I hold my father's hand as he sleeps a restless sleep. My mother is sitting the chair opposite me, pushing the hair out of his face. I look up at the ceiling and let up a sigh. I breathe in the sterile air of St. Mungo's; I hate this place. My dad is the only reason I don't complain. As painful as it is, I like seeing him, being with him.

Sixteen years ago, my father, William Creswell, was tortured by… Voldemort to let up information on where the Potters were hiding. He never told him where they were. Some say he suffered a fate worse than death. He can't do much, say much anymore. He doesn't remember much either. He went from being one of the most powerful wizards and aurors of all time to barely being able to remember, let alone utter, his own daughter's name.

My mum, Rosie Creswell was greatly affected by as we call it, 'The Incident'. She loves my father very much, meaning that she took it harder than anyone. Sometimes she seems okay, but others she's either practically mad or can't even get out of bed.

"Katherine, it's time to go." My mother says. I nod and give my dad's hand a squeeze before replying, "Yes mum." I pause and turn to look at my father one last time before leaving. "Bye Dad, I love you." I sigh and put my hand out for my mum to take. I prepare myself as she reaches for me.

I hold my breath as I gain the sensation of being pulled violently through a narrow tube. When the image of the kitchen takes place I allow myself to breathe. I resist the urge to retch and close my eyes for a moment. Apparating always makes me feel like I'm going to vomit.

I enter my room whilst pulling off my jumper. I glance at the open trunk sitting in the middle of my floor and decide that I should probably finish packing for tomorrow. Tomorrow, I go back to Hogwarts; tomorrow, I go home. I get to see my three best friends: Harry, Ron and Hermione. Things are so much different than when I met them on the Hogwarts Express back when we were eleven. It was simpler then. Now I'm entering my sixth year at Hogwarts and Voldemort has returned and people are going missing again, just like the last time.

As I put the last of my things into my trunk, I'm reminded of something that I forgot to do. Mum was in such a rush to get me home and out to the Burrow, that I forgot to say goodbye to one of my dearest friends, whom I never see at Hogwarts as much as I do over the summer: Neville Longbottom. Neville and I have always had a special sort of bond; he's the only one who understands what it's like to see my dad the way he is. Both of his parents are the way my dad is, as the Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange tortured them for information as well, but they never gave in.

Neville and I spend most of the summer together, trying to make the best out of the situation that we can. We've been friends all of our lives, since we've spent more time at St. Mungo's than at our own homes. It saddens me though, that we're not as close in school as we are outside of it. Neville is a rather shy boy, although not around me. I sigh and make a mental note to apologize when I see him.

I change out of my clothes and into a charcoal jumper and a pair of jeans. I look at myself in the mirror for a moment, flattening out my jumper. I run my hand through my dark brown hair as my mum calls me from downstairs, "Katherine, bring your trunk down!" She hollers. I smile as I struggle to drag my trunk down the narrow staircase. I'm going to the Burrow tonight, since my mother decided she wants to spend this September 1st with my dad, at St. Mungo's. It bothers me that I won't be able to say goodbye on the platform, but I can't do anything to stop her.

She wraps her arms around me and hugs me tight. I kiss her on the cheek, then she says, "Promise me you'll be safe." I smile and reply, "Of course, mum." She gives me a tight smile and hugs me again. "I love you so much." I nod. "I love you too." I take her hand and brace myself for what's to come. "I'll see you at Christmas." I say. She nods, tears filling her eyes. There's fear in them too, an emotion oh too common these days.

I stand walk into the fireplace and hold onto my trunk with one hand. I smile at my mum and clearly say, "The Burrow!" I see a burst of light and then I'm standing in the Weasleys' fireplace. I step out and into the kitchen, where I feel the warmth of their home take over me. Hermione catches my eye and I smile wide and wrap my arms around her tightly. "Katherine, I missed you so much." She says. "I missed you too, Hermione."

Hermione cringes slightly, as a particularly throaty voice comes out from behind her. "Katherine! 'Ow great it iz to zee you again!" I throw on a smile as the elegant figure of Fleur Delacour pushes Hermione out of the way to pull my in for an awkward hug, placing a kiss on my cheek. "Nice to see you too, Fleur!" I say politely. Ginny gave me word over holiday that Bill and Fleur were engaged to be married, much to hers, Hermione's and Mrs. Weasley's dismay. Although, it took me a little while to riddle it out, since Ginny never used her real name, only referring to her by Phlegm.

Mrs. Weasley gives me one of her famously enormous hugs before asking, "Katherine darling! How's Mum and Dad?" She asks, a warm smile plastered on her rosy face. "They're pretty much the same. Mum is Mum, you know. Both of them have days better than others." She nods, understandingly. "Well, yes. Send them my best won't you? I don't get out of the house as much anymore, but I'd love to sit down with your mother." I smile, "Of course."

Hermione grabs my hand and drags me upstairs into Ron's room, where Harry and Ron sit around a burning copy of The Daily Prophet on it. Harry immediately stands up and runs to me, "Kat." He pauses, practically falling into my arms. "It's good to see you." He says. "I missed you so much." I say. Harry and I have always been so close. Circumstance has brought us closer; we understand each other. I give Ron a big hug as well before sitting down next to them on the floor.

We all catch up, as letters have become less and less since Voldemort's been gaining followers and favor in the Ministry. "So Harry's quidditch captain this year; I'm surprised you didn't get the position Kat." Ron says. "Actually…" I pause to pull a pin out of my pocket and hand it to him. "We're co-captains." I say. He nods, "Congratulations Katherine." Hermione and Ron say at the same time.

"Are you trying out this year, Ron?" I ask. He takes a sip of pumpkin juice and nods, "I'm going out for keeper this year. I might actually have a shot. I've been practicing all summer out back." I smile. "He practices all summer and still manages to be absolute rubbish." Says a voice from behind me.

I turn around to see Fred and George, grinning. "Oh shut up." Ron says, hitting George in the legs with his pillow. I stand up and they both hug me, sandwiching me between the twins. "God, we missed you. Ron's so dull; I'm glad to have someone interesting around." I laugh as Ron hits Fred with the pillow this time. "Oy!" Fred says. "Anyway." George says, kicking Ron away, "Mum has asked us to gather you guys for supper."

We sit at the table and eat the meal Molly prepared for us, which is ten times better than anything I eat at home; Mum's not a very good cook, to be honest, although, she doesn't cook much anymore. Most of my meals consist of hospital food from St. Mungo's, as we spend most of the summer there, visiting my dad.

As much as I loved the meal, the conversation/lecture on how Hogwarts might not be as safe as it used to be really didn't strike my fancy. Hogwarts is more like home than my home is. I refuse to believe that it's no longer safe. As long as Dumbledore's still around, Hogwarts is still safe, protected.

We go up to bed early and honestly I'm quite glad; seeing my dad always tires me out. Hermione and I get ready to go to bed and head into Ginny's room, where she's already in bed, reading a letter dropped off to her earlier. I bet it's from Dean Thomas, since she's smiling ear to ear.

"How is your dad? Really?" Hermione whispers to me from our shared bed. I shrug, "Honestly, I don't know. Something's changed since last year, I can see it in his eyes." She sighs. "I'm sorry Katherine." I shake my head, "It is what it is." I let out a long breath. I'll be home soon; I'll be at Hogwarts. It's then when I close my eyes and allow sleep to overcome me.