Easier To Run

A/N : Ok, am very surprised at how fast that last chapter was uploaded. *grumbles* Now I can't watch CoS again.

So, what is this chapter about, you may be asking? Well, inspired by my favorite deleted scene from CoS, I am introducing Lucius to my story. He ahs been spoken about, but never written. I've written him in an unpublished story (and trust me, it will never see the light of day), and I thoroughly enjoy writing him. And so, this chapter needed to be written.

Enjoy!

P.S. andrea3382, I so forgot about the Sean laugh! Eek! Must go watch Justin Finch-Fletchley deleted scene again! He laughed his Chasers actually acting like girls. The twins did too. How rude. *grin*

****

Two days had passed before all hell broke loose. And Katie was standing in the entrance hall when it did. The door to the entrance hall burst open, and standing there in all his arrogant glory, was Lucius Malfoy. He looked at Katie with disgust.

"I must be mistaken, but I thought that the school term was over. I wasn't aware that Dumbledore was now allowing the students to stay over the summer holidays," he said in his own malicious tone.

'You would be out of the loop after being taken off the School Governors Board, now wouldn't you?' Katie wanted to say, but Hagrid appeared behind Lucius in the doorway.

"What're you doing here, Malfoy?" he said in an angry tone.

With one last sneer in Katie's direction, Lucius turned and looked at Hagrid, a sickly smile gracing his features as he looked at the half giant. "I'm here to see the Headmaster. Could you fetch him for me?"

Katie balled her hands into fists at her sides. "He's not your servant, Mr. Malfoy. I'm sure you can fetch him yourself," she said before she could stop herself.

Hagrid paled and stepped between Lucius and Katie. "If you'll follow me, Malfoy, I'll give yeh the password to Dumbledore's office."

Katie couldn't see him, but she was sure he looked as unpleasant as usual when he spoke next.

"Lead the way."

As Hagrid cleared Katie's vision and walked up the marble stairs, Lucius sneered down at her once more.

"You should have better manners for such a little girl."

Katie looked at him, eyes blazing, but kept her mouth shut. She waited until he had begun to follow Hagrid, and made her way toward the dungeons. She peeked in the Potions classroom and saw Snape hunched over a book, a smoking cauldron on the table before him. She knocked lightly, so as not to startle him. He looked up, and then waved her in as he returned his attention to his text.

"Yes, Katie?"

"Professor, I just-"

"Katie, it is the summer holidays, and I am your godfather. Call me Severus, please," he said, not once looking up from his book.

"Ok. Well, I just encountered Lucius Malfoy in the entrance hall. Hagrid took him up to see Dumbledore."

Snape looked up from his text, and marking his place, closed the book. "Did he say anything to you?"

Katie looked at him curiously, but the expression on Snape's face was dead serious. "Yeah, he asked why I was here and before I could answer Hagrid appeared. And then he acted like Hagrid was his servant, so I stood up for him. And before he followed Hagrid, he told me that I should have better manners," Katie said, anger flashing in her eyes, "He's really an unpleasant man. And I'm being nice."

Snape stood up so quickly that Katie jumped back startled. "Follow me. We're going to Dumbledore's office."

Katie followed him, slightly confused as to what was going on inside her godfather's head.

"It's not like he hurt my feelings or anything," Katie said, jogging to keep up with Snape.

Snape turned around and looked at her, stopping her dead in her tracks. "That," he said leveling her with a glare, "is beside the point. Lucius has obviously figured out that Draco is here, or he thinks that Dumbledore will help him," he said, softening his gaze, "You do know that we have to send Draco with him if he requests it. We can't keep him here."

Katie looked at him, quietly hoping that the tears filling her eyes weren't visible. She merely nodded, not trusting her voice to confirm her fears. Snape reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"There's nothing we can do," he said in the kindest voice he could muster, "Now," he said, letting go of her shoulder, "come on."

Katie followed, letting the tears spill silently down her cheeks. She wiped them away one by one. As long as she didn't upset herself, no one would know she was crying. But she sniffed, and Snape turned to look at her as they stood before the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office. He looked as if a battle was playing out in his head. He beckoned her to him and Katie walked forward, not knowing what to expect. So when Snape hugged her, it took all of Katie's willpower not to cry again. He let her go after a moment, and looked down at her.

"No more crying. You cannot show any sort of weakness in front of Lucius Malfoy. He will only use it against you," Snape said, in a serious tone.

He turned and gave the password to the gargoyle, and as it leapt aside Katie placed a hand on Snape's arm.

"Severus," she said, and he looked down at her automatically, "Thanks."

Snape gave her a curt nod, but a ghost of a smile played on his lips. They stepped onto moving staircase and rode in silence as it carried them to the landing. Snape stepped off first and went to knock on the door.

"Follow my lead, and saw nothing, no matter how provoked you may feel," he said in a low voice as Dumbledore's voice sounded from inside.

Snape opened the door and walked in, allowing Katie to pass him, before shutting the door. Snape motioned toward Hagrid and Katie went to stand beside the large man. He smiled down at her, and Katie couldn't help but smile back. The exchange that took place before her eyes was fast and vicious.

"Dumbledore, my son is missing. I know that you know his whereabouts," Lucius began vehemently.

"And why do you think that I would know, Lucius?" Dumbledore asked.

"Don't play mind games with me, Dumbledore. Tell me where my son is this instant," Lucius said viciously.

"You son is here, Lucius. But we need to discuss the way in which he came to us," Dumbledore said, allowing Lucius to read between the lines, "Now, luckily for your son, Severus was running an errand for me in Hogsmeade. He went to The Three Broomsticks upon hearing a scream. Apparently, a house-elf of yours had helped Draco Floo in his disoriented state. We have nursed him back to excellent health, but there is still the matter of how he acquired bruised and cracked ribs, a split lip, and a swollen shut and battered left eye," Dumbledore said, anger dancing in his eyes.

Katie could literally see the wheels turning in Lucius' head. He was obviously trying to come up with an elaborate lie as Dumbledore had done, minus Draco's injuries.

"The stupid boy fell down the stairs," Lucius said angrily, "Now, can I collect him and be gone?"

Dumbledore gave him one more glare, before nodding. "He's in the Hospital Wing."

Katie beat anyone to the door and escaped unnoticed. She ran down the moving staircase and up to the floor that the Hospital Wing was on. She entered the wing to see Draco standing and walking around his bed. He looked at her as she walked over.

"Who died, Katie?" he asked, pulling a chair over for Katie to sit in.

"Your dad....here....coming.....now," Katie said trying to catch her breath.

Draco visibly paled and sunk down on his bed. He looked at Katie and Katie could see tears glistening in his eyes. She sat herself on his bed and pulled him into her arms.

"Don't cry," Katie said feeling him return the hug, "Snape told me that we can't keep you here. I just wanted to make sure I saw you before Lucius got here."

Katie pulled away from Draco and made him look at her. "You can still write to me. You know that."

Draco nodded and looked down at the floor. Katie placed an arm around his shoulders and placed a kiss on his temple. "You'll be fine. I promise."

A voice out in the hall caught their attention and Katie stood. "I'm going to pester Pomfrey, so just know I'm still here ok?"

Draco nodded and gave her one of his rare smiles. "Thanks for everything, Katie."

Katie just smiled back and ran over to Madam Pomfrey's office, quickly explaining what was going on and engaging her in conversation. She saw Snape and Lucius enter the Hospital Wing. Lucius' eyes narrowed when he eyed Draco, and she saw Draco turn into the brat he was before her eyes.

"Come, Draco. We're leaving," Lucius said simply, looking impossibly superior.

"Yes, Father," Draco said, standing and walking over toward his father.

She and Draco locked eyes momentarily before Draco stood beside his father.

"Severus," Lucius said, placing a hand on Draco's shoulder.

"Lucius," Snape said, keeping his tone neutral.

Lucius steered Draco from the Hospital Wing, and Snape walked over to where Katie was standing with Madam Pomfrey.

"How did you get down here?" he asked, honestly perplexed.

"I slipped out of Dumbledore's office and down here to beat Lucius, eh, Mr. Malfoy. I wanted to say goodbye," Katie said, a blush rising in her cheeks.

Snape arched an eyebrow, and smirked. "Impressive act of stealth, Miss. Bell."

"Thanks," Katie said, imitating his smirk.

****

Katie sat in the common room a few days later, starting on her Transfiguration homework. Halfway through it, an owl swooped through the window she had opened earlier. It landed on the arm of the couch and hooted happily. Katie smiled when she recognized it. It was Percy's owl, Hermes.

"Hello, Hermes," Katie said picking up the letter he had dropped.

She opened it and read through it quickly, a smile coming to her face.

"Wait here, Hermes," she said, running up to her room.

She grabbed some owl treats that she had bought at Hogsmeade for the owls she was using to send her letters. She ran back down to the common room and placed a few on the table. Hermes hooted happily once more and hopped over to the table to eat them.

"Let me go ask Severus, and then I'll be back with my reply, ok?"

Hermes hooted in understanding, and Katie ran out of the common room and down into the dungeons. She stuck her head in the Potions classroom, but Snape wasn't there. She went over to the door the held his quarters and knocked. Snape answered a moment later. Katie thrust the letter at him.

"Can I, please?" she asked.

Snape arched an eyebrow at her and then read through the letter. His brows furrowed, and Katie mimicked the action when he looked at her.

"I suppose it would be alright," Snape said, smiling slightly at her.

Katie jumped up and down on the spot and took the letter back from him. "Thanks. I have to go send him a reply, and clean up my books. Do you want to walk me to Hogsmeade, or do I have permission to go alone?"

"You can go alone, if you like. But please send me word of when you'll be returning. I don't want you walking up from Hogsmeade in the dark," Snape said looking at her seriously.

Katie nodded. "Yeah, of course. I send you an owl if Mrs. Weasley makes me stay for dinner."

Snape gave her another smile and shooed her away. Katie ran back up to Gryffindor Tower and up into her room. She grabbed a spare piece of parchment and scribbled a quick note on it.

Percy,

He said yes. I'll be there in a little while.

Kate

She folded it, capped her ink, and ran down into the common room again.

"Here you go," she said, giving Hermes' head a soft pat.

He spread his wings and flew off. Katie began cleaning up her books and parchment. Once she had it in a neat pile, she carried it up to her room. She walked into the bathroom and ran a brush through her hair before pulling it up into a neater ponytail. She grabbed a satchel of Floo powder that she had borrowed from Dumbledore and made her way out of the castle. She walked down to Hogsmeade, a bounce in her step. She walked right to The Three Broomsticks, and up to Madam Rosmerta.

"Can I use your fireplace?" Katie asked, holding up her satchel of Floo powder.

"Of course, dear. You just say 'Three Broomsticks' to get back here, alright?"

"Thanks," Katie said walking over to the fireplace.

She opened her satchel and pulled out a handful of Floo powder and threw it into the fire. The flames turned emerald green and Katie placed her satchel in the lining pocket of her robes before stepping into the warm flames.

"The Burrow!" she shouted, and with a whoosh she began to travel through the Floo Network.

She closed her eyes against the whirl of colors, and stumbled slightly when she reached The Burrow. She began to dust of her robes, when she was assaulted from each side.

"You're alive!" she heard Fred say from her right.

"What he said," she heard George say from her left.

"Boys! Let her go before she suffocates!" she heard Mrs. Weasley yell.

She let out a laugh and looked at the Twins as they let go of her. "Hi."

"To what do we owe the pleasure?" Fred said placing an arm around her shoulder and steering her into the kitchen.

"Percy owled me. Told me to come by today," Katie said taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"Good, then he did tell you that," Mrs. Weasley said smiling as she walked into the kitchen a moment later, "I was so upset when Percy told me about your parents, dear. We could have taken you in."

"Oh, I would never put you out like that, Mrs. Weasley," Katie said, but Fred was eyeing her suspiciously.

"Yeah, why are you staying at Hogwarts?" Fred asked.

"And why wouldn't you tell Lee?" George asked.

"Does Percy know?" Fred said, his eyes lighting up.

Katie rolled her eyes. "I didn't tell you guys because I knew you'd laugh or something."

Fred narrowed her eyes at her. "I promise I won't laugh."

"Me too," George said mimicking his twin.

"Now, come on, tell us," Fred said.

Katie sighed. "Fine. I have to stay at the castle because that's where my godfather is."

Fred waved his hand impatiently. "And who is it?"

Katie looked at each of the twins. "Do you promise not to laugh or flip out?"

The twins looked at her seriously and nodded. Katie took a deep breath.

"Snape."

The twins reactions were priceless and Katie wished she had had a camera with her. They just gaped at her, mouths open in shock. Katie laughed out loud and snapped the twins out of their state. She was laughing so hard she didn't even notice Percy walk into the kitchen. She looked up and saw him looking at her peculiarly.

"You missed it. Their faces were priceless," Katie said giggling as the twins scowled.

Percy decided not to ask and sat down at the table instead. He was just about to say something when Ron and Charlie walked into the kitchen. Katie glanced at the twins and noticing their mischievous grins, knew she was in for their revenge now.

"Hey, Charlie, you remember Katie Bell, don't you?" Fred said, throwing an arm around Katie's shoulders.

Charlie grinned broadly. "Look at you, all grown up. Heard you're dating Oliver Wood?" he said sitting in a vacant chair.

Katie looked at Ron, who was trying not to laugh. Then to Percy, who just smiled at her.

"You know, this is why I don't come here anymore," she said pouting.

Charlie laughed, and Fred gave her shoulders a squeeze.

"I'm just teasing, Kate," Fred said grinning.

"Yeah, come on, Katie. Any dirt to spill on Wood?" Charlie asked.

Katie rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Like there would be."

Charlie's eyes lit up. "Hey. I got an idea. How about a pick-up Quidditch game? If Perce'll play, Katie, he and I can play Chaser. Fred and George can play Beater. And Ron here can play Keeper."

Fred looked around happily. "Yeah, I think we've got a spare broom around here that Katie can use. What do you say?" he said looking at Katie, pouting, "Please?"

Katie threw her hands up. "Fine. But you all are going down," she said smiling at the argument that broke out between the Weasley brothers.