I know, it's been a VERY long time, and I'm really sorry about that. I'm working on a lot of stuff right now, so it's kind of hard for me to update frequently. Hope the wait was worth it!

This Chapter is dedicated to JJ Rust, Hurricane Rachel, PlayingEndlesslyWithFire, and everyone else who have been with the story thus far! Thanks so much for the support!

Disclaimer: I didn't make Dumbledore, nor did I choose his sexuality. I would have thought he'd be bisexual, to be honest. No, really. But I did make him have some straight experiences before he realized that he was gay... Thus the existence of my original character, Katarina. I know I'm cheating by using my disclaimer to talk about something my main character will NEVER speak with Dumbledore about, but hey, that's poetic liberty for you, huh?

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Recap of Chapter 5:

Relief flooded through me as I thanked him and ran to my room, wondering what I should do with it. There was no way I was letting Moody do spells on it—even if he didn't find something wrong with it he'd declare it unsafe. After a quick glance at my trunk, I pulled out the key for it and thrust the locket in between two of Ginny's outfits. Then I locked it and made my way back to Hermione, a plan forming in my head.

But my thoughts stopped as suddenly as I did when I saw none other than Dumbledore chatting with Hermione as he sat on a comfy armchair that hadn't been there before.

"Ah," he said, smiling and standing up as I frowned in confusion. "Just the person I was looking for."

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Chapter Six

"Took you long enough," I muttered at the old man as he stood.

Hermione's jaw dropped as Dumbledore chuckled. "And for that I must apologize. I fear that the past few weeks have not been good ones, and I thought it might be better to talk after you were a bit more acquainted with our world."

I raised my eyebrows and followed him out of the room, leaving Hermione alone again.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"First, to talk for a bit. Lemon drop?"

I nodded and he dropped one in my hand. I popped it into my mouth, savoring the sweet and sour flavor.

"Then, you'll be going to Diagon alley with your uncle."

I groaned at the prospect of spending a few hours with no one but Snape, and Dumbledore gave me a pointed look.

"I trust you'll both have a fine time," he said.

I rolled my eyes.

"Just in here." He gestured to the room where the order usually had their meetings, and I went in, dropping into the chair nearest to the door as Dumbledore took the seat next to me.

"So," I said, watching him.

"So indeed," he replied, eyes twinkling.

I opened my mouth to ask a question, but Dumbledore beat me to the punch. "I suppose you'd like to know a bit about why you're here," he started.

"Actually, I'm more interested in why I haven't been here," I said, glancing around the dank dark room. "I mean, I feel like I've been cheated out of a world I was supposed to be a part of, and no one has even bothered giving me a clue as to why."

Dumbledore sighed, his smile fading, and nodded. "I do owe you an explanation. However, in the interest of time, I can only supply a partial story for now."

"Anything, really," I said, shrugging as the anger I'd felt at being completely ignorant started bubbling to the surface.

"Well, I suppose I'll start at the beginning. Your father, my grandson, went to Hogwarts with your mother. They were both bright students, and soon after they graduated, the two married and started training to be aurors."

"So, they didn't meet in college?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "That they did not."

"Why were they under the impression that they did?"

"All in good time," he said, leaning forwards slightly. "Your parents were extraordinary. No doubt every grandfather thinks this of his descendants, but truly, your father was a very gifted wizard, matched only by your mother. Unfortunately, it was their greatness that led Voldemort to attempt to recruit them. Your Uncle's position in the ranks of the death eaters made it very easy for Voldemort to find them, although they'd gone into hiding as was standard for every auror in training during that time."

"Did someone betray them?" I realized as my voice broke that tears were brimming in my eyes.

"No," he said after a few moments.

I felt my brow furrow. "What happened?"

"Severus is now very talented in Occlumency, but back when he started, it was a shaky gift that he had to work very hard to maintain."

"Are you saying—"

"Voldemort found where his sister would be, held her as bait, and your father came running after her, leaving you in my care."

Tears were swimming in my eyes. Dumbledore sighed, pausing to survey me from behind his glasses.

"Would you like me to stop?" he asked delicately.

I shook my head furiously.

"Severus pleaded with Voldemort to let them live, and finally convinced him. But your parents were found broken, with no memory or recollection of their former selves."

"But how did—"

He put a hand up and adjusted his glasses. "There is an unforgivable curse that inflicts unimaginable amounts of pain, one you were subjected to on the night Voldemort found you, I believe."

I nodded. But I knew already, that it was just like Neville—

"The Longbottoms, two aurors, were subjected to this very curse a few years after your parents, and they met a similar fate. However, your parents were luckier. Your father regained his memory within months, growing to detest the world he was raised in as it became obvious that your mother would never regain her own memories. He insisted that he take you and your mother to a place that Voldemort had not yet corrupted."

"America," I muttered.

Again, Dumbledore nodded. "I did not agree with his hasty solution, but Severus decided that it was the only way to keep his sister, and you, safe. He apparated the three of you there, cast a memory charm and a few protective wards, and we've heard nothing from any of you since."

For a long time all I could do was stare ahead of me.

"Did my mom ever remember?" I asked shakily.

"Your mother's mind was too far gone, and I'm afraid that to this very day she does not know of her life before this all happened."

"But, but," I mumbled, my brow furrowing immensely, "I heard such detailed stories from them about their lives—"

"Severus and your father created various alibis for you to hear as a child."

"And why couldn't I learn magic or go to Hogwarts?" Anger seeped in now, and I met Dumbledore's gaze with my own narrowed eyes.

"I had no say in the matter," he said, looking away from me.

I fumed for a minute, trying to redefine my parents as I knew them… My mind was still reeling when another question came to mind.

"Why didn't you or Snape try to find me once Voldemort was defeated by Harry?"

"There were still many death eaters on the loose that wished ill towards your parents."

I clicked my tongue. "That sounds like crap."

"I can assure you, it is the truth."

"I'm not saying it's a lie," I said, standing. "I'm saying that I've had quite a few conversations with Harry, and I've gotten more than enough warning about your cryptic half-answers."

"I am still your grandfather, and I will not be spoken to in that tone." A small warning hung in the air, and for a moment I recoiled. Then I thought of all the years I could have spent in the wizarding world, how he'd done nothing to overrule my father's stupid decision.

"The expiration date for me having to respect you ended when you let my dad die in America, on his own."

I walked from the room, not looking back at Dumbledore as I swung the door open to find Snape.

"Apologize," he said.

I shook my head. "No."

"Apologize now." The words slipped through his clenched jaw, black eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Fuck off," I said, shoving past him.

But three steps later I felt a burst of… energy come from behind me. I whipped around to see a red jet of light zooming toward me. My surprise was quickly eclipsed by fury, and almost as though I could touch the curse, I brought my hand up in front of me, sending it right back at my uncle.

He barely cast a counter curse by the time it zoomed back towards him, stumbling back a few steps. I stormed into the kitchen, ignoring his surprise, to see Fred eating an apple.

I paused, but he looked up before I could leave, a grin spreading up his face.

"Hey Kat," he said, tapping the table invitingly.

With a glance toward the other room, I sat down and wondered how long it would be before Dumbledore and Snape chose to take more parental liberties they didn't have.

"Hey Fred."

"I'm George."

"No," I said idly, "you're Fred."

His eyes let up as he grinned again. "How can you tell us apart?"

I smiled a little, grabbing an apple from the bowl in the center of the table.

"Magic, I guess."

At that moment, footsteps echoed and Snape entered the room. "Mr. Weasley, out."

"With pleasure," he said, grin melting off his face as he left with haste. I thought I heard the word "Git" from his retreating form, but I couldn't be sure.

Snape sat down in Fred's vacant seat and watched me silently. I contemplated leaving, until he opened his mouth.

"You are never to use magic on me again. Is that understood?"

"One, it was an accident. Two, you used magic on me first. That rule has to go both ways."

"I do not negotiate with—"

"I'm not asking you to negotiate. I'm eighteen. Don't treat me like a petulant child."

He paused. I raised my eyebrows. Then he sighed. "Very well." He stood up and walked to the doorway.

"Well?"

I turned. "What?"

"I have more important things to do than escort you through diagon alley, but considering the danger you're in, you can't go alone. I'd rather get the shopping done quickly."

I jumped up and grinned, my fury abating. "Oh my god, I'm so up for that!"

But as we walked passed Dumbledore, a surge of guilt engulfed me. I would apologize later, I decided.

"How are we getting there?" I asked.

"Apparation."

I made a face, remembering Harry's description from the books. "Couldn't we drive? Or fly a broom?"

"No." He rolled his eyes as we stepped onto the front porch of Grimwauld place. Reluctantly, I grabbed a hold of his arm and together we apparated to the leaky Cauldron.

It was every bit as bad as I thought it would be, and once we made it to the bar I thought my breakfast might upturn itself.

"Are you alright?" Snape said, a rare twinge of concern invading his voice.

I nodded, breathing through my nose as the nausea lessened. I looked around and gasped. My eyes widened as I took on the sights and sounds of the small tavern, but before I could even say hello to Tom, the barkeep, Snape was walking swiftly into the back alley and tapping on the bricks. As the wall folded itself to make an entryway, I caught my first glimpse of Diagon alley.

"It's not much," Snape said.

"It's perfect," I breathed.

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