slytherin princess [2]

down with the army

Slytherin House had become a personal hell for Daphne; Catherine had insured that. Things of hers often went missing, like homework or clothes. Then, there were the constant remarks of her being a blood traitor, especially by Draco. So, Daphne found refuge in the Gryffindors, who eagerly accepted her.

Fred and she had gone public the next day, much to poor Theo's dismay. He felt so ashamed as all the Slytherins pitied him for his ex-fiance's choice in men. Consequently, Astoria had been sent into essentially isolation because of her sister, and she now only had her boyfriend to rely on. Whatever false obsession she had with Catherine was long gone.

Catherine, however, was working on her own things in her spare time. First, she had ended whatever sexual relationship that she and Draco had. They were back to being strictly friends. Then, she started to work with Granger on what possibly You-Know-Who wanted from Harry. Finally, Harry and she talked.

It was earlier evening on Sunday. Catherine was out for a stroll in the spring rain, when she came across him. He was obviously brooding by a tree with a look of sadness clouding his beautiful eyes.

"Harry," Catherine said.

Harry glanced up to see her standing there with wet matted hair and a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Hello."

"How are you?"

"Fine, yourself?"

"Well, thank you."

Catherine loitered for a moment before she turned to leave.

"Daphne has been sleeping in Fred's bed, if you were wondering where she's been."

"I figured as much," she replied.

"Right, I suppose you don't care."

"I have a reputation to keep, you know."

Harry half-smiled, "Is that why you haven't been giving Hermione any grief?"

"I'm more focused on annoying Hufflepuffs at the moment."

"Well, that's good I suppose. She's been through enough already, don't you think?"

"Hm, maybe, Harry."

"Do you, erm, want to sit?"

Catherine gracefully sat down across from him with a sad look in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said in a barely above whisper.

"I know. I'm sorry I didn't come and talk to you sooner, though."

"What we have, or what we don't have scares me, Harry. It bloody scares the hell out of me, and with the impending doom of Tom Riddle and friends, I can barely think straight nowadays."

He nodded, "I know. It's too much."

"Yeah, honestly, I didn't just come over here to apologize. I also have to tell you something, and you're not going to like it at all."

"What is it?" his eyes filled with concern.

"Umbridge knows about you. Someone came forward to the Ministry about the D.A., and I don't know how much longer Blaise, Pansy, and I can throw them off your trail. It won't be long until we catch you."

Harry sighed, "Well, can't you do anything else?"

"No, all I can say is that you should meet less frequently or disband, honestly. You've taught them all so much. Daphne would be helping too, but she was kicked out of the Inquisitorial Squad two weeks ago."

"I know, she told me. It was before the confrontation, too."

"It was really bad. She lost it on Umbridge; I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised in the courtyard."