Disclaimer: Don't try to sue me, please. I just got a raise at work, and I feel like keeping to myself. The characters that JKR created are hers, and the characters that I created are mine. So there.

Dedicated to all the SOBettes that are out there. I love you all, b/c you rock like its your job.

Chapter 4

What's Going On?

Kevin was released from the hospital a week later. His friends welcomed him home, they had done the best they could--with help from their girlfriends--to fix everything in the house. The scorch marks were still on the walls though, no charm could erase them.

"Hey mate" said Derrick, "Its good to have you back."

Kevin smiled weakly. He really wasn't in the mood for celebration, after what Kate did to him…

She had come back to the hospital the day after her first visit. Kevin ordered her out again, despite her claims that he needed to hear her out. He refused, and she left after he called her a dirty Death Eater whore.

Sensing his mood, Montague announced that the welcome back party was over. Although Pucey, Malfoy and Derrick all complained that it hadn't even gotten started, one look from Flint was enough to shut them up and leave.

Like Kate, Kevin had the older boys stay with him. He had always liked them better, gotten along with them more than Derrick who was in his year. Derrick liked things fast and cheap--which limited their conversations to souped up broomsticks and the witches found on the corners of Knockturn Alley.

Knockturn Alley--a place Kevin was sure Kate was right now.

"Filthy little bint. How dare she betray me, after what I've just gone through." Kevin banged his fist on the table. He looked at Flint, Warrington, and Montague, who looked back in alarm.

"I'm going to bed." With that, Kevin strode out of the room and into the sanctuary of his bedroom.

"Now what was that about? Who's the bint?" asked Montague curiously.

"Dunno. I thought he was seeing Kate still. Unless he is talking about her…" added Flint thoughtfully.

"Must be, you know Kevin. His world revolves around books and her. But, what did she do? You were there the day we went to see him, Flint. She was about to faint." said Warrington.

"Well, whatever she did, it was enough to hurt him."

"Yeah, I know." acknowledged Warrington. "I think I know who to ask, too."

*****

Fallon and Warrington were sitting, doing their own thing. Quietly, for a change. Akasha used to joke that wherever there was an argument, Fallon and Warrington were to be found. Fallon was sitting cross-legged on the floor, measuring powdered mandrake root while Warrington was Summoning and Banishing various objects around her room.

"Hey Fallon," started Warrington in a would-be casual voice, "have you talked to Kate recently?"

"Umm hmm. We had lunch and then she went to Xanne's just yesterday," murmured Fallon, now adding pumpkin vines to the mixture, "why?"

"What's she doing to Kevin?" he blurted out, "yesterday he was moaning about how she betrayed him."

Fallon's head snapped up. "Nothing. Kate's doing nothing to Kevin." Her eyes betrayed her, however, and Warrington knew it.

"Don't lie to me, Fallon. She is hurting my friend, and I wan to know what she is doing and why."

Trying hard not to let her anger get the best of her, Fallon responded coolly. "I can't tell. That's Kate's prerogative what she does, and I can't tell you what she is doing."

Warrington stamped his foot, causing the potion to spill out of its cauldron. "Damnit Fallon! Tell me what's going on!"

"No! Its Kate's secret, not mine! Go ask her, if you need to know so badly! Al I can say is that what she's doing in very dangerous but incredibly brave. Which is more than I'd do for you if this attitude keeps up!" Fallon picked up her cauldron and stormed into another room.

Fine! thought Warrington angrily. I will ask Kate what she's doing. Right after I apologize to Fallon for being a git. Again.

*****

Warrington's talk with Kate was little more than unsuccessful. He had come to her house one day in mid-July and asked her straight out.

"Kate, what's going on between you and Kevin?"

Kate, who was poring over Ancient Runes textbooks, looked up. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Kevin's been back home now for two weeks, and not once have you seen him. He never talks about you, and he's moping around the house. I see owls from you, but he rips them up and then goes to his room. What have you done to him?"
"I have done nothing." she paused and then edited her statement. "Well, I haven't done anything that's not for his own good. I can't tell you what, but keep in mind how much I love him, and that I'd sacrifice everything for him."

Warrington had left the house more confused than ever.

*****

"Katherine, what do you have for us?"

Kate lowered her eyes, looking at Voldemort would make her sick.

"Information, my Lord. Dumbledore and the Order are growing weaker. Battles with you have depleted the number of fighters on the Light Side. They are planning an attack soon, according to that Muggle loving fool Harry Potter. They don't have any hope of winning, though. Dumbledore's health is failing, and his supporters have no hope of surviving without him."

"You have done well. With your useful spying, you have proved yourself to be a valuable asset to me. You will be rewarded. Katherine, go about your ordinary life, and when I call you, come immediately."

Kate nodded and left. I am a valuable asset to others better than you, Voldie.