Jaden’s POV

Izzy was scared shitless. No denying it. Emily has really gone too far with this, and I was going to make sure she learned her lesson.

The house was empty when I got back from visiting Izzy. Mom and Dad must’ve been out running errands or something, and Em was probably torturing some poor innocent cat by tying plastic bags to its feet. She’s done it before, and other things.

I walked up to my room and threw myself on my bed. I hadn’t really got much sleep the past few days. I had been having strange dreams. They didn’t really make sense, but I knew they had to do with Izzy. I could feel myself wanting to fall asleep, but I didn’t really want to. My eyes were getting heavy, and I finally let my body drift to sleep.

It was dark, but my feet were taking me somewhere. I wasn’t afraid of falling or getting lost; I knew where I was going, I just didn’t know why. A figure appeared, but it wasn’t a person, it was an object. It was a house; my Uncle’s house. My feet continued to drag me even though my mind was saying no.

Leafs crunched under me as I got closer. The house was old, and a few of the windows were broken. It was a three story house with pillars by the door. The door knob was crooked from years of being abused by delinquent children. The steps leading up to the door were cracked and one was missing all together.

A loud crash shook me from my thoughts. My feet started walking faster towards the noise. As I neared closer I could hear voices. Before I reached the back there was a loud shrilling scream.

My body lurched awake covered in sweat. I knew whose scream that was, but I didn’t want to admit it to myself.

“Fuck.” Was all I managed to get out.

Izzy’s POV

I had the dream again. Everything was the same, only this time I knew who the woman was and why she wanted me out of her life. Sweat was dripping down my back and my breath was harsh and deep. Charlie was awake and watching me as I tried to collect myself.

“You alright?” He asked sleepily.

“No.” I felt myself shake. “I’ve had this dream before, and it still freaks the living hell out of me.” My tone was like a knife.

“Do you want anything?” He asked.

“No.” I got out of bed and walked out of the room. Without even thinking I grabbed my wand and walked outside.

The breeze hit me hard and was cold where sweat covered my body. I could feel the anger rise in me. I had never had this much fear and anger rolled up inside me.

“Reducto!” I screamed smashing a boulder near the house. “Bombarda!” I yelled blowing up another rock.

“What the hell Izzy?” Charlie yelled running out of the house.

“You don’t get it Charlie!” I yelled at him. “I’m going to have to fight Emily or she’s going to get rid of me.”

“You don’t know that.” He tried to calm me down

“Yes I do! Why do you think I’ve been having these dreams? They’re warning me that something bad is going to happen, and I’m pretty sure it involves me dueling Emily.” I raised my wand again and blew up another rock.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.” He yelled back.

“Like that is going to help any!” I took a deep breath. “Don’t follow me.” Then I apparated.

I had never seen his grave before. I didn’t even go to the funeral; it was too painful. I knelt down in front of his stone and began to cry. He was the one I needed right now. I used to go to him for everything, and now I needed him for this.

“Ced, what am I suppose to do?” I couldn’t control myself. “I’m so scared. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t do anything. Everything frightens me.”

I waited for a response I knew I would never get. I stared blankly at his grave with tears streaming down my face.

“You’d really like Charlie, Ced.” I began to talk again. “He’s a really great guy. He makes me laugh, and takes care of me when I’m sad. He’s been keeping me together while all this has been happening.”

I laid on the grass and continued talking to my best friend, Cedric Diggory.

Charlie’s POV

It was now 10:37 AM and Izzy still wasn’t home. She was so upset last night that I had no choice but to let her go. I wasn’t even sure if she would actually come back. She’s never yelled at me like that before, and I’m pretty sure it’s just because she’s scared.

I waited for her in the kitchen all day, but there was no sign of her. I was really starting to get worried. What if something was wrong? What if she was in danger? What if I was just being a paranoid freak…

I decided to get my mind off things and take a trip to Diagon Alley. Walking around with other people around me might just calm me down. I took a hand full of Floo Powder and climbed into the chimney.

“Diagon Alley.” I said with the most monotone voice ever.

There weren’t very many people today. Just a few kids at the broom store, and some stuck up older Witches giving them dirty looks. I considered going to Gringotts or Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, but I didn’t want to bother them with my problems.

I walked into the Magical Menagerie to look at some animals. They’ve always seemed to cheer me up. On the wall there was a huge sign that read, “Cats on sale 40% off”. I got curious and walked over to them.

There was a basket of kittens of all colors and styles. One little kitten caught my attention. He was orange with little white paws and a white patch over his eye. I bent down a pet him. His fur was soft and he was fluffier than he looked. His eyes met mine and he let out a little meow. He rubbed his head on my hand and began to purr.

“That one seems to like you.” A woman from behind said.

“He’s so small. I’m used to working with much bigger creatures.” I said picking up the kitten.

“Like what kinds?” She asked taking a step closer. Her perfume was kind of strong, but wasn’t horrendous.

“Dragons.” I said calmly.

“Really?” She said with a tone of surprise. “I’ve always wanted to see Dragons.” She walked closer to me and I noticed she had dark blue eyes.

“Yeah they’re magnificent creatures, but they do hurt.” I said showing her a scar on my left arm. “Got too close to a Horntail and she took a bit out of me.”

She giggled a little and began petting the cat in my arms. He didn’t seem to like her touching him, and he took a swat at her.

“I guess the little guy doesn’t like me very much.” She said looking a little hurt.

“Some creatures don’t take to people.” I said calming the kitten.

“Are you going to take him?” She asked trying to bat her eyelashes at me.

“Um… I think so. My fiancée will love him.” As I said this her jaw dropped and an ugly look came across her face.

“Have fun with him then.” And with that she walked away.

I went a grabbed the kitten a small bed, two bowels, and a large bag of cat food. Maybe this will cheer Izzy up and take her mind off Emily.

“I’d watch out for that one! He likes to bite!” The man at the register said. He was young, but very skinny.

“He seems to be ok with me, besides I think I’m used to bites.” I referred back to my arm.

“Will that be all for you?” He asked with a smile.

“Yes.” I paid for the cat and supplies and walked out. I kept the cat in my arms and shrunk the rest to fit into my pocket. Magic you got to love it.

When I got home Izzy still wasn’t back. I set up the kittens bed by ours and put his food and bowels in the kitchen. I didn’t know what to name him, but I’m sure the name would come to me eventually.

At around 9:30 PM the door opened slowly. The cat and I were laying on the couch falling asleep. Izzy looked a mess. Her hair looked like it hadn’t been brushed, and she was still wearing the pj’s she was wearing when she stormed away.

We stared at each other for a while until she noticed the kitten in my arms. The cat squirmed to get out of my grip and ran to Izzy. He meowed and rubbed up against her feet. She smiled and picked him up. She kissed his little head and he purred even louder. She walked over to me and sat next to me.

“When I said I wanted a baby this is not what I meant.” She said laughing a little. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.” I said kissing her cheek. “Can I ask where you went?” She smiled to herself and stared off into space.

“I was with a dear friend of mine.” A tear escaped her eye.

I didn’t have to ask who. I already knew it was Cedric. She mentioned once how she had never been to his grave, and I guess that’s what she needed. She needed her best friend.

“You really stayed there for an entire day?” I laughed.

“Yeah.” She smiled big. “I’m a chatter box. Once I started talking it was like I couldn’t stop.”

“Oh I know that one.” I winked at her. She smacked my chest while laughing.

“Don’t make me set the cat on you!” She said holding the cat up like he would attack me.

“You can’t set my own cat on me!” I said in dramatized outrage.

“We need to think of a name for him. We can’t just call him Cat forever.” She said looking at him closely.

“What about Bob?” I just decided to throw it out there.

If looks could kill I would have been dead. Izzy hated that name for the cat.

“Might as well call him Shoe!” She said making the cat dance. “No he needs a good sturdy name.” She paused and thought for a moment. “How about Quincy?”

“No.” I said. “That’s dumb! What about Paws?” I waited for a disapproving face.

“I like that.” She turned to the cat. “Do you like it? Paws?” The cat meowed and rolled onto his back. “I think that’s a yes!”

“Welcome to the family, Paws!”