While Professor Trelawney was taking role, Catherine noticed that someone was tapping her on the shoulder. She turned around and her heart jumped. Draco Malfoy. How strange, she thought. He wasn't in this class for the first four days. Why was he suddenly in the class now?
"Hey," he said.
Catherine gave him a quizzical look. "Where you always in this class?" she asked.
"No, I just transferred this morning," he replied.
"Stalker," Catherine said, jokingly. She then quickly turned around when Professor Trelawney threatened to give them both detentions. Catherine couldn't stop thinking about Draco though. Had he switched for her?
Draco could tell that Catherine was smiling even though he was sitting behind her. During the rest of the class, Draco could not focus. He kept thinking about what his father had owled him the day before. .
Dear Son,
I trust that you are doing what we planned. Now that you are older and you are carrying out the Malfoy way, I think it is time to tell you how your mother and I ended up getting married.
At Hogwarts, your mother was pathetic. She had fallen in love with a stupid Gryffindor. Her life was almost useless. The only thing that saved her from being disowned by her family or killed was a Seer. They had seen that her heir would be worth something. So the Dark Lord told me to marry her. We knew she wouldn't marry if she weren't in love. She was weak like that. So, we had to get rid of the Gryffindor she was in love with. And there I was to comfort her after her loss. I had to listen to all of her secrets and be sweet to her. That was hard because she was an annoying bitch most of the time.
Now you are carrying on what I had to do. You must do...
The rest was just a list of things to do that would make it easier for Catherine to fall in love with him. Draco couldn't believe that had really happened. And he had called his mother an annoying bitch. Well, he could imagine that from his father. Good ol' dad. The sad part about the whole thing was that his dad actually sounded proud of what he was about to do. Most dads would be happy for good grades or getting on the quidditch team, but no. His father was happy when he was trying to seduce girls to make an heir for him.
That night, Harry, Catherine, Hermione, Ron, Seamus, and Ginny were all sitting in the common room. Ginny was just having a fun time telling the other of Hermiones dare. To Hermione relief, Ginny had not heard what they were saying. She only saw that Hermiones face was pink and Professor Nieto could not make eye contact. Ron put up a fit. At first, he didn't believe what had happened. Then he started his mumbling and couldn't believe what had happened. He decided to go to bed early and the rest of them followed, except for Harry and Catherine.
Hermione had trouble going to sleep that night. She had so much on her mind. When she finally did fall asleep, she had another odd dream. Usually her dreams were kind of blurry and nothing looked like it was actually happening. The dream she had this night was different. It was like the one she had had on the train when they first arrived last week.
"Ron! Where are you?" She heard herself say. Hermione could feel her heart pounding inside her chest. It felt like it was about to come out, but she had no idea why. She looked around to see where she was. The Forbidden Forest. "Ron!" she yelled again.
This time there was an answer. "Hermione!" This was the weird part. She heard her name being called in two different directions. Her breaths began getting deeper and deeper. She was very confused. She looked over to the right and saw Ron. She was kind of relieved. But then she looked to the left and saw Ron. What? she thought. Think Hermione, think! Oh, crap. Where's my wand?
"Ron! It's a reddo! Do the spell!"
"What!" They both yelled.
"I don't have my wand with me," one of them yelled. "Oh, shut up! You're not even me!" yelled the other one.
Hermione was really panicking now. If I just choose a Ron, I could be wrong and we would both die. Even if I am right, we could still die with one of these things running around. If I run away, Ron will die. Hermione looked over to the left. That Ron was slowly walking towards her. She could tell it wasn't him. Okay, she thought. Now I know which one is real and which one isn't. Oh shit, he is getting closer. Hermione slowly started backing up until she felt her back hit a tree. "Ron! RON!"
Suddenly there was a bright light. It was really bright. Her eyes began to hurt. Hermione then realized that it was morning and she was lying in her bed. It was just a dream, she thought. She put a hadn to her face and wiped away the sweat. Catherine walked in and saw Hermione.
"Are you okay?" she asked with a very worried look on her face.
"Oh yeah. I am fine."
"Are you sure? I could take you to the hospital wing," Catherine said, not completely believing that Hermione was okay.
"Yes, I am fine. Just bad dream, that's all."
"Alright."
For the next couple of days, Hermione started thinking. What if these dreams eventually came true? She didn't want to panic Harry, Ron, or Catherine. She then remembered searching through old books over the summer. Seers were once common in her family. Hermione decided to just keep it to herself until she was sure that this was real. No use in making everyone worry over something that wasn't a big deal.
Over the next couple of weeks, everyone at Hogwarts began to notice changes. There were almost always a teacher in every hallway or some other type of adult and no one was allowed to be by themselves. If they were and got caught, a teacher would follow them around until they met up with friends.. Everyone was beginning to wonder what was up. Soon rumors started spreading.
"The Basilisk is back! And it's already killed three students!"
"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is going to attack this year. We are all in danger!"
"There is an outbreak of a plague! EVERYONE WILL GET ACNE!"
"There is demon roaming around the castle that eats little girls and boys for breakfast! I saw it with my own eyes!"
"They caught a couple shagging in the hallways and now all the teachers are worried about a sex craze!"
The students were going crazy. The teachers kept assuring them that there was nothing wrong and that it was just for safety issues. They even had an assembly about it. But everyone decided to believe the rumors. They were more exciting. Dumbledore was getting flooded with owls about the changes from the student's parents. This was creating more problems then trying to stop them.
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Catherine sat down at the Great Hall. Everyone was still talking about the changes.
"What do you guys think is going on?" Ron asked.
"Well, on the first day of school, I overheard Professor McGonnagle and Professor Dumbledore talking about how they needed more security. They also mentioned a prophecy that was supposed to come true this year or something. I didn't get to hear what it was all about though," Catherine said.
"Don't they have some prophecy books in the library or something?" Harry asked.
"Probably," Hermione answered.
"What? You're not objecting to this?" Harry asked.
"No. I am just as interested in this as you are. Over the summer, I did research on my family background. I just found out that my family was once known for being seers and prophets. But that was over 200 hundred years ago, before a squib was born. I was thinking maybe I could see one of my ancestors in the books."
"Alright then, let's go the the library!" Ron shouted, while throwing a fist up in the air, feeling very enthusiastic. He looked like he was ready to battle a battle that ended all battles. You could almost hear trumpet playing in the background. Everyone stared at him for a minute, like he had some kind of strange disease. Then they all started laughing.
Finally Harry said, "I'm saying this as your friend, never do that again."
So, again, they went to the library. Because that is what normal sixteen year old teenagers do. Now there was some good news and bad news about the prophecy books. Good: The library did have them. Bad: There were about five books with over ten thousand pages each.
"Do we really need to do this?" Ron asked as he was flipping through the pages of a book. The book looked extremely old and it was wearing out. For some reason, Ron really wanted to smell it. "Ugh! It smells horrible!"
"That's why books are for reading, Ron, not for smelling," Hermione said.
"Hey, do you know any spells or anything that might make this a tad bit easier?" Catherine asked.
"Oh yeah, Hermione. We learned this like in third year or something. I just remember hearing someone say, 'this is what you do when doing research. This spell will help you go faster.' I couldn't really concentrate during the class. Goyle was doing something very disturbing with his nose..." Harry said, making a disgusted face just thinking about Goyle going treasure hunting, then finding the jack pot and well..lets just say some things were not meant to be eaten.
"Oh Harry! Yes, I remember that! The spell part, not the Goyle part thank goodness...The only problem is, what exactly am I looking for?" Hermione asked.
"Well, if they know that the prophecy is coming true this exact year, can you sort anything out like that?" Catherine asked.
"Yes, you're brilliant!" Hermione exclaimed, as Catherine looked smug. Hermione then said the spell. (to lazy to make one up...okay...henopi lokorli) The book then suddenly began turning its pages wildly. After going through this with three of the books, they finally found something that was probably what they were looking for, although it didnt really help very much.
"It says that on June 15, 1905, Robert Hulton said, 'In one hundred years an heir of Slytherin will finally receive what they have long wanted.' I guess they are just assuming that it is You-Know-Who. He is the only known heir, right? That's why this year, Harry, you have to be extra careful. I don't want you venturing off looking for trouble. Okay?" Hermione asked, well kind of ordered.
"Yes, mother. Now, I do believe we have an appointment at the quidditch field, Ron. Tryouts. Are you ready?" Harry asked.
Ron took a deep breath, "I suppose so."
"Ron, you did really good!" Harry exclaimed as they were speed walking down the hallways. It was almost time for dinner at the Great Hall so the two boys had to hurry.
"Eh, I guess I did alright. Ginny and I practiced most of the summer. Fred and George helped sometime too, when they weren't busy with their shop," Ron replied as they were walking into the Great Hall. "Ginny did a good job though. She has always been pretty good at quidditch."
"Yeah, well I think you have a good shot at making the team this year, too," Harry said, taking a seat next to Catherine.
"Oh you don't have to do anything special just because we're best friends. I will understand if you choose someone else," Ron said, even though he really did want to be on the team.
Harry took a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness. I will just choose Seamus because the truth is you really suck!" he said with sarcasticness.
"What?" Ron almost yelled.
"I am kidding Ron. You need to have more confidence in what you do," Harry said.
Hermione nodded and looked over at Ron. "Yeah. I am sure you did wonderful. How about Catherine and I come and watch the next try out day," Hermione said rather than asked. Ron's eyebrows shot up.
"You want to watch me play quidditch?" Ron asked Hermione. Please say no, he thought. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of Hermione, even though he had done it plenty of times in the past. But this year, he accepted the fact that he may like her more than justa friend.
Hermione nodded. "Great!" Harry exclaimed. "The last tryout day is tomorrow afternoon. The start at four.Then Katie and I are going to pick out the players. Katie in the co-captain on the team. Anyways," Harry said as he looked over at Catherine and Hermione, "Did you guys find out anything else about that prophecy?"
Hermione shook her head. "No there really isn't much more we can get out of it."
"Yeah. The prophecy is like a riddle. We will just have to see what happens," Catherine added.
-
"Alright, today is the last day for the tryouts," Harry said in the Gryffindor locker rooms. There were about twenty-five people trying out, some of which had talent, and well others that did not. They were all listening intently as they walked out onto the field. "All of you have done pretty well so far and-"
"Umm, Harry?" Ginny said.
"Uh yeah?"
"Look behind you."
Harry raised an eyebrow and slowly turned around. The Slytherins.He could see Draco slowly walking towards him witha stern look on his face. Slowly, Draco began to smirk. When he finally reached Harry, he crossed his arms over his chest. "Potter," Draco said.
"Malfoy?" Harry replied as Draco finally apporached him. He seemed pretty annoyed. The hot sun was blazing on them and sweat was already dripping down the sides of their faces. "We are not going throught this again, are we? We got the field for today," Harry said to him.
"Potter, when are you going to realize that I don't really give a shit," Draco replied with a smirk. "So why don't you just get your little friends and leave already?"
"Look, I really do not feel like arguing with you today. We both need to get our teams together so why don't we just split the field. We can just play half-court or something."
Draco stood there and thought for a minute. Finally he took a deep breath and said, "Alright, Pothead. But, if any of your stupid Gryffindor team mates get on my side of the field, I will personally see to it that they never walk again."
"Sure, Malfoy. Just save your talk for when season starts, since it seems to be the only thing you are good at."
Malfoy glared. He was about to punch Harry but then he noticed Catherine and Hermione sitting in the stands. He couldn't just hit him or else Catherine would have a fit. Then his father would be pissed and he would be in deep shit. Perfect, he thought. Harry turned around to look at what Malfoy was staring at. Catherine and Hermione?
"Didn't know they were your type," Harry said sternly. He gave Draco the "Keep-your-eyes-off-of-them-especially-Catherine-or-I-will-kill-you-then- bring- you-back to-life-to- clean-up- the- mess" look.
Draco looked back at Harry. Dammit, he thought. He saw me. "Well, aren't you a protective of you little girlfriend."
"Hermione is not-"
"Not Granger! Bruins, you idiot! How dense are you! The whole damn school can see it! Why don't you make a bloody move!" Draco said, rather loudly. Luckily, everyone else was involved in their own conversation and they weren't paying attention. Harry gave a strange look at Draco. Then he turned around and started talking to his team. Draco shook his head and turned back to his team. What a git, he thought. And so am I. I just told my enemy to make a move on a girl I am supposed to make a move on!
"Alright guys. Half-court today. On your brooms!"
"Woah! They should have a really good team this year!" Catherine exclaimed as she watched the tryouts. Hermione was sitting down with a book in her nose. "Aren't you going to watch?"
"Well I would but I have a huge Divinations project to do. Besides, I was watching for a couple of minutes. Ron and Harry are really good," Hermione replied still writing frantically with her quill.
"Divinations project? Isn't that due in a month?" Catherine asked. Although she wasn't a big procrastinator, she never started the day after the teacher assigned it. maybe a week and half before it was due.
"Well yeah, but if I want a good grade on it, I have to start now."
"Alright. I still think you're crazy."
Catherine looked back to the quidditch field. She loved watching quidditch. All the colors blending together when they flew fast enough. She was never really good though. That was probably why she enjoyed watching it so much. They could do things she couldn't.
She was watching Harry zoom towards a snitch when she saw something at the corner of her eye. It was green and bright blonde. She turned her head over to where the Slytherin were practicing. Draco was staring at her. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks and she immediatly looked down. Was he looking at me? she asked herself. She looked back at and he was still staring at her. She almost forgot where she was. Even from far away, Catherine could see him smirking, or was it a smile?
"Catherine? What are you smiling about? You smile a lot, don't you?" Hermione asked with amusement. "Thinking about a boy? Harry maybe?"
"What? Oh no I was," thinking about Draco, I can't say that, she thought. "Well-er-no..." Aah I got tongue tied!
"Sure. I know you guys have a-"
Before she could finish her sentence, Harry interupted. "RON!"
Immediatly Hermione and Catherine looked back onto the field. One of the Slytherin beaters had hit a bludger towards Ron's head. Harry flew down towards him and ordered Ginny to go get Madame Pomfrey. Ron was on the ground and he looked like he was knocked out. Hermione and Catherine then ran down onto the field.
"Everyone, go back in the locker rooms!" Harry said. When his team had gone, he began walking towards the Slytherine side of the field. "MALFOY! GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE!"
"Hey, that was not me!" he yelled back.
"Yeah, but you are the captain! You should be watching your players!" Harry yelled. He was very upset. The whole Slytherin team just landed and walked off of the field like nothing happened. Harry approached Malfoy and pushed him.
"Harry? What are you doing?" Catherine asked, frantically.
Ah, screw her, Draco thought. He went in and punched Harry in the jaw. Soon the two boys were in a big fight. Catherine and Hermione were yelling at them to stop. Catherine finally got in the middle and pushed them apart. Harry stopped because of the love potion. Draco stopped because he knew he had to. Catherine looked back at Draco with a look that said "say-something-you-ass-hole". Draco just shrugged his shoulders and walked off the field with a fat lip and a bruised cheek. Catherine shook her head and walked over to Harry.
"Are you okay?" She asked as she took a napkin out of her pocket and held it to his nose. He nodded and she smacked him in the head. "Why did you do that? You could've gotten seriously hurt!"
"Ow! Well, look at Ron-"
"Yeah look at Ron! You should be helping him not beating on Malfoy."
"Ron! Wake up!" Hermione loudly whispered to Ron. She had been tending to him while everyone else was gone. Hermione looked like she was about to cry. Soon Ginny came back with Madame Pomfrey and they brought Ron to the Hospital Wing.
"Is he going to be alright?" Hermione asked Madame Pomfrey. Harry, Catherine, Ginny and Hermione were all very worried. They sat around the bed were Ron was lying with the cold-looking, white hospital blanket on top of him. He looked like a statue. He had not waken up since the fall.
"Yes, dears, no need to worry. He should be up and about by tomorrow morning. Now go. Visiting hours are over," she replied.
The next morning, after Harry had met with Katie and picked the members of the quidditch team, he ran up to the hospital wing with Catherine. Hermione was already there with Ginny. When they entered they saw Ron sitting up in the bed. He was finally awake. Harry ran over to Ron's side and gave him a hug.
"We were all so worried. Especially Hermione," Harry said. Ron looked up at Hermione and she blushed. "Well, Ron, I have some news for you."
"What?"
"You and Ginny made the team as chasers!" Harry said.
"Are you kidding?" Ginny asked with a big smile on her face. She immediatly ran over to Harry and gave him a big hug. "Aah Thank you!"
"Don't thank me. You did a great job."
"I made the team?" Ron asked. "When's the practice. I have to go. I am ready," Ron said while trying to get out of the bed.
"Ah, ah, ah! You stay in that bed until noon," Madame Pomfrey said. "You guys are getting him too excited. Let him get his rest now."
Madame Pomfrey kicked them out of the Hospital Wing again. She was much more strict this year. All the teachers were much more strict. Ever since the stupid security got tighter. No one walks in the halls alone. You can't stay in an area without a professor on gaurd.
Later that night Catherine sat on the couch laughing. "I thought you were talking about the grapes!" Harry said, mocking what Catherine had said the other day.
"Shut up!" Catherine said while punching him in the arm and trying to suppress her laughter. They were the last ones up as usual. Almost every night they sat together on the couch, talking. Everyone else was sound asleep in their beds. At least I hope they were in their own beds.
"Why? What are you going to do if I don't shut up? Tickle me to death?" He asked her.
Catherine laughed. "Maybe I will!" She said, as she leaned closer to him with her hands in the air. She was ready to attack.
"Not if I get you first!"
Suddenly he was tickling her with no mercy. He had gotten her before she even got a chance to get him first. Finally she couldn't hold in her laughter any longer. They both got louder and louder.
"Stop!" She said in between gigles. Harry abruptly stopped when someone yelled from the dorms.
"Shut it down there! It's one thirty in the bloody morning!"
Catherine and Harry were on the floor staring at eachother with big smiles on their faces. They both looked pretty funny. On the floor, staring at eachother with pillows over their mouths. Finally Harry stopped laughing.
"Oh crap, it is one-thirty!" Harry said. Catherine suddenly gave a big yawn. Since yawns are contagious, Harry yawned as well.
"I think I am going to go to bed then. Good night Harry." She scooted over and gave him a hug. She then slowly went up the stairs and into the girls dorm.
"Good night Catherine," Harry whispered to himself as he stared in the direction in which she had left. He could feel it in his heart. Every moment he spent with her, he liked her more and more. The words that Malfoy had said to him the day before was ringing in his head. "The whole damn school can see it! Why don't you make a bloody move!" Did everyone really see it? Harry looked into the fire. Slowly it began to fade out. He was left in darkness. He walked up the stairs and plopped onto his bed, planning how he would "make his move".
A couple more weeks had past, and Catherine had rarely talked to Malfoy, except during class and when he would come to taunt their group. Although she did have the little moments were she caught him looking in her direction. Those always made her heart melt. Today she was supposed to work on a project with him and Blaise though. Maybe she could find a way to talk to Draco without Blaise thinking of anything. She looked over at her watch realized it almost eight o'clock. But there was not class today. She had started to become really goood friends with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. She looked around and there was no one else in the dorm so she got dressed and went to the Great Hall. She took her wand because since the security became tougher, any student caught walking by themselves without a wand would be given detention..
When she was getting closer to theGreat Hall,she heard someone whispering her name. She turned around quickly and almost screamed when she saw Draco was about two inches away from her face. It was then when she noticed his icy, blue eyes. They seemed so cold and distant. In the middle of her thoughts he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her into a dark corner.
"Let me see your necklace."
"What? Why?" Catherine said as she took off the necklace. She could still feel her heart beating rapidly, the butterflies in her stomach, and the chills running up and down her back.. Even though he was sometimes a jack ass, he still did that to her. Love sucks.
For a couple of minutes Draco was examining the necklace. He then began to focus on the ring around the heart. He walked out of the dark andheld it up towards the sunlight. Suddenly letters began to appear from the reflection. Draco read the words, but Catherine did not understand.
"What?" she asked.
"key ut vita est ut exsisto diligo quod diligo rursus " Draco said "Whatever this means is the secret to what this little necklace can do."
Before Catherine could say anything in return, he just disappeared.
Hermione saw Catherine and waved. She was finally starting to trust Catherine. She liked having another girl around to talk about..well.. girl stuff, such as periods, clothes, and crushes. Not that Hermione had a crush on anyone. Ron was her closest guy friend. And they were JUST friends and nothing more. besides he had a crush on Lavendar. Even though when she found out, it wasn't that convinceing. Or maybe she just didn't want to believe it. No. She shrugged these thoughts out of her head when Catherine sat down in front of her.
"Hey Hermione! Where are the rest of us?" Catherine laughed.
"Hey! Well Ron and Harry have quidditch practice so it is just us. You know the big game against Slytherin is next week. Both of the teams are undefeated,so it should be a good match." Hermione said.
"Wow. I don't remember you being the avid quidditch fan before."
"Well, you know Ron just told me all of this. Besides, Harry and Ron are two of our best friends. And it is Ron's first real year of playing." Hermione said with a smile. She looked at Catherine and saw her necklace again.
"I really do love your necklace. Can I see it for a minute?" Hermione asked.
Hesitantly, Catherine gave her the necklace. She saw Hermione just stare at the necklace. Hermione then started to frown as if she was deep in thought. Catherine started to worry. Hermione then held it up to the sunlight and the words appeared on the wall. What? Is everyone getting this but me? Catherine asked herself.
"Key ut vita est ut exsisto diligo quod diligo rursus," Hermione paused then said, " The key to life is to love and be loved in return."
"What?"
"That's what it means in Latin." Hah. Leave it to Hermione to be the smart one. But how is that supposed to help me figure out the use of the necklace? The key to life to love and be loved in return. That wasn't even a question or a riddle. It doesn't even have an answer. Why does this have to be so hard? Catherine thought.
"Where did you say you got this necklace again?" Hermione asked.
"Umm, er well- Japan. My parents got it in Japan. They went to a city there where there were Latin speaking Japanese people." Catherine said thinking quickly not even believing herself.
Hermione just nodded and laughed. After they had finished eating, they said goodbye to one another.Catherine had to finish her potions project with her lovely partners. And Hermione had promised to meet Harry and Ron after their quidditch practice to go say hello to Hagrid.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you to the library? Malfoy and Zabini are the worst." Hermione said. Catherine loved how caring Hermione was of everyone. She was like a mother.
"I am sure. It will be fine," Catherine replied, with a funny face. She then turned around and began walking towards the library as slowly as possible. This could end up being terrificly fun or horrifyingly annoying.
Harry and Ron had just finished quidditch practice and they were changing in the locker room. They had told Hermione that they would meet her at eleven o'clock in front of Hagrid's hut. It was almost Halloween and they had only said hi to him once during the first week of school. Ron looked at his watch and saw that it was ten fifty.
"It's almost eleven. We should start walking. We don't want to keep Hermione waiting."
"Okay, just one minute," Harry said as he slipped his robe on over his clothes."Hey Ron, are you ever going to tell Hermione that you like her?"
Ron looked at Harry like he was crazy. "What? I-er-well, are you ever going to tell Catherine you like her?" Ron shot back.
Harry then looked at Ron with big eyes. "What? I--You know too?"
"Harry, a blind man could see you are in love with her. You should just ask her to the Yule ball," Ron replied. "I think she might like you too, but it is hard to tell. She either likes you or she loves you as a brother."
"That's what I am afraid of. You know, I've liked her since I first saw her this year," Harry said. "It's just whenever I am around her, I have this feeling-"
"Alright Harry! I get it! You like her a lot."
"Sorry," Harry said with a laugh. "How about we make a deal. If I ask Catherine to the Yule Ball, then you HAVE to ask Hermione. And don't make it seem like a last resort this year."
Ron took a deep breath. "Fine. Now lets get going."