Chapter six
Harry and Ron stood by each other in the middle of the Great Hall. Students in all colors were walking around. Harry wore robes of dark gray with silver trim. Ron wore green robes. They were waiting on Hermione and Cathren. There was a magical band. The instruments played by themselves. Sir Headless Nick was conducting them. They decided to make their way towards the doors.
As they walked towards them Hermione and Cathren walked in. They looked around. Both Ron and Harry stopped. Hermione was wearing a violet robe, her hair was up in a strange fashion with ringlets hanging down. Cathren wore white robes. Her sleeves were long and see through. All over her robes were gold suns, like a pencil drawing. Her hair was up in a way that curls tumbled down the back. They were both beautiful.
They spotted Harry and Ron and walked forward. Ron or Harry did'nt know what to say. Cathren and Hermione looked at each other and smiled. "Speechless." Hermione said and poked them. "Nope they are not dead."
"What?" Ron said and shook his head as if coming out of a sleep.
"Hu?" Harry said and the two girls chuckled.
"Snap out of it wonder boy." Cathren said and stepped forward. "Malfoy snapped out of it quicker than you."
"Of course Pancy hit him, though." Hermione said and smiled.
"Would you like to dance?" Ron asked her and held out his hand.
Placing her hand in his, Hermione said, "It would be a pleasure." Ron and Hermione walked into the center and joined the dance.
"Would you like to go and get some fresh air?" Harry asked feeling the need for it.
"Yeah, I don't feel like dancing yet." She said and they looped arms and walked out of the Great Hall to the out side. The stars were shining brightly. Cathren was looking up at them. Harry could'nt take his eyes off her. "Beautiful are'nt they?" Cathren asked and looked back at him.
"Yes." Harry said, turning his head to look up.
"And why are you two not in at the banquet?" A voice called from behind.
Cathren and Harry turned to find Lucius Malfoy walking out of the door. Harry was glad that there were more people out side. Malfoy tried to kill him once. Plus he was a Death Eater. He heard Cathren wisper. "Lets go back in ok?"
"We were just about to go in." Harry said and walked forward. He garbed Cathren's hand as they walked by him. He expected her to pull away but she did'nt.
"Have fun." Malfoy said with a sadistic grin on his face.
"We will." Cathren said and when they entered the door and turned to head for the great hall they took off jogging.
When they reached the inside everything was normal. Every one was dancing and laughing. "Would you like to dance my lady?" Harry asked and smiled.
"I would love to good sir." She said and smiled in return. They walked out into the center and began to dance.
After they had danced through three songs Dumbledore came along. "May I dance with my Grandniece?" He asked Harry and smiled at him.
"Yes sir." Harry said and backed away.
"See you in a minute Harry." Cathren said and they began to dance.
*
Lucius knelt before his master and kissed the bottom of his robe. He then rose and looked into the red eyes of Lord Voldemort. His master walked backwards and sat in his chair. Wormtail walked forward to stand by Lucius.
"Wormtail, do you think you would fail if I sent you after the girl?" Voldemort asked in that voice of his.
Peter shrieked on the inside. If he failed his master would more likely kill him. "I will not fail." Perter said and bowed his head.
"Good, by any means necessary, is that clear? At least get her into the forest where you can appirate with her." Voldemort said and looked at him closely with his red snake like eyes. "I would like to speak more with you on the matter..."
*
Lupin stood in the front of the class room taking up the reports. He then walked back to the front and dropped them on the desk. "I see all of you did your report properly." He said and smiled. "Today we will be learning what to do if you ever are attacked."
One girl raised her hand. "Do we kill Death Eaters or stun them?" She asked and put her hand down.
"If you must kill a Death Eater fine I guess, but it would be better to stun them and let an Auror take them into custody. Voldemort... I'm sorry... You Know Who, on the other hand I say... shoot to kill. I say this because any one who has a chance to get rid of him should take it." Lupin said and looked over at four students who were listening very carefully. They sat in the back of the room close to the door.
Harry looked at the floor. He saw something run by, but did'nt know quite what. Then he saw it again it was beside Cathren's leg. It was a rat, a big rat. Before Harry could say something the rat changed quickly into a man and jerked her up, pulling her wand out and aiming it at her.
Harry's face turned red with furry at the man standing with the wand pointed at Cathren. Peter Pettigrew, the man who practically killed his parents. Harry jumped up and glared at him, reaching for his wand. Ron and Hermione followed. Professor Lupin was walking forward.
"No one move!" Peter roared and looked around. "He told me to hurt her if you tried anything."
Peter looked around at the students in the class room. Lupin was slowly pulling out his wand. "Can a walk forward Peter?" He asked looking at him. He glanced at Cathren, she seemed calm. He took a step forward.
"Crucio!" Peter yelled.
Cathren screamed a blood curtailing scream and fell to her knees. Peter called of the curse and looked around. He needed to get out. "Get up!" He yelled at Cathren and grabbed her arm. "Get up or I'll do it again." He waved her wand and the door opened. He pulled Cathren half way to her feet when she tried and failed to get up. He began to walk out the door, she was half walking half being dragged.
"Stupefy!" Some one yelled from behind. Lupin, Harry, Ron and Hermione ran to the door when they heard the voice. They got there just in time to see Peter fall over and Sirius help Cathren to the ground.
Harry had been hit by that curse before. He knew the pain she was in. He knelt on one side of her. Her eyes were closing slowly. She was passing out. It had been held on her for about ten seconds. It does'nt seem long, but it is when it comes to that curse.
"Stay awake, Cathren." Sirius said and put his hand on her for head. He cursed under his breath when her eyes closed and did'nt open again. He put his arms under her and lifted her up.
"Why don't you conjure a stretcher?" Hermione asked and looked at them.
"They are to slow." Sirius said and looked at Lupin. "Take care of him. Harry come with me. Ron, Hermione go get Dumbledore."
"Yes sir." Ron said and the two of them took off running.
Sirius and Harry headed down the hall. "I was coming talk to Lupin, I was half way down the hall when I heard the scream. What happened?" Sirius asked and looked at Harry.
*
Ron and Hermione saw Dumbledore walking down the hall. "Professor! Professor!" Hermione and Ron called at the same time.
"What is it Mr. Weasely, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.
"It is Cathren, Peter Pettigrew got in the castle. Sirius took her to the hospital. He said to find you." Hermione said trying to catch her breath.
The look that crossed Dumbledore's face sent a chill down both there spines. He had fury in his eyes. He began to storm down the hall.
*
Sirius layed Cathren down on one of the beds as Madam Pomfery ran towards them. She was running down the hall holding a bottle. Sirius turned to Harry. "Harry, sit on that bed over there. If you see any one that does not go to this school or work here yell." He then turned back to Cathren. He opened her mouth and Madam Pomfery poured a liquid down her throat.
As soon as he sat down Dumbledore walked in. He looked from Harry to Cathren. He did'nt say anything, all he did was walk over.
Sirius stood up and looked at Dumbledore. "I had Lupin do something with Peter." Sirius said and glanced at Cathren and they said no more.
*
Harry sat on the bed next to Cathren's. Sirius and Dumbledore had left to tend to Peter and Madam Pomfery was doing something else.
Cathren was sleeping peacefully. Her limbs had stopped jerking. They were jerking every now and then. What ever they gave her was working. He remembered it took forever for him to stop jerking. Harry closed his eyes, he felt tired. Sirius had given him the job of watching to make sure nothing else happened.
He realized after watching her that he was still angry about what happened. He had grown closer to her. He liked her allot, more than he had Cho. It was different, they had things in common. He could talk to her. He thought more and then came to him. He really liked her.
Harry closed his eyes and rested them. He heard some one in a quite voice say his name. He opened his eyes to find Cathren moving slowly to sit up. "Are you sure you should be doing that?" Harry asked and stood up.
"Nope, but I really don't care. Have'nt you realized I am head strong and hard headed?" Cathren said and smiled. She patted the bed. "Sit here so I want have to strain my eyes. What ever they gave me screwed them up." Cathren pulled her hand back as Harry sat down. "Oh, I hate this." She said and put her hand to her head. "Who ever invited this should be shot."
"That not whats wrong is it?" Harry asked and smiled.
"No, its I'm not used to the damsel and distress thing. It seems to be happening allot sense last year. I'm used to being the one who helped people out of danger not get into it. I guess I will never get used to it. Although I should by now." She said looking at the covers.
"I know what you mean." Harry said and put his hand on hers.
"Harry, I need you to go get Hermione and Ron. Tell Hermione I said it is time." She took a breath. "She will know what to do."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked confused. Was she going to explain everything?
"I'll tell you when your all here." Cathren said smiling. Harry began to stand. "Harry... I have to tell you... before its to late and I don't get to tell you... Harry I..." He just smiled.
He pulled away after a minute. "I like you." He said looking in her eyes, her beautiful green eyes. He did'nt think it was right to say 'I love you'. Those were stronge words and he did'nt think they described his feeling, although he did'nt know quite what described his feeling.
Cathren did'nt know what to say. He stole the words right out of her mouth. Before she could say something. Madam Pomfrey came strolling in. "Miss West I want you to lay down. You should'nt be sitting up after what happened. Harry go back to your Common Room. Miss West will be perfectly safe here. Dumbledore is coming by to check on her when he is done with her attacker."
"Oh, I hate that man. Never was a good teacher." Cathren said and slid back down in the bed. In a whisper she said, "I like you too."
Harry left the room.
*
Dumbledore, Sirius, Lupin and Snape stood around the man sitting in the chair. Dumbledore still had that look in his eyes. "I am not going to ask you again Peter, I will use the truth potion next."
"Use your potion, but I will not betray my master willingly!" Wormtail said and looked away.
"Tell me what Voldemort's plans are, Peter." Dumbledore said in a calm voice. "He wants me Grandniece, he is coming for her and I will do anything to protect her from him." The look Dumbledore gave was unlike any they had seen. "Hand me the potion Severus." He said, holding out his hand.
Snape put the bottle in Dumbledore's hand. Dumbledore opened the top. "Open your mouth Peter." He said and looked at him. "We are not going to hurt you, we are not like your master."
"I'll tell you!" He said and slumped. He did'nt want any concoction of Snape's pored down his throat. "If I was unsuccessful, he is going to bring all the Death Eaters here and order you to give Potter and the girl to him. If you don't he is going to storm the castle and kill every one until he gets what he wants. I don't know when. Thats the truth."
Dumbledore looked at Sirius. His eyes were a mirror of Dumbledore's. They both had the same furry. Like Dumbledore, Voldemort was after some one Sirius loved as well. "Put him in one of the none used dungeon cells." He said and walked to the door. "I am going to see about my Grandniece."
*
Cathren lied in bed staring at the ceiling. Harry had only been gone a second and she was already bored. She sat up a tad. "Madam Pomfrey, please let me sit up. I can't stand laying here. I was only hit with that darn curse once. I am fine."
"I guess, your going to bug me until I do any way. Just like your uncle." She said and looked at the door. Dumbledore walked in, he had returned to his normal self.
He sat on the side of the bed near Cathren. "How are you feeling?" He asked and put his hand on her head.
"I am feeling wonderful. Can I get out of this place?" She asked and leaned back on the head board.
"It is best if you stay in here over night." He said and smiled. His smile faded. "I will have some one watch the doors. It is time I informed the staff about..." He trailed off.
"I think it is time to. I think it is also time for me to tell Harry. Tell him what a mess I have put him in." She said and shook her head.
"Voldemort made the decision long ago to take his life." Dumbldore said and looked her in the eyes. "You and Harry will be fine. I have seen Harry's bravery before. I have seen yours. Voldemort has another thing coming if he thinks he is going to get rid of the two of you that easily."
"Thank you." Cathren said and smiled. "You always know how to make people feel better."
"Your welcome child." He said smiling.
Cathren yawned. She was growing sleepy again. "I wish my parents were here. I miss them so much." Cathren said and looked down. She looked up again. "I am thankful to have you."
"And I you." Dumbledore said and watched as she slipped back down. "Get some rest." He said and pulled the covers up. "Good night child." He slowly pulled out his wand and cast a spell to put her to sleep, while her eyes were closed.
*
Cathren came awake to find the hospital dimly lit and it was night out. She heard some one coming. She reached over and grabbed her wand. She looked at the door. There was a black dog laying on the floor. Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked past the black dog and towards her. Hermione had a book in her arms. They walked over with out saying a word not wanting to wake the dog up.
They walked over and to her bed. Hermione handed the book to Cathren when she had finally sat up. Harry sat on the bed next to her, Ron and Hermione sat on the other side.
Cathren looked at them. "It is time I told you the truth." She said and looked at Harry. "Have you ever heard of the Keeper of Light? Besides in the short part of the poem." She looked at them closely. "The Keeper is a witch who was chosen to be the carrier of Light. Only through a surtan spell can she use her power to rid the world of the greatest evil. But, she can not kill him directly, she has to have help. She can only help the true person kill the evil. The spell is to be conjured on the night of a harvest moon on a specail day. The day is the seventeenth birthday of the Keeper. If she is placed upon the block on that night and slain then darkness will rule the land. There will be no bringing it back for a hurndred years. Because as long as the Keeper lives, good lives. If she is killed before the the harvest moon rises then a new Keeper will be born. Keeping the Light safe again. I... am the Keeper."
"Your the what?" Ron asked and looked at her. One of his eye brows were raised.
"I am the one the poem or should I say spell speaks of. 'My holy light engulfs you whole setting free your wicked souls." She quoted and looked at them. "Hermione has known since the day after the poem was a signed. She borrowed the book from Sirius. Of course none of the teachers knew yet. The longer they did not know the longer Voldemort would stay away." She looked at them then shook her head. "I became an Auror because I wanted to keep people safe. I found out a year ago what I am. What my purpose is. That year a new teacher was hired. A teacher by the name of Peter Pettigrew. He told his master who I was. We over heard his conversation... my freinds and I. Peter knew where I lived. He had visited with my family many times. When the attack on the school happened four teachers died trying to keep me safe. My friends tried to smuggle me out of the school. One by one they were picked off, until only I was left. I ran as fast as I could. I hopped trains and hitchhiked. I made it home. I opened my front door and smelt something I will never forget... burnt flesh. I walked into the hall and turned the corner. Voldemort was standing in my liveing room with my teacher. I knew I had been betrayed before, but it finally hit home. Before Voldemort, on the ground was my parents... dead. I was taken to a barn near by and.... lets just say I came to know the Curcaitus curse very well."
"Cathren..." Harry said shaking his head.
"Days went by. Peter and another man, by the name of Crabbe, was stationed to guard me until the time came that I was to be 'slain', as the book so lovely puts it." She said and paused to let what she had said sink in. "My uncle had been keeping in touch as soon as he was told, by my parents, who and what I was. When he did not hear from them he came to check us out. He found my parents dead. He came back for an Auror to help track me down. Sirius was the lucky Auror. They found me in a near by barn. They ran Peter and Crabbe off, helped me to the nearest Magical Healing Hospital and hear I am." She looked at them. They all had shocked expression. Even Hermione, she only knew little about what happened.
"That is why, Harry, I could never tell you before. The longer you did not know, the more I could spare you. I was hoping that I could get through this with out getting you involved." She shook her head. "To think I actually trusted Peter. Good thing I was taught to learn to fight the people you trust, they will be the ones to turn on you first."
"Is'nt that the truth." A voice said from the side of them. Sirius was walking towards them. "You better not let Madam Pomfrey catch you in here." He said and smiled. "Cathren, you have nothing to worry about. The people here will not turn on you."
"Ya." Hermione said and smiled.
"How could we. We turn on you were all dead." Ron said and shrugged.
"I'm glad to see it is not because I'm your friend." She said and chuckled.
"That to." Ron said and nudged Harry. He was staring at the floor thinking.
"You mean Voldemort wants to kill you to rule the world and not get to Dumbledore?" Harry asked looking at her. He did'nt expect it to be this serious.
"It is like the domino effect. Get me, get you, get Dumbledore, get the world. Get you, get me, get Dumbledore, get the world. Get Dumbledore, get me or get you, get the world." She said and looked at them.
"Either way he gets the world." Ron said and lowered his head.
"Not if I have anything to do with it." Cathren said and closed her eyes. "It is like this. If I can stay alive to speak the words from the book at the right time, Voldy is as dead as those poor people he has killed. With Harry's help of course. It will mainly be up to Harry to do the actual killing."
"Since when did I join this crusade?" Harry asked and looked at her. "I did'nt volunteer for this." He did'nt want to go through what he went through in his fourth year.
"No, but Voldemort did. He is coming for me and you, Harry. You can't stall, he is going to get you sooner or later." She said and let the truth sink in. "We might have chance to kill him, to save hundreds of lives, Harry."
"I don't care. I don't feel like going up against Voldemort again." He said and stood up. He had never said something like that. He had always been willing to find things out and go on adventures.
Cathren turned her head slightly and looked at the ground. "Then I was wrong." She said in a whisper. "We have no chance. I have failed the world and you. With out you, Harry, the Keeper is nothing, I am nothing. I will waist my powers. I can not use them on him and hold two wands at the same time."
"I believe you when you say that Voldemort will get me. But, I am just a regular wizard. I do not have the power to kill Voldemort." Harry said and sat back down.
"I think it is time for you all to go to bed. Good night." Sirius said and waited until they were all gone before speaking. "Dumbledore is not going to let Voldemort near you or Harry. I trust him with that." Sirius said before changing back into his dog form.
*
Harry, Hermione, and Ron were walking down the hall on the beautiful Saturday morning. Harry had done allot of thinking since last night. Mainly about the things Cathren had said. He saw her walking down the hall. She was'nt wearing the skirt she normally wore. Or the dress she wore every now and then on Saturday or Sunday. She was wearing black pants and a white blows with her cloak.
She smiled a weak smile. Clearly she did'nt know if they were on speaking grounds after the way Harry had reacted to the news. Hermione nudged him. "Go talk to her." She said and nodded.
Harry walked forward and looked back at them. They were waving him on. Cathren had moved to the window to look out. He stepped forward. "How are you feeling?" He asked and looked at her.
"Fine, better than yesterday." She said and smiled. She then returned to looking at the sun rise. It was very early in the morning. "I'm sorry for making it sound the way I did. It is your choice." She said and watched the pink fade into orange.
"I should'nt have reacted the way I did. It is just I was expecting something, but nothing that big." He said and smiled a weak smile. "Want to come have breakfast with us?"
"I would love to." Cathren said and turned to him.
Every student in the school sat at there tables that morning chatting about all sorts of things. Little did they know what was in store for them. The room became quite as the students read there letters. All of the sudden there was a large bang. The doors to the Great Hall flew open. Hagrid rushed in looking around. He had fear in his eyes. Dumbledore slowly rose up.
"They're every where. I got here as soon as I could. Came out o' the woods they did." He said and strolled forward. His footsteps rocked the hall.
"Who Hagrid?" Dumbledore asked and looked at him. Then he glanced at Harry. He looked him in the eyes.
Harry heard Cathren mummer something under her breath. It sounded like. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Death Eaters." Hagrid said and looked around as a wave of gasps and a few screams came over the students. Harry, Cathren, Ron and Hermione stayed still. They knew it was coming. They also noticed that Malfoy and his friends were still as well.
"Silence." Dumbledore said and looked around. Some one asked, "What do they want." A few people answered. "I know, Potter." Dumbledore looked at the students then at Hagrid. "What are they doing?"
"They're formin around the front steps. You Know Who is standin on the first step." Hagrid said the last part extremely low. By then the teachers were getting up. "He, uh, requested ya hand over Harry and Cathren."
Harry had known it was coming. He just did'nt think it was this soon. He saw Cathren, she was thinking. Then she rose from the table. She had an expression on her face that said she was scared and determined. She seemed not that afriad that there was a dark lord out side wanting her head. He heard the people in the back ground telling Dumbledore to hand them over. She was being betrayed, they were both being betrayed... by there on school mates.
Dumbledore saw her rise from the table. Every one looked at her. "Cathren stop." He said and when she did'nt he said, "As your Guardian I order you to stop." He said looking down at her.
Cathren stopped and turned to him. "I am going to turn myself over." She said and looked around at the other people. "I will not watch as more people are hurt because of me. I will not watch the last of my family die because of me. He is coming in here uncle, you know what he will do."
"Let her go." One person said.
"Cathren.... wait." Dumbledore said and walked around the table and down to her level. "Wait and let us see what we can do."
"Wait? Wait and it will be to late." She said and shook her head. "But, I will wait. If you can not force them to leave then I will give my self up. Even if he wants both of us I will die for them. That is what I was created for right? To protect others?" She said and looked directly into his eyes.
Harry saw the same look he had seen in Dumbledore's eyes the night Voldemort came back to power in hers... in both Dumbeldore's and hers. The determination and anger, the fear and worry. All combined into one.
"I want you all to go to your Common Rooms. Perfects seal the doors. No one is to enter, unless it is your house leader or myself." Dumbledore said still looking Cathren in the eyes. "Teachers follow me."
In a panic every one got up and began to run. "Orderly." One person yelled.
Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. "Get up to the Common Room." He said and stood. "Go!"
"What are you doing?" Ron asked and looked at him.
Harry looked at Cathren she was walking out of the hall. "What I should have done long ago." He took off running to catch up with Cathren. He could hear Hermione yell as he ran.
"Harry no!"
He saw Cathren round a corner. Every one was out of the halls. No one was left. They were all heading towards the Common Rooms. He rounded the corner to see Cathren with her wand out. Harry walked forward. "What are you doing?"
"I saw some one come down here... they were not a teacher." She said and looked at him. "Why are you not on your way up to the Common Room?" Did she really think he was that chicken
"Because we share the same responsibility and because I want let you do this alone. I don't want my last family member to die either." Harry said and pulled out his wand.
"Stupefy." Some one yelled and Cathren saw Harry hit the ground.
"Harry!" Cathren yelled and dropped to the ground beside him. He was stunned.
She saw feet in front of her. She looked up to see the man they called Lucius Malfoy looking down at her. He had his wand pointed right at her head. "Get up." He said and smiled.
Cathren lunged forward and grabbed his wand. He kicked her off and walked over. He grabbed her hair and jerked her to her feet. "I would stun you but my master wants you awake for a while." He conjured a stretcher for Harry and they walked the hall to another door.
* * *
Thanx, Legacy(FD)x for adding me to your favs. I hope if others are reading that they like it to. Please R/R. I would really like to know what people think of the story. TTFN, thanks.
Harry and Ron stood by each other in the middle of the Great Hall. Students in all colors were walking around. Harry wore robes of dark gray with silver trim. Ron wore green robes. They were waiting on Hermione and Cathren. There was a magical band. The instruments played by themselves. Sir Headless Nick was conducting them. They decided to make their way towards the doors.
As they walked towards them Hermione and Cathren walked in. They looked around. Both Ron and Harry stopped. Hermione was wearing a violet robe, her hair was up in a strange fashion with ringlets hanging down. Cathren wore white robes. Her sleeves were long and see through. All over her robes were gold suns, like a pencil drawing. Her hair was up in a way that curls tumbled down the back. They were both beautiful.
They spotted Harry and Ron and walked forward. Ron or Harry did'nt know what to say. Cathren and Hermione looked at each other and smiled. "Speechless." Hermione said and poked them. "Nope they are not dead."
"What?" Ron said and shook his head as if coming out of a sleep.
"Hu?" Harry said and the two girls chuckled.
"Snap out of it wonder boy." Cathren said and stepped forward. "Malfoy snapped out of it quicker than you."
"Of course Pancy hit him, though." Hermione said and smiled.
"Would you like to dance?" Ron asked her and held out his hand.
Placing her hand in his, Hermione said, "It would be a pleasure." Ron and Hermione walked into the center and joined the dance.
"Would you like to go and get some fresh air?" Harry asked feeling the need for it.
"Yeah, I don't feel like dancing yet." She said and they looped arms and walked out of the Great Hall to the out side. The stars were shining brightly. Cathren was looking up at them. Harry could'nt take his eyes off her. "Beautiful are'nt they?" Cathren asked and looked back at him.
"Yes." Harry said, turning his head to look up.
"And why are you two not in at the banquet?" A voice called from behind.
Cathren and Harry turned to find Lucius Malfoy walking out of the door. Harry was glad that there were more people out side. Malfoy tried to kill him once. Plus he was a Death Eater. He heard Cathren wisper. "Lets go back in ok?"
"We were just about to go in." Harry said and walked forward. He garbed Cathren's hand as they walked by him. He expected her to pull away but she did'nt.
"Have fun." Malfoy said with a sadistic grin on his face.
"We will." Cathren said and when they entered the door and turned to head for the great hall they took off jogging.
When they reached the inside everything was normal. Every one was dancing and laughing. "Would you like to dance my lady?" Harry asked and smiled.
"I would love to good sir." She said and smiled in return. They walked out into the center and began to dance.
After they had danced through three songs Dumbledore came along. "May I dance with my Grandniece?" He asked Harry and smiled at him.
"Yes sir." Harry said and backed away.
"See you in a minute Harry." Cathren said and they began to dance.
*
Lucius knelt before his master and kissed the bottom of his robe. He then rose and looked into the red eyes of Lord Voldemort. His master walked backwards and sat in his chair. Wormtail walked forward to stand by Lucius.
"Wormtail, do you think you would fail if I sent you after the girl?" Voldemort asked in that voice of his.
Peter shrieked on the inside. If he failed his master would more likely kill him. "I will not fail." Perter said and bowed his head.
"Good, by any means necessary, is that clear? At least get her into the forest where you can appirate with her." Voldemort said and looked at him closely with his red snake like eyes. "I would like to speak more with you on the matter..."
*
Lupin stood in the front of the class room taking up the reports. He then walked back to the front and dropped them on the desk. "I see all of you did your report properly." He said and smiled. "Today we will be learning what to do if you ever are attacked."
One girl raised her hand. "Do we kill Death Eaters or stun them?" She asked and put her hand down.
"If you must kill a Death Eater fine I guess, but it would be better to stun them and let an Auror take them into custody. Voldemort... I'm sorry... You Know Who, on the other hand I say... shoot to kill. I say this because any one who has a chance to get rid of him should take it." Lupin said and looked over at four students who were listening very carefully. They sat in the back of the room close to the door.
Harry looked at the floor. He saw something run by, but did'nt know quite what. Then he saw it again it was beside Cathren's leg. It was a rat, a big rat. Before Harry could say something the rat changed quickly into a man and jerked her up, pulling her wand out and aiming it at her.
Harry's face turned red with furry at the man standing with the wand pointed at Cathren. Peter Pettigrew, the man who practically killed his parents. Harry jumped up and glared at him, reaching for his wand. Ron and Hermione followed. Professor Lupin was walking forward.
"No one move!" Peter roared and looked around. "He told me to hurt her if you tried anything."
Peter looked around at the students in the class room. Lupin was slowly pulling out his wand. "Can a walk forward Peter?" He asked looking at him. He glanced at Cathren, she seemed calm. He took a step forward.
"Crucio!" Peter yelled.
Cathren screamed a blood curtailing scream and fell to her knees. Peter called of the curse and looked around. He needed to get out. "Get up!" He yelled at Cathren and grabbed her arm. "Get up or I'll do it again." He waved her wand and the door opened. He pulled Cathren half way to her feet when she tried and failed to get up. He began to walk out the door, she was half walking half being dragged.
"Stupefy!" Some one yelled from behind. Lupin, Harry, Ron and Hermione ran to the door when they heard the voice. They got there just in time to see Peter fall over and Sirius help Cathren to the ground.
Harry had been hit by that curse before. He knew the pain she was in. He knelt on one side of her. Her eyes were closing slowly. She was passing out. It had been held on her for about ten seconds. It does'nt seem long, but it is when it comes to that curse.
"Stay awake, Cathren." Sirius said and put his hand on her for head. He cursed under his breath when her eyes closed and did'nt open again. He put his arms under her and lifted her up.
"Why don't you conjure a stretcher?" Hermione asked and looked at them.
"They are to slow." Sirius said and looked at Lupin. "Take care of him. Harry come with me. Ron, Hermione go get Dumbledore."
"Yes sir." Ron said and the two of them took off running.
Sirius and Harry headed down the hall. "I was coming talk to Lupin, I was half way down the hall when I heard the scream. What happened?" Sirius asked and looked at Harry.
*
Ron and Hermione saw Dumbledore walking down the hall. "Professor! Professor!" Hermione and Ron called at the same time.
"What is it Mr. Weasely, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.
"It is Cathren, Peter Pettigrew got in the castle. Sirius took her to the hospital. He said to find you." Hermione said trying to catch her breath.
The look that crossed Dumbledore's face sent a chill down both there spines. He had fury in his eyes. He began to storm down the hall.
*
Sirius layed Cathren down on one of the beds as Madam Pomfery ran towards them. She was running down the hall holding a bottle. Sirius turned to Harry. "Harry, sit on that bed over there. If you see any one that does not go to this school or work here yell." He then turned back to Cathren. He opened her mouth and Madam Pomfery poured a liquid down her throat.
As soon as he sat down Dumbledore walked in. He looked from Harry to Cathren. He did'nt say anything, all he did was walk over.
Sirius stood up and looked at Dumbledore. "I had Lupin do something with Peter." Sirius said and glanced at Cathren and they said no more.
*
Harry sat on the bed next to Cathren's. Sirius and Dumbledore had left to tend to Peter and Madam Pomfery was doing something else.
Cathren was sleeping peacefully. Her limbs had stopped jerking. They were jerking every now and then. What ever they gave her was working. He remembered it took forever for him to stop jerking. Harry closed his eyes, he felt tired. Sirius had given him the job of watching to make sure nothing else happened.
He realized after watching her that he was still angry about what happened. He had grown closer to her. He liked her allot, more than he had Cho. It was different, they had things in common. He could talk to her. He thought more and then came to him. He really liked her.
Harry closed his eyes and rested them. He heard some one in a quite voice say his name. He opened his eyes to find Cathren moving slowly to sit up. "Are you sure you should be doing that?" Harry asked and stood up.
"Nope, but I really don't care. Have'nt you realized I am head strong and hard headed?" Cathren said and smiled. She patted the bed. "Sit here so I want have to strain my eyes. What ever they gave me screwed them up." Cathren pulled her hand back as Harry sat down. "Oh, I hate this." She said and put her hand to her head. "Who ever invited this should be shot."
"That not whats wrong is it?" Harry asked and smiled.
"No, its I'm not used to the damsel and distress thing. It seems to be happening allot sense last year. I'm used to being the one who helped people out of danger not get into it. I guess I will never get used to it. Although I should by now." She said looking at the covers.
"I know what you mean." Harry said and put his hand on hers.
"Harry, I need you to go get Hermione and Ron. Tell Hermione I said it is time." She took a breath. "She will know what to do."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked confused. Was she going to explain everything?
"I'll tell you when your all here." Cathren said smiling. Harry began to stand. "Harry... I have to tell you... before its to late and I don't get to tell you... Harry I..." He just smiled.
He pulled away after a minute. "I like you." He said looking in her eyes, her beautiful green eyes. He did'nt think it was right to say 'I love you'. Those were stronge words and he did'nt think they described his feeling, although he did'nt know quite what described his feeling.
Cathren did'nt know what to say. He stole the words right out of her mouth. Before she could say something. Madam Pomfrey came strolling in. "Miss West I want you to lay down. You should'nt be sitting up after what happened. Harry go back to your Common Room. Miss West will be perfectly safe here. Dumbledore is coming by to check on her when he is done with her attacker."
"Oh, I hate that man. Never was a good teacher." Cathren said and slid back down in the bed. In a whisper she said, "I like you too."
Harry left the room.
*
Dumbledore, Sirius, Lupin and Snape stood around the man sitting in the chair. Dumbledore still had that look in his eyes. "I am not going to ask you again Peter, I will use the truth potion next."
"Use your potion, but I will not betray my master willingly!" Wormtail said and looked away.
"Tell me what Voldemort's plans are, Peter." Dumbledore said in a calm voice. "He wants me Grandniece, he is coming for her and I will do anything to protect her from him." The look Dumbledore gave was unlike any they had seen. "Hand me the potion Severus." He said, holding out his hand.
Snape put the bottle in Dumbledore's hand. Dumbledore opened the top. "Open your mouth Peter." He said and looked at him. "We are not going to hurt you, we are not like your master."
"I'll tell you!" He said and slumped. He did'nt want any concoction of Snape's pored down his throat. "If I was unsuccessful, he is going to bring all the Death Eaters here and order you to give Potter and the girl to him. If you don't he is going to storm the castle and kill every one until he gets what he wants. I don't know when. Thats the truth."
Dumbledore looked at Sirius. His eyes were a mirror of Dumbledore's. They both had the same furry. Like Dumbledore, Voldemort was after some one Sirius loved as well. "Put him in one of the none used dungeon cells." He said and walked to the door. "I am going to see about my Grandniece."
*
Cathren lied in bed staring at the ceiling. Harry had only been gone a second and she was already bored. She sat up a tad. "Madam Pomfrey, please let me sit up. I can't stand laying here. I was only hit with that darn curse once. I am fine."
"I guess, your going to bug me until I do any way. Just like your uncle." She said and looked at the door. Dumbledore walked in, he had returned to his normal self.
He sat on the side of the bed near Cathren. "How are you feeling?" He asked and put his hand on her head.
"I am feeling wonderful. Can I get out of this place?" She asked and leaned back on the head board.
"It is best if you stay in here over night." He said and smiled. His smile faded. "I will have some one watch the doors. It is time I informed the staff about..." He trailed off.
"I think it is time to. I think it is also time for me to tell Harry. Tell him what a mess I have put him in." She said and shook her head.
"Voldemort made the decision long ago to take his life." Dumbldore said and looked her in the eyes. "You and Harry will be fine. I have seen Harry's bravery before. I have seen yours. Voldemort has another thing coming if he thinks he is going to get rid of the two of you that easily."
"Thank you." Cathren said and smiled. "You always know how to make people feel better."
"Your welcome child." He said smiling.
Cathren yawned. She was growing sleepy again. "I wish my parents were here. I miss them so much." Cathren said and looked down. She looked up again. "I am thankful to have you."
"And I you." Dumbledore said and watched as she slipped back down. "Get some rest." He said and pulled the covers up. "Good night child." He slowly pulled out his wand and cast a spell to put her to sleep, while her eyes were closed.
*
Cathren came awake to find the hospital dimly lit and it was night out. She heard some one coming. She reached over and grabbed her wand. She looked at the door. There was a black dog laying on the floor. Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked past the black dog and towards her. Hermione had a book in her arms. They walked over with out saying a word not wanting to wake the dog up.
They walked over and to her bed. Hermione handed the book to Cathren when she had finally sat up. Harry sat on the bed next to her, Ron and Hermione sat on the other side.
Cathren looked at them. "It is time I told you the truth." She said and looked at Harry. "Have you ever heard of the Keeper of Light? Besides in the short part of the poem." She looked at them closely. "The Keeper is a witch who was chosen to be the carrier of Light. Only through a surtan spell can she use her power to rid the world of the greatest evil. But, she can not kill him directly, she has to have help. She can only help the true person kill the evil. The spell is to be conjured on the night of a harvest moon on a specail day. The day is the seventeenth birthday of the Keeper. If she is placed upon the block on that night and slain then darkness will rule the land. There will be no bringing it back for a hurndred years. Because as long as the Keeper lives, good lives. If she is killed before the the harvest moon rises then a new Keeper will be born. Keeping the Light safe again. I... am the Keeper."
"Your the what?" Ron asked and looked at her. One of his eye brows were raised.
"I am the one the poem or should I say spell speaks of. 'My holy light engulfs you whole setting free your wicked souls." She quoted and looked at them. "Hermione has known since the day after the poem was a signed. She borrowed the book from Sirius. Of course none of the teachers knew yet. The longer they did not know the longer Voldemort would stay away." She looked at them then shook her head. "I became an Auror because I wanted to keep people safe. I found out a year ago what I am. What my purpose is. That year a new teacher was hired. A teacher by the name of Peter Pettigrew. He told his master who I was. We over heard his conversation... my freinds and I. Peter knew where I lived. He had visited with my family many times. When the attack on the school happened four teachers died trying to keep me safe. My friends tried to smuggle me out of the school. One by one they were picked off, until only I was left. I ran as fast as I could. I hopped trains and hitchhiked. I made it home. I opened my front door and smelt something I will never forget... burnt flesh. I walked into the hall and turned the corner. Voldemort was standing in my liveing room with my teacher. I knew I had been betrayed before, but it finally hit home. Before Voldemort, on the ground was my parents... dead. I was taken to a barn near by and.... lets just say I came to know the Curcaitus curse very well."
"Cathren..." Harry said shaking his head.
"Days went by. Peter and another man, by the name of Crabbe, was stationed to guard me until the time came that I was to be 'slain', as the book so lovely puts it." She said and paused to let what she had said sink in. "My uncle had been keeping in touch as soon as he was told, by my parents, who and what I was. When he did not hear from them he came to check us out. He found my parents dead. He came back for an Auror to help track me down. Sirius was the lucky Auror. They found me in a near by barn. They ran Peter and Crabbe off, helped me to the nearest Magical Healing Hospital and hear I am." She looked at them. They all had shocked expression. Even Hermione, she only knew little about what happened.
"That is why, Harry, I could never tell you before. The longer you did not know, the more I could spare you. I was hoping that I could get through this with out getting you involved." She shook her head. "To think I actually trusted Peter. Good thing I was taught to learn to fight the people you trust, they will be the ones to turn on you first."
"Is'nt that the truth." A voice said from the side of them. Sirius was walking towards them. "You better not let Madam Pomfrey catch you in here." He said and smiled. "Cathren, you have nothing to worry about. The people here will not turn on you."
"Ya." Hermione said and smiled.
"How could we. We turn on you were all dead." Ron said and shrugged.
"I'm glad to see it is not because I'm your friend." She said and chuckled.
"That to." Ron said and nudged Harry. He was staring at the floor thinking.
"You mean Voldemort wants to kill you to rule the world and not get to Dumbledore?" Harry asked looking at her. He did'nt expect it to be this serious.
"It is like the domino effect. Get me, get you, get Dumbledore, get the world. Get you, get me, get Dumbledore, get the world. Get Dumbledore, get me or get you, get the world." She said and looked at them.
"Either way he gets the world." Ron said and lowered his head.
"Not if I have anything to do with it." Cathren said and closed her eyes. "It is like this. If I can stay alive to speak the words from the book at the right time, Voldy is as dead as those poor people he has killed. With Harry's help of course. It will mainly be up to Harry to do the actual killing."
"Since when did I join this crusade?" Harry asked and looked at her. "I did'nt volunteer for this." He did'nt want to go through what he went through in his fourth year.
"No, but Voldemort did. He is coming for me and you, Harry. You can't stall, he is going to get you sooner or later." She said and let the truth sink in. "We might have chance to kill him, to save hundreds of lives, Harry."
"I don't care. I don't feel like going up against Voldemort again." He said and stood up. He had never said something like that. He had always been willing to find things out and go on adventures.
Cathren turned her head slightly and looked at the ground. "Then I was wrong." She said in a whisper. "We have no chance. I have failed the world and you. With out you, Harry, the Keeper is nothing, I am nothing. I will waist my powers. I can not use them on him and hold two wands at the same time."
"I believe you when you say that Voldemort will get me. But, I am just a regular wizard. I do not have the power to kill Voldemort." Harry said and sat back down.
"I think it is time for you all to go to bed. Good night." Sirius said and waited until they were all gone before speaking. "Dumbledore is not going to let Voldemort near you or Harry. I trust him with that." Sirius said before changing back into his dog form.
*
Harry, Hermione, and Ron were walking down the hall on the beautiful Saturday morning. Harry had done allot of thinking since last night. Mainly about the things Cathren had said. He saw her walking down the hall. She was'nt wearing the skirt she normally wore. Or the dress she wore every now and then on Saturday or Sunday. She was wearing black pants and a white blows with her cloak.
She smiled a weak smile. Clearly she did'nt know if they were on speaking grounds after the way Harry had reacted to the news. Hermione nudged him. "Go talk to her." She said and nodded.
Harry walked forward and looked back at them. They were waving him on. Cathren had moved to the window to look out. He stepped forward. "How are you feeling?" He asked and looked at her.
"Fine, better than yesterday." She said and smiled. She then returned to looking at the sun rise. It was very early in the morning. "I'm sorry for making it sound the way I did. It is your choice." She said and watched the pink fade into orange.
"I should'nt have reacted the way I did. It is just I was expecting something, but nothing that big." He said and smiled a weak smile. "Want to come have breakfast with us?"
"I would love to." Cathren said and turned to him.
Every student in the school sat at there tables that morning chatting about all sorts of things. Little did they know what was in store for them. The room became quite as the students read there letters. All of the sudden there was a large bang. The doors to the Great Hall flew open. Hagrid rushed in looking around. He had fear in his eyes. Dumbledore slowly rose up.
"They're every where. I got here as soon as I could. Came out o' the woods they did." He said and strolled forward. His footsteps rocked the hall.
"Who Hagrid?" Dumbledore asked and looked at him. Then he glanced at Harry. He looked him in the eyes.
Harry heard Cathren mummer something under her breath. It sounded like. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Death Eaters." Hagrid said and looked around as a wave of gasps and a few screams came over the students. Harry, Cathren, Ron and Hermione stayed still. They knew it was coming. They also noticed that Malfoy and his friends were still as well.
"Silence." Dumbledore said and looked around. Some one asked, "What do they want." A few people answered. "I know, Potter." Dumbledore looked at the students then at Hagrid. "What are they doing?"
"They're formin around the front steps. You Know Who is standin on the first step." Hagrid said the last part extremely low. By then the teachers were getting up. "He, uh, requested ya hand over Harry and Cathren."
Harry had known it was coming. He just did'nt think it was this soon. He saw Cathren, she was thinking. Then she rose from the table. She had an expression on her face that said she was scared and determined. She seemed not that afriad that there was a dark lord out side wanting her head. He heard the people in the back ground telling Dumbledore to hand them over. She was being betrayed, they were both being betrayed... by there on school mates.
Dumbledore saw her rise from the table. Every one looked at her. "Cathren stop." He said and when she did'nt he said, "As your Guardian I order you to stop." He said looking down at her.
Cathren stopped and turned to him. "I am going to turn myself over." She said and looked around at the other people. "I will not watch as more people are hurt because of me. I will not watch the last of my family die because of me. He is coming in here uncle, you know what he will do."
"Let her go." One person said.
"Cathren.... wait." Dumbledore said and walked around the table and down to her level. "Wait and let us see what we can do."
"Wait? Wait and it will be to late." She said and shook her head. "But, I will wait. If you can not force them to leave then I will give my self up. Even if he wants both of us I will die for them. That is what I was created for right? To protect others?" She said and looked directly into his eyes.
Harry saw the same look he had seen in Dumbledore's eyes the night Voldemort came back to power in hers... in both Dumbeldore's and hers. The determination and anger, the fear and worry. All combined into one.
"I want you all to go to your Common Rooms. Perfects seal the doors. No one is to enter, unless it is your house leader or myself." Dumbledore said still looking Cathren in the eyes. "Teachers follow me."
In a panic every one got up and began to run. "Orderly." One person yelled.
Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. "Get up to the Common Room." He said and stood. "Go!"
"What are you doing?" Ron asked and looked at him.
Harry looked at Cathren she was walking out of the hall. "What I should have done long ago." He took off running to catch up with Cathren. He could hear Hermione yell as he ran.
"Harry no!"
He saw Cathren round a corner. Every one was out of the halls. No one was left. They were all heading towards the Common Rooms. He rounded the corner to see Cathren with her wand out. Harry walked forward. "What are you doing?"
"I saw some one come down here... they were not a teacher." She said and looked at him. "Why are you not on your way up to the Common Room?" Did she really think he was that chicken
"Because we share the same responsibility and because I want let you do this alone. I don't want my last family member to die either." Harry said and pulled out his wand.
"Stupefy." Some one yelled and Cathren saw Harry hit the ground.
"Harry!" Cathren yelled and dropped to the ground beside him. He was stunned.
She saw feet in front of her. She looked up to see the man they called Lucius Malfoy looking down at her. He had his wand pointed right at her head. "Get up." He said and smiled.
Cathren lunged forward and grabbed his wand. He kicked her off and walked over. He grabbed her hair and jerked her to her feet. "I would stun you but my master wants you awake for a while." He conjured a stretcher for Harry and they walked the hall to another door.
* * *
Thanx, Legacy(FD)x for adding me to your favs. I hope if others are reading that they like it to. Please R/R. I would really like to know what people think of the story. TTFN, thanks.