Disclaimer: Harry Potter isn't mine.

Chapter 12 Cycles

The silence that followed made Kat want to throw up. She was such an idiot for saying it loud enough for everyone to hear. They were all staring, except for Snape, who seemed to be laughing to himself at her own stupidity. I bet you don't regret coming now, she thought bitterly.

Narcissa was the first to speak. "Draco? Answer before your mother has a heart attack."

Kat shrunk into her seat. If he said yes, he might just be saying it because everyone was watching! It was too soon! Less than a year! He had every right to say no, not yet. She should tell him to forget it.

"Yes… Of course. Although, I would have liked to have asked." Draco grimaced when his mother cried out and jumped out of her seat to hug him.

"Too slow. Just like on the Quidditch field," Kat muttered, feeling ridiculous as everyone else continued to blankly stare. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Pansy Parkinson glaring at her boyfriend. She hoped Draco wouldn't resent her from stealing the moment from him.

"We'll see about that," Draco ground out through the choke hold hug that Narcissa seemed to have him in. "Mother!"

"My baby's getting married!" Narcissa yelled. Kat could've sworn she saw tears in the woman's eyes as she finally let go. She didn't expect that. Lucius's reaction seemed more in character.

"Oh joy," he drawled, sounding like he felt just the opposite.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sirius snapped.

"It mean Kat getting married!" Teddy said loudly, thinking his dad didn't understand the situation.

"You better not treat her like you did at school, Malfoy." This was why Ron wasn't invited to any of the balls. Hermione looked pretty smug, knowing this is what Kat would do to her. "I broke Seamus's nose once! And I'd do a lot worse to you, ferret face!"

"Ron!" Kat whined. "That was when he stood me up during a Hogsmeade trip fourth year!"

"And I'm a lot stronger now," Ron said threateningly.

"Sorry. But Katherine and I have to go." Draco grinned when Kat jumped out of her seat and practically ran out of the dinner room with him before Sirius could stop arguing with Lucius to see that she was leaving. Unsurprisingly, the bickering continued behind them like before, only much, much louder.

"I'm sorry!" Kat shouted as they ran through the halls. "I just really love you and our families together and—"

Pop. Before Kat knew it, Draco, who was holding her hand, apparated. She didn't recognize the place, but when she looked out the window, she could see the Manor in the distance. This must be the guest house Narcissa referred to a while back. They were in a sitting room with soft blue couches and wooden floors. Like in the Manor, all the candles lit to life upon their entrance.

"I had no idea we were racing each other to the altar, Katherine." Draco took off his coat and threw it on the floor. Kat held her breath until he smiled. "And I am the better seeker."

Kat gulped took a step closer to her. "You could've said no."

"Why on earth would I do that?"

Kat gasped as he kissed her and unzipped the back of her new dress at the same time. "Are you sure?"

"I was thinking of proposing on your birthday actually." Draco tensed but didn't stop her when she took off his belt. "Was your proposal a trick to seduce me?"

Kat laughed. "Obviously. That's all I've been after this whole time… So I didn't ruin one of the best moments of our lives by rushing it and asking in front of our horrible families?"

"You almost gave me a heart attack," Draco admitted and hesitated before saying, "I was afraid you were joking."

"I'm not that mean." Kat fiddled with the buttons of his shirt before looking up to meet his eyes. "I don't really think about it. I just couldn't help it, I guess."

"You guess?" Draco kissed her again until they tumbled onto the couch. "You're lucky I love you."

"Yes." Kat shivered as he pulled her dress over her shoulders. "If not, my evil plan wouldn't have worked… I love you too."

"I came twice," Kat said over coffee with Hermione and Ginny. Hermione glanced at the exit, wanting to flee, but Ginny clung to her every word.

"No way." Ginny smirked when Hermione excused herself to use the toilet. "I thought you said he was a virgin."

"Yeah." Kat poured sugar into her coffee. "So I thought he'd rush through it! Like you said Dean did."

Ginny waved her off. "He was seventeen. He was worried about getting caught. But Malfoy didn't even get a little nervous?"

Kat shook her head. "He was fine after we fell off the couch."

"I can't believe I missed it!" Ginny whined. "And here I am, getting details a week later."

"That'll teach you to get over yourself," Hermione muttered as she rejoined them. "How are the Harpies, Ginny?"

"Don't change the subject!" Ginny hissed. "Kat's never done it with someone she actually loved! And no, Kat, you didn't love the toe sucker."

Kat rolled her eyes. "I hate you. Besides, it's your fault Hermione's a prude. You called her and Ron gross."

Ginny shuddered. "I don't want to hear about Ron making Hermione come twice!"

"Fine! I won't change the subject." Hermione stuck her nose in the air. "You did use birth control, didn't you, Kat?"

"Prude," Ginny grumbled, until she noticed Kat paled. "You idiot!"

"I bought stuff and everything!" Kat put her face in her hands. "And left it under my bed at Grimmauld."

Hermione clucked in disapproval. "You two sleep in the same bed all the time. You should always keep it with you!"

"This is all your fault!" Kat hissed before snatching up her purse. "If you were like Ginny and wanted to hear about what happened, you could have reminded me the day after when the potion would've worked!"

"It's the hormones," Ginny whispered, laughing evilly when Kat ran off to go freak out by herself.

"Honestly, Gin. They're not ready!" Hermione sighed as Ginny only laughed at Kat more. "And I thought you hated Malfoy."

"I do," Ginny said honestly. "Which is why it took me a week to meet up with you two. But I was so bummed when I found out I missed one of my best friends getting engaged. I don't want to miss anymore."

"Like the birth of Malfoy Jr.?" Hermione asked dryly.

Ginny snickered. "I can't wait until she tells Sirius."

Of course she was late. Of course! With her luck it was triplets or septuplets or something. It was only by two days…

"Is something the matter?" Draco asked as she glared at the calendar in his room. "Because I have to go to work."

Kat shook her head. She didn't want to tell him. Not until she knew for sure. "No. But I think I'll meet up with Hermione when she's done with school. I think her class tonight ends at 8:00."

"So you'll be staying at the stadium?" Draco wondered as he put gel in his hair.

"Yeah. I'll help out the toad and clean the bathrooms or something." Kat kept staring at the calendar, hoping she had miscounted. "I almost felt bad when I told her to clean it after a little girl threw up the other day."

"As always, you have a heart of gold, love." Draco kissed her cheek, oblivious to how badly she was freaking out.

Kat waited until exactly eight to call Hermione, although she wanted to call her at six. Instead, she focused on scrubbing the toilets and avoiding the Toad, who was double checking the accounts. At least her friend recognized the seriousness of the situation and picked up after two rings.

"I got my period," she announced.

There was a pause. "That's good. Isn't it?"

"I guess." Kat started walking out but stopped when she heard something fall. "But should I tell him? Because I'm a little disappointed, but I still don't want one, and what if he thinks I do?"

Hermione laughed awkwardly. "Just tell him what you told me. That you can't count, and your relief is bittersweet."

"I can count," Kat mumbled as she headed in the direction of the sound. "I have to go, Hermione. I think the Toad fell and broke her hip or something."

Draco was surprised to find Molly Weasley dropping off Edward shortly after supper. Katherine must've forgotten he was coming over.

Mrs. Weasley put her hands on the boy's shoulders. "We made a cake while we were waiting for her. A house elf put it in the kitchen for you. Sirius dropped him off. You know how Remus gets…"

Draco nodded, despite the fact that Katherine seldom spoke of Lupin's lycanthropy. Mrs. Weasley was trying to be polite, and he didn't want to push it. "Right. I think Hermione needed her."

"Oh." Mrs. Weasley's lips thinned, reminding Draco that Hermione had broken up with her youngest son. Her grip tightened on Edward's shoulders protectively. "Well, I can take him back to the Burrow. You've never looked after Teddy alone before."

Draco forced himself to smile while Edward started pouting at the thought of not having a sleepover at the Manor. "My parents are here. And half a dozen house elves. I'll be fine for a few hours."

The woman was obviously reluctant but knew it wasn't her place since she wasn't Edward's guardian. "I could stay until Kat comes back."

"The lady at the candy store want you to have this." Edward handed Draco a folded up piece of paper. "Dad took me dis mornin'."

Draco frowned, distracted from Mrs. Weasley's smothering. "Who?" Edward shrugged as he unfolded the paper. When he read the shaky cursive, his blood ran cold.

Today was your last day with her. It's a shame you didn't know. But I didn't know it was my last day with the love of my life either, did I?

Kat froze when she walked into Umbridge's office. The hairs stood up on the back of her neck when she tried to flick the light on. The power must be off… That's it. It's only the power.

"Lumos."

Blood. It was everywhere. Covering the walls, the seats, the desk. Kat put a shaking hand over her mouth to muffle a scream. Umbridge didn't even make a sound! There was no way she—or someone— was attacked in here!

Kat ran over to the desk to find Umbridge lying on the ground. Or what was left of her. Her throat had been torn open, and there were several bite marks all over her body. She gagged and shakily rose to her feet. What happened?

The growl behind her told her the answer.

Hermione was lighting candles, getting ready for her date. Two more weeks and she'd be done with her summer class, meaning more time with her boyfriend. She'd bring him to Kat's wedding, if her friend planned to have it soon. She didn't want to admit it, but it was exciting to sneak around with him. Everything about him was exciting.

The sound of the floo made her jump, but her shoulders slumped in disappointment when she realized it was Draco. Hopefully they didn't fight over the nonexistent baby.

"Hermione!" The panic in his voice made Hermione tense. "Where's Kat? She's with you, right? I'm afraid she might have poisoned."

Damn it, Hermione thought as she rushed into the sitting room. "Poisoned? She's not with me. She called me after my class, but I think she was heading to your house."

"Then maybe she wasn't." Draco ran his hands through his hair and handed Hermione a piece of paper. "I-I don't know. I can't get a hold of Black. Do you think she's still at the stadium?"

Hermione checked her watch. It wasn't even half past eight. "I think so. She said Umbridge fell or she thought she heard her fall."

Draco apparated out, and Hermione swore and left a note for her boyfriend. This couldn't be good.

Every time Kat tried to apparate, she wound up only getting a few feet away and splinching herself on the arm. The werewolf was chasing her, and she could only concentrate on running fast enough to get away.

Umbridge's office was on the top floor, and she didn't want to risk using the elevator. If it paused at the stairs, maybe she would have time to stun it.

Kat screamed as it snapped at her heels. It was nothing like Remus. It seemed weaker, slower. That was the only reason that she hadn't been knocked over and eaten by now.

She cut through the cafeteria, hoping there was a soup pot hanging around to hit it with. No such luck.

When Kat finally made it to the stairs, she ran halfway down before turning around. The werewolf didn't hesitate. Instead, it leapt in the air to try to knock her down. It was heading right towards her to rip her throat out.

"Stupefy!"

By the time Draco arrived, he thought it was already too late, that she had hit her head, causing brain damage or worse. Katherine was lying unconscious at the bottom of the stairs with her leg twisted at a sickening angle. There was a woman at her feet, lying face down. Draco would later learn that it was Miranda. Katherine stunned her, and it stopped her heart. Thank Merlin she wasn't bitten.

Now they were in the waiting room at St. Mungo's. Just him and Hermione. He was too nervous to try to contact anyone and just sat there unconsciously rubbing his knee, which was stiff because it matched the leg that Katherine broke.

"If I had just skipped class." Hermione wiped her eyes. "She's going to feel so guilty about this."

Draco sneered at the thought. "Miranda was already dying. Painfully. Katherine did her a favor. I wouldn't have let her go so peacefully." Hermione sniffled but didn't respond. "So… Why did she need to talk to you?"

Hermione gave him a watery laugh and shook her head. "She'll kill me if I tell you. I sent a Patronus to Sirius. I know it's killing you that you can't see her."

Draco played with the Potter family ring on his finger. He and Kat decided to use them as engagement rings. "I'll be her next of kin soon enough."

Black skidded into the waiting room a few minutes later, agitated and demanding as usual. "What happened?" he barked. "Where is she?! Why the bloody hell aren't you with her?"

"They wouldn't let us," Hermione said calmly. "But I think she only has a broken leg and a concussion."

"Only?" Black repeated. He growled and left to go stalk down a healer.

"I'm sure her leg is mended by now," Hermione muttered. Before Draco could respond, Black returned with a healer.

He pointed at Draco and Hermione. "List these two as next of kin also. For Christ's sake! Why would you want people who are sick or hurt to be alone?"

"I-It's hospital policy, sir," the healer babbled. "Unless it is a life or death situation."

"Hospital policy?"

Draco and Hermione followed as Black continued to berate the poor healer. She was trying to explain about a patient's right to privacy and that she was only following protocol. Black seemed to be stubbornly refusing to believe there was a reason for the rules.

"Congratulations," Hermione whispered so quietly that he could barely hear the laughter in her voice. "I think you just earned Sirius's approval."

Even though Katherine woke up an hour after he arrived, and was only forced to stay overnight at the hospital as a precaution, Black didn't leave until it was close to sunrise. They stayed up all night, and Draco almost fell asleep to Katherine trying to make Black go home.

"Finally!" Katherine breathed out, making Draco jumped. To his surprise, Black was nowhere to be seen. "I had to guilt him, saying that Remus must be worried out of his furry little mind!"

Draco blinked sleepily and then rose from his seat to grab her hand. "Are you alright? Does your head hurt? And don't ask me to quote 'bust you out' again. You could have been seriously injured."

Katherine squeezed back. "I won't… I thought I was pregnant. It's not as funny when I'm pulling the joke on myself instead of on Sirius… I wanted to take a Muggle pregnancy test with Hermione."

"Without me?" Draco asked numbly.

Katherine squirmed guiltily. "I wanted to know for sure before I told you. It sounds so stupid now. If I wasn't such a coward… She'd still be alive."

"Not for long, considering she was after you." Because of his flat tone, she mumbled an apology, but Draco couldn't really concentrate. She thought they were going to be parents… "You should have told me. Are you sure you aren't?"

Katherine nodded. "I stole my chart when Sirius was in the bathroom. Besides my leg, my arm, and my head, it only said that I needed some iron and vitamins."

"What a surprise," Draco drawled, although he was still a little hurt. He couldn't fathom why she wouldn't tell him. Wait… "Did you think I would be angry with you?" She fidgeted. "Katherine!"

"I'm the one who forgot!" She blushed. "And then the time after that you pronounced the charm wrong! Hermione told me!"

Draco closed his eyes. So that was why she was insisting on casting the charm herself. "You aren't the only one who has to remember. I suppose that makes us both idiots."

"I suppose," she mimicked. "But now that I know there's no baby, I'll use the potion."

"It's feels weird. Almost being a father for thirty seconds." They only talked about children jokingly, and when Katherine joked, she spoke of having a Weasley size brood. Draco wasn't sure if he could handle that many. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen a child younger than Edward.

Katherine shrugged. "I'm kind of bummed too. But I want to be married first. And now that Umbridge… Well, I want to make sure Krum's community center stays on its feet. So I'll make sure to take that potion every night."

"And tell me if you forget?" Draco asked as lightly as he could. Part of him wanted to be angry, but the rest of him was still in shock.

"You'll have to steal me another Remembrall from Neville," Katherine teased. She smiled sadly. "You'll be the first to know. I promise."

Draco did not expect a horde of reporters to be waiting for Katherine outside St. Mungo's floo. Because she was recently hurt, and he was still thinking of the almost baby, the Veela in him was one high alert. If only they were on the emergency floor, the only place in the hospital that allowed apparition.

"Katherine! Katherine!" too many voices to count hollered. Draco put an arm around her waist when they were blinded by several flashes.

"Is it true that Draco Malfoy has bewitched you?"

"No comment," Katherine ground out through clenched teeth as she tried to push her way past them. He could tell that she sarcastically wanted to yell, How would I know if I was being bewitched or not? Draco tightened his grip when there were several more flashes.

The questions continued as they were surrounded. How long had they been dating? Is it true that her cousin recently entered a rehab facility? Was Edward really her child? There was one question that sent her reeling, however.

"Katherine!" a man yelled. "Is it true that Remus Lupin bit you last night? Is the monster going to be put down by aurors?"

"What did you say?" Katherine screamed.

He didn't expect her to react so strongly, although she did mention doing so a few years ago. Before Draco knew it, she had shaken herself from his grasp to charge at the reporter. There were so many pictures being taken that he couldn't see, and because of the questions from the reporters, he couldn't hear her either, causing him to panic more. When a woman screamed, he lost it.

Kat had the scumbag reporter against the wall. His camera woman screamed when she lifted her fist to punch him, and a heartbeat later, she heard an all too familiar squawk. Oh no…

Before she could turn around, Draco scooped her up by his talons as the reporters and cameramen started screaming and trying to run and take pictures at the same time. That was probably only agitating him more.

Kat kicked her feet as he started flying, but it was no use. No matter how loudly she screamed his name, Draco didn't seem hear her. They were in a building! They had nowhere to go.

"Draco! Put me down! I know birds have ears!" Kat tried to wiggle out of his grasp as several stunners were sent their way but thought better of it. If she fell, she doubted he would change back any time soon.

When they reached the emergency room, Kat had the bright idea to try side-long apparition. Note to self: never freak out Feral Harpy Draco.

Narcissa had tea with Lucius by the floo, hoping that Draco would come back soon. She knew it wasn't likely, and that he was probably at Grimmauld. If only Sirius liked her enough. Then she could go over uninvited.

"He wasn't hurt, Cissa," Lucius tried to soothe. "And the potions will heal up her concussion by the afternoon."

Narcissa pouted. "I miss having him around all the time. I hope that they'll move in to the Manor permanently after the wedding."

Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you were so giddy when she proposed? I was mortified, personally."

Although she was sure her husband would laugh and call her a liar, Narcissa wanted to say that she was happy that Katherine loved Draco as much as he loved her. The popping noise of apparition stopped her, however, and was immediately followed by Katherine screaming in agony.

Draco was in his harpy form and had fallen when Katherine apparated. He was panicking, shrieking and trying to right himself to protect his mate. Little did he know he was actually slicing her skin open with his talons as he did so.

"Draco! DRACO!" Narcissa shouted as loudly as she could. He didn't respond.

"He's too young! He can't control it!" Lucius yelled before transforming himself. He knocked their son over. The only way she could tell them apart was that Draco's feet were covered in blood. Katherine's blood.

Narcissa rushed over to her, hissing at Draco when he tried to fight his way out of Lucius's grasp to get to his mate. She was still conscious but sobbing hysterically. "Shh… You're fine. Severus will fix you right up."

Katherine didn't believe her and tried to crawl away to escape. She must be in shock, but she was only upsetting Draco more. He shrieked and tried to scratch Lucius in the face. Although she didn't want to, Narcissa took out her wand and stunned her son.

Draco was revived less than fifteen minutes later. His whole body hurt, but since there wasn't a mark on him, he knew it must be Katherine. The last thing he remembered was her apparating and his Veela instincts completely taking over.

"She's with Severus and your mother in the kitchen." Father was watching him cautiously. "Draco, you can't lose control like that. Just because you can't reach her—"

"I couldn't see with all the cameras." Draco slowly rose out of bed, wondering why he was in so much pain. The most Katherine should be suffering is pulled muscles in her arms from the flight. "Did someone attack her?"

Suddenly, Father didn't want to meet his eye. Draco felt his heart slamming against his ribcage as he tried to hobble towards the door. She must be really hurt if Father was hesitant. Finally, he spoke. "You did."

Draco stopped. That was impossible. Sure, he lost control, but his Veela instincts had taken over. They would never make him hurt his mate. "No, I didn't."

Father sighed. "She apparated when you were in mid-flight. You fell and couldn't see but knew that she was hurt because you fell on her. You panicked and started clawing to try to right yourself, and you kept tripping over her. I don't know if you thought you being restrained or if you thought someone took her… It's pretty bad, Draco."

"No, I didn't," Draco repeated. Denial was slowly starting to ebb away, and he started to feel sick.

"I'm not entirely sure if there's a way to teach you to control it," Father muttered. When Draco started to sink to the floor, he rushed over to him to hold him up. "I'll take you to see her."

Kat tried to act like it didn't bother her. It wasn't that hard, since Snape was around to torture as he applied the salve.

"You know, Snape," she said as he put a bandage over the nasty cut on her arm. "I never thought you'd see me in my knickers. I think I'm going to have to make you buy me dinner. Don't worry. I like cheap food."

"Shut up, Potter," the dungeon bat snapped. She had so many cuts on her that she had to take her clothes off for him to get them all. Most of them were small, but there were three large ones on her stomach, leg, and arm. "Of course you had to be the hero instead of letting someone stun him."

"Severus!" Narcissa admonished, sounding surprised. She must not know that this was Kat and Snape being nice to each other.

"If I don't get some Chinese food tonight, I'm telling Sirius," Kat went on, trying to ignore her quivering lip when he put the salve on a deep cut on her calf. "And he's always cranky after the full moon. Weird. You'd think Remus would be the cranky one."

"You're lucky you didn't bleed to death." Severus put a bandage over the last large cut. Kat wondered if he got some satisfaction out of the few tears that slid down her cheeks. If he hadn't given her blood replenishing potions, she might have.

"Oh my God!" Draco. Kat tried to smile as he ran over. Snape said the salve would heal everything up by morning. He reached out to touch her but thought better of it and let his hand fall to his side. "I-I'm so sorry."

"Forget it," Kat said, although she knew he wouldn't. She wouldn't either. Maybe they shouldn't go out in the wizarding world together anymore.

Snape handed Narcissa the paste, which she started applying to Kat's smaller cuts. "Do not bathe until it sinks in. Do not do anything to reopen the cuts. The skin will be thinner until tomorrow night. That'll be seven hundred galleons."

Kat felt her eyes widened, and she could have sworn she saw Snape do the impossible and smile. There was no way she was paying his greasy arse that much. "Well that's how much I charge blokes to see me half naked, so I s'pose we're even."

Snape looked like he wanted to argue, but Narcissa rushed him out with promise of payment when Draco started to cry.

"What are you crying for?" Kat tried to keep her voice light, like it was nothing. "Ron broke my nose playing Quidditch once. There was way more blood than this."

"Can you stop making a joke out of everything for once?" Draco ran his thumb over a tiny cut on her hand. "I didn't—I don't even remember."

"Tomorrow it'll be like nothing had ever happened." Can you believe that Snape willingly touched me? Kat stopped herself from adding. It was an accident, so she wanted to downplay it. In the moment she was terrified, but she blamed him about as much she blamed Remus for being a werewolf.

"You need to rest." Draco moved as if he was going to pick her up from the table she was sitting on but stopped himself. "I'll firecall Black."

Kat thought Draco would apologize to the point that it was annoying, but he secluded himself in his room when Sirius arrived. Then a day went by. Then another. By the third day, she was ready to storm the Manor. Luckily, she had Hermione to distract her.

"How am I supposed to help you pick an outfit for meeting your boyfriend's parents if I don't know your boyfriend?" Kat complained. They were in Hermione's bedroom, drinking wine and scrutinizing every outfit she owned. "Like, if it was Percy, I'd say a shield because Mrs. Weasley would kill you. If it was Neville, I'd say something conservative because his grandmother looks scary."

"You don't know him." Her best friend held up her red dress but then sighed and threw it on the floor. Kat raised her eyebrows. Hermione never purposely made a mess.

Cautiously, she handed Hermione her dark blue pants suit. Maybe she was worried about her reaction. "Is it a woman?"

"What? No!" Hermione laughed when she saw that Kat was reluctant to believe her. "I'm worried about you not liking him. And I feel awkward because I know you were rooting for Ron and me."

I think Ron might be still rooting for the two of you, Kat thought. But that was Ron's business, and she didn't want to risk getting caught in the middle. "He wasn't seeing Parvati. They were just talking about Lavender. I don't think Parvati will ever get over her death… But that was a while ago, Hermione. And I know you're smart enough to figure that out. So I'm not going to try to make you be with him when you clearly don't want to."

"Sometimes I feel that Ginny and Mrs. Weasley are more upset about it than Ron." Hermione started undressing to try on the suit. "Will this look like I'm going to work instead of meeting his mum?"

Kat shrugged. "I don't know. I just like it."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Thanks."

"You need friends with a better fashion sense." Kat walked over to Hermione's dresser to try to find some stud earrings that would match the outfit. "So only his mum is in the picture. That narrows down the suspect pool."

"He's a Slytherin!" Hermione blurted out. "I don't want his friends finding out. With you and Draco… It's different. He's a Veela. After all these years… I still don't want to be called a mudblood."

Kat turned away from Hermione's jewelry box and looked at her sadly. "Oh Hermione…"

"I don't like it when you're protective," her best friend admitted. "You do stupid things like attack reporters. And I still consider Ron one of my best friends. So keeping it a secret seemed like the best thing for both of us."

Kat frowned. She'd give in to Hermione's wishes for privacy… for now. "But I'll still be invited to the wedding?" She waved her off when Hermione scowl. "Yes, yes I know. You don't rush into things like me. Speaking of which, have you heard from the ferret? He's ignoring me."

"Avoiding you," Hermione corrected. Kat narrowed her eyes. So she knew and was in contact with him this whole time! "Hold on."

With a quick glance at the suit in the mirror, Hermione padded to her bathroom. Kat heard a shuffling sound, and if she wasn't mistaken, the newspaper under Crookshanks's litterbox was being pulled out.

Hermione returned a minute later and paused to wipe some litter off over the trashcan in her room. She looked grim when she handed Kat The Daily Prophet. "I think this pushed him over the edge."

It was about the incident at Saint Mungo's. Kat groaned when she read the title. Rita Skeeter must be getting back at her for renewing that restraining order.

Katherine Potter, Heroine to the Wizarding World, Caught in an Endless Cycle of Abusive Boyfriends?

The article went on to talk about Lou and their domestic disputes that ended up with one or both of them in jail. Then, it speculated that Draco was an animagus and that he was the reason she was in the hospital the other day. It also questioned why she hadn't been seen in public the past few days and implied that Draco had beaten her up or had her held captive at the Manor.

"Just fucking great," she swore. So what? He believed every flowery word that Skeeter wrote? "He knows it wasn't on purpose. And he can't avoid me forever. If he kills himself with… What'd you call it? Separation Sickness? Then I die too."

Hermione shrugged. "Not if you're in love with someone else. You're not a Veela, so you can form a magical bond with someone else and still live. It's complicated, but Unspeakables can do it."

Kat snorted. "Oh yeah," she said sarcastically. "Like I've got suitors lining up."

Hermione glared at her. "He's depressed, Kat. He's not trying to be a martyr and end things with you. He just needs to accept what he did, which is hard because he didn't make the conscious choice to do it and can't remember his thought process in the moment. Give him time."

Kat didn't want to give him time. She wanted to test wedding cakes on his birthday this Wednesday and trick him into going to a Quidditch game with her and Ron. For now, she'd have to settle for tormenting Hermione to feel better. "It's Blaise Zabini."

"What?!—I-I don't know what you're talking about, Katherine." Hermione was barely blushing, but Kat knew she was right. She grinned evilly.

"Sorry, Miss Granger, but you always call me Katherine when you're trying to lie to me." Kat laughed loudly as Hermione tried to kick her out before finally confessing. At least she had her best friend to keep her from getting too upset about Draco.

Day 5. Kat was going nuts. Not even Teddy dressed in the Snape costume Sirius made could cheer her up. She couldn't sleep or eat and had to force herself to go to the Quidditch stadium, but Draco kept ignoring her letters. Times like this made Kat wish his parents liked her. Narcissa would surely tell her how to fix things.

For now, she settled on sulking in her room and trying to catch up on the one hundred and one books Hermione had recommended to her. Remus found her staring at the first page in the library at Grimmauld and her pout turned to a scowl when she saw he was laughing at her.

"You're supposed to be the nice one," she grumbled as she turned the page even though she had no idea what she was reading or what was written on the previous page.

Remus chuckled and sat in the arm chair next to her. "Teddy says the opposite, because Sirius gives him candy before supper."

"Only Sirius would have to bribe his way to the title." Kat shut the book and read the title for the millionth time. Goblin Law: 1400-1650. Boring. "Remus, you think you can talk to Draco? You both have the feral thing going on."

Remus laughed again, although he seemed mildly repulsed. "You know what this reminds me of?" Kat narrowed her eyes. She should have known he'd want to get back at her for that. "When you locked yourself in your apartment, and Draco was trying to get ahold of you."

"So you're saying I have to get kidnapped to get him back?" Kat asked flatly.

"No." Remus had that twinkle in his eyes that told Kat he was going to say something Dumbledore worthy. "I'm saying that unlike your situation, he doesn't have wards up to prevent you from talking about this like adults. He didn't completely close you off, Kat. Unlike you before, he's not entirely unwilling to let you in."

Kat frowned. That had to be the worst pep talk ever. She was afraid that Draco was going to give her some stupid I'm too dangerous for you speech and call off the wedding. Hermione didn't believe that was true, and clearly Remus didn't either. Well, she wasn't a Gryffindor for nothing…

Draco felt too guilty and disgusted with himself to do anything. The Prophet was at least partially right. Katherine was going to have to seclude herself from the wizarding world around him if she was going to constantly be bombarded like that. It didn't seem like she was too safe in the Muggle world either. If he didn't figure out how to control himself, they might not be able to do normal things like shop for their wedding or see Edward off to Hogwarts. He felt like he messed up both their lives.

Father never lost control like that. The Dark Lord threatened Mother, and he still managed to keep himself in check. Draco was sure he would've gotten Katherine killed if they were in the same situation.

Draco came down to breakfast Monday morning only because he knew Mother would bother him nonstop until he forced himself to eat something. She and Father didn't understand. They never hurt each other like he did to Katherine.

He expected Mother with her not so subtle hints to go see Katherine and Father acting like he didn't care while he tried to focus on the newspaper. What he didn't expect to see was Katherine sitting next to his normal place at the table with a magazine and greeting him like nothing ever happened.

"Hey!" She turned away from the magazine and smiled in a way that made his heart skip a beat. "So Teddy and I vote chocolate cake for the wedding. But we are willing to compromise with vanilla icing."

"Katherine…" So that's what she was going to do? Ignore the situation until he brought it up? He could have killed her!

The magazine she held up looked rather dusty. Perhaps it was Walburga's and Kreacher had given it to her. She pointed to a revolting wedding dress that had to be from the 1980s. "What do you think of this one?"

"I think I need to remind you that it's the twenty first century," he couldn't stop himself from saying. He swore when her eyes lit up. "So you just want to ignore what happened?"

"Yes," she said stubbornly. "And I like the sleeves."

The sleeves made her shoulders look like puffed up cotton balls. Draco shuddered in revulsion and tried to focus. "I love you, and I sliced you open like that."

"I'll move into the Manor." To his disbelief, her eyes filled with tears. "I'll do anything. Please. Just talk to me again. I'm more upset by the fact that you don't want to be near me. I don't even have scars."

Draco gritted his teeth and walked to the table to sit next to her. She tried to grab his hand, but he pulled away. "I feel bad, Katherine! It scares me that I did that to you! You don't understand!"

"Don't understand?" Frustrated, Katherine tossed the magazine across the room. "I got you shot, kidnapped, and not to mention I've probably shaved at least a year off your life with all that fast food—"

"This isn't funny!" he yelled, hating himself even more when she flinched. "You didn't actually shoot me or hit me on the head and hand me over to that wretched man!"

"So, what?" she yelled back. "You want to break up with me now? Is that it? Because I'm not giving up that easily, and frankly, I'm insulted that you would!"

"No." Finally, Draco started to calm down. He didn't want that at all. Most of the reason he was at a loss was because he had no idea what to do. "But I'm scare that it'll happen again."

"It won't," she said firmly, as if she had control over it. "I'll be more careful. And if you think that you're about to transform, tell me, and I'll start stunning reporters or I'll apparate us home or we'll just make a run for it, I don't know! We'll move to Antarctica if we have to!"

"You're ridiculous." Draco cracked a smile, despite the fact that he was far from happy. "I'm going to start practicing Occlumency again. Severus thinks it might help."

"And I'm going to stop attacking reporters," Katherine promised, sounding dead serious even though he knew, well hoped, she was joking.

"It's good to know your making such sacrifices for the sake of our relationship," Draco drawled, feeling a little like his old self.

She sighed as if she were making a true sacrifice but couldn't help herself and grinned. "Anything for you, my love."

Since Draco was still feeling sulky for a couple days, Kat took him out for his birthday a week later. She knew he had to be feeling better because he was already regretting letting her pick the restaurant. They were at Red Lobster so he could get something nice, and she could order off the kid's menu.

"I don't know if I should order seafood from a Muggle establishment." He eyed the menu warily. "At least the cutlery is real. I suppose that's a good sign."

Kat chose to ignore his usual snobbery. "I'm getting Macaroni and Cheese. And hey look! They have slushies!"

Draco shook his head. "I'm not even going to ask."

"Welcome to Red Lobster! Would you like to start with drinks or appetizers or are you ready to order?" Wait… Kat knew that voice. No way.

Kat tore herself away from the menu and gaped. The waiter took a step back when he realized who she was. "Dudley?"

Phew! That was long! I had to add in that little scene with Hermione because I realized that whole Veelas leaving their mates part in chapter one was a plot hole…

Anyway thanks for reviewing justaislinn, RaevnWilliams, and gr8rockstarrox!

justaislinn- Stick with the positive one! :)

Sorry Krum fans, Blaise won. :)

Oh and for future reference, should Kat and Draco have canon children? As in James, Albus, Lily, and Scorpius?