Mid- October
Kate had been informed that she would be working on her serum during potions class. She obeyed quietly, and class was about halfway through when she had to go and get some essence of lavender. She found it amusing that her serum was mostly herbal, and didn't require some of the more disgusting ingredients. Still, even though it was herbal, that didn't mean it was as harmless as chamomile tea. As she came back with the vial, she saw Draco Malfoy hovering near her sweet-smelling cauldron.
"What did you do? Malfoy, tell me you didn't drink that potion!" Kate cried.
"Every last drop." The blond boy said smugly.
"You fool. You imbecile! You great, thundering, oaf! That was my serum. It's not meant to be ingested! It's a special mixture which enables me to handle iron and steel. That was the last batch I had! I won't get anymore for two months!" She roared, furious.
"Big deal. It's not like you really need it. All of your things are silver."
"That doesn't mean jack. Too many common things have iron in it! It's just not safe," Kate was working herself into one of the wicked tempers which, though generally uncommon, were making a name for themselves at Hogwarts.
"What is this?" a voice asked from behind her. It was Professor Snape.
"Malfoy just drank two month's worth of my serum… I won't be able to get any more for injection purposes till then. Which means I'll have to drink a variation of it every day."
"Malfoy, go striaght to the hospital wing. That potion wasn't meant to be drank. I don't know what it will do to you."
"Hopefully, he'll end up with rocks in his intestines… If he is very lucky," Kate said, glowering at the retreating Malfoy.
"Katherine, go to my office. You know the ingredients for the potion? Here is the key to the cupboard, set them out. Heat a cauldron full of water. Don't do anything more than that. I will show you how to mix the ingestible serum as soon as the calss is over." The alarm in Snape's voice startled the whole class, "Everyone, back to work!" He snapped at them all after Malfoy had left, looking a tad green, as Kate gathered her things, and stormed towards his office. The other students felt a palpable change in the barometric pressure of the room once the Gryffindor hurricane.
But by the time she had set out everything and set the cauldron a- boiling, her mood had lightened. She laughed and recited MacBeth. "Double, double toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble!"
"Muggle poetry at its worst."
"Oh, how about this? 'What a piece of work is man, how express and admirable… in action how like an angel, in apprehension, how like a god!' Come now, Professor, next you're going to tell me that they cannot produce anything worthwhile. 'If you prick us, do we not bleed?' Yes, I know, I read too much for my own good," that irrepresible half-smile! Snape wasn't sure if she was merely teasing him, or making fun of him.
It seemed pointless to argue with her so he merely said, " Is the cauldron boiling?"
"It is."
"Then these are the things you have to put in there. Now, remember, you're half Muggle, so the balance is different than if you were full Fey," he handed her the potion and she drank it, making a face.
"Gross. I can't believe I have to drink this crud for two whole months."
"Does it feel like it's working?"
"My hands are tingling and my knees feel a bit trembly. It'll wear off though. Thanks Professor," she flashed him a smile and opened the door, lightly grasping the wrought iron handle. She had not gone two steps out of the office when she stopped dead in her tracks, looked at her hand, and turned.
"Professor, I…I touched the handle and… it burns," she swayed suddenly, and Snape moved to catch her as she fell. Harry, coming in to get Kate for their next class, stared at Snape, who was working feverishly over the unconscious girl.
"Kate? What happened?"
"Go get Dumbledore, Potter. Now!" Harry ran as fast as he could to the headmaster's office. Snape took Kate's pulse and made sure she was breathing. He could not understand why the potion did not work. He had made sure it was the right combination. Dumbledore hurried in at that moment, followed by Potter.
"She had to drink the cold iron serum. I made sure it was the right amount for a Fey mother and a Muggle father. I don't know what went wrong," Snape's voice shook.
Dumbledore knelt at Kate's side, "Brew some more, Severus. Make it the strength for the child of a fey and a wizard."
"But that will be too strong." Snape protested.
"It will be strong enough to keep her from having to stay in the hospital wing. Go on, Severus. Harry, hold her head please. Now, I want you to check the tips of her ears. Yes, just like that. See how very pointed they are right now? They will become less pronounced as she regains consciousness. And the points will become even less prominent once Professor Snape gives her the potion she is working on now, then we'll know that she is all right. Look now, she is coming around."
"The potion must have been to weak," Kate said in a voice much softer than her usual clear tones, "But Professor Snape wouldn't have made that mistake even if I had. I don't understand."
"Hush now, my dear, and take your medicine. It should be ready by now," Dumbledore said kindly. Snape hovered over her, holding a small vial filled with an orange concotion.
"Drink the whole thing as quickly and steadily as you can. In about five minutes it should begin to take effect. The dizziness will have passed by then. I don't think you should go to any more of your classes today. The cold iron sickens and weakens the fey," Snape said, as gently as Harry had ever heard him speak.
The brew was beginning to take effect, making Kate a bit giggly and misty eyed, "How do you know so much about the Daoine Sidhe, Professor? There are not that many of us… At least not many of us who are half-blood or more. All the rest went to the Otherworld."
"Both your aunt and your mother were full blooded fey. I ended up treating Gwen, and Annie in turn, once they had got into trouble during school. There are different treatments for the Sidhe than for wizards or Muggles in this case. I became quite the expert," he then said something so out of character that Harry nearly dropped the vial he had been handed, " Thank you for going so quickly, Potter, thirty points to Gryffindor."
Harry and Dumbledore helped her up. Kate was very pale, even more so than usual, She was able to stand by herself, though she seemed as though a puff of wind could blow her away.
"Shall I conjure a stretcher?"
"No, thank you, Professor Dumbledore. I think, perhaps, that I would like my cat. He can be so useful at times," she put a small whistle to her lips. A few minutes later the black cat entered the room, looking about with his bright peridot eyes.
"Hello, my green eyed monster. Shall you help me back to Gryffindor?" Kate murmured. The cat cocked his head and left the room, standing just outside the doorway. Then he grew. And grew. Orion grew till he was the size of a Siberian tiger. Even Dumbledore was speechless with shock. Kate walked slowly to the cat and perched herself lightly on his back.
"I hope he didn't startle you. Orion doesn't do this often. In fact I didn't even know that he could till this past summer. It won't be a problem, will it?"
"Is… is he safe, Kate?" Harry asked when he found his voice.
"Of course he's safe. He's a big baby, you've heard me call him often enough."
"Just make sure he doesn't do this unless in great emergencies, Kate, and I see no difficulties in keeping him here. Though I think it would have been better if you had informed us of your cat's particular power," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.
"Gwen had a cat like that. Leonidas. That feline could do the oddest things," Snape said.
"Leonidas is Orion's sire," Kate replied.
"Well then, all is settled. Let's get you up to Gryffindor Tower, Kate," Dumbledore said, ending the conversation.
The Gryffindor and Slytherins were in their Care of Magical Creatures class. Hagrid was trying to convince Kate to call some fey horses. Kate, was about to call them when, her eyes wandering about the grounds caught a movement at Hagrid's feet. A serpent, crawling across the ground… a hooded serpent.
"Hagrid, watch out it's a…" her exclaimation of warning was cut short. As the cobra reared to strike, a cry, more shrill even than a girl'scream, rent the air.
A hawk had intervened, tearing the throat out of the snake. It circled once about the class, displaying it's trophy, then dropped the cobra to the ground at Kate's feet. It then fluttered to her arm, looking for all the world as though it belonged there.
Just as taken aback as the others, Kate was thankful for her thick dragon-hide gloves, " How now, Bright Wanderer, from whither doest thou comest?" she said softly, taken with the kestrel.
Hagrid put his hand to his chest and breathed deeply, "Now he's a right pretty bird there. Saved us all. Is he yer's, Katie?"
"Never seen him before in my life. Here now, get off… Who are you, Wanderer? Wait, here's a bit of parchment attached to his leg." She wrangled the paper off, and the hawk moved to her shoulder, as though to read it with her. As she unrolled the paper, she found a verse.
"Hail Lady, Katherine Silverhair!
In whose birth things were greatly dared.
Of Morgan and Merlin you are the child,
Brilliant, daring, powerful, wild.
Come to us now from over the sea,
This guardian waits, watchful for thee."
"She can't have it!" Draco Malfoy exploded, "We're only allowed to have one pet here and hawks aren't approved!"
"Shut up," Kate didn't even glance at Malfoy when she said it, she was too intent on the message, "I still don't understand. There is no signature. It doesn't say who this hawk is from."
"Well, I think yeh'd better go to Professor Dumbledore. Odds are if he doesn't already know what it's about, he'll figure it out right quick," Hagrid said, "Go on now, the password is…ah… I think it's 'peanut butter fudge.' Not sure though. Might as well try it."
Kate nodded and went. The hawk, still settled on her shoulder, half turned and gave Malfoy a malevolent glare. It gave a sharp cry and turned back.
Kate hurried to Dumbledore's office. "Peanut butter fudge," she said and the statue turned, giving way to a spiral staircase. She knocked on the door to Dumbledore's office. She heard Snape, speaking low to Dumbledore. The door opened to Snape coming out, looking as though he was ready to pop a blood vessel. Dumbledore followed.
"What are you doing here?" Snape snapped at her. Kate gave him what was now known as the 'ice princess look' which were almost inevitably unsettling as the wild tempers.
"There was an… incident during my Care of Magical Creatures class."
"This is a very fine hawk, Kate. Where did he come from?" Dumbledore said, blinking at the fierce kestrel on her shoulder. Wordlessly she handed the small not to him. Once he had read it, she told him about the snake.
"I don't know who sent this bird to you, but I should say that he is already devoted to you. If he had not arrived at the nick of time… He is a rare gift."
"What am I to do with him?"
"Find a name for him," Dumbledore said, his merry blue eyes twinkling.
"She cannot have more than one pet here, Headmaster," Snape intervened, "She already has that monstrous black cat."
"Orion isn't monstrous! He just has a nasty habit of deciding to grow or shrink at inconvenient times. But I don't know what to do with this bird!"
"You may have a special dispensation to keep him. As he is a gift." Dumbledore said.
Kate ran her hand over the bird's plumage, "Well, now Bright Wanderer. I have a feeling that you've gotten exactly what you wanted. Are you pleased?"
"Bright Wanderer?" Snape asked.
"After the ancient high king."
"An excellent name. You've a real talent for such things, Kate,"Dumbledore clapped his hands and smiled.
"Some people say I read too much fiction."
"Only when fiction is given the trappings of the truth is it dangerous," Snape said in a low voice.
"That's an interesting philosophy, Professor. Certain journalists would do well to learn that."
Halloween was a great time at Hogwarts. Great tricks were played and Kate's excitement over her 'sweet sixteen' birthday affected nearly all the Gryffindors. Her ability to do big magic, without a wand, made her the perfect trickster, clever as anything, with a great talent for not getting caught. Sometimes she didn't even have to use magic to pull a trick. The non-magic gags were often the best, as they were pulled on people who would have no clue as to how it could happen. The best examples of her mischief were perpetrated on Malfoy, and when she was feeling very bold, in Snape's class. The very best trick was a curse that no one was able to unbind. Kate really didn't even mind that she got caught.
"It's Potty, the Weasel, Miss Mudblood and the Fairy Princess." Malfoy mocked.
"Malfoy, if you can't keep a civil tongue in your mouth, I'll sew it shut… with a dull needle," Kate said in a soft, threatening voice.
"Times like this makes me glad she's on our side," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Bitch, Mudblood bitch!"
"Even only half-Daoine Sidhe, I am of better and more illustrious lineage than you, for all your prating of pure blood. But then, you do look… well, inbred."
"I'm going to tell Professor Snape, then you'll get it, you Mudblood!" Malfoy snapped. Kate gave him a look of thunder, pointed her finger at him and spoke in a low, carrying voice.
"Then again, I think you need your mouth washed out with soap.
Bind this boy's mouth with detergent\
When he says things most repugnent
Suds shall issue forth insurgent
From his lips till all vitriol;
Unsightly stains of sound
Are all removed, here withal…"
Kate threw back, the gold rings of her eyes widening till they swallowed the iris. She laughed and they returned to normal. "You'll not find that a curse to break… unless of course you learn to behave like a decent human being. Not even Professor Dumbledore can undo that particular curse. Once spoken, it can only be cured by the good behavior of the subject. Kind of like that 'Beauty and the Beast' fairy tale."
"Kate, it's Snape! Let's get to our seats," Hermione hissed to her as the Gryffindors hurried to their seats. Snape did not notice that anything had been afoot, however. He seemed much to intent on something else entirely. Kate smiled demurely as they gathered their ingredients for the day's potion. She busied herself upon her concoction.
Suddenly there was a curse and then a great commotion over in the Slytherin section. Malfoy was hopping about, bubbles erupting from his mouth. The Gryffindors began to snicker, but stopped at Snape's angry glance.
"Ugh, Professor Snape!"
"What is going on, Malfoy?"
"That… That bitch, Kate Rhys…" As soon as he said the word 'bitch', Malfoy began to gag and the bubbles reappeared. The smell of lye soap permeated the dungeon room.
"What about Katherine?"
"He was calling her names, and she lost her temper."
"Temper, Miss Granger?" Snape's voice was low, but even.
"He called me a… a…" Kate's voice trembled, and she looked up at Snape tearfully, " A Mudblood bitch. How could I fail to lose my temper? Now, whenever he says something nasty or untruthful, his mouth fills with soap and he burps bubbles." All the Gryffindors laughed at her comment.
"Quiet," Snape looked furious for a moment, then his eyes cleared and the little tick in his temple eased, "Is it any use to ask if it can be undone?"
"It cannot be undone till he learns to speak without meaning to harm or insult. The charm is full of old magic. I just put a new twist to it."
"I must give you a detention, Katherine."
"What about Malfoy?"
"Hasn't he been punished enough?" Snape smiled briefly at her, "I daresay many mothers would like to learn that charm to threaten children with. Stay behind from class to get your serum and I shall arrange your detention. Now, everyone, back to work."
After the class was over, Kate gathered her things together. "Save a seat for me at lunch," she said to Ron, Harry and Hermione, "He'll probably find something nasty for me to do, like disemboweling beetles."
"OK, Kate, but hurry. It's Halloween, there's bound to be something good to eat," Ron said.
"I'd noticed that it's Halloween. It's my birthday, remember? Now, go on, I won't be much longer than usual," she turned and followed Snape, who beckoned her towards his office. He indicated a chair and she sat. He sat at his desk, it was a dark, ornate chair, almost throne-like. She noticed that the one in which she rested gingerly was little more than a glorified stool.
"I am very disappointed in you, Katherine. You shouldn't allow anyone to goad you into such childish displays," Snape began.
"Just tell me what my detention will be, please. I don't need the 'I'm not angry, just disappointed' speech."
"I need an assistant for my first year class on Friday afternoons. They're hopelessly stupid, and you're one of the few people in this school who has a decent hand at potions."
"My background in chemistry; finally put to good use. For how long?"
"A month, but if you don't misbehave, you could do it for extra credit to your house. Please, Katherine? I don't want you getting into any more trouble."
"All right," she said resignedly.
Snape actually smiled a genuine smile, then handed her the cold iron serum. She downed it quickly, and picked up her books.
"I don't want to miss lunch. Harry, Ron, and Hermione promised me birthday cake. And I smell presents in the air." She flashed a quick smile and raced out towards the Great Hall.
Snape watched as she turned the corner, her light footsteps ringing on the flagstones and said, "Happy Birthday, Katherine."
"What took you so long, Kate?" Harry asked as she sat down at the Gryffindor table. She helped herself to chicken and dumplings, along with mashed potatoes, green beans and sliced almonds.
"Oh, I had to listen to the 'I'm not angry, just disappointed speech. Then Snape told me what he wants me to do for my detention, and after that I had to get my dumb serum. Well, at least I got it Malfoy back on that score," Kate said, indignant.
"What's he making you do?"
"I get to play teacher's aid to first years for a whole month on Friday afternoons."
"Could be worse, you could be cleaning out toilets without magic," Ron said rather sourly..
"Big deal, done it before… Isn't so much of a punishment as denying me the fresh air and space to run of an afternoon. And it isn't as though there are that many fine days left. It'll be November already tomorrow. Snape knows I'll chafe far more under this than anything. And all under his most attentive and watchful eye. Oh, are we going into Hogsmeade this afternoon? Snape said I don't have to start till next week. Wonder why he waited, after all, today is Friday."
"It's your birthday and he knows it. Doesn't want it to get around to your aunt that he kept you from enjoying it," Hermione said, "I had to go to his office the other day and he had out apicture of her when she was young. I'd say he still likes her."
"Good God, I hope not. Uncle Snape! That would be too horrid. But then, I don't think I've met anyone who is good enough for my aunt. Though your friend Snuffles, if he were to… clean up a bit, could maybe pass the mark." They all laughed.
In Hogsmeade, they spent most of the birthday money Kate had gotten rather than presents. All sorts of gags from Zonko's, treats galore from Honeyduke's and hot mugs of butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks. Kate wandered off for a few minutes, or rather she made it appear that she wandered off. In Gladrags Wizard Wear she bought two sets of robes with the rest of her money. One was a set of blue-gray, the colors of Conferederate officers, and the other set was a dark, rich blue, Union blue. Kate smiled with satisfaction. These were very nice, and she herself made sure the wool was very thick, and not at all itchy.
The lady behind the counter smiled at her, "Are these for your papa, dearie?"
Kate stopped dead in her tracks, "No, no. It's for my uncle."
"Well, that's nice of you. What's your uncle's name? He is a wizard, isn't he?"
"My uncle Bran is certainly that. Well, thank you. I'd best get going. It's Halloween, you know. I don't want to be late for the feast," Kate breathed a sigh of relief once she got out of the shop. That was one of the quickest fibs she'd ever had to make up. Thank goodness the shopkeeper didn't question her. She tucked the bag in with her other treats and presents.
She met up with her friends outside the clothing store, "What'd you get, Kate?" Ron asked.
"A surprise for someone. You aren't feeding that cat again, are you? He's going to get outright fat if you keep slipping things under the table for him." She picked up Orion and nuzzled his head. The children met Sirius at the usual spot. Crookshanks and Orion followed, orange cat with his bottlebrush tail bolt upright in the air, black cat with silky long haired tail weaving back and forth. When they got to the cave, Sirius transformed and the children got out the food they had brought for him.
"We've got one more surprise for you, Sirius,"Hermione said, as she brought out an enormous cake, magically undamaged from it's long day in her bag. "It's Kate's birthday, and we thought you'd want some birthday cake." It was a beautiful cake, decorated with blue and white icing, a Celtic moon design on it. Nothing but a wizard cake could be that beautiful. It was whatever flavor the person who was eating it wanted it to be.
"Happy birthday, Kate. I wasn't able to get anything. I didn't know, sorry." Sirius looked so sad, and guilty that Kate gave him a bear hug.
"That's all right. I didn't even think about expecting a gift. You needn't worry, or say you're sorry. I have something for you. Well, besides the newspaper and the crossword puzzle book," she handed the parcel to him, and got up to give some cake to Buckbeak. With the firelight gilding her dark hair, bringing out the almost hidden gold, and the slow, sweet smile that made her look very pretty indeed; he thought she looked even more like Gwen than ever. Sirius felt his heart give a tug. If things had been different sixteen years before, this strange, wonderful child would be a member of his family, he was sure. With her parents dead, he'd have been almost like a father. She could almost have been Gwen's and his.
After they had all had their cake and more of the butterbeer they'd gotten to go with it, the four young people made ready to go, as they did not want to miss the feast, or get into any more trouble. Of the two cats, Crookshanks was curled around Kate's lap. Orion had wandered out after he had what Kate swore was going to be his last treat of the day. Hermione went out to call for him, letting Kate and the boys clean up. Suddenly there was a loud scream, and the others rushed out of the cave. An enormous black cat sat on the rock outside the cave, ears laid back and eyes fierce as it contemplated the intruder who threatened Hermione. Kate raised a hand at the cat.
"Orion, hold. Let her go, whoever you are."
"Keep that monster away from me an' I won' 'urt the gel," the voice was thickly accented.
"Harm a hair on her head and you'll have the curses of four other wizards on you," Harry said. Sirius had turned back into Padfoot and growled menacingly. Ron and Harry had their wands out. Both cats, one the size of a tiger, the other of a tiger cub arched their backs and spit. They all turned when Kate spoke, voice cold and controlled, " If you do not let her go, unharmed, I will set the Wild Hunt on you," she said as they all felt the air itself shiver at those words, "You know what that is, don't you?" she said even more softly.
The man's eyes widened in horror, " 'E didn't say no nothing 'bout the Wil' 'Unt. All 'e said was to grab the gel."
"He? Who he?" she inched forward, like a cat about to spring.
"Didn't see 'is face. Only hear' a col, 'igh voice. Tol' me to snatch the gel 'hoo 'ad the black cat. 'E called the lil' man wi' 'im Wormtail."
Kate looked at Harry, and Harry at Ron. Kate arched an eyebrow, looking even more wild, even less human, there was an unearthly aura about her, "Drop your weapon now, and let her go. And perhaps I will let you live. If not, here is the horn," she indicated a little silver horn at her belt, it was decorated with strange symbols, "I put it to my lips and blow. The Hunt will hear and come immediately, from either this world or the Otherworld… Need I say more?"
The thug dropped the knife from badly shaking hands, and backed away from Hermione. Sirius and the two cats instantly jumped between the ruffian and the children.
"Now go. And count yourself lucky that I do not even bother to report you to Dumbledore," Kate said imperiously, contemptuously, waving her hand. The fellow ran, not bothering to look back and see if he was being pursued. Kate stood high on the rock till he was out of sight, then collapsed as though her legs could no longer bear her weight. Orion, sensitive to his mistress as always, moved to cushion her tumble. The others reached her in a moment. She opened tearful eyes.
"Pray that I never have to carry out that threat," she whispered into Orion's soft fur.
"What was so terrible about it?" Ron asked. He and Harry were shaken, but clearly not as much so as the other three. Hermione was shaking from head to toe, Ron had his arm around her and was cradling her head. Sirius went immediately to Kate.Transforming back into a man, he sat beside her and shook her by the shoulders lightly.
She straightened and looked at him, " Was I right to say what I did?" Both were trembling. He nodded.
"I hope you never have to carry out that threat either. If that man had caught you instead of Hermione, you may have had to carry that out. You know who sent him, don't you?"
"Voldemort. But why would he want me? Isn't he usually after Harry?"
"He must have found out about you. But, Kate, never leave that horn out of your sight. If Voldemort ever catches you, you must use it."
"What's the big deal about the horn and what she said?" Ron asked again.
"I said that I would do something which ranks right up there with the killing curse, only about a thousand times worse," Kate said dully, "The horn is the means of the summons. Just the thought of the… I'll say the host, easier on nerves, it makes me ill. Gwen never said how horrible it is. But… I've seen. I wasn't supposed to but I have a habit of sneaking about and eavesdropping. The Hunt has only been called once to ride in my lifetime and I saw…" Her voice broke on a sob.
"You wouldn't be a Rhys if you didn't have that habit," Sirius held her and waited for her to regain her composture. When she didn't, he looked up at the others and whispered, "I'll tell you later. It's a terrible thing for her. Hush now, it's all right," he ran his hand over her hair, "They can't make you call it, you know. Not even under the threat of the killing curse," he said ever so softly, "Because you not only call it, but you command it. You tell the Hunt who to turn on. Not even Voldemort could withsatnd that."
The shaking of her shoulders began to lessen, and she turned her head, her eyes boring into his, "How do you know? How can you know?" She murmured.
"I'll tell you sometime. Now, come on. We don't want the birthday girl missing her Halloween feast. There now. Smile, Kate. You are really very pretty when you smile, like you're got a marvelous secret you just might share if asked correctly."
"I really look like that when I smile?" Kate asked.
"Oh yes. And we can't have tears, can we? You aren't a proper fey child if something drives you to quick, stormy tears."
Kate got up and gave him a dazzling smile of the variety she saved for when she was in trouble with teachers, "Shows how much you know about the fey. And I'm only half anyway," the smile turned to an absolutely cat-like grin, "Don't forget to open the parcel!" She skittered down the path, the others trying to catch up with her. The black cat gave a snort, and bounded after them, shrinking as he went.
Sirius went back into the cave, affectionately tossed a chicken bone to Buckbeak, and sat down. He opened the parcel and smiled at what he saw.
"What a child!" he said as he read the note which Kate had left with it. She wanted to make sure that he would have decent robes for the winter. Her personal taste was evident, Confederate gray and Union blue.
Kate had been informed that she would be working on her serum during potions class. She obeyed quietly, and class was about halfway through when she had to go and get some essence of lavender. She found it amusing that her serum was mostly herbal, and didn't require some of the more disgusting ingredients. Still, even though it was herbal, that didn't mean it was as harmless as chamomile tea. As she came back with the vial, she saw Draco Malfoy hovering near her sweet-smelling cauldron.
"What did you do? Malfoy, tell me you didn't drink that potion!" Kate cried.
"Every last drop." The blond boy said smugly.
"You fool. You imbecile! You great, thundering, oaf! That was my serum. It's not meant to be ingested! It's a special mixture which enables me to handle iron and steel. That was the last batch I had! I won't get anymore for two months!" She roared, furious.
"Big deal. It's not like you really need it. All of your things are silver."
"That doesn't mean jack. Too many common things have iron in it! It's just not safe," Kate was working herself into one of the wicked tempers which, though generally uncommon, were making a name for themselves at Hogwarts.
"What is this?" a voice asked from behind her. It was Professor Snape.
"Malfoy just drank two month's worth of my serum… I won't be able to get any more for injection purposes till then. Which means I'll have to drink a variation of it every day."
"Malfoy, go striaght to the hospital wing. That potion wasn't meant to be drank. I don't know what it will do to you."
"Hopefully, he'll end up with rocks in his intestines… If he is very lucky," Kate said, glowering at the retreating Malfoy.
"Katherine, go to my office. You know the ingredients for the potion? Here is the key to the cupboard, set them out. Heat a cauldron full of water. Don't do anything more than that. I will show you how to mix the ingestible serum as soon as the calss is over." The alarm in Snape's voice startled the whole class, "Everyone, back to work!" He snapped at them all after Malfoy had left, looking a tad green, as Kate gathered her things, and stormed towards his office. The other students felt a palpable change in the barometric pressure of the room once the Gryffindor hurricane.
But by the time she had set out everything and set the cauldron a- boiling, her mood had lightened. She laughed and recited MacBeth. "Double, double toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble!"
"Muggle poetry at its worst."
"Oh, how about this? 'What a piece of work is man, how express and admirable… in action how like an angel, in apprehension, how like a god!' Come now, Professor, next you're going to tell me that they cannot produce anything worthwhile. 'If you prick us, do we not bleed?' Yes, I know, I read too much for my own good," that irrepresible half-smile! Snape wasn't sure if she was merely teasing him, or making fun of him.
It seemed pointless to argue with her so he merely said, " Is the cauldron boiling?"
"It is."
"Then these are the things you have to put in there. Now, remember, you're half Muggle, so the balance is different than if you were full Fey," he handed her the potion and she drank it, making a face.
"Gross. I can't believe I have to drink this crud for two whole months."
"Does it feel like it's working?"
"My hands are tingling and my knees feel a bit trembly. It'll wear off though. Thanks Professor," she flashed him a smile and opened the door, lightly grasping the wrought iron handle. She had not gone two steps out of the office when she stopped dead in her tracks, looked at her hand, and turned.
"Professor, I…I touched the handle and… it burns," she swayed suddenly, and Snape moved to catch her as she fell. Harry, coming in to get Kate for their next class, stared at Snape, who was working feverishly over the unconscious girl.
"Kate? What happened?"
"Go get Dumbledore, Potter. Now!" Harry ran as fast as he could to the headmaster's office. Snape took Kate's pulse and made sure she was breathing. He could not understand why the potion did not work. He had made sure it was the right combination. Dumbledore hurried in at that moment, followed by Potter.
"She had to drink the cold iron serum. I made sure it was the right amount for a Fey mother and a Muggle father. I don't know what went wrong," Snape's voice shook.
Dumbledore knelt at Kate's side, "Brew some more, Severus. Make it the strength for the child of a fey and a wizard."
"But that will be too strong." Snape protested.
"It will be strong enough to keep her from having to stay in the hospital wing. Go on, Severus. Harry, hold her head please. Now, I want you to check the tips of her ears. Yes, just like that. See how very pointed they are right now? They will become less pronounced as she regains consciousness. And the points will become even less prominent once Professor Snape gives her the potion she is working on now, then we'll know that she is all right. Look now, she is coming around."
"The potion must have been to weak," Kate said in a voice much softer than her usual clear tones, "But Professor Snape wouldn't have made that mistake even if I had. I don't understand."
"Hush now, my dear, and take your medicine. It should be ready by now," Dumbledore said kindly. Snape hovered over her, holding a small vial filled with an orange concotion.
"Drink the whole thing as quickly and steadily as you can. In about five minutes it should begin to take effect. The dizziness will have passed by then. I don't think you should go to any more of your classes today. The cold iron sickens and weakens the fey," Snape said, as gently as Harry had ever heard him speak.
The brew was beginning to take effect, making Kate a bit giggly and misty eyed, "How do you know so much about the Daoine Sidhe, Professor? There are not that many of us… At least not many of us who are half-blood or more. All the rest went to the Otherworld."
"Both your aunt and your mother were full blooded fey. I ended up treating Gwen, and Annie in turn, once they had got into trouble during school. There are different treatments for the Sidhe than for wizards or Muggles in this case. I became quite the expert," he then said something so out of character that Harry nearly dropped the vial he had been handed, " Thank you for going so quickly, Potter, thirty points to Gryffindor."
Harry and Dumbledore helped her up. Kate was very pale, even more so than usual, She was able to stand by herself, though she seemed as though a puff of wind could blow her away.
"Shall I conjure a stretcher?"
"No, thank you, Professor Dumbledore. I think, perhaps, that I would like my cat. He can be so useful at times," she put a small whistle to her lips. A few minutes later the black cat entered the room, looking about with his bright peridot eyes.
"Hello, my green eyed monster. Shall you help me back to Gryffindor?" Kate murmured. The cat cocked his head and left the room, standing just outside the doorway. Then he grew. And grew. Orion grew till he was the size of a Siberian tiger. Even Dumbledore was speechless with shock. Kate walked slowly to the cat and perched herself lightly on his back.
"I hope he didn't startle you. Orion doesn't do this often. In fact I didn't even know that he could till this past summer. It won't be a problem, will it?"
"Is… is he safe, Kate?" Harry asked when he found his voice.
"Of course he's safe. He's a big baby, you've heard me call him often enough."
"Just make sure he doesn't do this unless in great emergencies, Kate, and I see no difficulties in keeping him here. Though I think it would have been better if you had informed us of your cat's particular power," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.
"Gwen had a cat like that. Leonidas. That feline could do the oddest things," Snape said.
"Leonidas is Orion's sire," Kate replied.
"Well then, all is settled. Let's get you up to Gryffindor Tower, Kate," Dumbledore said, ending the conversation.
The Gryffindor and Slytherins were in their Care of Magical Creatures class. Hagrid was trying to convince Kate to call some fey horses. Kate, was about to call them when, her eyes wandering about the grounds caught a movement at Hagrid's feet. A serpent, crawling across the ground… a hooded serpent.
"Hagrid, watch out it's a…" her exclaimation of warning was cut short. As the cobra reared to strike, a cry, more shrill even than a girl'scream, rent the air.
A hawk had intervened, tearing the throat out of the snake. It circled once about the class, displaying it's trophy, then dropped the cobra to the ground at Kate's feet. It then fluttered to her arm, looking for all the world as though it belonged there.
Just as taken aback as the others, Kate was thankful for her thick dragon-hide gloves, " How now, Bright Wanderer, from whither doest thou comest?" she said softly, taken with the kestrel.
Hagrid put his hand to his chest and breathed deeply, "Now he's a right pretty bird there. Saved us all. Is he yer's, Katie?"
"Never seen him before in my life. Here now, get off… Who are you, Wanderer? Wait, here's a bit of parchment attached to his leg." She wrangled the paper off, and the hawk moved to her shoulder, as though to read it with her. As she unrolled the paper, she found a verse.
"Hail Lady, Katherine Silverhair!
In whose birth things were greatly dared.
Of Morgan and Merlin you are the child,
Brilliant, daring, powerful, wild.
Come to us now from over the sea,
This guardian waits, watchful for thee."
"She can't have it!" Draco Malfoy exploded, "We're only allowed to have one pet here and hawks aren't approved!"
"Shut up," Kate didn't even glance at Malfoy when she said it, she was too intent on the message, "I still don't understand. There is no signature. It doesn't say who this hawk is from."
"Well, I think yeh'd better go to Professor Dumbledore. Odds are if he doesn't already know what it's about, he'll figure it out right quick," Hagrid said, "Go on now, the password is…ah… I think it's 'peanut butter fudge.' Not sure though. Might as well try it."
Kate nodded and went. The hawk, still settled on her shoulder, half turned and gave Malfoy a malevolent glare. It gave a sharp cry and turned back.
Kate hurried to Dumbledore's office. "Peanut butter fudge," she said and the statue turned, giving way to a spiral staircase. She knocked on the door to Dumbledore's office. She heard Snape, speaking low to Dumbledore. The door opened to Snape coming out, looking as though he was ready to pop a blood vessel. Dumbledore followed.
"What are you doing here?" Snape snapped at her. Kate gave him what was now known as the 'ice princess look' which were almost inevitably unsettling as the wild tempers.
"There was an… incident during my Care of Magical Creatures class."
"This is a very fine hawk, Kate. Where did he come from?" Dumbledore said, blinking at the fierce kestrel on her shoulder. Wordlessly she handed the small not to him. Once he had read it, she told him about the snake.
"I don't know who sent this bird to you, but I should say that he is already devoted to you. If he had not arrived at the nick of time… He is a rare gift."
"What am I to do with him?"
"Find a name for him," Dumbledore said, his merry blue eyes twinkling.
"She cannot have more than one pet here, Headmaster," Snape intervened, "She already has that monstrous black cat."
"Orion isn't monstrous! He just has a nasty habit of deciding to grow or shrink at inconvenient times. But I don't know what to do with this bird!"
"You may have a special dispensation to keep him. As he is a gift." Dumbledore said.
Kate ran her hand over the bird's plumage, "Well, now Bright Wanderer. I have a feeling that you've gotten exactly what you wanted. Are you pleased?"
"Bright Wanderer?" Snape asked.
"After the ancient high king."
"An excellent name. You've a real talent for such things, Kate,"Dumbledore clapped his hands and smiled.
"Some people say I read too much fiction."
"Only when fiction is given the trappings of the truth is it dangerous," Snape said in a low voice.
"That's an interesting philosophy, Professor. Certain journalists would do well to learn that."
Halloween was a great time at Hogwarts. Great tricks were played and Kate's excitement over her 'sweet sixteen' birthday affected nearly all the Gryffindors. Her ability to do big magic, without a wand, made her the perfect trickster, clever as anything, with a great talent for not getting caught. Sometimes she didn't even have to use magic to pull a trick. The non-magic gags were often the best, as they were pulled on people who would have no clue as to how it could happen. The best examples of her mischief were perpetrated on Malfoy, and when she was feeling very bold, in Snape's class. The very best trick was a curse that no one was able to unbind. Kate really didn't even mind that she got caught.
"It's Potty, the Weasel, Miss Mudblood and the Fairy Princess." Malfoy mocked.
"Malfoy, if you can't keep a civil tongue in your mouth, I'll sew it shut… with a dull needle," Kate said in a soft, threatening voice.
"Times like this makes me glad she's on our side," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Bitch, Mudblood bitch!"
"Even only half-Daoine Sidhe, I am of better and more illustrious lineage than you, for all your prating of pure blood. But then, you do look… well, inbred."
"I'm going to tell Professor Snape, then you'll get it, you Mudblood!" Malfoy snapped. Kate gave him a look of thunder, pointed her finger at him and spoke in a low, carrying voice.
"Then again, I think you need your mouth washed out with soap.
Bind this boy's mouth with detergent\
When he says things most repugnent
Suds shall issue forth insurgent
From his lips till all vitriol;
Unsightly stains of sound
Are all removed, here withal…"
Kate threw back, the gold rings of her eyes widening till they swallowed the iris. She laughed and they returned to normal. "You'll not find that a curse to break… unless of course you learn to behave like a decent human being. Not even Professor Dumbledore can undo that particular curse. Once spoken, it can only be cured by the good behavior of the subject. Kind of like that 'Beauty and the Beast' fairy tale."
"Kate, it's Snape! Let's get to our seats," Hermione hissed to her as the Gryffindors hurried to their seats. Snape did not notice that anything had been afoot, however. He seemed much to intent on something else entirely. Kate smiled demurely as they gathered their ingredients for the day's potion. She busied herself upon her concoction.
Suddenly there was a curse and then a great commotion over in the Slytherin section. Malfoy was hopping about, bubbles erupting from his mouth. The Gryffindors began to snicker, but stopped at Snape's angry glance.
"Ugh, Professor Snape!"
"What is going on, Malfoy?"
"That… That bitch, Kate Rhys…" As soon as he said the word 'bitch', Malfoy began to gag and the bubbles reappeared. The smell of lye soap permeated the dungeon room.
"What about Katherine?"
"He was calling her names, and she lost her temper."
"Temper, Miss Granger?" Snape's voice was low, but even.
"He called me a… a…" Kate's voice trembled, and she looked up at Snape tearfully, " A Mudblood bitch. How could I fail to lose my temper? Now, whenever he says something nasty or untruthful, his mouth fills with soap and he burps bubbles." All the Gryffindors laughed at her comment.
"Quiet," Snape looked furious for a moment, then his eyes cleared and the little tick in his temple eased, "Is it any use to ask if it can be undone?"
"It cannot be undone till he learns to speak without meaning to harm or insult. The charm is full of old magic. I just put a new twist to it."
"I must give you a detention, Katherine."
"What about Malfoy?"
"Hasn't he been punished enough?" Snape smiled briefly at her, "I daresay many mothers would like to learn that charm to threaten children with. Stay behind from class to get your serum and I shall arrange your detention. Now, everyone, back to work."
After the class was over, Kate gathered her things together. "Save a seat for me at lunch," she said to Ron, Harry and Hermione, "He'll probably find something nasty for me to do, like disemboweling beetles."
"OK, Kate, but hurry. It's Halloween, there's bound to be something good to eat," Ron said.
"I'd noticed that it's Halloween. It's my birthday, remember? Now, go on, I won't be much longer than usual," she turned and followed Snape, who beckoned her towards his office. He indicated a chair and she sat. He sat at his desk, it was a dark, ornate chair, almost throne-like. She noticed that the one in which she rested gingerly was little more than a glorified stool.
"I am very disappointed in you, Katherine. You shouldn't allow anyone to goad you into such childish displays," Snape began.
"Just tell me what my detention will be, please. I don't need the 'I'm not angry, just disappointed' speech."
"I need an assistant for my first year class on Friday afternoons. They're hopelessly stupid, and you're one of the few people in this school who has a decent hand at potions."
"My background in chemistry; finally put to good use. For how long?"
"A month, but if you don't misbehave, you could do it for extra credit to your house. Please, Katherine? I don't want you getting into any more trouble."
"All right," she said resignedly.
Snape actually smiled a genuine smile, then handed her the cold iron serum. She downed it quickly, and picked up her books.
"I don't want to miss lunch. Harry, Ron, and Hermione promised me birthday cake. And I smell presents in the air." She flashed a quick smile and raced out towards the Great Hall.
Snape watched as she turned the corner, her light footsteps ringing on the flagstones and said, "Happy Birthday, Katherine."
"What took you so long, Kate?" Harry asked as she sat down at the Gryffindor table. She helped herself to chicken and dumplings, along with mashed potatoes, green beans and sliced almonds.
"Oh, I had to listen to the 'I'm not angry, just disappointed speech. Then Snape told me what he wants me to do for my detention, and after that I had to get my dumb serum. Well, at least I got it Malfoy back on that score," Kate said, indignant.
"What's he making you do?"
"I get to play teacher's aid to first years for a whole month on Friday afternoons."
"Could be worse, you could be cleaning out toilets without magic," Ron said rather sourly..
"Big deal, done it before… Isn't so much of a punishment as denying me the fresh air and space to run of an afternoon. And it isn't as though there are that many fine days left. It'll be November already tomorrow. Snape knows I'll chafe far more under this than anything. And all under his most attentive and watchful eye. Oh, are we going into Hogsmeade this afternoon? Snape said I don't have to start till next week. Wonder why he waited, after all, today is Friday."
"It's your birthday and he knows it. Doesn't want it to get around to your aunt that he kept you from enjoying it," Hermione said, "I had to go to his office the other day and he had out apicture of her when she was young. I'd say he still likes her."
"Good God, I hope not. Uncle Snape! That would be too horrid. But then, I don't think I've met anyone who is good enough for my aunt. Though your friend Snuffles, if he were to… clean up a bit, could maybe pass the mark." They all laughed.
In Hogsmeade, they spent most of the birthday money Kate had gotten rather than presents. All sorts of gags from Zonko's, treats galore from Honeyduke's and hot mugs of butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks. Kate wandered off for a few minutes, or rather she made it appear that she wandered off. In Gladrags Wizard Wear she bought two sets of robes with the rest of her money. One was a set of blue-gray, the colors of Conferederate officers, and the other set was a dark, rich blue, Union blue. Kate smiled with satisfaction. These were very nice, and she herself made sure the wool was very thick, and not at all itchy.
The lady behind the counter smiled at her, "Are these for your papa, dearie?"
Kate stopped dead in her tracks, "No, no. It's for my uncle."
"Well, that's nice of you. What's your uncle's name? He is a wizard, isn't he?"
"My uncle Bran is certainly that. Well, thank you. I'd best get going. It's Halloween, you know. I don't want to be late for the feast," Kate breathed a sigh of relief once she got out of the shop. That was one of the quickest fibs she'd ever had to make up. Thank goodness the shopkeeper didn't question her. She tucked the bag in with her other treats and presents.
She met up with her friends outside the clothing store, "What'd you get, Kate?" Ron asked.
"A surprise for someone. You aren't feeding that cat again, are you? He's going to get outright fat if you keep slipping things under the table for him." She picked up Orion and nuzzled his head. The children met Sirius at the usual spot. Crookshanks and Orion followed, orange cat with his bottlebrush tail bolt upright in the air, black cat with silky long haired tail weaving back and forth. When they got to the cave, Sirius transformed and the children got out the food they had brought for him.
"We've got one more surprise for you, Sirius,"Hermione said, as she brought out an enormous cake, magically undamaged from it's long day in her bag. "It's Kate's birthday, and we thought you'd want some birthday cake." It was a beautiful cake, decorated with blue and white icing, a Celtic moon design on it. Nothing but a wizard cake could be that beautiful. It was whatever flavor the person who was eating it wanted it to be.
"Happy birthday, Kate. I wasn't able to get anything. I didn't know, sorry." Sirius looked so sad, and guilty that Kate gave him a bear hug.
"That's all right. I didn't even think about expecting a gift. You needn't worry, or say you're sorry. I have something for you. Well, besides the newspaper and the crossword puzzle book," she handed the parcel to him, and got up to give some cake to Buckbeak. With the firelight gilding her dark hair, bringing out the almost hidden gold, and the slow, sweet smile that made her look very pretty indeed; he thought she looked even more like Gwen than ever. Sirius felt his heart give a tug. If things had been different sixteen years before, this strange, wonderful child would be a member of his family, he was sure. With her parents dead, he'd have been almost like a father. She could almost have been Gwen's and his.
After they had all had their cake and more of the butterbeer they'd gotten to go with it, the four young people made ready to go, as they did not want to miss the feast, or get into any more trouble. Of the two cats, Crookshanks was curled around Kate's lap. Orion had wandered out after he had what Kate swore was going to be his last treat of the day. Hermione went out to call for him, letting Kate and the boys clean up. Suddenly there was a loud scream, and the others rushed out of the cave. An enormous black cat sat on the rock outside the cave, ears laid back and eyes fierce as it contemplated the intruder who threatened Hermione. Kate raised a hand at the cat.
"Orion, hold. Let her go, whoever you are."
"Keep that monster away from me an' I won' 'urt the gel," the voice was thickly accented.
"Harm a hair on her head and you'll have the curses of four other wizards on you," Harry said. Sirius had turned back into Padfoot and growled menacingly. Ron and Harry had their wands out. Both cats, one the size of a tiger, the other of a tiger cub arched their backs and spit. They all turned when Kate spoke, voice cold and controlled, " If you do not let her go, unharmed, I will set the Wild Hunt on you," she said as they all felt the air itself shiver at those words, "You know what that is, don't you?" she said even more softly.
The man's eyes widened in horror, " 'E didn't say no nothing 'bout the Wil' 'Unt. All 'e said was to grab the gel."
"He? Who he?" she inched forward, like a cat about to spring.
"Didn't see 'is face. Only hear' a col, 'igh voice. Tol' me to snatch the gel 'hoo 'ad the black cat. 'E called the lil' man wi' 'im Wormtail."
Kate looked at Harry, and Harry at Ron. Kate arched an eyebrow, looking even more wild, even less human, there was an unearthly aura about her, "Drop your weapon now, and let her go. And perhaps I will let you live. If not, here is the horn," she indicated a little silver horn at her belt, it was decorated with strange symbols, "I put it to my lips and blow. The Hunt will hear and come immediately, from either this world or the Otherworld… Need I say more?"
The thug dropped the knife from badly shaking hands, and backed away from Hermione. Sirius and the two cats instantly jumped between the ruffian and the children.
"Now go. And count yourself lucky that I do not even bother to report you to Dumbledore," Kate said imperiously, contemptuously, waving her hand. The fellow ran, not bothering to look back and see if he was being pursued. Kate stood high on the rock till he was out of sight, then collapsed as though her legs could no longer bear her weight. Orion, sensitive to his mistress as always, moved to cushion her tumble. The others reached her in a moment. She opened tearful eyes.
"Pray that I never have to carry out that threat," she whispered into Orion's soft fur.
"What was so terrible about it?" Ron asked. He and Harry were shaken, but clearly not as much so as the other three. Hermione was shaking from head to toe, Ron had his arm around her and was cradling her head. Sirius went immediately to Kate.Transforming back into a man, he sat beside her and shook her by the shoulders lightly.
She straightened and looked at him, " Was I right to say what I did?" Both were trembling. He nodded.
"I hope you never have to carry out that threat either. If that man had caught you instead of Hermione, you may have had to carry that out. You know who sent him, don't you?"
"Voldemort. But why would he want me? Isn't he usually after Harry?"
"He must have found out about you. But, Kate, never leave that horn out of your sight. If Voldemort ever catches you, you must use it."
"What's the big deal about the horn and what she said?" Ron asked again.
"I said that I would do something which ranks right up there with the killing curse, only about a thousand times worse," Kate said dully, "The horn is the means of the summons. Just the thought of the… I'll say the host, easier on nerves, it makes me ill. Gwen never said how horrible it is. But… I've seen. I wasn't supposed to but I have a habit of sneaking about and eavesdropping. The Hunt has only been called once to ride in my lifetime and I saw…" Her voice broke on a sob.
"You wouldn't be a Rhys if you didn't have that habit," Sirius held her and waited for her to regain her composture. When she didn't, he looked up at the others and whispered, "I'll tell you later. It's a terrible thing for her. Hush now, it's all right," he ran his hand over her hair, "They can't make you call it, you know. Not even under the threat of the killing curse," he said ever so softly, "Because you not only call it, but you command it. You tell the Hunt who to turn on. Not even Voldemort could withsatnd that."
The shaking of her shoulders began to lessen, and she turned her head, her eyes boring into his, "How do you know? How can you know?" She murmured.
"I'll tell you sometime. Now, come on. We don't want the birthday girl missing her Halloween feast. There now. Smile, Kate. You are really very pretty when you smile, like you're got a marvelous secret you just might share if asked correctly."
"I really look like that when I smile?" Kate asked.
"Oh yes. And we can't have tears, can we? You aren't a proper fey child if something drives you to quick, stormy tears."
Kate got up and gave him a dazzling smile of the variety she saved for when she was in trouble with teachers, "Shows how much you know about the fey. And I'm only half anyway," the smile turned to an absolutely cat-like grin, "Don't forget to open the parcel!" She skittered down the path, the others trying to catch up with her. The black cat gave a snort, and bounded after them, shrinking as he went.
Sirius went back into the cave, affectionately tossed a chicken bone to Buckbeak, and sat down. He opened the parcel and smiled at what he saw.
"What a child!" he said as he read the note which Kate had left with it. She wanted to make sure that he would have decent robes for the winter. Her personal taste was evident, Confederate gray and Union blue.