A/N: I apologize for the long wait

The tree was enormous. Feeling like a petite pixie and not the normal size of a witch next to such a creation. They were not near the wooden building sticking out of the tree, instead large blades of grass that were twice the height of both girls made viewing hard. The cobblestone was the only clear path.

Follow the path

Follow.

The only thing she knew her instincts were projecting into her veins. The sky seemed darker, air chilly. Never dropping Charity's hand, their palms were sweaty against one another. The cobblestone ended.

Anxiously standing in front of the door, an arch from the root of the tree didn't make the place inviting. Katherine's palm tingled a bit, but she refused to release Charity's hand. The scent of wood was more inviting than the environment. The wooden door was hidden in the arch. No knobs except for large door knocker. It glistened on its own. The large snake knocker was different. One end looked like it was coming out of an egg while the mouth was clamped on a toad and chicken.

Charity's shaky voice broke the silence, "Break a rule" she read the engraving on the door, "A statue you shall be, forever my company."

Regretting on paying to much attention on the odd door knocker, Katherine looked at her friend. Mouthing the only thing that could do such a thing. Gorgon.

Reaching forward she knew the only way to seal the deal. The snake was warm against her sticky palm.

Knock…

Knock…

She knew the third knock was loud, but the moment seemed far away. Faint. Her mind swirled and swirled. An urge to pull herself into the moment but the ribbon of memory was close. Katherine couldn't pass it up, it was near her powers…. She was strong enough to fight whatever spell was keeping her from doing such a thing.

Believing in herself. Latching on.

Katherine stood Infront of the Underground door, the tingling in her palm was confirmation. This was the place. Glancing at her skin that continued to tingle, the symbol of the Gemini constellation within a tree, was faint. It twinkled a bit before vanishing completely. Gone until she would arrive once more.

Breathe, reminding herself. It would be fine. She knocked. Four times the noise filled her ears. Not reading the engraved rules. She didn't plan to deal with Medusa's bloodline. Being here for one person only. Pulling her white cloak closer, the drips of rain didn't touch her skin, the hood prevented her from seeing pass the front view.

The door swung open.

"You finally arrived, Katherina" the small polite voice matched the perfect framed woman. Her long brown hair covered her breast that would have been visible from the sheer white silk. Her golden eyes twinkled like the stars up above the sky. A beautiful creature. Deadly…Katherine reminded herself.

"I have a request" Katherine tilted her chin slightly locking eyes. She wasn't scared but knew the request was important. Without her help, the task would fail.

"Is it your request or his?"

"Mine" Katherine lied.

A deep inhale from the creature and Katherine knew the scent of her lie was leaking from her breath. A risk that Katherine was determined to take. She would help him, even if he had no idea, she stood in the one place he told her was forbidden.

Katherine's bare back brushed against the wood from the arch, scratching her skin. Cold air kissed her cheek, thanks to Charity's wand trying to help her out. The rush of heat vanished and everything in her body felt cold. The ache in her back wasn't from the scraping wood, but deeper. Her powers in her veins thrashed with whatever was forcing coldness in her body, taking over each limb. A battle within herself. She wasn't strong enough to pull onto the memory, to pull from whatever magic was preventing her from knowing her past. Her powers slowly overcame the coldness, allowing warmness to flow thru her body. Her lip slightly chattered. A leak from her nose tickled, wiping the liquid from her face, the bright red blood was smeared on her hand.

Charity slowly cleaned her up, fanning her, wiping each part of her face with water.

What felt like hours were merely minutes.

Breaking the silence, Charity's voice quivered. Her bottom lip matched, "What happened? The door swung open, and your eyes started to flip, your body became limp. I was terrified that the Gorgon was turning you,"

Comprehending the moment. Katherine struggled to find the words, stumbling on the explanation. Not wanting to miss a single detail. Back tracking at moments. Charity's hand never left hers. She was the person grounding Katherine in the moment. Temptation of pulling Charity with her powers, to show her, to allow her to see how real the moment felt. Power sharing was forbidden.

Looking up at the sky, looking for answers, clues. Something that the stars could give her. Like always for as long as she could remember. Nothing. The warmth of Charity's hand resting on her cheek drew her attention away from the twinkling stars. She wasn't a seer, not having the gift from the stars. Or a curse like her father would remind her.

"We will find answers of all of this, maybe you are bringing us here wasn't a coincidence. Just maybe answers are inside" Charity consoled, her thumb gentle on Katherine's cheek.

"All of this is embarrassing and to know that I'm not strong enough, to lose control" missing that seventh year was hurting her a bit now.

She didn't feel, stupid, but not being able to control her own mind was foolish. Maybe she was a mistake, a pathetic human, all the words that she wanted to shut out from the only person crueler than her own father. Pushing it away. If only she could force herself to forget those words. To forget a friendship that was a mistake her Slytherin years.

The horror of what if 'him' in her memory was that boy. Severus Snape. The thought of missing two years because of him was sickening. It wasn't, she reminded herself. James had assured her that everyone to his knowledge didn't vanish like she did.

Charity stood, her short red dress wrinkled a bit from the position she was in, shaking her head, blond hair blew in the night wind. Pulling Katherine to her feet, Charity whispered, "You have me, always."

"We will find answers, I just think we stick together tonight. Enjoy what we can" Charity's chin lifted with each word, reminding Katherine of herself for a moment. "I also feel the walls have ears, and its best we gather tonight at my home to discuss what you experience. But if anything is too much or not safe. We leave" Charity continued.

"Together" Katherine stated.

They would enjoy the night, but something led her here….a memory…she would find as much information as she could. The game with Sirus and Remus could wait. Both girls entered the open doorway. Taking charge of her mind, she didn't need anyone but Charity to help her.

The underground pulled her toward it for a reason.

The hallway was much longer than Katherine expected. It turned and dragged on. The red carpet beneath her heels making each step silent. Darkness with a hint of light caused the statues shadows to cast over them. Averting her eyes occasionally to the statues she knew were once wizards, witches, goblins all sorts of creatures that must have broken one of the rules.

A statue of a mischievous wizard was crouched on the side Charity was walking. The bright red gem still in hand was proof that stealing was his idea. Ignoring the werewolf with drops of what seemed to be blood but turned to rock, dripping from his mouth. Murdering was forbidden too.

A safe place, it seemed. Where justice would always be served, even if the punishment was harsh. The walk was near an end. The last statue was stood in the light on Katherine's side. The woman's hair covered what would have revealed her breast. The hands of the person were cupped perfectly. As if she was a victim of stealing but the item was taken out of her grip. A beautiful person, or creature. Looking at the features of the statues face. Katherine realized whom it was. The woman from her memory.

The walls have ears…. reminding herself. What if she spoke of the connection than both her and Charity could be in danger. Charity's gasp made her grip tighter on her friend's hand.

The main room was gorgeous. Charity's gasp was a reaction that Katherine would have done if she wasn't still thinking of the statue. Velvet red walls, with black marble floors, the celling wasn't present. Mimicking the great hall in her childhood school, Hogwarts. Instead of the illusion like the castle had, the sky seemed real. An open invitation for the stars to stare down and watch.

She would tell Charity of the statue when they returned home, taking the first step down the large stairs that would lead them down to the room. A room filled with many guest that were drinking and dancing. She could have sworn a couple were snogging near the bars.

"It's a captivating place, like being here is…."

"Forbidden" Katherine added.

Like the man from her memory clearly made her feel it was forbidden to come here. To allow such a man to think they had that much control over her. It was nearly hilarious.

Midway down the large stairs, a woman was a few steps away. Her hand was out, carrying a tray filled with glasses that held a sparkling substance. Her body swayed with each step, owning the way she looked. Her hair bounced in the ponytail behind her. Intimidation was all Katheirne could think of. The woman's body was built for sin. The vines looked like they were made from gold itself, wrapping around the main areas that would lead anyone to become mad. Her eyes hidden behind a pair of shades. Reflectors.

Every worker in the building seemed to be wearing the same reflectors on their eyes. Smart. If they had to speak with the gorgon, protection was needed.

The woman stopped in front of them. Dipping her tray lower for the girls.

"Starlight" she purred; her lips matched the surrounding red walls.

"Your stunning" Charity blurted. Her cheeks quickly matched the woman's lips.

"My sister was more beautiful than I…..but thank you little one. A pure compliment is rare"

Charity went to reach for the glass, the tray was pulled away. Katherine's brow rose.

"For your kindness, the special drink is laced with fae-blood. Drink only at your own risk…but remember when the Gemini constellation rises, make sure you are safe in your home or don't exit this building...The selection begins tonight"

She never heard the word selection before. The simple word made Charity's back stiffen. The woman walked away.

"Wha- "Katherine was interrupted by Charity's shush. Reminding her that the walls have ears. If the workers were serving drinks for the selection, they didn't need to speak ill of such a thing.

"The selection is an honor" Charity winked, knowing such an action was indeed not. Charity led Katherine down to an empty table. Drinks that were not starlight were ordered.

"The honor of the selection is where families either surrender their daughters to creatures of the night or the unwilling is shown what great reward it is, a hunt for the ones with the best scent begins. They are then brought to…a place where the creatures are rewarded to feast for having a good selection for the Followers…."

"Feast on what?"

"Magic" Charity gave the fakest smile, giving her gin and coke a sip.

Fear was escaping Charity's eyes as she glanced at the exit. Which now held a figure in a red cloak trimmed in yellow. Blocking the only way out. Katherine couldn't see his face, but the hair on her neck stood. As if the attention was placed on herself and Charity.

The only creature that she knew could feast on magic, was one the darkest beast to walk this earth. Fae. It was all making sense. If starlight was traced with fae-blood. She remembered reading how their blood could make the magic scent of a witch or wizard stronger. Allowing Fae easy access to hunt. The ministry was supposed to have a ban on such an act. Fae are not easy to control or trick. The hunt was something she knew was taught more their seventh year. The history of it all.

Safe place from a fae, neutral grounds, or- trying to memorize the textbook that belonged to her father as a child.

"My Gram swears she saw one in her house" Charity added, Katherine remembered the story of how Charity's Gram stated the story. Fae didn't enter homes, not much knowledge was known about the creatures. Homes were supposed to be the safest place. Charity's Gram was a patient at St. Mungo so the accusation of the incident was never documented. None of the healers believed it.

With a few more drinks, the red cloak man was no longer standing near the exit. Katherine had lost track of him and knew as long as they stayed here until sunrise, they were safe for the night. The underground was a neutral place.

No good or evil.

To learn more of the selection was almost putting a damper on her plans of staying in the Underground, but she kept shutting the little voice out. Ignoring it.

Charity had dragged Katherine to the dance floor. Their body swaying to the music. Katherine allowed the rhythm to take over her body, swaying her hips to the beat. Ignore it all. The beat flowed freely. Tilting her head back she looked up at the open sky. The only constellation that twinkled was the one that she felt the closest too.

Rubbing the birthmark that mimicked the Capricorn constellation, located on the inner part of her wrist. A mark that was barely visible to the eye. A blessing from the stars her mother would tell her. Her father would remind her that all of that was a fairytale that Mia wanted her children to believe in.

Charity's pink lips pouted. Her long lashes kissed the edge of her cheek before her large doe eyes locked on Katherine.

"I'm all ou-tt" Charity slurred, her empty cup waving in her hand. Knowing it was her cue, Katherine smirked and gulped the rest of her wine. It was her turn to grab the drinks.

With all the servers walking around, they only held trays filled with starlight. Katherine made her way to the center of the room; the large U shape bar barley had room for her to squeeze her frame in. The one and only chair available, Katherine sat. Ordering drinks here were not fast. The pink hair woman that worked behind the bar, was focused on one person only. She like all the other servers was perfect. Body perfectly proportioned. The worker was flirting with on young lad, Katherine knew as Quirinus Quirrell. He was putty in her hand, his neck red, with a large grin plastered on his face.

Shrugging. Katheirne couldn't blame him. She was a beauty and the smell of sweetness from the worker was temptation in a bottle. Glancing toward Charity, she was chatting with the man and woman that were snogging earlier in the night. All was good. They were both still safe, the constellation was not in the sky. All was good.

Reaching for the back of her heel, Katherine felt the ache in her feet. Her friend was smart giving her the only heels that she owned for the engagement party. The bore of a party, Katherine didn't want to think of Lily and James at the moment. Tapping her black nail on the counter, the server never came. Leaning back in her chair, staring nonstop at the pink hair woman, Katherine wanted her to make contact. All she needed was a simple order of two drinks. Trying to enjoy the seat, she knew dancing the night away was the only plan the girls had.

The figure next to her seemed busier with drawing than trying to catch the woman's attention himself. Leaning up, she peered over his arm to look at the napkin he was turning into art. It was a picture of two boys, one slender with glasses. He looked a lot like her brother James. A lightning bolt mark on the forehead. With the mirrored image of another child that favored a boy Katherine knew as Frank Longbottom. The child had the same exact mark. Raising her gaze to the hands of the man, his tattoo of the exact lightening mark on the back of each hand. His forearm was covered with symbols she didn't understand. A language not of her native tongue. His rolled up white dress sleeves hid anything else he had on his arms.

The shirt was unbuttoned. His bare chest was something that Katherine didn't want to look away from, not because of how gorgeous he looked. The artwork. On his dark skin, there was barley an empty spot. Shadows seemed to seep from the art, dark magic. A magic she was tempted to back away from. The vanishing dove that flew around different parts of skin and always ending back on his chest was the only thing not seeping shadows. The sketch was beautiful. Once it landed where the man's heart was a cage would appear. Trapped, but the cage turned to a serpent, wrapping itself around the dove. The scene ended with a burst from the dove, destroying the artwork of both. Leaving behind stars, before the story began again.

He was still drawing, Katherine was hoping he didn't realize that she was gawking over his artwork, on the napkin and his body. Especially his body.

"You like to draw huh, my friend" Katherine pointed in the direction of Charity, "does too…she loves art," Katherine boasted. Having to break the silence.

He became still. Placing the pencil down, he picked up his napkin and placed it into the glass of water on the bar. With a wave of his hand, he caused the water to boil. Making the art vanish. Katherine bit her bottom lip. Maybe it was a wrong move to speak with him.

Failing at her social ques, Katherine scratched her neck, hoping she wasn't turning red.

"I know" he stated boredom leaking from each word, "I saw the paint under her fingernails when she came earlier to grab you two a drink…...wine for you…" he finally turned to face her "a gin and coke for her…. she is creative, but the original state of the dress would have worked. With it being cut it looks cheap."

Katherine's mouth parted. His golden eyes looked similar to the pair she saw last night in the cemetery. Like two balls of fire but the silver rim circling the color. It wasn't the same. Her tongue was dry, releasing the breath she didn't realize she was holding. The eyes were NOT the same. Reminding herself the eyes from last night did not have silver. It was a bear…. dropping her gaze to his neck she found more artwork on him. He flipped his hand over motioning for the worker to come over. The inner of his forearm held the Scorpio constellation, her own zodiac sign, the Leo constellation took her a few seconds to gather. She was curious if he held all twelve of them.

He politely ordered the drinks even after the slam of Charity. He watched her, not saying another word as the order was being made. Never scanning her body, like she did his.

"You were very rude with those words," Katherine stated.

His lip turned upward, "And your staring was a bit obnoxious. Tit for tat"

The shadows swirled around him avoiding her hand as he rested his on the bar near hers. He leaned forward, his smooth voice was just above a whisper, "When the moonstar enters the bar, I suggest you leave with them….no matter what distracts you…" his eyes averted from her glancing toward the area she knew Charity was located at. His jaw tightened a bit, "or your fate will be sealed."

The voice in her head was yelling at her Get up, get up and run. Grab Charity and RUN…she didn't. Her heartbeat was loud beating against her chest, she felt the throbbing in her ears. Who was moonstar and why would she go with them?

"What are you" not who but what…. he wasn't a wizard…but something that she didn't understand. Tattoos didn't produce those type of shadows, something about him was off. Alluring yes, but off.

Get out….her own voice kept repeating itself. You must survive…..RUN

Katherine pulled herself to her feet. His hand was quick, reaching for her. She was faster. Thankfully. The server placed the drinks in front of them. He slowly paid for them; the server gave a deep bow of her head. Noticeable to anyone watching. Katheine's brow rose.

He couldn't be a gorgon, they had snakes for hair. From what she assumed. It wasn't like she ever saw one.

His throat cleared, "Promise me something if I tell you" The color of his eyes looked like they were spinning in a ball of flame, promising warmth and happiness. Oh, how she longed to fully be happy, he could give it all to her. Katherine sat back down, he smelled like oak, freedom, home. All she had to do was say, yes, to agree to whatever promise he needed from her. The word was on the tip of her tongue. Leaning forward, she could see her own bright blue eyes reflecting in his.

Say….it…. Her mouth parted. Before the word could escape her throat. Katherine was pulled out of the bar stool. Yelping from the harsh movement. The creature before her looked like he was an evil demon staring at whatever yanked her from the trance he had her in. Like he wanted to consume her magic and hurt whatever saved her.

The hold was firm, it couldn't be Charity, being turned to face the tall man that saved her. His black cloak was similar to the shadows she was just trying to avoid earlier. Trading one monster for another. Katherine stared at the face of the man she never wanted to lay eyes on again.

"Are you stupid," Severus Snape sneered, "About to make a promise with a fae," his grip firm, a punishment for her action.

"I thought I killed her" Avery's shocked statement was a whisper that didn't cause her to avert her gaze from Severus.