25th June

Coming out of the dreamless sleep five hours later, I was slap bang into reality again. It sucked. Hermione gave me a look that summed up exactly how I was feeling. Realising the extent of our hunger, we got up and threw on clothes that may or may not have been clean. Entering the Great Hall, a few people stopped what they were doing and stared.

I rubbed my eyes as I sat down beside Fred and George. George set a cup of coffee in front of me and turned back to Fred again. I couldn't help but smile. "Nice jumper!" George said after I had finished the cup, "It's more of a dress on you, to be fair."

I shook my head, "It's mine now. I keep the jumper; you get the blanket. Fair swopsies."

"Fine." George smirked, "Ron said you could have murdered the Minister for Magic last night." He looked mightily impressed.

"And rightly so," Hermione got riled up, "That man – what an idiot – an imbecile!"

"Let's just say I gave him a piece of my mind and I have left no doubt that I think he is scum of the earth." I spoke coolly, "Fudge brought a Dementor into the school, completely against Dumbledore's wishes. The man was tied up for goodness sake and it was 3 against 1! Then surprise, surprise the Dementor performed the kiss on Barty Crouch Jr, basically killing off all the evidence that Voldemort is back." I whispered angrily, "I'd find great pleasure in seeing that man suffer."

Fred and George jumped at the sound of Voldemort's name. Their eyes widened slightly. I happily dug into brunch, which consisted of as much food as I could pile on my plate. "Remind us never to cross you, Kathryn. You'd kill us and make it look like an accident."

Towards the end of lunch, Fleur approached me, looking over her shoulder at Krum before speaking. "Kathryn?" she caught my attention (Her pronunciation of my name was closer to Kas-ring).

Hermione, Fred and George all continued walking out of the Great Hall as I stopped. I guessed what she wanted before she opened her mouth. She looked like she hadn't slept particularly well, and guessing by the yawn Krum gave off, neither had he. "Meester Krum and I were wondering if you-?" she asked.

"Not here." I said, thinking desperately where we could go and not have someone listening, "How about a walk around the lovely Black Lake? I need to take a shower first… I'll see you both outside in… an hour? Can you tell Krum?"

"Yes, thenkz!"

"Meester Dumbledore told us not to be asking 'arry about what 'appened. 'e told ze entire school zis morning." Was the first thing Fleur said to me outside the Beauxbatons carriage. She and Krum had been sitting outside waiting for me. We started walking together.

"Yeah, probably best." I nodded.

"So You-Know-Who is back?" Krum put it straight out there.

I nodded, "Harry and Cedric were transported to Voldemort's rebirth via the Triwizard Cup which had been turned into a portkey."

"Haff you remembered who it vos who stunned me?" Krum asked after a minute of deep thought.

"Yeah…" I sighed, "It's complicated…" I stopped on the spot and looked at Krum as I explained, "Barty Crouch Jr, who you probably know as a Death Eater, who should be dead, escaped Azkaban and was held captive in his home by his father Mr Crouch Sr. He overcame the Imperius Curse and conjured the Dark Mark at the Quidditch World Cup. Voldemort then learned of his existence and recruited him back again, putting Mr Crouch Sr under the influence of the Imperius Curse instead and Barty Jr was set free. Barty Jr then attacked the real Alastor Moody in his home and has been using Polyjuice potion all year to maintain his new identity. His task by Voldemort was to guide Harry through the tournament, to make him win, to send him to the Graveyard to aid Voldemort in his rebirth." I stopped talking, looking at the bewildered looks on their faces, "So it was Moody aka Barty Jr who stunned you in the Forest, as he was out looking for Mr Crouch Sr who had escaped and was partly lucid and was going to tell all to Dumbledore."

Krum nodded in understanding, "So he stunned me so I wouldn't see and viped your memory because you saw him stun me and kill his father."

"Precisely." I said, "Then in the Maze last night, Barty Jr stunned you Fleur," I turned to her and we began walking again. I turned to Krum "And put you under the Imperius Curse, Krum, so that you would attack Cedric to give Harry a clear run. None of us had a clue. Harry is devastated, he and Cedric took the cup at the same time and were both transported. Cedric was seen as a 'spare' and was murdered on the spot." I felt a lump in my throat.

Fleur suggested that we stop again and sit for a while, now that we were far enough from the castle. I sat on the grass and composed myself, making a daisy chain. "And to make the situation worse, Fudge brought a Dementor with him to question Barty Jr after we had spoken with him and got all the answers. The Dementor took one look at Barty and gave him the kiss."

Fleur and Krum winced, "So zere is no evidence?" Fleur asked.

"And Fudge probably doesn't vant to believe?"

"Yep."

Krum clenched his fists, "Karkaroff runs off like coward, that is how I know You-Know-Who is back."

"I heard…" I poked at the grass again, "Will you be able to get back home okay?"

"Ve all did the vork vilst Karkaroff sat in his office." Krum said grumpily, "Ve vill be just fine vithout him."

I smirked, "No hard feelings, then?"

Fleur couldn't help but laugh, "I 'ope we keep in correspondence."

"Oh, I know for sure I'm going to see you two in future." I smiled.

Harry returned to the Common Room tonight. We tried to make it as normal for him as possible. Ron set up a game of Wizard's Chess. Hermione had her nose in a book and I was sitting with Fred and George, not too far away. Harry was sitting quietly, not particularly up for talking. Both Ron and Hermione kept blethering on about things that don't really matter. I suggested to Fred and George to show Harry their new inventions, just like they always had.

"He's not going to break, just treat him like you'd treat me."

George sniggered, "Well, there are a lot of things I want to do to you that I wouldn't with Harry."

"George." I said, shaking my head, embarrassed by him, "Let me amend that statement. Treat Harry like nothing's changed. Yes, he's seen someone die and someone else's rebirth, but right now, he just needs some normality and sometimes, that just means you need a little Gred and Forge."

Fred and George then showed Harry the extendable ears, asking Harry if he had any ideas about how to make them more invisible. I saw Harry look up at me and shake his head. He knew that I had sent them over. All I could hear was, "Despite how useful you think Katy may be with the topic in question, she really isn't."

"Oi." I shouted, chucking a cushion at George which hit Fred.

I could see a very mischievous look on Fred's face.

"Oh no." I jumped off the seat and hid behind it as Fred threw the pillow back at me. George then whacked his twin with a second pillow. Ron joined in and threw a pillow at Fred. Fred threw a second pillow at me, which hit Hermione. Hermione chucked one at Ron, because who wouldn't want to do that? And then Ron threw one at George, just cause. After a minute or so, the five of them were in a state of mayhem, throwing pillows, in hysterics. The things you start, eh?

"I never understood until last night…" George said. The two of us were cuddled up on one of the sofas an hour or so after they decided to finish the pillow fight.

I cuddled closer into him, "Never understood what?"

"He's your brother."

"What have I been trying to tell you?" I shook my head, punching him gently on the arm, "Honestly."

"I know, but… he's got the Dursleys and you have your parents, you sort of understand each other, don't you? Probably better than I ever could."

I half shrugged my shoulders, "We've both been through very different things, Georgie, but yes, there is an element of mutual understanding. At times we both feel very alone in this world through no fault of our own. It's hard to explain…"

"I know what you mean. You look out for him and he looks out for you. I saw what he was like when you were in the hospital wing and I saw what you were like during the tasks. I just never understood before…"

26th June

After classes today, Hermione and I both walked back to the Common Room together, but I got talking to Ginny. She was telling me how excited she was to have our sleepovers again. Hermione excused herself and went into our dorm. When Ginny and I had finished our conversation, I went to find Hermione and get changed before dinner. I pushed open the door to our room and Hermione was talking to a beetle in a jar.

"'Mione, I know you're strange and I embrace that, but isn't this a bit… Weird, even for you?" I made my way over to my bed, the furthest from the door and sat down.

Hermione let out a creepy sounding laugh, "Kathryn, I'd like you to meet Rita Skeeter." She handed me the jar.

"You're having a laugh?" I put my index finger up to the glass and poked it.

Hermione shook her head, "I found her in the hospital wing. She had been listening in to our conversations again."

"So that's why you slammed your hand into the window sil?" I asked, "AND" I remembered, "Viktor pulled a beetle out of your hair at the end of the second task, didn't he?"

Hermione smiled, nodding, "Yes, I worked it out just before our history of magic exam yesterday, I went to the library to make sure. She's an unregistered animagus."

I looked down at the beetle again which was surrounded by a few twigs and leaves, "Emmm… So what are you going to do with her?" the fat beetle climbed up one of the twigs, the markings around its eyes looked exactly like the glasses Rita wears.

"I don't know yet, but I reckon we should teach her a bit of a lesson." Hermione smiled.

"WE?" I repeated, thinking about how wrong it was then I realised how she had made Harry and Hermione's lives absolute nightmares, "How can I help?" I smiled. I looked down at Rita, "That'll teach you to mess with my friends."

29th June

Harry had suggested going to visit Hagrid during the free periods we had for DADA. As we approached his hut, Fang bolted out the open front door. Hagrid then popped his head out the door to determine the source of Fang's excitement. "Good ter see yeh, mate. Good ter see yeh." Hagrid clapped his massive hand on Harry's back.

We stepped into the hut behind Hagrid and noticed two bucket sized mugs on the kitchen table. He told us that he was having a cuppa with Olympe. Who just so happens to be Madame Maxime. They must be on speaking terms again. Hagrid made us all a cup of tea and handed around a plate of doughy biscuits which I graciously declined.

"Yer too obsessed with yer figure. I'm sure George won't mind if yeh have one biscuit."

I rolled my eyes at him. I thought it better to roll my eyes than tell him that his baking skills are awful. I stuck to my guns and refused another biscuit and suggested that Ron had mine.

Hagrid then turned to Harry as I said nothing, "You all righ'?"

"Yeah," Harry said.

"No yeh're not," Hagrid realised, "'Course yeh're not. But yeh will be."

Harry said nothing.

"Knew he was goin' ter come back." Hagrid said matter of factly, "Known it fer years. Knew he was out there, bidin' his time. It had ter happen. Well, now it has, an' we'll jus' have ter get on with it. We'll fight. Migh' be able ter stop him before he gets a good hold. That's Dumbledore's plan, anyway. Great man, Dumbledore. S'long as we've got him, I'm not worried." Hagrid looked from Harry, to Ron, Hermione and lastly me. I doubted that Dumbledore's presence alone would be enough. "No good sittin' worryin' abou' it, what's comin' will come, an' we'll meet it when it does. Dumbledore told me wha' you did, Harry." Hagrid's chest swelled, "Yeh did as much as yer father would've done, an' I can' give yeh no higher praise than that."

Harry smiled back at Hagrid. The first time I had seen him smile in days.

"What's Dumbledore asked you to do, Hagrid?" he asked, "He sent Professor McGonagall to ask you and Madame Maxime to meet him… that night."

"Got a little job fer me over the summer," Hagrid whispered, "Secret, though. I'm not s'posed ter talk abou' it, not even ter you lot. Olympe – Madame Maxime ter you – might be comin' with me. I think she will. Think I got her persuaded."

"Is it to do with Voldemort?" Harry asked.

Hagrid flinched, "Migh' be."

30th June

All staff and students headed to the Great Hall for our end of year feast. There were no house colours or banners presented, instead, out of respect for Cedric, the decorations were all black. The Hufflepuff table were subdued looking and there was an unusual silence for a time that was usually so happy. The real Alastor Moody was released from the hospital wing today and was looking far healthier. He was jumpy and restless, I didn't blame him after the ordeal he went through and how he suffered for the entire year. I couldn't help, however, that my instinct was to run as far from him as I could. I doubt he noticed. "You okay?" George asked me.

"Oh, yeah."

"Want to tell me what's on your mind?" George could read me like a book. It always amazed me.

I leaned in close to him and whispered, "I guess this is just putting things into perspective. Life is too short. Time is precious. Too many bad things happen to good people..."

George touched my hand and stroked it gently. There was nothing to be said.

Dumbledore stood after everyone had finished their pudding, commanding the attention of everyone. "The end of another year," he began. "there is much I would like to say to you all tonight, but first I must acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here-" he gestured towards the Hufflepuff table – "enjoying our Feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."

Along with everyone else in the Great Hall, I took a firm grip of my goblet, stood and toasted to 'Cedric Diggory'.

As we sat down again Dumbledore continued, "Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities which distinguish Hufflepuff House. He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about." Dumbledore paused and many heads lifted, "Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."

An air of panic struck the Great Hall. Looks of disbelief and horror were shot amongst friends. Ginny gulped and sat in close to Hermione. Ron went pale. Harry froze. George's grip on my hand tightened.

"The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents would be horrified that I have done so – either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory."

I watched as Harry's attention was elsewhere. He was looking in the distance, behind me, most likely in the direction of the Slytherin table. Judging by the look of disgust, he was looking at Draco Malfoy. He often wore that expression when looking at Draco.

Dumbledore continued once again, "There is someone else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death, I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter." It was as though Harry's ears had perked up. His face went red and he stared determinedly at the cutlery in front of him as Dumbledore explained, "Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort, he risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honour him."

Dumbledore raised his goblet. The majority of people followed suit, lifting their goblets, standing and murmuring the name 'Harry Potter'.

"The aim of the Triwizard Tournament was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened – of Lord Voldemort's return – such ties are more important than ever before." Dumbledore looked around at each of our visitors, "Every guest in this Hall will be welcomed back here, at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open. It is my belief – and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken – that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you, in this Hall, have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst…" he paused, "Remember Cedric. Remember if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."

I couldn't help but look around the room. At the Ravenclaw table, Cho Chang, who had been Cedric's girlfriend was in floods of tears. It had become extremely apparent just how popular Cedric was. How he will live on, that he will be remembered for being courageous and for how he really died, that he was not given a second chance. That, when given the opportunity, any of us could be murdered on the spot without justification. We had to be careful, and as Dumbledore said, we all need to stick together, despite our many differences. Things were about to change dramatically and I hope we're all ready for when it does.

With everything packed, and ready to go back into the muggle world again, Harry, Ron, Hermione and I stood amongst the rest of the school to bid farewell to our guests. Fred and George were pulling pranks and selling some of their products to the Durmstrang students. McGonagall was keeping a very close eye on them and was ready to step in and clip their ears if they became a nuisance. She looked to me at one stage and I merely shrugged my shoulders and we both shared a smile.

Fleur approached Harry and held out her hand for him to shake, "'Arry, we will see each uzzer again, I 'ope. I am 'oping to get a job 'ere in to improve my Eenglish."

"Perhaps a job in Gringotts?" I smiled at her.

Fleur tried to hold back a smirk, but failed, "Perhaps."

"Your English is very good already." Ron spoke shortly after in a strangled sort of voice. Fleur simply smiled at him. Hermione scowled.

"Goodbye, 'Arry," Fleur turned to go, "It 'az been a pleasure meeting you."

François approached me looking bashful, "I will always have place for you in my heart, Kasrine! Goodbye." He took a hold of and kissed my hand. All I can say is, I'm very glad George was not around to see that.

"Heh." I smiled awkwardly, "Au revoir François."

Ron looked at me and said, "Something you need to tell me… Or George?"

"He asked me to the Ball. Just because you can't stand that sight of me, Ronald, doesn't mean everyone else agrees with you. And don't worry, I'm very happy with George." I stuck my tongue out at him, teasingly.

I was surprised that Hermione hadn't made a comment about François and realised why. Krum had meanwhile managed to sneak up to us and take Hermione off to the side. I tried to not draw this to Ron's attention. I knew how easily jealous he got when other guys showed Hermione attention. I wish that the two of them would realise…

"You'd better hurry up!" Ron shouted over to Krum and Hermione. I was clearly far too late, "The carriages will be here in a minute."

By this stage, Krum had taken Hermione right out of Ron's direct line of view. Ron looked at me and said, "You know the way I never ask you to do anything for me?" he asked quickly.

"What do you want, Ronald?" I looked at him as he craned his neck over the crowds of people wishing their friends well before the summer holidays began.

"I want you to go over, do your thing and tell me what they're talking about." He came straight out with it.

I smirked, "It almost sounds like you're jealous, Ronald."

"Am not." His cheeks pinked up.

"Sure." I rolled my eyes at him, then both Krum and Hermione returned and Ron looked like he had just been one number away from winning the lottery. Krum started talking to Harry. Hermione stood beside me, her facial expressions impassive. Krum then stood and shook Harry's hand, then Ron's and Hermione's where he held onto her hand just a tad too long.

"It vos a pleasure to meet you, Kathryn." Krum cleared his throat before speaking to me. He nodded his head to Hermione and he turned towards the Durmstrang boat.

Ron looked as though he was severely constipated as his body wriggled awkwardly as Krum walked away. Then he burst out, "Can I have your autograph?"

I turned to Ron and laughed, "My autograph? I wonder why it had taken you so long, Ronald. We have been friends for four years after all." I said sarcastically.

"Heh." Ron gave me a dirty look.

Hermione was trying to hold back giggles as she turned towards the carriages, pulled as ever by the creepy horse-like creatures. Krum looked surprised, but gratified as he signed a fragment of parchment for Ron. "You vill be famous one day. I know it."

Harry, Ron, Hermione and I found a compartment on the train to ourselves. We stored our suitcases away and Ron covered Pigwidgeon's cage with his maroon dress robes to keep him quiet. Hedwig sat in her cage happily, covering her face with her wing and Crookshanks curled up into a ball in one of the spare seats.

Harry seemed to have perked up a good bit and we freely discussed what had happened. The topic was morbid and brought back that bad feeling. I knew that a fake Moody was only the beginning of the trouble that lay ahead for me. Our group conversation halted momentarily when the lunch trolley stopped outside our compartment. I had no money left and both Ron and I sat eating the cauldron cakes Harry bought for us.

Hermione sat with a copy of the Daily Prophet and scanned it for any word about Voldemort's return. "There's nothing in here," she announced as Harry was looking at the paper curiously, "I've been checking every day. Just a small piece the day after the third task, saying you won. They didn't even mention Cedric. Nothing about any of it. If you ask me, Fudge is forcing them to keep quiet."

"He'll never keep Rita quiet." Harry said, "Not on a story like this."

Hermione and I exchanged glances.

"What?" Harry's tone was one of demand.

"Oh, Rita hasn't written anything at all since the third task." Hermione said in an oddly constrained voice, the two of us had come up with a plan on how to deal with our six-legged problem, "As a matter of fact, Rita Skeeter isn't going to be writing anything at all for a while. Not unless she wants me to spill the beans on her."

"What are you talking about?" Ron interjected before Harry could speak.

"Hermione figured out how Rita was listening into private conversations when she wasn't supposed to be coming into the grounds." I said in a small voice.

"Bugging." Hermione said happily, "You see, Rita Skeeter is an unregistered Animagus." Hermione reached into her schoolbag and lifted out the jar, "She can turn into a beetle."

"That's never – you're kidding." Ron took the jar and held it up to his eyes, after a short time his eyes opened wide, "Those markings – they're Skeeter's glasses." He was astonished. Hermione proceeded to happily answer all the boy's questions.

"Kathryn and I have told Rita that I will let her out of the jar when we get back to London. I've put an unbreakable charm on the jar see, so she can't transform. And I've told her to keep her quill to herself for a whole year. See if she can't break the habit of writing horrible lies about other people." Hermione then took the jar from me and put it back into her bag again.

Our compartment door slid open and Draco stepped in, "Very clever, Granger." He said, ignoring me as per. Both Crabbe and Goyle were standing behind him, the three of them looking incredibly arrogant.

"So, you caught some pathetic reporter and Potter's Dumbledore's favourite boy again." Draco let out a humph sound. "Big deal." Then his smirk widened as he looked at Harry, "Trying not to think about it, are we? Trying to pretend it hasn't happened?" Draco spoke softly, looking around at his pathetic cronies for some sort of acceptance.

I clenched my fists, remembering when Hermione punched Draco last year. I really wanted to hit him, just once. I imagined the sheer satisfaction.

"Get out." Harry said.

"You've picked the losing side, Potter! I warned you! I told you, you ought to choose your company more carefully, remember? When we met on the train, first day at Hogwarts? I told you not to hang around with riff-raff like this!" Draco jerked his head at Ron, Hermione and me.

"Harry. Said. Get. Out." I said, I clenched onto my wand, and as Draco continued to ignore me I stood and gave his shoulder a shove, "Are you deaf or something? Get out of our carriage."

It was like I was invisible, "Too late now, Potter! They'll be the first to go, now the Dark Lord's back! Mudbloods and Muggle-lovers first! Well – second – Diggory was the f-"

"EVERTE STATUM!" I yelled in rage.

Harry, Ron and Hermione had also shouted curses and charms at Draco, Crabbe and Goyle, affecting all three of them in different ways. The only thing they all had in common was that they were unconscious. I much preferred them that way. I stood amazed for a second, then sat down where I was and continued as normal, trying to suppress my anger, lifting Hermione's newspaper.

Fred and George climbed over (or should I say on) their bodies and into the carriage, "Thought we'd see what those three were up to." Fred said. Both he and George had their wands out.

"Who used the Furnunculus curse?" George asked, looking impressed at Goyle's uglier appearance.

"Me," Harry said.

"Hmmmm…" George said lightly, "I used Jelly-Legs. Looks as though those two shouldn't be mixed. He seems to have sprouted little tentacles all over his face."

"I wish I used something more exciting…" Ron said, "I wish I could have blown them all up."

"Here, here." I said from where I was sitting, reading an article on the control werewolves. It was making my blood boil. I sighed and set the paper down.

"Let me guess, Katy…" George gained my full attention, "You blasted them off their feet? That was a very clear warning you gave. Deserved everything they got." He chuckled.

"I guess I'm just sick of them treating us like dirt on the bottoms of their shoes." I said matter-of-factly, looking back down at the newspaper again. I felt frustrated and angry at just about everything; the way Draco came in, the way Rita wrote about my friends, how innocent people are treated in the worst ways, the way Fudge killed off our evidence, the fact that Voldemort is back and just to top it off, the pounding headache that had come on in the last five minutes.

George nudged me gently, "If they had half a brain they'd know not to mess with you. Perhaps they'll know in future." He tried to make me feel better, "Well, let's not leave them here, they don't add much to the décor." George said, and he, Fred, Harry and Ron dragged and kicked the bodies out of the compartment and closed the door tight.

"Exploding snap anyone?" Fred pulled out a pack of cards.

My head felt really full. I sat with my head resting on George's shoulder as he and Fred played against Harry and Ron. After a few rounds I excused myself and walked in the direction of the toilets, climbing over Draco, Crabbe and Goyle. I took my time, splashed a bit of cold water on my face and on returning back to the carriage I felt slightly better.

"So you knew all about Bagman and you didn't think to tell me?" Harry looked at me, exasperated.

I rubbed my face with my hand, massaging my pulsing temples, "Don't even go there. I knew about Ludo, which I couldn't tell you, I knew about Snuffles whom I couldn't tell George about. Then I had everything – do you know what? I was looking out for you Harry and I would have told you if I needed to." I said, ending the conversation, then sat down beside George and put my head on his shoulder and rested my eyes.

"Katy…" I felt George stroke my face. "Katy? It's time to get off the train, sweetheart…" I opened my eyes to see George looking down at me, my head was on his lap and I had his cloak on me like a blanket.

"Oh goodness…" I said, sitting bolt upright, "Sorry guys…" I felt the train come to a halt. The boys were sniggering, most likely at me. Ginny was now in the compartment and both she and Hermione were looking at me with a hint of concern in their eyes. I was so disorientated as I got up, giving George back his cloak and lifted my trunk, following Ron and Hermione who were first to disembark, climbing over Draco, Crabbe and Goyle, who were still lying where we left them.

On the platform I followed Ron, Hermione and Ginny, to where Molly was standing. Hermione laughed at me as she helped me fix my hair as I rubbed my sleepy eyes. "You okay?" she asked me and I gave her a small nod followed by a massive hug. She wished me all the best for the summer, "I know you'll write back to me, I don't have to ask." She smiled.

"I'll miss you!" I said mid-hug.

"You must be tired, going all sentimental!" Hermione smiled, "I'm sure you'll have a ball this summer! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she winked at me. Hermione then proceeded to hug Ginny, Ron and Harry and headed off with her parents whom I had quickly greeted.

George then put an arm around my waist and smiled down at me, as he and Fred returned from the train with all their belongings. Then I heard Molly say, "Kathryn dear?"

"Uh-huh?" I turned to Molly, smiling. She handed me a letter that was sealed. I opened it carefully and skimmed the writing. "What?" I looked up at Molly, who grimaced.

"Professor McGonagall thinks it's for the best." Molly's expression was unreadable.

I looked down at the letter and read again,

Miss Pink,
It has been decided that over the summer months, Mr and Mrs Malfoy will be your foster parents. Mrs Malfoy has volunteered to care for you and has assured myself and Professor Dumbledore that you will be in the best hands. I know this may come as a shock to you, but please trust that this is the best thing for you at this time.
Be good.
Professor McGonagall.

"What the f*ck?" I hollered aggressively.

George took the letter from my hand and read it.

"This has got to be a f*cking joke. This isn't funny, Molly. I can't stay with them." I said in revolt, "You can't make me do this."

"Stay with who?" Ron asked. Ron's ears always perked up when someone swore.

Molly turned to Ron and Ginny, "Kathryn is going to stay with the Malfoys over the holidays."

Ron burst into laughter, "Good joke mum, can we all go home now?"

Molly looked at me and shook her head.

Narcissa Malfoy approached me and smiled, handing me a letter similar to the one Molly handed me a minute or so before, "I have been contact with Professor McGonagall, she has agreed to this. I will be looking after you this summer." Narcissa spoke.

I didn't say anything. I stared into the eyes of a woman I barely knew, a woman who despises muggleborns, who is no doubt one of Voldemort's followers, who the last time she saw me turned and walked back out of the shop again. I looked at the letter from Narcissa, it was also from Professor McGonagall. This time it was much shorter,

"Trust me."

I turned to face George. I searched his face for comfort, reassurance, anything that would tell me that this is one big prank. I open my mouth and a small voice, very unlike my own escaped, "Georgie? Am I still sleeping? Can you pinch me to wake me up?"

George reluctantly pinched my arm, I didn't wake up from this escalating nightmare, "Mum?" George called out, pleading.

Molly shook her head.

I took George by the hand and walked a few metres away so that I could talk to him and get my head straight without being overhead, "I don't understand… why are they doing this to me?" I struggled to hold back the tears. "Trust me? What is McGonagall thinking?"

"I don't get it either, Katy." George caressed my cheek with his hand, "I had no idea this was coming…"

"Professor McGonagall is willingly sending me to stay with a family of Death Eaters for the summer. Is she mad? Does she really want me to suffer? I swear George, if I end up like I did last summer…" there was no denying, I was shedding tears.

"Shhhhhh…" he held me tight, "That won't happen. Send me a message if you need me, I'll come immediately and steal you. You still have the litteras occultas, right?"

"Yeah." I nodded looking up at him, I knew exactly where I had packed it, "Shall we arrange a date and time now?" I tried my very best to smile, "I'm thinking first thing tomorrow morning? We can run away together, just you and me! We can climb that mountain, explore the beaches, be tourists…"

George placed a strand of my hair back in place again, "No matter how good that sounds, I don't know how possible it would be, considering only one of us is technically allowed to use magic right now."

I put my head on his chest. George placed multiple kisses on the top of my head, "I'm sure you can visit us. We'll work something out. I promise."

I sighed, lifting my head from his chest, "I have to do this, don't I?"

I already knew the answer before it came from George's lips, "Yes."

"I'll be okay. Right?" I said after a minute, "I'll write to you every day. Just make sure you get your mum to write to Narcissa and ask nicely if I can come visit you guys." I placed my hands on George's cheeks and looked him in the eyes, memorising his face in case I didn't get to see him, "Keep me posted on everything that happens, and if you don't know, use your partially invisible extendable ears. Okay?" I wiped my eyes with a tissue, making myself presentable. I had a look at where the Malfoys and Weasleys were standing waiting. Then I started laughing, "Look who just found their son who had been blasted into the air and knocked out by their new house guest? I'm bloody doomed."

George smiled, "I'm sure you'll have lots of fun winding him up all summer."

"I love you, you know that, right?" I nodded, reaching up I kissed him tenderly.

"I love you, too." He said, kissing me again, "I'll see you soon."

I hugged Ginny, Ron, Fred and George (again) before walking over to a very patient Narcissa Malfoy who already had my trunk. I looked at Narcissa to see her smiling at me. I took her arm and we disapparated.

My feet slammed into the ground, in front of a mansion.