The Dancer

Chapter 3

Cait looked around her Charms classroom. It was already three weeks into classes and she hadn't done one thing towards achieving her goal of befriending the Golden Trio.

She could see them from her seat, as the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws shared a Charms double hour. She sighed and continued her assigned reading.

When Professor Binns finally dismissed the class, Cait took her time packing her belongings into her bag before making her way towards the library. She had overheard Granger telling her friends that she would be skipping lunch to study for the upcoming Ancient Runes exam.

As Cait entered the library, she saw the brunette seated at a table, head down, and eyes scanning over her notes.

"Excuse me, Granger?" She called politely and waited for the girl to respond.

Slowly, Hermione Granger's eyes rose from the table, focusing on the taller girl with the teal eyes. "Yes?"

"I was wondering if I could study with you. I seem to have fallen behind a little in Ancient Runes and I'm dreadfully anxious about the exam."

The shorter brunette's eyes clouded slightly with suspicion before she finally nodded and pulled some of her books back, making space for Cait.

"Thank you," Cait responded with a relieved tone as she sank down into the chair opposite the other girl.

For a long while, they hesitantly quizzed each other in hushed tones. Slowly, they gradually began to feel comfortable with each other, and when it was time for them to go take their test, the girls stood and walked to class together.

After their first encounter, Cait found it easier to approach Hermione. Soon they found themselves studying together quite frequently.

"Hey, Cait?"

Cait looked up from her Advanced Potions book to find Hermione staring back at her. Cait smiled in encouragement for her to go on.

"Harry, Ron and I are going to Hogsmeade this afternoon. I was wondering if you'd like to join us."

Cait took in a deep breath and pushed her text away. This could be her big chance. "That sounds like a fantastic idea. I don't know how much longer I can stare at my Potion's book."

"Great," Hermione smiled, "Meet us in the Great Hall in fifteen minutes?"

Cait nodded as she threw her books into her bag. "Fifteen minutes."

Fifteen minutes later, Cait was exactly where she said she would be. She watched as the Trio approached. Almost as soon as Weasley spotted her and saw that she was who Hermione was smiling at, he stopped the group.

Cait could hear bits of the conversation, most of which was Weasley telling Hermione that there was no way he was going anywhere with a Nott.

"Hi,"

Cait looked up, startled, to find herself staring into emerald colored eyes. She had been so intent on listening to what the Red-head had to say that she had allowed her eyes to drift downward and she hadn't been listening for anyone to approach her.

"Oh hello, Potter." She called back, cheerily, once she had recovered.

"They'll be at this for a while," he explained, tilting his head towards his friends. "What do you say we get there without them?"

Cait nodded and they fell into step together, making their way towards the alley of shops.

"You can't really blame Ron for being suspicious," Harry said as he and Cait passed a small group of fifth years. "You are a Nott after all, and well, your brother is in Slytherin."

Cait nodded. "I can't say that I accept it, but I know that most people avoid me because of my family."

"You're not like them though, are you?"

Cait shook her head, "No, I'm not." She claimed, feeling a slight twinge of guilt at lying. She wasn't really like them, but here she was, working on a mission for the Dark Lord, just like her father.

The two fell back into silence as they walked among the stores. Harry suggested visiting the Quidditch shop and Cait agreed to it.

As soon as they stepped in the door, Cait wished she hadn't agreed. Draco's blonde hair caught her eye from across the store. She hoped that he would ignore them, although she doubted that she would be that lucky.

"Well, look what we've got here," drawled Draco's familiar voice, "Nott stooping down to dating Potty."

"Buggar off, Malfoy," Cait called in a cool voice. She knew that he was only doing this to help her and she was grateful, but she had to keep up appearances.

"I'm sure Daddy wouldn't approve of this relationship," Draco continued to taunt.

"And since when have I cared what Thomas Nott thought of me?" She spat back. She could see the amusement in his eyes and she had to force herself not to smile. "Now, buggar off." She finally said before turning away from him and pulling Harry towards the other side of the shop.

"He's not worth the effort," she said to Harry quietly as they left the shop.

"He's not worth the air he breaths," Harry responded darkly.

Cait was relieved when she saw Hermione and Ron approaching.

"There you two are," Hermione greeted, "want to head over to the Three Broomsticks?"

When Cait returned from dinner, she made her way up to the Ravenclaw common room. She watched as underclassmen chattered excitedly about what they had gotten while at Hogsmeade and who they had seen there together.

"How was Hogsmeade?" Luna Lovegood asked as Cait walked into their shared dorm.

"Pleasant," Cait responded as she climbed onto her bed.

Luna had always struck her as an odd girl, especially with her talk of Moon Frogs and mysterious theories on the Minister. But there was something about the girl that kept Cait from wanting to hex her to oblivion. Perhaps it was the fact that the girl had an uncanny way of knowing Cait.

Cait grabbed her jazz pants and a hot pink dance tank before heading into the bathroom and changing.

"Dancing cleanses the soul." Luna said as Cait stepped out of the bathroom.

"I agree, Luna." Cait smiled as she slid on a pair of flats and grabbed her point shoes. "I'll be back in a few hours."

"Have a good routine," Luna called, "But watch out for the Nargles, they're out strong tonight. Oh, and Cait? I hope you figure out whatever it is that is troubling you."

After finding an empty room, Cait flipped on her music player and then began her stretches and warm ups. It had been about a week since she had gotten a chance to dance and she could feel it in her legs as she warmed up.

As she began to dance, thoughts of her mission began to fill her mind. She couldn't get the image of Voldemort killing one of the Trio out of her mind. She knew that Voldemort wanted her to drive a wedge between the three in an attempt to weaken Potter, but she wasn't sure how far he'd take it. Would he kill Hermione to weaken him further? Would he force her to kill Ron?

She stumbled, nearly losing her footing. She caught herself before leaning against the wall and slowly lowering herself to the ground.

"Cait?"

Cait didn't move from her spot against the wall, head resting on her knees.

The person who had called her sighed and sat on the ground beside her. Gently he put an arm around her and pulled her towards him.

"Oh, Draco," she whispered, resting her head on his chest and attempting to stop the flow of tears from her eyes.

"Sh, Caity, it's okay," he said, rubbing her arm in a comforting way.

"I don't want to do this. I don't want to be a part of this. All I can think about is how I am going to end up like my father or like Bellatrix."

Draco pulled her closer, wrapping her in his arms. Cait slid her arms around his waist and closed her eyes.

"You can't be forced to become who you are not. You aren't your father and you aren't Bellatrix LeStrange. You are strong and good. Voldemort can't change that."

"He already is. I'm already helping to weaken the bond between Potter and the others."

"That doesn't make you weak. He is holding your life and Theo's over your head. You are doing what you can to save your lives. It's survival, Caity."

Cait was quiet for a long time, listening to the soothing beats of Draco's heart and his even breathing.

"Why are you doing this for me, Draco? I was awful to you last year when you were in this situation."

"I know what it feels like to be at his mercy." He replied, resting his cheek against the top of her head.

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, Caity,"

Cait looked up, her teal eyes catching Draco's gray ones. Slowly, almost as if being magnetized, Cait brought her lips to Draco's. She kissed him softly before pulling back.

Draco smiled and then kissed her temple as he pulled her head back down to rest on his chest, holding her tightly.