Chapter 16
Catherine was awoken early one morning by the burning of her mark. Groaning angrily, she dragged herself out of bed and quickly dressed in her school robes.
Down a few hallways, Severus had just gotten back from his own death eater meeting, and was now in Dumbledore's office.
"Severus, you must calm down," Albus spoke softly.
"How do you expect me to calm down?" Snape hissed, "I was called to the Dark Lord, and during the time I was with him, Catherine was mentioned.
"They only know of your daughter, I'm sure. The death eaters have not met her, if they had, she would have reported it to The Order, and she hasn't."
"Are you sure?"
"Quite sure actually."
"So she hasn't had any contact with the Dark Side?"
"Not that I know of." Even though he was lying, Albus knew he was doing a good thing. If Severus were to know the truth, he would be harming himself and his daughter.
"Why would he say something like that then?" Severus growled, dropping down heavily into a cushy armchair.
"What precisely did he say?"
"Something along the lines of: 'We'll enjoy your daughter being amongst us, she will serve us well, and will be a wonderful benefit.'"
"Well then wouldn't that merely mean that they think she is coming to their side?"
"I guess." Snape sighed heavily, standing up, "I must be going. I have lessons to plan." The professor then left for his office, just missing Catherine, who was on her way to the forest.
The young woman was careful to hurry this time, not wanting to be whipped again. She headed directly to the stop she had been the time before. Just as she entered the small clearing, a drawling voice spoke out to her.
"I am glad you could make it on time today Miss Snape." Voldemort greeted, moving towards her. "There is some important news that has reached my ears that I must discuss with you."
"Anything My Lord." She noticed that there were quite a few less death eaters this time.
"Have you heard any news about The Order of the Phoenix?" Her heart jumped to her throat.
"No My Lord. I have never heard of it." Voldemort started hard at her for a moment.
"You know better than your Father, you do not lie to your Lord."
"Never."
"Good." He paused, "Lucius also had something to speak with you about." The blonde-haired man stepped forward.
"I have heard that my son made you an offer."'
"An offer?"
"Yes." Lucius drawled, "Young Draco said to you that two young purebloods such as yourselves deserve each other."
"Indeed he did."
"Did you accept?"
"Not at the time."
"Will you accept now?" Cate gulped silently, she knew what she had to do in order to not be killed.
"Of course." She replied.
"Boy!" Lucius barked, "You heard her." Draco then stepped from between the trees. In silence, a smirk on his face, he closed the gap between himself and Cate, pulling her close.
"I'll have you know you're the luckiest woman alive." He whispered before kissing her forcefully. It felt like eternity before he pulled away, Catherine did her best not to wipe her mouth in disgust.
"That is all." Voldemort said, "Go back to the castle."
A few hours had passed and the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws were sitting in Transfiguration. The class was passing smoothly, with no interruptions, up until Catherine realized what she had done.
The young woman had been sitting slouched back against her chair, but suddenly jumped, sitting up straight, terror in her eyes. Professor McGonagall stopped with the notes she was doing, looking up at the young woman.
"Are you quite alright?" Cate shook her head. "Why don't you go lay down for a bit?" Cate nodded, knowing it was simply an excuse for her to get out of class.
The eighteen-year-old quickly gathered her things and left the class, hurriedly walking down the hallway to Professor McGonagall's office. What had happened that morning had to be told to The Order directly. Cate flooed to Grimmauld Place, dumped her things in the living room, then walked into the kitchen. Charlie, Moody, Lupin and Molly Weasley were all there.
"Catherine?" Lupin looked up, "Is something wrong? I didn't expect you here today."
"I did an incredibly stupid thing this morning." Nearly everyone in the room froze as she took a seat at the table.
"Go on..." Charlie urged.
"I'm betrothed to Malfoy."
"What?" Three voices echoed through the room, then Moody added:
"I hope you mean the boy." Cate looked around the kitchen, trying to avoid Charlie's eyes, she didn't want to deal with that at the moment.
"How did this happen?" Molly asked, breaking the silence.
"A while ago, I mean into Draco in the hallway and..." She then re-told the story. When she was finished, the eighteen-year-old buried her face in her hands, groaning angrily.
"Dear...it's okay." Molly rubbed her shoulder, "The only way you would have to marry him is if the Dark Side wins the war. Which isn't going to happen." Catherine smiled up at her.
"Thanks."
"Any more news from the other side?" Moody asked. She shook her head. Moody then turned back to Reamus, and continued the conversation they had been having. Cate stood up, walking to the sitting room to leave, not noticing Charlie behind her. She turned and saw him as she picked up her beg.
"Don't hate me." She said weakly. Charlie smiled, softly pulling her into a hug.
"I don't." He whispered into her hair. "There wasn't another way out of it." He kissed her head. Cate pulled away.
"Thank-you." She replied, kissing him once before flooing back to Hogwarts.
