Chapter 18

It was now early February, snow still lay around the Hogwarts grounds, but the weather was improving. The DA was on their way back from their meeting, which Catherine had attended. She had been making sure that they were learning spells that were very useful against death eaters.

Cate, Parvati and Lavender walked ahead of Harry Ron and Hermione, chatting animatedly while giggling every so often. Catherine's head suddenly whipped around, her eyes following something. The young woman had felt a wisp of wind, and the feeling of fabric brush past her. Harry noticed it too, he held out his left hand, signaling the group to stop walking. Cate and him then pulled out their wands, taking a step forward.

"It's safe." A raspy voice said quietly, and suddenly, Moody and Lupin appeared in the hallway. Catherine and Harry sighed lightly, lowering their wands.

"Harry, are these all of the DA members?" Lupin asked.

"No." He shook his head, "Only the Gryffindors. Everyone else left right after the meeting."

"We need to talk to them all." Moody spoke, "When's the next meeting?"

"I could make one for tomorrow."

"Thank-you." He then turned to Cate, "They want you in the staff room." She left without another word. As soon as the eighteen-year-old was out of sight, Hermione turned to the two men.

"You've got to help us!" She hissed, "I've been keeping my eye on Catherine, and I'm pretty sure she's a death eater!" Lupin laughed softly.

"Hermione, you're completely wrong about her."

"No, I'm not! She's got the dark mark, she's going off into the forest, she's kissing Malfoy!" Lupin and Moody simply stood there, as they already knew all of this, it wasn't a shock.

"Catherine is, well, you could say with, Malfoy, but it is not willing. She had a choice between that and death."

"That still doesn't say if she's a death eater of not."

"She's part of The Order. As are both her parents, and that's the end of it." Moody growled, "Reamus̀€ll take you back to your rooms. Death eaters are wandering the grounds invisible, you need more protection." With that, Moody turned and left for the staff room.

Down at the staff room, Catherine knocked on the door as she entered. Inside, sat Mr. Weasley, Charlie, Severus, Professors McGonagall, Dumbledore and Tonks, and a few others.

"I see Reamus found you." Arthur greeted, smiling.

"Yeah." She replied, taking a seat beside Charlie on the cushy couch.

"Well," Dumbledore began, "We may as well begin the meeting. Alastor and Reamus will be along in a few minutes."

"All right." Arthur reached over to a pile of parchment infront of him, he picked up a few pieces.

"According to the reports we've gotten, the death eaters aren't planing to attack for another few months. However, they are on Hogwarts grounds, and are a threat to students." A few people nodded, Charlie snuck his hand down, squeezing Cate's. "Because of this, members of The Order who are not already involved with Hogwarts will be patrolling the grounds and castle. Hopefully, this will increase the security around the castle."

"Who all is doing it?" Charlie asked.

"Alastor, Mundungus, and Kingsley." Arthur replied, "Tonks, Albus, and Minerva, if you could keep a sharp eye out, that would be greatly appreciated."

"And have you once again forgotten about me?" Snape asked cooly.

"Ah Severus, I have a special job for you."'

"Oh joy."

"I need you to watch over Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott. Make sure you prevent them from going into the forest, or go with them."

"I'll be sure of it. You can't count on me to do it though, I've got enough to do with keeping an eye on this one." He gestured to Catherine.

"But of course." She replied dryly, rolling her eyes. Arthur looked from Severus to Catherine a few times, then continued on.

"Yes...well...uh...Severus is there any new information from Voldemort?"'

"None new." He replied, "I have heard though, from Lucius Malfoy, that they have chosen a new Dark Lord to take over if the current one fails. I also know that this new Dark Lord is betrothed and is able to produce an heir at any time." As he finished, Cate looked over at Charlie, shock in her eyes, she had not been told of this heir business.

"Are you sure of this?" Moody asked, he had just appeared in the doorway.

"Yes." Snape replied, then turned back to Arthur, "Is this all you need from me?"

"Yes." The man replied. Severus then left.

"Uh...dad?" Charlie began after the door closed. The man looked over at him.

"Yes?"

"I don't think what Snape said was completely true."

"Why not?"

"Well...uhh.. Cate's the one betrothed to Draco Malfoy." A few people reacted in shock, but most weren't surprised.

"And I'm not exactly up to producing an heir." Cate commented. A few quiet laughs echoed through the rom.

"Well obviously no one from the Order is." Moody clunked over to a chair and sat down in it.

"At least we know that this isn't a concern of ours anymore." Lupin had just arrived.

"Very true." Arthur nodded, then turned to Catherine, "You can go know if you'd like."

"Mmkay." She replied, stood up, and left the meeting.

Oddly enough, Hermione didn't ask her any questions about where she was, or what Moody wanted from her.