The following few days passed in something of a blue for Kate. She told so many different people about what happened to her, but by far the hardest was when she was reunited with her parents and told them.
Her clearest memory was of Snape. In the times when she was alone, or couldn't sleep, this was what she thought about most. She couldn't understand why he was there, and why he being so patient, so gentle, so caring. She had tried to speak to Dumbledore about it, but he was evasive, despite her many questions.
A week after she was taken to St. Mungo's, Snape and Dumbledore entered Kate's room to find her arguing with one of the Healers.
"I don't want to stay here any longer! I'm so bored! Anyway, I'm feeling quite alright!" Kate was fully dressed and looked quite ready to leave.
"But look at yourself! You still have bruises and your knee is still not fully healed."
"Alright, so I've still got some bruises and bandages, but otherwise I'm fine! It's doing me absolutely no good being stuck here." Kate, her bag over her shoulder, inched closer to the door.
"She's right, Healer Mildred." Dumbledore spoke characteristically calmly. "You need not worry. I shall see that she takes proper rest."
The Healer was obviously convinced by Dumbledore's words as she allowed Kate to go. Flanked by Snape and Dumbledore, she walked down the corridor, trying to ignore the stares she was attracting. She winced slightly as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder.
"Let me take your bag, Katharine. Your shoulder is clearly giving you pain."
Kate forced a look of surprise off her face as she handed her bag to Snape. "Thank you, sir." She massaged her shoulder gently as they entered the lift. They travelled in silence until they reached the entrance to St. Mungo's.
"This is where I must leave you both. There is other business that I have to attend to. Miss Katharine, Professor Snape will take you back to your house, and stay there with you until your parents get back. They will be home tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Professor." Kate smiled. "I'm sure I'll be fine." Dumbledore smiled, waved at them both and then seemed to fizzle into thin air.
Kate looked somewhat nervously around her as she walked down the busy London street, Snape by her side. They were both dressed in Muggle clothes, blending in easily to the crowds. They took a taxi to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Are you feeling well enough to travel by Floo Powder to your house? If not, Ministry cars can be easily arranged."
"I'll be fine travelling by Floo Powder, Professor. I just want to get home as quickly as possible."
"I shall go first. I wish to check that everything is safe before you arrive."
Kate knew full well that Snape was going to be prepared to catch her if she fell after spinning into her fireplace after travelling the Floo Network. "Of course, sir." Kate watched as Severus Snape disappeared in the emerald green flames. After a few minutes, she followed.
She shut her eyes tightly and tucked her arms in tightly as she span quickly. As she felt herself slow down, she threw her arms out to try to stop herself falling over as she span into her fireplace. Even so, she stumbled slightly, and for one moment thought that she was going to hit her head on the table, before Snape caught her. Kate took a deep breath as she realised she was not going to fall. She felt Snape steady her on her feet.
"Katharine, do you feel well?" Once again, the concern was in his voice – although it sounded slightly less obvious this time.
"I'm fine, Professor. I just lost my balance for a moment." She smiled, trying to reassure Severus Snape that he wasn't making a mistake. "I'd like to go and rest for a bit in my room. Please, make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you, Katharine." Snape handed Kate her bag. "I shall not leave the house until your parents get home. I believe that there are several letters on your desk from your concerned friends."
"Thank you, sir." Kate made her way upstairs. As she climbed the large staircase, she felt the charm around her neck grow warm. Once Kate was in her room, she looked in the mirror and held the charm. Dumbledore had shrunk Fawkes' feather and turned it into a necklace. She would always carry Fawkes' protection around her neck.
She smiled softly, and turned away from the mirror. She slowly crossed the room to her desk, where Sunflower, her owl, was in her cage, dozing peacefully. She smiled at the pile of letters on her desk – letters from Harry, Ron, Hermione, Lupin and a whole host of other people. She picked up the pile, sat on her bed, and began to read.
