A Contradiction of Terms

Chapter 19: Silentium

Lucius strode into the cell, a smug grin on his face. A chair was brought it, and the door closed again. He sat down and folded his hands in his lap, his snake-headed cane across his knees.

"Well, Katherine, I'm glad to see you haven't given up the ghost. Have you looked at the newspaper today? Of course, not, how silly of me."

He pulled a copy of the Daily Prophet from a pocket in his robes and tossed it at Kate's feet. She looked at it, then picked it up.

"Look at the third page," Lucius gloated.

MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE MISSING

Devlin Badfaith, Contributing Columnist

Sometime on Sunday, Katherine Hanover, who many know is running for Minister after challenging current Minister Fudge, disappeared. She was on her way to lead a group of students into the Forbidden Forest for a final exam in her in her survival course.

Sources say that she has been feeling the pressure of the campaign, and has been acting strangely for some time. Her campaign manager, Arthur Weasely, has expressed his dismay at her vanishing. "This is not like her at all," Weasely said. "Kate is the most dedicated witch I know. She wouldn't voluntarily leave this campaign." Her co-workers at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry declined to comment.

Minister Fudge was also asked if he had any insight into her disappearance, and if he suspected foul play. "I do not believe that outside sources had anything to do with this; Miss Hanover obviously has not anticipated the stress that the position of Minister creates, and rather than withdraw her challenge, has decided to conveniently disappear."

The general consensus here at the Daily Prophet agrees with Minister Fudge. Even Ramona Prattle, long-time fan of Hanover, has doubts about her professional attitude toward the Ministry. With the rise of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named imminent, this abandonment of her campaign marks Hanover as a coward.

"You bastard," Kate whispered. "How many people did you pay to have this published?"

"That is irrelevant. How do you like my style of journalism?"

"It stinks."

"Well, it doesn't matter what you think. It's what the Council thinks. After the public sees this, and the Council, your chances of becoming Minister will be nonexistent."

Kate was silent. She rose to her feet, crossed the room, and moved to slap Malfoy across the face. He was quick to stand and grabbed her wrist, forcing her hand down.

"You would do best to remember who you are talking to, Hanover. I control your future now, and I can make it as painful as I wish. In fact," he said, not releasing her wrist, but pulling her with him to the door. He tapped on it, and Grabbe and Goyle Sr. came in, carrying ropes.

Before Kate could react, her elbows were bound tightly and her knees followed suit. She struggled, of course, but it was no use. Crabbe and Goyle left the door open as they left.

"You bloody bastard!" she screamed.

"That is enough!" Lucius snapped. He pulled his wand out from his cane and pointed it at her throat.

"Silentium!"

-~-

"Where would Malfoy have put her?" Sirius wondered. "Somewhere he could keep a close watch on her."

"He doesn't want her running for Minister, that much we know. He's probably trying to convince her to withdraw." Remus turned from his place at the window. He had been keeping watch, hoping against hope to see a tawny eagle flying toward the castle, that Kate was all right.

"Kate wouldn't give up just because she was bullied," Sirius said.

"Gentlemen, I would ask you to consider what would make her withdraw." Dumbledore sipped his tea, looking over the rim of the cup at the two men in his office.

"What do you mean?"

"You say that Kitty wouldn't back out of her campaign if she were in her right mind. What could Lucius Malfoy do to her?"

Both men were quiet as they thought. Cavalier Jack sauntered out from under Dumbledore's desk.

"She's claustrophobic, you morons," he said. "Honestly. You've known her for nearly 2 and a half decades and haven't learned that yet. Little Malfoy probably told his dad that she never closed the classroom door, rarely closed her office door, and never, ever, went into a closet if she could help it. Malfoy's most likely got her locked away in a broom closet or something."

The large cat hopped up onto the desk and allowed Dumbledore to scratch him behind the ears.

"But where would he put her? Besides a small room."

"In this crucial time," Dumbledore said. "It would be in Malfoy's best interest to keep someone like Kate, who could damage his hold on the Ministry, close by him. I doubt that Draco could tell us anything more; Lucius would undoubtedly tell him as little as possible in case he was discovered."

"Would Malfoy be stupid enough to keep Kate at Malfoy Manor?" Sirius asked.

"Knowing humans, yes," Cavalier Jack drawled.

"Cavalier, that's enough. We are all upset at this, and your remarks are not helping," Dumbledore reprimanded the cat.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

-~-

From her place on the floor, Kate could see out the window. The moon was a faint sliver of white. She thought about Remus, then Sirius, and if they were looking for her.

"Of course they are, nitwit," she said to herself.

Her words had little effect. As long as she was in that cell, bound and silenced, no amount of reassuring words would help her. And she was hungry, too.

-~-

Remus ran across Hogwarts' grounds, followed closely by a large shaggy dog. He arrived at Hagrid's hut and pounded on the door.

"Hagrid! Hagrid, we need your help!"

"Any news on Kate yet?" he asked, opening the door.

"We think we know where she is."

"Arr, good!"

"What did you do with Sirius' motorbike after you took Harry to the Dursely's?" Remus asked.

"I think it's still 'ere," Hagrid said, leading man and dog to the back of his hut. He pulled a tarp off a misshapen pile, revealing a large, black motorcycle, trimmed with tarnished chrome.

"What did you do to it?" Sirius yelped, back in his human form.

"It still runs arright," Hagrid said. "An' it's not like ye were aroun' ter take care of it."

"That's not the point, gentlemen. Does it still run?"

"I think so," Hagrid said. Remus nodded to Sirius, who mounted the bike and turned the key. One kick start later, and the bike roared to life.

Remus hopped on behind Sirius. The bike rolled along the ground, picking up speed, before rising into the air and zooming through the night sky.

-~-

Kate thought she heard something. She was certain that she heard something new, something she hadn't heard in a long, long time. Dawn was just breaking, filling the cell with dim light. Kate strained to hear the sound of the motorcycle, but the door crashing open called her attention away.

"I see your admirers have discovered your whereabouts, Hanover. Quite a nuisance, too. But they won't find you. The wards set on this particular room are strong and virtually impenetrable, unless one knows the proper words, and only I and Narcissa know them."

Kate writhed on the floor, trying to sit up as best she could. The look on her face communicated as much to Lucius as words: she hated him and wished him all sorts of unpleasant maladies. He smirked down at her.

"If only you could talk, Katherine. What insults you'd toss at me. This works for now, though. It makes dealing with you so much easier without having to listen to your inane chatter and animal rage." He kicked her in the stomach, making her cease her wiggling and causing her to gasp for breath.

"As much as I would like to stay and chat," he sneered, "I must go greet my guests. Perhaps I should contact the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as well and tell them I've found Sirius Black. I'd be touted as a hero, but graciously give you the credit. After all, he came out of hiding to find you."

The look on Kate's face told him all he needed to know, and his malicious grin widened.

"Really, Katherine, if you want to be Minister, you really have to learn to control your facial expressions."

He let the door slam shut behind him. Kate wished with all her might that Sirius would run, far, far away and not return until Wormtail was found. But she would have no such luck; she heard his voice raised, bawling out Lucius, daring him to send an owl to the Ministry.

-~-

"Do you really want that, Black?" Lucius asked. "Do you really want to go back to Azkaban?"

"Lucius, please. We didn't come here to fight."

"Maybe you didn't, Moony," Sirius snarled. Lucius ignored him.

"I told you before, Katherine isn't here. I don't know what you're talking about. The whole idea is preposterous-why would I want to kidnap her?"

"Any number of reasons, Lucius," Remus sounded tired. "Just let us look around."

"Why should I? This is my property, and you are trespassing." He turned to go inside.

"Not so fast, pretty boy." Sirius roughly grabbed his shoulder.

"Do not make me call out the dogs," Lucius drawled, plucking the man's hand from his robes.

"If you have nothing to hide, then it should not be a problem for us to walk around a little and admire your fine house." Remus, ever the peacemaker, was trying his hardest to stay calm himself.

"Fine," Lucius said through tight lips. "But you won't find her. I have business to attend to." Lucius turned to go into the house.

"Then perhaps your charming wife wouldn't mind taking us on a tour," Remus suggested.

Lucius led the two men into the house.

"Narcissa, darling, would you please show these two gentlemen around? I have business to attend to."

"Certainly, dear," she said, a little confused. Then she saw Remus and Sirius. A momentary flash of realization crossed her face, only to be hidden behind her mask of perfect control. She and Lucius looked very much alike.

Lucius withdrew to his office as Narcissa showed Remus and Sirius the house.

"You're looking for Katherine, aren't you?" she asked, a while into the impromptu tour.

"I've never quite given you enough credit for your intelligence, Narcissa," Remus said, quite sarcastic, and still quite tired.

"Yes!" Sirius was impatient, tapping walls and looking for hidden passages. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"I'm sorry, Narcissa. I'll try to keep him on a shorter lead." Remus glared at Sirius, who sulked. "Do you know where she is?"

Narcissa fidgeted, shifting from foot to foot.

-~-

Sirius wrenched the door open, nearly taking it off the hinges. Kate looked up at him, as if to say "Took ya long enough!"

With her bonds cut, Remus and Sirius pulled her to her feet and began to tow her out of the house.

"Come on, we've got to get out of here. Malfoy probably owled the Ministry all ready-the Hit Wizards will be here any minute." Remus looked back at her. She was a little thinner, after a few days without food, and a little stiff. And really quiet. He stopped, leaving Sirius to keep running, until he realized that Remus and Kate weren't with him. "Kate, are you all right?"

She impatiently pointed to her throat.

"We'll take care of it later. As long as you can run, let's go!" Sirius pulled Kate and Remus along. "We only have a little time."

Kate slapped him, but allowed herself to be dragged along, despite the pain in her legs. Remus pulled his wand from his tattered robes.

"Vocalus!"

"Took you long enough, you bloody lazy sods!" Kate croaked.

Soon they were up in the air, the magic motorcycle carrying them away from Malfoy Manor to Hogwarts.

Chapter 20: Dénouement

Kate spent the next three or four days in the school infirmary, being treated (fussed over) by Madam Pomfrey for rope burns, starvation and dehydration, and that dent in her skull caused by the log.

She had her share of guests, all who were shooed away by Madam Pomfrey after a few minutes. Kate resisted that, saying that she had just bee rescued from half a week of solitary confinement and that a few guests wouldn't hurt her in the slightest.

They managed a compromise: three guests at a time, for half an hour, and half an hour of rest. Cav was the only one allowed to break the rule, as he was a cat and did what he wanted to anyway.

Ron, followed closely by Harry and Hermione, burst into the room, waving a sheet of parchment in one hand, the other holding a newspaper.

"Miss Kate! Miss Kate, look! You won!"

"Quite, you fools!" Cavalier hissed. "She's sleeping."

"Not anymore. The phrase "you won" has wonderful properties. What did I win?" she asked.

"The Ministry, of course! Dad just sent an owl express."

Kate was silent as she read the letter, hastily written and covered in ink spots. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she began to nod slowly.

"So I'm gonna be the new Minister of Magic, starting next month. That's a lot to digest."

"Didn't you want to be Minister?" he asked.

"Well, yeah. It's like when you're waiting for Christmas-when it's the beginning of the year, it feels like it'll never get here. But then when you hit December, it's right around the corner, but still a long way off. And then it's Christmas Eve, and before you know it, you're opening presents. That's how it feels. Understand?"

"I think so," Ron replied, still a bit confused.

"She means it just happened sooner than she thought it would," Hermione explained. "Show her the newspaper."

"What's in the paper?" Kate asked.

"Someone wrote an article about you," Harry started.

"That's nothing new."

"They wrote about what happened. Someone squealed on Lucius Malfoy, told the whole thing about how he'd been paying Fudge and had you kidnapped. Malfoy's denying the whole thing, though." Harry opened the paper and put it on her lap.

"Sounds like Malfoy," Cav said. "Did they say who ratted him out?"

"No. It only says "The source wishes to be remain anonymous. The only name given was Lotus."" Kate scanned the article, reading the relevant sentence out loud.

"Lotus? What kind of a name is that?"

"It's a pseudonym. I reckon a woman wrote it, anyone who knows Malfoy well enough." Kate grinned. "Ten to one says Narcissa wrote it."

"How do you figure that?" Ron asked.

"Sirius said that she told them where Malfoy had put me. She got sick of Lucius' gloating. If Remus is to be believed, she performed a Memory charm on Lucius just before we left."

"Really?" Harry said, laughing. Kate nodded.

"Thanks, guys, for coming in here. I think Madam Pomfrey is going to come by soon and kick you out, though." She had seen the school nurse standing in the doorway, her hands on her hips. When Kate was finished speaking, she walked towards the bed.

"Yes, I am. Miss Hanover was resting, before you three whirlwinds came in. I think she'll be ready to leave tomorrow, but until then, I want her to rest. Cav too."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione left soon after, and Kate resigned herself to the medical care of Madam Pomfrey. Cav stalked out of room, tail held high.

-~-

To celebrate Kate's landslide victory, Dumbledore decided to hold a school-wide ball, dress robes optional. The night after exams finished, every student who wished to attend gathered in the Great Hall for food, music, dancing and relaxation. The prefects from each house and Head Boy and Girl helped chaperone the party, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Kate's mum and dad, and her brother Jimmy and his wife Fiona.

Remus and Sirius were there as well, Sirius in his Animagus form and not in protective custody thanks to a few potent Memory charms. He had fun stepping on Cavalier Jack's tail whenever the cat wasn't looking. The dog managed to slip away, or otherwise make it appear that he was innocent whenever Cav looked back. Cavalier was smarter than that, a fact that Sirius, or Snuffles, overlooked frequently.

Cav was not without resources, however, and had fun exacting his revenge. Through a series of well-worded insults, Cavalier managed to generate a vigorous game of chase between himself and Sirius. The dog chased the cat all around the Great Hall, between people, over tables, and around chairs. They upset the punch bowl and knocked over a few of the smaller students before Kate stopped them. She hauled Cav up by his collar.

"What do you have to say about this?" she demanded.

"It's his fault!" Cav whined, pointing to the dog. "He started it!"

"He's a dog, Cavalier Jack, and not capable of starting anything."

"Yes, he's a dog. And dogs love chasing cats. Right, Harry? Hermione?"

The students refused to comment, not wishing to get involved.

"Cav, what happened?"

"He stepped on my tail."

"Are you sure it was him? This hall is full of people, anyone could've stepped on your tail."

"True, but everyone save yourself and the dog here is wearing shoes, and I know that whoever stepped on my tail was not wearing shoes. It had to be him, because you were at the other end of the hall."

Kate looked at the dog.

"And what do you have to say for yourself, doggy?"

He whimpered, setting his ears back and looking up at her with warm, watery eyes. Kate looked back at her one-eyed cat. Cav glowered.

"You're siding with him!" he said. "That is so not fair!"

"Cav, you two have been antagonizing each other for as long as I can remember. I've lost count as to how many times who's started what. So you're even. Now kiss and make up."

A more awkward moment couldn't be imagined. Kate put the cat back on the ground next to Sirius. Cat and dog looked at each other, then up to Kate with very similar expressions: Do I have to?

Kate glared at them both. Reluctantly, Sirius pressed his nose to Cav's head, and Cav gently nipped Sirius' ear.

"Thank you. Now separate, or leave."

Cav and Sirius each stood and walked in opposite directions-or at least Sirius did. Cav contented himself with winding around Kate's ankles.

"Can you please wipe the dog snot out of my fur?" he asked.

-~-

It was a rainy afternoon at the beginning of June. The students were all packing, getting ready to take the Hogwarts Express home for the summer. Everyone except Harry Potter. He slammed the door as he entered Kate's office.

"Please open the door, Harry," Kate said, without looking up from her packing. "What's wrong?"

"Professor Dumbledore said I have to go back to the Dursley's for the summer."

Kate looked at him, letting the lid of her trunk fall on her hand. She swore.

"What?"

"Dumbledore says I can't stay with you this summer."

A few minutes later, Kate was in Dumbledore's office. Harry had, by order of his godmother, gone back to his dormitory to finish his own packing.

"Grandpa, why can't Harry come stay with me?"

"It's safer for him to stay with his aunt and uncle."

"How is it more safe for him there? I'm the Minister of Magic, for cryin' out loud! I can hire the best bodyguards for him."

Dumbledore pressed his fingertips together, leaning his elbows on his desk.

"And you would have him be isolated from the rest of the world? At his aunt and uncle's house, Harry can at least interact with others in the neighbourhood. You will be busy with the Ministry. Voldemort would be looking for him if he were to stay with you. Lucius Malfoy will most certainly tell him."

"Well, what about Sirius and Remus? I think that between us three, we can take good enough care of him."

"Remus may not be available."

"What? Why not?" Kate sat down heavily. "Where's he going?"

"I received word from some colleagues in Switzerland, informing me of an experimental lycanthropy treatment. I have yet to tell Remus, but I suspect that he would be more than willing to participate."

"That's great! When are you going to tell him?"

"I thought you might like that honour." Dumbledore held out a sheet of parchment, covered in blue calligraphy.

"All right," she said, taking the letter. "But what about Harry? Sirius and I are his legal guardians. I promised him that he could stay with me, and I can't go back on my word!"

"It's very commendable that you wish to keep your promises, Kitty, but you did not consult me before you made that one. Modified Fidelius Charms have been placed on the Dursley family over the past 15 years which have kept Harry hidden from Voldemort and his spies. There are there no such charms as yet on Minister's house and it would not be worth the effort to place the Fidelius Charm on the house for two months."

"Grandpa!" Kate whined. "That's not fair! You brought me back here to help protect Harry, and now you're saying I can't! Will you please make up your mind!"

"Katherine Hanover! You will not address me in such a tone. You are thirty five years old, a professional and the Minister of Magic. You will not whine! Now, this is the first time you have actively spoken out against my wishes."

"I'm sorry, grandpa."

"Do not be; you should not always follow my advice, although it will at times prove useful. However, I stand firm in my decision. Harry will return to the Dursley's for the summer, but may come and visit you near the end of August."

"Thank you."

Kate left the office quietly, dragging her feet and looking as miserable as conceivably possible. The only thing that gave her a little comfort was the letter she held concerning Remus.

Remus...

Kate ran through the labyrinth of the school and out the front door.

-~-

It was nearly nightfall when she reached Remus' house.

"Hello, Kate," Remus said, without looking up from the sink. He was up to his elbows in dirty dishes. "If you're looking for Sirius, he's sleeping." He added a small comment under his breath. "Lazy sod."

"Actually, I'm looking for you. Dumbledore got some news today that he thought you would like to know. Can we go up on the roof?"

"The roof?" Remus asked, clearly surprised. "I suppose it would be all right. I don't think it will collapse. Can it wait until I'm through here, though? Because of you, I came home to a filthy house."

"Leave them for Sirius. Come on."

They clambered up to the roof, summoning two mugs once they were settled.

"Grandpa got a letter from a group of scientists in Switzerland, the Lycanthropic Consortium. They think they've found a cure for lycanthropy."

"Really?" he asked quietly.

"It's just experimental, they can't promise results, but from the previous tests, the subjects showed a degree of relief from the symptoms. What do you think?" Kate paused, inhaling deeply.

"If it's true, it's a wonderful thing for all of us," he said.

"Well, what about it? Would you be interested in going there, to see if they can help you?"

"No. It might be a ploy, something Malfoy made up to separate your protectors from you. Now is not the time for me to go away."

"Remus, I think Grandpa would have made sure everything was kosher before telling me about it. If this had just landed on my desk, I'd be suspicious too. But it didn't. It's a great opportunity."

"I'm aware of that, Kate. I don't feel right, leaving you right now."

"You're worried about money."

"That too." Remus took a sip from his tea, cupping his hands around the mug. The rain had stopped, but a fine mist still lingered around the trees.

"I'll pay for it. I want you to do this. If it works, then-" She stopped. Remus knew what she wanted to say.

"How long will the process take?"

"They say 12 months, give or take."

"What about Sirius?"

Kate traced a crack in the mug's glaze.

"And there's the problem, Moony. I care about him, and I care about you. I thought I'd be able to sort this all out before now, but I was wrong."

The silence seemed interminable.

"I can't go, not now. Maybe when this is over. Who knows, by then it might not be experimental."

"It's your choice." She paused. "Remus, I just realised something. If you did go, I'd miss you."

"You'd miss me?" he asked quietly. "Not Sirius?"

"Not the same way."

"Kate-"

"Don't. I know the risks. I'm willing to take them, though, if you are."

They didn't look at each other. Remus slowly reached down, took her hand, and raising it to his lips, kissed it gently.

-~-

It was an average Wednesday morning on Privet Drive. The sun rose gently over the houses, illuminating the neatly trimmed lawns and shrubbery. Every house looked the same, even with attempts at new and original ornamentation. A lawn can only hold so many ceramic gnomes.

A few days after Harry Potter arrived home from school, a removal van parked in the driveway of Number 11, Privet Drive, and the removal men began to load a houseful of furniture and boxes into it, effectively blocking traffic by piling them on the pavements and lawn, which itself wanted trimming. The neighbourhood gossips set their tongues wagging, because while the house now had nothing in it, there had been no sign of the inhabitant. For almost a year.

The removal van chugged away, never to be seen on Privet Drive again. Number 11 was empty once more.