Please note that I do not own any of JK Rowlings stuff. My own ideas are mine. Caton, Polaris, and Injaka are mine. Thank you.
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~ The Next Morning ~
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Cat woke from a dead sleep. It was nearly six in the morning. 'Perhaps I should go to the kitchens. They are probably already working... that's what I forgot to ask. When my hours are. Brilliant of me.' He got dressed quickly. His clothes had dried overnight, but they were a little rough-textured. He didn't care- he'd get used to in in a few minutes. Picking up the map, he left the room. It was a good ten minute walk to the elves' portrait- one of fruit. "You could get in if you tickle the pear..." he recalled Dumbledore saying. The portrait swung open, narrowly missing Cat's nose. He stepped in, and nearly collided with an elf wearing many hats.
"Is you Cat, sir?" Cat looked to his left at an elf wearing at least three pairs of socks, and a lot of knitted hats. 'How odd... none of the other house-elves wear real clothes like that...'
"Yes... I don't believe I met you last night. Your name?"
"Dobby, sir! We have work for you!" he paused, looking Cat from head to toe. "You is not a house elf?" The human only chuckled. "Nope, not a house elf. But I am here to work. What do you have for me to do?"
Before Dobby could answer, another house elf he hadn't noticed before started crying. Cat approached her, wondering what was the matter. He bent down to see her face. "Hey, are you okay?" he said, looking her over for any wounds or burns. "Winky is fine, sir. Is just... you is a human, you shouldn't be doing our work. We is house elves! We can do on our own!"
"Hey, it's okay. I don't mind, really. I don't even really know what I can do here. You seem to have everything under control..." he said, trying to cheer her up. It didn't seem to help. Winky opened a butterbeer and took a drink.
"You is not understanding. House elves is supposed to work for humans. House elves is always good to masters! We not needed when humans do things for us." Cat could understand her words, even though they were a little slurred between the butterbeer and her sobs. Then he realized the elf was probably getting drunk off of the soda. "Hey, I don't think you should drink that. Now, I was just told to have this job by Dumbledore. If you don't think you need me here, or don't want me, he'll give me another job. That's all!" he said with a smile, gently prying the butterbeer from the elves' spindly fingers.
Dobby came up behind Cat, seeing the butterbeer. "Cat, you is wanting to talk to Dobby for a minute?"
"Sure." And he walked to a seperate corner of the room.
"Sir, Winky is lost her family a few years ago, and she is very upset..." He paused upon seeing the bottle in Caton's hand. "Butterbeer is not good for house elves." Cat nodded and handed Dobby the bottle. "Thank you, sir."
"Oy, Dobby- call me Cat, okay?"
"Yes, s- Cat." Dobby nodded and wandered off. Cat stood up to his full height, stretching his back and trying to wake himself up a little more. 'The floor is getting a bit messy', he noticed. He grabbed a broom from behind him and started sweeping. Once he had a decent pile going, a house elf walked up and snapped it's fingers. Cat was about to ask why, as he watched it go by in a hurry. Upon looking down, the dust was no longer there. His eyes widened a little- is that how all wizards cleaned? They just... snapped their fingers? Or was it just house-elves? He heard Winky burst into tears again.
Cat went over and knelt beside her again. If she was upset because he had done something, he might as well have her do the work. "Hey, Winky- how does one do their laundry here?"
She looked up at Cat, still sniffling. "We house elves do it. Your laundry is needing washing?" She looked a little happier now. Cat smiled at her, and said, "Yep. Or at least, it will tonight. I've only got what I'm wearing..." Winky looked up at him like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. He didn't blame her- most people he ran into had more than one set of clothes. "Now, Winky, can you do it for me? I don't know any of the house elves besides you and Dobby, really, and I think Dobby has enough clothes of his own to take care of..." Winky laughed a little; It was kind of an odd sound, coming from a house elf like her. Cat pulled out a map and showed her where his room was. "That's where I'm staying now- could you come get my things every night at ten-thirty? I wanna make sure everyone else is asleep before I leave it out for you..."
"Oh, we can get into rooms if you is liking to leave it there better. Right here," she pointed to another place on the map, "is where we is keeping extra robes in case a young master's gets ruined. They gives them back when they gets new ones. You can use them if you is liking too!" She sounded much happier now. Cat thought it was odd that something would like nothing more than to serve others, but he played along. "That's great, Winky! Say, is-" he stopped short, about to ask if there was anything he could do. Winky was waiting patiently for him to finish that sentece. "Is it almost time for breakfast?" Winky scrambled to her feet, faltering a little from the state the butterbeer she had put her in. "What is you wanting for breakfast, sir?"
"Please, call me Cat..." he trailed close behind her, in case she fell or dropped something. "Ah... do you have bacon?"
Winky moved her hand a certain way, and a tray piled with bacon appeared on a counter for him. His mouth dropped open. "Ah, I don't think I can eat nearly that much..." He opened cabinet after cabinet above him until he found plates, and took some of the less fattening pieces from the tray. Winky was behind him, waiting for more instructions. Cat thought of the next thing. "You wouldn't mind if I had a glass of water would you?" And one appeared next to him. It was a normal amount of water, at least. "Thanks, Winky. I'm going to head out before the students get up, okay? Remember, tonight at ten-thirty, please come see me for the laundry." Winky nodded and bowed. Cat made his exit.
Once in the halls, he carried the bacon in one hand and the water in the other. First stop was his room- it was closest. He ate somewhat slowly, enjoying having decent food for once. It was not easy to come by, not having a job, and always being on the road with Injaka. She knew much about wild plants, and they had eaten many of them to sustain themselves. Occaisionally, they had stolen from supermarkets where the camera security would not catch them. They did have rules of course- only steal from big chain markets, so that the loss is spread through the chain, and not from small, privately owned ones, run by families. They needed the money they made, as it affected them directly. Now... the idea that he could just walk into the kitchen and ask for food... anything he wanted, in large quantites, little or no cleanup... it was unreal. Couldn't be as simple and good as it seemed, but he had yet to find a flaw... It was like magic. It was magic.
'Next stop: the spare robe closet. I'll bring a few back to my room, pick up his dishes, and return them to the kitchen...' Cat made a mental note to ask Dumbledore if there was anything else he could do, as he did not want to upset Winky further. It wasn't any good to make enemies on the first day, or so Cat's philosophy went. That, and he didn't really want to know what would happen if he made a house elf angry.
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~ Cat in the Hall ~
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"Just what do you think you are doing?"
Cat spun around. "I beg your par... don...?" His breath caught in his throat for a moment. A man who bore a remarkable resemblance to himself stood before him. He seemed not to notice at all.
"Would you care to explain why are you out of your common room so early?" he asked. His black eyes searched the boy's for any trace of dishonesty. Cat looked down, not being able to take the distaste in the man's eyes any longer. "I beg your pardon sir... I work here, as of yesterday night," he answered, trying to keep his voice from wavering. Not even an hour so far, and already he was making trouble. The man before him looked a little skeptical. "I don't believe we have met. My name is Caton Crawford. Dumbledore has given me a job here as of today."
"Has he. I will find out soon enough, and if you are lying to me, you will suffer. Do I make myself plain?"
"Yes sir." Cat stood rigid, doing his best not to show how intimidated he was. It was not acceptable! He was a trained warrior, probably more lethal than just about anything in the castle- he would not show fear. "May I resume my activities, sir?"
"That brings me back to the first question which you neglected to answer. What do you think you are doing here?"
"I thought it would be easier to blend in if I wore robes or a cloak like everyone else here tends to. A house elf," (he was careful not to say which one, in case it got them into trouble), "told me to come here for them, as I have none of my own yet, sir."
"I see. And when are you planning to return them?" he said, lifting an eyebrow. His arms were folded, as if to rub in the fact that he dispised all students, and just about anyone else for that matter. Cat took quick breath before speaking. "I will return them as soon as I make enough money to buy them myself, sir."
Severus studied the boys' face carefully. "See that you do," he said with a sneer. Cat quickly nodded. "Yes sir." He leafed through various robes, looking for some that would fit. Out of the corner of his eye, from behind a curtain of black hair, Cat noticed that the man stood a little father down the hall, watching him. He mentally shrugged it off and went about his business, ignoring him.
Sure enough, Severus Snape waited, observing Cat's actions as he unfolded and re-folded the clothing, checking the lengths against his somewhat lanky body. Snape tilted his head, watching him... a new employee? Dumbledore was always taking people in without questioning them too thuroughly. Quirrell had been proof of that. This one... he looked familiar... he closed his eyes. Flashes of memory passed by like a movie on fast foward; a child crying, his parents fighting, himself sitting alone in his room, hating the world outside... but then, that was how things had always been. The new one looked something like himself when he was young. Seeing him, the way he moved, little characteristics... it was strange. Caton glanced over at him; Snape scowled in return as he swept out of the corridor, his velvet robes floating behind him.
Once he had left, Cat leaned his back against the wall and sighed in relief. Who was that guy? He probably was one of the professors here. Good thing he wasn't in class like everyone else his age. Cat didn't want to know what happened to people who crossed that man. Then again... he had looked somewhat similar to himself. And he had style, walking out like that. He was poisonous and catlike. In the distance, he heard footsteps- many of them. 'Is it already time for everyone to wake? I'd better get out of the way...' he thought, gathering the three sets of robes and returned to his room.
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~ A Short Conversation at Breakfast ~
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Cat returned his dishes to the kitchen, and started washing them. He didn't pay much attention to the two house elves that had approached him from behind, but they called to his attention.
"Yes? Something you need?"
"Headmaster Dumbledore tells us to take you to breakfast! He is wanting to introduce you to the school! You gotta get there now!" He was already a minute or so late! He put down the plate, dried his hands, and ran as fast as he could to the Great Hall.
:: Meanwhile ::
"Albus, have you hired anyone new this year? We still need someone for Defense Against the Dark Arts..." Severus said, wondering if the old man would mention the boy he had run into earlier. That, and there was the hope that Albus would give him the DADA job. Dumbledore looked around the room. A row of house elves were lined up against the wall, Cat among them. He set down his fork, stood up, and called attention to the school.
"This year, we have a new staff member. Unfortunately for you all, it is not a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. However, he will be helping the castle run smoother and more efficiantly in his own way." Cat looked up at him, suddenly wishing he hadn't come- he didn't like to be on stage in front of people. He hoped Dumbledore didn't call him up to join him...
"I'd like to introduce Caton Crawford. Caton, if you'd come up here for a moment..." Cat sighed, smiling all the while. It was too much to hope for when he thought he wouldn't be displayed. He climbed up the side staircase to meet the Headmaster, and bowed to his audience. Dumbledore took him aside, showing him to the tables of Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor (where he noticed Ron sitting), and Ravenclaw. Then he introduced him to the professors- Professors Vector, Trelawney, McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick, Hooch, Binns, Hagrid, and Snape. 'Snape. That was who I met this morning...' He bowed to all of them. "Good morning." Most smiled and nodded their greetings, but not Snape- his face stayed as expressionless as ever, watching Cat. He suddenly had the impression that he had been assessed and found wanting. Thinking it rude to linger too long on one person, he lowered his eyes and folded his hands, trying to make himself a little less noticeable.
"Now, Caton, there are many more members of the staff. You shall meet them all in time, I'm sure," he said, then dropping his voice to answer the question Cat was thinking of. "You may be excused now." Cat gave a smile smile and bowed again. "Yes sir." He went to re-join the house elves, and followed them out of the room.
Dumbledore resumed his seat. "Did I answer your question, Severus?" The dark-haired man only stared for a moment. Realizing that Dumbledore was probably the only person who could wait forever on him, he merely said, "Indeed."
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~ Meeting Mr. Filch ~
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About a week after being introduced to the school, Cat found himself quite bored. It was all very well and good that he had a secure job, but the elves didn't want him to do anything in the kitchens. "It was an insult to their kind," they had said. So he was left to sit back and let them move around him. Most mornings, he just stayed in his room, leaving only for food. Tonight he ventured out well after nine, in hopes of something sweet to ease chocolate cravings. He had a good excuse to be out- he worked in the kitchens. These thoughts were brought on by a faint voice he thought he had heard on his way to the fruit portrait.
Rounding another hall, he saw who they were coming from- a middle-aged man mopping a floor. He was accompanied by a cat. Apparantly, he was talking to it, going on about how students never wipe their feet before coming in to the castle... He stopped when he saw Cat.
"Well, if it isn't the new employee. I thought the kitchens were closed after people were supposed to be in bed..." he said in his gruff voice. Caton patiently replied, "The mostly are, but it is not only students residing within these walls, sir."
"Heh. And I suppose you're going to walk in your muddy shoes over my freshly mopped floors and make me redo everything, aren't you?"
"What would you say if I took that mop from you and cleaned the floors myself?" Cat raised his eyebrows slightly, challenging the caretaker to answer. He thought that Cat was there only to annoy him? That he couldn't appreciate hard work when he saw it? That he was so selfish and rude? 'Heh. Figures. This one... geesh. What's wrong with him?'
"Well?" Cat waited for a response. The old man didn't know what to say. "That's what I thought. I'm not going to ruin your perfectly clean floors, thank you. I'll have you know that my sole purpose here is not to make you miserable, although it seems that plenty of people here do hold that position." He let a wan smile cross his face. "May I ask your name?"
"Argus Filch. And this," he said, picking up the cat,"is Ms. Norris."
"Caton Crawford. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Filch, Ms. Norris. Beautiful cat... may I pet her?" he asked, having an affinity for felines. They were just so cute and graceful, so... catty, for the lack of better word. It was just an attitude. Filch was once again a little suprised, but still had the look of hatred on his face. Cat could tell what he was really thinking by his eyes- they always gave someone away. 'Unless you're Snape... he gives nothing for free.' Filch barely nodded, skeptical that the boy wouldn't hurt his precious pet. He held her still though, while Cat reached his somewhat small, darkened hand out under Ms. Norris' face, so that she could see his intentions. It was like asking permission from the animal. She was much like Filch, moody and a little spiteful it seemed. "Shh... shh... it's alright... not going to hurt you..." he whispered, petting her head and rubbing behind the cats' ears. After only a few seconds, he pulled back. "Mr. Filch, you seem to work pretty late hours, no?"
"Heh- you youngsters never let me rest! Always tracking in mud or spelling each other, even though I always tell you not to use magic in the halls... it's a wonder anything stays clean here. Least now those Weasley twins are gone- second best thing that happened to this school, next to Professor Umbridge being headmaster! Anyways, enough talk, gotta get back to work." With that, he set Ms. Norris on the ground and dipped the mop back into a bucket of water.
"Excuse me- I could be wrong, but... isn't that... dirty water you're cleaning the floors with?" Filch stopped a moment to consider that. "It's not like I can change the water everytime I need a new bucket. It would take forever."
"Yes, but if I could get the house elves to do something on it, would you let them?"
He considered this for a moment. "What are you getting at." It wasn't even a question. "Do you think I am incapable of cleaning a floor?"
"No sir, I am trying to make your job easier and more efficient at the same time."
"I'm doin' fine on my own. Got enough to do, making something a little easier ain't gonna lighten the load at all."
"Well, what needs to be done?" Cat asked, curious about this. If the work wasn't too disgusting, even to him, he'd do it himself. That is, if Filch would have him- goodness knows the house elves didn't need him, or even want him for the most part. They were just taking orders.
"Everything. You brats destroy everything. Every hall in this castle needs to be mopped three times a week. Every bathroom needs to be cleaned twice a week- and I mean, floor to ceiling. Wait a second, why do you want to know all this?"
Cat looked down and considered his response for a moment. He straightened up and met Filch's eyes, saying, "Well, sir, to put it bluntly, the house elves don't need me very often. Not in the mornings, rarely in the evenings, never at lunch. Usually just to keep an eye on Winky, to make sure she stays away from the butterbeer, but that isn't too long everyday. I'm bored. I came here to work, not sit in my room or babysit a house elf with a drinking problem. Would you mind if I helped you out?"
Ms. Norris looked startled for a cat, and Filch once again just stared. "You think this is a joke, boy?"
"No sir. I told you- I'm bored, and I want to work. You need someone to help you out, that's clear. I'm asking for the job."
Filch looked like he had just won the lottery. "And how are you at cleanin'- wi'out magic?" Cat shrugged. "Pretty-decent- I've always cleaned my house on my own fairly well, and I don't know any magic to use." Filch was liking this kid more and more. Halfway respectful, hardworking (or seemingly so) and he didn't use magic, so he probably wouldn't rub in the fact that he was a Squib. And he liked Ms. Norris. Wonderful!
"I suppose you can mop the floors tomorrow night, see how good you are."
"Fine with me. When do you want me, and where shall I start?"
"Here, at nine. Takes all night to clean the floors alone." Filch got annoyed at the thought.
"Where do I get my supplies?"
"I'll bring them for you. You just have to be here."
Cat nodded. "Alright then. If you don't mind, could you get two very large sponges instead of a mop? I could work faster that way." Filch didn't know how one could work faster that way, but he'd see what the kid could do anyways. It wasn't like he was already permanently hired or anything. Ms. Norris had already gone to stalk the other halls, and he had to get back to work.
"Gotta get back to doin' my job... remember, tomorrow night, right here. Nine sharp. Got it?"
"Yes sir." Cat said and ran off to the kitchens.
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Severus Snape walked the empty halls of Hogwarts. He wasn't on duty tonight- no, he was after something much more important: cherry cheesecake and a bit of red wine. He smirked at the thought of his motive. Him? The greasy bastard of a Death Eater professor- wanting cheesecake? Couldn't be. Why on earth would he fall for sweets when he could be doing vile things like killing puppies or something? After all, that's what was expected of him. These darker thoughts of killing something brought him out of his almost-good mood.
He stopped to tickle the pear, which caused the portrait to pop open. House elves parted like the Red Sea to let him pass; they feared him, even though he had tried to be generally nice to them. Once. A long time ago. Before that damned elf with the clothes showed up. The stove was going- he could smell something nice cooking. Something chocolate-y. Which was perfect on that night. Upon passing through an arched doorway, the first thing he saw was someone in a long black robe stirring something in a pot. Snape was ready to leave right then and there. 'Damn him... being here and cooking chocolate when I want it!' The boy pulled out a bowl of cleaned cherries. Snape pressed his lips in fury and turned on his heel before Cat noticed him. Or so he thought.
"Hello, Professor. Might I interest you in a chocolate-cherry cheesecake?"
"No. Why are you cooking at this hour? I trust there isn't another meal in the Great Hall I was not aware of."
"Another? Have there been such things before?" Caton asked innocently, not knowing how things worked in the castle yet. The professors eyes narrowed. "Don't be impertinant, boy. The point was, where are your services needed at this hour? Not here. So why are you out of your room?"
Caton was at loss of what to say for a moment. Then deciding that honesty was the best policy when dealing with Professor Snape, he stated as calmly as he could, "Distinct urge to make cheesecake, sir. Cherry cheesecake. With chocolate sauce to put over it."
"I see. Finish, and go back to your quarters," he replied sharply. Caton flinched and rushed to fill a jar with the chocolate sauce he had made and put the cherries into the refridgerator next to the said cheesecake. He wiped his hands quickly and hurried out of the kitchen. Snape waited a few minutes for him to get going. The house elves did not dare to come in and ask questions; instead they had busied themselves with other things. Then he took the cheesecake out of the refridgerator with the cherries with one hand, and held the chocolate sauce in the other along with a fork; He proceeded to take the whole thing down to his office with a smile. 'Severus, you evil bastard. Scaring the kid like that. Oh well. He had better be able to make a decent cheesecake. Or else,' the voice in his mind said, satisfied with a long days' worth of tormenting the students.
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Back in his room, Caton took off his well-worn shoes. He had had them for nearly two years then, and he knew that they were a bit older than that. He shrugged and thought about the professor- why had he been in the kitchen? It wasn't any of Caton's business, but he mused that the professor was the cheesecake-police. 'He's probably eating the whole thing, by himself, right now. Damned bastard. He'd better appreciate it! Or if nothing else, he could save me some of the cherries and the fudge sauce...' he thought, laughing under his breath. 'Gwyn should hear about this... what would she think?' He decided it was time for another bath.
:: Later On ::
As it turned out, Gwyn was quite amused at the whole incident with Snape and the cheesecake. She confessed that he probably was eating the whole tin himself, or at least putting it somewhere no one else could get it. Deciding that it was best to keep the talk to themselves, for the sake of not letting Snape hear it, he finished routines and set his clothes out for Winky as promised. The night was finished as far as Cat was concerned. He flopped onto the bed and tried to get himself to fall asleep. After tossing and turning for a bit, he pulled out his sword. It was like a sense of security- he had always had it by his side when he slept. Who knew what kind of people were around on the streets? After it being his only source of self-protection for five years, sleeping with it in hand was a hard habit to break; he didn't care where he was, school or no. Caton held it to his body tightly, unsheathed, as he fell asleep.
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A/N: Seems like I end all of these chapters on him falling asleep, no? It won't all be like this- I promise.
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~ The Next Morning ~
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Cat woke from a dead sleep. It was nearly six in the morning. 'Perhaps I should go to the kitchens. They are probably already working... that's what I forgot to ask. When my hours are. Brilliant of me.' He got dressed quickly. His clothes had dried overnight, but they were a little rough-textured. He didn't care- he'd get used to in in a few minutes. Picking up the map, he left the room. It was a good ten minute walk to the elves' portrait- one of fruit. "You could get in if you tickle the pear..." he recalled Dumbledore saying. The portrait swung open, narrowly missing Cat's nose. He stepped in, and nearly collided with an elf wearing many hats.
"Is you Cat, sir?" Cat looked to his left at an elf wearing at least three pairs of socks, and a lot of knitted hats. 'How odd... none of the other house-elves wear real clothes like that...'
"Yes... I don't believe I met you last night. Your name?"
"Dobby, sir! We have work for you!" he paused, looking Cat from head to toe. "You is not a house elf?" The human only chuckled. "Nope, not a house elf. But I am here to work. What do you have for me to do?"
Before Dobby could answer, another house elf he hadn't noticed before started crying. Cat approached her, wondering what was the matter. He bent down to see her face. "Hey, are you okay?" he said, looking her over for any wounds or burns. "Winky is fine, sir. Is just... you is a human, you shouldn't be doing our work. We is house elves! We can do on our own!"
"Hey, it's okay. I don't mind, really. I don't even really know what I can do here. You seem to have everything under control..." he said, trying to cheer her up. It didn't seem to help. Winky opened a butterbeer and took a drink.
"You is not understanding. House elves is supposed to work for humans. House elves is always good to masters! We not needed when humans do things for us." Cat could understand her words, even though they were a little slurred between the butterbeer and her sobs. Then he realized the elf was probably getting drunk off of the soda. "Hey, I don't think you should drink that. Now, I was just told to have this job by Dumbledore. If you don't think you need me here, or don't want me, he'll give me another job. That's all!" he said with a smile, gently prying the butterbeer from the elves' spindly fingers.
Dobby came up behind Cat, seeing the butterbeer. "Cat, you is wanting to talk to Dobby for a minute?"
"Sure." And he walked to a seperate corner of the room.
"Sir, Winky is lost her family a few years ago, and she is very upset..." He paused upon seeing the bottle in Caton's hand. "Butterbeer is not good for house elves." Cat nodded and handed Dobby the bottle. "Thank you, sir."
"Oy, Dobby- call me Cat, okay?"
"Yes, s- Cat." Dobby nodded and wandered off. Cat stood up to his full height, stretching his back and trying to wake himself up a little more. 'The floor is getting a bit messy', he noticed. He grabbed a broom from behind him and started sweeping. Once he had a decent pile going, a house elf walked up and snapped it's fingers. Cat was about to ask why, as he watched it go by in a hurry. Upon looking down, the dust was no longer there. His eyes widened a little- is that how all wizards cleaned? They just... snapped their fingers? Or was it just house-elves? He heard Winky burst into tears again.
Cat went over and knelt beside her again. If she was upset because he had done something, he might as well have her do the work. "Hey, Winky- how does one do their laundry here?"
She looked up at Cat, still sniffling. "We house elves do it. Your laundry is needing washing?" She looked a little happier now. Cat smiled at her, and said, "Yep. Or at least, it will tonight. I've only got what I'm wearing..." Winky looked up at him like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. He didn't blame her- most people he ran into had more than one set of clothes. "Now, Winky, can you do it for me? I don't know any of the house elves besides you and Dobby, really, and I think Dobby has enough clothes of his own to take care of..." Winky laughed a little; It was kind of an odd sound, coming from a house elf like her. Cat pulled out a map and showed her where his room was. "That's where I'm staying now- could you come get my things every night at ten-thirty? I wanna make sure everyone else is asleep before I leave it out for you..."
"Oh, we can get into rooms if you is liking to leave it there better. Right here," she pointed to another place on the map, "is where we is keeping extra robes in case a young master's gets ruined. They gives them back when they gets new ones. You can use them if you is liking too!" She sounded much happier now. Cat thought it was odd that something would like nothing more than to serve others, but he played along. "That's great, Winky! Say, is-" he stopped short, about to ask if there was anything he could do. Winky was waiting patiently for him to finish that sentece. "Is it almost time for breakfast?" Winky scrambled to her feet, faltering a little from the state the butterbeer she had put her in. "What is you wanting for breakfast, sir?"
"Please, call me Cat..." he trailed close behind her, in case she fell or dropped something. "Ah... do you have bacon?"
Winky moved her hand a certain way, and a tray piled with bacon appeared on a counter for him. His mouth dropped open. "Ah, I don't think I can eat nearly that much..." He opened cabinet after cabinet above him until he found plates, and took some of the less fattening pieces from the tray. Winky was behind him, waiting for more instructions. Cat thought of the next thing. "You wouldn't mind if I had a glass of water would you?" And one appeared next to him. It was a normal amount of water, at least. "Thanks, Winky. I'm going to head out before the students get up, okay? Remember, tonight at ten-thirty, please come see me for the laundry." Winky nodded and bowed. Cat made his exit.
Once in the halls, he carried the bacon in one hand and the water in the other. First stop was his room- it was closest. He ate somewhat slowly, enjoying having decent food for once. It was not easy to come by, not having a job, and always being on the road with Injaka. She knew much about wild plants, and they had eaten many of them to sustain themselves. Occaisionally, they had stolen from supermarkets where the camera security would not catch them. They did have rules of course- only steal from big chain markets, so that the loss is spread through the chain, and not from small, privately owned ones, run by families. They needed the money they made, as it affected them directly. Now... the idea that he could just walk into the kitchen and ask for food... anything he wanted, in large quantites, little or no cleanup... it was unreal. Couldn't be as simple and good as it seemed, but he had yet to find a flaw... It was like magic. It was magic.
'Next stop: the spare robe closet. I'll bring a few back to my room, pick up his dishes, and return them to the kitchen...' Cat made a mental note to ask Dumbledore if there was anything else he could do, as he did not want to upset Winky further. It wasn't any good to make enemies on the first day, or so Cat's philosophy went. That, and he didn't really want to know what would happen if he made a house elf angry.
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~ Cat in the Hall ~
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"Just what do you think you are doing?"
Cat spun around. "I beg your par... don...?" His breath caught in his throat for a moment. A man who bore a remarkable resemblance to himself stood before him. He seemed not to notice at all.
"Would you care to explain why are you out of your common room so early?" he asked. His black eyes searched the boy's for any trace of dishonesty. Cat looked down, not being able to take the distaste in the man's eyes any longer. "I beg your pardon sir... I work here, as of yesterday night," he answered, trying to keep his voice from wavering. Not even an hour so far, and already he was making trouble. The man before him looked a little skeptical. "I don't believe we have met. My name is Caton Crawford. Dumbledore has given me a job here as of today."
"Has he. I will find out soon enough, and if you are lying to me, you will suffer. Do I make myself plain?"
"Yes sir." Cat stood rigid, doing his best not to show how intimidated he was. It was not acceptable! He was a trained warrior, probably more lethal than just about anything in the castle- he would not show fear. "May I resume my activities, sir?"
"That brings me back to the first question which you neglected to answer. What do you think you are doing here?"
"I thought it would be easier to blend in if I wore robes or a cloak like everyone else here tends to. A house elf," (he was careful not to say which one, in case it got them into trouble), "told me to come here for them, as I have none of my own yet, sir."
"I see. And when are you planning to return them?" he said, lifting an eyebrow. His arms were folded, as if to rub in the fact that he dispised all students, and just about anyone else for that matter. Cat took quick breath before speaking. "I will return them as soon as I make enough money to buy them myself, sir."
Severus studied the boys' face carefully. "See that you do," he said with a sneer. Cat quickly nodded. "Yes sir." He leafed through various robes, looking for some that would fit. Out of the corner of his eye, from behind a curtain of black hair, Cat noticed that the man stood a little father down the hall, watching him. He mentally shrugged it off and went about his business, ignoring him.
Sure enough, Severus Snape waited, observing Cat's actions as he unfolded and re-folded the clothing, checking the lengths against his somewhat lanky body. Snape tilted his head, watching him... a new employee? Dumbledore was always taking people in without questioning them too thuroughly. Quirrell had been proof of that. This one... he looked familiar... he closed his eyes. Flashes of memory passed by like a movie on fast foward; a child crying, his parents fighting, himself sitting alone in his room, hating the world outside... but then, that was how things had always been. The new one looked something like himself when he was young. Seeing him, the way he moved, little characteristics... it was strange. Caton glanced over at him; Snape scowled in return as he swept out of the corridor, his velvet robes floating behind him.
Once he had left, Cat leaned his back against the wall and sighed in relief. Who was that guy? He probably was one of the professors here. Good thing he wasn't in class like everyone else his age. Cat didn't want to know what happened to people who crossed that man. Then again... he had looked somewhat similar to himself. And he had style, walking out like that. He was poisonous and catlike. In the distance, he heard footsteps- many of them. 'Is it already time for everyone to wake? I'd better get out of the way...' he thought, gathering the three sets of robes and returned to his room.
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~ A Short Conversation at Breakfast ~
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Cat returned his dishes to the kitchen, and started washing them. He didn't pay much attention to the two house elves that had approached him from behind, but they called to his attention.
"Yes? Something you need?"
"Headmaster Dumbledore tells us to take you to breakfast! He is wanting to introduce you to the school! You gotta get there now!" He was already a minute or so late! He put down the plate, dried his hands, and ran as fast as he could to the Great Hall.
:: Meanwhile ::
"Albus, have you hired anyone new this year? We still need someone for Defense Against the Dark Arts..." Severus said, wondering if the old man would mention the boy he had run into earlier. That, and there was the hope that Albus would give him the DADA job. Dumbledore looked around the room. A row of house elves were lined up against the wall, Cat among them. He set down his fork, stood up, and called attention to the school.
"This year, we have a new staff member. Unfortunately for you all, it is not a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. However, he will be helping the castle run smoother and more efficiantly in his own way." Cat looked up at him, suddenly wishing he hadn't come- he didn't like to be on stage in front of people. He hoped Dumbledore didn't call him up to join him...
"I'd like to introduce Caton Crawford. Caton, if you'd come up here for a moment..." Cat sighed, smiling all the while. It was too much to hope for when he thought he wouldn't be displayed. He climbed up the side staircase to meet the Headmaster, and bowed to his audience. Dumbledore took him aside, showing him to the tables of Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor (where he noticed Ron sitting), and Ravenclaw. Then he introduced him to the professors- Professors Vector, Trelawney, McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick, Hooch, Binns, Hagrid, and Snape. 'Snape. That was who I met this morning...' He bowed to all of them. "Good morning." Most smiled and nodded their greetings, but not Snape- his face stayed as expressionless as ever, watching Cat. He suddenly had the impression that he had been assessed and found wanting. Thinking it rude to linger too long on one person, he lowered his eyes and folded his hands, trying to make himself a little less noticeable.
"Now, Caton, there are many more members of the staff. You shall meet them all in time, I'm sure," he said, then dropping his voice to answer the question Cat was thinking of. "You may be excused now." Cat gave a smile smile and bowed again. "Yes sir." He went to re-join the house elves, and followed them out of the room.
Dumbledore resumed his seat. "Did I answer your question, Severus?" The dark-haired man only stared for a moment. Realizing that Dumbledore was probably the only person who could wait forever on him, he merely said, "Indeed."
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~ Meeting Mr. Filch ~
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About a week after being introduced to the school, Cat found himself quite bored. It was all very well and good that he had a secure job, but the elves didn't want him to do anything in the kitchens. "It was an insult to their kind," they had said. So he was left to sit back and let them move around him. Most mornings, he just stayed in his room, leaving only for food. Tonight he ventured out well after nine, in hopes of something sweet to ease chocolate cravings. He had a good excuse to be out- he worked in the kitchens. These thoughts were brought on by a faint voice he thought he had heard on his way to the fruit portrait.
Rounding another hall, he saw who they were coming from- a middle-aged man mopping a floor. He was accompanied by a cat. Apparantly, he was talking to it, going on about how students never wipe their feet before coming in to the castle... He stopped when he saw Cat.
"Well, if it isn't the new employee. I thought the kitchens were closed after people were supposed to be in bed..." he said in his gruff voice. Caton patiently replied, "The mostly are, but it is not only students residing within these walls, sir."
"Heh. And I suppose you're going to walk in your muddy shoes over my freshly mopped floors and make me redo everything, aren't you?"
"What would you say if I took that mop from you and cleaned the floors myself?" Cat raised his eyebrows slightly, challenging the caretaker to answer. He thought that Cat was there only to annoy him? That he couldn't appreciate hard work when he saw it? That he was so selfish and rude? 'Heh. Figures. This one... geesh. What's wrong with him?'
"Well?" Cat waited for a response. The old man didn't know what to say. "That's what I thought. I'm not going to ruin your perfectly clean floors, thank you. I'll have you know that my sole purpose here is not to make you miserable, although it seems that plenty of people here do hold that position." He let a wan smile cross his face. "May I ask your name?"
"Argus Filch. And this," he said, picking up the cat,"is Ms. Norris."
"Caton Crawford. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Filch, Ms. Norris. Beautiful cat... may I pet her?" he asked, having an affinity for felines. They were just so cute and graceful, so... catty, for the lack of better word. It was just an attitude. Filch was once again a little suprised, but still had the look of hatred on his face. Cat could tell what he was really thinking by his eyes- they always gave someone away. 'Unless you're Snape... he gives nothing for free.' Filch barely nodded, skeptical that the boy wouldn't hurt his precious pet. He held her still though, while Cat reached his somewhat small, darkened hand out under Ms. Norris' face, so that she could see his intentions. It was like asking permission from the animal. She was much like Filch, moody and a little spiteful it seemed. "Shh... shh... it's alright... not going to hurt you..." he whispered, petting her head and rubbing behind the cats' ears. After only a few seconds, he pulled back. "Mr. Filch, you seem to work pretty late hours, no?"
"Heh- you youngsters never let me rest! Always tracking in mud or spelling each other, even though I always tell you not to use magic in the halls... it's a wonder anything stays clean here. Least now those Weasley twins are gone- second best thing that happened to this school, next to Professor Umbridge being headmaster! Anyways, enough talk, gotta get back to work." With that, he set Ms. Norris on the ground and dipped the mop back into a bucket of water.
"Excuse me- I could be wrong, but... isn't that... dirty water you're cleaning the floors with?" Filch stopped a moment to consider that. "It's not like I can change the water everytime I need a new bucket. It would take forever."
"Yes, but if I could get the house elves to do something on it, would you let them?"
He considered this for a moment. "What are you getting at." It wasn't even a question. "Do you think I am incapable of cleaning a floor?"
"No sir, I am trying to make your job easier and more efficient at the same time."
"I'm doin' fine on my own. Got enough to do, making something a little easier ain't gonna lighten the load at all."
"Well, what needs to be done?" Cat asked, curious about this. If the work wasn't too disgusting, even to him, he'd do it himself. That is, if Filch would have him- goodness knows the house elves didn't need him, or even want him for the most part. They were just taking orders.
"Everything. You brats destroy everything. Every hall in this castle needs to be mopped three times a week. Every bathroom needs to be cleaned twice a week- and I mean, floor to ceiling. Wait a second, why do you want to know all this?"
Cat looked down and considered his response for a moment. He straightened up and met Filch's eyes, saying, "Well, sir, to put it bluntly, the house elves don't need me very often. Not in the mornings, rarely in the evenings, never at lunch. Usually just to keep an eye on Winky, to make sure she stays away from the butterbeer, but that isn't too long everyday. I'm bored. I came here to work, not sit in my room or babysit a house elf with a drinking problem. Would you mind if I helped you out?"
Ms. Norris looked startled for a cat, and Filch once again just stared. "You think this is a joke, boy?"
"No sir. I told you- I'm bored, and I want to work. You need someone to help you out, that's clear. I'm asking for the job."
Filch looked like he had just won the lottery. "And how are you at cleanin'- wi'out magic?" Cat shrugged. "Pretty-decent- I've always cleaned my house on my own fairly well, and I don't know any magic to use." Filch was liking this kid more and more. Halfway respectful, hardworking (or seemingly so) and he didn't use magic, so he probably wouldn't rub in the fact that he was a Squib. And he liked Ms. Norris. Wonderful!
"I suppose you can mop the floors tomorrow night, see how good you are."
"Fine with me. When do you want me, and where shall I start?"
"Here, at nine. Takes all night to clean the floors alone." Filch got annoyed at the thought.
"Where do I get my supplies?"
"I'll bring them for you. You just have to be here."
Cat nodded. "Alright then. If you don't mind, could you get two very large sponges instead of a mop? I could work faster that way." Filch didn't know how one could work faster that way, but he'd see what the kid could do anyways. It wasn't like he was already permanently hired or anything. Ms. Norris had already gone to stalk the other halls, and he had to get back to work.
"Gotta get back to doin' my job... remember, tomorrow night, right here. Nine sharp. Got it?"
"Yes sir." Cat said and ran off to the kitchens.
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Severus Snape walked the empty halls of Hogwarts. He wasn't on duty tonight- no, he was after something much more important: cherry cheesecake and a bit of red wine. He smirked at the thought of his motive. Him? The greasy bastard of a Death Eater professor- wanting cheesecake? Couldn't be. Why on earth would he fall for sweets when he could be doing vile things like killing puppies or something? After all, that's what was expected of him. These darker thoughts of killing something brought him out of his almost-good mood.
He stopped to tickle the pear, which caused the portrait to pop open. House elves parted like the Red Sea to let him pass; they feared him, even though he had tried to be generally nice to them. Once. A long time ago. Before that damned elf with the clothes showed up. The stove was going- he could smell something nice cooking. Something chocolate-y. Which was perfect on that night. Upon passing through an arched doorway, the first thing he saw was someone in a long black robe stirring something in a pot. Snape was ready to leave right then and there. 'Damn him... being here and cooking chocolate when I want it!' The boy pulled out a bowl of cleaned cherries. Snape pressed his lips in fury and turned on his heel before Cat noticed him. Or so he thought.
"Hello, Professor. Might I interest you in a chocolate-cherry cheesecake?"
"No. Why are you cooking at this hour? I trust there isn't another meal in the Great Hall I was not aware of."
"Another? Have there been such things before?" Caton asked innocently, not knowing how things worked in the castle yet. The professors eyes narrowed. "Don't be impertinant, boy. The point was, where are your services needed at this hour? Not here. So why are you out of your room?"
Caton was at loss of what to say for a moment. Then deciding that honesty was the best policy when dealing with Professor Snape, he stated as calmly as he could, "Distinct urge to make cheesecake, sir. Cherry cheesecake. With chocolate sauce to put over it."
"I see. Finish, and go back to your quarters," he replied sharply. Caton flinched and rushed to fill a jar with the chocolate sauce he had made and put the cherries into the refridgerator next to the said cheesecake. He wiped his hands quickly and hurried out of the kitchen. Snape waited a few minutes for him to get going. The house elves did not dare to come in and ask questions; instead they had busied themselves with other things. Then he took the cheesecake out of the refridgerator with the cherries with one hand, and held the chocolate sauce in the other along with a fork; He proceeded to take the whole thing down to his office with a smile. 'Severus, you evil bastard. Scaring the kid like that. Oh well. He had better be able to make a decent cheesecake. Or else,' the voice in his mind said, satisfied with a long days' worth of tormenting the students.
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Back in his room, Caton took off his well-worn shoes. He had had them for nearly two years then, and he knew that they were a bit older than that. He shrugged and thought about the professor- why had he been in the kitchen? It wasn't any of Caton's business, but he mused that the professor was the cheesecake-police. 'He's probably eating the whole thing, by himself, right now. Damned bastard. He'd better appreciate it! Or if nothing else, he could save me some of the cherries and the fudge sauce...' he thought, laughing under his breath. 'Gwyn should hear about this... what would she think?' He decided it was time for another bath.
:: Later On ::
As it turned out, Gwyn was quite amused at the whole incident with Snape and the cheesecake. She confessed that he probably was eating the whole tin himself, or at least putting it somewhere no one else could get it. Deciding that it was best to keep the talk to themselves, for the sake of not letting Snape hear it, he finished routines and set his clothes out for Winky as promised. The night was finished as far as Cat was concerned. He flopped onto the bed and tried to get himself to fall asleep. After tossing and turning for a bit, he pulled out his sword. It was like a sense of security- he had always had it by his side when he slept. Who knew what kind of people were around on the streets? After it being his only source of self-protection for five years, sleeping with it in hand was a hard habit to break; he didn't care where he was, school or no. Caton held it to his body tightly, unsheathed, as he fell asleep.
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A/N: Seems like I end all of these chapters on him falling asleep, no? It won't all be like this- I promise.