Chapter Sixteen

"Professor, I'm leaving."

Kate sat in Dumbledore's office, standing up to his grim stare through the half-moon glasses. "Kathleen, I'm afraid I must object. It's not safe for you to leave. Not now. We, the Order, believe that Lord Voldemort knows your identity. We cannot risk the Guardian falling into his hands."

"Professor, I still intend to leave. I'm taking the Arca with me."

Albus Dumbledore flashed back to twenty years before when Diana sat before him, telling him the same news. History was repeating itself. "Kathleen. Think of your mother. About what happened to her when she left, taking the Arca with her."

"Yes, I know. This time there will be two Guardians to protect the Arca."

Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes deepened in color. "Harry?"

"No. Draco."

A small smile crinkled at his mouth. "The young Malfoy. He came to me the other day, asking for protection from Lord Voldemort. But you already knew that, Kathleen."

Kate nodded. "I sent him. I knew you would help him." She looked away out the window. "He didn't believe that you would really help him."

"We're sending him to the Malfoy Manor. It's his now, I believe. Of course, a number of spells and enchantments will be placed upon the house. More than what are currently placed. It will be safe."

Kate shifted in her chair. "I know. That's why I'm going with him. He needs me, Professor. Draco's had a hard time, sir."

A stiff silence fell between them. Dumbledore sighed into it. "I'm aware of Draco's difficult life as of late. That's why I'm giving you my blessing."

Kate ran up to the Tower to tell Draco her news as fast as her legs would take her. It was dark inside, as night had set in outside. But he didn't light any lamps. Only a sheet of concentrated moonlight fell through the panes, reflecting off a mirror hung on the wall.

"Draco?"

He didn't look up. Draco was sitting in a chair with his head cradled in his hands.

"Draco, I'm coming with you. To the Manor."

He didn't say anything, didn't look up once more.

"Draco? Did you hear me?" Kate, sensing something was wrong, crouched in front of him.

"You can't." His voice was broken and raw. "You can't come with me."

"But…you said…"

Draco looked up. His eyes were reddened and dry. He'd been crying. "I know what I said. Kate, I can't let you come. It's too dangerous. He might find you." Draco's shoulders shivered.

Kate shuddered too and hugged him. "I know it'll be dangerous. I know. Dumbledore and the Order are putting more protective spells on the house as we speak and he trusts us."

"He does?"

"Yes. And besides, we'll both be there with the Arca. It'll protect us, Draco."

He shook his head. "No. I can't let you go, Kate. I have to go. Alone." He sighed. "I'm sorry, Katie. I'll see you tonight. I'm going to the Garden."

Kate watched him stand and then looked out the window. All she did was watch people she loved leave her.

The next day, Kate wandered down to the cold rooms of Severus Snape.

"Come in," he said in his oily voice before she even knocked on the door. "Ah. Kathleen, please take a chair."

She did.

"Mr. Potter has left I see."

Kate nodded and almost flinched at his name. No matter what she would admit, it was a terrible blow to loose him.

"I want to leave with Draco, but he won't let me."

"He's afraid of what he could do to you."

"What could he do to me?" The idea of Draco hurting her worse than he previously had was incredulous.

"He's afraid he might give you away, Kathleen."

"Draco wouldn't really do that, would he?"

Severus considered. "The Dark Lord's torture can be very convincing."

"Severus? Did you love my mother?"

A pained look came over his face but he didn't fidget. "Yes. I did. Very much so. Diana was my whole world."

"I'm sorry she left you. I know how it feels to be left behind."

Severus chuckled and touched her fingertips. "Yes. I suppose you would. Thank you." The smile faded from his lips and he sighed. "Bring me the boy. I need to explain the true nature of the Arca to you both."

Kate bit her lip. "Well, we're not exactly speaking at the moment. You see…"

"I don't care about your silly rows. Bring him to me."

Kate put off finding Draco for a whole week. They were still fighting and she couldn't find him anywhere. He was sleeping under the stars in the Garden, a place she avoided entirely. Finally, she found the note. The note Draco left her in the Temple. He was gone.

"He's gone, Severus. He left yesterday."

"Did he take it?"

"Draco took the Arca, if that's what you mean."

Severus leaned back in his chair. "Then he'll die."

Kate groaned and fought the tears. History was repeating itself. "Just like my mother."

Severus shuddered. "You must find him. Harry denied it. Draco must return. There must be two Guardians. One can't do it alone."

"But how am I supposed to find him? He's probably drifting the countryside on that damn bike."

"Yes, I suppose he is. Draco has become rather fond of that motorbike. Perhaps your friend the werewolf will know. He was always rather good at keeping his friends out of trouble."

Kate couldn't believe she didn't think of Remus earlier. Of course he would know. "I'll forget that, Severus. I'm going to find Draco. I will." She kissed his cheek and rushed to pay a visit to her old friend.

Kate found Remus in his classroom, bent over a stack of papers. She hadn't seen him in a long while, not since graduation. They hadn't spoken as friends for even longer. Seeing him alone in his office made Kate feel guilty, like she should have visited him more often. But Remus being Remus invited her in and made a pot of tea, listening to her request with patience.

"I have to find him, Remus. I have to."

"Are you sure?"

Kate knew of Remus' dislike of the Malfoy family. "Yes. We have to."

He sighed and ran a hand through his thick brown hair. The gesture made him look old and tired. "Let's get started then."

Kate kissed his cheek and agreed. "Let's."