Ch. 42
Winter

It was snowing. This was completely, by all means, normal. It snowed every year, sometimes for days at a time. But this year, it came earlier. And this time, it was a blizzard.

The windows creaked, the wind slamming against the freezing panes. The fire didn't seem as warm, but everyone huddled in blankets and pressed close together. Well, except for Harry and Ginny.

That was another thing that was different. Harry had been so used to having Ginny's warmth pressed into his side, to feel the Bond flowing through their intwined hands, that he felt like it was a hundred degrees below zero.

Ron and Hermione sat on the floor next to him, Hermione curled into Ron's side and his arm securely around her, keeping her warm. A blanket was wrapped around their shoulders.

Harry sat with his blanket over his legs, having a staring contest with Ginny from across the room like it would make them both feel better. Her eyes were dim, and it scared him. The gold flecks in them were dark, and her chocolate brown irises held no spark of joy or happiness.

Cain was next to her, writing on a piece of parchment. He said a few words every now and then, and Ginny would respond. But she never broke eye contact with Harry. He watched her lips form the words, trying to figure out what she was saying, but couldn't make anything out. She was barely muttering.

Harry felt a feeble prod at his conscious and he raised his eyebrows at her in surprise. She held his gaze, nodding slightly. Slowly, he tried to find where the feeling head coming from.

By now, Ginny was looking more exhausted by the second, so with her best interest in mind, Harry shook his head. Her face fell. Clearly, she knew the Bond was being weakened moment by moment.

She turned to Cain and told him, to which the boy sighed and gave her an apologetic look. Then, he looked up at Harry.

We'll keep her safe. He reassured the boy. Harry nodded, very slightly, and took a deep breath.

He stood, ignoring Ron's questioning gaze and Hermione's sleepy eyes watching him closely. He made his way out of the Common Room.

///

He found her in the library, eyes puffy and exhausted, flicking through a book on Magical Oddities. Katrin's long, black hair was messy, her Hufflepuff tie undone, and her cloak wrapped around her tightly as she sat on a chair with her knees to her chest.

When he approached her, she looked shocked, closing her book. "Harry?" She asked, "What are you doing here?"

"It's a library." He said without emotion, "We have to talk."

"About what?" She asked hesitantly. Harry blinked slowly.

"You know what." He replied. Her eyes widened and he thought he saw annoyance flicker through them.

"No." She said, packing up her bags.

"I'm her Bond Mate." Harry protested, leaning on the table. Katrin stared at him, unwavering.

"You'll kill her." She whispered angrily, picking up the book. Harry glanced down at it.

"Light reading?" He asked.

"Kind of. But it's not your business." Katrin said.

"I'm Bonded. You're reading about the Bond. It is my business." He sighed.

"I'm trying to figure out a way to starve the entity out without having to go kill Patrick." She relented.

"Oh," Was all he said. Katrin swung her bag over her shoulder.

"Harry, if I knew of a way to fix this easily, I would. I don't want to see Gi- you two unhappy." She swallowed.

"Who are you?" He asked, "Why do you care so much?" Katrin looked over at him, taking a deep breath.

"I'm a Boyle." She said.

"I know that."

"Then you already know who I am."

And she turned to leave. But Harry didn't let her get away that easily. He followed her through the halls, prodding for more answers.

"I don't know much about it, Harry." She said.

"Let me help you, at least." He grabbed her elbow, making her look at him, "She's my Bond Mate and I want her safe. Whatever you're planning to do to heal her, whether that be killing Patrick or something else, let me help you."

"It's not safe for you to be near her." She ran her hands through her hair. Harry didn't give up.

"Please. I know I can help. I don't care what I have to do, as long as I keep Ginny safe." Harry tried one last time. Something flickered in Katrin's eyes and she smiled slightly.

"That makes two of us..." She whispered.

///

The first class Harry and Ginny had the next morning was Defense Against the Dark Arts.

It was getting quite annoying, going to that class, since Umbridge insisted on wearing a stupid sling even though she was completely healed. Also, if Ginny so much as sneezed she would give her a detention.

There were several times when Ginny was close to snapping and giving Umbridge a taste of her own medicine, but she managed to calm herself. If she damaged her core again, who knew what would happen? She could have another evil entity gnawing away at her side of the Bond before she could even say 'Pumpkin Juice'.

But, they managed to survive. She got through the boring class eventually when she just decided to pretend she was intently listening to the woman's lecture when in fact she was trying to swat away at Tom who was just now getting comfortable in her conscience.

The whole week went by like this, and the next one, and the next one. Ginny felt like she might die of exhaustion, but powered through. Tom's work on the Bond was going no where fast, but she still worried about it. She knew that once he was strong enough, he'd be able to saw through the rope connecting her and Harry in no time.

Speaking of Harry, the boy looked miserable. He was waiting for Katrin and Cain to decide whether or not he could be of use to them, even though they already knew they'd say yes, so he was quiet and acted very impatient.

The snow stopped very soon, but it was still cold. And Ginny remembered that she was sitting by the fire in the Room of Requirement when Harry walked in with Cain, beaming.

So, perhaps the weeks before Winter Break would get better after all.