Innocent Eyes

Innocent Eyes

Chapter 4

A Past Relived.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lunch had passed that day and now it was time for Potions. Kathryn had had every single class offered at Hogwarts thus far except this one and she was mentally preparing herself for what would come. Murmurs and whispers of advice had floated around her since the first day she'd arrived at Hogwarts and she was becoming increasingly nervous at the prospect of facing the dark, brooding professor.

"At least I'll have Blaise ... and Harry there to keep me from ..." she trailed off her soft tone as she thought of Draco Malfoy. She sighed. She'd been hasty earlier, she knew that, but she was sure she meant most of what she'd said. Gods, he was a bleeding vampire. That was her one weakness - hah, that was every Slayer's weakness she was sure, but for Kathryn it cut a hole deep in her heart. Vampires weren't just demons she had to kill as her ultimate duty, they were the soulless, murderous creatures that took her family away from her, took the only home she'd ever known- ... no, she wasn't going to think about this now, she could feel the tears glistening in her usually hardened eyes. She'd already let her guard down in front of Draco - more then once, and that was more then she had ever let anyone see since that fateful night ... she wouldn't be so easily tricked in the future.

When Kathryn arrived at the cold, dungeon-like classroom, she felt a shiver sweep through her, not just from the iciness of the temperature down there but inside of her. There was something dank and evil about this place. She listened as her fellow students trickled down the stairs until there was a low din outside waiting for the Professor to permit them entry. She glanced up and smiled softly when Harry walked over to her. She noted that Ron and a tallish, slim girl with light brown hair kept their distance.

"Hey," he said. She nodded in return, not in the mood to speak. Blaise joined them a moment later, giving Harry a strange look as if to ask what in Merlin's name did he think he was doing talking to a Slytherin, but was interrupted from saying anything when a smooth silky murmur echoed from the inside of the classroom, commanding their entrance.

Kathryn took a seat next to Blaise. Harry gave her an apologetic look and went to join his friends over on the 'Gryffindor' side of the classroom, emitting a few indignant murmurs from his friends. She watched as he rolled his eyes and looked straight ahead, and didn't even flinch when the redhead gave her a nasty look.

"Good afternoon class ... " Professor Snape's eyes trailed over every single student and he paused slightly when he reached Kathryn before resuming.

"I will not dally on introductions as I expect that you have ALL done your holiday reading ... therefore, I shall assign you partners and you will get started on the more complicated version of the Sleeping Draught." He sat down at his desk and picked up a piece of paper. Kathryn noticed that when he said he'd be assigning partners, the Gryffindor's expressions had turned very sour and they'd glanced none too furtively over at the Slytherin side.

"Millicent Bulstrode and Hermione Granger," he began. Kathryn watched the pretty brunette the Weasley boy (as she'd come to know through Blaise's friendly introductions) had been talking to, stand up, a restrained scowl on her face, and bring her belongings over to Millicent's side. The list went on and Kathryn amused herself at the expressions of the Gryffindor's every time a pairing was made. Finally he called Draco's name. Kathryn started; she hadn't even realized when he had stole into the classroom. She glanced inconspicuously behind her and saw him; he was watching her. She turned around quickly. Gone was the usual smirk that held his chiseled features in check. It was replaced a serious, almost pained expression. Whatever, she thought, he could brood all he wanted, she didn't have time for it.

Snape paired Draco with Harry. Kathryn looked up at Harry as he tried to keep the scowl off his face. He gave her a quirky smile and moved his things over to Draco's backseat desk. Finally it was her turn.

"Kathryn Mahon, and Ronald Weasley," Snape said, glancing only briefly at her. She turned her head and saw that the Weasley in question was giving her the evilest, most disgusted glare in the world. She sighed as he got up and moved over to her desk, which was soon vacated by Blaise as she was paired with the pretty Indian girl, Parvati Patil.

When Ron arrived at her desk, she'd already assembled her cauldron. He looked slightly surprised at her initiative, but it could have just been surprise that she had a brain. She opened her Potions textbook and scanned the ingredients they would need. She felt Ron reluctantly looking over her shoulder.

"I'll get the lacewings," he grunted. She rolled her eyes - what a conversationalist! She nodded at him.

"I'll get you a brain," she mumbled as he walked off. He turned around briefly as if he'd heard her but she was already halfway across the room headed towards the Professor's desk to get the methods sheet. When she got there she carefully picked up one of the meticulously written pieces of parchment and made for a quick getaway when Professor Snape called her back.

"Miss. Mahon," he said. She turned around and looked him right in his dark, soulful eyes. There was knowledge there, knowledge and pain she saw. She was good at reading people through their eyes; it was just something that she'd learnt along the way.

"Yes Professor Snape?" she asked politely. His eyes slated slightly, but not in an irritated way, just in scrutiny.

"You may have heard some rather ... disrespectful things about me no doubt if not in your own dorm room, then around the whispering halls, but in regards to your ... situation," he ground out, "I am here if you need me," he finished. So Professor Severus Snape knew that she was the Slayer. Kathryn was going to have to have a serious talk to Professor Dumbledore about the amount of people he was telling, it seemed to her like everyone knew, although, in reality it really wasn't that many people at all. She nodded at him, granting a small smile and a word of thanks before heading back to her table to where Ron was awaiting her.

The pair of them brewed the water to boiling temperature and proceeded to carefully add in the ingredients in the correct order. Kathryn was just about to add in a pair of beetle eyes when the Potions Master suddenly appeared at her side.

"Miss. Mahon, as I'm sure it is Mr. Weasley's fault for not instructing you correctly, the adding of the beetle eyes is last. If you were to add them now, the entire cauldron would be blown to smithereens ... as it stands, ten points from Gryffindor for your act of omission Mr. Weasley, and don't let me catch you at it again," he said softly before gliding away. Kathryn was stuck there, her hand, clutching the eyes, poised and ready to drop them in. She sheepishly brought her hand back and placed them back on the table, turning to the redheaded Gryffindor. He was practically seething.

"Look what you've done now you worthless, slimy Slytherin," he hissed. Kathryn's eyes bugged in shock. What a bastard!

"Look you wanker, I don't know what the hell your problem is with me but you bloody well better get over it quick smart because I am this close from loosing my patience with you and it is not going to be pretty!" she spat back in a low voice. Ron's expression hardened considerably.

"You don't have the right to talk to me like that you silly bint-" he never got to finish his sentence though because Kathryn placed her hand over his in a deadbolt and squeezed it. Hard. Ron winced in pain. Merlin, this girl was strong! She was looking at him through furious eyes and he tried to hold out as long as he could, but he couldn't take it anymore.

"Okay okay, I'm sorry, just let go of me!" he hissed. She kept at him for a moment but released him, her mouth set in a grim line. Turning back to her cauldron, she acted like nothing had ever happened, although for Ron, the pain was very raw and very fresh. He looked at his hand; it was red and starting to bruise. Vicious hand marks were appearing at the sides. He moved a little away from her and tried to adopt her attitude, and that was how the rest of the lesson went.

When Professor Snape finally dismissed them, everyone made a mad dash for the door, but Kathryn took her time in cleaning up, meticulously scraping everything out of her cauldron and assembling her books together. When she was finally ready to leave, she realized she was the only one left. Professor Snape was leaning against his desk, looking at her with that scrutinizing stare again.

"Sorry," she muttered as she hurried towards the door.

"It's alright," he started, reaching out a hand to her shoulder. The contact threw Kathryn into a sharp vision. Her whole body shuddered and she crashed to the floor at the impact. Through wide eyes, she watched as her mind replayed events of a long forgotten past.

"Why do you have to go mummy?" the little boy asked. He was about eight or nine, and he had fluffy black hair and dark, mysterious eyes. His complexion was pale and resembled that of the woman standing in front of him. She bent down, stroking his hair softly.

"I'm sorry sweetie, I just have to," she said quietly, smiling at him and kissing him on the head.

"When will you be home?" he asked in a small voice. The woman looked pained for a moment, her thick black curls creeping over her shoulder.

"I don't know sweetie, I don't know, but you be a good boy for Uncle Johnson, he'll let you read some of his magic books all right?" she asked, her voice trembling. The little boy nodded dutifully. She kissed him again and looked at him through glistening eyes before she had to go.

"I love you sweetie."

Another vision slammed into her, and her body convulsed yet again as it took over her mind.

The little boy she had seen before had grown up a few years, he was about eleven or twelve now and he was crouched, hidden behind a park bench. It was the dead of the night and the only sounds that could be heard were the grunts and consistent hits coming from the fight that he was watching. Kathryn was momentarily surprised when a voice echoed through her brain; it seemed to be a memory that the boy was having.

"Stay there darling, promise mummy you won't move, even if ... don't move okay."

Kathryn watched with the boy as the woman she'd recognized as his mother stood fighting ... a vampire. She was a Slayer. A Slayer with a child, it was probably the rarest occurrence in supernatural history, but obviously it had happened - the thought gave Kathryn a brief glimmer of hope. The Slayer in question was fighting the hugest vampire by standards that Kathryn had ever seen. It was literally huge and every blow that connected with her petite but strong body seemed to knock everything out of her. The fight seemed to be equal, but just as quickly, it turned and the vampire had the upper hand. Kathryn watched as the boy took out a ... he pulled out a wand! He was going to save her! He pointed it at his mother and whispered an incantation. The blue glow zapped towards the fighting pair but just as it was about to hit, the vampire held up it's hand and threw the spell away.

"You think you can use magic on me?" he growled.

"I may be a vampire, but I was once a wizard. Prepare to meet your ultimate doom Slayer," he roared, grabbing her and pulling her towards him, backwards, holding her in a death grip. Kathryn saw the woman's eyes grow wide as realization sunk in. The vampire muttered something, holding out one of his hands and a red glow began to enclose the pair, a protective shield - it would deflect any unwanted spells. Oh gods, no ...

The vampire brought his large hands to the woman's head and with an almighty roar, he snapped it, and then sank his canines into her soft flesh.

The little boy was still crouched there, eyes wide in shocked, traumatized horror, hands clutching the bench, knuckles white and blood coming from his nails. He seemed to be in absolute shock. All Kathryn had wanted to do at that moment was run to him and hug him but she knew she could not. She could relate with him.

Suddenly, the little boy looked right at her with those wide, tear-filled eyes.

"Kathryn," he said. What? How could he see her? He kept repeating her name over and over again until Kathryn's eyes finally fluttered open.

When Kathryn returned to the world of consciousness, she looked right into the face that resembled so closely to the last face she'd looked at in her vision. She jumped up in shock.

"You ... you ..." she stuttered, eyes wide. Professor Snape had stepped back, his own eyes wide in uncharacteristic confusion and devastation at her brief spell. A flurry of emotions hit her square in the chest. Professor Snape was the child of a Slayer and he had watched his mother die. Right in front of his young, teenage eyes. She felt a sense of connection to him when she looked deep into those dark eyes, those eyes that she felt so familiar with now, and she could feel tears coming to her own.

"You're mother was a Slayer," she whispered. The moment the words were out, Professor Snape's face literally fell. It actually fell - she'd never seen anyone's do that before. He nodded, leaning against the desk for support.

"Sit down. I'd best tell you the whole story."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Professor Snape's father had been a wizard. He'd been just out of Hogwarts when he met the residing Slayer who had come to England on a brief trip to meet with the Council. They were soon married, and she decided to live in England in attempts to raise a family. It was good all around; she was close to the Council, she could meet her in-law's and her watcher didn't have to live so far from home.

One day, Severus' father had come home to find his young wife and her watcher in a somewhat misleading though compromising situation and had not let her get a word in after that. Exit Snape senior. Severus had never heard from his father again - he didn't even know if he was still alive. Much like the tale of Nicky Wood, Snape's mother, Eva, had to take her son on patrol trips because there was no one else to look after him when Johnson, her watcher, was away on Council business. It was on one of these trips that the newly risen Dark Lord Voldemort decided to first start the slaying of the Slayers, and Eva Jeffries-Snape had been the first to go.

The vampire that they had sent to kill her was a descendant of the Order of Johannssen - direct in line with the first evil. He had been unbeatable, that was, until a gang of older vampires beheaded him for killing on their turf.

When Eva had been killed, this started Severus' master of potions. He searched day and night for months trying to find a potion, some kind of combination that could bring her back, but alas, there was no cure. She would never come back.

The tears in Kathryn's eyes overflowed as he finished his sad story. It reminded her so much of her own life - this man had suffered, just like she had. They were kindred. She looked at him now; he was leant back in his chair, looking older and more tired then she'd ever seen him.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. He looked at her.

"What are you sorry for?" he asked quietly.

"Everything I guess ... for your mum ... your dad ... for not knowing ..." she trailed off.

"Kathryn, you have nothing to be sorry for, the only ones who should be sorry are those vile creatures that killed both our families." Kathryn's head snapped up at this comment.

"You will find that out of all the teaching staff here, Professor Dumbledore seems to trust me a great deal. Yes, I do know about your situation, and I offer my condolences at your loss," he told her. She nodded.

"I see that it's almost time for dinner ... you'd best be getting back to your dormitory," he said. Kathryn stood up and walked towards the door. Just as she was about to walk through, she turned back.

"Thank ... thank you," she said, and she was gone.

The first thing Kathryn did when she left the Potion's classroom was storm up to the library. Thankfully, there was no one there and she stalked over to the table where James was sitting and slammed her books on his desk. He jumped in his chair, nearly falling off in shock.

"Kathryn!" he choked out. She narrowed her eyes.

"I want answers. And I want them now."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

James Mathison, after many hours of thought had decided to tell his Slayer what he knew. If that hadn't swayed him, it would have been the dark, angered scowl on Kathryn's face, because at that moment, it looked as if anyone who stood in her way of her rightful knowledge would be crushed, in the literal sense.

"I presume you want to know about young Mr. Malfoy?" he asked in a calm voice. Kathryn sat down and nodded.

"Draco Malfoy is a daylight walker," he began and held up his hand when Kathryn tried to interrupt. James quickly filled her in on what a daylight walker was and what traits one embodied. When he had finished, she was left with a thoughtful look on her face. The look turned to a frown and she looked back at he Watcher.

"So ... has ... has Draco killed anyone?" she asked tentatively, trying to grasp the impossibility of the situation. James cleared his throat.

"It doesn't seem like it Kathryn ... from what we have gathered at the Council headquarters, it seems he has a firm grasp on controlling his changes as well as the control over his cravings." Kathryn snorted at this but quelled when James gave her a questioning glance. She contemplated for a moment and then decided to come out with it.

"I read the book," she said bluntly. James looked startled.

"What book?" he asked nervously. Kathryn raised her eyebrow.

"You know what book James."

"Oh ... uh yes, that book ... wait, how?" he exclaimed. Kathryn resisted the sheepish look that was creeping onto her face.

"That doesn't matter James and you know it," she said darkly. He cleared his throat again and pulled on his collar uncomfortably.

"Is it getting hot in here?" he nearly squeaked. Kathryn rolled her eyes.

"And I know about Lucius Malfoy." Another blunt statement, although Kathryn could feel her sensitive emotions building up ready to overflow.

"Why didn't you tell me James? How could let me fall in- um, how could let me-"

"What were you going to say Kathryn?" James interrupted sharply. No, it could NOT happen, not to his Slayer, this was the worst thing that could happen, he would not allow it. Kathryn looked startled, speechless.

"I uh- ..." she stuttered. James' eyes flashed.

"You will cease all contact with Mr. Malfoy effective immediately!" he cried. It was Kathryn's turn to get angry.

"How dare you tell me what to do when all this time you've been lying to me!" she near yelled, standing up. James got up as well.

"Kathryn, that is not the point, you will NOT have any relations with this man, this creature, I demand it!" he said sternly.

"Well you're a bit late then aren't you? We kissed the other night and I haven't been able to think of anything since!" she screamed. When she looked back at her Watcher's face she expected disgust, anger and betrayal ... but he wasn't looking at her, he was looking at the library door. Kathryn felt her heart drop and she whirled around.

It was Draco.

Kathryn looked back at James, her eyes wide and brimming, before rushing past the man in question and out of the library. Draco stared at the library door for a few moments, as if waiting for her to come back, but she didn't. He turned around and walked over to James, slamming his hands down on the table.

"What the hell is your problem Watcher?" he spat. James looked uncomfortable to be in such close proximity with the other man and fiddled with his collar again nervously. He strengthened his resolve and matched Draco's stare.

"I will not let this happen. Not my Slayer. I will not let her fall in love with one of the vile creatures that killed her family," he said in a collected tone. Draco stared at him for a moment before responding.

"Not your Slayer huh? So you'd choose the rewards of your job, the rewards of turning out a 'good' Slayer rather then let her follow her heart and maybe for once, and rarely find love in the short life that she's sure to have? That's really great, I'm glad to know she has people looking out for her," Draco hissed back at him before whirling around; cloak billowing around him and storming out after Kathryn.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That night, both Draco and Kathryn shared their dreams unknowingly for the second time. This vision though, was of the second Slayer and Vampire romance that they had read about in the book. It was an excruciating experience for Kathryn. Feeling herself, but not herself, being turned. It was the most exquisite yet horrifying feeling in the world.

Draco had had similar experiences, although had been staked already in his previous dream, but had to watch his love die once again. He felt like the pain was going to permanently traumatize him. But it couldn't. Malfoy's didn't love he kept telling himself, so there could be no love to be lost.

When Kathryn awoke the next morning, it was not to her alarm, she was dizzy and disorientated. She felt confused for a moment before realizing that it was Saturday and the others probably wouldn't be up for hours. She got up quietly and got dressed, heading down towards the lake. Settling herself under a big oak tree next to the water, she laid back and closed her eyes. About an hour later, she felt a shadow cross her path and her eyes fluttered open.

"We need to talk," he said. Kathryn narrowed her eyes at him.

"I thought I told you to get lost Malfoy, I don't want to talk to you," she snapped. He sat down next to her anyway.

"I've been having dreams ... visions of past ... of the stories we read about in the book ..." he trailed off when he saw her startled expression. Realization struck him.

"You've been having them to ... you were Jessique ... and Sabine," he whispered. She refused to say anything, turning away. Draco sighed.

"You can't bloody ignore me forever Kathryn. We have to talk about this ... about the other night," he said.

"There's nothing to talk about, why don't you just sod off?" she hissed.

"Kathryn, something happened between us, you can't deny that ... it was something big ...I'm not what you think I am, I'm a-"

"I know exactly what you are. But just because you aren't a full vampire doesn't mean you don't fit into the same category as the vile, murderous creatures," she said, her voice trembling. Draco moved closer, hesitantly placing a hand on her arm. When she didn't push him away, he took this as a good sign.

"Kathryn ... I didn't know what my father did to you ... he never tells me where he goes ... I don't want to be like him, I don't want to follow in his footsteps. He has my whole future planned out for me and I can't do anything about it until ... until I leave Hogwarts. I don't know exactly what happened that day, and you may see me as ... one of them, but you have to believe me, I had no part of it, and if I could change time ... I would. But in all honesties, you judged me without even hearing the full story. I know that you've had awful, horrifying tragedies in your life, but you assumed without even knowing mine. I watch my mother getting beaten every day, I've watched as Lucius scars her permanently, as he ... as he forces her against her will ... my childhood hasn't been all bunnies and flowers you know ..." he trailed off, not knowing what else he could say. They sat there like that for a moment and then Kathryn finally turned to him. Her eyes were wet and her cheeks were flushed, her lower lip trembling in a way that made Draco just want to kiss it better.

"I did judge you too harshly Draco, and I'm sorry for that. But you can't just expect me to allow you into my life so easily when your kind, or a part of your kind ... took my only family away from me. It's not like with other Slayers you know. Slayers were born to hate and rid the earth of vampires, but it's different for me. I don't just hate them because I'm meant to, because it's my job, my duty ... it comes from somewhere much deeper then that, it comes from inside and it won't quell until ... until ... I don't know if it ever will ..." she trailed off, looking out across the lake. Draco reached a hand across to her chin and softly turned her head around to face him. She was once again shocked by the intensity of his eyes. Normally they were tinged with that flashing silver, but now, they were a warm, comforting blue-gray. Lifting her chin with a finger, he brought his lips down to hers and they shared a soft, sweet kiss that was different in every way from their first. Kathryn could feel a million emotions running through her but the only one she could determine was the one telling her how good this felt. The iciness of his lips didn't deter her like she thought they would ... it seemed right, it seemed like she had finally found something, like she had come home. As their kiss deepened, Draco wrapped his arms around her lithe body and pulled her close to him.

A sudden emotion pushed through the surface of Kathryn's brain, and it wasn't pleasant. Vampire, it said. Kathryn shoved him away roughly and stood up, tears shining in her eyes.

"No ... no, I just ... I can't," she whispered and ran for the castle.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco didn't see Kathryn for the rest of that day; he thought she must have holed herself up in her room. Why did she keep pushing him away? Couldn't she see that this was just as hard for him as it was for her? As what ran through his mind a million times a day; he was a Malfoy. He couldn't get attached. If Lucius ever found out ...

That night was the night of the joint Malfoy-Zabini dinner and Draco and Blaise left at around 3pm for the manor. They took the train from Hogsmeade station and Lucius had an apparition car pick them up from Kings Cross. When the car appeared on the long, sandy road that lead down to Malfoy Manor, Blaise finally asked him what was troubling him - he hadn't said a word since they'd left, only looked longingly at the castle.

"It's nothing Blaise ... it's nothing," he said.

"I seem to be hearing a lot of that lately," she said, raising an eyebrow. He turned to look at her in confusion.

"What do you mean?" he asked. She cocked her head, giving him a scrutinizing look.

"You ... Kathryn ..." she said, emphasizing her friend's name. She saw Draco's face visibly harden.

"I knew there was something going on between you two!" she exclaimed as they got out of the car.

"Going on between who?" They whirled around in shock towards the huge, expansive entrance that led to Malfoy Manor.

It was Lucius, and he did NOT look happy.