Chapter 3 The Plan put into action and the consequences
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Two weeks later
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At breakfast Sirius, Peter, and James crowed around a piece of parchment as Cate, Lily, and Beth came in to the Great Hall.
"Now what are they planning? Cate asked the others when James looked up and smiled at Lily. Lily frowned.
"I don't know if I want to know." She and Beth said together. All three of them laughed.
"If it's against the rules I do." Cate said. Ever since the night Cate slapped Sirius, the three boys minus Remus were crowded in the corner of the common room whispering. The past week Remus was gone as he was always was during the full moon. Cate had figured out why. However, she didn't tell the others. They wouldn't understand. The girls sat down to eat.
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The Maurders where about to put their plan into action. During the last two weeks they had been planning to get that evil woman named Cate back for the way she treated their buddy. Remus was part of the plan. However, he didn't know that. It was the week that he was gone due to the moon being full.
"Ok here's what we have." Sirius said picking up the roll of parchment. He read it out loud.
Dearest Caty,
I've known forever that you like me. I like you too. How ever, since my mother is very ill this week I can't ask you out in person. About the ball coming in Christmas, would you like to go with me? Since I'm not here, you can give James your answer. You must not tell a soul about this. Not even your friends. I want this to be between the two of us. When I return you must not tell me your answer. Caty, I know that these instructions seem odd but please tolerate them, as I want this to be a secret. Until I return, yours ever faithfully.
Remus
The letter would be sent tomorrow morning and James was ready to get the answer from James. They didn't want her to know who sent it, as she never got mail from any one.
"I think that's that. I'll be ready for the letter if she gives me one. Then before the ball she will probably ask Remus when he wants to meet her in the common room. I know come he'll straight to us but hey it will be worth the detention and the look on her face when she realizes it was a hoax. " James said excitedly. He then got up, went to the owl tower, and sent the letter with instructions for owl not to send it till tomorrow. Then he headed to class.
The next day Cate got the letter just as the guys wanted it to happen. Her answer was as follows.
Dear Remus,
Of course, I'll come with you. I don't know why you want it to be a secret but I'll abide by your wishes. Don't forget we have to plan our activities for the ball. There's James. I'll give this to him now. I hope your mother is feeling better. Awaiting your return.
Caitlin
Cate went up to James and handed the letter to him telling him it's for Remus and not to read it.
"Don't worry Caitlin I won't." James answered, smiling. When he was in the common room however, Sirius grabbed the letter and tore it open. After reading it, he smirked.
"Excellent. The plan is working perfectly." He said.
When Remus came back, the guys did remind him about the planning meeting with Cate, without mentioning the fact that they used him for their prank. That night he and Cate were sitting in the deserted common room going over the plans.
"We are on the decorations committee you do know that don't you Remus? It's our job to decorate the Great Hall the afternoon before the ball. I suggest we ask our friends to help. What do you think?" she said looking at him.
"Yea I think that's a great idea Cate. You tell Lily and Beth and I'll tell the others. I'm sorry about my friends and the way they've been acting."
"No need their prigs. Always were always will be." Remus laughed. The next day he asked the Maurders to help as Cate did to her friends. All of them agreed.
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Two Months and 29 days later
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It was three weeks before the Ball and Cate was worried about when Remus was going to meet her. So she wrote Remus a note, this time he got it.
Remus,
I know you wanted me to not ask you anything about the Ball but I'm a little worried that you changed your mind. On the other hand, didn't James give you my answer? If not I'll go with you. Why don't you meet me in the common room at 7:oop.m? On the dot. Until then.
Caitlin
When he got this, he went straight to James.
"What the hell does she mean 'James didn't give me her answer' about what? James? What does she mean?" he asked heatedly.
"Oh that didn't we tell you that you have a date for the ball?" Sirius answered for James.
"YOU DIDN'T? I don't believe this you idiots! Do you know what will happen when I tell her I have no idea what she's talking about it will crush her. This is really low for all of you. Especially you James. Lily is her friend and when I tell Caitlin what you guys did she'll go straight to Lily and then James you won't have a chance with Lily Evans. NONE whatsoever. You are such idiots. Caitlin was right you are the biggest gits on this side of the universe. See if I ever be your friend again. I WILL write Caitlin and tell her that I will meet her here at 7:00, but I will not date her. I plan on telling her the truth about everything." At the look, the others gave him a shocked look he went on, that's right I will tell her that I'm a werewolf. She deserves the truth about this and why I won't date her." with that, Remus went upstairs to reply to Cate's letter.
Cate,
7:00 is fine I'll meet you in the Gryffindor Common Room, but I know that you will hate me after what you are told then but hey, I just want you to know that it wasn't my doing. Someone tell you then. I really can't wait to dance with you at the Ball.
Sincerely,
Remus
When Cate got Remus's note she was confused. What the hell is this about? Oh well I'll ask him at the ball.
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On the day of the ball a Saturday the students were able to go to Hogsmeade to get the items they needed for that night. Lily, Beth, and Cate had dates. Lily just for the night was going with James. When she said yes she strictly told him that it was only for the night. Beth much to Cate's dismay was going with Sirius. Peter didn't have a date. They went to the dress robe shop there in the town. Cate didn't get any dress robes when her parents ha taken her to Diagon Alley before school started so the girls were going to help her choose. When Cate told Beth who she was going to the ball with all her friend said was: " Really? I knew that you would snag him ever since that day when you slapped Sirius. Speaking of that git I reluctantly agreed to go with him so I'm sorry Catie you have to put up with him."
"What do you think of that one Catie?" Lily was on the other side of the changing room as Cate tried on ball robe after ball robe.
"I don't know Lils, it makes me look like a pink sausage. But I loved the Oriental Rose one. Can I see that one again?" Cate answered back as Lily laughing, tossed over a bright but deep rose colored robe.
"Sausage? Catie the day you look like a sausage is the day Lily marries James." Beth said. At that, Lily gave Beth a death stare. "Hey Lils it was just a saying. And don't you dare give me that look… Oh Catie that is so you!" Beth exclaimed as Cate came out and whirled around for the others. The robe was below the ankles and a semi-translucent color that at the hips flared out. The top of the robe was almost like a medieval dress with the long sleeves that covered the hands. The bottom of the sleeves went to the hips. At the bodice, it was laced with a pink and gold ribbon. The edges of the robe was fringed with gold coloured thread.
"Remus won't know what hit him. Go on get out of it and let's go. We have a make over to do on you woman." Lily said as Beth nodded. Following a quick trip to the Three Broomsticks in which three of the Maurders were sitting at a table talking quietly about the ball (I know that boys don't usually talk about dances but put up with me) except when Sirius spotted Cate he spoke up.
" I wonder how much uglier Wilding can get." When he saw the bag holding her new robes. He looked satisfied when he saw the single tear in her eye. James unfortunately also saw the tear and looked at his best friend.
"Aren't you going to get enough payback by the time this night is over." He said to Sirius as Lily took her friend and left the bar. The guys had repeatedly apologized to Remus for the stunt they were pulling. He didn't forgive them. They stayed there until 6:00 giving them just enough time to change and meet their dates at the given time 7:00.
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Lily and Beth did wonders to Cate's appearance. It took them 2 whole hours to finish. She thought to herself as they finished her hair muttering at odd moments 'No don't put that there put it here that's it'. Just you wait Sirius Black you'll be sorry you ever made fun of Caitlin Joy Wilding, just you wait. Now where in hell did that come from? Who knows? To her friends she said something about them getting ready.
"Almost done Catie, just a few more minutes… Done now… Don't move. If you move I'll never have a discussion you again, you hear me Catie Joy?" Beth said as she finished Cate's hair, Lily had already changed and was doing her hair.
"Yes Lizabeth I hear you. Now get ready we have to meet the gits in an hour. I won't move a muscle." She said laughing. Beth went to change and ½ an hour later with speed and a little magic was ready to go. The girls went down stairs and waited for their dates. When Remus and the other were coming down the stairs Cate had to go get her handbag and to put her shoes on.
"Caitlin Joy Wilding gets down here so we can go… Now!" Lily screamed as Cate was looking at her appearance in the mirror.
"You look fine darling. Smile!" her reflection said to her.
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Cate wasn't there when the Maurders came down to meet the girls. The others had kept pestering Remus until he forgave them. Lily and Beth looked beautiful. But where was Cate? Beth had said something about Cate going for a handbag.
"Coming Lily Jo! Just give me a sec…okay?"
"Caitlin Come ON! We want to admire the Great Hall and get a table big enough for all of us," Beth said going to the stairs leading up to the girls' dorms, "oh here she comes." Beth said going back to Sirius and taking his arm.
Cate looked like a dream. Her hair was piled at the top of her head and had ringlets about falling about her neck. The whole common room was staring at the change in her appearance. Sirius who was now regretting everything took a step towards the stairway but Beth put a hand on his arm as if to remind whom his date was. Even James who was very smitten with Lily wanted to leap up to the stairs and take her arm.
"You had your chance, Sirius and you blew it. But I will let you dance with her once just to apologize." Beth said smiling.
Remus walked over to the stair and offered his arm.
"You look stunning, Caty. A vision, look over there even Prongs can't take his eyes off you." Remus said laughing at his friend. As they joined the others Cate glanced at the ridiculous look Sirius was giving her. What a goof ball he is actually looking pretty good to night. Now where did that come from? Sirius was talking to her.
"Huh? What were you saying Sirius? I'm sorry." She said jumping a little.
"Figures you never have listened to me. I was saying sorry for all the snide comments the past months. I also want to apologize in advance for all the things I may tell you tonight." Cate looked confused as she looked at Remus who mouthed 'later' to her. They walked into the Entrance Hall just as Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Snape and their dates walked up their dungeon staircase. Cate couldn't believe they had dates.
"Well I'll be damned Snivelers actually has a date. Maybe I should warn her what a jerk he is." She told her friends. All of them laughed out loud as Snape walked over.
"Well, well, well, its Potty and the mud-blood. Don't they make a horrendous couple? Not very good company you keep here Wilding, wait till I tell Aunt Mae about the friends you keep."
"Go stuff yourself in a toilet and drown Snape. I doubt very much Mother will care at all about my friends. She hates everything to do with me and you damn well know that. I still can't believe that you have a date. What did you do to her hex her until she agreed to go with you?" she replied smirking as her group laughed.
"Watch your date Wilding he just might howl at you tonight." Snape said as he left to join his date.
"OHHHH Remus I'm sorry about that. I hate him, I loath him, I view him with the most abhorrence, I extremely dislike him." She said before she started muttering in Gaelic. The others laughed. Sirius was glad it wasn't him she was muttering about but Remus turned pale.
"Cate I need to talk to you. Come over here, please? You guys go on we'll catch you up." Remus said pulling her to a deserted spot. When his friends started to protest he gave them the 'look', stopped mid-protest, and went into the hall.
"What's going on Remus?" she asked exasperated.
"How long have you known that I was a werewolf?" he asked looking scared.
"Since the start of the year. You almost let it slip about the full moon. Don't worry I've kept it to myself. No one else knows. I swear to you no one will." She said when he looked at her. She had never seen him look that way for the 5 years she had known him.
"I know you won't, Caty. My friends know as does the staff here." He hugged her quickly before taking her hand "Come on let's dance." She laughed as he dragged her into the Great Hall.
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Yea go Remus go! I love the next chapter I already have what I am going to do in my head. All right I lied I already have it done. It's so sweet yet so sad you'll see read on and please review.