never until forever [s. black]

twentyfour

katherine walks towards the slytherin table in the great hall, feeling extremely happy after last night. she was tired, but her happiness trumped her fatigue. she smiles at the marauders on her way and wave at her, even marlene mckinnon smiles at her. she notices emma, regulus and severus sitting together, making her walk up to them. they seem deep in a conversation when she gets there but when they notice her, they immediately stop. emma and severus scoff, before moving to somewhere else. katherine looks at regulus questioningly.

"congrats on escaping." regulus says, making her frown and looking at him in confusion. she doesn't remember telling him and she sits down. "they heard your conversation with them last night. they have no idea what's it about, but they heard you say you're friends with them now."

"is that a problem?" katherine asks and he shakes his head.

"no. except they're death eaters. you're not, they're not. they don't want any thing to do with you anymore." regulus explains, making her frown.

"and you? did you get your mark?" katherine asks softly, making him look around, before he discreetly pulls his sleeve up to reveal the skull and snake mark. she takes in a deep breath, feeling slightly heartbroken to have her best friend with the mark. "so that's it? will you also stop talking to me?"

"i think, maybe. it's for the best." regulus says sadly and her heart shatters, as she nods in understanding. she leans forward and hugs him.

"i'll always be there for you, if you need me." katherine assures him as she pulls and he smiles appreciatively.

"if ever they hurt you, i'll come for them." he says pointedly, making her chuckle and nod. she stands up, smiling weakly, before slowly starting to walk away. but she stops as someone speaks up.

"you'll end up just like your mother if you don't join us!" she turns around with wide eyes as she sees severus looking at her with an angry glare. she feels her whole world collapse. "your brother told us all about her. shame he didn't get to you before you ran away."

gasps are heard around the great hall, and unfortunately no professor is there to do anything. katherine slowly backs away with wide eyes as she looks around to see everyone looking at her. regulus gives her a soft look, taking a step towards her, but she simply turns around and runs away. the marauders having heard the whole ordeal glare at severus, but sirius simply stands up and runs after her. katherine runs past other students, leaning against a wall to try and catch her very limited breath. sirius catches up with her and looks at her with a weak smile. she looks up at him and he sighs, as he pulls her into a hug.

"they won't touch a hair on your head, katherine. not while i'm alive." sirius says sternly as she holds on him tightly as her body shakes in sobs. he sees the others come and he shakes his head, silently telling them to leave. his girlfriend, marlene mckinnon gives him a questioning look, but lily evans just drags her away.

"i don't... understand. did i do something wrong?" she asks weakly, making sirius pull away slightly to make her look up at him as he holds her cheeks between his hands.

"no. you did nothing wrong. you're just surrounded by some of the worst people ever." sirius says reassuringly and she bites her lip as she buries her face in his chest, making him rest his chin on her head. "i promised mcgonagall i'd take care of you, and i will."