Author's Note: I do not own the Harry Potter world or the characters created to live in that world; they belong to J.K. Rowling (although all my original characters belong to me!) Nor am I making any profit from this story. However, I will attempt to portray them to the best of my abilities. Also, I'm very sorry for being gone so long but I've been finishing my last trimester in college as well as getting ready to move so I didn't have much time  I'm very, very sorry.

Please, please comment! It is the only way I can know how you feel about my story.

--

Severus scowled as he looked at Katherine and Lupin. It was positively sickening the way they were sitting next to one another, his arm around her shoulders and looking so damn smug (not that he could actually blame the man). Since it was only Arthur Weasley talking about a muggle fair that would be taking place soon, he didn't feel as if he was doing the wizarding world a disservice by not paying attention.

Honestly, how could Katherine choose to be a werewolf's mate? That was just sickening! He had thought that she would have better taste than to become romantically associated with… with… an inhuman beast!



Then again… he had thought that Lily Evans had better taste than to marry James Potter, and so he supposed that he didn't have much of an eye for such things. After all, romance had never been his area of expertise… or, well, even knowledge. But, who would have thought? Both Lily and Katherine, seduced by Mauraders… it was just his luck.

When Katherine looked at him and smiled, however, he wiped the scowl off of his face and nodded at her in acknowledgement. Quite frankly, he wasn't in the mood to anger the woman right now and if she saw him scowling at them then that would be exactly what would happen. She was extremely protective of those she cared about, he'd noticed.

Lupin looked over at him and smiled, but Severus didn't miss the suspicious glint in his eyes. He knew that Lupin suspected that Katherine was in love with him, the stupid beast. Severus wondered how Lupin had failed to notice that Katherine had absolutely no interest in him anymore, and was devoted to the werewolf instead. Well… he supposed it served them both right.

--

When the meeting was over and Katherine had discussed going to Hogwarts to make the potion this month with Severus, she went into the kitchen where Tonks was.



Tonks gave her a knowing look and said, "I see you and Remus are very cozy."

"Mhmm…" Katherine said, pouring what looked like water from a pitcher before giving it to Tonks. "Here, try not to gulp it like last time."

Tonks rolled her eyes and downed the entire glass in one gulp.

Katherine burst out laughing.

Tonks blinked, "What…?" Before she started to sway and passed out.

Katherine leaned over her and gave her a little nudge with her foot. "I told you not to gulp it, bitch. I never said it was water." With that she rolled her eyes and left, leaving Tonks there on the floor.

--

After everyone except Harry, Hermione, and the Weasley clan left Remus wrapped his arms around Katherine and kissed her softly on the lips. He nuzzled her temple and said, "I love you."



She snuggled, happily, into his arms and said, "I love you too."

He kissed the top of her head and said, "Sirius wants me to go to the pub with him, should I go?"

Katherine grinned up at him, "Of course, darlin'! It's about time you got out to do something with Sirius, you two haven't been spending much time together lately with you being so busy with work and me."

He smiled and kissed her again, "We won't be home late, alright?"

She nodded, "I'm just going to work on a potion until you get home."

He blinked, "Another potion?"

Katherine nodded, "I found a really unique potion in a book that's supposed to be sort of like a dream or nightmare in that it helps the person taking it work out certain situations so that they can get past them. It's called noster nostri."

He raised his eyebrows, "I don't believe I've ever heard of that one."



"It hasn't been brewed for a few decades, many thought that reliving situations would be too painful for those scarred by the war since it wouldn't help anything. But… I truly believe it could have its uses." Katherine said, drifting off at the end.

He held her close and said, "I love you."

She kissed his neck and smiled, "Go on, have fun. I'll see you when you get home."

He gave her one last nuzzle and a kiss on the forehead before saying, "Okay, just be safe love."

She nodded and watched as he left.

Just then Tonks passed by, glaring, "You are such a bitch!" And then went to the fireplace and flooed away.

Katherine laughed.

--



Katherine was finishing the brewing process for the potion. According to the book it was the right colour and consistency, she just hoped that would be an accurate enough teller for it being made accurately.

However, being a thorough potion maker, she decided to bottle some and show it to Severus. It was supposed to be very potent, only a few drops needed for full effectiveness, and so she was only going to make a little.

Of course, she had been so preoccupied with thinking about the wonderful things the potion could do for people that she accidentally dropped the ladle into the potion and some splashed right into her mouth.

She, of course, fainted.

--

"Please, Uncle Albus, don't make me go! Don't make me go!" She clutched Albus' robe and cried.

He watched her for a long moment and then sighed, "Alright, alright…" He picked her up into his arms and rested her head on his shoulder, "I won't make you go… but you have to be ready for the consequences. Alright?"

She nodded into his shoulder.

"Now, are you going to be ready to go to Hogwarts in a few months?" Albus asked as Katherine nibbled on some berries.

Katherine nodded, "Of course, Uncle."

He looked at her soberly, "What name do you want to go by?"

She thought about it a long moment, "Dumbledore."

He smiled at her softly, "Are you sure?"

She smiled at him, "If the other students don't like it, they can kiss my pale patookey."



He laughed and then they heard a knock on the door to his office. He patted her head and said, "Wait here."

She nodded.

He walked out of the room and after a few minutes came in with a small bundle in his arms, which he laid on the bed. "Will you watch Harry for me, Katherine?"

"Harry?" Katherine asked, confused. She looked down into the bundle and saw bright green eyes looking up at her. "Oh, my!"

Albus smiled, "I'll be right back, alright?"

She nodded as she gently poked Harry's cheek. After a moment she picked Harry up and said, "Hello, Harry. You want to go listen to the adults with me?"

Harry gurgled.



She carried Harry over to the door and listened to what they were saying, and heard the explination about Sirius Black. When they were talking about finding him to lock him up she burst into the room and said, "Don't do that!"

They all looked at her and Albus frowned, "Katherine, I told you…"

"Brother William always used to say, if something seems a little too convenient then it's probably on purpose. All the people who would have seen what happened aren't around anymore, and mister Pettigrew can live without a pinky finger… do you even really use a pinky finger?" Katherine said hurriedly, Harry seeming to babble in agreement.

Hagrid shook his head, "Miss Dumbledore, you wouldn't be understanding grown up affairs… especially ones involving death eaters…"

She stiffened up and gave her best indignant look, "Why not? My brother is one!"

They all were shocked silent, Katherine had yet to really acknowledge what had happened to her family.

She was cowed for only a moment and then said with the best confidence that she could muster, "Why don't you use verti… verti…"

"Vertiserum?" Remus asked, hope blooming in his heart at the chance that Sirius wasn't a death eater.

She grinned at Remus, "Yes! Isn't that supposed to make you tell the truth no matter what?"

Remus nodded, "It is! Brilliant idea, Katherine, just brilliant."

She beamed at him and snuggled Harry.

Minerva seemed to have her doubts, "I'm not sure if we should…"

Albus twinkled, "Why not? What have we got to lose?" He smiled directly at Katherine, "Thank you, child. But now could you please go back into the bedroom and play with Harry for a while?"

She nodded, "You bet." She smiled once more at Remus, "Bye Mister Lupin!"

He grinned at her, "Bye Katherine."



After a while Katherine could sense someone coming into the room, and clutched Harry to her chest and glared at the intruder, "Who are you?"

Sirius smiled at her, "Hello Katherine, I'm Sirius… the man you helped?"

She nodded, still clutching Harry… who lipped her nightgown.

He chuckled and said, "I'm also Harry's godfather… can I see him?"

She looked into Sirius' grey eyes and frowned, "Hurt Harry and I'll mutilate you, and don't think that I can't just because I'm a kid."

He grinned, "Oh, I believe you Kitty Kat."

She glared at him, "Never, ever call me Kitty Kat again. I'm not a cat!"



He laughed and kissed the top of her head.

She slapped at him and frowned, "I don't think I like you, Mister Black."

He smiled and picked Harry up, grinning at the babe before hugging it, "I'm so glad you're alright Harry! I thought I'd lost you…" Katherine could have sworn she saw some tears form in his eyes.

Katherine suddenly felt sad for him and hugged him.

Sirius looked down at her, surprised.

She started to cry a little too, "I'm sorry about your friends… my family was killed too… except my brother…" She sniffled and cried harder, "He… he killed them!"

Sirius put Harry down and hugged Katherine, "I'm sorry."

Tears fell down her cheeks, "Everyone's sorry, it's the most useless thing ever."



He stroked her hair, "I can understand that."

"Hey, are you alright?" Tonks asked, looking down at Katherine who was sitting in the hallway.

Katherine looked up and wiped the tears from her eyes, "Go away!"

Tonks sat down next to her, "Is it because you're the Headmaster's niece? Are people making fun of you?"

She glared, "What part of go away don't you understand, pink head?"

Tonks held out a box of bisquits, "My name's Nymphadora Tonks, want a bisquit?"

Katherine glared for another moment, before sighing and taking a bisquit, "Thanks…" She gave a small smile to Tonks, "I like your name, Nymphadora… like nymphs. You know, demi goddesses or are they full goddesses?" She tilted her head and gave a crooked smile, "Can I call you Nymphie?"



Tonks frowned for a moment and then smiled slightly, "Okay… but don't let anyone else do it. I hate my first name."

Katherine chuckled, "Alright."

Tonks smiled at her, "Wanna be best friends?"

Katherine scowled, "Don't push it."

"Miss Dumbledore, what do you think you are doing?" Professor Snape asked, glowering at her.

Katherine smiled shyly, "I'm reading ahead."

He raised an eyebrow, "And why, pray tell, would you be reading ahead when I've given you a potion to create already?"



"Because I'm done with it." She answered sincerely.

He looked at her skeptically and looked into her cauldron. He was surprised to find that her potion was done perfectly. Severus frowned and said, "Adequate. Next time, however, ask me for another assignment if you get done with your potion early."

She nodded, "Yes, sir." But she couldn't hold back the smile.

"Go help your little minion, Miss Tonks. As usual, she is doing dreadfully." Severus said, as he was walking away.

Katherine jumped up and went to help Tonks.

"Will you go to the ball with me, Katherine?" Donald asked as he sat next to her.

Katherine frowned, "Why should I?"



He grinned, "Because I'm adorable?"

She snorted, "Pass."

He frowned, "Why? Do you think you're going to get a better offer Miss I'm-too-good-for-everyone?"

She gave him a look that could melt steel, "If this was your argument for why I should go with you, it fails exceedingly."

He huffed and got up.

Tonks sat next to her and said, "You really never figured out the whole boy meets girl thing, did you?"

Katherine wielded her fork.

Tonks laughed and rolled her eyes, "Alright, alright, I'm dropping it. But if you don't get a boyfriend soon, people are going to start thinking you're a lesbian."



Katherine shrugged, "Whatever. I'm waiting for my one true love, and I can wait as long as it takes."

Tonks shook her head, "You're only fifteen, don't you think that's a bit young for true love?"

Katherine huffed, "And you call me the cynic?"

Tonks laughed, "Point taken."

It was graduation day and Katherine smiled at Tonks, "I'll be back soon. I just have to do something."

Tonks nodded, "Alright, take as long as you need."

Katherine nodded and then ran off, going down into the dungeons. She walked up to Severus' office and knocked.

"Come in," she heard Severus say.

Katherine walked in, "Hello Professor."

Severus gave her a curious look, "What do you want?"

She blushed and smiled, "I just… I wanted to thank you for being such a good teacher and… helping me so much. And yes, I promise not to tell anyone you actually did something nice for me."

He sniffed, "Well, I don't think your uncle would be very pleased if I hadn't nurtured your potion skills."

She laughed and, spontaneously, ran up and hugged him before running out just as fast.

He blinked after her and then when he knew she was gone, smiled.

When Katherine stopped at Albus' office to say goodbye before going off to the flat she would share with Tonks she saw a long missing face, "Mister Lupin?"

Remus turned and smiled at her, "Well, Katherine! I wasn't sure if I would get to see you before you left." He stood up.

Katherine ran up and hugged him tightly, "I've missed you so much! Where have you been?"

He smiled and hugged her back, "Just wandering around. But, look at you! You're a lady now! It seems only yesterday you were that little kitten waving at me from across the room."

She gave him a sly smile, "Trust me, Mr. Lupin, that was far from yesterday."

He cleared his throat and asked, "So, what are your plans now?"

"I'm going to move in with Tonks, she's going to go to Auror training and I'm going to become a potion master." Katherine answered, not backing away from him.

He smiled at her, "I'm happy for you, Katherine. You've really done well for yourself."

She sparkled at him, "I had help."

He just smiled and nodded.

She gave him a shy smile and said, "Anyway, I came to say goodbye before leaving. So…" She held out her hand, "I hope to see you again, and not years later this time… alright."

He took her hand, shaking it, and smiled, "Absolutely. And, you can call me Remus from now on. After all, we're both adults now."

She grinned, "Alright."

He grinned back at her.

Albus coughed and they both were jolted out of their little world.

Katherine smiled and ran up to her uncle, giving him a hug, "Goodbye Uncle Albus, I'll be back on Thursday for tea."

Albus hugged her and said, "That sounds wonderful, my dear. Just remember not to be a stranger."

She nodded and then smiled at him, smiled again at Remus, and left the room.

When she left Albus twinkled at Remus, "Well, you two seem to get along quite well… as usual."

He blushed, "Your niece is easy to like."

Albus smiled, "I certainly think so. But I should think you more than like her, you two have an almost uncanny understanding and caring for one another. You haven't been around long enough to realize, but my niece can be a very closed off person and rather… aggressive. She has friends, but the closest things she has to a best friend are Miss Tonks (whom she frequently decides is the annoyance of her existence) and Professor Snape. With everyone else she is very…"

Remus nodded, "I think it's only natural, considering what she's been through."

Albus nodded, "Indeed. However, she's never found anyone to really confide in and be close to… not even me. I think, somehow, she blames me for what happened."



Remus frowned, "I don't think so. I think she's just dealing with things as best as she can and that… she's afraid. After all, wasn't her brother the person she was closest to?"

Albus nodded, "Things like that, are why I am going to ask you to… please help my niece. Nothing extraordinary, perhaps invite her to tea once in a while… give her someone to talk to."

Remus smiled, "I can do that."

Albus twinkled again, "I appreciate that, Remus."

Katherine and Tonks went to Harry's birthday party, where Katherine was immediately ambushed by Harry and Sirius wanting to hug her and get her attention at the same time. She laughed, "Alright, alright! I'm happy to see you both, as well."

Sirius and Harry started talking to her, but her eyes met Remus' across the room. They smiled at one another.

Remus sighed, "Katherine…"

She glared at him, "If you tell me one more time that you're too old, too poor, and too dangerous for me I swear I'll beat you over the head with this fucking tea pot."

He couldn't help chuckling, "I wouldn't want that, now would I?" He looked at her seriously, "You must admit, though, this isn't the most convenient or… acceptable, of situations."

She smiled softly, "I love you, and I'm certain that you love me. I'm twenty two now, about to get my potion master certification, and you're going to become the new defense teacher at Hogwarts. I think we'll do just fine. If people have a problem with it, then that's their problem."

He squeezed her hand, "They're going to wonder about… when you were younger."



She shook her head, "You were gone most of my life, and when I was younger I only saw you when we were in a crowd. They could give us vertiserum to prove that. There shouldn't be a problem." She smirked, "Besides, I actually think that everyone's been trying to get us together for a long time now."

He raised his eyebrows, "You think so."

She chuckled, "I know so, actually. Sirius and Nymphie have both asked if we've shagged yet."

He rolled his eyes, "Those two are certainly cut from the same cloth."

She leaned forward and kissed him, "I rather like that cloth."

His eyes shined at her affectionately, "I believe I could grow quite fond of it as well."

--

Remus shook Katherine, "Katherine! Love, wake up! Are you alright?" He held her close, "Please, please don't leave me."



She opened up her eyes and smiled at him, "Hello Remus."

He laughed and said, "Hello Katherine."

She snuggled up to him, "You know, I always would have chosen you."

He blinked, "What?"

She smiled and shook her head, "Nothing… just…" She grinned at him, "The potion works. It's going to be wonderful!"