DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the Harry Potter anything and the song sung by Kit is credited to Daniel Johnston, a super fantastic folk singer who I am a huge fan of.It's his, not mine.
Chapter Thirty-Six: Bewitcher's Song
Dark shadows flitting across the floor, the movements of Zema and the professor noted by each slow moving form of black. Kiyle was watching them, his eyes narrowed in a sort of childish defeat. Kit sat between Ron and Draco, neither one of them paying any attention to anything other than the glimmering fireplace. Kit was watching for Harry, who had left a little while earlier with Fred to retrieve Ginny.
"Staring at the door isn't going to make them come back," George said from behind her, his voice soft and light. Kit turned to face him, Draco and Ron still watching the fire.
She sighed, putting a hand on his, "I know... you have more of a right to be worried than I do..."
"No," He shook his head softly, "neither of us should be worrying about anything. There's no immediate danger for any of them. I mean... it's all over now. They can take time without us having to sweat over it. I'm positive that they're fine."
Kit smiled at him, her eyes beholden unto his. She was worried... but not about them. Her own anxiety was spawned from the fact that she was to sing her song. Tonight. Her heart beat faster just thinking about it.
"Kit, I was just wondering," came Draco's voice, "when are you going to do it?"
Her head snapped to face his, "How'd you know?"
"I told you before. Nina told me."
"But I... I'm sorry. I must've forgotten." She placed her hands in her lap, "Well, I was hoping to do it after everything had calmed down. So... I suppose I'll be doing it after we hear the final verdict on the war, after Harry and George return, and... when my mother comes back."
Ron placed his arm around her shoulder, "Kit, it's going to be fine. We all trust you to make the decision that's best for you."
"Though," Kiyle finally opened his mouth, "I was wondering what exactly you'd do if more than one of these boys were left."
Kit bit her lip, "I don't imagine it'll come to that. If the song does what it's supposed to, only one will be left standing. Technically... one of them has to love me more than the other. I'm sure it won't come to that."
"Look, Zema," Snape began, his hand grasping hers, "We need to leave. You and I . . . We need to leave."
"But... Severus... I-I," She didn't know what to say to that. He was acting so strangely.
He glared at her, "Don't call me Severus..."
"What is wrong with you today?" She asked, trying to pull her hand away from his, "You're not yourself..."
Snape pulled her closer to him, close enough for her feel his breath on her face, "Look into my eyes."
She did, really having no choice. She saw something different in them, a gold glimmer hidden behind the brown she knew so well. The gold got clearer, until she realized what was wrong...
"Kirk?"
Harry walked in, holding Ginny's hand. Fred followed them in, after Hermione. Kit stood up suddenly, rushing to the doorway. Harry let go of Ginny's hand walking to her. She looked at him and bit her lip.
"Where's my mother?" Kit asked him, looking him straight in the eyes. "She's been out there so long . . . "
Harry drew in a deep breath, "No one's there, Kit. They must've left."
Kit's face grew pale, as she turned around and walked to the couch. She sat down, her eyes blank. "Why would she leave? Why didn't she tell me? Why isn't she . . . " Her hands were wrapped tightly together as she hung her head.
Ron and Draco were both looking at her, not knowing what to say. Kiyle stood, pacing now, as he shook his head. "I don't think she'd go too far, knowing that you were here waiting for her. She should come back soon. Perhaps she had to go see Headmaster Dumbledore to tell him the news. I'm sure that's where she went."
Ron looked at Harry, and Harry knew they were thinking the same thing. He spoke, "If that were true . . . why wouldn't she have had you come also? Aren't you her commanding officer?"
Kiyle stopped pacing and looked down at the floor. "I suppose," he sighed, "I'm just hoping that that's not the case."
The room was silent as Kiyle resumed his pacing. The twins were now watching the door, and Kit was still sitting with her head down. Draco had his hand on her arm, his face solemn and expressionless. No one seemed to be all there. The long day had inevitably drained them, and now they had to sit and wait, worrying that something else might have happened.
"I'm going to find her," Kit said suddenly, making everyone stop and stare. She drew in a breath and lifted her head to look at Kiyle, ". . . and you're coming with me."
He shook his head hard, "No, you aren't going. I'm not going. None of us are going anywhere until she comes back of her own accord. We can't just go off in search of her. Who's to say she isn't just at the Headmaster's office? How do we know that anything's really wrong?"
She narrowed her eyes, "I have a very strong feeling." Standing, she straightened her shirt and started to the door. "I'm going whether you come or not, Kiyle. I would prefer you did, but I won't force you. I don't have the time for it."
"And where do you think you're going to find her? You can't just run off and expect that she'll be there. You and I both know that she could be anywhere." Kiyle's movements seemed to betray what he was saying, as he too walked towards the door.
"Well," Harry said sighing, "we'll be here when you get back."
Kit nodded and looked back at them all solemnly, stopping to smile at Draco, Ron, and George. Kiyle followed her out, his head down as they disappeared.
"The time isn't right," Zema protested, following Kirk to the Headmaster's office. His eyes twinkled behind the brown of his false body as he walked swiftly down the hall.
"You just need to be quiet and play the part, dear. We can be out of here quickly if we don't waste time with anything unnecessary. You just tell Dumbledore that it's over, and we can get out of here."
Zema stopped at the edge of the steps, her hair falling across her shoulders as she looked up at him pleadingly. Her face was slightly smudged, but she still shined in only the way that she could. His face softened.
"Kirk, you don't understand. I won't just leave her again. She's my top priority now. You've sent me everywhere, trying to hold onto something I knew in my heart was a lost cause. You can't just make me give that all up. Besides, the life I have with you . . . that's history. In my eyes, and in my heart, I can't let go of another life. I abandoned her once, but I won't make that mistake again. Not even if that means losing you."
His twinkle faded and his face hardened once more. "I think that it's you that doesn't understand, dear. I'm not giving you up. I already sent that old fool Severus on a wild chase so I could get you out of here swiftly. Either you come with me, or I make you."
Her eyes turned to steel as she set her face also. Her hands gripped the railing as her voice came out harsh, "Kirk, you couldn't move me if you tried."
Footsteps echoed through the empty hall. Zema could feel the air thicken as they neared, she and Kirk still staring one another down. The door to the office opened as Kit and Kiyle ran to Zema, Kit's eyes a warm pool of green. Kirk resumed his Snape-like stance and coughed loudly.
"Well, seeing as we are all present and accounted for . . ."
A voice rang out to interrupt, "I think you owe us an explanation, Kirk."
Everyone looked up to stare at the two figures that had emerged from the office. The tall form of Dumbledore stood next to an equally intimidating Severus Snape. Kirk's eyes widened, turning a bright gold as his body assumed the form he was known for. Kit gasped as Kiyle narrowed his eyes in a sort of deep hatred. Zema looked up at Severus, her eyes sparkling out of amazement. He continued.
"Seeing as you are at a loss for words, I shall explain for the both of us." He cleared his throat lightly, seeming to enjoy the attention. "This man, Kirk Clivelle respectively, sent me off to find . . . well, himself. I received a letter from him, telling me to meet him at an encampment some thirty miles away. I went, and found nothing but darkness and a few remnants of such a camp. I have only returned some ten minutes ago to find the school dark and empty, and now to find the one I was sent off for standing in front of me, only newly changed from myself to a form more suitable."
Dumbledore breathed in deeply, "Kirk, I believe I need to have a word with you, Zema, and Severus in my office now. Kiyle, you also." He turned to Kit, "I think it would be best if you returned. I assume you have things you need to take care of also?"
He smiled knowingly and ushered the rest of the group in as Kit raced back down the halls.
Harry, Ginny, Fred, and Hermione sat in the hall, waiting. Kit had only just returned and sent them out. Hermione breathed slowly, rubbing the talisman around her neck slowly and deliberately as she sat. She knew what was happening now, and she was relieved. Relieved, and yet unsurprisingly anxious. She turned to look at Harry, asleep against the cold stone. Ginny had her head resting on his shoulder, staring off into nothing. Fred was also out cold, a small smile across his face as he slept peacefully.
She heard the sound of it, and sighed. So came Kit's decision; her 'Bewitcher's Song'. So came the end of all of this romantic nonsense.
The boys stood, all facing a sitting Kit. Her hair was down now, and her face was light and porcelain against the harsh lighting from the flickering fire. Draco stood stony, his hands firmly at his sides as he stood still, waiting. George was looking at the floor, his arms hanging down. Ron looked directly at Kit, a small smile on his face.
She spoke quietly, "This is how it happens: I will begin to sing, and you will listen. As you listen, you'll feel the way I feel, and you'll understand the words as I feel. They'll invariably relate to you each individually, and you will react. If you are not truly in love with me, or are weak in your pursuit, you will fall asleep, not remembering anything you heard, felt, or saw. If you are true, strong in love, and unshakeable in desire, than you will remain alert until the end of the song. I hope you understand how important this is. Once I begin, nothing will be able to stop me. Are you all ready?"
One by one they nodded, solemn as if in a deep respect for this moment. Kit breathed in deeply as her voice began to trill in an oddly beautiful, unrecognizably haunting, melody.
True love will find you in the end
You'll find out just who was your friend
Don't be sad, I know you will
Don't give up until . . .
True love will find you in the end
This is a promise with a catch
Only if you're looking, will it find you
'Cause true love is searching too
How can it recognize you . . .
Unless you step out into the light
Her voice filled the room as she sang out loudly. Ron felt the urge to run to her, to hold her and never let her go. He shook his head, as if shaking the thought of it out of his mind. He wanted to look to see what the other two were doing, how they were reacting, but he couldn't look away from Kit. Her hair seemed to form a halo around her face, her pale skin glowing in a sort of shining beauty as her voice, incomparable, swam around inside of his mind, willing him to never look away.
George felt his mind loosen, gravity all nonsense now. His body seemed to be floating out from under his as her words echoed in his soul. He looked through her, he felt, and yet he couldn't see anything else. He couldn't hear anything else. And on she sang, as if she didn't even care.
Don't be sad, I know you will
Don't give up until . . .
True love finds you in the end
He felt the room swirl, and felt his arms go numb. He thought he wouldn't make it. He could feel his body slipping out from him, and his mind let go. He didn't want to give up. He wanted to fight for her. He wouldn't let go. He repeated the words in his mind. He would make it. But they were in vain. Slowly, the room spun. The walls seemed to drift away, and Kit's pale, beautiful face fell into the darkness as he crumpled to the ground.
True love will find you in the end
You'll find out just who was your friend
So don't be sad, I know you will
Don't give up until . . .
True love finds you in the end
George's eyes too drifted to the floor, then floated back to look through her once more. Her voice seemed to get louder and louder until it seemed to shoot through him. His legs buckled, and he felt the room leave him. Her voice dimmed and dimmed and dimmed until he felt nothing but the coldness of sleep.
True love will find you in the end
True love will find you in the end
Kit opened her eyes and stared at the one left. In her heart, she knew it would be him left. Her voice still echoed through him, and she ran to him. It was all over. Finally.
Hermione woke to the sound of Ginny's voice, and to see Ron and Kit emerge from the room, smiling softly at each other. Fred walked past them, back into Slytherin. Hermione stood, standing next to Harry, who too had just awoken. The song had put Hermione to sleep, as she assumed it had made Fred and Ginny also. The castle was dark, and she noticed Kiyle, Zema, and Snape standing quietly a little way down the hall.
"Inevitable, I swear!" Ginny hugged Ron, then Kit. Her face was glowing from all the smiling she was doing. Hermione couldn't help but feel the sense of relief swell through her once more. She looked at Ron morosely, but knew that she could make it without him. She had convinced herself of that long ago.
Harry had walked up behind Ginny, holding her in his arms. Fred now emerged with a groggy George and Draco.
"Kit," Draco began as she let go of Ron and turned to him, "I love you, and I respect your decision. You taught me lessons that I'll never forget. No matter what has happened, I vow to you that I will never change back. I couldn't."
She hugged him and then turned to an embarrassed George. He opened his mouth, then shut it. His eyes revealed a small insecurity that seemed to fade as Kit nodded him. He spoke slowly, deliberately, "I lived with you through some tough times. I thought I loved you more than I truly did. If anyone should be disappointed, if anyone should feel cheated . . . it's you. I wasn't as strong in my love as I thought. I'm sorry, but I'm happy for you. If anyone deserves you, it's the one who's been there all along. Though not as strongly at some times, he's been there for you."
She hugged him also, lingering a little longer, then let him go. He looked down at the floor and sighed as Kit went back to Ron.
"I have so many things to say to you, but they'll have to wait. Right now, you have family matters that you need to see to. I'll be here when you need me. I'll be here for you for as long as I live."
Snape stood next to Zema, watching her face as Kit walked towards their group. Kit stopped near Kirk, then proceeded to Zema.
"Oh, Mum . . ." Kit hugged her appreciatively.
Zema smiled at her as they broke their embrace, "It's alright, Kit. I know you've gone through a lot tonight. I have too. But you know what?"
Kit's eyes were watery as she looked up at her, "What?"
She smiled once more, glancing at Snape, then turning back to Kit. "I think that everything has finally sorted itself out."
Snape smiled back at her. Kit stepped away from Zema and looked at Kirk expectantly. He smiled at her momentarily, then turned to glare at Zema.
"Zema, darling, I think that I must be going now. Albus has made it quite clear that he doesn't like my presence here. I suppose he finds it a bit unnerving." Kirk smiled slyly and turned to leave, but Kit stopped him.
"Dad, don't go yet."
Kirk stopped and stood with his back on her for a moment, apparently at a loss for words. He turned around, his gold eyes steely and resolute as he looked at her. Snape stepped closer to Zema, the overwhelming need to protect her overcoming him.
"Katherine, I believe that I have nothing to say to you. Nothing, that is, that you would ever want to know."
Kit looked back at him, her eyes just as unflinching in their harsh gaze. "Dad, you can't avoid us forever. Or at least, you can't go on avoiding me."
Zema turned and looked at Snape, whose eyes were set on father and daughter. She had a look of exhaustion on her face, a look of defeat. Kirk now had moved towards Kit, caving in to her.
"Why did you lie to us, dad?" Kit asked, tears in her eyes, "Why did you leave me and Mum?"
"I had my reasons, dear." His voice contradicted his words. They sounded unsure, and slightly fearful. Kit saw through it, finding no solace. She pressed on.
"Were you just not man enough? Couldn't handle us, then?"
Kirk's eyes flitted past Kit and to Zema, who had now settled herself directly behind Kit, a calming hand placed on her daughter's shoulder. She gave him a cold look. Snape stood behind her, no hands on her tall and intimidating form.
"Katherine, you'll never be able to understand what I went through. You can't know, you can't even fathom . . . I loved your mother too much to let her waste her life on me. I didn't know that she'd leave you. I didn't know what would even happen to you. Frankly, I'm not sure I even cared."
Kit breathed in deeply at the last sentence, then smiled regretfully. "You're right. I couldn't ever understand why you did what you did. In order for me to understand, I would have to know what it was like to be a coward."
Her jaw was set and her eyes were flaming. She stepped out of her mother's grasp and walked right up to her father. He looked down at her, his expression a mix of horror, awe, and stubborn confidence.
"I just wanted to let you know how much I loathe you for what you did before you had the chance to run off and hide for fourteen more years."
With that, she turned and walked back to her friends, who had been standing unabashedly by the entrance to Slytherin's common-room.
The day dawned brightly as everyone filed out into King's Cross station. Kit stood next to Ron, her green cloak draped about her shoulders despite the warmth. Three vivid red heads bounced toward them, Ginny leading Harry by his hand and the twins unaccompanied. Angelina Johnson was standing with Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet, all of them laughing and carrying on happily. Hermione stood next to Draco, both of whom flashed Kit happy smiles as they clutched each other's hands.
George have Ron a hearty slap on the back as Fred ruffled his hair, Kit smiling at the brotherly adulation. George gave her a grin and a hug, then went to talk to Ginny and Harry. Fred stood by Ron, a big and devious smile plastered on his face.
"Is she going to be coming home with us, little brother?" Fred asked.
Ron grinned, "Mum sure wants her to, but I think she's going to be visiting with Harry for a little while. Already making the preparations and everything."
Fred gave him a look of confusion, then turned to Kit, "Preparations?"
She pulled out her wand and gave her hair a tap. The dark and royal purple locks turned into deep brown ringlets. "I'm thinking of making the change permanent. My eyes are already starting to stick to one color."
"Maybe it was the song." Fred offered.
Kit beamed, "I think it just might have been." She turned to Ron, "You like it, don't you?"
"Of course," He smiled, "If it's what you want, it'll always make me happy."
Kit gave him a kiss on the cheek, smiling widely. Ron smiled back, ears turning red.
"Better not let Mum catch you two like that. She's likely to curse your nose off, Ronnie." Fred laughed.
They all smiled at each other. Ginny came over, giving Kit a huge hug. "Oh, you just have to come over this summer. Harry and Hermione will be there, so will all of our family. We're going to be very busy this summer, and I'm sure that Mum'll be delighted if you help out."
It was Kit's turn to look confused, "What's happening?"
Ginny looked shocked for a moment, then rounded on Fred. "You didn't tell them?"
Fred shrugged, smiling nervously, "Well, I thought they already knew!"
Ginny rolled her eyes and turned back to Kit. "Seeing as this daft idiot hasn't said anything, I'll tell you." She breathed in deeply, then beamed, "Fred and Angelina are getting married at the Burrow."
"That's wonderful! I'm sure that Mrs. Weasley excited!"
Fred gave Kit a grave look, "That's not always a good thing."
Ginny frowned, "Oh, shut up Fred."
Hermione and Draco were making their way towards the small group of people, all smiles and glowing faces. Harry gave Hermione a hug, then shook Draco's hand.
"This is absolutely amazing, isn't it?" Ron said, looking at the couple. "I can't say I'm pleased . . . but at least it's a step in the right direction for you, Malfoy."
Hermione glared at him, "You stop that right now, Ronald."
Ron looked shocked, "Stop what? I didn't do anything!"
"Oh, yes you did!" Hermione gave Draco a loving look, "I think that we're all on a first-name basis now. You can stop calling him Malfoy."
Harry and Ron exchanged brief looks of impatience. Ron turned to Draco and shook his hand. "Have a nice summer, Draco."
They all laughed, Draco smiling. "I'm sure I will."
Kit turned her attention to her mother, who was now standing next to the barrier separating the platforms. Zema gave her a wink, then put her arm around her companion's waist. Kit smiled at the two of them, not bothered in the least.
"So," began Harry, "Snape and your Mum, eh?"
"Yeah, I suppose it's for the best." Kit gave them a short wave.
Ron cleared his throat, bringing her attention back to him. "Well, you guys will be coming near the end of June. We'll send you word when we know the exact date."
Kit smiled, "I'm very excited to meet these Muggles."
Harry gave her a very shocked look. "You are?"
She looked bewildered. "Should I not be?"
"These are the Dursley's we're talking about here. No one should be excited to meet them"
Kit shrugged, "New experiences are always exciting."
"Well, this will be one new experience you'll soon want to be forgetting." He and Ron shared another look, this time it was grave.
The whistle sounded and the train sped off back to Hogwart's, the students now exiting the platform. Hermione and Draco waved farewell and exiting through the barrier, followed soon by Fred and George.
"Alright then, Ginny," Ron said, looking at his sister and grabbing his things. "I think we should be going, too."
Ginny nodded at him and turned to Harry. "You had better write me as soon as you get home. I'll have none of this procrastination business, you hear?"
Harry beamed, "Of course." He pulled her close and gave her a kiss. Kit noticed Ron look away.
"I'll see you in June, then." Kit said, hugging Ron. He gave her a light kiss on the forehead.
"Miss you." They smiled at each other.
They turned and walked off to the barrier, Ginny exiting first. Ron turned and waved farewell as he went through.
"Okay," Kit said, looking at Harry. "I suppose that we'll be going now, too?"
The platform was nearly empty now, and Harry was gathering his trolley. Kit turned and walked off to the barrier, hesitating for a moment. She gave Harry a small smile, then walked through.
As they reappeared on the other side, they watched Ron and the Weasley's leave. Hermione and Draco had already left, it seemed, and so had everyone else. The Dursley's stood tightly together, all exchanging odd looks as they saw Kit, still adorning her green cloak. Harry gave a short cough and gestured for her to put it away. She did so, smiling through the red flush of her embarrassment.
"So," Petunia said, her lips drawn taut as she surveyed Kit, "this will be Katherine, will it?"
Kit nodded at her, still slightly flustered. "Nice to meet you."
Vernon simply drew in a deep breath, looking at her as if she might explode at any moment. Dudley was watching both of them, and Kit could see the realization that he was now outnumbered dawning over his wide face. Harry gave her a look of amusement, and they all set off.
A/N: Okay, that's it. I took forever on the last chapter, simply because I wasn't too fond of this anymore. Anyway, though I highly doubt it, anyone who was still reading this might have cared more than me. Of course, I'm not too bothered by the fact thatI have no readers. I can't take pride in this, soI don't expect anyone else to like it. Anywho, for those of you who did, well . . . thanks. For those of you who didn't, oh well! It's not any of my business to appease any of you. I have grown as a writer through this little . . . thing, and that's about the only happy thing I take from it. Thanks for your time, if you gave it, and thanks for your criticism and such.
I will strictly stick to my own creative and original fiction now.