Cored

Chapter 18: To Dust

"I'm sorry," Katherine started, "when you say I can't go back to the muggle world, do you mean I can't go home, or I can't be around muggles at all?"

"Oh, you can't be near them at all," McGonagall answered. "It isn't safe. Your magic is unpredictable. We can't risk you hurting someone or violating the Statute of Secrecy simply because you get startled in the street."

Katherine's gut turned straight to stone. She looked at George, hoping he would disagree, but he didn't seem phased by the pronouncement.

"I don't think that's going to work for me," Katherine said simply.

"Well, you'll have to find a way to make it work for you, because there is simply no alternative."

She looked at the Professor doubtfully. There was really nothing holding her here, or binding her to what the woman said, though she was sure a flick of her wand would change that dynamic.

"I have a life," she said, "if I just vanish—"

"We have the means to stop anyone from asking questions," McGonagall said. "I'm sorry, but there is truly nothing I can do about the matter."

"I'm sorry, and I say this truthfully with the utmost respect," Katherine paused, trying very hard to word this correctly, "but I just don't quite understand why you have any say in 'the matter.'"

Everyone stayed very quiet.

"I just mean that I'm not one of your students. And if no one's government has any definitive control over me . . . what is stopping me?"

"Katherine," George said, "if this is about Kevin—"

"It's not just Kevin, George. This is about a whole world that I never asked to be taken away from."

"None of us ask for magic," McGonagall said quietly. "It is a gift, but there is no doubt it comes with great burden. This 'Kevin,' is a fine man, I am sure. And if you go back to your life, if you ignore the warning I am giving you, you will be putting him in danger. And he didn't ask for that either."

Katherine looked at her a long time. She felt herself getting angry—at the situation, at these people trying to tell her what to do, at the idea of not joining Kevin for a cup of tea that night—that her whole body tingled. And suddenly, it started to rain.

"Ms. Waine, the precipitation is hardly necessary," McGonagall said, looking up.

Katherine blinked hard and took a deep breath, willing the rain to stop. She looked at the soaking table guiltily, looking around for towels to clean up the mess. But when she turned back, the wood was dry.

"How'd you do that?" she asked, looking up at the three faces. But no one claimed the action.

Hermione looked at her curiously. "I think you did it, Katherine."

George turned back to McGonagall, "Professor, please. I'm no teacher—I think you could really help her."

McGonagall eyed the young woman up and down over her glasses. "Fine," she said eventually, throwing her hands up. "But only on the condition that she resides in the magical world until I say it is safe. And you Weasley's have to do your part as well—she'll need training practice and I do have a school to run."

"There are plenty of us to help," Hermione said reassuringly. Then they all looked at Katherine, who was chewing on her cheek.

"Can I at least say goodbye?" she said quietly.

"George must go with you," McGonagall said. Katherine nodded.

"Very well," McGonagall said. "I will meet you tomorrow to begin your lessons." And with that, she stood and walked back towards the fireplace, the signature whoosh telling Katherine she had left.