25th July

I was back at home. My parents' home. I felt rushed, panicked. I felt a bead of sweat drop down my forehead. I ran across the hallway, away from my murderous parents, took a deep breath and opened the door to the lounge where I was faced by six very pale faced, concerned Weasleys. "I'm really, really sorry…" I tried to be calm, but deep down I was petrified, worse than petrified, because I knew what was about to come, "I really need you to go…"

"We're not leaving you." George spoke up, putting an arm around me, holding me tight. I craved to have his protection, but I didn't want him to get hurt, too.

I took a step away from him, "I need you to go."

George took a step closer as I backed away. He whispered, "I know what your mum is capable of. I'm not leaving you alone."

"You have to go." I placed my trembling hand on his face, "Trust me."

"Come with us." Molly took my hand, she tried to put her travel cloak on me, "Stay at ours."

"I'll visit if I can." I nodded, pushing her hand away. I mustered all the courage I had to get them to go.

My mother thundered through the lounge door, "WHY ARE THEY STILL HERE?"

The entire family took out their wands. Even Arthur took out his wand and he wouldn't dream of hurting a muggle. Adrenaline was pulsing through my veins as I tried to usher them towards the other chimney with the lit fire. "Please." I pleaded. I knew the repercussions for me would be a lot worse if they stayed any longer.

Molly took a small bag out of her coat pocket and threw some Floo Powder into the fire. Ginny went first, followed quickly by her mother. One by one, the Weasleys disappeared. Arthur had to push George. I watched as Arthur, the last to go, vanish.

I didn't even have a chance to look at my mother face to face when she grabbed me by my hair and trailed me into a strangely familiar darkened room at the back of the house. I knew what was about to happen, I had lived through this before. I screamed and fought, trying to shield myself but then my dad punched me in the face, threatening that if I wasn't quiet I would be worse off. The room span as my body tried to adjust. I could hardly see what was going on around me. Shadows lurked in the corner. A second punch crunched into my face. A third saw the shattering of my nose. I fell to the ground in pain. My mother dragged me off the floor, back into the standing position as I got a swift blow to the stomach, knocking the air clean out of me. This was followed by a further hit to my ribs, followed by another and another and another until I started pleading with the surrounding air, praying that I could breathe again. I had the revolting taste of blood running down my throat. I cried out from deep in my chest. Electric shocks travelled through my body at lightning speed as I was dropped to the floor and received strong kicks to the ribs. I prayed that this would all be over. I reached for my wand and it wasn't there, I was helpless. My mother lifted me up once again, this time she was staring straight into my eyes, hers were filled with such hatred, such despise that I never understood. I coughed violently, sending a thick spray of crimson blood over my mother's face. My body writhed in pain. I was dead weight. I felt my father's hands tighten around my neck. I was certain I was going to die. I was desperate to leave this world and join the afterlife. The blackness of unconsciousness beckoned to me and I gladly give in.

I woke up with a jolt, gasping for breath, my body paralysed. I let out a terrified scream before realising where I was and that I was alive.

"Kathryn! Kathryn! You're okay! You're safe!" Narcissa Malfoy clutched my body, holding me tight as I sobbed incessantly. My body was covered in sweat, salty drops fell from my chin, drenching my pajamas and bed sheets.

"Mum! Mum, what happened? Is she okay?" Draco ran into my bedroom in his pajamas.

"There, there…" Narcissa stroked my hair gently as I continued sobbing in her arms, "I think she's just had a horrific nightmare."

Draco must have sat on top of the bed as he placed a hand on my back, "Kathryn had a panic attack last year in school… That scream, it was just the same…" I felt him shudder. What he and his mother spoke about for the next hour, I couldn't have told you as my body drifted in and out of nightmares. I held onto Narcissa as I imagine a frightened daughter would cuddle her mother.

A number of hours later I woke as Narcissa attempted to climb out of the bed without disturbing me, "Sorry…" she whispered, Draco was still lying on the other side of the king-sized bed, "How are you feeling?"

"Rotten." I said honestly.

"I was going to get a cup of coffee and come back up, can I get you anything?" she fixed her dressing gown over her white night dress.

I sat up straight and stretched, "A cup of strong coffee would be lovely." I got out of bed, "I'll take a quick shower and get out of these pajamas…"

"No problem sweetheart, I'll change your sheets when Draco wakes up, he can usually sleep through anything. Even as a baby I could play loud music or have visitors over and he'd sleep through!" she looked fondly down at her son before leaving the room.

Ten or so minutes later I felt much better and I no longer stunk of sweat as I got changed into comfortable clothing. Draco woke up as I was pottering about my room. I think it took him a while to figure out where he was and why he ended up in my bed.

"Are you alright?" he asked, "You look terrible."

I stopped in my tracks and stared at him, "Thanks, I feel terrible as well."

"That was really rude of me…" he said smoothing down his hair.

I took my hair out of the towel and replied softly, "Wouldn't expect anything else." I ran my fingers through my hair and ruffled it to make it look managed. "I'll see you downstairs." I said quietly and went on my way down to Narcissa in the kitchen. As I got there, Draco was a matter of steps behind me. I took the stronger of the two cups of coffee sitting on the countertop and wrapped my hands around it for warmth. I took a seat as I was exhausted, my eyelids were heavy, my body ached after the dramatics of the night, unfortunately, this was an all too familiar feeling which I thought was all in the past, but I knew I simply had to get on with it.

"Kathryn?" Narcissa interrupted me as my brain was in another world.

"Hmmmm?" I opened my eyes.

Narcissa was sitting beside me, her hands wrapped around her own mug. Her eyes were tired too, but also filled with concern, "Kathryn, what happened last night?"

"I forgot to take my dreamless sleep potion."

"You were screaming – yelling – pleading for your mother and father to leave you alone. You were terrified-"

"I was just reliving what happened." I said without thinking.

Narcissa spat out her coffee, "What?"

I closed my eyes, disgusted at myself for letting it slip.

"Kathryn, what happened? Did your parents hurt you?" Narcissa set down her coffee and moved closer to me, taking a hold of my free hand. Draco had also taken a seat near me and had also set down his mug.

I knew I had to tell her now, "They tried to murder me." Said a small voice, very unlike my own.

The colour in Narcissa's face drained and she urged me to continue explaining. I said that last summer my parents tried to murder me, I was beaten to a pulp and was found barely alive and was taken to St Mungos where I stayed for ten days.

"Ten days?" she repeated, "What did they do to you?" she took a gulp of coffee as she listened intently.

I took a deep breath and rhymed it all off, "I had a pneumothorax, a bruised larynx, a broken nose, bruised tracheal cartilage, two black eyes, two broken ribs, three cracked ribs, a bruised abdomen and a lacerated kidney."

Narcissa's mug slipped out of her hands and smashed on the floor, then the words that came out of her mouth afterwards had both myself and Draco staring at each other in disbelief. A flick of her wand and the mug was restored and the mess cleaned up, but Narcissa wrapped her arms around me and cried. "You poor, poor baby…"

"Why do you think I had to stay here this summer?" I said, yawning. Then I answered the question on the tip of Draco's tongue, "I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't tantalise them like I do with Snape. I didn't explode like I did with you…" I looked at Narcissa, "My parents went on holiday for a month to Australia with my brother and left me with my grandmother, my only crime was having the Weasley family over for dinner and my parents arrived home 4 days early from their holiday." I shook my head, I still didn't understand why my parents did it, "They really hated me and everything to do with the wizarding world. I got in trouble for being different."

Draco shifted uncomfortably in his chair, "So what happened in the panic attack last year? The incident with your parents hadn't happened yet?"

"That was when my Auntie tried to kill me when I was eight." I said openly, both Narcissa and Draco looked at each other, Narcissa summoned another tissue as her second bout of tears began.

"Is that who your boggart was?" Draco asked, clearly uncomfortable as he sat rigidly.

I nodded, "Look, I've had a lot of trouble with my parents from when I was a kid, it took me until I was in third year to realise that it was wrong. I've been to counselling, been given potion after potion and no one ever thought to help me because of who my parents are and what they might to do them if they helped me. They're dangerous people and I'm extremely lucky to be alive. I just wish at times that my mother would have given me up, at times I wished that I was dead, she hated me that much but kept me around as her plaything to torture. She made my life a living hell and made it seem like it was normal for all children to be beaten and thrown down stairs and hide in their rooms afraid to move." I was now getting emotional which really wasn't helped by how tired I was.

Narcissa was now howling.

"So what happened to your parents?" Draco asked.

"They went on the run with my brother and grandmother, leaving me for dead. When I was found, the muggle police and some aurors were sent on a manhunt. They caught my parents and put them in prison without bail and have been awaiting trial from October." I stopped for a second before asking, "Narcissa?"

"Yes, sweetheart?" she replied, dabbing away at her face.

"I need to go to London to meet my lawyer tomorrow. My parents trial starts on Monday."

It was as though all made sense to her, "I'll come with you."

"I'd rather go on my own, thanks. I'll just need to get into London and back out again. I don't have a time yet, but I'm working on it."

She nodded, words had escaped her.

26th July

The next morning, I nervously walked into Lowell and Snow Lawyer Firm where I was greeted by a receptionist whose hair was in an elegant French roll and was dressed immaculately, "Good morning." She smiled. I felt terribly out of sorts in my jeans and plain blue blouse.

"I have an appointment with Mr Snow at 9am." I said, my voice was slightly shaky.

She smiled at me and stood out from behind the receptionist desk, "You must be Kathryn." She shook my hand, then looked around me, "Will no one be with you?" she asked.

"it's just me." I nodded. I thought back to the messages sent between George and myself yesterday. George explained that his mother and father were both busy with some emergency at the ministry and both Fred and George were grounded for blowing something up in Ginny's room, leaving a hole in the floor. The number of sorry messages I got was incredible. I was just glad that George was able to call and arrange the appointment for me.

"I'm Lisa, Mr Snow will be with you in a minute," Lisa brought me to a waiting room outside an office door on the first floor, "Can I get you a cup of tea or coffee?"

I took a seat, "Coffee please, milk, no sugar."

Lisa nodded and off she went. I looked around at the coffee table in front of me: a selection of muggle magazines and newspapers as well as a copy of today's Daily Prophet lay strategically placed. Out the window in front of me people were busy commuting to work. One gentleman was running so fast his papers came flying out of his briefcase. No one stopped to help him. A lady tripped over a grating and snapped her heel – it was far too high any way – and she couldn't walk in them to save her life. A young male, probably around Bill's age was walking around carrying three boxes piled one on top of the other and he was barely able to see over the top of them. A heavily pregnant woman waddled, one hand on her bump and the other on her back.

"Kathryn?" it was the gentleman who was running and spilt the contents of his brief case on the ground.

I stood quickly, "That's me, you must be Mr Snow?"

"William, please." He directed me into his room, "People out there can be so inconsiderate, can't they? I apologise for the late start, my wife is expecting again and we had a scan this morning and it ran over time." He smiled widely at me. He took out the scan picture and showed me.

"No problem," I nodded, taking a look at the photograph, "Congratulations." I smiled, taking a seat. I assumed that this session was basically going to be me talking to William about every bad thing my parents have done to me over the years and him taking notes, just like in a psychiatrist session.

"My wife is a muggle, that's why the picture doesn't move." He said, "I'm muggle born, just like yourself." He went into a filing cabinet and lifted out a file, "Let's get down to business, shall we?" he set down a thick file on his desk, "I've been doing a bit of research of my own." He took off his pin-striped jacket and took a seat at his desk, "How are you?"

"I'm alright!" I said sincerely, "I brought the written accounts you asked for, well, that's what George told me you wanted." I lifted a number of my personal diaries out of my bag and a file, probably as full as William's on the table in front of me.

William nodded, "You're certainly organised." He lifted the file and flicked through as Lisa came into the room with a tray with two mugs of coffee and a plate of pastries and biscuits, "Is George a friend of yours?" William asked after Lisa left.

"He's my boyfriend." I smiled, "His father owns a muggle telephone but the people I'm staying with don't, so I asked him to make the phone call on my behalf. I didn't know if I sent a letter by owl if it would get to you on time…"

"Well, you're here now." He nodded, sensing my nervousness, taking one of the cups, "Tell me, what do you know about this impending court case?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "That my parents are currently being held in prison after being caught by authorities after going on the run after attempting to murder me last summer. One of the Healers in St Mungos told me there were other victims…" I paused.

"There are 9 other live victims, there are also a number of deceased victims." William searched my face for emotion, I wasn't surprised by my parents' actions anymore, "There are seven males and three females including yourself."

I nodded.

"Yours is, naturally, the biggest case, I have been in contact with the Healer and the Doctor who saw you last summer, the social worker who found you, your psychiatrists and your school teachers."

"That explains why the file is as big as it is." I said. I tried not to laugh out of pure embarrassment, "I've been hard work for you, I'm sure."

William smiled, "The amount of evidence we have on your case alone will put your parents away for a very long time."

"Good." I nodded.

William and I then reviewed all the information found. We started with my first hospital attendance for second degree burns for both my hands. I explained that it was my auntie who did that. The broken glass in my hands was when my father lost his cool with me and threw a glass bottle on the floor and made me pick it up with my fingers. The query broken ankle was when my mum threw me down the stairs, the reason it was queried was because mother got fed up waiting in the hospital and they never got to x-ray it. I had it wrapped up and I didn't leave a house for two weeks after due to the pain. The sprained arm was the same thing a couple of months later, deep cuts were a result of being pushed when climbing on rocks at the beach, black eyes from being a punch bag for either of my parent's anger I was brought to hospital by my grandmother as I couldn't see out of one of them due to swelling, I had a stab wound to my shoulder by my auntie, I've had my toes broken individually by my father and between both parents I have beaten to the point I almost died resulting in a pneumothorax, a bruised larynx, a broken nose, bruised tracheal cartilage, two black eyes, two broken ribs, three cracked ribs, a bruised abdomen and a lacerated kidney. I recounted everything. "Then there are things I don't remember, but those are what I had to see a doctor for."

"Merlin's beard." He said, "I've a number of small confessions to make…"

I raised an eyebrow, "Go on…?"

"I didn't want to worry you in the letter, but your parents think you're dead."

"Right." I took the information in and smiled, "Good."

"I have been searching for you for three weeks, thinking at the end of the school year you'd be put on the child foster register… I found your brother, but you were nowhere to be seen, so I went searching in the Ministry for Magic, where no one had either heard of you or were not willing to help. By that stage, even I thought you were dead. Then I came across Kingsley Shacklebolt who had heard Mr Weasley talking about you to another member of staff. He passed on my letter to one of your foster parents and you got the message… when?"

"Wednesday evening." I shook my head, "I've really gone off the radar, haven't I?"

"The trial began two weeks ago." William said, "All nine other witnesses have all been heard from and you're the last one. If you're agreeable, you're on the stands first thing on Monday morning."

I stared at him for a while, a range of profanities floating through my head, none of which I let slip from my mouth, "Okay then. What do I do?"

William then told me what to wear, "I know you young ladies are all about what to wear." I laughed nervously looking down at myself and then he continued, "You will not be left on your own between now and the trial. You have a hotel room booked in your name for two nights surrounding your court day. You will be expected to have a responsible adult present with you." He handed me a booking letter for the hotel which included main meals and soft drinks. "I will meet you in the hotel on Monday morning at 9am and will transfer you to court. We will run over everything and will start at 10am sharp." He said, "Please don't worry. I will be with you the whole journey. All you need to do is be honest and answer all the questions I ask you, just like we had this discussion today. Your parents' lawyer will try and scare you, but as a minor I will always be there to help. The other witnesses can't wait to meet you, either. They have been great support for each other over the past two weeks."

With all the necessary articles from my diaries photocopied, court proceedings explained, and potential questions discussed, William looked down at his watch and his eyes widened, "It's 3pm! I can't believe it! I'm sure you're starving! You haven't eaten a thing!"

"I'm fine, thanks." I said.

"Do you want to talk about anything else before you go?" William asked, handing me a list of things to do and remember.

I shook my head and stood, I stuck out my hand and shook William's firmly.

"You're really brave, you know that, I swear I thought you were an adult, it's just the way you conduct yourself. Very mature. I have no concerns whatsoever for Monday. You can laugh about my curly wig when we see each other next." He opened the door to his office.

"Thanks." I said with a hint of sarcasm, then I turned to see Narcissa sitting reading a copy of Witch Weekly, "Hey!" I said, feeling happy to see her. William and Narcissa had a very quick discussion about me, the court proceedings on Monday and the hotel. They shook hands and we went our separate ways.

Once out of earshot, Narcissa whispered, "He's quite dishy, isn't he?"

"He's married and his wife is expecting." I laughed, "I know deep down you want Lucius to wear a pin-striped suit."

Narcissa laughed, "You know me too well." We then disapparated and arrived at Malfoy Manor were Narcissa and Draco desperately tried to keep me distracted for the evening before going to bed with a healthy dose of dreamless sleep potion.

27th July

"Hey," Draco said, knocking my door this morning, "can I come in?" he asked.

"Sure." I answered, I was lying in bed, fully clothed meticulously preparing myself for Monday morning. I drew timelines, looked at journals and wrote to George in an attempt not to panic. I didn't know what I was preparing for, since I knew the answers, I couldn't forget, but I felt I had to keep busy.

Draco sat on the bed beside me, still in his pyjamas. He looked down at all my pages of notes and scratched his head, "Is that all the stuff they've done to you?"

"That's the majority of it." I nodded, continuing to write a bit about what I remembered before being rushed to St Mungos last summer. I then saw that Draco was about to lift a piece of parchment, "I'd advise you not to read that." I slapped his hand away and lifted the paper out of his way.

"Why not?" he rubbed his hand instinctively.

"Because, under no uncertain circumstances are you coming to court with me." I set down my quill, "I mean it, Draco, you're not going."

He looked bewildered, "Do you not want a familiar face there?"

"I do not want you there. I do not want anyone there. I want to go in, get it over and done with and leave. I don't want to talk about it, I don't want to tell people how I feel. I will do it for one last time on Monday and that will be that, if I can help it." I snapped, I really needed a cup of coffee and about 100 hours of sleep.

"Okay," he nodded, "What can I do for you, then?"

I looked up at him, "Distract me."

Two hours later, I was convinced to have some breakfast (I was enticed by coffee). Both Draco and Narcissa were dressed and ready to go out. The three of us were going to go shopping. This is what Draco thought would distract me. Lucius pointedly made a comment, saying that he would rather stick pins in his eyes than go shopping. I agreed with him. He SMILED. Narcissa still made me go, though.

We went into London, Muggle London, the classy end. "Why are we here?" I asked midway through another conversation.

"You need an outfit; I was told?"

I laughed, "I can't afford anything around here! I was just going to wear a pair of black trousers and a blouse of some sort."

"No, you're not. I will have you looking better than just presentable. You are a young woman and you have to dress like you are. I will pay, don't worry."

"But you shouldn't have to pay!" I shook my head, shrugging my shoulders.

Narcissa stopped in the middle of the street and placed a hand gently on my shoulder, "Look, we are your family and I'm going to look after you. Okay?"

"Alright, Auntie Cissa." I joked.

Narcissa beamed at me and then we continued into a shop with a small front, but plenty of floor space inside, "This is my go-to place for muggle clothes. Go have a look, with Draco, I've a few things of my own I need to get."

Draco and I looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders. Every so often I pointed at a very ugly piece of clothing and the two of us giggled. "You'd look absolutely divine in that." Draco pointed at a frilly dress.

"Oh, darling, you'd be most handsome in that." I spoke with such sarcasm and the two of us were in fits of laughter, "The vomit colour would really bring out the colour of your eyes."

Draco then spotted a hat and accessory section. His face lit up like a kid in a sweet shop. He chucked me a tartan beret and put on what I would refer to as a farmer's cap. "Draco Malfoy," I said in my best Scottish accent, "I will not have you besmirching the name of farmers by behaving like a babbling baboon."

The two of us laughed at my terrible McGonagall accent, "What's a farmer?" he asked.

That made me laugh all the more.

"Kathryn?" I heard a familiar Scottish accent. I closed my eyes tight and bit my lip, then turned to greet Oliver Wood, "I can't believe it's you!"

"Oliver." I said, quite unsure of how this conversation was going to go. Last time I saw him, I was so angry I couldn't even talk to him, I threw his coat at him and got him out of my sight. Last time I saw him, he gave George a broken nose. But he wouldn't have needed to have punched George to get him to wise up, if he hadn't of sent me the flowers for my birthday, which caused George and me to fight in the first place. He wrote to me all last year to antagonise George, he knew what he was doing.

Oliver looked at me up and down and smiled, "You look great."

"Thanks." I said, taking the beret off my head and playing with it in my hands nervously.

"Look," Oliver began, "I'm sorry for how things ended-"

I shook my head, "Forget it."

"I should have written to you, I should have apologised, I should-"

I put my hand up to stop him, "I don't want to hear it."

"But if I could just explain… I-"

"OLIVER! SERIOUSLY!" my patience was wearing extremely thin and I knew I was close to breaking point. "It's so far past the time for apologies and explanations-"

Draco then stood close beside me, "Hey, what's going on? Is everything okay, Kathryn?"

"It's okay, Draco, I got this." I said, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Would you mind putting this back for me? I don't think it's quite what we're looking for, somehow." I handed him the beret.

"You and Malfoy? You and MALFOY?" Oliver looked flabbergasted, "What in Merlin's name is going on here? Have you lost your mind? Draco Malfoy?"

"Excuse me? Is there a problem here?" Narcissa appeared, interested by the building commotion which was now gaining more and more attention of the customers in the store, "Kathryn, who is this?"

"This is Oliver Wood and he's leaving if he knows what's good for him." I looked at Oliver and took a step back, directing him towards the exit.

Oliver was stunned, "You've changed."

"Shit happens, Oliver."

"Kathryn…"

"GO." I stared him down, I was so angry I was trembling. How had he the right, after all this time to act like he cared, when all he did was cause a void between George and me? Oliver then did the walk of shame, with his tail between his legs, towards the exit of the shop. I had no regrets in saying what I did. I took a deep breath and looked to Narcissa, "So, what did you get?"

She looked a little taken aback by my sudden change in attitude, "Just a couple of suit jackets, blouses and skirts for you to try. Then I've a work style dress for me. There's a lady at the changing rooms, she says she's a personal shopper."

Draco and I then followed Narcissa towards a well-dressed lady, who wore her hair in tight curls in the changing area. "I've been talking to your Auntie here, she says you have a court date coming up and need a little help with finding the perfect outfit? Don't worry, I'll get you sorted." As the lady said the word 'auntie' I looked up at Narcissa and shook my head, but smiled. It was crazy to think that after four weeks of being together, she considered me family. Perhaps she was just being nice to me because I was going through a lot. The lady, who introduced herself as Anne, brought me into a large room where she took all my measurements then busied herself around the store, looking for garments for me to try on. She returned with a rail.

She showed me the blouses, first was a sleeveless V-neck, deep red in colour, the second was a white blouse that had short sleeves with a bit of a frill on, the third was a light blue and white stripped blouse, the fourth was plain baby pink with short sleeves and the fifth was cobalt blue chiffon material with three-quarter length sleeves.

Then Anne showed me the selection of black and navy skirts and trousers.

"No trousers." Narcissa said as I went to try on a pair, "You are a young lady and you will be presented as a lady."

I stared her down and she wouldn't budge. I sighed and set the trousers down on the rail again and picked up a pencil skirt and changed into it. "Ermm…" I opened the curtain slightly, "I'm having a slight problem with getting the hips into this…" So Anne handed me the next size up and I tried it on and zipped it up.

"No." Narcissa said, "it's completely wrong for your shape…" she said honestly, "Try this on…"

Narcissa handed me a mid-length skirt from her own pile of clothes, "OOOH." I said, then went behind the curtain and tried on the cobalt blue skirt and paired it with the white short sleeved blouse and a pair of cobalt blue heels I had my eyes on from the second I saw them.

I pulled the curtain back and Narcissa looked pleasantly surprised, even Draco looked up from the book he was busying himself with. "I want these shoes, even if you hate the outfit." I said, pointing at them, emphasising the design, "They're so pretty!" I did a little curtsey.

"You look good." Anne commented, "Young, vibrant…"

"Try on this." Narcissa handed me a navy and emerald green tartan dress. I hoped she knew how serious I was being about the cobalt heels. I went behind the curtain and tried the dress on nonetheless.

"Okay, so I like this, too!" I said, smiling. The dress sat perfectly, "Which shoes?"

Narcissa stood and sorted through the rail of dresses, "Shoes don't matter at this stage. This next." She handed me a black dress with lace sleeves which, when I put it on, was knee length, it was tight around my waist, almost as though there was a corset built-in. When I showed her she smiled and handed me the next outfit, which was a navy work-style dress. Anne placed a champagne coloured belt around my waist and tied it in a bow. "That is what you're going to wear to court." Narcissa concluded.

I started to put on the cobalt heels to finish the look, "You are not wearing those!" Narcissa snapped, "You're really stubborn, you know that?" she rolled her eyes, "I'll get you the shoes if it means that much to you, but there's no chance you're wearing them to court." Narcissa then left the changing area and returned a minute or so later with a pair of black oxford heels with laces.

"I'll wear those." I smiled, trying them on.

So as I got dressed into my normal clothes again, Narcissa tried on her own items which consisted of two black work dresses, tailored blazers, blouses and skirts. She had a word with Anne and we made our way to pay for the items. Anne then handed me a large suit holder full of every item I tried on that fitted – the cobalt skirt, the three dresses, the blouse and two pairs of shoes. Then I got handed a large bag full of more casual clothes. "Oh my goodness," My jaw dropped, "Cissa, thanks!"

"No problem, sweetheart!" she smiled. Then we went for an ice cream at Draco's request. This was closely followed by getting a new set of dress robes for Draco in Twilfitt and Tatting's, during which he complained a lot and I told him to wind his neck in. I then had to explain what the Northern Irish term meant. Afterwards, I lifted some money from the bank, both Muggle and Wizard currency just in case. We picked up a few supplies for home and Draco bought the latest book on Quidditch. I also secretly bought it and got it sent to Harry, to arrive on his birthday (I had no owl of my own to send things with, so I took my opportunity). Then the three of us headed back home and had a late dinner before heading off to bed.

28th July

I slept in until 10am this morning, having stocked up on dreamless sleep potion the day before. It was seemingly a late start for everyone as Narcissa and Draco were both in their pyjamas pouring cups of coffee as I arrived in the kitchen. "Morning." I said.

"Sleep well?"

"Dreamlessly!" I said with a smile, "Is that Molly's handwriting?"

Narcissa lifted the letter out of my line of view, "Yes, the two of us have been sorting things out for you. We're to meet up at 4 this afternoon to bring you to the hotel. Your lawyer said not to make a fuss, so we've got a meet up place now."

All packed and ready to go, I had a large rucksack over one shoulder with the suit bag over the other, both Draco and Narcissa brought me to the 'meet up' spot. The three of us apparated to outside the Leaky Cauldon where we are faced by Molly and George.

"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" George said, rushing over to me picking me up off my feet and embracing me tight.

"It is so good to see you!" I grinned, fixing my bags on my shoulder as he sat me down.

Narcissa cleared her throat, but not at me. She and Molly were exchanging glances that could kill. Molly sneered. Narcissa wore an expression I hadn't seen in a long time – she stuck her nose in the air as though she was better than everyone else. "Right!" I said in a far-too-high voice, I looked to Draco who shrugged his shoulders, "thanks for bringing me, Cissa. I hope you don't miss me too much." I grabbed her attention.

"Be a good girl now," she said, exchanging glances with Molly every so often, "I'll be right here at 8pm on Tuesday evening to collect you again. If you need me, write to me, or you can use the Floo Network to get home again."

"I'll be there." I smiled, taking the documents from her, including the hotel reservations and my identification.

Narcissa then took a step closer to me and hugged me tight, "Be brave, stand up and give your parents hell. I know you won't give up without a fight." She whispered, and I smiled, she was referring to the hell I unleashed when she offended me, "I know you'll be amazing!" she kissed the top of my head gently before pulling away. I could see that her eyes were slightly watery.

I nodded to Draco and the two of them disapparated back home.

"That was weird." George commented, "Is she usually that… maternal?"

"George." I said, "Don't start."

He knew not to annoy me; I had displayed tendencies to snap at any given time in a moment of nervousness. "I'm your responsible adult for the night." George smiled, taking my rucksack off my shoulder and putting it over his own.

I laughed, "Your mum bought that?"

"Mum suggested it." George said sincerely, he took a hold of my hand and the two of us walked, "She reckoned that I, out of most people, would be able to keep you calm. She also mentioned 101 things I'm not allowed to do and I promised her I'd be a proper gentleman."

I snorted, "Are you sure you're even allowed to hold my hand?"

George rolled his eyes. We walked up to where Molly was standing, she looked me up and down and sighed. I was wearing the skirt, light t-shirt and pumps my grandmother insisted I got last summer. I was very glad she convinced me as the weather at the minute is roasting! I bit my tongue and tightened my grip on George's hand slightly. The three of us walked into the centre of London. A couple of minutes into the walk, Molly said, "I don't want to hear any stories of you two getting up to mischief in the middle of the night. You are to behave and be sensible. You are fourteen Kathryn. Don't do anything stupid. You are both too young to be dealing with any mistakes. I am trusting the two of you together. Don't make me regret it."

"Who do you think you are? My mother?" I retorted, "As far as I'm aware, you're the woman who abandoned me with them." I pointed behind me, "Do you think it's been easy? Defending you lot? Defending myself? Having to watch everything you do and say? Making sure you're not going to offend them? Having scum like Lucius Malfoy treat you like a piece of shit? You don't have the right to tell me what to do or how to live my life." I snapped, "I have no intention of doing anything. I know what it's like to be a kid that isn't wanted, you know."

"Are you finished?" Molly questioned.

I knew I should have shut my mouth, but I couldn't control myself, "This isn't all sunshine and daisies, you know. This time last year I was really excited to have you all over for dinner, I was cleaning and baking and trying to make everything perfect. Then the next day I was beaten half to death. Perhaps tomorrow I might find out why. Find out why I've been battered and bruised my entire life. I don't need to take any more shit right now. And honestly, what you're suggesting is the last thing on my mind. I don't need you to look at me like that, either."

Her expression softened as I ranted, "I'm sorry…" she said, "How are things in Malfoy Manor?"

"They're fine. Narcissa and I came to blows a week into my stay. Now we're on good enough terms. Draco and I get on. Lucius is constantly at work, so I hardly see him, but I know to stay out of his way when he's at home."

"And there's nothing strange happening in the house?" Molly asked.

I shook my head, "Voldemort and his Death Eaters haven't been around lately, no. But I'll be sure to let you know if I survive meeting him."

Molly looked affronted, shushing me. George laughed. We crossed the road to the hotel and the doorman greeted us, "Miss Pink?"

"Yes?" I answered.

The doorman chauffeured us into the hotel and whispered, "Now that you are inside this building you are under the protection of staff and security. Should you come across suspicious activity, please do not hesitate to contact any of us; you are our top priority."

"That doesn't sound portentous or anything." I responded and the man smiled, directing me over to the welcoming desk. I handed over my ID and the booking reservations from William. George and I were handed a door key each and we were escorted up to the room with Molly.

On opening the door, I saw a double bed and a single bed side-by-side. A TV hung on the wall and I breathed a sigh of relief – I was surrounded by muggle technology and I couldn't be happier! There was a minibar fridge (with all the alcohol taken out of it) and a kettle with a selection of tea and coffee. There was a massive bathroom with a range of facilities, "Is this room suitable, Miss?" the concierge asked.

"I think it'll do just fine. I claim the double bed." I smiled. The man closed the door and both George and Molly looked around the room in awe.

"I'd best get going," Molly was content after having a look around, "Or I'll want to stay here, too, but I have to get back. I'll see you both in the morning. Look after each other." She hugged me and held tight and did the same with George, embarrassing him. She closed the door behind herself.

I waited ten seconds for her to be far enough away and I flung myself on the bed, "So George, you have me for two whole days, what are you going to do with me?"

George laughed, "Can I kiss you?"

"Ooooh." I said, "Now, that depends if your mother permits it or not."

"Oh, shut up you." He grabbed me and kissed me passionately, "I. Have. Missed. You." He said, planting kisses on my cheeks and forehead, "I've got something for you." He said, going into his bag, "Ginny made me swear that I'd give it to you as soon as mum left, but, you know, priorities." He handed me an envelope.

I smiled, "Priorities indeed!" I kissed him gently before ripping open the envelope.

KITKAT!
I MISS YOU SO MUCH!
I didn't talk to mum for a whole week when she let you stay with the Malfoys. I still can't believe you're there! I hope you're okay! George has assured me that you are, but I guess I needed to ask for myself. I've also told mum that she has to write to Mrs Malfoy, inviting you to stay with us for a week or two. I need our sleepover! I'm literally so jealous of you and George right now, but I would be third-wheeling if I joined, so you two have fun (but not too much fun)!
Please don't worry about the trial. You are going to bust their asses and show 'em who's boss. You've 100% got the nerve! Hermione also said something about you taking no nonsense, I think the essence of that conversation is that you would be just fine. Ron wishes you luck, too!
I also have gossip! On the off chance that Fred and George have opened this letter, I will have to tell you in person!
Your Desire xxx

"Your desire?" George asked, confused, "What on earth?"

"Those are our hooker names." I said with a deadpan expression.

George closed his eyes for a second and smiled.

"Don't you dare imagine your sister as a hooker."

George flung his arms up in the air, "You just ruined everything about that image."

"Keep it clean, boy." I joked, "Your mother has already explicitly said she doesn't want grandchildren just yet." I put Ginny's letter back into the envelope to reply to her tomorrow after everything is over and done with.

"But they're an option for the future, yeah?" George enquired, taking out some essentials from his bag.

I smirked, but thankfully he couldn't see me as my back was turned, "Don't get too ahead of yourself, now." I hung up my outfit for the morning, still in the protective casing. I grabbed the TV remote and slumped onto the bed. "OH MY GOODNESS!" I shouted, grabbing the duvet tight in my hands.

"What's wrong?" George jumped to look at me.

My eyes lit up and I smiled widely, "This is a great movie! We have GOT to watch it!" I tapped the space on the bed beside me.

George rolled his eyes at me jokingly and sat down beside me, putting his feet up, "Beauty and the Beast? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Shhhh." I said, "Watch the movie."

"Are you crying?" he asked. He was stroking my hair gently.

"No." I said, with thick emotion in my voice.

"Look at me."

"No." I sniffled, wiping the tears from my cheeks, smiling at George.

"Seriously? You've gone soft."

"Shut up." I nudged him, "It's just such a beautiful story."

"If you're hoping I'm going to get better looking than this, you've another thing coming. I'm not a prince, I don't own a castle and I will never wear those silly outfits."

"Ah well. A girl can dream." I winked at him.

George tickled me, "Oi."

"GEORGE!" I laughed, "GEORGE!" I couldn't breathe as I was now in hysterics. When he finally stopped, the two of us were both breathless, George had me pinned down to the bed and were in a bit of a precarious position. He fixed a bit of my hair, moving it away from my face. I reached up and kissed him.

He looked down at me and searched my eyes. I smiled up at him, showing the dimple on my cheek. "You're so beautiful, you know that?"

I felt myself blush, "Oh, shut up, you! Don't ruin the moment by saying crap like that!" I reached up and put my hand on his cheek and caressed it.

"You've never been told just how beautiful you are." George spoke with such sincerity, "I don't tell you enough!" there was a hint of shame in his expression, "I'm so lucky to have you."

I screwed up my face and stuck my tongue out at him, "Even when I look like that?" I laughed, "Or cry ugly at books and films? Or get ill and look like shit? Or if I have no makeup on!" I looked at him in fake horror, covering my face.

"Especially then." He kissed me again.

There was a knock at the door, "May I come in?"

I don't think either George nor I have moved so fast as George bounced off the bed to answer the door. "Yes?" he said in a strangely high voice.

I had to laugh.

The man walked in, he was wearing a waistcoat and looked very smart, "Good evening. Would yourself and Miss Pink be interested in booking a table for dinner or would room service be preferable?"

George looked to me and shrugged, expecting me to answer. "Would you mind booking us a table?" I asked, I stood from the bed and approached the man, "What time is it anyway?"

"It has just gone seven o'clock." He looked at his pocket watch and looked back up at me again, "What time would you like the table for? Half seven? Eight o'clock?"

"Eight, if you don't mind?" I nodded to George who nodded back.

The man also nodded and spoke, "The meal will be charged to the room."

"Thanks." I smiled. The man left.

"What does he mean the meal will be charged to the room?"

I beamed at him, "It means, the meal, like this room, will be paid by my parents." I shrugged my shoulders, "They have to be useful for something, don't you think? So we can have a three course meal with as many drinks as we like. You can even order steak if that tickles your fancy?"

"We'll make it a date." George winked, "Would you kindly escort a kind, handsome young man to dinner?"

"Suppose so." I shrugged my shoulders, disinterestedly which I then followed with a cheeky wink. "I suppose I ought to make myself more presentable for such a fancy restaurant." I turned on the radio beside the bed before reaching for my bag and trailing it into the bathroom behind me.

Half an hour later I emerged from the bathroom with perfect makeup, straight hair and the cobalt coloured skirt and shoes with the pretty white blouse on. George looked up at me and his chin dropped. "I take it you like the outfit?"

"I love the whole package." He bit his lip.

"Stop staring and get yourself ready." I said feeling a little self-conscious.

George's eyes followed me as I moved across the room, "Yes, ma'am."

Not too long after he reappeared looking fresh, "Suave." I nodded appreciatively at his white shirt and navy trousers.

"Shall we?" he linked his arm in with mine and we went down the stairs for dinner. George was shocked by the choice and bewildered by how expensive everything was! We ordered starters to share because he had never had prawns or scallops. He ordered the steak for mains and I dug into a bowl of pasta carbonara. Then for dessert George ordered the honeycomb cheesecake and I ordered banoffee pie. It was really cute the way he fed me some of his… DELISH.

This then followed by the two of us watching the hotel's entertainment for an hour or so. This included a stand-up comedian, band and illusionist. George couldn't get over the illusions. He was about to complain when I told him it was time for bed. I'm pretty sure he would have shown the illusionist real magic if he had been there any longer!

Back in the room, the two of us were comfortably full and got into our pyjamas. That's when realisation set in and along with that came nerves. My heart was pounding by the time I got into the massive double bed. "Night night!" George said turning off his lamp, he rolled over in his single bed and within a matter of minutes was breathing deeply. I lay there, wide awake. I wasn't allowed to take anything to help me sleep as I needed to be potion free in the morning, according to William. I listened to the hustle and bustle of guests returning to their rooms, I watched as lights flickered outside the window as emergency services tended to someone in need.

Two and a half hours later it was 2am. Images flashed through my mind each time I closed my eyes. In my tiredness I was brought back to every bad memory, every negative feeling and I was just exhausted by it all. Everything seemed to happen faster and faster as my body forced sleep upon me, I was slapped, beaten, thrown down stairs, stabbed and… this was a new one… I was held under water. I couldn't breathe, I flapped my arms, I struggled, but someone was holding me down. I tried calling out for help, but lungs just filled with water, my arms and legs were limp, I was dying, when suddenly I felt a tug on my shoulder.

"Katy! Katy! Wake up!" George was shaking me, trying to untangle me from my duvet. "Katy! You're okay, I'm here! I've got you!"

Coughing and spluttering, I got out of bed and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. I was shaking. Adrenaline was coursing through my veins and all I wanted to do was run, far away, to get away from this place, to escape the impending doom of 6 hours' time: It was just after 3am. I sat myself down on the floor beside the door and rocked. The nightmares were still playing on my mind, even though the lamp was on. I lifted my head and opened my eyes to see George sitting on the floor in front of me, waiting until I was ready. On his knees, he took a hold of my hand and whispered, "You gave me a good scare there." He always tried to make light of awful situations, "It took me ages to get you to wake up, you must be a deep sleeper! That'll definitely help because I snore."

I didn't respond. I didn't have the energy. It was taking everything I had to hold myself together.

"C'mere Katy…" George stood and took my hands, pulling me up, he brought me into a tight embrace, "Let's get you back into bed." He led me over to the bed and I sat on the edge and looked up at him and shook my head, letting out a huge sigh.

"I'm not getting back to sleep tonight." I said, I sat in the bed with my legs under the covers, "You get yourself some sleep, I promise I'll be quiet."

George yawned, I could see the cogs turning as he processed what I said and decided what he was going to do. "No, if you're going to be awake, I'll be awake with you."

"You've always been terrible at that." I jested. Then I had an idea, so I shifted over in the bed and told George to get in beside me, "It'll just be like a proper sleepover!" he didn't even argue, he just climbed in and wrapped his arms around me, "Please note, I do not cuddle anyone else during sleepovers, well… not intentionally!" I got myself comfortable and felt the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed deeply, I heard his heart rate slow and his whole body relax.

"Katy?" George asked after a few minutes.

"Uh-huh?" I replied, I lifted my head off his chest and propped my head up with my hands.

He tapped his chest, "Put your head back down." His eyes were closed and I couldn't quite tell if he was talking in his sleep or not, "let me tell you a story, a good story, a nice one…"

I tried my best not to laugh, "What's it about Georgie?" I asked, my head back on his chest.

"Us, obviously." He said sleepily, "We'll start the story on your seventeenth birthday and you're about to start on your seventh year at Hogwarts. Today is a very special day and you and I spend the morning together, we go shopping in Muggle London and I bring you into a jewellery shop and the assistant asks what we're looking for. And I say that we're looking for an engagement ring."

"This had better not be how you propose, George Weasley."

He didn't respond, "So you have a field day and choose whatever ring you want and we go back to my parents' house and they've arranged a surprise party for you with everyone there, all your favourite people. And we played that stupid song you sang and danced to at new year and everyone joined in with you."

"Jeez, George." I lifted my head and he put it back on his chest again and started stroking my hair gently.

"Then that night, it's just the two of us, because I've kicked Fred out of the house we live in together and I properly propose because you had had enough surprises for the week. By this stage I assume my mother will be okay with us having sex. Not that it is any of her business. That night we'll have sex."

I nearly choked. George tapped me on the back. He barely touched me and said, "There, there."

"Then you'll go to school, but we'll meet up all the time, because you'll sneak out the front doors and I'll borrow Harry's invisibility cloak. And when that year is over, the two of us will get married, you'll get a job."

"What will my job be?" I asked, wondering if he'd respond.

"You'll own your own business offering someone to talk to or someone to give advice or something like that." Was George's idea, "And Fred and I will have our own business. When you're 20, we'll have our first kid, then another at 22, 24, 27, 30, 32 and 35 so that we can have our Quidditch team before I turn 40."

This was completely surreal. I was listening to my boyfriend dither on about the future, our future and he was basically asleep. I couldn't believe what he was saying, but he continued nonetheless, "We'll have fun when we're old. We'll be the couple everyone wants to be. Happy, successful, loving, free…" he started to babble and snore. It was funny while it lasted. It was also really endearing that he sees us being together in the future.

29th July

"George, I can't do this." The two of us were standing in our hotel room, I had my cardigan over my arm and my handbag with all my documents slung over my shoulder. The thought of leaving the safety of the hotel, the comfort of the bubble in which George and I were living terrified me.

I felt a warm, reassuring hand on my shoulder after George zipped up my dress, "You can do this. You don't let anything defeat you. Just you wait and see the looks on your parent's faces when they see you. They'll know they're done for." George opened the hotel room door and smiled, "Let's give 'em hell, Katy."

I shook my head at him, giving him a sideways glance as I straightened my dress and made my way down the stairs towards the hotel reception area. I had stared at the ceiling for the remainder of the night, got out of bed at first light and couldn't muster any breakfast. George had grabbed my hand to stop me from shaking so violently. In the lobby sat Mr William Snow, the man who was hopefully going to save me from a future with my parents. "Good morning," he said cheerily, "Sleep well?"

"Sleep?" I asked sarcastically, "What's that?"

He snickered at me, "Shall we be off then?"

Taking a deep breath, I answered, "If we must."

George and I were led to a company car and took the short journey to the courts. We took the back entrance to avoid the paparazzi at the front entrance. There were hundreds of people out watching and waiting for the mystery witness. For me. I realised just how high profile this case was. I was quickly chauffeured in through the building and George was advised to take a seat in one of the many rooms. He turned to me, letting go of my hand, "You will be amazing, Katy, just remember why you're doing this." He handed me a tissue, "Just in case."

"I think I'm going to need it already." I dabbed my eyes as they filled with tears. I wrapped my arms around him and he held me tight. "I love you." I whispered, kissing him gently.

"Hey! That's what I'm supposed to say! You know I love you, and that whatever happens I'll be here to give you a cuddle and take you out for a lovely dinner tonight or whatever you like tonight. Date two." He embraced me once more and kissed my forehead, "Off you go now, Mr Snow is dying to show you his curly wig."

I mustered a small smile and forced myself to walk away from George.

The next half an hour or so was a complete blur. William was talking to me and I was responding, he reminded me of the day's proceedings, that there may be an element of shock as no one knows I'm here. "I will call you to the stands and you will swear and introduce yourself." He said. I held the cotton tissue tight in my hands, wringing it between my fingers nervously. "You're doing really well. If you feel you need a break, just say."

I took a deep breath, "I just want to get this over and done with."

A very official looking lady then came to check my documents, and brought me into a separate room just off the court as William entered the court room and prepared himself there. My heartrate was sitting someone around 130 – I counted. I'm sure my blood pressure was through the roof as well! I was sure I was going to explode when my name was called. I ran my fingers through my hair and the side door opened. I walked forward just as William had told me to. I caught sight of him and he nodded. I walked with as much confidence as I could muster, the clicking sounds of my heels filled the silent room and I took to the stand. My eyes never left William's.

I placed my hand on the bible in front of me and took the oath, "I swear that the evidence that I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." I said confidently, despite how nervous I felt.

"Will you kindly introduce yourself to the court?"

I nodded, taking another deep breath I said, "My name is Kathryn Pink and I am the daughter of Richard and Helen."

Gasps filled the air. Murmurs erupted and the judge banged his mallet and called for order.

"What age are you Kathryn?"

"Fourteen. I'll be fifteen at the end of next month."

"What year are you in and what school do you attend?"

"I will be starting fifth year on the first of September at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"So you are muggleborn?"

"Yes." I confirmed.

"Can you briefly tell me what happened on the evening of 29th July 1994?"

"My parents arrived home early from their holiday, I had friends over for dinner, my parents were mad at me having witches and wizards in their home. They demanded that they left the house so I got them to leave. As soon as they left, my mother pulled me by the hair into a room in our house I had never been in and, along with my father, punched and kicked me until I was unconscious. They left me in that room, locked up. They left me to die."

William nodded to me, his expression neutral, "Are these people your parents?" he pointed across the room, to my right, to a box completely covered in glass, with two individuals sitting with four security men surrounding them. I jumped as I caught eyes with my mother, I saw the same hatred in her eyes as she did last time I saw her. Her hair was unkempt; she clearly hadn't seen her local beautician in a while. Her clothes were plain, black skirt, white blouse, black blazer, black stilettos, she was always very glamorous, she always liked to show off her wealth.

Next to her was my father, he was now a shadow of myself. His hair had gone bright white, he had aged about ten years, his muscular body was far less toned and his clothes were not as tailored as he would have cared for. He sat in the chair as though all his hopes and dreams had been shattered. He was always a proud man, seeing me probably made him wish he had finished the job.

"Miss Pink?" William asked.

I caught myself on, my chin was somewhere on the floor and I had to pick it back up again, "Yes, that's em- that's my mum and dad, that's Helen and Richard."

"Can I call the jury to have a look at evidence pieces B.124, C.876 and F.685? Miss Pink will explain to you all what they are. Please start with B.124" William handed me the original document.

"B.124 is an extract from my diary," I said, "I keep a diary of everything I do and every feeling I have and had. It helps me to clear my mind after things happen. I was advised to do that from one of my counsellors. That particular piece is from the day before mum and dad went on holiday with Peter. Mum was ironing a shirt for dad and blamed my presence in the room for not being able to get a bloodstain out. You can read how the conversation went. Dad then came back into the room and I tried to defend myself, he grabbed a hold of my foot and pulled me and I fell, my back hitting the wooden floor beneath me. He then bent all of my toes back, one by one and broke them. He put something in my mouth to stop me screaming. I couldn't walk properly for weeks."

"Can you tell me what happened in the following days and hours?"

I stopped and thought about the timeline of events, "I dragged myself up the stairs and locked myself in the room that I slept in. That morning as mum, dad and Peter were going on holiday, dad beat my door, trying to get in, "I want you gone by the time we get back. I'm warning you. If we get another letter from you or regarding you, if your mother doesn't kill you, I will." Was what he said. When they left, my Granny knocked on my door, but I couldn't get out of bed to unlock it. She called the muggle doctor to come out on a home visit to see me." I could see William urging me to continue, "A muggle GP called… Andrew Davis came to the house a little over an hour later. Granny had told him that I slipped and fell after stubbing my toes. Dr Davis insisted he heard my side of the story… for fear of lying to him I stayed silent. I was in a lot of pain and lost my patience a bit with him… I know I shouldn't have… He injected something into my arm and examined my toes, which was a whole ordeal in itself. He asked me a load of questions which I answered. He then examined my neck and spine. I got Granny to leave and get the Doctor a cup of tea and he asked me about my past medical history. That consisted of second degree burns to my hands, broken glass in my hands, a queried broken ankle, a sprained arm, a series of deep cuts and a stab wound to my shoulder. Well, my past recorded medical history."

I could see the jury shift uncomfortably in their seats.

"Dr Davis then gave me his contact details before Granny returned, he recommended bedrest, gave pain medication, bandaged my foot and advised an appointment six weeks later with the GP. I knew I'd never be able to make it, but I didn't tell him that." William then asked me to explain why, "Oh, because mum and dad would have been back from holidays and they hated bringing me to see the doctor."

I recalled the day my parents returned unexpectedly. I told the court every single detail of what my parents did to me before I blacked out. When I finished, a strangled silence filled the air.

I struggled to keep myself together. This was a living nightmare. I didn't want to cry, but I felt a lump at the back of my throat and tears started streaming before I could stop myself. I took a seat as I shuddered. My body ached, like it always did when I recount the events of my past. My body remembers, just as my memory is put on repeat at night.

"Do you need a minute?" William asked. I was doubled over, dealing with it the only way I knew how.

"Sorry…" I said, standing, wiping the tears from my face with the tissue George gave me, it smelt like him, "Please, I just want to get this over with." I took a deep breath and put my shaking hand on the handrail in front of me and held tight, "What else do you want to know?"

"Tell the court how you come to be standing here today." William spoke with a smile.

I gave him a small smile in return, "It was two days later when I woke up. I was barely alive. I heard a lady in the house. She was on the phone to Dr Davis. I heard her walking about. I drifted in and out of consciousness as I mustered all the strength I had to call out to her but she didn't hear me..." I broke down again, between sobs I spoke, "I coughed, barely able to breathe, I dug my feet into the floor and lifted my arm to hit the door – She heard me – she was still on the phone to Dr Davis and said that I was in a pool of my own blood – I don't know how I did it, but I got her to get a piece of parchment and I communicated to a wizarding family, the Weasleys – I wrote the word 'help' – Dr Davis arrived, I tried answering his questions – George, Molly and Arthur Weasley used the Floo Network to get to me – they brought me to St Mungos and I woke up a couple of days later. The Healer, Mr Jensen, he explained my injuries, a pneumothorax, a bruised larynx, a broken nose, bruised tracheal cartilage, two black eyes, two broken ribs, three cracked ribs, a bruised abdomen and a lacerated kidney. I also had the old bruising to my back and five broken toes…" I took a breather, as William pointed out the two pieces of evidence to look at, "The healers had fixed my lung, stopped my nose from bleeding, fixed my broken ribs and my kidney was operated on and I also had a blood transfusion in the process." I paused again, "So yeah, I almost died. I will forever be grateful to all those people who looked after me. I was in the hospital for 10 days."

"I believe that is all Kathryn needs to say on this topic for the time being. Now, I would like Kathryn to take the bench and have the opportunity to hear witnesses to these crimes."

I was directed off the witness stand towards the bench behind William, where I sat alone.

William then announced, "I would like to call to the witness stand Doctor Andrew Davis."

I gasped as I heard the footsteps of the man who, as I found out that day ultimately sent Trish who saved my life. He recounted his visit with me. He said that he was suspicious of abuse and sent an urgent referral for me to be seen by a social worker. He retold the court of the extensive bruising on my back and toes and how I was really pale. "I wish I went back to see Kathryn sooner. I regret that decision every day." He said.

William then asked Dr Davis to recount what happened when he saw me.

"I got a phone call from Miss Patricia Wright, the Social Worker to say that no one was in the house on her visit but the door was wide open and the place looked like it had been trashed. Whilst she was on the telephone to me, she walked in and checked to see if there were any casualties. I started driving towards the house immediately. I could tell Miss Wright was wary of the situation, she called out and eventually heard movement from Miss Pink. Miss Wright then said that Miss Pink was covered in blood but was alive. When I arrived I assessed Miss Pink. Her blood pressure was 75/50. Low blood pressure is classified as 90/60 or lower. She was barely holding on. I got Miss Wright to call an ambulance. Miss Pink was lying in a pool of her own blood, her temperature was 35 degrees Celsius, her pulse was weak and thready and I couldn't believe it when she could talk to me. Help arrived quickly and she was taken to hospital. I didn't think she was going to make it. I haven't seen her since."

William then turned and looked at me, encouraging me to stand.

Dr Davis' expression completely changed as he got a glimpse at me. He couldn't believe his eyes as I walked over to him and shook his hand, "Thank you so much. Without you, I'd be dead. I can't tell you how grateful I am." I said, my eyes filling with tears all over again.

Dr Davis left the stand and William spoke again, "I would like to call to the witness stand Miss Patricia Wright."

She swore the oath and introduced herself, "I'm Patricia Wright, more commonly known as Trish Wright, I am a social worker, Miss Pink was my third case." She reiterated Dr Davis' story, saying that I had been lost in the system, that no Social Workers had been to visit me or my parents from when I went to boarding school. She had picked up my case and did the visit and found me. I took the opportunity to thank her and she left the stand and went back to her work for the day.

"I would like to call to the witness stand Mister George Weasley." William said and my heart was in my throat as I saw George catch my eyes as he took to the stand.

George swore his oath, and introduced himself, "I'm George Weasley, I'm seventeen years old and Katy – I mean Kathryn and I are currently dating. At the time of the incident we were not. Kathryn and my younger brother Ron are in the same year at school, she is also good friends with my little sister, Ginny, so she would be a very welcome guest at our house. Kathryn and I had always been close. Last summer, we wrote to each other most days." He spoke fast, clearly very nervous, he then looked from William to me and smiled, "Katy – I mean Kathryn and I had planned for mum, dad, Ron, Ginny, my twin Fred and I to come for dinner on the 29th July 1994. She was very calm and relaxed and had cooked for all of us, with a little bit of help from her grandmother. It was only that evening things went wrong," George's expression completely changed and he couldn't look at me any longer, "Kathryn's parents came home early from their holiday and demanded that we leave. It was as though her mother saw red. Kathryn pleaded for us to go, she went out of the room with her grandmother to talk to Helen and Richard, but they argued and argued. I was terrified for her, never mind how she was feeling. Kathryn then came back into the room again and pleaded for us to go. Our cloaks were thrown at us and I told Kathryn to come with us, but she said that she couldn't... In the end the five of us left. I didn't hear from her for two whole days. I looked at the piece of parchment solidly for those two days. Little did I know she was lying, nearly dead-" his voice broke, "I saw her writing, the handwriting was terrible, it was shaky and – it said 'help'. I grabbed mum and dad to come with me and we used the floo network and I saw the muggles – Trish and Dr Davis with her – then mum put her on a stretcher and brought her to St Mungos. Dad dealt with the muggles and I packed up her things. She was never going back to that house. Then the two of us went to St Mungos. Mum was outside a room, crying her eyes out. They were trying to resuscitate her. They made her go to sleep and gave her a tube for breathing. They were giving her blood, assessing her body and the next thing she was brought to theatre. It was hours and hours before I saw her again. They brought her round to a side room, we answered as many questions as we could on her behalf, but I didn't know what happened. They told us not to expect her to wake up..." George broke down, "I sat by her bed day and night, she was cold and pale. Her body was bruised and scarred, her face was swollen and her eyes were blackened. On the second day, Jensen, Kathryn's Healer was very positive, he said that she was very strong and was fighting to stay alive. That night she opened her eyes. She could hardly talk; you could see the finger mark bruises on her neck from where she was strangled. She could barely keep her eyes open as she fell back to sleep again. She was having nightmares, it took me ages to get her to waken up, then she was sick everywhere, it was bile and blood and" he stopped, "We're just so lucky to have her. It was touch and go for a while, but look at her now," He smiled at me, "she's a miracle."

"How do you think Kathryn is? Do you think she's healed?"

George moved uncomfortably, "She keeps her scars covered. She got a special paste to make them fade, but I've seen some of them and they're still there… a constant reminder to her. I don't think her body will ever be healed, she hides it well, but her back always gives her trouble and the nightmares are the worst I can imagine. She's forced to relive all the things her parents did, she lives through the abuse every night, I don't think she's had a proper night's sleep in months… She's had to be so brave, but she shouldn't have to."

William thanked George and he came and sat beside me on the bench momentarily where I gave him a tight hug. "You're doing so well, Katy. I'm so proud of you." He kissed my cheek gently. Then he got chauffeured out of court.

Molly and Arthur got called into court, one by one. They reiterated the facts. They told of the day back in third year were I told them about my parents. They told their own perspectives on my recovery, how I was in pain but kept going. How my mother treated me when she came to collect me from the train the year before. They also mentioned the lack of presents, love, care and support I had. Molly was in tears as she finished. Arthur was ashen faced. They left the court feeling worse than they did when they came in.

"I would like to call to the witness stand Mr Jensen Avery."

It was Jensen, my healer. He waved to me as he walked past and introduced himself as my Healer. He told the medical facts of what happened when I was in St Mungos, explained my injuries with such detail that I quivered. "Kathryn is worst case of paediatric abuse I have come across in my entire career and I have been practising for almost 27 years." Jensen also reported on my progress and mental health. "Kathryn often shows signs of poor mental health, but is not currently on any medication. It is clear that she is self-taught to manage emotions as she can be known to lash out when she doesn't mean to, other signs are irritability, tearfulness, withdrawal and most notably a change in sleeping habits. She shows clear signs of having been neglected as a child. She has attended many different counsellors and psychologists who have all documented the same assessments." Jensen then talked for another while before leaving the stands. I felt thoroughly depressed on his evaluation of me as an individual. This living nightmare got worse, I was the most severe case he had seen yet I seemed to still be alive, somehow.

As I sat thinking to myself, William had said, "I would like to call to the witness stand Miss Maura Jane Crothers." But I didn't realise. I was in a world of my own. I wished I was outside, that I could run and be free. I felt so contained in the court room, stuck, unable to escape. I had to steady myself on the seat as I brought myself back to reality again, feeling tearful. I didn't want to listen to any more.

"I think a break is in order before we commence with the lawyer for the defence. Court is adjourned until 1400." The Judge spoke and I got up and left the courtroom before anyone could talk to me. I walked out the side door and continued going until I reached the toilets where I locked myself in and expressed a lot of emotion that I can't bring myself to write about.

Half an hour or so later I left the toilet and was quickly found by Molly, "Oh, thank goodness you're okay, dear. Let me get you some lunch." She linked her arm in mine and I was brought to the room George was asked to sit in earlier.

Molly opened the door and I saw George straight away, "Oh, Katy thank goodness you're okay." He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. "There are a few people who want to meet you." He brought me into the room where I saw a group of nine unfamiliar individuals.

"You must be the other victims." I said.

One of the men stood and shook my hand, "Paul Reid," he introduced himself, "how can you tell?"

"'Cause you're all looking at me in a knowing way. That you know what my parents are capable of, you've seen it and experienced it and you think you know how I feel." I said, "But you don't."

"We've just heard you speak," a lady said, "You were very brave."

"Yeah." I whispered.

Molly put a hand on my shoulder and directed me to a seat. George placed a cup of coffee on the table in front of me and a selection of sandwiches and a bowl of vegetable soup were also made available for me.

Another individual spoke, "It must have been so alleviating to tell your story."

"No." I said, staring at the wooden table, at the grooves and knots in the design. I focused my eyes on a spot where coffee had been spilled and ruined the natural beauty of the wood, it had been blemished for life. I was never going to recover from what my parents did to me. I would always be that girl. I shivered. I felt someone tug my hand.

"Trust you, Katy, you're the only person in this heatwave to be cold!" George brought me back to reality again, "Take a sip of your coffee, there." He suggested, "Or something to eat? You've not touched anything today and Hermione warned me to make you eat."

I was so many forms of exhausted. "Do I have to go back in there, George?" I asked.

"If I could do it for you, you know I would." He pulled his chair closer and he looked at me, "but after today that's it, it'll be done, forgotten about-"

"But it won't be forgotten about, will it?" my voice was thick with emotion, "It's always going to affect me, in here." I pointed at my head, "I'm never going to escape it. Jensen said it, I'm the classic case of a neglected child. I-"

"Should never have heard him say that." Molly rubbed my back, "Please eat something dear."

I lifted the spoon beside the bowl of soup and forced myself to finish every last drop. I took George by the hand and got up, dragging him with me. I followed the corridor the way we came in and I took a step out the back door and sat on the step, taking in a deep breath and sighing in relief. George sat beside me and I rested my head on his shoulder. I felt miserable. I knew that I was about to be interrogated by a man I don't know and I had no fight left.

"You can do this." George said quietly, "I can't imagine how you're feeling right now, but I want you to know that I'm here if you need me, I'm never going to leave you, okay? I'm going through this by your side. The other people in that room only want the best for you, they've all stood on the stands, they know how it feels in that sense. I just don't want you to feel like you're going through this all alone."

The two of us sat in complete silence for a while, giving me time to clear my mind and build myself back up again. I held out my hand and George took it and held tight, "We're going to have a bloody good time later, okay?"

"Deal." He said, "I am all yours."