Author's note O guess wat? Today my football team played this other school and we beat them and then they were really mad at us! I was afraid they were going to kill me and then I couldn't finish my fic. Anyways first I mean second of all I'd like to say I'm sorry for all my spelling mistakes. I've never been good at spelling and even spell check help that's how bad I am. O and by the way hihihihi is my silly laugh hihihi oops there I go again. Ya I'm kinda weird. Ok im sorry about the sad part but it will all tie in eventually you will all see into my weird twisted mind muwhahaha(that's an evil laugh). Ok on with the chappi!
I didn't remember running out onto the grounds. I didn't remember pushing off the ground and into the air. All I could think about was how my caring, loving, brother was gone. Not just away for a while but truly gone, never coming back. The tears I so badly wanted to spill refused to leave my eyes. My eyes made a wall refusing to let me release the pain. When I had enough control to open my eyes I found myself high above the Forbidden Forest, just south of Hogwarts. I took a deep breath to calm my thoughts and turned, speeding back off to Hogwarts.
When I reached the edge of the forest I landed and swung my broom over my shoulder. What had my brother told me two weeks back when he had visited? Something about dark forces or something…
*Flashback*
My brother stood still, his pale hand atop the mantle. When he had asked to see me alone I thought he just wanted to talk about Hogwarts without having my parents feeling left out. Now I saw it was far more serious.
"Katie Kell," he began. "The dark is rising again and it will stronger before it diminishes. Some will die in the fight but all that matters is that the dark will diminish. Be strong Katie Kell. Fight against the dark and never let it embrace you. Be brave and live, remember always live".
I gave him a questioning look and he gave me a small smile and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm rattling on. Com, tell me of Quidditch. Is that crazy captain Wood still there?"
*End Flashback*
He's right, I thought. I'm given the gift of life so I should use it. And the dark will diminish. I'll see to it.
As I walked back up to the castle, a look of fierce determination on my face, I realized I didn't want people to know. I didn't want their sympathetic looks or piteous glares. My mind made up, I ran back to Dumbledore's office.
* * *
I ran through the entrance, shouting the password (Fizzing Whizbee's), and up to Dumbledore's office. As I entered, I found he was sitting in an armchair near the fire reading a book.
"Umm- Professor," I stammered; the embarrassment of earlier was still there.
"Ahh, Miss Bell, how are you," Dumbledore asked, looking up from his book.
"Umm better, I guess," I answered.
"That's good dear," Dumbledore said in a gentle voice.
"I have something to ask you," I began. "Could we keep the-the d-d-death of my br-r-other a secret?"
"If you wish, Miss Bell. It is of course completely up to you. Just remember I had to inform your professors and I would recommend that you speak to some of your close friends."
"Thank you sir," I said my voice filled with relief. As I turned to leave I heard Dumbledore's voice from behind me.
"If you don't mind me asking, what made you so much more, well, calmer," Dumbledore asked. "What I mean is most people in your situation would be tremendously upset."
Knowing Dumbledore deserved an explanation I tried to explain, "Well, after I ran out your office I ran into Ma- a student." Not wanting to rat on Flint I continued, ignoring Dumbledore's questioning look. "Well, this student upset me, so I went for a broom ride over the Forbidden Forest. I know I'm not allowed but I needed some time to think". Seeing Dumbledore's nod of approval I continued. "And then all of a sudden I remembered something my brother had said to me before I came back to Hogwarts. He spoke of the dark force rising and diminishing and how I had to continue to live. Then I thought it was silly but now I understand. He knew didn't he? That he was going to die, I mean. I mean, my brother is just a Quidditch player, what would he be doing at the Ministry?" I stopped, waiting for Dumbledore to answer.
"Yes Katie, may I call you that?" I nodded and he continued. "I do believe your brother on some levels knew that his life was coming to an end. I believe that he went to the Ministry knowing he would die. As far as I know he had no true reason for being there. But I do know that without your brother the Ministry would have lost probably close to a hundred workers. Nathaniel alerted the Aurors and even fought against the Death Eaters, taking down at least 10 of them. Oh, by the way, they are awarding your brother the Order of Merlin, Second class for his heroics. I will of course tell them to keep it hushed up and out of the papers to honour your wishes of secrecy."
"Thank you Professor," I said. "I'd better go, if you don't mind".
"Of course my dear," he answered. "Remember though, if you ever need to talk, I'll be here."
With that I turned and ran out the door. Thank God, I thought to myself. Now I just have to keep my composure and I'll be just fine. I have to be strong… must be strong. Swallowing the lump in my throat I walked towards the common room.
As I was nearing the common room I saw Professor McGonagall walking down the hall. I felt my face heat up in embarrassment, remembering that she had seen my show earlier that day.
"Miss Bell," she called. "Professor Dumbledore discussed your choice with me and I promise no one will know of this tragic event. Just remember we at Hogwarts will always be here for you," McGonagall said gently.
"Umm thanks, Professor Dumbledore said the same thing to me," I replied.
"I would expect no less from him. Oh, I am here to inform you of your detention tonight. I wished to dismiss it but Professor Snape overrode me," McGonagall said in a hostile tone. "He said you deserved to serve out your punishment no matter what your situation. You will meet Mr. Filch at the trophy room tonight at 8 o'clock. You have my greatest sympathies Miss Bell. You have become a very special student to this school and to me." McGonagall looked as if she was contemplating something then bent down and gave me a quick hug before continuing off down the hallway.
Wow. I was shocked. I had never seen McGonagall display any emotion towards a student. I entered the common room happy to find it deserted. Guessing everyone was at dinner I headed up to my dormitory.
As I lay down on my bed I felt a lump in my pocket. Carefully I took the remainder of my letter from my brother out of my pocket. Slowly, feeling the tears in the corner of my eyes, I arranged the letter. I had always loved puzzles as a kid. My brother used to help me do the ones that were too hard for me. He had always said he would always be there to put the last piece in place. "You lied to me Nat, you lied. Why did you make a promise you can't keep?" I asked myself quietly as I fitted the last piece to the letter.
"What promise?" a voice asked from behind me.
I turned quickly and saw Ree's worried eyes searching my face. I quickly tried to think up a lie but all of a sudden the truth came spilling out. "M-m-my b-rother is g-one," I stuttered before bursting into tears.
I felt Ree's warm arms curl around me and I turned into her shoulder and spilt the tears I wanted to let go since I heard of my brother's death. Ree whispered comforting words to me and rocked me back and forth slowly. I had not felt so safe and loved since my brother comforted me after Flint had called me a mudblood and cursed me causing a cut to appear on my cheeks. It had also helped that Nat had punched Flint so hard it broke his nose but that's beside the point. Ree sat with me for what seemed like a century, as my sobs became tears and eventually even my tears stopped. Ree cradled my face with her hands, holding it away from her shoulder.
"Better?" she asked tenderly.
"Yes thanks", I sniffed.
"What are friends for if not a giant hankerchief," Ree joked.
I smiled for the first time all day. "Umm Ree", I began softly. "If you don't mind I'd like to keep this a secret from everyone. I really don't want sympathy, it just makes things worse".
"Of course I don't mind. I'll never tell anyone, I swear."
"Thanks", I said throwing my arms around Ree.
"Right now you have a bigger problem to worry about then people finding out your secret," Ree stated.
"Like what?" I asked.
"Figuring out an excuse to tell Wood for missing practice," Ree announced.
"Bloody Hell."
* * *
I managed to avoid Wood for the next couple hours by hiding up in the dormitory. Ree kept me company and we girl talked the entire time. Around 8 o'clock I got up to leave for my detention and Ree followed saying she had to meet Lee somewhere. As we walked down the winding staircase, I teased her about her and Lee.
"You know you could get sick from snogging too long," I informed her in a devious voice.
"Ahh so that's why you're always sick," Ree replied.
I punched her in the shoulder and ran out into the common room. Just as I burst through the entrance stumbling loudly I remembered I was trying to avoid being seen by Wood. I searched the common room for him and I realized he wasn't there. Phew, I thought. How bloody lucky am I? Quietly, as to not attract more attention I headed off to my detention.
When I arrived at the trophy room I was already 5 minutes late. "Sorry I'm late sir," I said out of breath from running down the corridors.
"Five points from Gryffindor Miss Bell,"Filch spat maliciously. "Time is money, or in your case points." Filch chuckled at his little joke. "Now you and Mr. Wood-" For the first time since I entered the room I looked around. There leaning against a trophy shelf was Wood with his smug smile on his face. Damn, I thought. I go through all this trouble to avoid him and here he is. That must be why he wasn't in the common room. Taking my gaze off Wood I turned back to Filch who was almost finished his lecture. "-see my face on these trophies got it? Oh and no funny stuff. You menaces have such one track mind these days". With that Filch left the room.
"Well Katie Kell", Wood said, taking his arm off the trophy case and walking over to me. "Looks like you and your boyfriend had a busy afternoon. I mean your lips must hurt if you missed all of practice. Sure you don't need some ice?"
I took all my self control to not deck him for calling me Katie Kell. That was my brother's nickname for me and he doesn't deserve to say it. "First of all Wood," I said trying to keep my voice steady. "Never call me that again or you'll be missing the next few practices. And second of all I was with Dumbledore not Matt."
"That's bollocks Bell and you know it. I saw you walking up from the Forbidden Forest. Were you meeting Dumbledore there?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"It's none of your business where I meet Dumbledore so sod off". With that I grabbed a rag and began to shine the trophy case. But it seemed Wood wasn't going to let up.
"Oh and what name? Do you mean Katie Kell, Katie Kell?" he mocked. "And it is my business if you miss practice." I just ignored him and continued to shine the trophies. "Oh giving me the silent treatment Katie Kell? How mature. What are you going to say now? I know you are but what am I?" Wood continued but I ignored him and kept scrubbing. After awhile I just blocked his voice out and concentrated on cleaning the trophies until I reached the Quidditch cup from my fourth year. That year Harry was unable to play and we lost the match to Ravenclaw. On the trophy it read:
Quidditch Champions: Ravenclaw
Captain Nathaniel Bell (Chaser)
Roger Davies (Chaser), Natalie Poman (Chaser), Jean White (Beater),
Celia May (Beater), Serine Bothith (Keeper), Jacinta Huronta (Seeker)
Nathaniel had bugged me for weeks about winning. I specifically remember me hitting him in the head with my broom one day. I kept on telling him we played without a Seeker but he refused to listen. I guess he was glad he had stolen the cup from Slytherin. I felt the tears rise to my eyes and I took a couple deep breaths, blinking them away quickly before Wood saw them. I wasn't fast enough.
"Oi Katie Kell, what's wrong with you now, is my bullying hurting ickle Katiekins feelings," Wood said in a mocking voice.
"DON"T CALL ME THAT!!" I screamed. My hand moved to grab my wand but instead I hit a small academic trophy. It fell to the ground and shattered, awakening me from my rage. I froze, staring at the shattered trophy. I calmed myself and finally looked up at Wood face. What I saw did not comfort me. He was wearing the face he wore right before he was about to ask a question he wouldn't give up on until he had the answer. Knowing I definitely would not, could not answer I turned and fled the room.
* * *
Why is my face wet? I opened my eyes to my dormitory and looked around. Alicia and Angelina were getting ready and Ree must be taking a shower. Slowly lying back down I remembered the events of the day before. I remembered Dumbledore's office, talking to Ree, yelling at Wood, fleeing the trophy room, wandering around aimlessly the castle avoiding the Prefects and Filch. I wish it were a dream. Why can't it just be a nightmare? Why can't I just pinch myself and everything will go back to normal?
"Come on Katie, get up. You're going to want to be on time for breakfast", Alicia said in a mysterious tone.
Groaning, I slowly rose from my bed.
* * *
A shower, an outfit change and a lip gloss apply later I was entering the great hall with my friends. Turning, we all walked over to our normal spot at the Gryffindor table. Looking over at the Ravenclaw table I notice Matt wasn't up yet. Sighing, I sat down across from Fred and George who were shoveling food in there mouths like this was their last meal. "Umm guys, you don't want to choke. We still have a whole half hour before class anyways,"I stated.
"Oh we're not hurrying for class, we've got more important things to do." With that Fred and George left the table. I looked around searching my friend's eyes for a sign of what Fred and George were doing but they all had suddenly become very interested in the tablecloth's design. Sighing I reached over to grab some syrup when I heard a loud crack. Turning around I saw that most of the boys at the Slytherin table were now wearing French maid costumes and were dusting everything in site while singing in very off tune voices: I'm so stupid. I need cupid. Cause I'm so dumb. Look at my bum. Then I did something I never expected to do again. I laughed. Through the laughter I heard McGonagall's voice.
"Weasleys! Jordan! My office NOW!"
Ok I know bad chappie!no, its not! It took so long and it sucks. Anywho thanks to all my reviewers u guys are the best. Oh and I'd like to say hopefully now there will be less spelling mistakes because I have a editor! Put you hands together for Ciela Night*applause*. Anyways everyone whose read the dark jewels trilogy should read her story! It's called the unexpected. Anyways o ya if anyone took offence of the hair comments I'm dreadfully sorry *gets on knees and begs for 4givesness*. I know blondes aren't stupid because I am blonde, well sort of (dirty blonde). And I know not all red heads have hot tempers though most of the ones ive met have, just kiddin stace. Anyways plz review any ideas are welcome. Next chapter should be out by Wednesday.
♥HUGS AND KISSES♥