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Chapter 32:

We touched the paper and fell into Dumbledore's office. The morning sun was just beginning to creep past the mountaintops, and some old portraits were awake. Sitting in Dumbledore's calm, quiet office was surreal after everything that had happened. It was too much to bear.

Harry was silent.

His office looked the same as ever. But nothing was the same, and it never would be again. I sniffled.

"Don't," he said, looking straight ahead.

I frowned. "What?"

"You should have known. You should have known that the vision wasn't real. How could you be so stupid?"

"I didn't know—"

"Lupin is dead, and it's your fault!" Harry's scream made me jump.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't think—" I stood up. "I'm sorry." I left Harry in Dumbledore's office.

I had my own questions, and being furious was easier than the guilt over Lupin. I could still see his eyes, wide and scared. What was worse was knowing that I hadn't just killed Lupin; I'd ruined Tonks' life, and kept their baby from ever being born.

I covered my mouth with my hands. I wouldn't cry. I wouldn't cry.

When I got to Snape's office, I knocked on the door too loud. I doubted he would be asleep, but it hadn't crossed my mind that he wouldn't be in his office. After a few moments, I knew he wasn't there, so I sank to the floor, staring ahead of me. I would wait.

Sure enough, a few hours later, when the sun was blinding through the tiny window above me, I heard the whooshing of robes.

Snape paused in front of me. "Dumbledore's been looking for you."

I said nothing.

He sighed and opened his door. I stood and followed him inside, sitting on the black leather sofa in his quarters. He sat across from me on the table, and folded his hands together on his lap. I saw the dust on his cheek, the sweat on his brow. I almost didn't ask the question burning in my mind.

But I had to.

"What do you know about Mom's prophecy?"

His bottom lip tightened ever so slightly. "Only rumors."

"Do you know what it says? Did she give the prophecy?"

"Prophecies are rarely spoken by the person they're about," he said. "The prophecy probably addresses her life. Not yours."

"How are you so sure?"

"I'm not."

"Does Dumbledore know anything?"

"You'll have to ask him."

"I will." There was a pause.

"Narcissa is dead."

"I know."

"Lupin is dead."

Snape nodded. "I know."

"Harry almost died."

"I know."

"Voldemort wouldn't kill me."

Snape paused. "I gathered as much." He seemed to choose his words very carefully.

"He was going to kill Harry, but he wouldn't kill me." Again, tears fell down my face. My voice was only a little uneven, and my breathing was almost steady, but the tears were unstoppable. "Why won't he kill me?"

He sighed. "I'm afraid you've fallen into a much worse position than Potter."

"Does he know that I'm a seer?"

"Not to my knowledge. Not yet."

Something crept up my throat, and I couldn't breathe. "I'm scared," I said. "I'm really, really scared."

He nodded, pulling me into his arms as I cried. My whole body hurt, I was responsible for two deaths, and the endangering of over a dozen other people. I had no plan, and my visions of what would happen were useless; I would need new ones, and now I had no idea if I could even trust them. I was supposed to have the upper hand, the power to change everything for the better. Instead, it seemed, I was only making things worse.

"Pardon me, Severus," Dumbledore said. He stood at the door, and Snape awkwardly stood, glaring. "I was hoping I might have a word with Katarina?"

"Of course." Snape left the room with only the smallest look back.

Dumbledore conjured an armchair and moved the table, sitting in precisely the same spot Snape had been in. He watched me for a moment, and I wiped my eyes.

"Is this the part where you tell me something wise?" I said, voice raw.

"Well if you expect it, it's bound to lose some of its effect."

My fists clenched and unclenched. "Is this some sort of joke to you? Is this funny?"

"Not at all."

"Then don't just sit there, acting all high and mighty because you know, because you don't. I know. I know what's going to happen! And it's not fucking funny because all I can think about is keeping people alive, and making sure that I don't mess it all up. And I can't do it. I can't." My words gave way to heavy gasps.

I felt ridiculous.

I felt desperate, and tired, and so, so afraid.

"Are you finished?"

"No!" I shouted. Then a moment passed. "Yes."

"Winning this war does not rest solely on your shoulders. I hope you realize that."

"But—"

"You have been given a very, very serious ability. Even for wizards. But that does not make you entirely responsible. You're still a child—"

"Technically—"

"And though you're of age, there are people, like myself, for example, who should protect you. Last night, and most of this year, in fact, I failed you. For that, I am sorry."

I frowned.

"I shouldn't have ignored your gift, nor should I have told you to stifle it. You're more like your parents than you know." He smiled. "They never took 'no' for an answer. They never walked away from a challenge. Your mother berated Severus, once. In front of the entire school. But I digress. Last night, you simply tried to do what was right. Remus did the same. Perhaps things might have ended differently had different decisions been made, but if we let the past hold us captive, there will never be a future."

"You can't just let me off the hook that easily. He's dead. Because of me."

Dumbledore shook his head. "Remus ran into the fray just like every other member of the Order. He knew the risks he was taking then, and he knew the risk he took when he ran after you and Harry. Remus is dead because Bellatrix Lestrange killed him. Her alone, and no one else."

I let out a breath I hadn't known I'd been holding. "Is Harry ok?"

"He's in Gryffindor tower, probably not asleep. But I sincerely hope he's alright."

"Did you tell him about the prophecy?"

Dumbledore bristled a bit. "Yes."

"Did you know about my mom's prophecy?"

"I've known about it since she first began at Hogwarts."

"Do you know what it says?"

He shook his head. "I've never heard it myself."

My shoulders slumped. "Then I'll never know. They destroyed all the prophecies at the Ministry."

"What good could it have brought?" Dumbledore said.

I raised an eyebrow. "You spent this whole year guarding a prophecy, and now you're trying to tell me that they're not important?"

Dumbledore's lips might have upturned a little. "That is only because of its importance to Voldemort. He has invested time, power, and lives into it. But you know very well that just because the future has been seen, doesn't mean it has been decided."

"It still would have been nice to know," I mumbled.

Dumbledore stood up. "It would be nice to know quite a bit in this world, to be sure."

I looked up at him. "So does this mean you won't freak out if I stop taking that Seer potion blocking stuff?"

He paused. "Under two conditions. One, you must promise to continue working with your uncle."

I would have done that anyways. "Fine."

"Two, you must come back to Hogwarts next year and finish your studies."

I hesitated. Hogwarts was everything I'd ever wanted, but I was beginning to feel less and less useful inside its walls. There was so much I still had to do, and I didn't know if I could get it done with the restrictions of a student.

And could Dumbledore really stop me from not taking the potion? I chanced a look at his face. The answer blared in my mind: yes. Without breaking a sweat, he could.

"Fine." I was much more resigned, but Dumbledore pretended not to notice.

"Lovely," he said. "Then I'll see you later. To the hospital wing. Chop chop!"

Snape gave me a few potions and sent me up to Madam Pomfrey a short while later. I saw Hermione unconscious in her bed. Ron was next to her, barely sparing anyone a second glance. He nodded when he saw me, though. Neville's nose was broken, and Luna had a few scabs. Ginny looked tired and in shock, and next to her, Harry sat. I didn't bother saying anything to him, but once Pomfrey fixed me up, he walked over.

"I just wanted to apologize," he said to the floor. "About earlier."

I frowned. "You were right. I shouldn't have let it happen."

He shrugged. "You couldn't have stopped me. Voldemort was right. I can't not be the hero. I'm an idiot."

"You're a hero, Harry. You can't fight who you are."

He shuffled his feet. "I just want you to know that I, uh, don't blame you for what happened to Lupin. Bellatrix killed him. She's the one responsible."

I opened my mouth, but Ron let out a swear.

Harry and I both turned to see Sirius storm into the room. He grabbed Harry and enveloped him into a hug. I smiled a little, sitting down on my bed.

"How is this possible?" Ginny said.

"Dumbledore had some words with the minister," he said, sitting on the bed next to Hermione's. "I'm a free man."

Harry managed a grin.

"I wanted to see how you were doing," he said to Harry. Then he looked around. "How you all were doing. You were amazing last night." He glanced at Hermione. "And how's she?" His question was directed at Ron.

"Pomfrey's trying to keep her under for a while. Snape's brewing a potion that'll help heal her faster."

Sirius nodded. "She'll pull through. Granger's tough."

Ron smiled a little.

Sirius glanced at me. "And you?"

I shrugged. "'Tis but a scratch. I'm fine."

He nodded, but something in his eyes said that he wasn't fooled.

"Kat!" Fred burst in, and my stomach fluttered; it was pathetic how easily I was distracted from the war when Fred smiled at me. He threw his arms around me, nearly crushing my ribs. It was wonderful.

He backed away just long enough to look in my eyes, and then we kissed. There was something perfect about the way his lips fit against mine, and I let myself sink into the moment. Not even Ron dared to comment.

Fred stayed until Pomfrey shooed him out that evening, promising to pick me up at Hogsmeade instead of letting me ride the express.

"I can't wait," I said, kissing him once more.

"Neither can I, love."

A few days later, Hermione was up and about. She was a little pale, and she winced whenever she laughed, but she was alive. Luna, Ginny, Neville, Ron, and Harry crowded around her bed, trying to keep the mood up with jokes and stories. I stayed for a while, but since the rest of them had packed the night before, I was behind. We were all leaving for the summer tomorrow morning, so I made my way to Gryffindor tower.

With Umbridge gone, it seemed like the spirit of Hogwarts had returned with a vengeance. Students milled about by the lake, while others laughed in the courtyard. Only one hallway sat abandoned, and even then, I could hear the laughter.

"Dumbledore!"

Draco Malfoy blocked my path, face paler than normal, fist clenched around a thick piece of parchment.

Oh no.

I turned around, but Crabbe and Goyle were behind me. Snape wasn't taking me to get my wand for another few days, and wandless magic took too much energy; I had nothing left after the Ministry.

"Draco, I—"

"You killed her," he said. "You—" He was shaking so much that he couldn't finish his sentence.

"I didn't mean to—"

"Shut up!" His wand rose to my chest.

I put my hands up, shaking my head. "It was an accident."

"Like hell!" His chest caved in and out quickly.

"Mr. Malfoy!" Snape stormed down the hallway at record speed.

Even with a professor there, Draco could barely put down his wand. "You will pay for this," he muttered.

Snape gave them all detention and extra summer homework, and dragged me away from them. "You're very good at making enemies," he said, sarcasm dripping from his words.

"I killed his mother," I said. "I never thought he'd warm up to me, but now…"

We stood in front of the portrait of the fat lady, and Snape crossed his arms. "You should, perhaps, abstain from wandering halls alone until you have the means to protect yourself."

"Oh," I said. "See, you arrived moments before my clever plan unfolded. They would have all been toast had you waited just a minute longer to intervene."

Snape did not look amused.

I cleared me throat. "Don't wander the halls. Got it."

He nodded and turned on his heel, going back the way we came.

I sat on my bed for a long while; Seeing Draco so angry was disturbing. It made me worry that killing Narcissa had sent something else in motion, though I didn't quite know what. Slowly, I began to pack my things, trying not to think about how much like Lucius Draco's face looked, or how wide Lupin's eyes had been, even after he died.

As evening fell, I took a break and slowly drifted off.

Marble walls. Hooded figures. Skeletal masks.

"My lord, I—"

"Enough!" Voldemort hissed something at Nagini, who slithered to his side.

Snape let out a long, steadying breath. Then Nagini attacked, and he fell to the ground, twitching. Lucius and Bella, Dolohov and others watched him hungrily.

"NO!" I screamed, sitting up with a jolt. For a minute I couldn't breathe properly. I couldn't think, I couldn't see straight. Then I realized that I'd just had a vision, and it involved Snape dying even sooner than I'd thought.

"Wonderful," I muttered, forcing myself to calm down. I couldn't panic. I couldn't freak out, or overreact. I could only prepare myself and do my best to stop it.

The next morning I headed downstairs with Ron, Ginny, and Harry. Hermione would meet us at the train; Pomfrey wasn't letting her go without triple checking everything.

Snape stopped me at the entrance hall. "I understand Mr. Weasley is picking you up at the station."

I nodded. "Yep."

"You'll not be spending too much time at the Weasleys' this summer."

"But—"

"Everyone will head back to Grimmauld place," he said. "And I expect you'll spend some time at the castle as well. For practice sessions as usual."

I tried not to roll my eyes. "So I'll see you in a few days."

"Of course you will," he said. He left then, and I sighed.

I hadn't had any delusions that this summer would be all fun in the sun, but more and more it was looking to be just another few months of training and preparing for the next horrific encounter with Voldemort.

He wasn't giving up, and he certainly wasn't letting me go. So I had to be stronger. I had to be ready. I had to figure out how the hell my powers worked, and I had to use them to make sure the wrong side didn't win the war. At this point, keeping everyone alive would only be a plus.

When Fred came into sight, though, I knew I had to make sure he lived. And I forced myself to smile, to sink entirely into his embrace, because no matter how hard I tried, I didn't know how long anything in this strange, dangerous, beautiful new world would last. I didn't know when or how, but there was a sinking feeling in my stomach that the world might collapse. So I had to make each and every moment count.

OOO

The End!

I want to thank all of you so much for reading! I'm writing a sequel, When Worlds Collapse(the first chapter is already posted, and you can find the link on my profile), so if you enjoyed this story, definitely check it out!

If you really liked this, please let me know in the reviews! Thanks again for reading! It's been a blast writing this, and I'm so shocked that it's done (even if the series itself still has a while to go)!