Poking about {Jason}

[Katherine Finnigan]

Dark clouds filled the sky and the light rumble of thunder could be heard off in the distance. The fresh scent of a rain that hadn't yet begun seemed to drift along the light breeze. The picturesque landscape of the massive Hogwarts grounds with a gray background along the horizon would have been a perfect setting had it not been for the fact that Katherine had to call off Quidditch practice. She was as competitive as they come and a tough captain but she wouldn't ever subject her team to conditions that they shouldn't be practicing in. If it came down to a match in the middle of a monsoon, she'd work to keep her up the team morale...but she certainly wouldn't force them to practice in those conditions. As it were, the sky looked about ready to open up at any time and unleash a monstrosity of a storm.

No one in their right mind would be out and about with the threat of being soaked. Perhaps she was stark-raving mad or perhaps it was the lack of wanting to bump into a couple of people while wandering the castle...but, either way, Katherine Finnigan found herself poking about the school grounds aimlessly. Had it not been for the lightning and a warning from her head of house, she'd be out holding a personal practice but that was simply out of the question now. Instead, a walk around the empty ground would have to suffice. The solitude was nice once in a while but anyone who knew the reputation of Hufflepuff house would clearly note that the Badgers didn't usually take to being alone for very long.

[truthholdsnone]

Jason was having a good day he was smiling and being his fun loving self until a slytherin got the best of him. He had said that he was his father's son and would be a traitor to his friends. Jason was inches from fighting the kid. He shoved his hands into his front pockets not listening to anyone so far. He was angry and wanted to unleash a series of pranks on the slytherin house. But he needed to walk just walk. He left the castle with a hoodie in his firm grip as if he were trying to kill it.

He was always very touchy on the subject of his father and him. He started to just roam the grounds and looked at the sky. Looked like rain Jason smiled a bit he loved it when it rained he would go out for any reason. As he walked quietly thinking about how people only seemed to know his name and instantly looked at him as if he were dirty.

The more he walked he started to calm himself though his grip hadn't lessened any. He wondered which house would be out toughing practice. He walked by and saw nothing. He was surprised he had heard that Katherine the Hufflepuff Capitan was the one to beat. She would practice no matter what which he thought was cool. He closed his eyes a moment just clearing his head he tuned every sound. Until he found himself hitting into someone.

Surprised at first he quickly found his settings again. He saw a girl and was fast to act by catching her around the waist but just barely touching her. He brought her up to her feet and quickly retracted his arms from her and stepped away still trying to be less surprised. "I'm Sorry Ms. I didn't mean to run into you. Are you alright are you hurt? Didn't mean to violate your personal space I didn't want you to fall all the way down onto the ground."

By now Jason felt stupid. He looked to his right and saw his hoodie and leaned back and grabbed it. He looked at her and waited a moment. "I'm Jason....Jason....Pettigrew."He said his last name quietly and with hatred but he did. He ran a hand threw his hair and waited for an excuse for her to leave. He tensed up as he thought about every situation after another but kept calm forced himself to keep calm.

[Katherine Finnigan]

Kicking a small rock, Katherine longed for holiday so that she could spend her lazy afternoons in her home away from home away from home. Since Hogwarts was technically her home away from home, during the school year at least, she reasoned that Ireland was her home away from that. The more she thought about the thick green grass of her grandmum's yard and the sounds of her cousins bustling about like a heard of cattle, Kat found herself in a sort of daze. It wasn't usually like her to be much of a daydreamer but something about Ireland always put her into an almost trance-like state. It was, after all, where she was sure she'd be moving after this school year was over.

So lost in her thoughts, the brunette Hufflepuff girl hadn't noticed that she was no longer alone on the grounds. She especially hadn't really noticed that the other wandering occupant was quite as close as he was. It wasn't until the very last second, when he'd already bumped into her, that she realized there was someone else braving the impending weather. Usually pretty light on her feet and able to keep her balance rather well, Kat quickly tried to steady herself only to realize that said boy had already put his arms around her waist to keep her from falling.

"Oye...no worries there mate," Kat said in as friendly a tone as possible, "No harm done, right? I should probably be apologizing as well since I was a little lost in my own thoughts. Alright then?" It was a bit of habit for her to always check on the well-being of others over herself but, she supposed, it came with being a Hufflepuff and the Hogwarts Head Girl. Giving the boy a reassuring smile, she hoped that he didn't feel too bad about bumping into her or, as he'd so eloquently put it, violating her personal space.

His introduction was basic enough though she noticed how his voice went softer but held a hint of something less than joy as he stated his surname. Kat was sure he had his reasons and they honestly weren't any of her business. Holding out her hand, she replied, "Katherine Finnigan...but you can call me Kat. It's a pleasure Jason."

[truthholdsnone]

Jason sat and looked at the girl in amazement for a second. He couldn't believe that this was the Hufflepuff captain he had heard so much about. He was also surprised when she didn't back away or look at him with the untrusting eyes that people would usually. He didn't fully trust her but he would talk with her if she let him. But he would understand if she didn't want the company.

He nodded at her name and shook her hand. "The Pleasure is mine Ms. Kat. I am fine but I don't mean to be all that pushy but I did ask you if you were all right first. Though it is wonderful for you to be concerned with your busy duties of being one of the hardest competitive captains of the hufflepuffs known to the school and Head girl. I may be a person that tends to wander but I do hear things about a girl such as you. Please don't think I am trying to hit on you because really you are pretty but I'm more amazed at some of the things you are known for than trying to get you to like me. Sorry if that's the wrong thing to say. I'm still knew at this whole thing of making friends. By bumping into them...."

He let her hand go and looked down with a dumb founded look on his face as if asking himself 'what on earth are you blubbering about you imbecile?' But he kept a straight face and a confident not going to back down from anything look about him. He wouldn't let that fall even if he sounded like an idiot. Truth is told he was new to the whole trusting thing. He trusted his buds with his life but at the same time he noticed that they were all he really had. He was confused about a lot at the moment and didn't understand a lot but he wouldn't let that bug him.

He looked over at Kat and asked. "I think you are the first person I have met here that hasn't tried to escape my presence. I mean I am after al classified and a ' traitor's son' not many people would ask me if I was all right. Honestly I am confused about that still. Sorry I am blubbering on I tend to get puzzled when I am trying to do something new. But I swear to you that I will shut up just say it. Oh one more question though. Would you like some company on your walk if you don't I understand but if you want someone to listen and talk with I am. Just need some time to get to know you. I really don't blubber like this for long." He looked at her and was ready just to jinx himself he was irritated enough already now making himself look like an utter fool wasn't helping his case. Though her really wasn't nervous around her more of asking her to be a friend was wrecking his calmness.

[Katherine Finnigan]

Katherine giggled softly as Jason babbled on and on as though he was incredibly nervous. She knew the feeling all to well and couldn't help wanting to make him a little more comfortable. As odd as it seemed, Kat usually thought it was a little cute when boys tended rambled on. Nonetheless, she smiled at him and listened rather intently as he told her that she was pretty but that he was more amazed by things she was known for. As far as she was concerned, Katherine didn't see herself as anything special or extraordinary so to hear the contrary for a boy that she'd just met was a little shocking...but flattering all the same. Hence, she had to glance away for a moment or two such that she didn't find herself blushing like a mad fool.

"First of all, I'm entirely fine. I do hope that clears things up a little," she giggled lightly, "Secondly, thanks for the compliments Jason. Trust me, flattery gets you everywhere. Oh, and by the way, don't worry about trying to get me to like you. You seem like a sweet enough guy." Katherine wasn't a major flirt or anything but she did like to give credit where credit was due. It was the most sincere of truths that he really did come off as a really nice guy...despite the fact that he was known friends with two of the biggest prats that Kat knew. Nonetheless, she gave everyone a chance. It wasn't like it'd be fair of her to judge him just because of who his friends were. After all, she was friends with a Malfoy...very good friends, in fact.

For a moment, she tried to guess at what he was thinking just as he let go of her hand. She'd been pondering it only a second or two before he went into his next session of rambling. As she listened, she felt terrible that people would try to escape talking to him simply because of his parents. Internally, she shuddered. If everyone judged her because of who her mother was, she'd be doomed. She also noted how frequently he apologized for his babbling. Really, she felt that it was perfectly fine but she wasn't sure he'd be too keen on having her interrupt him while he was trying to get everything out.

A warm smile, she replied, "I would be delighted to have some company. It'll be the perfect chance to get to know each other, right?" Maybe it was the little fact that she was the stereotypical Hufflepuff or maybe it was just that she was feeling a little alone and in the mood for some decent company. Either way, she rather fancied the idea of taking a walk with this Gryffindor boy and getting to know the real him instead of bothering with rumours or assumptions based off of who he kept as friends. Gesturing toward the space in front of them, she smiled and started to walk a little with the hopes that he might actually join her for a walk before the clouds started to release the inevitable rain.

[truthholdsnone]

Jason looked at her and smiled a little. He bowed his head respectfully and friendly as if to say a silent thanks you. She seemed like a very nice girl and waited for her to finish speaking. He complied with her actions and he started to walk along side her. He waited a moment and looked from the ground to the Hufflepuff that seemed to be nice but still at the same time could take anyone.

He knew that he wasn't all to well known around the school but only because he thought he had to fight everyone to prove himself. He looked at Kat and asked in his normal caring tone of voice. " Kat this might be I little awkward since we really don't know each other yet. I mean you don't really have to answer cause I tend to ask a lot of questions so if you think that I have over stepped my boundaries or anything just say the word and I wont do it again. But why don't you tell me about yourself. Where is your favorite place on this planet and why?"

He knew that he was rambling again and honestly he wanted to shoot himself right about now. But he wouldn't let it get to him. He put one hand in his pocket and looked at the sky as he saw that they were threatening rain. He honestly hoped that it did rain. But not because he didn't want to get to know Kat in fact he did. But he also just wanted it to rain so he could feel like he was back in his favorite place in the world when it rained.

He looked over at Kat as she started to speak and he listened. He was a very good listener he loved it some days. He also thought about other questions that he could ask Kat without getting way way personal that made her feel uncomfortable. He looked down as he listened taking in her every word until she in turn started to ask him a question.

[Katherine Finnigan]

"Trust me, there's pretty much nothing you can say that'll make me feel awkward," she laughed lightly. It was half true. There was nothing at all to make her feel nearly half as awkward as she did with certain people. It hadn't even taken a second for her to come up with an honest and sincere answer to his question. With a big smile, she replied, "Ireland. If you want me to get more specific, my grandmum's place. The grass is so green pretty much all year 'round and I love my family...my dad's side, that is. I've got so many cousins and it's always a blast going there. Brilliant really. I'm moving there after this school year's over...I mean, if I can make it on the National team. Might still move there anyway though...so if you're ever out that way, you'll have to look me up."

Kat hardly rambled but once she got talking about her dad's side of the family or good old Ireland, she always seemed to go on more than normal. Quidditch was her true love but Ireland was her second love and always would be. That was why she'd always been so adamant about making it on her Irish National team. To Katherine Finnigan, that would be the biggest honour that could ever possibly be bestowed upon her. As she thought about these things, she couldn't help smiling broadly.

Just as she turned to ask Jason the same question he'd asked, Kat felt a droplet of water fall from the sky and land upon her cheek. Looking upwards, she noticed that the rain was very slowly starting to fall. She didn't mind it though. The rain had never bothered her. After all, Kat could play in the pouring rain, amid thunder and lightning if she had to. A soft giggle escaped her lips as a few raindrops landed on her nose. Glancing off to her left, she smiled at Jason and finally asked, "Where would you say is your favourite place in the whole entire world and what makes it so special?"

[truthholdsnone]

Jason smiled at her and his eyes lit up more if it was possible. He listened to Kat closely taking in everything she said. He too could picture why she loved Ireland. He listened to her question and felt stupid as he didn't want to sound like a copy cat. He looked over at Kat and said. "HM my favorite place. Favorite place. Ah I know it as to be south Antartica.....No I am joking I to must say Ireland is my most favorite place in this world. For a number of reasons that probably wouldn't be to appealing to you. But just so you don't take that the wrong way. I don't like Ireland just because they have very pretty strong hearted girls like yourself. I also support their quidditch team very much. Sadly the real reasons that Ireland is my favorite place is because there I guess you could say makes you feel like you are on top of the world nothing can touch you because it is very peaceful there. NO one judges you on your look or blood they just see you. I know that, that probably sounds stupid or doesn't even make sense really but it is the one place that feels like no matter who you are your home. Well for me that is a few reasons as to why. Sorry if that's deep or anything just no one has ever asked me that question before. But I'm going to stop now."

Jason smirked a bit and laughed at himself. Amazed that he could actually express why he loved being in Ireland so much. Though he never went to visit family or friends he would just go to go. Stay for days, weeks, months even. Never thought much of why though. He hadn't realized that even through his ramblings and nonsense he had gotten across some of the stuff that he did feel when he was at peace. Which confused Jason a lot now that he thought about it. He hadn't ever said that to anyone not even his closest of friends.

Jason looked up and felt the rain on his face a moment. Though he knew Kat would probably think he was a psycho he stopped and let the soft slow rain drops his his face. He let out a big sigh like he was letting everything off his chest for the first time in weeks. He looked at Kat and it seemed like she was doing the same thing in a different way. He thought it was pretty cool. Though he wasn't going to say anything.

Finally when he got back on track as to walking along with Kat he started to ask more questions. "Well Ms. Kat. What is your favorite color and animal. Why do you like them. But I have a bigger question. One I know the obvious answer to but I'd like to know your opinion. Would you mind me asking you this question?"

James had no idea where all the rambling was coming from or why he was doing it. To be honest he didn't see why James got so nervous around Kat. She was a very easy person to talk to and fun to hang around. He had been able to talk to her but still push her to talk to him as well. He could tell that every guy in her year loved Kat but he wouldn't push her as to why. He didn't want to sound like he was trying to get stuff for James because he wasn't he just wanted to know why James tried so hard in front of her when she seemed like the coolest, easy going person. He could talk to her and not feel like he was being stupid than what was all his buddies problems.

He was pulled from his own puzzlement when Kat started to answer.

[Katherine Finnigan]

Katherine listened intently to everything that Jason had to say. Her eyes practically lit up and a huge grin spread across her face as he noted that his favourite place in the world was the same as hers. He also managed to score bonus points with Kat when he mentioned that he supported the Irish National team...HER Irish National team. If Kat Finnigan had one true love, it was Quidditch. Of course, she did love her family to bits as well...but Quidditch was her passion and the mere notion of playing for the country of her family (on her dad's side, that is) was something unlike any dream she could ever have. Pushing her own thoughts aside, though, Katherine listened silently as he went on about how everyone accepted everyone...no matter the blood or anything at all really. It was the truth. Well, of course there were still feuds between the Northerners and Southerners, it wasn't ever much more than a sibling sort of squabble.

"Oye! Don't be sorry at all. I know how it is. Just...now you're really gonna 'ave to look me up if you're ever in the area...and if I'm not in and you need a place to stay, my grandmum Finnigan's door is always open. Bet she'd just love to have you over," Katherine replied after he'd finished talking. She'd noticed, lately, she'd been making an awful lot of offers but she was sure her family wouldn't mind. They rarely did anyway. Hit with a thought, she made a face and went on, "Just don't ever listen to a word out of the mouths of my cousins though." Shaking her head, she let out a soft laugh. It wasn't that she thought ill of her cousins. Far from that. It was that Liam, Tony and Greg knew entirely too much about her and probably wouldn't hesitate to embarrass her to no end.

The couple of water drops were accompanied by a few more but Kat didn't mind hanging out in the rain as long as Jason didn't. She was about to ask him when she noticed that he'd stopped and was letting the rain fall upon his face. Smiling, she paused where she was and watched him for a moment. Honestly, she couldn't believe that anyone could be so harsh as to judge him just because of his last name. Katherine thought he was a very sweet, honest and easy going guy. It was a horrible thing that people didn't get to know the real Jason Pettigrew just because of his name. Shaking her head, she sighed softly to herself and waited for him to catch up again.

Once more, she found herself listening to him as he asked a few other questions of her. Thoughtfully, she responded, "I guess I'm sort of into green. It's a little overly obvious why. I mean...half the weekend clothes I own are green or have shamrocks and stuff on them. My mum hates that I wear a lot of green, white and black...and of course, my jeans. Oh...and animal...I dunno really." Then, with a confused look on her face, she pondered what else he might have to ask her that he thought she would mind him asking. Scratching the back of her neck, Katherine added, "Uh...sure. Ask away Jason."

[truthholdsnone]

He smiled at Kat and nodded. He would most defiantly look her up when ever he was there. He smiled as he listened to her very good answers and he respected them. He smiled some more and was trying to figure out how to put his question without hurting Kat or loosing her as a friend. "Well By now I am sure you know that I am friends with James, Sirius, and Remus. But you seem to be okay with me but not so much with James. Now don't get me wrong. I am not here to drill you about him or give him information. I assure you what you and I talk about wont leave between you and myself. But Those guys are like my brothers I'd guess that I'm asking why aren't you so fond of them?"

As he waited a moment and knew that it could be a personal subject and if that was the case then he would drop it. He just didn't realize why she had a problem with the three guys but seem to be civil toward him. Even extending an invitation to him to look her up when he was there. He seemed to feel at ease with Kat. Unlike James who was very nervous around her. He thought it was cool but she shot him down no matter what.

Which reminded him of his situation with a friend of his. But he wasn't going to tell anyone that he did have some feelings for a certain person. HE waited a moment and closed his eyes and looked down at his feet though he could feel the rain drenching his hair but it didn't bother him. "Don't feel like you have to answer Ms. Kat I understand if that gets to personal. Cause I mean that is just between you and them. But I guess I just don't understand completely all the time. But then again I think I should probably pay more attention to those things."

He smirked over at Kat a bit trying to lighten the mood just a bit. But he knew that his question was an honest one. He knew better than to confront his buds because he already knew that James liked Kat and was touchy on the subject. So he thought that maybe she could clear up what happened. He looked over at Kat as she began to answer his question.

[Katherine Finnigan]

Katherine hadn't been expecting the question that came next. She listened as he went on about being friends with a group of other Gryffindor boys. Kat half groaned when he brought up Potter in specific. While he continued to banter on, she pondered whether she should actually tell him the whole story or if she should just leave him to believe that she was the 'bad guy' so that he and his friends didn't even have to bother with any of it. To be entirely honest, she thought the latter option would probably be better since the risk of rumours being spread was pretty high at Hogwarts. It was almost like half the population just thrived off of humiliating others.

When he was finished speaking, she answered, "Look, I've got nothing against Sirius. Honestly, I don't even know the bloke so I can't possibly have anything against him." Here, she paused and thought of how to word what she needed to say next. Sure she had personal issues with the other two boys but it wasn't enough to actually make her hate them...even if she'd screamed into her pillow that she did directly after the little chain of events that happened. Looking up into the falling rain, she sighed and went on, "Black...he's just...I dunno. He swears he's Merlin's bloody gift to girls and that every single female at Hogwarts should be swooning over him. All girls are to him are another tally on his scorecard. That's just...it's pathetic."

Again, Kat stopped. The most sensitive subject of all that needed to be addressed under this topic was the last one. She didn't even want to think about it again but, for the sake of just getting it out, she opted to tell Jason exactly how it was. "Then there's Potter. He's a right git but I guess he's entitled to it. I mean, he knows exactly how to string a girl along and make her believe things...you know...to get her hopes up...only to crush everything in a heartbeat. Again, though, it's his business and I'm done with childish games. I'm done with school after this year and I won't have to be around that sort of thing anymore," Katherine said bluntly. Considering how horrible she'd felt and how bitter she was after what Potter did, she honestly couldn't care anymore. She was done with it all.

More and more rain continued to fall but it didn't even matter to Kat. As her clothes and hair started to get rather soggy, she continued to walk. It was sort of soothing, in a way...even if she was more prone to catching a cold after being out in the rain and getting soaked. A little cold really wasn't much anyway. Nothing a little Pepper-Up Potion couldn't fix. Looking upward, toward the dripping sky, she noticed a flash of bright lightning soar across the clouds. A loud roll of thunder followed as the rain came down even heavier.

[truthholdsnone]

Jason looked at Kat and listened to her intently he could understand her view points. He nodded and let the water soak the both of them as they walked. He looked at Kat and said,"Kat I do understand that you are done being played with. I can understand that, A girl should never be played with and sometimes I must say it feels like me and my friends loose sight of that. But honestly I must say that we are much different then what students of hagwarts see. "

He looked down and said. " Remus Yes he does think that he a gift to the girls here and he isn't nice that way. But again he just needs to find someone with a heart like his. Sirius well that boy is the nicest guy you could ever meet he is a guy that you can count on and needs to find a girl that is like him. James. Well James is a good guy at heart though he doesn't know how to use it. He can surprise you. I'm not trying to get you to forgive any of us or anything that we cause but I am saying that even if you hate them you can count on me to tell them to back off if you need."

He looked around and than left is so Kat could get her thoughts sorted. He was quiet for a moment and added. " We aren't as bad as we come off as Kat. We are just i dunno it's hard to explain Kat. But just know that what they have done to hurt you or any of your friends they probably didn't mean to hurt anyone. Just trying to make people have fun around here. Grated we could be more mature but know that you deserve not to be played with."

He looked down and knew that he wasn't making any sense though he was trying to help and tell her that she was okay and he would be a good friend. That in a way he was apologizing for his friends as well. He sighed as he decided that he was almost a hopeless case.

[Katherine Finnigan]

Katherine Finnigan was not the type to argue with people but she knew exactly how she felt about three of the four modern day Marauders. Since she'd never actually met Sirius Lupin, she hadn't passed any sort of judgement on him. As for Jason Pettigrew, she felt that he was a delightful young man with whom she could easily get along with and wouldn't mind actually making friends with. Potter and Black, though, she wasn't very fond of. In fact, she honestly could not believe that she'd ever let the two boys get to her the way that they did. She still wasn't sure whether she was more irritated with them for being gits, her so-called best friend for helping get her hopes up or herself for letting anyone make her think things.

"That's all well and good," she said once he was finished talking, "But they need to toy with someone who wants to play along. As far as I'm concerned, those two can just piss off if they think I'm going to be strung along or toyed with because I'm not one of little girls in their drooling and swooning entarouge. Sorry for such harsh words but I mean every last bloody one of them." Her tone wasn't full of anger or bitterness but it was firm all the same. She'd been finished with the games that little boys played and wouldn't have a word of it from anyone.

Looking up into the now pouring rain, Katherine did her best to watch the storm clouds as thunder roared and rumbled in the sky. There was no use in dwelling in or talking about silly little things like that. Instead, she let her mind wander to her one true love: Quidditch. It was one of the only things that could always make her smile no matter how depressed or annoyed she was. Quidditch and her family...the two best things in her life. Blinking her eyes as the drops of water fell into them, she let her drift off to the newspaper article on her Irish National team and their last match.

Sighing in a dreamy sort of way, she found herself grinning. Ah, her beloved Irish team and her future captain! As she looked back at Jason, she covered a light cough and went on to say, "Look, you're a nice guy and all...and you really don't need to make excuses for them. I mean, I know you're their friend and you see them differently than others but there isn't much you can say that will fix all the stuff they have done and will do."

[truthholdsnone]

Jason nodded and bowed his head respectfully he offered his sweatshirt up to her. He smiled as he opened it and it was the Irish he never started a school year without it. " Wouldn't want a beautifully Captain to get sick like due to cold fall rain." He said and handed the sweatshirt to her. He wasn't fast enough to try outs so never got his chance to be on the team.

He closed his eyes and gathered his thoughts. Then once he had found his words. He pushed his hands into his pockets and nodded. " Kat I must say you are right. That I shouldn't be making excuses for them. I wont but I must tell you that I don't expect to change your mind on any of them. But along with that. I am their friend and I am your new friend. I must tell you that though I do see them differently. I also know them the real them. Though they don't seem like they have any heart at all. I wont tell you to give them time and you can still have your own thoughts. Heck I know most of the time they deserve it. I do some days as well but truth be told we do have deep hearts. That hide who we are each has a reason for the way they are. I mean I really am just trying to save myself right now. I am a charmer just like James, Sirius, Remus. But Lately I honestly can tell you I have given my heart away even though the girl doesn't know it. I don't even think she cares. But I think that we aren't like the first generation. We try to make the ones we love the happiest. "

He looked over at Kat and nodded. " Kat I am not trying to make you think I am trying to make you give us another chance I don't think you should. I believe that a girl is never something to mess around with. But I am saying that we also have hearts though he usually hide them the most. For we know we have to live up to what people think of us. Or prove them wrong. I am sure it's hard to watch us do stuff and hurt everyone around you. Due being played with but I will try and help the bast I can. I am sorry if I have gotten to personal here. Um what do you hope for your future Kat?"

He looked down and knew he might have done to much now. He waited for the get lost Jason saying and stuff. He heard all to often when he got to personal to fast.

[Katherine Finnigan]

"Thanks Jason...but I'm fine," Kat declined as he offered his sweatshirt. Giving him a warm smile in response, she turned to watch the pathway again. Chivalry was nice but after everything that had just been discussed, she felt sort of like she wanted to just let the water wash away all of her thoughts and just soak her through and through. She could always take a warm shower and sit in front of the fire when she got back into the castle so a nice walk in the pouring rain was no big deal.

As he went on about his friends, she let her mind wander. It wasn't as thought she wanted to not listen to him but she honestly didn't care to hear about Potter or Black anymore. That was all there was to it. There was nothing, not a single thing, that Jason could say that would make her change her mind or think any differently about the two boys. Gryffindor guys, minus Blair, Cooper and Jason, were a bunch of prats as far as Kat was concerned. In most cases, they weren't any better than Slytherin guys. She knew it from pure experience and that was all there was to it. That wasn't to say that she would prejudge all boys in Gryffindor or Slytherin just because of said personal experiences but she wouldn't be quite so keen to trust straight away either.

"I know what you're not trying to do and what you are," she said, still looking forward, "I just don't think you should be wasting your breath. I know you're friends with them and that's fine. I still think you're a pretty great guy all the same so if we can just not talk about them at all anymore, I think it would be best." Katherine didn't want to sound mean or anything of the sort but she really didn't want to talk about any of the Marauders except for Jason since they were the ones talking anyway.

Her eyes working harder to see through the blankets of rain falling over and around them, Katherine put a little more thought into his question. It hadn't taken her long to respond, "My future? I intend to play professional Quidditch after this school year...hopefully for my Irish team. Either way, though, I'm probably moving to Ireland and most likely getting a place with my cousin Liam. I'll still keep in touch with all of my friends and all though...especially the ones who've put up with me after knowing pretty much everything about me. How about you?"