Nouvelle réunions (Katherine)

[upsidedowninjuries]

Albus woke up early and stretched he got dressed and went for his run. Once he was satisfied with his work out he went to get a shower in. He checked his watched a cursed himself for missing breakfast. He went and got a book on quidditch and another notebook to write if he had something inspire him. He pulled on some dark baggy blue jeans with a gryffindor belt. Then pulled on a red shirt that red in gold letters gryffindor Lions roar. He never like the shirt but wore it today cause he felt like doing something different. He pulled on his shoes and his wand was in his pocket.

He went down and turned in his permission slip and off to hogsmead her went. He breathed as he walked feeling the fall air. He always loved fall right before Christmas his favorite holiday. He was quiet as people passed him and he passed a few students. He was surprised when he hadn't run into any of his family. He got into town and wondered a bit. He bought a few things but then found him hungry and thirsty. He knew of the hogs head and walked quietly over when he found the pub.

He smiled and walked in he took off his black cloak and set it on the chair and his things off to the sides. Then he went over to the bar and ordered butter beer and something to eat. He paid and took his drink and sat down. He didn't think anyone else would come into the pub cause it was so run down and still kind of early to eat lunch. He took out a pencil he had brought from home and started to draw the candle and the window right in front of him. He was in a sort of trance when he felt the door open.

He tore his eyes from the drawing and saw a fellow Hogwarts student. Granted she looked older than himself he kind of hoped she might want company, as he wouldn't mind someone to talk with. He went back to his drawing and waited to see what she was going to do. When he glanced up to see where she would sit he found that his table was to only open one that didn’t have creepy older people sitting at them. He smiled a bit and wondered when that had happened and decided he should be a gentleman. He got up and waved her over and pulled out a chair for her. But didn’t say much just, “ You can join me if you like.” Then he ordered another butterbeer not seeing the point in getting drunk on fire whiskey. He sat back down and waited to see what would happen.

[Katherine Finnigan]

Seeing as it was a Hogsmeade weekend, Katherine was up extra early to do her morning workout. She'd heard rumours about past Quidditch captains and how brutal they'd been with their teams but the more she thought about it, the more she wished she'd have played back in those times. Yes, she was a captain but the person she worked the hardest was always herself. As she did her drill, she thought about these things and then about what the future held for her. Quidditch was basically her life, at least she thought it was anyway, so she did sometimes let it rule supreme. At the very least, it kept her mind off of what else had gone on in her life over the last couple of months.

Once finished with her routine, she took a very quick and cold shower before changing into a pair of jeans and one of her favourite t-shirts. It was primarily white but there sleeves were both green and there was a shamrock in the very centre of the top. Just above the clover, it read "Pride of the Irish". Leaving her hair down, she grabbed one of the muggle jackets she'd gotten as a gift from her uncle and practically ran down the stairs. Rather than taking a carriage, like a majority of the students did, Katherine opted to walk to the little wizarding town of Hogsmeade. Not only would it give her a bit of extra exercise but it would hopefully allow her to miss the "rush" of people that always tended to crowd the shops.

Katherine let out a somewhat disheartened sigh when she did finally arrive, though. Contrary to what she'd assumed, nearly every shop was filled with students. Instead of bothering with the more crowded places, she paid a quick stop to the Quill shop to pick up a few replacements for her old ones and two new notebooks. One, of course, was going to be for her personal use while the other was needed for her second term Potions notes. After that, though, she couldn't find anywhere that wasn't filled to the door with eager Hogwarts students...until she happened upon the Hogs Head Pub.

Though she'd heard all sorts of things about the dingy little place, Katherine decided to actually go inside to have a look around and get something to drink. Pushing open the door, she went to the counter and ordered a gillywater only to be told that they only had firewhisky and butterbeer. Sighing softly, she opted for the butterbeer...since firewhisky was absolutely unhealthy and terrible for a person. As she turned around to find a table, she realized that even this place was fairly occupied. Quite fortunately, she noticed a somewhat familiar face and he was waving her over to his table. Heading toward him, she offered a friendly smile and a soft, "Thanks. Looks like everywhere else is full." As she sat down, she set her butterbeer on the table and then her package beside it. Kat wasn't usually awkward when it came to making conversation but this was a little different. Nonetheless, she managed to say, "You're a Potter, right?"

[upsidedowninjuries]

Albus smirked a bit as she came and sat down he looked at her with his brown eyes and smirked as he nodded. " Yes Potter would be my last name but I usually go by my first name Albus- Severus. But I prefer Just ALbus please. " He smirked a bit so it looked like a friendly smile. He put his pencil down and offered his hand. " SO properly I promise my hand doesn't bite I am Albus-Severus Potter. 6th year Gyffindor. Yes I am the second son Of Harry Potter. And younger brother of James. But than again that is probably not a huge surprise to you Ms... Um I’m Sorry I never got your name."

Albus smiled he was trying to lighten the mood a bit as it sort of seemed weird. Since Albus knew that she was Katherine. The girl who had a blow out with his older brother. But he wasn't one to bring that up. He honestly thought that if he were in the situation probably want to forget about it. He smirked a bit and waited. He could honestly say he was a bit uncomfortable. Since his brother would probably drill him later if he found out.

Albus rarely saw his brother these days just at quiddich practice and games. He didn't really say much to his little sister either. He nodded a thanks to the waiter that set his food on the table. He was more than comfortable now just causally waiting for the girl to speak. When he realized just how weird it must be. " Feel weird or something? Do I have something in my teeth I honestly that happens all the time. Honestly I'm not that bad of a weirdo am I."

He said these things to try and make her laugh or at least loosen up a little. He smiled just a bit to show her he was just trying to be friendly. He waited a moment till she finally spoke to him again. He was a little suckish when it came to waiting. But he didn't let it show how uneasy ge really was about the situation. He was good at hidding his actual feelings like that. To help ease everyone else. He would always do that. He turned more toward her so he could hear her better.

[Katherine Finnigan]

As Katherine listened to him give a full introduction, she recalled hearing both the name "Albus" and the name "Severus" before. If she recalled correctly, the first was a former Headmaster and the second was one of the former professors...Blair's father. Kat didn't dwell too long on the thought considering he offered his hand. Taking it and giving a light shake, she responded, "Finnigan. Katherine Finnigan. Seventh year Hufflepuff...but you can feel free to call me Kat or 'hey you' if you forget the name." It was still a little awkward considering this was Potter's younger brother but that didn't mean she wouldn't give the lad a chance. He wasn't his brother so he deserved a fair chance.

Pulling her hand back, Kat looked at her butterbeer and reached for it. She hoped that Albus hadn't a clue about "the incident" between her and James. Most people didn't really know about it considering it was one of those quiet things...but there were a few, like Cooper and Jason, that had a pretty good idea as to what happened. Frowning a little at the mere memory, Kat lifted the bottle to her lips and took a drink in hopes that her facial expression would go unseen and that the cold liquid might help her get her mind off of those sorts of things.

"No..." Katherine laughed lightly, trying not to laugh much before she swallowed her drink, "You've got something just...there." Gesturing toward the left side of her nose, she nodded toward him jokingly before she actually did laugh. After a moment or two, she regained her complete composure and seriously noted, "But no...I just really didn't know what to say. Sorry if I made the whole 'breaking the ice' bit a little awkward."

Setting her drink down again, Kat leaned back in her chair a little. Just as long as the older Potter boy wasn't brought up, she'd have no problem getting along with this one. He seemed like a pretty decent guy and he had a brill sense of humour. Giving another friendly smile, she asked, "What provoked you to wave me over here when I came in?" Kat had a pretty good feeling he was just being friendly but then, lately, it was hard to make assumptions because people are entirely unpredictable. Perhaps he just needed company? Or maybe he did know about the ordeal with James and he wanted more details? Or, worse yet, maybe he was going to try putting in a good word for is brother...just like Jason did? She hoped that wasn't the case.

[upsidedowninjuries]

Albus looked in shock and touched his nose. But he smiled when he had gotten her to laugh. But he quickly made that disappear. He leaned back and ate some of his food. He listened as Kat was apologizing and he held up his hand and shook his head. " Ah Ms. Kat Head girl and favored to win the house cup this year not to mention a quiddich captain to the team that kicks my brothers team with there eyes shut. There is no need to apologize for awkwardness trust me in this school every thing is awkward at some time and again."

Albus was very familiar with every student here. He observed and heard many things. Then he smirked at her last question he leaned forward and took a sip of his butterbeer and a small bite of his food. He looked at her and said. " Well to be truly honest I wanted to talk to you about my brother...." He waited a moment and smirked " No not really none of my business. I just thought that there were a lot of creepy old people here and as nice as being alone is. I thought that maybe like my self you would enjoy a nice chat on a day like today. You know in secret I do have a heart it's about this big." He showed about an inch of space on the left side of his chest.

He looked at her. Then in a more down to earth tone he said to her. " Honestly Kat I just wanted to see if you wanted to have an educated and fun chat." He shrugged his shoulders. He broke off a piece of bred and ordered another as he was ordering another drink and food for himself he glanced over at her. " Would you like food and drink you honestly look like your hungry." He waited quietly.

After a second he turned over to her and said. " there is no way I have another buger already " he smiled and waited for her to order something cause he wouldn't let the waiter go until she had ordered something. He took another long swig of the drink in front of him and started to put his things in his bag as he wasn't alone any longer he so no reason to have them out then he looked over at Kat and handed her his drawing notebook. " Why don't you go and pick something you like in there. Or don't " He smirked and leaned back in his chair.

[Katherine Finnigan]

It sincerely intrigued Kat just how funny and open Albus Potter was. Of course, she hadn't met the youngest of the three, she didn't think any of the lot of them could be so entertaining. Then again, they were related to the Weasleys so she naturally assumed that, perhaps, Albus had picked up the silly charm and sense of humour from that side of his family. What had her even more shocked, though, was just how much he'd known about her. Yes, it was blatantly obvious that Kat was the Hogwarts Head Girl and Hufflepuff Quidditch captain but she didn't think he'd pay that much attention. It still made her giggle a little when he mentioned her team beating the Gryffindors. The only thing that made her second guess his opinion was the fact that the older Potter boy had just bought the absolute best broom ever made. This thought made her frown just a little but she wiped the look off her face as quickly as it had appeared.

Nearly about to get up and walk off, Katherine eyed him suspiciously as he noted that he wanted to talk about his brother. She could easily say that she wanted nothing to do with James Sirius Potter. Well, that wasn't entirely true considering he hadn't been a complete and utter prat during the time they were forced to dance at the Snow Ball. But that, by no means, insinuated that she cared to talk about or spend extra time with him. Luckily enough, Albus went on to say that he just thought it'd be nice to have an intelligent chat. "Oye Potter! You really are too much, you know that mate?" she laughed softly, shaking her head in an amused manner, "Too much but loads of fun really."

"I've got a butterbeer, thanks," Kat noted, gesturing to her bottle, "Would have preferred a bottle of cold water though. I'll have to remember to bring one along next time." She didn't bother to mention that there was still quite a while before lunch and that she was on a strict schedule and diet. After all, she had to keep in perfect shape if she wanted to make a professional team. Besides that, she'd already strayed from her diet after the incident with the older Potter. Oh the things that could be healed with a large slice of chocolate cake! ...and oh the amount of work it took to get rid of the extra calories from that. Scrunching her nose a little, she reached for her drink again and took a little sip.

After the waiter left, she settled into her chair a little more and watched Albus putting his belongings away. Katherine hadn't been expecting him to hand her anything at all but she took the offered book and opened it. Giving him a slightly confused look, she let her brown eyes wander down toward the notebook as she opened it. If she hadn't been intrigued before, she certainly was now. "Wow! These are brilliant!" she said a little louder than she should have as she flipped the pages, "Funny and an artist...is there anything you can't do?" Laughing lightly, she continued to look through his drawings.

[upsidedowninjuries]

Albus smirked a bit and nodded as she told him too much. He shrugged and said. " Eh I live by the motto if laughing heal then by god we all must be super humans. Which technically we could be considered super since we got the whole magic thing going on. But hey who knows" He smiled a bit and said " Quiddich diet then well what ever you say Ms. I'm not one to judge."

He looked down and listened to her common about the water. " Trust me I know I prefer water as well much healthier for the body though going out side the lines of health sometimes is okay. But never put firewhiskey into the mix I swear I nearly killed someone for making me try it. It was funny sort of."
He took a small swig of his drink. Not to worried about working all the stuff off he was planning on going for a run anyway.

He watched he page through and smirked " I am glad that you like them" he laughed a bit at her next comment. " Well Hmm... OH I can't bring people back from the dead. " He smirked and leaned back a bit and laughed. He sat there and asked " What about you Kat I hear you have good grades. Excellent Captain and amazing at quiddich. Sounds like every guys dream girl. What can't you do? Be many girls would kill to be you. " He smirked and waited for his stuff to come again.

He looked over at her. " I like to draw land scapes and other things that just speak to people. I think you may like the black and white version on Page 36 it was in the picture that was taken of the quiddich pitch with all the teams out on the field. I've had that the longest no one ever really seems to connect with the picture." He shrugged and waited quietly to hear her thoughts on the drawing. He stretched some knowing she looked somewhat surprised by how he acted. " Honestly Kat just cause I'm related to over half the school doesn't mean I'm like any of them. In fact I've been told that I share a talent with many head masters. Key observations that are basically how I know a lot about students I listen. You can loosen up a bit around me I promise I wont tell anyone you hung out the James little brother and actually got to be a goof ball." He smirked.

[Katherine Finnigan]

"Yeh...Quidditch diet," giggled Katherine as she continued to look through his drawings. It wasn't exactly just the fact that she needed to stay in perfect shape for sport but also the fact that her mother constantly reminded her about losing weight. Even though Kat hardly paid her mother any mind about that sort of thing, it wasn't to say that the nagging did more damage than it should have. Of course, she would never ever admit to this. No one knew and no one needed to know...ever!

Glancing back up at him, she grinned when he mentioned that water was healthier and that he would never drink firewhisky. "Firewhisky is one of the worst possible things a person can drink for recreation," commented Kat honestly, "Potions aside, of course. It's sad how many people drink that foul stuff. Horrible really." She, of course, did shake her head a little when he noted an incident when someone made him try it. It wasn't really very nice of whoever had attempted to make him drink it but she was, at least, glad that he didn't give in and start drinking the terrible liquid.

Katherine laughed lightly when Albus told her one thing he was sure he couldn't do. She was just about to make a response to that but he went on to ask her the same sort of question. Blushing far more than she should have, she slid down in her chair a little and tried to hide the very bright pink colour in her cheeks by lifting his notebook up higher over her face. "There's tonnes I can't do really," she said, pretending to be very ensconced with looking at his drawings, "Quidditch is about all I'm really good at...that and I'd like to think I'm an okay friend." Her mind started to go over all of the things that she couldn't do or was horrible at but she pushed those silly little thoughts to the back of her head and went on to listen as he spoke.

With her blush now dulled quite a bit, she sat up a bit straighter and glanced over at him once more. Kat turned to the page he suggested and the look on her face immediately made it obvious just how fond of the portrait she was. Her chocolate brown eyes scanned over every last detail in the drawing, as if making sure he had everything perfect, before she looked back up at Albus and said, "Good Merlin! How could no one connect with it?! It's brilliant! Amazing! I love the way you have the grain of the grass just pefect...and the detail!" Her eyes seemed to be even more drawn to the notebook now that his portrait of the pitch and teams was visible.

"Trust me, Albus, I'm not nervous or feeling awkward," she laughed very softly, "I'm not a giant goofball...but I'm not entirely uptight either, mate. Oh...and, just so you know, I don't care who knows that I hung out with the brilliant Albus Severus Potter." Kat made perfectly sure not to even acknowledge that he'd mentioned James.

[upsidedowninjuries]

Albus smirked as he saw her slide down a bit most girls do hide the fact that they can blush. He just didn’t comment on it figuring she was hiding no need to comment and embarrass her more. He listened to her as she spoke and gave a small smile when she agreed with him about the firewhiskey. HE was glad she agreed with him. He was truly surprised when she said the quiddich diet was the only reason she was sticking to her diet. He wanted to push that matter but knew it was not his place to push for answers. He just took a drink of his own drink and made it seem like he was completely convinced that she just wanted to stick to her quiddich diet.

He listened to her answer about what she couldn’t do. He shook his head and made a tick tick tick noise with his tongue. He raised one eyebrow and looked at her “ Honestly Kat? I mean Tonnes okay but never think that you are only good at cretin things. AS you see You are known for more than the amazing and deadly quddich moves I know a lot of people that say your more than just an okay friend. Your head girl for Merlin’s sake showing you have outstanding marks in school. Leadership last I knew people from your team call you captain showing you can take charge. Never concentrate on the flaws you know you have. Go with the talents that haven’t even been touched yet. You’d be surprised what happens like those drawings they come from being open to something new. ”

Albus smiled now. His wisdom was coming through and that was one thing he loved to do show others that it’s better to see things they are good at then things they aren’t. His smiled stayed a bit longer than intended when she really liked his drawings. He nodded to her as thanks for her approval. He watched her inspect it and he let out a soft laugh and to his pencil and took the portrait out and sighed the back of it saying To Kat Fly with your heart never with your mind From Albus-Severus Potter. He handed it back to her and said “ Merry Christmas Kat.” He smirked a bit and wouldn’t let her give it back. He finished off his butter beer and set it aside He listened to her next few statements and smirked and nodded. He noticed that she hadn’t once mentioned his brother’s name but he wouldn’t push it. She would talk about it when she wanted to.

He nodded. “ Well I am glad you aren’t a giant goof ball and are not extremely uptight either. Makes for a very fun time to joke around and still have a serious conversation. Very good trait to find in a person. I’m also relived to know that you aren’t feeling awkward any longer with the whole ice breaking thing or what ever people call it when you are trying to start a conversation. But as for not caring that is very bold of you Kat. Most Seventh years don’t normally sit and speak with a 6th year. Kind of nice to talk to someone a bit older with a killer sense of humor. ” He cracked his neck a bit and let his eyes wander around the pub not much else was going on. He rolled his eyes how boring some people could really be. He turned his attention back to Kat.

He shook his head. “ I no where near brilliant Kat. Wise yes but no where near as brilliant as some men. Though I would one day like to be brilliant I will say I am wise for my age though that I would agree to. But any way I must ask the age-old question now. What is it Kat that you want to do after you get out of Hogwarts? I don’t know about you. But when that day comes for me I’m going to be sad and joyful all at the same time. He smirked a bit and let it at that. He looked over at her as she gave her thoughts and comments.

[Katherine Finnigan]

Katherine was entirely absorbed in the complete detail of this drawing that she left her drink neglected for quite a while. Some would say that Kat was obsessed with the sport but she just figured that it was a passion for Quidditch with an appreciation for all the little details that went along with it. Perhaps that was what had her so fond of his portrait. If she was judging things correctly, it was a clear day and there was a light breeze coming out of the East, the best weather for a match if one's team had the far hoops, based on the way a few of the robes draped over their wearers. Grinning to herself, Katherine admired the artwork a moment longer.

Listening as he went into a profound response about how she should not concentrate on her flaws, the Hufflepuff nearly wanted to laugh but she managed not to. Yes, it made sense and he really was quite a bright boy to realize such a deep thing so early in his life but that, by no means, meant that it was easy to do. It was even harder when others liked to note what one needed to improve on. Kat loved her mum to bits and pieces. She knew that Lav only wanted her to be the best she could but the woman did entirely too much nagging and going on about what was wrong with Kat that, naturally, Katherine started to see all of her negative attributes more clearly. She worked on them...but that never meant she was able to fix all of her faults. That was impossible.

Rather than tell him all about that, she opted to smile and nod in understanding. At least he did note that people thought of her as a good friends. How he could figure such things, she didn't know but it didn't really matter. She was simply enjoying spending time with someone who was honest and easy enough to talk to. Then he did it. Kat had assumed he was going to try anyway but she still had her doubts. As he tried to give her the Quidditch picture he'd drawn, she shook her head and said, "I couldn't!" Albus, of course, was obviously intent on making her take it. After her futile attempt at giving it back, she finally gave in and set it atop her package from the quill shop. "Thanks," she said very appreciatively, "It really is a magnificent drawing."

"Most of my friends are in fifth and sixth year," noted the brunette Hufflepuff with a smile as she reached for her drink, "And then there's Coop...of course. Wouldn't dare forget about him. But I've never had any problem with talking to or hanging out with the younger lot." For a brief moment, she wondered whether Albus was close with all of his cousins or if there were a few that he didn't talk to all that often. With as many Weasley's as there were running around, she could understand if they all didn't keep very close connections. In face, her dad's side of the family was pretty extended...so she could relate entirely.

The question. The single most asked question that she'd received all year...and he'd just asked it. Smiling very proudly, she answered, "After Hogwarts, I'm hoping to be signed to a professional Quidditch team. I'm not picky which but I'd be in heaven if my Irish National team gave me a chance. I'll probably move back to Ireland too...and get a place with my cousin Liam. If that doesn't happen, though, I'll shoot for a job in the sports department at the Ministry so I can bug your older cousin Cooper all the time." Grinning even more, she cherished the idea of playing professionally but, if that couldn't happen, she also fancied the thought of getting to see one of her best friends all of the time. With a light sigh, she added, "I don't think I'll be sad really. I'll probably be too excited to be sad...but that's not to say I won't miss seeing everyone like I do now."

[upsidedowninjuries]

Albus smirked at her a little as he listened to her words. He was absorbing and having a very nice time. He listened to her talk about Cooper and all the younger kids in the family. He knew everyone of them and knew each pretty well. He smirked and waited for her to finish before he spoke and commented to her. He ate a bit and when he was sure that it was his turn to speak he said. “ Kat it’s pretty cool that most of your friends are in the younger crowd. I honestly can’t really pay attention to age much anymore. I mean there it such a big Varity just in my family alone. So I just kind of stick to talking to whoever wouldn’t mind me speaking to them. Usually it is family though I mean it seems that over half of the school is in some way related too me. I have honestly just reverted to saying the entire school in my family. But I think the one way you can tell who is really family and who isn’t is by the pranks that my family is so greatly known for. Or our sports gene as well Like Mr. Cooper. ”

He leaned back and listened to her future plans and nodded with a small half smile played across his lips. “ I can see you in professional Quidditch. Though it is surprising that you’d want to be signed to the Irish. Though I can’t say it’s super surprising I mean since you seem to be a very large supporter of the Irish I see. ” he said nodding to her shirt. But he smiled again and added “ I can also see you working in the ministry with Cooper. Though I would think that he would also want to play professional. He is a very talented captain though with a family like ours it is very hard to stick to the all quidditch diet. Trust me Diet’s don’t go over all too well with my family. I honestly don’t think you’d bug Cooper too much though. I mean it sounds like you two are very close. Trust me I’d know but there are just way too many people to remember all of them. Even extended family I find myself wondering some days if I should just make little note cards and hand them out to all of us. That way we always know which one is who.”

Albus laughed at that a bit. Most days he really did get confused on who was who from which uncle. But he tried not to look like he was super lost. He loved every one of his cousins’ very much but they were a big family and sometimes he got a little lost. But he didn’t think that it was anything he should be too upset over at least he knew everyone of his cousins by name. It took him a while but he did know them all. Which he took pride in though he memorized them all by year 7th years, 6th years, 5th years, 4th years, and so on. He looked at Kat as she sighed and added on about how she would be to excited and Albus understood why and he would have to ask himself the same thing why wouldn’t you not be excited it is the last year in the wizarding world as a student. After the 7th year you are a full wizard/witch. But the thing for Albus was that he never really wanted to leave. Because though he hadn’t discussed with anyone his own future hopes and dreams her knew that a big part of him would want to come back to the school. Not only as a teacher that the students could learn from and respect but also as Headmaster of this school that he had grown to love more and more every year.

Albus smirked and said, “ Well of coarse you will miss everybody who doesn’t after they get to leave. Those who don’t miss at least something from their school years is just down right weird. Because to me I guess that the entire student body now and future students and past students grew up here. In Hogwarts to make great witches and wizards. Many of them did all their growing up here in the school and taking weekend trips to hogsmead. I’d think you were a fool if you didn’t miss all your younger friends. But that’s what is nice about knowing so many people is that no matter what you do you are bound to run into one of the Weasley’s no matter what you do. I mean we all are very different individuals its kind of scary really that none of us our the same yet just in our pranking.” He leaned forward and took a rather large sip of his drink he started to think about his own future plans and how he wanted to be headmaster one day. But he just shook his head he knew that it was extremely hard work and in most cases it was a very hard dream to accomplish.

Albus looked over at Kat and thins time he smiled at her a real smile. Not his smirk or anything just a real smile. He sighed and asked “ So has being a professional quidditch player been your dream always? Since you were a first year I mean? Because I still want to be the first to get an autograph from the Great Katherine Finnigan. Worlds best on the Irish team that my friend would be an accomplishment of the century for me.” he smiled and snapped his finger and a pen and paper showed up in front of him. He lifted it and placed the pen in front of her and said “ Please Kat would you give me an autograph before you become famous? I have no doubt that you could get signed to a professional quidditch team.” He stretched a moment or two and waited to see what Kat would do.

[Katherine Finnigan]

"Sports gene, eh? So Coop's just lucky since he's got good genetics?" Katherine laughed softly, "Figures really." Shaking her head, she laughed a little more. It was a very well known fact that she and Cooper Weasley had a knack for teasing each other senseless but it was always in good fun. The verbs 'flirting,' 'joking' and 'laughing' could pretty much sum up about half of the conversations between Kat and Coop. There was also quite a bit of advice and generally friendly chat as well though. With a smile, she added, "Yeh...you've got a pretty big extended family though mate. I don't think I even know half of the Weasley lot either. Brill bunch all the same though." She honestly couldn't say one bad thing about any of the Weasleys that she knew and her only qualm with any of the Potters was that James had been a prat and made her cry...but that was all.

Katherine smiled brightly when Albus noted that he could see her playing Quidditch professionally. In a very proud tone, she responded, "I love my Irish national team. Honestly, Albus, it would be the greatest honour in the world if they actually thought I was good enough to play on the team." For a moment, she recalled a couple of discussions about her team and the possibility of them making the Quidditch World Cup. That, of course, only reminded her that she'd invited James Potter along to the match if the team did and she could get tickets.

In order to disguise her slight frown, she went on to talk about Cooper. "Oye! You see! I thought Coop would want to play professionally too and I know he'd bloody well get signed by a pro team but he's got it in his head to do bigger and better things. I mean, I can see him being more than just a Quidditch player though too," said Kat with a smile as she recalled the discussion with Weasley, "You know, though, no matter what we end up doing, Cooper's one of those people who I really don't ever want lose contact with. One of my best mates really..." Just the thought of not ever seeing Coop or not hearing from him ever again made her sigh lightly. Even though they joked a lot about what they'd do and tell others after he was Minister of Magic and she played for the Irish National Team, she hoped that they'd really write each other all of the time and still make time to see the other. Yes, she'd miss all of her other friends but the notion of not getting to hang out with Cooper was a rather depressing one.

"I dunno if I've always wanted to play professionally but it's been my goal since I was about thirteen or fourteen," she answered thoughtfully, "And, you know, if I do get signed by a team, I'll be sure to send along some tickets for you to attend a match." Grinning rather broadly, she nodded to reinforce what she'd said. The more she thought about it, the more interesting it was to think about all the people she'd be inviting along to watch her play. Her dad, mum, uncle Fergus and grandmum, of course, would always have tickets. Then there was Coop. He even promised to watch her play if she made it professionally. Then Lauri and Blair and Luce and Evie would be sent tickets from time to time...and Albus Potter...as well as most of the rest of her extended family...and Titch. Shaking her head in amusement, she wondered just how many seats she'd have to reserve for family and friends.

As he asked for her autograph, Katherine giggled a little. She'd promised Coop that he'd get an autographed photo once she did get signed but that didn't mean she couldn't let Albus be the first to get her official signature before she ever made it. Taking the pen, she neatly wrote:

Albus 'the amazing' Potter,

Don't ever change, mate! You're brill and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Always,
Katherine M. Finnigan

Pausing the paper and pen back across the table toward him, Kat gave a bright smile. She wasn't anything special and she really only ever joked about giving out autographs but he seemed serious enough about wanting one so, naturally, she had to oblige. That's what friends were for, right?

[upsidedowninjuries]

Albus sat still and listened to her and laughed at her autograph. He nodded and put that with his things. He looked over at Kat and said. “ Ah I’ve got my autograph. Perfect now I can go around and say that I Albus-Severus Potter since I will never speak my middle name. I really do have the first autograph of the great Katherine M. Finnigan. Though I must say hopefully that one-day I might be able to come see the most famous female quidditch player the Irish have ever had. I’m here having a very nice conversation with you. ” He smirked and nodded toward Kat as he drank a bit.

He straightened up his posture and took in a deep breath. He smiled at some of Kat’s comments and thought. He thought a moment and commented. “ Soon Kat I think you may just have to put half of the pitch on reserve for all your family and friends that would want to come see you. ” He smirked and looked over at his hot food and started to eat again. He laughed a bit at her comments. He nodded and said “ Kat that’s how you are get along so well with us Wesley’s and in some the rest of the family. Because even though we are pranksters we also love getting picked on. Shows that we have made an impact on the people around us. I mean what can we do but leave and impression on those we want to remember.” He smiled and sat up.

He looked over at her and sat quietly for moment thinking and smiled a bit as he played with his drink. He then said “ I’d be an awesome honor and I’d be really happy for you Kat. But I don’t think you should worry too much about not getting signed when basically the team would have to be bloody stupid not to want someone so dedicated. So don’t think about them not signing you and know that out of every kid that is in your age group YOU hold the top percentile of favored quidditch players to be signed. I know you don’t have to listen to me about it. But I dunno I find it easier to think about something that makes more sense to me. Think about what the future holds or the better things that could happen in life. ” Albus just smiled and looked down.

He didn’t want to sound stupid. He smiled a little bit when Kat reacted about Cooper. He nodded and said “ Well Cooper does tend to surprise people left and right. But then again His father is Percy very big on the whole business is the only way to go. But I dunno talk to him maybe you can convince him to get signed though you might have a rough time. I thought he was dead set on getting a job in the ministry. I guess most of the family has a drive like that get a good job in the ministry. Not many would say what they really what to do when we all grow up. Just seems that the ministry is the safest way to go. I mean good money, Set job, well known, and so on. But then you always run into those trouble makers who dream bigger.” Albus smiled and then started to eat again. He was one of those dreamers that dreamed bigger and was more passionate about getting his dream to become true.

He raised his eyebrow at Kat and shook his head. “ Kat honestly by now I would think you’d realize. Even in school you can’t loose touch with any of the Weasley family. Once a friend always a friend. Cooper wont loose touch with you ever if you two have been friends for how long and still love hanging out with one another. I think it is safe to say that you are now stuck with the Weasley’s. So you will be doomed to run into one of us always where you least expect it.” He smiled and ate his food quietly for a moment. He listened to Kat and what she said about not always wanting to be a quidditch player but wanting it for a very long time. Albus just smiled again he had his own point of veiw and that was how it made sense to him. Didn’t mean anyone would have to listen to him. Though he would say it.

He looked over at her and nodded and took a drink. “ Well the way I have always seen it. Is we are all born to do great things in life. Our passion for one thing is shown on how we show it. For instance You and quidditch your dad loves it and from an early age taught you everything he knew. Causing you to start to love it as well but over the years you didn’t just love it you began to want to do it in every way you could. Showing your passion and dedication, which is why you will get signed. Everyone in the world changes what he or she wants to be only to find themselves doing something that they love to do. Though maybe at the time it didn’t seem so exciting. Those lucky enough to find the thing that they love doing younger in live can strive to be the best and one day make it into a living.” HE leaned back and looked down and smirked. “ I guess for some we’ll never find out what the future may hold for us. All one can do is dream and hope one day that, that dream might come true.” He smiled and waited for Kat to comment to him.

[Katherine Finnigan]

"Trust me, Albus, I'll be sure to send along tickets for you if I make it professionally. I think, if the Irish sign me, my mum and dad will throw a huge party...then I can take names for who to reserve tickets for. I'm sure, win or lose, my parents will want to have a giant get-together after my first match as well," Katherine noted thoughtfully, "So I'll be sure to put your name down for all three events...you know, if I make the team." As she thought about it more, Kat couldn't help grinning at the mere notion of how many people supported her and how very many dear friends she truly had. It was a feeling unlike anything else to know that there were that many people who stood behind her and reassured her that she would make a professional team after she finished school. After a second, she added, "But no matter how world famous I become, I'll always make time for friends and family...and that's a promise."

Katherine thought about what he was saying in regards to her being signed to a professional team. He did make a couple of good points but it was always a habit of hers to second guess herself and underestimate what she was capable of. Yes, she was well aware that she was good at playing Quidditch. Why else would they have made her the Hufflepuff house captain? It was simply that she wasn't sure she was good enough to play on a professional team with people who lived the sport and had been playing for ages. Sighing softly, she replied, "Thinking about what the future holds is just what I'm doing. I mean, I have a few back up plans for if I don't make it...but playing Quidditch is what I want to do. It's hard to think of much else aside from whether I'll get signed...well, that and contemplating where I'm going to live and, of course, thinking about keeping in touch with friends and that."

Grinning at the further mention of Coop, Kat said, "I don't plan on trying to convince him to play Quidditch. We've already got his Ministry application all filled out and sent off. Even if I think he'd make a brill professional Quidditch player, I have to say that I support him in whatever decisions the bloke makes." It was the absolutely truth. Kat and Coop had been friend for long enough to know, that even if they didn't agree with the other's decisions, they could always simply be there for moral support. That was what being a true friend was all about anyway.

Again, though, she grinned upon being told that she would be "doomed" to always be stuck with the Weasleys. It was a nice thought. She'd been closest with Cooper, being that they were in the same year and both Quidditch players and captains, but there were a couple of other Weasleys that she considered friends. Then, of course, the Potters were related to the Weasleys and she was already very fond of Albus. "Once a friend, always a friend," she repeated with a very content smile, "Very good to know, mate. Very good to know." The idea of never losing touch with those whom she was closest, including family AND friends, was one that she truly valued above everything...even Quidditch. As much as Kat loved the sport, even she knew that she'd give it all up in a heartbeat to take care of her family and friends...even Titch. Deep down, she was a true Hufflepuff at heart and no one could argue it.

"Okay, so you've asked me all about what I want to do once this year is over. My turn to ask you now. What would be your 'dream come true' for after you finish Hogwarts next year?" Katherine asked curiously, reaching for her drink and taking a small drink. Thoughtfully, she pondered what he was going to say next though she was pretty sure he would have dreams to do amazing and brilliant things...much bigger than Quidditch or some stuffy Ministry position. He was, after all, a Potter and named after two of the school's headmasters. That HAD to mean great things for him.

[upsidedowninjuries]

Albus smiled for a moment and quickly his smile vanished She asked him about his dreams. Albus looked down and started to be a little nervous for the first time. Nobody had ever asked him that. Granted he never told anybody but his dream was that very dear to him so he fixed his slouching posture and said. “ My dreams for the future seem pretty different now but as I had mentioned when it is my turn to leave this school I will be sad. My life is here. I’m really happy going to this school love walking through the corridors. Which I know you know what is coming now. But I want to be a headmaster better than every headmaster before us. Better then the men, who helped my father, which is a hard hard goal all in its self. But I want to be an amazing wizard that people don’t fear like Albus before me. Powerful but helpful to everyone who seeks it. Plus I’d get to stay at Hogwarts the one place that always feels like home to students.” He smiled a bit it felt nice to let it out a moment just to tell someone what he wanted for his future.

Then he realized that it probably sounded stupid to anyone else who was listening to his reason and he let his head hang down a moment. “ I know it probably sounds like I’m still a little kid afraid to leave the place that he feels safest. But from the stories I’ve heard headmaster is one of the most dangerous jobs that anyone could ever have. But I want it more than anything does and I have felt like this ever since I first learned what a headmaster was. So although it sounds weird that is my dream and I can’t get rid of it. More like an obsession some days it seems.” Albus smiled a little it felt nice to have it all out there for once in his life he hadn’t even told his brother or sister or even parents what he wanted for his future. Though he figured that his dad already had some idea of that is what Albus wanted to do with his life.

He smirked and said. “ Though one job is not better than another it just seems like it’s the more you want it. Everybody is destine for something I’d just like to think that we all achieve a certain level of greatness just depends on the person really. If you can make a difference in one person then you have done something great. So nobody can ever truly be a failure at anything because even without trying you can make a difference. Life is just mysterious that way. ” Albus shrugged it off a bit and ate a little more. He then remembered looking at the quidditch team rosters and hadn’t really looked at the hufflepuff sign. He leaned back in his chair and wasn’t sure if anyone in his family was in hufflepuff he made a note to ask Kat if any of his family had made her indestructible team.

He looked and her and nodded happily “ I’m honored that you will invite me to all those big bashes. I’d love to come and it is always a good thing to know that you are stuck with amazing funny people that are your friends. So no worries Cooper will let you loose contact with him. And I’m happy to know that Cooper is already working on the ministry Job. I must congratulate him next time I run into him. ” He smiled and looked around for a moment but didn’t see anything new in their surroundings. He looked over at her and smiled at more of her comments.

He nodded and said “ I’m glad to hear that even though you will be famous you wont forget your family or friends that is very good. I think all of us would be very put out if the great Kat forgot about us. But no worries I don’t think any of us will be too upset with you if you aren’t always there. But I think you will be so no worries at all. ” He closed his eyes a moment and smiled for a moment. “ Kat I don’t recall. Are any of my cousins in your house? I mean I saw the gryffindor line up and the slytherin but I didn’t have a chance to look at the hufflepuff. So what is the results miss Kat. Who is the second best on your team.” He was quiet now and looked over at the window it was lightly snowing. He raised an eyebrow and then looked over at Kat once more.

“ Are you looking forward to this winter break Kat? Any big plans??” He stretched some and heard his back crack. He thought to himself that maybe that didn’t sound so great but he wouldn’t say anything about it. He went and ate his food and waited for Kat to say something to him. It was her turn it seemed like he really was doing most of the asking. But then he decided that maybe she could ask more of the questions. It wouldn’t be the end out the world if someone other than his family knew something about him. He smirked at his thoughts a moment but quickly let it fall as Kat got his attention once again.