Chapter 4: Like Coming Home

25 October 1994

Hogsmeade Village

"Miss McCullough." The voice was deep and familiar. Kat turned and smiled warmly at her former mentor.

"Professor Snape, it's good to see you again." Kat picked up her bag, pulling it over her shoulder and gathered her broom.

"When Dumbledore informed me that you had been called upon, I requested to escort you to the grounds personally."

"Thank you, Professor. When are we expected?" They set out of the Three Broomsticks and down the quiet streets of Hogsmead toward Hogwarts.

"The students will be arriving this evening. There is a meeting this afternoon for the staff, the specialists, such as yourself and the Ministry representatives to go over the plan of events for the tournament. Did Dumbledore inform you of why you were requested?"

"No, Professor." They had reached the grounds and passed through the gate, making their way down one of the lesser used paths rather than the main road toward the school.

"As I understand it there will be a test involving the Black Lake."

"Ah." She nodded, suddenly understanding. "Well then. I suppose that makes sense. Can't imagine the Ministry wanting to send many of their folk down there."

"Indeed not. I have arranged rooms for you just beyond the common room."

Katyanna looked at Snape with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Professor."

"Argentum Micrurus."

"Professor?"

"The password for the common room."

"Being a bit hard on the first years, aren't we?"

"They are first year Slytherin's. They will appreciate the challenge of more difficult passwords."

Kat looked out over the bridge, taking in the sight of the lake and the hills around them, the castle in all its glory. It was still early in the day and the warm afternoon sun bathed the school in its light and warmth. Kat breathed it in like a soothing balm. This school had been her hearth and home for years and it was here that she had learned and trained and grown. Home...Hogwarts was home. And it was only now, standing outside looking over it for the first time in years, that she truly realized how much she had missed it.

"It has been a long time..."

"Indeed. Come, Miss McCullough. I'll show you where your chamber is before the meeting."

Kat nodded, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye with her sleeve as they passed into the main courtyard and through the tall doors into the castle proper. The halls seemed hollow without the familiar ring of students clamoring to classes. Instead it had the eerie echoes of teacher's foot falls as they went about the business of preparing for the impending arrival of students.

Snape led Kat through the halls to the stairs and down, and down, and down. The Slytherin Common room was in fact in the Dungeons. The temperature cooled with each flight they descended until at last they reached the sub-level of the castle. The walls had been whitewashed and stood pale against the golden flicker of torches that lined the walls. Kat paused and pulled out her wand with a mischievous smile.

"Adurus Verdure." The flames of the torches flickered a moment and then blossomed brighter, the flames no longer orange but green. Green fire dancing from the line of torches toward the Slytherin Common room. Snape raised an eyebrow at the change and looked back at her.

"The students will love it." Kat said with satisfaction.

Snape suppressed a smile of his own and nodded, turning back down the hall. He hardly needed to lead Kat through the maze of corridors to the common room. Just around the corner from the portrait to the common room was a door which Snape opened for Kat before holding out a slender silver key on a black cord.

"I will leave you get settled. The meeting begins at three o'clock in the Great Hall."

Kat nodded and stepped past him inside. As Snape turned to go, he paused and looked back at his former pupil. "And Katyanna...I am proud of you. You are a credit to the House of Slytherin."

"Thank you, Professor Snape."

"You know where my office is. It is always open to you."

Snape bowed to Kat and disappeared down the hall, which now glowed faintly with emerald mixed in the shadows. Kat stood for several minutes in the doorway of her chambers before going in. Her room was large, the size of the prefect's room at least and had a small sitting room as entrance with the bedroom to the side, both on the outer sides of the castle, with several tall windows that looked into the lake. Because of the windows, the room was bathed in a faint mossy glow as sunlight danced on the water above. There was a fireplace between two windows in the sitting room, unlit at present, but it sprang to light with a flick of her wand. Silver and green lanterns and sconces accented the walls, ready to be lit when the light-filled lake no longer lit the room.

Hanging her robe and broom on the waiting rack opposite the door, she explored the spacious room. She had a small bathroom so she wouldn't have to share with the students in the common room, or travel half the castle for a bath. The sitting room had a desk and book case, which it looked like Professor Snape had equipped as it had a variety of books on potion studies, modern charm weaving, and a new edition of "Linguistics of Magical Species."

Her bedroom was moderately sized, with a soft black coverlet on the bed, a side table and a dresser and chest for her belongings. She set her bag down and sat on the side of the bed, looking out the window into the depths of the lake. A blur sped past the window and she smiled. Some were terrified of the black lake and the creatures that lived within it. Not that they weren't dangerous, they were. Very. But if treated properly, they were also very fascinating, as any Slytherin would tell you after living in such proximity to the lake proper.

30 October 1994

Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry

Kat was sitting outside on the bank of the black lake with a huddle of students around her. The semester had begun and the school was abuzz with excitement over the tournament to come. The Goblet of Fire was standing at ready and soon it would be time to find out the Champions of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. The Beauxbaton and Durmstrang schools had arrived just that day and with all the excitement, it was surprising the teachers were able to keep their student's focus at all.

Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as it could be and after much pleading, Kat had been convinced by a couple of the more strained teachers to help tutor part time when not needed for Tournament business. And so now she sat, in the late afternoon sun by the lake, helping a huddle of Slytherin's and Hufflepuff's and a stray Gryffindor with their charms homework.

"Keep it steady there Finley, good. Now raise your wand a smidge. See the difference that makes-"

"Mistress McCullough?"

"Yes?" Kat turned, and was greeted by a tall young man with the familiar features of a Weasley and a mass of unruly red hair that had been pulled back into a messy knot at the back of his neck...some of which presently looked singed and was accented by a thin trail of smoke.

"Charlie! What on earth? Are you—steaming?" She recognized Bill's younger brother from the summer, during which Bill's family had come to Egypt to visit on Galleons won from the Daily Prophet.

"Yeah, about that. I know you're busy an' all but, if you could spare a bit, the boys and I could use an extra wand with a rather toasty situation, if you get my meaning."

Kat's eyes widened and she glanced at the students around her who were watching with curious eyes. "Right then. You lot keep working like I showed you and get yourselves back to the Great Hall on time. I'll not be responsible for anyone breaking curfew."

She stood, gathering up her bag and jogging to keep up with Charlie's fast-paced long gait. He waited until they were well out of sight and sound of the students and were in fact, well into the forbidden forest before explaining.

"Right, so the girls have all been just as well as can be expected considering the trip we brought 'em on. The problem we have now is the eggs. We had to take them out to fit 'em with the riddle you got last week and they're furious. Lashing and banging about, the Short Snout put Davies in hospital wing and the Horn Tail is trying to break full out of her holdings. We had to pull up the cages they were acting so wild. I tried to tell Crouch this could happen but he'd hear nothing of it."

"So what do we do?"

"Well we have to try to calm 'em down enough that we can get the eggs back into their nests. That's the only thing that'll keep them from going completely mental. They need those eggs back. Now."

"Right. Brilliant. Okay." Kat paused, before them on the path was Professor Dumbledore, deep in conversation, it seemed with Mr. Crouch.

"Ah, Young Weasley. Good. And you've brought Miss McCullough, excellent. Your team has the eggs now. With a fourth to spare, if the Horn-tail does, as you expect, become too excitable to be used in the tournament."

"I think it's safe to say she's out, Headmaster. Went 'round the bend when we took her egg. It'll be months before she's calmed down. I wouldn't want anyone untrained around her, much less trying to fight with her, Sir."

"Very good then, Mr. Weasley. Let's leave them to it then, shall we Barty? I do believe I smell pie, and I do so love pie."

As Crouch and Dumbledore headed back toward the castle, Charlie and Kat made their way into the depths of the forest to the clearing where the dragons were being held. They were a sight to behold. Even with the dozens of retainers trying to keep them from lashing about, they still managed to make their entire cages shift. Kat watched wide eyed as the dragons fought against their bonds. Charlie led Kat around the outskirts of the clearing to a bush with one retainer holding four satchels.

"The eggs?"

"Yessir. They haven't seen 'em yet. Douglas said to keep 'em outta sight."

"Good lad. Kat McCullough this is Chaz, he's an apprentice. Chaz this is Miss McCullough. She's agreed to help us out a tad since Davies isn't back up on his feet yet." Charlie let the two of them shake hands before taking the satchels and passing two of them to Kat.

"Right, you go left to the Short-Snout and the Welsh, and I'll take the other two."

"Plan?"

"The others will hold and throw a sleeping spell simultaneously from their wands. This should have enough kick to put her down for about five minutes. You'll get in, place the egg in the nest and get out."

"That's it?"

"Er...don't die. I really don't want to have to explain to Bill that I let you die over an egg...that would be awful."

Kat shook her head, "What does Bill have to do with-"

"He's real fond of you, and besides-" There was an outburst followed by the sound of creaking metal and both looked up.

"Charlie, later. Dragons, priority."

Kat nodded and the two of them crouched, wands in hand, satchels over shoulders and snuck into the clearing to face their dragons.

Hours later, a very tired, very sore Kat sat down in her room. She knew she should bathe. She was still covered in mess and soot and ash from crawling through the dragon's cages to deliver the eggs, but the soft chair was just so damned comfortable that she was finding it exceedingly difficult to bear up the energy to pry herself out of it.

28 November 1994

Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry

"Come in."

Kat was sitting comfortably in the window side chair of her chambers reviewing a language lexicon when a knock sounded on her door. Rising, she draped the book over the arm of the chair, wondering who would be visiting at such a late hour. She smiled brightly as Charlie Weasley walked in, shaking his head.

"Don't see how you don't get lost down here. I got turned about twice and then Snape had to show me how to get here." He shuddered faintly, as though that had been an experience he wasn't keen to repeat.

More amused than she ought to have been, Kat hid her smile and shrugged, "Must have something to do with having a common room down here for years."

"And a charming Head of House too. Still gives me the chills, Snape does."

"I am glad to know my skills have not been dulled by the years, Mr. Weasley."

Charlie jumped at the sound of Snape's voice behind him. Snape, for his part looked unabashedly amused at having caught him off guard as he withdrew a vial from his robes. "Professor Dumbledore asks to see you in his office when you have completed your business here, Miss McCullough."

"Of course, thank you Professor." Kat was grinning now. She couldn't help it, Charlie had paled at least two shades down from being startled and the look on his face had been hilarious. Snape gave her a curt nod and vanished from the doorway with a flutter of his robes.

Charlie turned on Kat with a stammer. "It's like he just knows! Even after graduating! How do you Slytherins stand it?!"

Laughing, Kat slipped into her shoes and gathered her cloak from by the fire, patting Charlie's shoulder encouragingly, "He's not all bad. And yes, he does know."

"Bloody creepy, that is. Here, let me." He reached out and helped pull the robe over her shoulders, straightening the hood, which had inverted itself.

Kat smiled her thanks, checking that her wand was still in her pocket where it should be and turned back to him. There was a faint air of awkwardness now, as he had gone through so much to try to find her, and now she was being called to see Dumbledore. Charlie shuffled a foot, unsure of what he ought to do, and Kat gestured toward the door.

"Come on, you can walk with me back up to the main levels. At least that way Snape wont accuse you of snooping around the common room. He's quite protective."

"Yeah, sure. Great." Smiling with relief, he pushed open the door and let it slide shut behind them.

There was a click of the lock once it did and Kat led the way down the green flame lit corridor toward the upper levels of Hogwarts Castle. They paused briefly as one of the prefects made their way past on their round and then made their way up the stairs.

"So, what was it you needed to see me for, Charlie?"

Kat was walking in front of him, but there was enough room that he walked at an angle to her, "Well, actually I was coming to say goodbye."

She paused a step and turned back to him with a twinge of sadness in her eye, "Oh? I'm sorry to hear that..."

"Really? I mean—it's just for—the Dragons you know...now their task is done and all-"

Kat nodded. "Yes, I suppose it would make sense that you would be needed with them."

Truth be told, she had grown quite fond of Charlie Weasley in the time they had spent together thus far. She couldn't help but notice that the Weasleys had started growing on her. They were relaxed and friendly and open to everyone they knew it seemed. And in the last few weeks she and Charlie had spent many an hour of their mutual time-off chatting and walking through the grounds of Hogwarts Castle.

"Yeah—well, see...I was thinking, if you like I could say hello to the family for you when I go."

Katyanna's eyes lit up. It was a very sweet gesture, touching really and she paused at the top of the stairs and turned on him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Charlie Weasley, you are positively wonderful. I would love that. When do you have to go?"

"T-Tomorrow afternoon-" He was stuttering, his cheeks as red as his fiery hair from where she had kissed him. She kissed him on the cheek, effortlessly, innocently. It was a motion much like Ginny would make, but it warmed him like a dram of fire-whiskey and he shook himself, considering that if Bill had seen, he probably would have knocked him out cold, older brother or not.

Katyanna, oblivious to the affect she had impressed upon him, grinned and nodded. "I'll have letters ready for you at breakfast."

She paused, they stood now at the foot of a large, ugly looking stone gargoyle. It looked down at them fiercely, guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's tower. Kat glanced back at Charlie who gave her a nervous smile and waved, backing away a few steps. "See you in the morning then."

"G'night, Charlie." As he made his way off, she turned to the gargoyle and looked up at it and spoke the password loud enough for the beast to hear it, but soft enough that any lurking students would not be able to discern it.

"Toffee Éclair." Obediently the statue shifted and allowed her passage up to the tower.

She knocked on the door at the top of the stairs and it opened smoothly to the warmth of Dumbledore's office. Once inside, she noted that she was not the only guest of the Headmaster that night. The Headmaster, as well as Professor Snape and Barty Crouch from the ministry were in the office, standing near a crackling fireplace.

"Ah, Miss McCullough, do come in." Dumbledore smiled at her, that mischievous twinkle that he had in his eye telling her all she needed to know about the conversation to come.

"Good Evening, Headmaster, Professor, Minister." She gave them a polite bow and closed the door behind her.

Dumbledore gestured toward a bowl of licorice snaps, which she declined with a smile and a wave of her hand before he launched into the subject at hand. "I presume you know why you are here? And by here of course, I mean back at Hogwarts School during this particular year."

She glanced at Snape who gave her a nod, before she spoke. "Professor Snape has given me some limited information, though the Ministry proper was not fully forthcoming on the exact task. I expect it has a great deal to do with the first assignment I was sent on, to procure the riddle-eggs from the Merfolk in the lake."

The elderly man chuckled and nodded. "No, I am sure they would not have been. Well, yes, in a way it is. When we asked you here, it was to serve as a diplomat to the Merfolk of the Black Lake and, you were quite successful in obtaining their aid for the first task. However, the Ministry has expressed some concerns regarding the...safety of our students during the second task."

By the fire, Barty Crouch huffed, but whatever he might have said in protest, was silenced by a stern look from Snape. Still smiling good naturedly, Dumbledore continued.

"As I was saying. We need a diplomat with significant lingual ability in Mermish, which Professor Snape claims you are exceptionally well suited to."

"I am fluent, Headmaster. Though I would not say exceptional."

Dumbledore made a face twisted with amusement, the opposite of that upon Crouch's face. "Be that as it may, are you open to the task?"

Katyanna nodded, "Yes, Headmaster."

"Splendid! Professor Snape will aid you in preparations...after the Holiday I think, Severus. Wouldn't want her to freeze to death."

"Indeed not, Headmaster."

Severus swept away from the fireplace and toward the door, gesturing Katyanna with him, in an effort to escape the growing consternation of the ministry's representative. Barty Crouch looked almost as though he were about to explode as he walked with clipped steps to Dumbledore's desk. "One witch is hardly what the ministry had in mind, when requesting safety precautions, Albus."

"Katyanna McCullough is a skilled curse-breaker with a great deal of experience in dangerous situations. And I have heard her Mermish myself, it is flawless. You could not have a better guard for the students, Barty. Licorice?"

Kat caught that snippet just as the door was closing and was smiling as Snape led the way down the stairs and back into the Hall. "You will need to start physical preparations immediately."

"I assumed as much. What time should I be in your office?"

"As Professor Dumbledore has given until the Holiday, I would think you will have until after the Yule ball before you need to worry about the more strenuous preparations."

She blinked, receiving an arched eyebrow from Snape. Shaking her head, she explained as they walked down the familiar stairs toward the lower levels. "I had forgotten about the Yule Ball. I didn't think I would be here still for it."

"Then I suggest you acquire the necessary accoutrements for it. You will be expected to attend."

He said this in a manner that suggested he meant something more along the lines of: If I must go to the children's dance, so do you. Kat nodded and made a note to go to Diagon alley at her next opportunity. He paused outside her chamber with a slightly chagrined look. "Incidentally I myself must leave the grounds on business briefly before the holiday."

Reading the look in his eye and the words he did not speak, she bowed her head as she pulled out her key to open the door. "If there is something I can do for you, Professor, you need only say."

"I would be particularly grateful if you could manage my classes whilst I am away."

She paused, looking at him in surprise. "How long?"

"Two days at most. I will leave you a lesson plan of course."

"It would be my pleasure, Professor."

He nodded curtly and left her to smile to herself as she closed the door and took off her robe. It had been an evening full of information and changes, and yet rather than feeling weighted down, she felt light, airy almost. Certainly, the penny would drop soon and the weight of it all would hit her. But between now and then, she had letters to write, and that thought alone made her smile again.