A Contradiction of Terms

Chapter 5: A Vast Conspiracy

Kate was restless, and thus she decided to go and visit Hagrid. Perhaps Cavalier would be back with a reply soon. The moon was full and rising slowly as Kate walked through the dewy grass to Hagrid's hut. As she neared the hut, he heard voices inside and cringed when she recognised Harry's. Of course, he was a friend of Hagrid's, who wouldn't want to be? She knocked and the door was soon opened by a man

twice as tall as she, and nearly four or five times as wide.

"Hello, Hagrid!" Kate said cheerfully. "I thought I'd drop by and see if you had any tea handy."

"Bless me, if it isn't Miss Kate 'anover! I was wonderin' when ye'd stop by. Come on in. 'arry, Ron, and 'ermione are 'ere too."

Once inside, Hagrid poured a huge mug of tea for Kate as the other three said their hellos. She sat down on the hearth, just far enough from the fire to be comfortable.

"Not to be a nag or anything, but shouldn't you three be back in school? It's past time for you to be indoors. Unless you have James' Invisibility Cloak?"

Harry picked up the silvery-blue cloak and showed it to her without saying a word.

"Right." She sipped her tea.

"Well, Kate, what 'ave ye been up to?" Hagrid asked before the silence became too painful.

"Er, nothing much, Hagrid. Arthur Weasley talked me into running for office, Minister of Magic, no less. I don't know why I agreed." Ron looked surprised.

"How do you know my dad?" he asked. Kate reddened.

"I've known him for a while. On slow days at work I'd hang out at your dad's office. I was a part-time Hit Wizard before I went to America. I was one of them that brought Sirius Black in." Kate didn't look too happy about that.

"And right proud we are of ye, too!" Hagrid boomed. Kate looked at Harry, who wasn't smiling. "Hard thing te do, arresting yer best friend and all, but it turned out all right."

Kate gulped her tea, trying not to look at Harry or the others. She knew what they were thinking. Only they didn't know the whole story, and now wasn't the best time to tell it.

"But then I was drafted to the Manitou Marauders Quidditch team," she said, changing the subject, "Got involved in American Wizard politics, learned survival skills, and the rest is history. Dumbledore asked me to come back and teach a class on survival here, and I more than willingly obliged." Another long, uncomfortable silence followed.

Hagrid went out for more firewood as Kate scratched Fang's ears, letting the large dog slobber on her robes.

"You haven't seen Cav running around at all, have you?" she finally asked, looking from face to face. "He was supposed to be back earlier. There's a full moon tonight," she trailed off. "Look, kids, I know I have a lot of explaining to do. I just don't want to do it here. So maybe the next Hogsmeade weekend comes up, we can all go down to the Three Broomsticks and talk."

"Why is talking at a pub better than talking here?" Harry asked.

"Believe it or not, there's actually more privacy in a pub. People tend to mind their own business better."

"But the next Hogsmeade weekend isn't until October!" Ron exclaimed.

"I know. I have a lot of things to work out. And it'll give you three time to think up any questions."

"Why would your cat be outside the castle?" Hermione asked suddenly.

"That would be one. He offered to be a messenger for me. He took a letter to a friend's house."

"Whose?" Harry asked.

"Remus Lupin's. I wanted to tell him I was back in England."

Rather than answer, the trio looked at each other. They weren't going to tell her that Sirius was staying at Lupin's, but she already knew that. Kate drained her mug. Hagrid returned, bearing a large armload of firewood, which Harry and Ron helped unload and stack near the fireplace.

"Well, I 'ope ye found summat to talk about while I was gone," Hagrid said. "Ye were all a bit quiet."

"I think we got over that, Hagrid," Harry said.

"Good! Now, I'm goin' te agree with Kate 'ere and say you three need te be getting' back to school. Don't want ye te be gettin' into any more trouble."

The trio grumbled, but agreed, and throwing the Invisibility Cloak around their collective shoulders, walked out of the hut.

"So, Miss Kate, why is it yer not married yet? Couldn't find anyone good enough in America?"

"Something like that," she smiled ruefully as Hagrid refilled her mug. "No, I think Sirius and Remus spoiled me for other men. Not that we ever had that kind of relationship."

"Aye. Little difficult, Remus bein' a werewolf an' all."

"That's not it. I think I was just a sister to them, you know, fun to be with but wouldn't consider dating," she traced the rim of her mug with her thumb. "Besides, it's rather difficult to maintain a relationship when one person is in England and the other in America."

"That would be 'ard. But don't ye think that if yer relationship was

summat special, yeh'd find a way to work it out?"

"Probably. But I guess we'll never know, now, will we?" Kate got up and threw the rest of her tea down the sink. What she hadn't drunk seemed cold. "Well, I'm tired. I think I'll be heading back now. Thanks for talking with me, Hagrid, and thanks for the tea."

"Any time, Kate."

She nodded, then hugged the half-giant around his waist. "Bye."

-~-

Cavalier Jack was waiting for her when she got back to her room. He had put the reply on her desk was sprawled out on the bed.

"Where have you been?" he asked in typical Cavalier fashion. "I was about to go out looking for you."

"I was at Hagrid's. Good news, he doesn't have a dragon. At least not right now."

"Good. I wasn't really about to go outside; in case you haven't noticed, the moon is full. Wolfie is most likely out hunting."

"Please tell me you didn't call him that to his face!" Kate exclaimed.

"No, I didn't. He was nice to me. Sirius, on the other hand, well, I never liked him much anyway."

"So you called him Doggy. Cav, one of these days you're going to get kicked, and I won't do a thing to stop it. Did you get a reply?"

"It's on the desk. Remus made Doggy write it, so don't expect any overripe sentiments."

"I'm not. I think I'm going to have to beg for forgiveness," Kate said as she picked up the letter.

"That may not be a bad idea."

"No, it's not, but begging is so demeaning!"

"Katherine, you arrested your best friend and helped put him in Azkaban. You lied to your godson and his friends. I don't think pride should be an issue here."

"Why is it that you always make sense?" she asked.

"Because I'm a cat," Cav answered, stretching luxuriantly. "And cats are notoriously sensible creatures. Now, are you or are you not going to read the reply I risked my life for?"

"I wouldn't call it risking your life, Cav. You volunteered." She opened the letter and read it silently.

"Please don't remind me. Well, what does it say?"

She read: "Dear Kate-Remus and I will meet you at the Shrieking

Shack at 10 o'clock on Halloween. I hope you remember how to get there. Sirius."

"That's a breezy little note."

"Isn't it?" she asked sarcastically.

"What is with you two? This is what you want, right? You want to talk to Doggy and Wolfie. Doggy wants you to contact him, so you write him and Wolfie a note. Doggy gets the note, and isn't happy, even though you made the first move. You want to set up a meeting, they comply, and you're not happy. Are people just stupid?"

"Yes."

-~-

Chapter Six: The Truth Comes Out.

The third weekend in October marked the first visit to Hogsmeade for the students of Hogwarts. Harry, Ron and Hermione made the requisite rounds of Honeydukes, Zonko's, and Dervish & Banges before heading over to the Three Broomsticks for their "conference" with Kate.

They found a nice, secluded table that faced the door and sat down to wait. Whether they were early or late was irrelevant. They were all in a good mood and didn't mind that Kate seemed less than prompt. The

door opened, letting in a cold blast of air and a woman wearing a cloak with a fur collar. The fur looked suspiciously like Cavalier Jack, and the woman like Kate. Madame Rosmerta smiled widely at the two and said something that the trio couldn't hear. Kate gazed around the pub, finally spotting Harry, Ron, and Hermione far in the corner with the help of Cav.

"Hello, guys," she said, sitting down. Cav jumped off her shoulders and sat on the table between Harry and Kate. Madam Rosmerta brought their drink orders to the table.

"A pint of butterbeer for Miss Kate, and a saucer of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey for Master Jack. Just let me know if you need anything else."

"Thanks, Rosmerta." The witch scratched Cavalier behind his ear before leaving.

"I guess I'll start at the beginning, then, and get it over with."

"Good idea," Cav said without looking up from his whiskey. The kids looked at him in shock.

"By the way, Cav can talk," Kate said, taking a long pull from her butterbeer.

"And you were going to tell us when?" Harry sounded a bit perturbed. "Why didn't he talk all summer? Something else you were keeping from me?"

"It was a bet," Cav said quickly. "She bet me 2 galleons I couldn't keep my mouth shut for two months together. Pay up." Kate silently thanked her cat.

"Yes. I'll pay you tomorrow. Anyway, this story may be a little fragmented. It's not like I have a script or list of things. So to start, I was born in Liverpool to wizard parents. Dumbledore is my

godfather."

"No way!" Ron exclaimed.

"Yes way. I prefer not to broadcast that fact, so I'd appreciate it if you keep quiet about it. My mum's from England and my dad's from America. I got my letter when I was 11, like all of you did, and my grandparents gave me Cav here. So I went to Hogwarts, was sorted into Gryffindor, and met my housemates; James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Lily Evans.

"My second year, I joined the house Quidditch team with James and Sirius. Sirius and I were Beaters, and James was a Chaser, as you undoubtedly know. I was probably the best Beater Gryffindor had had in a long time. I was good enough to be picked for the Falmouth Falcons, and eventually the Manitou Marauders.

"I really was surprised that you didn't recognise my name, Ron. Your dad says you're a huge Quidditch fan. I suppose I might have played a bit before your time, though. I quit in 1988. Ten years as pro is taxing." Cav snorted. Kate, who was discreetly watching Harry

all along, took another drink of her butterbeer. He wasn't taking this well at all.

"Ignore him. He's a smartarse. While I was still in with the Falcons, I held a part-time job as a Hit Wizard with the Magical Law Enforcement Squad. My last day of active duty was the first of November, 1981. I was one of the Hit Wizards who arrested Sirius Black. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. Sirius was one of my best friends. Well, maybe a little more than that."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"I mean that Sirius was someone I practically worshipped, although I went to great pains to hide it. Yes, I was kinda attracted to him. I don't know a girl who wasn't, actually."

"Speaking of attraction," Hermione interjected, "Why is Snape being so nice to you?"

"He fancied me in school," Kate grumbled. "I have no idea why, though. It's kinda creepy. I thought he would have given it up by now." Ron squirmed in his seat. Hermione cringed, and Harry's lip curled in

disgust. "Exactly."

"To continue my explanation," she said, changing the subject somewhat, "Lily asked me to be the maid of honour at her wedding. I'm sure there are pictures in that photo album Hagrid put together. My mum and dad told me they sent some to him. Anyway, I was there, Sirius was there, it was great. After a slightly rocky start, we all danced the night away. In fact, rumours began circulating that we-Sirius and I-would

be the next to marry. We all laughed that off. I think Lily saw something in that rumour, maybe, or wanted us to get together, since she named me as your godmother, Harry."

"You're my godmother?" Harry nearly shouted. Cav looked up at him, but didn't say anything.

"Yes."

"And you arrested Sirius?"

"Yes."

"And you let Dumbledore send me to the Dursley's?"

"Yes. I was 20, Harry! I wasn't mature enough to take care of a baby. And I was going to America to play Quidditch! The Dursley's was the safest place for you."

"Why didn't you tell me you were my godmother this summer?"

"I honestly don't know."

"What kind of answer is that?" Harry shouted, drawing attention from other patrons of the pub.

"Shh," Kate said. "It's an honest one. I'm human, Harry. I make mistakes. Part of why I didn't tell you I was a witch was to see if I could pass myself off as a Muggle. Obviously, it worked. I couldn't tell you I was your godmother then; it would have ruined the illusion."

"Why did you choose Privet Drive? Why couldn't you go somewhere else?"

"I wanted to see you. I knew that from what Lily had said about her sister that you wouldn't be too happy there. So I defied Dumbledore and went to offer you a temporary safe haven from that horrible family."

"The worst part was that I had to play along," Cav sneered. He was a little tipsy. "Do you know how hard it is to keep quiet for hours on end? It's pure torture!"

"Only for you, Cav," Kate rolled her eyes. "And it was a bet, remember? This summer will be different, Harry, I promise. You can come live with me. I'm going to talk to Dumbledore about it soon."

"What if I don't want to? I mean, you've lied to me about everything so far, why should I believe you now?"

"Harry, everything I've told you is true. Ask Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, even Sirius and Lupin if you want. They'll tell you that I'm telling the truth. Do you believe me now?"

"Harry, don't be stupid," Hermione said. "I think she's serious."

"Me too," Ron chimed in. They had both been silent for most of Kate's story. Harry thought for a moment.

"All right," he said. Kate looked relieved.

"Actually, I'm not Sirius. I'm Kate," she grinned, a twinkle in her eye. Harry, Ron, and Hermione groaned.

"That was bad, Kate," Harry said.

"I know. But I had to say it, you know? And I promise, no more secrets."

Suddenly, Cav broke out in a fit of giggles.

"I'm not Sirius, I'm Kate!" he laughed. "I get it!"