Cat's Child

The foursome made their way out of the train and to the carriages. Harry and Ron led the way and Christine and Hermione followed, Christine off in her own little world. Hermione knew her friend went into states like this often, but was assured by Dumbledore that Christine was about as normal as you could get.

Harry, Hermione, Ron and Christine found a carriage all to themselves, and they were soon off. The trip was pretty uneventful; the occupants of the carriage were silent for the entire time. Maybe it was the looming threat of Voldemort on the horizon, or maybe it was the fact that there was a new member of the group. Whatever the reason, Harry, Ron or Hermione felt no need to speak.

When they finally got up to the castle, the foursome scurried out of the compartment. Christine tripped on the way out, falling gracelessly from the carriage and scraping the skin on her hands. As Harry helped her to her feet, there was an amused snicker not too far away.

"What, can't even get out of a simple carriage without falling down?" asked Malfoy, who was standing a few feet away. "Clumsy little Mudblood."

Christine shrugged Harry's hand off of her arm and got up on her own. She brushed herself off, turned on her heel and headed up to the castle. Unfortunately, Malfoy wasn't finished with her yet.

"I will NOT be ignored," said the blond through clenched teeth. He began following Christine up the stairs, and Ron and Harry moved to follow him. Hermione held out her arms to stop them.

"What are you doing Hermione!?" exclaimed Harry. "She's going to get hurt!"

"No she won't," said Hermione. "If anyone can hold up against Malfoy, it's Christine."

Malfoy caught up to Christine and forced her to turn around and look him in the eye.

"I will not be ignored, Mudblood," he said, his steel eyes boring into her dark ones.

"Were you talking to me?" asked Christine innocently. "Because if you were, the last time I checked my name wasn't 'Mudblood'."

"Why you little..." Malfoy said, his eyes blazing. He pulled out his wand, but before he cursed Christine he got a look of fear on his face and put his wand away. He scurried away without another word. Christine was puzzled at the Slytherin's behavior. She felt something fuzzy rubbing up against her legs. She looked down and saw a small, dust-colored cat with curious scarlet eyes.

"Why hello there," Christine said when she saw the cat. "Who do you belong to?" She picked up the cat and began stroking and cooing at it. The cat purred contentedly.

"Where did Malfoy go?" asked Ron.

"I dunno," replied Christine, still stroking the cat. The threesome then saw the cat in Christine's arms.

"Put the cat down," said Hermione, eyeing the cat warily. It hissed at her.

"Why? I think it's perfectly sweet," Christine cooed.

"But you don't understand," said Harry. "That cat belongs to..."

"Me," said a nasty voice from behind Christine. She turned around and came face to face with Argus Filch. When she saw the greasy-haired, dark eyed caretaker, Christine's entire manner changed. She seemed to be petrified, unable to move at all. Filch seemed to be in the same predicament. Without being told, Harry and Ron began leading Christine to the Great Hall. They left her with Professor McGonagall, who was giving the first years the pre-Sorting pep talk.

Ron, Harry and Hermione made their way to their usual places at the Gryffindor table.

"I wonder why Christine reacted the way she did when she saw Filch?" Harry wondered out loud.

"You can ask her when the Sorting is finished," said Hermione, paying rapt attention to the double file line of first years walking fearfully across the Great Hall. The Trio spotted Christine amongst the eleven-year-olds, and they noticed that she was shorter than some of them and not much taller than the others.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," said Professor Dumbledore when everyone was quiet and the Sorting Hat had sung its song. (A/N: Because of my pathetic poetry/rhyming skills, I am NOT writing a Sorting Song.) "As some of you may have noticed, we have a new student among the first years. I expect you all to treat Christine Winters with respect, as well as all of the other first years, regardless of what house they are in.

"First years please note that the Forbidden Forest is strictly out of bounds, hence its name. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that no magic is allowed in the corridors. If caught, an immediate twenty point reduction from your house and a detention is the punishment. Also, the list of banned items has been extended to include Canary Creams and fake wands, both produced by the small owl-order business Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. The entire list of banned items is in Mr. Filch's office for public viewing. Now on with the Sorting!" Dumbledore sat down in his seat and Harry. Ron and Hermione ignored the Sorting, having seen it one too many times already.

"So, Fred and George finally got their enterprise off the ground," said Hermione, trying to hold a whispered conversation with her friends and watch the Sorting at the same time. She was anxious to see where Christine was going to be placed.

"Sort of," replied Ron. "They live in a dumpy little apartment and fill owl orders. They don't have a store yet. Mum's pretty mad that they won't work at the Ministry like Dad and Percy."

"I don't think a desk job at the Ministry is what the twins are cut out to do," said Harry thoughtfully, remembering the money he invested into their joke shop enterprise at the end of his fourth year. "Those two were born to open a joke shop."

"Winters, Christine!" called Professor McGonagall. The Gryffindor Trio silenced their conversation to see where Christine was going to be placed. It seemed like forever and a day before the hat was ready to make its decision. The hat seemed to take a large intake of breath before yelling out the house name.

(A/N: I could just leave you here, but that's just mean.)

"GRYFFINDOR!" yelled the hat. Christine gracefully hopped off the stool and handed the hat back to Professor McGonagall. She walked over to the Gryffindor table amongst tumulus applause. However, instead of heading to where Hermione, Harry and Ron were sitting, Serena made her way to a sparsely populated area of the Gryffindor table. Harry and Ron raised their eyebrows at Hermione questioningly as McGonagall was calling out 'Zarft, Megan.'

"I have two words for all of you; tuck in!" exclaimed Dumbledore after the Sorting. He clapped his hands, and the food magically appeared on the platters. All at once, everyone in the Hall began grabbing the food. Harry and Ron were no different, shoving food in their mouths like it was their last meal.

"Slow down," said Hermione. "You're going to make yourselves sick!" The boys just glared at her and continued shoving food into their oral cavities. Hermione just rolled her eyes and began taking dainty bites out of her chicken breast.

"Why isn't Christine sitting with us?" asked Harry between bites. Hermione shrugged.

"She doesn't like crowds that much. When we had meals at my house, Christine preferred to eat at odd hours, mostly in the dead of night when everyone else in the house was sleeping," said Hermione.

Harry just looked at the other end of the table at the little slip of a girl. Her eyes were downcast and she was picking at her food, looking miserable. Since Hermione and Ron had turned to making goo-goo eyes at each other across the table, Harry was sure he wasn't going to be missed. He got up from his seat and slowly crept over to where Christine was sitting. He sat across from her, but didn't say anything.

"Are you here for something or are you just going to sit there?" Christine asked quietly after a few minutes of silence. She didn't look up from picking at her food.

"I was just wondering how you were, that's all," said Harry, slightly concerned. "You looked pretty miserable, so I came to cheer you up."

"I'm not miserable; just homesick," said Christine. "Even though I don't know why. The place I lived before I stayed at Hermione's wasn't exactly what one would call 'home'."

"Home is where you feel the most comfortable," said Harry. He looked around the Great Hall. "Hogwarts is my home."

"I feel most comfortable when I'm alone," said Christine. "I guess I've become so accustomed to it that it doesn't bother me like normal people."

"I don't know what I'd do without Ron or Hermione," said Harry, looking at his friends seated at the other end of the table. "When I first started here, I would have been glad to see Draco Malfoy or Professor Snape during the summer to make sure it wasn't all a dream. Come to think of it, I still think I'm dreaming."

Christine didn't comment on this. Instead, she was glaring at something across the room. Harry followed her gaze to see that she was glaring at Argus Filch, the caretaker.

"So, are you excited to start learning the magical arts?" asked Harry after a few moments of uncomfortable silence. Christine turned to look at Harry.

"Were you?" asked Christine in response.

"Well, yeah," replied Harry. "I knew that there was something different about me, but I always thought I was the only one it happened to. When Hagrid came to rescue me from my relatives, I was so relieved."

"I felt that way too," said Christine. Harry wondered why he was having this conversation with the diminutive, quiet witch. After all, he hardly knew her, and with the uprising of Voldemort on the horizon, it wasn't a good idea to go making friends with a strange witch you had never heard of before. On the other hand, Harry felt some sort of connection with Christine. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about her that he could relate to.

Christine had gone back to picking at her food, which was now a piece of pumpkin pie with a large spoonful of whipped cream on top.

"You should eat something before 'Mione sees you," said Harry. "Knowing her, she'll start shoving food down your throat if she thinks you're not eating enough."

Christine smiled slightly. "I'll eat later. I'm not really hungry until about ten or eleven at night. I'll find my way to the kitchens later," she said.

"Well, at least look like you're eating," said Harry, looking over to Hermione, who was looking at the two. "Hermione's starting to get her 'mother hen' look."

It was true. Hermione was looking at her new friend with concern in her eyes. Not wanting to worry Hermione, Christine took a little bite of her pie. Satisfied, Hermione went back to her conversation with Ron. As soon as she was sure Hermione wasn't watching anymore, Christine pushed the little dessert plate away. Just then, Dumbledore stood and addressed the students one final time.

"As I am sure all of you want to be well rested for your lessons tomorrow, I suggest you all go to bed," the wizened wizard said. "Off to bed!"

As one, all occupants of the Great Hall rose from their seats and went to the exit. Harry and Christine wove their way through the queue to where Hermione and Ron were.

"There you two are!" Hermione exclaimed worriedly. "I was wondering where you had gotten to, Christine."

"I can take care of myself, Hermione," said Christine curtly. Hermione looked hurt at her tone, and Christine's face softened slightly. "Sorry about that. I'm not used to someone worrying about me, and it feels kind of weird. It has nothing to do with you."

"Oh, right," said Hermione, still slightly hurt. Not many people had been sharp with her, and it still hurt when Christine snapped at her. Hermione changed the subject. "What did you and Harry talk about?"

"Just stuff," said Christine quickly, before Harry had a chance to answer. "Nothing too important."

"Oh," said Hermione. She turned her attention to the new Gryffindor first years. "First years, follow me and stay alert!" Hermione led the entire Gryffindor house up to the tower. The first years were awestruck at the vastness of the castle, and some shrieked in alarm when the portraits spoke to them or a staircase moved overhead. Christine was keeping close to Harry, not willing to get lost in the crowd.

Harry watched Christine as they walked to Gryffindor Tower. To him, she seemed paranoid about something. She kept on looking into the shadows, as if she was expecting someone to jump out at her. Harry called her on it.

"You know, there isn't a boogeyman that's going to jump out at you," said Harry. "The only things that lurk in the shadows are Mrs. Norris, Filch and Snape."

"Oh, right," said Christine, avoiding Harry's amused gaze. She walked ahead of him and caught up to Hermione, who was telling the first years the password to the portrait. She followed the crowd into the common room. Hermione was explaining the features of the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron weren't paying attention; they had heard this speech six times already and didn't need to hear it a seventh. Christine gravitated to them.

"Now I can tell you all about the Porskoff Ploy!" exclaimed Ron excitedly, and he began yammering about the complicated Quidditch move. Harry cleared his throat, and Ron stopped in mid-sentence.

"Did you even ask Christine if she wanted to hear about Quidditch?" asked Harry, looking at his friend inquiringly. Ron blushed slightly.

"Well, no," he said. He turned to Christine. "Do you actually want to hear about Quidditch?"

"There are other things in the world besides a sport played on brooms," said Christine simply. "If you need someone to listen, I'm here. Just don't talk about Quidditch all the time." The small girl turned and headed up to the sixth year girl's dorms.

"She's mental, honestly," said Ron. "Hermione's had a bad influence on her. She should have stayed with me or you over the summer or something."

"I don't think either of us was even considered in the matter," said Ron. "My aunt and uncle would have been livid if they found out that another 'freak' was going to be living under their roof. In their opinion, one is too many. As for you, Ron, don't take this offensively, but you don't exactly have the best marks on the planet."

"I feel so loved," said Ron sarcastically. Hermione came over to the boys when she was done sorting the first years out.

"Where's Christine?" she asked, sitting next to Ron on the sofa.

"She went to bed," Harry replied. "At least, she went up to the girl's staircase."

"I should probably see how she's doing," said Hermione. "I'll see you two tomorrow morning." Hermione got up from the couch and went up to the sixth-year girl's dormitories. As soon as she was out of earshot, Ron sighed.

"You really should ask her out, mate," said Harry, startling Ron from is contented state.

"Why?" the red head asked. "I'm happy with what we have now, and I don't want to change that."

Contrary to popular belief, Ron had grown up a fair bit since his first trip on the Hogwarts Express. He was no longer as hot headed and was content with his life at the moment. He was worried about the Voldemort threat, no doubt, so that may have had a bit of an influence on him.

"I'm going to bed," said Ron. "See you in the morning, Harry."

"Night, Ron," replied Harry. Ron got up from his seat on the couch and headed up the boy's staircase. Harry yawned slightly, but he didn't want to get to bed. It wasn't as if he was going to sleep anyway.

The common room slowly emptied; its occupants were in varying states of exhaustion. Once the Creevey brothers had left, Harry was alone. He closed his eyes for a minute, but was startled when he heard a creak on the stairs. He looked up to see Christine standing timidly on the stairs.

"Hi, Christine," he said softly. She smiled slightly, but didn't make a move to go across the common room.

"Hello, Harry," was all she said. It was more like a whisper, and Harry had to strain his ears to hear it. "I didn't hear anyone down here, so I thought I'd come down to read or something."

"I'll just leave then," said Harry, moving to get up. Christine moved from her spot on the stairs over to Harry.

"You don't have to," she said softly. She looked down at her feet, avoiding Harry's eyes. She really must be shy, thought Harry. "You were here first." The last sentence was punctuated by Christine's stomach rumbling.

"Hungry, are you?" Harry asked with an amused smile. Christine just gave him a sheepish smile.

"That's why I came down here," she said.

"Come on, I'll take you down to the kitchens," said Harry. "Just let me get something first." Harry went upstairs and came back a few minutes later with his silvery, fluid invisibility cloak. Christine's eyes widened when she saw it.

"Is that what I think it is?" she asked. "My mother had one, but my father gave it away when she left."

"That's too bad," said Harry. "Come on, if we hurry we might be able to get back before Filch, Mrs. Norris and Snape begin their rounds."

Christine's eyes took on a slight look of fear, but it was soon covered up. She went under the invisibility cloak, which Harry was holding open for her. Even though Christine was so small, it was still a tight fit. She tried to avoid touching Harry, and he noticed his.

"Just relax," he said, smiling down at her. "I've snuck out loads of times."

"All right," said Christine. The two Gryffindors, under the cloak, made their way out of the portrait hole.

"Who's there?" squawked the Fat Lady. The portrait looked around suspiciously before shrugging and going back to sleep. Christine fought down a giggle and Harry grinned. They weren't watching where they were going, and they crashed into something. A very warm, solid something.

"What do we have here?" it asked.