Hello again.
If you read these, then you know that this is my first story to be posted online.
I am trying to figure out what kind of schedule works the best for my roomie and me for posting. We really feel it is important to be consistent with uploading. So, I think we are going to change the uploading day to Monday.
Please continue to read and let me know what your thoughts and opinions on things so far are.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: This work is purely for fun and anything recognizable is more than likely not our work. If there are similarities, please take it as a compliment from us and give credit to those deserving.
CHAPTER SIX: A Different Kind of Roller Coaster
"Hey, Cassie are you busy?" Kate asked as she sheepishly peeked her head into the lab, hiding behind the door. Cassie raised her head, slowly turning her attention away from the delicately bubbling cauldron and onto Kate.
"No Kate, I am clearly not busy at all. Are you here to fill my ears with more ridiculous excuses as to why we cannot leave, despite the completion of all our important tasks? Because if you going to spill another excuse on how your robes are not fitted properly or that your cat form chipped a nail, I will stop you in your tracks. I have more important tasks to do then listen to your incessant rambling." Cassie grumbled as she dismissively looked away from Kate to drop a stalk of knotgrass into her potion.
Kate stepped into the room, leaving behind her protection. Shaking her head and squaring her shoulders, like the Gryffindor she wishes she were, she walked up to Cassie's work table and said in a clear voice, "If you must know your Highness, I am finally ready to leave. I have completed all the things on my to-do list and feel comfortable with leaving. But if you would rather continue with your potions..."
Kate watched as the words slowly seeped into Cassie's brain. The realization of what Kate had said causing her to break all the training poor Narcissa tried to beat into her.
"SWEET BABY JESUS! THERE IS A GOD! I thought we were never gonna leave!" Cassie yelled in joy. Her entire body slouching in relief. She waved her wand to place a stasis charm on her potion before turning to sit in her desk chair.
"Wow Cassie, tell me how you really feel," Kate said with snark. "I was thinking we could leave in a day or two."
"Yes, that is a good idea. I have had my things packed for a month now." Cassie said pointedly, as she straightened in her seat. "As long as you have everything finished, we can say our goodbyes and leave tomorrow."
Kate leaned over the desk, resting on her arms. "Well, MISS MALFOY, I'm packed but I still think we need to take a day and say goodbye to our friends. Draco would never forgive you if you left without saying bye, and I'd never forgive myself if I left without seeing Neville and Minerva."
Cassie considered this for a moment, nodding her head. "True, very true. Do you think I should say goodbye to Severus?"
Kate took a deep breath, before clapping her hands together and pointing them at Cassie while saying, "It's...a painting."
"He is not just a painting. He's helped me so much throughout this entire process. I feel like I need to say goodbye. Kate don't be silly."
Kate turned to Dobby very seriously, "Feels emotional attachment to Paint and I'm silly… Ya, ok, see this is why I worry."
Suddenly, an ominous voice sounded through the room. "What, are you doing Miss Addams?"
Kate jumped, letting out a cat-like screech and causing papers to go flying about the room. "GOD DAMN IT, SNIPPITY SNAPE!"
"Could you please refrain from the intolerable screeching?" Snape scowled.
"Oh, hello Severus, when did you get here?" Cassie asked as she turned around to fully face to portrait. She decided she was going to completely ignore Kate who was sitting on the floor behind the desk glaring over the edge.
"Minerva sent me to fetch Miss Addams. Once again, reduce the status of an errand boy. You wouldn't know I was once an esteemed potions master."
"You wouldn't know it now!" Kate yelled from behind her cover.
"Kate! Get out of my lab and leave Severus alone! He hasn't ever done anything to you." Cassie snapped as she ushered Kate out the door.
"Fine, fine...I guess I'll leave." Kate said as she was pushed through the door.
"Hey, do you hear that?" She questioned just before fading from view.
"What Kate?" Cassie sighed.
"It sounds like ticking. Yes, very mysterious. I MUST INVESTIGATE!" She yelled before running down the hall.
Cassie hung her head as she could hear Kate singing, "Snape, Snape, Severus Snape, DUMBLEDORE!"
"Severus I am so sorry for her. She never knows when to stop." Cassie apologized for her peculiar friend.
"Your apologies are not necessary, but what is this talk about goodbyes?" Snape questioned her. His face held an unrecognizable expression. Cassie had never seen that look before.
"Kate is finally ready to leave. Because we have everything ready and the only thing preventing us from going back in time was all of Kate's ridiculous excuses, we should be able to leave tomorrow. Kate and I were discussing saying our goodbyes to those we care about."
"Hm, and who was on that list?"
"Well, Kate said she wouldn't forgive herself if she didn't say bye to Headmistress McGonagall and Longbottom. She also pointed out how Draco wouldn't forgive me if I didn't say goodbye to him. Before you joined us, Kate was judging me for wanting to say goodbye to you."
"Why would you wish to say farewell to me? I am but a painting."
Cassie shifted where she was standing, unable to look Snape in the eyes.
"You aren't just a painting to me. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have completed my mastery or created my potion nearly as quickly. Also, I would like... to think that we are friends. Wouldn't you?"
Snape's eyes widened fractionally before softening the barest amount.
"Yes, I would like that."
Cassie smiled brightly, before turning back to her workstation to continue the potion Kate had previously barged in on.
"Good. As I said, we should be leaving tomorrow, I hope everything goes as planned."
"I wish you safe travels."
LINE BREAK
Kate gleefully traveled the well-known path towards the greenhouse. The joy of getting the best of Cassie, and the glow in Snape's eyes, had her all atwitter right down to her bones. This and the excitement of the journey ahead put an extra spring in her step as she all but floated down the corridor.
Upon reaching the familiar windows of the greenhouse, she turned toward the door inside and headed towards the back where the professor's room lay. As she reached the door, Kate stopped before entering the room.
The inside was covered with different samples of vile plants suspended in jars on the tables and the tops of various bookcases. Books and papers scattered around the room with no discernable pattern outlined a large, wooden desk.
Neville Longbottom sat at the desk, flipping through the massive book before him. Kate stayed in the doorway, watching as his eyes scanned the pages of the massive tome. The way they shone at the text. The way he started to smile at one of the photos, happiness radiating from him like a second sun.
Time stopped
For one brief moment, everything went still. The air, the very movement of the planet, ceased. It was perfect, for inside the small office on the edge of Hogwarts, the moment held for Kate like a porcelain vase.
Kate wanted to run. To flee from the space and never return. To tell Cassie the plan was off and she was going back to America. To forget months of hard work. To remain in the present and forsake the past. All to let this moment live on, this bliss of her dear friend to remain as it was.
However, she took a step forward, shattering the glass-like peace of the room.
Neville smiled and looked up from his book, now noticing Kate entering the room. "Oh, Hello! I guess I didn't see you there. How did things go with Cassie?"
Kate, having approached the desk, sat down in the chair the professor frequently used for scolding students. "Ok, I suppose." she looked at the floor, feeling ashamed at what she'd come to discuss.
Neville fell silent, noticing the distress of his friend, and came around the desk to sit to the side of her. "Kate? What is it?" he asked, taking her hands in his.
Kate rose her eyes to his, tears brimming the corners. "We completed the job. Cassie was so happy to hear the news and we will be leaving tomorrow night."
Neville smiled. "That's amazing, what are you so upset about?"
"If it works…. you won't be here anymore. YOU won't exist." Neville's face fell for a moment, but then his smile returned.
"I'll still be here, maybe not in the same way, but I'll still be here. It's not me that's important. I'm a nobody. But this...what you're doing? It's gonna change things, proper."
Kate hugged Neville, holding him close. "Of course, you matter! You're the best mate anyone could ever have!"
They broke away, sad looks on their faces. However, as Kate moved to get some space, Neville's hands returned to hers.
"Listen, I know you've got to focus on fixing the world and everything. But I was wondering if you could do me a small favor?" Kate smiled kindly, wondering what 'small' request he could make.
"Please," he pleaded, voice breaking with emotion, "please…. save my parents. I know you probably don't have the time…"
Kate shot forward, her hand escaping Neville's grasp and covering his mouth. "No," she said.
Neville's eyes filled with tears, pain and hurt clear in the brown pools. He rose, wiping them with his shirt sleeve and standing with his back to her.
"You see…." she continued, standing and trying to soften the blow, "I had already planned to do just that."
Neville spun around, shock and disbelief evident on his face. He rushed to Kate, enveloping her in a hug so tight, she swore her back pooped from the force.
A few moments, and many, many tissues later, Kate hugged her dear friend one last time before heading out the door to pack her things. Neville had changed her life in so many ways, improved and helped her so much. So, what if saving his parents wasn't the plan. To hell with logic, she was going to do this.
He deserved it. That boy deserves the world. Who was she to deny him that a second time?
THE NEXT DAY
It was a rather pleasant day as Cassie made her way from the castle. The sun was shining brightly, and there was a cool breeze blowing across the grounds
The meeting place agreed upon, by both Cassie and Kate, was a random clearing just outside of the castle wards. Headmistress McGonagall was a great help in determining which clearings were and were not suitable.
Walking directly to the clearing took a couple of hours. However, taking the trail to Hogsmeade and then apparating was significantly quicker. Thus, was the way Cassie traveled.
The picture that greeted her as she appeared in the clearing was one of disarray and mess. Trunks and bags were scattered everywhere, with scraps of cloth spilling onto the ground. Books were lying innocently in dirt and papers were seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Lounging in middle, atop of all the mess was Kate, eating a slice of apple pie.
Cassie stood still in silent disgust.
It was amazing how Kate always finds a way to insert chaos into my life.
"Kate. What is all of this?" She asked with a sigh while carefully making her way through the bulging bags and towering trunks to where Kate sat.
"Oh, hiya Cass! All of this?" She greeted while swinging her arms around to gesture to her mess. "This is everything I couldn't bear to leave behind. I wasn't sure how I was gonna get it all in the past with me, but I figured it out eventually."
"Oh, you did hm? And what did you find?" Cassie asked sarcastically. She shifted her weight to one leg, crossed her arms on her chest, and raised an eyebrow in an eerily similar way to Snape.
"Well it all has to be touching to come back with us, so I tied all of it together with a string of yarn! Where's all your stuff? I'll start tying for you." Kate said excitedly, as she looked around as if Cassie's stuff was going to appear from behind her.
Cassie looked closer at Kate's possessions to see that they were all tied together with brightly colored rainbow yarn. She sighed, with her face in her hands.
"In my bag, that has an undetectable extension charm on the inside." She said flatly.
"Wait! You can do that?" Kate yelled snapping her head to look at Cassie.
"Yes! Why do you think I have nothing with me but my purse?"
"Well...HOW COULD I KNOW?!"
"Maybe, because you are a fully trained witch?"
"I was a muggle for 23 years before I discovered I was a witch! Habits are hard to break."
"But Kate, you've been a witch for..." It was at that moment that Kate leaped from her throne of stuff and slapped her hands across Cassie's mouth.
"We don't speak of my age Cassie, you know this." She simpered sweetly, thoroughly enjoying the wide-eyed look on her friend's face.
"Whatever just get your stuff together," Cassie glared.
"I see the two of you are going to have a wonderful time together."
Cassie and Kate turned to see McGonagall walking up to stand beside Kate's pile of things. "Now tell me, which of you brought the small empire?"
"That would be Kate, Headmistress."
"Kate, you are aware of the ways to transport your possessions easily, yes?" McGonagall asked sternly.
"You see Minerva, I was just...and then I went...but then I forgot…"
"Stop talking before you dig yourself a hole." Interrupted Cassie.
"Miss Trelawney would you please help her with her things."
Cassie nodded at the Headmistress and turned to start packing Kate's belongings into her purse alongside her own. Kate withered underneath the combined Headmistress's stare and Cassie's glare.
"Now I'm sure you have brought a large number of things you don't necessarily need, but do you have your necklace, Kate?"
Straightening up, Kate answered, "Yes, Minerva."
"What about the potion?"
"Yes, Headmistress," Cassie said.
"Your clothing and money?"
"Yes, and yes, we have everything Minerva. Please, we'll be okay." Kate laughed.
"And your wands." Kate stilled, then her hands flew to pat every part of her body before finally finding her wand in her boot.
"Yes, I have my wand."
"And I have mine. Thank you so much for seeing us off Headmistress. We really appreciate everything you have done for us in the last couple of years." Cassie said as she walked towards Kate and pulled out the time turner.
"Well dears, it has been a pleasure to work with you. I hope you are able to achieve everything you have planned, and all goes well." McGonagall said, stepping away from the two.
"Were you able to say goodbye to everyone?" Cassie asked. Both reached out to touch the device.
Kate looked from Cassie to McGonagall, then said softly, "Yes. Did you see Draco?"
"Draco was sad to see me go, but we kept things light."
"Okay, the next stop, everywhere," Kate said, quoting yet another famous time-traveling wizard.
McGonagall watched as the two disappeared from her view, hopefully, to change the fate of the Wizarding World.
This one was a bit of a dozy to write. Neville man...
Thank you so much for reading! If you want, reviews are always welcome.