The five students serving detention were being led to Hagrid hut by the mouth of the forest. The caretaker Filch got great pleasure in attempting to scare the student. It was helped along by Katherine teasing Malfoy who was the most scared of the group. "But there are werewolves in there" he protested. Everyone was confused when Katherine-Mai started laughing quite loudly.
"Sorry, it's just. The irony." she said, wiping a tear of laughter "That you spend you time mocking me for being muggle-born, yet you're the one scared of werewolves and my non-magic family have already taken down a good few of them. Seriously, you think I can't kick your ass?" she revealed "You should probably be nicer to people Draco, you never know what their family will have up there sleeve" she added darkly at his shocked expression. "Also it isn't a full moon tonight you dumbass" she added on a second thought.
"Is that true, about your family?" Hermione asked. Katherine just shrugged.
"Different type of werewolf, when a muggle is turned into one they thirst for human heart and have little to no restraint. Wizard werewolves can control themselves to a point" she revel eased "Simple silver bullet to the heart and bobs your uncle" she added.
"You say that like it's no big deal" Harry commented.
"It is no big deal" the brunette shrugged
~ 0 ~
She looked at the silver blood in front of her, proof of the existence of unicorns. She suppose that was pretty cool. She thought back to the day when she found out about the supernatural
"Dean, Sammy. You don't have to lie anymore. I know what dad does." she admitted to her two elder brothers as they fed her a story about how there dad was away working for the government. They always did there best to make him sound as honourable as possible. The two boys looked at the seven year old in shock. "And It's kinda cool, as long as he saves the good ones. Like fairies and unicorns. And he tells me if he ever find my fairy godmother because one of these days if I ever go to a ball I'm going to need a dress" she added thoughtfully. Her brothers stare at her, wondering if either of them have the heart to tell her that unicorns don't exist.
"Uh, Mai-pie,. How did you find out?" Dean asked her and she looked up at his with her signature look, a raised eyebrow, head lowered a little and looking up at him under her lashes. It just screamed 'are you stupid or something' and was actually quite intimidating on the small girl.
"I heard you and dad talking when I was pretending to be asleep." she said "Duh" she added before shaking her head in disbelief that her brother even had to ask as she returned to her drawings.
"Yeah well, I don't think there is any chance of dad meeting Santa clause, lets put it like that" Dean finally said as he saw her drawing of a pink horse with a horn.
"Well obvious Dean. Santa isn't really. Only babies believe that" She said to her brother who was taken aback whilst Sam tried to hide his laugh "It's the tooth fairy you got to look out for. Besides, if Santa is real then that means I'm a bad kid because I don't get presents at Christmas. And you and Sammy are the best brothers ever and you don't get presents even though you're good" she said with simplicity "That's how I know Santa isn't real" she added with a shrug. "Any, who needs Santa, Winchesters only need each other" she added with a dazzling smile.
Dean Winchester watched his youngest sibling, his baby sister, who had never had a real Christmas, lived in crappy motels and at seven years old lost belief in Santa, but it didn't matter because she put her belief in her family. Sure she may not understand everything that's happening, but Dean had a lot of respect for his sister just then. And even though she was just a kid, and he would protect her for as long as she would let him. Heck he would protect her anyway full stop. He realise in that very second. She was going to be alright.
Katherine walked besides Hagrid, Ron on his other side and Hermione next Katherine. The walk through the forest was uneventful until they heard a scream. Soon they saw Draco Malfoy, he was alone. "Where's Harry" they all demanded.
"There was something out there" Draco said, not answering the question. He didn't need to because moments later Harry was back, riding on the back of a centaur. Hermione and Katherine sprinted over, pulling the lightning sacred boy into a tight hug.
"Don't you ever worry me like that again young man" Katherine-Mai said in a teasingly mothering tone which lightened the tension. However it wasn't completely gone until they were out of the forest. Of course, one in the Gryffindor common room and hearing how Voldemort was the one behind everything, and Snape was working for him, it made everything worse again.
~ 0 ~
Hogwarts exams were tedious. She had never felt more tired, that's what she wrote in the letter being sent to Bobby Singer. She told him everything that was happening, knowing he would be worried. She didn't really write letter to her father anymore. He never replied anyway. She was stood in the owlry when her three best friend stormed up "Where the fire?" she asked them, although said it jokingly concern was clear on her face.
"Dumbledore's gone, and McGonagall doesn't believe us about the stone getting stolen. Hagrid let slip to Snape about how to send Fluffy to sleep, and we're going to stop him tonight" Harry summarised. Katherine shrugged.
"Well common then, we got work to do"
Neville Longbottom was the last person they suspected would be the one standing in their way. But as he propose a fight between them. One everyone knew he wouldn't win, Katherine felt a great deal of respect for him. She felt bad when Hermione froze him, catching him before eh could topple backwards and hurt his head "Sorry Neville, but for the record. I think that was very honourable of you" She complimented before leaving, getting under Harry's invisibility cloak, making sure the small bag she had packed was covered as well.
Although spending almost half her lie training for the unknown, to fight. Katherine-Mai Winchester counted this as her first hunt. She expected by the end of it they would have taken down the bad guy, and they had planned everything out carefully before hand. Just like she had seen her dad do when taking Dean on hunts. She felt butterflies of anticipation in her stomach as Hermione unlocked the door and expected fluffy the dog to start singing, but looking in the corner of the room she saw a harp playing. "We're too late, we have to hurry" She said as she moved a giant paw out of the way. "Want me to go first?" She wondered, looking down the dark hole that seemed to go on for ages. Without waiting for an answer, the daring girl, now twelve years old after celebrating a birthday nobody knew about until the day it's self, swung her legs around and dropped down with the friends waiting anxiously for her to talk to them "It's okay" she said. "The landing is soft" she added and was soon joined by Hermione, then Ron and after a growl from Fluffy the dog, Harry was joining them as well.
It was Hermione that lit her wand with the simple spell Lumos. "Oh crap" Katherine said as she looked around "Ron stop moving" she ordered, earning a confused look.
"It's Devils Snare, look at yourselves" Hermione said and the boys looked down to see there bodies wrapped up in the plant. "Stay still" she ordered, doing so herself and soon slipping down. Katherine did the same. She didn't often to her homework, but on occasion she was known to do so. It just so happened the essay on Devil snares was one she did because it interested her. "He's not being still" Hermione commented as Harry dropped down next to them.
"Wait, Devil snares hate sunlight." Katherine said, digging into her bag and pulling out a UV torch, turning it on and using wingardium leviosa to lift it by the plant, soon causing it to untangle and try to shield away from the light. Ron soon dropped to the floor by them, trying to pull himself together and act cool. She let the torch drop and caught it single handily.
"Nice catch" Harry complimented and she grinned, sending him a wink as they approached a door where a flapping sound could be heard form the other side. Opening the door they saw shiny looking birds, and a broomstick. "Wait, are they keys?" Harry wondered and the others nodded as Ron went over and examined the door handle
"You're looking for a big old fashioned key, probably brass like the handle" Ron said and they soon spotted it.
"It's too easy" Harry said.
"Oh Harry, you don't ever say it's too easy. Nothing ever goes good when you say that. Man, you just jinxed us" Katherine complained. It was evident exactly what the aftermath of his words would be as Harry touched the broomstick and all the flying keys that were happily drifting through the air, herded together and zoomed straight for Harry. "Common Harry, you can do this." Katherine encouraged.
"Catch it" he called to the group as he throws it to Hermione who catches the key and unlocks the door. The three on the group go through and wait for Harry to fly through the door, shutting it quickly as the other keys still go for him. They can hear the thump on the other end as the door gets hit.
Looking around at the newest room they see broken pieces everywhere, it looks like an old graveyard but from experience Katherine knew it wasn't. it was Ron that identified where the really were. A chess board, one they had to play there way through to get to the other end. One where the pieces were alive and just like in real wizarding chess, would smash you up if your piece was taken. Not only that, but Ron was the only one that could play. Katherine repelled chess, Dean always one when they played on days when there was literally nothing else to do. She always lost, in fact it was a miracle if the game lasted more than a handful of minutes. Dean only liked playing her because he found great amusement in her reactions. She shared a place with Hermione, the queen right side castle. The two girl joined hands and it was then that Katherine really appreciated having a fellow female around. Especially one that wasn't incredibly girly.
Piece after piece smashed in front of there eyes, all of them were slightly dusted in rubble, but it was when Harry started panicking ad Ron had such a serious expression on his face that she got worried. "What? What is it?"
"He's going to sacrifice himself" Harry concluded.
"Ron no" Hermione said but Katherine stayed silent. She thought about the situation. They really did need to stop Snape but was it worth one of her friends getting serious injured. If the situation is reversed she would do it, but she didn't want somebody else to. She figured that made her a hypocrite.
"He has to Hermione." Katherine finally sighed. Ron gave her a nod, some people would be insulted but after spending a year with the girl, even Ronald Weasley. The worst person Katherine had ever met at understanding anybody else feelings, knew at least a little of her thinking. She knew it had to be done for them to go forward. Even if nobody really wanted it to happen. Ron made the move, directing himself the knight, to H-3.
The game finished and they ran over to Ron who was uncurious after being hit by the queen piece. "Listen, here's the plan. I'm going to stay her with Ron. I packed some first aid supplies. I know a thing or two about looking after uncurious people. Hermione, you and Harry go on. I know what Ron said, and Harry it does have to be you that goes ahead, but no offence, you suck at potions and Snapes trap is trill up ahead. You take my bag as well. It had some rope, three torches, some money and some water and candy as well" she added, smiling weakly. "Didn't know what would be useful so I sort of just packed basics" she added and Harry had to offer a small smile, of course candy would be in the bag. "Love you losers, come back in one piece or I'll kick your ass" she warned, hugging them both tightly before pushing them towards the door.
She knelt by Rons head, using the medical supplied like anti-septic wipes and bandages to clean up his cuts. T didn't take long for him to come around. The water she held back came in handy "Have to admit it Ron, you were pretty bad ass" she chuckled at the boy who gave a grin, still dazed form being knocked out.
Hermione walked over to the two and sat down, "Harry went forward. There was only enough for him. I couldn't go" She explained and the two nodded. Ron was sat up by this point. "What do we do now? Do we wait. Harry said to go owl Dumbledore. But we can't leave him" she said anxiously.
"I don't think we have to" Ron commented at Dumbledore strode through the chess room with purpose eyeing the three.
"Is Harry at the end?" he asked and the group nodded. "Go back, it's safe for you to return" he told them simply and the three students daren't not argue with the great man.
~ 0 ~
"Am I allowed to retract any chick flick moment I may have had down there, like the hugging and such?" Katherine wondered to which her friends laughed. They were all happy, they had saved the stone, albeit from Quirell rather than Snape, stopped voldemort, Harry was okay and the school didn't seem to hate them anymore despite Gryffindor still being in last place.
"Nope" Harry said simply "You acted like a girl for once, I think we should remember this moment" he teased and she rolled her eyes playfully.
"Fine, but we don't' speak of it" Katherine conditioned.
"Fine fine" Harry nodded before slyly smirking "But we love you to Kathy" he said and laughed as he ducked away from an elbow in the ribs. The four took there seats at the Gryffindor table, looking up at all the green and silver Slytherin decorations, Katherine fought the urge to growl at Malfoys smug face. She looked up at the teachers table as Dumbledore stood, about to make his end of year speech.
"Another year gone, and now as I understand, the house cup needs to be awarded and the points stand thus. Gryffindor house is in fourth position with 312 points" there was a stop for polite, but still disappointed applause. "Hufflepuff with 352, Ravenclaw with 426 points and in first place with 522 points is Slytherin" He said and applause erupted from the table of snakes. "Yes yes, well done Slytherin. However" he said and immediately smiles dropped "Recent events needs to be taken into consideration. And I have a few last minutes points to be added" he said to which the Gryffindor looked up expectantly.
"Draco's face though" Katherine murmured to Harry and Ron who looked up and smirked
"First, to miss Hermione Granger, for sue of cool intellect when others were in great peril, I award 50 points" He said, to which Hermione went bright red with pride and people smiled at her happily. "Second, to mister Ronal Weasley, for the best played game of chest Hogwarts has seen in it's many games, I award 50 points" he said. Ron when even bright red that Hermione, his brothers looking at his with pride, Percy Weasley could be heard bragging about Ron defeating McGonagall's giant chess set. "Thirds, to miss Katherine-Mai Winchester, for resourcefulness and aiding others when injured I award 50 points" he said and Katherine gave a small salute to the headmaster as people patted her on the back. "Fourth, to mister Harry Potter, for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award 60 points" he said.
Those who were good at maths had worked it out already, Gryffindor and Slytherin were tied for the house cup. "Finally, it takes a great deal fo courage to stand up to your eneimeis, even more so to stand up to your fried. that's why I award mister Neville Longbottom 10 points" he said. By this point everybody was on there feet cheering, it was hard to hear Dumbledore announce Gryffindor as the winners but it was apparent as the decorations changed to the scarlet and gold colours of the winning house. Neville was engulfed din peoples arms and Hermione and Katherine had wrapped there arms around each other in a tight hug whilst jumping up and down. People were throwing there hats in the air and none of the teachers really seemed like they were going to calm the school down. It was a long seven year since anybody but Slytherin had one the house cup.
At the kings cross platform everybody was saying there goodbyes. Katherine had been pulled into a hug by Mrs Weasley after thanking her profusely for her Christmas presents, and agreed with Ron that she would come and stay during the holidays. Soon it was just Harry and Katherine left. "So what are you going to do this summer?" Harry wondered.
"Spend it at uncle Bobby's helping out there. Who knows, maybe my dad will come visit." she shrugged, Harry found it a little sad that she didn't even know if she would see her own father, he knew she hadn't got a reply from him the entire year "Is that your family?" she wondered looking at the large man glaring at Harry.
"Yeah, that's uncle Vernon" Harry sighed. "Tell you what though, none of them know I can't do magic outside of school" eh said with a wicked smile to which Katherine through an arm around his shoulder.
"I taught you well" she said. She approached Vernon Durlsey with a pleasant smile on her face that made Harry get suspicious "Hello there, pleasure to meet you, my names Katherine-Mai Winchester, I just wanted to let you know something" he said.
"What the hell are you talking about" Vernon demanded.
"Well, as you can probably tell, I go to school with Harry, however, none of my family are magic, all muggles like yourself. However that doesn't mean we're not dangerous" she added darkly "My whole family own several guns and I swear to the holy lord above, you treat Harry right, or myself and my dear uncle bobby, who may or may not be a town drunk, will be visiting. Guess that won't go well for you reputation I'm sure you have in your neighbourhood. Well then. Have a good summer. Hope to see you soon. Cheerio" she finished in a horrible British accent. Harry couldn't' help it. He laughed, especially at the shocked and slightly scared expression on his uncles face. Oh yes, this is going to be a good summer.
