Riddle Me This

Chapter 5

Catherine's POV

I didn't really hang out with Hermione when she was with Harry and Ron anymore. Not because I didn't like them, but I was still kind of hurt that they would claim that Snape would do something so horrendous. I would study with her in the library, talking happily about the topics we were going over, but never talked about her extra studies, or how she'd sometimes eye the Restricted Section.

And then, of course, there was the talk I had with Snape. I had asked him about the dog on the third floor, and if that's how he got hurt. I had detention with him until Christmas, cleaning cauldrons and flasks.

"What did you do to get Snape angry with you this time, Riddle?" Malfoy asked as I returned from my most recent detention.

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you." I said seriously as I pulled out my charms homework and glared at it slightly. Charms was not my strong suit. Potions and Transfigurations were easily my favorite. But Charms? Forget it. And I couldn't focus in Defense Against the Dark Arts. My back always hurt, and sometimes it got bad enough I had to leave. Though I said I was going to see Madam Pomfrey, I just headed to Slytherin dorm and then asked Malfoy to fill me in on what I missed. That was usually paired with a favor to do something stupid for him. Like giving him the sweet pies Grandma sent me every few weeks.

"Charms too hard for you Riddle?" Malfoy asked as he perched on the sofa next to me.

"Is that an offer to help me since you're so charming Malfoy?" I turned to him with a sarcastic smirk. "Because if so, I'll pass. I've already told Grandma to send me extra sweet pies for you. Grandpa's also said I should tell you to sod off, but I'm to nice for that." Malfoy rolled his eyes.

"Yes, perfect angel aren't you, Riddle." He asked as he slipped down beside me.

"For the last time, don't call me Riddle!" I hissed.

"Then what am I supposed to call you?" He snapped back.

"Smith! My last name is hyphenated, remember. Use the second one. Or use my first name." Malfoy rolled his eyes.

"Whatever Riddle." Malfoy said, rolling his eyes, then pointing out a mistake I made on my work. I huffed out a thanks and continued my assignments with Malfoy over my shoulder. Once I hit my Potions work, I smiled wide as I launched into it.

Christmas came and I ended up heading home. As soon as I walked through the door of my house, I smiled as I was hit with the smells of baking. Christmas cookies and treats, ornaments dancing with each other on the tree. Sevy went and hung from Nork's perch, causing the owl to squawk, but shuffle over to give her room. I smiled as I sat down and turned to my grandparents.

"You need to write to us more, Cathy." Grandma said, sitting down next to me and waving her wand, bringing the tea cups and bringing the bewitched tea pot back into action.

"Yes, more detail on the troll incident would be nice." Grandpa said with a slight scowl. "Preferably not whatever reason you gave to Severus." He sat in his chair, taking one of the tea cups and waiting. I frowned.

"I told him the truth." I said with a small pout. "I just left out a few details."

"Cathy." My grandmother said reprimanding. I sighed.

"Okay, fine." And so I retold the story. My grandparents nodded, and Grandma put a hand on my shoulder.

"And how's your back, dear. You said that it had been acting up?" Grandma asked.

"Well, it doesn't hurt now. Only sometimes. Usually during Defense Against the Dark Arts. Besides that, I haven't really noticed anything.

"Well, may I look at it." I nodded. Grandma is a Healer, and I hoped to be like her once I got older. We went to my room and I removed my shirt, showing her my back. "Merlin's beard." I felt her hands gently tracing the scar on my back. "How did this happen?" I turned slightly and caught the reflection of my back in the mirror. My breath hitched.

The scar, the 'Dark Mark' that my birth father used to mark his followers, and had somehow gotten on my body, was an angry red color. It was usually a pale pink, but this. I gasped and turned away from it quickly, redressing as I bit back a sob.

"Does anyone else know about the mark?" Grandma asked. I quickly shook my head.

"N-No. I-I haven't even told Hermione about m-mother's death." I choked out.

"Killian! Come here." Grandma called, crossing her arms as she started to tap her foot, a habit she has when she's anxious.

"What is it Morgana? What's wrong with Cath?" He came in and my grandmother turned to him.

"Dumbledore knows Catherine's birth circumstance, correct?" She asked. Grandpa nodded.

"Of course, why?" Grandma took a deep breath and sighed.

"Cathy, darling. I want to to show your scar to Professor Dumbledore when you return to school. And tell Severus what is happening. He probably already has an idea, but we need to keep you safe." Grandma was getting angry.

"'Gana, what's wrong?" Grandpa asked.

"It's reacting." She hissed out. "To him." The room went completely silent, except for Sevy, who flew in and clung to me. I could have sworn my grandfather was going to blow up with how red his face was turning.

"Catherine's not going back, that's what's happening." Grandpa stated.

"What, no." I cried.

"This isn't up for debate Catherine." Grandpa said. I started to shake and screamed at him, but the words out of my mouth weren't human, nor a spell. It's the only thing that connected me to the man who fathered me. Both my grandparents stepped back, and I quickly covered my mouth once I realized what I'd spoken. I shook as I cried more.

"Please. Don't take my friends away from me. Don't let him take them too." I dropped my head into my hands, hearing Sevy pretty much shrieking at my grandparents for making me so upset. They said nothing as they stepped out of my room.

I cried for hours, until the door opened and Grandma came in, much calmer now, but still a little ruffled.

"Cathy, dear. Would you like some cocoa?" I nodded as she sat next to me and handed me my favorite mug. Silver and green with a snake as the handle, whose tongue would flick out and tickle my knuckles occasionally. "Your grandfather and I have been talking." I flinched slightly, but she gently pet my back. "We won't pull you from Hogwarts. On one condition." I nodded quickly, turning to her.

"Anything, please."

"Never be caught alone. If you feel the burning sensation, immediately find Severus. We've decided not to wait, and have already floo called Severus and Dumbledore and filled them in. You three will have a meeting as soon as you return to Hogwarts. And Severus tells us you don't have many, if any, friends in Slytherin. Change that. Hermione may be your best friend, but she's not your housemate. She is restricted in what she can do for you. A Slytherin can, at the least, go to and from the dormitory. Am I understood?" My grandmother was stern through her entire speech. I gave her a firm nod. "Good." She gently kissed my head. "Finish your cocoa and then go to bed. It's been a long day for all of us. Let's start tomorrow like today never happened. I want to enjoy my time with my granddaughter." I nodded and kissed her cheek before she left.

"We're still going to Hogwarts, Sevy." I said with a smile. Sevy clicked happily before positioning herself in a way that she could watch both the door and the window. I finished my drink, giggling when the snake handle flicked its tongue out, and then promptly went to sleep.

The rest of the Christmas holiday went fine. I was so happy to be home, but really wanted to go back to school soon. The day I had to leave was bittersweet, with a reminder of the meeting and to befriend a Slytherin. I had an idea of who I could. But it'd probably fairly tricky to get them to agree without having a 'what's in it for me' discussion.