Life Is For Living

Katie's morning classes consisted of Transfiguration, Arithmancy, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Katie didn't like Professor Moody at all and sat in the back with Angelina. Fred, George, and Lee sat up front, marveling at everything the former Auror said. When he began to mention Death Eaters, Katie stiffened and clenched her jaw so she wouldn't speak. For some reason, the man kept watching her. This in itself made her feel extremely uneasy.

"Miss. Bell, from the notes that Professor Lupin left, he holds you in high esteem with your knowledge in this class," he said, fixing both his magical and non-magical eye on her fully, "Can you tell me the Unforgivable Curses?"

Katie wanted to scowl, but answered haughtily instead. "Cruciatus, Imperius, and Avada Kedavra."

Moody nodded. "Ah, yes, you would know them, wouldn't you?"

Katie glared at the Professor. "What are you implying, Professor?" she asked through clenched teeth.

"Just your extensive knowledge of this subject, Miss. Bell."

Katie picked up her books and stood. "I will not stand and take your insinuation, Professor. I request to leave the class."

"Do as you wish, Miss. Bell."

Katie breezed past him and headed down into the entrance hall and stormed into the Great Hall. She took a seat at the Gryffindor Table and waited for the bell to sound. How dare he say that to her? He may know about her parents, but that didn't mean that he had to practically announce it to the whole class. After ten minutes of brooding, the bell rang and people started to pour into the Great Hall for lunch. Katie grabbed an apple, put her books back in her messenger bag, and headed out of the Great Hall. She walked out to her rock and leaned against it, munching on her apple as she waited for Draco. As she turned to throw her apple core into the lake for the Giant Squid, she heard him approaching. She threw the core in a high arc over the lake. When it approached the water, one of the squid's many tentacles reached up and snatched it. She turned to see Draco taking his final steps toward her.

"Hey," she said smiling.

"Hi."

"So, what did you need to talk to me about?"

Draco shrugged and looked at her. "Just wanted to see you."

Katie felt herself blush. "Alright. Well, actually, we do have to talk about something," she said, which gained Draco's attention, "Snape said that we should keep our meetings to a minimum, as a safety precaution for both of us. He said that we could use the owls here to send each other messages, but that they should be unsigned, like the one you sent me."

Katie watched his face for a reaction. He looked pained at the news, but when he turned to look at her, his face was decided.

"Makes sense," he said before smirking, "You know, we could have a lot of fun with that idea."

Katie smiled. "Oh, trust me, I know."

Draco sighed and Katie took a moment to look him over. "You grew," she said finally.

Draco looked at her and realized that he did have to look down slightly at her. "Heh, so I did. Well, it doesn't take much height to tower over you, Katie."

"Hey!" Katie said pushing his arm lightly, "That was mean."

"I'm a Slytherin, what do you expect," Draco said smirking at her.

Katie shook her head, laughing. "I honestly never know with you."

As if on some unexplainable impulse, Draco hugged her. After a moment of shock, Katie returned his hug.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Katie asked, still hugging the now taller boy.

Draco shook his head and laid it on he shoulder. "I'm worried about you. I promise that I won't let them take you."

Katie occupied herself by rubbing small circles on is back. She didn't want to answer and voice her fear of the situation she was in. Draco pulled back and down at her.

"For some reason, I don't feel normal unless I'm around you."

Katie reached up and placed a hand on his cheek. "I'm sorry that you can't be who you really are for everyone else. But it's not your fault. It's your father's."

Draco took the hand and lowered it. It was her right hand.

'Shit!' her mind screamed.

"Where did you get this? Wood?" he said inspecting the ring as he held her hand up.

"Yeah."

Draco looked impressed. "He's got good taste. Quite expensive taste too," Draco said lowering her hand, "I change my mind. I like him."

Katie furrowed her brow in amusement. "You approve then?"

Draco nodded and let go of her hand. "Can't have you dating a guy that'll treat you like shit, can I?" he said, a smirk gracing his features.

Katie smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem," he said, looking back up toward the castle, "You better go. Your friends are going to be looking for you."

Katie nodded. "Yeah, I suppose so. I did just walk out of Moody's class."

Draco's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yes. He was being unfair to me. So, I left."

Hatred flashed across Draco's eyes, but it was gone in an instant. "Well, I'll see you around."

Katie was about to ask if he wanted to walk up with her, but then realized that that wouldn't be wise. She headed up to the castle, her day feeling all the more better than it had.

*

Draco ran a hand messily through his hair as he watched her walk up toward the castle.

"Get a grip, Malfoy," he scolded himself.

He went over their conversation in his mind. He had been too open. To obvious. He was surprised that she hadn't smacked him, or run off. But Katie wasn't that type of girl, he reminded himself. She was kind and forgiving. And she cared about him. Something no one but his mother had ever really done.

And for some reason that hit a chord deep within him. He loved his mother for caring. And he felt the same for Katie. But he couldn't. That wasn't right. 'She has a boyfriend,' he thought to himself.

"And what a pity. He loves her, and she loves him. Or she wouldn't be wearing that fucking ring," he mumbled to himself.

If he was mistreating her, things would be different. Maybe she could have feelings for him, like he did for her. He could, in theory, save her from a fate like his mother's. But Wood treated her well. And that ring was a sign of his commitment to her. No, he was selfish to even have remotely romantic feelings toward her. They wouldn't be returned, and he wasn't one to wallow in self-pity over a member of the opposite sex.

And Moody. Draco scowled at the lake. How dare he even treat Katie with such little respect! He hated the man, and he didn't even know him.

"Get. A. Grip," he repeated through clenched teeth, "You don't care about her like that. You can't."

No. What he felt had to be admiration. It could be nothing else. She had shown him infinite patience and kindness, and he admired her for being able to see past his façade.

That was all.

With that final thought, he started on his trek up to the castle.

*

****

The afternoon classes for Katie consisted of Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, and Advanced Potions. Professor Flitwick held her back after Charms class, as he had said he would.

"Now, I spoke to Mr. Diggory about the tutoring, and he said to give you this. He said it was a copy of his schedule. I dare say, you'll both have your hands full, juggling it all," the tiny Professor squeaked.

Katie took a look at the schedule. "Advanced Transfiguration! No fair! I wanted that class," Katie said scowling at the paper.

"Yes. He's rather gifted in that class. Too bad he's got a bit of a blind spot in this class. Nice boy, that one," he said walking behind his desk.

"Well, thank you, Professor. I'll talk to him."

"Good, good. Off you go, don't be late!" Flitwick called after her.

Katie joined Fred and George outside the classroom and the raced down the staircases and out onto the grounds for Hagrid's class. Hagrid introduced them to their project.

"Blast-Ended Skrewts. You'll be helping to raise them along with the fourth years since they're a bit of a handful."

Katie hid behind Fred and George when one of the Skrewts came towards them. They were the most disgusting thing she'd ever seen and she was quite content that she hadn't eaten much at lunch. She feared that she may have been sick otherwise.

After that disturbing class, Katie parted ways with Fred and George and headed down to the dungeons for Advanced Potions. She almost took a seat in the front, but thought better of it, choosing her usual seat towards the middle instead. Angelina joined her moments later. She seemed to be mumbling to herself. Amused, Katie asked what she was doing.

"It's my mantra. I've been preparing myself all day. It's 'Support Katie. Try not to hate Snape.'."

Katie laughed at her friend. "He's not nearly as mean in this class as he is in regular Potions though."

"True," she said, deciding to hold her tongue as Snape strode into the room.

He moved up to his desk and flipped open a book absently until he found the page he was looking for. He marked it, and watched the door, waiting for everyone to arrive. Katie almost giggled at the act he was putting on to intimidate the students. Once everyone had arrived, Snape took the book and placed it on one of the unoccupied front desks.

"Welcome to the new students and welcome back to everyone returning. Now," he said picking up the book and turning to the chalkboard, "let's get to work. Copy all of this down and turn to page 545 of your textbooks. This will count as a grade."

****

As her and Angelina walked out of the dungeons, they heard a commotion in the entrance hall. The arrived to see Professor McGonagall say a spell at a pure white ferret and watch it turn into Draco Malfoy. Katie looked around to see Moody looking pleased with himself and McGonagall shouting at him. Next thing she knew was the Moody was heading towards them with Draco in tow. Katie watched the pain contort on Draco's face and wanted nothing more than to curse the old coot harming him. She glared at Moody instead as he passed. Once he was in the dungeons, Katie looked at Angelina.

"Uh, you go on. I need to ask Snape something anyway."

Angelina nodded and Katie hid in behind a nearby pillar. She waited until Moody exited the dungeons and was halfway up the stairs before she snuck around the corner and bolted down to the dungeons. She practically burst through the Potions classroom door. Snape was trying to reason with Draco.

"There is no need to get your father involved, Mr. Malfoy. Everyone knows that Moody is senile. Except Dumbledore that is. Just, don't attack Potter in the halls again, understood?" he said and looked up, hearing Katie enter, "Miss. Bell. What do you need?"

Katie walked over to Draco and smoothed his hair back. "That man deserves to be fired, or something. How could he do that! In front of all those people! The absurdity of it!"

"Katie, calm yourself," he said, watching Katie's notorious temper flare.

Katie did calm when she looked at Draco. She could tell he was injured. Without a word, her hand went to his back and rubbed it absently.

"I hate that man," Katie said softly, "I'm never going to another class of his. He started talking about Death Eaters today. And then he asked me about the Unforgivable Curses and began insinuating to things when I knew them all. Bloody bastard. I walked out," she said, her eyes flashing with anger when they met Snape's, "I don't care if I have to get permission from Dumbledore. I'll do whatever papers or reports needed to never go into that class again."

*

Snape watched the way his Slytherin calmed and seemed eased around his goddaughter. Just moments ago, he had been ranting up a storm about contacting his father and getting Moody sacked. Now, he looked as if all was right in the world as long as Katie was there. There was no denying his attachment to her and it pained him that their friendship couldn't be public. It pained him because it reminded him of Lily Evans and himself. Hearing Katie speak of what happened in her class only fueled his hatred for Alastor Moody. He would have to conference with Dumbledore about it. Perhaps he could tutor her.

*

Katie watched as Draco leaned into her touch. She smiled before looking at Snape for his reaction. It was nice to be able to be comforting to someone. Snape looked at her, a serious expression on his face.

"I will have words with the Headmaster, and see if something can be set up for you. Draco, if you feel up to it, I suggest you go to dinner. If not, you have my permission to see Madam Pomfrey."

Katie encouraged the second option. "Come on. I think you should see Madam Pomfrey. Who knows what that old coot did to you," she said, helping Draco to his feet.

"I believe Miss. Bell is right. If you would be so kind as to escort him," he said to Katie.

Katie nodded, and carefully led Draco from the room. She let go of his arm when they were outside, in case an stray Slytherin was around.

"I'd help you along, but what if someone sees?" Katie said sympathetically.

Draco smiled back. "I can manage. Just don't let me fall down the stairs."

****

Once they reached the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey bustled over.

"I've been expecting you, Mr. Malfoy. Imagine being bounced on those hard stones like that. I expect you're covered in bruises," she said helping him into a bed, "Lie here, I'll be back with a potion."

"He bounced you?" Katie said incredulously, "As the ferret?"

Draco nodded, his face going pink with embarrassment. Katie clenched her fists at her sides.

"That son-a-bitch!" she said through clenched teeth.

She felt Draco place a hand on her arm. "Calm down, Katie. He's not worth getting upset over."

Katie took a few deep breaths, and unclenched her fists. Her hand rested against her pocket and felt something inside of it. She reached inside and pulled it out. It was a piece of parchment. She unfolded it and read it.

Keep your distance from the Malfoy boy, Kathleen, or you'll do more than bleed.

'Bleed?' Katie thought, reading it again.

"Katie! Your wrists!" Draco cried, reaching up and pressing her inner arms together, "Madam Pomfrey! Katie's hurt!"

Katie wrenched her hands from Draco's vise like grip and pushed up her sleeves. Her scars had reopened and blood was pooling everywhere. Madam Pomfrey ran over and gasped.

"What happened?"

"I- I don't know," she said discreetly placing the parchment back in her pockets.

Madam Pomfrey grabbed each of her arms and said a charm to clot the blood. She then performed a cleansing spell. Katie's arms were an angry shade of red and the pain is her full force the next moment and she had to shut her eyes against it. She felt her knees give out and she sat in a heap on the ground, slowly rocking herself. She felt a body beside her, and knew from the way the arms wrapped around her that it was Draco.

"Katie? Talk to me!" Draco said, his voice sounding very far away.

The black behind Katie's eyelids became brighter and a room was revealed. She saw a trunk, with seven key holes, and then she saw nothing. Her vision went black, the pain subsided, and she tried to open her eyes.

"Katie?" Draco said, cupping her face, "Come on, Katie. Wake up. Tell us what's happening to you."

Katie weakly opened her eyes. "I saw a trunk, in a room. It had seven key holes."

Madam Pomfrey gasped from somewhere above her. "Dear, was that a vision? Professor Snape said you might have them eventually."

Katie looked up at her. "Maybe. He knew?"

Madam Pomfrey smiled. "No, only suspected. I dare say, we haven't had a real Seer in this school for many years."

Katie forced a laugh. She wasn't the only one who thought Professor Trelawney was mad. Katie pulled herself away from Draco and he stood, offering her a hand. He helped her up and then sat on his bed.

"Are you going to be ok?" he asked.

"Yeah. I think so. I need to talk to Snape."

"You can use my fireplace, dear. It's much safer than letting you attempt all those staircases alone," Madam Pomfrey said, leading her away from Draco's bed.

Katie gave a wave over her shoulder, and Draco laid down on the bed and waited for Madam Pomfrey to return.