Chapter 9 Losing It.... LITERALLY Cate was quite humiliated. Actually, she had never been that humiliated in her whole life.... And not only that, she didn't feel good either. Perhaps there had been something strange in the dye, or the Fart Powder... Of course Cate had gone to the extremes to figure it all out, and had succeeded. "Oh... I'll get her... I will..." She muttered, the dye had worn off finally. But she still didn't look so good. In fact, she still sat around all day in bed. Even Bellum was beginning to wonder about her. Ethan was rather suspicious too, especially after she had changed colors. "I think me mum's gone mad." He whispered to Bryce one day. "Look at her, she's blue, and walking around in nothing but her undergarments! And further more... Me dad supports it!" "Oh, it's okay... She's related to me too... But keep in mind that my immediate family is embarrassing too... Look at my parents... And my siblings.... Take Brynn and Mac for example... I mean, you go out in public, and pretend not to be related to her!" "But... Yours aren't half as bad. I'm related to them too. Maybe we're just not cut out to lead normal lives. We can spend all our time being insane like the rest of them!" "Hey, sounds like a plan to me..." ~*~ Cate had locked herself in her room. She let no one in. Not even Bellum. He tried to force the door several times, but didn't succeed. After a few days though, she stopped answering the knocks with a horrible scream and an object thrown at the door. Everyone in the household took this as a sign that something was wrong... "Ethan my son, we're breaking in." Bellum said, snapping on a pair of goggles and leather gloves. "Here, take this..." "Dad, a helmet?" Ethan said, his jaw dropping slightly. "Yes, you might need it. This is your mother we're talking about..." "Oh, right. I thought we were breaking into Jack's room..." Ethan said, with a strong hint of sarcasm. "Just... Come on... Hand me that crowbar... Very nice. Now... PUSH!" he grunted, prying at the door. "We aren't getting anywhere! Maybe you should ASK her to let you in!" "Hm... Oh I tried that. She won't answer. I think something's wrong." Ethan decided not to comment, and to focus all his energy on prying the very strong door open. He didn't realized doors were that strong. But then again, this was Cate's door... Finally, it popped open, splintering as well. He sighed, and watched for his father's reaction. At first, Ethan didn't see anything. Bellum had his eyes half-shut, and peered around the corner. Ethan held his helmet, and expected a table or something to be thrown at him. But he all he saw was Cate asleep wrapped in several blankets, sitting still on the bed. Bellum shook her once, and she didn't move. He felt for a pulse next, while Ethan stared. She was alive... looked quite bad, but still alive. "The hospital. We need to take her there." Bellum whispered. Cate woke up before they got to the hospital. She didn't do much, except mumble something and start to cry. She ended up passing out again, before they entered the building. She wasn't very heavy though, so it didn't take much for Bellum to lift her. She seemed considerably lighter, perhaps that was because she hadn't eaten much in the past few days... The doctor that examined her every month gave a frightened scream, and ran towards the lot of them as soon as he saw them. He had by now specialized on well... Cate. He knew her body, and how she reacted to things. He knew these even better than Cate did. "She hasn't had another breakdown, has she?" The doctor asked Bellum frantically. "As far as I can tell, she hasn't killed anything. She locked herself in the bedroom for three days though. I don't know if she's had anything to eat." "Well.... We must examine this to the extreme level. Excuse me mate, you'll be here for a while..." "Ethan, you stay here. I have to go home quick... The kids are in Felicity's care... Maybe care isn't the correct word..." "Just go dad. It'll be fine." "Alright..." Being able to take the quicker approach this time, he apparated. The first thing he arrived to was an empty house. There wasn't a sound. Something wasn't quite right. He marched hurriedly up the first flight of stairs to Felicity's room. She had Paige gagged and tied to a chair, while Jack was asleep on her bed. She was making some sort of potion, and when she glanced at Paige, she saw Bellum. "LISSY!" He roared. "What are you doing? Let your sister go! Now come on, we have to go to the hospital..." "Why? I don't WANT to go..." "You're GOING!" He sighed, and grabbed her by the hair, let Paige loose and motioned for her to pick up Jack. Felicity shrieked, and finally decided to cooperate. "Well what are we here for anyways?" she asked, not showing any signs of caring. "Brynn finally kill Bryce?" "No!" Bellum shot at her. He was pacing around the lobby nervously. "Your mum. In case you hadn't noticed, she had locked herself in her room for a period of three days... It has an effect on a person you know!" "What, mum can't handle being blue?" She chuckled. "She claustrophobic or something?" "No, we don't KNOW! Just show some expression... This is your mother!" "The mother that caused for a creature as horrible as Crystal Potter to come into existence..." She thought, and picked up an outdated copy of Witch Weekly. She sighed, and looked at the picture of her mother on the cover. Even for a magazine cover, she still had a way of looking immensely evil. "I hate my life... I hate my mum, my siblings... My father's not too bad. But he's a lunatic... They're all mad! Even grandpa and grandma! Look at Paige, the secretary's given her a lollipop!" She thought more to herself, all rather negative thoughts, not even noticing that her father had gone to throw up. Ethan fidgeted constantly in his seat, while talking nervously to a rather grumpy old man. "Oh, she was far worse than this. You should have seen him before Jack was born!" Ethan said, babbling on to the old man, who looked about ready to fall over and die. "He's a very nervous person you see. Especially when things come to my mother." "Who is this again, young chap?" the old man said with his raspy voice. "My father. Oh, I bet he's gone to throw up. Yes, that's where he is. That's my sister... That's my baby brother, and sadly.... That's my sister too." He said, pointing to Felicity last. " Ethan, can Jacky have a lolly too?" Paige asked sweetly. She looked as if she had about 5 suckers... She bounced up and down happily, messy pigtails bobbing about. "NO! He'll choke! Give me that!" he said, ignoring the man, who seemed to be coughing up a lung. He seized the orange sucker from Paige, who pretended to act sad. "But- The-the-the the lady said I was CUTE!" she sobbed. "Paigie! Look! Coloring books!" he said, pointing across the room. "Color me a picture of Padfoot!" "I can't draw doggy..." "Yes you can. The crayons are MAGIC!!! Are you all hopeless?" "You seem an awful lot like your father..." the old man wheezed, and got up to go to his appointment. "Oh, don't say THAT! Speaking of while, where is dad?" he was now talking to himself and looking around the lobby. A few women were goggling over Jack, and Paige was coloring, a yellow sucker now plastered in her hair. He gave the room a disgusted look and sank low in his chair, off to sleep... ~*~ Bellum heard a scream, as he came out of the bathroom, wiping at his mouth. Then he heard something hitting something else, and something shatter. Following the sound, he looked through the frosted window and sighted nothing except the forms of two doctors, and the unmistakable one of Cate. Thinking the door would be locked; he used all his might to push through. It was too bad his guess was wrong. The doors swung open easily, and he was flung to the floor, the doctors, who already looked terrified, now looking at him with a look of pity on their faces. Cate had seized a scalpel to throw at him like a dagger. He managed to dodge it, but barely. "Cate! It's me, your husband... calm down honey... " He panted, getting up off the floor. After living with Cate for so long, his reflexes were very good. He was used to objects flying at his head that were of assorted sizes, shapes, and danger. Cate dropped the tray she was about to throw like a Frisbee at him and started to bawl once again. The doctors took the initiative to leave the room while they were still alive. She looked at Bellum, sobbed even more, and took a breath, then continued sobbing. This was of course Bellum's cue to comfort her. "Whassamatter?" he said, hugging her, and letting her sob on his shoulder. "Baby..." she muttered. "You're pregnant?" "No..." "Then what?" "I lost the baby." "Jack? No, he's safe. Ethan has him..." "No!" Cate sobbed. "I WAS pregnant. I lost that baby... As in a miscarriage." "Catie.... I'm so sorry." He said, hugging her tighter. "It wasn't supposed to happen! If it weren't for that horrible incident. I told you all the details. The flatulent powder... I was allergic. My body can't handle being blue, and being allergic. Everything was fine... until..." "Oh Cate.... It's okay. It isn't your fault..." "I KNOW IT ISN'T MY FAULT!" Cate sobbed, hugging Bellum so he could barely breathe. "It's Meagan's. I should kill off one of her brats; make her see how it feels. To lose a child... I was only a few weeks along. But still, a life is a life." "No, no, no! Don't kill her kids! We can't cover that up..." "I wasn't serious. Too bad, too. I'd dearly love to see that oldest child gone... But I have revenge planned. This won't be good for her reputation as a goody-two-shoes... No, she shall be embarrassed in the society for this..." "What are you going to do?" "Why, tell the truth of course. I did nothing, really. She can't mention the Dark Angel of Light years... We're already got that expertly pinned on Dolere. I can't be charged again for it... Plus, she promised Sirius. The Marauders can't betray a promise to each other..." "Cate... you need some sleep, and something to eat. How long has it been?" "I had an apple yesterday... I didn't want... As stupid as it sounds, I didn't want you to see me, like I was. It wasn't pretty. Worse than when I was pregnant with Lissy." "I see... Well, I don't care how you look. I'll always love you... No matter what..." ~*~ "Alright.... Cate almost lost it again." Brynn told the voice. "You don't have to tell me. I know everything. She is a fascinating person. I wonder how she thinks." "Go pay her a visit. Annoy Cate for a while, eh?" "Sorry, can't do it. She's got a different curse. Not the dreaded voice..." "Well, bloody hell if I care! Leave... Me... ALONE! I'm sick of sharing MY mind!" "Yes, I love you too. But if you're going to be that way... I'll go visit Athena, I think she rather likes talking to me..." "Goodbye!" She jumped around madly. On the beds, the chair, the floor. Everything. Then she heard laughing, and a knock on her door. She faced Mac, who was fighting a laugh, and going quite scarlet trying to hold it in. "Oh, shut up!" "Hi Brynn, nice to see you today." Mac managed to say calmly. He shook his head, and went back to being relatively normal. "What's that door a few halls down? I've never seen that one before..." "Hmm... Must be Library day. It appears every Thursday...." "Anything good in there?" "Hm... A few things. It's mostly the Black family library. It's at Ethan's house occasionally. I don't know why it decides to come here come Thursday, but none the less... Want to see it?" "Sure. Lead the way, oh fearless leader..." "MAUHAHAHA... Follow me, my sidekick, the Spandex Tights man!" "Spandex Tights man?" Mac said, jetting off after Brynn. "Sure, even though I get a very horrible picture in my mind..." "Only if you're something like, 'Look at me I'm wearing hardly anything' Woman!" "Fat chance..." Brynn laughed. She pulled open the two large doors that Mac had pointed out, and waved her arms around. "Behold: The LIBRARY!" "Wow. Amazing." Mac said, not at all enthralled. It was a library. "Well, might as well look around...." There were several interesting books. One was titled "I'm not Crazy, Yes I am." But the one that appealed most to Mac was one he found quite funny. "How to Fall in Love with a Black and get a Black to Fall in Love with You." "Yeah, read the guide Mac. Ya might need it... Let me see it. I wanna read it before you do..." "Page one: Smart, Sweet, Funny, Evil, Seductive, Easy, Beautiful, Clever, Rich, These are traits common to those who belonging to the Black Family..." Mac read. "Oh dear..." "Easy, Brynn? I dunno, I didn't think you were-" "That never happened, remember! We officially erased that day from our memories." "It obviously did not work very well..." "Just shut up and read on..." They paged through the book, finding a few interesting facts, and useless ones to laugh at. At the end, much to their entertainment, the section feature a section about every member of the Black family there ever was. "Omigod!" Brynn shrieked. She had been around the Americans too long... "It's me... and YOU!" Indeed, it was a picture of Brynn and Mac. The book obviously grew, each time someone was born. It featured a lot of interesting facts... Such as who the member of the family was dating. In this case, Brynn's case, Mac was pictured next to her. "Oh look at what it listed... A list of all the people you've dated... or well..." "One-Night-Stand sorta thing?" "Yeah... Well, it's nice to know, that I'm the only one listed for you... So far." "And you've got only me. Well, you're special now. You've been in the Black Book thing here. Look at that... Athena was quite a tramp..." "Your sister! Cate... I'm surprised! She's-NOT!" "Nothing comes between her and her husband... She might look like a whore, but she really isn't..." "Well, moving on... I say we burn this book when we're done. We're listed as- Well... You can see the entry..." "Um... Yeah. Turn the page..." What happened when Brynn turned the page was rather interesting. She dropped the book and screamed. It was Bryce's page. And Bryce was still dating none other than Reina Cortez, Brynn's Greatest Rival, and enemy at school. She stared at the book with a look of great distaste. "Bryce Black... My own BROTHER! I never would have imagined! Reina... ARRRGH!! Mac, kiss me." "Why?" "Just do it. It'll make me feel better." "Erm..." Brynn didn't waist time; she pulled him off his feet, and into a kiss before he could react. She sighed, and sat back down, calmly. Not for long though... "What will I do with him? I should... What should I do?" "I dunno, let him live his life?" "WRONG ANSWER!" Brynn said, hitting the imaginary buzzer and making a buzzing noise. "Reina... I can't believe him..." "Me either. I thought with you being around he'd have more sense. Everyone fears you... Well, they fear you'll hit them... Or something evil like that... But, same difference!" "Slytherin... Why did Bryce choose to date a Slytherin? I bet that's where he is riiiiight now. With her..." "Brynn?" "What?" "You sound like a mother. A mother that's overreacting to the situation." "ARRRRRHHHH! I do! I've lost it." "Yes, just calm down... You can do it...." "I am calm.... I am serene... I am.... CRAZY!" ~*~ "I'm getting her removed from the Quidditch League. If she wants to play, she can play from some other poor country! i can present a good statement tot he head of the department... But I must invite the stupid wench along..." "Legally, Cate?" "Yes, I am not seeking my revenge by ways of magic. Good old Justice..." "Sounds fair enough to me... Still dressing in black?" "Of course." Cate hadn't worn anything but Black lately. She was in various degrees of shock and disbelief. Out of nowhere she'd randomly start to cry, and throw an object across the room. The whole family basically avoided her. With good reason... Cate was pacing around nervously, for she was going to talk to the Head of the Magical Games and Sports Department... He robes were black. Tight fitting, and barely any skin showed. Her hair was loose, all down, and in her face. She was still thinner than she had been before, but Bellum had forced her to eat greasy food to gain the weight back. She didn't like looking like a stick. She adjusted the robes once more, and appeared in front of a stout chubby man, with graying red hair. She bowed her head respectfully, and folded her hands in front of her gracefully. She was careful to address him in a soft, smooth voice. Seconds later, Meagan appeared at her side, as typical. This involved Meagan, she had to be here... Meagan was dressed as usual: very colorful and rather sloppy. She talked louder than Cate, and threw her a strange look. It looked like Cate had been to the far end of Outer Space and back. Cate nodded to show that she knew she was there, along with a glare, returned by Meagan. "What am I here for? " She sighed, looking at Cate and knew it couldn't be good. "You know damn well what you're here for." Cate glared. She was still talking softly, even thought her voice showed hatred. She then turned the man and addressed him. "She has taken revenge too far. I feel she's unstable for the League here." "Oh, look who's talking!" Meagan rolled her eyes. She COULDN'T be serious... "Can she not handle losing to me? No, I simply beat her team, AND gave their team the Cup! I try to be nice, and what do I get in return?" "You nearly killed Harry!" Meagan practically shrieked. "It is the game of Quidditch. Everyone is responsible for himself... I cannot take care of more than myself during the game. It's the strategy." Meagan growled. Cate's hair was in her face, as she kept her head down, still speaking softly. Cate continued on though... "Revenge can be insults, verbal attacks. I do not mind. But when it's something that is rather... Dangerous, things change. Perhaps before you poison someone, you should check to make sure they are not ALLERGIC, and that nothing bad will happen to them." Meagan rolled her eyes. She found it really hard to believe that people were actually allergic to her Fart Powder... But she wondered why Cate seemed so mad... She didn't think anyone had seen that one... "But my body happens to not be able to handle being turned blue, swallowing some of that disgusting water, and WHATEVER was in it... Doesn't do you good, when mixed along with that... Horrible stuff she sprinkled on my food! Especially when you're PREGNANT!" Cate said, almost breaking into tears once again. "You're pregnant again?" Meagan asked, breaking away from everything for a second. "NO!" Cate said, looking down once more. "I WAS, until that... powder, and swallowing that dye stuff! See, I was locked up for days, because I felt so awful. I went outside while I was BLUE! But see, losing a child is nothing you want people to comment on. It is not MY fault that someone decided to get revenge before taking precautions. Everyone else just comments behind my back... But no, not good enough for Meagan Potter.... I hope you feel nice, Meagan, that my child never had a chance to live..." By this time, Cate was crying silently. At first, Meagan thought it had been an act. But she noticed Cate was a small bit thinner, and looking quite depressed. Not even Cate could put on that act... She was a bad actress. But it really wasn't an act. "Sorry..." Meagan muttered. "No. Sorry will not cut it. I want her removed from the League." Cate said to the Head of Department. She wiped her eyes and looked up at him. "It's the worst display of Sportsmanship that Britain has seen in years. And they were even given the Cup. I didn't even do anything..." "Except practically kill my husband and show off, deliberately making me look bad." Meagan though. But this wasn't enough to get her removed, was it? "Potter, Pugnare..." the man finally said. "Neither of you happen to be perfect. No Cate, not even you. We all make mistakes. But however, Cate did nothing wrong. It is quite shameful for the country, when one player deliberately attacks another. I know you didn't mean any harm, but sometimes things go wrong. I feel that I have to agree with Mrs. Pugnare, and I hereby suspend you from playing Quidditch for England for the length of one year. I'm sorry..." "I hate you!" Meagan hissed, walking out of the room with Cate. Cate looked up at Meagan, her hair falling back and revealing more of her face. Her mascara was running, and there were already dark circles under her eyes. "You've never lost a child. Have you? You don't know the pain. You can feel it growing in you- and then suddenly, it's gone. It's the most painful thing. If you wanted to make me feel awful, you have succeeded. I hope you're proud, now that you have destroyed something close to me. Though I may seem like a heartless bitch to you, really, think it over before you act..." "Well, we're only even." Meagan said simply, not looking at Cate when she spoke to her. "Well, aren't you happy?! If you think you're still good, think again. That sunk to a lower level. You're no better off than I am. Enjoy your day." Cate said, then disappearing instantly. Suspended... Cate could have done better. She could play fro the Americans. They liked her there... But there was a slight feeling of guilt. Ethan was a good kid, and he was Cate's son. Paige was decent, a little on the odd side, but decent still. What would that baby have been? She forced herself not to think of it, and disappeared herself. ~*~ "That's right..." Brynn muttered in her sleep. "I'll get you! MWHAHAHA- OUCH!" She woke with a start. She had fallen off the bed. She groaned, and dragged herself back up, only to discover that it was morning... She groaned. She didn't feel much like dressing herself, so she waved her wand, and dressed by the magical means... Appearing at the breakfast table, she discovered that there was a actually breakfast. Eggs and Pancakes. It was good, and she savored every bite. She went to sit on the second floor balcony, for no good reason at all, except to sit in the sun and read her book. But she ended up dozing off... When she woke, she saw the sea. In fact, all she saw was sea! All she could see was the sea! (That getting annoying yet?) Then she realized she was in a boat. The boat was large, and not empty. She looked and saw Mac, asleep with his blonde hair being blown by the wind. A few feet over was Ethan, snoring heavily, and constantly rolling around on the floor. There was Bryce, who would have been the only semi-normal one, except for the fact that there as a girl that had dozed off next to him. Brynn let out a small-irritated scream, and made herself not pull all the wavy blackish- brown hair out of the girl's head... "Reina..." She muttered, not debating on whether or not to throw Reina overboard. She waved her hand-- and nothing happened. No magic! It didn't work! She stomped her foot on the wooden plank, and discovered that it was indeed, a real boat. This caused Mac to wake, and he looked around. "Where are we? I was asleep... No, I was washing the dog! Ernie! Devil dog! He transported us here..." Mac exclaimed. "No Mac, it was not your dog." Brynn sighed. "However I do not know why we are here." "I didn't expect you to... AHHH! It's- it's... Bryce... and- and-REINA!" He shrieked like a 10 year old that had too much sugar at a sleepover. He gave Bryce a good shove and added, "Wake up, before Brynn throws you both overboard!" "Wha- BRYNN!" Bryce said, rolling off his beach chair. He took a few deep breaths and tried to disappear. "Magic doesn't work!" "Well spotted. I'm proud of you Bryce... You've officially graduated from your first year... Someone wake Ethan up." "Well, it won't be ME!" Reina hissed, with her Spanish voice. She crossed her arms, and glared at Brynn, flipping her long wavy hair in the process. "Well, then I will..." Mac said, not wanting trouble to brew. He reached over the side of the boat, cupped his hands, and threw water at Ethan, who woke with a start. He wiped his face, and looked around with a groan... "We're all so HAPPY this lovely morning... er- Afternoon! Brynn and Reina on the same boat, and they're both ALIVE! Wow, cookies for us all!" "Shut up, before I hang you all from the mast..." Brynn muttered. Everyone fell silent. They all looked at each other and shrugged, and went about talking, Mac leaning towards Brynn, trying to calm her. "And that noise! That AWFUL noise! Make it STOP!" She shrieked. However, the boys didn't seem to notice it. Ethan made a sudden run for the edge of the boat, and Brynn grabbed him just as he almost threw himself overboard. She flattened him, and he stared up at her, dazed. "What was that?" he mumbled, half stunned. "I dunno... MAC!" Brynn replied, but before finishing completely, made a dive and tackled Mac, who was bending his knees to jump as well. "They've gone mad... ALL OF THEM!" "It's not my fault." Reina said, sticking her nose in the air. "Ahh!" she shrieked, as Bryce ran past her, only to be stopped by Brynn. "Reina, HELP ME YOU STUPID WENCH!" Brynn huffed, her hair going wild, and her eyes flashing the dangerous gold glint that the adults were all familiar with.... If only the adults were there... "Or they'll all throw themselves overboard!" Eventually, Brynn was able to coax Reina into sitting on Bryce's chest, while she steadied Mac and Ethan. She had practically knocked Bryce out, so he was still, and Reina's job wasn't hard. She took to bossing Brynn around, and demanding a drink. "You bloody moron! There are no drinks! There is no- no- NOTHING! We are in the middle of nowhere!!!" "Well start rowing! Or make... The guys!" Brynn grabbed a wand that had fallen out of Mac's pocket. She stared at it for a few minutes, while Reina shouted at her on and on. Finally, an idea came to her. She picked it up, and snapped it in half. Magic wasn't working in this place anyways... "What the Hell?" Reina stared at her. "Now you've broken the only wand in this Hell Hole!" "Shut up for a moment, and let me try this! In case you hadn't cared to take notice, magic doesn't work here anyways! MAC COME BAAAACK!" She paused once again to tackle Mac, who was halfway over the edge by the time she grabbed him. She pointed to a corner, and he crawled over, and sat there, like a three year that had been sent to the corner. "Now... Hmm..." she muttered to herself, picking up the broken wand. The boys were starting to fall asleep, probably from mere exhaustion, or numerous blows to the head. She placed the wand back together, and a hole appeared. Reina stared at it. "Come on, get the guys... Just roll the into it... It's the way out you stupid..." Brynn was muttering under her breath, and Reina was putting very little effort into rolling Bryce into the hole. But eventually, they got all three boys through, and went in themselves. They were back at the mansion. "How did you do that?" Ethan gaped. "Easy." Brynn grinned. "Two halves make a... WHOLE! See, then you go the HOLE and escape! Pretty clever, eh?" "I didn't know that was possible...." "Well, you learn something new every day. Funny how smart insanity makes you. That didn't make sense, did it?" "No." everyone replied. "I've officially lost it... again."