Chương 97: Chapter 97: Inner Demons (1)
Sirius received his slice of cake alongside a salty tirade from Catherine, who was more than displeased upon discovering their plan and the fact they had kept it from her. Even with the Thestral hair finally in their possession, visible only to James and Remus, the girl's annoyance with her best friends remained unassuaged.
Dumbledore had successfully healed all the scars left by the salamanders, and Sirius quickly pushed the pain he had experienced aside, basking in their achievement.
"I love it when plans come together as they should!" – he exclaimed with a grin, springing onto one of the sagging red sofas in the Gryffindor Common Room, where Catherine sat, engrossed in her Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3 by Miranda Goshawk. Ignoring her lack of response, Sirius seized her book and settled his head into her lap, casually flipping through the pages of the thick volume, scoffing condescendingly.
"You already know all this! Let's do something fun instead!"
"Sure!" – Catherine replied, her tone laced with sarcasm, green eyes flashing with anger – "How about I set you on fire again? Or we can shove you off the Astronomy Tower and see if you can fly! Is that fun enough for you?"
Pushing the tome aside, Sirius grasped Catherine's hand firmly, coaxing her to meet his gaze, sincerity evident on his face.
"Don't be mad at us, Flame!" – he pleaded, pressing his lips to the back of her hand, causing the young witch to avert her eyes in embarrassment – "You've been through so much lately, and overall, you've already done more than your fair share. It's time to let us be your partners in this, not just some foolish kids you look after."
"I simply can't believe you would devise such a dangerous plan and you couldn't be bothered to share it with me!" – exclaimed Catherine exasperatedly – "Do you have any idea what kind of horror I experienced when I saw you screaming, engulfed in flames? I thought you may die!"
"We knew the salamander fire was not sufficiently potent to kill me, but the accident had to appear serious enough for Hagrid to come to the rescue!" – Sirius attempted to justify their actions, his heart pounding furiously at the memory of Catherine's genuine care during the accident – "Come on! You won't cry again, will you? It makes me feel worse than being burnt to a crisp by salamanders!"
"Numbskull!" – the young witch snapped and stood up – "I'm warning you, Sirius Black, if such a thing happens again, you'll sorely regret the day you met me!"
"I doubt it!"- Sirius responded, moving swiftly from the sofa to stand next to Catherine, his voice dropping slightly in pitch – "I'll never regret that day, no matter what comes between us."
Catherine met his intense gaze, feeling a lump in her throat and her palms growing sweaty. "You're not off the hook yet." – she murmured, her tone much softer than intended.
"Would you change your mind if I buy you a box of your torture candies when we go to Hogsmeade next weekend?" – asked Sirius, flashing a tempting smile.
"Make it two boxes." – said Catherine, deciding it was a fair price for her concern.
***
The first Saturday in April bathed Hogwarts in the golden embrace of spring, casting a radiant glow over every student bustling with anticipation for their Hogsmeade visit. Catherine was not an exception. She was having an early breakfast, humming a catchy tune, she had heard on the portable wizarding radio Mary had received as a birthday present from her parents. Suddenly, a beautiful brown owl dropped a letter over her scrambled eggs and flew away. The young witch quickly opened the envelope and immediately recognised Dumbledore's handwriting.
Dear Catherine,
My apologies for or the delay in reaching out to you. Matters of great urgency demanded my attention beyond the confines of Hogwarts.
Let us resume our lessons promptly on Monday following the Easter break, at the hour of 8 p.m.
In the interim, I implore you to persist in honing your skills in the art of healing magic. Should you find yourself with spare moments amidst your studies, I recommend perusing the tome titled 'Healing Spells and Incantations' by the esteemed Professor Aurelia Silverleaf that you can find in the Library. Mastering some traditional healing spells will facilitate adapting your magic for that particular task.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. It has come to my attention that the Gargoyle has developed a fondness for Salt Water Taffies as of late.
'Great!' – thought Catherine, annoyed – 'He doesn't have enough time for me but assigns me homework regardless!'
She finished her breakfast and left the castle. Remus was already waiting for her next to the gates. Sirius had received detention for 'improper handling of salamanders,' and James had opted to stand by him. Peter apparently found the prospect of spending the entire morning with James, while Sirius was busy sorting various fertilizers, to be the most enjoyable use of his time. Thus, Catherine and Remus ventured into the village alone, with the promise of meeting the rest of their group later for butterbeers at The Three Broomsticks.
The two Gryffindors enjoyed a pleasant morning wandering through Hogsmeade, filled with fellow Hogwarts students. The young witch was chatting merrily, jumping from one topic to another, while Remus listened with a contented smile, occasionally interjecting. He seemed pleased to engage in a conversation where his input was limited to no more than thirty percent.
"So, eventually, I decided to get a new broom. However, I haven't decided on the brand, and every time I ask for advice James and Sirius end up bickering for hours, without helping me choose." – the girl concluded her rant.
"I suppose the choice depends on whether you plan to use it for Quidditch or just for recreational flying around Hogwarts." – said Remus, looking at the sky contemplatively – "Though, I can't see much use for flying around the castle. I suppose you wouldn't be able to use it while you're at home?"
"Not necessarily." – Catherine replied, her words measured and deliberate – "We live on a large property, so I can fly around without worrying about Muggles spotting me, apart from my parents, of course."
"If your house is that big, don't you have some sort of servants?" – asked Remus.
Remus's inquiry caught Catherine off guard. She underestimated her friend's astute and perceptive nature. Furthermore, unlike James and Sirius, the amber-eyed boy's quiet demeanour belied his acute observation skills. Every word he spoke carried weight, a trait Catherine now regretted overlooking.
"We used to employ a few servants, but when my magic began to manifest, my parents deemed it necessary to let them go, to avoid any undue attention or speculation." – lied the girl, hoping it would sound plausible – "Nowadays, we rely on a cleaning service for maintenance, and food is delivered to our doorstep."
"It must have been difficult when you found out that you were a witch." – stated Remus, reflecting upon what Catherine had just told him – "I suppose you didn't know what to think and do before the school contacted you?"
"Yes." – the girl nodded, her whole being rebelling against the lie she told Remus – "Yes, it was hard. To realise there might be something dangerous within you, something you can't control... It's terrifying. You end up pushing away those you care about, fearing you might harm them."
"I know that feeling all too well." – sighed the young wizard, staring at the ground – "There's always been a sense that you understand me better than anyone else. Perhaps it's due to the shock and the fear of the unknown you experienced when your magic manifested."
"Indeed." – mumbled the witch.
'I wish I could tell you the truth, Remus!' – she thought, her lower lip caught between her teeth – 'But I fear even you might flee if you knew what I am. You're a werewolf, yes, but your danger is bound to the full moon. Moreover, there are ways one can protect themselves. How does one contain a demon once unleashed? I just hope you wouldn't be anywhere near me.'
"Flame?" – Remus' voice cut through Catherine's troubled thoughts – "Isn't that Frank Longbottom?"
Catherine lifted her head and saw Frank, standing in the middle of High Street with a guitar, playing something that sounded like Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple. A small crowd had gathered, laughing, and even tossing a few Knuts his way.
"What's going on?" – the young witch inquired, her curiosity piqued by the choice of song from the Pure-blood wizard.
"Oh, hi, Flame!" – the fourth-year grinned, as he paused his impromptu performance – "As you see, I'm paying the price for an ill-placed bet with Greg."
"And you chose to serenade the only wizarding village in Britain with a Muggle hard rock anthem?" – the girl said, amused, thinking that her brother really had a weird sense of humour.
"Absolutely!" – Frank's shoulders slumped in mock defeat – "But in my defence, I thought I had a winning hand. If I'd won, Greg would be here instead, singing Spellbound by You."
"My mom used to love this song." – mumbled Remus, mostly to himself.
"And what was the bet, if it's not a secret?" – Catherine asked with curiosity, feeling regret she wouldn't be able to witness the spectacle of her brother throwing all his composure and cool persona aside to sing an all-time favourite song to every housewitch.
"I wagered we'd lose the game to Hufflepuff." – sighed the boy.
"Serves you right if you bet against our team!" – chuckled the young witch.
"I just thought it was a sure betting opportunity, after seeing how Potter and Black were eying Greg, I couldn't have imagined they would work as a team!" – admitted Frank, sulkily.
"Hence, now you're playing until you earn a Galleon!" – laughed Greg, who had emerged from the nearby Apothecary.
"You have no mercy, my Lord!" – Frank moaned theatrically, while Greg simply shrugged and joined the other Gryffindor fourth-years nearby.
"Well, good luck!" – Catherine smiled, tossing a few Sickles to the unfortunate street artist.
"Would you like to grab lunch?" – Catherine asked Remus, then added – "My treat."
"You don't have to." – he replied, his cheeks turning crimson.
"I don't have to, but I want to!" – the girl declared firmly – "You know, it's pointless to have money if you don't use it to take care of the people who are dear to you. And you, Remus Lupin, you're definitely one of those people for me! Now, let's go to The Three Broomstick and get some sandwiches! We can eat them outside."
With determination, Catherine grasped Remus's hand, quelling any protests, and led him towards the popular pub. They took a shortcut through some backstreets and were just about to turn onto High Street when a familiar female voice prompted them to stop.
"I don't understand why you'd refuse my offer to treat you to lunch, Sev! It's just a sandwich!"
"It's a matter of principle! Besides, these particular sandwiches don't look like anything I would eat." – Snape's voice replied, as Remus and Catherine finally spotted their two classmates. Severus was leaning against the wall of The Three Broomsticks, while Lily stood opposite him, near the Hogsmeade Hattery.
"I can't comprehend your principles!" – Lily retorted – "You turn a blind eye to so many despicable things your Slytherin friends do, and then you show scruples about something that's not a big deal at all! I've seen plenty of people treating their friends to a meal or a drink!"
"I'm sure you have!" – sneered the black-haired boy.
"What's that supposed to mean?" – the witch demanded angrily.
"It means the whole school knows how much Potter, Black, and Plantier like to flaunt their wealth, showing 'generosity' left and right. I'm certain there are plenty of people without pride who don't mind being bought, but I am not one of them!"
"This is ridiculous! I don't know what Potter and Black do and I don't care, but Catherine has never flaunted her wealth!" – Lily defended her friend vehemently.
"Of course not!" – Snape's tone dripped with sarcasm – "She's not the one purchasing extravagant clothes and accessories, showcasing them to everyone. She's also not the one squandering Galleons on frivolous gifts for her so-called friends every time she visits Hogsmeade! Honestly, Lily, you need to spend less time with her!"
"I can decide myself who I spend my time with!" – snapped Lily, her frustration evident – "I'll say it again: stop this already! You've gone too far! You hexed her hair off, and she broke your nose, for Merlin's sake! What will it take for the two of you to stop provoking each other every chance you get! It's so childish!"
"Perhaps Snape would like me to throw some Galleons his way too?" – Catherine's cold voice startled Snape and Lily – "Then he could finally afford some necessities like shampoo and toothpaste."
The Slytherin turned around and shot a murderous glance at the two Gryffindors, standing just a few metres away from him.
"You can keep your gold." – he scoffed – "You'll need it to pay people to tolerate your bald head and not flee."
"I have enough to spare." – the girl retorted with a smile, though her jade-green eyes flashed with barely contained anger - "I could even pay someone to go on a date with you. Redheads, I presume?"
Snape's hand tightened around his wand, his lips trembling with anger as he aimed it at Catherine. Remus moved to intervene, but his friend halted him with a subtle shake of her head, her focus unwavering on the Slytherin. She had never encountered anyone who could ignite her fury like Severus Snape.
The young witch didn't want to proclaim she hated him, because she refused to deem his as important enough to deserve her hatred. Nevertheless, in that moment, Catherine was experiencing a sense of detest that she was confident went as close to hatred as possible.
"Don't bother, Moony." – she interjected – "As we've recently learned, you don't need a wand to deal with him. Say, Snivellus, did you like being beaten by a girl that much that you can't wait for another round?"
"This is more than enough! I've had it with both of you! Why do you constantly ruin my time!" – yelled Lily on the verge of tears, as she ran away towards High Street.
Severus looked stunned after her. He quickly put away his wand and turned around, determined to follow the red-headed Gryffindor. Just before he left, however, he glanced over his shoulder, his cold black eyes meeting Catherine's green ones.
"I understand your need this image to protect your ego, but do you truly believe I couldn't physically overpower you if I chose to?"
The young witch was left speechless, grappling with the implications of Snape's words. She had never considered that Snape might willingly refrain from engaging in a physical confrontation. Her assumption of superiority had been shattered, leaving her bewildered.
'But why?' – she thought, confused – 'He was not shy about hexing my hair off. Why would he stop if he was truly able to protect himself back then?'
"Flame?" – Remus's concerned voice broke through her thoughts.
"I'm fine, Moony! I'll go grab those sandwiches. You can wait outside or join me." – she said, forcing herself to sound cheerful.
The boy opted to wait in front of The Three Broomsticks, where they bumped into Philippa Finch from Hufflepuff, with whom Remus shared Arithmancy classes. They engaged in a conversation about numbers and formulas, topics that left Catherine feeling lost. Deciding to escape the scholarly discourse, she slipped into the dark, cool interior of the pub and patiently queued to order their lunch from Madame Rosmerta.
The girl ordered two ham and cheese sandwiches and two bottles of lemonade, then moved to the side to wait for their food to be prepared. Leaning against a nearby wall, she surveyed the premises. There weren't many patrons at this hour, as most people preferred to enjoy the sunny weather outside. However, Catherine noticed a familiar glint of auburn hair at one of the tables, half-hidden beneath the stairs.
As her eyes adjusted to the dim atmosphere, the Gryffindor recognised the figures of Professor Thorne and Professor McGonagall. They appeared to be engrossed in conversation, their tea completely forgotten. Thorne's hand gently cupped McGonagall's cheek, their faces closer than they should have been. The girl felt uncomfortable witnessing such an intimate scene but couldn't tear her eyes away.
"Here are your sandwiches, darling!" – Madame Rosmerta pushed a paper bag into the girl's hands, startling her and prompting her to quickly dash outside.
"What's wrong?" – Remus asked, puzzled by his friend's flushed face.
"Nothing! Let's eat!" – the girl replied, a bit too enthusiastically.
The two Gryffindors headed down High Street in search of a good spot to sit and have lunch. As they approached the Post Office, they heard a strange sound.
'Is this a car? No, it can't be.' – thought the young witch, feeling confused.
A dark blue Rolls-Royce Corniche with tinted windows slowly made its way through the stunned students, stopping in front of the Hogsmeade Time Treasures, where various antiques were on display. A small crowd of students immediately gathered around the unfamiliar mode of transportation.
"Isn't this a Muggle car?" – exclaimed Remus, surprised – "I thought Muggle technologies wouldn't work in an area with so much magic!"
"They would, if you enchant them." – said Catherine, feeling a cold shiver run down her spine. She scanned the faces around but couldn't spot Greg anywhere. Her heart pounded wildly as her hand slipped into her pocket, seizing her wand tightly and pulling it out, ready for whatever might come next. She wasn't sure what she would do with it, but Catherine McMahon was painfully aware that one of her family's worst fears was becoming a reality. There was only one type of people who would use a Muggle car in an all-wizarding village: aristocrats.
Meanwhile, the car's driver promptly exited his seat and opened the back door. A tall, dark-haired man in his thirties emerged from the vehicle and strode confidently toward the antique store. He was dressed in a sleek, well-tailored Muggle suit that accentuated his elegant silhouette. Abruptly, he halted and turned around, catching sight of the stunned students staring at him intently. With his deep-set topaz-blue eyes and loosely flowing, wavy brown hair, he exuded an aura of refined elegance. Sharp, symmetrical features added to his striking appearance, with a strong jawline that neatly framed his straight nose. A perfectly groomed short beard accentuated the chiselled contours of his face. There was a defiant aura of potent magical power and arrogance surrounding the newcomer.
Catherine's mouth went dry, and she doubted she could even summon the strength to cast a spell if necessary. She knew she stood no chance against the wizard several paces away. Though she had only glimpsed him from afar before, there was no mistaking his identity.
"Hm, it seems we've arrived during a Hogwarts weekend!" – Duke Adrian Borealis remarked with an amused smile.
Catherine tightened her grip on her wand, feeling more vulnerable than ever before. Suddenly, she felt a sharp tug and found herself pulled into a nearby alley. Before she could react, everything went black, and she felt pressure from all sides, her eardrums throbbing painfully. When she opened her eyes again, she was standing in the middle of a dusty old room with a sagging bed, a dirty table, and two broken chairs.
"Well, Miss Plantier, it appears you still haven't learned that school rules apply to everyone. Twenty points from Gryffindor!" – hissed Carter Thorne, fuming with anger, his perfectly arranged hair now a total mess.
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