A/N: Okay, I know it's been a really long time since I started this, and I haven't heard anything from anyone who was reading it, but still, I'm plot bunnying all over the place, and I may as well take the time to add to this one too. I still don't own anything. Not even the books actually...

The Lady:

After dinner, the Trio return to their common room, still deep in conversation about what might be going on with the Chamber of Secrets, and what the teachers might have planned. They also tried to get in a bit of homework... if it was convenient to the more interesting subject they already had.

It was late when they heard the noises coming from below them on the grounds, through the window opened for the warm night. When they went to look, they saw a gathering of teachers who looked to be searching the Forbidden Forest for some sort of signal.

It was only a quick look that told the three that they had to go join that group. Without a word, Harry went to gather his invisibility cloak, but he didn't use it now, as other students seemed to be moving towards the teachers as well.

************************************************************************ Dumbledore knew the teachers and staff hadn't been nearly discreet enough to persuade students that nothing was going on in the grounds of Hogwarts that night. He also knew that no difference would be made... she had sent him a note saying that if she agreed to help him, she would be back on the Hogwarts grounds by midnight that night.

The staff of Hogwarts waited patiently, as any parent hoping a wayward child will return to them. The girl they were waiting for had been raised here. She had been a part of a family at Hogwarts, the one student that was truly theirs, the child they didn't have to send home at the end of the year, she was home.

And she was home.

As the clock struck midnight, Firenze came bolting out of the forest with a girl in a pristine white dress clinging to him. Some of the older students gasped, knowing that centaurs were not to be ridden, but this girl, whom they had known, had always defied the rules anyway, and Firenze had no problem as he came to a halt, bowed to Dumbledore and let the girl dismount.

The small teenager with waist length black-red hair and luminescent light skin turned to Firenze and hugged him.

"Thank you, my friend. I know I wouldn't have been on time if you hadn't helped." Then, shyly she added, "I'll miss you. Don't forget me, alright?" Firenze smiled benevolently at the girl, he kissed her on the forehead before retreating back into the forest saying, "We won't forget you child. After all, it is you who will remind us all of what we are. Goodbye for now, and be well Katie."

The girl then turned back to Dumbledore, looking to be ages older than her fifteen years. "I have returned... and what I know, what I can, I will do to help." She and Dumbledore nodded to each other and the serious atmosphere was held for a brief moment before two human sized blurs came crashing into the young woman.

"Kate!!! You should have told us earlier you'd be back" Fred Weasley had the girl, who now looked as any other homecoming teenager might, in his arms with a hug so tight her feet no longer reached the ground.

"We could have organized a proper welcome! We've come up with some great new things since you were last here." Fred handed the laughing girl over to his brother George for the same treatment.

"Can't wait. You'll never guess some of the things Magpie taught me how to do!" The three then moved into deep conversation as they bypassed most of the shocked crowd on their way back to the castle.

About half way there, they were interrupted, when Snape approached. Leading the rest of the students to wonder what new development would come from this, in an night of surprises. The group was stopped short as he stepped in front of them to address the girl, who, to much surprise, looked back up at him with a small smile on her face and obvious happiness to see him again.

"Katherine. We're all very glad to have you back." At this admittance she smiled. "I only wished to let you know that you will be staying in one of the rooms off the Slytherin dungeon, and you don't have to dress according to code, since you're not an enrolled student, but your Slytherin robes should be worn, if you will." She smiled again, and to the shock of most people there, reached up to hug the cold potions master.

"Thanks, Severus, I'm sure I'll see you tomorrow then." And she waved at him as she left.

As if nothing were unusual, the three friends went back to discussing jokes and what they had been up to in the last year, while the many shocked people they left behind followed after, with a dazed wondering of what would happen tomorrow.

A/N: Okay, not long, I know, but it's what I've got for now. Please let me know if you're reading this and if there's anything you'd like to suggest! Later!