Hey there kids, 15 days until I graduate! Yessssss! Here's the update that I promised. And if you go to my profile I added a link to a beautiful drawing of Kat that one of my very talented friends drew for me. Remember to review. Thanks for your support. – Bex

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter (but oh! if I did... ahem... anyway) nor any of the other people or wizarding world. Just my amazing character of Kathryn Adara Riddle. Everything and everyone else is the brilliance of J.K Rowling. I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!

Chapter Seven: Almost Answers

"There'll never be another like h(er)

(S)he's the last of a dying breed

Ain't no use in tryin' to tame h(er)

'Cause (s)he's the last rebel

Keeps to h(er)self

but everybody takes h(er) wrong

Got a dream that will never die

Can't change h(er),

no use in stayin' where you don't belong"

"Last Rebel" Lynard Skynard

Kat walked next to Harry, who still seemed to embarrassed by the fact he had dreams about her. But he had a feeling that he would be dreaming more of her now that he met her. And not nightmares of her being kidnaped and tortured, but dreams of him and her... together... the strange likeness to Sirius, and the even stranger connection between them, made her even more desirable. He felt like he had known her for as long as he had known Hermione.

"Harry?" a soft voice whispered shaking him of his lusty thoughts.

"Yes Hermione?"

"Can I have a word?" she glared at Kat."Alone."

He glanced down at Kat, "Excuse me." he felt as if he were abandoning her, it showed on his face.

"Don't worry darlin'. Andy'll take care of me, you go and have a li'l chat with your girlfriend." she winked at Harry then grabbed Ron's arm. Ron looked longingly at Hermione, but she just shook her head and he allowed himself to be led away by Kat. Hermione waited a minute before beginning.

"I don't think this was such a good idea Harry." Hermione said crossing her arms.

"What? Why not? You're the one that figured it out."

"Because, she's not exactly who I pictured when I thought of a damsel in distress."

"Well, it doesn't exactly matter what we all pictured of her, she's here, and we are still going to help her, I don't care if she sprouted horns and a tail, she's staying here."

"Why do you automatically assume that she's your responsibility Harry?"

"Because she is."

"But why?"

"Because I'm was the one having dreams about her, not you, not Ron, not McGonagall. Me." Harry said heatedly.

"Don't do this again Harry, I – we're here for you, Ron and I. We always have been."

"I know." Harry sighed. "I've never doubted that you were there for me, I reckon I've taken it for granted." he looked down at her apologetically. "Now Kat needs us, whether she seems it or not, she's alone and scared."

"It sounds as if you're talking about a dog." Hermione's eyes shone with suppressed laughter.

"If you won't help her I will." Harry said angrily as he started to walk away. His usually dampened temper flaring at his best friend.

"I doubt that she'll accept my help."

"She would if you weren't so bloody patronizing." Harry said stopping. Hermione looked shocked that he would say something so blunt. Harry saw the look on her face and immediately felt bad. "Sorry 'Mione, I–I..." trying to think of something to say. "I don't have a reason for acting like this."

"Yes you do." Hermione said stone faced.

"What's that?" Harry asked intrigued.

"You'll know." Hermione said turning her head, avoiding his fiery gaze.

"Know what?" after she didn't answer, he persisted. "Know what Hermione?"

"We'll talk about this later." Hermione said meeting his eyes defiantly.

"Later?" Harry said perplexed.

"Later." she confirmed as she walked away swiftly, attempting to catch up to Ron and Kat, who were walking closely.

X

"Why do you call me Andy?" he asked breaking the silence. They had been walking quietly trying to hear what Hermione was saying to Harry. But Hermione waited until they were out of earshot. She was too clever for Kat's liking.

"Oh," she laughed her throaty laugh. "Before I knew your name, all I knew was that ya had red hair." she reached up on the very tip of her toes and reached her highest height to fluff the rusty mop. "So there's this cartoon, slash book." she indicated the slash with a great sweep of her hand, "called The Adventures of Raggedy Anne and Andy. They're red heads too. That's just the first thing that popped into my bean." she patted her head."And usually whatever comes up here, comes out here." she pointed to her full lips.

"I see!" Ron laughed.

"Ya don't mind if I call ya Andy do ya? It kinda grew on ya, I'd rather call ya Andy than Ron."

"I don't mind." he said grinning down at her.

"Aw! You're a doll." (A/N Raggedy Anne and Andy are old dolls, books, and cartoons.) "By the way, ya got a li'l smudge of dirt on your nose." He blushed deeply, she laughed, "How 'bout I call ya Red? or Rusty? It'll match your face!" she laughed even harder as he turned crimson, "Boy I tell you what."

"What?" Hermione said breathlessly catching up with them.

"I just told ya." Kat laughed even harder. (A/N I don't think some of ya'll will understand this. It was funny to me. It's a Texas thing. When we say I tell you what... it's just emphasizing a point.) Hermione and Ron looked confused, they had to stop because Kat was doubled over and could not proceed. By the time she was ready to go on Harry had caught up also. It seemed that he took his time getting back, he didn't high tail it over as Hermione had. She's damn protective of these boys, Kat thought.

"What happened?" he demanded as he saw the tears (of laughter).

"Aw, now don't ya fret. I'm alright." she said taking a deep breath.

"She had quite the giggle." Ron blushed again.

"About what?"

"THAT!" Kat said bursting out laughing again pointing at Ron's pink cheeks, tinging them further. "I tell you what, I've never met a guy that blushes so damn much."

"Well he has probably never met a girl who is so outspoken." Hermione said hotly.

"Oh, well, excuse me Miss Priss." she put her jingling arms on her hips. "Sorry I ain't well bred like you." her eyes lighting up, she loved a good fight. Harry noticed the strong resemblance to Sirius, when he would fight with Snape. "I ain't gonna let some hoity toity bushy haired witch tell me I'm outspoken when you're outspeakin' to me." Kat was just inches from Hermione now, the boys seemed to be rooted to their spot in the entry hall.

"Are you done?" Hermione asked seemingly bored.

"You're not afraid?" Ron asked he had a hand on Harry's shoulder and huge eyes, both leaning back on their heels.

"Why should I be? We are not Muggles. We don't have to fight like them" she looked at Kat rolling her eyes, "Besides I could of hexed her before she laid a finger on me." Hermione said huffily.

"Well you sure are full of yourself." Kat said quietly.

"Well I should, shouldn't I? I set a school record on my O.W.L.S." she beamed, Harry tried to be discrete as he rolled his eyes, but Kat saw.

"Ooh, look at her tootin' her own horn." Kat walked over to Harry."Toot Toot." she said pantomiming beeping a car horn with her hands, with a wolfish grin, she took Harry's arm. "Ain't it time that I get some damn answers? You ain't the only one havin' nightmares Harry." she looked up at him tiredly, he finally saw the circles around her eyes.

"Yes, yes, let's go." Hermione brushed by Kat, who stuck out her foot. Hermione stumbled a few feet, then finally totally losing her balance, slid headfirst about six feet into the entrance hall of the castle.

"And she's safe ladies and gentlemen!" Kat boomed imitating an umpire from a baseball game sweeping out her arms. "What was that 'bout hexin' me? Didn't seem to work did it?" she said scathingly, satisfaction setting a grin on her lips. Hermione whipped out her wand and pointed it at Kat's chest, anger flushing her cheeks. Her chocolate eyes searing into Kat's sparkling blue ones they looked identical as they glared at each other.

"That can be arranged if you like." she arched an eyebrow at Kat.

"Come on! Kat... Hermione." Harry stepped between them. "Enough" he fiercely glared at Hermione who lowered her wand, their expressions softening as they saw the anger glinting in his emerald eyes. "Come on." he grabbed Kat's hand and turned his back to Hermione. Ron was still standing awestruck. Someone had finally gotten the better of Hermione.

X

The animosity was palpable as the teenagers made their way to the headmistress' office.Finally they approached the stone gargoyle that guarded the office, Harry said the password and the gargoyle leaped aside allowing Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Kat. In that order, the boys silently forming a physical blockade between the two girls.

"Come in." came a strict sounding voice from behind the door, before Hermione was even able to knock. She motioned the others to follow, walking in front of Kat, Harry entered the familiar circular room. Professor McGonagall sat behind the grand desk, and the previous headmasters were either snoring or staring rudely at Kat, who had taken Harry's hand again. "Well, Miss Riddle it's nice to see you again." Kat heard a sharp intake of breath from Ron and Hermione behind her but she was trying to figure out what in the hell was going on, for the voice did not come from the severe looking woman from behind the desk.

"Ton...Riddleton. Uh, Excuse me for askin' sir, but when have you seen me?" Kat asked looking around to discover where the voice was coming from. "Are the pictures moving?" she whispered to Harry.

"Yes, look over here." he led her over to Dumbledore's portrait. "This is Albus Dumbledore."

"Pleased to meet you." Dumbledore nodded to her.

"Oh." was all she managed to say as she came close to the portrait and looked into it. "How is this possible?" she whispered softly putting all her weight onto the gilded frame, nearly falling over from the overwhelming changes that were happening in her life. She still wasn't quite sure if it was all real or not yet. "Is this really happening?"

"You live with your aunt. Correct?" the old wizard asked, avoiding Kat's question Harry couldn't help but think how many times Dumbledore had done that to him.

"Yes sir." she said in a feint whisper, sliding down to her knees in front of his frame.

"She is not your aunt Kathryn," Kat looked up shocked, then angry. "Her name is Margaret Nagler, she works for the Ministry of Magic, her job was to protect you." There was complete silence.

"Kat?" Harry put a hand on her shoulder.

"Now wait one damn minute. One thing at a time." she said getting her spark back. "First, a guy that has been in my dreams for months appears in my bathroom while I'm naked as a jay bird, then I learn I'm a witch, then I magically appear in a middle of a forest in England. I fly on these eagle-horses, meet a giant and am now holdin' a conversation with a portrait. Now you're tellin' me that my whole life I've been put through Hell by a woman that's workin' for you?" She looked around, "Have I covered all the bases?"

"Not quite." Dumbledore's beard twitched concealing a smile. "Sit down Kathryn please. In a chair if you please, I'm afraid my frame can't take any more abuse." She smiled at the painting then looked at Harry, who conjured two chairs out of thin air. After Kat got over the act of magic they sat down in front of the wizened man in the painting. "I believe, overall, you are taking this quite well."

"I've had help." she smiled at Harry who blushed.

"Well, I believe you can endure some more startling information." he sighed and began. "Nearly sixteen years ago we took you from an abandoned home. We found your mother--"

"Mother?" she interrupted. "I knew I had a mom, but my aunt told me she died in a car crash."

"Your mother was killed. But not in a car crash. I fear, it was much worse that an automobile accident." she stood up angrily. "Sit down Kathryn. There is much to be said." he looked over at Ron and Hermione, as if seeing them for the first time. "Mr.Weasley, Miss Granger kindly return to your dormitories. Thank you for your involvement, I am most gracious. I'll remind Minerva to award points." he looked over at Professor McGonagall. "Harry and Miss Riddle will return shortly."

"Good to see you Professor." she said with tears in her eyes. He nodded to her and she took Ron's arm, and they left the circular room.

"How did the apparating go Harry?" he asked.

"Fine Professor. We were close enough." Harry said.

"Who took Kathryn?"

"I did sir." Harry felt his face heat up at the thought of her in his arms calling him darlin'.

"Good." his serine eyes sparkled. "You, by far, were the strongest at transporting two forms."

"Thank you sir."

"Yes, well Professor Tonks did her best." the old man sighed again. "As I was saying, Kathryn," he took her into his strong gaze again. "When we found you, your mother was already dead. I discovered later that her father killed her." he paused. "That means your grandfather."

"I have a grandfather?" she whispered, her eyes glistened with tears. All her life she had never had family, excluding her Hellish aunt, which she didn't count as family anyway. Now this surprise realization of her actually having relatives caught her off guard shattering her usually defiant atmosphere.

"Yes, but I wouldn't go rushing to meet him Kat." Harry said narrowing his eyes in dislike. "He's the most hated and feared wizard in this world."

"Your grandfather has tried almost every way to try to kill Harry. Harry has faced him almost every year for six years, not to mention when he was a baby and he tried to murder him then also."

"But why? Why did 'face' him. Why did he kill my mom? What about my dad? Why has he been tryin' to kill Harry?" a tear slid down her cheek .

"Harry is part of a prophecy. Harry is the only person that can actually kill your grandfather Tom, or Voldemort, as he is called." Kat still gazed at Harry in astonishment.

"I... I'm ... this is so crazy." Kat croaked, she was realizing the man with the scarlet eyes from her dreams was her grandfather.

"Harry, take Miss Riddle up to the dormitories."

"Erm, Professor, where will she sleep?" Harry asked.

"She will sleep in the other seventh year girl's dormitories." he paused and looked over at Professor McGonagall expectantly. She clapped her hands twice. "Yes, I believe there is an extra bed now."

"One more question sir."

"Yes Harry?" Dumbledore also seeming very tired.

"What will she do all day tomorrow? It's Friday I have a class." the perks of being a seventh year. Harry thought.

"She will accompany you. She will go with you to your one class. Although, you'll find that the class will have a visitor tomorrow. I expect you to be on your best behavior Harry." the blue eyes sparkled mischievously. "I will send an owl to notify your teacher, you will also explain as much as you can to her while you are also learning. You may need Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley to help also." he continued.

"I don't think bringing Hermione into this is such a good idea Professor." he glanced at Kat who was narrowing her eyes in dislike at the mention of 'bushy britches'. "They don't seem to get along too well."

"Is this true Kathryn?" his blue eyes sparkling again.

"Yes sir." she said solemnly.

"Well you know what they say..." he trailed off as he got a strange look into his eyes. "Harry," he said focusing again on him, "she's all yours. Take care. Good night. I shall see you in the morning." Kat's stomach suddenly growled in the silence. "There will be some sandwiches in the common room when you arrive." he smiled down at her. "Good night Miss Riddle and welcome to Hogwarts."

"Thank you sir. But I'm still really confused. D'ya think I can come here tomorrow with Harry and we can talk a 'lil bit more?" she asked, tears still in her eyes.

"I will not be here. Nor will you. You will be with Harry almost all day tomorrow. We may discuss it later when I feel the time is appropriate." Harry narrowed his eyes at Dumbledore. He wondered where his other portrait was, where Dumbledore would be tomorrow, and more importantly, who is the 'visitor' going to be in Defense Against the Dark Arts tomorrow.

"Yes sir. G'night." she took Harry's hand and they walked swiftly from the room. "Oh, my Lord Harry!" she seized him crushing Harry, with her strong arms, once they got out of the room. "I can't believe all this. I finally know I had a mom, but she was murdered by my grand dad who's an evil wizard." she sniffled into his robes. She had no one to lean on, and Harry was the only person she really felt a connection with. He could feel it also, he let her hug him. Not that he minded of course. "He killed my mom, he's tried to murder you, and now he's after me."

"He's killed hundreds of people Kat, not just your mum." Harry said lifting up her chin with his finger. "He framed your dad also, made him go to prison for thirteen years." he sighed. "He was never cleared of his sentence."

"You're saying was." Kat said, her eyes swimming with tears once more.

"Yes," he cleared his throat. "Er, Kat, he died two years ago."

"Oh," she allowed the tears run down her face. "How."

"It's complicated." he sighed. "His cousin did it. I guess that would make her your aunt." her lips trembled, he shook his head, Sirius was always a sore subject for him. "He fell..." he couldn't finish the sentence. "He was my godfather. He was a good man Kat, I want you to know that. Because a lot of people will tell you otherwise." she nodded and hugged him again. "Let's go, I know you must be quite tired." he said softly into her hair.

"Thanks Harry." she had gotten herself under control now.

"Wittle Bitty Potty!" shrieked Peeves gliding down spraying a jet of icy cold water. Harry conjured a shield bubble around them and the water cascaded harmlessly down to the ground.

"You're getting sloppy Peeves."

"Piss off Potty." he said floating away knocking over a cabinet on his way out.

"What in the hell was that?"

"Peeves the poltergeist."

"Right." she said nodding as if she knew poltergeists existed and it was normal for them to spray water at you. But then again she never knew magic existed until she met Harry.

"You want to hear something funny about him?" Harry grinned at Kat as he mended the cabinet that Peeves had knocked over.

"Yeah." she grinned, excited to hear more. He proceeded to tell her about the evil toad Umbridge and Fred and George and how they told Peeves to 'give her hell' for them. By the time they reached the Fat Lady they were laughing hysterically.

"Ah hem." she gazed down at them disapprovingly. "Password?"

"HOLY SHIT." Kat bellowed, still not used to the moving portraits.

"I'm afraid that's incorrect."

"No," he attempted to shush Kat who was now gazing and waving incoherently at other paintings. "The password is Adamospecti." the portrait swung forward. "Kat!"

"They're talkin', they're movin'." she had been so caught up in listening to Harry that on the way up, she didn't realize that there were other moving paintings.

"Yes, yes. I know, do come on." he said attempting not to laugh.

"Alright fun sucker." she said waving to a smiling monk. "Whoa buddy." she said as she peered around the common room. "This is nice." she plopped down on the couch.

"It is, isn't it." he said taking one of the sandwiches off the silver platter on the table. Kat watched him devour it and he took another. "They're not poisoned you know." he said thickly though a bite.

"I know, I just don't know what in 'em." she said eyeing the mustard that was squirting through the bread of Harry's sandwich. Shaking her head she took a pear and some grapes instead. As she bit into the pear piercing the skin, the juice squirted and dribbled down her chin, she stuck out her tongue, licking the escaping juice. Harry swallowed audibly, watching her, she grinned as she finished her bite. Her eyes met his and unconsciously they leaned closer. Their mouths were inches apart when suddenly Kat stopped.

"Mustard." she whispered incoherently.

"What?" Harry whispered, his eyes still closed, inches away from Kat.

"Mustard. You have mustard breath." Kat said. "And there's only way of curin' that."

"And what's that?" Harry said trying not to sound disappointed.

"This!" she cried stuffing a grape into Harry's mouth.

"Oy!" he laughed loudly taking a handful of grapes. "This means war!" he lunged at her forcing two grapes through her full lips. She squealed and launched herself at him, pinning him against the couch with her knees and one hand, as the other was forcing four grapes in his mouth.

"You and what army?" she put her hands upon her hips, letting him recoup. "I'm too much woman for you buddy."

"Right, are you even five foot?" he reached up quickly and turned her over so now he was on top.

"That was a low blow." she struggled beneath him. She shifted her knee, Harry groaned in pain, and slid forward, their noses almost touching. "I'm sorry to say that you still have mustard breath." Kat said, but not attempting to move.

"Do I?" he asked exhaling.

"Yup, definitely." she grinned.

"Harry!" a shrill voice shook them both physically, they jumped and their heads collided.

"Shit." Kat said clutching her head. Harry was already on his feet, looking down sorrowfully at Kat. He gave her a hand up, her hands lingered in his.

"Harry, do you have any idea how late it is?" Hermione asked bossily.

"Yes ma'am!" she checked her braceleted arm. "It's nine o'clock." she grinned as she shrugged her shoulders. "That's Texas time hun." they both laughed.

"It's three o'clock" her eyes flashing.

"Well spank my ass and call me Patty, we must be in England."

"Scotland actually." Hermione's eyes narrowed at Harry daring him to laugh at Kat.

"Ahm." Harry covered a laugh with a cough, but his eyes shone like emeralds."We'll be up in a bit 'Mione."

"You are aware we have Tonks tomorrow aren't you?"

"Yes Hermione I do know. It is a Friday." he sighed. "See I'm a big boy I even know what day it is."

"Yeah Her-my-nee, he is rather a big boy now, ya don't have to look over him like an ol' mother hen."

"Enough." she silenced Kat with a look, but Kat just smiled like a naughty child. "Good night Harry." she burned Kat with one last scathing look before she stalked out of the room.

"Damn, if looks could kill I'd be dead and buried." she sighed as she plopped on the couch. "Would you come to my funeral?"

"Well, you two didn't really have a good first impression." he said as he sunk down beside her, ignoring the 'funeral' statement.

"I never have a good first impression with anyone." she sighed.

"You did with me."

"Yeah, 'cause I was naked." she chortled pronouncing 'naked' like 'neck-ed'. She looked up at him, his face turning red before her eyes.

"We really should get to bed." he blushed even deeper, his face felt like it was on fire. Kat burst out laughing. "I mean, we should go to sleep – in separate beds." She stood up still giggling raspily.

"Alright honey, let's hit the sack." Harry joined in to her laughter as he stood up beside her. "Hey Harry." she said seductively running her hand up him arm.

"Wha–." his statement was cut off by a grape being plunged into his mouth. "Oy! The Grape War isn't over!" he whirled around to attack her, but she was nowhere in sight. "Kat?" he asked worriedly as he spun around in a circle. Suddenly something bounced off his face. He stood there shocked for a moment, then got barraged by a fleet of dark purple grapes. He put up his arms and ducked behind the table. Kat couldn't contain herself any longer. She crept out of her post behind a chair, laughing hysterically.

"Boy I tell you what, if all our lives depend on you, we're gonna die. You suck ass at defense tactics honey." she said breathlessly through more laughter. Harry slunk slowly from the table.

"You're impossible." he said grinning, scratching the back of his head.

"I ain't impossible." she winked at him. "This is the first time I've laughed in a long time." she said clearing her throat. Harry grinned, he couldn't help but love her laugh, it was all from her throat, a raspy almost purr of a laugh.

"You know you're not off the hook, we're still at war." Harry's eyes sparkling in the firelight.

"I think we should do what bushy britches says. I need my beauty sleep." she said changing the subject, and batted her eyelashes at him and primping her hair. He laughed opening his mouth wide, she used the opportunity to grab another grape and plunge it into his mouth. "G'night Harry dear," she cackled as she skittered out of his lunging arms running around the couch.

"Come here you!" he grabbed her as she ran around the backside of the couch. He pulled her petite frame over easily in one arm, leaning over her. "You don't know where you're going dear."

"You're right. I dunno what I'm gonna sleep in either. Or for that case what I'm gonna wear tomorrow."

"I'll give you one of my shirts to sleep in. And I think I can convince Hermione to lend you one of her robes." he eyed her, "You're about her size give a take an inch or four. You can wear that under it."he said pointing to her clothes. "This weekend we can go to Hogsmead and get you some robes." he paused. "Hogsmead is the local wizard town just outside of Hogwarts."

"Tomorrow is my birthday," she said. Friday was also Halloween and the day of Harry's parent's death.

"Well if you're a good girl I may persuade Dumbledore to let us go to Diagon Alley, and get you a present." he said, his green eyes sparkling with excitement.

"But Harry, what 'bout money? I don't have any!"

"Don't you worry. I have plenty of money."

"But I don't."

"But I'm telling you, don't worry about it, your father... let's just say that your father had plenty of money that ended up in my hands."

"Really?" she said awed.

"Too right." he grinned. "Come on, we'll go to bed then." he took her hand and started up the stairs. He got up to his dormitory and put his finger on his lips indicating silence, she nodded and he quietly opened the door. She sniffled a giggle as she recognized Ron's snoring, lanky figure, his feet smashed in at the very end of the four poster.

"Fuzzy wuzzies." he mumbled twitching and turning over letting her get a good look at his too small maroon clover pajamas. Kat couldn't stop the laugh that escaped her lips, Harry gave her a severe look putting his finger this time more strongly up against his lips.

"Yeah, yeah." she ginned into his ear. "All Hell would break loose and these bums wouldn't flinch an inch."
"Sssh! Please Kat, I'm not supposed to have girls in the dormitory." he whispered. For some reason the teachers had become more harsh on this rule than normal.

"Relax darlin' who's gonna tell?" she tip toed and ruffled his already messy hair. He smiled and Kat watched him bend over and open his trunk. He pulled out a dark green jumper and held it out to her, she shook her head. "Too itchy." she grinned. Next he drew out a cotton turtleneck, again she shook her head. He tugged out a stiff starched dress shirt. She stuck out her tongue. He sighed. After a few more selections, all shot down by Kat, he jokingly pulled out a tiny t-shirt that he had shrunk for Dobby, and forgot to give it to him. She giggled raspily. "Sorry ..."

"It's alright, I understand that you want to be comfortable." she smiled sweetly at his as he dug down and pulled out the last shirt at the bottom of the trunk.

"Ooh." she squeaked, as she grabbed the shirt. It was a silk black button down collared long sleeved dress shirt, he wore it to Sirius' makeshift funeral. "Perfect."

"Right." he grinned, it was fate that she would pick that one shirt to wear. He took his wand, enlarged the shirt, handed it back to her, and started to walk out of the room; not noticing that Kat was silently removing her clothes. She slipped on the make shift night shirt, only buttoning the bottom three, leaving the top open for ventilation... and for other reasons. She pulled off her shoes and jeans. It wasn't until her studded belt hit the floor with a soft 'thud', that Harry whipped around. Her petite body was backlit in the moonlight, and the silver ring around her neck, he swallowed audibly running his hands through his hair. She sauntered over to him, and he cleared his throat to regain his composure.

"What? Harry... what's all this?" a boy said groggily peering out from his hanging sounding embarrassed as he saw Kat. Harry stepped in front of Kat, hiding her with his tall frame.

"It's alright Neville, go back to bed, sorry I...we woke you." he said as Kat peeked out from behind his back.

"Who is that Harry?" the boy asked squinting in the darkness.

"None of your business Neville. Go back to bed." Harry sounded angry his temper slipping.

"Harry, ya might as well tell 'em. You're gonna have to go through it all day tomorrow." Kat whispered scratchily, her logic made too much sense to ignore.
"Sorry, right, Neville this is Kat from Houston Texas." she walked over to his bed and shook his hand, he looked overwhelmed and confused at the same time.

"Why is she here then?" he stared at her bare muscular, tanned legs as she walked back to Harry.

"Erm, she... er. I think Professor McGonagall will announce it tomorrow. Please Neville just go back to bed. I'll be back shortly."

"Nice meetin' ya Neville." she grinned as she was escorted from the room by Harry.

"Yeah, you too... Kat." he gazed at her.

"So, do I get tucked in?" Kat said outside the boy's dormitories.

"No, I'm not supposed to go to the girl's dormitories. Besides I don't know what Hermione would do if she caught me in there with you." he winced at the thought.

"Aw c'mon Harry, she ain't your mama." she grabbed his hand leading him in the direction that she thought led to the girl's dormitories, which was really the main lavatory. "Besides, you're my protector! Ya gotta accompany me everywhere. Now tuck me in!" she said half truly meaning it, half joking, she started tugged at his hand pulling him over to the bathroom. He grinned and turned her around and led her to the seventh year girls dormitory. He gestured her to ascend the stairs, she shot him a look but did what he said. Harry hoisted himself on the banister and climbed agilely (compared to balancing himself on a broomstick this was easy, besides he has snuck up here plenty of times to talk to Hermione about meetings) up to where Kat was watching him with a huge smile on her face.

"Boys are not aloud in the girl's dormitory." he whispered.

"Aww, too bad." Kat grinned taking his hand, her bracelets jingling merrily, he grinned at them. They tiptoed semi-silently over to Kat's awaiting empty bed, she turned and whispered. "G'night." she sunk into the cushy padding of the four poster that must have been ten times more comfortable than her bed at home.

"Sleep well." his eyes twinkled as he tucked the sheets around her bantam figure.

"Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." she pinched his bum softly. He jumped and muffled an oath against her stomach as he leaned forward, she sniffled a giggle into a clenched fist. "Go, before bushy britches wakes up again." her eyes sparkled merrily in the darkness.

X

The same candle lit doorway drew Kat to the frame. She leaned in, puzzled. She thought once she was 'rescued' from this guy then her dreams would stop.

"This shouldn't be taking them this long." Voldemort stood in the center of the room, he radiated with rage. "Come here Wormtail." the small balding man crept forward. "Give me your arm." he slowly raised his arm as if it were made of lead. Voldemort lost patience and snatched up his arm. He yanked up the sleeve of his tattered robe to reveal a tattoo of a grotesque skull with a snake protruding through its mouth, the Dark Mark. The Dark Lord took his long pale finger and pressed it firmly to the tattoo. Wormtail flinched and writhed in pain, but his master took no notice to his obvious agony. Suddenly, roughly ten cloaked figures with white sneering masks appeared around him. By their body language Kat deducted that they were not looking forward to this meeting. Apparently, Voldemort could tell also. "Well?" he breathed.

"No my Lord. She was not there."

"Not there? What do you mean not there? We knew exactly where she was." Kat felt a hot breath flutter her hair. She whipped around and there was Harry. She was happy to see him, maybe he could explain to her why she was still having these damn dreams. But at the moment he was enraptured by the conversation that the people were having in the room, but he did give her a small smile before turning his attention back to the room.

"She was already taken my Lord."

"Taken? By whom?"

"Harry Potter my Lord."

"Potter." he whispered as it were a curse word. "HOW COULD YOU HAVE LET THIS HAPPEN?" Kat grabbed Harry's hand, she squeezed fearfully, he pressed back reassuringly– even though he was probably just as scared as she was. "DID I FAIL TO MENTION THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GIRL? YOU FOOLS!" Green light illuminated the room, screams of agony echoed off the walls.

X

Kat sat bolt upright in her bed screaming. Her head felt like someone had beat her with a sledge hammer. She looked down at her hand, it still had finger marks on it where Harry's hand had been. By the time she got settled down, every light in the room was on, and five unknown faces were staring at her.

"Who in the bloody hell are you?" one of them managed to get out.

"KAT!" Harry flew into the room. Once he saw that she was alright he stopped. He was wearing nothing but a pair of purple boxer shorts with broomsticks on them, and he just seemed to realize it.

"I'm fine." she said shaking a bit, she noticed that he was also, so she ripped her blanket off her bed and brought it to him. He took it graciously and wrapped it around himself.

"Oy Harry. Are you going to introduce us to your friend then?" a pretty Indian girl asked tactlessly.

"I have a feelin' that I'm gonna get real tired of that." Kat said to Harry, but loud enough for the rest of the girls to hear. He grinned but turned to the rest of the girls anyway.

"Girls this is Kathryn –." he stopped there. He didn't know what last name to use. Black, Riddle, O' Tréan, Riddleton?

"Kathryn?" on of them said skeptically.

"That's my name don't wear it out." Kat said smiling sarcastically, still rubbing her head.

"What sort of accent is that?" the same girl said rudely.

"American, I reckon." one of them answered.

"But what the bloody hell is she doing here Harry?" the Indian girl said again.

"Er–." again he wasn't sure to explain. Kat picked up on it and answered for him.

"None of your damn business ma'am."

"Harry what's going on?" Hermione shrieked marching through the door.

"Dream." Harry said simply, shrugging his shoulders. Her expression showed that she wanted to know more so he explained. "Could I talk to you in the common room?" he asked, the girls heads whipped around to see Hermione.

"Of course." she turned to go.

"Kat. I need you too." Harry said turning to go.

"Hey Harry, can I have a jacket of somethin' cause I'm freezin' my ass off here." Kat said holding herself.

"Right." he grinned at her looking very sexily tussled in the large shirt hanging off one shoulder, a strap of a black bra was exposed. "Can Kat nick one of your robes for a bit and we'll return it?"

"Yeah." the Indian girl spoke up once again, and went to her trunk.

"Thanks Parvati." Harry said handing it to Kat.

"So tell me what your dream was about." Hermione said eagerly sitting in a chair as Harry and Kat came into the room.

"Voldemort's not too happy about not acquiring Kat." Harry said as he and Kat plopped down on the couch.

"Yeah... my head... still pounding..." Kat said sleepily, leaning on Harry without realizing it.

"Mine too." Harry said tiredly massaging his temples.

"Well at least she's safe." Hermione said, but she didn't sound it, as she watched Kat snuggle against the blanket that Harry was wrapped in.

"Right you are. She's safe." Harry said looking down at her fondly.

"Harry." he looked up at Hermione. "How did you get up the girl's stair case?"

"Magic." he grinned. She giggled but then looked up at him seriously.

"But honestly Harry, we can't let that secret get out, there's a good reason that boys can't get up that staircase... easily."

"Yes Hermione I know. Shhh... she's asleep." he said brushing hair out of Kat's closed eyes. She was bundled up in Parvati's too large robes, and was using Harry's shoulder as a pillow. "If she's half as tired as I am, I understand why she fell asleep on me." he grinned as he shifted and she groaned quietly. He picked her up easily, she hung limply in his arms, and as he drew her closer she grew restless and started kicking against him.

"No Billy, stop it! Don't touch me!" her eyes snapped open and stared around wildly. Her eyes caught Harry's and immediately melted. "Harry." her eyes were clear he could see pain, anger, and embarrassment shining back at him.

"Who's Billy." he asked concerned.

"He's –." she cut off, and her eyes hardened putting up a shield to block her emotions. "He tried advancin' on me in ways I didn't want to be advanced on, if ya catch my drift." she said sitting down on the couch once more.

"Good night, I think Kat knows her way back to her dormitory." Hermione said walking out.

"Damn, pour a bucket of water on her, see if she melts. The Wicked Witch of the West I tell you what. All that would be left is a mass of frizzy brown hair." Harry masked his smile with a hand as Hermione rolled her eyes and breezed out.

"Tell me who Billy is." Harry said seriously.

"A guy that worked at the horse ranch with me, but he rode more than horses around there." Kat said looking up tiredly at him from his knee.

"Oh." he blushed. "Did he–?" he stopped his sentence and just looked at Kat.

"He tried." she said reading his thoughts. "But he didn't get very far." she continued, telling a small lie. He did get pretty far. Harry seemed to notice that she wasn't being entirely truthful, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

"That's good though– I mean that he didn't get... ahem." he cleared his throat. "So we have to get up in about three hours, so I suggest we go to sleep." Harry said changing the subject.

"Good Lord really? I'm so tired I could sleep for a month." she sat up gingerly. "Not to mention sore. Those girls put a beatin' on me." she said stretching achingly.

"What were you fighting about?"

"A guy. What else?" she cracked a smile. "My honor?" He frowned so she continued. "Yeah, so Lindsay told me to stay away from this dude Steven, who I hadn't even given a second glance so I had no idea why she was tellin' me to back off. So anyway I started makin' eyes at 'em and Lindsay got all pissy and expected me to eat some crow, but I didn't want any part of that. And I continued to flirt shamelessly with this guy that had the personality of a pile of horse shit. So then Lindsay came back with four other girls and beat the shit out of me. And as ya'll say, Bob's your uncle here we are." Harry had been listening very closely but it didn't make much difference, she had been speaking so quickly it sounded like a different language.

"What the bloody hell is eating crow?" he finally got out.

"Like eatin' your words or makin' an apology." she yawned.

"Ah, that makes sense..." he trailed off tiredly.

"I hope I don't dream again Harry." she whispered from his elbow, where her head rested.

"Me either." they sat in silence for a moment. He looked down at Kat, she was sleeping peacefully, he once again lifted her easily into his arms, this time she hung limply and did not fight him. When he levitated up to the girl's dormitories, he was thankful that Parvati and gang had gone back to bed– the blanket had fallen off when he stood to pick her up.

"Thank you Harry." she murmured as he laid her down softly in the bed, her hand lingered on his warm chest.

"You're welcome Kitty." he brushed her hair back from her face and tiptoed out of the room.