Disclaimer: Regretfully, I admit that I do not own Harry Potter (sadly, the
series and all copyright privileges are the property of Miss JK Rowling),
but when I succeed with world domination I assure you that I will own Draco
Malfoy. Hehehe...ü This is post OotP, so, yeah... spoilers for those who
haven't read it. If you haven't, have you been living in a rock or
something!? Joking!ü Yeah, the only character I own is Caitlin and her
friends... for now.
A/N: I thought the other 3rd chapter sucked, so I changed it. Tee hee. Hope you like it this time around. Sorry, I'm a perfectionist.^^
Always-In-The-Dark - thanks so much! You don't know what that means to me! I don't like fics with new characters either, but I thought I'd add a little flavor. Again, thanks! You rock!
HermioneGMalfoy - thank you sooo much! I really hope you update soon! *hugs*
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The next two weeks swept past in a blur of parties, late nights and mind- boggling experiences. Not of the X rated kind, mind you, but it was well known among their little group about the doings of Serena and Andrew. Spyke seldom went with them, but when he did it was even more fun. The best part about it was whenever they went back with Harry to his cabana and he could see Dudley's face turn remarkably like Uncle Vernon's. And all because Harry actually had friends that were, despite their radical behavior, normal.
"Aw, fuck! Tomorrow's your last night? Are you serious?" Serena cried that night over the din of the crowd. Someone crowd-surfed over to them and she was pushed away but the sudden rush of people.
Harry turned back to the bar where Aaron was still downing shots of tequila. He himself had drunk two and a half large bottles of beer, and was starting to feel it in his knees. He had never been one to drink or smoke or go to rave parties and never imagined himself to have such normal luxuries, but now that he was here he'd get the most out of it he could before he had to face what he knew he would eventually.
"That's too bad that you're leaving," Aaron said suddenly. He was still staring at the golden brown liquid in his shot glass, eyes clouded. Harry knew he was still smoking a joint. "I haven't seen Kace smile so wide since she broke up with her last boyfriend. You really must be something special if you can do that."
Harry blushed and followed in Aaron's stead, now staring at his beer bottle. "I was wondering about that, though. Why are you guys even friends with me? I don't fit in in your crowd, that much is obvious."
"Haven't you learned anything from us these past couple of days?" Aaron asked. He finally met Harry eye-to-eye (well, at least after he brushed a stray dreadlock away from his tan face) and frowned. "You don't need a reason for everything, man. Kace is your friend and so are we. That's it. Nothing else to think about. I think that's your problem, Collin. You think way too much, just like KC. Did I ever tell you about the time-..."
Harry tuned him out and swiveled around on the bar stool to watch the bouncing crowd. He spotted Serena and Andrew dirty dancing in one corner. Spyke was the lead singer for the band that was playing; hence Caitlin was right beside him playing the electric guitar. Their band, Void, finished their last song and trooped off stage. Harry knew that Caitlin would be beside him soon, adrenaline pumping and sweat-drenched hair crackling like electric eels all around her face. Her make-up would be smudged but she'd still look fantastic.
"Better be careful with what you're thinking about, Collin. No telling who's reading it."
Spyke's comment jarred him out of his silent reverie and recalled buried thoughts back into his consciousness. Why hadn't Voldemort done anything until now? How were all the members of the Order? Would he still continue studying Occlumency the next school year? Would there even BE a next school year? Why hadn't he seen anyone that was supposed to be guarding him? Where was Dumbledore right now? How come Ron and Hermione hadn't written to him so far?
"Are you all right?" Caitlin's voice suddenly asked.
Harry looked up from staring at the stained wooden counter top and met her piercing blue eyes. "I..."
Caitlin glared at her older stepbrother. "Spyke what did you say?!" she said, voice uncharacteristically shrill.
The boy shrugged and blew his light blonde hair away from his face casually. "Nothing."
She threw him another dirty glance then turned back to Harry. "Come on, you need to get out of here. We have to talk either way."
Harry let her push him out of the hot, stuffy, overcrowded club and into the cold night air, which assaulted him the second he stepped out. It left a stinging sensation in his nostrils but his brain was still buzzing so he didn't pay any attention to it. Caitlin led him down to the beach but they weren't so far from the club so they could still hear the music.
"Ok, where do you want me to start?" she asked when they sat down by the water.
Harry turned to look at her slowly and was shocked when he saw that her eyes had lost their usual sparkle.
"Let's eat some smores. It'll give you something to do if you don't want to talk."
15 minutes later, they had a fire going and were toasting marshmallows.
Harry glanced at her. "What did you want to talk to me about anyway? It sounds serious. What, did Andrew get slashed in the mosh pit again?" He started laughing at his own joke, all too aware of Caitlin's silence. He took a huge bite of his monstrous marshmallow and then was surprised to hear her sudden laugh.
"You have some, um, on your cheek," she said in between giggles. She reached over to him when he couldn't get it with her tongue. Just like in the movies, she lost her balance and Harry grabbed her elbows to support her.
"Whoa, watch it." he said, voice suddenly softer. He felt like his senses were magnified by 10 and all the nerves had suddenly been transferred to the hand that was holding her arm. He couldn't get his eyes off her lips. What was it with her lips? Before he knew it he was leaning forward to kiss her but all of a sudden she turned her face away. Harry felt his face burn and let go to stare into the fire. He had abandoned wearing his eyeglasses the day after he met her to try to look like he belonged with them. Now he knew that wouldn't be possible.
"I'm so sorry. It's not that I don't like you, but it's...well, it's complicated."
"Why is everything so goddamn complicated? Why can't it just be simple for once? Everything just HAS to mean something else, doesn't it?" Harry said angrily, tossing a twig and watching it burn in the fire.
"I get what you're talking about, really, I do. But you know you're destined for a lot of great things, Harry Potter, and I'm here to help you get there."
Harry stared at her, mouth wide open in shock. But before he could say anything she started talking again.
"Well, I guess I should start at the top. I know I haven't been completely honest with you, but you started with calling yourself 'Collin'!"
Harry didn't know why, but he smiled and it seemed like that was all Caitlin needed from him so that she could go on with her story.
"Don't get me wrong, I like the name 'Collin', but Harry suits you perfectly. While we were in the water, I knew I should let you have a little fun. God knows I would highly appreciate it if I were faced with what you are. Ok, let me explain that thing about being in the water as best I can because not even I understand it sometimes.
"I'm an empath. That's someone who can tell how other people are feeling; like a magnet for emotions. It's not like mind reading because that's impossible, but it's something close to that. Just like how you feel what the Dark Lord feels at times. Kind-of like an aftershock except magnified. So that's why I made up my mind about introducing you to Serena and the others. I thought you'd like having a little fun. I hope you understand I had your best interests in mind but now I'm not so sure I should have done that."
She glanced at him awkwardly then her eyes traveled to the remains of a cigarette in his left hand. Harry followed her gaze then took a puff as if telling her that he actually liked smoking. Caitlin sighed.
"Now you've got that whole depressed poet thing going on," she said, trying to copy his slouch and laughed. "Don't worry though, I think it's sex-eh." Then laughed again. "Oh fudge, where was I?"
"Can I ask you something first?" Harry interrupted. She nodded. "Why? I mean, why are you even here? Was this some cruel trick to mess with my head or something?"
Caitlin pulled her eyes away from his and stared into the fire. "I was hoping you wouldn't have to ask me my whole family history," she muttered, more to herself.
"What? What does your family have to do with-"
"It has to do with everything, Harry. All right, I'll tell you but I don't think you'll take it very well." She took a deep breath and tossed him the bag of marshmallows, indicating that it would be a long story so he'd better occupy himself. Personally, Harry didn't feel like eating, but he took the bag anyway, and Caitlin appreciated it greatly.
"As I'm sure you're unaware, Dumbledore was married once, but then his wife died giving birth to a baby girl. He named her Katrina, and had to raise her by himself because he never remarried, as you obviously know.
"Katrina studied at Hogwarts, obviously. She was a radical and knew the ins and outs of Hogwarts almost as well as the Marauders. In fact, her boyfriend was one. If you haven't guessed it yet, it was Sirius Black. Well, after they graduated, both became Aurors and Katrina changed her last name. Unfortunately, she got bitten by a vampire on a job, while she was pregnant with Sirius' baby.
"Now, Dumbledore, being the brilliant man that he is, found a way for her to have the baby. But then before the baby was born Sirius was accused of killing that rat, Peter Pettigrew, and was sent to Azkaban. Katrina remarried to a pureblood named George Moore, and they raised the child. If it's not obvious yet, I'm the baby.
"When I turned ten I found a love letter from Sirius Black to my mum, and that's how I found out. A few months later we visited him and..." She trailed off, looking bleary eyed. Harry, too stunned to say anything, hadn't noticed but wished she would go on before he'd say anything he knew he'd regret.
Caitlin cleared her throat, wiped her eyes, and continued. "A year later, I had a recital with Juliard and my mum died on her way there because it was held during the day. My mum wasn't careless, she knew what precautions she had to take, what with being a vampire and all. But I so wanted her to be there for me, and because of that a month later she couldn't even see me off the boat to Durmstrang." Harry noticed her hand was gripping a handful of sand. "Anyways, I continued having a Muggle life during the summers and attending school at Durmstrang until Voldemort came back into power. And now for some reason Dumbledore wants me to guard you, the Boy Who Lived, because he thinks I have an upper hand being a half-vampire and all."
Her face looked sour, like she had just swallowed a lemon. She took a deep breath and looked at him, expression apologetic. "I know it's really confusing but that's just the way things turned out. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just thought you'd like a taste of a normal life, cause you've got a lot ahead of you." She looked up into his face, which was now half-hidden in shadow. "Harry?"
"Y-your father was Sirius," he repeated dumbly.
"Yes, Harry. I'm Sirius Black's daughter by blood." She said quickly, as if saying the words hurt her. "But he's dead now. You saw it happen, so no use crying over spilled milk, right? I never even knew him, so it's not like I lost anything." She shrugged as if it were nothing.
Harry gaped at her as if she was insane. "Sirius was a GREAT man. Don't talk about him like he didn't mean anything to anyone because HE DID. You should be proud to have him as you father."
He launched into a whole speech about Sirius, even standing up and pacing in front of the fire, once in a while shooting Caitlin dirty looks like she should be ashamed of herself. The whole time, the girl kept staring at the fire, taking small bites of her smore and looking like she knew she should just be quiet and let him finish.
Almost an hour later, Harry collapsed onto the sand, looking exhausted but happy that he had gotten all that about Sirius off his chest. Caitlin tossed him a canteen of hot chocolate and he gratefully took a huge gulp.
"Thanks," he said, avoiding her stare. Now that he knew she had a little bit of Sirius in her, he didn't want to look into those eyes, now afraid that he would see his godfather staring at him through them.
"I'm surprised you can even talk after that," Caitlin commented. She looked nervous about something but Harry hadn't noticed because he was still avoiding looking at her. "I know I ruined your last night here in St. Barts, but there's one more thing I have to tell you."
"Oh, what could be more fun than finding out a girl you like is actually a half-vampire and your dead godfather's once-removed daughter or something sent to guard you from Voldemort." Harry said sarcastically.
Caitlin looked at him sadly. "You have a reason to be mad because I lied to you, and I accept that and apologize for it. If you're still mad at me later, I'll just pass by your cabana before you leave and give you a paper with everything you need to know on it. Have fun tonight, Harry." She left, leaving nothing but footprints in the sand.
A/N: I thought the other 3rd chapter sucked, so I changed it. Tee hee. Hope you like it this time around. Sorry, I'm a perfectionist.^^
Always-In-The-Dark - thanks so much! You don't know what that means to me! I don't like fics with new characters either, but I thought I'd add a little flavor. Again, thanks! You rock!
HermioneGMalfoy - thank you sooo much! I really hope you update soon! *hugs*
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The next two weeks swept past in a blur of parties, late nights and mind- boggling experiences. Not of the X rated kind, mind you, but it was well known among their little group about the doings of Serena and Andrew. Spyke seldom went with them, but when he did it was even more fun. The best part about it was whenever they went back with Harry to his cabana and he could see Dudley's face turn remarkably like Uncle Vernon's. And all because Harry actually had friends that were, despite their radical behavior, normal.
"Aw, fuck! Tomorrow's your last night? Are you serious?" Serena cried that night over the din of the crowd. Someone crowd-surfed over to them and she was pushed away but the sudden rush of people.
Harry turned back to the bar where Aaron was still downing shots of tequila. He himself had drunk two and a half large bottles of beer, and was starting to feel it in his knees. He had never been one to drink or smoke or go to rave parties and never imagined himself to have such normal luxuries, but now that he was here he'd get the most out of it he could before he had to face what he knew he would eventually.
"That's too bad that you're leaving," Aaron said suddenly. He was still staring at the golden brown liquid in his shot glass, eyes clouded. Harry knew he was still smoking a joint. "I haven't seen Kace smile so wide since she broke up with her last boyfriend. You really must be something special if you can do that."
Harry blushed and followed in Aaron's stead, now staring at his beer bottle. "I was wondering about that, though. Why are you guys even friends with me? I don't fit in in your crowd, that much is obvious."
"Haven't you learned anything from us these past couple of days?" Aaron asked. He finally met Harry eye-to-eye (well, at least after he brushed a stray dreadlock away from his tan face) and frowned. "You don't need a reason for everything, man. Kace is your friend and so are we. That's it. Nothing else to think about. I think that's your problem, Collin. You think way too much, just like KC. Did I ever tell you about the time-..."
Harry tuned him out and swiveled around on the bar stool to watch the bouncing crowd. He spotted Serena and Andrew dirty dancing in one corner. Spyke was the lead singer for the band that was playing; hence Caitlin was right beside him playing the electric guitar. Their band, Void, finished their last song and trooped off stage. Harry knew that Caitlin would be beside him soon, adrenaline pumping and sweat-drenched hair crackling like electric eels all around her face. Her make-up would be smudged but she'd still look fantastic.
"Better be careful with what you're thinking about, Collin. No telling who's reading it."
Spyke's comment jarred him out of his silent reverie and recalled buried thoughts back into his consciousness. Why hadn't Voldemort done anything until now? How were all the members of the Order? Would he still continue studying Occlumency the next school year? Would there even BE a next school year? Why hadn't he seen anyone that was supposed to be guarding him? Where was Dumbledore right now? How come Ron and Hermione hadn't written to him so far?
"Are you all right?" Caitlin's voice suddenly asked.
Harry looked up from staring at the stained wooden counter top and met her piercing blue eyes. "I..."
Caitlin glared at her older stepbrother. "Spyke what did you say?!" she said, voice uncharacteristically shrill.
The boy shrugged and blew his light blonde hair away from his face casually. "Nothing."
She threw him another dirty glance then turned back to Harry. "Come on, you need to get out of here. We have to talk either way."
Harry let her push him out of the hot, stuffy, overcrowded club and into the cold night air, which assaulted him the second he stepped out. It left a stinging sensation in his nostrils but his brain was still buzzing so he didn't pay any attention to it. Caitlin led him down to the beach but they weren't so far from the club so they could still hear the music.
"Ok, where do you want me to start?" she asked when they sat down by the water.
Harry turned to look at her slowly and was shocked when he saw that her eyes had lost their usual sparkle.
"Let's eat some smores. It'll give you something to do if you don't want to talk."
15 minutes later, they had a fire going and were toasting marshmallows.
Harry glanced at her. "What did you want to talk to me about anyway? It sounds serious. What, did Andrew get slashed in the mosh pit again?" He started laughing at his own joke, all too aware of Caitlin's silence. He took a huge bite of his monstrous marshmallow and then was surprised to hear her sudden laugh.
"You have some, um, on your cheek," she said in between giggles. She reached over to him when he couldn't get it with her tongue. Just like in the movies, she lost her balance and Harry grabbed her elbows to support her.
"Whoa, watch it." he said, voice suddenly softer. He felt like his senses were magnified by 10 and all the nerves had suddenly been transferred to the hand that was holding her arm. He couldn't get his eyes off her lips. What was it with her lips? Before he knew it he was leaning forward to kiss her but all of a sudden she turned her face away. Harry felt his face burn and let go to stare into the fire. He had abandoned wearing his eyeglasses the day after he met her to try to look like he belonged with them. Now he knew that wouldn't be possible.
"I'm so sorry. It's not that I don't like you, but it's...well, it's complicated."
"Why is everything so goddamn complicated? Why can't it just be simple for once? Everything just HAS to mean something else, doesn't it?" Harry said angrily, tossing a twig and watching it burn in the fire.
"I get what you're talking about, really, I do. But you know you're destined for a lot of great things, Harry Potter, and I'm here to help you get there."
Harry stared at her, mouth wide open in shock. But before he could say anything she started talking again.
"Well, I guess I should start at the top. I know I haven't been completely honest with you, but you started with calling yourself 'Collin'!"
Harry didn't know why, but he smiled and it seemed like that was all Caitlin needed from him so that she could go on with her story.
"Don't get me wrong, I like the name 'Collin', but Harry suits you perfectly. While we were in the water, I knew I should let you have a little fun. God knows I would highly appreciate it if I were faced with what you are. Ok, let me explain that thing about being in the water as best I can because not even I understand it sometimes.
"I'm an empath. That's someone who can tell how other people are feeling; like a magnet for emotions. It's not like mind reading because that's impossible, but it's something close to that. Just like how you feel what the Dark Lord feels at times. Kind-of like an aftershock except magnified. So that's why I made up my mind about introducing you to Serena and the others. I thought you'd like having a little fun. I hope you understand I had your best interests in mind but now I'm not so sure I should have done that."
She glanced at him awkwardly then her eyes traveled to the remains of a cigarette in his left hand. Harry followed her gaze then took a puff as if telling her that he actually liked smoking. Caitlin sighed.
"Now you've got that whole depressed poet thing going on," she said, trying to copy his slouch and laughed. "Don't worry though, I think it's sex-eh." Then laughed again. "Oh fudge, where was I?"
"Can I ask you something first?" Harry interrupted. She nodded. "Why? I mean, why are you even here? Was this some cruel trick to mess with my head or something?"
Caitlin pulled her eyes away from his and stared into the fire. "I was hoping you wouldn't have to ask me my whole family history," she muttered, more to herself.
"What? What does your family have to do with-"
"It has to do with everything, Harry. All right, I'll tell you but I don't think you'll take it very well." She took a deep breath and tossed him the bag of marshmallows, indicating that it would be a long story so he'd better occupy himself. Personally, Harry didn't feel like eating, but he took the bag anyway, and Caitlin appreciated it greatly.
"As I'm sure you're unaware, Dumbledore was married once, but then his wife died giving birth to a baby girl. He named her Katrina, and had to raise her by himself because he never remarried, as you obviously know.
"Katrina studied at Hogwarts, obviously. She was a radical and knew the ins and outs of Hogwarts almost as well as the Marauders. In fact, her boyfriend was one. If you haven't guessed it yet, it was Sirius Black. Well, after they graduated, both became Aurors and Katrina changed her last name. Unfortunately, she got bitten by a vampire on a job, while she was pregnant with Sirius' baby.
"Now, Dumbledore, being the brilliant man that he is, found a way for her to have the baby. But then before the baby was born Sirius was accused of killing that rat, Peter Pettigrew, and was sent to Azkaban. Katrina remarried to a pureblood named George Moore, and they raised the child. If it's not obvious yet, I'm the baby.
"When I turned ten I found a love letter from Sirius Black to my mum, and that's how I found out. A few months later we visited him and..." She trailed off, looking bleary eyed. Harry, too stunned to say anything, hadn't noticed but wished she would go on before he'd say anything he knew he'd regret.
Caitlin cleared her throat, wiped her eyes, and continued. "A year later, I had a recital with Juliard and my mum died on her way there because it was held during the day. My mum wasn't careless, she knew what precautions she had to take, what with being a vampire and all. But I so wanted her to be there for me, and because of that a month later she couldn't even see me off the boat to Durmstrang." Harry noticed her hand was gripping a handful of sand. "Anyways, I continued having a Muggle life during the summers and attending school at Durmstrang until Voldemort came back into power. And now for some reason Dumbledore wants me to guard you, the Boy Who Lived, because he thinks I have an upper hand being a half-vampire and all."
Her face looked sour, like she had just swallowed a lemon. She took a deep breath and looked at him, expression apologetic. "I know it's really confusing but that's just the way things turned out. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just thought you'd like a taste of a normal life, cause you've got a lot ahead of you." She looked up into his face, which was now half-hidden in shadow. "Harry?"
"Y-your father was Sirius," he repeated dumbly.
"Yes, Harry. I'm Sirius Black's daughter by blood." She said quickly, as if saying the words hurt her. "But he's dead now. You saw it happen, so no use crying over spilled milk, right? I never even knew him, so it's not like I lost anything." She shrugged as if it were nothing.
Harry gaped at her as if she was insane. "Sirius was a GREAT man. Don't talk about him like he didn't mean anything to anyone because HE DID. You should be proud to have him as you father."
He launched into a whole speech about Sirius, even standing up and pacing in front of the fire, once in a while shooting Caitlin dirty looks like she should be ashamed of herself. The whole time, the girl kept staring at the fire, taking small bites of her smore and looking like she knew she should just be quiet and let him finish.
Almost an hour later, Harry collapsed onto the sand, looking exhausted but happy that he had gotten all that about Sirius off his chest. Caitlin tossed him a canteen of hot chocolate and he gratefully took a huge gulp.
"Thanks," he said, avoiding her stare. Now that he knew she had a little bit of Sirius in her, he didn't want to look into those eyes, now afraid that he would see his godfather staring at him through them.
"I'm surprised you can even talk after that," Caitlin commented. She looked nervous about something but Harry hadn't noticed because he was still avoiding looking at her. "I know I ruined your last night here in St. Barts, but there's one more thing I have to tell you."
"Oh, what could be more fun than finding out a girl you like is actually a half-vampire and your dead godfather's once-removed daughter or something sent to guard you from Voldemort." Harry said sarcastically.
Caitlin looked at him sadly. "You have a reason to be mad because I lied to you, and I accept that and apologize for it. If you're still mad at me later, I'll just pass by your cabana before you leave and give you a paper with everything you need to know on it. Have fun tonight, Harry." She left, leaving nothing but footprints in the sand.