I go up the stairs to Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore and I have tea together every monday, wednesday, and friday. It started out I think because he wanted me to have somebody to confide in while I was getting adjusted, but now I think it's just because we enjoy each other's company so much. I always liked Dumbledore, and we are actually a lot alike (both wise and both more than a little random). The other professors have a theory running that I'm related to Dumbledore and that's why he favors me so much and why we suddenly got a philosophy course as soon as I was old enough to teach it. I don't acknowledge the rumors though; gossip is for small minded idiots and conspiracy theorists. You can probably guess in which category I put Cho and Luna into.

Dumbledore smiles at me as I enter, "Ah, Katherine. I found a new kind of biscuit in Hogsmede! They're lemon with lemon icing and they just melt in your mouth, I'm sure you'll enjoy them!"

I smile and laugh, I should never have told him that I enjoy lemon cakes and cookies too. I sit down and he pours us some tea.

"Summer is almost upon us. Did you know that I've gotten a lot of questions about your background recently?" Dumbledore asks casually.

I nearly choke on my tea, "Really?"

He nods, "Yes, it's gotten so consistent that I finally was forced to answer them."

I went wide eyed, "You did?!?"

He nodded solemnly, "Yes my dear. I'm afraid that everyone now knows that you are my niece. Be prepared for comments about favoritism."

I blinked at him. Did I hear that right? "Excuse me? You told them that I'm your..."

"Niece. Yes, I'm your great uncle Albus. I'm from your mother's side. We don't speak of your father's side, the blaggards."

I sit back and try to get this right in my head... Everybody now believes I'm related to Albus Dumbledore? "HAHAHAHA! Oh dear, did they say 'that explains a lot!'?"

He grins at me, "Oh yes, and there were also a lot of 'I knew it!' comments. It seems they see a family resemblance in character and looks."

"What? We both have brown eyes?" I chuckle.

He smiles, "I thought you'd like that.

I smile at him. I never planned on having to be in this weird, magical world. At times it's frustrating and more than a little awkward getting through. But I've never been as wanted as I am here. I have a man that loves me for me and that I love for him as well; I have a best friend that seeks out my company regularly; at least two children that think I hung the moon; and now I have a Great Uncle Albus. I think I may just forgive fate for dumping me here. "Thank you," I say softly.

Dumbledore laughs, "There is no need to thank me. I assure you, it was a completely selfish act on my part. This way, you have to stick around. You have family now. You belong here, and I couldn't have picked a better niece myself." He takes a sip of his tea.

I chuckle and decide not to point out that he did pick me himself. I take a sip of my tea and grab a lemon cookie.

-------------------------------------------

"Why didn't you tell me that you're related to Dumbledore?!?" Severus snarls at me as he storms into my room.

I smile at him gently, "Why? Would it have mattered?"

He glares at me but eventually, and reluctantly, says, "I suppose not."

I lean over and rest my head on his shoulder, looking up at him, "I wasn't keeping secrets from you Severus."

He looks down at me, eyebrow raised, "Oh really?"

I nod and pull back, "Really. Frankly Severus, I don't know why you're acting so perturbed about this. It's not like you've ever asked me anything about my life before I came to Hogwarts or my background."

He narrows his eyes at me, "That doesn't mean you can...!"

I wrap my arms around his neck and smile, "And I haven't asked you. As far as I'm concerned it doesn't matter what happened in our past, as long as we're together now."

His look turns contemplative at that, "You don't know what you're saying..."

"Yes I do." I say, and I lift up his sleeve to reveal his dark mark.

He looks shocked, and of course a little upset, "I thought you didn't know what that is!"

I smile softly, "Why? Because I didn't bring it up? I assumed that you'd talk to me about it when the time was right."

He looks at me in disbelief, "Then why the hell did you get involved with me? You're always spouting out that rubbish about good against evil and…"

I shake my head and say, "I told you, long ago, I have faith in you. I don't consider you to be a horrible sinner." I take his hand, "To me, you're just Severus. Whatever you've been, whatever you're going to be... I believe in you, and I love you. Good or bad you're right about me being yours. I've been yours a long time."

He just stares at me for a moment and then sighs as he wraps me in his arms, resting his forehead against mine, "What could I possibly have done to deserve you?"

I kiss his shoulder, "It's not about deserving, it's about what you earn. You've earned me just by being you. I love you Severus."

He leans down and kisses me softly, "I love you too." He nuzzles his cheek against mine, and I can feel him smirking, "Alright, I'll let go of you not telling me about being related to Dumbledore."

I chuckle, "I was wondering if you'd remember that."

He chuckles and kisses me once again, "Not a chance."

--------------------------------

I open my eyes in the middle of the night and see Severus staring at me. He smirks at me and says, "You're not really related to Dumbledore, are you?"

I give him a crooked smile, "No, I'm not."

"Who are you?" He asks, studying me closely.

I nuzzle into him, "I don't really know anymore."

He seems to understand how I'm feeling and holds me close, "It doesn't matter anyway. I just think that we should… talk to each other… from now on."

I look up into his eyes, smiling softly, "I'd like that."

He gives me a partly shy, partly thoughtful look. But he does squeeze me affectionately.

I rest my head on his chest, "Is that why you were awake? You were thinking about me being related to Dumbledore?"

He shakes his head, "No."

I look up at him curiously, "Then what were you thinking about?"

He shifts uncomfortably at my studying him and can't meet my eyes. "You're going to stay with me during the summer, right?" He asks in an unreadable tone.

I smile at him, "Of course I will Severus."

He smiles slightly at that and brings me up for a kiss, "Good. Now go back to sleep." He smoothes my hair as I cuddle close to him in the dark.

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"I'm going to miss you!!!!" Luna whines as she hugs me till I can barely breathe. It doesn't help that Neville's on the other side of me doing the same thing either.

I smile and smooth both of their hair, "Hey, hey, my darlings don't cry."

They look up at me.

I smile at them, "We'll be back together in a few months. Everything will be fine. If you need to talk to me than you can always owl me. Alright?" I take out two handkerchiefs; I've learned to be prepared for anything these days.

They dry their tears and nod.

"Will you come and visit me and my grandmother some time?" Neville sniffs.

"Yes, and you must meet my father some time too!" Luna says.

I smile, "I'll do my best my dears. Now go, you don't want to miss your train."

They nod, giving me one more hug, before running off to the train. They wave at me from a window and I wave back.

Someone taps me on the shoulder and I turn around to see Harry. He smiles at me and says, "Well, I'm off." He seems to be fighting with emotions, "I owe a lot to you Professor Tingstrom. I don't know how to thank you."

I smile, and realize I'll miss Harry too. "You'll thank me best by being careful. Take very good care of yourself Harry, we need you here."

Harry nods and then hugs me.

I hug him back.

"I'll see you next year right?" He asks.

"Of course." I smooth his hair.

He smiles up at me, "Then, I'll see you next year."

I smile, "See you next year."

I get a hug from Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Justin, Angelina, Katie, and Cho. Fred and George give me a present (which I sure as hell am not going to open) that I thank them for. Draco runs past me at the speed of light, and Pansy tries to talk me into becoming her nanny for the summer. I feel someone tall embrace me from behind, "I'm going to miss you so much this summer. Are you sure you won't stay with Sirius, Harry, and I?" It's Remus.

I smile and put a hand on his hands, I'm going to miss him so much! "I'm sure Remus. But I'll do my best to see you as often as possible."

He turns toward me and gives me a sad smile, "You'd better."

I hand him a package.

He looks at me, surprised, "What's this?"

"It'll help, it'll really help." I say.

He opens it and finds a bunch of his favorite chocolate bars. He smiles and says, "One of the nicest things anyone's given me."

I kiss him on the cheek, he closes his eyes during. I look at him, trying to stay composed, "I'm glad that you'll be back. That way, I don't have to say goodbye. So I'm not going to say goodbye, it's just see you later. You'll never hear me say goodbye to you Remus, ever." I know I'm babbling, but I don't particularly care at the moment. He might just be the best friend I've ever had and this summer's going to be torture without him.

He nods sadly and then hugs me, "I'll see you later Katherine."

I hug back, "I'll see you later Remus."

He pulls away, smiles as best he can, then gets on the train.

As I watch most of my new loved ones leaving, I start to feel bereft. It's not fair that I can't be with them always. I feel someone put a hand on my shoulder and I look up, suddenly feeling a little better.

Severus gives me his best reassuring look, "You'll see them soon."

I nod and sigh, at least there's one person I'll be able to be with always... hopefully. And when it comes right down to it, he's the most important one. The one I really need.

He looks at me suspiciously, "What are you thinking about?"

I look up at him and give him a crooked smile, "You're stuck with me for the rest of the summer."

He rolls his eyes but I can see his smirk twitching with held back laughter.

I smile; friends or not this will be a wonderful summer.