Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters form the Harry Potter books. Thank you.
(A/N: Haha! I had this written down as the eighth chapter…SO…um...yeah, the chapter is very sobby but it still has a very um... perky name.
xxGREEN BAYxx: Yeah, Sirius is a real arse. But then again, my story would be soooo incomplete without him.
Gertrude: Awww…thanks so much! That's the one of the longest review I've ever gotten and one of the sweetest as well! I can tell by the review that I'm going to love the fic you happen to write! Do tell me when you write one. Ah! And I'm so glad you read those A/N. I really thought people didn't read them, but…hope you like this chappie. It's sad. P.S. luved your review!
Lady of Masbolle: Q. what's or where's masbolle? Or is it just a made-up thing? Hope you like this chapter!
Starborn: Yippee! My story rocks! Does a jig with her dog & I didn't promise (sorta). But anyway, I DID update!
Miss Prongs: Keep on guessing! (Don't you just hate me for this?)
Jess: Here's your chapter!
Chapter 11 Really? No! You're kidding!
James was delighted but worried.
Lily was pleased but worried.
Sirius was thrilled but worried.
Lara was elated but worried.
Remus was worried.
Peter was stuffed.
Katrina was miserable.
Why, you ask?
No one knew. At least not the Marauders. The girls had some inkling of why she was so depressed. But only a tiny speck of ink on the top of their noses.
That's why all of them were worried, you see.
They got even more worried when Katrina refused to go down to Hogsmeade for the day. The girls were adamant not to leave her.
Lily shook her head, "I'm not going, James."
"All right. We won't go." James replied sadly but understandingly.
She poked him. "Hey, cheer up! Me staying back doesn't mean you have to stay here as well."
"No" Remus interrupted gallantly. "It's our duty. She's our friend too."
James nodded.
Sirius agreed. "Yeah, we can go to Zonko's and the Shrieking Shack and The Three Broomsticks and Gladrags and Zonko's and Zonko's and Zonko's and Zonko's and Zonko's and Zonk"
James snapped his fingers in front of Sirius' face.
Sirius stared at him before continuing slowly, "And Zonko's any old time!"
It was cold that day and lonely since almost the entire school had gone to Hogsmeade. A bright fire was lit in the Gryffindor common room where The Marauders, Lara, Lily and Katrina were spending most of their time.
While the guys were joking around, Lily and Lara were anxiously peering at Kat, who was sitting on an armchair at the other end of the room, staring at the fire.
A few tense minutes of silence later, a large, evil looking eagle hawk tapped its pointed beak on one of the windows. James let it in, glaring. There was something not quite right about the bird. The bird made its way over to Kat's corner, cawing ill omenly. It dropped a dirty roll of parchment in front of her and flew out.
After gazing at the parchment with saddened eyes, she slowly picked up and read it.
After apparently finishing reading, she dropped the letter. All eyes were on her.
"Oh!" she cried softly and collapsed.
Everyone rushed over to her, even Peter.
In the chaotic confusion that followed, someone had the sense to levitate Katrina and led her out of the common room to the Hospital Wing.
Hearing the clatter of footsteps, Madam Partridge, the young, pretty nurse in charge of the wing, had come outside, anxiously examining her patient.
"What happened?" she asked.
Lily hurriedly explained and when she came to the letter, Madam Partridge pursed up her lips and spoke to James, "Call Professor Dumbledore."
Not saying a word, James marched up to Professor Dumbledore's office.
He had been to Dumbledore's office several times before this, but he had never been more serious on his way there.
He stood before the gargoyle, blankly wondering what the password could be.
"Um…Bertie's Every Flavor Beans? No…um…he likes muggle sweets doesn't he? So…licorice? No, Snickers?"
"Excuse me, Mr. Potter?" asked a soft voice behind him.
He whirled around, startled.
"Any particular reason you're trying to break into my office?" asked Professor Dumbledore, his blue eyes twinkling brightly behind his half-moon spectacles.
"Professor! I was trying to find you!"
"So I guesstimated."
"Katrina…she's not well. She got a letter from someone and just fainted. Madam Partridge told me to call you."
"Lead the way." Dumbledore said, the mischief disappearing completely.
Professor Dumbledore had examined Katrina and read the elusive letter as well. He was speaking to Madam Partridge in her office in such soft tones that even Sirius' Ear Extensions couldn't pick up anything.
A few minutes later, he came out of the office, a serious expression on his face, his wand held out.
Madam Partridge tried to hustle them out and Remus began to yell, "What's wrong with her? Tell me, what's wrong!"
Dumbledore looked up, sadly. "Let them be, Julia. They're her friends, after all."
Dumbledore had woken Katrina up (enverate), even after Remus' protests that she 'needed her rest'.
"Lily, I had the strangest dream…in fact it was a nightmare…" Katrina's eyes opened. She sat up looking around at everyone wide-eyed.
"What am I doing here? Oh no…" She began whimpering softly. "It wasn't a dream…God…help me!" Tears fell form her cheeks.
Dumbledore went over to her, gently wiping the tears off her face. "There there Katrina. I'm sorry but we have to get this over with as soon as we possibly can. Would you please tell me what happened? I read the letter & heard from all of them…" he gestured to her friends. "But of course they don't kn—" he slowed down. "Or do they?"
Katrina shook her head. "No." Her eyes traveled over the concerned faces of her friends, slowing down at Remus'. He looked worn-out and confused. She looked down. No, she couldn't tell them. "They don't." She looked at Professor Dumbledore pleadingly.
Professor Dumbledore shook his head a fraction of an inch each side sadly. Only she saw.
"Professor, they know. They've got my brother, too. The letter was from…. him…he wants me or else my brother…." She began to cry. "He'll try to get into Hogwarts, too. It's not safe here. Not safe anywhere. I should leave…I'm putting all of you in danger." She said going in to hysterics.
Remus suddenly moved to her side. "Shhh…. come on Katrina…Please, please don't worry. Everything will be all right."
Katrina shook her heard vehemently. "No. It won't be all right. No…Don't tell me that, Remus! Don't lie to me! How do you know that it will be 'all right'? You don't!" Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"No. You're right. I don't know that everything will be fine. But I do know that whatever happens, I'll…we'll always be with you. Through everything." Remus hugged her closely. Lily and Larika both came and hugged her as well.
Professor Dumbledore left the wing, softly whispering to Katrina. "Tonight."
Katrina nodded cheerlessly.
(A/N: Should get the next chappie "Tonight" up soon. Sorry about the cliffy and thanks for all the reviews!
Ok…is it just me or are VERY FEW PEOPLE REVIEWING FOR THIS CHAPTER! Come on, people give me a break! Writing crying, angsty parts is not my fave activity in the world! Plus, my final examinations are starting on Monday and I'm still trying to hurry with Ch.12 so I can um…get you people off this cliffie! Please! Reviews are my only motivation right now!)
