30th June

"Welcome to Malfoy Manor."

I walked through a set of wrought-iron gates as though I was water vapour. I then followed Narcissa, Lucius and Draco as they walked down the driveway with high hedges on either side, at that point I decided to lose my grip on Narcissa's arm. I didn't dare say a thing. I still hoped that this was all one big joke. My heart nearly stopped as an albino peacock flew overhead and landed on the driveway in front of me. I continued walking as though nothing had happened. Narcissa had my trunk suspended in the air in front of us and it fitted perfectly between the two huge front doors.

"Come on, you! Don't be shy." Narcissa hurried me along and closed the door shut behind me. With a flick of his wand, Lucius illuminated the massive hallway, before disappearing off into a room to the right. Narcissa sent both mine and Draco's luggage up the magnificent staircase. Draco climbed the stairs without a word. I walked on a stone floor covered by a carpet. The walls were covered in pale-faced portraits of men and women whom Lucius was clearly related to. Their pale grey eyes followed my every move as I followed Narcissa to the end of the hallway, she opened set of double doors with bronze handles.

"This is the dining room." Narcissa looked to me and smiled, "Lucius also holds work meetings in here from time to time." The table that lined the centre of the room was as long as one of the Hogwarts house tables but instead of benches to sit on, there were at least 25 antique wooden chairs. There was an ornate marble mantelpiece with a gilded mirror hanging above. Two grand chandeliers hung from the ceiling.

She closed the door and opened the next door which had a short corridor followed by stairs down to a basement, "This is the kitchen," the kitchen was bigger than the dining room (and that's saying something). There were the usual kitchen utensils all sitting perfect and clean and a large island in the middle of the room with a number of stools at one end. As we left the kitchen, my eye caught a bookcase at the end of the room which seemed to be full of recipe books and pictures of Draco as a baby. That has to be investigated at some point.

Next, Narcissa brought me into a room behind the staircase which had to be my favourite room so far. I imagined that Hermione would literally wet herself with excitement at the substantial library that housed thousands of books. There was a coffee table and three oversized armchairs. I looked up and saw that there was a stepladder up to more books. I still didn't say anything or show any emotion to Narcissa. She was being too nice to me; it was almost frightening. Her smile was a little too big, her home was a little too clean and she wanted things to be a little too perfect.

We headed back towards the front door and Narcissa opened the door to the room in which Lucius had escaped to. "This is the drawing room." There were a number of soft seats which I imagined were for civilised conversation only (I wouldn't go as far to call them sofas as I don't think I'd get comfy enough to fall asleep on one of them any time soon).

"Our new visitor," Lucius lowered his copy of the Daily Prophet slightly, long enough to give me a very dirty look, "no one else seems to want you for the summer, so we get laden with you. Please find yourself in any other room in this house than the one I'm in. I also like the saying 'not seen and not heard'. Do I make myself quite clear?" Lucius looked at me with upmost loathing, similar to the looks that Snape gave me. Thing is, I'm afraid of Lucius and what he might do.

I daren't break the eye contact between myself and Lucius as I took several steps backwards into the hallway again. I was in Malfoy territory and I wasn't safe. I imagined all the bad things that could happen, but I had to hold it in as Narcissa left the room and smiled at me again, "Ignore him, he's very stressed at work at the minute."

Stressed now that Voldemort's back, you mean.

"Let me show you your room?"

At the top of the stairs was an old Grandfather clock, it wasn't half as interesting as the Weasley clock which informed of where the members of the family were. This was just a very old mahogany clock (which I really hoped wouldn't ding on the hour and keep me up all night). I hadn't realised that Narcissa was standing watching me as I looked around. Then I looked at her and she spoke, "The corridor along the west wing has Lucius' office, a couple of spare rooms and the last door on the right is mine and Lucius' bedroom. On the right here," Narcissa turned to look along the east wing "has the second floor of the library at the end, but it's easier to get in from downstairs, Draco's room is the next door up, he also has a bit of a hideout I'm sure he'll share with you. There are a few spare bedrooms and amongst those," Narcissa opened a door, "is your room. I hope you like it."

I couldn't believe my eyes as a took a look inside the room I'd be sleeping in. I saw my trunk on the floor in front of me, so it had to have been mine. The main wall was a bold purple grape colour with three silvery-grey coloured papered walls. I had a traditional four-poster bed with bedsheets that matched the colour of the walls with two windows on either side which let light flood into the room. The wooden flooring that was throughout the house was covered with a mixture of different textured rugs around the room. Two arm chairs sat in the corner behind the door with a coffee table. There was a traditional dressing table and chair with a huge mirror, next to which was a small fireplace. I looked up and saw an ornate chandelier. There were two doors off to the left side of the room. The closest to the door was a walk in wardrobe and the furthest was my own ensuite bathroom containing a shower, bath, sink and toilet with enough fluffy towels to last me a while. This room was fit for royalty.

Narcissa continued talking as she showed me around the room, "Just leave your washing in the basket in your wardrobe and I can get it washed and returned to you. I'll get your towels changed every day. If you need any extra soaps or shampoo let me know. I left a hair drier for you in the dressing room. I think that's everything…" she thought to herself, "please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything. I want you to treat here like you would your own home."

I felt a lump growing at the back of my throat.

A look of concern grew on Narcissa's face and she said, "I'll give you some time to unpack and get yourself settled. Dinner will be ready in half an hour; I'll see you in the dining room." She smiled even wider at me and left the room.

"I'm not hungry." I said, closing the door behind her and turning the lock.

I pottered about the room, looking inside the empty drawers and explored the empty walk-in-wardrobe. I sighed to myself. In better circumstances and in a better mindset, I would have loved this room. Instead, I hoked about in my trunk and took out the essentials, just in case I had to make a quick getaway in the middle of the night or something.

I took my litteras occultas out of the case and looked at what had last been written:

HELP.

I wrote a quick message to George.

K: Basically staying in a hotel, heading for an early night. I love you xxx

I knew I had to be positive or all he'd do was worry. With my wand on the bedside table, I crawled into bed. I stared at the word 'HELP.' I remembered exactly how I felt when I wrote it. I was barely alive, clinging to every breath, hoping it would tide me over. I prayed that I would never have to face anything like that again.

I took a swig of my dreamless sleep potion and drifted off to sleep in the blink of an eye.

1st July

I woke up late the next morning. I had a lovely dream about George and me getting up to a load of mischief together. I heard a gentle knock at my door, sending my blood pressure through the roof, then Narcissa's overly-sweet voice sounded, "Morning Kathryn, I'm making a spot of breakfast, I'll have something ready in fifteen minutes or so…"

I didn't reply.

When I finally decided to get out of bed, I got washed and dressed, made my bed and sat on top of it with the remainder of a book. I checked my parchment to see if George had replied, but I had no such luck. I wondered what he was up to, and if he was alright. I decided that if I started panicking about that, I'd never survive today, never mind the whole summer here. I had planned on giving Molly Weasley the huge slab of Honeydukes chocolate in my trunk, but considering I was living with the Malfoys, I thought I deserved it more. I was so pissed off with her, I couldn't believe that she would do this to me.

There was a second knock at my door, "Kathryn, dear, can I get you anything to eat? Draco and I were just about to have some lunch."

I ignored her.

"Look, I understand how you might be feeling, please just have something to eat."

I walked up to the door and said very clearly, "You have no idea how I'm feeling and no, I will not be dining with you."

"I'll bring you up a few salmon sandwiches and a lemon cake, I just don't want you to go hungry."

I rested my back against the door and slid down to the floor and sat there for a while. I didn't say anything in response. I detested salmon and hadn't eaten lemon since the incident with Oliver Wood. This was going well.

"Don't bother, Narcissa, she's just an insolent little girl who is making life very difficult for herself." Lucius said loudly and clearly.

"She's vulnerable right now and needs all the love and support she can get."

"What she needs is a good telling off. She needs a slap or a wrap against the knuckles and sorted into line."

"Don't you dare."

"I don't know why you bother. Our Son is home, why don't you give him your attention and leave this ungrateful bitch to wallow in her own self-pity. I don't even know why you bothered decorating, she's not-"

"Go to work, Lucius."

"But it's Sunday?"

"And? You always seem to-" she stopped herself, "Do you know what? Do whatever you like, but don't you dare hurt her."

So now I knew for sure that Lucius Malfoy really did not want me staying at his family home all summer. Wonderful. There's nothing like feeling like an unwanted guest in someone else's home. At least when I was with my parents I knew they didn't have a choice, but Lucius could kick me out at any time if he wanted. That fact frightened me. I don't really know why, but I just sat there at the door for the whole afternoon.

That evening, I finally received a message from George,

G: Phew! I'm glad you're okay. I hope they're being nice to you. Sorry for replying so late, I had lost the page during an explosion.

I quickly replied:

K: You're very lucky, Mister. I imagine your mother took the explosion well.

George seemed to reply very quickly and the conversation continued effortlessly.

G: Fred and I are in trouble with her, which I'm not surprised about. How is it living with Draco?
K: I haven't talked to him yet. Are you two hoping to add more to the old skiving snackbox? Or are you making more fireworks?
G: Probably best you haven't talked to the git. We're wanting to develop a few more sweets in that range. The fireworks are what exploded, yes. (haha) I'm guessing Harry didn't tell you what happened as we were on the platform?
K: No? I haven't spoken to anyone!
G: He gave us his thousand galleons prize money!
K: WHAT?! That's INCREDIBLE! That'll surely be enough for you two to make a proper start on this dream of yours?
G: Katy, this is everything we needed and more! Harry doesn't want us telling anyone, though. He told us to take the money or he'd chuck it.
K: Yeah, he felt guilty about having it, especially when Cedric should have taken half. I hope you make them both proud. There's nothing like a little more laughter in the world.
G: So you support us?
K: George, I don't have a choice! But, yes, I trust that you two are going to throw everything at this and make it the success you've been telling me about all these years! As long as you promise not to experiment on me without my consent.
G: Haha. I had a very naughty thought there… but yes, we promise. Another thing. You had to see Ginny when we got back yesterday, she screamed at mum for agreeing to let you stay with the Malfoys. I'm glad the two of you get on so well. She said that she'll be pestering mum all summer so that you can visit, so we've got that one covered from a few angles.
K: Aww, that's so nice. It would be lovely to see you all. It's strange, everything is so quiet here. I'm used to you two causing mayhem, Ron and Hermione arguing and Harry's rolling of his eyes and the general buzz of the common room. I've read an entire book already. Write to Hermione for me and kindly ask her to send me another one.
G: I'll get Ginny to, I think she mentioned writing to Hermione at the end of this week.
K: Thanks!
G: Mum's calling me… I've got to go… I'll talk to you in the morning sure. Sweet dreams! Xxx
K: Night, Georgie x

I turned my light off, took a swig of my dreamless sleep potion, rolled over in bed and fell into a deep sleep.

2nd July

This morning I woke early due to my stomach rumbling violently. I had to surrender and leave the room. I got up, washed and dressed and looked the best I could make myself look and sneaked out of my room and down the two separate flights of stairs to the kitchen. Portrait eyes following as I went.

The silence in this place was deadly.

I explored the kitchen a bit, I had never been alone in a wizarding kitchen before. I searched for bread and a toaster, I was that hungry I started to feel faint. I found the fridge door, which was concealed amongst other cupboards and lifted out apple juice. Above the fridge was a frosted cupboard door containing mugs and glassware. I poured myself a glass and drank, giving myself enough energy to regain enough strength to find food. I opened the fridge again and came across some strange foods in unfamiliar packaging. Poking about, I found a fresh loaf of crusty bread, butter and what I hoped was jam. I cut, buttered and jammed two slices, found a plate, refilled my glass of juice and nearly dropped everything on the floor as I saw Narcissa come down the stairs in front of me.

"Oh, good morning! It's good to see you!" I could see relief written all over her face, "I can fix you up something a little more substantial. What do you like?"

"Don't worry about me." I said softly, feeling a little intimidated.

"I really don't mind. You must be starving. Sure you sit up there and I'll make a solid English fry for the three of us," she drew out the chair, setting my breakfast on the island, insisting I didn't make a runner, like I was planning on doing, "Draco said this is the sort of thing you get in Hogwarts at the weekend." She pulled out a chair at the island and started preparing foods. Using her wand, Narcissa conjured a number of hidden utensils, including a toasting-type-of-machine, "I'm sorry if you heard what my husband said yesterday, he can be impetuous at times, especially when he's meeting new people." She spoke so fast I felt even more uncomfortable, if that was possible.

She turned and looked at me a little too long, expecting me to speak, so I replied, "It's fine." Even though it clearly isn't.

"Lucius will be working all day." She said, as though it was some form of consolation, which I suppose in some ways it was, "He won't be back until late tonight." She cracked an egg in the air and placed it into boiling water to poach. "I have a lunchtime meeting this afternoon. I've left you and Draco some soup and rolls for your lunch. I'm going to do some shopping after the meeting, are there any foods you like or don't like?"

"I told you mum, Kathryn's funny about lemons – oh, hello." Draco walked down the stairs into the kitchen in his pyjamas, "It's good to see you." He smiled at me, it was as though he was genuine.

"Let me guess," Narcissa smiled at me, too, but slightly more relaxed, "You don't like salmon either?"

I pulled a face, "No, sorry…"

"Don't be sorry, what do you like? Chicken? Pork? Beef?"

"Yeah." I nodded.

"And I'm guessing since you're from Northern Ireland, you like potatoes?"

I rolled my eyes, "That's so stereotypical." I mumbled.

"Ohmygoodness, I'm so sorry if I've offended you, you hate potatoes, don't you?" Narcissa had a moment of panic.

I let out a small laugh, "I like potatoes, don't worry. I'm not too fussy, but I think fruit in a cake is a crime. I'm a bit funny with fish, I do love a good tuna sandwich though. I'll try whatever you make." I shrugged my shoulders, still feeling uncomfortable.

Narcissa served me the fry and Draco sat up beside me, "You'll have to chuck out that fruit loaf you made last night."

"DRACO." Narcissa scolded.

"Thank you," I smiled weakly as I received my full plate of food, "I know when he's being sarcastic, don't worry. Sarcasm is my second language."

"So you two know each other, then?"

"MOTHER." Draco scolded back, "All you need to know is that Kathryn and I sat beside each other in potions for the past four years."

I sat for a minute or so eating, savouring every moment of bacon. Then I realised I was being watched, "If you're wanting to know if Draco and I are bezzie mates, the answer would be a definite no. I feel I don't know him as well as I should, especially this year." I realised I shouldn't have been so honest, "Sorry…"

"Don't be." Draco said, the first thing he had said directly to me this year.

Sensing the need to change the topic of conversation, Narcissa said, "What do you think we should have for dinner tonight? It's just the three of us."

"I don't mind, Mum." He responded.

"I have perfected my pie making skills." Narcissa said triumphantly, "Steak and kidney, chicken, pork…?" she looked to me for help.

"Surprise us." I said.

Narcissa nodded then turned to Draco, "Mrs Burke was asking about you when I saw her on Friday past. She was hoping to see you, now that you're back for the holidays."

"You know how I feel about that woman. Please don't make me play niceties with her, she drones on and stews the tea and you can't escape."

"Once a year, Draco." She raised her eyebrow.

I finished the last of my food, "Thank you for breakfast, please excuse me." I nodded and left the kitchen quickly and quietly.

A few hours later when I was sorting out my uniform, hanging it up in my wardrobe, I heard Draco say, "Open up your door a sec, Kathryn."

I considered ignoring him, but he sounded like he was carrying something. When I opened the door I realised he was carrying a tray with soup and rolls, "I thought we could eat lunch up here?" he set the tray down on the coffee table and he took a seat on the floor.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I asked him straight out, it was just the two of us in the house and I thought it was safest for me to speak now and get anything off my chest, "You haven't spoken to me all year, treated me like a piece of shit on your shoe-"

"I'm sorry." he said quickly.

My mouth hung open a little, "What?"

"I am really sorry, I just thought it would be easier…"

"Easier? Easier than what? Talking? What did I do?"

Draco sighed, "This isn't something that's particularly easy to talk about, you know."

"Wise up," I set down my bowl of steaming hot soup and stared at him, "You've always been able to talk to me about everything, you know that."

"I know, but this is different."

"I don't mind?" I encouraged him, "Just say whatever it is."

"I know this sounds ridiculous, but I asked you to the Yule Ball and you said no and I was really… hurt?"

"We still had our dance."

"And now you're dating him…" he continued as though I hadn't said anything.

"George? What has George - ?" I stopped myself, "I know you don't really approve of the Weasleys, you don't tend to approve of any of my friends, if I'm honest… I just don't get what your problem-"

"I wanted to ask you out, Kathryn. I wanted us to be a couple."

I was taken aback, "Seriously?"

"Do you think I'd say something like that if I didn't mean it? Look, its forgotten about now. I just thought after you telling me all about how George had broken your heart and how you were trying to move on. You started wearing different clothes, you – I guess I got the wrong end of the stick and I felt like an idiot. You saw me as a friend and I saw you as more."

"Oh… I really didn't have a clue…"

"It's alright, it's all water under the bridge, I just guess I was jealous and then I found that weeks had gone by and I still hadn't talked to you and you gave up on trying to get me to talk and we… drifted apart…"

"Yeah, we did."

"We were good friends, weren't we?"

"You humiliate my other friends at every given opportunity and ignore me when it suited you, but yeah, we were friends, much to a number of people's dismay. And I expect we'll be great friends this summer and you'll go back to not knowing me when we get back to school and I guess I'll just have to deal with that disappointment again."

He changed the topic, "Do you like sitting beside me in potions?"

"Most of the time, yeah." I said honestly, "we're a good team. That project we did before Christmas was wayyyy better than anyone else's by far."

He leaned forwards, "Can I sit beside you next year?"

"So that we can be Snape's… what did he call us in first year?"

"His dream team?" the two of us chuckled, "I'm glad you decided to leave your room this morning. Mum was panicking last night." He took a bite out of his bread roll, "I don't know why but she likes you."

"Gee thanks…" I gave him a dirty look, "You're just so… charming."

Draco shook his head, "No, I'm being serious. And it's really nice to have you here with us, it can get so lonely with it being just mum and me half the time. I guess that's why mum took you in. But I guess my question is… why did she have to?"

I snorted, "You don't want to know." I couldn't quite believe that he didn't know what happened, with all the comments I had made, especially to Snape during this last year.

"I know you got into trouble with your parents." He said, trying to force the conversation out of me.

"Honestly Draco, if you don't know it'll probably be for the best." When he tried to argue, I stopped him. The two of us finished our soup in silence.

Draco stood, grabbing all the dishes, "Do you want a proper tour of the manor? I always did say you'd come visit? I'm almost sure you said... If your cooking is anything like your potion-making, I'll not make it to new year..." he tried my accent.

The two of us burst into laughter, I grabbed my throat and mimed choking. "So far, so good. Your potion making is much better now."

"That's purely because I sit beside you." He said when we reached the kitchen. "Now you can completely ignore the pictures on the recipe cabinet there…" he said as I drifted in that direction which made me want to look all the more.

"AWWWWW DWACO! LOOK AT YOUUUU!" I grabbed the closest picture of one-or-two-year-old Draco walking about in a nappy with a second nappy on his head.

"Of all the pictures to see first, it had to be that one." He rolled his eyes, "Yes, I'm cute. Blah blah." He took the picture off me and dragged me back up the stairs, "the library is much more interesting." He said.

I took to the ladder to go up to the second floor, "What's up here?" I asked.

"Family history, scrolls on purebloods, the war, idealism, mum and dad's wedding stuff, nothing I imagine you'll find particularly interesting…" he said and I climbed back down. "You may find this good…" he pulled out a book and chucked it over to me, "mum said it was her and my auntie's favourite book when they were at Hogwarts. It's all lovey-dovey and gooey." He fake wretched, "I don't even understand why girls like that nonsense."

"Because girls realise that you're only ever going to find a perfect man in a book." I said simply, reading the blurb.

"So are you going to read it?"

"I'm intrigued…" I nodded, "Katelyn thought she had her life together, when suddenly everything fell apart. Will she be able to rebuild her life or will she suffer in the wreckage?" I read, "I'll give it a go, sure." I took a seat and got into a comfortable position and began to read. Draco sat next to me soon after, with a novel and the two of us sat in a contented silence together.

A few hours of reading later, one of the characters, Patrick was making a speech on accepting an award for best improved local Quidditch player, he also was accepting a position in the international squad and claimed that he couldn't have done it without his beautiful girlfriend, Katelyn. "Awwww…" I said aloud, and Draco, who I had forgotten was sitting beside me jumped on his seat.

"So you're liking it then?" he looked me up and down as I clutched the book to my heart, savouring each of the words on the page.

I took a deep breath and started reading again, and about an hour later, Narcissa opened the door to the library and said, "There you two are."

Both Draco and I momentarily looked up from our books and said, "Hey!" then looked back down again.

"I guess I'll go start dinner, then!" Narcissa turned and stopped herself, "Kathryn? Is that Girl, Broken?"

"Erm… yeah? Do you mind if I borrow it?"

"Of course not, it's just it's my favourite book from when I was your age!"

"Draco mentioned that, so far it seems good."

"She keeps making funny noises, mum, aww and oooh and pouting lips! It's really off-putting." Draco complained.

"It's merely the sign of a book that is being enjoyed."

I set the book down, "Here, I'll come help you with dinner."

Narcissa looked mildly impressed, "No, no, you're our guest! You sit there and read, I'll be expecting a detailed discussion when you've finished the book."

5th July

Things seemed to be going reasonably well at Malfoy manor. Most of the time it was just Draco and me at home alone together. We often had lunch together, did the dishes and read for the afternoon before Narcissa came home. Lucius seemed to always be home around bedtime and was out early the next morning. Today, however, Lucius was at home. He and Draco were in the library having a deep discussion. Narcissa suggested I left them to it, "He doesn't get much time alone with his father." She said, "Why don't we do something nice this afternoon? I think the boys are going to a Quidditch match or something."

"If you want to go with them, I'm happy entertaining myself. I've three chapters left in Girl, Broken."

Narcissa smiled, "You finish the book, then I'm taking you out for coffee. I've been dying for some girl chat." Then she realised how over-excited she sounded, "Only if you like?"

"Sure." I said with a small smile.

An hour later, I found Narcissa sitting in the drawing room playing a pipe organ. I walked up to her, tears streaming down my face. She jumped as she saw me.

"So you finished the book, then?"

"Yes…" I said wearily. I wiped my face with a tissue and pulled myself together as Narcissa beautifully played another piece of music.

Narcissa then left the room and I followed, she handed me a travelling cloak and we used the floo network to travel to Diagon Alley. We arrived in Rosa Lee Teabag, which the name gives it away. The quaint café had a reasonable number of customers for 11am, "What can I get you?" the waitress enquired.

Narcissa looked at me, "My treat," before looking at the waitress with a semi cold expression, "A cappuccino and a slice of the carrot cake."

I quickly looked up at the menu, "I'll have… a mocha with a double chocolate salted caramel brownie, please."

Narcissa paid and we took a seat outside, "You have a sweet tooth?"

I smiled, "Maybe?"

"So tell me, do you choose Patrick or Frankie?" Narcissa delved right into the conversation.

The story told of a girl called Katelyn, who was studying to become a mediwizard. She was dating this guy called Patrick who played for the local Quidditch Team the Wimbourne Wasps. Patrick was given a promotion to play internationally on the English team. Katelyn's father died suddenly in a freak accident in his job in the Department of Mysteries and Patrick was very supportive as she grieved. Katelyn was, a few months later offered her dream job in Ireland, which she was going to decline for a job closer to home, where she was to move in with Patrick. Patrick then unexpectedly breaks it off with Katelyn, claiming that he never loved her. Katelyn then felt she had no other choice but to move to Ireland and to take the dream job. She was miserable for months as she was sure she was going to marry Patrick, he had been perfect and never given any indication of wanting to move on without her. In her new job as a mediwizard, she worked directly under a top Healer, Frankie Murphy. The two of them were in such close proximity at work and as Katelyn moved on from Patrick, Katelyn and Frankie fell in love and after a year were engaged to be married. Frankie taught her all she ever wanted to know, he brought her in for all the coolest of surgeries and plagued her with gifts and weekends away, especially when he was working late and missed her. Katelyn had everything she asked for and spent all her free time planning their wedding which was scheduled for a year and a half after the engagement in a very swanky hotel.

Towards the end of the book, Katelyn is invited to her best friend Emily's wedding back home in England and she had been planning for months to go, and Frankie was to be her plus one. In the months leading up to the wedding in England, Frankie had been working all the hours of the day as he rose through the ranks as a Healer. He let Katelyn make all the decisions for wedding, they discussed planning a family and moving to a new home together. Then the night before they were due to travel for the wedding, Frankie gets called into work, even though he had time booked off and he goes, leaving Katelyn on her own. Heartbroken, Katelyn attends the wedding on her own. At the wedding reception she drinks too much and on the dancefloor bumps into no one other than Patrick. Patrick begs Katelyn to talk, he explained that he only told her that he didn't love her so that she would follow her dreams as his new job wouldn't allow him to move out of the country. Patrick tells her that he regretted his decision and that he wants her back, to have a second chance. Then he noticed the massive rock of an engagement ring on her finger. Katelyn felt completely conflicted. Despite her engagement to Frankie, Patrick was the perfect gentleman, they talked the night away, they really connected like nothing had changed between them. He walked her to her hotel room and bade her goodnight, saying that if she ever had a change of heart that he would always be there. He said if she was to write, he would be there the instant he received it. She couldn't help herself but kiss Patrick goodnight.

Breathless, she stepped alone into her hotel room and Frankie was lying asleep in the bed. She had a decision to make: get into bed beside Frankie or leave the hotel room and return to Patrick. Then the book ended. Girl, Broken.

"I don't know…" I said and thought about it for a minute, taking a long sip of my coffee, "I think deep down, I would personally choose Patrick."

"Seriously?"

"He loved her enough to let her follow her dreams, he didn't hold her back, he wanted her to be happy without him rather than spiteful and with him. He loved her that much, he let her go. He didn't date anyone, he was truly, madly, deeply in love with Katelyn. When they were dating, he didn't need to shower her with gifts to make her feel loved because he was there. He could have been a bit more tactful or perhaps sensitive when he broke it off with her. But they had an instant connection when they saw each other again, it was though all the stuff that happened didn't matter."

"But Frankie understood Katelyn in a way that Patrick wouldn't. They loved the medical stuff, they were a team, yes, he wasn't there sometimes, but Katelyn understood that late nights and on call came with the job." Narcissa said simply, "Frankie also proposed."

"I just get this feeling that Katelyn never forgot about Patrick, that when she was with Frankie, he never filled that void. But that's what makes the end of the book so awful, because she is so conflicted, she craves a man with a mixture of the two men she's in love with. Someone who understands her passion, her career versus someone who makes her feel like the only girl in the world."

Narcissa smiled, "Let me guess, this boyfriend of yours is your Patrick?"

"I guess he is, yeah!" I smiled to myself, remembering all the happy times with George and I craved to be with him. George always makes time for me and knows me as an individual better than anyone else, like Patrick knew Katelyn. I'd like to think that George would drop everything for me if I needed him.

"You could do so much better than him, you know." Narcissa said matter-of-factly.

My whole expression dropped, "Excuse me?" it was as though someone had burst my bubble of happy.

"You could date a guy with a good name, money, someone who could treat you much better than a Weasley ever could." She shuddered, "They're the vermin of the wizarding world, muggle loving blood traitors."

I strangled a cough, "What did you just say?! I think you've forgotten something? I'm a m-" I was barely able to control how angry I felt.

"What dear? Oh yes, that they clearly can't control themselves… how many kids do they have now?" Narcissa spoke with revulsion.

I was now shaking with anger, "Stop talking."

"If it was up to me, I'd have the whole family murdered."

"RIGHT." I slammed my hands down on the table in front of me with such force that the two mugs and plates smashed on the ground, "IF YOU SAY ONE MORE THING AGAINST THAT FAMILY, I'LL-"

Narcissa pushed her chair backwards so I couldn't reach her, "You'll do what?"

I grabbed a cup of ice cold water from the tray the waitress was holding and threw it over Narcissa. She let out a high pitched scream as the ice water went down the back and front of her dress. "THAT FAMILY HAVE STOOD BY MY SIDE THROUGH ALL THE SHIT I'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH IN THIS F*CKING WORLD. YOU WALK AROUND WITH YOUR NOSE IN THE AIR, THINKING THAT YOU'RE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE, TO ME, YOU'RE LESS THAN THE DIRT ON THE BOTTOM OF MY SHOE!" I yelled at her then turned on my heels.

"Get back here young lady and show me some respect." Narcissa said coldly.

"RESPECT IS EARNED." I yelled back, "I WILL NOT BE TAKING ANY SHIT FROM PEOPLE THIS SUMMER AND DON'T YOU DARE FOLLOW ME BECAUSE I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MY ACTIONS." I took a handful of Floo Powder and returned to Malfoy Manor. Draco and Lucius were still out, and I stormed up the stairs and slammed the bedroom door.

I took out my litteras occultas to George and realised that I couldn't talk to him about it. He would blow shit up; he'd be put into Azkaban… That set me off and I burst into tears. I knew I couldn't do anything but calm down. I had to live with these people… I had to survive. I hopped into the shower with my clothes on and turned the water to freezing cold, I sat down and sobbed.

"Kathryn?" Draco knocked on the bathroom door, "Kathryn, can we talk a second whenever you're done?" when he knocked, the door opened slightly and he saw me sitting on the shower floor, "Merlin's beard! Kathryn! Are you okay?" he pushed the door open and turned off the ice-cold water, "You're freezing, Kathryn! I know you yelled at mum, but I didn't think it was this bad!"

"Go away." I said, my voice croaked.

Draco grabbed me a warm towel and spoke with conviction, "Get up and get out of those wet clothes. That is not a request, Pink, that is an order." He handed me the towel and closed the bathroom door, "And another thing," he said through the door, "stop feeling sorry for yourself."

I opened the door and yelled, "And you can f*ck off yourself."

"Right now, I'm the only friend you have around here and I'd advise you to-"

"Draco, I don't care." I shouted back, "Love me, hate me, do what you like."

"Now that doesn't sound like the girl I know." Draco said, "The girl I know doesn't give up. She doesn't sit in the shower feeling sorry for herself. She gets up and gets on with it and has a different snide comment for Snape every class." He continued, "I would have done anything to see you lose your shit earlier, though. Mum said you saw red mist."

"Saw what?" my teeth were chattering.

"She basically said you went ballistic when she offended you about your precious Weasleys." Draco said.

I closed the bathroom door slightly, my body was numb with cold, "Don't you start…" my voice went soft, I took off my clothes and wrapped myself in the warm towel, "I'm still quite considering walking out of here and starting a new life as a hobo."

Draco laughed.

I opened the door fully and went into my case and grabbed a set of dry clothes.

"Why haven't you put your things in your wardrobe yet?" Draco enquired.

"For reasons such as today." I said simply, "Might have someone threaten to murder me for having an opinion or for loving someone they don't like or for having a different blood status or…"

"All right, all right, I get the picture, but I can promise you something."

"What?"

"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you." He said sincerely. It came as such a surprise that I actually stopped what I was foraging through my trunk for and looked up at him as he stared down at me, "I'm being serious." I quickly got dressed in the walk-in-wardrobe and reappeared. Draco was sitting on the edge of my bed, "Now, mum has dinner ready and they're sitting down there waiting for the two of us to come down and join them."

"B-" I tried to retaliate.

"You're coming." He folded his arms, "Stop being so overdramatic. Why are you acting like this? You would revel in the challenge at Hogwarts. I just don't understand what's gotten into you…"

"If you haven't worked that one out, you're not as smart as I thought…" I said simply, begrudgingly following Draco down the stairs. We entered the dining room and Narcissa looked up at me and smiled, but it was candid. She nodded in thanks to Draco, and gestured for us to sit opposite her. Speaking an incantation over the food, she warmed it up and served us.

"Nice of you to show up." Lucius sneered.

I stayed quiet, knowing I couldn't retaliate like I would with Snape. Instead I dug into my plate of shepherd's pie.

"Cat got your tongue? I heard you had quite the choice of words with my wife earlier, who has taken you in, is feeding you and giving you a comfortable lifestyle."

"Lucius!"

"No, she needs to learn that-"

"Lucius."

The four of us sat in silence for an uncomfortably long time. Lucius, I could tell was holding his tongue for the sake of his wife, but was merely looking for an excuse in which to scold me. What he didn't know, was that I used to play this game with my parents. Helen and Richard often looked for ways in which to punish me, so I was an expert at being a good girl and this just clearly infuriated Lucius as it did my parents.

"Tell me, Kathryn, do you have any brothers or sisters?" Lucius had gotten a kick under the table and looked at his wife as though speaking to me was worse than sticking pins in his eyes.

"I have a brother." I said. I was going to finish that sentence with he's a muggle, but I thought that wouldn't be such a good idea.

Then the next insightful question came from Lucius, "And does your brother have people looking after him, too?"

"Yes, my family." I said. I knew exactly where this conversation was going.

So, too could Draco as he interrupted, "Peter, isn't it? You don't talk about him much…"

"Yeah, we never got on." I answered, "He did his thing and I did mine."

"How come you're not allowed to live with them?" Lucius asked the burning question, "What did you do?"

"I was born." I said, taking a sip of water. Narcissa inhaled sharply.

"What does that mean?"

"I was never wanted." I said finishing the last of my dinner, "I get that you don't want me here." I set down my knife and fork, positioning them at the 12 and 6 position on the plate, "And to be honest, I don't want to be here, either, for that exact reason. But unfortunately, you're going to have to tolerate me for the next number of weeks. Who knows, you might even get along with a mudblood. Must be an awful shame to have one under your roof. Thanks for dinner, Narcissa. Please excuse me." I took the napkin off my knee, stood and pushed my chair in and walked out of the huge dining room.

7th July

"You're really brave, you know that?" Draco said, bringing lunch to eat in my room together. "I always knew why you'd been put into Gryffindor and that's all to do with how ballsy you are. No one would have dared respond to my Father's questions that night. He was trying to annoy you and you were… surprisingly calm and you were good at it." Narcissa had made a large pot of carrot and coriander soup the evening before. Lucius was profoundly put-out after my statement, I must have surprised him.

"And you're surprised by that, how?" I asked.

Draco handed me a bowl and we sat down to eat, "Good point." He said, thinking about it, "Can I request something?"

"Mmmm?" I responded.

"Please don't play my mother and father against each other. It's just-"

"I remember." I said, but Draco raised his eyebrows, "You stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas in second year, I know they're having problems."

"And Mother thinks that having you around will fix this, somehow… I really don't see the logic in that…" Draco said before reasoning, "I have noticed that Mother is a lot happier with you around, maybe it's because there's another woman around the house, I get the idea that she always wanted a sibling for me. She must miss having Auntie Bella around, or maybe she likes you because you're a new challenge."

"Gee, thanks."

11th July

Things seemed to be on the up again in Malfoy Manor. I knew my place, I was quiet and well behaved and a gracious guest in their home. My grandmother taught me well. I was polite to Lucius and was never obnoxious. I just didn't react to his jabs at me, I couldn't afford to see red again. Draco and I sat up late a few nights talking about things that didn't matter. He even let me into his 'den' which is very much so a 'man cave' full of different wizarding products.

I also got the impression that Narcissa was lonely as the two of us spent quite a bit of time together as Lucius and Draco went out on random trips together. (I imagine it was the wizarding father-son equivalent of going fishing.) Narcissa talked a lot, I thought I did until I met her. We went out for coffee again, in a different place I didn't recognise, she promised not to push my buttons on the pretence that I didn't wreck the place. I think that was her subtle way of saying sorry for being mean? The weather was so warm, verging on hot and it was just unpleasant being inside. I also went shopping for food with her in a wizarding outlet, it was like a whole new world within this world. There were market stalls all lined up, a section of the shop was cooked foods and then there was a section of freshly grown veg, meats, breads, a baking section, you name it, it was there. We walked miles and came home with piles of food!

24th July

"Kingsley Shacklebolt handed me this today, saying that he had been tasked with finding you. Arthur Weasley had so kindly pointed him in my direction." Lucius handed me a sealed envelope. "Why he couldn't have sent it via owl, I don't know."

"Thanks!" I said, receiving the first piece of post this summer, my first communication with the outside world, other than with George who was seemingly spending his summer making new products with his new-found fortune. I opened the envelope to reveal a typed letter. This letter was from a muggle, that was why it wasn't owl delivered. I read in anticipation,

"Dear Miss Pink,
It has been very difficult to locate you, but a gentleman named Kingsley Shacklebolt has assured me that this letter will arrive with you on time.
The Trial of Mr Richard Pink and Mrs Helen Pink nee Roberts will commence week beginning 29th July. I wish to make an appointment with you on the 26th July to discuss court proceedings. Please contact me as soon as possible. I have enclosed my card.
I hope to hear from you soon,

Mr William Snow
Attorney at Law,
Specialist in Cases with Muggles and Wizards

"Oh f*ck." I said, loud enough for Draco, Narcissa and Lucius to look up at me as they ate.

"I beg your pardon?" Lucius looked at me as though he couldn't believe such language had been spoken at his dinner table. "I will not tolerate language like that from you, young lady."

"Erm…" I pushed my chair back, ignoring what Lucius had said, "You're going to have to excuse me." I clutched the letter with my fist and left the room quickly.

Narcissa followed me. As I was half way up the stairs, she shouted up to me, "Kathryn, is everything okay?"

"No, not really." I said before continuing up the stairs and lifting my litteras occultas and writing to George.

K: Georgie. I really need to talk to you.

When he didn't reply within the minute, I wrote another message.

K: George, I'm freaking out.

I held the letter from William Snow in my shaking hands and picked up his business card which had a telephone number, an address which was in London and his office working hours (0830-1630). I debated all my options in my head for well over an hour as I sat and waited for George's response. My head was banging with the racing thoughts as my past was replaying in my head over and over and over again.

G: Katy, what's happened?
K: My parents trial begins on Monday.
G: Oh… Are you testifying?
K: I don't know; I think so… Lucius handed me the letter at dinner there. I'm trying not to panic.
G: Yeah, don't panic, we can work this out. What needs done?
K: I've to arrange a meeting with this guy on Friday. I suppose he'll tell me what I have to do. Oh
George, I'm so scared… I'm going to have to see them again… They're-
G: Woah, Katy, breathe.
K: I have no way of contacting this guy to let him know I've received his letter. I doubt the Malfoys
will let me venture off on my own in London.
G: You've just got to explain that you have a meeting with a lawyer that you must attend. Sure give
me his details and I can contact him.
K: Of course! I forgot your dad had a telephone! You're a lifesaver, George. I owe you! His number is
020 423102091, give him a call in the morning and ask him for an appointment and Narcissa will
just have to accept that I have to go. I'll deal with them in the morning…
G: Don't worry, I'll sort everything. I'll talk to mum and tell her what's happening. She'll probably let
me come with you, being a responsible adult and all!
K: George, you know I'm the more responsible one in this relationship.
G: True, but I do try.
K: I know you do.
G: Fred said we can find a way to sneak out of the house and steal you in the process.
K: Too bad you haven't got the Ford Anglia any more, that would be a mightily impressive rescue
mission!
G: Mum says that we will sort out the appointment if you can arrange with the Malfoys on getting to
London. She also says to stay calm and don't do anything stupid. I also told her that I've already
told you that, but she made me say it again. She has also told me to go to bed.
K: Tell your mum that despite how annoyed I am at her; I still love her.
G: She laughed and told me to tell you to go to sleep.
K: Alright, goodnight. Love you xx
G: Night night, love you too!