Chapter Nine - Kate.

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''You are seriously telling me you guys have never played truth or dare?'' I look at Tortoise and Sisa (who I am yet to come up with a name for) with disbelief. I guess both of them are foreign but I had no idea they were that isolated from society. Even me, an outcast, knows the classic game at which I best everyone with dares. Seriously, I accept any dare. Sometimes they don't end well but most of time I get away with them. My mind wanders back to the time when Idiot Claw, when I accused of him being too careful with his dare inventing, got into a fit and dared me to push Severus Snape into the black lake. Unfortunately I didn't get away with it - five days detention was not pleasant - but boy was it satisfying to see that greasy-haired slug covered in water and flapping about like a demented fish in the water.

''No.'' Saoirse shakes her head in answer to my question. ''What is it?''

''I'd never play anything with the word 'truth' in it.'' Says Sisa with a snort. ''I'm more of the deceiving type.''

I raise my eyebrow - Sisa irritates me slightly with her pushy attitude. ‘’You only choose ‘truth’ if you’re a wimp, and as you’re a Gryffindor, I expect you’ll be brave and mighty and take on a dare.’’ I mock her slightly, as I do all Gryffindors. I just can’t help myself. To be honest, I wouldn’t be hanging out with these two if we weren’t on our way back from Divination, a class only we three take, out of our entire friendship circle, and if Lena and Claire weren’t busy with academic affairs of their own.

‘’Wait - so we’re playing it?’’ Questions Tortoise in her strong Irish lilt. ‘’Right now?’’

‘’Why not?’’ I answer with a grin. ‘’There’s nothing else to do, anyway.’’

‘’Well actually I do need to go and clear something away in the Gryffindor common room before James Potter finds it.’’ Saoirse admits, a hint of anger coming to her face as she mentions the imbecilic leader of a much-hated quartet within our circle. Well, I don’t believe O.H.A. hates James Potter and his arrogant twits - rather the contrary, as she’s dating Sirius Black, but since then she hasn’t really hung out with us. I like to think I drove her away with my madness, but unfortunately I think the credit goes to Tortoise.

‘’Why do you need to hide something from James Potter?’’ I question with a hint of scorn in my voice. ‘’That’s what he wants you to do, if he’s been snooping around your stuff.’’

‘’He hasn’t been snooping around my stuff.’’ Answers Tortoise. ‘’But if he ever saw any of it lying around he’d definitely invade my privacy.’’

‘’Why? Has he got some obsession with you or something? Is the surname Evans enchanted so that all Potters become infatuated by the holder?’’ I say with sarcastic humour. If Claire and Lena were here they’d crack a smile, but Sisa only says;

‘’Kate is right - why is he hounding you? And what is this thing you’re so desperate to keep hidden from him?’’

I nod and turn to face Saoirse, who hesitates, and block her path, folding my arms. Sisa does the same and I raise my eyebrow as we face her. ‘’Come on, Tortoise. Tell us.’’

Seeing that she can’t go anywhere, Tortoise rolls her eyes. ‘’Don’t ask me why, but he thinks I have some dark secret and is dead set on finding out what it is.’’ She shakes her head, laughing incredulously, though it seems a little fake to me. ‘’And the item I am trying to hide from him is my journal. I foolishly left it in the common room and it’s very personal. It’s not below him to open it up and take a peek at what’s inside.”

‘’I agree with you, but I also agree with James Potter.’’ I say pensively, making Sisa and Tortoise look at me with disbelief.

‘’What? You agree with James Potter?’’ Saoirse looks at me, her mouth slightly open and eyebrows raised sky-high.

‘’I agree with James Potter over the matter of your dark secret.’’ I explain. ‘’But unlike him, I’m not going to invade your privacy. And I agree with you that it’s not beyond him to go through someone's diary.’’

‘’Ah.’’ Sisa says, understanding. Really, I knew Gryffindors were slow, but I didn’t know they were this slow. In comparison, scatter-brained me looks like a genius beside them. ‘’Well actually, I do also agree-’’

‘’Can we just get to the common room?’’ Tortoise cuts across. She’s trying to change the subject, I can see - which further proves the point she has got something to hide. But as said, I’m not here to hound her like James Potter and other nosey nobodies, I actually want to help her keep it. Because I have my own secrets to hide as well.

‘’Calm down Tortoise, we’ll get there in time. He’ll be dicking around outside at the moment anyway.’’ I attempt to reassure her. It’s very strange - I’m not usually the reassuring kind and that came out of nowhere.

‘’In the pouring rain?’’ She undoes my efforts in her panicky state but I fire back fast.

‘’Well singing in the rain is fun.’’ I say, then belt at the top of my voice; ‘’I’M SING-ING IN THE RAIN, JUST SING-ING IN THE RAIN! OH WHAT A MARVELLOUS FEE-LING, I’M HAP-PY AGAIN!’’

‘’My god, keep it down, will you!’’ A prim painting of an old victorian scholar tries to call me back but I just stick my tongue out at him before turning back to Tortoise and Sisa. I watch as the latter raises her eyebrows, which irritates me. It’s then that I finally come up with a nickname for her.

‘’So, Diva, are you gonna go play t or d once Tortoise is done?’’

‘’Diva?’’ Questions Tortoise with a puzzled smile.

‘’I finally came up with a nickname for Diva here.’’ I gesture to Diva, wondering what her opinion will be - not that it usually affects me. I don’t get a satisfying reaction, though,as Diva shrugs and speaks in a ‘I’m-not-bothered’ tone.

‘’As long as it’s not ‘Maria’, I’m fine.’’

‘’Why on earth would anyone call you Maria? You’re as far from a singing nun-governess as a hippopotamus.’’ I say incredulously, The Sound of Music coming to my mind.

‘’My real name’s Maria Isabel, but I hate it so everyone calls me Marisa or Sisa.’’ Diva explains before adding darkly. ‘’Well, except my mother, who insists on calling me ‘Maria’.’’

‘’Does everything in life have to be referred to a musical for you, Kate?’’ Asks Tortoise in amusement, before I can answer to Diva. I don’t actually mind her because she can take a joke and seems a little fun when she isn’t worrying or running away, whereas Diva’s far too intense and pro-Gryffindor and don’t mind answering her as much.

‘’A lot of things relate to musicals. Plus musicals are awesome so who’s gonna argue?’’ I say derisively.

‘’Ooh, I love musicals!’’ Suddenly someone I don’t think I know pops out in front of us, jumping from the top of the stair case. Once the girl’s stopped bouncing I realise it’s the third year that was plaguing us and who O.H.A seems to have been idolised the past few days. Zinia, I think her name was.

‘’Good for you.’’ I say flatly, not wanting to have to deal with this girl at the moment. ‘’Now, shoo, please.’’

Zinia looks disappointed, her big brown eyes turning away to survey Diva and Tortoise - probably in hope of a less hostile greeting. Her eyes grow even larger and gain a fearful look when she sees Tortoise and a look of realisation dawns on her face. Tortoise notices this and creases her brow, asking slightly menacingly;

‘’What d’you want, kid?’’

‘’You’re Sair-sha, aren’t you?’’ Zinia says, face still worried but still doesn’t budge. ‘’Peggy was telling me about you.’’

‘’Was she indeed?’’ Tortoise gains an angry look to her face. ‘’And what did she say?’’

‘’I...to give you this.’’ Zinia hesitates then rushes her words, moving quickly to hold out her hand to Tortoise, in which a note lies.

‘’Right.’’ Tortoise looks from the letter to Zinia, face scornful. ‘’Well, it’s good to know that Peggy has her own personal owl.’’

Zinia withdraws her hand slightly, unsure of what to do and a little hurt in her eyes. I turn to look at the note, actually very curious and then look to Tortoise, who doesn’t seem to be for taking the note.

‘’I’m not going to read it.’’ She says resolutely, anger in her eyes. ‘’And I’m certainly not going to send you back with a letter for her. Go, Zinia, and stop being Peggy’s slave.’’

‘’I’m not her slave! I’m her friend!’’ Zinia gets a little fiery now and I raise my eyebrow, amused by the little scene. Wow, O.H.A.’s certainly got this one under her grasp.

‘’Then don’t run around doing her errands.’’ Diva enters the fray now, obviously sticking up for her friend. ‘’As Kate said, shoo.’’

‘’Wait, wait!’’ I say, as Zinia turns to go with anger and hurt. I snatch the letter from her hand and the others stare at me. ‘’Oh come on, you really thought my curiosity wouldn’t get the better of me?’’ Tortoise, despite her expression having been intense, cracks a smile unintentionally before I turn to Zinia, who I’ve now got a nickname for. ‘’You can go now, Zymol.’’

But the girl just peers at me in alarm and confusion. ‘’What?’’

‘’You are now named Zymol. Now go, we have no more need of you.’’ I say, trying to drive her away with insanity as well.

It works. Zinia scurries away after staring at me, fear in her eyes as she turned away, as well as a good dose of alarm, as if she thinks she’s just been talking to a lunatic. Which is true, of course.

As soon as she’s gone, Diva questions me. ‘’Zymol?’’ Her voice and expression hold bemusement, though most of the time she has no idea how to deal with my madness.

‘’Well she’s Zinia Yvette Michelle - she introduced herself like that, I remember, which stands for Z.y.m and Laura calls her that, and she’s an owl for O.H.A., so Zymol fitted.’’ I look at Diva, who’s wearing an expression of confusion mingled with disbelief at my weirdness. ‘’I know, my inventiveness never ceases to amaze me, either.’’ I add with an air of majesty.

Tortoise, however, is not reacting to this - she’s looking at the note in my hand. I notice this and bring me hand up to open it. ‘’Right - let’s open this little message then.’’

‘’Wait!’’ Tortoise snaps into action now, as expected.

‘’What?’’ I ask unassumingly, though very amused by her worried expression.

‘’It could be jinxed or something. It wouldn’t be beyond an angry Peggy to do something like that.’’ Tortoise answers, still eyeing the note. She surprises me with this comment - I should have thought of that - though I realise a second later why I didn’t bother to.

‘’O.H.A. doesn’t have the ability to defeat a boggart, let alone jinx a letter properly.’’ I say reassuringly, despite having insulted a friend. We never fell out, so I still call her a friend, but she always got on my nerves and what I’m saying is truthful - to a certain degree.

‘’Peggy can defeat a boggart, Kate.’’ Tortoise answers seriously. ‘’And cast a patronus. She’s actually not that bad at Defence Against the Dark Arts.’’

I shrug, not to beaten in proving my point and slightly amused by the fact Tortoise doesn’t agree with my jab at her recently made arch-enemy. ‘’She still wouldn’t think of doing it, anyway.’’ I look to the letter and grin. ‘’Anyway, we’ll just have to find out. Here goes!’’

I open the note in a most unstrategic fashion for me, simply tearing at the envelope until it’s completely ruined and I can finally get to the note. I was right, as well - O.H.A. didn’t think of jinxing it - but the writing’s just as unpleasant as any of the classic item jinxes. Wrinkling my nose as I read it, I move it away from Tortoise’s eyeline as she tries to get a look.

‘’I - erm - think it’d be better if you didn’t read this, Tortoise.’’ I say, clearing my throat and trying to tuck it into the pocket of my unfortunately tight trousers. Even me, a very insensitive individual, can tell it won’t do Tortoise any bit of good to read what O.H.A.’s sent her.

‘’What? Kate, let me see.’’ Tortoise holds out her hand, then sees where I’m going to put it in my pocket and makes a grab for the note. I’m too quick, though holding it out of her reach. ‘’Why won’t you let me see it?’’ She questions, coming round again to try and get it.

‘’Because I don’t think it would affect you positively if you read what O.H.A.’s said.’’ I say, still holding it up high. However, Diva then joins in and leaps from my left and in my attempt to move it out of her reach, Tortoise manages to lunge for and grab the piece of paper on which O.H.A’s words are written. Well, I tried to help her, I think as Tortoise opens up the folded note. I can’t be bothered to try and keep it away from her now - I’m done being considerate for the day, and watch to see her reaction, remembering what the note had read.

       

I look up at Tortoise and see her face is pale and pinched, anger glittering in her eyes. The letter’s certainly bathed in spite - it doesn’t seem like O.H.A. but I suppose this is her in a temper when she’s actually arguing over something serious rather than over fictional characters. Diva’s the first to speak as Tortoise folds the note up, mouth in a thin line.

‘’None of it’s true, Saoirse - she’s just being a b-’’

‘’I know.’’ Tortoise cuts across the angry Diva and pauses. ‘’It’s just Peggy in a rage. I didn’t think she was that spiteful but obviously she is.’’ She reaches into her coat pocket and brings out a Muggle cigarette lighter, clicking it to produce a flame and promptly setting fire to the note as Diva gawps slightly at it and I watch warily and she throws it over the bannister to float down between the shifting staircases. ‘’Now let’s not mention it. I don’t want to be tempted to throw something at her or reply. Come on.’’

Tortoise moves to walk away but I linger to lean over the bannisters and comment as the flaming paper lands in a bunch of Seventh-Year Slytherins. ‘’Erm...Tortoise...great way to dispense of that note and all but...I think you just set Avery’s robes on fire.’’

Tortoise turns, both perplexed and alarmed, and she and Sisa join me in peering down at the panicking and furious crowd of Slytherin bullies. A few seconds after surveying her handiwork, Tortoise surprises me by bursting out laughing. Really, this girl seems to have a whole different side to her that doesn’t fit the serious and wary guard that usually comes up when you try and speak to her. However, I still join in her chuckling, as does Sisa, and we stand there looking down upon the amusing scene with grins on our faces....until Avery, robes now extinguished, sees us and appears to snarl with fury and shout ‘’JUST YOU WAIT, FIELDS!’ as Mulciber also notices us. I withdraw immediately, as do Tortoise and Diva, who also sense danger.

‘’Ok - well - I think now’s the time to make a quick getaway.’’ I say hastily, rubbing my hands and looking around.

‘’Agreed.’’ Says Sisa, the r rolling considerably as her voice becomes more panicky.

‘’Er - guys - I think that may be a little difficult.’’ Tortoise says uneasily, nodding ahead. I turn to see Avery coming up one set of stairs, fuming with range, then spin on my heel and it appears Mulciber is making his way towards us from behind. There’s no chance we’ll get away in time, and though I’m not one for running away from bullies, there’s no way we can make a stand in these circumstances. Luckily for us, however, my quick-thinking has not been affected. Turning back to Tortoise, I speak quickly whilst reaching for my shoulder bag and undoing the clasps on it.

''Right - Tortoise.'' Saoirse looks to me, confusion clearly in her eyes as I produce a silvery slip of cloth from my bag. ''Truth or Dare?''

''Wait - what?'' She says in a confused manner.

I roll my eyes, knowing we don't have much time, and take a deep breath. ''I, Kate Fields - Empress of Aliens and Queen of Insanity, am asking you, Tortoise, whether you want to do a truth or a dare.''

''Kate, this isn't really-'' Tortoise begins.

''Ok, dare, right.'' I cut across, knowing full well what she said but also that we have no more time.

''Yeah we need to get out of here.'' Diva says, irritating me profoundly.

''That's exactly what I'm trying to do.'' I snap, grabbing her by the arm and tugging Tortoise y the other and turn to face the Fat Lady's painting and speaking in a low voice.

''Ok, so, I dare you, Tortoise - and you as well, Diva - to sneak me into the Gryffindor common room under this.'' I bring out the silver cloak that was over my arm in a flourish and, sweeping it into the air, pull it over my head and promptly disappear - well, to the rest of the people around us, that is.

''What the feck? What just happened?'' Says a confused Tortoise. Diva's quicker, however, and realises what's going on.

''An invisibility cloak...'' She whispers as I roll my eyes from underneath the item in question. Yes, yes, hurry up. But Diva seems set on continuing to ramble. ''Kate, where did you-''

''JUST WAIT TILL I GET MY HANDS ON YOU AND YOUR STUPID LITTLE FRIENDS, FIELDS!'' An ear-splitting and rage-filled yell cuts across Diva and she has no time to question or fumble further as Tortoise realises it has to be done and shouts a password inaudible to me to the fat lady painting and the entrance swings open. Avery and Mulciber's footsteps are just sounding on the landing behind us as we make it through but we're safe before they can get to us. Phew.

I turn away, still hidden under the invisibility cloak, and can't help but smile as I survey the Gryffindor common room. It's reasonably full and I feel like I'm deceiving many a stupid Gryff at the moment and my smugness levels are going through the roof. There's a distinct lack of guys, however - in fact there are none here. It's a second after feeling briefly confused that I remember there's a debate on Quidditch Clubs being held by the Quidditch teams and that all guys and some girls from all four houses will be there - including Mr James Potter. I'm reminded of him as Tortoise scurries to grab a worn, leather-bound book off a small table in one corner and slip it into her bag - her journal, I presume, and a wicked idea comes to mind. Ignoring Diva, who is standing warily beside me and trying not to look panicky, I step carefully and head for the stairs that lead up to the boys dormitories.

It’s when I’m on the five stair that Tortoise and Diva realises where I’m heading. I hear Tortoise’s Irish Accent ringing with panic as she hears me tread on a creaky floorboard and see the movement made as I open the door to the corridor behind where the dormitories can be accessed. Another moment passes and as I close the door I can hear them following - not that I panic, personally. It’s fine if they see my destination - though not if they realise why - I just need to get there.

I smile to myself as I find the door I was looking for, marked in gold letters ‘sixth year’ and open it, passing through as I hear Tortoise and Diva open the other one. I love the feeling of being invisible and devious in this way. I knew the cloak would come in handy.

Finding no one within, as expected, I move to inspect the beds until I find one which is obviously James Potter’s. I should have a profession in snooping, I’ll admit, but I’m not like Severus Snape and I don’t do it for no reason. I’m looking for something. Something James Potter took from Eel and I last year - or rather, something that belongs to him but he shouldn’t possess. A document.

Moving swiftly and making care the cloak stays in place, I begin to rummage in the trunk that is open at the end of the bed. It mainly contains clothes and a few books on Quidditch - nothing like what I’m looking for. Exasperated as I go through it all and find nothing, I begin to look more desperately, sticking my hands inside his Quidditch gloves, taking the covers off his books and going through the pockets of his spare robes. He treasures it, I know - he’ll have it hidden somewhere. But I have to find it. I have to.

My desperation seems to build as I become more savage in going through his things and don’t put them back how they were. Normally I’m cool and calm, strategic about my missions. But this was an inadvertent one - I didn’t plan to sneak in here today, though I knew I had to sometime - but this wasn’t planned and I find myself losing control.

It’s as I slam the trunk down in anger that I feel the wave of depression run through me. It seems to sneak up on me like a hunting panther and then suddenly it’ll hit me and I sink deep into a hole that I can’t dig myself out of without Groot and my medication. Flopping back on the floor, I push the trunk back to its proper place and give up. But it’s as I’m getting up I see a sheet of paper lying on the tangled sheets of the bed on which I am about to seat myself. Grabbing it, I fold it open frantically and my heart leaps and the depression is pushed away by victory. Imbecile - I knew James Potter was stupid but not that stupid - he just left it lying on the bed where anyone could find it. I suppose he doesn’t expect me to come creeping in again.

But it’s as I tuck the document carefully into the secret pocket in my bag that Lena created for me that I realise Tortoise and Diva should have entered and followed me. Suspicion rises within me and I utter a single word as I realise people are talking outside the door - a word which is spoken so quietly any other person would only hear the ‘ck’ of it, though I say it with complete conviction. I am certainly in trouble.

‘’Looking to snoop around my stuff, Irish Gal?’’ I hear as I swear again. I know who’s talking now.

‘’You’re such a hypocrite, Potter.’’ I hear Diva scoff  and answer.

‘’In what way am I a hypocrite?’’ The unbearable imbecile questions.

‘’You know that if you ever had the chance you’d go through my stuff, don’t deny it.’’ Tortoise attacks him with venom and I would grin, picturing the look on his face, if it isn’t for his following comment.

‘’This is not about me.’’ I can hear the scowl in his voice. ‘’You were going for my stuff, weren’t you?’’

‘’Why the feck would we want to go through your stuff?’’ Questions Tortoise incredulously, though there’s obviously a dubious tone in her voice.

‘’Because your little friend from Slytherin has done it before.’’ Sirius Black’s speaking now - it must be just him and Potter. But I don’t swell on this observation because my chest constricts and my heart begins to beat violently - it feels like Eel’s out of control Raven patronus is trapped in there. I think I named him Patrick.

‘’What?’’ Tortoise has been caught off guard and her voice is confused.

‘’Oh didn’t you know? Well, you’re little friend Fields has visited my dormitory before. Gone through my stuff.’’ Potter’s words are dripped with venom and loathing and I begin to creep away from the door, partly because I really need to think of how I’m going to get out of here without being caught and also because I don’t want to hear any more. However, his voice is far too loud for me to block out.

‘’But-’’ Tortoise begins.

‘’She stole from me.’’

Suddenly he’s done it. Frozen me as I slip into a place behind the door. Hearing the words out loud have a most unusual effect on me….something I’ve never felt before. God, why do I have to be so insecure. Why can’t I return to the Kate of last year, before Lena did the unspeakable, before I received a dose of PTSD? I want to be indestructible. I need to be indestructible. My madness, and my friends, do some of the work towards that but my mind doesn’t seem to want to cooperate.

‘’What?’’ I hear Diva and Tortoise question in unison after a stunned pause. Yes, get over it. I’m a thief. I confess.

‘’Twenty Galleons.’’ Black’s talking again now. ‘’Twenty bloody galleons.’’

‘’No. I don’t believe it.’’ Insists Tortoise. It’s nice of her, but  she knows it’s true. I’ll accept my fate.

‘’And my cloak.’’ I tense up again as Potter speaks. My body seems to deal with shocks most impractically - I wish I didn’t have to be shocked every time he exposes my behaviour a little more. Why can’t I just no have a heart like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz?

‘’My invisibility cloak.’’ Potter goes on. ‘’A family heirloom and a bloody useful one at that.’’ There’s a pause then he hits me again with more indirect words. ‘’I tell you what. Padfoot and I’ll let you go without telling anyone if you get that cloak back to me.’’

‘’We’re allowed to be here.’’ I hear Diva snarl.

‘’And we’re not doing anything for you. Goodbye.’’ I hear Tortoise follow up, but James seems to call after her.

‘’So you don’t believe me? Don’t believe that your friend stole from me?’’

But Tortoise doesn’t answer. And I know what that means. Potter says exactly what I’m thinking.

‘’Good luck with confronting your friend. You know she’s a thief. Stay away from her Irish Gal.’’

My heart’s sinking again - shame, despair and fear are weighing it down and I can’t get rid of them. My body’s gone into an unwelcome overdrive and becomes filled with panic as I see the door handle turn and James Potter and Sirius Black enter. I have to get out of here. I have to.

Batting back the door, I pray they’re walking past me as I slip off my trainers. Looking up, I almost let out a sigh of relief as I see they’re by Potter’s bed. However, Potter’s exclamation as he realises I’ve been here and am quite possibly still in here terrifies the life out of me despite my usual courage filling me. Knowing I have to go for it, I take a leap of faith and turn in mid air, jumping lightly but still making an impact on the floor. Potter realises what’s happening as I scramble to run out of the door and down the corridor. I’m tearing to run down the stairs desperately trying to keep the cloak around me when I hear the thumping of their footsteps on the floor of the corridor. Panic and adrenaline rushing through me as I tear open the portrait door and clear the step. I don’t look behind as I race down the corridor and turn a corner, hiding behind a pillar and trying to contain my panting and calm down.

Thirty seconds later and it’s clear they aren’t coming and I’ve certainly calmed down. However, my mind is still racing. What the hell am I going to do to avoid them? What if Potter or Black or even Diva and Tortoise tell Dumbledork? And yes, I nicknamed the headmaster. I’m actually pretty friendly with him and his nickname signifies my approval, but I’m not going to get that one past him. And what about my Aunt? It’ll definitely affect her if anyone finds out, if anyone ever tells.

The level of panic in my body is rising again and I scramble to retrieve my medication from my bag, taking a gulp of the potion. God, why do I have to be human? Couldn’t I just be a robot without a heart? My mind goes to robots, which actually calms me. Looking at it, the robot option might be a good one. I could make food for Lena and arm myself with a built-in mini gun to blast James Potter’s head with.

I shake my head, knowing the robot thing is not the solution, even if it might start a scientific revolution and would could maybe find the aliens I have faith will appear to me when I take a rocket to Mars. I need to think about this. Go where somewhere I can think. Maybe even plan my running away. Whatever happens, I have to get away and try and sort something out. With reluctance, I look around me and reach my arm up to pull off the Invisibility Cloak. However, my half-hearted check stops me midway as I spy Tortoise and Diva as they look to be walking past but then turn to walk along the corridor where I’m hidden.

‘’Where could she be?’’ Tortoise says worriedly to Diva as I move to follow them out of instinct. Ah, so they’re trying to find me. Well, good luck with that. I’m not going to let myself to be found.

‘’Don’t worry, Sairr-sha - she’ll be in the library or something. It won’t be hard to find her.’’ Diva’s comment confuses me and I stop and crease my brow, waiting for an elaboration. Why would I be in the library? And since when have I been easy to find, even without an invisibility cloak?

‘’We need her to find Kate, though. Claire’s the only one who can help. Or Lena.’’ Tortoise Finally I understand and nod to myself before pausing. Eel shouldn’t have to deal with this - she’s hurt enough as it is and Groot...I don’t want to let her in on what I’ve done. I don’t want to tell anyone.

Suddenly I stop, no longer on a quest to follow Diva and Tortoise. What could have been a pleasant enough morning has turned into an emotional roller coaster for me and it’s time for me to head off and sort myself out. Turning round, I run through possible destinations where nobody else will be and I can scream with dramatic despair if I need to and decide upon the lake shore - it’s raining so nobody’s going to be out there apart from me and the showers will hopefully up my spirits - especially as I will be able to sing and yell to my heart’s content with no people around, if it is necessary. I turn to go and head back down the corridor, feeling calmer now that I’m starting to get my head sorted and looking forward to getting my insanity levels back up again and regaining my usual confident attitude.

I walk down the corridor, inadvertently following Diva and Tortoise, though they are now out of sight (I can hear them talking in their rolling accents). I stop for a little, though, going through my bag and taking another dose of medication and viewing the document, trying not to think about how I found it and more concentrating on the fact that I have actually got it now. Then, just for safekeeping, I enchant it to look like an ordinary piece of parchment and slip it into the secret pocket of my bag, along with the bottle of medication and the one galleon I possess before heading off again, more at ease. Good. I’m calming down. And I don’t have to think about anything until-

My thoughts are interrupted as someone grabs me by the invisibility cloak from the left, half-revealing me as I barrel sideways and my assailant hauls me into a room and lets me go before shutting the door of said room with a loud clunk. As the figure turns away to do so, the rest of the invisibility cloak comes off and I can see who it is now. Suddenly I’m standing there, staring into the eyes of an angry Aunt with a pile of silver at my feet.

‘’What did you do that for?’’ I break the tension unintentionally, ignoring it, to be honest, and bending down to pick up the cloak.

‘’Give me that, Kate.’’ Says my Aunt seriously, her eyes still flashing. She holds out her hand for the cloak and I decide to play dumb, shrugging and dropping it into her outstretched hand with a nonplussed look. She runs her hands over it, inspecting the material with sharp eyes as it causes her arm to disappear, then moves to hang it back on the chair before turning back to me. ‘’Sit down, Kate.’’ She says solemnly, taking a seat herself at the desk in the middle of the classroom. I walk and flop down into the chair, still maintaining an unassuming look.

‘’Kate, why did steal it?’’

‘’What? Aunt Minnie-’’

‘’Professor McGonagall, to you. And don’t try to deny it, Kate. You’ve never owned one of these in your life and I know Potter had one go missing.’’ She looks at me as I try to keep my face expressionless, but there’s anger rising within me. ‘’And twenty galleons, I hear.’’

‘’Why the hell do I have to call you ‘Professor’? And you really think I stole money? A cloak?’’ The anger’s flowing now and my denial actually sounds better for it. ‘’You know me, Minnie.’’

‘’Then why does all evidence point to you stealing this? Kate, I just don’t understand!’’ Minerva becomes less formal and more anxious, becoming my older sister once more.

‘’You’re not a detective.’’ I feel bad for triggering doubt in her but I have to stop people accusing me if I’m going to sort this out. ‘’It’s not true, Minnie! You know that-’’

‘’Stop lying, Kat.’’ A voice snaps from the door as both Minerva and I turn our heads to look. Oh great, it’s Groot and Eel come to join the party. Just what I needed.

Groot walks as she speaks and her face is solemn. Eel, following on, makes me feel bad as her expression is riddled with confusion and concern.

‘’Why the hell do you think I’m lying?’’ I question, standing up and balling my fists.

‘’Because Saoirse and Sisa just told us what they heard from James Potter and sent us after you.’’ Says Groot seriously, voice level.

‘’Well maybe it’s them who are lying.’’ I say wildly. My instincts are in control and I’m dead set on denial.

‘’Dashwood is this true?’’ Questions Minerva. Oh brilliant. This is bloody brilliant.

‘’Yes. Our friends Saoirse and Sisa where with Kate and she snuck into the Gryffindor’s boys dormitories using the cloa-’ Groot realises she’s said too much and stops. Well thanks, Groot. That’s the end of my three months detention-free.

But surprisingly, Minerva doesn’t mention detention and simply turns back to me. ‘’Kate-’’

‘’I didn’t do it.’’ I say, my voice cold and hard now. I need to become impenetrable - kinda like a robot. Yes. Acting robotic and expressionless might just get me out of this. Or rather, I convince myself that is the case. Keeping my face as still as stone, I don’t look at either Groot or my Aunt as they exchange glances. I’m not going to say anything more until this interrogation is over.

But then Eel does it. My best friend, Eel, who thinks I fear her and have drifted away from her after what happened last year, who is my closest friend and housemate, even, does the impossible and presses the red button for me to blow with her soft voice and concerned words. ‘’Kate, please - just tell us why you did it. We’ve all done things we’re ashamed of. There can’t be no reaso-’’

‘’Right - so you want to know why I did it?’’ I spin round to face the three of them, eyes flashing. ‘’Because I hate rich, arrogant twats like James Potter who have got it all when I don’t have a penny of my own! Because I can’t even afford to pay the rent of the house any more! Because I won’t even be able to go on a Magizoology course due to the fact that I am broke! I don’t have a home and I don’t have any future and as soon as this school year ends, I’m going to be out on the street and entertaining passers by because I have gone completely bloody crazy!’’

There’s a pause as I exhale and the others look at me, stunned. I’m waiting for Groot to say she’s ‘sorry’ or for Eel to collapse like she does regularly due to her nightmares and anxiety, or for my Aunt to say I can go back to my family. But there’s no time for me to do that because Eel does the unexpectable and takes a quick step forward and throws her arms around my neck to hug me.

‘’You’re already bloody crazy.’’ She says with a laugh, her voice surprisingly strong. She lets out a laugh and I almost grin. Then she’s pulled out of the embrace and Minerva’s speaking.

‘’Kate, you can go back to your-’’

‘’I’m not going back to my family.’’ I cut across, snapping before I look at her. ‘’I can’t stand them, Minnie, and you know that.’’

She opens her mouth, then shuts it, pausing. There’s another moments silence before she looks at me and speaks again.

‘’Why didn’t you tell me?’’ She questions, eyes concerned. ‘’Why didn’t you tell anyone?’’

‘’Because you’d judge me.’’ I answer, voice quiet before I nod to Groot, who is leaning on the desk and looking at the floor with an occupied expression. Her head jerks up as I say this, though, yes denying.

‘’Kat, I’m not judging you!’’ She stands up properly and comes over. ‘’Look, I have an idea of how we can sort things out.’’

‘’I’m not-’’ I begin.

‘’No.’’ She cuts across. Typical Groot - she knows exactly what I’m going to say. ‘’No you won’t go back to your family, rightly stated.’’ She looks at me. ‘’But what about getting a job?’’

‘’I can’t get a job, Groot. I have no qualifications and I’m still in school.’’ I state hopelessly.

‘’Plus no one would let her work in Dragon Alley. After she inadvertently set that firework shop on fire they all think she’s a maniac who’s been convicted of arson.’’ Puts in Minerva, chewing her nail and entering the conversation to search for solutions. Well, that transition was quick.

‘’No, but what if you got a job here?’’ Groot says, voice querying as she looks at me, obviously pleased at her idea.

‘’Here?’’ I question, imagining myself blowing up the kitchen whilst working with the house elves.

‘’Not here exactly - not in the school. But what about in Hogsmeade?’’ Groot pushes on, eyes bright as she watches me. ‘’You could work there on weekends and in the holidays.’’

I screw up my face. There’s no where I want to work in Hogsmeade apart from Zonko’s and Honeydukes and I’m banned from both of those for various reasons involving customer demonstrations and ‘testing’ produce. ‘’I….’’

‘’I know!’’ Lena leaps into action, eyes glittering and smile wide as she clicks her fingers. ‘’The Lovegoods!’’

‘’The Lovegoods?’’ I query with confusion.

‘’They run a shop in Hogsmeade for mystical items, among other things.’’ Lena answers. ‘’It’s really weird but super cool, though I’ve only been in there once. The point is, they’re advertising for a new member of staff at their shop!’’

‘’What?’’ I question as Minerva speaks over me.

‘’Where did you hear about this, Lena?’’

‘’There was an Ad in the Hogsmeade Gazette - I cut it out to show to Kate because it sounded exactly like the sort of job that’d suit her!’’ Lena says, turning to rummage in her bag and produce a newspaper cutting with flourish and spread it out as Groot, Minerva and I move to read it over her shoulder.

‘’Looking for cashier/general shop assistant.’’ Groot reads out before looking at me. ‘’You can easily do that, Kate.

‘’No qualifications needed either.’’ Points out Eel. ‘’’We need someone who is happy to converse with customers and showcase the diversity and appeal of our shop. We get a lo of strange people coming in who enjoy exchanging in stranger conversations and it is essential you are able to converse with and enjoy talking to them. It is also a preference that you believe in aliens, bigfoot, the lochness monster and hoodleshanks.’’’ She reads from the advertisement.

‘’Hoodleshanks?’’ Questions Groot with confusion.

‘’They’re like half-cat, half-fairy creatures who supposedly live underground and were debated in a past issue of the quibbler.’’ Explains Eel. ‘’Kate believes in them as well as the loch ness monster, bigfoot and aliens, of course.’’

‘’This is perfect!’’ Minerva steps back and looks at me. ‘’Kate, I’ll ask for them to interview you.’’

‘’I don’t really know about this, guys.’’ I say hesitantly. True, it sounds perfect for me but...I’m too shy. I can’t take a job. I can’t go for an interview...I talk with very few people as it is, there’s no way I could just walk into a shop and ask people I have never met for a job.

‘’We’re not taking no for an answer, Kate.’’ Eel says, grinning at me teasingly. ‘’You’re going in for this job whether you like it or not. And you will like it, you’ll see.’’

Oh joy. I’ve become so passive that even Eel can boss me around.

This is another point at which I wish I were a robot.