Guy. GUYS. I have the next three chapters, already written. Fun (and by fun, I mean really not fun, really gory, really difficult) stuff happens to Dear Kat in the next few chapters. So here's the deal. They either get posted once every other week, or when ten new reviews have been posted. Yes, I'm keeping them hostage. But they were so much fun to write! AAAHH!

Disclaimer: Not mine. Nope.

Chapter 23:

It was past curfew, which meant that I could be in bed. I had every right to be in bed. Except for detention. Sure, detention included intense defense against the dark arts to compensate for Umbridge's determined lack of practical classes. Sure, Snape and I were going over the finer points of Occlumency, which normally kept me on the edge of my seat. Still, a girl had her limits. I was reaching them. Between classes, searching for horcruxes, figuring out how to tell Harry about said horcruxes, and mourning Fred's absence in my life, I didn't have much time to contemplate how to reverse an act of Occlumency. And damn, the concepts were hard.

"Wrong," Snape said simply as I tried to answer a question. "Did you even glance at the chapter I asked you to read for this week?"

My eyes widened. I'd read it twice because I couldn't understand what the author was getting at. "Yeah!" I blurted.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Try again," he breathed.

I clenched my jaw. "When dealing with a skilled Legilimens, one must, um, realize that there are, er," I paused, "physical repercussions, and—"

"No," he said, his voice icy.

"You didn't even let me finish!" I frowned, crossing my arms.

"Because your answer was incorrect."

"You'll never know," I muttered, huffing.

"Pouting will do you no good," he said.

I scowled. "Well it makes me feel better."

"You haven't been reading, you haven't answered one question in a satisfactory manner all night. You probably didn't even bother practicing."

My jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me? I've cleared my mind every night before going to bed, I've read and reread every chapter you've assigned, and I work my ass off every week down here with you!"

"Language," he warned.

I ignored him. "And yet you sit here, acting all high and mighty because you can't even remember when you were bad at this stuff, and somehow it doesn't occur to you that Occlumency is actually pretty difficult?"

There was a long silence, and for one terrifying moment I worried how many points he would take away from the house—Gryffindor would kill me.

"I do not presume that this subject is easy, and if my memory serves me correctly, I am quite positive that I remember being your age, when I learned the same material. And Occlumency is indeed a difficult concept to learn."

My jaw dropped as Snape paused. Was he about to apologize?

His eyes narrowed. "But if you think for one moment that I'm going to hold your hand and tell you you're doing well when you're obviously not, you are sorely mistaken. You aren't working hard enough, and it shows." He stood. "So the next time you decide to throw a tantrum in the middle of a lesson, make sure you've evaluated the situation fully. I do not tolerate others wasting my time, family or not."

I swallowed.

"Are we clear?" he asked, turning away from me.

"Crystal," I muttered, a flush creeping up my cheeks.

"I think we're through for the evening."

I stood up, but he handed me a fresh bottle of blue potion. "Bring your empty bottle to the next lesson," he said, eyes already on a stack of essays.

I nodded, trying not let my hesitance show. Snape didn't seem to notice as I left, and I sped back to the common room. Hermione was up studying by the fire, so I sat next to her and pulled out my transfiguration homework from my bag.

"How was detention?" she asked.

"Catastrophic."

She dipped her quill in the ink and finished her sentence. Then she looked up. "What happened?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Snape was a jerk. I was sarcastic and disoriented. Ever since I stopped taking that damn potion I can't think straight, and on top of that, no visions."

Hermione frowned. "Nothing?"

"Not even a whisper or the slightest inclination. I should be able to win the lottery by now, but instead I'm as useless as Trelawney."

She went back to her essay for a minute, then looked up again. "How long has it been since you stopped the potion?"

"Like, two weeks? Maybe? Yeah. About two weeks."

She bit her lip.

Then it hit me. "Why?"

"Nothing."

"Hermione."

"Alright. Fine. I borrowed a book from the library on seers."

"That's impossible. I checked the library for that."

"I borrowed it from the restricted section."

I frowned. "I checked there too. And what were you doing in the restricted section?"

She turned bright red. "Not that it matters, but I was working on a report for Ancient Runes. And this book is in Latin. I've had to translate it little by little."

"Persistent. So what does it say?"

"I'm only halfway through it, but it mentioned binding potions. Apparently it's a common practice for seers. True seers, at least."

"And?"

She pulled out her charms book. "And, it takes a while for visions and such to kick in. The potion sticks in your system for a few weeks, at least."

"And then I'll have visions?"

"Possibly. It mentioned that each seer has a different method. Some get dreams, some go into trances, some get visions, some have to draw or write. Some need cards, or crystal balls, but that sounds like bullocks to me. The book doesn't seem very reliable."

I raised my eyebrows. "Thanks. I got my first vision through a semi-hallucination, and my next two from a crystal ball."

"Maybe you don't have a method?"

"Maybe. Can I see this book?"

Hermione bit her lip again. "Do you actually have time to translate it?"

"No, but—"

"I don't mind, really. And I'll let you know what I find. I like figuring out what I don't know. It's relaxing."

I shook my head. "Only you. Fine. But don't keep me out of the loop, even if it's bad news, ok?"

She nodded, and we went back to our homework. I finished by midnight and dragged myself to bed. Hermione was still bent over a book when I muttered a tired goodnight.

The next day at lunch, Harry slipped me a coin. I knew what it was.

"I really don't think I should—"

"Since we're working together, it's better if you do. There are some spells I know that could come in handy."

"If anything, Hermione should be the one giving me extra lessons," I said.

He blushed. "I may not be Hermione, but I'm still capable."

I clicked my tongue. "That's not what I meant. Snape fishes around my mind every time I go into detention."

Harry made a face. "Is it as bad as his lessons with me?"

I smiled. "Probably not, but he could still find out."

"You're a quick learner," Hermione said, sitting across from us. "Block it from your mind." She put some eggs on her plate and I rolled my eyes.

"Fine. When's the next meeting?"

Harry grinned. "Tonight."

Fred and George were not happy to find me there that evening. They walked through the door, talking animatedly, and stopped dead when they saw me.

"What is she doing here?" George asked, ignoring me.

Harry frowned. "The same thing you are."

"She's Snape's niece," Fred said. "That's fraternizing with the enemy, that is!"

"Oh grow up!" I said.

They glared at me.

"Sod off, the both of you," Harry said. "She's my friend, and she's not leaving." He went to the front, and Fred glanced around at all the people who didn't know me.

"Seems Harry will let anyone into this group," Fred said. "When are the Slytherins going to join up?"

I crossed my arms.

"Today is a dueling day," Harry said as people settled in. "But instead of one partner, I'm aiming to have you fight against as many people as you can. So who's brave enough to go first?"

For once, Hermione's hand wasn't the first in the air. She looked nervous, just as nervous as everyone else. Finally, Fred raised his hand. "I'm in the mood for a duel," he muttered to his brother.

People clapped, forming a wide circle. Harry nodded. "Alright. Who's going to face him?"

I raised my hand.

Fred frowned. "First year against a seventh year? Is that even fair?"

"Watch it, Weasley. I'm older than you."

I rolled my eyes as I moved to the center of the circle, but Harry seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "You're good, Kat, but it's your first meeting. Are you sure?"

I glanced once more at Fred. "I'm positive."

Harry sighed. I saw a few people exchange looks.

"This'll get ugly," Ron muttered to Hermione.

"Shut it, Ron," I said.

"I hope you're better at dueling since the last time I saw you," Fred said.

"Well, you've been avoiding me for a good long time. I'm sure I got some good practice in."

"Let's keep the conversation to dueling, shall we?" Harry said.

"Let's," I muttered.

We raised our wands and Harry counted down. When he said go, a spell whipped my feet out from under me. My back hit the floor and the air whooshed from my lungs. Around me, I heard laughter.

Harry stood above me. "You alright?"

I nodded as he helped me up, and I tried not to slap the smirk from Fred's face. "Nonverbal magic."

Fred nodded, grinning.

Fine.

When Harry counted down a second time, I disarmed Fred and sent him into the air, spinning like a top. Again, a few people laughed. I let him down once Harry asked me too, and he rubbed his butt.

"I learned nonverbal magic last week," I said, a sweet smile on my face as we prepared for the third duel.

Harry frowned as he counted down. "3, 2, 1!"

Fred lashed out first, but I blocked it, sending a jellylegs curse his way. He deflected it, but just barely.

"Expelliarmus!" he shouted.

"Protego!" I called out.

We slipped in and out of nonverbal magic, and the minutes wore on. Finally, I missed a curse and went sprawling onto the floor. At first I felt disappointed, until I saw Fred on his butt too.

"A tie!" Harry called, apparently relieved it was over.

"Rematch," Fred said, standing up.

"Agreed," I said.

We both walked to Harry, and I wondered if my face was as red as Fred's.

"Guys, you were both good, but we have to let other people practice now."

"No!" we said together.

Harry sighed. "I'm sorry, but—"

I massaged my temple as Harry's voice droned into a low, indiscernible hum. Then my vision went fuzzy, and I began to hear screaming. I felt panic, and a hallway settled into view. Members of the D.A. ran as Slytherins, Umbridge, Filch, and Mrs. Norris chased them through the castle. Most of the D.A. were wearing the same outfits as they were now.

When I came back, Fred was still arguing with Harry; no one had noticed me.

"Fred, shut up," I said.

He glared. "You know what, Kat? You can just go—"

"Umbridge and her stupid Slytherin helpers are outside of this room. Right now. As we speak," I said.

Fred stopped in his tracks as Harry frowned. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "They're planning on ambushing us when we leave."

People broke into panicked murmurs, but Hermione cleared her voice and walked up to us. "Don't worry," she said. "I planned an escape route, just in case something like this happened." She pulled back a tapestry to reveal a small door on the opposite side of the room. "We'll head out in twos and threes. Don't be too loud about it."

When the fifth group had left without incident, people started to calm down. The meeting had devolved into an escape, so I sat on one side of the wall, head on my knees. Fred sat down next to me.

"I think I get it," he said.

I sighed. "Really?"

"You share your visions when it's your arse on the line. Am I right?"

I stood up. "You're way off the mark. But think what you want of me, Fred Weasley. I don't care anymore."

The room was nearly empty when Harry finally pointed at me. I went with Cho and Luna, and I made a mental note to slap Harry when I next saw him.

"Do you know if Harry and Hermione are going together?" Cho asked.

"Careful, Kat," Luna said, "Or you'll step on a nargle."

We barely avoided Mrs. Norris, and parted next to a statue of a sleeping witch. Finally, I made my way up to the dorm, just as the trio did.

"Thanks," Harry said. "That was close."

"Someone sold you out," I said.

Ron nodded. "We'll find 'em. Bloody idiot."

Hermione crossed her arms. "Was that your first vision?" she asked.

I nodded. "What should I expect?"

"They should become more frequent."

"Cool."

She sighed. "Be careful."

I walked upstairs and fell asleep, finally feeling optimistic.

OOO

Alright, guys. As I said. I have the next three chapters already written. Want em?

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Thanks for reading!