Chapter 23 Burnt Offerings

"Hermione, do you have any idea what sort of spell they could be using to do this?" Harry asked

"Hold on Harry, now you see her too" Ron said incredulously "have you both lost it?"

Ignoring Ron, Hermione answered "No. I think I may have come across a reference to something like it when I was studying. But I've never actually seen any spell that would let them do this."

Harry looked out at them again. Cat looked almost as if she were dancing, the way she wove herself in and out of the enemy, using her entire body when she struck. Harry was mesmerized by it, there was a savage beauty to what they were doing, a rhythm of sorts. It was the sound that struck Harry the most, every time Cat swung he heard her cry out. He wasn't sure if it was a scream or some strange song, but it made his insides feel funny.

Harry heard a different sound now, he looked over to the teachers, it was Professor McGonagall, she had called out to Remus and Cat, he didn't even know McGonagall could do that. Looking back to Remus and Cat he knew they heard her. They looked at each other and nodded, Remus grabbed the nearest deatheater while Cat ducked low, Remus rolled him over his hip and into the dementors. The dementors poured onto the deatheater, devouring his soul, as Cat grabbed Remus's hand and began to fight her way to where McGonagall and Dumbledore were waiting for them.

Harry's stomach began churning again when he saw what was happening, apparently the remaining deatheaters decided they would take out Remus and Cat on their way back to the school. They ran towards Cat and Remus, wands out, trying to hit them with curses. Cat and Remus looked at each other for a moment and quickly dropped and rolled in opposite directions, catching a few deatheaters between them. Without hesitation Cat quickly regained her feet and crying out, swung her sword, decapitating the closest deatheater, his head was still rolling as she stuck the sword through the belly of the second one, while Remus used a curse to kill the remaining deatheater. Harry was going to be sick, he couldn't comprehend how they could do this, he knew they were trying to protect the school, protect him, but he had never actually thought they were capable of killing. He looked up at them again, more deatheater and dementors were trying to stop them from reaching the school. He didn't want to watch, yet he couldn't tear his eyes away, he was too afraid of what might happen to them.

Suddenly Harry felt a hand on his shoulder, turning around he was shocked to see Snape.

"That is enough Mr. Potter. She would not want you to witness this." Snape said softly, almost gently, Harry was sure he saw something deep inside Severus's eyes for a moment. "Miss MacLeod is doing what she feels is necessary, nothing more" Harry watched Snape's face as he looked out over the field, he could see the concern in his eyes.

"Will they be alright?" Harry asked hesitantly, he wasn't sure when the old Snape would be returning.

"I have no way of knowing that Mr. Potter" Snape's face seemed to paled even more "Only she knows for certain."

"Only she knows" Harry repeated back, he was starting to shake a little.

"The spells that she is using take a tremendous amount of energy, and she is protecting Lupin as well" he answered slowly "I have no idea if her heart can take it. You should go with your friends, back to the tower."

Harry closed his eyes tightly trying not to cry in front of Snape. Harry couldn't leave without knowing if Cat and Remus would be alright, if they would survive. "I can't, Cat and Remus..."

Severus was getting tired of this, "Mr. Potter, if you must insist on disobeying me. At least have the sense to be intelligent about it." Harry looked up to see Snape looking over to the teachers, Cat and Remus had almost made their way back to them. What was left of the deatheaters was standing in front of Dumbledore threateningly. Harry quickly ran over to join Dumbledore and the others.

Remus looked over at the teachers and saw Harry standing with them "Hey Cat, it looks like our little man didn't listen after all." he looked around and quickly surveyed their situation "I think we had better get over there and join them. Now"

"Fine by me. Do you want to lead, or shall I ?" she looked over herself, more deatheaters, and the tall one seemed familiar to her,... no point in taking chances. "Lets get going." This time it was Remus who grabbed her hand as they quickly burst across the 10 meters or so of space between them and Harry.

"Harry, are you alright" Remus asked anxiously as Cat took her position up front by Dumbledore, "I thought you were told to stay in the tower."

"I know, but I couldn't just sit there when everyone else was helping, this is because of me." Harry answered sincerely.

"I understand how you feel Harry. But unless you want to see Cat or you godfather skin me alive, next time we tell you to stay, please, stay" Remus was only half-smiling, his attention had been caught by the conversation taking place between Albus and the tall deatheater. "I've got to get back to her, Harry."

"Voldemort can go himself,.. mock the devil," MacLeod snarled "he doesn't hold any power here." her eyes were flashing furiously. Holding her blood covered sword in front of her, she was making sure she kept herself between them and Harry. It was obvious no one was going to get through her, not even the dementors were trying now. Harry was amazed at the difference in her, not 6 hours ago he was afraid she was going to die, and now, she was positively possessed. Remus was almost as bad, they were standing there, shoulder to shoulder, Remus with a wand, and MacLeod with a sword, he wasn't sure who was more deadly. But he sure knew who looked scarier, Cat was covered in blood, human and dementor. She must have given up trying to wipe if off some time ago, Remus had some splatters on him, but nothing nearly so bad as her. It was giving Harry the heebee geebeez just to look at her, although he hoped desperately that it wasn't any of her own blood.

Harry surveyed the damage around him. Amazingly almost none of the teachers or students had been seriously hurt, but where was all the blood coming from, she was dripping in it. Harry looked beyond Cat and Remus into the gloom, he couldn't comprehend what he saw. Bodies - dozens of them, some whole, some in pieces, his mind flashed quickly to the dementor that attacked him. Cat had done that, she had killed it, she cut off its head, Harry went a bit numb after that. He just couldn't imagine her being able to do something so brutal, she was always so gentle to him, even to Snape. He needed to think about something else, his mind just wasn't ready to think about this.......

Just then Dumbledore stepped next to Cat, she relaxed slightly and waited for him to speak. "It is time that you surrender, nothing more will be gained by dying. Please, let us end this now." he spoke calmly and firmly, as if he had just asked them to tea, the deatheater laughed at him.

"Do you really think you can stop the Dark Lord, old man. You and that Sidhe bch of yours?" the deatheater replied.

"What's wrong Malfoy, getting scared?" Cat replied venomously "Or have you forgotten what happened to you last time you crossed me?"

Harry's ears pricked up. Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy. She wasn't serious, he wouldn't be bold enough to show up here, even if his face was covered. Surely Dumbledore would realize it was him.

"Well aren't we confident." Malfoy sneered at Cat "Last time I saw you, you were sobbing your eyes out. Not exactly much of a threat."

"Tell that to the ones who won't be going home tonight..... Lucy" she took her time pronouncing that last word. Waiting to see his reaction.

Malfoy pulled back his hood, to make sure MacLeod could see his face clearly "When Lord Voldemort arrives, I will personally make sure you are witness to Potter's death. Then I will take great pleasure in killing you myself."

Cat looked him right in the eyes, took a deep breath, and laughed at him. "You fool, you have to be goaded by a woman to show your face, and you think you have any power at all?" The next line she spoke was without humour and clear as a bell "You have made powerful enemies here tonight, you have attacked me, and my child. My clan will respond in kind, you have already lost."

"Hand over Potter you bch. Or I will get him myself" he raised his wand as if to attack her. However, Cat refused to back down, Harry was afraid she might actually launch herself at Malfoy. He had never seen anyone so angry in his life, even Sirius didn't have this much anger towards Pettigrew. It had gotten so intense even Remus had taken a few steps back towards Harry, sensing the malice between them.

Malfoy pointed his wand at Cat and screamed CRUCIO.

Cat stood her ground, refusing to move out of the way of the curse. At the last minute she raised her sword, and sang out a strange word while using the silvery blade to reflect the curse back on Malfoy. His body stiffened and hung in the air for a few moments before he hit the ground with a thud. Malfoy laid there for a little before shaking himself back to reality.

Harry was impressed by the pure hatred on Malfoy's face. He had never seen such a look of pure evil on a human before, his face seemed contorted by it. Harry watched as Cat quickly glanced behind her to make sure everyone was still safe, her eyes paused for a moment on him, before she returned her attention back to Malfoy.

Malfoy was back on his feet again, he began to yell his next curse AVADA.....

"Are you really sure you want to try THAT one on me...." Cat whispered, as Malfoy froze mid curse, his eyes were staring widely at Cat.

The more Harry saw, the more he realized the truth about what Cat had told him earlier, since her knowledge was considered forbidden no one here knew what she could do. In the depth of his soul Malfoy had doubts as to whether the curse would even work on her. She had faked him out, even Harry knew if you doubted the spell, it was worthless, it would either fizzle or return to you. That was the first thing every new student learned.

"No" Malfoy said coldly, "I have something more interesting planned for you." he quickly stepped out of the way as the creatures Cat told Dumbledore about approached.

Harry carefully made his way up to where Dumbledore was standing, the teachers seemed nervous about the creatures approaching them. Harry looked over to Cat and Remus, they were looking intently at each other, it seemed like they were having a conversation, even though neither of them had spoken a word. Without warning Cat turned and looked right into Harry's eyes, he felt a strange tingling going down his spine, he thought he heard her voice saying his name, but he didn't know if she had actually spoken. She turned back to Remus and jerked her head in Harry's direction. Remus put his hand on her shoulder and gave her a kiss on her cheek as he headed over to Harry.

"Come on Harry, she wants you out of here." Remus said sternly.

"But why, what are those things?" Harry could only just begin to make out the shapes heading towards them. Dark and lumpy, or maybe shaggy was a better word, they didn't seem to have a particular shape per say, but the smell was horrible.

"Now Harry, inside with everyone else." Remus said again as some of the teachers began to walk inside the school as well.

Albus had begun rounding up teachers and the older students and sending them inside. Soon Dumbledore, McGonagall, Hagrid and Cat were the only ones left outside. "Remus, what's going on, why are they still out there?"

"Relax Harry, they know what they're doing, Dumbledore had this planned since Cat told him what she saw." Remus assured him.

"But what are they, and why do they smell so bad?" Harry had notice that Snape had walked up next to them.

"They're ghouls Harry. They are nasty, vicious and very hard to kill." Remus replied flatly.

"Then they're going to need help, we can't leave them out there to face those things." Harry couldn't believe that Remus would even think of leaving them alone.

Two hands landed on Harry's shoulders simultaneously. Remus on the right and Severus on the left. "Harry, they know what to do. Stop and think for a moment." Remus said gently "Dumbledore, McGonagall, Hagrid and Cat. Not exactly an easy team to beat. Each of them know exactly what they need to do." he finished as more teachers came over to watch.

Albus Dumbledore stood calmly looking out at the approaching ghouls, luckily Cat was correct in her assumptions. They were being distracted by the remains left on the grounds, and they did have a long standing history of not working well together in large groups. Albus had to smile, she had really come into her own. She certainly wasn't the vulnerable child he had remembered, she had all of her father's strengths; resourceful, honourable, powerful, clever. Add that with her mother's ancient blood and kindness, it was obvious she would truly become a force to be reckoned with one day. Luckily she had her mothers temperament, she only became this angry when the people she loved where in danger, aside from that, she was a loving, caring person who would do anything for her friends.

"Albus, anytime you're ready" Cat said, pulling him out of his memories.

"Cat, are you quite sure about this" McGonagall questioned "ghouls are notoriously hard to kill. I don't want anyone getting hurt."

Cat looked over to McGonagall and smiled sweetly "Now Tanta Minnie, you know as well as I do, fire will kill pretty near anything."

McGonagall grimaced at her, "Tanta,...didn't we discuss this earlier, as long as we are at school, I am Professor McGonagall to you." she couldn't help but smile, she had forgotten about the nickname Cat's father had given her. She looked over to see Dumbledore smiling at them. "Well you heard her Professor. Shall we begin?"

"Yes, it is time." Albus gave one last look over the grounds, the ghouls were definitely close enough now, he looked over to Cat and Minerva who nodded back "Hagrid, release them now."

"Yes sir Professor Dumbledore" Hagrid yelled back as he let go of the chains he had been holding the drakes back with.

The drakes made a horrendous sound as they rushed towards Cat, it was something between yelping and screeching. Cat thrust her sword into the ground and took off running towards the ghouls, the drakes running behind her every step of the way. She narrowly missed the first group of ghouls as she slid to a stop and turned left, most of the drakes followed her, but one stayed behind snapping and belching at the ghouls lighting one on fire. She repeated this manoeuvre several times, until all the drakes were kept busy.

She looked back at Albus and Minerva and waved to them, as she avoided the blows of the ghouls. She gave a quick wink to Hagrid, he was so worried about his drakes, it made her smile, he was just so darn sweet. Sprinting back towards the school, Cat gave out a strange cry, it was a song of some sort, wild and unfettered. The drakes immediately turned to her and began chasing her again, Albus and Minerva made sure they gave her plenty of room as she bolted past them, grabbing her sword with the drakes close behind her.

Albus turned to Minerva, in unison they raised their wands and spoke INCENDIA, as Cat pointed her sword towards them and yelled S'FERIS PROTECUS. A bright silvery shield appeared in front of the professors as their spell hit the ghouls; fuelled by the sulphuric belching of the drakes, the entire field had caught fire, torching the remaining ghouls.

Hagrid was practically crying with joy as the drakes surrounded Cat and began to jump up on her, mewling and yelping for her attention. "O, jes look at em. They luv ther mummy don they"

Cat had been knocked over by the drakes at this point, and she was laughing madly as Remus opened the school door and ran out to her, with Harry hot on his heels. "Remus, help......it tickles....please, make them stop.." Remus had a hard time pushing the drakes back, some of them had grown to the size of a St. Bernard now, and the smaller ones kept flapping on top of Harry as he tired to help. Remus, finally reaching Cat, grabbed her arm and pulled her out from the thick of them.

"Well, at least they cleaned you up some" Remus laughed as Cat wiped the drool off of her.

"Very funny Lupy, next time, YOU play Mummy." she smirked at him as they made their way back to the school. They had only just gotten inside the door when Cat saw Professor Snape.

"Severus, you're hurt" Cat said, Harry heard the compassion in her voice again, now he was completely confused, 15 minutes ago she was slaughtering dozens of people, granted not very nice people, but still. And now she was fussing over a burn, what was wrong with her?

As Severus turned to assure MacLeod he was fine, his voice stuck in his throat, in all the excitement he hadn't really noticed before. "I am fine Miss MacLeod. However you... look.... a bit cold" he stuttered as he remove his cloak.

"No, I'm fine. But you need to get that looked at, its very deep." she continued completely oblivious to the stares she was getting.

"Kitty, I think Severus is right. ....It really is getting cold out." Remus chimed in "really, really getting cold" Remus couldn't believe he didn't realize before this. She never had chance to change, she was still in her nightgown, must have been a nice one to, at least before the battle. Sky blue with lace inserts, the spaghetti straps were a nice touch, luckily it wasn't what you would call sheer. Not exactly solid, mind you, but it left just enough to the imagination. Add that to her bare feet and her hair hanging down her back, well...it was putting a smile on everyone's face, that much was certain.

Cat was looking back from Severus to Remus trying to figure out what was wrong with the two of them, when Albus caught her eye. He was grinning hysterically while raising his eyes skyward, for just a moment he looked into her eyes and winked. Cat paused a moment and looked down and became very, very red. "Now that you mention it, it is getting a bit nippy." she was so embarrassed, she had no idea how "undressed" she was.

Severus wrapped his cloak around her as he, Remus and Harry walked towards the hospital wing. Cat was still a bit red over the whole thing, and Remus was not letting her off the hook without some jabs. "So Kitty Cat, nice choice in sleepwear, expecting someone tonight were you?"

Cat tried to ignore him and walked on but he just wasn't letting up.

"Or maybe it was a gift, hmmm wonder who would give her something like that?" Remus said smiling sweetly while blinking his eyes in a vain attempt to look innocent. Harry had begun to laugh out loud now, the look on Cat's face was priceless, he could tell she was trying not to laugh, but becoming very embarrassed at the same time.

Snape gave Remus a warning look, but he was not stopping. Remembering the item he had picked up earlier Severus turned to Cat. "Catri, I believe you dropped this earlier this evening. You may find it useful right now." he said as he looked pointedly at Remus.

Cat took the scabbard from Severus, its jewels glittered in the torchlight as she ran her hands over it. "Thank you Severus, I wasn't sure if I was coming back for it." she said softly.

"Or maybe the silk faeries decided to knit her a new nightie, just for tonight" Remus was still joking with Harry. Cat looked at Severus and cocked her head, Severus smiled slightly at her as she brought the scabbard back behind her, and swinging it like a cricket bat, struck Remus square on the bum. Eliciting a yelp from her friend.

"Watch it with that thing Kitty, you know I have an allergy to silver" Remus joked as he rubbed his backside, hurrying out of her way, just in case.

After they had been thoroughly checked over by Madame Pomfrey. Remus, Harry and Cat were free to go, Severus needed to stay overnight while his wounds healed. As everyone was saying their goodnights Cat turned to Harry.

"You and I young man, lets go, we need to talk" Cat said sternly to Harry