Riddle Me This

Chapter 70

Catherine's POV

May brought the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts and the fall of my father. The Ministry decided to hold a Memorial ball. Kingsley gave his speech at the beginning, Harry giving a nervous one afterwards, and soon the 'ball' officially began. Draco and I stood to the side, everyone being sure to leave a wide berth between themselves and us. Glares were focused on us, but I easily ignored them. After seven years of constant glares and insults, I finally became immune. Draco wasn't though. He was used to people talking about him, but not in this sense.

"Why am I here again?" Draco asked.

"Because I'm here and this is a Memorial ball." I made direct eye contact with Draco. "Sure I needn't remind you that we lost people we cared about too." Draco frowned a little before turning away a little.

"Malfoy? Smith? Is that you?" I turned to see someone I never thought I'd see.

"Crabbe?" Draco asked. The man nodded. Crabbe had apparently gone from the short chubby teen to a muscled, still sort of short, man. He actually looked kinda good. Crabbe smiled.

"Yeah. It's me." He looked to me and smiled gently. "I didn't think I'd see any other Slytherins here besides myself." He admitted. I smiled back.

"Well, we all lost people dear to us." I said. Crabbe nodded before clearing his throat a little.

"Um... you two were there when..." He swallowed deeply before continuing. "Greg..." He looked like he was about to cry. "I just wanted to know... if he... suffered." Draco looked torn.

"I wouldn't know... but I can tell you that if he did, it was only shortly. The Fiend Fyre worked quickly." Draco answered gently. Crabbe nodded.

"Okay..." I saw a tear slip down and was quick to hug the old friend. He moved slow when he hugged me back, shaking slightly before he began to weep. "We... never even had the chance... to come out together." I froze then, as did Draco. I pulled back gently.

"You and Goyle were dating?" Crabbe nodded, before letting out a pitiful sob. I pulled him back into a hug. "Oh Crabbe." I tightened my hold. "I'm so sorry. I know we weren't the closest, but if you EVER need someone to talk to, you're welcome to visit me at Splinter's End." Crabbe nodded, before pulling back on his own, a small smile on his face.

"Thank you, Smith." Crabbe said. "And please, call me Vincent." I smiled.

"Then you have to call me Cat." He smiled. Draco came forward, hesitated, before putting a hand on Cra-Vincent's shoulder in a comforting manner. Vincent smiled gently. Soon, the three of us fell into lighter conversation. Blaise and Seamus seemed to have found us and joined us.

"Zabini." Vincent greeted with a nod. Blaise cocked an eyebrow at him.

"You're back in England? I didn't think you'd return." He said. Vincent looked a little uncomfortable. I cleared my throat slightly.

"He has every reason to be here as the rest of us." I said, quirking an eyebrow. Seamus just shrugged, putting his hand on Blaise's hip, causing Vincent's eyes to widen.

"Since when did you start shagging Finnigan?" Vincent asked. Seamus and Blaise smirked.

"First half of eighth year." Blaise said proudly. Vincent nodded slowly. "Hey Cat, have you talked to Pansy?" I shrugged.

"She didn't want to come." I answered, leaning back against the wall. "Said she'd mourn at home without judgemental eyes glaring daggers at her back."

"Why aren't we doing that?" Draco asked, seeming to have fallen into a glaring contest with someone. I sighed as I bumped him.

"Because these pillocks aren't going to stop me celebrating the lives of those who lived while simultaneously mourning those lost." I turned to Draco. "And I couldn't stand being in Papa's house today. It hurts too much." Our little circle was quiet for a moment, until Ginny came over.