Christmas arrived with a great sense of anticipation in the air, and that was not just due to the arrival of the holidays. Most of the students in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth years had stayed at Hogwarts for the holidays as Dumbledore had announced that there was to be a ball held to celebrate what was, approximately, the schools 1100th anniversary three days after Christmas.
On Christmas morning, Harry and Ron were woken by Hermione and Kathryn bursting through their dormitory door. Each of them had an armful of presents and huge grins on their faces. Seamus, Neville and Dean were already downstairs so Kathryn and Hermione had brought their presents in to open with Harry and Ron. They all did very well, Mrs Weasley sending her usual hand-knitted jumpers and a box of homemade mince pies each.
From the twins they all received a variety of mischief-making devices; from their own Dragon Dungbombs to Decoy Detonators and Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. Lupin, ever the one to encourage their education, had sent them each a book from a series on advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts; curses and counter-curses for Hermione, diversionary magic for Ron and advanced duelling for both Harry and Kathryn.
Sirius had sent a set of personalised stationary and a new quill for Hermione, a broom-care kit for Ron, a new chess set for Harry and a necklace for Kathryn that looked like a Black family heirloom. Hagrid had all a large tin of his treacle toffee that jammed your teeth shut after one bite. This was placed above the fireplace to soften before they dared eat any.
In addition to the gifts they gave each other, Kathryn had two extra presents. One was a large bouquet flowers in varying shades of purple and deep red, interspersed with sprigs of mistletoe. The second was in the box from Dior. She left that one on her bed, unopened, as they went to breakfast. She was almost afraid to open it, although sure it could contain nothing sinister. It was only when they were alone in the common room that she fetched it down.
Harry, Ron and Hermione watched with anticipation as she placed the large box on the floor, only to sit and stare at it with apprehension.
"It's not going to open itself." Ron commented after a few minutes of silence.
"I know." Sighing, she slid off her chair, knelt down and undid the ribbon.
She lifted the lid to find the contents concealed by a layer of pale tissue paper. Poking out from between the layers was a small envelope with 'Kathryn Potter –Private' written across it in the same handwriting that had instructed her not to open the box until Christmas. When they averted their gaze for just a moment, she gently slid the card out and tucked it in the back pocket of her jeans; preferring that they had no idea who it came from. Once they had returned their attention to the contents of the box, she folded back several layers of tissue to find a layer of ivory silk covering whatever was inside. She drew this back to reveal a neatly folded piece of black fabric. Taking it gently by what appeared to be the top edge; she stood up and allowed it to billow out from the box.
Hermione gasped in awe from her vantage point directly across from Kathryn. She was holding up a black ball gown, crafted from luxurious, expensive-looking black fabric. The bodice had a single, wide shoulder strap that would go over her right shoulder and was nothing short of a corset, with black silken ties running down the back. Made from soft, luxurious black velvet; it stretched down past her hips and was slightly asymmetric, the left side longer than the right. The skirt which fanned out where the bodice ended was made up of black silk; stitched into many folds so that when she was wearing it, would trail out behind her.
"Wow!" Hermione gasped. Harry and Ron remained silent, struck dumb by what they were seeing.
"Who could have sent you something like that?" Harry finally said, gazing dumbstruck at the garment.
"There wasn't a note, was there?" Hermione asked, pulling the box towards her and leafing through the folds of tissue and silk.
"No, no note, no anything." She lied, tucking her finger in the back pocket of her jeans and pushing the card in further.
"Well, it's obviously for the ball, isn't it?" Hermione commented matter-of-factly.
"Yes, but I've already got a dress." Kathryn said, nodding her head in the direction of their dormitory.
"Yes, but you've had that one for a while now and I know which one I'd rather wear! You should try it on."
"No." She said quickly. "It's nearly lunch and I'd rather not be wearing it when everyone gets back in from the snow." Carefully, she folded the dress back into the box and covered it up with its protective layers of paper.
"Don't mention this to anyone." She added in a serious tone as she took the stairs two at a time, eager to get the gift off her mind.
Christmas dinner was a spectacular affair. The tables were piled high with wizard crackers that went off with a blast like a cannon and a flash of stars every time one was pulled. They ate until they could stomach no more, Ginny nearly breaking her tooth on a silver sickle embedded in her slice of Christmas pudding. All around the room people were sporting hats that had exploded out of their crackers; Professor McGonagall swapping her usual tartan-trimmed hat for a straw boater whilst Kathryn set a red feathered tricorne hat jauntily upon her head. They returned to the common room and collapsed lazily by the fire for an hour or so before heading outside into the thick snow.
After watching spending a while watching Harry, Ron and Hermione bewitch snowballs to fly after Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, Kathryn retreated out of sight and reached for the card in her back pocket. It was made from the same thick paper as the note on the outside, with a thin silver border snaking round the edge and the letter 'M' embossed in the middle of the bottom edge. It contained only one sentence, written in the same black ink.
Merry Christmas.
Turning it over she found a much more sinister, and unexpected, line.
Consider yourself taken.
It was simple and to the point. Nobody had actually asked her to the ball yet but she had noticed groups of boys murmuring as they passed in the corridors, egging on their friends to ask her. Despite her looks she did little to make herself purposefully attractive, unlike some in her year who spent an inordinate amount of time before the mirror each morning. Even though she would have liked to be asked to the ball by someone, she had shied away from relationships whilst at Hogwarts; knowing her future would be too fraught for something to work. She supposed it was fortunate then, that she didn't have to cope with a boyfriend as well as the unwelcome attentions of Lucius Malfoy.
Something hard smacking into the back of her head brought her thoughts to an abrupt end. Massaging the back of her head, she looked around for her assailant and saw Malfoy with a superior grin on his face and another snowball in his fist. She ducked his next shot, shoving the card back into her pocket.
"So, which unlucky sod is going to the ball with you then Potter?" he shouted in a mocking tone, balling more snow in his hind.
"None of your business." She called back.
"That means no one, doesn't it?" he laughed, launching a third missile at her head. "Aren't the prefects supposed to be part of the traditional opening or something? Doesn't that mean you have to have a partner? Is everyone afraid you'll go psycho on them?" he laughed even more, throwing another snowball.
"If you're fishing for a date, Malfoy, you're looking in the wrong place." She drawled with a smirk. "Then again, Pansy Parkinson is really the best you can ever hope to achieve, isn't it? I suppose it's alright if you like pug noses." She fixed him with a confident gaze, daring him to say something back.
"You stuck up cow. The best you will ever do is a Weasley, and, oh yeah, the Mudblood's already got him!" He shouted back, his face livid. In his anger, Malfoy hadn't noticed the way she twirled and flicked her wand
"Big mistake, Malfoy." She said coolly, flicking her wand again. Before he could move, a drift of snow landed right on top of him.
She had discreetly levitated it from a nearby tree and the rest of the Gryffindors joined in with her laughter when they came running over to see what had happened. They laughed even harder as Crabbe and Goyle rushed to get him out, only to fall headfirst into the snow thanks to a discreetly whispered trip-jinx. As she walked back to the castle she smiled to herself, privately she couldn't wait to see the look on Malfoy's face in three days time, although she personally was slightly dreading it.
The twenty-eighth came around very quickly and they found themselves eating a lunch of hot turkey and stuffing sandwiches in their common rooms, as the Great Hall was being cleaned and decorated for the ball that evening. Judging by the usual Christmas decorations that adorned the hall, the Great Hall was going to look spectacular come the evening.
Eventually needing a break from the crackling warmth of the common room fire, they retreated into the crisp afternoon air, passing Malfoy and his father talking in the Entrance Hall. She heard them discussing the approaching ball, Malfoy apparently being reproached for his choice of partner.
"It's all well and good being pure-blood." She heard Mr Malfoy say. "But couldn't you go with someone a little better looking?" she stifled a giggle, for it was true that Pansy Parkinson was not a renowned beauty.
"Well, I like Pansy, and who else is there to go with anyway?" Draco asked defiantly.
"You have a point. But at least be honest and tell her that her hairstyle doesn't suit her. Something simpler would be infinitely easier on the eyes."
"Like?" Draco seemed nonplussed.
"Say," he paused, catching sight of Kathryn, "say, Miss Potter, for example." He gestured at her as she headed for the doors.
"What!" Draco exclaimed. "But you hate them, she's a Potter!" He added in a hushed tone.
"Yes, but look at her." His eyes lingered on her as she walked away; dressed in a pair of blue jeans with her black Chanel coat, her hair tied in a loose ponytail with the silver ribbon from the box of the dress he had bought her. "Potter or not, she is still a magnificent example of beauty" Draco, who was also looking, did not seem to see anything remarkable. His father dismissed what he had said with a wave of his hand.
"Forget it. You wouldn't understand." Once Draco had looked away, he snatched another glance of Kathryn as she went out the door, looking forward very much to seeing her that evening.
Although the boys spent most of the afternoon outside having snowball fights, Kathryn and Hermione stayed out of the snow and retreated indoors at four o'clock to get ready. They both took a nice long bath in the prefects' bathroom, relaxing in the variety of fragranced bubbles, before tending to their hair, which was washed and conditioned thoroughly before being twisted up into towels.
They returned to find the other eighth-year girls already dressed in the common room; Lavender and Parvati fussing with the drape of their gowns. Dressed in baggy pyjama bottoms and their underwear, they stood before the mirror in their dormitory and tended to their hair. Hermione, after applying liberal amounts of Sleekeazy's, twisted her hair into an elegant chignon whilst Kathryn allowed her hair to fall in its natural, soft waves down her back, pinning it slightly to hold it off her neck.
Hermione put on her dress first. It was made of a floaty, deep purple material and had beading around the shoulders and neckline that made it sparkle in the lamp-light. To this she added earrings, a necklace and a bracelet set with matching amethyst stones that Kathryn had bought her for Christmas. As a final touch, she brushed on an almost invisible layer of indigo eye shadow to bring out the colour of her dress even more.
It was then Kathryn's turn, sliding the soft black material of her dress over her head; being careful not to ruin her hair. She caught sight of herself in the mirror and could not help but laugh as she was still wearing her blue pyjama bottoms and white bra, thus looking incredibly stupid. Whilst Hermione giggled she slid off the bottoms and expertly whipped off her bra, throwing them onto her bed.
Hermione then helped her lace up the back, which they tried to tie as loosely as possible. She did not want to seem to be dressing too provocatively, although that was hard considering the dress. She also wore the bodice slightly higher than was intended and, even though it did not look completely right, she felt less exposed. Hermione had been right when she had said which dress she would have preferred to wear. It flattered her figure immensely; it was just the right size and made her look much more grown up than she would have had she worn her old dress.
When Hermione went downstairs Kathryn added the final touches. She pulled out a small box from her trunk and pulled on some of the expensive, lacy underwear she had bought in the summer, using a lace belt to hold up a pair of barely-black silk stockings. It wasn't that she expected anything to happen, how could he possibly dare with so many potential witnesses, but she did like the way nice underwear made her feel. And after all, it was probably the only personal touch she could put to the outfit.
She left her face plain, save for some dusky eye shadow and mascara. Once she had slipped her feet into her shoes, she was ready to go. As an afterthought, she threw a gauzy black shawl over her exposed shoulder and arm, trying to make a token gesture towards modesty.
Hermione was waiting with Harry and Ron, who were both dressed in smart black dress robes; Ron thankfully having replaced the second hand pair bought for him in fourth year. By the looks on their faces she could see that they thought she looked good, even though they were lost for words. Ginny, dressed in a beautiful gown of twilight blue, met them in the common room and she too was stunned into silence by Kathryn's dress.
They said nothing until they reached the Entrance Hall where everyone was going in. Many people stared as she walked slowly down the steps, holding herself perfectly, her heels clicking on the stone floor. Several boys came over and asked her if she would be their partner. She simply shook her head and moved on; her stomach twisting into knots at the thought of what she had to do next.
Kathryn pretended to have to fiddle with her shoes and stayed behind, perched on one of the soft chairs that had been laid out in small groups in the Entrance Hall for students to sit in. Of course, they did not know that there was nothing wrong with her shoes. Once the Entrance Hall was deserted and the doors to the Great Hall closed, she stood and slipped through a side door and into an antechamber where Lucius Malfoy was waiting for her. He said nothing by way of greeting as she walked past him to stand in front of the window, instead walking behind her and gently sliding the shawl off her shoulder; letting it fall to the floor at his feet.
"Well?" she asked defiantly, turning to face him. "Happy?"
"Turn around." He said simply, motioning with his finger. She did so, wondering what the problem was.
She felt his fingers run down the lacing that stretched up her back; coming to the bottom and, with one pull, undoing the bow that held it taught. He moved the bodice around a bit, pulling it lower down on her body so it rested where it was supposed to be; exposing more of her cleavage than she would have liked, but she uttered no words of protest. She braced her hands on windowsill before her, knowing instinctively what was coming next.
"I did not buy you this dress for you to look normal." He said in a calm, icy tone as he tugged the silken threads tightly, pulling the back of the bodice closer and closer together, making her gasp. "I bought it because I want to be dancing with the most attractive person in the room." She gasped further as he tugged harder and the sides of the bodice met.
"There." He said in a satisfied tone as he tied the laces together. "Doesn't that look better?" he asked, turning her on the spot to gaze at her reflection in a mirror he had conjured. She nodded silently as she regarded herself in the mirror. The dress did certainly look better when worn properly; giving her a rather stunning, sexier than normal appearance that she liked. Not that she was going to tell him.
"And, for the finishing touches." He murmured in her ear. He threaded a pair of long earrings into her ears and fastened a bracelet around her wrist. She stared at them in awe for they were studded with large diamonds, set in platinum. From a small table he produced a black, velveteen box and withdrew its contents. Lifting his arms above her head he laid a matching, diamond studded necklace around her neck. She let out a small gasp when she saw it; marvelling for a few moments at the way they sparkled in the candlelight.
"Merry Christmas." He said softly in her ear, wrapping his arms round her waist and gently kissing her neck.
"Why?" she asked in awe.
"Narcissa has never liked them, and why should something so beautiful go to waste?" it was the first time he had ever mentioned his wife but he spoke her name in a way that made her seem like merely an impersonal entity. "Now," he offered her his arm, "I believe they may be ready for us." He led her back out into the deserted Entrance Hall, although the sound of many excited students could be heard through the doors. There was a small commotion at the door of another anteroom and, moments later, the Governors and their wives and husbands entered.
"Just follow my lead." He murmured as they approached the rest of the party.
"Why, there you are Malfoy!" One of them exclaimed. "We'd wondered where you'd gotten to, and," he paused when he saw Kathryn, "why, Miss Potter. So good to see you again." He kissed her hand. "But, Malfoy, where is your darling Narcissa?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh she's in the Alps for the New Year with some of her friends. I couldn't bring myself to tear her away." Mr Malfoy explained. "But, Miss Potter has kindly consented to be my partner for this evening." Inside, Kathryn laughed at his use of the word 'consent'.
"Did you not have a partner already, Miss Potter?" he asked.
"No, no one had asked me sir."
"Well, that was incredibly generous of you, as I am sure you could have had your pick. Well, we'll talk later." Positively beaming, he moved to take his place in line before the doors to the Great Hall. Kathryn, following his lead as he had told her to, took her place at the end of her line and he took the place at the end of his. She could hear Dumbledore's voice faintly through the doors.
"And now, might I ask you to welcome the Governors and their partners." The doors swung open and the women walked forward first into the Great Hall to the music of a small orchestra in the corner. They separated, going left and right alternately, until they formed a line directly opposite the top table. Kathryn was smack bang in the middle and could feel the burn of a hundred eyes upon her. Instead of looking at their faces, she swept her eyes around the opulently decorated room.
The usual long tables had been cleared away and small, round tables now stood in their place, thus leaving space for a dance floor in the middle of the room. All the Christmas trees remained, but there were additional decorations in the Hogwarts colours; great swaths of fabric were draped along the walls, interspersed with banners bearing the insignia of each of the school's houses. The room was atmospherically lit, with silver candlesticks on each table and matching candelabras dotted around the vast room as well as the usual complement of fairy lights that adorned the trees.
Harry, Ron and Hermione, who had been wondering what had happened to her, were staring open-mouthed; amazed at her sudden appearance.
"Who's she partnering?" Hermione whispered as they applauded politely, the men now entering in the same manner.
"Dunno." Harry shrugged, certain that his sister hadn't mentioned anything to do with partnering one of the Governors. "Just as long as it's not-." His face fell as Lucius Malfoy came to stand right behind Kathryn.
If some of the student body hadn't been staring at her before, then all eyes turned to her now. She was particularly aware of her brother's gaze, as well as that of Draco Malfoy, who had a look of sheer disgust on his face. Kathryn ignored them as she and Mr Malfoy led the line of Governors down the middle of the dance floor towards the top table where Dumbledore sat. They stopped briefly before Dumbledore, inclining their heads slightly as a sign of respect, before moving to their seats on either side of him.
"What does she think she's doing?" Harry hissed in disbelief as they continued to applaud politely.
"Did you see the rocks around her neck?" Ginny whispered to them in awe.
"Did you see her dress?" Hermione enquired in a more serious tone.
"Yeah, why?" Ron asked, confused.
"It's changed." She said in an ominous tone. "The back has been done up tightly, we left it loose. I'm surprised she can still breathe. Her shawl's gone too."
"Maybe she changed her mind. She said it felt a bit weird wearing it the way she was when we left the common room" Ron shrugged.
"Or he changed it." Hermione said under her breath, nodding towards Lucius Malfoy. Harry felt like he'd been slapped when she said this.
"She would never let him." He hissed back.
Hermione shrugged, "Just a thought." The music had stopped and Dumbledore had once again stood up.
"Thank you for that warm welcome for our Governors on this very special occasion. Depending on whether you have read Hogwarts: A History, you may or may not know that the month of December marks the decision taken by the four founders to create a school of magic. That day was one thousand, one hundred years ago and as is customary we are holding a ball to celebrate. I advise you to enjoy it, as this only comes round every one hundred years!" The entire hall was listening intently as Dumbledore continued.
"As is also customary, I would now ask the Governors to uphold the time-honoured tradition of opening this ball." The applause began again as the Governors and their companions rose once more, and made their way to the centre of the dance floor.
As the music slowly began, Harry realised what Kathryn had been up to when her had found her alone in the common room the day before. She had been dancing round the room, as if rehearsing the steps to a dance. She had denied this, saying she was just fooling around. Harry could now see what she had been practicing for. The Governors rose once again, Mr Malfoy taking Kathryn's hand and leading her into the middle of the dance floor.
They stood in two lines opposite each other down the length of the hall, Kathryn and Mr Malfoy in the middle of each. The line of men bowed, the ladies curtsied in return and the dance began. It was slow at first, the couples moving in exact time with each other as they wove in and out of each other in a traditional group dance. The music began to pick up slightly and the pace increased just a little, the couples breaking out of formation and becoming individual pairs, except for Kathryn and Mr Malfoy. After only about a minute and a half they separated, moving quickly to opposite sides of the floor, Mr Malfoy coming to stand in front of the high table with Kathryn directly opposite him, whilst the rest of the Governors danced between them.
They did not move as the others danced, either watching them or looking directly at each other. Once the music slowed again, Harry noticed Kathryn start to nod her head slightly; counting herself in before moving closer to the centre of the dance floor. Mr Malfoy did the same; the pair of them advancing slowly forward as the music slowed once more. The other partners were, by this time, back in their individual lines; their eyes now fixed on Kathryn and Mr Malfoy who had met in the middle.
Once the music was at its slowest, Mr Malfoy bowed again to Kathryn, who curtsied in return, and they began to dance alone. The music, which had never been very fast throughout the rest of the dance, now became faster and more intense. Harry, Ron and Hermione watched as their dancing also became more passionate, their bodies moving in exact harmony with each other; never missing a beat or making a mistake.
On the dance floor, Kathryn was no longer aware of the many eyes now watching them, all she could feel was the rhythm pulsing through her body and the presence of his hand on her back. The dance ended with Mr Malfoy spinning her round and pulling her towards him at the same time so she ended up with her back against his chest, looking up into his eyes. They remained like that for a few moments, slightly breathless, before separating and bowing to the now applauding students and teachers. After a minute or so they walked off the floor, hand in hand, and returned to their seats along with the rest of the Governors.
The applause eventually faded and Dumbledore stood for a third time.
"And now, let us eat." He sat and picked up the small menu that lay on his plate in front of him. "Beef fillet." He said to his plate, and, moments later it materialised. There was a flurry of noise as everyone in the hall did the same thing and cutlery began to hit plates. Although she was pleased to be sitting at the top table, Kathryn felt removed from her friends and the rest of the school; many of the students flashed her curious glances as they ate.
However, she was soon immersed in conversation and she found that she wasn't as lonely as she had thought. She had the opportunity to thank all the Governors for their get-well bouquet that they sent her as well as the one they sent for Christmas. They all eagerly questioned her about her Quidditch, explaining how Mr Malfoy had told them the tale of her flying injured. Dessert came and went quickly and, before they knew it, the orchestra had started up again and a few people were on the dance floor. Kathryn excused herself and headed over to the table where Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting.
"What are you doing?" Ron immediately exclaimed, as quietly as he could, once she sat down.
"I'm being polite. He's a Governor."
"When did this happen then?" Harry pushed. "When did he ask you?"
"When you had gone in, the Governors arrived and he asked me. I'm being polite, Harry, he asked and I said yes." She explained.
"You seem to be 'being polite' a lot" Harry commented, raising his eyebrows. "He's not threatening you is he. I mean, he is a Death Eater."
"Don't be stupid." She lied. "How could he get away with anything like that right under Dumbledore's nose?" she snapped back. "Besides, if he was threatening me do you think I would take it lying down?" she had scarce spoken when she realise that they too were a lie, as well as an ironic choice of words.
"What about your dress then, it wasn't like that when we left the common room?" Hermione said quietly.
"It felt awkward so I changed it around a little." She stated simply.
"He didn't make you do it, did he?" she nodded at Mr Malfoy.
"No." She snapped, making sure she looked disgusted at the mere thought of such a thing. "Do you think he would be here if he'd tried?"
"And the jewellery?"
"Oh, this is just some cheap stuff that I bought in Diagon Alley." She lied. "A few charms and it looks like its real. I forgot I had them so I summoned them down from my room."
"And how come I found you practicing that dance yesterday?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I read something about how, sometimes, the Prefects, Head Boy and Head Girl had to open the ball as well as the Governors. I just thought it prudent to practice. As it turns out, McGonagall didn't want to put students through that." She shot back.
"So why did you bother practicing?"
"What is this? Gang up on Kathryn evening?"
"No." Ron said quickly.
"We're just concerned, that's all." Harry finished. "He's not exactly the safest person to be around."
They were silent for a while, watching other people dance; giggling slightly as they watched Dumbledore dance with the tiny Professor Sprout. She too stood up and danced with Harry and Ron as well as some boys in the lower and upper years because they asked nicely. She danced several times with Mr Malfoy as the evening progressed, as well as many of the Governors with whom she had become friendly. It was at about ten o'clock that the unexpected happened. Draco Malfoy came over to talk to her when she was standing alone at the top table, leaning against the edge and sipping champagne from a crystal flute.
"My father says you'll dance with me." He said in a blunt tone.
"Only if you ask nicely." She said in a cool voice, not looking at him. Instead her eyes searched for his father who, from his position across the room, gave her a small nod. She did not particularly wish to dance with him, but she was willing to put their differences aside, being as it was a special occasion.
"Will you dance with me?" he said again in a slightly more polite tone.
"Tut, tut," she scolded in a mocking voice, "say please."
"Please." He said through gritted teeth.
"Fine." She said, draining her glass and, when the music started for the next song, she walked out to the dance floor with him. This actually shocked Harry, Ron and Hermione more than the fact that she was his father's partner.
Agreeing to dance with Malfoy turned out to be a mistake. Unlike his father, he had no idea of how to dance properly. As he took the lead, Kathryn could tell it was going to be a nasty experience. To her dismay, the music was faster paced compared to previous dances. Where she'd had proper dance training at Beauxbatons, as it was one of their traditions harking back to the days before the revolution, Malfoy had not. He paid no heed to her subtle attempts to guide him, leading her in a strange way across the dance floor; twirling her round at random points. It was a humiliating experience and she caught a glimpse of the Slytherins sniggering at her from a corner table.
Harry was also not enjoying the sight, sitting with Ron and Hermione; all of them completely aghast. The music slowed for a moment and Harry caught Malfoy looking straight at him over his sister's shoulder. With a smirk, he moved his hand inappropriately low on Kathryn's back, all the while glaring at Harry. Harry was ready to pull out his wand and hex him if it were not for Hermione and Ron holding him back. Kathryn equally horrified and equally in favour of hexing Malfoy into next week, but such a display would do her no favours. Instead, before he took her on yet another stupid whirl around the dance floor, she shot a pleading look towards his father.
Mr Malfoy, who had been watching from the corner of his eye, saw his son's actions and Kathryn's pleading look. Politely, he excused himself from conversation and made a beeline for his son.
"Harry, look!" Hermione whispered in a slightly high-pitched voice, pointing across the dance floor, although not relinquishing her firm grip on his arm. Lucius Malfoy was striding determinedly across the dance floor towards his son with a look of rage on his face.
Kathryn, who had been sent into another ridiculous spin by Malfoy, did not see this and was not aware of any change in partner. Mr Malfoy, meanwhile, had practically shoved his son out of the way and was standing ready to take her hand. Kathryn felt another, stronger hand take hers and, as she resumed dancing, found that she was facing Lucius Malfoy instead. Despite everything, she was glad for the replacement and they danced on.
Harry, although glad to see Malfoy so publicly shamed, did not like to see his sister once again in the arms of his father. They watched curiously at the pair of them moved together as if they did this every day. Kathryn in particular looked oddly at ease with the way he was holding her. The dance ended and, her hand lingering in his for a few moments, she headed back over to Harry, Ron and Hermione; shooting Malfoy a look of pure venom as she passed.
"Remind me never to dance with the ferret again, no matter how nicely he asks." She sighed, collapsing into a chair and taking a long drink of champagne.
"You'd better be careful." Hermione warned ominously.
"Why? What are you so concerned about?" Kathryn asked in an exasperated tone.
"Can't you see?" Kathryn shrugged her shoulders, pretending to be baffled by what they were saying.
"You are being courted by Lucius Malfoy!" Harry hissed under his breath.
"That's absurd." She lied; really wanting to scream at him how right he actually was, but she didn't, instead remaining silent.
"Think of what you know, he wants you for information." Harry went on.
"He's a Governor."
"And a Death Eater!" Hermione said in the same quiet voice.
"Even so. As long as he remains a school Governor and I remain a prefect, I will dance with him when he asks me." She told them in an angry voice before standing up and making to walk off.
"Where are you going?" Harry demanded, grabbing her arm.
"For a walk. Alone." She said defiantly back, tugging her elbow free and walking quickly for the door.
The Entrance Hall was silent as she walked through it, her heels clicking softly on the stone floor. Below the main steps up to the castle the thick snow had been cleared and a small garden created. There were few people out, most walking hand in hand, sometimes disappearing into the shadows for a quick kiss.
Fairies were sat in the trees and shrubs, giving off a soft, glowing white light. Kathryn supposed it had been magically heated, as she could not detect a trace of the freezing winter air as she sat down on a stone bench in a secluded corner by the castle wall. After a final glance to check that there was no one around, she buried her head in her hands. Had she not had to return to a ball, she would have cried her eyes out. Unfortunately, such action would make her face red and puffy and she couldn't afford for any of her friends to catch on that there was something wrong. She just sat there for several minutes, sinking further and further into despair.
Inside, after quickly scanning the hall and not finding her, Mr Malfoy also ventured outside and found her still sitting on the bench.
"My apologies for my son." He apologised, sitting down next to her. "I didn't realise he would use you to take a cheap shot at your brother." She lifted her head up, turning to look at him.
"He is suspicious, they all are." She stated, hoping he would take it as a hint to back off.
"Well, that will soon wear off, won't it?" she turned her face away from him, willing herself to say no. "Because you're not going to say a word, are you?" he finished in an icy tone; placing his fingers on her chin and turning her face back to look into his. She stared into his eyes for a moment before closing her eyes and hanging her head.
"No." She said softly.
"Good girl." He said quietly, gently brushing her cheek with his lips. "Good girl."
Kathryn resisted the impulse to run, instead allowing herself to be comforted by the way he gently held her in his arms. After a few moments he stood and offered her his arm.
"Come, I believe there is a party you are missing." He smiled warmly and she rose, straightening out her dress and slipping her arm through his.
They received a few looks as they came through the doors to the Great Hall, although many were just fleeting glances. Privately, many people there thought them to be the most handsome couple; Kathryn in her extraordinary dress and jewels and Mr Malfoy in his equally expensive black suit.
She walked over to Harry, Ron and Hermione who were all trying to look nonchalant, as if they weren't disapproving of what she was doing. She clutched a stiffer drink this time, Ogden's Firewhisky, and she was not off put by the air of tension that appeared as she came closer.
"He came out to apologise for his son." She said before they could open their mouths, glancing over at Mr Malfoy who was at this very moment having a stern conversation with Draco who was turning progressively pinker.
"So, before you launch into a tirade about how what I'm doing is dangerous, I'll say this. I know what I'm doing, so stop worrying and enjoy yourselves." Exhaling deeply, she downed her drink and slammed the glass back down on the table. They nodded sheepishly and mumbled a few words of apology before visibly brightening up. Surprisingly, they soon dragged her out onto the dance floor, where she was soon having an enjoyable time dancing with the three of them.
Harry didn't even protest when Mr Malfoy walked over and claimed her for a dance, instead handing his sister's hand over and going to dance with Ginny. Kathryn even danced with Neville, who in her expert hands, moved across the floor with more finesse than Malfoy could ever manage.
All too soon it was midnight and they had returned to their seats whilst Dumbledore stood up once more.
"Well," he began with a beaming smile upon his face, "I am sorry to bring to an end what has been a spectacular evening. I must once again thank our Governors for joining us this evening and would now ask that you bid them farewell." The music started and the students began again to applaud again as the Governors and their partners rose and filed out the hall with Lucius Malfoy and Kathryn leading the way. They headed straight through the Entrance Hall and into a large antechamber equipped with many soft armchairs and a blazing fire. After a few moments Dumbledore arrived and bade them all goodnight, shaking hands with the men and kissing the hands of the ladies, including Kathryn. She assumed that the Governors were staying in the castle overnight as all the women, except her, wished their husbands goodnight and retired to bed.
Once they were gone, the brandy was poured and they settled themselves in chairs and began to talk about all manner of things. She also made to leave, even though she did not feel tired, but they enthusiastically bade her stay. So, accepting a glass of brandy, Kathryn settled herself on the same sofa as Mr Malfoy and joined in the discussion.
For people she had thought to be interested in her for the fact that she was a Potter, they were very nice gentlemen who did genuinely seem to enjoy her company. She freely discussed her hopes for the future, explaining her controversial plans to either become an Auror, Minister for Magic or play Quidditch for England. After that comment many of the Governors insisted on coming to see her play at Gryffindor's next match.
She liked talking about matters that were outside her normal life and, those who were Governors, found her opinion useful when their conversation turned to school matters. Lulled into a state of ease by the warmth of the fire and the brandy combined, Kathryn felt her eyelids become heavier as she listened to the conversation. The next thing Mr Malfoy knew, he felt a head droop onto his shoulder and, looking down, he saw Kathryn resting serenely against his arm.
"I suppose I'd better take her back to her common room." Mr Malfoy said with a small smile. He stood and gently picked her up, holding her slight form in his arms whilst someone else stood and opened the door. "Where is it actually, the Gryffindor common room?" he asked his colleagues.
"Fifth floor, portrait of the Fat Lady." One of them answered. As an afterthought he picked up his cloak before he went out the door. She stirred slightly as he walked up the main stairs, but otherwise lay peacefully in his arms. And so he carried her through the corridors of the castle, thankfully not encountering any teachers; all the way to the portrait of the Fat Lady, who was snoozing in her frame. Gently, he roused the sleeping girl in his arms.
"The password?" he asked quietly.
"Fairy Lights." She murmured.
"Fairy Lights!" He hissed at the portrait, which dutifully swung forward and allowed them into the pitch-black common room.
"Lumos." Mr Malfoy whispered, pulling out his wand and shining it on the floor so as not to wake any of the portraits. He worked his way to the large sofa in front of the remains of the fire, doing his best to avoid the small tables that were dotted about the room. He gently laid her down, although not before loosening the lacing on the back of her dress and removing her shoes so she could sleep comfortably. He was glad to have brought his cloak, as the room was quite cold now that the fire had died away. He carefully set this over her, tucking it round her sides and feet, and pulling the fur collar around her neck. She smiled unconsciously in her sleep as it tickled her.
"Good night." He whispered on her ear. No reply was made as she had fallen straight to sleep, snuggled underneath his cloak. He kissed her lightly on the cheek before leaving through the portrait hole, casting one final glance back at the serenely beautiful form on the sofa.
The entire common room slept late the next morning, and Kathryn found herself being gently shaken awake by Harry at eleven. She sat up yawning, the cloak slipping from around her shoulders.
"What time did you get in?" Hermione asked as she came down the stairs.
"I don't know. Half one, two o'clock, I'm not really sure." Kathryn replied, stretching her arms and rubbing her eyes. "Hang on a moment." She stood and scampered up the stairs to her dormitory, carefully concealing the loosened lacing running up the back of her dress. She reappeared ten minutes later dressed in jeans and a black top, her hair held back with a black ribbon. She sat back down on the sofa with her legs curled under her, pulling the cloak over her bare feet to keep them warm.
"I can't believe that I fell asleep in couture." She sighed with a smile, rubbing more sleep out of her eyes. "How decadent."
"So where did you go after the ball? We looked for you but then McGonagall made us come back up here." Harry asked.
"I sat and talked with the Governors for a while, they're really very nice people. The ladies all went to bed so it was just the men really." She giggled slightly.
"What?"
"Well, it was your stereotypical male after dinner thing, sitting by the fire with their brandy and their cigars. Although the brandy was very nice. Anyway, I think I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I remember is being asked what the password was for the common room."
"Why?" Ron asked.
"So someone could bring me back here Ron!" She said with a laugh, her fingers absentmindedly fiddling with the silver fastenings of the cloak. Harry, seeing this, reached over and took it from her. It was wrought from the finest silver galleons could buy and took the form of a snake. It could only belong to one person.
"It wasn't just anyone, though, was it?" Harry said, holding up the fastening. "It was Lucius Malfoy." Hermione let out a small gasp.
"Oh what now?" she said in an exasperated voice. "Don't say 'He's a Death Eater, he could have tried to attack Harry', he's not stupid enough to try anything like that right under Dumbledore's nose. Besides, I was asleep, I didn't even know who brought me back."
"Ok." Harry said in an unconcerned voice. "I mean, you know our concerns and, as you said, you know what you're doing." He sounded slightly hurt by her outburst.
"Look, am I ever reckless?" the three of them looked at her, raising their eyebrows doubtfully. "Ok, don't answer that!" She said with a small laugh. It was true; she wasn't one to sit by prudently and worry about the consequences. She had thrown herself in front of a potentially lethal spell to save Sirius' life without even thinking of her own. She did, however, wish that her friends hadn't fussed over her so much when Bellatrix Lestrange's spell had hit her. Whilst they had been frantically trying to get her out of the Ministry and back to Hogwarts, all the while dodging curses sent their way by the many Death Eaters, Lucius Malfoy had been able to escape and therefore avoided tarnishing his good reputation.
"Well, do I ever do anything completely stupid unless it is totally necessary?" she asked, revising her original question for she knew full well that she would never shy away from anything potentially dangerous if she thought she could help.
"True." Harry conceded; for he knew his sister was as bad as him for acting on the spur of the moment no matter the risk.
"Well, that's settled, can we go get breakfast now?" Ron, ever ruled by his stomach, jumped to his feet. They all nodded, laughing slightly at Ron's cheerful predictability, their stomachs also rumbling. Kathryn slipped her feet into her shoes that still sat on the floor and followed them out the portrait hole.
The Great Hall was bustling with people having a late breakfast; many sets of eyes were trained on her as she entered through the doors at the top of the Great Hall. She knew that people would still be whispering about her controversial choice of partner the previous evening, but she actually didn't care for their opinion. She realised, however, that was not the only reason for their stares as she saw beams of white light bounce across the walls. Moving her hand to her neck, she realised that she had not removed the weighty string of diamonds Mr Malfoy had placed around it the evening before.
Ignoring the menacing looks from the Slytherin table, she helped herself to bacon and buttered toast. She did not remove the necklace either, glancing at her reflection in the back of a spoon and deciding that it went rather well with her black V-neck top. Hedwig swooped down halfway through breakfast along with Athena and Pigwidgeon. They were all bearing identical letters for Harry, Kathryn, Hermione and Ron; telling them to pack some clothes for a few days and be outside the Headmaster's office at twelve o'clock sharp.
"Wonder what Dumbledore's up to now?" Ron said between mouthfuls of bacon and egg. They all shrugged, Kathryn and Hermione finishing their breakfast quickly so they could return upstairs to pack. Ron and Harry sat before the fire in the common room, listening as Hermione and Kathryn called out lists of things they needed. They felt slightly guilty, as they had spent ten minutes throwing some clean clothes into a bag.
"Mental." Ron said as they heard the girls go over their packing for the third time. "Bloody mental!"
Nevertheless they were prompt, standing before the stone gargoyle that marked the entrance to Dumbledore's office just as the clocks chimed twelve. Without warning it moved to reveal the revolving spiral staircase and they slowly ascended until they came to the great oak door with the brass knocker shaped like a Griffin. Dumbledore himself was standing before the crackling fireplace and turned to face them as they entered.
"Good, you're all here."
"Excuse me, Professor." Hermione said in a quiet voice. "But, why exactly are we here?"
"Ah, yes Miss Granger, I should probably explain." He moved over to his desk and picked up a piece of parchment that was embossed with what Kathryn recognised as the Black family crest. It was some of the parchment Sirius kept for important correspondence. "I received this letter late last night and it requests that you return home for a few days. I believe there are some people who wish to see you before you begin school once more."
"Why? What's wrong?" Harry asked frantically.
"Nothing, Mr Potter, nothing. I just believe a certain person would like some company. Now, here you are." He offered them a small pot filled with a green powder. "I believe you all know where to go."
They all took a pinch of the Floo powder and, one by one, threw it into the flames that crackled in the grate. One by one they stepped in and cried 'Twelve Grimmauld Place', before disappearing in a flash of green flame. Kathryn spun wildly round when it was her turn, making as graceful an exit as she could into the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. It was empty save for the four of them, a note was scrawled on a piece of parchment lying on the kitchen table. 'Back in ten minutes', it read.
They headed on up to their rooms to put their things away, Kathryn locking the door of hers behind her. She quickly hung up the bag containing her dress and placed the diamond-studded jewellery in a box, which she locked and stowed away in her chest of drawers. Once that was done she unlocked her door again and began to unpack the rest of her bag.
Whilst she was packing jumpers back into her chest of drawers, the door to her room swung open and Kathryn heard the soft sound of paws padding along the thick carpet.
"Hello Sirius." She said with a smile as the form of a great black dog appeared at her knee. The dog gave a gleeful bark and, in an instant, turned back into Sirius.
"This house is too quiet when you're gone." He said, giving her a huge hug.
"Well then, I shall compensate by being stupidly loud while I am here." She said, laughing as Sirius tickled her in the ribs.
Five minutes later, after pulling on some warm clothes, she ran down the stairs and flew out the front door to join Harry, Ron and Hermione who were having a snowball fight. She ran up behind Harry and, jumping onto his back, scrubbed him on the head with a fistful of snow. Harry soon got his revenge, hitting her square on the forehead. For a few blissful moments she felt free, knowing that she was in a place where Lucius Malfoy could never find her. However, she knew that this did not mean that she was free; for she understood that as long as she allowed him to instil fear in her heart, he had won.
Despite the fact that she was safely hidden by the enchantments of Grimmauld Place, he plagued her dreams; appearing around dark corners and from behind closed doors as she slept. She was haunted by what he did to her and she found herself waking up in the dead of night, drenched in icy cold sweat, her scar prickling. She was glad that Harry could not share these dreams, fearful of what they would reveal.
Aside from their obvious connection as siblings, one thing that linked Harry and Kathryn in an unbreakable way was their rare ability to share dreams. They did not share every one, much to their mutual relief. It was the important ones they shared, ones about Voldemort; the dreams that were meant to mean something. All the way through fifth year she had shared Harry's dreams of the long, dark corridor in the Department of Mysteries.
She had even shared his dreams when she had been living in France, causing her considerable confusion. She too had experienced the burning and prickling of her scar; once blacking out part-way through a Quidditch match for no apparent reason. She had never known the reason until Harry explained all the things that had happened to him a few days after she had arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place. As it turned out, at that moment her scar had hurt, Harry had been in divination; asleep and dreaming of Voldemort.