I listened to the challenge in my head and with my heart thumping wildly; I started running as fast as I could towards The Wall. I ran to escape everything and I clung desperately to the belief that it would work.

It was coming closer and closer as I moved and the clock struck its final chords. I closed my eyes, cringing, preparing myself for the collision.

“Because I’m not magical,” I finally admitted.

“What? But – “

“I’ll explain, Sirius. Just … look I’ll tell you guys the story.”

Dumbledore was silent for a few moments and I didn’t dare to open my eyes. I didn’t want to see disapproval or judgment on his face for not having the guts to tell my own mother. I’d seen it all before.

“I do not stalk her,” he protested.

“Mate, you asked me last Christmas if I thought she’d notice if you hopped on the roof of her car,” Sirius told him bluntly. “I’d say that’s pretty stalkerish.”

James looked a little sulky. “It wasn’t how it sounds.”

“It was exactly how it sounds.”

He was quite for a moment or two and then he surprised me by smiling. “It’s probably because you come on a little bit strong. I mean, ‘do you work out?’ Come on Kate, I know you can do better than that!”

He shook his head. “No, I see … no, I don’t.” He paused, and I could tell he’d refrained from saying something. “Tell me something, Kate; do you – do you want what you’re seeing?” he wondered in a voice that was struggling to hide his intensity. “Or not?”

I barely had to think.

“What’s the matter, Black?” Snape sneered, his black eyes glinting maliciously. “Didn’t Daddy teach you how to duel properly?”

Sirius appeared to be beyond words, so incensed was the look on his face. All of a sudden, he dropped his wand and threw himself on Snape, knocking him to the ground and showering him with punches