Riddle Me This

Chapter 22

Catherine's POV

Standing at the Hogsmeade station waiting to board the train was always one of the harder things for me to do through the year. I would be sitting with Draco, Blaise, and Pansy on the way back to London. That meant I had to say goodbye to Harry, Hermione, and Daphne ahead of time.

"See you next year." Hermione said with a hug. I hugged back and smiled.

"Yup. And hopefully it'll be a normal year." We both laughed. I turned to Harry and hugged him. "Thank you." I said. Since the Sirius thing, Harry had been a big help in keeping people from attacking me in the corridors.

"Anytime." He said. "Just keep your Slytherin's in line, alright?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"I guess they are, aren't they?" He smiled and let out a small chuckle.

"As the heiress, I'd think so." He smiled and nodded. "I'll write to you over the summer."

"I will too." I turned to Ron and stuck out my hand.

"Till next year, Ron." He took it and shook it. Probably to be polite.

"Right, Smith." I returned to my friends and hugged Daphne.

"I have the feeling we'll be having a repeat of the last two summers?" I asked. Daphne nodded.

"Definitely." She said with a firm nod. I smiled again and then we started to board the train.

"What is it you two do every summer?" Draco asked as we settled down.

"Cat and I go to Daphne's for a week." Pansy said. "Gossip, plans for the coming year, a typical girl's week long overnight."

"Which may or may not include a few enchanted pillow fights." I said happily.

"You only enjoy those because you always win!" Pansy said. I smiled.

"You're just jealous that I swing hard enough to be a beater."

"Really?" Blaise asked. I nodded.

"Yeah."

"Then why aren't you on the team." Draco asked. I frowned.

"You really think anyone will want to play against Slytherin with me on the team? Everyone would fly away from me or aim the bludgers at me."

"Not if I could help it." Draco sneered. I blushed a little as I leaned against him.

"Thanks Draco. That means a lot to me." I saw him turn his face away.

"Whatever." He murmured. The rest of the trip was spent sort of talking about everything and nothing. When we made it to the London platform, we filed off and waited for our parents to pick us up. While we waited, I said goodbye to my friends, watching Pansy and Blaise leave before standing around with Draco.

"Draco." A voice said, causing us both to turn to see Lucius.

"Well, looks like I'll see you next year Cat." He said as he grabbed his trolley and went to his father.

"Bring Lady Catherine." I froze as I turned to him. "Morgana sent us a letter." He held it up as he approached us, handing me the letter. I looked it over and recognized my grandmother's rosemary infused stamp. I opened it and pulled out the parchment.

'Dear Cathy,

I'm sorry your grandfather and I aren't at the platform to get you or tell you what's going on. We're going on a trip, and though we would have loved to take you, we wouldn't have been back in time for you to go to Hogwarts for the coming year. We had asked Severus to watch over you for us while we were gone, but he said something about needing to be at the school to prepare it for the coming year. He suggested sending you to the Malfoy's for the summer. Though your grandfather and I are less than pleased with this thought, we trust Severus with our lives. We will owl you as often as we can.