Chapter 7: The Truth Comes Out
Disclaimer –don't own it single handedly =p
Christmas was slowly approaching the heavily snow covered grounds of Hogwarts. Christmas break was declared earlier that year because of heavy snowfall. Only three students had decided to stay back, everyone else apart from the Dumbledores and Headmaster Dippet had decided to stay back and since the castle was almost empty the McGonagalls and Longbottoms had decided to join them much to the headmaster's happiness since he had William's company to have a couple of drinks with in the evening.
"What's this?" asked Katherine as William handed her a small parcel covered in golden paper.
"An early Christmas present I give to every one every year. Of course the children get two, making them love me more," William grinned.
It looked like some hair had decided to show on his bald patch in the middle of his red head. Katherine kissed his cheek making him blush. Celina was standing a distance away from them.
"You didn't have to do that you sweet, sweet man," Katherine smiled.
"I wanted to, " William said with a smile.
Katherine opened her gift which contained a white gold chain with a pendant of a cat with "KAT" inscribed on it.
"Oh Will it's wonderful!" Katherine squealed quickly hooking the chain around her neck.
William beamed at her and her childish excitement. Then his smile vanished as he turned toward his wife.
William walked up to Celina who smiled at her husband walking towards her but William didn't smile back he just handed the gift to Celina who continued smiling at him. He then saw one of his children and hurried toward her.
"August…" beamed William at his daughter wanting to get away from Celina as fast as possible.
Celina slumped a bit but hungrily tore the gift paper from the gift revealing a scarf; her smile dropped and so did Katherine's.
Katherine really did feel sorry for her even though she didn't really like her that much.
Celina had seen what William had given Katherine so why did she get a scarf she wondered. Did William exchange the gifts by mistake? Must have been; it had to be... or did he not love her anymore like he use to? He used to be crazy about her, head over heals in love they were…..were...
Oh Merlin this is all my fault isn't it she thought. It has to be but what else could I do; time changed. He was never interested in me after I got the girls and then we fell apart due to my selfish behavior... even though I had everything ...but it wasn't my fault completely was it? It can't be can it? Oh Merlin help me I still do love him I just wish he could see me like he saw me before.
Katherine listened to the other woman's thoughts secretly and decided to stop flirting with William as much from there on. She decided to help Celina but that was only if the woman asked for her help. After all Katherine was from a proud lineage and wasn't going to stoop her ego any further than that. She knew Celina would come to her soon…
"Snowflakes, gifts and chocolates
Will Santa come?
Will he eat these home made cookies? ......da...da…da…dum…da…da....Dum……" sang Katherine loudly and perfectly; accompanied by Frank and Isabella.
Katherine had won over Dippet's heart as well and was granted permission to help the house elves decorate the castle; though the house elves didn't approve of a grand woman like her working with them. Of course like the rest in the castle they got accustomed to her very easily and most of the beings in the castle were singing the little rhyme she made up.
"Argh! I'll kill the next person who sings that wretched song! Sweet Merlin that woman is a pain!" Celina exclaimed sitting down on the couch next to Augusta. Augusta rose an eye brow and made a face.
"You're just saying that because no one would sing a rhyme you would make. It would probably be all about purebloods or something…" commented Augusta rudely.
"When will you learn not to back answer your elders, I cannot believe you're my daughter," said Celina.
"Me neither," said Augusta making Celina lose some color from her face Augusta always meant what she said 'always' she never meant the thing she said before but Augusta did. It pained Celina to see her daughter hate her.
What is wrong with me? Why are my emotions suddenly all over are the place? Celina asked herself.
"That's enough you two. Mum she isn't as bad as you make her," said Minerva realizing what Augusta had said hurt her mother.
"She flirts with my husband," Said Celina offended.
"At least someone does," mumbled Augusta.
"That's enough August. Mum haven't we talked about this?" said Minerva pleadingly.
"First my husband, then my grandchildren, and now my daughters," Replied Celina sadly.
"She wouldn't be a threat to you if you'd be a bit more considerate," said Augusta leaving the room.
"Considerate? Minerva do you not think I am not considerate?" Celina asked hoping for a bit of moral support.
"I have to go check on Isabella mum I'll see you later," said Minerva sadly leaving Celina alone.
"I really need a one on one with this woman," Said Celina. She stood and left the Dumbledores private quarters in search of the insufferable woman. She found her easily enough on a tall ladder hanging garland and still singing that ridiculous song!
"Ahem!" Celina coughed standing next to Katherine's ladder. Frank looked down at his feet and Isabella pouted on Celina's approach.
"Snowflakes….." Katherine continued to sing thinking she'd heard Dolores Umbridge's throat clearing.
"Ahem!" Celina cleared her throat even harder.
"Snow..." Damn that cough again who is it? Katherine thought to herself. She looked down and was grateful it was only Celina.
"Oh! Hello," Katherine smiled her custom smile. She knew it was time. She knew what to do. She also knew that this wasn't going to be very easy for Celina or herself.
"Go to your room your mother was looking for you Isabella, you too Frank," Celina snapped. The children ran off sure something bad was going down.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" said Celina her voice only slightly wavering.
"Honoria Katherine Harris- McGonagall- Black ...at least I think so... I prefer Katherine however. Anything else I can help you with? " Katherine smiled.
Celina's eyes narrowed and she slapped Katherine hard.
Katherine reeled slightly shocked. She'd anticipated some colorful language and a screaming session knowing Celina wasn't going to open up easily but ...she didn't see a slap in the picture at all.
Before Katherine could retaliate Celina fell to her knees and wept. Celina usually didn't cry she usually always bottled up everything. Everything was out now. She needed this woman's help. She wished she hadn't slapped her but she was so angry and hurt it had just happened and now she was certain Katherine would run off to the others and she'd be alone.
"Oh! You poor, poor dear.." Katherine cooed dropping to her knees by the woman and holding her.
The woman was so much younger than her and still so pretty she wondered why she hid herself behind that mask. Then Katherine mentally knocked herself in the head remembering somethings in this world were the same as her. Katherine never showed any emotion but happiness or anger so it made since this woman would also have a mask.
"Come on now love you can't cry in the hall all day," Katherine stated helping the woman to stand.
Katherine led Celina to her own room next to Isabella's. Thankfully no one else was around. Her cheek was still throbbing and red but she needed to help this lady first. After all she wasn't Minerva's mother this woman was. That role Katherine held in another universe. It was possible because of their shared role that she felt attached to the woman and had decided to help her instead of ignore her.
"Sit down dear… there we go is that better... Yes now tell me everything Celina. I have all the time in the world I promise," Said Katherine soothingly applying some ice on her own cheek.
Both women sat on the couch and Katherine's large green eyes became soft and welcoming. The same look she gave her own children in her own universe to get them to open up. They were trusting eyes and it still worked because Celina slowly spilled her heart out.
"I was born in the Black family. My family never cared about me and the only time they did was when I married Will. I was invisible in school and Will was the popular one. I never had any friends and my brothers and sisters always poked fun at me for that … I was not even very good at practical subjects. Displeasing everyone further," Celina sighed as the tears started falling again.
Katherine made and odd noise that sounded rather like an annoyed feline. She placed her ice on the table and scooted closer to Celina listening intently.
"My meeting Will was even a coincidence. We meet in our fifth year; he knew my name and was probably the only one who did. But he was in Gryffindor, famous and the whole school knew him! He and his friends were playing pranks and he got lost in the forest. The forest was my only refuge; I still go there sometimes to spend some time with the centaurs," Celina continued on. She stopped a moment and looked at Katherine through the corner of her eye.
There was a darkness in Katherine's usually sparkling eyes and Celina wondered if maybe...just maybe her life wasn't what everyone thought it was.
"Go on dear," Katherine pushed gently.
"Well, Will was hurt so I helped him and then we kept meeting and fell in love. He loved me so much he did. Then people started to find out about us and suddenly everyone wanted to talk to me! My parents were against us though my sister was fine with it secretly, she loves me too much..." Celina chuckled a bit. Katherine smiled.
"My brother still talks to me because my only true friend married him. Then Will and I got married and I had the girls and Will started going on missions for the Ministry and we couldn't really keep it the same since then. He hasn't even said "I love you" since Minerva was born. So I got more engrossed with my girls. Augusta hated it; she always wanted to be left alone and now she thinks I'm not considerate," Celina sighed.
"I see," Katherine nodded.
"Will thinks I hate him and my grandchildren act like they've seen a monster or something. I know I was not correct in Albus' case but I do try to make it up to him. I just wish he'd be a bit more open towards me. Sometimes I feel like killing myself I really do... but what's the use I'm too scared to do that as well…" Celina finished tearfully.
Katherine had tears glistening in her eyes that didn't fall. Her own past was horrible and she felt a kindred spirit in some odd way with this woman who really did remind her too much of Dolores Umbridge. Aside from that though she had to help this woman and a plan started grinding in the gears of her mind.
"Don't worry dear you'll get your family back I promise," Katherine smiled gently wiping away the woman's tears like you would a child.
"How Katherine I screwed up everything ...big time..." Celina sighed. Oddly she realized Katherine had this strange mothering quality to her that really did put you at ease. It made her spill her heart to a stranger after all.
"Don't worry dear… I am there to help you and when Kat's here there's nothing to fear!" Katherine exclaimed thrusting her finger in the air. This got a genuine smile back from Celina who looked pretty. It seemed like she had forgotten to smile.
Katherine had definitely a lot to do… and fast..