Riddle Me This

Chapter 54

Catherine's POV

It felt weird being in class. Instead of it being separated between houses, it was the entire Eighth year together. Of course, there were only like what, 16 of us, maybe 20 if I actually took the time to count. I was too busy staring into my cauldron and trying not to cry though. A few of the students were making comments about Papa, and it was only through Harry yelling at them that the students switched to whispering.

"Cat?" Hermoine asked from the next table over. "You okay?" I immediately shook my head.

"Smith, my dear, is there a problem?" Slughorn asked as he noticed me shaking.

"I'll be fine, professor." I said, quickly wiping my eyes and adding the next ingredient. He nodded and moved on to the next table to see how everyone was doing.

"Cat?" Pansy leaned forward. "Ignore them." Quick to find the problem, as always Pansy.

"Why the bloody hell did McGonagall allow them back?" A Ravenclaw asked, none to quietly. Everyone knew who she was talking about immediately. Out of all the eighth years, only four of us were Slytherins. And each of us had done something for Voldemort. I looked to see Pansy just deflate, looking completely defeated. Blaise looked irritated, and Draco... well, he looked so defeated and upset. I smiled gently at all of them.

"If I throw your advice back at your face, Pansy, what are the chances I'll get hit?" I asked. Pansy rolled her eyes.

"You are such a bitch." She said, making me cock an eyebrow.

"That's your schtick though." I said, causing Pansy to laugh, making Blaise chuckle a little, but Draco's expression didn't change any. I sighed deeply. "Draco. Smile for me. Or scoff. Tell me I'm bloody stupid for trying to find light of the situation. Anything but that look." I said, reaching over and poking his nose. He flinched back and blinked a few times, causing our table to giggle.

"What the bloody hell was that for?" He asked, rubbing his nose to make sure I hadn't put anything on it.

"To make you stop looking like a kicked puppy." Blaise said. "It was pretty pathetic."

"That's because he is pathetic." Ron said from his spot across from Hermione, earning a glare from her.

"Ronald." She warned. He just looked so confused on why he was being sassed.

"Rather be pathetic than stupid, Weasley." Draco shot back.

"Draco." I sassed. "If you want to start a pureblood bitching contest, at least make sure you've snogged me enough that I'm half conscious."

"No one wants to see that." A Hufflepuff said. I really need to learn these people's names.

"Is this what the entire year is going to be like?" Neville asked as the whispers began again. "I hope not."

"Sorry." I said with a sad smile. "I can't really control anything. And like hell I'm going to curl up and be someone I'm not any longer than I already have."

"You could've bloody well stayed away." That same RavenClaw from before said. I sighed.

"Hey, I'm here because that's the terms of my sentance. Same with Draco. Neither of us really fancy Azkaban." I explained.

"What, Malfoy doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps for once?" A different Hufflepuff asked. I saw Draco freeze up, swallowing thickly. I growled as I turned to them.

"Okay, that's too damn far." I said, putting a stasis charm on my cauldron as I stepped away from it.

"Cat." Pansy said, trying to stop me. I kept walking until I was face to face with the Hufflepuff.