In addition to studying for classes and running her study group, Kate also spent the term helping Hermione find useful spells for her friend Harry. It seemed he hadn't volunteered for the Tri-Wizard Tournament, but that something had gone awry, and now he was stuck for it. Hermione was very worried, so Kate tried to help by doing her speciality, research. Unfortunately it was difficult to do when they had no idea what he'd be facing. Then again, when they did know, it wasn't much better. How would he face a DRAGON! When the event finally began Kate had been quite impressed. Harry's solution had be so simple, both she and Hermione had missed it.

Kate also had been wrangled into SPEW. Hermione's new project the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. Kate wasn't quite as diligent as Hermione. Obviously she had meet Benny when she arrived, and she could tell they really did like their place at Hogwarts. She agreed with Hermione though that they should be allowed to choose freedom (if they wished it) and the deserved to be treated respectfully.

As December approached, a new obsession gripped the school, the Yule Ball. For Kate though it wasn't a concern, she wasn't going. She enjoyed the effects though. She listened to the girls gossip and the boys moan. Virtually everyone was staying for Christmas, so Kate was never bored.

After classes finished, Kate spent several days tailoring her housemates' dress robes. Older girls wanted last year's robes reworking, so they'd look different and new. Other girls just wanted them longer or shorter than Madam Malkin had thought best. Even the lads asked for help as many had grown several inches since purchasing their robes. Kate was in heaven. Here she was in the centre of everything, without having to be involved.

On Christmas morning Kate awoke to Lolita bouncing around the room singing Christmas Carols. It was to be expected she supposed with a smile. She heard all her roommates grumbling and the sound of a few tossed pillows… Oh, that one sounded like a book. Kate cringed. She just shook her head and got up, she'd learned long ago there was no point in fighting it. Once Lolita got started, no one could sleep.

After grabbing her things and a quick shower, Kate returned to find her roommates had followed her example and were now awake. They gathered their present and sat in the middle of the room together, to open them. Kate was shocked her pile of present was HUGE! In addition to the presents from her roommates and Hermione, it seemed each of the girls whose robes she'd fixed had got her a small gift. There also were quite a few from people in her study group. By the time she was done she had a stack of books, hair clips, stationery, and quills, as well as a magic tape measure.

They all sat around singing carols till lunch at which point they all rushed to the hall for the lavish feast. Kate had been worried they'd save all the good food for the dance that evening, but she wasn't disappointed. Stuffed, they returned to the dorm for a nap. Kate looked out the window and watched a Gryffindor snowball fight before she gave up and crawled into bed for a few hours sleep.

That night she watched in envy as her housemates got ready. She helped Jessica charm ringlets in her hair, and Lolita fix her make-up. She loaned Kerry her Royal Frizzless potion, and made final alterations to Padma's robes. When they were ready, Kate followed them down to the common room and leaned against the doorway, her tape measure hung around her neck, as it had all week. Kate wished she could be floating out the door with her roommates, headed for a night of fun and possible romance. Kate shook her head in disgust; it was all pointless wishing. Even if some poor lad was insane enough to ask her, the dress robes were just too revealing. She'd be in danger of being found out. This was best. She at least got to live vicariously through her roommates.

With a wave for the final couple dashing out the door Kate headed to bed.

*********************************

Before anyone realised it, classes had begun.

Mid-January Kate sat in her classroom, preparing to give a demonstration of the advantages to pre-heating cauldrons. A few of her classmates had wandered in, but most were still finishing off their dinner. Kate had found they always got a late start when the elves served roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

She noticed people approaching her table and looked up. "Hiya, Neville. Who's that you've got with you?" she asked trying to see the smaller figure stood behind him.

A small girl guiltily slunk into view. She had vibrant red hair and a sprinkling of freckles. "Um…. I'm Ginny Weasley."

"Any relation to Ron Weasley?"

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"I'll take that as a yes." Kate laughed "If it makes you feel better I've never met him. Hermione Granger just always talks about him."

At that Ginny began to smile. "I just get sick of people expecting me to be like my brothers."

"Well no worries, as you are the first Weasley I've met! How can I help?"

"Um, Neville was telling em about your potions group, and how much it helped. As I'm having trouble he said I should try it."

"Your not a 4th year, are you?"

"no." Ginny answered in a small voice.

"Well you might have some problems as the others are, but there are still things you can pick up, like brewing techniques. How about this, if everyone is all right this week I'll come and check with you on specific things you're having trouble with. If everyone is screaming bloody murder today, I kinda need to answer them first, since there are more of them. But if you stay after, I'll see what I can do to sort you out. Is that all right?"

"Are you sure?" Ginny gasped.

"Yeah, it's no trouble."

"Thank-you so much!"

"Like I said it's nothing. Now I better get the demonstration going." As Ginny and Neville moved to their table Kate caught

"See Gin, I told you she was really nice."

Kate chuckled. "All right today I thought we'd start with a comparison of pre-heated brewing compared to cold brewing."

*********************************

After the rest of the study group filed out, Kate called to Ginny.

"Hey, Ginny I've been thinking." Ginny crossed the room to where Kate was cleaning cauldrons. "I've been helping some of the Ravenclaws from your year and under on their potions work on evenings in our common room. Would you be interested, if they wanted a study session like this, maybe on Tuesdays?"

"Yeah, that would be great."

"I'll check with them. I'm not sure how many would be interested, but I can get back to you over the weekend."

"Thanks Kate!"

"No worries, Ginny. I'm glad to help."

*********************************

Over the next couple of days Kate found quite a few interested people between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. So she opened a session to first through third year students. It ended up being about the same size as the 4th year session, as many students couldn't be bothered to put extra effort into a class they would get poor marks in anyway. Though you could always tell when Snape was on a rampage as suddenly attendance sky- rocketed, leaving students sat along the walls and on the floor.

During these massive session Kate often had Ginny help her. Taking the first years off Kate's hands so she could get through the 2nd and 3rd's.

Kate noticed Ginny spent a lot of time on her own. It appeared she made some of her classmates nervous. So Kate made an effort to chat with her. Kate well knew what loneliness was like. By the end of the year they were good friends.

********************************

Late in the spring Hermione began panicking again over Harry's welfare. It seemed he had some obstacle course to over come. So Kate began researching useful spells for her again.

A couple of weeks before the event, Kate was reading her passive magic book by the Ravenclaw fire. She realised that this could be a way to help Harry. Well at least it couldn't hurt. She ran up to her room for her potion box.

*******************************

Kate came into the Great Hall, and her eyes searched the Gryffindor table. She saw Hermione with Harry and a red head she deduced was Ron. She quickly swept down the isle and plonked next to Harry, giving him a fright.

"Sorry, I'm Kate. I'm friends with Hermione." Kate rushed on as Hermione nodded confirmation at Harry. "I know Hermione doesn't approve of passive magic, wizards think it's hogwash, but I thought it couldn't hurt." Kate drew the pouch out of her pocket. "Each of the things inside helps to improve your natural ability. I knew Hermione wouldn't trust it so I didn't seal it yet" Kate babbled. "See the Rock Crystal will amplify you magic, the black stone will help repel dark magic, the red will give you courage. Well anyway, you can see the rest of it isn't harmful" at that she reached the pouch out for Hermione's benefit. Kate then drew a purple ribbon and a needle from her pocket, and began closing the pouch. "The purple ribbon brings protection, progress, honours, and drives away evil. All you need to do is wear it around your neck and forget about it. I know it sounds stupid, but it can't hurt." On her last word. She trimmed the ribbon and laid the pouch beside Harry. "I hope it helps." And she bolted from the table and out of the Great Hall.

Harry and Ron looked at each other and then at Hermione. They'd not even had a chance to get a word in edgewise before the girl left.

"Who was that?" exclaimed Ron.

"Kate. Though she doesn't usually talk that much, or that fast. I think she was nervous." Hermione said shaking her head "We kept wanting the same books in the library, so we often study together."

"I don't even think I understood a thing she said!" claimed Harry.

"Well her accent doesn't help at that speed," explained Hermione.

"Where is she from?"

"America. She went to Salem Witches' Institute her first two years."

"What house is she in?"

"Ravenclaw."

"Do you think she'd be willing to explain it all again to me?"

"I wouldn't bother Harry. It's all just silly muggle superstition."

"Still, She didn't seem to think so."

**********************************

Kate was sat studying in the library when Harry found her. He was surprised He though Hermione must be joking when she said Kate studied as much as she did, but there the girl was with three stacks of books each over two feet high.

"Hello, Kate?"

Kate looked up suddenly to see Harry sat across from her. She blushed, she hadn't heard him approach. She nodded hello to him.

"I was wondering if you'd mind going over all that again, slower this time."

Kate blushed again. "Are you sure you want to? It's not like you'll ever be tested on it."

Harry smiled "I'm still interested."

Kate looked at him in surprise. "Um…OK. Do you mind coming to the Ravenclaw rooms, while I grab my books and stuff? We could then go to my study group room?"

Harry smiled again "Sure."

When they reached the Ravenclaw rooms, Harry waited out side while Kate dashed in. A couple of minuets later Kate and another girl came out carrying several books, a muggle tackle box, and several muggle notebooks. The girl handed her items to Harry as Kate smiled apologetically. "It's not far to the study room."

Once there Kate spread out her books and explained to Harry the concepts behind passive magic. She then moved on to explain how she selected each of the things in his pouch. During all this Harry couldn't help but think that she was a good teacher. Everything made complete sense, now it was given at normal speed.

When she finished they sat and talked for a bit, realising they had quite a bit in common. Neither of them was looking forward to the summer. Kate suggested they could write over summer, to help pass the time and Harry agreed.

When they finally left to return to their dorms, each was thinking they'd made a new friend.

*********************************

After the Tri-Wizard tournament everyone was in shock. Cedric Diggory was dead, and the Dark Lord had returned.

Kate stood by the lake looking up at the castle. In the last year and a half it had become her home. Hogwarts had given her things she had never known. Her heart flared, no matter what happened she would give her life before she let the Dark Lord hurt another of her schoolmates again.

And with that thought she headed home.