𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑 ~ (𝐣.𝐩)

xxxviii

AUGUST 13th 1978

"I'M sick of this," Cat complained, leaning her head on the back of the couch.

"Now what is that?" Mcgonagall asked, turning the corner from the kitchen into the living area. Cat was having tea with her mother at her childhood home. She hasn't been back since the summer before sixth year, spending the summer before seventh at Remus' along with James, Sirius, and Peter.

"The stupid missions I've been on," Cat said. "All I've been doing is watching a cafe window for the past two weeks. I love Fabian, but I can only take so much of him talking about his nephews."

"I'm sure Dumbledore has stuff planned for you in the future," Mcgonagall said, sipping her tea.

"Are you sure you aren't the reason i'm getting the short stick ever time?" Cat eyed her. Mcgonagall stayed silent, giving Cat her answer. "Are you kidding, Mom?"

"I just want you to stay safe. I couldn't bare to lose you." Before Cat could answer, Fawkes flew in the window. There was a letter wrapped around his claw. Cat grabbed it before her mother could reach it. "Catriona. Give that hear," Mcgonagall demanded.

Minerva,
Please come to Hill Rock. Some of Voldemort's followers were spotted. Bring whoever is with you.
-Albus

Cat read the letter out loud and looked back up to her mother. "I'm coming with you."

"No you are not."

"Dumbledore said bring whoever you're with, that would be me. I know where they are so I can apparate by myself." With that, Cat left her mother in the living room and was on the cliff. The terrain was white with snow and Cat could see her breath in front of her face. Over the hill, she heard the low grunts of people fighting.

There were at least 7 of Voldemort's followers and only three of the Order members. Cat joined Molly by her side, fighting off Lucius and Abraxus Malfoy. Lucius broke off to go one on one with Cat.

"I heard you are still with Potter, is that true?" Lucius asked her.

"We are in the middle of a duel and you want to talk about that?" Cat asked while continuing to throw silent spells his way. "And anyway, aren't you with that Black girl?" The question caught him off guard and Cat disarmed Lucius. After a few more spells hit him in the chest, Lucius quickly apparated away.

"Avada Kedavra" someone hissed. Cat leaped behind a rock just in time to miss the spell. When she creeped back out, Bellatrix Lestrange was standing there. She threw an unknown spell at Cat, who quickly protected herself.

When the protection dissolved, Bellatrix screamed, "Flipendo!" The spell hit Cat in her torso, sending her doing a flip in the air. She slid on her stomach, until the earth gave away and she was slipping off the cliff. Cat scrambled to grab onto something. Luckily, there was a loose root that she caught before she fully slid over.

Cat was ready to yell for help when Peter stood over her. "Pete, thank Merlin you're here," Cat breathed, relieved to see her friend, someone to help her. "Help me up." Cat reached her free hand up. Peter stared down at her, a scared look on his face. He looked over his shoulder, looking unsure of what to do. "Pete? Come on."

"Wormtail!" a raspy voice yelled over the hill. "Kill that one and come!"

Cat stared up at Peter, who looks like he could push her off the edge at any minute. Peters face softened before he turned around and ran off.

Cat stared at the place Peter, sweet, innocent Peter stood and supposedly was about to push her over. The next face to come into view was Marlene's. "Cat?" she reached a hand down and pulled Cat up. "You look like you've seen a ghost? What's wrong?"

"Let's just get back to the house and I'll tell
you."
❏❏❏

The two appeared on the doorstep of the small cottage. Being the first back, they didn't have to answer any security questions. Marlene led Cat up the stairs to the only bedroom at the top. She insisted Cat get some rest after what had happened.

After Cat explained that Peter was a spy and working with Voldemort. "Oh Merlin. I always knew he was a little rat. He will get what's coming to him," Marlene fumed. "I'm going to make us some tea then I'll be right up."

A few moments later, Cat heard the familiar crack of someone apparating. Only something was wrong. Instead of hearing Marlene ask a security question, Cat heard a loud thud then the sound of the stairs slowly creaking. She hurried to the door and locked it. The handle jiggled for a few seconds before Peters voice came through the door, "Cat, open the door. It's me, Peter." Cat didn't say a word, not trusting her own voice. "Cat, come on, it's just me, I promise."

"Peter, stay out there or do help me-"

"You'll what?" Peter growled, changing from the soft, soothing voice he spoke in earlier. "We both know you won't do anything." Peter sighed then took a deep inhale. "Can we not fight? I just wasn't to talk." Cat stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. "The Dark Lord . . . he wants you to join our ranks."

"Our ranks? So you're really with him. You're one of his slaves?" Cat asked, trying her hardest to keep her voice from cracking. She wiped away the tears that were streaming down her face. "Peter, you're better than this. I know you, you wouldn't-"

"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!" Peter yelled, interrupting her. "You've always been in Remus and Sirius' good graces, never done anything wrong. You're the best in James' eyes. You were never the butt of their jokes. You were never tossed aside like - like a wet rag. So no, you don't know how it feels." For a second, Cat actually felt bad, felt pity for Peter. Just then, she realized how poorly he was treated sometimes, but that shouldn't have been a reason to become a murderer. Cat leaned against the door and closed her eyes, willing that peter go away. "I'm warning you Cat, don't make me blow down this damn door."

"PETTIGREW!" Marlene roared from the lower level of the house. The crack of apparation announced Peter leaving before any harm could be done with him.

The door handle jiggled once more and Cat stood up right away. She didn't have her wand because it flew off the cliff after Bellatrix knocked her back, so she put her hands up to fight the Muggle way, though it wouldn't do any help against magic. "Cat?" someone called through. "Cat it's James."

Cat sighed a breath of relief and unlocked the door. Once it was open, she practically jumped into James' arms, happy she was safe. Happy the events of the night were in the past and now they knew they had a spy in the Order. No one would believe it is Peter, but they'll have to trust Cat's word if they want to win this war.

❏❏❏

[thanks for reading!! sorry this is another short chapter but i had fun writing it. i got the idea from a tiktok but i don't remember who. i also didn't realize i put a ron quote until i read it over lol]

[i hope you enjoyed and don't forget to vote!!]