Riddle Me This

Chapter 6

Catherine's POV

The discussion with Snape and Dumbledore was uncomfortable, as was showing the scar. Snape was not happy. At all. And Dumbledore hummed lightly in thought.

"Killian should have kept you home." Snape said. My eyes widened and began to water.

"No! Papa please. My friends are here. I don't want to be alone again."

"Catherine has a point Severus. At this point, we would only be punishing her for something she has no control over. And we both agreed to the terms Killian and Morgana had given us." Dumbledore said and nodded to me. "You may go to the Great Hall now Catherine. I have already asked Miss. Granger to escort you." I nodded and once I exited the office, Hermione was at the foot of the steps.

"Cat, what's going on?" She asked, horribly worried. I frowned and took a deep breath.

"I have something I need to show you." I grabbed her wrist and brought her into an empty classroom, taking a deep breath. "You have to keep this a secret, Hermione. Especially from Ron and Harry. I know this kills you inside to do it, but please. If you tell anyone, I'm going to be sent home and won't be able to return to school." Hermione nodded. I removed my robe and turned, pulling my shirt up, and heard her gasp.

"Who did that to you Cat?" She asked, and I felt her tracing the scar. I took a deep breath.

"My father..." I said, dropping the shirt and grabbing my robe, turning to Hermione. "The night he killed my mother..." I bit my lip. Hermione looked almost horrified.

"Oh Cat, I'm so sorry." Hermione's face had softened as she hugged me.

"I have something else to tell you, but I... I just can't say it yet." I said, hugging her back. "I'm scared of what you'll think of me. I promise to tell you when I'm ready though. It's just painful to admit." Hermione nodded and pulled back.

"Cat, you're my best friend." Hermione said firmly. I smiled through my tears.

"And you're mine. Let's head to the great hall before we get in trouble." Hermione agreed and we went. I was sad to not be able to sit with her, but ended up sitting next to Malfoy instead of in front of. I sniffled, but Malfoy took it the wrong way.

"Gross. If you get me sick, Riddle, I'll hex you." He bit out. I turned to him with a slight glare.

"I've been crying, Malfoy." I said firmly, before turning to the feast. "I almost didn't come back."

"What?" Malfoy asked, a few of the other first years having heard and listening. "Your grandparents almost took you out? Whatever for?" And now to launch my plan.

"Troll incident." I lied. "And with my back sending me out of almost every Defense class, they're beginning to become concerned for my health as well." I sighed then, pushing my plate around a bit. "They still might pull me out."

"That's ridiculous." Malfoy said, sneering slightly. I shrugged.

"Those are the terms I'm set with." I got a few strange glances then.

"What terms?" Goyle asked. I blinked a few times.

"Oh, I forgot to mention them didn't I." I lied. I left that out on purpose, seeing who cared enough. Whoever did, friend material. And people had questioned if I was a Slytherin. "My grandparents want me to have someone else with me at all times. I kid you not. They said that being friends with Hermione is all and good, but since she's not a Slytherin, there's only so much she can do." I looked down to my plate, which I had yet to put actual food on, and stared at my reflection in the silver surface.