Chapter Five

Katherine had fallen to sleep before Scabior had even gone into the tent that night. She had drifted off while thinking about their conversation earlier that day. He was such a flirt and a bit cocky. But he had obviously been able to get what he wanted for years because of it. She could tell that he knew how much power he had over her and she was a little ashamed for giving in and telling him so much. But at the same time she felt like she could trust him. Besides, it felt surprisingly good to talk to someone. It was like a weight had been lifted.

When she woke up, the team did about the same thing they had done the day before. Except this time, their victims weren't hidden beneath wards and Katherine had led them straight to them. The Snatchers usually beat them into admitting their names or blood-status and they would whisk them off to the Ministry to collect their gold.

The next few days continued the same pattern. Katherine had taken to finding the nearest tree once they reached their destination and hiding behind it until it was time to go to the Ministry. She couldn't stand to watch the Snatchers torture their prey. Scabior could be particularly cruel, holding the cruciatus curse for minutes and thrashing them till they could hardly stand on their own. The most horrifying experiences were when Scabior let Greyback finish a few people off.

Scabior's team was soon catching more muggle-borns and undesirables than any other Snatchers and they were making more gold than anybody too. But as the Snatcher's pride increased, so did Katherine's feeling of guilt. She watched the innocent muggle-borns being drug away and knew that it was her fault. She had led the Snatchers to them. She watched them be tortured and she let it happen. How could I have been so selfish? What would mum say? She began to regret her treaty she made but knew that it was too late. The Ministry would never let her go now that there were more muggle-borns being caught than ever.

It took everything inside her not to pull out her wand against the Snatchers as she watched them taunt their catches. But she thought of her father suffering in Azkaban. She didn't want to make his fate any worse. Besides… maybe one day she could see him again. At times, she wanted to go right up to Scabior and smack him hard across the face. He loved the power, she could see it in his eyes and Katherine knew that if she were going to make things any easier for the muggle-borns, it would have to start with him.

But strangely, Katherine had grown quite close to Scabior over the past few days. When she was with him, she felt safe, protected. Knowing how malicious Scabior could be, Katherine liked being on the side where the curses were being shot away from her and she didn't want to know what it was like on the other side. This only made her want to be near him and she got the feeling that he felt the same way. For instance, she could apparate perfectly well on her own, but somehow she always ended up wrapped in his arms whenever they disappeared. He even started taking her with him to Gringott's while the other men wasted their gold away at pubs.

Inside, Katherine felt very torn. She could almost say she was falling for him whenever they were together. But she hated the way he treated the muggle-borns. Could she convince him to change? Every magazine she had ever read as a teenager told her "no", but she was still willing to try and this was the only way she could ease her guilt.

Katherine woke up early one day and decided to go outside. Grabbing a jacket and a scarf, she walked past Scabior sleeping soundly in the tent. The sun was just starting to rise and the sky had a pink-orange glow above the thick forest.

Scabior heard Katherine get up. He waited a few minutes then dressed and followed her outside. She was standing by a tree looking up at the sky as it slowly brightened for the coming day. She knew he was there but she didn't turn around. He came and stood next to her looking in the same direction as her.

"Mornin' beautiful," he said noticing how her hair turned golden in the sunlight.

"Morning." Katherine kept looking at the color-changing sky. She finally turned to look at him surprised he had already dressed.

"Hey we match," she said pointing out her plaid flannel pajama pants. Scabior smiled looking down at his own plaid pants. Katherine examined his clothes more carefully.

"Where'd you get this," she asked tugging at his pink scarf. She knew there had to be a reason for a man which such a tough aura to wear such a feminine scarf.

"I found it," he said toying with the end of the scarf, "I was in the woods one day tracking some mudbloods. It was wrapped around a tree and I thought it must signal the location of a campsite. But I couldn't find it. I looked everywhere. It had the strongest scent and I could smell it nearby but I knew that whoever was there was hidden under wards. It's been my goal to catch them ever since."

"Hm," said Katherine as she began to walk back to the fire. He followed her expecting her to say more.

"What is it?" he asked as they sat down beside the fire.

"I just don't really see the point of it all," she said vaguely.

"The point of what?"

"Why do you do this? I mean, I know it's for the gold but you seem to take it all pretty seriously."

"Well, it's my job."

"Does your job say that you have to torture everyone you capture?" Katherine wasn't sure the reaction she would get.

"What are you getting at?" Scabior looked at her suspiciously.

"I asked you first."

"How d'you expect me to catch anyone if they're fightin' back?"

"I know but you don't have to kill them," Katherine looked down.

"Who said anything about killin'?"

"I saw what you let Fenrir do the other night," Katherine said quietly, "He tore that man to shreds." Scabior sighed.

"Listen. You've got to understand werewolves," he said carefully, "If you don't let them have their way every once in a while, they get really pissed and...violent." Scabior paused making sure she was listening.

"It's for your protection. I've seen werewolves turn on their own families before. And I've seen a few mudbloods get pretty nasty too." Scabior looked over at Katherine noticing the worried look on her face, "Don' worry. We can't have our most valuable player get hurt. I'll make sure of that." Scabior patted her on the back but she still felt uneasy. Had she even gotten through to him?

Katherine monitored Scabior carefully. The only change she noticed was that he seemed to be saying "crucio" less. But he still ended up using brute force on most of the victims. Maybe he had listened to her a little? Or maybe he was right and this was the only way...What are you thinking Katherine? The only way? You're turning into one of them.

But it was partly true. She could outrun everyone except Scabior...and Greyback doesn't count. She had had to defend herself several times against angry undesirables. She had even blocked countless curses that were being launched towards the brainless trio, Brooks, Todd, and Campbell. And Katherine had started using her talent in other ways than just locating.

One afternoon while they were sprinting after several muggle-borns, Katherine used her senses to apparate to the exact position of the escapees. Her instincts were so accurate that she cut them off completely, allowing the other Snatchers to catch up and finish them off.

"That was brilliant what you did back there," Scabior said to her later that night around the campfire, "You're practically one of us now."

Katherine tried to smile at the compliment but she felt her stomach drop. She was reminded of her dream to be an Auror...not a Snatcher. I guess this is good practice.