Harry couldn't have said it better. Snape's wardrobe was pink the next morning, and no one seemed to know why. McGonagall was on the edge of her seat when Harry had Transfiguration after the Ravenclaws the next morning, screaming at everything and deducting points immediately. Peeves was utterly delighted at Fred and George's arrival, and had fun as they painted all over the walls of Hogwarts, advertising Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and even putting samples of some of the material the twins sold. Madam Pomfrey was most distressed as students rushed into the Hospital Wing like mad. Malfoy and his goons were not seen for half of the third day of the twins arrival, claiming they had slept in. Malfoy didn't realize that the back of his hair was still polka-dotted. Gryffindor Common Room was the newest testing area for the Weasley's concoctions, and Hermione was most displeased when she walked in to find the floor all ice.

"What?" Fred had asked. "It's hot outside, we were just trying to help!"

The week had gone by swiftly, Harry noted on the day of the dance. Harry didn't have much free time to think or do what he wanted, with classes and having to worry about what the twins were up to. The few moments he did have to himself were spent longing for Katie. He cried himself to sleep every night, though tried to restrain the tears at least until the other boys were asleep. They were already worried about him; he'd canceled all D.A. meetings preceding the dance without explanation.

"Mr. Potter, are you listening to me?" McGonagall snapped. "Ten points from Gryffindor! I was just saying, for those of you who don't use your ears, that you will be getting out of my class half an hour early, so we'll dive straight into this. First, do any of you know the spell that will transform a book into a light bulb?"

Hermione's hand shot into the air as it so frequently did.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

Harry's mind drifted again. What did he care about light bulbs? He did care about the dance that was to be that night. Fred and George were mysteriously missing and the Great Hall had been "Out of Bounds" since lunch. He had the intention of going to see Katie before the dance, though. She was still in the Hospital Wing because Dumbledore had requested that she remain there until he had spoken with Fudge and the Ministry. Madam Pomfrey had also been instructed by Dumbledore to keep her looking healthy and normal, apart from the fact that she was dead, because Fudge would most likely want to come and see if her death was true or not. Harry had been working up the courage all week to do it, and he had made up his mind that he would go see her before the dance.

"MR. POTTER!"

Harry rolled his eyes ten minutes later as Hermione gave him a fierce lecture about paying attention in classes. Harry went to the seventh floor and into Gryffindor Common Room. He walked upstairs and chucked his bag onto his bed, quickly going to his trunk. He still had that green dress robe from his fourth year. Harry quickly slipped it on and hurried back out of his dorm. By some miracle, it still fit.

Ron was in the common room, waiting. "You sure you're up for this, Harry?"

"Yeah," Harry said. "You sure you don't wanna wait for Hermione?"

"She already knows. She said she'd meet us there instead," Ron said.

"Then let's go," Harry said.

They exited the common room and reached the third floor sooner than Harry had anticipated.

"Oh, er…" Harry said, suddenly losing all confidence.

"Go on, Harry. I didn't leave Hermione for nothing." Ron winked, pushing Harry into the Hospital Wing. "We don't have much time."

"Er… Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked.

"WHAT?" Madam Pomfrey yelled.

Harry paused, not prepared for her uptight behavior. "Er… maybe I'll just come back again some other time…."

"Oh no you don't," Ron said, stepping up. "He's here to see Ka--er, Kelly."

"Why does he want to see a dead person?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

Ron opened and closed his mouth, then looked expectantly at Harry.

"May I see Kelly?" Harry asked. "It's not like visitors will deteriorate her health."

Madam Pomfrey considered that. "Five minutes, and not a second more."

"Thanks," Harry said, turning and moving toward the bed with the curtains shut at the back.

The bed seemed to take forever for him to reach, as he heard each step he took as it echoed across the room, bouncing back at him. He passed each bed, it's occupant watching him closely if there was one. His shadow passed to his left, sweeping across the room like a shadow while Harry's body moved no faster than a snail.

"Today, Harry!" Ron chided.

Harry reached the bed where Katie was. He took a deep breathe and opened the curtains.

Katie's eyes were closed, for which Harry was thankful. He had feared they would be open and staring at him blankly, as they sometimes did in his nightmares. She was laying in the bed, the blanket fitted neatly up to her shoulders. She looked quite normal, in fact, as though she was just resting. Madam Pomfrey had done a good job in making her look alive for Fudge.

Harry took the seat next to her bed. He looked at Katie and went blank. This was worse than talking to a petrified person.

Harry took another deep breath. "Look, I'm really sorry about everything. At first when I found out, I was angry. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been. Everyone kept telling me you were acting like who you were, but I didn't believe them. You were leading a different name, so why wouldn't be leading a different life? I'm sorry I was stupid enough to go to the Bryth and not think of the caves. I might've been able to save you if we'd gotten there sooner, who knows? I'm sorry you never knew just how much Riles really does care for you. I'm sorry you had to go so soon, it shouldn't have been your time. But I'm sure you're having a great time… wherever you are."

There was a pause in Harry speech.

"Harry, you ready?" Ron called, an excited note to his tone.

Harry hesitated before saying, "Just a sec."

There was another pause as Harry looked back at Katie.

"Well, whether or not you've been listening to me," Harry murmured, "I don't care who you are. I fell in love with you."

Harry lightly did something he'd wanted to do for a very long time—he kissed her. Her lips were dead, frozen in time, never to smile that sweet smile again. Harry didn't move a moment, and then realized Ron was waiting for him. He stood up and moved aside the curtains so he could see Ron's anxious face. Harry walked out sadly with Ron, who was almost running to the Great Hall.

"Ron, slow down! You'll get there all the same!" Harry yelled scornfully at his friend. He winced. Every word hurt. It was like Katie had taken part of his very soul with her to the grave.

"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed a few minutes later as he spotter her near the entrance.

"Ron! Harry! I was beginning to wonder if you'd come! Everyone's already gone inside," Hermione said.

Harry mutely nodded and stepped inside.

It was a party like no other, Harry had to admit. The main color was understandably black, as the color was around everything. There was a small bar in the corner where stashes of butterbeer were allowed to be bought. The dance floor consisted of the middle of the Great Hall. The house tables were gone, and in place of them were black tables that seated eight people.

"So…" Ron said, eyes shining. "What d'you wanna do first, Hermione?"

"Er…" Hermione said, glancing at Harry.

"I wanna sit down. You two go dance," Harry said, pushing them towards the dance floor before Hermione could retaliate, as Ron didn't seem to want to at the moment. Hermione cast another glance at him, then conceited and started to dance with Ron to the fast tune that was magically being played.

Harry sat down at an empty black table. He had no intentions of being any part of this dance. He would sit here, listen to Dumbledore, and leave. The most he would do to participate was get a butterbeer or two.

Yeah, a butterbeer, Harry decided. He stood up again and eased up to the counter.

"Whatcha want, Harry?" Fred asked.

Harry smirked. "You guys got this job?"

"We chose it," George said. He leaned in and whispered, "We're putting extra stuff in certain people's glasses."

Harry suddenly lost his want for a butterbeer.

"Don't worry, Harry," Fred said, sensing Harry's reluctance. "Swear on… I swear on the store we won't do anything bad to your drink."

Harry looked at him suspiciously for a moment, and then said, "All right."

"Two sickles!" George said happily.

Harry laid the silver coins on the counter, took his drink back to the table he'd chosen, and sat back down. Harry lifted his butterbeer to his lips and took a sip, examining the room around him. Multitudes of people were dancing. They didn't care why the dance had been held, just that there was a dance. It made Harry sick. No one cared of the immense pain that he was going through, having lost another person close to him. They just wanted to party, to have fun! How could they, when Katie was dead?

Harry gulped down another bit of butterbeer. Couples were sitting at tables with other couples, and quickly immersed themselves in their date. The teachers surveyed the scene at the staff table. Harry looked at Dumbledore and was surprised when their eyes met.