Ch. 41
Hello, Again...

"Katrina," The deep voice said from the mirror in front of her. She sat in the Hufflepuff Commons and slowly opened her eyes, nails digging into her pajama pants. The face she knew well was in front of her. His bushy eyebrows and emotionless mint green eyes, his dark beard and smoothed back hair.

"Yeah, I'm here." She responded, looking away. The man nodded.

"I see that, Katrina."

"Call me Katrin." She said, knowing very well that he wouldn't.

"I named you Katrina. That is your name." He said it like it had been rehearsed. Bored tone and all.

"Yeah." She elapsed into silence as he sighed heavily.

"How are they?"

"They're fine." Katrin responded as soon as he had finished speaking. He nodded slowly. The fire in front of her crackled and she looked into it's warmth.

"And your brother?" He said hesitantly.

"Still upset."

"He's the one that threw everything away for one girl."

"I guess it runs in the family." Katrin said softly, turning away from her father's gaze.

"Katrina..." She heard him sigh.

"I have to go, dad." She said shortly, looking down. He didn't say anything, and when she looked back up, he was gone. Replaced by her reflection.

///

"Harry? You coming?" The boy heard Ron ask from beside him. He tore his gaze from a staring contest with a certain Ginny Weasley and looked up at him.

"I'll catch up later." He said. Hermione looked over to where he was looking, seeing Ginny stir the remains of her porridge. She frowned.

"Harry... You need to talk to her." Hermione said. Harry looked down.

"I did. We're taking a break." He wiped his mouth, suddenly deciding to stand and pack his bag to leave. Hermione looked shocked.

"What?" She asked, leaning forward. Her bushy hair got into a plate of eggs, but Harry didn't point that out.

"We've decided to take a break." Harry sighed, picking up his bag and glancing back towards his soulmate quickly. She didn't meet his eyes, and so he started to walk out of the Great Hall. He heard Ron and Hermione scrambling to keep up with him.

When they were out of the door, Hermione grabbed his arm and stopped him. "Harry, you're Bonded you can't just... Just..."

"Break up!" Ron finished, his eyes filled with anger, "That's my sister! You both are miserable without each other, and I promised that if you broke her heart Id break your skull." He reminded. Harry looked down.

"Guys, it's more than that-"

"I bet you wanted to snog other girls!" Ron said and Hermione gasped.

"No! It's not-"

"Or, has she been with another guy- Oh Merlin, it was Cain wasn't it?" Ron ran his fingers through his hair.

"Ron! They love each other, they wouldn't hurt each other like that!" Hermione turned to him, "Let Harry speak." She took a deep breath.

"It's not any of that. We still love each other, but it's best if we keep our distance for now." Harry said quietly, adjusting the strap of his book bag.

"But... Why?" Ron asked.

"Because somethings going on right now that Ginny wants to keep a secret." Harry replied. Hermione turned red.

"Oh... Merlin..." She looked like she'd faint. Harry scrunched his eyebrows together in confusion. Ron looked equally confused, taking Hermione's elbow so that she wouldn't topple over.

The girl pushed the group towards a shadowy corner, fire in her eyes, then she turned to Harry. "You got her pregnant?" She hissed. The blood ran out of Harry's face and she apparently took that as a yes. Ron turned the color of a tomato suddenly.

"Harry James Potter." Hermione scolded, "I thought you had a shred of respect for Ginny! A shred of intelligence! But apparently not!" Hermione steamed.

"You're dead." Ron growled, grabbing Harry's collar. Thankfully, Harry regained his ability to speak.

He tried to say something coherent but it came out as "No! No! No baby!" Thankfully, it worked and Ron backed up.

"She's not..."

"No! She's not pregnant." Harry said quickly, waving his hands back and forth, "It's something else."

"And what is it?"

"I can't tell you, you have to ask Ginny." He said, picking up his book bag. The two exchanged glances, "It's to do with the Bond." He elaborated.

"Mate, you have to give her support." Ron shook his head, "Even I know that. Or else, when she gets better, she'll blame you."

"But..."

"Just do what you need to, Harry. We're here for you and Ginny no matter what." Hermione smiled, changing from ravenous bear to helpful sister in a matter of seconds. Harry sighed with relief and smiled back, glad that he had two friends who would stick with him no matter what.

///

It would be months until the Bond was severed. It would be months until The Bonded would be driven insane with emptiness. Months.

But I was willing to wait that long. I was willing to work at the strong rope that tied the two together until it severed.

But there was one thing I needed to do first...

I had to pull them farther away...

And there was only one way to do that...