A/N: Okay, here's the next installment! Well, I think that I have a new reader, well....one that I know about. Hi, Chelsea! Please, if you read this story, REVIEW! You don't even have to be registered! I'd love any kind of review! Even a flame! Whoa...I'm very desperate, that is if I want people to diss my fiction...Okay! Now, to the story!
Chapter Fourteen: Fraternizing With the Enemy!
Kit sat down at the Gryffindor table, making sure to seperate herself from everyone else, just so Draco didn't have any victims. She hadn't seen the three, but she knew where they were...staying to do their homework for as long as humanly possible. The only thing she understood about their classes, was that Albus Dumbledore himself was teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, due to the absence of their real teacher.
Another thing that she understood was that the teacher in question, was due today. So, now all Kit had to do was wait for Draco, and hope that no one would come and sit by her until then. Luckily for her, Draco was already headed her way...
"Finally!" Kit breathed in relief, "So, you're finally gracing me with your presence...my dearest Draco?"
Draco smiled at this, "Gracing wouldn't even come near to describing it, Katherine."
Kit looked around nervously, making sure that no one could hear her next question, "Why are you really here? Are you trying to get revenge or something?"
"Revenge? I was just hoping that we could settle our differences and become close," Draco leaned forward, "Close friends..."
"Tell that to Harry..." Kit mumbled, "Like he'd ever allow anything of the sort! He's so---"
"Over-protective?" He asked, looking at her seriously, "He has no right to control you."
Kit looked back at him, his eyes boring into hers, "I don't know what you mean, we are cousins, and he thinks that because of his ties to... You-Know-Who," Kit didn't think that be audacious now would help, "might put me in danger..."
"The Dark Lord? His ties to you don't mean that you're in danger! It's because of that bond, that you won't be harmed. As if the Dark Lord would hurt his chances of defeating Potter by killing you." Draco put a hand on her arm, "He just wants to feel in control of you, make himself the perfect little hero. Proves his incompetence if you ask me!"
"Incompetence?! What's so---"
"Who's incompetent? Oh! I see...you're talking to Malfoy!"
Kit froze, she knew that voice, and it's twin... "Fred? Is that you?"
"No, it's George, but you were close!" George laughed, sitting down beside her, with Fred following close behind, "Thought maybe you'd need some saving! Saw this twit messing with you and we just felt like helping!"
"She invited me over here, Weasley!" Draco said indignantly, "And, we're having a private conversation..."
"Private? Does Harry know you're talking to this git in private?" Fred asked, looking at Kit suspicously.
"For your information," Kit snapped, "he doesn't have to know every little thing I do! He isn't my mother..."
"But he is your family and he cares about you," George retorted, "So, he'd probably rather at least know about some things that he wouldn't approve of, even if you don't listen to him."
"I don't have to hear this!" She hissed, "Look, what I do is my business, and if I want to talk to Draco, then I can!"
Fred glared at her, "So, that means that you shouldn't care about our house's dignity? Fraternizing with a head-strong Slytherin!"
"I might be a little head-strong, but I could take you on any day! And besides, you're not Kit's family, so why should you care if I talk to her!"
"Because," George started, "We care about her too, we are her friends, even if she doesn't know it...or care!"
The two stood up, walking back to where Ron and Ginny were sitting, who had just arrived.
"Look, why don't you just come to my table..." Draco asked, giving her a pleading look, "I promise I'll behave!"
"It's not you I'm worried about..." Kit said warily, looking hesitantly at the Slytherin table...it didn't look too inviting at all...
"Whatever, I have to meet you for tutoring anyway, at seven o'clock, in the spare classroom in the Charms corridoor, we'll be working on your Potion's exam." Draco gave her a quick peck on the cheek and ran off.
"I hope that doesn't become a habit of his..." Kit mumbled, staring after him. She stood up warily, going and sitting down by Ron and Ginny. The twins were down further now, talking to the three Gryffindor Chasers.
"What'd he want?" Ron asked, trying not to make himself sound too interested.
"Well, he just talked to me about...stuff, and then Fred and George came up." Kit said simply, avoiding the two's eyes as Ginny sighed.
"They just thought that he was messing with you, they didn't mean to make you angry." Ginny looked over at the Slytherins, "It's just because he's always teasing and instigating Harry, Ron, and Hermione."
The three jumped as the two in question sat down next to them, then began to talk to Kit in hushed voices, so that no one else could hear, "Alicia just told us that she saw you, and him, last night...says that you two---"
"Yes, he did, but no, I didn't."
Fred opened his mouth, as if to argue with her about something, but he quickly closed it as the resounding voice of their whimsical headmaster was heard...
"I'm sure that many of you are wondering what has caused me to step in for your Defense classes, but need I remind you that our new teacher has had a slight delay. But, you don't need to worry, for it is all sorted out, and she is here right at this precise moment...
"Ms. Arabella Figg has come out of the pure goodness in her heart, but not without some hesitation. She has been hassled and shot down for accepting this job, but that has not stopped her. So, now it is my great pleasure and relief to finally introduce...Ms. Arabella Figg!"
As Dumbledore finished the last sentence, a short and elderly woman stood up and looked over the crowd, "Thank you, Albus!"
Kit watched in awe as five people, teenagers, walked out of the room behind them, ushered in by Professor McGonagall. The five children stood beside the staff table, watching the headmaster eagerly as he nodded to the Hall, silencing them.
"Our new education program has arranged a grant for the Hogsmeade Haven, the village's only orphanage. The grant calls for all orphans in question may attend Hogwarts for free, only if they pass their exams. But, these five children have taken their tests in the past four weeks and are fully capable of attending.
"Professor McGonagall?" Dumbledore asked.
"Erika Holland, Slytherin!"
A black-haired and blue eyed eleven year-old girl walked down the stairs, walking to the table full of grim-faced Slytherin's and plopping down right next to...Pansy Parkinson and Nina Snape. The next person, one who Kit recognized in a flash, was twiddling his thumbs.
"Kyle Holland, Slytherin!"
He walked down to his table and sat by Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy. Kit gasped, looking at him pleadingly, he met her eyes with a smirk and a wink. She gave him a quizzical look, which he replied to by looking away. Draco looked between the two, shooting Kit a confused expression, this time she turned away.
"Nola Ingalls, Hufflepuff!"
The girl looked at her table with a demure expression, then bounded to join them, her dark burgundy and uneven hair swishing as she went. She sat right in between Ernie MacMillan and Hannah Abbot.
"Derek Kingston, Gryffindor!"
Kit's eyes flashed excitedly, her mouth hanging open as Derek walked down the Hall, looking for a seat and someone to sit by.
"Derek! Over here!" Kit called, waving her hands, her voice barely heard over the cheers of her table, "Here!"
Derek looked at her happily, seating himself and hugging her energetically. She gratefully returned it.
"And lastly: Kylie Newhouse, Ravenclaw!"
Kit shot up, looking at the High Table and watching her best friend walk gracefully to the table behind them. She sat herself in an empty spot, probably hoping to be alone, but was soon joined by Cho Chang.
"Kylie's in Ravenclaw?" Kit asked Derek, in awe.
"Yeah, the hat thing almost said Slytherin, but it stopped, then... bam! She was in Ravenclaw!"
"What about Kyle? How'd he end up in Slytherin?!"
Derek glared over at him, "Just after you left, he said that he was disappointed in you, said that you'd rather go live with a mudblood than stay with us! He's a Pureblood, and he chose the right time to denounce all muggle and muggleborn children...right when you walked out the door!"
Chapter Fourteen: Fraternizing With the Enemy!
Kit sat down at the Gryffindor table, making sure to seperate herself from everyone else, just so Draco didn't have any victims. She hadn't seen the three, but she knew where they were...staying to do their homework for as long as humanly possible. The only thing she understood about their classes, was that Albus Dumbledore himself was teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, due to the absence of their real teacher.
Another thing that she understood was that the teacher in question, was due today. So, now all Kit had to do was wait for Draco, and hope that no one would come and sit by her until then. Luckily for her, Draco was already headed her way...
"Finally!" Kit breathed in relief, "So, you're finally gracing me with your presence...my dearest Draco?"
Draco smiled at this, "Gracing wouldn't even come near to describing it, Katherine."
Kit looked around nervously, making sure that no one could hear her next question, "Why are you really here? Are you trying to get revenge or something?"
"Revenge? I was just hoping that we could settle our differences and become close," Draco leaned forward, "Close friends..."
"Tell that to Harry..." Kit mumbled, "Like he'd ever allow anything of the sort! He's so---"
"Over-protective?" He asked, looking at her seriously, "He has no right to control you."
Kit looked back at him, his eyes boring into hers, "I don't know what you mean, we are cousins, and he thinks that because of his ties to... You-Know-Who," Kit didn't think that be audacious now would help, "might put me in danger..."
"The Dark Lord? His ties to you don't mean that you're in danger! It's because of that bond, that you won't be harmed. As if the Dark Lord would hurt his chances of defeating Potter by killing you." Draco put a hand on her arm, "He just wants to feel in control of you, make himself the perfect little hero. Proves his incompetence if you ask me!"
"Incompetence?! What's so---"
"Who's incompetent? Oh! I see...you're talking to Malfoy!"
Kit froze, she knew that voice, and it's twin... "Fred? Is that you?"
"No, it's George, but you were close!" George laughed, sitting down beside her, with Fred following close behind, "Thought maybe you'd need some saving! Saw this twit messing with you and we just felt like helping!"
"She invited me over here, Weasley!" Draco said indignantly, "And, we're having a private conversation..."
"Private? Does Harry know you're talking to this git in private?" Fred asked, looking at Kit suspicously.
"For your information," Kit snapped, "he doesn't have to know every little thing I do! He isn't my mother..."
"But he is your family and he cares about you," George retorted, "So, he'd probably rather at least know about some things that he wouldn't approve of, even if you don't listen to him."
"I don't have to hear this!" She hissed, "Look, what I do is my business, and if I want to talk to Draco, then I can!"
Fred glared at her, "So, that means that you shouldn't care about our house's dignity? Fraternizing with a head-strong Slytherin!"
"I might be a little head-strong, but I could take you on any day! And besides, you're not Kit's family, so why should you care if I talk to her!"
"Because," George started, "We care about her too, we are her friends, even if she doesn't know it...or care!"
The two stood up, walking back to where Ron and Ginny were sitting, who had just arrived.
"Look, why don't you just come to my table..." Draco asked, giving her a pleading look, "I promise I'll behave!"
"It's not you I'm worried about..." Kit said warily, looking hesitantly at the Slytherin table...it didn't look too inviting at all...
"Whatever, I have to meet you for tutoring anyway, at seven o'clock, in the spare classroom in the Charms corridoor, we'll be working on your Potion's exam." Draco gave her a quick peck on the cheek and ran off.
"I hope that doesn't become a habit of his..." Kit mumbled, staring after him. She stood up warily, going and sitting down by Ron and Ginny. The twins were down further now, talking to the three Gryffindor Chasers.
"What'd he want?" Ron asked, trying not to make himself sound too interested.
"Well, he just talked to me about...stuff, and then Fred and George came up." Kit said simply, avoiding the two's eyes as Ginny sighed.
"They just thought that he was messing with you, they didn't mean to make you angry." Ginny looked over at the Slytherins, "It's just because he's always teasing and instigating Harry, Ron, and Hermione."
The three jumped as the two in question sat down next to them, then began to talk to Kit in hushed voices, so that no one else could hear, "Alicia just told us that she saw you, and him, last night...says that you two---"
"Yes, he did, but no, I didn't."
Fred opened his mouth, as if to argue with her about something, but he quickly closed it as the resounding voice of their whimsical headmaster was heard...
"I'm sure that many of you are wondering what has caused me to step in for your Defense classes, but need I remind you that our new teacher has had a slight delay. But, you don't need to worry, for it is all sorted out, and she is here right at this precise moment...
"Ms. Arabella Figg has come out of the pure goodness in her heart, but not without some hesitation. She has been hassled and shot down for accepting this job, but that has not stopped her. So, now it is my great pleasure and relief to finally introduce...Ms. Arabella Figg!"
As Dumbledore finished the last sentence, a short and elderly woman stood up and looked over the crowd, "Thank you, Albus!"
Kit watched in awe as five people, teenagers, walked out of the room behind them, ushered in by Professor McGonagall. The five children stood beside the staff table, watching the headmaster eagerly as he nodded to the Hall, silencing them.
"Our new education program has arranged a grant for the Hogsmeade Haven, the village's only orphanage. The grant calls for all orphans in question may attend Hogwarts for free, only if they pass their exams. But, these five children have taken their tests in the past four weeks and are fully capable of attending.
"Professor McGonagall?" Dumbledore asked.
"Erika Holland, Slytherin!"
A black-haired and blue eyed eleven year-old girl walked down the stairs, walking to the table full of grim-faced Slytherin's and plopping down right next to...Pansy Parkinson and Nina Snape. The next person, one who Kit recognized in a flash, was twiddling his thumbs.
"Kyle Holland, Slytherin!"
He walked down to his table and sat by Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy. Kit gasped, looking at him pleadingly, he met her eyes with a smirk and a wink. She gave him a quizzical look, which he replied to by looking away. Draco looked between the two, shooting Kit a confused expression, this time she turned away.
"Nola Ingalls, Hufflepuff!"
The girl looked at her table with a demure expression, then bounded to join them, her dark burgundy and uneven hair swishing as she went. She sat right in between Ernie MacMillan and Hannah Abbot.
"Derek Kingston, Gryffindor!"
Kit's eyes flashed excitedly, her mouth hanging open as Derek walked down the Hall, looking for a seat and someone to sit by.
"Derek! Over here!" Kit called, waving her hands, her voice barely heard over the cheers of her table, "Here!"
Derek looked at her happily, seating himself and hugging her energetically. She gratefully returned it.
"And lastly: Kylie Newhouse, Ravenclaw!"
Kit shot up, looking at the High Table and watching her best friend walk gracefully to the table behind them. She sat herself in an empty spot, probably hoping to be alone, but was soon joined by Cho Chang.
"Kylie's in Ravenclaw?" Kit asked Derek, in awe.
"Yeah, the hat thing almost said Slytherin, but it stopped, then... bam! She was in Ravenclaw!"
"What about Kyle? How'd he end up in Slytherin?!"
Derek glared over at him, "Just after you left, he said that he was disappointed in you, said that you'd rather go live with a mudblood than stay with us! He's a Pureblood, and he chose the right time to denounce all muggle and muggleborn children...right when you walked out the door!"