The Forging of the Bonds

Chapter 21. The Mystery Deepens.

Mike stared at Kate. She looked back, her large eyes open in terror. "You hate me, now," she whispered. "Don't you?"

Oh, no, Mike thought. "I said you were a very dear friend. I meant it. I will stand by you." He paused. "It's Zabini, isn't it?"

Kate nodded, shaking. "She hates me--"

"I doubt it," Mike said, realizing something. A lot of things made sense now.

"I don't think she's a lesbian," Kate said.

"Kate, don't worry. It'll be okay." He gave her a hug. "You're still our Kate."

"Thanks, Mike. You won't try to--"

"Set you up? You know I don't like matchmaking schemes. They don't work."

"I know. I'll have to do this on my own."

"I'll help you in any way I can." He paused, but she didn't respond. "Who else knows?"

Kate still held on, shaking. "No one?" Mike asked.

Kate nodded. "I was so afraid..."

"It'll be all right, Kate." He paused for a moment. "You might want to talk to my mother."

"Why?"

"She used to do counseling for families of Muggle-borns who had troubles with the transition," Mike said. "Sometimes these kids became depressed when their families didn't accept them for what they were. I've met some of them. I don't want that to happen to you."

Kate looked at him. "I--"

"Think about it. No one will make you do anything. But we can help. You aren't alone."

"But in the end, it's my decision? Isn't it?"

"It always is. For all of us." For the first time since Mike threw Goyle and Nott out, Kate smiled. "Where would I be without you?" she asked.

"I don't know," he said. "I'd have one good friend less without you. Do you want to go back to the dance?"

"No," Kate said. "I'm tired. Besides, you know I can't dance."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? I could have taught you."

"Embarrassed," she said. They approached the Fat Lady.

"Goodnight, Kate. Rest well." He hugged her again. "I'm with you. No matter what."

"Thanks. You're not going in?" she asked.

"I want a breath of fresh air," he said. He patted her on the shoulder. "Goodnight, Kate."

"Goodnight, Mike," she said, and headed into the common room. Mike went back downstairs. He pulled on his cloak before stepping outside. It was freezing, but he didn't care. He liked to walk around.

He didn't think he could convince Kate, and now certainly wasn't the time, but he thought Zabini did like Kate. Her hostility towards him at the Ball, going so far as to trip him, bore all the classic marks of jealousy.

He was consumed by his thoughts when he bumped into another person. "Watch where you're going!" said a female voice.

Mike recognized it. "Elizabeth!"

"I was just looking for you," she said.

Mike smiled. "Well, you found me."

"Why did you leave the Ball?"

"Kate was upset. I had to comfort her."

"Comfort?" Elizabeth suddenly demanded.

"After your friend upset her. She needed help."

"Hey, I tried to get Nadine to tell me why she did it, but she wouldn't talk."

"Aren't you supposed to be friends?"

Elizabeth sighed. "She wouldn't tell me, but I know something is bothering her."

"I have an idea, but it's not my secret to reveal," Mike said. "Try to find out."

"In case you were wondering, Weasley, she doesn't like you. Certainly not in that way."

"Good. I don't fancy her either."

They had walked back into the castle. Passing by Potter's classroom, they heard voices from it.

"She needs to know, Draco," Potter said. "You can't--"

"She's my daughter, Potter! What if--"

"What if Pansy hadn't died? What if Ginny hadn't died? What if Tom Riddle never became Voldemort? You can play that game forever; it won't change the facts."

"I placed her in this position. I could have done something else."

"We all could have." Potter sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if I was the lucky one."

"What?"

"Ginny and I were trying to have a child. What if we had?"

"Oh, now who's playing the what if game?"

"Sorry. But there are other people who know, and there are many more who don't, but who know where to look to find out. We had to testify, remember? These protocols are somewhere in the Ministry. The secrecy statute on them is only fifteen years--and you know how heavily I had to lobby for even that much."

"As I recall, you had to invoke about a dozen obscure laws dating back to the time of Merlin," Malfoy said. "They just had to throw so much in your way."

"You know why, Draco."

"Of course. Money. A great deal of it. The owls I get sometimes..."

"Draco, it will be better if she is prepared. I hated it when important information was withheld from me. I don't want to subject her to that."

Malfoy sighed. "Just don't do anything stupid, Potter."

"You know me, Draco."

"I know you too well. That's why I'm worried," Malfoy said. "What's that?"

"Run!" Mike whispered to Elizabeth. She didn't need to be told. Before Malfoy got to the door, they were on the next floor, and continued their flight.

They stopped after exhausting themselves.

"I don't think they knew who we were," Mike said.

"Potter probably suspects us," Elizabeth replied. "But he won't give us a detention without proof."

"That's good. What do you think that was about?"

"No idea. I think Potter will tell us--isn't that what they agreed on?"

"He'll tell you. What do I have to do with any of it... oh, crap," he said.

"What?"

"Look up."

Elizabeth did. They were standing under mistletoe.

She narrowed her eyes. "Did you arrange this, Weasley?" she demanded.

"No," Mike said.

"Well--"

"Yeah--" They leaned towards each other.

She smells nice, Mike thought before their lips met. And then, the kiss deepened.

They pulled back. "Wow," Mike whispered. No kiss had ever felt quite like this one.

Elizabeth opened her eyes and stared at him. She then covered her mouth, and, without a word, ran.

Mike was too stunned to even call after her. Great, he thought. Who else had a Yule Ball that ended this badly? He was so tired that he went back to Gryffindor Tower and fell asleep on the couch by the fireplace.