Wolf Boy and Ice Princess
Disclaimer: Alas me no owns Harry Potter. Me wished me owns but me doesn't…Oh well…
Chapter 13 – Break-up and Farewells
About an hour after Katherine's return everyone started to wake up. It was time to finish packing and get ready for the last breakfast at Hogwarts. Katherine woke up from her one-hour nap and joined her colleagues for breakfast. On the way to the Great Hall Jade stopped her and pulled her into a classroom.
"What's wrong with you?" Kat asked puzzled.
"Nothing is wrong with me. I just wanted to know something." Jade said closing the door behind her.
"And what would that be?"
"Where were you all night?"
Kat's eyebrow rose and she stared at her friend.
"What do you mean with that? I was at the dormitory."
"Katherine there is no use in lying to me. When I went to bed you still weren't there and…I saw you arrive at the dormitory about an hour ago."
"I thought I had been silent." Katherine exclaimed more to herself.
"And you were. It's just that I have practice on faking sleep and I'm also a light sleeper and I heard the door open."
"You have practice on faking sleep?" Kat enquired interested.
"I have an annoying younger sister. One tends to learn the techniques of the craft."
"I didn't know it was a craft or that it had techniques. Tell me about this."
"Let's not change the subject. You're dodging. That means you did something bad." Jade said with a suspicious look.
"I did not. And I don't have to tell you what I did or didn't do. You're not my mother and even if you were I'm of age." Kat argued.
"Fine. Just tell me yes or no…were you with Jacob at any moment?"
"No. Which reminds me…I have to break up with him. I have to go now. See you at lunch or something." Kat announced and left the classroom.
Jade sighed of relief. At least she knew Jacob had lost his bet.
Katherine walked into the Great Hall and headed straight to the Slytherin table. Jacob saw her walking towards him and got up to meet her halfway.
"Where did you go during the Ball?" Jacob asked when he reached her.
"I wasn't feeling very well so I left." Katherine explained calmly.
"What, dancing with pretty boy made you sick?" he enquired angrily.
"Look I danced with pretty boy because I owed him a dance. And it was something I ate that made me feel sick."
"Talk about bad luck. You seemed to be the only one who got sick."
"What are you implying Jacob?" Katherine asked with her eyes slightly narrowed.
"I'm not implying anything."
"You look like you are. Please Jacob, tell me."
"One of my friends said he saw you leaving with pretty boy."
"Yes and?"
"Why did you leave with him?"
"He's my cousin. He cares and he was worried because I was sick." She emphasized the sick part.
"He mentioned you were holding hands."
"I'm not sure I like where this conversation is heading."
"Just tell me where you went."
"Jacob if you don't trust me and don't believe what I'm telling you I don't think we should see each other anymore. And to add to all this school is over and we'll be taking different paths in our lives."
"I'm sorry, are you breaking up with me?"
"Yes I am. Have a good life Jacob. Maybe one day we'll meet again." Katherine said and slowly made her way out of the Great Hall.
Jacob stood in the same place, opened mouthed and in shock. One of his friends came to his side and stated simply.
"Not only did you lose the 10 galleons but now you totally lost the girl. And that's an extra 2 galleons because she broke up with you. Tough luck mate." The Slytherin announced grinning madly.
Jacob, however, found no reason to smile. That had not go as expected.
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After breaking up with Jacob Katherine went to the top of the Astronomy Tower. It wasn't the same as going there during the night but she felt comfortable there at any time of the day. The Astronomy teacher was probably having breakfast or hanging out with the other teachers. Katherine gazed down at the Hogwarts grounds and felt a bit sad. In a few hours she was leaving the school for good and for the past 7 years it had been her escape. She knew her parents had once walked those same halls, had sat on the same chairs and at the same desks, eaten at the same table and she had probably slept in the same bed as her mother but she had no problem with that because she didn't have memories of them at Hogwarts. She didn't see their faces in every corner of every room at Hogwarts. She didn't hear the echoes of their voices in the hallways. She didn't see their ghosts sitting at the kitchen table or in the couch. At Hogwarts she didn't see a dog running all over the place. She didn't have the image of her father walking opened armed in her direction to pick her up and spin her around. Hogwarts was not #12 Grimmauld Place. Hogwarts was her escape from the pain that house caused her. And she was leaving it for good. Before doing so, however, she would have a conversation with Harry to make sure she could stay at his house. He had to know she had no intention in inheriting the most noble and ancient house of Black. As far as she was concerned the house belonged to Rosh and his parents. They were living there and she wasn't going to kick them out. She simply didn't want to live there and most importantly not alone.
She was about to start practicing her speech when she felt a presence coming up the stairs. She turned to face the door and waited. She couldn't hear anything or anyone. The presence became stronger and long before the person reached the door she already knew who it was. The question was how did she know that?
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Rosh woke up late and noticed the rest of the boys were already packed and nowhere to be seen. He got up, dressed and went down to the Great Hall to grab something to eat. He sat at the Gryffindor table and served himself of some eggs and bacon. While he was eating Jade approached him.
"Good morning." She said happily.
"Morning. You look happy today."
"I am. Even though I shouldn't be since we're leaving today but that was inevitable. Anyway I'm happy for a couple of reasons."
"And you are going to share with me aren't you?"
"Well…Jacob lost the bet and Katherine broke up with him earlier this morning."
Rosh took his time to swallow his food and remained silent.
"So you are not going to say anything?" she asked nervously.
"What can I say? They broke up, bad luck for him."
"Aren't you happy he lost the bet?"
"Yes I am. I just don't want to make a fuss about it. And neither should you."
He finished eating and got up.
"I'm going to finish packing. See you later." He said before leaving the Hall.
He was smiling widely as he went up the marble stairs. He stopped when he reached the first floor and something made him change his mind. He wasn't going to the Gryffindor Tower to finish packing. He was going to the Astronomy Tower because somehow he knew she was there.
He climbed the stairs slowly with his hands inside his pockets. Once he reached the door that would bring him face to face with Katherine he stopped and sighed. Images of the previous night came to him and he closed his eyes to savour them. Afterwards he opened the door and found her leaning against the balcony.
"I love Astronomy yet I only came to the top of this tower during classes." He stated as he walked to her.
"And I couldn't care less about Astronomy and I came here all the time."
"Life works in mysterious ways." He said and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"I agree." She replied leaning back against him.
"I heard you broke up with Jacob."
"Yes I did. I found the perfect excuse. One of his friends watched us leave together so I took it from there."
"You were always good with words and making stuff up."
"It's a gift." She said smiling.
"In you everything is a gift." He commented tenderly.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It was meant to be one." He said and kissed her on the cheek.
"I did hear something strange though."
"What was that?" he asked looking at her.
"As I was leaving I heard one of his friends say something about 10 galleons and an extra 2 because I broke up with him."
"I'm sure it was just your imagination." Rosh said a little too quickly.
She turned around in his grasp and looked intently at him.
"What do you know that I don't Mr Lupin?" she asked.
"Well…"
Slowly and truthfully he told her about what he had heard a few months back. He even explained that's what he had been trying to tell every time he said he wanted to talk to her. She listened intently and carefully to his every word and in the end she nodded.
"So it was all a bet? And here I was thinking he actually had feelings for me." She said softly.
"Maybe he did. Maybe his friends just took advantage of that and because he was a Slytherin he couldn't say no to that kind of challenge."
"Since when do you have such skill in figuring people out?"
"Since I started to figure you out." He said smiling.
She narrowed her eyes and punched him in the stomach.
"Jerk." She muttered.
"What was that for?" he asked putting his hand over his bruise.
"Because you're a jerk. You have so not figured me out."
"We'll see about that…ice princess." He said her nickname slowly.
"Listen here, wolf boy, you have a lot to learn about me."
"Yeah? Like what?"
"Like how dangerous I can be." She said smirking.
"I have a pretty good idea about that."
She looked him in the eyes and he looked back at her. For a moment they didn't move or said anything. Then she moved forward and kissed him. He gladly kissed her back.
"Come with me." He said after the kiss was broken.
"What? Where?" she asked puzzled.
"On my trip. Come with me and meet the world."
"When are you planning on leaving?"
"Next week."
"So soon? And you're asking me only now? Are you insane?"
"What's the problem?" he asked frowning.
"I can't just leave. It takes forever to get ready for such a trip and I'm not ready nor will I be ready in less than a week. I'm sorry Rosh."
"It's ok. I understand. It's too short notice. I should have included you from the start."
She placed her hands on his face and looked at him straight in the eye. He was sad that she wouldn't go with him but seemed to really understand her reasons. Part of her felt sorry for him and wanted to get that sad look of his face but her other part thought it would be just too reckless to leave everything behind and embark with him on such a trip.
"Let's go. Everyone must be getting ready to go." He said grabbing hold of her hands and leading the way to the Gryffindor Tower.
After lunch all students gathered outside the castle while waiting for the horseless carriages. Katherine, Rosh and Jade were together talking about random stuff when the carriages started arriving and placing themselves near the students. Soon the younger students started grouping and taking their carriages towards the Hogsmeade Station. The seventh years took their time to look back at the mighty castle and give their farewells to it.
"Seven years. And now it's all over." Katherine said leaning back against Rosh.
"I expect to get back here one day. And to stay for some time." He said placing his arm around her waist.
"Good things must come to an end. And these were the best seven years of my life. I'll miss those days." Jade said sadly.
Rosh and Kat nodded and sighed heavily. Then the three friends turned around and made their way to the carriages. Kat shivered a bit as she looked at the strange horses pulling the carriages. They always gave her the creeps since day one. They were a reminder of what she had saw and, worst of all, done. She practically raced to the carriages and entered one long before Rosh and Jade.
The ride to the station was quiet and the train ride back home went pretty much the same way. Rosh took a nap, Jade read a magazine and Katherine looked out the window while she thought about the future. Occasionally she stole a glance at the sleeping boy in front of her and marvelled at his tranquillity. Soon he would be going on a trip and she wouldn't see him for some time. But not even that made her change her mind.
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"Last chance. Come with me."
"Now you're being a jerk." Katherine said madly and punched his arm.
They were standing in the platform at the train station waiting for the time when Rosh's train would be leaving. Rosh's parents were also there as well as Harry, the Weasleys and Hermione. Everyone had come to say good-bye to Rosh.
"Have a safe trip Rosh." Harry said as he hugged the young man.
"I will. I hope we'll be colleagues by the time I get back."
"Only Merlin knows."
Rosh smiled and went to the Weasleys. Arthur, Molly, Ginny and the twins smiled at him.
"You're going to behave aren't you?" Molly asked with tears.
"Of course I will. And you don't have to cry Molly. I'll be coming back soon." Rosh said and hugged her.
"I know. I know dear." She let go of him and wiped her eyes.
"Arthur, see you soon." Rosh said.
The two hugged strongly and the older Weasley tapped him in the back for strength.
"Good luck kid."
"Thanks."
He then turned to Ginny and the twins and hugged the three at the same time.
"I'll miss you guys." He said.
"And we'll miss you man. Don't forget to write down anything unusual you see so we can copy it." Fred said after letting go.
"I promise." Rosh smiled.
He got to Ron and Hermione and grinned.
"I want to see little red-head geniuses when I get back."
"We'll work on it." Ron told him smiling.
After hugging the young couple Rosh turned to his parents. His mother was crying and Remus was trying to comfort her.
"Come on mom. I'll be back soon." He whispered softly.
"I know son. It's just that…" she started but had to stop because the tears didn't let her continue.
"It's ok." He said and held her tight.
Remus joined in the hug and the train's whistle blew announcing it was time to go.
"Well guys. See you when I get back." Rosh said while walking to the closest door.
Once he reached it he looked at Katherine and his expression became sad. Dropping his handbag inside the train he went back down and ran to her. They hugged tightly and he whispered in her ear.
"I love you. Remember that."
"I will never forget such a thing. I love you too. Don't you forget that."
"Never." He gave her a kiss in the cheek.
The train's whistle blew again and the train started moving slowly. He let go of her and ran back to the train. He waved goodbye and saw them doing the same thing until the train made a turn and the station was no longer visible. He sighed, grabbed his handbag again and made his way to a compartment. He entered one and sat down near the window. He adjusted himself on his seat and looked to the person sitting in front of him.
"Comfortable?" he asked and the person smiled and nodded.
He smiled as well and looked outside the window. It was going to be a long journey.
I think I should apologise for my delay but Winter Break and other stuff kept me from updating sooner. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I must warn now that the 14th is not complete yet. So you guys will have to wait a bit since I'm going through writer's block. Yup, my worst nightmare has returned. Let's all hope together that I get back on track soon.
Cheers.