This is (subject to change) an epilogue. Sorry this is a short story; I hope very much that you've all enjoyed it. Thanks to everyone who's left a comment, and thanks especially to Trouble with Trebles and SGAConvert for being lovely.

I've tweaked the previous chapters slightly, especially the last half of 3, and this is a good, happy ending, I promise!

The same day that the story broke in the Daily Prophet, Celia sent her a Howler. Caroline supposed, leaning back wearily in her chair, the ashes of the angry letter dusted all over the work on her desk, that they'd had a good run. Three weeks, from kissing in front of nosy, gossipy house-elves who lived closely with nosier, more gossipy children, many of whom had parents in high places. They'd had their privacy for longer than expected, and now she wouldn't have to worry about the sword of Damocles falling at any moment. She could have done without some of her mother's particular word choices, but Caroline decided she'd like to live in hope that Gillian had been right about Alan talking her round. The Howler had arrived before the newspaper, suggesting that the Prophet wasn't Celia's source. Caroline wasn't sure how to feel about that, but decided to file it away to worry about later. More urgently, she needed to talk to Kate.

She felt an assortment of amused eyes follow her all the way to the Runes room. Caroline didn't even bother wondering how the portraits in the hallway had found out – logically, the portraits couldn't read the paper, but she considered the futility of hiding a secret in a building where the walls quite literally had eyes. She strode past a group of giggling fifth-years and rapped smartly on the door to Kate's living quarters.

"Hello?"

"Professor McKenzie, it's me."

A slightly garbled alohomora came from the other side of the door, followed by a click and a wooden groan as the door gently swung open to reveal early-morning Kate. She was still half in her pyjamas, wand between her teeth, and some kind of hair-smoothing potion in her hair and on her hands. Caroline's rational mind realised that it was 7.30am and while she had been up and dressed for hours, she had no reason to expect that Kate would be ready, but she was mostly overwhelmed with a huge rush of warmth in her chest at the sight. The deep-welled anxiety that had been bubbling away since the morning's unwanted post dissipated a little.

"Is this a bad time?"

Kate dropped her wand onto her bed, sat at a small dressing table and continued her ablutions. "I can do my hair and talk. It's probably best that you're made aware of my morning rituals sooner rather than later."

Flirtatious banter was definitely more fun than discussing her mother. Or the ten-minute speech she had brewing about why the freedom of the press was a ridiculous concept with no place in civilised society. "Oh really?"

Kate worked the potion through her hair, keeping eye contact with Caroline in the mirror. "It's made more than one woman run for the hills in the past."

"I like to think I'm made of stronger stuff than that."

"Very Gryffindor of you."

"Yes, well; you're rubbing off on me."

Kate simultaneously snapped a hairband around her perfectly coiffed bun and gave Caroline the most sultry look she'd ever seen on another person. "I'll say."

Using unprecedented force of will, Caroline dragged her thoughts back to the reason she'd visited in the first place. She could either warn Kate that the cat was out of the bag, or carry her onto the as-yet-unmade bed and have her way with her. One option was infinitely more appealing, but Caroline's ability to focus on long-term goals was unassailable.

"Kate, I..."

Kate turned around from the mirror, all seduction vanishing the moment she heard Caroline's uncertain tone, "What's wrong?"

"This morning. The Daily Prophet. Also, my mother."

Kate's eyes widened. "They know?"

"Apparently so. It's probably for the best, but I thought you should know."

Kate's face fell. "For the best?"

"Yes. Long-term, I mean. It would be detrimental in the end."

"Right."

"I thought I should come and tell you. I didn't want you to find out from someone else."

Caroline thought she was doing rather a good job of sensitively conveying the news. Then, suddenly; "Caroline, are you breaking up with me?"

"What? What on earth makes you think that?"

"'Detrimental'; 'for the best'; I know you've not been in a relationship for a while, but you do realise those aren't the most positive phrases?"

"I meant- oh, this is coming out wrong. Everyone knowing is probably for the best. Us hiding all the time would be detrimental."

"Right," Kate said, visibly relieved. "So, just to clarify, you're still happy to see me even if people know about our relationship?"

"Yes."

"Our lesbian relationship."

"Yes."

"And by 'people', I do mean the students, the staff, the parents, your mother, the governors, the ministry and the public at large."

"I am aware."

"Right. That's good to know."

"Did you think I would-"

Kate shrugged, trying to brush off Caroline's concern. "Well, I know it's not easy for you. And you're a very public figure."

"You'll be a public figure after all this, as well. Think you can handle it?"

"I'll muster up some bravery somehow. Knowing you're in this for the long-term is definitely a confidence-booster."

"I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear. I really do like you, Kate. So much." She pulled Kate in for a kiss that was meant to be gentle and reassuring but, like so many of their kisses, quickly grew more heated, "is there anything I can do to make it up for you?"

"You can try not to mess up my hair," Kate said, gently pushing Caroline back against the bed. She deftly unclasped the emerald brooch that kept Caroline's robes fastened. "I won't have time to redo it before class, and now they'll know it was your fault."