~ In which a shy Hufflepuff falls for a certain redhead Gryffindor that changes her life. ~
Disclaimer: I only own Katherine, Alden, and other original characters not found in the original HP world. Everything else belongs to JK Rowling.
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The Order had been patrolling their assigned houses for a few weeks. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Death Eaters seemed to be laying low, which shocked everyone. Why were they quiet all of a sudden? Katherine had a bad feeling. Voldemort had to be planning something big.
Katherine was observing the front of the house while Tonks had the back and Arthur the side. Katherine looked ahead of her, making sure she didn't see a sign of someone apparating. She could've sworn she saw a quick movement of some sort but quickly brushed it off when nothing else happened. Katherine twirled her wand in her hand as she walked near the side of the house to check on Arthur. He was studying something from behind a tree. Suddenly, a green light shot from behind the tree. Luckily, Arthur jumped out of the way.
"Tonks! We need help!" Katherine called, pointing her wand at who looked like Rookwood.
Suddenly, a firm hand gripped Katherine and turned her to face him. A hairy and ugly face was sneering at her. His eyes were as black as coal which made Katherine shudder. The man strengthened his grip, making Katherine whimper. Katherine noticed the guy's sharp teeth as he licked his lips. She heard stories about this man—one person, in particular, Remus. It was Fenrir Greyback.
"Hello," Fenrir growled. Katherine stared, wide-eyed at the werewolf. Fenrir leaned his head towards her and breathed her in. "You smell delicious. I wouldn't mind taking a bite. Too bad the Dark Lord wants you."
Katherine remembered Greyback didn't have a hold of the hand she was holding her wand in. Quickly, she pointed it at the werewolf and cast the Impediment Jinx. The spell not only knocked him back but Katherine back as well. She was lucky not to slam against the house. Katherine shot the stunning spell at Greyback to make sure he didn't try to grab her again. Katherine ran to Arthur's side when she saw he was dueling two Death Eaters.
"Incendio!"
Katherine sent the spell to Thorfinn Rowle, making him distracted. She sent body binding spells as he put out the fire that was spreading up his robes. Arthur knocked out Rookwood and put the body-binding spell on him to make sure he wouldn't catch him off guard. Suddenly, a whimper sounded. Katherine and Arthur turned around and saw Tonks being held by Greyback.
"Put your wands down, or I tear her throat open," Greyback growled. Katherine looked at Arthur, who nodded. They dropped their wands, making Greyback smile. "Good. Now Ollivander is going to walk to me."
"But—" Arthur was cut off by Greyback growling.
"It's okay, Arthur," Katherine put her hand on his shoulder and smiled. "If I walk to you, you have to let Tonks go."
"Okay," Greyback smiled, flashing his pointy teeth.
Katherine slowly walked to the werewolf, not taking her eyes off the oddly calm Tonks. When Katherine was an arm's length away from Greyback, he threw Tonks to the ground. He reached for Katherine, but a red light hit him from the back. Katherine smiled when she saw Moody with his wand raised. Arthur ran over to the girls and helped Tonks up.
"Why were you so calm?" Katherine asked.
"I knew Mad-Eye would come," Tonks laughed, dusting off the dirt that was on her clothes. "I sent a message to him, saying Death Eaters were here. That's how Greyback got me. After I stunned Amycus, I sent my Patronus, and Greyback attacked me from behind."
Everyone walked to where the unconscious Death Eaters were, but they were gone. Moody cursed under his breath and looked to find Greyback missing as well. The Auror went into the house and retrieved Amelia Bones from the house; he apparated her somewhere, probably to a safe house. Katherine went to where she and Arthur dropped their wands. She went to pick up her wand but felt a sharp pain shoot through her wrist.
"You've got to be kidding me," Katherine said to herself.
"What's wrong?" Arthur asked.
"Something's wrong with my wrist," she answered, picking up her wand with her other hand.
"Will you be able to apparate?" Tonks walked to Katherine and gently held the girl's wrist in her hand.
"Should be able to," Katherine sighed.
Tonks nodded and apparated. Arthur was next, and Katherine was the last. She landed just outside the marsh. Katherine jogged inside but stopped when she saw Dumbledore; she hadn't expected to see him. Arthur ushered her to the couch while Molly got her wand. She cast a spell that made Katherine's wrist feel better.
"What 'appened?" Fleur asked, rushing into the room.
"A few Death Eaters came," Arthur replied.
"Are you okay, Kari?" Fleur sat next to Katherine and examined her wrist.
"Yea, Molly fixed it," Katherine smiled. Suddenly, George ran into the house. He frantically looked around until his eyes rested on Katherine.
"We got a message something happened," George calmed down when he saw Katherine wasn't hurt.
Arthur explained what happened once everyone came back from their patrol. Even the part when Greyback traded with the girls. After Arthur told the Order everything, Dumbledore pulled Katherine aside.
"How's Amelia Bones?" Katherine asked as Dumbledore walked outside.
"She's fine. Susan will stay at Hogwarts until Summer Break," Dumbledore answered. "I intend on reuniting her and her aunt in a safe house."
"That's good to know," Katherine slowly nodded. "But I have another question. Greyback said something to me. He told me that Voldemort wants me. Why?"
"It's possible that he found out about your gift," Dumbledore sighed. "If Voldemort found out he'd want you on his side, or to—"
"What," Katherine was worried that Dumbledore hesitated to tell her something. Dumbledore was a brave man.
"Voldemort might want to kill you," Dumbledore said. Katherine stopped breathing. "You're a worthy opponent, Katherine. If you rejected the offer of joining Voldemort's side, he would have no hesitation to kill you."
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The talk with Dumbledore hadn't left Katherine's mind. Voldemort possibly wanted her dead. It freaked Katherine out; she never expected to be the one Voldemort targeted. It was always Harry. When Katherine told George what Dumbledore said, he begged her to go into hiding, but Katherine refused. She wasn't going to let a noseless man dictate her life.
"Hey, Kari!" Tonks greeted her as she walked into the shop. "Why is the shop empty?"
"Hey Tonks," Katherine gave a small smile. "Ever since the attacks, business has been going down. People are too scared to go places."
Tonks looked around with her eyes, Decoy Detonators. Smiling, she walked over and grabbed a couple of boxes. Tonks walked to register and rang the bell while looking at Katherine with a smile. Katherine laughed and rang her in.
"What're you buying these for?" Katherine asked while bagging the products.
"It could come in handy if I'm dueling someone and need to get away," Tonks took the bag. "So, my Mum wants you to come over for dinner this week. She wants to meet her long-lost cousin."
"What day?" Katherine smiled.
"On Saturday, she's making spaghetti and meatballs, which is her best dish," Tonks replied. "So Saturday?"
