Odd how the path just goes on forever one way. There has to be a turn somewhere. Kate ran further still and finally there was. She had to choose a path. They weren't clear yet… not clear at all. Something silver dripped down her inner-thigh and….

"Harry!" Kate sat up, in a flash remembering where she was… or where she actually wasn't. It seemed that she was in the hospital wing. Again. Of course, she couldn't see very well, so she felt around on the bedside table until she felt her glasses. After jamming them on, she looked to her right and saw Harry sitting up in his own bed and grinning at her. "Harry!" She repeated joyously. "You're okay! Oh my gosh! I thought you were going to die! I thought I was dead! What are you smiling about?"

Harry was still grinning. "I'm just wicked glad you're okay and that the Stone is out Voldemort's hands." Harry quickly explained to Kate everything that Professor Dumbledore had told him, about Quirrell, Voldemort, the Stone, and Flamel.

"Wow," Kate sat back against her pillow. "So Quirrell tried to kill you but he couldn't even touch you."

"That's because when… when my mum died, she died to save me and I guess… I guess that's a magic of its own," he said softly. Kate nodded, feeling suddenly a slight twinge of guilt and sympathy.

"How long have I been out?" Kate looked around, noticing piles of sweets and get-well cards.

"Three days," Harry said, smiling again.

"That's got to be some teenager record or something," Kate put a hand to her head. "I thought sleeping 'til eleven was bad, but I guess not. Uh… Harry," Kate started awkwardly.

"Yeah?"

"Did… did you hear Voldemort say something to me just as I was knocked out?"

"How do you mean?" Harry asked, brows furrowed.

"Just when I was Stupefied, did he say something to me that was trying to… never mind," Kate saw that Harry looked confused.

"Actually, I was wondering something that you might be able to answer," Harry said after a moment's pause. "Why didn't Voldemort want you dead?"

"I don't know," Kate shrugged. "I really have no idea." Then she looked back to the pile of sweets. "Ice Mice, what are these?" She pulled out the box and opened it, pulling a quarter-length ice-blue mouse out. "Aw, they're shaped like mice, cartoon-style. Should I try one?"

"Yes," Harry encouraged.

"You should too, if I'm going to. I don't trust this wizarding candy."

"No way,"

"Do it,"

"We'll have to go at the same time," Harry said, reluctantly. Kate tossed him one, which he caught deftly in his left hand.

"On the count of three,"

"Right,"

"One, two, three!" They popped them in and their eyes became wide as the strong mint flavor attacked their mouths. Their teeth started to make odd squeaking noises.

"Oh, you're up, Miss Slate," Madam Pomfrey bustled in. "Professor Dumbledore wanted me to tell you to go to his office as soon as you were well enough." Pomfrey looked at Kate and Harry with a look of puzzlement on her face. "What is making that bizarre noise?"

Kate lifted the box of Ice Mice and showed her. Finally, she was able to swallow it and she opened her mouth. Mist escaped in a puff of opaque vapor and Harry soon did the same.

"Cool," she grinned and then looked back to Madam Pomfrey. "I'm feeling all right n-."

"I'll be the judge of that," Madam Pomfrey cut in. Closing the curtain around Kate's bed, she performed a standard check-up and after much consideration, declared Kate in a state to leave. Madam Pomfrey told her the way to Professor Dumbledore's office and the password to get in. After she had gotten dressed, she told Harry she'd be up to visit and to guard her gifts, and left the room. She was pretty energetic as she left, but also extremely pensive. However, she didn't have much time to think as she entered another corridor and some passing second years stopped her in her tracks.

"You're Kathryn Slate, aren't you?"

"Yes," Kate raised an eyebrow curiously.

The girls chattered excitedly.

"Were you in the room with Harry Potter when he defeated You-Know-Who again?"

Kate laughed. "Yeah, sure,"

"What happened?" A blond-haired girl asked eagerly, standing on tiptoe in her curiosity.

"Not really sure," Kate said honestly, "I was knocked out for most of it."

Their faces fell.

"Oh, well, are you feeling better now?"

"Quite, thanks for asking. But I sort of have to go," and she took off down the corridor. She was overtaken again by other groups and asked the same questions until she finally made it to the gargoyle outside of Dumbledore's office.

"Reeses' Pieces," Kate whispered. The gargoyle sprang to life and leapt out of the way. She stepped into a circular room with nothing but a spiral staircase inside. It moved up rather like an escalator, she discovered as she stepped on. Up and up it went until finally she landed in what seemed to be a study of sorts, for it was filled with books and strange silver objects that danced where they sat or hummed and whirred. Portraits lined the walls of past headmasters and mistresses, some of whom were missing or sleeping, others smiled and greeted Kate kindly. On one edge of the room was a desk and on either side were chairs. What caught Kate most by surprise was an amazingly plumaged bird. She walked cautiously over towards it to inspect it more closely. It had feathers like fire and sunset and intelligent golden eyes. It tilted its head at Kate.

"Hello," she said softly. "You're very pretty. I've never seen a bird like you before," she lifted a cautious finger and began to stroke the bird's head.

"I see you've met Fawkes, my phoenix," Dumbledore strode into the room, bright blue eyes alight.

"Hello Professor," Kate said formally, nearly curtseying. She realized that, though she had heard loads of things about him, she had actually never met Professor Dumbledore and was rather in awe of having been called to speak with him.

Professor Dumbledore stood next to his chair. "Please, take a seat. I've wanted to speak with you for quite some time. Though you attend my school, I fear I have never had the opportunity," he smiled playfully.

Kate laughed a bit. "Not to sound rude, but why've you wanted to speak with me?"

"Any first year who can make the entire Gryffindor common room laugh for a full minute is clearly worth my attention," Dumbledore smiled.

Kate blushed. "I snorted, it couldn't be helped."

"The end justifies the means," Dumbledore leaned forward onto his desk and looked at her over his half-moon spectacles. "However, there is a more serious vein we must travel. I have heard Mr. Potter's version of what happened with Quirrell, but I have yet to hear yours, and according Mr. Potter, not only did you suspect Quirrell from the start but he chose to spare your life under Voldemort's orders." Dumbledore's eyes became more intense and serious. "Do you have any idea why he would choose to do such a thing?"

It was Kate's turn to sigh. "No, I haven't got a clue."

"Please, tell me everything you can,"

"All right," Kate told him everything she remembered- except for the last thing she had thought she heard Voldemort say. She was fairly confident that her mind had invented that as she had gone blank and that would be an extremely weird thing to say anyway.

Dumbledore's frown had creased all parts of his face as he sat in what seemed to be thought.

"I am afraid that I have nothing to tell you," Dumbledore sighed, sitting up straight. "Is there anything else that you would like to tell me?"

Kate's mind was blank. "Not that I know of,"

"Well, thank you for speaking with me, Miss Slate,"

"Thank you," Kate smiled.

And with that, she left his office, pausing to take a final look around before exiting. Almost immediately upon her departure, she found herself being lifted out of the air.

"Kathryn Slate!"

"AH!" She cried out as she was whirled around by strong arms and finally dropped.

"How dare you go and risk your life when I told you to be careful?" Oliver Wood glowered over her as he shook her by the shoulders. "You could have died, Slate!"

"And if you don't stop shaking me, you'll kill me," Kate's head flopped around. He released her and grinned.

"I'm glad you're all right, Slate," he ruffled her hair. "How's Potter doing?"

"He's fine," Kate smiled.

"Yeah…." Wood looked off, no longer looking quite as happy. "Ravenclaw destroyed us without him. I feel a little bad about how I treated him now. Slytherin won the house cup, by the way."

"There's a surprise," Kate said sarcastically.

"I guess there's always next year," Wood sighed heavily. "Hey, I'll walk you back to Gryffindor," he put an arm around her shoulders and shepherded her towards the tower. No sooner had they arrived did Hermione's eager squeak reach her ears and Ron cried out.

"KATE!" They bolted towards her, clearly just returning from the hospital wing.

"I'll let you to them," Wood said, punching her playfully on the arm and then climbing through the portrait hole.

"When Harry said you'd left to see Dumbledore-."

"You should have waited for us," Ron said indignantly.

"Ron," Kate grabbed him by the arms. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh, I'm right as rain," he said. "Pomfrey took care of me in a jiff. Took her ages to figure out why you weren't reacting to Enervate, but I guess Quirrell used some dark magic to knock you out and it took a load out of you."

"You looked very pale," Hermione said timidly.

"Paler than usual, you mean?" Kate grinned. "On a different note, when do we get exam results back?"

"Day after tomorrow," Hermione said eagerly.

"How thrilling," Ron muttered. "Feast's tomorrow, though. I hope Pomfrey lets Harry go."

"Wonder why she didn't make you stay another night…." Hermione said as she finally decided to crawl through the portrait hole.

"Obviously thought she was all right, didn't she?" Ron said, following Hermione.

"I am all right," Kate said as she stepped through to the other side. The common room was pretty sparse, most people outside enjoying the weather. A few Gryffindors greeted them and some looked at Kate and asked her what had happened. She stuck to her story and spent the rest of the afternoon playing exploding snap with Hermione and Ron.

The Great Hall looked as though someone had put a gigantic green blanket over the whole thing. Silver and green draped every surface and a huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the teacher's table to celebrate Slytherin's winning the house cup for the seventh year in a row.

"Sickening," Ron muttered to Kate as they sat next to each other. Hermione reserved a seat next to herself from Harry. "Absolutely disgusting. You'd think Dumbledore would have given us some points for fighting off Quirrell-."

"You know what," Kate said, leaning back and crossing her arms. "I just remembered something."

"What?" Hermione asked curiously.

"I believe that Ron must now worship me as the… what was it exactly… as the 'girl-who-was-right-against-all-odds.' Does that sound familiar, Ron?" Kate grinned deviously.

"Oh bollocks," Ron turned magenta. "You remembered."

Hermione giggled.

Almost everyone was seated and last to enter was Harry Potter. He looked so small and shy. How could he really be the hero he was said to be? An instant hush spread over the chamber as people stood to look at him. A second passed and everyone started speaking loudly at once. Harry was pink in the cheeks as he took his seat next to Hermione. Kate kicked him from under the table and made an exaggerated face pretending to stare at him in amazement.

"Oh, go drown yourself," he said, trying to shove away his smile.

Dumbledore arrived moments later. The chatter died quickly as everyone turned to face the headmaster.

"Another year gone! And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been!" His face was creased in a smile. "Hopefully your heads are a little fuller than they were… you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts….

"Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: in fourth place, Gryffindor, with two hundred and sixty-two points; in third, Hufflepuff with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

The Slytherin table roared and cheered in triumph. Judging by Harry and Hermione's sickened expressions, the sight was not a pleasant one.

"Yes, yes, well done Slytherin," Dumbledore gave them a smile. "However, recent events must be taken into account."

Everyone froze, everyone wanted to know what he meant. Kate, Ron, Harry, and Hermione all leaned towards him a bit more, looking slightly expectant and hopeful.

"Ahem. I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes….

"First- to Mr. Ronald Weasley…" Ron's neck turned pink. "…for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Gryffindor erupted with cheers. Kate slapped Ron on the back. Percy could be heard saying to the other prefects "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"

Finally, there was silence again.

"Second- to Miss Hermione Granger… for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Kate watched as Hermione buried her face in her arms. Her back was heaving suggesting that she was probably crying. Gryffindors along the table were ecstatic with laughter and clapping- they were one hundred points up.

"Third- to Miss Kathryn Slate…" Kate felt her cheeks become warm as everyone at the table turned to look at her. "…for her delightful singing and exceptional loyalty and bravery, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Ron punched Kate in the arm. Kate was laughing and crying at the same time. She and Harry looked at each other and smiled. Again, the room went quiet as Dumbledore prepared to speak again.

"Fourth- to Mr. Harry Potter…" it seemed the room had stopped breathing, "…for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

People at Gryffindor table shouted themselves to exhaustion, jumping up and down like loons. They were tied with Slytherin! Oh! If only Dumbledore had thought to provide Harry with one extra point! But- Dumbledore motioned for the room to become silent again.

"There are all kinds of courage," Dumbledore smiled, "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."

The Great Hall echoed with the shouts of euphoric students. Everyone at Gryffindor table had stood up to yell and cheer. Neville, white with shock, disappeared under a pile of people hugging him. He had never won so much as a point for Gryffindor before. Harry nudged Hermione who smiled with evil pleasure. Kate and Ron turned to look as well. Draco Malfoy looked as though someone had performed the Body-Bind Curse on him.

Kate leaned across the table and hugged Hermione and Harry then went back to hug Ron. Finally, the Gryffindors settled a bit as Dumbledore shouted over them.

"Which means we need a little change of decoration."

Silver was replaced by gold and green by red. A towering Gryffindor lion took the place of the Slytherin serpent behind the staff table. Kate saw McGonagall crying with joy.

This, Kate thought, must be the best day of my life.

Kate was astounded to find out that she was second in the class only to Hermione. Her marks had been quite good, actually, especially considering all the stress she had been under. Harry and Ron hadn't done half bad. Even Neville had made it through. Neville seemed to have forgiven them for cursing him after winning his ten points and especially considering they had stopped Voldemort again. Hermione had insisted on comparing all of their grades, especially Kate's. As it turned out, she had tied with her on everything except Charms.

"Next year," Kate threatened jokingly, "I will destroy you in Charms."

Hermione smiled, unsure whether to laugh or not.

Seamus wasted no time in informing Kate that he and Dean were going to a Quidditch match over the summer and Dean told her just as quickly that they were going to a football match as well.

"I expect more posters, then," Kate said.

"Okay," they chimed.

The school became empty of student belongings and everyone was given a note warning them not to use magic over the holidays. Fred and George sighed unhappily as they pocketed them. Hagrid took them on the fleet of boats and sailed back across the lake. Kate paused to give Hagrid a good-bye hug.

"Send me an owl, 'kay?"

"Of course, Kate,"

Everyone boarded the Hogwarts Express. Hermione, Ron, Harry and Kate shared a compartment and talked about anything and everything as they got closer to home. Kate and Hermione exchanged phone numbers but Kate just told Ron to send her an owl.

"I might be going to America over the summer," Kate explained. "I'll bring back some souvenirs."

"See if you can get your hands on a Quodpot," Ron encouraged.

"I'm afraid I'll be visiting Muggles,"

"Don't stay there too long," Harry begged. "I don't think I can take an entire summer alone."

"Oh, I'll invite you over this summer," Ron slapped Harry on the back as they pulled into the platform. "All of you."

People called out to Harry, saying goodbye.

"Still famous," Ron grinned at him.

"Not where I'm going, I promise you,"

"You'll always be famous with me, Harry," Kate clapped him on the shoulder.

Kate, Harry, Ron and Hermione passed through the gateway together, saying their final adieus.

"Look! Mom! There he is! Look!" Little Ginny Weasley pointed at Harry, practically jumping up and down in delight. "Harry Potter!" She squealed. "Look, Mom! I can see-."

"Be quiet, Ginny, and it's rude to point."

Mrs. Weasley smiled at the four of them.

"Busy year?"

"Very," Harry nodded. "Thanks for the fudge and the sweater, Mrs. Weasley."

"Oh it was nothing dear,"

"Hi Mrs. Weasley," Kate beamed up at her, "I'm Kate Slate, Ron's pal,"

Mrs. Weasley smiled pleasantly back at her. "Are you also a first year student?"

"Second year," Ron corrected, "as of us passing the exams! Oh, and this is Hermione," Ron responded to Hermione nudging him and clearing her throat. Hermione cleared her throat again. "Granger. Hermione Granger."

"It's very nice to meet you too, dear," Mrs. Weasley's smile only grew wider. She looked to both Kate and Hermione. "Where are your parents?"

"Dunno," Kate responded. "Probably lost somewhere."

So she looked around for them.

"I've got to go," she said as she saw them looking through the crowd for her. "Talk to you all later!"

"See ya, Slate!" She heard someone call to her. She turned blindly and waved sad and glad that she was going home at last.