never until forever [s. black]

thirtyeight

"katherine, right?" she stiffens at the familiar voice and she turns around with wide eyes to look at her brother, who is smirking. "i heard you and severus are together now. what happened between you and regulus?"

"it... uh... didn't work out. what are you doing here?" katherine asks nervously, making joseph chuckle softly and shrug as he looks up at the castle. they were standing outside, in front of the entrance. she was just coming back from a walk, when he had found her.

"i was just wondering how stupid you think i am." joseph hums, and her breath gets stuck at the back of her throat as he takes a few steps forward. she can hear someone behind her walking towards them, and she hopes it's someone who she could use as a distraction. "severus here has told me the truth, sister."

"what?" katherine breaths out, feeling betrayed as she watches severus walk past her and join her brother's side.

"i had asked about you, the night you came home. and severus reminded me that you're my sister. and it didn't take a genius to figure out you had obliviated me. unfortunately father doesn't quite believe it yet. but it's so clear, you look so much like mother." joseph smirks and fear runs through her veins. "now, i think it's time for you to come home."

"i wouldn't call that place home." regulus says as he appears behind katherine, making her turn around. she is shocked to see the marauders with him. "severus you should consider using a silencing spell so that not everyone hears your plans."

"it doesn't matter, what you have to say, regulus. katherine loves me and she'd do anything for me. am i right?" severus says with a smirk, making her look back at him and there is slight hesitation in her eyes. "you're going to go back with your brother, right? for me?"

"i guess." katherine says in defeat as she looks down and she slowly starts making her way towards her brother, who smirks victoriously.

"katherine don't." she turns around to see sirius standing in front of regulus. something in her is telling her to go to him, but she can't, she loves severus. "you don't want to go back there. you know that. and you also know, that whatever feelings you have for severus, are not true. remember that time at the lake or when we found ourselves under the mistletoe? do you remember those moments? or the night in the astronomy tower, when for the very first time we had a real conversation and actually bonded?"

"sirius, that's all in the past. i've chosen another path." katherine says weakly, feeling a kind of pull on her heart strings.

"that's not true. you don't believe that. katherine think back on your patronus charm. your happiest memory. i know you said you didn't know what it was, but i want you think about it." lily speaks up, making katherine look at her with a frown as she thinks over the question. the more she thinks about it, the more things start to clear up in her mind.

"don't listen to their foolishness, katherine. you love me don't you?" severus asks, as he sees her thinking deeply. joseph clenches his jaw angrily.

"i..." katherine trails out, as her frown deeps even more. it hit her like a rock, the realisation that she didn't feel anything whatsoever for severus and she let out a breath of disbelief. "no."

"what?" severus asks with wide eyes as sirius looks at her hopefully and she looks up angrily at severus.

"amorentia, really? really? severus, you'd stoop that low? no actually, never mind. i'm sure joseph is behind this." katherine snarls and her brother feels sudden annoyance. sirius let's put a breath of relief as she seems to have gotten back her reason.

"all this because of the blood traitor?" joseph asks angrily and katherine's anger increases even more. a sudden gust of wind blows on them as she turns to fully face them. she notices her brother pull his wand and she scoffs.

"i'm just as much of a blood traitor as he is. and you know what, brother. i'm proud to be one." katherine snaps and joseph raises his wand up at her. professor mcgonagall chose the right or worst time to appear, katherine is unsure which one it is.

"what is going on here?" the professor asks in bewilderment as she sees katherine's brother.

"nothing to worry about, professor." katherine assures her as she pulls her own wand out. she looks at her brother expectedly.

"i'd rather you die, than you ruining the family name." joseph snaps, making her scoff and shake her head.

"then do it. do it. come on. or maybe you want me to help you with that?" she asks mockingly and everyone behind her, starts to worry as she takes a step forward. joseph growls, before he casts a curse at her, which she easily blocks. he doesn't stop there and continues to blast cruses at her, which she doesn't miss to block. the wind keeps pick up even more as he starts taking steps back and she starts taking steps toward. "come on, joseph. show us all what you're capable off!"

"avada ked-" he is about to use an unforgivable on her, but before he can even finish saying the spell, she uses the disarming charm, making his wand fly out his hand. "so what are you going to do now? sister. kill me?"

"i'm not a murderer. stupefy" she snarls, making him fall back, hitting his head which results in him falling unconscious and severus looks at her with wide fearful eyes. she takes a deep breath, before turning at around and facing the others.

"you okay?" professor mcgonagall asks and she nods with a weak smile. "good. i think we'll find a nice cell for your brother in azkaban."

"that would be great." katherine chuckles softly, making the professor smile softly. katherine slowly makes her way towards regulus and the others, putting her wand away. she glances at regulus and smiles. "how did you know he was going to be there?"

"as i mentioned to severus. he has to be careful who's he talking to and where. i heard him telling emma all about it. but couldn't come here without backup." regulus smirks as he nods towards sirius and she looks up at him, who is already looking at her. without hesitation, she rushes to him and wraps her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. he lets out a breath as he wraps his own arms around her.

"i'm sorry. for everything." she says softly, making him shake his head.

"don't be. none of this is your fault. i'm just glad you're okay." he admits, making her smile appreciatively as she looks up at him. he mirrors her own smile as one hand moves up to hold her jaw, before he leans down. her eyes flutter shut as his lips press against hers and her heart skips a beat.

"go, sirius! get the girl!" james cheers happily, making lily hit over the head and he winces. but katherine and sirius are in their own little bubble, not caring what's going on. her arms snaking around his neck, as she runs her fingers through his hair, and his around her waist, pulling her even closer. he pulls away, resting his forehead against hers and she bites her lip, grinning happily.

"you have no idea how long i've wanted to do that." he hums, making her giggle and shake her head.

"i have a feeling i do." she says teasingly, making him chuckle and shake his head.

"and the gang is back together!" james exclaims, making katherine pulls away from sirius, who opts for holding her hand as they all grin happily.

"can you guys believe it's the end of the school year in a month?" regulus asks with wide eyes and the five friends look at each other in shock.

"one more year and we're out of here." remus breaths out.

"one more year and i don't have to deal with your nonsense anymore." mcgonagall hums as she walks past them with hagrid, who is carrying katherine's brother.

"oh, minerva, you'll miss us!"

"detention, potter."