Chapter 14

Maybe it was because Harry Potter always got everything. Maybe it was because he was famous and pitied upon for his "tragic losses". Malfoy thought hard about this. He just couldn't stand how that Potter got Catherine.

Meanwhile, Harry and Catherine's relationship grew stronger and more evident. The days seemed to be brighter and better when they were together. They were the couple everyone at Hogwarts envied. Fred and George were hummed " The Wedding March" every time they came across each other in the halls. But Harry and Catherine were oblivious to that. That didn't matter, what mattered was that they were together. Ron and Hermione seemed to be opening up to each other. Ron was a lot more polite to her, for one. And Hermione seemed to be aware of this change since she blushed frequently when Ron spoke to her.

" Harry, we should get them together." Said Catherine.

" No you have to let these things just happen." Replied Harry.

" Well, I'm going to think of something. I am not the kind of girl who leaves these kind of things to work on its own accord." Said Catherine.

The Quidditch Season came. The first game was Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff. The new Gryffindor quidditch team captain, Angelina's sister, started her training sessions. Ron seemed to be good as a keeper so far. Harry hoped that this would prevail on the actual match. And every night they had training, Catherine and Hermione got a chance to get to know each other. It was during these times hat Catherine and Hermione got to be close friends.

The match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff turned out Hufflepuff victorious. ("Well that wasn't something expected." Said Ron.) The next match would be Gryffindor against Hufflepuff.

Something started to bother Harry. Every time he thought of something pleasant, he had this bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. His scar would start to burn and it would go away before he could even say anything. But the rest of the world seemed to be merry waiting for Christmas to arrive. The Christmas dance was scheduled for Christmas night to end on midnight. Hogwarts was aroused again. It reminded Harry of the Yule Ball three years before. The girls were in a fit of giggles and the boys were obviously annoyed by this.

"Ask Hermione to the dance again, Ron! And make this more romantic." Suggested Catherine while they were in the Gryffindor Common Room. (Hermione had to hurry off to Advance N.E.W.T. Class.)

" I'll ask her again. How do I make this more romantic? I am a guy you know. Not everyone is as mushy as your boyfriend over there." Said Ron.

" I heard that." Said Harry.

" Well maybe you should give her a rose when you ask her to the dance. It'll be so cute!" Said Catherine.

" I'll do it Catherine. Don't worry your pretty face off." Said Ron in order to end the discussion.

" You know I still haven't been asked to the dance yet." Said Catherine smiling mischievously. " I am still waiting."

Harry smiled and conjured up a rose with his wand. He stood up.

" Catherine, will you go with me to the Christmas dance?" asked Harry.

Catherine received the rose and kissed Harry and whispered, " Yes, I will go to the dance with you, Harry Potter."

Ron shook his head grinning.

(The Quidditch match arrived and to no one's surprise, Gryffindor won.)

Everyone in Hogwarts signed up to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas.

" This dance will be so much fun." Said Catherine. Catherine looked hard and meaningfully at Ron. " Oh Harry can you help me with my homework?"

" What? Oh, right. Um. Yea." Said Harry and they both went to the next table in the library. Not so long after that, they both heard Hermione almost squealing. They grinned. Then they saw Malfoy coming in. He spotted Harry and Catherine and walked over to them.

" So how is Pottyhead doing." Said Malfoy.

" Get lost, Malfoy." Said Harry simply.

" No I don't think so. I don't feel like going anywhere just this moment. Looking good today Catherine." Said Malfoy. Harry stood up. Catherine stood up as well.

" What, am I crossing the line with your girlfriend Potter?" said Malfoy maliciously.

" EXPELIARMUS!" shouted Harry. Malfoy flew back. " Come on Catherine, we're going."

" The Dark Lord is after her Potter!" shouted Malfoy, grinning. Harry turned around, his whole body shaking from anger. He raised his wand toward Malfoy trying to curse him again.

" NO, Harry! Stop!" said Catherine sharply. She grabbed his hand and walked out of the library with him. Harry was still fuming with anger. Madam Pince seemed absolutely outraged. It was only when they reached an empty hall that Harry opened his mouth to speak.

" How dare he!"

" Harry, don't take him seriously. He is probably just jealous of you." Said Catherine trying to comfort Harry. As angry as Harry was, Catherine felt like a princess being saved by her romantic Prince Charming. She suppressed these feelings because she had the most sweetest urge to hug and kiss her Prince Charming.

" Saying the Dark Lord is after you. Why would Voldemort be?" said Harry. Then he just realized.

" Harry its ok." He tried to speak again. Catherine put her finger on his lips. " Shhh." she whispered and kissed him.

He walked her to the Gryffindor Room.

" I have to talk to Dumbledore." Said Harry. Catherine nodded and blew him a kiss.

Harry ran to find Dumbledore. Coincidentally he was just walking in the hallway.

" Professor! I wanted to talk to you." Said Harry.

Dumbledore looked at him. " Well, come into my office." Once they were inside his office, Dumbledore looked at him.

" What seems to be troubling you Harry? It mustn't be your Defense Against the Dark Arts since you have an 'Outstanding' grade so far." Said Dumbledore.

" Well, Professor, I know I probably shouldn't take this seriously but Malfoy just said that Voldemort is after Catherine. And I just can't connect the dots. Why would he need her in the first place? And if Malfoy is lying, well he, he is just, a, well you know where I am getting at Professor. It is just that I got this weird feeling. In my scar when he said that." Said Harry very rapidly that I doubted that Dumbledore was able to understand him. Dumbledore stared at Harry before he spoke.

" Well, Harry I am sorry to say that that is probably the Dark Lord's plan. He was not able to get his former plan worked out last year, as you probably remember."

" WHAT! Why is Voldemort after her? What has she done? What does she have anything to do with Voldemort?" shouted Harry in disbelief.

" Catherine is a very valuable tool in his cause. She is powerful. The Dark Magic runs in her veins, Harry. Protect her and yourself."

Harry understood most of where Dumbledore was saying. He nodded.

" Well I am off to the Trophy Room. It seems that Mr. Filch is very distressed at the moment. So off you go Harry." Said Dumbledore and he went off.

Harry's walk back to the Gryffindor Tower was a long one. Dark magic flows in Catherine's veins. What did that mean? But he couldn't imagine how a girl like Catherine could have dark magical powers. Then all of a sudden, Neville and Ginny hurried over to him.

" Come quick!" said Neville.

" To where? What happened?" asked Harry.

" It's Catherine. She is in the Hospital Wing right now." Said Ginny. Without another word he ran as fast as he could up to the Hospital Wing. When he got there, he burst open the doors and ran to her bedside.

" It's alright. She is fine now. With a couple of hours of good sleep, she will be as good as new." Said Madam Pomfrey as she went over to tend another girl with red hex marks on her face.

Harry just dropped to the chair next to the bed and held Catherine's hand. That was all he could do.