Chapter 42-Gossip
Katy tried to open her eyes but was unable to do so. There was some sort of wrapping across them, like a bandage and it stung to open them. She struggled harder and harder but nothing worked.
Where was she? What happened? Was she still with the dreadful Venus Adams and her friends had gotten away?
She moved her hands around and found bed sheets. She felt her face to feel a bandage around her eyes. Her arm hurt to move and she felt something prickly sticking out of it. She tried to lean up in her bed but found herself unable to do so. She started to panic. Was she dead?
"Katy honey, calm down, you're OK," came Halle's voice from far away.
"Hal?" Katy asked, confused. "How did you get here? Did Venus take you too? That bitch, once I get this bandage off, I'll kill her."
"No, no, no," Halle's voice said quietly. It was moving closer.
"Where am I?" Katy asked, feeling tears sting her already sore eyes. She felt a hand slide into her own.
"You're in St. Mungo's," Halle said quietly. She was crying and had been sitting outside of Katy's room, afraid to go in. Then she heard her. She couldn't let her friend remain confused. So she had to muster up her Gryffindor bravery and step into the room. She saw poor Katy scratching at her eyes and tugging at her clothes. This only caused her to cry more. Katy was almost as helpless as Halle once had been.
"St. Mungos? Does that mean they caught Venus?" Katy asked.
"Yes, they caught her. She'll be going to Azkaban for the rest of her life," Halle said.
Poor Katy's Sleeping Drought it had been so strong she'd nearly forgotten what had happened in Dumbledore's office.
"Oh Halle, this must be awful for you. Having to go to St. Mungo's again," Katy said softly.
"Actually, visiting St. Mungo's wasn't the worst part," Halle said.
"What do you mean?" Katy asked.
"It was seeing my friends in St. Mungo's that hurt the most," she said quietly.
"What happened?" Katy asked.
"Sirius came. He brought everyone he could. Then, Venus tried to kill him," Halle said.
"Is he alright?" Katy asked, trying to jump up, but crumbling back in pain again.
"Actually sweetie, you're in the worst condition out of all of us. That woman put you through hell. You should see Lily and James. They're out of their minds in guilt. We all love you Katy. I know how everyone felt when I was gone. I couldn't bare to see you damaged like this," Halle said.
"Halle, you're a great friend," Katy said.
She heard footsteps come into her room. She smelled a familiar scent and felt his presence.
"Remy?" Katy asked softly.
"I'm here darling," Remus said. He sniffled. She could tell he had been crying, something she had never seen him do.
"I love you, Remy," Katy said.
"I love you too, Katy," Remus said, taking a seat near Halle.
"I'll leave you two alone. Katy, get lots of rest though. And promise me you'll get better," Halle said, crying as well.
"I will. Remus's parents are great Healers," Katy said.
"I know they are," Halle said, leaving the room.
"I brought you these," Remus said.
"I'm sorry Remus, I can't see a thing. I can't even open my eyes. What did you bring?" Katy asked.
"Oh, right. I'm sorry. I brought you some flowers. Here smell," Remus said, lifting the flowers to Katy's nose. She breathed in the scent and smiled.
"Thanks," she said.
"Katy, I could not live without you," Remus said quietly. "I love you so much it hurts. When I see you hurt, I'm hurt. So when you can't see, I can't see. And I can't live without seeing you."
"Oh, Remy," Katy said. She felt him kiss her lips softly. She loved him more than life itself and it was so
wonderful to hear him say the same to her.
The return to Hogwarts was a tough one as Katy still needed treatment and would remain for another week or so. The six, including Sybll, stood strong and had to live with the whispers that followed when they returned.
"I heard James seduced Venus and Lily found out and they all went to have a threesome in the Forbidden Forest," one girl said.
"I heard that Katy and Sybll were friends with Adams and then they tortured Lily and James in the forest until they told them where You-Know-Who was," a guy said.
"Oh, but I heard that Sirius got jealous of James and Venus's relationship and wanted her to himself. Lily found out and dragged them into the forest. Katy knew too so she was dragged along and threatened not to tell anyone. Sybll had some sort of vision about it and Venus hid behind her," another girl said.
"Oh but I heard that James has sex with goats and went out to practice that night and Venus and Lily followed him," Sirius said, adding to the whispers. The two girls and the guys were so frightened they scurried along to the Great Hall.
"When will they ever learn?" Sirius asked, seeing James's reproachful look.
"No!" came a loud familiar voice. James recognized it as his beloved fiery red head's voice.
"You are sick people. Twisted. Our friend Katy did not hurt any of us and she is not going to Azkaban," Lily screamed. She moved to pull out her wand when James's steady hand stopped her.
"They're pitiful, Lily. They'll talk no matter what we say," James said.
"I know, but I can't stand to hear them pointing fingers at us. They all hated Venus too!" Lily said.
"But it's more fun to talk about us Lily," Halle said.
"Everything will go back to normal eventually," Sirius said. "We just have to wait patiently and not curse everyone into the oblivion who talks about us."
"I don't care if I am Head Girl, gossip isn't right," Lily said, gritting her teeth and staring angrily at the girl who had talked about Katy.
"What an impact I have on my dear Lily," James said.
"It's so weird without Katy," Halle said.
"I know," Remus said quietly. He really hadn't spoken much since their departure from St. Mungo's.
"I hear Katy went insane just like Halle did," a girl's voice said. James had to tie back four other people from pouncing on the girl. Halle started screaming.
"James Potter, you let go of me. I'll kill her. She doesn't talk about my friend," Halle screamed, feeling more tears fill her chocolate brown eyes.
"Prongs, let go, she's not getting away with this," Sirius said, forming a fist.
"She's a fourth year. We can't all beat her up," James said.
"I don't care. James you let go of me you ignorant prick," Lily said.
"Lily!?!" James asked.
"It's true. How can you let her leave? You of all people?" Lily asked.
"I know what's true that's why. Halle is not insane, nor is Katy," James said.
"I'll find her later," said Remus, regaining his cool.
"James, let me go. You too Sirius. I want to kill her. You stupid fourth year. Your hair is ugly and I heard you're a slut!!!" Halle yelled down the hall.
"Miss Douglas! I am appalled," Professor McGonagall's voice came through the hall.
"Shut it Professor. Sirius, put me down," Halle said. Sirius had lifted her over his shoulders and she was pounding on his back.
"PUT ME DOWN!" she screamed. "I am not insane."
"Way to prove it honey," Sirius muttered.
"Stupid bitch! I am not going to let people talk about Katy like that," Halle said.
James was holding Lily who had tried to run off and curse the girl. She was fighting him, scratching his arm.
"I don't care, James. McGonagall can see me do it. Hell, she can even help," Lily said. "Let me go!"
"We really did get the feistiest of the bunch," Sirius muttered. "I am sorry Professor, I'll make sure Halle here calms down."
"Same for Lily," James said. He was effortlessly holding petite Lily back although she was putting up a strong fight.
"Ok, no points will be taken as I can see you all are a little stressed. But please, don't act like that in the halls anymore or another teacher may find you and won't be as lenient," she said, walking into the Great Hall.
"I hate it here," Halle said, still pounding on Sirius' back, but losing her strength.
"Halle baby, I love you. I overreacted as well. But, if we're going to be strong for Katy we have to respect her and not harm everyone who talks about her," Sirius said.
"I hate it. Does everyone think I am insane?" Halle asked.
Lily stopped fighting James and looked at her friend.
"Of course not," Lily said. "How could you think that?"
"I don't know. I just feel so different. Everyone tries to treat me special just because I went to St. Mungo's. It's not fair that Katy gets that too. I hate it," Halle said.
"Life isn't fair," James said, still staring down the hall at their departing professor.
Yes, I know Trelawney's name is spelled wrong. It's just been mentioned too many times to fix it right now. Please disregard that in your review.