A Contradiction of Terms

Chapter 15: A Mistake

The days passed quickly, and soon it was the end of March. Classes had been going well, for the most part, but the school governors still had not come to a decision about allowing the students to go to America for Kate's final exam. For a while, they were split half and half, though by March it looked like they wouldn't allow it.

Surprisingly, Neville was doing very well. When Kate started teaching them to identify different plants, trees, fruits and flowers, he caught on quickly.

The campaign was going well, too. Despite the bi-weekly gossip columns that continued to insinuate that Kate was some kind of Siren, the general public liked her. The people she had to impress, however, were the ones on the Council. They were the ones who would be making a decision. Thankfully, they took into account public opinion.

The stress of running for office, teaching, and trying to keep a positive public image was beginning to wear on her. She wouldn't let it show, but those who knew her best knew better. Cavalier Jack reported to Dumbledore that she wasn't eating as much as she usually did, but was consuming abnormal amounts of chocolate and cheap red wine. She also wasn't sleeping well. They were getting worried.

Snape had, at Kate's request, been sending wolfsbane potion to Remus for two or three months. He was still nursing his wounds from the night at Morgana's Kitchen, but was willing to do almost anything Kate asked. She figured that he was doing it in case she changed her mind. She wouldn't, but she wasn't about to tell him that.

The sun was an hour away from rising, and Kate hadn't slept a wink. A whiff of fresh air snuck through the window, coaxing her out of bed. She dressed quickly and warmly, from thick wool socks and boots to a heavy jumper and her winter robes.

Most of the snow had melted and refroze, leaving a dingy mix of dead and growing grass, mud, and debris. The ground was hard as she stepped out of the castle and began her walk about the grounds of the school. She kept her head bent against the wind as she headed down to the Quidditch pitch.

The school cast a dark shadow against the steely gray of the sky, as cloudy as it was. A few windows shone in the darkness, acting as a guide to the sleepless Kate. She walked along the edge of the forest, listening to the wind as it made the trees dance.

-~-

The owl that brought the wolfsbane potion was not the one that usually came, but Remus took no note of the difference. He unstopped the bottle and poured it into a chipped mug, then drank it down as quickly as it could.

"Awful, as usual."

"What, he didn't bother to flavor it?" Sirius smirked.

"I wouldn't trust it if he did," Remus grinned in return.

Moonlight flooded the small house, and Remus began his transformation. Moments later, a large wolf leapt out the door of the house, followed closely by an equally large, shaggy black dog.

They tore through the forest, weaving in and out between the trees, ever heading in a southwest direction. Sirius followed the wolf as best he could, but the man-wolf seemed possessed, and the dog barely kept up.

Back at home, the mug turned a sickly shade of gray. A few leaves lay on the bottom, a soggy mess.

-~-

Kate walked on, relishing the cool morning air as it blew against her face. Her mind was blissfully clear, and she felt the start of fatigue creep its way into her limbs.

A small crackle in the forest called her attention to the brush just behind the first row of trees. She didn't step forward, but she didn't need to. Two men, dressed in black robes, rushed out of the scrub at her. For the split second she saw their faces, she knew who they were: Gregory Goyle Sr. and Herman Crabbe, Lucius Malfoy's goons.

She jumped back, clearly surprised. Goyle grabbed her around the chest, trying to lift her from the ground. The other tried to get a hold of her feet, but she struggled, and he wasn't able to grab them.

Kate clawed at Goyle, a brief spasm of fear forcing her to react with drastic measures. She elbowed the man behind her, catching him in the gut. He relaxed his grip somewhat, but she wasn't freed. She kicked out at Crabbe, her boot meeting a very sensitive place between knees and navel. He fell to the ground in a heap.

It finally dawned on her to call for help, even though she was still nearly a hundred yards from the school.

"He-e-e-e-e-e-elp!" she bellowed. Goyle clamped his hand over her mouth. She raked her nails against his arm, her real purpose to unclasp her robe, then bit down hard on his hand. He howled in pain, waving his hand about in the air. Kate made her escape then, stepping first on the second man's chest and running as fast as she could in the direction of the castle.

Goyle recovered, grabbed his wand from his pocket and yelled "Stupefy!"

The ground rose up to meet Kate too quickly for her tastes.

-~-

Sirius was confused. Remus had never acted like this before. They stopped only twice, to eat and to drink. The wolf didn't seem to recognize him. How odd.

They continued to go southeast, and it was near morning when Sirius realized where they were heading. The trees were getting familiar, and the town of Hogsmeade was starting to twinkle to life to one side.

"We're heading to Hogwarts!" he thought. "But why?"

Then he knew. A new scent came over the wind, the scent of pine resin, maple sugar, and smoke. Kate.

Remus picked up speed, and the edge of the forest was in sight.

"Stupefy!"

They broke through the underbrush as Kate fell, some 20 yards away. It was Sirius now who out ran Remus. The wolf chased the men away, into the woods, leaving Sirius to reach Kate and change back to human form. He began to rifle though her pockets, trying desperately to find her wand.

"Come on, Kitty! Where is it?"

Not finding it, he rolled her onto her back and slapped her face, attempting to wake her. He didn't have time to try again, as Remus barreled out of the forest and headed straight for them. He transformed into his dog form and charged Remus. The wolf simply knocked him aside, and the dog rolled several feet away, slightly stunned.

The birds began to wake and sing, and soon the air was filled with gentle birdsong. It was nearly morning.

Sirius got to his feet, but it was too late. Kate was waking up, was almost fully awake, and made an effort to sit up. The wolf jumped on her, pinning her shoulders down against the hard, unforgiving earth. He snapped, growling, at her neck. Kate struggled to push him away, but could not. Terror and resignation showed in her eyes as she strove to redirect his razor-sharp teeth.

His fangs grazed her neck, barely touching the skin, as the sun peeked over the hills. The wind scattered the clouds, allowing the weak morning sun to wash the landscape with a soft glow.

The wolf froze. Seconds later, Remus J. Lupin was crouched on Kate, his face inches from hers. He exhaled sharply before rolling off of her, his face a perfect depiction of horror. He hunched over and vomited.

Kate got up, her knees wobbling, and walked over to him. She touched his shoulder. He flinched and pulled away. Slowly, he stood and backed away from her, his hands covering his mouth.

"I'm sorry, Kate. I'm so sorry!" he said, his voice slightly muffled. He turned and ran.

The adrenaline rush ebbed, and Kate sank to her knees. Sirius ran up to her and fell beside her.

"Are you all right?" he asked, breathless. Kate just looked at him and fainted.

-~-

A frenetic scratching and barking brought Hagrid to his door.

"'Ello? 'oo's there?"

Sirius barked, and Hagrid looked down.

"Ar! 'Ello Snuffles! What brings you 'ere?" The half-giant scratched the dog's ears. Sirius tried to get Hagrid to follow him, but Hagrid wasn't the quickest to pick up on hints, especially when they came from dogs.

He barked again, and caught a hold of Hagrid's coat, pulling him out of the hut and in the direction of Kate. No dog could hold that coat in its mouth for long, and Sirius was no exception. When he dropped it, he yelped a couple of times, and Hagrid got the hint. Sirius streaked off, with Hagrid puffing along behind.

Sirius nuzzled Kate's cheek, and her eyes fluttered open.

"Wha's this? Kate, you all righ'?"

"I don't think so, Hagrid."

Sirius barked the affirmative.

"Don' worry, I'll get yeh te the 'ospital wing faster'n you can say codswallop." He picked her up easily and jogged to the castle. "C'mon, Snuffles."

-~-

In the end, Kate was fine, but she was obliged to stay a few days in the hospital wing for some much needed rest. Cav and Sirius managed to put their differences aside for that time, since neither of them wanted to leave her alone.

Kate was napping, with Cavalier on her lap and Sirius in a chair beside her bed. It was mid afternoon, two days after Kate's attempted abduction. A soft footfall caused Cav to look up, and he hissed. Sirius glanced at the door, then stared. In an instant he was out of the chair, had Remus by his robe and slammed him against the wall.

"How dare you come here!" he snarled. Remus was incredibly pale and worn. He could barely stand on his own.

"I came to apologize," he whispered.

"You could have killed her!"

"Sirius, let him go. It wasn't his fault." Kate had woken up and was sitting up in bed.

"How can you say that? He attacked you!"

"Remus would never hurt me voluntarily."

"No. I wouldn't." Remus was earnest.

"Did you take the wolfsbane potion?" she asked.

"Yes. I thought about that, later that morning. I went home and checked the mug I drank it from, and there were some leaves in the bottom of it. I brought it back here, and Severus is looking into what it is."

"Poison!" Sirius exclaimed. His anger ebbed slightly.

"Why would anyone poison you?"

"To get to me," Kate replied quietly. Remus nodded.

"Dumbledore agrees with the idea. Whoever did it, intercepted Severus' owl, added whatever those leaves are, and sent it on to me. I have no reason to suspect Severus. What does he stand to gain from me?"

Kate looked down at her hands.

"If Snape can set you three against each other, he stands a chance of scoring with Kate," Cavalier spoke up. "In case you two didn't know, he has an insane crush on her."

Snape unobtrusively entered the sickroom, staying a little away from the group by Kate's bed. He knew he wouldn't be wanted there, but he had information to relay. The only control he had over the situation was when to relay it.

But he didn't even have that.

"Your boyfriend's here, Kate," Cavalier Jack smirked, turning to look at Snape. She glared at her cat, who was unfazed.

"What did you find, Severus?"

He cleared his throat as he stepped forward into decidedly hostile territory. "Ah, yes. The fragments left in the vessel were small, but proved to be aconite."

"You lie!" Sirius snarled. "Aconite is in the wolfsbane potion. Naturally there would be leftover bits in the mug."

"Not if it's strained before serving, as it is supposed to be, Black. No, whoever intercepted the potion added more."

"I don't understand." Cav snorted.

"The wolfsbane potion is very delicate. If anything it added to it, anything at all, the effect is altered. In most cases, the effect is negated, as with the addition of any flavouring or sweetening agent. By adding the aconite, the effect is diminished and the taste is not altered, thereby making it nearly impossible to detect."

"All right. So the person put more wolfsbane in the potion. How would that make Remus attack me?"

"Patience, I'm getting to that. The added aconite acted as a steroid, used to produce a berserker rage. With the changed metabolism of a werewolf, the rage is centred on the thing or person foremost in its mind."

The mood in the room sank as Sirius glanced at his friend, curious as to what Snape was referring to. Remus knew, and Kate, and Severus, but none of them spoke.

"Who would want to hurt you, Kate?" Severus asked quietly.

"Malfoy." Kate effectively ignored Cav.

"Come again?" Sirius inquired.

"Lucius Malfoy. He sent Crabbe and Goyle to kidnap me, I'm sure of it. I'll bet he had someone put the aconite into your potion just to get me out of the running for Minister. He's got a firm control on Fudge, and through him control of the Ministry. I'm a threat to that."

"That sounds a bit contrived," Cav said, stretching.

"But knowing how things work here, I wouldn't be surprised."

"I need to write to Arthur...have him investigate how many people Malfoy's bought-or tried to buy-in the past year or so. And how often Fudge has made decisions based on contributions from wealthy council members. He tried to buy me last month. I also need to find someone to write an expose on it. Wizarding Britain needs to know just how these decisions are made." Kate moved to get up. Cav dug his claws into the blanket, and Sirius nearly pushed her back into bed.

"Not now. It can wait. You need to rest." Kate grabbed him by the robe front and pulled him down until his face was three inches from hers.

"Don't you dare start patronizing me, Sirius Black. You won't make it out the door when I come after you."

-~-

Chapter 16: Dangerous Liaisons

An envelope landed on Kate's desk. She picked up the stiff parchment and broke the seal. Inside was an invitation, written in a silvery-purple ink and penned in a flowing script.

My dear Miss Hanover,

We here at the Society for Promoting the Education of Underprivileged Witches and Wizards in Great Britain (SPEUWWGB) would like to extend an invitation to our annual Charity Ball and Auction, set for the evening of April 26th, 1996. Tickets are 100 Galleons a piece.

If at all possible, a donation to the auction would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Camilla Brooking-Smythe

Social Events Coordinator for SPEUWWGB

Kate whistled. She wondered if she would have gotten an invitation if she weren't running for Minister. Then she promptly forgot about that and began to think about what she should donate. Not only would it look good to the public, but it was a great idea. She had known a few people who needed government assistance to go to school.

An idea struck her, like a sledgehammer hitting an overripe melon. One of her Quidditch uniforms. Naturally, she didn't keep them with her everywhere she went. That would be stupid. The robes and tunics she had worn with the Falcons and the Marauders were packed away in a trunk at her mother's house.

Leaving a note for Cav, so he wouldn't get worried, Kate opened the window and leapt out into the early spring air.

-~-

"Kitty, I wish you wouldn't just arrive like that!" Evelyn Hanover admonished. She let Kate in, after she landed silently on the window sill and tapped the glass with her beak.

"Sorry, mum. I had to come home and get something."

"What, may I ask?"

"One of my old Quidditch robes. I'm donating it to the SPEUWWGB auction in a few weeks. They invited me to their annual Charity Ball."

Evelyn snorted.

"They invited you? Why?"

"Because I might be the new Minister of Magic."

"And who will you be taking for an escort?"

"I have to take someone? I can't just go by myself?"

"If you think for one moment that I-or Dumbledore, for that matter-will let you go anywhere alone, you're greatly mistaken." Evelyn put a pot of water on to boil.

"So he told you about what happened last week, did he?" Kate sat down at the kitchen counter and began to toy with a wooden spoon.

"Of course he did! Your father was about ready to go 'tan Remus' hide,' if I remember correctly."

"It wasn't his fault!" Kate exclaimed, slamming the spoon onto the countertop. It broke.

"I know, Kate. But I still want you to be careful. Maybe you should take Jimmy to this thing."

"Mum, no. I am not taking my older brother. Not only would I feel really stupid, but he can't dance."

"Is that important?"

"It's a ball, mum! A dance. Besides, if I took Jimmy, he'd end up sitting in a corner. He's not that social, remember? I'll probably just take Remus."

"He tried to kill you!"

"Ma!" Kate buried her head in her hands. "We're going around in circles."

"I'm sorry. It's rather hard to forget something like that."

Kate stood up and started to walk out of the kitchen. She turned and faced her mother.

"I'm going to get the robes now. I'll be back in a minute."

It took Kate longer than expected to find her old Quidditch trunk. Her father had obviously been up in the attic, rearranging the space in his never-ending quest to put as much stuff as possible into the smallest area. Kate renewed her promise to set up a room where she could display all of her Quidditch memorabilia. It wouldn't be a huge room.

She pulled a dark gray jersey out from the packing material. The embroidered hawk's head stood out and brought back several memories, most good. A few were marked by maroon stains. Kate could still remember the different injuries. Unfortunately, the robes were too stained to donate.

Next, she drew out a maize and crimson tunic with a black bear woven into the fabric. Her name was emblazoned on the back. This tunic wasn't traditional Quidditch gear; her team, the Manitou Marauders, drew from their Native American background (the first team was from an Ojibwa tribe) and chose for their uniform tunics, leggings, and moccasins.

With the tunic under her arm, Kate went downstairs, but not without slipping on the hall rug and sliding down the stairs on her rump. Upon closer inspection, one might be able to find a worn patch of carpeting, where she had slipped and fallen often.

"Okay, mum, I'm going now. I'm going to the SPEUWWGB offices first, to drop this off, and then I'm heading to Diagon Alley. I need to get some new dress robes. Madame Malkin should have some good ones. Then I'm going straight back to school."

"All right, dear. Be careful."

"I know, mum. I will be. Give my love to Dad and Jimmy." She kissed her mother on the cheek and walked out the door, turned left, and caught the first taxi to London.

-~-

It had been no easy task, convincing Remus to escort her, but eventually she succeeded. Sirius was quite put out. Remus reassured him that, if it were possible, he would gladly let Sirius go with Kate.

And so Kate went to the ball. The Ministry sent a car for her and Remus at her mother's house.

"Are you nervous?" Remus asked.

"Very."

"You look very nice."

"Thank you."

"That's a pretty dress. From Madame Malkin's?"

"Yes."

Kate had never learned to sit properly while in dress robes, or for any other occasion, for that matter. She was slouched in the comfortable leather seat, her arms folded, unconsciously twisting part of her sheer black wrap.

"I take it we're not talking at all on the way there?"

"Yes-no. I'm sorry. Nerves," she apologized.

"Relax, Kitty. Everything will be fine." Remus tried to be reassuring, but he couldn't convince himself.

"Thanks." Kate let her eyes cross.

"If you're not careful, they'll stay that way. I don't think anyone wants a cross-eyed Minister."

"Shut it, Moony."

-~-

They reached the hall just after the affair officially got underway. There were some murmurs, as she walked into the building, about being "fashionably late" and the significance of her chosen escort. Kate's smile was frozen in place. Remus placed his hand on the small of her back, a small gesture of encouragement that worked wonders. She relaxed almost instantly, and her smile became genuine.

"Are you going to be all right?" Remus whispered.

"I think so. Just don't go far."

Remus chuckled. An older lady bustled up to the pair. She had to be the one who organized the evening's events, Camilla Brooking-Smythe.

"My dear Miss Hanover!" she twittered. "How good of you to come! This must be Remus Lupin. You two make such a charming couple."

"Thank you, ma'am," Kate answered. "I was quite surprised to receive an invitation at all."

"Well, of course we are always glad to welcome new people to our society, and you are as welcome as anyone! A former Quidditch professional and survival expert."

"And it had nothing to do with the fact that I challenged Cornelius Fudge's running of the Ministry?" Kate's eyes sparkled with mirth. Camilla Brooking-Smythe chirped.

All in all, Mrs. Brooking-Smythe was a very bird-like person. She was petite, with a perpetually smiling face and puffy white hair. Her robes were conservative; she wore a pretty pearl necklace and matching bracelets. Kate instinctively liked her. In fact, few people could not like Mrs. Brooking-Smythe.

At the other end of the spectrum was Lucius Malfoy, who few people could stand to be around, but still flocked to him in fear that he might do something to them or their families. Narcissa was with him that evening, gazing about the hall with obvious disdain at the other women who were perhaps not as well dressed as she. Mrs. Malfoy set the trends and fashions for all of witches in Britain, and naturally drew a crowd of admiring women everywhere she went.

And somewhere in the middle was Ramona Prattle. Awkward, gawky, and quite uninhibited, she reminded many people of a chicken. She was round in the middle, with skinny arms and legs, a rather long neck and round, peering eyes that took in everything. In school she found that she had a talent for acquiring news and spreading it easily. The Daily Prophet nearly jumped at the chance to hire such a natural gossip.

Mrs. Brooking-Smythe flitted away again, very sparrow-like, Kate noted, and stopped to talk to a newcomer to the hall.

"That was certainly interesting, Kitty," Remus said.

"Do we really make a charming couple?"

"Apparently."

-~-

Meanwhile, Minister Fudge decided that he was thirsty, and instead of sending Mrs. Fudge for a glass of punch, went himself. Almost by coincidence, just almost, Lucius Malfoy joined him.

"I thought you said you would take care of the Hanover matter, Lucius," Fudge muttered, without moving his lips.

"A few...complications arose, Minister. I assure you, however, that the situation will shortly be remedied."

"I hope so, Lucius. I would hate for our arrangement to be dissolved."

"Need I remind you, Cornelius, that if it were not for my generous contributions to the Ministry and my influence on the other moneyed wizarding families, your own career as Minister would have been painfully short? I would hate for you to forget that."

Lucius turned and slid away, leaving a thin-lipped Fudge standing at the punch bowl.

-~-

"That is such a darling gown, Katherine," Narcissa Malfoy commented insincerely. "Wherever did you find it?"

"It was a special order at Madame Malkin's," Kate answered, very uneasy. Narcissa Malfoy wouldn't give her the time of day at Hogwarts. Why was she talking to her now?

"How fascinating!" she smirked. "It's quite amazing how you've risen up from your lower class beginnings and became such a leading political figure."

"Thank you, I think."

Kate glanced around the room for Remus. He was over talking with some other wizard. She wished he would come back. At that moment, he looked her way and nodded.

"Hello, Remus," Narcissa purred as he came and stood beside Kate.

"Narcissa."

"I was just talking with Katherine about how well she's doing, given her experiences in life."

"Well, Kate's always been one to get what she wants. I doubt that anything will hold her down, once she gets an idea."

"That is so commendable, Katherine," she simpered. Kate didn't like the way she was fawning over Remus. The woman was married, for Merlin's sake!

Speaking of spouses, Lucius glided over and placed a hand on his wife's arm.

"Hello, Katherine. Remus. I'm glad you both could make it."

"It was hardly difficult, Lucius."

"I had simply thought that your schedule wouldn't allow for extra activities, such as this."

"You underestimate me, Lucius," Kate said, her voice cool and her smile frozen. "My schedule is remarkable flexible."

"Please, children," Remus said. "Let's play nice. Narcissa, would you care to dance?"

"I would be honoured," she beamed.

Kate glared at Remus, who shrugged slightly.

"Katherine?" Lucius asked, implying a dance invitation. She had little choice but to accept.

-~-

"I think you could bounce a Galleon on my neck," Kate grumbled. She was sitting at a small table, nibbling on a slice of fruit. Remus set a cup down in front of her. "Tea?" she asked hopefully.

"No, unfortunately. But it's the next best thing. Punch."

"Now that's rare. Remus being sarcastic. What is the world coming to?"

"It's good to see that all of these societal pressures haven't changed you, Kitty." Remus smiled. The evening had to be going well, if Kate wasn't making fun of herself.

"If you're going to keep talking, at least rub my neck. I think my head'll snap off if I move it." Remus complied. Kate sighed as she felt the tension slowly melt away. "Here's a bit of advice. Never dance with Lucius Malfoy."

Remus paused for a moment to consider that.

"I think I'll be safe. I've never been in a situation where I've had to dance with another man. I take it he's not a pleasant dance partner?"

"He's not a pleasant anything," she muttered. "He kept insinuating that my campaign was a lost cause, and that I should give up now and keep some semblance of dignity. I told him where he could put his ideas of superiority."

"Malfoy isn't one to cross, Kate. You had better be careful. You know what he's capable of."

"I can't let him get away with it. That kind of intimidation shouldn't be tolerated, at the Ministry or anywhere else."

"You might consider keeping your voice down. You're attracting attention." He stopped massaging her shoulders and dropped his hands. Mr. Fudge was slowly walking toward them. Five steps behind him was the house photographer.

"Hello, Mr. Fudge," Kate said. Remus sat down. "How are you enjoying the evening?"

"Oh, it's going well."

"Can I help you?"

"They would like to take a photograph, showing goodwill between rivals."

"I don't think we're necessarily rivals, Cornelius. I simply have different views than you." Kate stood and walked over to stand next to the Minister. The photographer lazily snapped a few pictures.

"Why must you do this, Katherine? Times are rough enough. The Ministry needs someone competent as a leader."

"Exactly."

-~-

Gilderoy Lockhart surveyed the room with satisfaction. Between Camilla and himself, the evening was a big success. There was adequate media coverage, plenty of girls swooning over him, good music, and a room full of beautiful people. With a nod to Ramona Prattle, he stepped into the hall and began looking for a dance partner who would make him look good.

A break between sets brought him to Kate's table. She looked up at him and smiled, albeit a rather fake one.

"Is your dance card full, Kate?" he asked, charm oozing from every apparent orifice.

"I think it is, Gilderoy."

"That's too bad. I don't suppose you could make room for me?"

"I'm not really in the mood for dancing. But thank you."

"Oh, come now..."

Gilderoy continued to coax Kate into accepting his dance invitation, if only to shut him up. He talked of nothing but himself and what he's been doing since he was released from St. Mungo's. Kate was ready to re-admit him when the song ended and she was released.

At that moment, Ramona Prattle scuttled up to Kate, taking an opportunity to apologize for her articles.

"Really, Miss Hanover, I just write what I hear. It's nothing personal, I assure you. I was just having a bad day. My boyfriend had just broken up with me. Anyway, I think you're the most wonderful woman in the country."

"Thank you, Ms. Prattle. I was a little upset at first, to be honest, but then I remembered that gossip columnists need to eat too, and it was soon forgotten. Life's too short to gripe about something so trivial."

"That's such a wonderful thought! Can I quote you?"

"Sure." Kate tried to walk away, but Ramona was persistent.

"You know, Miss Hanover, the Council takes into account public opinion when they decide on a new Minister. A recent poll that went out has you ranked higher than Mr. Fudge by 25 points. It hasn't been published yet, of course. It should be in tomorrow's paper."

"Thank you again. You are a model journalist."

Kate was finally able to return to her seat. Ramona stood stock still and whispered:

"She called me a journalist!"