Riddle Me This

Chapter 4

Catherine's POV

I was quiet the next day at breakfast. And Malfoy actually seemed a little concerned.

"Riddle." Malfoy said quietly. "You alright?" The question startled me and I almost fell off the bench.

"What? Oh... yeah." I murmured. I didn't really talk to Hermione in Transfigurations, and she seemed worried. I drug my feet to Potions. I was usually really excited, but not this time. And Malfoy noticed.

"Okay Riddle. You're usually running to Potions, what is it?" He asked as I sat down next to him. Snape came in then, and instead of sitting up and smiling, I kept my head down and did my work.

"Smith." I snapped my head up to see Snape standing right in front of me. "Meet me after class." I nodded slowly, not making eye contact. He continued the lesson, and Malfoy cocked his eyebrow as he watched me. After class I didn't move, making Snape come to me, which was stupid.

"Catherine." He said, sounding tired, but he actually sat next to me. "What's the matter?"

"I just wanted to know what was wrong yesterday." I said, voice wavering as tears began to well up. Snape sighed.

"Catherine, did it cross your mind that I was a little more concerned about you than myself last night?" I looked up to see Snape also seemed a little paler than usual. "I had promised Abigail, as well as Killian and Morgana that I would watch after you. Not only that, you're my godchild. You could have died last night." He put a hand on my head and pet it lightly. "And I was nowhere near enough to protect you. I would never have forgiven myself if you had been hurt." I let out a sob. That never crossed my mind. I felt awful now.

"I'm sorry Papa. I didn't mean to worry you."

"Worry me?" Snape asked. He gently pulled me into an awkward hug. "Catherine, I was concerned when I didn't see you at dinner. Worried when Quirrell announced the troll in the dungeon. Terrified when I saw you in that bathroom with the troll on the floor." He hugged me a little tighter. "Promise me you'll be careful."

"I'll try." I said. "But if the troll was in the dungeon.." I pulled back slightly. "Why would Slytherin be brought to their dorm? Our dorm is IN the dungeon." Snape sighed.

"Catherine."

"Sorry Papa." Snape sighed again, before flicking his wrist, a small piece of parchment coming over with his neat handwriting.

"You're late for Flying. This note is for Hooch." I nodded slowly. Snape gave me a small kiss on my forehead. "I'm glad you're safe Catherine."

"You still aren't going to tell me what happened to you, are you?" Snape sighed.

"Don't worry about it Catherine. I'll be fine."

"Promise?" I asked as I watched him stand. Snape nodded and I smiled, hurrying to put my things from potions away and hurrying to the courtyard.

"Smith! You're late!" Hooch yelled, the other first years already in the air, my broom on the ground still.

"Sorry. Professor Snape held me back." I said, handing her the note. She read it over and sighed.

"He can't keep doing this." She said, but told me what we were doing. I got on my broom and into the air.

"Hey Cat." Hermoine asked, flying over and stopping next to me. "You alright? You look like you'd been crying." I shrugged.

"I'm fine now." And I gave her a smile. Malfoy was watching me from across the yard, and I smiled, bright and happy. He glanced away and I cocked my head slightly. Then he almost fell off his broom and I was over, trying to help him steady himself. "Bloody hell Malfoy. Be careful. The last thing you need is to break something."