Riddle Me This

Chapter 32

Catherine's POV

I didn't hear from Draco all summer. No letters at all, and no one else, besides Hermione, would bring him up. And when it was with Hermione, it was apologies and theories on why he hadn't. And I was a complete mess.

I didn't feel safe anymore. Neither did my grandparents. I would wake up screaming, and my grandparents were worried about how my back didn't stop burning. It never went back to the pale pink it had been before, and stayed darker, sometimes turning a deep scarlet before a major event happened.

"Cathy." My grandmother came into my room.. "Severus is here to speak with you." I was up off my bed quickly.

"Papa's here?!" And I followed her down to see Severus. I quickly latched onto him. "I'm so happy to see you!" Severus hugged me back.

"Yes, well. I have a question from Dumbledore." He sat down and I quickly took the spot next to him. "In light of recent events, he was wondering how you feel about defeating your fath-"

"No one wants him down for good more than I do." I interrupted. "Anything I can do to take him out, I'm willing to do." Severus nodded, before turning to my grandparents.

"Morgana." Severus said with an inquiring tone. Grandma nodded.

"Keep an eye on her Severus." Grandma warned, before she hugged me tight. "Behave." I nodded before Severus held out his arm.

"We'll be apparating." I was confused as to what was happening until we appeared before a house on a muggle street.

"Where are we?" I asked, but Severus approached the door and brought me inside. As I looked around, I was ambushed by a hug.

"Cat!" It was Hermione, and I gave a big grin as I hugged her back.

"It's great to see you." I said, before seeing Harry and smiling. "You too."

"Go upstairs with the others." Severus said as he headed further into the house. I nodded before doing just that.

"So, what's going on?" I asked as I was brought into a bedroom, finding all of my things for Hogwarts already there.

"Well, this is the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix." Hermione explained. I nodded slowly.

"Right, and that is?" I questioned.

"A group of witches and wizards who want to defeat..." She gestured idly, and I got it.

"I want in." I said firmly. Harry nodded and that was around the time we went to the stairs to eavesdrop. I wasn't really paying attention, and Crookshanks made sure that no one else really did either. We went downstairs for dinner and everyone turned to look at me.

"Is it really wise for her to be here?" Sirius asked Severus.

"Besides Potter, I can't think of another person who deserves to be here more than her. And besides, Dumbledore wanted her here." Severus answered. "I must be off now. Dumbledore told me he had your word that Catherine could stay here until she returned to Hogwarts."

"What?" I asked, a few of the others seeming slightly confused as well.

"Morgana and Killian thought that it'd be safer if you weren't with them for the time being." Severus supplied. "Now if you'll excuse me." And Severus left through the fireplace. It was quiet for a short time, until Harry turned to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Looks like we're in this together." He said. I smiled wide and nodded.

"Yeah." I smirked. "You get Voldemort, and I'll get the Death Eaters. It'll be perfect." Harry nodded and we returned to eating.