Welcome to The Interlude...

She was late, late, late, late, late! Katia Reynolds rushed out of her apartment in London and flew down the stairs instead of trying to wait for the elevator. She felt horrible seeing how she was supposed to meet her friend Megan at a small café at 1:30, and it was already 1:45 and it would take at least fifteen minutes to walk to the café.

Once Katia was out of the building she flew down the street and took a short cut through an alley and was able to reach Miguel's in a reasonable ten minutes. Her heart was pounding and Katia absently noted to work on her cardio. Luckily though, she hadn't broken out in a sweat, because if she did then there would have been hell to pay. She hated being sweaty. It was gross.

Katia looked around the small café and saw her friend Megan sitting in a cozy booth in the back.

"I am so sorry I'm late," Katia huffed out.

Megan looked up from her magazine and took in Katia's flushed cheeks, wild raven hair, and slightly askew sundress.

"I hope whoever kept you was worth it," she said with a saucy grin.

Katia rolled her eyes and sat in the booth. "Puh-lease. I overslept."

Megan shook her head. Katia was never on time. Ever. "I figured. That's why I asked Harry to meet us at 2:15."

"You are a goddess, Shortcake" Katia moaned and she grabbed Megan's discarded cup of coffee.

"I know."

"So tell me more about this Harry guy," Katia requested after she ordered a fruit smoothie.

Megan closed her magazine with sigh and her bright blue eyes lit up. "He's practically perfect. He's such a great guy. He went to Hogwarts. He has the most gorgeous black hair and even more gorgeous green eyes. They're like emerald."

Katia smiled. She'd never seen her friend so excited over a guy she was dating.

"And what an amazing kisser, my knees just turn to jelly," Megan exclaimed.

"That's good," Katia replied. "Actually that's wonderful. I'm happy for you."

Megan smiled softly. "I think I could fall in love with him Kat."

"Then it is good, and I approve!"

Megan laughed. "Thank you ever so much for your approval."

"He would have never lasted long without it," Katia replied smugly.

And it was true. Katia had been able to predict the length of her friend's boyfriends since they were sixteen and left the all girl school they had been sent to at age twelve. This Harry guy sounded almost perfect for her friend.

"So where is the elusive Mr. Harry Potter?" Katia asked after she took a large sip of her smoothie.

"Right here," a deep voice replied form behind her.

Katia turned and was sure that her heart dropped to her stomach. He was gorgeous. Tall, dark, and handsome, and he fit every one of them. What's more what that he seemed worldly-as if he'd seen and did a thing or two in his life, and Merlin knew that Katia loved a guy who had seen or did a thing in his life!

Katia's lips turned upward into a slow smile. She offered her hand but didn't get up. "Katia Reynolds."

He smiled-full of rakish charm. "Charmed," he said before kissing Katia's offered hand.

Megan squealed in delight. They obviously liked each other and she knew that her relationship with Harry was going to last long.

Megan gasped an hour later. "Oh, I've got to go. I've ran over my lunch break and Scrimgor is a real bitch about punctuality."

Katia kissed her friend's cheek and made to get up.

"No, no!" Megan insisted to the two of them. "Stay here and chat. I'll floo you later," she told Katia. "And I'll see you tonight," she told Harry with a grin and kissed him.

"Bye, Brownie!" Katia called after Megan. She faced Harry who sat in front of her. "So…how about you make the most of her request and take me shopping?"

Harry frowned. "I'm pretty sure-."

"-that you need all the brownie points from the best friend that you can get," Katia interrupted with a coy smile.

Harry mock sighed and stood while handing her his hand. "I suppose you'd know."

Katia took his hand and walked out the café with him while giggling. "You bet your fortune I do!"

Katia dragged Harry to all the wizarding boutiques in Diagon Alley, and tried to get him to go into Knockturn Alley with her, insisting that she'd find the best earrings there, but he was adamant about not going. Katia pouted for a moment but Harry made it up by taking her to get ice cream.

A month later Megan and Harry were still dating and Katia and Harry were still friends. In fact, they spent most of their time together. When they weren't with Megan, on a date in Harry's case, or just girl time for Katia, Harry and Katia were hanging out together. Harry found that Katia's happy persona brightened his day and he could see why Megan loved Katia so.

It was Saturday and Megan was going out of town for Scrimgor. Harry decided to take Katia with him to Parvati Patil's wedding to a Ravenclaw that he went to school with.

"Do you think I look okay?" Katia asked Harry for the fifth time as they walked up to the wizarding country club where the wedding and reception would take place.

Harry repeated that she looked great with her new mauve robes.

"Merlin, what if someone is wearing the same thing I am?" Katia gasped as she froze. She turned away. "I have to go change."

Harry grabbed her arm and laughed. "Will you relax?"

Katia tried but found that biting her fingernails kept her from throwing up. It wasn't that she was afraid of going out with Harry. It's just that this would be the first time she'd met any of his other friends and she wanted to make a good impression.

"Maybe the dress is too daring?" Katia pleaded with Harry as they entered the club.

"You aren't going home to change," Harry exclaimed. "Relax. You look fine."

"Just fine?" Katia couldn't help but quipping.

Harry shot her a look that had them both laughing.

"Harry!"

Katia looked up and saw Harry get accosted by someone with thick brown hair.

"Hermione," Harry greeted, squeezing the brown haired girl who was now known as Hermione. "Here, meet Katia Reynolds."

Hermione frowned. "Reynolds? Aren't they-."

"Harry!" a tall red head gave Harry a slap on the back. "Mum's going barmy telling me and Ginny that we need to settle down soon."

Harry laughed. "Hopefully someone brought tons of tissues for her."

"Of course we did," Ron joked good-naturedly.

Harry turned to Katia. "This is Katia Reynolds."

Ron shook her hand and grinned. "So you're Katia? It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too," Katia smiled.

"Come," Hermione said taking Katia's hand. "Let's go find a seat."

Ron and Harry followed behind.

"She's beautiful," Ron commented.

Harry nodded agreeing. "She is."

"How long have you been seeing her?" Ron asked.

"I'm not," Harry stuttered. "I'm dating her friend, Megan."

Ron frowned. "Awkward moment, insert here."

Harry laughed. "Not really. Megan introduced us and we've been hanging out ever since. Megan was supposed to come with me, but Scrimgor sent her out of town, so I asked Katia instead."

Ron nodded. "No doubt Hermione is beating the same story out of Katia," he said nodding at the girls who were laughing loudly.

By the end of the night Katia was able to charm Ron and Hermione. Hermione invited Harry's new friend to lunch with her, Ginny, and Luna during the week and of course Katia agreed to join them.

But that's when the trouble started. Many wizarding tabloids were noticing that Harry was spending more time with Katia than his girlfriend and that Katia was hanging out with Harry's good friends when Megan was never seen with Hermione or Ginny. Megan began to get suspicious. Oh, she didn't think that Katia and Harry were sneaking behind her back. But she was upset that her friend saw more of her boyfriend than she did and decided to call Katia out on it.

Katia was getting dressed for girl's night on the town while Megan perused a magazine on Katia's couch waiting for her friend.

"It's weird," Megan remarked.

"What's weird?" Katia called.

"That you and Harry spend so much time together. Last time I checked, I was his girlfriend."

Katia laughed and that angered Megan.

"Oh, Cheesecake. Don't tell me that you believe those stupid tabloids," Katia begged, walking into the room, putting on her earrings. She was wearing an overly large T-shirt and a mini. On closer inspection Megan realized it was Harry's shirt.

"What are you doing with Harry's shirt?" Megan barked.

Katia looked down and shrugged. "I got cold one night and he had another so he told me to put it on."

One night? "Which night was that?" Megan asked slowly.

Katia thought for a moment. "Hmm. Oh yeah, about two weeks ago, you cancelled because you had to work late. Harry had tickets to a ballet and asked me to go with him since Ron didn't want the tickets. I wore that new dress from Friola."

It sounded plausible because she did remember Harry saying he had a surprise for her. But that didn't lessen Megan's anger.

"Why didn't you give it back?"

Katia shrugged again and went to pick up her bag that was thrown haphazardly on a plant. "Dunno. Never thought about it. 'Sides, it's really comfortable." She turned to Megan. "You want it?"

"No!" Megan was appalled. No way was she going to take Harry's shirt from Katia. She wanted one of her own.

"Whatev. Anything else Sherlock Holmes?"

Megan was not amused. "Seriously. You are spending a lot of time with him. I mean, you're even canceling on me to hang out with Hermione Granger."

Megan was exaggerating.

"Oh please," Katia scoffed. "You told me when I fire-called that you were about to cancel on me anyway. Besides, it was because she wanted me to help her plan Ginny's birthday party."

"Now you're planning parties for them?" Megan asked.

Katia slipped on her shoes. After she stood and stared at Megan. "I'm an event planner. That's what I do, baby. You know if you think about it," Katia continued with a large grin, "I wasn't canceling on you for my enjoyment. I mean, yeah we had a few drinks and laughs, but technically, it was work."

Katia sat down next to Megan and took her hand and squeezed. "Listen to me," she said urgently. "Harry cares about you. He adores you. I'm not after him and I don't want him. The only person you have threatening your relationship is that Ginny girl. I don't trust that lil heifer. She's always a little to close to Harry, if you know what I mean," she said with a conspiratorial wink.

Megan laughed and relaxed. "I'm sorry. I'm just-but, can you do me a favor?"

Katia stood to take a beer out of the fridge. It looked like they weren't going out anymore. "Anything, pastelita. Up to half my parents' fortune and it shall be granted unto you."

"Stay away from Harry," Megan said quietly.

Katia choked on the beer she was drinking. "I'm sorry. I was swimming today, and I swear my ears are still blocked up. Run that by me again?"

"Stay away from Harry."

'This chick is out her damn mind,' Katia thought but let an amused smile grace her face when she really wanted to bash her friend's face in. "Hmm. So, my hearing isn't bad. You know, damn Jared for telling me that I was as deaf as…monkey, was it?"

"I'm serious," Megan insisted, coming to her feet. "Look, I know that you don't want to take him from me, but these tabloids are ruthless. I just don't want to go into the ice cream shop on lunch or be on a date with Harry and see a picture of you and Harry laughing or hugging or something plastered on cover of Teen Witch Weekly."

"Wow, you Irish people," Katia remarked idly. "You really ought to be too drunk to notice."

Megan was not amused.

"Tough crowd tonight," Katia murmured.

"Please?"

"Okay, fine whatever. But I'll have you know that I enjoy shopping with him. He offers to pay after fifteen minutes of waiting for me to choose something," Katia pouted slightly. "You suck."

Megan hugged her friend on a giggle. "Thank you, though. You don't know how much I appreciate it."

"Yeah, whatever. Are we going out or not?"

"Let's paint the town red!"

On Saturday morning, Hermione knocked at Katia's door. After learning that Katia planned events, including the opening of the wizarding restaurant, Lion's Den, Hermione enlisted her help in planning Ginny's twenty-third birthday party.

Katia opened the door, yawning. Hermione frowned at Katia's rumpled state: large t-shirt, boxer shorts, her hair a mess, and her eyes glazed over.

"Damn you, Granger," Katia muttered. "Don't you know that it's the friggin' crack of dawn?"

Hermione smiled. "We have a party to plan. It's next weekend."

Katia opened the door and let Hermione in. "Make yourself at home while I try to wake up."

Hermione looked around the small apartment. It wasn't messy per se, but it was cluttered. There were purses and shopping bags on top of the end tables. There was a plant in the corner that held a pair of really adorable shoes that Hermione recognized as being the ones Katia wore to Parvati's wedding. The little loveseat by the window held a bunch of jackets and even a shirt or two.

Hermione smiled kindly. She was sure that she would never ever meet a person as eccentric but utterly grounded as Katia Reynolds.

"I love you too Hermione," Katia yawned.

Hermione froze.

"Yes, Hermione, I am an empath," Katia said handing her a cup of coffee.

"Yes, I thought you were-."

"But you thought it rude to ask outright?" Katia guessed.

"Stop reading me," Hermione snapped.

"Liar, you love that I know what you're feeling," Katia joked. "Party?"

An hour later they were still trying to figure out a clever way of getting Ginny to go to the place they'd rented.

"Girls night out?" Katia suggested.

"Every first Friday. The party is on the second Saturday," Hermione said shaking her head.

Katia recoiled. "You plan your girl's nights out? Such blasphemy!"

Hermione laughed. "It's easier that way because conflicting schedules don't get in the way."

"Whatever, weirdo," she muttered. "Dinner party?"

"Every third Sunday," Hermione shot down.

"What the hell happens on second Saturdays, then?" Katia burst.

Hermione frowned for a moment. "Hmm. Well, I suppose-."

"Forget it," Katia said flatly.

"We can just have a spontaneous night," Hermione said to herself.

"Is that what happens every second Saturday?" Katia asked innocently.

"Well, every other month, yes."

Katia stared at Hermione. "Okay. Anyway, why don't you just trick her into dinner or something?"

Hermione considered that for a moment. "Dinner at the Lion's Den," she murmured. "That'd work."

"Thank God," Katia muttered. "Moving on-please-what about gifts? I don't know about you guys, but no one gets anywhere near me on my birthday without a present."

Hermione laughed. "The invitations say to send them to my apartment. I'll place them around the club as decorations."

"Uh huh," Katia murmured. "Why don't we call Bozo the Clown while we're at it? Hey, maybe Barney is available for appearances. He might bring Baby Bop, Lord knows she's need to get out more."

"Don't laugh at me," Hermione flushed.

"I'm sorry," Katia said, averting her eyes, emphasis on the 'r'.

"I'm sure you are," Hermione muttered. "That's all set."

"Good. I called The Lion's Den, we are confirmed for next Saturday from 8 to 2."

"Excellent."

"I called the caterers, but they're pissing me off, so why don't you deal with them?"

"What'd they do?" Hermione asked, frowning.

"They refused to add melktert to the menu," Katia shrugged. "It's not a party without the melktert."

"Yes dear," Hermione said indulgently. "Now, tell me, what is melktert?"

Katia looked at her as though she were crazy. "Is you that stupid? It's custard pie, duh."

"Okay," Hermione responded, much like Katia's tone earlier. "Now that that's all set, all we have to do is monitor the R.S.V.Ps. No one who reserves past Wednesday is allowed in."

Katia nodded. "No problem." She waved to where her owl was posted on a desk. "Quinn sorts them all into stacks."

"Smart owl," Hermione said as she stood.

"Only Hedwig is smarter," Katia remarked.

Hermione smiled. "I don't think there is an owl smarter than Hedwig. Have you heard from Harry lately? I haven't seen him for weeks."

Katia shrugged. "I was told to back the hell up."

Hermione stared.

"Stay away from," Katia elaborated.

"Ah," Hermione smiled. Then frowned. "By whom?"

Katia shrugged again. "Megan doesn't like seeing her boyfriend laughing with me on the cover of every stupid tabloid. I also think she's jealous because Harry takes me shopping."

Laughing, Hermione walked to the door. "I suppose she's feeling threatened by you."

"It doesn't matter. I was pissed at Harry anyway. I really wanted those Billy Changs. Now I have to pay for them myself," she muttered.

"Goodbye, Katia," Hermione laughed as she walked out the door.

Katia shut it behind her and grinned. Then she scowled at the clock that read 11:35 a.m. It was the friggin' crack of dawn!

On Friday night, while admiring her new Billy Chang shoes, Katia received a fire-call from Megan.

"How about we hit the town tomorrow night?" she asked.

Katia frowned. Obviously Harry didn't tell her about Ginny's birthday party tomorrow. "Um, honey bun, I can't."

Megan frowned. "Why not?" she pouted.

"Ginny's birthday party is tomorrow," Katia explained.

"So?"

"I'm going," Katia stated.

"Why?"

"Cause I planned it," Katia replied. "I have to be there to make sure everything goes smoothly."

"Oh," Megan deflated. "Well, maybe Harry wants do something."

"Honey bun, sweetie pie, strawberry shortcake, double chocolate chip frappuccino," Katia eased in.

"What?" Megan snapped, already knowing she wouldn't like it.

"You see, it's like this: when a boy is orphaned and practically taken in by a family of redheads who suspiciously look like clowns in the right light, you have certain obligations."

"Spit it out," Megan ground out.

"Unless you want Molly Weasley to ruin Harry's pretty face, he will be at that party."

"Who the hell is Molly Weasley?"

"You know what; I'm sick and tired of you trying to be funny. You really aren't, honey cake." Katia exclaimed.

Megan was not amused.

"Molly is Harry's surrogate mother. Ginny's mum. She's cool."

Megan frowned. How was it that she had been dating Harry for over three months, and Katia, who met him a month and a half ago, was let in more than she was?

"Oh," she replied.

"Why don't you come along?" Katia asked.

Megan scoffed. "As if. It's obvious that Harry doesn't want me there."

"Hmm," Katia said not really meaning anything. "How about I talk to you in the morning? Can't be late on the job, you know?"

Megan sneered. "You're always late. Even on the job," she reminded her friend.

"Yes well, these are high society snooty people, so they might cut my commission and I need that to pay off my new Billy Chang shoes."

Megan laughed and blew a kiss. "Besos."

"Right back at 'cha!"

The moment Megan's face disappeared from the fire, Katia broke her promise and fire-called Harry.

"Katia?" he asked confused.

"Look, I know I'm supposed to like, ignore you or whatever, but you have to take Megan to Ginny's party."

"Why?"

"Because," Katia ground out. "She feels as though you're keeping a side of you away from her and is upset because I've met all these people and she's the person you're dating!"

"Exactly," Harry exclaimed. "I don't want to her to meet them because it's just-I'm not sure what that would say to her."

"That you want to commit?" Katia snapped.

"Yeah," Harry said. "I'm not sure I want that yet."

"You've been dating for three months, idiot," she deadpanned.

"I never said I was normal." Harry reminded her.

"You and your friends," she muttered. "You are all just…out there. Like gone…with the wind and stuff."

"Uh huh, okay, is there another reason for this call because I'm busy."

"Well excuuuse me," Katia said rolling her neck. "Please?" she stuck out her bottom lip.

Harry groaned. That bottom lip nearly cleaned out the rest of the Gringott's account he had never finished during school.

"Fine."

"Thank you! Besos," Katia threw at him before leaving the fire.

Harry stared at the fire. Huh?

Katia frowned when she heard the song coming on. It was The Weird Sisters' newest song and Katia hated them. She tapped her headset with her wand, allowing it to transmit information to every worker at the party.

"Change the song," she barked.

She had specifically told the DJ to pay muggle music to get the party jumping. When she heard the opened chords of J-Kwon's 'Tipsy' she relaxed. Once everyone entered the party they could put back the wizarding music.

"Where are the shepherd's pie?" she asked one of the waiters.

The young boy shrugged and Katia was tempted to fire him.

"Find out," she said, trying to keep her teeth from grounding into dust.

"Yes ma'am," he said before running off.

"Retract the claws," an amused voice said from behind her.

She turned and saw Harry. Smiling, she gave him a brief squeeze. "Hey!"

Harry grinned. "So, the boy is probably pissing his pants now."

Katia rolled her eyes and glared at the DJ who played a Celestina song. "Change the song!" she shouted into her headset, smiling when she saw the DJ wince from the volume of her voice.

"Where's Meg-."

"Harry," Megan said, coming through the newly gathered crowd.

Harry smiled and kissed the girl's cheek.

Katia grinned. "You two, have fun, I have to go fire some little adolescent."

Katia walked off and frowned when she saw a group of redheads by the door. They really did look like clowns in the right light. She shuddered. She hated clowns. Chuck E. don't know who he's messing with.

"Everything looks fabulous," Hermione said, coming behind her.

"I'm glad," Katia smiled. "I woke up at the crack of dawn to help you."

Hermione laughed and surveyed the crowd. "Ginny will be here soon."

Katia glanced at her watch. "We're expecting her in half an hour."

"Perfect."

Hermione walked off and Katia finally snapped and marched to the DJ booth. She smacked the young wannabe emcee and told him again to stop playing The Weird Sisters.

"I'm sorry, geeze," he muttered. "They're wizards; they want to hear their music."

"No," she corrected him. "They're at a party. They want to have fun. They don't want to hear J. Deli singing about putting ingredients in some slag's cauldron!"

The boy grinned. "I like that song."

"I'm sure you do," Katia remarked dryly. "Play the muggle version please."

"Whatever," the boy gave up raising his hands in defeat.

"Good."

Katia returned to the party and smiled when she saw a few guests dancing. She frowned when she saw Hermione frowning at Harry and Megan. She walked over.

"What's going on? Party means fun. Fun means smile. Smile means do so before I hurt you," she snapped.

"Excuse me," Megan remarked stiffly. "I have to use the restroom. Kat?"

"Right behind you, strawberry shortcake!"

Katia shot Harry and Hermione a confused look before following her friend.

"What's wrong?" she asked while Megan touched up her make-up. Katia didn't even bother with make-up. She had taken a nap that afternoon and nearly overslept. By the time she talked herself into getting out of bed, there was no time for make-up. Hell, she had been fifteen minutes late. A new record really; Katia was proud.

"Hermione Granger is the most pretentious, stuck-up, snobby, know-it-all, that I've ever met," Megan exclaimed.

Katia frowned. Yeah, Hermione was smart and a know-it-all, but she wasn't that bad. "I take it you don't like her?"

Megan scowled. "Right in one shot, Einsteinette!"

"There's no need for name-calling, Vanilla Mousse Cake," Katia replied wagging her finger.

"Kattie!" Megan exclaimed. "Please. She hates me!"

"Sounds like you hate her, too," Katia remarked idly. She heard static over the head set. Ginny was now arriving. "How about we finish this later, Irish Cream?" Katia suggested. "The guest of honor is now arriving."

Megan frowned but agreed.

They walked back out to the party, and Katia signaled to Hermione that Ginny was arriving.

"Turn down the lights," she demanded over her headset. The lights dimmed leaving only one light near the entrance for Ginny to walk through, but the music was still pumping out an Usher song. "Turn off the music, idiot!"

The music shut off and Ginny entered the party on the arm of her father. "Daddy?" said the hesitant voice.

Katia rolled her eyes. It has been seven years since Voldemort was defeated and people still thought they were getting kidnapped if they entered a dark room. It was embarrassing.

"SURPRISE!"

Ginny's face showed her delight and Katia signaled for the DJ to play Ginny's favorite J. Deli song. Nothing came on.

"Play the song, dummy!" Katia shouted. She flushed when she saw the guests and guest of honor staring at her. She laughed nervously. "He's new," she offered as explanation. "And dead," she muttered under her breath.

The song finally came on and Katia groaned when she heard The Weird Sisters. "Damn it! You're fired!" she shouted over the headset. "Fired! Fired! Fired!"

The boy paled and Katia pushed away her guilt. It was legend that she fired at least two people at every event she planned and hired them back the next day. He really was new.

The song changed-to the right one this time-and Ginny took the dance floor with her girlfriends.

Katia let out a breath and tackled the next issue. Food. Stupid caterer didn't let her have the melktert, but she talked him into using custard in the cake.

"Got a minute?" Harry asked Katia later in the evening.

She smiled and patted the seat on the bar next to her. "Talk to me."

Harry shrugged. "I saw you running around here. Three people are now unemployed," he remarked.

Katia shrugged. "By the looks of things, at least three more will be by the end of the night." Katia groaned and took off her shoes to rub her feet. "I've been on my feet the entire night and I am dead tired."

"You're always dead tired," Harry joked. "Unless you're shopping."

Katia smiled sleepily. "Yeah." She yawned. "I need coffee." She put her shoes back on. "Have a nice time."

Harry nodded and went off when he saw Fred and/or George waving him over. "Harry, mate!"

Katia was about to fire another member of her staff when she was hit with a blazing headache. "Ohh, if this headache isn't gone in five minutes, you've lost your job. Permanently!"

She pulled out a bottle of ibuprofen and took three. Sighing happily when the pain subsided, she winked at the waitress. Her job was safe. For now.

By the end of the night, Katia had fired four more people, including the waitress who thought her job was safe. She was considering firing the rest of her staff as they cleaned up after the party, but in the end decided not to.

"I quit!" she shouted in a fit of anger.

The DJ frowned. "Um…this is your company. You can't quit."

"Watch me," she snarled before apparating away. She chuckled as she threw her shoes into the plant that didn't hold a pair. Suckers fell for her 'quitting' routine every time. Now she didn't have to clean up.

"Suckers," she laughed dropping onto her couch. She was so close to utopia-which was sleep-when someone flooed into her living room. "You better have a good reason for being here or it's your ass!"

"How about this?" Harry's voice asked before she felt him kiss her.

By the time her mind returned to earth, he was sitting on her coffee table smirking.

"Huh?" she asked intelligently.

"Just felt like it," Harry shrugged.

"Did you bump your head or something?" she asked. "You're dating my best friend."

"Not anymore," Harry said, shaking his head.

"What do you mean 'not anymore'?" she asked, sitting up.

Harry shrugged. "We argued after the party and broke up."

"Why?" Katia wailed. Her friend was probably devastated.

"She hates my family for one thing," Harry pointed out. "Yeah, they're not family biologically, but they're all I have. They don't like her much either. I could live with that, but then she gave me an ultimatum. Her or Hermione. I chose Hermione."

"Good," Katia muttered. "I thought she learned from the last ultimatum."

Harry shrugged. "Plus, she tried to stop us from hanging out. You're a great friend, Katia."

"Friends don't make out with friends when friends are half asleep," Katia informed him.

"Does that mean that friends can make out with friends when friends are fully awake?" he asked, inching closer to her.

It was on the tip of her tongue to say no, but she found herself nodding anyway. Harry closed the distance between them and kissed her….

Maleah woke up with a gasp. She sat against her headboard and her eyes fell on the photo album her father gave her a couple of years ago. It was glowing and Maleah knew that her dream was not a dream, but a memory. A memory her mother sent to her.

She cuddled back into her sheets and smiled into the night. This was the greatest birthday ever.

Harry tossed and turned in his sleep, trying to fight the dream. Unlike Maleah's, his continued:

The day before his wedding, Harry went to visit his future bride. She had made him promise not to see her, but he couldn't resist. He entered her apartment and smiled when he saw her napping. Chances are Katia would spend most of their marriage in bed and that suited Harry just fine.

Marriage. He never thought he'd marry, but as he gazed at Katia he couldn't imagine spending his life with anyone but her. She would bring laughter and happiness to his life. It was perfect and Harry couldn't wait to embark on that journey.

He whispered so he wouldn't wake her. "I vow to you," he began softly, "that I will love you until the end of time. No matter what happens, I will love you and I will treasure you. You're my It and there will be no one else…"

Ginny gazed at Harry as he tossed and turned. She was just about to break him out of his nightmare when she heard him mumble Katia's name. She recoiled as if slapped. She wanted to get angry, but she was only resigned. Harry would never love her like he loved Katia and that was that.

"I, Harry James Potter, take you, Katia Kayla Reynolds, to be my lawfully wedded wife…"

"Harry, stop it," Katia giggled dodging the spray of water he sent their way as they tried to do the dishes. Chances were that Miss Tonya would have to do them and clean the kitchen.

"Say it," Harry warned, nozzle at the ready.

"Harry Potter is the sexiest man in the world, not Draco Malfoy," Katia announced.

"Good," Harry grunted before taking her in his arms and kissing her….

"What kind of name is 'Maleah'?" Harry asked as he stared at his newborn daughter.

"It means beauty you dolt," Katia snapped. Then she turned her gaze to her daughter. "She's going to be the beautifulest person in the world…."

Harry sat up straight and stared at the wall opposite of his bed. His breaths came in short spurts. Shaking his head, Harry lay back on the bed and sighed. "I'm sorry," he told the air. But he could tell by the slight wind change that Katia heard him.

How do you guys like Katia? I LOVED writing her. In fact, my sister was sitting behind my shoulder as I wrote the second half-wait, lemme back up. My sister read all the chapters of the story, including the ones I hand't posted. So, I wasn't done with this one and my sister forced me to write it as she sat next to me. It took maybe two hours, but we just laughed throughout it all, especially the point after the scene of Parvati's wedding becuase that's where I had stopped before she read it. My sister and I have a sense of humor like no one else, but I do hope you like the characterization of Katia. I cannot tell you how many time I burst out in laughter as I wrote this chapter. I especially love Katia's shoe fetish and her dessert nicknames for Megan. I thought it was cute. Anyhooz, this is a SUPA LONG chapter, I hope you enjoyed it!