Chapter Five

Alone in the dark corridor, she allowed herself a few deep breaths to calm herself. Then she focused on the task that lay ahead of her. She conjured stretchers for the two unconscious figures, and the barely conscious Severus Snape. After levitating the bodies onto them, she picked up their wands and tucked them inside her robes. She levitated the stretchers and began to walk along the corridor, her wand held out in front of her.

A soft flutter told her that Fawkes had found her in the maze of corridors. "'Lo, Fawkes." The magnificent Phoenix let out a few soft, quavering notes. They soothed and warmed Kate, and she found renewed strength. "Fawkes, find Professor Dumbledore. Bring him to the Entrance Hall." Kate stroked Fawkes with her spare hand. He fluttered off, leaving a trail of golden light for Kate to follow. She could feel the charm around her neck grow warm.

She made her way through the corridors, soothed by the presence of the beautiful light. She could feel her scar burning dully, and the pain from her injuries felt worse now the adrenaline had stopped flowing, but the lingering memory of Fawkes singing kept giving her strength.

Finally, she saw the door to the Entrance Hall, already open. She carefully guided the stretchers up the steps, and the door swung shut behind her. She gently lowered them to the floor, and then lowered her own wand. She half-fell against the wall behind her for a moment, her head spinning. A soft pressure on her shoulder told her that Fawkes was perched on it, though she didn't remember seeing him fly over to her. "'Lo, Fawkes."

Kate pulled her gaze up from the floor, and after a few moments focused on Professor Dumbledore and a very worried-looking Professor McGonagall standing no more than two metres in front of her. "Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall." Kate's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Katharine, are you alright?" Minerva McGonagall sounded worried as well. Her hat was slightly askew.

"I'll be alright eventually, Professor." She suddenly became aware that she must look a complete mess.

"Come, Katharine, I shall escort you to the Hospital Wing."

"A moment, Minerva." Both Kate and McGonagall looked at Albus Dumbledore a little confused. "I wish to speak to Miss Johnson before she goes to see Madame Pomfrey- that is, providing she feels alright to do so?"

Kate glanced at the Headmaster, and knew at once that it would be far easier if she spoke to him now. "Yes, Professor."

"Very well. Minerva, please take these people to the Hospital Wing. I shall meet you there after I have spoken with Miss Johnson."

"Of course, Albus." Minerva McGonagall levitated the stretchers, and with a last glance back at the heavily injured Kate, went on her way.

Fawkes' wing brushed gently against Kate's cheek, and she smiled faintly. "Thanks, Fawkes. You were really helpful." Her voice was still quiet. Kate took a few steps towards Dumbledore, but felt her legs shake. Dumbledore gently took her arm and supported the shaken sixth-year on the walk to his office. He conjured a comfortable chair opposite his desk for Kate and helped her into it.

Kate sank gratefully into the cushioned chair that seemed to form to her shape. Fawkes fluttered to her knee, and healed the deep cut on it with his pearly tears. "You're magnificent, Fawkes. Thank you." The scarlet and gold bird fluttered to his perch.

"He's very good at sensing the call of those loyal to me," smiled Dumbledore. Very unwillingly, Kate looked up into Dumbledore's pensive blue eyes that were gazing at her across his desk. "Katharine, I know that you have had to deal with a huge amount tonight, and, I am aware that certain things may remind you of the events of the summer, but I ask you to show me that courage that I know you possess and tell me what happened in the dungeons."

Kate took a calming breath, and then began telling the kind Headmaster everything that had happened in the dungeons. She stumbled only when telling him about the hooded figure putting the Cruciatus Curse on Snape, but she managed to finish. She closed her eyes and leant back in the chair, her head resting on the cushioned back. She wished that she could curl up and sleep right there. She didn't want to dwell any longer on what had happened, she just wanted blissful sleep. The charm glowed warmer for a moment against her skin.

Slowly, and very unwillingly, she opened her eyes, drawing her gaze up to Professor Dumbledore. He was leaning forward slightly on his desk, observing Kate carefully. "Katharine, you must realise that you saved the lives of two innocent people tonight- our own Professor Snape, and the as yet unknown person. You have also caught someone who no doubt posed a great threat to the school."

Kate could feel the sense of calm emanating from Dumbledore, and it comforted her. "Come," he said softly. "I shall escort you to the Hospital Wing, and then you would be wise to return to Gryffindor Tower and have a good night's rest."

"Thank you, Professor." Slowly and carefully, Kate dragged her aching body from the comfortable chair, and took a few shaky steps forward. Her legs buckled again, but Dumbledore's strong but gentle hands caught her. He gently supported Kate all the way to the Hospital Wing, and delivered her into the capable hands of Madame Pomfrey.