It felt like I had been under water for ten minutes and was rising to the surface to take my first breath. I was disoriented, gasping wildly for air, and trying to ground myself.

"You're okay, Kat," a male voice said. "Take a deep breath, calm down. Everything's okay."

It took me a moment for my vision to clear, and I focused in on my brother Robert's face. It was very bright, and I found myself blinking as I got myself oriented.

"We're in the Hospital Wing," he explained, his voice soft and low. "You lost a lot of blood in the battle, do you remember?"

The Battle. The last thing I could remember before hitting the ground was seeing Voldemort fall back, life drained from his vile body. I started breathing hard again—the battle was over. We had won. Harry was alive! Harry!

"I need to see Harry," I said, throwing the flimsy hospital blanket off my legs and getting up. As I rose, I got light headed, but steadied myself.

"Kat, I think it's really best if you stay here a little while longer, you lost a lot of blood. He's going to be there when you're no longer too weak to stand up."

"No, I have to see him now." I said, my voice panicked. "Where is he?"

"I think I heard he and the Weasleys set up camp in the Gryffindor Common Room, but Kat, please—"

I'd already started walking away, determined. I got to the doors of the Hospital Wing before turning around. "Rob?" I asked.

"Katherine?" he asked, emphasizing my full name.

"Will you remind me where the Gryffindor Common Room is?" I asked, meekly. He was a Gryffindor after all. I noticed there was a table set up full of useful potions, and knicked myself a few Calming Draughts, and a single potion for pain. Somehow, I had a feeling these would be useful to me.

"Of course," he said. "You're a lot more stubborn than I remembered."

I chuckled. "A lot has changed over the past year."

"I can tell," he said. "Maybe when all the chaos here is over, I can hear about it."

"I'd like that. I'm so glad you were here tonight... last night. I'm not sure what I would have done without you," I said, grabbing his army to steady myself.

As we walked the halls, many of the portraits clapped for me, bowed to me. It felt awkward. I gave them all uneasy smiles to thank them for respect, but really, it wasn't me they should be thanking, though Rob encouraged me to accept their praise.

The Halls were surprisingly empty, though I was happy not to run into anyone. I didn't feel much like talking to anyone outside of my friends. Judging from where the light was in the sky, I guessed it was about noon, though it was hard to tell, really. I'd been out for a while. My arm was numb and there was tingling up and down my back, but I had plenty of time to get that sorted out later.

A light spring breeze blew in an open window as we passed by, and I stopped for a moment, both to enjoy it and to rest. Rob turned to me, "Are you alright?"

"I feel like a thirty pound lead weight's been removed from my chest. I'm just enjoying the fresh air." I said. I snuck a peak at my brother's watch and saw it was only mid-morning. I hadn't been out as long as I'd thought.

He looked at me like I was a little crazy, which I understood. No one would understand what the last year of my life had been like, other than the ones that had lived through it alongside me.

"We're just about there," he said, guiding me up a short staircase. As we reached the landing, the Fat Lady curtsied at me.

"We've been waiting for you, my dear," she said, and swung open.

I had not thought so far ahead as to what I would say to the Weasleys, who sat around the Common Room. The room fell silent as they all looked up at me. I didn't see Ron or Hermione.

"Kat!" Bill said, getting up and eagerly giving me a hug. I was glad to see him in one piece, and grateful he broke the silence. "I'm so glad to see you're okay."

Fleur gave me a tight hug herself, wiping some relieved tears from her eyes before she kissed my cheeks. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Bill and my brother shake hands and make small talk. I cleared my throat.

"I want to see Harry," I said, though not to anyone particular.

"He's requested no visitors," Molly said, in a tired voice.

"I don't think he meant Kat, Mum," Bill said, firmly. "The boy's dorm is that way, I think he's in the Seventh Year one."

"Thank you," I said, squeezing Bill's hand.

I turned to my brother, unsure what to say. Luckily, he spoke first. "I'll be around, Kat. We'll catch up later."

I leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Thank you, Rob."

I bound up the stairs before anyone could stop me, only to hear the sound of my brother asking Bill to make sure that I got back to the Hospital Wing as soon as I could be convinced. I rolled my eyes, and came upon the door to the Seventh Year boys dorm. I caught my breath for a moment then rapped lightly on the door, in case he was asleep. No answer.

I opened the door slightly, and could hear water running. He must have been in the shower, so I let myself in. I took a moment to look at the room, so decked out in maroon and gold. It was a lot more communal than the set up I was used to, but I could see the appeal. The room was kind of dark, so I pulled open a few shades and cracked the windows. It was a beautiful spring day.

I emptied my pockets of the potions I had taken, leaving them on his bedside table. Then, slowly, I made my way to the bathroom. I knocked on the door, even though it was open.

"Who's there?" Harry asked, in a hardened and panicked voice.

"It's Kat," I called, and I could hear his audible sigh of relief. "Can I come in?"

"I'm showering," he said, though it wasn't a no.

"I'll join you," I said, removing my torn socks, my blood stained shirt. My body was weak, and it was never so apparent as when I looked at myself naked. My hip bones protruded in a way they never had before. My skin was both pale and sallow. My nails were weak and broke easily. I didn't like the way I looked, though the sacrifices were all worth it.

I heard him turn another shower head on for me, and I slipped in, behind the curtain. We looked each other up and down, taking inventory of injuries. We were both covered in an assortment of bruises, scrapes, and burns. But they would heal. And so would we.

My arms wrapped around him tightly, our bodies flush under the heat of the water. He clung right back, and we both burst into tears.

"I thought you died," I whimpered into his collarbone.

He was wordless in the bundle of emotions I could see passing his face. A grief deeper than the Great Lake. Relief. Gratitude. Sorrow. More relief. All of it, too much to put into words. Too much for a single person to feel.

I wasn't sure how long the embrace lasted, but I knew I wouldn't let go first. I was anchoring him as he sobbed into my hair. The hot water started to falter, so I turned the dial up further.

"You and your obsession with hot water," he said, a brief reprieve from the grief I knew he would grapple with for the months and maybe years to come. We both chuckled, and I pressed a kiss to his lips. "Oh, Kat."

"Harry," I replied, wiping away his ebbing tears. "I love you."

"I love you too," he murmured. "What a day."

"What a year," I offered. He nodded, in agreement, and we nuzzled our noses together. There were no more words for now, and that was just fine. We had so much time ahead of us to talk, and process, and learn to love each other when we weren't in constant fear of being tortured or killed. I reigned my mind in, as it spun out into all the possibilities for our future. I needed to be present in today.

The shelf behind him had all sorts of bottles, and I reached for the shampoo, knowing I would feel so much better, physically, when I was clean. As I lathered my hair with it, he reached over and massaged my scalp, and in that moment, it was the most pleasure I'd ever experienced.

As I opened up the body wash and the smell wafted out, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. Hogwarts was comfort. Hogwarts was refuge. Hogwarts was home.

We got ourselves cleaned up, scrubbing off all the dirt and dust and dead skin, using up every drop of hot water, and then some. Once we were both the cleanest we'd been since last summer, I turned the dial all the way off. Harry handed me a towel, that was warm and large enough to wrap around me twice.

I looked to the counter, to see my old clothing, bloody and in tatters, had disappeared, only to be replaced with a pair of silky, navy pajamas and slippers. "Huh."

"Hogwarts magic," Harry whispered, pressing a kiss into my temple before slipping into his own very nice pajamas. I dried my hair with my wand, and plaited it, not wanting to fuss with it. Then I followed him back to the dorm, and slid under the covers of the bed, enjoying the weight of the duvet and the comfy pillows under my head.

He got in next to me, and wrapped his arms around me. I turned to face him, brushing my fingers through his scraggly hair and kissing him again. After a moment, he pulled away, and brushed my cheek with the pad of his thumb. "Kat, I really want to shag you, trust me, but now… it just… my head's all-"

"Don't worry about it," I said, leaning up to kiss his forehead. "I totally understand. We have so much time in front of us."

He was quiet for a few moments, in a contemplative sort of way. Meanwhile, I was hyper aware of all the small luxuries I had taken for granted. Hot showers, body wash, clean socks, pillows, warmth, the one I loved and I sharing a bed that wasn't meant for just one person… I vowed that I would never take these things for granted again.

"I think we'll stick around a bit," he said. "Help get things cleaned up around here. Pay our respects at all the funerals, Godric, we lost so many good people. I'm so sorry about Adam-"

I nodded, though my heart hurt in my chest. I couldn't dwell on him. It wasn't the right time. I would grieve him privately, later.

"I've got to make sure Teddy's taken care of, too. But then I think we should go on a Holiday. Somewhere we won't be recognized for a bit. Somewhere abroad. Maybe magical, maybe muggle. And just exist for a few weeks, just as two regular people spending time together."

"That sounds lovely," I replied, so touched and a bit surprised. "You certainly deserve a break, love."

"As do you," he said, quietly. "I won't let you minimize the role you had in all of this. I wouldn't have succeeded without you."

I nodded, and wanted to pivot back to our holiday, to the small amount of day dreaming I would allow myself today. "One request: no camping, so help me god-"

"If I ever have to stay in a tent again-" he said, sighing. "No, we'll do it proper. We'll have a hotel room or maybe rent a flat somewhere. Somewhere with a terrace, so we can drink coffee- not the instant shite, real coffee- on the terrace in the morning, and wine outside at night. And it has to have a kitchen, so I can make you breakfast in bed, all fancy on a tray-"

I grinned at his very clear image for our holiday. "And am I naked in that bed, that you're serving me breakfast on?"

"Well, of course," he said, as if it was a silly question. We both laughed, and I couldn't help but feel my heart swell with love for him. "We'll shag lots and we'll eat loads of delicious food and we'll eat dessert every night if we want to. We both need to put on weight, anyways. We'll go to museums and maybe the opera and sit at sidewalk cafes people watching-"

"The opera?" I asked, confused but amused. "Harry Potter, have you been to the opera in your life?"

"Well, no," he said, pausing. His brow creased, as he thought about it. "And I don't think I would like it very much. But it seemed to fit in with all the other wonderful things I want to do with you."

I laughed again. "That all sounds like perfection, Harry. Truly. I look forward to it with every cell of my body. I think it will be the happy thoughts that get me through the next few weeks."

His face grew more somber. "It's been my happy thought for awhile. I just didn't think I would get it."

I kissed him again, unsure what words to respond with. My fingers laced with his, and he squeezed them tight. We got comfortable, ready for a little nap together before we conquered everything that lay beyond the door to the Common Room.

I was nearly asleep when I heard a knock on the dorm's door, and I got up immediately. "Who is it?"

"It's Ron," he shouted.

"And Hermione!"

I threw open the door and wrapped my arms around both of them, gripping them with intense strength. They hugged back, the three of us silent. Words weren't necessary, as I found more tears rolling down my cheeks. When I backed off, I saw we all wore the same expression. "Oh, it's so good to see you both."

I wiped at my face, and took in their appearances: they were both cleaned up and in new clothes. Hermione held a binder, which didn't surprise me one bit.

"And where've you two been?" Harry asked, sitting up. Ron's ears turned red and he avoided Harry's gaze, and we smiled. I was happy for Hermione and Ron. In response, Hermione cleared her throat.

I still had tears streaming down my face, which I'm sure was a welcome distraction to them. Harry grabbed a handkerchief out of the bedside table and handed it to me to pat my face dry. "I'm sorry, I'm just so relieved we're all still here, and maybe a little overwhelmed by… everything."

Hermione squeezed me tight again, in a sisterly sort of way. She was unflappable, which I knew, but sometimes seeing it in action still left me stunned. It was her super power, that was for certain. "We wanted to see how you were doing."

"Kat used up all the hot water, which I wasn't sure was even possible," Harry said, with a small smile, turning to face his friends. I got the sense that they had all touched base after everything went down, while I was unconscious. I took a seat next to him, and they sat across from us on another bed. "I think we'll be alright."

"I was just talking to Professor McGonagall," Hermione said, opening the "They're doing a sort of… press conference later on today that she wanted to know how we want to handle. Obviously the four of us are in high demand, Harry the most, though she's trying to deflect as much as she can and we don't have to participate any more than we're comfortable with."

Harry and I exchanged a look.

"She did, however, recommend we participate in some manner, so as to satisfy the press a bit, so we don't become so in demand that press don't stake out at our homes."

"Makes sense," I said.

"I don't want to talk to Rita Skeeter or whomever about this, that's not what this time is for," Harry said, and I recognized a flare of anger in his eyes. I put my hand on his shoulder, hoping to bring him back down to earth.

"And Ronald had an idea."

"Kat- you've chronicled our whole journey, right?" he asked. "You're always writing in your journal."

I nodded. "I'm onto my third journal full. It's… a lot of my own angst and emotions but I made sure to note what we did every day, what we ate, where and when we travelled, to the best of my ability, at least…"

"You've got the best sense of things, in a written way at least," Hermione said. "Would you consider writing a statement for the four of us that you'll read to the press? We could all stand with you, but that way there's no back-and-forth, and we can be very precise with what we communicate to others?"

Without having to consider it, I nodded vigorously. "As long as everyone's okay with it. And I don't want to stand up there alone. You don't have to speak but please stand with me?"

Across from us, Ron and Hermione nodded emphatically. I looked to Harry, who I knew would be happy to skip the event entirely. He chewed on his lip as he considered it. "As much as I hate to deal with the press, I agree that you'll capture what we've been through better than anyone, and I am quite fond of the idea of not having to answer questions."

"Then that's what we'll do," Hermione said, nodding, and starting to scribble in her binder.

"I'll get to writing," I agreed. "But I can't… I can't give this speech in pajamas, as nice as these are…"

"Fleur's going to get us all something to wear," Hermione said. I was relieved, Fleur was probably the most fashionable person I knew and I was certain whatever she chose would be just right for the occasion. "She's going to Hogsmeade shortly. I just need your dress size, Kat?"

"Ugh," I groaned, looking down at my uncomfortably thing, malnourished body. "A year ago I would've said a ten or twelve, but I think an eight?"

Hermione squinted at me, looking up and down.

"Or six?" Kat guessed.

"Maybe I'll have her get one of both. Do you have a color preference?"

I couldn't care less. "Something somber and coordinated with whatever Harry's wearing."

"Great," she said, writing avidly. "She's just going to get standard black robes for the boys."

"Perfect," Harry said, happy his opinion was not required in the matter. "The less I have to think about this stupid thing, the better."

He flopped backwards, back to resting his head on his pillow, his feet in my lap. I rubbed them. "Thank you for handling this all, Hermione. I'm not sure I have the mental capacity to deal with many people at the moment. Other than you lot, of course."

"I've had a post-battle action plan in writing for months," she said, matter-of-factly. We all laughed, needing something to break the heaviness of it all.

"I have never been more surprised in my life," Ron said, sarcastically. She wrinkled her nose at him, and he responded by kissing her.

"I'm so happy for you two," I said.

They both just smiled.

"We'll leave you to it, then, yeah?" Ron asked.

I nodded for the both of us. I needed a nap.

"We'll reconvene at five to get ready." Hermione said, hopping off the bed. She walked towards me, a small potion in her hand. "Blood replenishing potion, courtesy of your brother."

Kat rolled her eyes, sighed, and took it. "I'll have everything written by then, I want everyone to get a chance to read it and sign off on it."

"Thanks again, Kat."

"I knew this color would look perfect on you," Fleur said, as she buttoned up the back of the dress. Much to my dismay, I had to wear the size six robe she'd picked out for me. I glanced in the full length mirror and had to admit Fleur knew what she was doing. The navy robe had a scoop neckline, with pleating that nipped in at my waist and flared out. If the occasion wasn't as somber as it was, I would have twirled to see my skirt swish.

"Oh, Kat, this is absolutely perfect," Hermione said, sitting at the desk to my left and reading what I had written. We were in the girl's dorm getting ready. "I don't think anyone could have said it better."

"Are you sure?" I questioned, wondering if what I had written in such a tired and vulnerable state actually made sense to anyone.

"Oh, without a doubt," she said, standing up. When she stood, I admired Hermione's burgundy robe, which had flutter sleeves and was gathered at the right side of her waist. The dark red fabric had golden threads woven throughout it, and I realized Fleur had dressed us to match our Hogwarts Houses. It was a brilliant tactic, really. "I'm going to go give it to the boys, though I'm certain they will agree."

"Just a little rouge?" Fleur pleaded, her makeup spread out on the desk in front of her. I'd watched Hermione get made up by her, and while she looked good, I wasn't really in the mood. "I'll be quick."

"Eh…I'm not sure."

"But there will be so many lights on you, and you're already so pale, and these photos will be in so many papers, I want you to look as beautiful as you really are, Kat. Those cameras, they wash you out. I don't think you'll regret it. The entire world wants to know who you are now, and you will get used to it, I promise you, but I really think it's a good idea."

I knew she was right, so I sat down in the chair and let her get to work. I didn't want to look back at this day, at what had already certainly been one of the most important days of my life, and wish I'd taken her advice. She kept to her word, working quickly. I kept my eyes closed, except for the barbaric part involving mascara, and went over the words I would say in my head. The way they had stuck, so effortlessly, was a sign they were exactly right.

"Aaaaaand, done," she said, brandishing a handheld mirror. I took a look, and had to admit she was right. My skin tone looked more even, I looked healthier, and the blush and berry colored lipstick helped conceal how pale I was from the blood loss. "I won't even have you admit I told you so."

"Thank you so much, for everything, Fleur."

"It is my pleasure," she said. "You are family now."

When it was time to make our way to the first floor, it was my brother, Rob, who escorted us. As a Gryffindor, and a Prefect, and an Auror, McGonagall was eager to put him to work. He complimented me, formally met Harry, and we got on our way. My stomach was in knots, and I couldn't stop playing with the hair that Fleur had put so much effort into smoothing.

We sat in an office with Professor McGonagall- who, although she assured us we could all call her by her first name, would always be Professor to me. She was waiting for the right time to have us walk out to the Great Hall, where many people were waiting to hear from us.

I held the papers in my shaking hands, which Harry held to steady me. He seemed to be taking it in stride a lot better than I was, though I knew I would be fine when I was at the microphone, because I had to be fine, and I'd had a lot of practice at being fine when I had to be.

"Alright, you lot, it's your time," McGonagall said, motioning for us to walk with her. Hermione had dared to wear high heels, while I'd pleaded with Fleur for some tiny heeled shoes so I didn't have to worry about falling on my face. We entered the giant room, walking on carpet that had been laid down just for this purpose. Every eye in the room was on us. Harry and I had decided to walk next to each other, but not to hold hands or link arms like Ron and Hermione had. I suggested it might bring attention to things other than what the night was really about.

As we got up on the stage they'd erected, We lined up. Harry to my left. Me at the podium. Ron, then Hermione on my right. I cleared my throat, as my eyes adjusted to the bright lights and flickering of camera flashed. I looked to Harry, who nodded, adjusted the microphone, and began to read.

"Colin Creevey. Remus Lupin. Nymphadora Lupin. Adam G-goldman." My cheeks flushed as I stammered, and I quickly blinked away tears. Harry put his hand on my shoulder, and that steadied me enough to continue. "Fred Weasley. Lavender Brown…"

Author's Note: To be continued! I had a sudden burst of inspiration and am [finally!] able to get this story completed! There's one more chapter, which I will release tomorrow, and an epilogue will follow towards mid-week. Many, many thanks to everyone who has stuck with me and this story through so many years and hiatuses. Your reviews and encouragement read the world to me. Extra special thanks to potter-reading-coastie for always being rad and cheering me on as a writer. A few housekeeping notes for this chapter: the dress sizes referenced are according to the UK dress size chart for anyone wondering. Also, this chapter was not proofed, so there may be some errors (especially if I slip into third person narration, which I've moved on to in more current writing).