Riddle Me This

Chapter 15

Catherine's POV

In the morning, Dumbledore was sassing Harry, Ron and I about the amount of school rules we had broken in such a short time. About how we should be expelled, but gave the three of us special awards for our service to the school. I smiled happily as I hugged the two boys on either side of me, ignoring the looks. It was hard not to tell Ron who my father was, and I understood his feelings, but I still ignored the pain for now. Dumbledore sent Ron to send a letter to get Hagrid from Azkaban, though I wasn't sure why he was there.

I smiled as I waited for Dumbledore to finish his conversation with Harry, and he explained that I shouldn't be feared, as I am as much affected by Voldemort's tyranny as any other, and though we are opposites, we should stand by each other's side. But when Harry said he couldn't help but see similarities between my father and himself, I stepped in.

"You are NOTHING like him Harry." I said firmly, hugging him tight. "You're kind hearted, you're brave, you care. Nothing like that monster." I said firmly. Dumbledore gently pulled me off Harry so that he could have his say. Explained why Harry could speak parseltongue, then that only a true Gryffindor could pull Godric's sword out of the hat.

That's when Lucius came in, house elf behind him. I frowned. We didn't have house elves in my house anymore. And as the elf turned to me and smiled lightly, Lucius had his conversation with Dumbledore. And when I heard that Lucius had not only gotten Dumbledore to step down as headmaster, but also threatened those who had originally agreed, I felt sick. Looks like I'm not the only one with a despicable father. When Dumbledore told Lucius that Voldemort had opened the chamber, with a book that Lucius had slipped into Ginny's cauldron that day in Diagon Alley, he looked livid. I, personally, was as well. He'd pay for that.

And with an indirect threat to Harry, and a slight bow to me, Lucius left kicking his house elf, Dobby, on the way. I had half the mind to curse him, but Harry ran after him. I went along, and watched as Lucius handed the house elf my father's diary, which Harry had taken to return to him. When Dobby opened it, there was a sock, meaning that, since Lucius had given it to him, Dobby was free. Lucius went to attack Harry, but Dobby stopped him. As Dobby and Harry had their moment, I approached Lucius.

"Mr. Malfoy." I said simply. He looked up at me from the floor. "Do yourself a favor. Don't attack my friends." And I continued walking down the hall. I heard the whispers, saw the looks, and knew that everyone had already heard what had not only happened in the chamber, but who my father was. When I entered the Great Hall, everyone quietened, and when I sat down at Slytherin table, I saw how everyone inched away, including Draco. It all kind of killed me inside.

The doors opened and I turned to see Hermione walking in. I didn't think as I stood up and ran towards her, giving her a hug as tears ran down my face.

"Hermione!" I cried, hugging her tight. "I'm so happy you're okay. I was so scared."

"Cat. I understand." She whispered when she hugged me back. "I understand why you never told me who your father was. That's what you were scared to tell me last year." She pulled back slightly. "I don't blame you. And you're still my best friend either way." I smiled again as we hugged and she went to the Gryffindor table as I returned to Slytherin.

"So..." Draco began carefully, which was new on more ways than one. "You're uh... father's-"

"Not worth our breath." I said simply. "He's gone. And if he tried to come back again, I'll hex myself thank you." I took a sip of my juice as I frowned. "He's ruined my life enough as it is. My mother's dead, I've got a nasty scar on my back, I speak parseltongue, and everyone hates me because of it." It was quiet for a second.