Always By Your Side
Chapter 8: Katarina�s Story
DISCLAIMER: I do not own J. K. Rowling�s work.
A/N: Hey everyone! WARNING This chapter there is some violation, although it is only suggested, and some angst. At the beginning, however, it is just about her home life, and although it is not very pleasant, it�s not too bad. If you don�t want to read it still, skip this chapter. However, the rating does not exceed PG-13. With that, all I have to say is please review! Thanks so much to all who did! You all earn a special spot on my bio! Now, on to the next chapter�
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Katarina�s PoV
I made myself more comfortable on the picnic blanket and searched for a place to start talking about my difficult past.
Remus seemed to read my mind and gently prodded me, �Why don�t you start with where you grew up.�
With a grateful glance at his direction, I took a deep breath and started telling them about my past.
�I was born here in England, two minutes after Severus. We were the only children of our parents, Helen and Icarius Snape. Mum had married when she had been nineteen, and she often told me later that the marriage was only bearable � and only kept together � by me and Severus. We all lived together for seven years. Those years were� horrible. Mum was beaten by Father when he was not pleased, more so when he was drunk. We would hear him screaming at her at night, but my brother would always protect my ears to try to block out the sound for me. The beatings would extend to Severus as well. Father would whip Severus with his belt, a stick, or hit him with his fists if nothing was available. I was spared only because of Severus. He had always been my big brother, looking after me and taking care of me. Whenever Father would try to hit me, he would shield me � he would take the whipping instead, even though I would scream at him to move aside.
Eventually, Mum was forced to file a divorce by a Healer when she was almost beaten to death. Severus stayed with Father in England, while I moved with Mum to France. I grew up there happily with Mum, attendingBeauxbatons when I was old enough. Then I graduated and went to Sofium, the research post-graduate school. I had missed Severus during the years we were separated, and so after I attended Sofium for two years, I went to go look for my twin.
When I found Severus, it was through Professor Dumbledore. I discovered that Severus was now a Death Eater, spying for Dumbledore. When we met at last, I learned what had happened to him for the past ten years. Father had beaten him into submission every night, telling him over and over that whatever didn�t kill him would make him stronger. When Severus turned fifteen, he was recruited by Voldemort � forced by Father � and turned spy four years later.
After we met, we decided that it was too dangerous for me to be discovered, in case Death Eaters would use me as bait or as a test for my brother. So, Professor Dumbledore � with his connections at Sofium � arranged things so that I would attend Sofium once again to complete the last two years of my education under a false name. Previously I had been going to school under my real name � Katarina Snape � but I was now known as Katrina Taylor, changing my name slightly and using my mother�s maiden name. So, I attended my last two years at Sofium, and I graduated a few months after my twenty-first birthday.
Three years ago then, I met up with Severus in person (we had been keeping contact via owls, and Professor Dumbledore for more secretive things) and we discussed the situation. I had taken an offered job from an elite research institute in London, so I moved to a little flat near the Hogsmeade village. Severus would visit me often � every weekend and during spare moments. However, I was still in danger, and so he shielded my flat to the best of his abilities with spells, enchantments, and other precautions. He also gave me a pendant necklace � an emergency Portkey to Hogwarts.
Only a week after the spells had been set, Death Eaters were sent to my flat. Severus was working on a potion for Voldemort though, so he was absent from the Dark Revel that followed. I still don�t know how they got past the wards, but they did. I tried to get a chance to activate the Portkey, but they Stunned me on sight. They took me�� Here I stopped, trying to compose myself, but it wasn�t working. I could see the memory clearly in my mind�s eye, and I didn�t think I could tell them about it without having a complete breakdown.
Instead, I drew out a tiny, glass globe from my robe pocket and opened it on the hinge. Inside was a miniature bowl with silvery strands floating on the water�s surface. I took it out and enlarged the Pensieve. Putting my wand tip to my temple, I drew the memory away and added it to the bowl. Then, I offered the Pensieve to Sirius and Remus.
Shakily, they took it and dipped the tips of their wands into the bowl. I held onto Harry tightly as they disappeared in a flash of silver light.
Neutral PoV
Sirius and Remus landed in a small flat, a little cramped but nevertheless homey. Katarina was arranging flowers in a vase � beautiful, fragrant white violets. A knock sounded at the door, and she got up to answer it, vase still in one hand.
Upon its opening, the door swung in creakily, revealing a hooded figure in dark sweeping robes, a wand pointed at Katarina�s forehead. Before she could utter a cry, she crumpled to the floor from the incantation Stupefy! The vase crashed on the floor and a few shards of glass fell onto her prone figure. As Sirius and Remus watched helplessly, the Death Eater stripped her with a wave of his wand and placed a Portkey on her stomach. Katarina disappeared. Then he disappeared as well, as he Apparated from the room with a noise like a cracked whip.
In a whirlwind of color and sound, Sirius and Remus too appeared in another location. As they got their bearings they noticed they were in a dark graveyard. The moon was shining overhead, not clearly visible from the dark clouds that shielded its light. The wind whistled through the trees that shook and groaned ominously.
High-pitched, cold laughter was heard from behind them. Remus and Sirius whipped around and with horror met the scene before their eyes. Katarina was in the middle of a circle of Death Eaters, bound to a stake. Voldemort himself was at the head of the circle, his snake-like eyes boring into Katarina�s. At his cool nod, one Death Eater approached Katarina in the center, leering down at her. He slowly ran a finger over her bare torso, as if savoring the touch.
Sirius and Remus both turned around quickly, not wanting to witness this defilement. Soon enough, screaming pierced through the stillness and raucous laughter from the Death Eaters was heard. From a distance, more pleading screams were heard, from another � presumably violated � woman.
A few minutes later, the scene changed once again (to the relief of Sirius and Remus) and they were transported again to another place. They were outside of a tiny prison cell. The prison itself was very damp and musty, with dim lighting and dirty floors. They saw Katarina inside the cell, curled up in a ball. Suddenly, quick footsteps were heard approaching. Severus soon came into view, and fumbled with the keys. As he opened up the cell door, Katarina got up with difficulty and staggered towards the opening. Sirius and Remus noted that she obviously still had bruises and soreness as she walked with some stiffness.
Looking up, Katarina mumbled, �Severus?� After uttering his name she collapsed into his arms, probably from sheer exhaustion. Cursing, Severus held her up in his arms and then activated a Portkey from his pocket. They vanished.
As the memory ended, Sirius and Remus appeared again with a flash of silver light.
Neutral PoV
When Remus got back, he noticed a small scar on the side of her face that he had overlooked before. It was apparently a scar that had been left when the vase shards had fallen on her face. As soon as they had reappeared, Katarina continued with her story, although Remus and Sirius could tell that she had been shaken by the memory.
�I had stayed in the cell for about six months, before Severus could rescue me with a Portkey. He blamed the escaping on Rookwood, who had been on guard. Incidentally, it was discovered through �investigation� that he had fallen asleep. Needless to say, he was punished thoroughly. Anyway, after that incident, I went into hiding up in the mountains, with simple shepherds and goatherds. I stayed there for the next two and a half years, only daring to contact Professor Dumbledore. Then, a few months ago, I came down to Hogwarts to visit my brother, and Professor Dumbledore asked me to stay on as an assistant professor. I know he only hired me for protection, and I will always be grateful to him for that.� There was a deep silence after Katarina finished her tale. Then, Remus broke the silence.
�Why was Voldemort so set on capturing you?� he asked.
�I had stumbled on some information through my research, and Voldemort found out. I had told only Professor Dumbledore, my head of office, and my research partner. Later, I found out that my partner, Grace Riattor, was a Death Eater plant and had given me away. Luckily, I only told her what I was researching, not what I had actually found.�
�What did you discover?� asked Remus eagerly, leaning forward.
�I discovered the components of the Elixir of Life,� came the reply.
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A/N: So� how was the chapter? Great? Terrible? Tell me in a review! Constructed criticism only, please! Thank you!
Note: Did anyone realize that Grace�s last name RIATTOR was an anagram of TRAITOR? Just curious�
tenniStar514
