Yay! I've had so many reviews recently! I love you all! Sorry, I was
just joking about killing off Kathryn! It'd be a bit difficult, and
totally ruin my plans for this story. In fact I'm pretty sure she's one of
the few that doesn't die... At least, I don't think she's going to! Might
do a Buffy – dies for a few minutes. Ignore me. I'll say thanks at the
end of the chapter!
On with the story!
Chapter 21 – Hallowe'en, 1981
Hallowe'en, 1981:
Kathryn sighed in bed, not wanting to open her eyes.
"Kat! Get up!" Lily's voice ordered.
"Go 'way. Don't wanna get up." Kathryn replied, keeping her eyes firmly closed.
"If you don't get up I'll have to call in reinforcements. It's a Hogsmeade weekend, Kat, and Hallowe'en, get up!"
"No!"
"Fine." Lily turned away and opened the door. "Time to commence Operation Kat will kill us." She informed the people waiting outside.
At that moment, Sirius, in his form of a dog, (A/N: It just took me ten minutes to verify the fact that Lily knows about the transformations), leapt into the room and onto Kathryn's bed.
"Ugh!" Kathryn complained, opening her eyes. "Sirius!"
He transformed back into himself. "What?"
"Y'know what'll happen if anyone catches you in here on my bed, don't you?"
"Ah, the rumours, the sweet, sweet rumours." He looked positively dreamy about it.
"What are you on?"
"It'd just be funny, is all. C'mon, get up." Sirius climbed off her bed and pulled her out of it.
She was wearing an over-sized t-shirt that he couldn't help but appreciate.
"Wipe the smirk off your face." Kathryn snarled and walked into her walk- in wardrobe.
"She's up." Sirius grinned as he opened the door to inform Lily and James.
"Oh good." Lily smiled while James smirked.
Ten minutes later Kathryn reappeared in jeans, boots, white strappy top and crocheted crimson top over it. She looked awake, and grabbed a cloak from the door, stowing her purse and wand in her pockets.
"Okay, what time is it?" Kathryn asked. Her watch had broken and she needed a new one.
"Ten o'clock, we'll breakfast in Hogsmeade." Sirius informed her.
Lily and James had disappeared, presumably to organise those going into Hogsmeade. They met the rest of their friends in the Entrance Hall.
"So, finally decided to grace us with your presence, Kathryn?" Radella asked.
Kathryn rolled her eyes. "That's so incredibly funny, I dare not laugh should my sides split." Her voice dripped irony.
Sirius grinned. "I hope not, there'd be an awful mess." His hands went to her 'sides' as though holding them together.
Kathryn smirked. "I'm sure I'll avoid that happening, just so you don't have to clean up." She kissed her boyfriend on the nose.
Peter groaned. "It's too early in the morning for you two to be flirting."
"Just be glad we aren't Frank and Alice." Sirius grinned.
Frank and Alice were even worse than Sirius and Kathryn, but they kept their romantic interludes more private. It was common for people (especially First-years for some reason) to walk into an empty classroom to find them making out and be just a little freaked out. (A/N: I did that once in Year 7. Saw two Year 10s or 11s kissing in my English room. Talk about freaked out!) Even when they retreated to broom cupboards, someone or other caught them. (Several times this was Kathryn and Sirius or Damion and Alura, also looking for somewhere private!)
The friends were the last ones out, owing to them being Seventh-years and waiting for James and Lily.
The Head Girl and Boy smiled as their friends passed them.
"You gotta be back by four." Lily grinned.
"So early?" Sirius asked.
"Yeah, well, the girls have gotta get ready for the Hallowe'en ball tonight." James explained. "Even the boys'll take longer than usual."
"A masquerade ball. Suits Hallowe'en, dontcha think?" Lily grinned.
"On the Eve of All Hallows the spirits do walk the Earth." Kathryn spoke in a mystical voice. "Alternatively, it's Samhain, the Celtic New Year."
"Really? Cool." Radella grinned.
"Right," Kathryn spoke as they climbed into a carriage. "I haven't had breakfast yet, so I think that's where we're going first."
"Madam Pudifoot's?" Alura asked them wickedly.
"Nah, I won't go a hundred feet within the place. Yuk!" Kathryn informed them. "There's a café for actual humans near Dervish and Bangs."
James and Lily, both of whom looked tired, nodded. "We'll join you. We didn't eat any breakfast either."
Kathryn rolled her eyes. "You two need to, an' all. I mean, how do you function without food?"
"No idea." Lily grinned. "I was sure the boys would faint if they went without food for more than a couple of hours."
"Ha ha." James told her sarcastically. "Really funny, Lils."
They bickered gently as the friends got to Hogsmeade. Kathryn shuddered as she saw the Thestrals, still unaware of why she could see them. She hadn't seen them the previous year... or had she? Had she just not noticed them? Was there something in the past she still did not remember that was more serious?
Later, as Kathryn, Lily, Sirius and James entered the café named 'The Devil's Snare', for some obscure reason, Kathryn inexplicably fell.
"Kat?" Sirius asked.
"My ankle. I think I just twisted it, is all." Kathryn replied, standing and smiling.
They ate breakfast, happily discussing the ball that night.
"What do you suppose happened?" Sirius suddenly asked.
"When?" James replied.
"That night, at the Ministry. After Kathryn had warned them..."
Kathryn shrugged. "I don't know. Dumbledore didn't go into details, just said that I'd saved a lot of lives with that vision. So, Lily, James, what are you going to the ball as?"
Lily grinned. "I'm not telling. It's to be a surprise. Only James knows, just as I'm the only one to know his costume."
Kathryn grinned. "We're the same. After all, what's the point in wearing masks if everyone knows who you are?"
"Good point." James grinned.
"So, where next?" Sirius asked as they picked up the bill for their breakfast.
"Honeydukes? Get some of those flossing mints or whatever they're called?"
"Sounds good."
So they followed the suggestion.
In all, they enjoyed that day. Nothing untoward happened, no visions, no Death Eater attacks, no arguments. They met up at the Three Broomsticks for lunch and then went round some more shops, some of them picking up last pieces for their costumes.
And by four o'clock, they were leaving Hogsmeade to return to the castle and prepare for the Hallowe'en ball. Well, the Four, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh-years were. The other years had a different activity being run by Professor Johnson and Professor Kestrel (she had used her maiden name to save confusion).
* * *
Kathryn, Lily, Radella, Alura and Alice were giggling as they made final touches to their costumes and suchlike before preparing for the evening's events.
Kathryn entered the bathroom first, taking advantage of the shower's special features as she cleaned her hair and skin, moisturising and relaxing herself. She didn't need to feel tense at all. She finally left the bathroom, was practically knocked aside by Alice, who flew in with the others then banging on the door, demanding entrance.
Kathryn grinned and entered her walk-in wardrobe, which was now practically a dressing room, complete with dressing table and shelf of make-up and hair products. Kathryn slipped on her handmade outfit and proceeded to work on her hair next.
After an hour or more of curling, applying and screaming (there were still fights going on for the bathroom), Kathryn smiled and added her mask, a simple mask round her eyes, with a magical property to ensure it would not fall off, but not need elastic or a holder either.
Twirling, she admired the transformation and then did her final step. Taking out a voluminous black, hooded cloak, she wrapped it about herself so none could see her costume. Carefully she drew the hood up to hide her face as well.
It was nearly seven o'clock, and all the girls were now ready (Lily and Alura had finally settled the problems with the bathroom when Lily stalked off to the Head Tower, which Kathryn could still not believe Lily had forgotten. Lily had returned in time to meet all her friends, and promised that she and Kathryn would get ready in the Head Tower next time).
They walked downstairs, all wearing large cloaks to hide their costumes, and met their dates (or boyfriends) in the Entrance Hall as ordered after melting into the crowd and removing and Banishing cloaks. (Kathryn had not required a wand for this – her wandless magic was extending itself immensely.)
Kathryn soon found Sirius.
"Ah, Fire, you look well." Sirius smiled.
"As do you, Earth." Kathryn smiled back.
They had chosen very appropriate costumes.
Kathryn was 'Fire', an elemental goddess, an embodiment of the element. Her dress was made up of a deep orange corset that seemed to change to yellow or even crimson in different lights, and a skirt of many layers of chiffon, marbled with yellow, orange and red, all ripped and at different lengths. She was barefoot. Her hair was caught up with invisible hairgrips, curled artfully into ringlets at the back, a couple framing her face. Her mask was of the same fabric as her corset, edged in gold. The dress was strapless, and only the locket she always wore was visible.
Sirius, meanwhile, was 'Earth', the elemental god, the embodiment of the element. He wore deep brown trousers, made from an unidentifiable fabric. His shirt seemed to be of a mixture of green and brown, loose and had no buttons, merely being tucked into his trousers (if you've ever seen 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys', it's something like that except long sleeved). A large portion of a smooth chest was revealed by his open shirt, which Kathryn appreciated. He too was barefoot, his mask the same brown-green mixture of his shirt, covering only the eye area, trimmed in gold. The only other thing he wore was the salamander pendant with diamond eyes.
"Are you ready?" He asked, offering her a hand to enter the Great Hall.
"As I'll ever be." She took his hand and they entered.
The Great Hall looked spectacular. The candles had been temporarily removed, and instead several glass orbs glowed with a bright, white-blue light giving a ghostly feel, especially with the orange and red flames of the fire in the hearth casting off such a friendly warm light. The tables were gone, long tables lay across two walls, holding finger foods. A stage was set up on one of the remaining walls. A number of jack-o'-lanterns sat on windowsills, their faces sinister and traditional. The decoration was very little, but an atmosphere had been created that could rival the most elaborate decorations. It was amazing.
Musical strains floated through the room, the source unknown. No one wanted to dance to it.
Until Kat and Sirius stepped onto the floor.
"Play with Fire, you'll get burnt." Kathryn warned her boyfriend.
"Play with Earth, you'll find your worth." Sirius replied.
They began to dance. Many stopped and stared, but soon others joined them, a mixture of nymphs, heroes, wizards, witches, doctors, nurses, muses, gods, noblewomen, knights, and more joining them.
It was wonderful.
Until a sudden scream wrenched itself from the throat of the maiden, Fire.
"No!" Earth yelled.
"Earth, leave it." Water ordered from nearby.
"He is trying steal that magic once more, Water! He cannot take it! It will kill her! We know that enough!" Earth shouted.
"Fire, can you hear me?" Air knelt beside the fallen Fire.
Everyone moved back, staring at the scene.
"That bastard!" Earth growled.
"Earth!"
"You say you are spirit, but all elements have that." Fire spoke wheezily, as though her throat were sore. "You are the opposite to all we have. The absence of Heart, Mind, Soul and Life, the absence of Air, Water, Fire and Earth. You are Evil."
A high-pitched cackle chilled each person in the room to the bones.
"Foolish child!"
"We have defeated thee, Evil, so many times!" Earth yelled.
"We can try now, but only one unborn has the power to slay thee. But fear not, we can stop thee." Fire shrieked.
The fire in the hearth suddenly let out a giant leap and flames let go, dancing about her, weaving their way harmlessly over her body.
"Begone Evil!" Water yelled.
The high-pitched cackle rang out again.
"Very well!" Air cried.
"Evil should not be in this place,
Return across time and space!" Fire, Water, Air and Earth incanted together.
A twisting net of crimson, blue, green and white flung itself against the room and Evil was gone.
"Fire!" Earth cried, pulling the girl – woman? – up from the floor.
And things changed once more.
"What...?" Kathryn's voice rang out before silver light shone in her eyes and Sirius' once more.
"Arianne, go! If he catches you here..." He was worried.
"Let him! You know why we are married, and it was through no fault of my own." Her voice was bitter angry.
"He sees you as..."
"His property, I know. 'A witch with the purest blood'. Pity he doesn't realise that my thoughts are not. Nor the truth of..."
"The truth of what?"
"What do you think? If he finds out my child is not his..."
"He is mine?"
"Of course. Damn, I hate this bigotry! Why couldn't I marry the man I loved? Your mother was of pure blood, and just because your father was Muggle-born... It doesn't make any difference! You are stronger than he, in magic, in heart, in life. You can feel love! He only feels lust and desire!"
"Arianne, you are in danger. My son..."
"I know, Ronan. Your son will inherit your traits, you told me so yourself. And though it is not yet obvious... He will. Merlin, I hate him! Why did he do that to me?" The woman in Kathryn's body, Arianne, sobbed.
"Do what?" Ronan, inside Sirius' body, asked.
"*Rape me*." The woman whispered. "It was only so he could marry me, lay claim to me. He spelled me, attacked me, I couldn't defend myself..."
Ronan was furious. "Why didn't you tell me? He had no right! To do that to a woman... And to you, of all of them! He spelled you! That bloody bastard..."
"Ronan, I must go!" Her voice was suddenly fearful. A shadow was beside them, a shadow of a cot and child. "Ronan, take my son and go!"
"The curse..."
"It is this. He cursed me himself... He knows I'm here, knows what I did! Ronan, go! Save our son!"
"Arianne, I won't leave you!"
A loud knocking, angry mutters ran through the Hall.
"Ronan, take Llew and go! It's him! Run! Go! I'll hold him off!" Arianne ordered, her voice so urgent he could not help but obey.
Ronan took the child from the cot, more than a shadow now, and ran.
Another 'shadow' figure ran into the room.
"You little bitch!" The man snarled, grabbing Arianne by the arm savagely. "You betrayed me!"
"After what you did to me, I was no better than I ought to be, remember?" Arianne snarled. "You said I was just another worthless whore, but you needed a wife, and I was the *lucky* one picked."
"You laid with another man!"
"Of course! There was someone I loved, remember! You told me that he was descended from a 'Mudblood', he didn't have feelings! He does! There was no way I was going to let a child of yours leave my womb! I had the child of the man I love, and that child is now safe with him! 'Tis our curse, but our child will live. The child always does. And he was not named for you. For your name is stolen from another family. He was named for his true father!"
"You bitch!" He gave a ringing blow across her face, she collapsed to the floor.
Slowly she rose, blood flowing from her lip.
"You are a coward, Cian Malfoy! As will be all your descendants!" She snarled.
He pulled out a sword.
Arianne backed away her eyes wide. Then she threw her head back, defiant. "Go on, kill me. Cement the evil your family holds so dear, the cowardice that each of you holds. After what you did to me, you can hurt me no longer, *I* did nothing wrong, not after you used that despicable spell. Two. A Confundus Charm, and the Imperius Curse. I was too weak to fight it! You are an arrogant bastard, Malfoy, and that shall reign through your blood!"
"I am no bastard. My parents were married, unlike your own bastard's!"
"You are entirely a self-made man!" She shrieked.
He lunged forward. She stumbled back, blood fell from a slash in her stomach, she fell to the ground.
"Curse you, Malfoy. Curse you and your descendants." Her eyes clouded.
The scene changed once more.
Sirius reappeared, Kathryn stood, whole, alive, not even a tear in her costume.
"Stop..." Sirius began.
Another flash of silver light.
"Loren! The Evil One is here." Sirius grabbed her shoulders urgently.
"No! We do not have time!"
"We have to close it before he can channel its power!"
"Raquel, how?"
"He will kill us anyway, will he not?"
"Yes, but..."
"Bind it to us. With our deaths..."
"It shall close."
"Yes."
"Very well."
A flash of scarlet magic, a scream, and blood.
"Gazorn."
"How nice you remember me, Loren, Raquel." Another, half-shadow, half- flesh figure snarled. "Now kindly move."
"You'll have to kill us first!" Raquel snarled.
"Gladly." He too took out a sword, rather than a wand.
While the two tried to fight the Evil One off, he killed both.
But as they bled, they let out a laugh.
"You are your own destruction." Raquel laughed.
"By killing us, you closed it." Loren explained.
"It's magic is lost to you forever."
An angry scream, bright green light...
And Sirius and Kathryn became themselves once more, stood in the centre of the room, clearly shaken.
"What in God's name...?" Kathryn gasped.
"Spirits, their lives, came forth..." Sirius suggested.
"Damn Hallowe'en." Kathryn groaned, slipping to the floor.
Lily and James rushed to help their friends.
"Why does this always happen to us, eh?" Sirius asked weakly.
"It does always seem to choose you..." Lily murmured. (A/N: Really? We'll just see about that!)
Kathryn and Sirius sat down on some chairs, with drinks, Sirius (who still had his wand) conjuring a small table. They watched as their friends left to dance.
"It seems all the Elemental Guardians came as their element tonight." Sirius observed.
Kathryn grinned. "It fits, I guess."
James and Lily were dressed as Water and Air respectively. James wore deep blue trousers and a lighter blue shirt in the same style as Sirius'. Lily wore a white dress remarkably similar to Kathryn's, but for a more floating skirt, rather than flame-like. Both, of course, were barefoot, and James' hair was as messy as ever. Lily no longer complained about it, she seemed to find it endearing. Lily's hair was in perfect ringlets, caught behind a shimmering tiara of organza stretched over a silverwork frame.
As the couple gathered their strength, the other couple stood in the centre of the room, dancing.
And then more spirits began to work.
Silver shone in their eyes, noticed by all those around them, and everyone shrunk back to watch once more.
"Matthew, is He coming?" The young woman cried.
"I fear He is. The Charm should protect us! But why is He after us?" Matthew – in James' body – wanted to know.
"Oberon told us... Our child..."
"Ivy, why would He want to slay our child? He is but a babe, no threat to anyone!"
"The prophecy..."
"From that fraud? He believes it?"
"Matthew, it was genuine. A rare genuine vision..."
"But that means..."
"Our child is the only one who can defeat Him!"
"We must protect him! With our lives, our love, our magic..."
A crash resounded.
"He's here!" Matthew yelled.
"How could he... the Charm..."
"We've been betrayed."
"Where are you, Potter? Where are you hiding?" A voice snarled and a 'shadow' figure entered the room.
"Ivy, take Luke and go! It's him! Run! Go! I'll hold him off!" Matthew yelled.
Kathryn was hit by the memory that she had said that when Arianne had taken control of her body, and James would say that as himself to Lily in exactly seven years' time.
Ivy – or Lily – ran, as though into another room.
The shadow advanced on Matthew Potter.
"So, Potter, we meet at last. Where is your son?"
"I'll never tell you, Zaran!" Matthew yelled.
"Very well!"
"Petrificus Totalus!" Matthew yelled.
Zaran dodged it.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of green light and Matthew fell.
The shadow progressed onto the next room.
"Give up your child." He ordered.
"Never!"
"Get out of my way!"
"Not Luke, not Luke, please not Luke!"
"Stand aside, you silly girl... stand aside, now..."
"Not Luke, please no, take me, kill me instead..."
"Out of my way!"
"Not Luke! Please... have mercy... have mercy..."
Zaran laughed shrilly – a laugh Kathryn and Sirius recognised – Ivy screamed and a flash of green light ended her life.
The scene ceased once more.
Kathryn placed a hand to her head as her friends stood, confused, disoriented, but they knew what they had said.
"Kat, are you okay?" Sirius asked, his voice muffled in her ears.
"No, I'm going to be sick." She replied.
"Why?"
"*It happens again...*" She whispered, feeling ill. "*The exact same words except for the names...*"
"What?"
Kathryn fell silent. She knew what she had just witnessed. The death of Lily and James – in a previous life. Exactly the same as their death would occur seven years from now.
"Zaran must be a spiritual ancestor of Voldemort." She murmured. "Just as Matthew is to James, in blood as well, Ivy to Lily and Luke to Harry in blood and spirit."
"What?" Sirius asked again. "Kat, you're not making any sense."
Kathryn sighed. "You don't want me to start making sense..."
The evening progressed, and Kathryn still felt ill. She knew what she had just seen. And now she could remember exactly what had happened during each 'regression', as Dumbledore had once put it, to her past life.
It was later on when Lucius Malfoy confronted her.
"What the hell did you think you were saying, bitch?" He demanded.
"About what, Malfoy?" Kathryn asked innocently.
"During that little put-on stage show of you and your boyfriend." He snarled.
"That? That wasn't put-on, Malfoy. And you should have realised that Hallowe'en is as magical as the Midwinter Solstice and Christmas Day. Spirits enter bodies and they tell the truth. It doesn't surprise me that one of your blood ancestors was a rapist and murderer. What does surprise me is that he chose one of my spiritual ancestors to do that to. I'd've thought he have had more sense. I do hope he suffered. Though somehow he managed to breed, God knows how."
Malfoy's hand struck her hard across the face.
"Don't ever insult my family again." He ordered.
"Or what? I'll insult you and your family as much as I please. Heck, I'll insult your son too, if you like. You won't be in any position to stop me at the time, Death Eater." She spat out the last words.
He slapped her again and left.
Kathryn scowled, her eyes narrowing. She stared at his head of long, blond, perfectly-gelled hair. In seconds it transfigured into short, brown, extremely messy hair (messier than James') and looked, frankly, awful against his pale skin. Snapping her fingers, the placed a Permanent- sticking Charm on it, knowing it wouldn't change until his hair grew out.
Sirius found her seconds later.
"Nice work on the hair, now what'd he do?"
"Slapped me a couple of times, accused me of making it all up, nothing too serious. I told him that I'd only told the truth, and I'd insult his family all I please." Kathryn grinned.
"Oh good." Sirius replied and pulled her in for a kiss.
* * *
The months of November and December passed quickly, and the friends worked hard under the huge amounts of homework they were given. James, Sirius, Lily and Kathryn also had Quidditch practise and won their first match – against Hufflepuff – 290-50. They went Christmas shopping in Hogsmeade and twittered about the Yule Ball, organised for the twenty-first of December, a couple of days into their holidays.
Lily and James had selected prefects and friends for the Ball Committee including Kathryn and Sirius and they all worked hard to make it the best they could.
Meanwhile, the four friends prayed that the only performing they would be doing was singing and acting, not the resurfacing of yet more previous lives.
And it came to the Christmas holidays. And as they attempted to do their homework in the Head Tower Common Room, away from the noise of the other, they prayed that the Yule Ball would go smoothly and not cause any more harm. Kathryn just wanted to have one ball where she didn't go into someone else's personality, though they were so similar to her own.
On a lighter note, Lucius Malfoy's hair had been shaved off in an attempt to get it to grow back more quickly. Kathryn and Sirius couldn't help laughing at him every time he passed. Every potion he took to speed up hair growth had failed.
* * *
A/N: Interesting, eh? I can't believe I did that to Kat's spiritual ancestor, but there you go. I was hit by something incredibly evil. I hope you liked it.
First, if you haven't reviewed, go to the end, there's a message for you there! If you have, well...
To reviewers:
Rhinemjr: Oh my God! It had only been posted up an hour by the time I received the e-mail about the review (I happened to be checking it at the time). I can't believe you read and reviewed so quickly! And FanFiction was telling me most of the pages couldn't be displayed, so I couldn't read anything else, really. Thanks, and I'm glad you like it! You've got a lot less questions for me than I have for you!
gaull: Glad you think it's good.
Lenorathetrekkie: Thanks! I'm glad you like it. That's at least four reviews. Hope you get to this chapter soon! I've read the books *lots* of times. In Year 7 – first year of high school, 11 going on 12, I've no idea what grade it is for Americans – I read the first 3 books in one weekend. I must've read the first three about 7 or 8 times, the fourth one 4 or 5 and the fifth book I've read at least twice. I'm pretty good with details. It bugs me when things are wrong with no explanation. But I did explain James' eyes! Also, mad? Yep. But mine's genetic – I think. My dad's a bit barmy (*a bit*? Who am I kidding? A lot!) and so's his mum. But we're all mad in the nicest possible way. I also have my wonderful father to thank for the insomniac gene – hence, some of this is written kinda late in the evening and things do get a little mad!
lolitastorm: I'm glad you like it! I am getting more reviews, I've got nearly forty now! Though admittedly, sometimes there are several from the same person! I was upset about getting attacked for what I said, but I understood. I knew I was going to make some flippant, misconstrued comment. Trust me to do it in the first chapter. I think they were more offended by the fact that, in the first draft, I'd called Americans stupid, and that wasn't what I meant. I just meant Bush is stupid. Anyway, I'm glad you like it. Tell your friends!
Tina: It was only a joke, to stir up people to review. Killing Kat off would be a bit pointless, wouldn't it? Glad you like it. Yeah, I want more reviews too. Tell your friends!
A Proud American: I was upset about your first review, but your second made my day! I really didn't mean to insult the Americans as a whole. Just Bush. In fact, I think Americans have lots of good things – like actors, TV programmes (Buffy, Charmed, The Simpsons, need I continue?), films, books... I just *really* don't like Bush. I think I heard about the anti-war protests, but unfortunately, I was right in the middle of exams and work experience in that April. Not nice. I'm really sorry if you felt insulted. And see, there's lots of chapters! I've updated! And yes, the name Kathryn is cool. In all it's spellings! I'm just a little biased myself. My name's spelt the classic way. I just hope I don't go the same way as two of Henry the Eighth's wives! (The British monarchy is very bizarre. But very interesting and fun to take the piss out of. Apparently making jokes etc. is supposed to show respect. I wouldn't know.)
Guardian Elf Angel: I let my sister on the computer, okay? See? Now you can keep reviewing. Yeah, revision's a pain. Wait until next year. *Evil smirk* Mocks are all well and good, but the *actual GCSEs*? No comparison! Glad you like it.
Sk8er witch: Glad you like it! Ah, you've struck on my master plan of the plot! Well done. But then my not so subtle clues weren't hard to work out, were they? Thanks for the review!
dark angel: Thanks! How I come with the ideas escapes me too! I come up with way too many – I have about twenty fics with the first two or three chapters written! I'm glad you like the powers. Some are sort of borrowed from 'Charmed' and stuff. But it's hard not to, really. You're another person to talk about the bit where I had to change the first chapter. I don't think they were upset about my insulting Bush. I insulted all Americans first time around! That wasn't a good idea! And I didn't even mean to! So I insulted Bush *and* Blair instead. War doesn't solve anything, though a little violence occasionally works. Kat can be a *leetle* bit violent, can't she? Oh well. Thanks for reviewing!
B: Also known as Seer of Faith, formerly Thriodien, and my sister! Tips, hmm. How about... POST UP YOUR DAMN FICS! They're good!
dramaswimer: I have no idea how I manage to write such long chapters. I'm just incapable of writing short ones. It's a pre-written story, I'm about nine chapters ahead of this in writing. Nine. In nine weeks I'm in the middle of GCSEs! Help! Glad you like it. Thanks!!!
Wow! That's 11 reviewers! (Even if one's my sister!) Some of you reviewed more than once! (Especially Lenora – thanks!) I really appreciate the feedback. Constructive criticism is welcome. Whether I follow the advice given is another matter!
Have a great Easter! Maybe I'll do another update on Easter Sunday, I don't know! Did anyone else come across evil authors who did incredibly evil things on April Fool's Day? I did. And I got fooled! How embarrassing!
Happy Easter!
By the way, should I post up one of my other fics? I've got a few BtVS/HP crossovers, plus numerous Harry Potter ones. Tell me!
Oh yeah, and keep reviewing me!!! I love reviews!!! Plus, if you leave a signed review, I often go and check out your stories. So it works in your favour too!
Lol, Tanydwr
On with the story!
Chapter 21 – Hallowe'en, 1981
Hallowe'en, 1981:
Kathryn sighed in bed, not wanting to open her eyes.
"Kat! Get up!" Lily's voice ordered.
"Go 'way. Don't wanna get up." Kathryn replied, keeping her eyes firmly closed.
"If you don't get up I'll have to call in reinforcements. It's a Hogsmeade weekend, Kat, and Hallowe'en, get up!"
"No!"
"Fine." Lily turned away and opened the door. "Time to commence Operation Kat will kill us." She informed the people waiting outside.
At that moment, Sirius, in his form of a dog, (A/N: It just took me ten minutes to verify the fact that Lily knows about the transformations), leapt into the room and onto Kathryn's bed.
"Ugh!" Kathryn complained, opening her eyes. "Sirius!"
He transformed back into himself. "What?"
"Y'know what'll happen if anyone catches you in here on my bed, don't you?"
"Ah, the rumours, the sweet, sweet rumours." He looked positively dreamy about it.
"What are you on?"
"It'd just be funny, is all. C'mon, get up." Sirius climbed off her bed and pulled her out of it.
She was wearing an over-sized t-shirt that he couldn't help but appreciate.
"Wipe the smirk off your face." Kathryn snarled and walked into her walk- in wardrobe.
"She's up." Sirius grinned as he opened the door to inform Lily and James.
"Oh good." Lily smiled while James smirked.
Ten minutes later Kathryn reappeared in jeans, boots, white strappy top and crocheted crimson top over it. She looked awake, and grabbed a cloak from the door, stowing her purse and wand in her pockets.
"Okay, what time is it?" Kathryn asked. Her watch had broken and she needed a new one.
"Ten o'clock, we'll breakfast in Hogsmeade." Sirius informed her.
Lily and James had disappeared, presumably to organise those going into Hogsmeade. They met the rest of their friends in the Entrance Hall.
"So, finally decided to grace us with your presence, Kathryn?" Radella asked.
Kathryn rolled her eyes. "That's so incredibly funny, I dare not laugh should my sides split." Her voice dripped irony.
Sirius grinned. "I hope not, there'd be an awful mess." His hands went to her 'sides' as though holding them together.
Kathryn smirked. "I'm sure I'll avoid that happening, just so you don't have to clean up." She kissed her boyfriend on the nose.
Peter groaned. "It's too early in the morning for you two to be flirting."
"Just be glad we aren't Frank and Alice." Sirius grinned.
Frank and Alice were even worse than Sirius and Kathryn, but they kept their romantic interludes more private. It was common for people (especially First-years for some reason) to walk into an empty classroom to find them making out and be just a little freaked out. (A/N: I did that once in Year 7. Saw two Year 10s or 11s kissing in my English room. Talk about freaked out!) Even when they retreated to broom cupboards, someone or other caught them. (Several times this was Kathryn and Sirius or Damion and Alura, also looking for somewhere private!)
The friends were the last ones out, owing to them being Seventh-years and waiting for James and Lily.
The Head Girl and Boy smiled as their friends passed them.
"You gotta be back by four." Lily grinned.
"So early?" Sirius asked.
"Yeah, well, the girls have gotta get ready for the Hallowe'en ball tonight." James explained. "Even the boys'll take longer than usual."
"A masquerade ball. Suits Hallowe'en, dontcha think?" Lily grinned.
"On the Eve of All Hallows the spirits do walk the Earth." Kathryn spoke in a mystical voice. "Alternatively, it's Samhain, the Celtic New Year."
"Really? Cool." Radella grinned.
"Right," Kathryn spoke as they climbed into a carriage. "I haven't had breakfast yet, so I think that's where we're going first."
"Madam Pudifoot's?" Alura asked them wickedly.
"Nah, I won't go a hundred feet within the place. Yuk!" Kathryn informed them. "There's a café for actual humans near Dervish and Bangs."
James and Lily, both of whom looked tired, nodded. "We'll join you. We didn't eat any breakfast either."
Kathryn rolled her eyes. "You two need to, an' all. I mean, how do you function without food?"
"No idea." Lily grinned. "I was sure the boys would faint if they went without food for more than a couple of hours."
"Ha ha." James told her sarcastically. "Really funny, Lils."
They bickered gently as the friends got to Hogsmeade. Kathryn shuddered as she saw the Thestrals, still unaware of why she could see them. She hadn't seen them the previous year... or had she? Had she just not noticed them? Was there something in the past she still did not remember that was more serious?
Later, as Kathryn, Lily, Sirius and James entered the café named 'The Devil's Snare', for some obscure reason, Kathryn inexplicably fell.
"Kat?" Sirius asked.
"My ankle. I think I just twisted it, is all." Kathryn replied, standing and smiling.
They ate breakfast, happily discussing the ball that night.
"What do you suppose happened?" Sirius suddenly asked.
"When?" James replied.
"That night, at the Ministry. After Kathryn had warned them..."
Kathryn shrugged. "I don't know. Dumbledore didn't go into details, just said that I'd saved a lot of lives with that vision. So, Lily, James, what are you going to the ball as?"
Lily grinned. "I'm not telling. It's to be a surprise. Only James knows, just as I'm the only one to know his costume."
Kathryn grinned. "We're the same. After all, what's the point in wearing masks if everyone knows who you are?"
"Good point." James grinned.
"So, where next?" Sirius asked as they picked up the bill for their breakfast.
"Honeydukes? Get some of those flossing mints or whatever they're called?"
"Sounds good."
So they followed the suggestion.
In all, they enjoyed that day. Nothing untoward happened, no visions, no Death Eater attacks, no arguments. They met up at the Three Broomsticks for lunch and then went round some more shops, some of them picking up last pieces for their costumes.
And by four o'clock, they were leaving Hogsmeade to return to the castle and prepare for the Hallowe'en ball. Well, the Four, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh-years were. The other years had a different activity being run by Professor Johnson and Professor Kestrel (she had used her maiden name to save confusion).
* * *
Kathryn, Lily, Radella, Alura and Alice were giggling as they made final touches to their costumes and suchlike before preparing for the evening's events.
Kathryn entered the bathroom first, taking advantage of the shower's special features as she cleaned her hair and skin, moisturising and relaxing herself. She didn't need to feel tense at all. She finally left the bathroom, was practically knocked aside by Alice, who flew in with the others then banging on the door, demanding entrance.
Kathryn grinned and entered her walk-in wardrobe, which was now practically a dressing room, complete with dressing table and shelf of make-up and hair products. Kathryn slipped on her handmade outfit and proceeded to work on her hair next.
After an hour or more of curling, applying and screaming (there were still fights going on for the bathroom), Kathryn smiled and added her mask, a simple mask round her eyes, with a magical property to ensure it would not fall off, but not need elastic or a holder either.
Twirling, she admired the transformation and then did her final step. Taking out a voluminous black, hooded cloak, she wrapped it about herself so none could see her costume. Carefully she drew the hood up to hide her face as well.
It was nearly seven o'clock, and all the girls were now ready (Lily and Alura had finally settled the problems with the bathroom when Lily stalked off to the Head Tower, which Kathryn could still not believe Lily had forgotten. Lily had returned in time to meet all her friends, and promised that she and Kathryn would get ready in the Head Tower next time).
They walked downstairs, all wearing large cloaks to hide their costumes, and met their dates (or boyfriends) in the Entrance Hall as ordered after melting into the crowd and removing and Banishing cloaks. (Kathryn had not required a wand for this – her wandless magic was extending itself immensely.)
Kathryn soon found Sirius.
"Ah, Fire, you look well." Sirius smiled.
"As do you, Earth." Kathryn smiled back.
They had chosen very appropriate costumes.
Kathryn was 'Fire', an elemental goddess, an embodiment of the element. Her dress was made up of a deep orange corset that seemed to change to yellow or even crimson in different lights, and a skirt of many layers of chiffon, marbled with yellow, orange and red, all ripped and at different lengths. She was barefoot. Her hair was caught up with invisible hairgrips, curled artfully into ringlets at the back, a couple framing her face. Her mask was of the same fabric as her corset, edged in gold. The dress was strapless, and only the locket she always wore was visible.
Sirius, meanwhile, was 'Earth', the elemental god, the embodiment of the element. He wore deep brown trousers, made from an unidentifiable fabric. His shirt seemed to be of a mixture of green and brown, loose and had no buttons, merely being tucked into his trousers (if you've ever seen 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys', it's something like that except long sleeved). A large portion of a smooth chest was revealed by his open shirt, which Kathryn appreciated. He too was barefoot, his mask the same brown-green mixture of his shirt, covering only the eye area, trimmed in gold. The only other thing he wore was the salamander pendant with diamond eyes.
"Are you ready?" He asked, offering her a hand to enter the Great Hall.
"As I'll ever be." She took his hand and they entered.
The Great Hall looked spectacular. The candles had been temporarily removed, and instead several glass orbs glowed with a bright, white-blue light giving a ghostly feel, especially with the orange and red flames of the fire in the hearth casting off such a friendly warm light. The tables were gone, long tables lay across two walls, holding finger foods. A stage was set up on one of the remaining walls. A number of jack-o'-lanterns sat on windowsills, their faces sinister and traditional. The decoration was very little, but an atmosphere had been created that could rival the most elaborate decorations. It was amazing.
Musical strains floated through the room, the source unknown. No one wanted to dance to it.
Until Kat and Sirius stepped onto the floor.
"Play with Fire, you'll get burnt." Kathryn warned her boyfriend.
"Play with Earth, you'll find your worth." Sirius replied.
They began to dance. Many stopped and stared, but soon others joined them, a mixture of nymphs, heroes, wizards, witches, doctors, nurses, muses, gods, noblewomen, knights, and more joining them.
It was wonderful.
Until a sudden scream wrenched itself from the throat of the maiden, Fire.
"No!" Earth yelled.
"Earth, leave it." Water ordered from nearby.
"He is trying steal that magic once more, Water! He cannot take it! It will kill her! We know that enough!" Earth shouted.
"Fire, can you hear me?" Air knelt beside the fallen Fire.
Everyone moved back, staring at the scene.
"That bastard!" Earth growled.
"Earth!"
"You say you are spirit, but all elements have that." Fire spoke wheezily, as though her throat were sore. "You are the opposite to all we have. The absence of Heart, Mind, Soul and Life, the absence of Air, Water, Fire and Earth. You are Evil."
A high-pitched cackle chilled each person in the room to the bones.
"Foolish child!"
"We have defeated thee, Evil, so many times!" Earth yelled.
"We can try now, but only one unborn has the power to slay thee. But fear not, we can stop thee." Fire shrieked.
The fire in the hearth suddenly let out a giant leap and flames let go, dancing about her, weaving their way harmlessly over her body.
"Begone Evil!" Water yelled.
The high-pitched cackle rang out again.
"Very well!" Air cried.
"Evil should not be in this place,
Return across time and space!" Fire, Water, Air and Earth incanted together.
A twisting net of crimson, blue, green and white flung itself against the room and Evil was gone.
"Fire!" Earth cried, pulling the girl – woman? – up from the floor.
And things changed once more.
"What...?" Kathryn's voice rang out before silver light shone in her eyes and Sirius' once more.
"Arianne, go! If he catches you here..." He was worried.
"Let him! You know why we are married, and it was through no fault of my own." Her voice was bitter angry.
"He sees you as..."
"His property, I know. 'A witch with the purest blood'. Pity he doesn't realise that my thoughts are not. Nor the truth of..."
"The truth of what?"
"What do you think? If he finds out my child is not his..."
"He is mine?"
"Of course. Damn, I hate this bigotry! Why couldn't I marry the man I loved? Your mother was of pure blood, and just because your father was Muggle-born... It doesn't make any difference! You are stronger than he, in magic, in heart, in life. You can feel love! He only feels lust and desire!"
"Arianne, you are in danger. My son..."
"I know, Ronan. Your son will inherit your traits, you told me so yourself. And though it is not yet obvious... He will. Merlin, I hate him! Why did he do that to me?" The woman in Kathryn's body, Arianne, sobbed.
"Do what?" Ronan, inside Sirius' body, asked.
"*Rape me*." The woman whispered. "It was only so he could marry me, lay claim to me. He spelled me, attacked me, I couldn't defend myself..."
Ronan was furious. "Why didn't you tell me? He had no right! To do that to a woman... And to you, of all of them! He spelled you! That bloody bastard..."
"Ronan, I must go!" Her voice was suddenly fearful. A shadow was beside them, a shadow of a cot and child. "Ronan, take my son and go!"
"The curse..."
"It is this. He cursed me himself... He knows I'm here, knows what I did! Ronan, go! Save our son!"
"Arianne, I won't leave you!"
A loud knocking, angry mutters ran through the Hall.
"Ronan, take Llew and go! It's him! Run! Go! I'll hold him off!" Arianne ordered, her voice so urgent he could not help but obey.
Ronan took the child from the cot, more than a shadow now, and ran.
Another 'shadow' figure ran into the room.
"You little bitch!" The man snarled, grabbing Arianne by the arm savagely. "You betrayed me!"
"After what you did to me, I was no better than I ought to be, remember?" Arianne snarled. "You said I was just another worthless whore, but you needed a wife, and I was the *lucky* one picked."
"You laid with another man!"
"Of course! There was someone I loved, remember! You told me that he was descended from a 'Mudblood', he didn't have feelings! He does! There was no way I was going to let a child of yours leave my womb! I had the child of the man I love, and that child is now safe with him! 'Tis our curse, but our child will live. The child always does. And he was not named for you. For your name is stolen from another family. He was named for his true father!"
"You bitch!" He gave a ringing blow across her face, she collapsed to the floor.
Slowly she rose, blood flowing from her lip.
"You are a coward, Cian Malfoy! As will be all your descendants!" She snarled.
He pulled out a sword.
Arianne backed away her eyes wide. Then she threw her head back, defiant. "Go on, kill me. Cement the evil your family holds so dear, the cowardice that each of you holds. After what you did to me, you can hurt me no longer, *I* did nothing wrong, not after you used that despicable spell. Two. A Confundus Charm, and the Imperius Curse. I was too weak to fight it! You are an arrogant bastard, Malfoy, and that shall reign through your blood!"
"I am no bastard. My parents were married, unlike your own bastard's!"
"You are entirely a self-made man!" She shrieked.
He lunged forward. She stumbled back, blood fell from a slash in her stomach, she fell to the ground.
"Curse you, Malfoy. Curse you and your descendants." Her eyes clouded.
The scene changed once more.
Sirius reappeared, Kathryn stood, whole, alive, not even a tear in her costume.
"Stop..." Sirius began.
Another flash of silver light.
"Loren! The Evil One is here." Sirius grabbed her shoulders urgently.
"No! We do not have time!"
"We have to close it before he can channel its power!"
"Raquel, how?"
"He will kill us anyway, will he not?"
"Yes, but..."
"Bind it to us. With our deaths..."
"It shall close."
"Yes."
"Very well."
A flash of scarlet magic, a scream, and blood.
"Gazorn."
"How nice you remember me, Loren, Raquel." Another, half-shadow, half- flesh figure snarled. "Now kindly move."
"You'll have to kill us first!" Raquel snarled.
"Gladly." He too took out a sword, rather than a wand.
While the two tried to fight the Evil One off, he killed both.
But as they bled, they let out a laugh.
"You are your own destruction." Raquel laughed.
"By killing us, you closed it." Loren explained.
"It's magic is lost to you forever."
An angry scream, bright green light...
And Sirius and Kathryn became themselves once more, stood in the centre of the room, clearly shaken.
"What in God's name...?" Kathryn gasped.
"Spirits, their lives, came forth..." Sirius suggested.
"Damn Hallowe'en." Kathryn groaned, slipping to the floor.
Lily and James rushed to help their friends.
"Why does this always happen to us, eh?" Sirius asked weakly.
"It does always seem to choose you..." Lily murmured. (A/N: Really? We'll just see about that!)
Kathryn and Sirius sat down on some chairs, with drinks, Sirius (who still had his wand) conjuring a small table. They watched as their friends left to dance.
"It seems all the Elemental Guardians came as their element tonight." Sirius observed.
Kathryn grinned. "It fits, I guess."
James and Lily were dressed as Water and Air respectively. James wore deep blue trousers and a lighter blue shirt in the same style as Sirius'. Lily wore a white dress remarkably similar to Kathryn's, but for a more floating skirt, rather than flame-like. Both, of course, were barefoot, and James' hair was as messy as ever. Lily no longer complained about it, she seemed to find it endearing. Lily's hair was in perfect ringlets, caught behind a shimmering tiara of organza stretched over a silverwork frame.
As the couple gathered their strength, the other couple stood in the centre of the room, dancing.
And then more spirits began to work.
Silver shone in their eyes, noticed by all those around them, and everyone shrunk back to watch once more.
"Matthew, is He coming?" The young woman cried.
"I fear He is. The Charm should protect us! But why is He after us?" Matthew – in James' body – wanted to know.
"Oberon told us... Our child..."
"Ivy, why would He want to slay our child? He is but a babe, no threat to anyone!"
"The prophecy..."
"From that fraud? He believes it?"
"Matthew, it was genuine. A rare genuine vision..."
"But that means..."
"Our child is the only one who can defeat Him!"
"We must protect him! With our lives, our love, our magic..."
A crash resounded.
"He's here!" Matthew yelled.
"How could he... the Charm..."
"We've been betrayed."
"Where are you, Potter? Where are you hiding?" A voice snarled and a 'shadow' figure entered the room.
"Ivy, take Luke and go! It's him! Run! Go! I'll hold him off!" Matthew yelled.
Kathryn was hit by the memory that she had said that when Arianne had taken control of her body, and James would say that as himself to Lily in exactly seven years' time.
Ivy – or Lily – ran, as though into another room.
The shadow advanced on Matthew Potter.
"So, Potter, we meet at last. Where is your son?"
"I'll never tell you, Zaran!" Matthew yelled.
"Very well!"
"Petrificus Totalus!" Matthew yelled.
Zaran dodged it.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of green light and Matthew fell.
The shadow progressed onto the next room.
"Give up your child." He ordered.
"Never!"
"Get out of my way!"
"Not Luke, not Luke, please not Luke!"
"Stand aside, you silly girl... stand aside, now..."
"Not Luke, please no, take me, kill me instead..."
"Out of my way!"
"Not Luke! Please... have mercy... have mercy..."
Zaran laughed shrilly – a laugh Kathryn and Sirius recognised – Ivy screamed and a flash of green light ended her life.
The scene ceased once more.
Kathryn placed a hand to her head as her friends stood, confused, disoriented, but they knew what they had said.
"Kat, are you okay?" Sirius asked, his voice muffled in her ears.
"No, I'm going to be sick." She replied.
"Why?"
"*It happens again...*" She whispered, feeling ill. "*The exact same words except for the names...*"
"What?"
Kathryn fell silent. She knew what she had just witnessed. The death of Lily and James – in a previous life. Exactly the same as their death would occur seven years from now.
"Zaran must be a spiritual ancestor of Voldemort." She murmured. "Just as Matthew is to James, in blood as well, Ivy to Lily and Luke to Harry in blood and spirit."
"What?" Sirius asked again. "Kat, you're not making any sense."
Kathryn sighed. "You don't want me to start making sense..."
The evening progressed, and Kathryn still felt ill. She knew what she had just seen. And now she could remember exactly what had happened during each 'regression', as Dumbledore had once put it, to her past life.
It was later on when Lucius Malfoy confronted her.
"What the hell did you think you were saying, bitch?" He demanded.
"About what, Malfoy?" Kathryn asked innocently.
"During that little put-on stage show of you and your boyfriend." He snarled.
"That? That wasn't put-on, Malfoy. And you should have realised that Hallowe'en is as magical as the Midwinter Solstice and Christmas Day. Spirits enter bodies and they tell the truth. It doesn't surprise me that one of your blood ancestors was a rapist and murderer. What does surprise me is that he chose one of my spiritual ancestors to do that to. I'd've thought he have had more sense. I do hope he suffered. Though somehow he managed to breed, God knows how."
Malfoy's hand struck her hard across the face.
"Don't ever insult my family again." He ordered.
"Or what? I'll insult you and your family as much as I please. Heck, I'll insult your son too, if you like. You won't be in any position to stop me at the time, Death Eater." She spat out the last words.
He slapped her again and left.
Kathryn scowled, her eyes narrowing. She stared at his head of long, blond, perfectly-gelled hair. In seconds it transfigured into short, brown, extremely messy hair (messier than James') and looked, frankly, awful against his pale skin. Snapping her fingers, the placed a Permanent- sticking Charm on it, knowing it wouldn't change until his hair grew out.
Sirius found her seconds later.
"Nice work on the hair, now what'd he do?"
"Slapped me a couple of times, accused me of making it all up, nothing too serious. I told him that I'd only told the truth, and I'd insult his family all I please." Kathryn grinned.
"Oh good." Sirius replied and pulled her in for a kiss.
* * *
The months of November and December passed quickly, and the friends worked hard under the huge amounts of homework they were given. James, Sirius, Lily and Kathryn also had Quidditch practise and won their first match – against Hufflepuff – 290-50. They went Christmas shopping in Hogsmeade and twittered about the Yule Ball, organised for the twenty-first of December, a couple of days into their holidays.
Lily and James had selected prefects and friends for the Ball Committee including Kathryn and Sirius and they all worked hard to make it the best they could.
Meanwhile, the four friends prayed that the only performing they would be doing was singing and acting, not the resurfacing of yet more previous lives.
And it came to the Christmas holidays. And as they attempted to do their homework in the Head Tower Common Room, away from the noise of the other, they prayed that the Yule Ball would go smoothly and not cause any more harm. Kathryn just wanted to have one ball where she didn't go into someone else's personality, though they were so similar to her own.
On a lighter note, Lucius Malfoy's hair had been shaved off in an attempt to get it to grow back more quickly. Kathryn and Sirius couldn't help laughing at him every time he passed. Every potion he took to speed up hair growth had failed.
* * *
A/N: Interesting, eh? I can't believe I did that to Kat's spiritual ancestor, but there you go. I was hit by something incredibly evil. I hope you liked it.
First, if you haven't reviewed, go to the end, there's a message for you there! If you have, well...
To reviewers:
Rhinemjr: Oh my God! It had only been posted up an hour by the time I received the e-mail about the review (I happened to be checking it at the time). I can't believe you read and reviewed so quickly! And FanFiction was telling me most of the pages couldn't be displayed, so I couldn't read anything else, really. Thanks, and I'm glad you like it! You've got a lot less questions for me than I have for you!
gaull: Glad you think it's good.
Lenorathetrekkie: Thanks! I'm glad you like it. That's at least four reviews. Hope you get to this chapter soon! I've read the books *lots* of times. In Year 7 – first year of high school, 11 going on 12, I've no idea what grade it is for Americans – I read the first 3 books in one weekend. I must've read the first three about 7 or 8 times, the fourth one 4 or 5 and the fifth book I've read at least twice. I'm pretty good with details. It bugs me when things are wrong with no explanation. But I did explain James' eyes! Also, mad? Yep. But mine's genetic – I think. My dad's a bit barmy (*a bit*? Who am I kidding? A lot!) and so's his mum. But we're all mad in the nicest possible way. I also have my wonderful father to thank for the insomniac gene – hence, some of this is written kinda late in the evening and things do get a little mad!
lolitastorm: I'm glad you like it! I am getting more reviews, I've got nearly forty now! Though admittedly, sometimes there are several from the same person! I was upset about getting attacked for what I said, but I understood. I knew I was going to make some flippant, misconstrued comment. Trust me to do it in the first chapter. I think they were more offended by the fact that, in the first draft, I'd called Americans stupid, and that wasn't what I meant. I just meant Bush is stupid. Anyway, I'm glad you like it. Tell your friends!
Tina: It was only a joke, to stir up people to review. Killing Kat off would be a bit pointless, wouldn't it? Glad you like it. Yeah, I want more reviews too. Tell your friends!
A Proud American: I was upset about your first review, but your second made my day! I really didn't mean to insult the Americans as a whole. Just Bush. In fact, I think Americans have lots of good things – like actors, TV programmes (Buffy, Charmed, The Simpsons, need I continue?), films, books... I just *really* don't like Bush. I think I heard about the anti-war protests, but unfortunately, I was right in the middle of exams and work experience in that April. Not nice. I'm really sorry if you felt insulted. And see, there's lots of chapters! I've updated! And yes, the name Kathryn is cool. In all it's spellings! I'm just a little biased myself. My name's spelt the classic way. I just hope I don't go the same way as two of Henry the Eighth's wives! (The British monarchy is very bizarre. But very interesting and fun to take the piss out of. Apparently making jokes etc. is supposed to show respect. I wouldn't know.)
Guardian Elf Angel: I let my sister on the computer, okay? See? Now you can keep reviewing. Yeah, revision's a pain. Wait until next year. *Evil smirk* Mocks are all well and good, but the *actual GCSEs*? No comparison! Glad you like it.
Sk8er witch: Glad you like it! Ah, you've struck on my master plan of the plot! Well done. But then my not so subtle clues weren't hard to work out, were they? Thanks for the review!
dark angel: Thanks! How I come with the ideas escapes me too! I come up with way too many – I have about twenty fics with the first two or three chapters written! I'm glad you like the powers. Some are sort of borrowed from 'Charmed' and stuff. But it's hard not to, really. You're another person to talk about the bit where I had to change the first chapter. I don't think they were upset about my insulting Bush. I insulted all Americans first time around! That wasn't a good idea! And I didn't even mean to! So I insulted Bush *and* Blair instead. War doesn't solve anything, though a little violence occasionally works. Kat can be a *leetle* bit violent, can't she? Oh well. Thanks for reviewing!
B: Also known as Seer of Faith, formerly Thriodien, and my sister! Tips, hmm. How about... POST UP YOUR DAMN FICS! They're good!
dramaswimer: I have no idea how I manage to write such long chapters. I'm just incapable of writing short ones. It's a pre-written story, I'm about nine chapters ahead of this in writing. Nine. In nine weeks I'm in the middle of GCSEs! Help! Glad you like it. Thanks!!!
Wow! That's 11 reviewers! (Even if one's my sister!) Some of you reviewed more than once! (Especially Lenora – thanks!) I really appreciate the feedback. Constructive criticism is welcome. Whether I follow the advice given is another matter!
Have a great Easter! Maybe I'll do another update on Easter Sunday, I don't know! Did anyone else come across evil authors who did incredibly evil things on April Fool's Day? I did. And I got fooled! How embarrassing!
Happy Easter!
By the way, should I post up one of my other fics? I've got a few BtVS/HP crossovers, plus numerous Harry Potter ones. Tell me!
Oh yeah, and keep reviewing me!!! I love reviews!!! Plus, if you leave a signed review, I often go and check out your stories. So it works in your favour too!
Lol, Tanydwr