She said, almost skipping out the door. She was going
someplace quiet. But why did it have to be so cold?
~*~
Cate had changed into loose clothes and wrapped herself in three or so blankets, and was lying in bed, thinking things over. Why did her life have to fall apart? All in a time of 2 days.. Why did it have to happen to her? But she was brought back to reality by a knock on the door.
"What do you want?" she moaned. Bellum shuffled in, a little nervous looking.
"How are you feeling? Do you need anything?"
"Oh no... I'm great. Juuuuuuuust peachy. Wonderful. I mean, wouldn't you be?"
"Sorry I asked." He said, looking around. He sat on the corner of the bed. "I still love you, nothing has changed, Cate. And I'll
always love you, so don't get any funny ideas, okay?"
"I'm the one that should be sorry." Cate sniffled. "I had a breakdown. But... I know it sounds silly and all but... I don't think
I'm ready to me a mummy. I don't what happened to me to happen to my kid."
"Well, I'll make sure for you it doesn't. Only the best for our baby." Bellum said, smiling at Cate.
"Come here. Just lie here by me. You're the only one I really can trust..."
~*~
"How to get rid of Bellum for a few hours?" Dolere said, sitting at the cafe, talking to herself. "He hasn't left the house in a while either, and I doubt he'd leave her alone for a while." She paused to tap her fingers on the table. "Perhaps our enemies Meagan
and Marykate can be of help there. Yes, yes! I know what I'll do now..." She laughed, and a few people hurried out the door of the cafe. They were giving her odd looks and shuffled out. Even the waitresses were. She grabbed her bag, and headed off someplace more private. She was going to the middle of no where. In the van they all sort of owned.
Stopping in the middle of a field, she took out a piece of parchment, a quill, and began to write.
Dear Sirius Black,
I have some information that may be of use. I am sure you know of Cate, for she is your daughter. I feel it safer for the
world if she were to discontinue her evil career. I think she has a definite soft spot for you. I believe you can coax her back at this particular moment. After her last meeting with you, she is in a rather interesting state, and I think she can be with held safely.
This is basically for her own good. You can have your daughter back, and the world will be free of her awful wrath. It would mean she would not kill anyone more, and she'll be Cate again. Not the Dark Angel of Light.
You are the only one who can talk to her, and I fear if she runs into Meagan anymore, she will go back. She has calmed down slightly, and all her virtues are not evil.
But I do need the help of Meagan and Marykate. I do not know any of you very well, but I do believe you can handle a man called Bellum Pugnare. Just to keep him out of the way while Sirius talks to Cate. There is also a woman called Facere Flagrare, but I shall handle her. I have it all planned. It would do us good if Meagan and Marykate showed at
the town of Hope, on the date of February 14th in the American State of North Dakota, at 3:00 PM, American Central Standard Time. I'll make sure Bellum shows up someplace, probably the cafe. Sirius, if you are prepared, there is a house about five miles north of the town. It is a regular looking house, it is yellow, and there are two big barns. Cate will probably be in the house, I'd bet you can find her. Show up at the same time Meagan and Marykate are heading around the town.
Who am I you wonder? If you are having thoughts, or thinking this is a trap, you are wrong. I am Dolere Viruent, a member of the American Ministry's special undercover task force. Some time ago, Cate entered and changed my
previous mission, but now I have the mission to get Cate back to sanity. I'd appreciate it greatly if you could help.
Please respond to this with your answer, as quickly as possible!
Sincerely yours,
Dolere Viruent.
She looked it over. It was a short simple letter. Now all she had to hope for was a positive response. She waved her hand, there was no need for owls they were too slow. The letter would arrive any second to where all the good people were.
Now all she had to do was insert her name in the Ministry records, as an agent. Incase anyone checked. That was easy enough. She could tap into the system with her mind. Grabbing a written file from her bag, she paged through it and decided it was a flawless piece of work. So in a file cabinet, in alphabetical order, her fake file appeared.
Now she was going to wait. And then once she got a response, hopefully wait for February the 14th to come around....
~*~
Everyone was out of the cramped hospital room, since no one needed to be there anymore. They were all back at cozy Hogwarts, sitting in front of a cozy fire. Then a neat envelop appeared on Sirius's lap.
"What is it?" He said, looking at it cautiously. He looked funny, he was still as he looked as a teenager.
"A letter, Sirius.... Figure it out..." James commented.
"I know that. But who is it from?"
"Open it!" Everyone said, leaning closer.
"Dear Sirius Black....." Sirius read. He read it all aloud and looked around for an opinion.
"I don't know...." Lizzie said.
"Well... Even if it is a trap or something, we can manage to get out."
Meagan said. "But I can't use my powers for now, if I do, though, it hurts. Maybe I should stay..."
"I can't go alone!" Marykate squeaked. "He's that strange man you ran into..."
"Well, he didn't seem to dangerous. He didn't hurt me at all."
"I could go. In place of Meagan." Jeremy said.
"You haven't been around magic long enough though." Meagan added.
"I always could..." Ridere said skeptically.
"Ahh... You'll do. I'll watch. Marykate, where is that old crystal ball?" Meagan asked.
"Who cares?" Sirius said. "Go steal Professor Trelawney's!" Everyone stared, but it worked well enough.
"I suppose we should send this woman an answer." Remus said, reading the letter over again. "Here. All you do is, tap your reply and say her name. Sirius you'd better write it..."
Sirius grumbled and wrote a reply. Tapping it and saying "Dolere Viruent" it disappeared. Now they were to wait. Marykate, meanwhile, looked her up. It said she as indeed an agent, and fit the description perfectly. She showed everyone, and they agreed it was genuine. Sirius and Elizabeth talked everything out amongst themselves...
"Do you really think it'll work Sirius?"
"Well, we can hope. I don't know if she'll be too happy to see me again... But this person said she was suffering mentally from our last meeting. All I have is this here scar... Which is still a scab. But I'm fine."
"Sirius... Don't underestimate her... And don't overestimate yourself. Those things can lead to a lot of fatal mistakes."
"I know, Lizzie." Sirius answered. "What a way to spend Valentine's Day."
"I know... Well, we can celebrate it tomorrow if you like."
"Switching the holidays? Sounds great!" Sirius grinned. "Just when I thought we had done everything."
"Oh, you great prat, it's not a big deal..." Lizzie said, punching him on the arm.
~*~
"Moping around the house." Cate said, sitting at the table. "That's all I've done the past few days."
"Well, that's all you're supposed to do." Dolere said. "What else is there for you to do? Unless you want to risk injury to yourself and your baby."
"Thank-you for the lesson on that. But I already read that part." Cate said, brandishing a rather thick book on pregnancy and parenthood. She scowled.
It was part of Dolere's plan to keep Cate inside the house and convince her not to go anywhere. She had gotten very good at everything she did. She had discovered something about Facere in her search for records to plant in the Ministry's records...
This is how she would keep Facere far away from Cate.
"No alcohol..." Cate read... "Drugs... Man life sucks..."
"You weren't on drugs, were you?" Facere said with a sideways glance, looking rather worried.
"Of course not you shilly sit!" Cate rolled her eyes. "No, I am not..."
"Well that's good."
At that moment, Cate took off in a dead run for the bathroom, where she gurgled in the toilet. She then passed out. A few steps behind her, Bellum turned his view away, and when he turned back he realized she had fainted.
"How much of this do I have to go to..." He groaned, and marched over to Cate and scooped her in his arms. "Straight to bed for you it is..." He kissed her forehead, and went off to read the newspaper. Cate liked to be alone much more the past few days, and he had found that it was best to let her sleep. She was less crabby. So he picked up the paper, propped his feet
up on the opposite end of the couch, making himself comfortable, and began to read the news. Nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
"Muggles!" He gasped. They were right out the window, looking in. Rolling off the couch, he went to the door.
"Your monthly payment?" the landlord man asked. A few kids, his oldest daughter, Cathy, and her friends Brandon and Tiff were running about the yard. He was afraid to have a kid now... The one he recognized as Tiff-- No, make that Cathy, was giving him strange looks again.
"Oh, yes. Sorry, was I late?" He said, grabbing a wad of Muggle money from the drawer next to him.
"Where are all your friends?"
"Oh... Well, my wife is asleep, and the others are someplace I suppose." He thought this man was really nosy in a rude sort of way. "But I don't really think I can leave her alone too long... So bye." He said that really fast, and shut the door quickly. Then he went to close the shades and read his newspaper in peace... He sighed and opened the Sports Page. But it was interrupted this time by Cate, who made another dash to the bathroom once again. He sighed, laid the paper aside, and jetted off after her.
"I'm fine." Cate choked, managing not to pass out this time. "Aww... C'mere." He said, hugging her. "I'm sorry it's you that has to go through all of this."
"I'd swap ya anytime." Cate said, taking a deep breath and relaxing in her husband's arms. Bellum sighed. There was no use in going back to his newspaper. He could still lift Cate rather easily, and he carried her; once again, to the bedroom, and this time plopped down on the bed himself. He was careful not to squash her as well.
"So do you have any names picked out yet?" he asked.
"Well, not really, but I like the name Ethan. Or Jack."
"Those are nice... Least a son won't be called anything strange like Bellum.."
"Well, your name is certainly original though. Bet there aren't too many Bellum's out there."
"I bet not." He laughed a little. "What about a girl's name?"
"Hmm.. Maybe Felicity?"
"That's a pretty name. Well, we have a while to think about it all you know."
"Yes, I know. Well, the situation could always be worse... So I guess I'll be happy with what I have..." Cate said. Then her face left the soft lighthearted state it seemed to be in and turned to a rather hateful expression. "At least I know the father. I'm not 17, pregnant, in a rather abusive insane relationship, and so on..."
"Your mum?"
"Sadly."
"Well, we'll be good parents. Promise?"
"Promise."
Bellum kissed her on the cheek, not really wanting to get to close to her mouth, after she had finished throwing up that was. But he let her put her head on his chest and drift off to sleep.
~*~
"Well, Happy Valentine's Day!" Harry said, kissing Meagan softly. "I've got something for you... But it's rather normal. Nothing too magical and all..."
"It's beautiful!" said Meagan, ripping off the pink wrapping paper dotted with white hearts. It was a necklace, with a diamond centerpiece. The gold and silver chain was pretty too. She put it on right away and kissed Harry back.
It seemed most people had gotten a gift. Sirius had went a little overboard though. The whole great hall was filled with fluttering Cupids, which were mobbing poor Lizzie, who screamed and ducked under a table. Once Sirius finally woke up and decided to go to breakfast he stopped to stare for a few moments, and ran after a n exceptionally fat cupid, which was starting to
aim up on him with an arrow.
That was the first laugh of the day. The only one not laughing was Snape, who didn't seem to like the floating pink hearts, nor the fact that a cupid was following him too, though no one sent it after him. If he cared to listen to it though, it had a very rude message thought up by Sirius himself, who decided Snape needed punishing for the detention episode, which of course he did not go to.
But that was the only fun part of the day, for they still had the plan for capturing Cate left...
~*~
Dolere sat alone at the cafe, tapping her fingernails on the table. She was wondering when everyone would decide to show up. They were already half an hour late. But finally, they appeared, and she didn't even mind that Meagan wasn't there, it was that revolting Ridere Satis she knew in her childhood.
"Hello..." She said, making herself sound a little nervous. "I'm Dolere. You must be Ridere and Marykate. Pleasure."
They shook hands promptly, though she let go of Ridere's rather fast.
"Okay, well, sorry about this really, but you're kind of babysitting. But it's crucial that you don't let him get back to the house. Or else... Well, you know. It won't work out. Do you understand?"
Marykate and Ridere nodded. Dolere had made herself sound very sincere and kind.
"Now I must go... tend to other things... Goodbye!"
"She's a lot different from when I knew her. She's really quiet attractive now, when we were little she had this-"
"That's nice, just be ready..."
~*~
Dolere rounded the corner in the house, looking frantic. She discovered Cate was asleep, and Bellum was sitting with the book on parenting, reading intently.
"Shhh!" she said, "Trouble at the cafe! Two of those... People that are after Cate showed up... They're lookin' for her."
"Erm... Should I get her?"
"NO! Think of what they could do to her.. One is Ridere Satis, remember him? That goody-goody kid from school a while back? Can you handle two people. Cate's been a little crabby lately. I think she might lose any battle in her state."
"You're right. Where's the cafe again?"
This is what she hoped for, and he apparated off to the cafe... She set off to find Facere, and take care of her. Now all Sirius had to do was show up a bit later...
~*~
Cate pulled on her usual attire, though the shirt was not half as showy as the old one, though the skirt was. She was just seeing how she looked. Then she heard something.
"Who's there?" she called.
Sirius took a deep breath and turned the corner. He ran directly into the door that swung open, which Cate had opened coming out of her room. He muttered something, and looked up into the eyes of his daughter, who looked as stunned to see him as he was to see her.
Cate gasped. Sirius gasped. Cate pointed her wand at Sirius's throat. She immediately snapped from her sorry "I'm pregnant and feel sorry for myself" state of being and went back to what she was always like before.
"I suppose this is another attempt to show courage and bravery. In other words, foolishness."
"No, to show I love you."
"I've heard it enough. I'm not going back." Cate said, but her voice wavered slightly.
"You still don't believe it, do you?"
"Not really."
"Well, you are responsible for many lives right now. Do you know exactly how many people that is?"
"It is whoever I decide not to kill. Which is the entire population that is living now. I could have, and should have killed you. And here you are again. What pointless point are you trying now to prove?"
"My life of course." Sirius went on, ignoring her comment. "I probably should have died or went insane in Azkaban. But no. I'm here now, standing right in front of you. What kept me alive? Thoughts, love. And yes, there were people I thought about more than others. You and your mother were the most thought of. I was determined to get out. Make sure you had a decent father. And also Harry, to make sure he was alive and all still... So really, you are part of the reason I'm here."
"So? Do I care?" Cate snapped. In truth, she did care, and was beginning to think about things.... Then suddenly she felt like she was going to hurl again. She was looking a bit green.
"And your mother, she wouldn't be here."
"But if I weren't here, she'd be living her life."
"But she would have had an awful life. Trapped with... that man... and all. And the baby's life too. And I'm sure it effects everyone."
Cate trembled. At the word Baby. She was having one of her own now. She swayed on the spot. Sirius placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked him in the eyes. His were identical in every way. She closed her eyes, she couldn't bear it. She was breaking down again.
"I'm sorry. In every way I let you down. I'm still sorry. If your life was ruined, I'm sorry. But, are you sorry? For what you have done?" Sirius choked through a few tears. Cate too was starting to cry.
Cate didn't answer. She turned around, completely sobbing now. She knew though, she really was a little sorry. She took a seat on the couch and sobbed.
"You aren't completely evil." Sirius said.
Cate gasped and looked up at him. She pointed her wand at him and shouted something, which he dodged, throwing himself across the room, knocked over by the TV set. By now she was looking just as angry as she did before she had softened a little bit.
She raised her wand and grinned, but that didn't happen. Sirius yelled, expecting the worst, but nothing happened. It was like an imaginary force had hit her. There was a flash of light, and Cate was unconscious, but levitating a few feet off the ground, her head slumped. Her hair flowed out behind her, and she glowed more than usual. Then, with a very loud noise and almost blinding flash, she crumpled to the ground.
Sirius stared, shielding himself from the light. Was she dead? He certainly hoped not. But she moaned, and clutched at her stomach. She looked up at him, as he was now standing right above her. An eerie green mist hovered about the room, and it seemed to be talking... He was getting out of there fast. But he couldn't leave Cate. She looked as if she were going to die. So he scooped her up in his arms and set off for... Where was he going? He didn't know...
Thinking hard, he mumbled a few words from a charm he remembered from a long time ago. He appeared in the Hogwarts basement... If he could make it to the hospital wing... Past Snape's office... He was clear.
Cate didn't move, nor look like she was about to. She opened her eyes once, and then they rolled to the back of her head. But she was getting heavy. Very heavy.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... What are we bringing home now Black?" Snape said. He had gotten rid of the stupid Cupid already. "So this is how you spend your Valentine's Day? Aren't you... ENGAGED? You should know better than this... But you had to bring it home."
"Beg pardon?" Sirius barked wheeling around. "You obviously misjudged the situation..."
"But your taste isn't bad. She is rather attractive, but I don't think Elizabeth will be too happy. She'll just have to find a better man." Snape stood up straighter.
"You think she's some sort of Hooker?" Sirius said, his jaw dropping. "Say, do you remember my daughter, Cate?"
"Of course. Didn't she--"
"Well, this is Cate. Good day to you too you stupid greasy haired- arse-hole!" Sirius stomped. "I do have something to attend to, and wish to reach the hospital wing before my child dies!"
Snape stared. He didn't know what to do. So he quietly went back to hide office to think about things... But that left Sirius to hurry off to the Hospital wing. He kicked open the door and huffed in, laying ate delicately on the bed.
"Oh bloody hell!" Madam Pomfrey said. "Not another one! How many people are going to get hurt. What's the matter?"
"I think she lost her powers. I think the good settled in a bit more, and her body couldn't handle it all."
"She's barely alive! This is another expensive visit to the hospital... Quickly, Quickly!"
~*~
"YOU!" Ferre spat, catching sight of Bellum.
"YOU!" Bellum spat, with equal hatred. "What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I live here!"
"Just visiting?"
That didn't cut it. Bellum was in an angry rage, and so was Ridere. The two hated each other. Ever since school days. The curses were flung back and forth, two people against one. But Bellum knew better curses.
"Ha!" he shouted, hitting Ridere with an unknown curse. It was one of those odd things he had invented, like a bomb, but it threw a random curse. He shrugged, pleased with it's effect, and tossed one at Marykate, who caught it before it exploded and tossed it back. It exploded in mind-air, and a jet black could engulfed them all. "Ahh! It burns!"
Marykate was shrieking too. Fumbling around in his pockets, Bellum tossed something different and the smoke disappeared. He threw curses at Marykate until he had nothing left in his pockets. Then he broke out his wand.
"So tell me, why ARE you here?" he said, before preparing to curse her too.
"No reason." She said, and a chair whizzed around Bellum's head, narrowly missing him.
"DOLERE!" He suddenly gasped. "That horrible lying wench! What has she done? Tell me please?!"
"What?"
"Cate!" he gasped again. "Sorry to leave you all hanging, but I have to run. Emergency! Farewell!"
He apparated on the spot, appearing at the house, which was empty. It was a mess though, as if there was a struggle. He yelled a few times, and his eyes flashed. He'd just pieced everything together. Now he had to find Dolere. And Facere.
"Cattttttttteee! NOOOO!" he yelled one more time. There was no telling what had happened to her. But first he was going to punish Dolere. He couldn't get her with a curse, but Muggle weapons worked just as well... From the nightstand, he grabbed a long knife and a loaded gun.
~*~
"What's wrong with you Dolere?" Facere screamed.
"You double-crosser. Right from the beginning. Never were on our side at all. Ministry Member... I'm sure they'll miss you. What a loyal undercover you were. For all those years." She had a gun pointed at Facere's head. She was looking rather possessed.
Giving Dolere a sharp kick, she made a mad grab for the gun, but she was shot on the arm. Dolere shrieked, and turned around, to face Bellum, who was also armed. He wasn't going to waste his time. He pulled the trigger before Dolere had a chance to react. He had hit her somewhere in the middle, and blood splattered everywhere.
"You should have known better." He muttered. He hoped she died. He really did. She had double crossed Cate. "Facere, you okay?"
"Mm-hmm..." Facere muttered, clutching her left arm. "We can't go back. She's probably told Mors."
"Right. Where are we going then?"
"Well, to find your wife. And get my arm fixed. What about-"
"She can die. I hope she does too. After that plot..."
"I hope your baby is okay. I really do." Facere said, her eyes softening. She was a considerable amount different than the pry maniac she seemed to be. "Me too." Bellum choked, in what was barely a whisper. "Me too."
~*~
Cate had been examined by many doctors already. She still hadn't moved, and she was going even paler than she had turned. She was getting ghost white. The lead doctor entered the room, he was well known and had many medals and awards.
"We've examined her." He sighed. "No telling when she's waking up, or coming back to life. But I must inform you about her condition."
"Go on." Lizzie sniffled, a box of tissues next to her was half used up already. She clutched Sirius's hand tightly.
"Well, physically, she is... perfect. Here genes happened to line up perfectly. No physical flaws at all, she could run a mile and not break a sweat, and she's perfectly toned in every way. But mentally... is another story. The result of a bad childhood altered her mind. She's only 17 and has reached a rather genius-like level, but she won't think like normal people. It's a disorder. There are no other cases reported, but I highly suspect another case is Voldemort himself. But her mind is unstable. She may never be completely stable. And-"
The doctor was interrupted. The door had swung open. A man who looked as if was put through cyclone winds and all the other nice messy stuff that caused you to look rather distressed.
"Bellum!!!" Ridere shouted, throwing himself at him. Bellum gave him a look of disgust and stepped over him.
"I believe I have not introduced myself properly." Bellum glared, brushing down his messy brown hair. "Bellum Pugnare... Private agent."
No one said a thing. He sighed, and looked to Cate. He closed his eyes and continued on, so he wouldn't be attacked. "I have been a private agent since I was 4. I was trained. Myself and Facere Flagrare. She acted as my older sister, and she knew what to do. I was rather... gifted in the art of acting, I suppose you could call it. At least it had Mors Vox's clan of Frenchmen fooled."
"What is your relation to all of this?"
"Well, you see, this was my case, far before Cate walked in." He cast a look to Sirius. "Sorry you all think me evil, but really, I'm as good as the rest of you. Look me up."
"Well, have a seat young man." Sirius said. "How does this directly concern you."
But Bellum wasn't listening to Sirius. He pulled up a chair, as close to Cate as possible and started to question the doctor. "Is she okay?" he asked frantically. "Is whatever it is bad?"
"Well, there's no telling."
"What about the baby?"
"Hold it a second!" Sirius said, standing up and asking the question that was suddenly on everyone's mind after Bellum's last sentence. "Baby? She's... Cate is.. My daughter... Is... pregnant?!!!?"
"Yes. Haven't you noticed?" Bellum sighed and rolled his eyes. Everyone stared at him. He patted Cate's belly softly and smiled.
"I take it you're the father then?" Meagan asked carefully.
"Of course!" Bellum almost shouted. " I also happen to be her husband..." He said, and dug around in another pocket in his robes and pulled out a ring. He slipped it on Cate's left ring finger and stared at her lovingly.
"Well, your child seems fine, as long as she's still alive. She's three months along by the way. If you didn't know already."
It was an interesting picture. Everyone was a good distance away from Bellum, who was getting a few odd looks. Especially from Sirius and Elizabeth. It seemed to scare them.
"So how long have you been married?" Harry asked carefully.
"Since December 28th." Bellum answered rather pleasantly. He counted out months on his fingers. "That's... Almost 2 months now."
"I see. We're a couple too. Only married a few days later." Harry said, indicating Meagan. He as trying to be friendly, but Meagan didn't take an instant liking to Bellum. She didn't really want to be there. It made her sort of nervous. But she threw on a fake smile anyways.
~*~
It was a few days before Cate woke up, and it was quite the event. Her eyes flashed open, and she sat straight up, looking around. She screamed loudly and shortly, before Bellum cupped his hand over her mouth. She was breathing rather fast.
"Where.. Am... I?!" Cate yelled, looking around. "What happened?"
"The hospital. You're fine Cate. It's all going to work out." Bellum said, a little agitated that everyone had backed away and looked to him to explain. "Let us alone for a second, will you please?"
Everyone raced to the door. Cate burst into tears, and sobbed into her husband's shoulder. She knew what happened. While she was out cold, something in her head tapped into her brain, telling her she was good again. Bellum explained what Dolere had set up, and that yes, the baby was still fine.
She hugged him, and kissed him once on the cheek, and laid back down to sleep....
~*~
"That was one of the most interesting things..." Godric Gryffindor commented. "At least I think we convinced her."
"Hopefully." Rowena Ravenclaw added.
"Well, I'm sure you did." Hufflepuff sighed.
"Sanity is back... for now...." Slytherin added.
The founders had done something to alter it all. They caused Cate's powers to backfire, and convinced her she was good. That was why she was asleep so long. She had needed convincing. It was a simple plan, but had worked well... at last for a while...
~*~
"What's happening here?" Facere said, suddenly appearing. No one knew where she came from. "What happened to Bellum? Did he explain?"
"Yeah." Sirius said blankly. Facere had been off for a few days, clearing her title with the American Ministry and explaining every detail to them.
"Sirius..." Elizabeth said suddenly, grabbing Sirius's arm so tightly it was painful.
"What Lizzie darling?"
"My water just broke." Sh had gone white, and was breathing rapidly.
"Oh God! DOCTOOOOOOOOOORRR!" he shouted.
"Hey you two! Lizzie's in labor!" James shouted through the door.
Cate sat up, and Bellum helped her along, she still wasn't too steady on her feet. Sirius and Lizze had disappeared. It was part of the technology in the hospital. People in need of help appeared in the correct room.
~*~
Everyone had gone to sleep in the waiting room. Cate and Bellum were asleep on the couch, taking up all the room. Everyone else was left to find the most comfortable chair or spot on the floor there was. When Sirius finally opened the doors to announce some news, no one woke up. They had all had a long past few days. He grinned and magnified his voice...
"TWINS!!!" He shouted. Cate and Bellum fell off the couch, Meagan and Harry off their chairs, and everyone else jolted awake to stare at him. "A boy and a girl! Brynn and Bryce... Though I didn't choose the names! Don't look at me that way!!!"
Cate responded to this by going back to sleep, while everyone else looked awake. Cate talked to anyone but Bellum. She liked to sit in dark corners and sulk around. That never changed much. She was mentally scarred forever.
The twins turned out to be very adorable indeed. But they were examined by doctors too, to see if they had many things in common with Cate, no one wanted another evil Black running around.
~*~
Dolere still lived. She was out to get everyone. Especially Bellum and Cate. But she never made a move for at least 20 years after the entire ordeal...
~*~
Sirius and Elizabeth were married of course, a few months later, and much to Cate' horror, she the maid of honor. Meagan was a bridesmaid, and Cate didn't seem thrilled that she had to appear in the wedding looking very pregnant of course, and at that alongside Meagan. But she did it. Sirius had actually taken a liking to his new son-in-law, and Bellum was a groomsman. James of course was best man. There was a dance, which everyone but Meagan talked Cate into staying for. She didn't dance, but spent most of her time sitting down beside her husband.
"I'm going to the bathroom." She said, squirming.
"Go then." Bellum said, kissing her before she left.
Cate's intention was more to run into Harry though, than to go to the bathroom. She cornered him and looked him in the eye, with a rather evil glint in hers.
"There's something that bothers us both. I can tell. They day I left, well, you do know. It's always bothered me, and I say we get on with our lives and never speak to each other again."
"Well, erm, that's a good plan." Harry said, taking a step sideways. Truthfully, he had still liked Cate a little, but he had never loved her. He'd never love her, like he loved Meagan, and Cate would never love him liked she loved Bellum.
"Well, I'll make it quick and painless, but it's just gotta be done." She said. She kissed him quickly, spit on the ground, spit again, and made a disgusted face and faced Harry. "Yuck. But now I can go on with my life and forget you. Oh, and I suppose I apologize for almost killing you too."
"Hey, no problem, I enjoy almost dying." He said with a sarcastic tone. But Cate had rushed to the bathroom, probably to rinse off her mouth. It wasn't a bad idea, but Harry did the same and felt like a load had been taken off his back...
THE END
(And oh yes, I figured out the sequel's name: Harry Potter and Voldemort's Heir. Look for it posted soon! --Cathykcool)
Chapter 35
The Past is a Shadow that Will Follow us Around
Cate stood there. Bellum's jaw dropped. Well, he had almost expected it. But it was still rather shocking. Cate glared at all the staring people. But then she turned to Bellum.
"Oh no... Don't you look at me like it was all MY fault!" he said, reading the look she gave him. "We were both... Um... Part of it...."
Cate ignored him and turned to the doctor. "How far along am I?"
"Erm... About 2 or 3 months..." The doctor said, a little scared of her.
"Abortion won't be an option. I wish to keep my baby." Is she had let Sirius live, she could let her own child live. That was what she thought on this matter. Bellum looked relieved at this. They were keeping their child, though he noticed Cate referred to it as "her" child. It was his too... He smiled nervously, and attempted to put his arm around Cate. She pushed him away.
"Well, I'll be going." She sniffled. "Home." She apparated on the spot. The doctor turned to Bellum. A hag sneezed in the background, and the chandelier narrowly missed Bellum. Things weren't going his way either. The hag sneezed again,
and a magazine flew up and hit him in the face. "Well, good luck sir, with your wife..." The doctor said. "Be sure to keep her under control. Happy Valentine's day sir!"
"You too mate. You too..."
The 14th of February was approaching. Bellum sighed. It was the 10th. This wasn't the way he was planning to spend his Valentine's Day. He sighed, just as the old hag sneezed, and appeared back at the farm...
~*~
"It'll all work." Dolere said to herself. " I know now that she isn't stable after that mental breakdown at breakfast this morning.
I think I'll win this round. She's-" There was a knock on the door. Bellum let himself in. He didn't look too happy at all. This made Dolere even happier. Perhaps something happened.
"You need to get out." He said, looking around the rather empty room with disgust. "We're all sick of you moping around. Go do something."
"What are you? My father?" Dolere shot at him.
"No... People are going to think you're up to something crafty..."
"Well, we ARE up to something... taking over the world!"
"Just get out!"
"Wanting the house alone again? Something up with the wifey? Just remember this: Children in the dark cause accidents, but it's the accidents in the dark that cause children." She said, and she walked out.
But before she was out the doorway, she was hit with a bit of magic. She couldn't move. He had hit her with that stupid invention of his. He carried the little magical things around in his pocket.
"What was that you said?" He said, an he snapped his fingers and she could move again.
"Are you a little sensitive? Is there something about children by any chance?" Dolere hissed, and Bellum didn't answer. She
grinned. "Oooh.. Are you having a baby? How convenient. Bet you weren't expecting that one..."
"Get out before I kill you."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... I'm going. Enjoy your time alone with Catie dearest..." She said, almost skipping out the door. She was going
someplace quiet. But why did it have to be so cold?
~*~
Cate had changed into loose clothes and wrapped herself in three or so blankets, and was lying in bed, thinking things over. Why did her life have to fall apart? All in a time of 2 days.. Why did it have to happen to her? But she was brought back to reality by a knock on the door.
"What do you want?" she moaned. Bellum shuffled in, a little nervous looking.
"How are you feeling? Do you need anything?"
"Oh no... I'm great. Juuuuuuuust peachy. Wonderful. I mean, wouldn't you be?"
"Sorry I asked." He said, looking around. He sat on the corner of the bed. "I still love you, nothing has changed, Cate. And I'll
always love you, so don't get any funny ideas, okay?"
"I'm the one that should be sorry." Cate sniffled. "I had a breakdown. But... I know it sounds silly and all but... I don't think
I'm ready to me a mummy. I don't what happened to me to happen to my kid."
"Well, I'll make sure for you it doesn't. Only the best for our baby." Bellum said, smiling at Cate.
"Come here. Just lie here by me. You're the only one I really can trust..."
~*~
"How to get rid of Bellum for a few hours?" Dolere said, sitting at the cafe, talking to herself. "He hasn't left the house in a while either, and I doubt he'd leave her alone for a while." She paused to tap her fingers on the table. "Perhaps our enemies Meagan
and Marykate can be of help there. Yes, yes! I know what I'll do now..." She laughed, and a few people hurried out the door of the cafe. They were giving her odd looks and shuffled out. Even the waitresses were. She grabbed her bag, and headed off someplace more private. She was going to the middle of no where. In the van they all sort of owned.
Stopping in the middle of a field, she took out a piece of parchment, a quill, and began to write.
Dear Sirius Black,
I have some information that may be of use. I am sure you know of Cate, for she is your daughter. I feel it safer for the
world if she were to discontinue her evil career. I think she has a definite soft spot for you. I believe you can coax her back at this particular moment. After her last meeting with you, she is in a rather interesting state, and I think she can be with held safely.
This is basically for her own good. You can have your daughter back, and the world will be free of her awful wrath. It would mean she would not kill anyone more, and she'll be Cate again. Not the Dark Angel of Light.
You are the only one who can talk to her, and I fear if she runs into Meagan anymore, she will go back. She has calmed down slightly, and all her virtues are not evil.
But I do need the help of Meagan and Marykate. I do not know any of you very well, but I do believe you can handle a man called Bellum Pugnare. Just to keep him out of the way while Sirius talks to Cate. There is also a woman called Facere Flagrare, but I shall handle her. I have it all planned. It would do us good if Meagan and Marykate showed at
the town of Hope, on the date of February 14th in the American State of North Dakota, at 3:00 PM, American Central Standard Time. I'll make sure Bellum shows up someplace, probably the cafe. Sirius, if you are prepared, there is a house about five miles north of the town. It is a regular looking house, it is yellow, and there are two big barns. Cate will probably be in the house, I'd bet you can find her. Show up at the same time Meagan and Marykate are heading around the town.
Who am I you wonder? If you are having thoughts, or thinking this is a trap, you are wrong. I am Dolere Viruent, a member of the American Ministry's special undercover task force. Some time ago, Cate entered and changed my
previous mission, but now I have the mission to get Cate back to sanity. I'd appreciate it greatly if you could help.
Please respond to this with your answer, as quickly as possible!
Sincerely yours,
Dolere Viruent.
She looked it over. It was a short simple letter. Now all she had to hope for was a positive response. She waved her hand, there was no need for owls they were too slow. The letter would arrive any second to where all the good people were.
Now all she had to do was insert her name in the Ministry records, as an agent. Incase anyone checked. That was easy enough. She could tap into the system with her mind. Grabbing a written file from her bag, she paged through it and decided it was a flawless piece of work. So in a file cabinet, in alphabetical order, her fake file appeared.
Now she was going to wait. And then once she got a response, hopefully wait for February the 14th to come around....
~*~
Everyone was out of the cramped hospital room, since no one needed to be there anymore. They were all back at cozy Hogwarts, sitting in front of a cozy fire. Then a neat envelop appeared on Sirius's lap.
"What is it?" He said, looking at it cautiously. He looked funny, he was still as he looked as a teenager.
"A letter, Sirius.... Figure it out..." James commented.
"I know that. But who is it from?"
"Open it!" Everyone said, leaning closer.
"Dear Sirius Black....." Sirius read. He read it all aloud and looked around for an opinion.
"I don't know...." Lizzie said.
"Well... Even if it is a trap or something, we can manage to get out."
Meagan said. "But I can't use my powers for now, if I do, though, it hurts. Maybe I should stay..."
"I can't go alone!" Marykate squeaked. "He's that strange man you ran into..."
"Well, he didn't seem to dangerous. He didn't hurt me at all."
"I could go. In place of Meagan." Jeremy said.
"You haven't been around magic long enough though." Meagan added.
"I always could..." Ridere said skeptically.
"Ahh... You'll do. I'll watch. Marykate, where is that old crystal ball?" Meagan asked.
"Who cares?" Sirius said. "Go steal Professor Trelawney's!" Everyone stared, but it worked well enough.
"I suppose we should send this woman an answer." Remus said, reading the letter over again. "Here. All you do is, tap your reply and say her name. Sirius you'd better write it..."
Sirius grumbled and wrote a reply. Tapping it and saying "Dolere Viruent" it disappeared. Now they were to wait. Marykate, meanwhile, looked her up. It said she as indeed an agent, and fit the description perfectly. She showed everyone, and they agreed it was genuine. Sirius and Elizabeth talked everything out amongst themselves...
"Do you really think it'll work Sirius?"
"Well, we can hope. I don't know if she'll be too happy to see me again... But this person said she was suffering mentally from our last meeting. All I have is this here scar... Which is still a scab. But I'm fine."
"Sirius... Don't underestimate her... And don't overestimate yourself. Those things can lead to a lot of fatal mistakes."
"I know, Lizzie." Sirius answered. "What a way to spend Valentine's Day."
"I know... Well, we can celebrate it tomorrow if you like."
"Switching the holidays? Sounds great!" Sirius grinned. "Just when I thought we had done everything."
"Oh, you great prat, it's not a big deal..." Lizzie said, punching him on the arm.
~*~
"Moping around the house." Cate said, sitting at the table. "That's all I've done the past few days."
"Well, that's all you're supposed to do." Dolere said. "What else is there for you to do? Unless you want to risk injury to yourself and your baby."
"Thank-you for the lesson on that. But I already read that part." Cate said, brandishing a rather thick book on pregnancy and parenthood. She scowled.
It was part of Dolere's plan to keep Cate inside the house and convince her not to go anywhere. She had gotten very good at everything she did. She had discovered something about Facere in her search for records to plant in the Ministry's records...
This is how she would keep Facere far away from Cate.
"No alcohol..." Cate read... "Drugs... Man life sucks..."
"You weren't on drugs, were you?" Facere said with a sideways glance, looking rather worried.
"Of course not you shilly sit!" Cate rolled her eyes. "No, I am not..."
"Well that's good."
At that moment, Cate took off in a dead run for the bathroom, where she gurgled in the toilet. She then passed out. A few steps behind her, Bellum turned his view away, and when he turned back he realized she had fainted.
"How much of this do I have to go to..." He groaned, and marched over to Cate and scooped her in his arms. "Straight to bed for you it is..." He kissed her forehead, and went off to read the newspaper. Cate liked to be alone much more the past few days, and he had found that it was best to let her sleep. She was less crabby. So he picked up the paper, propped his feet
up on the opposite end of the couch, making himself comfortable, and began to read the news. Nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
"Muggles!" He gasped. They were right out the window, looking in. Rolling off the couch, he went to the door.
"Your monthly payment?" the landlord man asked. A few kids, his oldest daughter, Cathy, and her friends Brandon and Tiff were running about the yard. He was afraid to have a kid now... The one he recognized as Tiff-- No, make that Cathy, was giving him strange looks again.
"Oh, yes. Sorry, was I late?" He said, grabbing a wad of Muggle money from the drawer next to him.
"Where are all your friends?"
"Oh... Well, my wife is asleep, and the others are someplace I suppose." He thought this man was really nosy in a rude sort of way. "But I don't really think I can leave her alone too long... So bye." He said that really fast, and shut the door quickly. Then he went to close the shades and read his newspaper in peace... He sighed and opened the Sports Page. But it was interrupted this time by Cate, who made another dash to the bathroom once again. He sighed, laid the paper aside, and jetted off after her.
"I'm fine." Cate choked, managing not to pass out this time. "Aww... C'mere." He said, hugging her. "I'm sorry it's you that has to go through all of this."
"I'd swap ya anytime." Cate said, taking a deep breath and relaxing in her husband's arms. Bellum sighed. There was no use in going back to his newspaper. He could still lift Cate rather easily, and he carried her; once again, to the bedroom, and this time plopped down on the bed himself. He was careful not to squash her as well.
"So do you have any names picked out yet?" he asked.
"Well, not really, but I like the name Ethan. Or Jack."
"Those are nice... Least a son won't be called anything strange like Bellum.."
"Well, your name is certainly original though. Bet there aren't too many Bellum's out there."
"I bet not." He laughed a little. "What about a girl's name?"
"Hmm.. Maybe Felicity?"
"That's a pretty name. Well, we have a while to think about it all you know."
"Yes, I know. Well, the situation could always be worse... So I guess I'll be happy with what I have..." Cate said. Then her face left the soft lighthearted state it seemed to be in and turned to a rather hateful expression. "At least I know the father. I'm not 17, pregnant, in a rather abusive insane relationship, and so on..."
"Your mum?"
"Sadly."
"Well, we'll be good parents. Promise?"
"Promise."
Bellum kissed her on the cheek, not really wanting to get to close to her mouth, after she had finished throwing up that was. But he let her put her head on his chest and drift off to sleep.
~*~
"Well, Happy Valentine's Day!" Harry said, kissing Meagan softly. "I've got something for you... But it's rather normal. Nothing too magical and all..."
"It's beautiful!" said Meagan, ripping off the pink wrapping paper dotted with white hearts. It was a necklace, with a diamond centerpiece. The gold and silver chain was pretty too. She put it on right away and kissed Harry back.
It seemed most people had gotten a gift. Sirius had went a little overboard though. The whole great hall was filled with fluttering Cupids, which were mobbing poor Lizzie, who screamed and ducked under a table. Once Sirius finally woke up and decided to go to breakfast he stopped to stare for a few moments, and ran after a n exceptionally fat cupid, which was starting to
aim up on him with an arrow.
That was the first laugh of the day. The only one not laughing was Snape, who didn't seem to like the floating pink hearts, nor the fact that a cupid was following him too, though no one sent it after him. If he cared to listen to it though, it had a very rude message thought up by Sirius himself, who decided Snape needed punishing for the detention episode, which of course he did not go to.
But that was the only fun part of the day, for they still had the plan for capturing Cate left...
~*~
Dolere sat alone at the cafe, tapping her fingernails on the table. She was wondering when everyone would decide to show up. They were already half an hour late. But finally, they appeared, and she didn't even mind that Meagan wasn't there, it was that revolting Ridere Satis she knew in her childhood.
"Hello..." She said, making herself sound a little nervous. "I'm Dolere. You must be Ridere and Marykate. Pleasure."
They shook hands promptly, though she let go of Ridere's rather fast.
"Okay, well, sorry about this really, but you're kind of babysitting. But it's crucial that you don't let him get back to the house. Or else... Well, you know. It won't work out. Do you understand?"
Marykate and Ridere nodded. Dolere had made herself sound very sincere and kind.
"Now I must go... tend to other things... Goodbye!"
"She's a lot different from when I knew her. She's really quiet attractive now, when we were little she had this-"
"That's nice, just be ready..."
~*~
Dolere rounded the corner in the house, looking frantic. She discovered Cate was asleep, and Bellum was sitting with the book on parenting, reading intently.
"Shhh!" she said, "Trouble at the cafe! Two of those... People that are after Cate showed up... They're lookin' for her."
"Erm... Should I get her?"
"NO! Think of what they could do to her.. One is Ridere Satis, remember him? That goody-goody kid from school a while back? Can you handle two people. Cate's been a little crabby lately. I think she might lose any battle in her state."
"You're right. Where's the cafe again?"
This is what she hoped for, and he apparated off to the cafe... She set off to find Facere, and take care of her. Now all Sirius had to do was show up a bit later...
~*~
Cate pulled on her usual attire, though the shirt was not half as showy as the old one, though the skirt was. She was just seeing how she looked. Then she heard something.
"Who's there?" she called.
Sirius took a deep breath and turned the corner. He ran directly into the door that swung open, which Cate had opened coming out of her room. He muttered something, and looked up into the eyes of his daughter, who looked as stunned to see him as he was to see her.
Cate gasped. Sirius gasped. Cate pointed her wand at Sirius's throat. She immediately snapped from her sorry "I'm pregnant and feel sorry for myself" state of being and went back to what she was always like before.
"I suppose this is another attempt to show courage and bravery. In other words, foolishness."
"No, to show I love you."
"I've heard it enough. I'm not going back." Cate said, but her voice wavered slightly.
"You still don't believe it, do you?"
"Not really."
"Well, you are responsible for many lives right now. Do you know exactly how many people that is?"
"It is whoever I decide not to kill. Which is the entire population that is living now. I could have, and should have killed you. And here you are again. What pointless point are you trying now to prove?"
"My life of course." Sirius went on, ignoring her comment. "I probably should have died or went insane in Azkaban. But no. I'm here now, standing right in front of you. What kept me alive? Thoughts, love. And yes, there were people I thought about more than others. You and your mother were the most thought of. I was determined to get out. Make sure you had a decent father. And also Harry, to make sure he was alive and all still... So really, you are part of the reason I'm here."
"So? Do I care?" Cate snapped. In truth, she did care, and was beginning to think about things.... Then suddenly she felt like she was going to hurl again. She was looking a bit green.
"And your mother, she wouldn't be here."
"But if I weren't here, she'd be living her life."
"But she would have had an awful life. Trapped with... that man... and all. And the baby's life too. And I'm sure it effects everyone."
Cate trembled. At the word Baby. She was having one of her own now. She swayed on the spot. Sirius placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked him in the eyes. His were identical in every way. She closed her eyes, she couldn't bear it. She was breaking down again.
"I'm sorry. In every way I let you down. I'm still sorry. If your life was ruined, I'm sorry. But, are you sorry? For what you have done?" Sirius choked through a few tears. Cate too was starting to cry.
Cate didn't answer. She turned around, completely sobbing now. She knew though, she really was a little sorry. She took a seat on the couch and sobbed.
"You aren't completely evil." Sirius said.
Cate gasped and looked up at him. She pointed her wand at him and shouted something, which he dodged, throwing himself across the room, knocked over by the TV set. By now she was looking just as angry as she did before she had softened a little bit.
She raised her wand and grinned, but that didn't happen. Sirius yelled, expecting the worst, but nothing happened. It was like an imaginary force had hit her. There was a flash of light, and Cate was unconscious, but levitating a few feet off the ground, her head slumped. Her hair flowed out behind her, and she glowed more than usual. Then, with a very loud noise and almost blinding flash, she crumpled to the ground.
Sirius stared, shielding himself from the light. Was she dead? He certainly hoped not. But she moaned, and clutched at her stomach. She looked up at him, as he was now standing right above her. An eerie green mist hovered about the room, and it seemed to be talking... He was getting out of there fast. But he couldn't leave Cate. She looked as if she were going to die. So he scooped her up in his arms and set off for... Where was he going? He didn't know...
Thinking hard, he mumbled a few words from a charm he remembered from a long time ago. He appeared in the Hogwarts basement... If he could make it to the hospital wing... Past Snape's office... He was clear.
Cate didn't move, nor look like she was about to. She opened her eyes once, and then they rolled to the back of her head. But she was getting heavy. Very heavy.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... What are we bringing home now Black?" Snape said. He had gotten rid of the stupid Cupid already. "So this is how you spend your Valentine's Day? Aren't you... ENGAGED? You should know better than this... But you had to bring it home."
"Beg pardon?" Sirius barked wheeling around. "You obviously misjudged the situation..."
"But your taste isn't bad. She is rather attractive, but I don't think Elizabeth will be too happy. She'll just have to find a better man." Snape stood up straighter.
"You think she's some sort of Hooker?" Sirius said, his jaw dropping. "Say, do you remember my daughter, Cate?"
"Of course. Didn't she--"
"Well, this is Cate. Good day to you too you stupid greasy haired- arse-hole!" Sirius stomped. "I do have something to attend to, and wish to reach the hospital wing before my child dies!"
Snape stared. He didn't know what to do. So he quietly went back to hide office to think about things... But that left Sirius to hurry off to the Hospital wing. He kicked open the door and huffed in, laying ate delicately on the bed.
"Oh bloody hell!" Madam Pomfrey said. "Not another one! How many people are going to get hurt. What's the matter?"
"I think she lost her powers. I think the good settled in a bit more, and her body couldn't handle it all."
"She's barely alive! This is another expensive visit to the hospital... Quickly, Quickly!"
~*~
"YOU!" Ferre spat, catching sight of Bellum.
"YOU!" Bellum spat, with equal hatred. "What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I live here!"
"Just visiting?"
That didn't cut it. Bellum was in an angry rage, and so was Ridere. The two hated each other. Ever since school days. The curses were flung back and forth, two people against one. But Bellum knew better curses.
"Ha!" he shouted, hitting Ridere with an unknown curse. It was one of those odd things he had invented, like a bomb, but it threw a random curse. He shrugged, pleased with it's effect, and tossed one at Marykate, who caught it before it exploded and tossed it back. It exploded in mind-air, and a jet black could engulfed them all. "Ahh! It burns!"
Marykate was shrieking too. Fumbling around in his pockets, Bellum tossed something different and the smoke disappeared. He threw curses at Marykate until he had nothing left in his pockets. Then he broke out his wand.
"So tell me, why ARE you here?" he said, before preparing to curse her too.
"No reason." She said, and a chair whizzed around Bellum's head, narrowly missing him.
"DOLERE!" He suddenly gasped. "That horrible lying wench! What has she done? Tell me please?!"
"What?"
"Cate!" he gasped again. "Sorry to leave you all hanging, but I have to run. Emergency! Farewell!"
He apparated on the spot, appearing at the house, which was empty. It was a mess though, as if there was a struggle. He yelled a few times, and his eyes flashed. He'd just pieced everything together. Now he had to find Dolere. And Facere.
"Cattttttttteee! NOOOO!" he yelled one more time. There was no telling what had happened to her. But first he was going to punish Dolere. He couldn't get her with a curse, but Muggle weapons worked just as well... From the nightstand, he grabbed a long knife and a loaded gun.
~*~
"What's wrong with you Dolere?" Facere screamed.
"You double-crosser. Right from the beginning. Never were on our side at all. Ministry Member... I'm sure they'll miss you. What a loyal undercover you were. For all those years." She had a gun pointed at Facere's head. She was looking rather possessed.
Giving Dolere a sharp kick, she made a mad grab for the gun, but she was shot on the arm. Dolere shrieked, and turned around, to face Bellum, who was also armed. He wasn't going to waste his time. He pulled the trigger before Dolere had a chance to react. He had hit her somewhere in the middle, and blood splattered everywhere.
"You should have known better." He muttered. He hoped she died. He really did. She had double crossed Cate. "Facere, you okay?"
"Mm-hmm..." Facere muttered, clutching her left arm. "We can't go back. She's probably told Mors."
"Right. Where are we going then?"
"Well, to find your wife. And get my arm fixed. What about-"
"She can die. I hope she does too. After that plot..."
"I hope your baby is okay. I really do." Facere said, her eyes softening. She was a considerable amount different than the pry maniac she seemed to be. "Me too." Bellum choked, in what was barely a whisper. "Me too."
~*~
Cate had been examined by many doctors already. She still hadn't moved, and she was going even paler than she had turned. She was getting ghost white. The lead doctor entered the room, he was well known and had many medals and awards.
"We've examined her." He sighed. "No telling when she's waking up, or coming back to life. But I must inform you about her condition."
"Go on." Lizzie sniffled, a box of tissues next to her was half used up already. She clutched Sirius's hand tightly.
"Well, physically, she is... perfect. Here genes happened to line up perfectly. No physical flaws at all, she could run a mile and not break a sweat, and she's perfectly toned in every way. But mentally... is another story. The result of a bad childhood altered her mind. She's only 17 and has reached a rather genius-like level, but she won't think like normal people. It's a disorder. There are no other cases reported, but I highly suspect another case is Voldemort himself. But her mind is unstable. She may never be completely stable. And-"
The doctor was interrupted. The door had swung open. A man who looked as if was put through cyclone winds and all the other nice messy stuff that caused you to look rather distressed.
"Bellum!!!" Ridere shouted, throwing himself at him. Bellum gave him a look of disgust and stepped over him.
"I believe I have not introduced myself properly." Bellum glared, brushing down his messy brown hair. "Bellum Pugnare... Private agent."
No one said a thing. He sighed, and looked to Cate. He closed his eyes and continued on, so he wouldn't be attacked. "I have been a private agent since I was 4. I was trained. Myself and Facere Flagrare. She acted as my older sister, and she knew what to do. I was rather... gifted in the art of acting, I suppose you could call it. At least it had Mors Vox's clan of Frenchmen fooled."
"What is your relation to all of this?"
"Well, you see, this was my case, far before Cate walked in." He cast a look to Sirius. "Sorry you all think me evil, but really, I'm as good as the rest of you. Look me up."
"Well, have a seat young man." Sirius said. "How does this directly concern you."
But Bellum wasn't listening to Sirius. He pulled up a chair, as close to Cate as possible and started to question the doctor. "Is she okay?" he asked frantically. "Is whatever it is bad?"
"Well, there's no telling."
"What about the baby?"
"Hold it a second!" Sirius said, standing up and asking the question that was suddenly on everyone's mind after Bellum's last sentence. "Baby? She's... Cate is.. My daughter... Is... pregnant?!!!?"
"Yes. Haven't you noticed?" Bellum sighed and rolled his eyes. Everyone stared at him. He patted Cate's belly softly and smiled.
"I take it you're the father then?" Meagan asked carefully.
"Of course!" Bellum almost shouted. " I also happen to be her husband..." He said, and dug around in another pocket in his robes and pulled out a ring. He slipped it on Cate's left ring finger and stared at her lovingly.
"Well, your child seems fine, as long as she's still alive. She's three months along by the way. If you didn't know already."
It was an interesting picture. Everyone was a good distance away from Bellum, who was getting a few odd looks. Especially from Sirius and Elizabeth. It seemed to scare them.
"So how long have you been married?" Harry asked carefully.
"Since December 28th." Bellum answered rather pleasantly. He counted out months on his fingers. "That's... Almost 2 months now."
"I see. We're a couple too. Only married a few days later." Harry said, indicating Meagan. He as trying to be friendly, but Meagan didn't take an instant liking to Bellum. She didn't really want to be there. It made her sort of nervous. But she threw on a fake smile anyways.
~*~
It was a few days before Cate woke up, and it was quite the event. Her eyes flashed open, and she sat straight up, looking around. She screamed loudly and shortly, before Bellum cupped his hand over her mouth. She was breathing rather fast.
"Where.. Am... I?!" Cate yelled, looking around. "What happened?"
"The hospital. You're fine Cate. It's all going to work out." Bellum said, a little agitated that everyone had backed away and looked to him to explain. "Let us alone for a second, will you please?"
Everyone raced to the door. Cate burst into tears, and sobbed into her husband's shoulder. She knew what happened. While she was out cold, something in her head tapped into her brain, telling her she was good again. Bellum explained what Dolere had set up, and that yes, the baby was still fine.
She hugged him, and kissed him once on the cheek, and laid back down to sleep....
~*~
"That was one of the most interesting things..." Godric Gryffindor commented. "At least I think we convinced her."
"Hopefully." Rowena Ravenclaw added.
"Well, I'm sure you did." Hufflepuff sighed.
"Sanity is back... for now...." Slytherin added.
The founders had done something to alter it all. They caused Cate's powers to backfire, and convinced her she was good. That was why she was asleep so long. She had needed convincing. It was a simple plan, but had worked well... at last for a while...
~*~
"What's happening here?" Facere said, suddenly appearing. No one knew where she came from. "What happened to Bellum? Did he explain?"
"Yeah." Sirius said blankly. Facere had been off for a few days, clearing her title with the American Ministry and explaining every detail to them.
"Sirius..." Elizabeth said suddenly, grabbing Sirius's arm so tightly it was painful.
"What Lizzie darling?"
"My water just broke." Sh had gone white, and was breathing rapidly.
"Oh God! DOCTOOOOOOOOOORRR!" he shouted.
"Hey you two! Lizzie's in labor!" James shouted through the door.
Cate sat up, and Bellum helped her along, she still wasn't too steady on her feet. Sirius and Lizze had disappeared. It was part of the technology in the hospital. People in need of help appeared in the correct room.
~*~
Everyone had gone to sleep in the waiting room. Cate and Bellum were asleep on the couch, taking up all the room. Everyone else was left to find the most comfortable chair or spot on the floor there was. When Sirius finally opened the doors to announce some news, no one woke up. They had all had a long past few days. He grinned and magnified his voice...
"TWINS!!!" He shouted. Cate and Bellum fell off the couch, Meagan and Harry off their chairs, and everyone else jolted awake to stare at him. "A boy and a girl! Brynn and Bryce... Though I didn't choose the names! Don't look at me that way!!!"
Cate responded to this by going back to sleep, while everyone else looked awake. Cate talked to anyone but Bellum. She liked to sit in dark corners and sulk around. That never changed much. She was mentally scarred forever.
The twins turned out to be very adorable indeed. But they were examined by doctors too, to see if they had many things in common with Cate, no one wanted another evil Black running around.
~*~
Dolere still lived. She was out to get everyone. Especially Bellum and Cate. But she never made a move for at least 20 years after the entire ordeal...
~*~
Sirius and Elizabeth were married of course, a few months later, and much to Cate' horror, she the maid of honor. Meagan was a bridesmaid, and Cate didn't seem thrilled that she had to appear in the wedding looking very pregnant of course, and at that alongside Meagan. But she did it. Sirius had actually taken a liking to his new son-in-law, and Bellum was a groomsman. James of course was best man. There was a dance, which everyone but Meagan talked Cate into staying for. She didn't dance, but spent most of her time sitting down beside her husband.
"I'm going to the bathroom." She said, squirming.
"Go then." Bellum said, kissing her before she left.
Cate's intention was more to run into Harry though, than to go to the bathroom. She cornered him and looked him in the eye, with a rather evil glint in hers.
"There's something that bothers us both. I can tell. They day I left, well, you do know. It's always bothered me, and I say we get on with our lives and never speak to each other again."
"Well, erm, that's a good plan." Harry said, taking a step sideways. Truthfully, he had still liked Cate a little, but he had never loved her. He'd never love her, like he loved Meagan, and Cate would never love him liked she loved Bellum.
"Well, I'll make it quick and painless, but it's just gotta be done." She said. She kissed him quickly, spit on the ground, spit again, and made a disgusted face and faced Harry. "Yuck. But now I can go on with my life and forget you. Oh, and I suppose I apologize for almost killing you too."
"Hey, no problem, I enjoy almost dying." He said with a sarcastic tone. But Cate had rushed to the bathroom, probably to rinse off her mouth. It wasn't a bad idea, but Harry did the same and felt like a load had been taken off his back...
THE END
(And oh yes, I figured out the sequel's name: Harry Potter and Voldemort's Heir. Look for it posted soon! --Cathykcool)