(Katrina)

   "Your what?!" His what?! 

   "My girlfriend! That's what I meant when I asked you out, Kitty. That you'd be my girlfriend." 

   GIRLFRIEND?!

   I looked at James, scanned his face for any sign that he was joking. He seemed like a guy trying too hard to be sincere. What did you do, Potter?  His eyes pleaded with me, saying,"play along, please Katrina. I looked back to Mr. and Mrs. Potter, and their pride seemed to gush from every pore. They had known he was bringing me home, but as his girlfriend! I took a deep breath. You owe me big time, James.

  Putting on my most charming smile and most chipper voice, I began my the next two weeks of my life as the girlfriend of James Potter. "I'm so excited to meet you both; Jamie-Poo would NOT stop bragging about how wonderful his parents are!" The tension in the air suddenly released into joyous giggles and cheers from his parents.

  "Oh James! I knew she'd be perfect!" His mother squealed. "So healthy looking, gorgeous, just wonderful!" I appreciated the compliments, but I knew I did not, in fact, look at all healthy. But, no parent-figure had ever called me gorgeous. So, I actually smiled a genuine smile at that, despite James being a lying bastard.

  The next thing I knew, I was being pulled into a bear hug by his dad. "I knew you'd do it, son!" He spoke to James over my shoulder. The height difference made the hug a bit awkward, but anything for my boyfriend. Ugh. After a good few moments,  Mr. Potter pulled away and gave me a quick kiss on my forehead, which forced me to bend down. "You cheeky bastard!" He exclaimed as he smacked James' shoulder.

    James smiled, looking rather drained. I slipped my hand into his to really sell this whole "couple" thing (it was surprisingly soft. I wonder if he uses lotion?) I could feel his eyes on me as I turned back to his mother.

   "Thank you so much for having us at your home, Mrs. Potter-,"

   "Call me Euphemia, dear."

   "Euphemia, I really appreciate it." 

   "Oh, it's really no trouble at all! Sirius comes every year, so what's one more? And a girlfriend nonetheless! You know, I remember my first boyfriend, Thomas Buckley, a Ravenclaw-,"

   James suddenly cut in, "Mum?"

   "Yes, honey?"

   "Could we come inside?"

   I realized this entire encounter had taken place on the porch, and the sun was now setting, making it very cold. 

   "Oh Merlin, you must be freezing! I'm so sorry; come, come inside!" She and Mr. Potter quickly ushered us inside, where our bags were immediately taken by a trio of House Elves. They began to drag them up a set of grand stairs, leading up into an even grander second floor landing. I have never been in such a beautiful place before... Different shades of gold, red and green adorned every nook and cranny, most likely for Christmas. Lush leather sectionals were set out just beyond the stairs, with the most massive Christmas tree I had ever seen in the middle of the room. To the right there was a kitchen big enough to cook a full four-course meal all at once, while still having extra counter space. And throughout the space, multiple intricately engraved wooden doors were placed against different walls. There must have been at least eight different rooms from what I could tell, and this was only the first floor.

   "As much as I want to talk to you all, I know you've had a long trip. Leave your shoes here, and then you can go upstairs to unpack before dinner. Katrina, your room is the first one on the left when you get up the stairs. James and Sirius will share the one across the hall." Euphemia continued, taking our coats and placing them on a large gold and dark oak coat hanger. "Dinner is in an hour, we're having Cottage Pie!" And with that, she turned on her heel and scurried towards the monstrous kitchen.

  "If you kids need anything, I'll be in my study." Mr. Potter told us rather distractedly and disappeared behind one of the large oak doors.

   As soon as both his parents were out of earshot, I grabbed both James' and Sirius' wrists and dragged them upstairs and into the room that was supposed to be mine. Once the door was shut, I needed answers. "Merlin's beard! What the hell?!" I exclaimed, trying hard to control my volume so no one would hear anything. 

   "Katrina, let me explain." James began, plopping down on the bed heavily.

✧

(James)

   "Please do," She was pacing the room, looking increasingly more annoyed. I've really fucked up this time. 

   "I didn't mean for this to happen, honestly. I was trying to get out of my parents' control, and save one of my friends."

   Sirius scoffed, "Right, because your parents setting you up with a perfectly attractive girl is so controlling." He had been so quiet, but I knew it was only because he was waiting for me to tangle myself up more into this web of lies. Only now did he say anything, just so he could get Katrina more angry.

   "What?" She seethed. Though her hair was still white, I could see her skin was going back to normal. The blush that suddenly adorned her entire face and neck was a glad change from the ghostly white of her skin previously. Though, I knew she was only bright red because of her anger towards me. "Who is this 'perfectly attractive' girl, James?" Katrina suddenly inquired.

   "Why do you care? We aren't actually together, you know." I fired back. I really didn't want to fight again, and I was trying my hardest to explain to her, but it was none of her business who this girl was.

  "Obviously, James! I'm just wondering whose heart you toyed with this time." She stopped pacing and turned to face me, her eyes mildly psychotic. I wonder if she knows how angry she gets? "Like you did with Rebecca Fieldson last year? Or Hattie Guzman the year before?" 

  I sighed slightly, "Okay, okay, her name is Elise Edwards. She goes to Hogwarts; you may have met her at some point." I watched as Katrina's face morphed from angry to surprised.

  "E-Elise?" She asked.

   "That's what I said." I ran a hand through my hair. "Anyway, my family is really good friends with her family, and I guess my mom just thought we'd make a cute couple. But, the thing is, Elise isn't into guys. When I invited you, it was because I didn't want you to be alone on Christmas. I decided to say you were my girlfriend when I sent the first owl home. I was doing Elise a favor, I didn't mean to surprise you  like this. I just knew you wouldn't agree if I told you before we got here. I'm sorry, it was an awful lie to tell."

   Katrina looked like she had seen a ghost, before asking, "Is Elise coming over for a party or something?" 

   "Kat, did you hear what I just sai-," She cut me off.

   "James! Is she coming over?" 

   "Well, I mean, we usually have a small get together the day before Christmas Eve..."

   "You do?!" She shrieked and rushed to a small mirror hanging above the dresser across the room. "Do you think I can dye my hair a normal color? Maybe brown?"

   "Katrina! What is going on?" Suddenly, Sirius was up in front of her, holding her shoulders so she'd stop messing with her hair. She looked like a trapped animal, ready to chew off her own leg to escape.

   She looked me dead in the eye, "Can you two keep a secret?"

   "Yeah, sure. What is it?" I was beginning to get worried. Did Elise do something to her? Or maybe Katrina did something to Elise? I wouldn't put it past either of them. 

  "I kind of have a crush..." What is she saying?  "On Elise." Oh.

 "You like girls?" Sirius asked, incredulous. I felt my heart sink a bit, though I wasn't exactly sure why. 

  "And boys. I don't really understand it yet, but I just know I like looking at and talking to Elise. We've only had one real conversation, though." And just like that, my heart was back, beating normally. 

   "Well, I guess we've just got to set them up, right James?" Sirius spoke to me as he pulled Katrina into a hug. Over her shoulder, he mouthed at me "get over here and hug her". I hastily got up and waited to hug her.

   "Y-yeah. I'm sure she likes you, too, Kat." I told her as she pulled away from Sirius. I wrapped my arms around her smaller frame (though not much smaller, she was about 170cm tall, a perfect height for Quidditch). She wrapped her arms around my waist and held onto me for a few moments, giving me time to smell her hair again. It was the same vanilla and Butterbeer scent from when she hugged me the first time. Before we both overreacted and  were assholes to each other. I'm glad we're past that now. But everything still felt bittersweet. Why?

   "Um, James? You can let go of me now." I heard Katrina squeak from against my chest. I quickly released her and tried to quiet the heat creeping up onto my face. 

  "Sorry, I just started thinking. Should we go check if dinner is ready?" I asked quickly to change the subject as quickly as possible.

   Katrina was looking at me with a puzzled look on her face. "Yeah, yeah. Let's do that..." She led the way downstairs. Something was strange between us again.

  ✧

   We arrived downstairs just as dinner was being served. The Cottage Pie Mum had made smelled heavenly. She had also made peas and set out bread rolls, along with both Cornish and Pumpkin Pasties. It was definitely a feast, way too much for just our family. Luckily, we had guests. Sirius sat across from me, next to Dad at the head of the table. Mum sat next to him and across from Sirius. That left two chairs, for me and Katrina, right next to each other. 

   "Hey kids!" Mum greeted as Sirius was sitting down. "Help yourselves, we have plenty!"

   "Thanks Mrs.- I mean, Euphemia. This looks wonderful." Katrina told her. Mum clasped her hands together above her heart. 

   "You're so welcome, dear! I hope you enjoy it." Katrina smiled at her kindly before grabbing some food. She's selling this whole "girlfriend" thing really well.

   We ate mostly in silence, save for a few dull inquiries about the weather or school from my parents. I could tell they were itching to ask about our "relationship", but they also didn't want to intrude on anything personal. 

   Finally, the dam broke when my mom asked, "How did you two meet?"

   Katrina looked at me for a second, and I knew we should've created some kind of false backstory. But she just went for it. "Well," She began. "We actually met for the first time on the Hogwarts Express in second year. I transferred from Beauxbatons, and I guess the girl with the colorful hair wasn't easy to miss." My parents looked at her in confusion for a moment, before Katrina realized she had to elaborate. "I'm a metamorphmagus. I know it doesn't look it, but I don't have drab white hair all the time. It does change, just not right now." My parents didn't look convinced, so she decided to show them. "I can also change my face." She told them to prove her claim, letting her face morph from her own to Sirius', who almost choked on his Pumpkin Juice in surprise. I haven't seen that before.

   Mum gasped in shock as Katrina shifted her face back to normal. "Goodness! Now that is interesting! Can you change any part of your physical appearance?" She inquired, completely immersed in Katrina's ability. 

  "Well, yes, but I have quite a few limitations regarding my age and skill in the morphing process. But, in theory, yes." I could tell she was getting uncomfortable talking about it as she began to squirm in her seat. She always got that way when too much attention was drawn to her power, but I never knew why. Probably just stage fright.

   "That is a brilliant ability to have, Katrina. Your parents must be proud." Dad told her. She cast her gaze down to her food, which she was no longer eating. 

   "They... they are..." She murmured, just loud enough for the rest of us to hear. "I'm sorry, I'm suddenly feeling very sick. I'm going to go lie down." She got up from her chair and turned to Mum. "Thank you Euphemia, dinner was excellent." 

   And with that, she disappeared upstairs, leaving her dinner virtually untouched.

✧

And that's Chapter 12 in the books! (Well, book.) 

I have so many ideas for these next few chapters, I cannot wait to get them out to y'all! 

As for chapter 1-5ish, I'm going to be doing some major editing and revising in order to fix my shitty writing from three years ago. Bear with me here, I'm going to stay on schedule as much as possible. 

Thank you for your continued support and love! You all mean the world to me! 

xoxo <3