The rest of the week passed by uneventfully, though, after the incident with Snape, people treated Kat with a lot more respect. The day of the Quidditch match dawned bright and clear, and as she gulped down an early breakfast, Draco hurried up to her. He pushed a small package toward her, then said quickly, "Sorry, I have to go, I'm not supposed to be down here yet." Then he rushed back upstairs. Kat opened the small box and gasped. Inside was a beautiful silver ring.

The band was shaped to look like two serpents twisted together. The heads of the serpents met at the top of the ring, mouths open, and holding a small ice-blue jewel. Just like his eyes, Kat thought, and slipped it on her finger. Then she picked up the note that came with the box.

My Dearest Kat,

Here is a gift to remember me by. I hope it brings

you good luck today. Even though I won't be there, my

thoughts fly with you.

Your Heart's Seeker,

Draco

Kat smiled as she picked up the Firebolt and headed to the locker room, Draco's ring on her finger.

********************

Kat met the rest of the team in the locker room and headed onto the field. They were playing Ravenclaw, and as the two teams met in the center of the field, Madame Hooch said briskly, "Right, Captains, shake hands." Kat smiled at the Ravenclaw captain, Anna Darcy, and shook her hand. She smiled back and said, "'Lo Kat. Good luck today,"

"And good luck to you, too," Kat replied. Anna was her friend, and she always hated playing against friends. However, both she and Anna had mutually agreed to drop all bonds of friendship during games. Well, almost all of them, anyway. "Mount your brooms," said Madame Hooch tersely. "On my whistle…"

The whistle blew, and both teams kicked off simultaneously. Kat immediately set off in search of the Snitch, with Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw Seeker, close behind her. Dimly, Kat heard Lee Jordan's commentary as she scanned the field, looking for a telltale glimmer of gold. "And they're off! Angelina Johnson has the Quaffle, and is heading towards the Ravenclaw goal. She throws the Quaffle and—oh, The Ravenclaw Keeper, Anna Darcy catches it…"

Kat tuned him out and continued looking for the Snitch. A gold flash about fifteen feet below her caught her eye. Behind her, Cho dropped into a sharp dive; she had seen it too. As Kat prepared to follow her, Anna yelled, "Kat, look out!"

Kat froze. A Bludger was coming straight at her, but there was no possible way that she could move her broom in time. She did the only thing she could think of.

She jumped straight up, and the Bludger shot between her legs. Kat dropped back down on her broom and dove after Cho. Avoiding the Bludger had cost her several precious seconds. Cho suddenly pulled up out of the dive and looked puzzled. Kat's sharp eyes caught a glint of gold behind her, and she shot off after it, Cho close behind her. The Snitch was so close, but it glittered tantalizingly just out of reach.

Kat urged the Firebolt harder, and reached out her arm. She gritted her teeth and stretched, fingers straining, and her hand closed around—nothing. She gave a growl of annoyance, and shot off after the Snitch, which had reappeared halfway down the field.

Kat glanced up at the scoreboard, and saw that it was fifty to thirty, Ravenclaw. Then she dove as she glimpsed the Snitch fluttering at the foot of the Gryffindor goalpost. Kat stretched out her arm and her fingers closed, not on nothing this time, but on the tiny, struggling Snitch. She braked the Firebolt, and raised her hand triumphantly as the cheering fans poured out onto the field.

************

Draco came running up to Kat a few hours later and gave her a big hug, sweeping her off her feet, and swinging her around. He kissed her forehead and said, "Sorry I couldn't come. But I heard you won! That's wonderful!" he said happily. Kat smiled at him and they both walked hand in hand back to the Gryffindor Common Room, chatting amicably about nothing in particular.

"Oy!" said Ron as they entered the room. He was sitting in an armchair near the fire and holding out a letter to Kat. "It just arrived," he said. "I think it's from Mum." "Great!" Kat said. "It must be a birthday card." Draco froze. "It's your birthday?" he asked worriedly. "But I didn't get you anything!" Kat smiled and said, "My birthday isn't until tomorrow. You don't need to get me anything though. I already got something from you." She discreetly fingered the beautiful ring he had given her. Draco sat down on the couch and said, "I know, but I still feel horrible for not—." "Oh, stop it!" she laughed, giving him a peck on the cheek as she settled down on the couch beside him.

Just then, Kat noticed the long, thin parcel on the floor next to Ron's chair. She gave a shriek of delight and pounced on it, ripping it open excitedly.

"It's the Firebolt!" she squealed, and Ron winced. "Bloody hell, Kat," he complained. "Turn it down a bit, will you?" "Sorry," Kat said, calming down a little. Then, with a confused look, Ron pulled two more broom-shaped packages from behind his chair. "Hang on," he said in a confused voice. If that's your new broom, then what are these?"

Kat gave a mischievous grin and said, "Oh, I almost forgot! Ron, that's yours, and Draco, this is for you. Consider it a late Christmas present." Ron got his open first, and sat gaping in shock. Then, Draco finished unwrapping his, and they both gawked at the shiny new Firebolts on their laps.

Draco was the first to move. He flung his arms around her neck and kissed her hard on the mouth. Kat closed her eyes and returned the kiss. Its intensity grew stronger and stronger, until a voice said, "Ugh, gross! That's disgusting! Get a room you two!" They broke apart, and looked up to see the Weasely twins. It was Fred who had spoken; George was behind him, gleefully making loud retching noises. Ron still hadn't moved, and sat staring at his new broom until Fred and George left the room, still laughing at Kat and Draco.

Suddenly, Ron looked up, and said, "I can't take this, Kat. It's too much." Kat snorted. "Don't be silly, Ron. It's not too much if you own the factory that makes them!" Ron gaped. "You own the factory?" he asked disbelievingly. "It belonged to my father," Kat said. "I inherited it from him."

"Oh," said Ron. "Well, thanks, Kat," he said awkwardly. "I'm going to go show Hermione!" Then he dashed out.

Kat looked back at Draco, and knew that he was thinking the same thing as she. "Draco, please don't ever tempt me like that again," she said. He nodded. "I was thinking the same thing," he agreed. "Thanks for the broom, though," he added. "No problem," Kat said, and this time she kissed him. But this time, instead of the reckless fire and passion that had threatened earlier to consume them both, it was a pure and innocent kiss, full of love and emotion.

***************

"My Lord Voldemort, your plans are continually being ruined by Kat and Draco. How should this damage be repaired?" The young Death Eater was gazing into the fireplace, speaking to the man (if it could be called such) whose head had appeared in the flames. The voice snarled, "Rip them apart."

The young Death Eater looked startled. "You mean, kill them, My Lord?" The Dark Lord hissed, sounding like a snake about to strike. "No, you fool!" he said.

"Then what, My Lord?" asked the Death Eater. The Dark Lord continued, savoring each word with malevolent enjoyment. "Sever the bond of love between them; poison their minds against one another." The Dark Lord hissed again, more softly this time, his teeth bared in an evil grimace. "That is far more painful than death!

"When the time is right, I will dispose of them myself." he finished with an evil laugh. The curtains at the back of the room shifted slightly, but the movement went unnoticed by both of them. Lord Voldemort's image flickered slightly and he said, "I must leave; I am too weak to continue.

"You have served me well, Felix Malfoy, and your rewards will be great." The image flickered again, then faded from view as young Felix Malfoy rose, and hurried from the room.