Chap 11

I felt Oliver's arm snake protectively across my back as I started to move forward. I tried to shake him off, but his arm just became tighter. I gave him a piercing glare and he mouthed 'Voldemort'.

Whoopsies never thought of that one. Home is like the normal place, I can never think of their being a Voldemort or death eater or anything wizardly in a house where Henry lives. Well that's silly, I told myself. It's not like Henry can fight off the Adavra Kedavra curse with a shaking finger and a disapproving glare. My lips curled up just thinking of it.

The sharp voice from downstairs brought me back to reality. "Oi, Shamus, are you sure she even lives here?"

"Of course you dolt! Keep your eyes open, we do not want to run into Heather," a slightly deeper voice responded.

Wait hold it my dad's name was Shamus. But no it couldn't be… wait could it… maybe… Oh make up your mind already Katie… Hmm what can it hurt? I turned to Oliver and whispered, "Let's get closer. We need to find out who it is."

Oliver nodded slowly. "Fine but I'm taking the lead, got it? Oh and keep your wand out, you never know when we'll need it." Quietly we crept out of my room and to the stairs. I pushed forward to see through the rails. In the moment that Oliver grabbed my foot I saw him.

His hair was the light brownish colour that filed my own, though he wore his just below his shoulders. He was tall, six feet at least, something I'd never inherited from him. His shoulders were broad and his neck wide. When he turned I got a look at his face. His nose was small but distinctive, one that mirrored my own. When I saw his eyes I gasped quietly. It was like seeing my own eyes on the face of another. It was in that moment I knew who he was. "Dad!!!" I screamed, running down the stairs, Oliver following me protectively.

"KATIE!!!!" He cried, as I ran into his arms. He swept me up in a hug, lifting my short frame right off the ground. He held me tight for a moment before setting me down, his arms still holding my shoulders. "By golly look at you…" He seemed at lost for words, as if trying to take it all in. I certainly was. I mean just five minutes ago Oliver had mentioned that I should try and find my dad, and now here he was. Talk about your irony.

"Dad, you have no idea how happy I am to see you," I said.

"Oh my baby girl, I've missed you so much!" He exclaimed. "You've grown into such a beautiful young woman. Bloody hell, I can't believe I waited for this long to find you. I've never rea-" He paused, and turned his gaze to behind me. He seemed to notice Oliver for the first time. His eyes seemed to change from loving father to disapproved. Oh Merlin's beard, how could I be so tactless.

"Oh sorry Dad. I forgot to introduce you. This is Oliver my friend from school, Oliver this is my dad," I stated.

"Good to meet you sir," Oliver said sticking out his hand.

My father just stared at the hand, and then looked from me to Oliver. Oliver taking the hint dropped his hand and sent me a questioning look. I shrugged my shoulders; I had no idea what was wrong.

"So your mothers out and you have a male friend visit. Humph," my father said suggestively.

"What's wrong with that dad," I said walking over to Oliver. "He's a friend."

"Hmm… Well what are your intentions with my daughter, boy?" my dad asked.

"Wha…"

"Well answer the question boy. Are you a gentleman or some hormone infested teenage boy who found my daughter to be a fast relief," my dad said angrily.

"DAD!!!" I shrieked, my face turning red with embarrassment. How dare he, I thought. He's been here like five minutes and he's accusing Oliver of trying to take advantage of me. "Oliver you don't have to answer that."

"Yes he does," my dad imputed.

"Da-"

"No it's okay Katie," Oliver interrupted. "Your father feels he has a right to ask, so I certainly can answer. I'll have you know sir that I have no intentions of ever harming your daughter in any way, mostly because I care about her probably more than you do."

"WHAT!!!!" my father roared. "See here you- you- insufferable arseholed prick. GET OUT!!!"

"DAD STOP IT NOW," I screamed.

"No it's okay Katie, I'll see you later, okay," Oliver said gently, though I could see he was trying to keep from yelling at my dad. "You'll come to the alps soon?"

"Yes I'll be there by Boxing Day okay, you can take me shopping," I teased. If there's one thing Oliver hates more than Slytherins it's shopping.

"I SAID OUT!!!!"

"See ya luv," Oliver whispered before running to the fireplace. In a whirl of green smoke, he was gone. I sighed and turned to my dad, an angry look on my face.

"Don't you ever talk to my friends that way, EVER!!!!" I screamed.

"Honey, I'm just looking out for your best interests," my dad said.

A snort came from behind my dad. "Ya sure Shamus," the higher voice from before said sarcastically. I moved and looked past my father and saw… Nathaniel. But as I looked closer I saw it wasn't him. They were very similar but this man had smaller eyes and hair that was graying slightly at the tips. He also was at least 3 inches taller than what Nathaniel was- I mean used to be. As sure as I was that Shamus was my dad, I knew that this was Nathaniel's father.

"Umm sorry I'm not sure we've been introduced," he continued.

"It's okay I know your Nathaniel's father," I said bluntly. I covered my mouth as I realized maybe I shouldn't talk about Nathaniel right that instant. Considering he probably knows he's dead… oh bloody hell what if he doesn't, I don't want to be the barer of bad news.

"Well most people call me Raymond or Ray, but whatever floats your boat," Ray joked lightly, a smile on his face.

"I'm Katie," I said, extending my hand.

"Very nice to finally meet the girl who Shamus over here never stops fretting about," Ray said taking my hand in his.

"Okay, enough enough," my dad said. "We might want to think of getting out of here before your mother returns and invokes that restraining order she has for you from me… hmm probably should find a way around that sometime soon, anyways lets get hoppin.

"Dad," I said.

"Yes baby girl," he answered.

"Please don't day hopping ever again please," I pleaded gently.

"Now don't be ragging on my words," he joked.

"No Dad. Just no."

* * *

As it turned out my dad was the proud owner of a 1957 Corvette. So instead of returning home through magical ways, which I suspected, we spent the next two hours in a muggle car, heading to my father's country home. When we arrived, I gasped.

In front of me, was an ivy coated gate which swung open as my father approached. As we traveled up the path I caught my first glimpse of the house. It, the house, was a recreation of an early 1900's Victorian country house. The house, painted a light yellow, was constructed of three main parts and a circular tour in the far left. Steps leaded up to a door that was easily 2 meters high and framed in gold. The windows had navy blue shutters, and were flung open, drapes flowing in the wind.

"Dad it's…" I was too stunned to put my awe into words.

"I know she's a real fix er upper, but it was the best I could do on such a short notice," my dad replied. I turned and stared at him, guessing he was joking but he looked quite serious as his eyes trailed over the house.

"I hate to interrupt the decorating committee but we might want to get Katie settled and then maybe contacting your ex-wife so you don't suddenly appear on the top of the most wanted list," Ray suggested.

"Good idea mate," my dad said cheerfully, his eyes focusing again. "Come on Katie lets get your stuff inside."

* * *

Four trips, eight bags and eleven accidents later, I was sitting in my new room. It was a quaint room with a huge splash of colour. The walls were a light green while the bed was purple, orange and pink. Though it was more Angie's kind of thing then mine, I loved it. It felt so lived in, something I had never felt anywhere but Hogwarts.

My stomach growled and I looked quickly down at my watch. As I saw the time, 12:44, I noticed the date as well. THE TWENTY FOURTH! That means that tonight is Christmas Eve. I don't even have a present for dad, I thought as suddenly I remembered something else. I'm supposed to be at Oliver's the day after tomorrow. I might want to clear this whole Oliver thing up with dad… hmm if he's as stubborn as me that could take a while, I thought smiling.

"Katie, lunch!!" Ray yelled up the stairs.

I dropped the shirt I was still holding in my hands and ran out the door of my room. When I reached the table I was out of breath. "Hey dad," I breathed. "Did you ever think of maybe investing in some elevators?"

"Very funny, now eat some of this Fenechini Alfredo that Ray worked so hard to prepare," My dad said, before turning back to his plate.

As I began to eat a thought came over me. I mean neither my dad nor Ray is that bad looking of guys, for their age of course, why were they living together in a big house. Come to think of it I hadn't seen any evidence of any female… well touches or whatever you call it. Why wouldn't they ever have girlfriends, unless… no… wait, maybe? I mean it would make a lot of sense. Hmm better get this question over with. Taking a deep breath I began, "Umm this is kind of awkward but are you to umm a you know a… well what I'm trying to say is…"

"Oh spit it out already doll," Ray said.

"Umm are you to a couple??" I asked making the last word quieter then the others. I took me a second to realize that maybe I offended them. "Not that it's a bad thing I mean I have nothing against people who, well who are homosexual. Doesn't bug me in the slightest. I mean I don't care of…"

"Katie, Katie slow down," my father said lightly. "Ray and I both prefer our dates independent, friendly and female."

"Oh well then," I stammered, feeling my face redden.

"Oh don't worry about it doll," Ray said. "You're not the first one to think it nor will you be the last. Your father and I are just very old friends who happen to live together and who happen to be male. Now eat up, before my hard cooked meal begins to get cold."

I finished up my lunch, which was actually quite good, and carried my dishes to the sink. I followed my dad out of the kitchen, trying to think of a way to tell him about Oliver's New Year's party. When I arrived in the living room, I found my dad setting up a chest board, and upon seeing me asked me to play. "Sure, Dad, if you dare to take on the champion of Hogwarts," I said sarcastically.

"Do I taste a hint of sarcasm in that phrase?" My dad asked lightly.

"A hint! Try a pint; I've never been able to play chess, muggle or wizard. My friend Oliver, who you met earlier, he's quite good and has been trying to teach me, but I'm a lost cause," I said, trying to work Oliver into the conversation.

"Humph," my father mumbled, proceeding to make his first move.

"He's having a party on New Years," I said, making my first move. "And he was wondering if I could go. He wanted me and some of my other friends to come on boxing day and stay until we have to go back to Hogwarts, if that's alright with you?"

"Humph."

"His parents would be home and it's not like I would be the only girl there considering my friend Alicia and Angie and Ray will all be there."

"So I guess this Oliver's quite popular with the ladies than," My dad replied scornfully.

"No that's not what I meant… I mean he's not a bad person, so I guess he is kind of popular, but he's not like a player kind of guy, no he's really nice and…" I trailed off realizing I was babbling and that my dad didn't seem to be taking in much.

"Well, if all nice guys were who they said they were we'd have a perfect world," my dad declared.

That's it!! I thought to myself. My dad's been in my life less than 24 hours and he's already making me feel self conscious about my friends. No bloody way! "Dad," I said. Seeing my dad's eyes reach mine I continued. "Look I know you love me and I know you've wanted to be with me and in my life, but the truth is you haven't, no please stop telling me how to run my life. I've been able to handle it till now I don't need you help, no matter how much you think I do!!" I finished and saw a hurt look fill my dad's face and suddenly I wished I could take it back.

"Fine, Katie," my dad replied without feeling. "Go to your party, have fun. See that it bloody matters to me." And with that, he stood up leaving our game unfinished and me sitting, a deep feeling of regret washing over me.

"Damn."

A/N Okay there are a lot of spelling mistakes because this hasn't been edited yet bcauz I wanted to get it out as soon as I co\uld. I AM SOO SORRY ABOUT THE WAIT!!!! My only excuse was that I ran out of ideas because I didn't get that many reviews (though I love u faithful reviewers soooo much) and reviews inspire me so if you want to find out what happens at the party (trust me its going to be big) and whats going to happen with Katie's dad REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay I'm better now. Anyways Merry Christmas and Happy New years (hey better late than never) Oh and also I'm cowriting a story with Sezzie, she rights through the eyes of a muggle born series, if anyones read them (and if you havn't they're quite good!). It's called family portrait and reviewing it is good to!! Anyways so if u want a something new

Write a review!!

HUGS AND KISSES

P.S. Gil I'll send this to u soon its just to late right now!!