True Reflections: Scars Saga 3

Doesn't Have to Mean More

Chapter 21

Doesn't Have to Mean More

The four of us sat down to breakfast together at the table I usually enlarged for Christmas dinner. It was a small breakfast as none of us really felt like eating much, but it was a decent breakfast. I couldn't help admiring how nice it was to have all three of them there. Then my throat constricted when my head said it should have been the four of them with me.

After Remus vanished the empty plates back to the kitchen, Harry decided it was time to leave. He wanted to go to the hospital wing to see how the others were doing. I watched him wistfully; Remus noticed.

"What are you thinking, Kate?" he asked. I looked at him and pulled my lips between my teeth for a moment before answering.

"That he shouldn't be forced to spend all summer with the Dursleys again."

"He didn't. He spent half of it at Grimmauld Place," Remus reasoned.

"Only because he was attacked by Dementors and had to perform illegal magic. I really don't want his summer to be interrupted by another hearing." I heaved a sigh. "He doesn't need to be alone right now. He needs to be with someone who cares. And if that can't be me, then... I know Molly will take him in."

"And why can't it be you?"

"Besides the fact that I don't really know where I'm living at the moment? I've argued the point with Dumbledore many times, but the man won't budge."

"Do you mean 'Katherine' argued the point?"

"I..."

I hesitated. That was precisely what had happened. Katherine had always argued for Harry, but it had been a long time since Kate fought for him. Remus, in all his wisdom, knew this, and he was making his point. I could read the look in his eyes. Katherine had come about because I needed a disguise, a way to hide from my father. But he knew now; Dolohov had seen Katherine for what she was. So maybe...maybe it was time to bid her farewell.

I stood from the table abruptly.

"Where are you going?" Remus asked.

"To have a little chat with the Headmaster, about getting my nephew out of that hell-hole he calls home," I replied.

I left my rooms and began heading towards the Headmasters only to be flanked by Remus and Jonathan a moment later.

"Something tells me I need to be there to reign you in if need be," Remus said.

We walked along fairly easy. The corridors weren't too crowded at that time as most were out enjoying the sun and the break from exams. It was as we neared the Entrance Hall that we came across the largest cluster of students, but even most of them ignored our passage. Most...not all.

"Professor Porter!" a thick Irish accent called out.

Even though I wasn't using the illusion, after nearly sixteen years as Katherine Porter it was only natural that I turned around in response. I found none other than Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan in the hall, the latter of which was looking at me curiously. I stood and waited to see if he'd figure it out. It took a moment, but a cheeky grin curled over his mouth and he began to clap.

"Brilliant, Professor!"

I rolled my eyes. "To class, Mr. Finnegan."