"I'm proud of you Katherine." Remus smiles, "I know it took a lot of courage to stand up to Severus like that."

Better my heart breaks now instead of later I guess... "Yeah." I say, resting my head on Remus' shoulder.

He patted my head.

"Professor Lupin! Professor Tingstrom!" We heard Hermione scream.

We were at the Quidditch game for Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Hermione and Ron came down and sat next to Remus and I. "Would you like a Bernie Botts bean Professor Tingstrom?" Ronald asked, holding out the box for me.

No, no I don't want a Bernie Botts bean. With my luck I'll get vomit or toe jam. "Alright, thank you Ronald." I say, carefully taking one.

"You can have more than that!" He laughs.

Ugh. I smile and take a few more, "I've got to watch my figure."

Ron rolls his eyes, "Girls!"

I put one into my mouth, and try not to let on that I've gotten a hair dye flavored bean. I take a sip of my coffee and notice that Severus is staring at me. I give him a look that says it's very rude to stare.

Remus saw where I was looking and glared at Severus, wrapping a protective arm around me. This of course, just made Severus angry. But frankly, I don't give a shit.

I look up and see Harry go after the snitch. Then I hear a faint voice saying something. What was the person trying to say?!? I look up and find out.

WHAM!!!!!!

I should have stayed in bed today.

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I open my eyes to a familiar sight, the hospital wing. You know, getting hit in the face with a bludger really hurts! That's it! I don't want to do this anymore! I want to go back home and sit on my ass studying and complaining about how horrible accounting is! I wanna go back where the only things I have to worry about are car crashes and gang bangers, not a bunch of crazed magicians throwing magic around! I don't belong in this fucked up world! I WANT MY MOMMA!!!!! I want a boyfriend that's not undercover and packing deadly... words and sticks! I want to sit down with my normal best friend when he finally gets around to seeing me and complain about stuff! I don't want to be enlightened! I don't want to be magical! I don't like wizards! I don't like any product that has every damn flavor! And I especially don't like quidditch! GAHHHH!!!!!!!

"Awwww dear, there's no need to cry. Do you need something for the pain?" Madame Pomfrey coos.

Yes, martinis. Lots and lots of martinis. Now. "No, thank you. Do you have a handkerchief?"

She smiles and says, "Of course." She reaches in her pocket and hands me the kerchief.

I dab at the tender flesh on my face, trying to get the tears up. I sigh, there's no getting out of this place is there? I look up at Madame Pomfrey, "When I used to get sick or hurt, my Momma and Grandmother used to have me clean the house. I could be crawling on the floor and they'd say to clean the bathroom..." I chuckled sadly.

Madame Pomfrey frowns at me, "Is that true?"

I nod, "No feeling sorry for ourselves in my family. My mother always used to say 'You come from a long line of strong, independent women. You can burn us, cut us, break us and we'll still get up.'" A tear starts to run down my cheek, "I don't feel like that right now. I feel weak and pathetic and I want to go home."

Madame Pomfrey hugs me as I cry. I've never cried so much in my entire life as I have since I came to Hogwarts.

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I feel someone petting my hair. Oh dear, please, please Remus. I can't handle you being loving to me right now. I just can't, please don't make me. The person takes my hand and rubs his thumb over my hand, "We always seem to meet here don't we?" I hear Severus say.

I open my eyes. Severus? I look at him and he smiles at me, "Hello."

I frown, "You came?"

He looks injured, "Of course I came. I was here earlier too, but Madame Pomfrey said not to disturb you."

"But I was just asleep."

He smirked, "But she's asleep too."

I blink, "Severus, I don't understand you..."

He gives me a sad smile and says, "I… when I saw you get hurt… I thought that I'd never see you again. I thought you'd died and the last thing we talked about was how I needed to be nice to the Malfoys. I… I didn't want that."

I look away, "You still have to be nice to the Malfoys..."

He hesitates for a moment, but then says, "But… I need to be nice to you too. I love you and… I shouldn't have done that to you."

A lump comes up in my throat and now I can't speak.

He looks genuinely unhappy, "Please say something. It's not too late is it?"

I give him a small smile and shake my head, "No… no, it's not too late."

He smiles at me and takes my hand in both of his, "I live a very… complicated life Katherine. I can't..." He turns away slightly, not wanting to give everything away but not knowing what else to say.

I smile and kiss his hands, "Don't worry, I understand. I understand that you have more important obligations than me. Just try not to walk out on me anymore, alright? Argue with me, hex me, call me names that you shouldn't say in front of children… it's all right with me. But don't cut me from your life; we can't be anything to each other if you do that."

He smirked, "I think I can do that."

I chuckled, "Somehow I thought you could."

He leaned in and gave me a soft kiss.

I kissed back.