invisible string! → ron weasley

xviii. the spy

Shortly after breakfast and through notes exchanged via Minky, Wesley and Kates arranged to meet in the generally-neglected library. He wasted no time as she entered the room.

"You should have left last night," he told her immediately. She glanced around, but before she could inquire to their safety he continued. "I already put up enchantments," he said dismissively before returning to the matter at hand. "You shouldn't be here, nor should you be putting yourself in danger like that—"

"Oh, you mean like you?" she asked, raising her brows and crossing her arms over her chest. "I have an escape plan, one I can execute quickly if need be. I have to do this, Wesley. I can't let all this be for nothing. If I can get even the smallest bit of information it may bring the Order one step closer to victory." Both of their gazes softened and Kates uncrossed her arms.

"I understand," he sighed, "I'm just worried about you. I was a horrid brother for years, and now that I'm finally trying to keep you safe rather than act like a selfish prat, that's getting harder to do."

"You're doing the best you can," she told him gently, "I just appreciate that you're trying. You've always had good in you, Wes, I could see it even when you were acting like a selfish prat. I knew you'd realize it sooner or later, I just didn't think the circumstances would be so extreme..." He gave her a solemn nod. There was more each of them wanted to say, but they both knew they couldn't stay there long without drawing suspicion, even with the enchantments up. Wesley smiled weakly.

"Reckon we both took more after Aunt Jackie than either of our parents, eh?" Kates couldn't help but laugh.

"Reckon so. We're better off for it, though." His smile faded.

"Be careful, please. Carrow..." He trailed off, and she interrupted before he could continue.

"I know. I'll see what information I can get, and then I'll be out. I'll be fine," she reassured him, then after a moment's hesitation she pulled him into a tight embrace. He stood there for a moment then held her just as tightly back; it was the first hug the two siblings had exchanged since they were young children, and neither wanted it to end. Soon, they pulled away from each other, and Kates donned a smirk. "Besides, you can't be the only spy in the family," she told him, and he couldn't help but smile.

⋆☆.* ✧✰ .✦⋆*☆

KATES WAS CERTAIN she put more effort into her performance at the dinner table that night than she did on her Transfiguration O.W.L. and that was saying something. She didn't know whether she was more intimidated by or furious at Bellatrix Lestrange; the woman was absolutely insane, but Kates kept thinking about her role in what happened to Neville's parents and found it difficult to be afraid when she was angry.

The table arrangements were horrific; Kates was placed beside Wesley, but directly across from Carrow, who sat to Bellatrix's left. On her right was Rudolphus and at the heads of each table sat her parents, watching the scene play out before them. The three newcomers all seemed rather suspicious of Kates at first, but soon began to accept her (whether that was due to her performance or their selfishness, she wasn't sure).

"So, Katherine," said 'Auntie Bella' later into the meal, "I hear you had important acquaintances throughout your time at Hogwarts thus far." Kates had avoided bringing up anything as to avoid suspicion, but it was getting late enough that she felt she could chance it, especially with the subject being brought up by a voice that wasn't her own.