Chapter 4: Katie's Request
Angelina Weasley had just scored the final point before her team's seeker managed to catch the golden snitch. The Chudley Cannons were currently on an exhibition tour of the United States. The current stop was Boston Massachusetts and the local team had given them quite a bit of competition. When the final score was in, after Angelina's goal, it was 310 to 180. The match had carried on for almost three hours and both teams were exhausted. Even in defeat the local team gave the British team their congratulations on a hard fought victory.
After they showered and changed Angelina made her way from the stadium. As she departed many of the fans asked for autographs. Angelina was so tired she didn't have it in her but suddenly she thought she saw someone waving what looked like a Gryffindor banner in her direction. She turned to see a face she would never forget trying to catch her eye.
"Katie." Angelina yelled.
Katie managed to push her way through the crowd to the barrier. A security guard tried to push her back but Angelina tapped him on the shoulder and told him to allow her through. Katie crossed the barrier and immediately hugged her friend and former teammate.
"Katie," Angelina paused now taking a long look at her friend, "are you alright? You look extremely pale."
Katie nodded her head and asked her if she had time for lunch. Angelina accepted the invite and followed Katie. To Angelina's surprise, Katie pulled out a key and stood next to a muggle car.
"Get in." Katie motioned. Angelina hesitated for a moment and then, after pulling on the handle entered the automobile.
"A car?" Angelina said.
"I can't apparate." Katie told her friend, "It's not healthy for me." Before Angelina could comment on that Katie had started the car and they were on their way.
Katie then picked up a small objected and pressed a few buttons. Angelina watched as Katie talked into it. "Hello love. yeah. I'm ok. I'm feeling fine. It was a good match. Can you join me for lunch at the café? Great, thanks."
"It's called a cell phone. Similar to muggle telephones only they're extremely portable." Katie explained.
Katie asked Angelina to tell her about everything that was going on in her life and all that had been going on since they departed Hogwarts. The two biggest changes she learned were Angelina's marriage to Fred Weasley, and her ending her Quidditch career after next year's season.
"Fred and I came to an understanding after we were married. He would work now, while George stayed at home with Hermione and raised their family, and when I retired from Quidditch it would be our turn to have a family while George toiled away at Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes." Angelina told her friend.
"So George actually married Hermione?" Katie asked in surprise.
"Yeah." She said neutrally. Angelina like Hermione a great deal, and she was a great sister-in-law but she had always wished that George and Katie had married.
"Don't give me that look, I know what's on your mind Angie." Katie said as she brought the car to a halt. Angelina noticed the light that hung from a cord was red and that no one around them was moving.
"George and I parted ways as friends. I'm glad he's found someone to make him happy." Katie said.
Angelina just smiled at her friend. After a relatively long trip by Angelina's standards, the two friends arrived at the location they would be having lunch. Angelina informed Katie she had no muggle money on her but Katie waved her friend off and said lunch was on her.
"So. why are you so pale?" Angelina asked as the server placed their drinks down and departed.
Katie looked around and once she was sure no one was paying them any mind she looked her friend in the eyes and said, "I'm dying."
Angelina, who was about to grasp her drink stopped. She looked at her friend again. Her eyes glancing over her friend, looking for a smile and a laugh, hoping that she was going to say, "just kidding" or something like it.
Katie did none of these things.
"How?"
"Two years after we left Hogwarts I was in a very. volatile relationship with a man who I thought loved me. At the time he seemed like the nicest, most caring person in the world. I cut all my ties to be with him, and it almost cost me my life. He was actuality using me as a bargaining chip. He wanted to be immortal. He told me we were going on a trip and the destination was a surprise. When we arrived and I was finally able to see where he had brought me I found myself in Romania surrounded by vampires." Katie said. She paused to take a drink of her iced tea. Angelina noticed that their server was coming to take their order.
"We need a few more minutes, our third party isn't here yet, but could you get a raspberry ice tea please, he should be here shortly." Katie asked.
The server took the order for the third drink and asked if they would like some appetizers while they waited. The two girls declined.
"Anyways, I was certain at that point that it was the end for me. Suddenly the vampires in question received an envoy from the Ministry of Magic. I used that opportunity to call for help. The envoy heard my pleas for help and managed to rescue me." Katie said.
"But.."
"I'm getting there Angie." Katie said. "Apparently one of the vampires was into dark magic and one of the projectiles they used when they were trying to kill us nicked me. The projectile had a powerful toxin coating it. While I didn't get nearly as much as I could have, the small amount gradually seeped into my system enough that it is now nearing the final stages."
Angelina was sobbing at this news.
"I have maybe, maybe four more months to live. The medi-wizards aren't sure. They're surprised I've lasted this long. Their initial prognosis was a month. I've lasted considerably longer than that. However it was some time before my husband and I discovered there was something wrong with me so there is no treatment at this point." Katie told her good friend.
"Wait. husband. You're married?" Angelina, tears trailing down her face, said in shock.
"Yes, to the most wonderful man. Actually if it weren't for him I wouldn't be here now. He has been taking care of me and. well I think I'll let him tell you what he's done for me."
"Hello Love." Katie waved.
Angelina turned and was shocked to see a man she thought she'd never see again. Harry Potter stood smiling at his wife and their former teammate. Angelina however was transfixed on what Harry was carrying. It was a little boy. The baby boy had strawberry blonde hair, green eyes, and obviously was not even a year old.
"Angelina." Harry said.
"May I?" Angelina asked, holding out her arms.
Harry handed the woman his son. He was the most darling thing she had seen, and Angelina had seen quite a few children in the family she was a part of. She watched as Harry took his wife's hand, kissed it, then kissed her cheek.
"So this is where you ended up Harry." Angelina said.
"Yes, Katie and I came here shortly after I left Hogwarts."
"What's the baby's name?" She shifted her attention to a distracted Katie.
"James Sirius Potter." Katie said beaming.
"A fine name you've got there kid." Angelina told the baby. The baby smiled and cooed in response.
The server returned and took their order. She looked at the cute baby and smiled, telling the baby's parents how cute he was. Katie excused herself and headed for the ladies room.
"Harry, I have to tell you something." Angelina announced once Katie was out of earshot.
"Is it about your in-laws?" Harry asked.
"Yes."
"Then I'd rather not discuss it right now. We can talk later if you wish, right now just be here for Katie. She was hoping to see you once the announcement was made that the Cannons would be coming here." Harry told her.
"He's a very handsome boy." Angelina told Harry. But her mind was on another child.
"He's his mother's son." Harry told his friend.
"When she was diagnosed with her illness it was already too late for her. The baby was barely three months. We think that it was the strain of the pregnancy that caused the acceleration of the disease." Harry told Angie.
"I'm so sorry."
"Katie's not. She's the happiest she's ever been since we found each other. She's not contagious, her system is breaking down is all." Harry said nonchalantly. Angelina could tell that he was on the verge of tears.
"I don't know where she's getting her strength from. If you ask her she says from the baby and I but in truth I'm all tapped out." Harry continued.
"We found each other after having been run through an emotional ringer. We thought we could finally be happy. When we found out about the baby it was as if all our prayers had been answered." Harry said, "and now I'm going to lose her."
Angelina held her friend's hand.
Katie came back five minutes later to James' cooing and playing in Angelina's arms.
Their lunch finally arriving, Harry and Katie ate first, with Aunt Angie minding the baby. Harry was the first to finish his meal and quickly took the baby so Angelina could devour her meal. She was famished after the events of the day.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
Angelina spent the night with the Potters and they talked into the wee hours of the morning. Angelina, using their fireplace, called her manager and informed him that due to a personal matter she would be missing the next two practices. He was upset but when she said her absence was to help with a sick family member he reluctantly agreed.
Harry and Angelina finally talked about the Weasleys during one of Katie and the baby's naps. She told them how the Weasleys found out the day that he had departed that Harry had been forced to lie to Ginny. That he had never betrayed any of their trusts.
Harry only nodded in acknowledgement.
"There's something else too." Angelina said hesitantly.
Harry looked at her, waiting to hear that Ginny married someone and now had a happy family.
"Ginny. Ginny was pregnant when you left. She was pregnant with your child." Angelina told him.
Harry said nothing. He stood and walked over to the fireplace. He looked at the picture of the Potters. Harry, Katie and James Potter.
"I hate him." Harry said.
"Who?" Angelina asked.
"Dumbledore. The only good thing to ever come out of his schemes was Katie and James." Harry replied.
"If he hadn't sent me to Romania to deliver that message I would never have found Katie." Harry replied.
"Can you stay with Katie and the baby for a moment, I need to go out for a quick walk." Harry asked his friend.
She readily agreed. Harry gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek, thanked her and swiftly departed.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
Katie Potter was walking from her bedroom to the living room when she heard Angelina and Harry talking about the Weasleys and Ginny in particular. When Angelina told Harry about Ginny and their child she suddenly felt like crying. Not for the reason Angie or Harry might have thought were they to find her, but because she was happy. She heard Harry ask Angelina to keep an eye on the baby and Katie and that he was going for a walk. Katie quickly moved back to the bedroom. She didn't want anyone to know what she had overheard.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
It was the third and final day of Angelina's visit and the British Quidditch player was suddenly wishing that she didn't have to leave. It was about Four o'clock Eastern Time and Angelina was checking on Katie when she heard her friend call for her.
"Angie?" Katie called out to her friend.
"Yeah Katie."
"Can you get Harry for me and tell him to bring James?" The tone of her voice was very shallow. Almost labored.
Angelina dashed from the room and got Harry and the baby. Harry looked at his wife who was suddenly so very pale and frail looking.
"It's time to say goodbye my loves." Katie told them.
"No Katie. you have to hold on."
Katie shook her head. "They're calling to me. All my friends and family that were lost in the first and second war. Their voices are getting louder."
"Katie." Angelina said holding her friend's cold hand.
"Harry, I. I. want you to promise me something before I go." Katie said looking her husband in his emerald eyes.
"Anything love."
"Take me home... Take me home to Hogwarts, by the tree that overlooked the pitch." Katie requested.
Harry, James, and Angelina were crying, as was Katie to a degree.
"Of course love." Harry responded.
Harry held James over his mother and as if the infant could understand, the baby kissed his mother. Katie placed several kisses on her son and then motioned for Harry.
"Promise me.." Katie started to say.
"What love?" Harry asked.
"Promise me that. that you'll try to win Ginny back." Katie said as her eyes focused on her husband.
Harry looked at her, then quickly to Angelina.
"She didn't say anything. I overheard you two yesterday." Katie said.
"Promise me Harry.. please." his wife pleaded.
"I promise beloved." Harry said. He then kissed his wife.
Angelina watched as Harry passionately kissed his wife, and she him as her life was fading. James was squirming and crying, as if he knew what was happening to his mother.
When Harry stopped he noticed that a smile was on Katie's lips as the last words she spoke were "I love you all."
With that Harry Potter held his wife to him and watched as Katie Potter passed on to a better place.
Angelina Weasley had just scored the final point before her team's seeker managed to catch the golden snitch. The Chudley Cannons were currently on an exhibition tour of the United States. The current stop was Boston Massachusetts and the local team had given them quite a bit of competition. When the final score was in, after Angelina's goal, it was 310 to 180. The match had carried on for almost three hours and both teams were exhausted. Even in defeat the local team gave the British team their congratulations on a hard fought victory.
After they showered and changed Angelina made her way from the stadium. As she departed many of the fans asked for autographs. Angelina was so tired she didn't have it in her but suddenly she thought she saw someone waving what looked like a Gryffindor banner in her direction. She turned to see a face she would never forget trying to catch her eye.
"Katie." Angelina yelled.
Katie managed to push her way through the crowd to the barrier. A security guard tried to push her back but Angelina tapped him on the shoulder and told him to allow her through. Katie crossed the barrier and immediately hugged her friend and former teammate.
"Katie," Angelina paused now taking a long look at her friend, "are you alright? You look extremely pale."
Katie nodded her head and asked her if she had time for lunch. Angelina accepted the invite and followed Katie. To Angelina's surprise, Katie pulled out a key and stood next to a muggle car.
"Get in." Katie motioned. Angelina hesitated for a moment and then, after pulling on the handle entered the automobile.
"A car?" Angelina said.
"I can't apparate." Katie told her friend, "It's not healthy for me." Before Angelina could comment on that Katie had started the car and they were on their way.
Katie then picked up a small objected and pressed a few buttons. Angelina watched as Katie talked into it. "Hello love. yeah. I'm ok. I'm feeling fine. It was a good match. Can you join me for lunch at the café? Great, thanks."
"It's called a cell phone. Similar to muggle telephones only they're extremely portable." Katie explained.
Katie asked Angelina to tell her about everything that was going on in her life and all that had been going on since they departed Hogwarts. The two biggest changes she learned were Angelina's marriage to Fred Weasley, and her ending her Quidditch career after next year's season.
"Fred and I came to an understanding after we were married. He would work now, while George stayed at home with Hermione and raised their family, and when I retired from Quidditch it would be our turn to have a family while George toiled away at Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes." Angelina told her friend.
"So George actually married Hermione?" Katie asked in surprise.
"Yeah." She said neutrally. Angelina like Hermione a great deal, and she was a great sister-in-law but she had always wished that George and Katie had married.
"Don't give me that look, I know what's on your mind Angie." Katie said as she brought the car to a halt. Angelina noticed the light that hung from a cord was red and that no one around them was moving.
"George and I parted ways as friends. I'm glad he's found someone to make him happy." Katie said.
Angelina just smiled at her friend. After a relatively long trip by Angelina's standards, the two friends arrived at the location they would be having lunch. Angelina informed Katie she had no muggle money on her but Katie waved her friend off and said lunch was on her.
"So. why are you so pale?" Angelina asked as the server placed their drinks down and departed.
Katie looked around and once she was sure no one was paying them any mind she looked her friend in the eyes and said, "I'm dying."
Angelina, who was about to grasp her drink stopped. She looked at her friend again. Her eyes glancing over her friend, looking for a smile and a laugh, hoping that she was going to say, "just kidding" or something like it.
Katie did none of these things.
"How?"
"Two years after we left Hogwarts I was in a very. volatile relationship with a man who I thought loved me. At the time he seemed like the nicest, most caring person in the world. I cut all my ties to be with him, and it almost cost me my life. He was actuality using me as a bargaining chip. He wanted to be immortal. He told me we were going on a trip and the destination was a surprise. When we arrived and I was finally able to see where he had brought me I found myself in Romania surrounded by vampires." Katie said. She paused to take a drink of her iced tea. Angelina noticed that their server was coming to take their order.
"We need a few more minutes, our third party isn't here yet, but could you get a raspberry ice tea please, he should be here shortly." Katie asked.
The server took the order for the third drink and asked if they would like some appetizers while they waited. The two girls declined.
"Anyways, I was certain at that point that it was the end for me. Suddenly the vampires in question received an envoy from the Ministry of Magic. I used that opportunity to call for help. The envoy heard my pleas for help and managed to rescue me." Katie said.
"But.."
"I'm getting there Angie." Katie said. "Apparently one of the vampires was into dark magic and one of the projectiles they used when they were trying to kill us nicked me. The projectile had a powerful toxin coating it. While I didn't get nearly as much as I could have, the small amount gradually seeped into my system enough that it is now nearing the final stages."
Angelina was sobbing at this news.
"I have maybe, maybe four more months to live. The medi-wizards aren't sure. They're surprised I've lasted this long. Their initial prognosis was a month. I've lasted considerably longer than that. However it was some time before my husband and I discovered there was something wrong with me so there is no treatment at this point." Katie told her good friend.
"Wait. husband. You're married?" Angelina, tears trailing down her face, said in shock.
"Yes, to the most wonderful man. Actually if it weren't for him I wouldn't be here now. He has been taking care of me and. well I think I'll let him tell you what he's done for me."
"Hello Love." Katie waved.
Angelina turned and was shocked to see a man she thought she'd never see again. Harry Potter stood smiling at his wife and their former teammate. Angelina however was transfixed on what Harry was carrying. It was a little boy. The baby boy had strawberry blonde hair, green eyes, and obviously was not even a year old.
"Angelina." Harry said.
"May I?" Angelina asked, holding out her arms.
Harry handed the woman his son. He was the most darling thing she had seen, and Angelina had seen quite a few children in the family she was a part of. She watched as Harry took his wife's hand, kissed it, then kissed her cheek.
"So this is where you ended up Harry." Angelina said.
"Yes, Katie and I came here shortly after I left Hogwarts."
"What's the baby's name?" She shifted her attention to a distracted Katie.
"James Sirius Potter." Katie said beaming.
"A fine name you've got there kid." Angelina told the baby. The baby smiled and cooed in response.
The server returned and took their order. She looked at the cute baby and smiled, telling the baby's parents how cute he was. Katie excused herself and headed for the ladies room.
"Harry, I have to tell you something." Angelina announced once Katie was out of earshot.
"Is it about your in-laws?" Harry asked.
"Yes."
"Then I'd rather not discuss it right now. We can talk later if you wish, right now just be here for Katie. She was hoping to see you once the announcement was made that the Cannons would be coming here." Harry told her.
"He's a very handsome boy." Angelina told Harry. But her mind was on another child.
"He's his mother's son." Harry told his friend.
"When she was diagnosed with her illness it was already too late for her. The baby was barely three months. We think that it was the strain of the pregnancy that caused the acceleration of the disease." Harry told Angie.
"I'm so sorry."
"Katie's not. She's the happiest she's ever been since we found each other. She's not contagious, her system is breaking down is all." Harry said nonchalantly. Angelina could tell that he was on the verge of tears.
"I don't know where she's getting her strength from. If you ask her she says from the baby and I but in truth I'm all tapped out." Harry continued.
"We found each other after having been run through an emotional ringer. We thought we could finally be happy. When we found out about the baby it was as if all our prayers had been answered." Harry said, "and now I'm going to lose her."
Angelina held her friend's hand.
Katie came back five minutes later to James' cooing and playing in Angelina's arms.
Their lunch finally arriving, Harry and Katie ate first, with Aunt Angie minding the baby. Harry was the first to finish his meal and quickly took the baby so Angelina could devour her meal. She was famished after the events of the day.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
Angelina spent the night with the Potters and they talked into the wee hours of the morning. Angelina, using their fireplace, called her manager and informed him that due to a personal matter she would be missing the next two practices. He was upset but when she said her absence was to help with a sick family member he reluctantly agreed.
Harry and Angelina finally talked about the Weasleys during one of Katie and the baby's naps. She told them how the Weasleys found out the day that he had departed that Harry had been forced to lie to Ginny. That he had never betrayed any of their trusts.
Harry only nodded in acknowledgement.
"There's something else too." Angelina said hesitantly.
Harry looked at her, waiting to hear that Ginny married someone and now had a happy family.
"Ginny. Ginny was pregnant when you left. She was pregnant with your child." Angelina told him.
Harry said nothing. He stood and walked over to the fireplace. He looked at the picture of the Potters. Harry, Katie and James Potter.
"I hate him." Harry said.
"Who?" Angelina asked.
"Dumbledore. The only good thing to ever come out of his schemes was Katie and James." Harry replied.
"If he hadn't sent me to Romania to deliver that message I would never have found Katie." Harry replied.
"Can you stay with Katie and the baby for a moment, I need to go out for a quick walk." Harry asked his friend.
She readily agreed. Harry gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek, thanked her and swiftly departed.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
Katie Potter was walking from her bedroom to the living room when she heard Angelina and Harry talking about the Weasleys and Ginny in particular. When Angelina told Harry about Ginny and their child she suddenly felt like crying. Not for the reason Angie or Harry might have thought were they to find her, but because she was happy. She heard Harry ask Angelina to keep an eye on the baby and Katie and that he was going for a walk. Katie quickly moved back to the bedroom. She didn't want anyone to know what she had overheard.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
It was the third and final day of Angelina's visit and the British Quidditch player was suddenly wishing that she didn't have to leave. It was about Four o'clock Eastern Time and Angelina was checking on Katie when she heard her friend call for her.
"Angie?" Katie called out to her friend.
"Yeah Katie."
"Can you get Harry for me and tell him to bring James?" The tone of her voice was very shallow. Almost labored.
Angelina dashed from the room and got Harry and the baby. Harry looked at his wife who was suddenly so very pale and frail looking.
"It's time to say goodbye my loves." Katie told them.
"No Katie. you have to hold on."
Katie shook her head. "They're calling to me. All my friends and family that were lost in the first and second war. Their voices are getting louder."
"Katie." Angelina said holding her friend's cold hand.
"Harry, I. I. want you to promise me something before I go." Katie said looking her husband in his emerald eyes.
"Anything love."
"Take me home... Take me home to Hogwarts, by the tree that overlooked the pitch." Katie requested.
Harry, James, and Angelina were crying, as was Katie to a degree.
"Of course love." Harry responded.
Harry held James over his mother and as if the infant could understand, the baby kissed his mother. Katie placed several kisses on her son and then motioned for Harry.
"Promise me.." Katie started to say.
"What love?" Harry asked.
"Promise me that. that you'll try to win Ginny back." Katie said as her eyes focused on her husband.
Harry looked at her, then quickly to Angelina.
"She didn't say anything. I overheard you two yesterday." Katie said.
"Promise me Harry.. please." his wife pleaded.
"I promise beloved." Harry said. He then kissed his wife.
Angelina watched as Harry passionately kissed his wife, and she him as her life was fading. James was squirming and crying, as if he knew what was happening to his mother.
When Harry stopped he noticed that a smile was on Katie's lips as the last words she spoke were "I love you all."
With that Harry Potter held his wife to him and watched as Katie Potter passed on to a better place.