I apologize for the funky bold face, it is supposed to respresent Snuffles thinking to himself, on my website I used another colour, but I don't have that option available to me here.
Chapter 24 First Quidditch Match
Remus gave him a sympathetic look as Cat grabbed Harry's hand and walked out of the hospital wing. They were headed for the astronomy tower, Cat felt the fresh air would do them both some good, she had the distinct feeling that this was going to get heated. Pointing at the benches, she motioned for Harry to sit.
"Harry, exactly what did you think you where doing out there tonight? Albus and I both told you that you needed to stay inside with the other students. Was there some part of that you didn't understand?" Cat began, she was irritated at his behaviour, and worried sick about what could have happened. "Don't you realize how dangerous a situation that was, you nearly got yourself killed. What in the name of heaven were you thinking?"
He didn't say anything, his cheeks just became very red. Harry looked up at her, he wanted to be angry at her for treating him like he was a child, but he could see in her eyes how worried she was. "I just wanted to help." he said quietly as he looked back down at the floor.
Cat closed her eyes and paused for a moment. "Harry, helping is a good thing, but this had nothing to do with helping. This was you wilfully ignoring the wishes of your teachers, we told you to stay inside for very good reasons, and you chose to disobey." Goddess, how she hated being the disciplinarian, she would rather hug him and tell him how glad she was he was alive and still among them. "Harry, look at me. I want an honest answer from you. Why did you disobey?"
"I don't know, I just needed to do something. Its my fault he attacked the school in the first place. If it weren't for me he would leave everyone else alone. If it weren't for me, Cedric would still be alive, and my mother and father....."
"Stop right there Harry." Cat sat down next to him. She wanted to make sure he was listening to what she was saying. Taking his face in her hand, she looked him directly in the eyes. "You did nothing to cause this. The deaths that have surrounded you are not your fault, I know you have a hard time believing that some days, but you have never contributed to anyone's death."
"Not even Cedric?" Harry's voice was full of pain, as he remembered the last few minutes of Cedric's life.
"NO." Cat's voice pulled Harry out of his thoughts. "Stop reliving it Harry, it doesn't help anyone." she could see the tears in his eyes "That was not your fault Harry, nobody could have stopped that."
"I should have been able to, he didn't deserve that." Harry's tears were rolling down his cheeks, he removed his glasses and wiped his face with his sleeve "He should still be here, with us, with his family."
Cat's heart was breaking for him, she knew how hard it was to accept the harsh ways of fate "Harry, you did the best you could. That's all anyone can ever ask from you, including yourself." she hugged him tightly, "You can't fix the world Harry, believe me, others have tried. And you cannot blame yourself for the actions of others. Voldemort chose his own path. He chose to destroy instead of create. You are not responsible for that. You are living with the result of what he has done; you have never been the cause of it." she lifted his face to hers again "Please, Harry, never ever believe that any of this is your fault, none of this is because of you, its because of him."
Harry couldn't take it anymore, he kept trying to hold everything in, to be strong like people expected. But the way Cat spoke to him, he knew she understood what he was going through, he started to sob openly as he flung his arms around her. "I know, but its so hard, so many people have died."
Cat wrapped her arms protectively around Harry, it was heartbreaking to see someone so young have to suffer through this, she stroked his hair as she tried to comfort him. "Shh Harry, its alright, let it out"
After several minutes Harry had calmed down enough to start talking again. "I am sorry I didn't listen. But I didn't know what else to do, I feel so helpless sometimes."
"I understand Harry. And the feeling of helplessness is a very hard one to accept, but sometimes there is no choice." she could sympathize completely with him, she hated that feeling as well. "Just remember that you are surrounded by people who love you, and when we tell you to do something, it is for your own good. We don't want to lose you Harry."
She sounded just like Sirius, he had to smile at her. "So when Snape gives me all those detentions, its because he loves me?" he asked sarcastically.
"I honestly don't know why he's so hard on you Harry. But I do know he cares enough about you to risk his own life to save you." she reminded him gently.
"Cat, why did Snape protect me like that, was it because of you?" he asked sincerely.
"Harry, what do you mean why. Why wouldn't he? And he has been protecting you in far more ways than you may realize." Cat seemed surprised by his question "Just be thankful he was there to do something, he was told to stay away as well, if any of the surviving deatheaters saw him helping you.... Well lets just say you are both extremely lucky to be alive and leave it at that."
"About that Cat, you where the one who actually saved us, weren't you?" she nodded yes. "Its not that I'm ungrateful, but,..... well....didn't it bother you to kill all those people like that, I mean I know they were evil and all, but still to actually kill someone. You seemed so angry." Harry was hoping she wouldn't be angry with him for asking her this.
Cat paused for a moment, she had been waiting for him to ask her this, actually she would have been concerned if he hadn't. "Yes, Harry it does bother me, but it would bother me more to do nothing, and by doing nothing allow the deaths of those I love. I hope you don't think it cold of me Harry, but I do what I feel is necessary to protect the people I care for, and if that means I have to kill, then I will. And as for my anger, they were trying to hurt innocent people, most of whom are children, I was beyond angry."
Harry could see she was telling him the truth, but it was still so hard to accept. He knew her as a kind, gentle person who liked to laugh and play pranks, not as someone who could kill in cold blood. "Aren't you worried that people will turn on you, you know, think you've changed or something?" It was Harry's greatest fear, that people would abandon him, turn on him if he went too far, just like Fudge had.
"Harry, the only thing that has changed about me is other people's perspectives, I am the same person I was yesterday, last week, last year. Some people with think I am pure evil, with absolutely no conscious or morals, others will consider me a hero." Cat said in all honesty "But I, myself, have not changed. And I refuse to be responsible for other peoples beliefs."
Harry was amazed, she really didn't care what people were going to say. She seemed so sure of herself, he wished he had her confidence. He wanted to asks her something else, but it seemed so silly compared to everything that had happened tonight.
"You look like you still have something on your mind sweetie, anything else you want to ask?"
"Kinda, but it seems pretty silly right now." Cat just looked at him and smiled. "Well, okay, its just something that you said tonight. I understand what you told Voldemort to do but... "mock the devil" what was that supposed to mean?"
Cat turned slightly red "Oh, yeah....sorry about the language, sometimes I lose my temper, goes with the hair I guess" she had forgotten about that "As for 'mock the devil'. It means you give him no power over you, like when you use Ridikulous on the boggarts, same thing. He's no more or no less than you or I, so I mock his arrogance. And in doing so, diminish his power over me, and hopefully you..."
Harry liked that idea, he'd have to remember it, actually he seemed to remember almost everything Cat said to him. If only it would be that easy in his classes. He smiled up at her, and wiped his face again. He liked being able to talk to her like this, she understood so much of what he was going through.
"Are you ready to go back now sweetie?" Cat asked him gently, Harry nodded yes as Cat handed him his glasses "You need to get a lot of rest, isn't the match in a day or two?"
Harry had almost forgotten about the match "Yes, Saturday. Remus said you were coming." Sirius said he was coming to, but Harry thought it best not to mention that right now. "Are you coming with Remus or Snape?" he asked and innocently as possible.
"Why with Remus of course, I used to be in Gryffindor, there is no way I'd sit with Slytherin at a Quidditch match." she seemed shocked Harry needed to ask.
"Uhmmm, Cat?" Harry wasn't sure how to ask the next question.
"Uhmmmm, Harry?" she mimic his tone.
Shooting her a wise-acre smile, Harry decided to go for broke "Are you and Remus, you know....I mean were you....'together' or anything?"
Cat just looked at Harry, she couldn't believe he was asking her this "No Harry, Remus and I are not 'together' we are very close friends and have been for a long, long time."
"So Remus wasn't the friend my mother was fixing you up with..." Harry was hoping to get her to say Sirius's name, he wanted to see if she remembered him, without breaking his word to Remus.
"Well someone's a bit too inquisitive about my love life....what are you trying to do, marry me off to someone." she tussled his hair again, laughing at the fact he would even ask such questions.
She has no idea how right she is, Harry thought to himself "I hope you know you're the only one who gets away with that" he told her light-heartedly as he attempted to flatten out his hair.
"I know, I used to do the same thing James constantly, drove him mad." she was so glad Harry was handling tonight so well, she was terrified that seeing something so brutal would scar him forever, she hoped she had done the right thing talking to him about it. "Well here we are. Get straight to bed, you still have classes tomorrow. And no late night discussions about tonight, if you please" she called after him as he disappeared into the common room…..
The morning of the first Quidditch match was beautifully clear, if somewhat cold. Harry and Ron were giddy with anticipation. Quickly shovelling down their breakfast as they went over the plays that they would be using against Hufflepuff.
"Harry, don't worry. We'll win this one easy." Fred said calmly "Hufflepuff hasn't had a decent season in three years."
"Still I really want this to go without any hitches" Harry said distractedly.
"Yeah, and why is that? You looking to impress someone in particular?" Angelina had come over now, she grabbed a seat between the twins and began discussing the game with them.
"Yeah Harry," Ron asked "what's going on, are you trying to impress someone?"
"Shhh, Miss MacLeod is going to be there today with Remus" Harry whispered, hoping the twins had stopped paying attention to him.
"So, why should that matter. She likes Quidditch already, she told us so in class, remember." Ron told him matter-of-factly.
"I know Ron" Harry was getting irritated "but Sirius is supposed to be here to. I want everything to go perfect, maybe if they both come over at the same time to talk to us after the game....well you know. It would just be better if we win, that's all."
Ron was looking at Harry like he had lost his mind, "What does that have to do with anything? And why do you care what happens when MacLeod and Snuffles see each other?"
"I just do, alright" Harry said angrily as he got up to go to the locker room to change.
"Oy, Ron, what's wrong with him" George yelled.
Shaking his head Ron replied "No idea. Something about Miss MacLeod I think." they quickly finished their breakfast and followed Harry to the locker rooms….
Sirius had finally woken up, he hadn't gotten in until right before dawn and Albus had been relieved to see him. Apparently their had been some trouble at the school the night before and someone had alluded to the fact that he may not be among the living any longer. It worried him that Dumbledore refused to tell him what sort of trouble, simply said it had been taken care of and no students had been harmed in anyway. He hated when Dumbledore did that, he hated it even more that it was too late to check in on Harry, he needed to see with his own eyes that Harry was fine. Its not that he doubted Albus, but Harry was his responsibility, he was like his own flesh and blood and he missed him terribly.
Grabbing a towel Sirius quickly headed towards the private bath in Dumbledore's office. It felt so good to take a real bath after being on the road for so long, it was amazing how something so simple could lift your spirits. Sirius plunged into the water, enjoying the sensation of the warm water on his skin. Soap, he hadn't seen that in ages. He had to laugh at himself, he used to be concerned with making sure he looked good, now, he was happy just to be clean. With any luck he could make himself presentable and get to Harry before the match started. Then he needed to find Remus, his last parchment didn't make much sense, something about needed to speak with him about the past. Good luck Moony, his memory was a bit sketchy in places after dealing with the dementors for so long, but luckily a few reminders seemed to bring most of it back.
Seeing the clock against the wall, Sirius quickly finished his bath and towelled off. Wouldn't do to be late to the game, he wanted to wish Harry luck, not that he'd need it of course. He had James' talent, Gryffindor would surely win the cup this year, provided their wasn't anymore trouble. Sirius sighed deeply, it wasn't fair that Harry had to go through so much, he was only 15, life shouldn't be this hard for him. Shouldn't be that hard for anyone, it was to much to ask. Sirius decided that this year thing would have to change, he would find Pettigrew and clear his name no matter what, then Harry could come live with him, with someone who loved him, instead of those horrible muggles. He still couldn't believe that woman was related to Lily.......
"Come on Kitty Cat, you want to get a good seat don't you?" Remus said grinning happily. She had certainly dressed for the day, found her old Gryffindor scarf and all. Of course she had it wrapped around her head like a hood, she always did that, she hated the wind blowing in her ears. And luckily she had worn her heavy coat, he had to admit, she looked good in it, fitted her just right, buttoned tightly at the middle, showing off her curves. He hoped Sirius would notice it as well when he showed up.
"Don't call me that" she reminded him as she gave him a playful punch in his arm "and do you really think I'm going to be doing much sitting,.... really."
"Oh that's right, you were our one woman cheering squad, weren't you" he laughed, remembering how caught up in the game she got. Of course it helped that three of her best friends were on the team.
"Hey, that's Lily's little boy out there, it is my duty to cheer him on to the best of my abilities." she replied taking his arm.
"And we all know how seriously you take your duty, right." he laughed, she was completely wound up just waiting for the match to begin.
Cat stuck her tongue out at Remus and smiled widely "You going to start picking on me already, old man. 'Cuz you know I can take you on." she tried to keep a straight face but ended up giggling as Remus pretended she had punched him in the belly, and he was going down for the count.
Grabbing Remus by his arm Cat pulled him back to his feet trying to make him stop the dramatics "Just make sure you don't topple over the banister this time Miss MacLeod" Remus was laughing "I'm not sure that I can catch you twice."
Remus remembered that day clearly, Cat had been cheering Gryffindor on in her usual animated style, much to the delight of her house, and the team. Lucius Malfoy had made several dangerously close swoops towards her, but she ignored him completely, making him even more angry. The fact that Gryffindor was leading by 80 points didn't help much. As Lily had scored yet another goal, and Cat was cheering her on, Lucius had hurled a curse at her. Luckily it had missed her, but the force of it launched her over the banister, Remus had never remembered moving so fast in his life. He had thrown himself over the banister and just caught her hand as she screamed for help.
'Brother' James had seen the whole thing happen, he flew across the pitch, grabbed Cat, caught the quaffle on the way, scored another goal for the team, and dropped her into Remus's waiting arms without breaking a stride. It had been amazing, Cat had looked a bit dazed, but outside of that completely fine. Slytherin had actually tried to have James disqualified for that manoeuvre, but McGonagall wasn't hearing any of it. Nothing in the rules against it, if only one of the teachers had seen what Malfoy had done. Remus knew the exact moment James had told Sirius and Lily. He thought Lily was going to kill Malfoy right there, and Sirius had suddenly developed a tendency to beat the bludgers at Malfoy's head.
"Why such a wide smile suddenly, acushla?" she adored it when he smiled like that, it let her know that he was truly content.
"Just remembering you and 'brother' James. I had almost forgotten how you and Lily used to harass him." Remus's eyes were misting a little at the thought of their past happiness "Who's idea was that anyway 'brother' James?"
"Who do you think? I have enough of my own, I didn't exactly need another" Cat laughed remembering how Lily had insisted that James might just as well start treating her like a sister now, because they were going to be related soon anyway. "It started out as a joke, because she wouldn't stop reminding him that we were going to be related. Guess it just became natural after a while. Heaven knows he lived up to it though."…
Sirius was waiting for Harry outside of the locker room, wagging his tail impatiently. He couldn't wait to see his godson, it had been far too long. Looking around the pitch as he waited, he found the teacher's box easily, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and most of the other teachers were there, but he didn't see Remus. There was no way Moony would miss seeing Harry play, he was almost as close to Harry as he was.
"Snuffles!" Sirius turned around quickly to see Harry's friend Ron. "Man is it good to see you. Harry's been waiting for you for days." Sirius licked Ron's hand and barked a little "Oh, yeah. I'll go get him."
Harry came running out shortly, already in his uniform. "Snuffles!!" Harry was on his knees hugging his godfather tightly, as Sirius licked his face. "You finally made it. I was afraid something had happened." Sirius barked happily, he was so relieve to see Harry, he looked good, actually it looked like he had grown some as well. "Hey Snuffles, have you seen Remus yet?" Harry asked him "He has a surprise for you." Harry was grinning from ear to ear.
Judging from the look on Harry's face, it must be some surprise, Sirius thought. As Harry left to rejoin the team, Sirius gave him one last lick and rushed over to the stands to get a good look at the match. He was still scanning the stands for anyone he recognized, when he noticed Snape. Oh great, he's still here Sirius thought, obnoxious prat, he better not be giving Harry any trouble this year Sirius watched as Snape looked through the stands as well wonder what he's looking for, better not be me his fur was actually starting to bristle. His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of the whistle, signalling the start of the match.
The game started off well, but Sirius could tell Hufflepuff was completely outclassed. There was no way they could hold their own against the Gryffindor team, Sirius suddenly realized that Ron had joined his brothers on the team this year. Harry must be thrilled, he and Ron were great friends. As Gryffindor scored another goal, Sirius's attention was drawn to the Gryffindor stands, brother, were they wound up today. Looking closely he saw Remus, so that's where he's been hiding. Hello, who does he have with him, Sirius couldn't believe his eyes, Remus had a girlfriend. Fabulous. It was about time he found someone Sirius was thrilled for his friend.
Sirius moved along the stands to get a better view of Remus and his new girlfriend I wonder how serious it is between them, I can't believe he didn't say anything to me Sirius trotted swiftly along the border of the pitch, trying to draw as little attention as possible to himself. Looking back up at Gryffindor he watched Remus and his girlfriend Well she's definitely Gryffindor, and man does she have the stands wound up he wished he could get Remus's attention. Sirius watched as Remus put his arm around the woman's shoulder and pointed to Harry. Smooth move Moony, but you should have gone for her waist, amateur! Sirius looked up to see exactly what Remus was pointing to, Harry had caught sight of the snitch, but apparently lost it again. Come on Moony, keep going. Man I wish she'd take that scarf off, I can't wait to see what she looks like Sirius quickly jumped to his feet as he noticed Severus Snape making his way towards them. What does that stupid git think he's doing, he doesn't belong anywhere near the Gryffindor stand. Sirius watched carefully as Snape walked up to the woman and began talking to her, Remus rolled his eyes a little but nothing else. At least he still had his arm around her shoulder, not that Snape would have enough sense to know that meant stay away. Sirius's fur bristled again as he remembered the way Snape had tried to step in on him. The idiot has no sense at all.
Remus was still trying to find Sirius, Harry had signalled to him to let him know that Sirius had made it here safely. But trying to find a dog a in all of these people was not easy, even a large black one, Sirius had far too much experience keeping himself hidden. He hoped that when Sirius saw Cat he wouldn't get to excited and transform accidentally. And of course there was Cat, he wasn't even sure if Sirius had told her he was an animangus, and if he did, would she immediately put that together with the dog. His nerves were shot already, and he hadn't even gotten the two of them together in the same room.
"Hey Lupy, what's wrong, you seem pre-occupied, why aren't you cheering with the rest of us" Cat said teasing him again. Remus looked behind him to see Gryffindor house chanting in unison, complete with arm movements. Sweet mother of pearl, she had them under her control already, he had to laugh at her. She was without a doubt the most powerful witch he had ever known, she could do things that defied explanation, and what did she do with that power? Try to rule the world, create a vast financial empire, heavens no, that would be too mundane for her sensibilities. She decides to travel across the globe learning even more, and ends up back at Hogwarts as Harry's personal cheering squad. It was just too funny, she was too sweet to describe. Sirius had to remember her like this as well, he had to have the courage to tell her how much he loved her. Forget the last two weeks of their relationship and remember all the rest.
"Cat, look Harry's seen something" Remus put his arm around Cat's shoulder and turned her to where he was pointing, "I think he saw the snitch" Remus watched as Cat's pretty green eyes quickly spotted Harry and another smile spread across her face. "Oh Remus, I hope he finds it, but I don't want the game to end already." he returned her smile. Please oh please, let this go well, let Sirius have some happiness in his life.
"Something have you distracted today, Professor Lupin" Remus's thought were interrupted by Severus Snape. He should have realized something was wrong when the students suddenly became quiet.
"Severus, what a surprise. I didn't think you would ever come to Gryffindor's stand." Remus refused to move his arm off of Cat's shoulder, he didn't want Snape doing something to ruin this already.
"Obviously" Snape replied, staring at Lupin's arm. "I came to see if Miss MacLeod was enjoying herself."
"I'm having a wonderful time Severus. And to top it off, Gryffindor is going to win." she was simply thrilled, and it showed.
Remus saw Harry looking over at them with a scowl on his face. Remus rolled his eyes back at Harry, he knew how he felt, he was half tempted to toss Severus over the banister himself. Harry made a very close pass and got their attention. Cat just laughed, thinking it was Harry's way of saying hi, Severus was not amused, not that that was a shock to anyone.
"So Miss MacLeod, if you are so certain that Gryffindor will win, perhaps you would like to place a wager on the game." Severus asked.
"Severus, since when do you like giving away money" Cat replied "there is no way Hufflepuff is going to pull this one off, not now."
Circe love her, she could say just about anything to Snape and he would just smile at her like some love struck goon. Remus couldn't stop himself from laughing out loud.
"Something amusing, Mr. Lupin" Snape said as he glared at Remus.
"What, oh no, nothing, just thinking of a joke" Remus said as innocently as he could.
"You're on Severus, though for the life of me I can't figure out why you would place a losing bet." Cat said as she unbuttoned her coat to get to her purse as one of the Weasley twins paused by her.
"Oy, Miss MacLeod. Is he botherin' you?" Fred said motioning towards Snape. Enjoying the fact that Snape never could tell he and George apart on the ground, much less in the air.
"No worries, pumpkin. Just taking his money. He thinks Gryffindor is not going to make it." Cat knew not to say Fred, she could tell he was counting on Severus not being able to tell him and his brother apart. And brother was Snape getting red right now. She simply batted the back of his broom and sent him on his way.
"Charming students in Gryffindor, I see not much has changed" Severus said completely infuriated while Remus's smile was getting wider and wider
"Of course nothing has changed. Loyal and protective as always, right Lupy." she gave him a wink.
Sirius was ready to run to Gryffindor stand himself, what the hell did Snape think he was doing. She was Remus's girl, he felt himself beginning to growl. Sirius jumped back a little as Harry dove down right in front of the woman and Snape. What did Harry think he was doing, there was no snitch there Sirius watched intently as the woman laughed and waved at Harry, and Snape scowled at his godson. good boy Harry. Sirius old boy, you've been spending too much time as a dog, should have been able to figure that one out yourself. Snape must be as dense as ever, he was still trying to talk to Remus's girl. Man, I wish I could hear what they were saying. Sirius could hardly wait to see what would happen next. Whatever had happened Remus must have thought it was funny. Wait what is she doing, Sirius took the chance and jumped up on some crates that where nearby so he could get a better look. why was she unbuttoning her coat. Whoa, nice curves. Remus you definitely got yourself a looker she was reaching for something, oh please let her be reaching for her wand, maybe she could curse that slimy grease ball away, nope not a wand, a purse, tell me she's making a bet with Snape, either she's clueless, or she's one smart cookie.
Sirius was completely enthralled with the scene in front of him, he never even realized that Professor Dumbledore had been watching him the entire time, smiling as he watched the action between Gryffindor stand and Sirius's position. now what's going on, one of the Weasley twins was talking to her during the middle of a match, he better be careful. Oh wait, Snape's getting red again, good boy.....which every one you are....wonder if she's a Weasley, Sirius watched as the woman laughed and swatted at the twin that's it, she must be a Weasley, and they already know about Remus's condition. I smell a marriage in the future. Oh wait she's winking at Remus now, and Snape is completely peeved. Damn I don't know who she is, but I can tell I like her already.