Disclaimer: I don't have, a) A British accent, b) millions of dollars, and/or c) ownership of the Harry Potter series.

Here's chapter 12, well, I just said it.

Harry was sitting alone in the library, looking out onto the snow-covered grounds. He had been at Hogwarts for almost two months now, but it wasn't going as well as he thought it would. Umbridge was terrorizing the school as he sat there. Harry also missed Katie; so much. He couldn't stop thinking about her, which was bad because he had so much to do.

Harry sighed and pulled his Defense against the Dark Arts essay toward him; he had been working on it for the past hour.

"Potter! There you are, I have been looking all over for you," said a crisp female voice behind him.

Professor Magonagol was standing just a few feet away, an impatient look on her face.

"What is it Professor?' asked Harry. If this was another thing about Umbridge, Harry was going to scream.

"My office, right now Potter!" she barked.

"Why?" he began.

"Now Potter!" she screamed.

"Alright, alright," said Harry, swinging his bag over his right shoulder and following his Professor out of the dreary library.

Harry and Magonagol finally made it to her office. "Sit down Potter," Magonagol said calmly, sitting in the chair across from him.

"Now Potter," said Magonagol, "It has come to the Order's attention that a group of Death Eaters attacked a muggle house on Privet Drive. Number 10 if I remember correctly."

"What?" Harry screamed. He was on his feet. Katie and her grandmother lived at number 10! This was his entire fault; this was because of him. "Is Katie all right?" he demanded of the Transfiguration teacher.

"Sit down Potter," she said calmly.

"I don't want to sit down," Harry bellowed, "I want to know if my friend is safe!"

"She is safe Harry," Magonagol assured him. "Her grandmother was out traveling, thankfully, and won't be back for some time. Miss Rawson was also out, and is with Order members as we speak."

Harry was calming down, relief taking hold. She was all right.

"Well, she can't go back," Harry said gaining his worry back fast, "Where is she going to stay?"

As if in answer a cracking noise split through the room. Harry spun around and Lupin was standing with Katie gripping his arm tightly. She let go and staggered from Lupin, a far away expression on her face. Then a mischievous grin appeared, her eyes starting to focus.

"Oh, that was so cool," she breathed.

"Katie," Harry said relieved, "You're alright."

He walked over to her and pulled her into a tight hug, refusing to let her go.

"Of course I'm alright," Katie said puffing out her chest, "After a good few years of battling off Dudley, a couple of armed Death Eaters should be cake."

Harry laughed. He was so happy Katie was here and safe. Then something hit him like a sack of bricks.

"Professor Magonagol," Harry said looking at her, "Katie can't stay here; she's a muggle. And how did she and Professor Lupin apparate inside the grounds?"

After having Hermonie as a friend for the past five years, Harry knew that you couldn't apparate inside the school grounds and that there were many spells and charms to keep muggles away.

"Professor Dumbeldore momentarily changed these minor details Potter," said Professor Magonagol.

"But," began Harry.

Magonagol cut him off. "No buts Potter. The Headmaster has made it very clear that Miss Rawson is to stay with you and all the other Gryffindors in Gryffindor Tower."

"Alright," said Harry slowly, "But if anyone asks why she's here?"

"You will tell them the truth of course," she said, "To an extent anyway. You will make it perfectly clear that Miss Rawson is a muggle and that he is here because the Headmaster wants her to." She turned to Katie. "Miss Rawson, you will find all the things you need in the fifth year's girl's dormitories." Magonagol turned back to Harry. "Mr. Potter, I trust you will show Miss Rawson around the school and give her the password to Gryffindor Tower."

"Of course," said Harry, taking this as a good-bye. Harry started to pull Katie over to the door, but she pulled away from him and said, "Wait."

She walked over to Lupin and extended her arm. "Thank you very much Professor Lupin, that was very interesting."

"Don't mention it Katie," Lupin said shaking her hand, "It was my pleasure."

Katie smiled and almost skipped to Harry. He led her out the door and into the empty corridor.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Harry asked, openly looking her over.

"I'm fine," she insisted, "I just can't believe I'm here."

She was looking around the castle with an awed expression, tracing the stone walls with her fingertips.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Harry asked proudly.

"It's beyond amazing," she said breathlessly, "So where's Gryffindor Tower?"

"This way," said Harry, gesturing to a corridor to their right.

They walked in silence for a few minutes. Katie was too busy admiring Hogwarts, and Harry was too busy admiring Katie. She was just wearing a T-shirt and a pair of jeans, but Harry thought she looked breathtaking. The jeans and T-shirt were snug and showed off her curves. Her hair was down again and just as dark and curly as ever.

Harry was just about to compliment her when he heard footsteps coming toward them. He looked up and it was Draco Malfoy.

"Well, if it isn't Potty. But where's Weasel and the Mudblood?" Malfoy drawled.

"Shove off Malfoy," Harry said through gritted teeth.

"And who is this?" Malfoy had just noticed Katie. He was openly checking her out, his eyes slowly roaming up her figure.

"None of your business," Harry snapped.

"I wasn't talking to you Potter," Malfoy snapped back. "I was talking to you my dear," Malfoy said to Katie, his voice instantly becoming sexy and mature.

He grabbed her hand and kissed it even more tenderly than his father had at the Ministry, just months ago.

Katie was revolted. She remembered all the awful, but truthful things Harry had said about Draco. She was trying and failing to get her hand out of his grasp.

"You must be new," Malfoy purred, "If you like I could show you around, introduce you to far better people than Potty over there."

"Thanks, but no thanks," Katie said coolly, "I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be with then Harry."

"Oh, I think I might change your mind on that one," Malfoy chuckled darkly.

"I don't think so," Katie said in the same cool voice.

"Well, if you change your mind, just come by the Slytherin common room, or my dormitory if you prefer," he said suggestively. Katie felt the sudden need to vomit. Malfoy gave her hand a final kiss and walked away smirking.

"What an arrogant, disgusting, prick!" Katie exclaimed furiously.

"I know," Harry said sympathetically. Harry felt delighted, "Shall we my lady?" Harry asked with a charming smile, holding out his arm.

"Why of course my lord," Katie said accepting his arm and letting him lead her up to Gryffindor Tower.

They made it up to Gryffindor Tower and past the Fat Lady without meeting anyone else. When they made it into the common room however, Ron and Hermonie were sitting by the fire in two armchairs playing wizard's chess. Ron of course was winning.

They were so engrossed in the game that neither of them had noticed Harry or Katie enter, until Harry cleared his throat. They both looked up.

"Oh, hi Harry," said Ron, "Hermonie and"

Ron stopped dead. He was starring incredulously at Katie, obviously confused. Hermonie was confused too, but for different reasons. She was eyeing how Harry and Katie had their arms linked around each other. It was, let's just say, less than friendly.

"Hi," said Katie, stepping forward, "You two must be Hermonie and Ron. Harry's told me so much about you, I'm Katie Rawson."

"We know," Ron said bluntly.

"You, you do?" Katie said completely taken aback.

"Yes," piped up Hermonie, "Harry told us all about you over the summer, the day he came back from the hearing actually."

"Well, that's great," Katie said grinning hugely.

"Katie do you want to see the rest of Hogwarts?" Harry asked quickly.

"Yes," Kaite said just as fast.

"Well, I'll think we'll start with the grounds," he said grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the portrait hole. "I'll see you two later," he called to Ron and Hermonie.

Once Harry and Katie were out of earshot of the Fat Lady Katie said, "So, you told them about me after all?"

"Of course I did," Harry said.

"Why?" Katie asked.

"Well, for one. I had to find someway to repay you for everything you did at the Ministry. And two"

But Harry suddenly shoved Katie against the nearest wall and pressing himself to her as hard as he could.

"Harry?" Katie said shocked and flattered at the same time.

"I missed you so much!" he said almost hysterically.

"Harry," Katie said sympathetically rubbing his back, "I missed you too. The best days were when Hedwig brought your letters."

"Everything has just been so awful," he said into her shoulder, "Everyone thinks I'm lying and then all this other stuff…"

Harry was using all of the self-control he had left; trying not to cry. He was trembling though, putting all of his weight on Katie.

Katie was holding him, slowly and gently kissing down his cheek and stopped at the corner of his quivering mouth. "Harry, it's okay. I'm here now."

Then she kissed him; Harry froze on the spot. He felt so many emotions rising to the surface now; fear, pleasure, doubt, and happiness. Just as Harry was about to do something, whether it was to pull away or kiss her back, Katie pulled away.

"Harry, are you okay?" she asked intently.

"Yeah," Harry choked out. Katie's kiss had been nothing more then comforting; he felt crushed. "So, do you want to see the lake first?" He managed to say.

She nodded and grabbed a hold of Harry's' hand. Harry wondered dully if Katie would ever want to kiss him again.

"My lord, the muggle girl made it to Hogwarts"

"Excellent. I trust she has already made contact with Potter?"

"Yes my lord. Our source tells us that they saw them both kissing. But our source is sure that nothing came from it"

"So they have no chemistry? This disappoints me"

"On the contrary my lord. Our source tells us that Potter looked highly disappointed when the muggle ended the kiss. And she obviously had no problem kissing him in the first place"

"Really? Mmmmmm. Interesting. I have new orders for you"

"Yes my lord?"

"Track the muggle and Potter. Try to throw them into any situation that gets them closer. This is very important to the plan, the muggle and Potter must get as close as possible for it to work. I expect nothing but perfection Lucious"

"Yes my lord"

So, how was it? I hope you liked, no i hope you loved it! lol! So, I just finished taking my midterm finals. The last one was Algebre I, and wow was it long. Tomorrow I'm going to Winter Formal with my best friend/editor/shrink/psychic sister Samamtha, AKA Sam. Hope you guys have an awesome weekend. Love Always, missindependent1127