***Sorry for such the long delay, but I've really been out of it the past few weeks. A lot has happened and I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do now, but I'll at least stick it to and finish this fic. As I have mentioned, there are only five more chapters, if you include the farce at the end, and I'll be doing my best to end this in a tremendous way. This chapter features the highly-awaited(I think) arrival of Miss Zema herself and I'll be working hecticly on the rebellion chapter which is next. Plus, another reason there's been such a delay is because I've just been hooked on EverQuest! Look for "Burgie"...although I suck horribly...Level seventeen Cleric I think.
Chapter Thirty-One: The Up-Rising
"Now, then," Kit said, "Dumbledore said something about meeting him at his office?"
Colin had just arrived, looking breathless and extremely proud as he told Kit what Dumbledore had said, "Yes, he wants to give you a letter, says it's from your mum. He told me that Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were to come too."
Kit grinned as Colin looked at them, smiling, "So, yeah, we'll be there soon I guess..."
"Of course..." Colin replied, he nodded firmly.
Hermione and Ron giggled slightly, turning away to keep from laughing. Kit smiled hintingly at Colin, who just beamed right back.
Harry grinned sheepishly at Colin, "Thanks, Colin, you can go now..."
"Oh! Sorry, Harry!" Colin grinned and ran off to go and talk with Luna Lovegood.
She smiled, then turned to Ron, "I really appreciate this...I know it's really an inconvenience, but I do really appreciate you spending your free time here with me. I think that what happened was just me being careless...but it's still very sweet that you feel obligated towards me."
"It's nothing at all!" Hermione said. "I guess it was a bit of a shock...but we couldn't figure out any other way to get you alone to tell you. Malfoy wouldn't've appreciated that at all..."
The others nodded, then Ron added, "Of course, we saw what did happen...terrible thing though, isn't it? I can't believe that Malfoy would just...disappear."
"Well," Kit said hastily, changing the subject, "We'd better get going. Harry, Ron? Shall we?"
The two nodded, leaving Hermione sitting wearing a very disappointed frown...Kit waved goodbye as she stepped out the door, her stomach feeling extremely weak.
***
As the three stepped into the doorway, Kit nearly screamed. There in front of her stood the last person she would've expected to see in Dumbledore's office.
"Mum?" Kit whispered, looking at her in utter awe.
Her mother gasped, and grinned, hugging Kit with all of her might, "I can't believe I'm finally seeing you! You're far more beautiful than I could've ever imagined..."
"Oh, Mum!" Kit wiped a tear from her face, breaking out of her mother's grasp. Ron and Harry had already busied themselves by greeting her three other companions.
"Now, now...don't be afraid! I'm sure you have a lot to ask me, but now is not the time." Zema said quickly, smiling.
She looked exactly as she had always thought she would. Long platinum blonde hair with white highlights. Her crystal green eyes shot right through her, leaving Kit feeling as if her mother could read her every thought. She had on a long blood red cloak emblazoned with a gold dragon. Kit also noticed that her friends were also wearing these cloaks.
As if her mother could read her mind, she explained in a flash, "Oh, these are people I met at my last encampment. This is Ren'ee Odessi..."
"Splendid to finally meet you," She replied, crossing over and shaking her hand gently, "I've been friends with your mother for quite some time!"
The woman had short choppy black hair and a very asian facial structure. Her eyes were a deep red and enthralling, yet everytime Kit looked her straight into them, she turned away. She was tall and curvy, but not at all fat. Kit noticed a sword tied to her belt, but said nothing.
"Next is Kiyle Halloran, he was the chieftain of the encampment and the commanding officer of our alliance..."
The man nodded to her and continued talking quietly to Ron, who was shooting inquisitive glances at Zema. Kiyle had short gray hair and a stern demeanor about him. He and Ron were an inch in height difference.
"And of course, Aliah Halloran. She's about two or three years older than you. The second sentinel of the alliance. I'm the commanding Consular. I'm really just a mediator and a healer."
Aliah nodded to Kit, but said nothing. She was sitting in a chair, watching Kiyle, whom Kit supposed was her father. She had soulder length brown hair and wore glasses over her slightly upturned nose. She had a slight acne problem, but it was underlied by her entrancing honey eyes. There was only one word to describe her...compensated. Everything she lacked was made up for by another physical trait. Her weight was average...she was by no means slender, nor was she fat.
"What's with her?" Kit asked quietly, "She hasn't said a word since we've been here."
"Oh, she doesn't talk much. She's more of a private person, although when she does open her mouth you quickly regret it. Excellent with her powers though. Second class enchanter too."
Kit didn't even bother to ask what that meant, but she still felt a slight unease as she smiled at Aliah.
***
"So, you've know her for a year now?" Ron asked Kiyle, glancing over at Kit.
"Yeah, she's quite a woman, in fact," He stated quietly, "I wouldn't doubt that she will actually find her husband."
"What?" Ron sputtered, staring at him in disbelief, "Kit's dad is still alive?!"
Kiyle's eyes grew wide, "You didn't know? I'm such an idiot...of course you didn't... she's gonna hate me for this..."
"How did she find out?"
He looked a bit apprehensive, but sighed, "Well, she found a letter outside her station at the encampment. Supposedly, her husband's been alive all of this time. She's been asking everyone he knew if they've seen him. A few told her that they had, sending her off in different chases, all false."
"You don't seem to hopeful about all of this," Ron commented scathingly.
Kiyle glared at him, "It's not that I doubt her, it's just that I've met that man. And I'm quite sure he's not a good match for her. He's cynical and shallow. The only thing he does have going for him is his looks...and those are artificial..."
"You sound jealous."
"What?" He sputtered, half laughing, "Jealous of him? I'd more likely be jealous of someone who wasn't a heartless bastard. Zema knew good and well that he was still alive, he's a vampire for goodness sake, but she refused to see the truth. Maybe she was smart for believing he was dead! At least she got rid of him, and I'm sure that if Katherine ever met that thing she calls a father she'd be glad that she never knew him. He's no good...one of the most coniving people I've ever met."
"Maybe he's not what you think, he could have been trying to show you up...most people are like that."
He shook his head, "I have met people that just try to show off, he does not fall under that category at all."
"What is that supposed to mean? Have you told Kit's Mum any of this?"
He rolled his eyes, "She lived with him for ten years, I'm sure she already knew! Besides, who am I to be telling her who she can and cannot have a relationship with? I'm just her commanding officer, not her father."
"So," Ron intervened, "She must trust your opinion...you too are friends."
"That's just it, I'm her friend. I'm not an influential part of her life! I've known her less time than Ren'ee, and besides...she doesn't even seem to trust me at all. And my opinion is not something I've been willing to share with her."
Ron now glanced again at Kit, hoping she wasn't trying to read his mind. For some reason he knew that she'd never be able to take this information. Especially since she had just now met her mother after all of these years. Trying to hide it from her would be difficult, but if she found out on her own, and not from him, he was sure it would be much easier for her to swallow. Forcing a smile, he couldn't help but feel guilty as she winked at him, obviously glad that he was taking all of this so lightly.
Kiyle smiled wryly, "I'm sorry, but I've got to get Ariah back to her office, she seems to be getting bored. Could you explain it to Zema for me?"
"Sure," Ron said slowly, "She's you're daughter?"
"Yes, a difficult teenager too..should be living on her own, but I'm far too scared to let her. She makes sure to ignore me as much as everyone else. Supposedly she knows one of the professors here...although she's not telling who."
"Why not?"
He smiled again, "Apparently, a lot of it has to with Zema's relationship with this person. And she never tells anyone else's business."
"Something you should look into..." Ariah said scathingly, picking herself up out of her chair as she followed her father out the door, "Goodbye, Zema."
***
Kit climbed the stairs to her dormitory, trying to be as quiet as possible. She knew that Pansy would be ready to bombard her with questions...but she couldn't sense anyone awake in the room. Slipping in as steathily as possible, she climbed into bed, quietly kicking off her shoes as she tossed her robe to the floor. She was nearly asleep when the window creaked, causing her to jump out of bed, waking Pansy and Nina up in the process.
Nina flicked her light on, eyes adjusting to the brightness of the bulb as she squinted in Kit's direction, "Well, some people just don't know how to be considerate these days."
Surprisingly, Kit heard an extra voice, "Goodness Nina...why'd you turn the light on?"
"Shut up!" Nina whispered to someone next to her, "You trying to get Snape in here?"
Kit's eyes grew wide as Pansy giggled, "Blaise you sneaky bastard! What the hell are you doing in here?"
"Ah," Blaise muttered, sitting up in the bed, "Just trying to have a little fun..."
Kit rolled her eyes, "Does this fun involve finding one's shirt?"
"Who said I ever had a shirt on in the first place?" He said boldly, flashing Kit a malicious grin. Nina giggled, kissing him lightly.
"Whatever, what you two do in our dorms can't possibly be any of my business..." Kit snapped, turning to the window, "What was that noise any way?"
Pansy clucked her tongue, "Sometimes the charms on the windows glitch and make noises...I don't even see why they're there to begin with! It's pointless if you ask me."
"Who ask'd you?" A voice behind Kit replied casually.
"Damnit...is it party in the girl's dorm or something?!" Pansy squeaked, rolling her eyes at Draco. "What the hell are you doing here? I thought I was covering for you while you went to see your Mum!"
Kit shivered as Draco lifted her up, kissing her neck softly, "It was a lie, father just wanted me to get away from he school while the dementors where on the prowl. Fuck that...I'm not going anywhere without you anyway..."
Kit turned to face him, feeling incredibly priteful. The one night she decided to sleep in her summer pajamas... Not the most modest form of sleep wear.
"I would never leave without you..." Draco whispered, kissing her gently.
Nina scoffed as Blaise burst into hyenna-like laughter, "Knock it off you bing...it's slightly romantic."
"Oh come on...you know you don't enjoy romanticism...you like it rou--" Blaise was cut off by Nina punching him in the gut.
"That should shut him up for a few minutes."
Kit shook as he let her go, staring into her eyes, "I thought you were angry with me... you sure seemed like it. What made you change your mind."
"It wasn't real, Kit." Draco murmured, his fingers tracing her stomach, "I just said that so you wouldn't follow me. My father would definitely not want you to have come. He was going to let you stay here to protect the rest of our house...The dementors know not to attack you."
"How do you know all of this?" She asked quietly, "Are you a..."
Draco tutted, "Of course not...none of us are really, we just listen to Mummy and Daddy and stay out of the way. If my father wasn't who he was, I'd probably be as saintly as Potter and Weasley. If you'd call them saints..."
"Draco..." Kit almost whined as he kissed her neck again, "You know I've made my decision...please don't try to play with my emotions right now."
He looked up at her, "What's that supposed to mean? Playing with your emotions?! I love you, Katherine...can't you just believe me?"
Draco pulled away from her, "You can't possibly still be mad at me for yelling at you... It wasn't that big of a deal!"
"That big of a deal?! What do you think is?! I thought you were mad at me Draco! I didn't even know what I did wrong! You know damn well that I still have feelings for him. I'll always have feelings for him! It's his fucking fault were all in this mess in the first place! And you can't even believe me when I tell you that I care about you more than him! You don't run my life you bastard..."
She was shaking with rage, everything she'd ever been through was boiling in her brain, forcing her to expose her fury. Draco raced back to her side, pulling her right in front of his face. Kit could see the worry in his eyes. It made him look so vulnerable...and for some reason that vulnerability made her want to crush him. She wanted to break his heart...break his spirit for all that he'd put her through. She never even thought that she could feel that way about someone. And the truth was...it made her sick to even know she held that kind of anger. It was as if all she stood for was a lie. If she couldn't control this, maybe she was no better than Draco. Maybe she was the heartless bitch everyone thought she was.
"Look, you've brought out something in me that I never even knew I could express, Katherine. You've given me something that all the gold in the world couldn't buy. I don't know what kind of person I would have been if you hadn't humored me and shown some affection on my part. Everything I prided myself on...everything my father bashed into my brain washes away when I kiss you.
"I feel as if there really is someone in this world who truly loves me...who really cares whether I go right or wrong. Someone who could forgive me no matter what I did. And I would never leave you for something that trivial..."
Kit stared at him, tears brimming her eyes, "I just don't know if I can do this any more, Draco...I love you. I really truly do...I just don't really know where I stand right now. I care about you, and him, so deeply and I really wish I could just end this now and tell everyone my decision, but I just don't think now is the time.
"I'm truly honored that you think of me so highly...and I just want you to know that you bring out something new in me too...although it's mentality isn't quite as charming as you'd hope. But you also let me see what it's like to change someone..."
Pansy and Nina were gawking at them as if they were watching some kind of soap opera. Blaise had abandoned poking fun at the situation. Instead he settled for watching them openly with the other two. Draco didn't even bother to hide his emotions, staring at her with all the confusion his pale face could muster.
"Draco, I think we should wait to talk about all of this." Kit mumbled, tears streaming down her face.
"Look, we'll just go to bed. We can talk about it in the morning, or we can just wait. Tomorrow us a very big day for both of us and we need to be prepared."
Kit nodded, kissing him on the cheek as she climbed into bed, curling up beside him as crawled in after. As she lay beside him, she couldn't help but feel an impending sense of doom. It was as if she were waiting for the world to end...powerless to stop the inevitable.
***
"Wow..." Ron heard one of the third years next to him mutter. He turned around quickly, smiling to himself as Kit walked in, hand in hand with Draco Malfoy.
"He's actually back? I though they expelled him or something," Lavender Brown murmured, passing Parvati the marmalade.
She tutted, "As if they could if they wanted to...just look at who his father is. They wouldn't dare to mess with him..."
Harry shook his head in disbelief, "I can't believe it. On the very day that everyone's supposed to be evacuating, Malfoy of all people shows up... How d'you like that logic?"
Hermione grinned mischieviously, "Oh, I suppose it's all very logical, isn't it?"
The two stared at her in disbelief. Her grin grew wider.
"Look, if You-Know-Who really does have something to do with this, wouldn't he have to be here? He's obviously tied to the darkside, whether he wants to be or not. And I think he knows that if he were here, he could keep her safer than she would be if she were alone. Where else does Kit have to go?"
Ron shrugged slightly, "It does make sense, but would Lucius want him to be here? Even if he was 'safe'?"
"Yeah, but you also have to take into account the fact that Lucius really doesn't have much of a say in what he does anymore. He even said himself that he wasn't going to follow in his dad's footsteps." Hermione countered smoothly, glancing at the High Table, "Is that her mother?"
She frowned slightly, cocking her head. Ron sniggered, "Looking for a zipper?"
She rolled her eyes, "Of course not! I've just never seen a regal looking veela before. Is she...well..."
"Stuck-up?" Harry asked calmly, smiling, "Slightly, but you know how first impressions can make a person seem...."
Ron grinned as Hermione narrowed her eyes in indignation, "I was eleven years old. Of course I was a bit...judgemental. Besides, I obviously won you both over..."
"Yes, you looked lovely with your bushy head full of complicated, yet thoroughly useless, logic...I thought you were a dreamboat!" Ron said sarcastically.
"Whatever, you two weren't so appealing yourselves...Even an eleven year old could see--"
"Shh!" Harry shushed her, nodding to the High Table.
The hall quieted as Dumbledore stood, staring gravely at the students. He surveyed them momentarily before he began.
"As I have warned all of you, today after your classes, we are releasing the students. Some parents are coming to retrieve, others to help protect our fine establishment. A few students shall remain, and to you...I will do my best to keep you as safe as possible. I have been criticized terribly for allowing students to remain, but most of them are remaining under parental consent.
"We have many new alliances, and we will have them as part of our effort. The Minister of Magic has been wary to assist, but he will in fact send many more along during the day. Students will be escorted to the train station, and those waiting for parents will remain inside of the station. Right after your last class you are to come here. If you are remaining, you may also come to say goodbye, otherwise we are assembling in the main entrance hall.
"I hope that these past years have been something special to you. I know it's all very confusing at this point, but in order to help the cause, we are not putting all of our students in harm's way. Those remaining are doing so willingly. If the school was able to remain open and it be as safe as it used to be, we would continue to teach you...to educate you as best we could. My staff has been very cooperative thus far, and so have all of you. In these final hours, I would just like to thank all of you for trusting enough in my judgment and placing so much of your life in our hands.
"If you have any questions, please ask your teachers or heads of houses. We will all try our best to answer all of your questions. With this, I leave all of you...and I hope that we may be back here next year...Goodbye, for now."
***
Kit sat in Professor Trelawney's class, staring at the courtyard through the window. Kids were sprawled across the grassy lawn, enjoying the last little bit of spring. No one inside was saying a word, but she could feel their questions. Pansy sat next to her, rolling her eyes as if the way people were mourning was disgusting.
"They're all acting as if the whole coutry is going to explode. Can't they even think for a second and realize that we have an amazingly strong upper-hand against all of this? I don't even see why we're being attacked in the first place...even the Dark Lord isn't that stupid..."
Kit shook her head, ignoring her as much as possible. She looked to the front of the room where Lavender and Parvati were bombarding Trelawney with questions, turning around to glance at the room in awe. Most of the students were just sitting in their groups, musing silently to one another. She saw Harry and Ron, also. They were obviously debating something very heavily. She silently got up, crossing the room to go sit by them.
"Hey," Ron said, scooting his chair over to make room for her.
"I was just getting tired of listening to Pansy insulting everyone." Kit yawned, "It's rather dreary isn't it?"
Harry smiled wryly, "You should take a look at Seamus...talk about dreary..."
Kit grinned, spotting Seamus in the corner on the west of the room. Dean was patting his shoulder as Seamus shook his head blankly, looking at the wall as if it were about to swallow him whole.
"I don't blame them," Ron said quietly, not looking at Kit, but directly at Harry, "This school is a big part of our life...we soend more time here than we do at home. It's like losing a big part of your life...and if the school were to close, a lot of students would have no way to get their education. For some of us, it's the only place we're accepted."
"That's probably why so many of the parents are volunteering to help out," Harry added, looking back at Kit, "You haven't been here that long either...so I guess you don't know how we all feel."
"This school is as big a part of my life as it is your's Harry!" Kit spat indignantly, "I came here after finding that a big part of what I based my life on was a lie...I was accepted and now I learn that my sanctuary is about to be shut down. How's that supposed to make me feel?!"
"I guess you're right..." Ron said slowly, then grinned, "Good to know you have a big soft spot for Hogwarts...should help when we have to fight to save it."
Harry shook his head, "The adults will be the ones defending the school. We're just here as assistants."
"No better than the house elves..." She added blandly, shaking her head, "I suppose we might have to defend ourselves, but they wouldn't put the fate of the school in a bunch of teenagers hands. Even if we are capable enough to handle the responsibility."
Kit turned a she heard Trelawney clear her throat loudly. She stood, looking as buggy and wide-eyed as she had ever. Lavendar and Parvati both sat nearby, looking at her in a sort of anticipated horror.
"I have no kind of sappy speech to make, although I wish I could. I suppose that many of you are as tattered and crushed by this announcement as we staff are. Despite what the other teachers have told you, I forsee a strong victory. In my mind's Eye I can see you rushing about as the next school year begins. I have no doubts as to the outcome of this...'war'. And you shouldn't either."
She smiled as the bell rang, allowing the teenagers to leave. Kit nodded to Ron and Harry as she ran back to join Pansy and Millicent.
"Don't worry!" Ron yelled to Kit, "All sorts of bad things have happened, and we've pulled through every single one! This is just chump change compared to the others!"
Kit grinned and waved back, leaving with her head ducked so she couldn't see the disbelief of her fellow Slytherins.
***
A/N: Okay, Now that this long and...hopefully interesting installment is done and over with, I guess I have to follow it up with an equally long and fascinating addend. This was really just leading up to 'war' and the next will be the start. In case you hadn't realized, the story will end with the war, and will be summed up with the outcome of Kit's decision. Don't worry, I think it should be happy, and sad...not to antsy!
Chapter Thirty-One: The Up-Rising
"Now, then," Kit said, "Dumbledore said something about meeting him at his office?"
Colin had just arrived, looking breathless and extremely proud as he told Kit what Dumbledore had said, "Yes, he wants to give you a letter, says it's from your mum. He told me that Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were to come too."
Kit grinned as Colin looked at them, smiling, "So, yeah, we'll be there soon I guess..."
"Of course..." Colin replied, he nodded firmly.
Hermione and Ron giggled slightly, turning away to keep from laughing. Kit smiled hintingly at Colin, who just beamed right back.
Harry grinned sheepishly at Colin, "Thanks, Colin, you can go now..."
"Oh! Sorry, Harry!" Colin grinned and ran off to go and talk with Luna Lovegood.
She smiled, then turned to Ron, "I really appreciate this...I know it's really an inconvenience, but I do really appreciate you spending your free time here with me. I think that what happened was just me being careless...but it's still very sweet that you feel obligated towards me."
"It's nothing at all!" Hermione said. "I guess it was a bit of a shock...but we couldn't figure out any other way to get you alone to tell you. Malfoy wouldn't've appreciated that at all..."
The others nodded, then Ron added, "Of course, we saw what did happen...terrible thing though, isn't it? I can't believe that Malfoy would just...disappear."
"Well," Kit said hastily, changing the subject, "We'd better get going. Harry, Ron? Shall we?"
The two nodded, leaving Hermione sitting wearing a very disappointed frown...Kit waved goodbye as she stepped out the door, her stomach feeling extremely weak.
***
As the three stepped into the doorway, Kit nearly screamed. There in front of her stood the last person she would've expected to see in Dumbledore's office.
"Mum?" Kit whispered, looking at her in utter awe.
Her mother gasped, and grinned, hugging Kit with all of her might, "I can't believe I'm finally seeing you! You're far more beautiful than I could've ever imagined..."
"Oh, Mum!" Kit wiped a tear from her face, breaking out of her mother's grasp. Ron and Harry had already busied themselves by greeting her three other companions.
"Now, now...don't be afraid! I'm sure you have a lot to ask me, but now is not the time." Zema said quickly, smiling.
She looked exactly as she had always thought she would. Long platinum blonde hair with white highlights. Her crystal green eyes shot right through her, leaving Kit feeling as if her mother could read her every thought. She had on a long blood red cloak emblazoned with a gold dragon. Kit also noticed that her friends were also wearing these cloaks.
As if her mother could read her mind, she explained in a flash, "Oh, these are people I met at my last encampment. This is Ren'ee Odessi..."
"Splendid to finally meet you," She replied, crossing over and shaking her hand gently, "I've been friends with your mother for quite some time!"
The woman had short choppy black hair and a very asian facial structure. Her eyes were a deep red and enthralling, yet everytime Kit looked her straight into them, she turned away. She was tall and curvy, but not at all fat. Kit noticed a sword tied to her belt, but said nothing.
"Next is Kiyle Halloran, he was the chieftain of the encampment and the commanding officer of our alliance..."
The man nodded to her and continued talking quietly to Ron, who was shooting inquisitive glances at Zema. Kiyle had short gray hair and a stern demeanor about him. He and Ron were an inch in height difference.
"And of course, Aliah Halloran. She's about two or three years older than you. The second sentinel of the alliance. I'm the commanding Consular. I'm really just a mediator and a healer."
Aliah nodded to Kit, but said nothing. She was sitting in a chair, watching Kiyle, whom Kit supposed was her father. She had soulder length brown hair and wore glasses over her slightly upturned nose. She had a slight acne problem, but it was underlied by her entrancing honey eyes. There was only one word to describe her...compensated. Everything she lacked was made up for by another physical trait. Her weight was average...she was by no means slender, nor was she fat.
"What's with her?" Kit asked quietly, "She hasn't said a word since we've been here."
"Oh, she doesn't talk much. She's more of a private person, although when she does open her mouth you quickly regret it. Excellent with her powers though. Second class enchanter too."
Kit didn't even bother to ask what that meant, but she still felt a slight unease as she smiled at Aliah.
***
"So, you've know her for a year now?" Ron asked Kiyle, glancing over at Kit.
"Yeah, she's quite a woman, in fact," He stated quietly, "I wouldn't doubt that she will actually find her husband."
"What?" Ron sputtered, staring at him in disbelief, "Kit's dad is still alive?!"
Kiyle's eyes grew wide, "You didn't know? I'm such an idiot...of course you didn't... she's gonna hate me for this..."
"How did she find out?"
He looked a bit apprehensive, but sighed, "Well, she found a letter outside her station at the encampment. Supposedly, her husband's been alive all of this time. She's been asking everyone he knew if they've seen him. A few told her that they had, sending her off in different chases, all false."
"You don't seem to hopeful about all of this," Ron commented scathingly.
Kiyle glared at him, "It's not that I doubt her, it's just that I've met that man. And I'm quite sure he's not a good match for her. He's cynical and shallow. The only thing he does have going for him is his looks...and those are artificial..."
"You sound jealous."
"What?" He sputtered, half laughing, "Jealous of him? I'd more likely be jealous of someone who wasn't a heartless bastard. Zema knew good and well that he was still alive, he's a vampire for goodness sake, but she refused to see the truth. Maybe she was smart for believing he was dead! At least she got rid of him, and I'm sure that if Katherine ever met that thing she calls a father she'd be glad that she never knew him. He's no good...one of the most coniving people I've ever met."
"Maybe he's not what you think, he could have been trying to show you up...most people are like that."
He shook his head, "I have met people that just try to show off, he does not fall under that category at all."
"What is that supposed to mean? Have you told Kit's Mum any of this?"
He rolled his eyes, "She lived with him for ten years, I'm sure she already knew! Besides, who am I to be telling her who she can and cannot have a relationship with? I'm just her commanding officer, not her father."
"So," Ron intervened, "She must trust your opinion...you too are friends."
"That's just it, I'm her friend. I'm not an influential part of her life! I've known her less time than Ren'ee, and besides...she doesn't even seem to trust me at all. And my opinion is not something I've been willing to share with her."
Ron now glanced again at Kit, hoping she wasn't trying to read his mind. For some reason he knew that she'd never be able to take this information. Especially since she had just now met her mother after all of these years. Trying to hide it from her would be difficult, but if she found out on her own, and not from him, he was sure it would be much easier for her to swallow. Forcing a smile, he couldn't help but feel guilty as she winked at him, obviously glad that he was taking all of this so lightly.
Kiyle smiled wryly, "I'm sorry, but I've got to get Ariah back to her office, she seems to be getting bored. Could you explain it to Zema for me?"
"Sure," Ron said slowly, "She's you're daughter?"
"Yes, a difficult teenager too..should be living on her own, but I'm far too scared to let her. She makes sure to ignore me as much as everyone else. Supposedly she knows one of the professors here...although she's not telling who."
"Why not?"
He smiled again, "Apparently, a lot of it has to with Zema's relationship with this person. And she never tells anyone else's business."
"Something you should look into..." Ariah said scathingly, picking herself up out of her chair as she followed her father out the door, "Goodbye, Zema."
***
Kit climbed the stairs to her dormitory, trying to be as quiet as possible. She knew that Pansy would be ready to bombard her with questions...but she couldn't sense anyone awake in the room. Slipping in as steathily as possible, she climbed into bed, quietly kicking off her shoes as she tossed her robe to the floor. She was nearly asleep when the window creaked, causing her to jump out of bed, waking Pansy and Nina up in the process.
Nina flicked her light on, eyes adjusting to the brightness of the bulb as she squinted in Kit's direction, "Well, some people just don't know how to be considerate these days."
Surprisingly, Kit heard an extra voice, "Goodness Nina...why'd you turn the light on?"
"Shut up!" Nina whispered to someone next to her, "You trying to get Snape in here?"
Kit's eyes grew wide as Pansy giggled, "Blaise you sneaky bastard! What the hell are you doing in here?"
"Ah," Blaise muttered, sitting up in the bed, "Just trying to have a little fun..."
Kit rolled her eyes, "Does this fun involve finding one's shirt?"
"Who said I ever had a shirt on in the first place?" He said boldly, flashing Kit a malicious grin. Nina giggled, kissing him lightly.
"Whatever, what you two do in our dorms can't possibly be any of my business..." Kit snapped, turning to the window, "What was that noise any way?"
Pansy clucked her tongue, "Sometimes the charms on the windows glitch and make noises...I don't even see why they're there to begin with! It's pointless if you ask me."
"Who ask'd you?" A voice behind Kit replied casually.
"Damnit...is it party in the girl's dorm or something?!" Pansy squeaked, rolling her eyes at Draco. "What the hell are you doing here? I thought I was covering for you while you went to see your Mum!"
Kit shivered as Draco lifted her up, kissing her neck softly, "It was a lie, father just wanted me to get away from he school while the dementors where on the prowl. Fuck that...I'm not going anywhere without you anyway..."
Kit turned to face him, feeling incredibly priteful. The one night she decided to sleep in her summer pajamas... Not the most modest form of sleep wear.
"I would never leave without you..." Draco whispered, kissing her gently.
Nina scoffed as Blaise burst into hyenna-like laughter, "Knock it off you bing...it's slightly romantic."
"Oh come on...you know you don't enjoy romanticism...you like it rou--" Blaise was cut off by Nina punching him in the gut.
"That should shut him up for a few minutes."
Kit shook as he let her go, staring into her eyes, "I thought you were angry with me... you sure seemed like it. What made you change your mind."
"It wasn't real, Kit." Draco murmured, his fingers tracing her stomach, "I just said that so you wouldn't follow me. My father would definitely not want you to have come. He was going to let you stay here to protect the rest of our house...The dementors know not to attack you."
"How do you know all of this?" She asked quietly, "Are you a..."
Draco tutted, "Of course not...none of us are really, we just listen to Mummy and Daddy and stay out of the way. If my father wasn't who he was, I'd probably be as saintly as Potter and Weasley. If you'd call them saints..."
"Draco..." Kit almost whined as he kissed her neck again, "You know I've made my decision...please don't try to play with my emotions right now."
He looked up at her, "What's that supposed to mean? Playing with your emotions?! I love you, Katherine...can't you just believe me?"
Draco pulled away from her, "You can't possibly still be mad at me for yelling at you... It wasn't that big of a deal!"
"That big of a deal?! What do you think is?! I thought you were mad at me Draco! I didn't even know what I did wrong! You know damn well that I still have feelings for him. I'll always have feelings for him! It's his fucking fault were all in this mess in the first place! And you can't even believe me when I tell you that I care about you more than him! You don't run my life you bastard..."
She was shaking with rage, everything she'd ever been through was boiling in her brain, forcing her to expose her fury. Draco raced back to her side, pulling her right in front of his face. Kit could see the worry in his eyes. It made him look so vulnerable...and for some reason that vulnerability made her want to crush him. She wanted to break his heart...break his spirit for all that he'd put her through. She never even thought that she could feel that way about someone. And the truth was...it made her sick to even know she held that kind of anger. It was as if all she stood for was a lie. If she couldn't control this, maybe she was no better than Draco. Maybe she was the heartless bitch everyone thought she was.
"Look, you've brought out something in me that I never even knew I could express, Katherine. You've given me something that all the gold in the world couldn't buy. I don't know what kind of person I would have been if you hadn't humored me and shown some affection on my part. Everything I prided myself on...everything my father bashed into my brain washes away when I kiss you.
"I feel as if there really is someone in this world who truly loves me...who really cares whether I go right or wrong. Someone who could forgive me no matter what I did. And I would never leave you for something that trivial..."
Kit stared at him, tears brimming her eyes, "I just don't know if I can do this any more, Draco...I love you. I really truly do...I just don't really know where I stand right now. I care about you, and him, so deeply and I really wish I could just end this now and tell everyone my decision, but I just don't think now is the time.
"I'm truly honored that you think of me so highly...and I just want you to know that you bring out something new in me too...although it's mentality isn't quite as charming as you'd hope. But you also let me see what it's like to change someone..."
Pansy and Nina were gawking at them as if they were watching some kind of soap opera. Blaise had abandoned poking fun at the situation. Instead he settled for watching them openly with the other two. Draco didn't even bother to hide his emotions, staring at her with all the confusion his pale face could muster.
"Draco, I think we should wait to talk about all of this." Kit mumbled, tears streaming down her face.
"Look, we'll just go to bed. We can talk about it in the morning, or we can just wait. Tomorrow us a very big day for both of us and we need to be prepared."
Kit nodded, kissing him on the cheek as she climbed into bed, curling up beside him as crawled in after. As she lay beside him, she couldn't help but feel an impending sense of doom. It was as if she were waiting for the world to end...powerless to stop the inevitable.
***
"Wow..." Ron heard one of the third years next to him mutter. He turned around quickly, smiling to himself as Kit walked in, hand in hand with Draco Malfoy.
"He's actually back? I though they expelled him or something," Lavender Brown murmured, passing Parvati the marmalade.
She tutted, "As if they could if they wanted to...just look at who his father is. They wouldn't dare to mess with him..."
Harry shook his head in disbelief, "I can't believe it. On the very day that everyone's supposed to be evacuating, Malfoy of all people shows up... How d'you like that logic?"
Hermione grinned mischieviously, "Oh, I suppose it's all very logical, isn't it?"
The two stared at her in disbelief. Her grin grew wider.
"Look, if You-Know-Who really does have something to do with this, wouldn't he have to be here? He's obviously tied to the darkside, whether he wants to be or not. And I think he knows that if he were here, he could keep her safer than she would be if she were alone. Where else does Kit have to go?"
Ron shrugged slightly, "It does make sense, but would Lucius want him to be here? Even if he was 'safe'?"
"Yeah, but you also have to take into account the fact that Lucius really doesn't have much of a say in what he does anymore. He even said himself that he wasn't going to follow in his dad's footsteps." Hermione countered smoothly, glancing at the High Table, "Is that her mother?"
She frowned slightly, cocking her head. Ron sniggered, "Looking for a zipper?"
She rolled her eyes, "Of course not! I've just never seen a regal looking veela before. Is she...well..."
"Stuck-up?" Harry asked calmly, smiling, "Slightly, but you know how first impressions can make a person seem...."
Ron grinned as Hermione narrowed her eyes in indignation, "I was eleven years old. Of course I was a bit...judgemental. Besides, I obviously won you both over..."
"Yes, you looked lovely with your bushy head full of complicated, yet thoroughly useless, logic...I thought you were a dreamboat!" Ron said sarcastically.
"Whatever, you two weren't so appealing yourselves...Even an eleven year old could see--"
"Shh!" Harry shushed her, nodding to the High Table.
The hall quieted as Dumbledore stood, staring gravely at the students. He surveyed them momentarily before he began.
"As I have warned all of you, today after your classes, we are releasing the students. Some parents are coming to retrieve, others to help protect our fine establishment. A few students shall remain, and to you...I will do my best to keep you as safe as possible. I have been criticized terribly for allowing students to remain, but most of them are remaining under parental consent.
"We have many new alliances, and we will have them as part of our effort. The Minister of Magic has been wary to assist, but he will in fact send many more along during the day. Students will be escorted to the train station, and those waiting for parents will remain inside of the station. Right after your last class you are to come here. If you are remaining, you may also come to say goodbye, otherwise we are assembling in the main entrance hall.
"I hope that these past years have been something special to you. I know it's all very confusing at this point, but in order to help the cause, we are not putting all of our students in harm's way. Those remaining are doing so willingly. If the school was able to remain open and it be as safe as it used to be, we would continue to teach you...to educate you as best we could. My staff has been very cooperative thus far, and so have all of you. In these final hours, I would just like to thank all of you for trusting enough in my judgment and placing so much of your life in our hands.
"If you have any questions, please ask your teachers or heads of houses. We will all try our best to answer all of your questions. With this, I leave all of you...and I hope that we may be back here next year...Goodbye, for now."
***
Kit sat in Professor Trelawney's class, staring at the courtyard through the window. Kids were sprawled across the grassy lawn, enjoying the last little bit of spring. No one inside was saying a word, but she could feel their questions. Pansy sat next to her, rolling her eyes as if the way people were mourning was disgusting.
"They're all acting as if the whole coutry is going to explode. Can't they even think for a second and realize that we have an amazingly strong upper-hand against all of this? I don't even see why we're being attacked in the first place...even the Dark Lord isn't that stupid..."
Kit shook her head, ignoring her as much as possible. She looked to the front of the room where Lavender and Parvati were bombarding Trelawney with questions, turning around to glance at the room in awe. Most of the students were just sitting in their groups, musing silently to one another. She saw Harry and Ron, also. They were obviously debating something very heavily. She silently got up, crossing the room to go sit by them.
"Hey," Ron said, scooting his chair over to make room for her.
"I was just getting tired of listening to Pansy insulting everyone." Kit yawned, "It's rather dreary isn't it?"
Harry smiled wryly, "You should take a look at Seamus...talk about dreary..."
Kit grinned, spotting Seamus in the corner on the west of the room. Dean was patting his shoulder as Seamus shook his head blankly, looking at the wall as if it were about to swallow him whole.
"I don't blame them," Ron said quietly, not looking at Kit, but directly at Harry, "This school is a big part of our life...we soend more time here than we do at home. It's like losing a big part of your life...and if the school were to close, a lot of students would have no way to get their education. For some of us, it's the only place we're accepted."
"That's probably why so many of the parents are volunteering to help out," Harry added, looking back at Kit, "You haven't been here that long either...so I guess you don't know how we all feel."
"This school is as big a part of my life as it is your's Harry!" Kit spat indignantly, "I came here after finding that a big part of what I based my life on was a lie...I was accepted and now I learn that my sanctuary is about to be shut down. How's that supposed to make me feel?!"
"I guess you're right..." Ron said slowly, then grinned, "Good to know you have a big soft spot for Hogwarts...should help when we have to fight to save it."
Harry shook his head, "The adults will be the ones defending the school. We're just here as assistants."
"No better than the house elves..." She added blandly, shaking her head, "I suppose we might have to defend ourselves, but they wouldn't put the fate of the school in a bunch of teenagers hands. Even if we are capable enough to handle the responsibility."
Kit turned a she heard Trelawney clear her throat loudly. She stood, looking as buggy and wide-eyed as she had ever. Lavendar and Parvati both sat nearby, looking at her in a sort of anticipated horror.
"I have no kind of sappy speech to make, although I wish I could. I suppose that many of you are as tattered and crushed by this announcement as we staff are. Despite what the other teachers have told you, I forsee a strong victory. In my mind's Eye I can see you rushing about as the next school year begins. I have no doubts as to the outcome of this...'war'. And you shouldn't either."
She smiled as the bell rang, allowing the teenagers to leave. Kit nodded to Ron and Harry as she ran back to join Pansy and Millicent.
"Don't worry!" Ron yelled to Kit, "All sorts of bad things have happened, and we've pulled through every single one! This is just chump change compared to the others!"
Kit grinned and waved back, leaving with her head ducked so she couldn't see the disbelief of her fellow Slytherins.
***
A/N: Okay, Now that this long and...hopefully interesting installment is done and over with, I guess I have to follow it up with an equally long and fascinating addend. This was really just leading up to 'war' and the next will be the start. In case you hadn't realized, the story will end with the war, and will be summed up with the outcome of Kit's decision. Don't worry, I think it should be happy, and sad...not to antsy!