I Only Wanted

Katie looked back to make sure Draco was following her and saw he had put his hood up again. She wasn't going to tell him otherwise, in fact, she would use that to her advantage. Once in the entrance hall, Katie turned and headed toward the dungeons. Draco jogged and caught up to her, standing beside her.

"Where the hell are we going?" he asked, eyes darting wildly.

"Just follow me, and keep your hood up," Katie said, pausing outside door to the Potions room.

She knocked and waited for any inkling that she was allowed to come in. Snape voice sounded impatiently from inside the room and Katie opened the door, grabbing Draco's hand and dragging him in behind her.

"Miss. Bell, what do you need? I'm very busy," Snape said, and Katie could see why this time.

Mountains of papers covered his desk. Katie assumed they were finals and felt sorry for him. But that didn't deter her from her mission.

"I need to speak to you, Professor, and I assure you that it is of great importance," she said walking up to his desk, dragging Draco behind her.

Snape looked up, his eyes wandering over toward Draco, but Katie blocked his view. Snape sighed, sat down his quill, and looked at her expectantly.

"Well?"

"Alright. I don't need to remind you of how Marcus Flint has thoroughly disrupted my year thus far. And your talk with him seemed to put him off for a while, but now he's started again. And he's brought others into this," Katie said, turning and lowering Draco's hood, "He was just trying to stand up for me, and Marcus punched him in the stomach and added this to his face. He also told him to watch his back, wasn't that it?" she said looking from Snape to Draco.

Draco sighed heavily, and nodded against his will. Katie turned back to look at Snape, who was standing from behind his desk and walking around it to look at Draco more closely. He seemed to be assessing him, trying to tell if it had been faked or not.

"Draco also informed me that Marcus is intent on 'having me'," Katie said, but didn't complete her sentence.

She wanted to tell Snape how scared she was, but she was a Gryffindor, and Gryffindors were supposed to be brave. And so, she contented herself by watching a concerned expression cover Snape's face as he looked at her. It soon passed, hidden beneath his usual mask. He looked to Draco seriously.

"Go up to Madam Pomfrey and see if she can do anything for that bruise. I need to speak to Miss. Bell in private."

"Yes, Professor Snape," he said, looking worriedly to Katie.

Katie just shrugged and watched as Draco lifted his hood and left the room. Katie watched as Snape sat on one of the desks beside her and ran a hand over his face.

"Marcus has taken this too far. Hurting his own Housemates," Snape said sighing, and then looking at Katie, "Are you alright?"

Katie looked at him, the shock clearly written across her face. "What?"

Snape closed his eyes in frustration. "Are you alright, Miss. Bell? Do you need me to spell it out for you?"

"No, I just," Katie said sighing, "No, I'm not alright. I'm scared out of my wits. Happy?"

Snape looked at her, that concerned expression back on his face. "I will have words with Marcus. And, if the need arises, words with his parents. So harm will come to you, Katie, I assure you."

Katie blinked a few times in shock. Was Snape being caring? Was he getting used to the whole 'godfather' idea? Katie didn't know for sure, but what she did know was that Snape had said her first name. A thing he rarely did, even outside of class. She snapped out of her daze when Snape stood and crossed to his desk.

"I suggest you go directly back to your common room, Miss. Bell. I will speak with Marcus tonight," he said, looking from his papers to her, "Just watch yourself, Miss. Bell."

"I will, Professor. Thank you," Katie said, walking from the room, trying to keep herself alert.

But all she could seem to think about was Draco's injuries caused by Marcus, Marcus' threat, and of course Snape's reaction to it all. She had never imagined him as anything but a robot; void of all emotion. Perhaps he was just acting out of defense for his House, but then she knew in her heart, if she had told McGonagall or Dumbledore, they would have reacted the same. The worry and concern would have been identical. She liked the thought that Snape cared whether she lived or died, being under his care and all. But she wondered idly if there was more to it than that. How well had he known her parents? Only her father had gone to Hogwarts.

As she gave the password to the Fat Lady, who had returned a short time ago, she resigned herself to knowing, at the very least, Snape would make sure she was safe.

****

"Katie? Hello? Earth to Katie!" Lee said snapping his fingers in front of her face.

Katie blinked a few times and looked across the table to where Lee was sitting, but there were more pairs of eyes than his on her. She blushed slightly, and looked down at her plate mournfully. She hadn't been hungry lately.

"You were a million miles away, weren't you?" Lee asked.

"Yes, on top of a mountain, screaming at the top of my lungs. Thanks for bringing me back," Katie said, taking a sip of her pumpkin juice.

"Anytime, love," Lee said mimicking her, than looking serious, "You'll never guess who I saw Paris talking with the other day, Kate."

"And why would I care?"

"Because it was Marcus," Lee said in a hushed voice.

Katie sat down her cup, trying to keep her hand steady. "Oh, really."

"Yeah, and there's something going around that Marcus beat the shit out of Draco Malfoy. Don't know what that's all about."

Katie put together the facts and suddenly got very worried. She snapped out of her shock as Oliver sat beside her.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said placing a small kiss on her cheek.

"Hey," Katie said absently.

"Sorry I'm late, but Paris didn't seem to want to let me in here," he said piling food onto his plate, "I fought her off though."

Katie looked at Oliver and than over toward the Slytherin table. Marcus was no where to be found. She didn't want to bolt, but she was having a massive conflict in her mind. Paris was plotting something that involved Marcus. She tried keeping Oliver out of the Great Hall and Marcus was missing. To Katie, that added up to a plot not only against her, but involving people close to her; Oliver. She wanted to run up and tell Snape, but knew she couldn't do that. That was her greatest secret. McGonagall. She could go to McGonagall and no one would be the wiser. She glanced at the Slytherin table again, and noticed the Slytherin team, minus Draco and Marcus, in a small huddle in the middle of the table. They kept looking over at her and Oliver viciously. She had to do something. Marcus was either planning to jump Oliver or say something cruel to him. And knowing Marcus, it was probably both.

Katie looked across the table at Lee poignantly. "Make sure that he does not leave this table," she said and when she saw Percy approaching the table, waved him over as well, "Percy, come with me please."

Katie ignored Lee and Oliver's confused expression and glared at Lee seriously. Percy didn't protest when he saw where she was headed, and paralleled her lead on the opposite side of the table. Katie rounded the table when she reached the end and joined up with Percy, motioning for him to follow her. She walked right up to Professor McGonagall, gaining inquisitive looks from the entire school and some of the faculty.

"Professor, would it be possible to have a word with you? It's of great importance."

McGonagall looked from her to Percy, who looked clueless, and nodded. "Follow me," she said leading them to a room to their right.

Once inside, McGonagall looked to Percy first. "Mr. Weasley, what is this all about?"

"I have no idea, Professor, Katie asked me to come with her," he said honestly, but with dignity.

"I'm sorry to disturb your dinner, but I have a problem. I've just received bits of information and when I put them together, the results are not pleasant," Katie said, trying to sound as dignified as Percy.

"Yes, Miss. Bell?"

"I have a suspicion about a plot being conducted between Marcus Flint and Paris Wheeler to get back at me."

"On what grounds?" McGonagall said, but immediately looked to be fearing the worst.

"Lee Jordan saw them talking a few days ago. And tonight, Oliver told me that Paris was trying to keep him from the Great Hall. And Marcus is missing from dinner," she said quickly.

Percy looked at her startled. He opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it. McGonagall had gone very pale.

"Let me go and get Severus. You two stay right here," she said and fled from the room.

Percy did speak then, once McGonagall had gone. "Merlin, Katie. How long were you going to keep this from me?"

"Perce, I just figured it out," Katie said worriedly.

"Then why did McGonagall go to get Snape?"

"I can't tell you that," Katie said and a second later, Snape breezed into the room, McGonagall close on his heels.

He shot a meaningful look at Katie, taking in her scared expression, and then turned to McGonagall. "Well, what are we going to do about this?"

"You need to find your student, Severus. I can handle, Miss. Wheeler," McGonagall said motioning to a door on the opposite side of the room.

Snape walked toward the door, pausing to give Katie's shoulder a comforting squeeze, before exiting the room, McGonagall following him. Katie shut her eyes and then turned to look at Percy, knowing that he was owed and explanation.

"Perce, I can explain everything. Just sit down," she said, motioning to one of the two high back chairs in the room.

Percy sat, watching her closely as he did. Katie mimicked his moves and sat in the chair opposite him.

"What was that between you and Snape?" Percy asked, almost as if he was afraid to hear the answer.

"My parents wrote Dumbledore again. They transferred parenting responsibilities to my godfather. And apparently, Severus Snape is my godfather. So in addendum to that, I'll be staying here over the summer."

Percy stared at her blankly. "How?"

"He knew my parents. I don't know how well, or how they met up, but he knew them. And I guess they liked him, because they asked him to be my godfather. And with no other living relatives, he has no choice but to take me in."

"Well, he doesn't seem to hate it. He acted, like- Like a parent just now."

"I know. Freaky, huh?" Katie said smiling and then looking down at her hands, "It's so weird, Perce. I've been dying to tell someone, but I can't trust the twins with something like this. I don't know, I guess it was supposed to stay a secret, eh?"

"Maybe," Percy said, scooting forward to grab her clasped hands, "but I'm glad you told me," he said, searching her face, "Anything else you haven't told me?"

Katie looked at him, a saddened expression covering her face. "I don't want you to leave," she said quietly.

It took Percy a few moments to realize what she was saying. "Oh, Kate, is that why you've been all spacey?"

Katie gave a short smile and then looked down at Percy's hands holding hers. "I guess. I don't know. I'm just scared about what's going to happen next year. I'm alright with you and Ol here, but you both won't be here next year," Katie said shrugging, pushing back the tears that were on the verge of falling, "And now all this shit with Marcus. I can't handle it."

"Yes you can. You are stronger than anyone I know," he said giving her hands a squeeze, "And about next year. Well, you're welcome to write to me about anything. No matter how unimportant you think it is. And you can talk to Professor Dumbledore. I'm sure he'd listen, since he knows what a hard time you've been through this year. And Professor Lupin as well," Percy said smiling, "Someone will always be there to listen."

"Thanks Perce," Katie said, just as the door banged open.

Katie jumped in her seat and both her and Percy turned to see Snape, with Marcus Flint in tow.

"Miss. Bell, you're still here. Good. Mr. Flint, apologize now. I don't care if you don't mean it," Snape said, as Marcus looked at him startled, "Now, Mr. Flint."

"Sorry, Bell," Marcus mumbled, thoroughly embarrassed, "We were planning on splitting you and Wood up."

Katie stood and crossed the room to stand in front of Marcus. "I would hit you. But I'm not going to stoop to your level," she said viciously, "You stupid, fucking bastard."

Snape walked up to stand between Marcus and Katie, a smirk on his face. "That will do, Miss. Bell. Come, Mr. Flint. We have much to discuss. Like how I'm going to write to your parents about this little incident," he said, turning and yanking Marcus out of the room by his robes.

Katie watched as the door shut, and felt a pair of arms hug her from behind.

"Good on you, Kate," Percy said and Katie could hear the smile in his voice.

"But what about Paris?" Katie said, mostly to herself.

****

"Alright Cedric, how'd you do?" Katie said, positively hopping from foot to foot.

"I passed," he said, holding up his final for Katie to see.

Katie took the test and scanned it, a smile crossing her face. She looked up at Cedric, and jumped to place her arms around his neck. She felt him wrap his arms around her, hugging her tightly.

"Oh, I am so proud of you!" Katie said, beaming as he sat her down.

"Thanks," he said a blush crossing his face, "Couldn't have done it without your help."

Katie got a mischievous smile on her face almost at once. "So, how are things with you and Cho?"

Cedric's blush deepened and he rubbed the back of his neck absently. "They're good. She's really sweet."

"And? Please tell me you've asked her out?" Katie said, looking hopeful.

"No, not yet."

"Why not?"

Cedric's brow furrowed. "I don't know."

Katie put her hands up in defeat. "Alright, alright. I just think that if you like her, you should do something about it."

Cedric arched his eyebrow at her and smiled knowingly. "Advice you should have taken earlier this year, eh?"

Katie pushed him playfully. "Shut up you."

"Speaking of, how are things with you and Oliver?"

"Good. I'm trying not to get too attached, but I think its too late. I mean, he's graduating this year, and going out into the real world. Possibly playing professional Quidditch. Can you imagine all the girls he's going to meet?" Katie said, voicing a fear that had laid dormant in the back of her mind for some time.

Cedric's face took on a serious expression. "He'd be stupid to even look at another girl when he has you."

Katie just stared at Cedric, in awe of him. That was possibly the nicest thing anyone had ever said to her, and now Cedric was looking at her, a look of terror on his face.

"I shouldn't have said that," he said, his cheeks pinking with the beginning of a blush.

"No, that was sweet of you to say," Katie said, trying to assure him.

"But I shouldn't have said it. You should know that," Cedric said, full out blushing now, "Oliver should have earned your trust."

"He hasn't been tested in a way that would earn my trust," Katie said honestly, "Its not that I don't trust him, but guys are guys, no offense."

"None taken. Some men have no respect for woman. But from what I've seen, you shouldn't worry about Oliver. He has more than a few people that would hunt him down if he hurt you," Cedric said, smiling slightly.

"Very true," Katie said smiling at Cedric, "Thanks."

"It's nothing."

****

Over the next week, the twins took their O.W.L.s and Percy and Oliver had taken their N.E.W.T.s. And with finals over, Katie could finally relax. She was sitting in the common room, reading her muggle Mythology book, when Professor McGonagall entered, Paris following her.

"Hello, Professor McGonagall."

"Miss. Bell, would you mind coming with me."

Katie knew it was a rhetorical question, so she closed her book and followed McGonagall from the common room, shooting a nasty glare at Paris as she did. She followed McGonagall down the now all too familiar corridor leading to Dumbledore's office. McGonagall gave the password to the gargoyle and they both stepped onto the moving staircase.

"Now, Miss. Bell, the Headmaster and I were speaking with Miss. Wheeler just now. And I have to admit, her take on this whole situation is utterly absurd. Seeing as there is only a few weeks left in term, I suggest that you just keep your distance from the girl. It's obvious that she's disturbed," McGonagall was saying as they reached the landing in front of Dumbledore's office, "This meeting has nothing to do with me, so I'll leave you to speak with the Headmaster."

And with that, she stepped onto the moving staircase and it descended to the gargoyle. Katie stepped up to the door and knocked on it. She heard Dumbledore allow her entrance, and pushed the door open. She walked inside and sat in the chair that Dumbledore motioned too.

"So nice to see you, Miss. Bell. Finals were not too harsh I hope?"

"Not as bad as I had imagined, Professor," Katie said, idly wondering why Dumbledore was making small talk, but then again, this was Dumbledore.

"Well then, on to business. You will be staying the summer here, as I'm sure Severus has informed you," he said and continued when Katie nodded, "Well, after the students leave, we shall move your things up to the sixth year girls dormitory and that is where you will reside. The Fat Lady will be at your disposal, so feel free to be creative with your passwords," he said a twinkle in his eye.

"Thank you, sir," Katie said, a gleam of excitement in her own eyes.

Maybe Lupin was right, maybe having the castle to herself could have its advantages.

"Of course, school rules will be abided while you're here. It's the least I will ask of you, Miss. Bell. Just do poor Mr. Filch a favor and don't roam the halls at all hours of the night," he said smiling, "Although, I know you'd never do that anyway."

"Of course not, Professor."

"And, I assume that Professor McGonagall spoke to you about Miss. Wheeler?"

"Yes."

Dumbledore looked at her seriously over his half moon spectacles. "I will not pretend that I wasn't disturbed by some of Miss. Wheeler's rather....odd ideas about you. But nonetheless, seeing as she is graduating this year along with Mr. Flint, I feel no need to press the issue further. Only two weeks. I'm sure we can all manage."

Katie nodded in agreement, and Dumbledore allowed her to go. As she walked back down to the common room, she paused by a window and noticed the full moon on the rise along the tree line of the Forbidden Forest. She had a fleeting thought about poor Professor Lupin, but continued on her way to Gryffindor Tower. She would only find out the next morning about the events that would happen while she slept.