I'm pretty sure that ya'll have been getting all antsy in your pants for this, but ya'll need to SETTLE DOWN! I've been busy filling out the mountain of paper work for college. And you know other fun things like recovering from surgery (I'm doing fine thank you) and staying out to 5 o'clock in the morning with friends. AND I have this really cool thing called writer's block. It's really fun kids I tell you what. However. I regret to inform you that the chapters aren't going to be so fast coming out any more (I'm talking like every other week instead of every week, not to fret my dears). I'll be busy with college, I'm moving three states away. I'm getting away from the Hell hole that is south Texas. Woot! HOWEVER! I promise never to leave this story hangin'. I've been working on it for much too long for me just to up and quit it. But thank you so much for your support, keep up the reviews! – Much Love, Bex.
Chapter 11 - Surreptitious Lies
"I
can help you change
Tired moments into pleasure.
Say the word
and we'll be
Well upon our way.
Blend
and balance
Pain and comfort
Deep within you
Till you will
not have me any other way.
It's
not enough.
I need more.
Nothing seems to satisfy.
I don't
want it.
I just need it.
To feel, to breathe, to know I'm
alive."
Tool "Stinkfist"
X
They apparated to Kat's house. They appeared exactly as Harry has last time – on the curb; but a fraction of an inch closer and Kat probably would have had a mail box for a head. The only difference was this time Ron didn't fall over the dammed thing and blast it to bits causing Hermione to panic and Harry to burst into a fit of hysterical laughter.
Harry held on to her for a bit long than usual, she didn't seem to mind. In fact Harry would've sworn that he heard a small sigh escape her beautifully lush lips.
"You ready?" Harry asked softly separating themselves just enough so he could look down into her face – into her eyes, the eyes that he'd been avoiding for days now.
"I reckon." she knitted her arched brows together and put on her strong face. "Yes. Let's get it over and done with." she said with authority, in a tone that sounded vaguely familiar. He grinned and bent down to give her a chaste kiss before grabbing her by the robes and led her past home. The word 'home' is used lightly. It was more of a place where she ate and slept. The few fond memories that Kat had of this house consisted of Aunt Mags being away for the weekend and Kat was able to cook herself a decent meal and veg out all day reading.
The house of the outside looked quite normal, Kat noticed that the shabby garden that Mags made her de-weed constantly was completely gone. The grass leading up to the house was dead, and just not dead, it looked burnt. There was a faint acrid smell that hung in the air.
"What happened? What's that smell? Where's the garden? Why's the grass dead?" Kat whispered quickly to Harry.
"You might want to prepare yourself." he squeezed her hand. "The ministry probably used magic to repair the outside, as to not stir up the muggles you see." he added. "The interior however..." he drifted off at the look of terror on Kat's face.
"Ya serious?" Kat said breathlessly.
"'Fraid so." he said softly.
"The whole thing?" she asked urgently, as if remembering something.
"We'll have to see." he held her. "I'm so sorry Kat."
"No, no, no!" Kat uttered pushing away and sprinted to the door. He could hear the foundation of the house rocking with each heavy step that she took.
"Kat. NO!" he yelled and sprinted after her. He brushed past the partially opened door and saw a hem of a black robe flicker around a corner to the right, ignoring the small crowd of wizards that were apparating around the small table to the left. He heard a loud crash and a raspy scream, as he came to the doorway of her bedroom. Several beams from the roof had fallen through, Kat was clutching something to her chest and looking frightened as the beams were blocking her way out.
Kat was rooted to the spot, everything seemed to be going in slow motion, she saw Harry come around the corner into her room, but all she could hear was the beating of her heart and it was deafening to her ears. Harry had done a spell and made the wooden beams disappear, she pressed the metal picture frame closer to her chest, making the ring dug in painfully, but she didn't care. He was now only steps away, it seemed like hours before he embraced her roughly and everything came back to life. She could feel his arms wrapped around her, and now hear his heart thumbing away , smell the strong acrid scent of smoke, and hear several raised voices coming from the living room and kitchen.
"POTTER!" it was more of a growl than a shout. Moody limped through the burnt door. "Damnit boy!" the grizzled old man snarled up at Harry, his wand raised. "Did you take long enough?" Harry stepped away from Kat, she wavered a bit but managed to stay on her feet. She was staring at all the charred remains of her room; her horse trophies, her posters, her mountains of books. All destroyed.
"Now, now Mad-Eye." a man with a deeply rich baritone voice cooed. "The department will want to speak with you and the girl." Kingsley looked over curiously at Kat, who had slid down to the ground, her hand hanging limply on her chest, still clasping the frame close to her chest.
"Alright hang on." Harry bent down and whipped away a stray tear that had escaped through her eyes. "Kat, this is Alaster Moody." he indicated the older of the two, who grunted, and his blue eye rolled around to face her, but she didn't look up at him, only nodded. Harry sighed, "And this is Kingsley Shaklebolt."
"Hullo." Kingsley said calmly, to the top of her blonde head. Kat couldn't help herself but to look up. How could he be so damn calm? she thought. "Merlin's beard!" his eyes got big as he gazed into her face. It was apparent that Kingsley Shaklebolt recognized Sirius Black, the man that he'd been 'tracking down' in Kat.
"Where are the department officials?" said Harry after clearing his throat from the awkward moment.
"Just through there." Kingsley indicated trying to catch a glance at Kat when Harry helped her to her feet.
"Nice meetin' ya'll." she said hoarsely passing the two Aurors, stowing the frame into her robe.
"Let's get started shall we?" Shaklebolt said in his deep voice. Kat looked up at him and nodded, implying that she was ready for the questioning.
X
I sat at my old kitchen table, mended magically by one of the ministry wizards. No matter how many books I read about magic, every time I see it, or perform it for that matter, it amazes me. Harry sat next to me, his hand on my leg, the weight of his hand was so reassuring. I was happy that we were together again, damn that Dumbledore for telling him how to live his life, he's seventeen, that's legal age in England, he shouldn't have butted in, but I can sort of see the reason. Harry says anybody that he care for gets hurt, mentally, and physically. I've already been through both now, and it doesn't dissuade me from wanting to be with him at all.
X
"Hullo, you lot ready for us now?" came a sing-song voice from the dining room, which was completely destroyed.
"Hang on to your hair Wiminilla." Moody growled.
"Yes, ma'am, we're ready." Harry grinned at Mad-Eye.
"Come in then!" she said irritably. "Mind the puddles." she said seeing Kat almost slip and had to grab Harry's arm to keep from falling completely.
"Yeah, thanks for that." Kat said sarcastically as she slipped again. They sat down at the magically mended table, and Kat noticed all the officials were staring at her.
"Er," Harry cleared his throat, not wanting Kat to do the chimpanzee routine again. "Sorry we were late, we had a few... complications on the way here."
"It's alright, the damn Muggles can wait." said an overweight American man in navy blue robes.
"Oh, shut it David." said a prim, thin, British woman in mauve robes. "You're the Magical Cooperation team, let's try to cooperate.
"Fine, let's cooperate then." he said hotly.
"Enough you too." Moody growled. "Every bloody time it's the same bloody thing, bicker bicker." he looked over at Kat who was trying not to laugh. "Interview her, so she and the boy can be on their way."
"Alrigh'!" the fat man snarled.
"Now, Miss Riddle, can you tell me if anyone has threatened you or your aunt to try to blow up your house?" asked a police officer coming through the door, consulting his note pad.
"Oh bloody hell." muttered Mad-Eye.
"Er, officer, we have this under control." Harry said indignantly.
"Quiet boy, let the adults talk." he said condescendingly, as if Harry was seven not seventeen. Harry felt Kat physically bristle, he patted her hand comfortingly and stood up. He was about a head taller than the crotchety middle-aged officer. Harry stood down angrily at the man, a whole different air seemed to be around him, it seemed to be bogged down with the power emitted by him. "I said we've got it under control sir." Harry said sternly.
"Alright." the officer cleared his throat. "I'll be outside talkin' to the firemen." he said as if it was his idea.
"Brilliant." Harry grinned boyishly and say back down, as the man left. "Questions?" he asked, the air still stuffy with his power.
"Good work Potter." growled Moody. "You've learned from the best." he grinned to himself. David and Wiminilla rolled their eyes but Kingsley chuckled softly. "If I have anything to do with it, you'll train to be an Auror straight from Hogwarts." Harry stopped grinning abruptly, and took Mad Eye into his strong gaze.
"You mean it sir?"
"You can bloody well count on it Potter." he grinned again. "Your parents would have been proud at the work you've done so far," he looked at Kat. "And the work you will do."
"Thank you sir!" a broad smile spread across his face, his eyes were blazing with happiness as he gazed at Kat. He suddenly remembered why he was here in the first place.
"Yeah, so is there a reason I came back to this Hell hole? Or are ya'll just gonna stare around at each other?" Kat said huffily, as if she read his mind.
X
Kat sat in complete silence as the Ministry droned on about Merlin know what, I was more pre-occupied by the heat of her thigh beneath my hand. She shifted a bit and sighed, a far away look in her eyes. She caught my gaze on her and winked at me.
"So all that needs to be settled is Miss Riddle's cooperation." the large wizard spoke in an eerie voice. Kat snapped out of her thoughts and turned to the strange wizard.
"What do I gotta do?" she asked sitting up straighter.
"Come with us." his eyes suddenly became maniacal.
"STUPIFY!" Mad-Eye barked at the man who promptly fell to the ground. "Get out of here Potter, take care of the girl." as he spun out of the way of a green jet of light. I nodded and turned only to see Kat held from behind. She brought her elbow down to the man's solar-plexis, he cried out in pain and I quickly put a stunner on him.
"Kat!" I called holding out my hand. She threw her petite body at me, as soon as I had her completely in my arms I apparated. To where would be the problem.
X
"Kat?" Harry asked tentatively. A sob racked her small body to let him know she was there. "Come now Kitty." he whispered stroking her hair. "You're safe. I'm here."
"I know..." she sobbed. "I just don't know why I'm actin' like this!" she said attempting to get a grip on herself. "I ain't usually the damsel in distress type." she sniffed and rubbed her nose with the back of her hand.
"Hate to break it to you but..."
"I know, you've rescued me three times already." she grinned up at him. He wiped away a stray tear off her chin. "Thank you." she pulled at him tie bringing his lips to hers.
"Harry?" he spun around with his wand out and shoved Kat behind him to protect her.
"Remus." he sighed in relief.
"What are doing here?" he asked.
"Oh– er... Bollocks! There was an attack! Death Eaters in America at Kat's house." he stuttered attempting to remember what had happened before Kat began kissing him.
"An attack?" Remus' eyes lit up. "Who was there and does Dumbledore know? Do they need backup?"
"I haven't a clue, all Moody told me was to get Kat away safely, I dunno who else was there, you know Moody he probably had someone there on backup under an invisibility cloak."
"Right." Remus rubbed his face tiredly.
"Where in the Hell are we?" Kat asked, as the two men were talking she had been looking around at the place.
"Oh er–."
"Kathryn, it's so good to finally meet you." Remus said changing the subject ever so eloquently.
"Right, Kat this is Remus Lupin. He was one of your father's best friends. One of the Marauders. " Harry filled in for her.
"Wha–." Kat looked over Remus and took the hand he offered. "Nice to meet you too." she smiled. "You're the werewolf right?"
"Right." Remus smiled tiredly. "Yeah we had some good times your fathers and I."
"OI." Harry ejaculated digging into his pants pockets. "Damn that was hot." he said rubbing his leg where the galleon was against his skin.
"WHERE ARE YOU?"
"What's that?" Remus and Kat asked together, both leaning closer to look over Harry's shoulder, in Kat's case, peering over his arm.
"Moody." he said typing the letters back into the gold. "ALL'S WELL, IN THE KENNEL." As soon as the letters disappeared a small pop sounded from behind them.
"Are you alright Mad-Eye?" Remus asked worriedly.
"Aye lad, just barely dodged the killer." he said wiping his bloody nose on his sleeve. "How are you lot? Didn't expect you to come here Potter, bloody good you did though. There were Eaters around Hogsmede." he said flopping down in a chair. The court had awarded Harry possession of the old house, which he promptly made headquarters again – under a new spell and even more, intense cloaking charms.
"How are we going to get back to Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
"Well, I have watchers out at Hogsmede also, and as soon as I get the word we can get you two back safely."
"How long will that take?"
"Couldn't ya just stun the spies that are at Hogsmede and get us through?" Kat asked quietly.
"Nice head you've got on your shoulders lassie." Moody's magical eye swivelled over to Kat. "Aye, that could work and especially if you had Disillusionment charms on... aye." Moody got up and began pacing. "Leave me to it. You two will be back before dinner." he said and disappeared. Remus and Harry looked at Kat in awe, she simply smiled and sat down.
"So where are we again?"
"The is the Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix." Remus said.
"Wow!"
"It was also your father's childhood home." Harry said quietly. "Would you like to look around?"
"Yes!" she sprang up from the couch.
"Right." he grinned at her excitement. Remus had still been cleaning, repairing, and renovating. The once dreary house was brightly lit and looked quite cheerful, sans the Slytherin colors and other dark accessaries. "And this is the kitchen." he said coming to the end of the tour of the first half of the house. "Are you hungry?" he indicated the platter of sandwiches.
"As long as there ain't any mustard we're good to go." she winked at him as she leaned forward to grab a plain ham and cheese. Harry almost laughed but was distracted by Kat bending over. Her short skirt hiking up in the back, he could see a rip in her black tights that started behind the knee, but couldn't determine where the tear ended. She decided to wear the tights instead of the socks, 'too fuckin' itchy, they drive me insane.' she had explained to Ginny, who had agreed with her. "Damn shoe never stays tied." Kat mumbled as her skirt straightened and she sat down. "Harry?" she asked softly.
"Yeah?" he cleared his throat and pulled his attention to her blue eyes.
"You alright?" she asked as she sunk her teeth into the sandwich.
"Quite." he murmured not taking his eyes off her.
"Why don't you sit down and have somethin' fillin' to eat darlin', you've had a rough day." she patted the empty bench beside her. He walked over and sat by her, but instead of eating a sandwich he wrapped his arms around her.
"Harry!" her sandwich fell from her hand as she held him.
"I've had a rough day?" he sighed into her neck. "I suppose you're worse off, you've almost been abducted twice in one day now."
"Well at least you're talkin' to me again." she nuzzled his chest. "If you weren't talkin' to me, then I'd be worse off."
"I'm sorry Kat."
"Ah." she put her finger over his mouth. "I don't want you to apologize again. I want you to show me." her eyes swam with passion as he took her hand from he mouth and began to kiss every finger tenderly.
"Remember how I said Dumbledore didn't want us together?" he said abruptly as she was about to melt into him completely.
"Yes." she cleared her throat and sat up straighter.
"Well what if we kept it secret? No one knows that we've made up." he whispered moving closer.
"How could we keep this a secret?" she asked, her ever logical mind clearing in spite of Harry's closeness.
"Well, I could teach you the Disillusionment charm, and I could always use the invisibility cloak, and then I can give you a galleon."
"The galleon? Why would gold help?"
"It's not money it's a form of communication that Hermione though up in fifth year." he said digging in his pocket. He produced his wand and a regular golden galleon. He performed a charm on it and handed the gold to her. "Now the only thing you need to know is my code and how to type in a message." he briefly explained this process to her.
"Okay, lemme get this straight. I'm gonna learn how to disappear, and learn how to contact you without actually talking to ya, and learn all these complex things just so we can continue our relationship that some guy doesn't want up to have even though it's the best thing that's happened to either one of us in a long time. Is that about right?" she was quickly, clutching the gold in her hand.
"Yeah." he managed to choke out. Dumbfounded that she would be upset with this.
"We're cowards." she whispered.
"No Kat, for the longest time I've had to follow Dumbledore's orders to the letter, he tells me to jump, and I say 'how high sir and what person has to die or get hurt for me this time sir? When it should be 'bugger off' after all the things that man has put me through." he shook his head. "And for once I'd like to bend his rule over me, help me do that Kat." her eyes softened.
"Oh, alright Harry." she hugged him. "As long as I get to see you." she couldn't help feel trapped. How was she ever going to keep her feelings closed? She's finally opened up, but now she can only be opened behind closed doors.
X
Harry and Kat ambles slowly hand in hand up the hill to the castle. Kat's plan had working, and Moody was able to get three more Death Eaters in the process. As the began to get closer, Harry looked sorrowfully down at Kat.
"I suppose we should put on the act then." he said removing his hand from hers.
"Scene I: Surreptitious Lies." Kat grinned up at him. Harry laughed trying to remember what the definition of "Surreptitious" was.
"You need to do something for me." he said giving up on the definition, he looked seriously down into her face.
"Anythin'."
"Don't make this hard." he said softly.
"It already is hard. What do expect from me Harry?" he said harshly. "It was the worse feeling in the world walking down the stairs that day to you and you looking at me like I was a putrid piece of filth. No explanation, just pure frigid scorn."
"Kat," Harry started.
"No." she held up a small braceleted hand. "Its gonna be hard. It ain't gonna be no walk in the park. But it will work. I guarantee it."
"That's good to hear that you're so confident." he said, she just stared at him. "I am sorry Kat. I've told you..."
"I know it." she said softly. Suddenly Harry jumped and dug into his trouser pocket.
"Damn that was hot." he said for the second time that day.
"Who's it from?" Kat peered over his arm at the galleon.
"Moody. There's a different sensation for each person. Just like a perimeter charm." he said.
"Oh. Interesting." she said ponderously.
"Oh." he said, gloomily.
"What?"
"Dumbledore need to speak with us."
"'Bout what?"
"Pick a subject." he grinned. "Either the Speciamorphagus, the Death Eater attack, horcruxes, or something else equally important and dangerously fun." he said.
"Oh." Kat sighed. She tugged his tie down to her for one last kiss before they entered the castle. They did a good job of acting like they hadn't made up. Kat stayed about four aces behind him with her arms crossed and a perpetual sneer on her face.
"Come in." the familiar terse voice of McGonagall greeting them as they stood at the door of the Headmistress' office.
"You wanted to see us?" he said dumbly.
"You would think so, as you had a very exciting day." Dumbledore said. Kat narrowed her eyes at him. "Now," he folded his hands nodded for them to take their seats in front of the gilded frame. "Voldemort seems very intent on attaining Miss Riddle." Harry scoffed loudly. 'Intent' didn't seem the right word, more like 'maniacal obsession'. Dumbledore looked passed the loud interruption. "Two attacks in one day. That's impressive. For Tom anyway. He attacks, usually, with precise calculations, and uses any mishaps to his advantage."
"How did he get in against the Magical Cooperation Team?" Harry asked.
"Not entirely sure." Moody growled. "However, we captured them with help of the Weasley lads under the cloaks."
"Good." Harry said nodding.
"Indeed." Dumbledore said. "The Speciamorphagus is being detained by Hagrid. Apparently the young man was not registered and bribed considerably for his services to the Dark side."
"No doubt with the Malfoy's money?" Harry questioned.
"No doubt." Dumbledore nodded confirming Harry's theory. "Thank you Alastor, good work today." Moody nodded and limped out of the room.
"I know Albus." McGonagall gave him a small smiles as she too walked out of the door.
"Any news on the horcrux front?" Harry sighed.
"Actually..." Dumbledore said slowly. Harry's head snapped up to face him. "No." Harry's temper flared.
"That's not funny." he said through his teeth.
"Well, that's really up to you now isn't it?" Dumbledore's eye lost their sparkle. "You need to really concentrate o that Harry. School work can be lightened. Kingsley is coming every Tuesday and Thursday to work with you on advance defense courses in the Room of Requirement. Miss Granger will work with you on locating the horcruxes on Sunday nights. I've already cleared this with her. She had to stop tutoring three students and put off her Head Girl duties. Spend that time with her wisely." Harry took a moment to soak that all in.
"Well, we have two destroyed: the diary and the ring." he said slowly. "We have on in our midst." he said gesturing to Kat. "We need to find that locket, the cup of Hufflepuff... wait." he stopped. "These are things that are supposed to mean something to him right? I got the ring, the diary and his granddaughter, but why would he put part of his soul into the four founders? That would make seven. What if the four founders idea was a rouse?" he brought his eyes up to Dumbledore. "It was too simple 'cos he knew someone someday would try to discover them and consequently destroy them and then he would try to make it harder yeah? So he stopped after the locket and the cup? Moved on to a different route?" his eyes shifted over to Kat again. "One he discovered he had someone with his blood in them he would implant a slice of his soul as well?" he exhaled a breath and looked around. "What do you think?" he asked Dumbledore.
"I think you may be up to something Harry." Dumbledore nodded. "After two months of me worrying terribly over you not thinking about it, it quite irks me for you to talk through to what might be a brilliant break through." he sighed contently. "Discuss it with Miss Granger immediately. I'm sure she's worried about you anyway." he smiled his eyes twinkling merrily. "Remember Shaklebolt on Tuesday night." he nodded and passed through the right side of his frame.
"Wow Harry." Kat whispered softly.
"What?" he asked getting up and heading to the door.
"That was quite a though process you just had there darlin'." she said appreciatively as if she has had many of them herself.
"Well to tell you the truth, I hadn't really had time to think about the other horcruxes." he said.
"Why not?"
"Because I was quite focused on finding you." he said mounting the staircase.
"Really?" she said softly grabbing his hand. He turned slowly facing her.
"Really. It took me about two and a half months. Without Hermione though I most likely would not have found you in time. She's very clever that Hermione." he smiled.
"But you came." she said balmily. His grin softened as he saw her lick her lips in anticipation.
"Yeah, I came." he pulled her closer and overtook her lips.
X
"Oh good Harry you came!" Hermione leaped off her bed and hugged him. "You alright?" she hald him by his arms and looped up into his face.
"Yeah." he sat down on the edge of her bed, which was scattered with books, scraps of parchment, and quills "Just tired." he sighed and ran his hands through his hair. Hermione's knees quivered. She could barely stand when he did that. That action and his quidditch breaches would be the death of her, she thought. "Are you alright?" he asked in retaliation as she grabbed the desk to keep herself from melting to a mess of goo.
"Yeah, haven't been getting much sleep is all." she gestured to the bed. "Blood tutoring." she patted her fly away hairs away from her face in a fluster and came to sit down next to Harry. "Did Dumbledore tell you about Sunday night?" she said anxiously looking up into his face for his reaction.
"Yeah." he grinned at her. "Sorry, you'll have to study for hours with me rather than walking around the castle and dealing with inept students."
"You mean, you're not an inept student?" she raised an eyebrow. She loved the verbal flirtation with him.
"Touchè. Miss Granger. Touchè." he laughed.
"Je gagnè!" she punched her fist triumphantly into the air.
"How is it that everyone but me can speak French?"
"Who else can?" Hermione said putting her hand on her hips.
"Kat. She's fluent." he said. Hermione's eyes darkened at the sound of her name, but Harry didn't notice. "It's quite strange to hear it coming from her because of her accent but – what?" Harry now noticed her dark expression.
"Nothing." she said waving her small hand dismissively. "You said you have something important to tell me?" she said hoping that he actually did say that.
"No I didn't. But, I did have an idea when I was talking to Dumbledore." Hermione's eyes brightened and Harry told her what he had thought out.
"Wow." she exhaled. "That's quite the thought process." she said.
"That's what Kat said."
"Well," she stopped herself from saying anything bad about her. "Are you too back... together?" she asked awkwardly.
"Er... no." he was caught off guard so it sounded more like a question, but he quickly corrected himself. "I don't really want to talk about it 'Mione." he hung his head, hoping to play it off and hung his head.
"Oh Harry." she put her hand on his hand. "It'll get better I promise." she squeezed it.
"Thanks." he said squeezing it back and got to his feet. "I suppose I'm going to hit the hay, as Kat would say." he smiled forgetting that he just saved himself from that road. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Dammit." he tried to played the saddened card again by shaking he head slowly.
"Goodnight Harry." she said standing as well, not buying one second of his act. She knew him too well for that.
"Goodnight." he said hugging her. Knowing that he was caught.
