The Potion Mistress & the Half-Blood Prince

Chapter 11: Valentine's Eve Massacre

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the people or places that belong to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as they belong to J.K. Rowling. The OC (Katherine) is entirely my own.

A week after the students returned, Severus and Katherine cornered Draco on his way to the dorms. But the boy would not yet budge on information regarding his mission.

Between Headmaster Dumbledore and Draco, Severus was becoming furious with both men's tactics. As Severus would argue with the boy, Katherine would try to coax their godson into telling them more about his plans. But neither strategy proved best.

Days turned into weeks and before long Valentine's Day was upon them. The school seemed to turn into a snogging frenzy, and Severus and Katherine seemed to be catching more and more students out after curfew. Detentions were given, points were taken, but it seemed to do nothing; and only became worse as the bloody holiday drew nearer.

..................

As Thursday night, Valentine's Eve, rolled around, Severus was in the main hall, waiting for Katherine's arrival in order to start their corridor duty. He was early as always, and paced lightly in front of the doors of the Great Hall. Glancing at his pocket watch every now and then, Severus was becoming impatient, as the time drew nearer to nine o'clock.

'Where the hell is she?' Severus thought as he glanced at his watch again. But then he heard it, the fast clicking of heels against stone. He turned to see Katherine ascending the stairs at a rapid pace. Her cheeks flushed and she was panting from the run.

Katherine was wearing her black cloak and carrying her broomstick. She was glad to see Severus waiting in the main hall, for she knew he would want to know where she was going.

"Katherine?" Severus gave her a confused look, as he eyed the broomstick in her hand.

"Oh Severus...thank Merlin," Katherine said as she rushed to him. "I've been summoned. I have to go..." She continued, but as she turned to leave, Severus grabbed her arm and turned her back towards him.

"Be careful and contact me as soon as you return," he told the witch. Katherine nodded in response, before rushing towards the doors. Severus followed and watched her take flight, and head towards the main gates.

"Dammit," Severus swore, spinning around towards the stairs leading to the Headmaster's office. "Expecto Patronum," he hissed as his patronus leapt forth and dashed out of sight to deliver Albus the news.

..................

Katherine flew as fast as she could towards the main gates. The bitterly cold February night, nipped at her face and hands, but it didn't faze her a bit. All she could think about was what the Dark Lord could possibly need her for.

Landing at the gates, she swiftly slipped out of the warded ground and disapparated to Malfoy Manor. As she arrived, Katherine unwarded the gate and briskly made her way to the meeting room.

Katherine entered the old ballroom cautiously, but to her surprise, she found herself to be the only one there. Not even the Dark Lord was present. Knowing what was expected of her, Katherine stood patiently waiting in the half-lit room.

Finally, a door opened to her right and from behind her mask, Katherine watched as the Dark Lord, followed by Bellatrix, entered the room. Katherine rolled her eyes at the latter, as Bellatrix trailed close to the Dark Lord, fawning over him.

"Katherine," the Dark Lord hissed, as he sat himself in the throne like chair.

"My Lord," Katherine murmured as he bowed and kissed the hem of his robes. She remained kneeling in front of him while the Dark Lord surveyed her form.