Chapter 13
Nearly three weeks had swept passed at Hogwarts, it was already Valentine's Day, and a Hogsmead weekend.
Parvati, Lavender and Catherine entered the village just ahead of Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"I have to leave you guys at noon." Parvati giggled, "I'm meeting Dean at the coffee shop." Cate raised an eyebrow at the sixteen-year-old.
"Really now? Is this becoming more than just friends?" She asked, Parvati giggled again.
"Maybe."
"How come you didn't tell me?" Lavender shrieked.
"I didn't want to get my hopes up too soon." Catherine looked down at her watch, it was eleven thirty-nine.
"Guys, I hate to do this to you, but I have to leave you now."
"OoOo . . . does someone have a special date?"'
"Pfft. No!" She waved at the two teens as she jogged off to The Three Broomsticks. Cate entered the pub and headed to the room at the top of the stairs, knocking as she entered.
Inside the room, there were two couches and three chairs all facing each other. Severus, Charlie, Arthur Weasley, and Reamus Lupin sat among them.
"Catherine, I'm glad you could make it." Lupin greeted.
"What else would I be doing today? Everyone's off with dates."
"True." He replied, Cate sat on the arm of the nearest arm chair.
"So . . . what is this meeting about exactly?"
"Well," Lupin began, "You might not know, but Severus has been doing some spying for us, as he's linked to both sides of the upcoming war."
At this point, just outside the door, Harry, Ron and Hermione were listening.
"Yes." Cate responded to Reamus. Then he continued.
"We needed to get together to find out what's going on with the other side."
"And there isn't much." Snape spoke up, "They're beginning to gather people together for the war, but that's all." The others nodded, "Catherine?" Her head shot up, "How's your mark?"
"What do you mean?"
"Has it been burning? How dark is it?"
Outside, the three teens were in shock. Hermione turned to the other two.
"I knew something was weird with her! She's a death eater!"
Inside, all five heads snapped around to look at the door. As it was a meeting for The Order, they didn't want anyone overhearing. Severus stood up, walked quickly over to the door, and flung it open.
"Potter . . . of course." The three cringed in the thought of what he might do.
"Harry!" Arthur ran over to the door, "What do you three think you're doing?"
"We uh . . . uh . . . " Harry was lost for words, "Uh . . . we . . . uh . . . we were just wondering where Cate was going."
"You followed me?" She shrieked, then calmly exited the room, leaving the pub.
"Get out!" Snape spat at the other students. Obediently, the three sped from the hallway. Severus turned back to the other members of The Order, anger still filling his face. "I'll speak with her later, she won't be back."
"Severus, I think it's fine." Arthur replied, "Charlie could just as easily go find her later today."
"That sounds good Dad." Charlie patted him on the shoulder before leaving, not wanting to be surrounded by the tension that now filled the room.
The young man walked out into the snowy street and immediately spotted Catherine, heading toward Lavender.
"Cate!" He called out. She whipped around to face him.
"Yes?"
"I was supposed to come find you, I think Snape still wants to know about your mark." He replied as her neared her. Cate sighed heavily.
"You can tell Severus that it's been fine. It was burning when he first marked me, and then again the next day."
"All right." Charlie sighed also, "I better be off now, I'll see you soon." The two hugged before going off in their own directions.