A/N: Yay! Short, relatively normal chapter! This chapter was supposed to be a lot longer, but I ran out of plot-bunnies (man, those things multiply like mad when you don't need them, and disappear when you do) about her job. So, just enjoy her undetailed post-Hogwarts life! Oh, and if you think she is sucking up to her boss, that's probably because she is. I was really tired when I wrote this chapter, and Katrina's personality might be a little morphed. R&R, if thou pleasest!

The Half-Blood Prince

"Miss... Lupine?"

"Yes, sir."

"What a frightfully suitable name. Please follow me." The well-built man walked into his office, followed by Katrina.

"Please, take a seat." The man's office contained cages with smaller animals that Katrina recognized as Horklumps, Imps, Fairies and an Augurey, looking mournful (of course, that is an Augrey's nature).

"Sir-"

"Please, call me Mr Moore. Dannis Moore." He shook her hand over his polished desk.

"So, Katrina, I understand you are interested in becoming a Magizoologist."

"Yes." Keep your answers short and sweet. That had been her parents' advice.

"Any idea as to a speciality you'd like to pursue?"

"I find I especially like the Griffin, and additionally the Hippogriff."

"That would put you in the Beast Division...why are you partial to the Griffin?" Moore leaned forward, fingers interlaced.

"Well, I find them fascinating, proud, graceful beasts, with personalities unique to each one."

"I see... good, good. And you've studied at Hogwarts... you are a top student, one of the best in your year. No, no problem here." He paused, and shuffled the papers on his desk. "But, it's noted that you were absent from a large portion of your seventh year - it says that you were absent from a large portion of your seventh year, although you were able to sit your exams, albeit slightly later. Would you care to tell me why?"

What was she supposed to say? Well, Mr Moore, the reason is mostly because a cow named Dolores Umbridge banished me from the school, and I had to live in the Forbidden Forest until she was carried off by centaurs. "Well, um-"

"But I'm sure we can overlook that. One final question - we have more than forty applicants for this job opening. Why should I hire you?" The Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures scrutinized her.

"I feel that I would be able to better... connect with the animals because I have a tactical advantage."

"And what would that be?"

"I am a natural Animagus."

"Really." He looked as though he didn't believe her. "Why don't you show me."

"Alright." She stood up, pushed her chair back, and morphed. Simple as that.

He looked at the silver wolf standing before him, significantly shorter than her human counterpart.

"Well, that is interesting. And you say you were born with this ability?" Moore wasn't fazed by much.

The wolf nodded, her muzzle jerking up and down.

"Miss Lupine, I do believe you have just been hired as a Magizoologist. Welcome aboard."

Katrina, now human, shook his hand, grinning.

"You got the job? That's fantastic!" Fred embraced Katrina warmly and planted a kiss on top of her head.

George grinned, embarrassed. "Aww. Widdle Georgie's awl awone," he joked, making fun of himself.

"Don't worry, widdle Georgie. I think a certain chaser whose name rhymes with, uh, Fandeliga Yohanson who would really like to know you better." Fred smirked at him over the top of his girlfriend's head.

"Really? Brilliant." George smiled cheekily.

They stood in the twins' office at the back of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

"So, where you heading first?" George leaned against a desk easily.

"My first assignment is Scotland. I have to document breeding patterns and methods of Scottish Griffins-"

"How long's zis gonna take?"

"Two weeks, at the most."

"Aww. Two weeks. Wittle Freddie's going to miss you." George sniggered.

"Oh, don't be so mean to wittle Freddie, George." Katrina raised an eyebrow. "He has feewing too."

"Why are we talking like this?"

"No clue."

"So, all in all, not one of Ron's better birthdays?" said Fred.

It was evening, and the six of them sat round Ron's hospital bed. Harry, Hermione and Ginny had been waiting outside the hospital wing doors all day, apparently, until Madam Pomfrey had let them in at eight. Fred and George had arrived at ten past. Katrina herself had come at twenty past, slowed by a late arrival, caused by a dispute over how many Galleons she had paid Madam Rosemerta at the Three Broomsticks.

She had been in Hogsmeade with Fred and George, on a quick business trip for them, and a quick nostalgia trip for her. While they debated buying Zonko's, she had been reliving her years at Hogwarts. Until the news had come that Ron Weasley had almost died, and only Harry Potter's quick thinking had saved him (no thanks to Horace Slughorn, who had been there at the time).

"This isn't how we imagined handing over our presents," George remarked grimly, laying down a large wrapped gift beside Ron's bed. Katrina mimicked him, placing her round package next to the twins'.

"Yeah, when we pictured the scene, he was conscious." Fred added.

"Guys, come on. Your younger brother almost died, and all you can do is make jokes?" Katrina was surprised. Fred and George, albeit normally jokers who couldn't take anything seriously, could pull off seriousness in the right circumstances - and this was definitely the right circumstance.

"Yeah...well." George shrugged. "What else are we going to do?"

Katrina thought for a moment. "Good question. Let me get back to you on that."

The year passed quickly. Katrina's job was almost the centre of her life; studying Griffins became her passion. She loved the ferocity and dignity of each different one, and would spend hours watching their flying patterns. Once she got close enough to touch a female and her cub - but didn't.

She and Fred became closer as the months wore on. Katrina found herself spending more time at the jokeshop then at her own small apartment above the Magical Menagerie. One day, she walked into Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, feeling tired. She saw Verity, one of the shop's employees, and made her way towards the short blonde.

"Hi, Verity," Katrina sighed, pushing a stand of hair behind her ear. "Is Fred here?"

"Let me get him, Miss Lupine." Verity disappeared, just as Fred came up behind her.

"What can I get you? Seeing as Verity's going to look for a non-existent me in the office."

She turned and smiled. Time for the pitch. "Fred, do you think that you work too much?"

He raised an eyebrow. "No, why?"

"Good. Come on." She grabbed by the arm and towed him out of the shop.

"What? Where are we going?"

"I rented a cottage out in the countryside for the weekend, because I think you work too much and I'm on a holiday."

"Do I get a choice?"

"No. Verity and George can hold down the fort without you for three days."

"Okay." He grinned. "Best decision I've never had to make."

The cottage was cute; petite and elegant at the same time. There was only one bedroom, a kitchen and a small living room with a fireplace for cold nights. In short, it was a Muggle home, but an adorable one at that.

They spent two nights in each other's company. Days were spent flying around the nearby woods spooking hikers, and nights were spent curled up in the other's arms on the couch, talking.

"When this war is over, I was thinking about buying a house." He murmured, pulling her closer.

"What about the shop?"

"Oh, I'd still work there, but I wouldn't live right on top of it. More space to move around. You know?"

"Yeah. What about kids?"

"Huh?"

"You know; would you ever want to have kids?"

"Maybe; but only if I could name them Gred and Forge."

"What if you had a girl?" Katrina traced the wood wall with a finger dreamily.

"Don't know. I've always liked Brianna, though."

"That's more of a Muggle name."

"So is Fred. And George, for that matter. Don't know what was running through Dad's head at the time."

"Probably something along the lines of unintelligible screaming."

"Mmmm... what about a job? Would you ever change?"

"Probably not. I like working with Magical Creatures, Griffins or not."

"And..." he trailed off. "Never mind. I'm out of questions."

She snuggled up against him, tucking her feet behind her. "Me too."

Fred pulled her in for a hug. She smiled and kissed him fiercely.

"Hey, Kat-"

"Yeah," she agreed.

"You didn't know what I was going to say."

"I have mind-reading powers. Now, come on."

He grinned. "You're the boss. And the kidnapper, might I add."

"I'm just paying you back for our fourth year." Katrina was referring to the her 'kidnapping'; otherwise known as the Weasley's Car's Destruction.

"That never actually happened!"

"Well, my memory's not what it used to be. No more talking now."

But he wasn't done. "Happy New Year, Kat."

"Happy New Year, Fred."