11th August

Narcissa and Lucius have planned a few days away on 'holiday' since I'm going to stay with the Weasleys. Draco looked at me pleadingly when he found out where he was destined the night before. I did find it strange that his parents were going on holiday without him, that's something my parents did. Draco is staying with Mrs Burke. He told me that Mrs Burke is a very old woman who taught and looked after him when he was younger. "You mean like a private tutor?" I asked.

"Something like that." He shuddered.

"Are you ready to go?" Narcissa shouted to me down the hallway.

"Almost!" I answered, packing my toothbrush and toothpaste into Narcissa's bag I was borrowing. I had actually slept the night before and woke up at 0830 to be left at 1000. My hair was curly as I had let it dry naturally. I hoped that George would be happy, he always did say he preferred my hair that way. I was so excited this morning that I slipped out of the shower when getting out and landed in a heap on the floor. I had to laugh at myself and slow down.

"You know I nearly didn't get this weekend off because of Mr Crouch still not being back to work?" Lucius was standing in the hallway with Narcissa who was fussing around with her handbag as I hurried down the stairs carrying my bag.

"Mr Crouch? As in Barty Crouch Sr?" I asked Lucius.

The look on Lucius' face reminded me that I do not talk to him and probably shouldn't be, but he responded nonetheless, "Yes." He looked at me as though I was an idiot, "The head of International Magical Cooperation?"

I raised my eyebrow at him, not quite believing his ignorance, "Oh, didn't you know?" I carefully set my bag down a metre or so away from him so I wasn't in his direct warpath, "Mr Crouch is dead. He was murdered by his own son. I'm sure you'd know all about him."

Lucius looked as though he could have strangled me, "If she doesn't return from this visit to the blood traitors, 'Cis, I really wouldn't mind."

"Lucius." Narcissa scolded her husband before calling up the stairs, "Draco, we need to leave!" Draco dragged a bag behind himself looking particularly downtrodden.

"Do I really have to, mother?" he said, "Mrs Burke is just so…"

"You're going Draco and that is final. We've talked about this." Lucius answered and Draco retaliated no longer. Maybe he was being punished for something.

Narcissa approached me and smiled, her hand caressed my curls gently, "You look beautiful. George is a lucky man." she took a step back and admired me, "I wish I had a necklace you could borrow to go with the outfit, it would just make it complete."

Lucius groaned. He muttered something under his breath that sounded a lot like the word women.

I had a momentary flash back, "Wait a second." I looked to Narcissa and ran up the stairs and went into my trunk and grabbed the small black leather box that contained one of Narcissa's family heirlooms. She had bequeathed it to me in third year for 'saving Draco's life' in Care of Magical Creatures when he pissed Buckbeak off. I ran back down the stairs and handed Narcissa the box. Her eyes lit up.

"You still have it?" she looked at me in shock. She ran her fingers over the engraved letters.

I nodded, "Of course I do. Would you mind helping me put it on?"

Narcissa nodded and smiled. She took out the stained glass heart shaped necklace, the red with dark green and dark blue complemented the tartan-style dress perfectly. "Now we're late, let's get going! Ready?"

I took a hold of my handbag and luggage and took her arm, "Have a good time Draco. I'll see you in a few days. You know I'll miss you terribly."

"I'll miss you more." He smiled and waved, shaking his head.

Narcissa and I apparated to outside the Leaky Cauldron where George was standing looking ever so nervously cool. "Hey." I said with smile.

"You look… wow." George looked at me and bit his lip.

"You're a very lucky young man." Narcissa commented, "Look after her for me." she gave me a hug and nodded to George before disapparating.

"Come here you." I wrapped my arms around George, who was still looking at me with a dazed look on his face, "I've missed you." I took a hold of his hand, "So what's the plan, mister?"

"I'm going to show you the world." He looked all goofey, "Well, maybe not the world, but a section of it from the top of a small mountain." And we disapparated.

We started climbing and by the time we were a quarter of the way up this small mountain, I was thankful it was cooler than it had been so far this summer with a bit of a breeze. I was also glad I was wearing the converse Hermione bought me. I was jumping over little streams and dodging rabbit holes and climbing over turnstiles. "Oh George look!" I jumped on the stop excitedly, "It's a bunny!" I got down on my honkers to get a better view when I saw a rare red squirrel, "Oh my." I whispered.

"I didn't think you were the mother nature type?" George whispered.

"I'm not." I smiled, "I just appreciate something beautiful when I see it."

The two of us continued walking uphill the wildlife becoming sparser as we got closer to the top. The two of us walked hand in hand, sharing little glances and giggles. "Not too far to go." George said, "I'll race you to that stone seat."

"You're on." I sprinted, getting a head start. George chased me and I sped along, I just felt so free. My hair caught the gentle breeze and I seized the wind in my fingertips, breathing in the refreshing country air. Seeing the stone chair, I leapt onto it and threw my hands up in the air in celebration. I was heaving for breath, but in a good way, one that made me feel rewarded. George stood watching me as I took in the surrounding scenery. With my hands on my waist, I was in awe. I was surrounded by expanses of greenery, in the distance was a small village with thatched rooves, an old church, and just beyond that was motorway. Everything seemed so small and insignificant from up here.

"Do you like it?" George held his arms open for me.

I jumped into his arms and kissed him tenderly, "I love it." Wrapping my legs around him, George kissed me back more eagerly before setting me back down on the ground again. "Thanks for sharing this with me." I took his hand and we walked a little further in the other direction where I could see the sea, "Can we stay up here for a while?" I asked, looking out.

"Why do you think I brought this?" he took a rucksack off his shoulder and unravelled a blanket and sat on it, patting the space beside him. I sat down close to him and stretched my legs out in front of me, his were much longer than mine, "Coffee?" he asked, going into his rucksack.

"Have you got a picnic in there?" I asked excitedly, and when George nodded I couldn't help but ask, "Who packed it, you or your mum?"

"It was my idea," he said proudly, "I made the sandwiches and mum packed all the extras." He lifted up sandwiches in cling film, strawberries, whipped cream, "I also saved you a slice of cake from yesterday."

"I dread to think what you've put in these." I lifted up a sandwich and took a bite, "Is that grape in there with the chicken?"

George grinned cheekily, "Maybe? There's apple in with the caramel in that sandwich and… the last one is mac and cheese." He laughed.

"Do you know what? I'm not even surprised." The two of us ate our weird and wonderful sandwiches and to my surprise, I was still alive at the end of it, "Are you getting nice things to eat with the Malfoys?"

I smirked, "Narcissa tries her best. It's nothing on your mum's cooking, don't worry."

George fed me a strawberry. I returned the favour. The second strawberry was so juicy it dripped down my chin and the two of us were in fits of laughter. As George put a bit of whipped cream on a third strawberry for me, I knew it was going anywhere but my mouth. I had a dollop of cream on my nose and smeared down my cheeks by the time he was finished he couldn't do any more damage as we were both in hysterics. George was lying flat on his back on the blanket and I moved and sat on his lap, so that when he sat up, his eyes and mine were level and my legs were wrapped around him. I rubbed some cream off my cheek and George ate it, sucking gently on my finger. I went cross-eyed looking at the cream on the end of my nose and he kissed me softly, removing it. He placed his hand on my waist and pulled me in closer and kissed my neck. "George…" I whispered, "If you're not careful, I'm going to be putty in your hands…"

He looked me in the eyes and said, "Do you want me to stop?" then proceeded to kiss me on the lips again, harder and deeper than before. There was a sense of fervent urgency, he wanted me. I felt the slightest bit of stubble as his face rubbed against my skin, but I didn't care at all.

"No, but-" he kissed me again, our tongues dancing in synchrony. I couldn't help but groan as I felt sensations I didn't know I was capable of feeling. Next thing I was lying on my back on the blanket, I knotted my fists in his t-shirt, pulling him down closer to me.

"I love it when you get all hot and bothered." George smirked and put his hand on my thigh which was still around him.

I slapped him off, "Seriously." I giggled, biting my lip. He gazed daringly into my eyes, I noticed the speck of green, our faces were so close I could feel him breathing. George kissed me slower after catching his breath, his hand left my thigh and found my hair. Powerful sensations now drove through my body with every kiss from his soft lips. He relented to my tugs and lowered his body until we were touching, my skin prickled with every movement he made against me. We inhaled deeply, his head was on my chest, catching our breaths. The familiar scent of George filled my lungs, the smell of home, of safety, and of pure devotion. George started kissing my chest and then he moaned. His body jolted. Caressing the back of his neck, I sat up and leaned my forehead against his. I couldn't help but grin at him. He made me feel so alive. I placed little kisses all over his face, I wrapped my arms around him and I whispered into his ear, "You are incredible."

The two of us lay down on the blanket facing each other, George's fingers outlining my figure as we chatted. "I have been waiting so long to be able to do that." George's eyes were on my body, the navy blue and emerald green dress hugged my curves in all the right places. "I had to stop myself before getting too carried away." He stroked my cheek, "The things I could do to you…" I could see the wonder in his eyes as he imagined.

I turned to lay on my stomach, looking out at the views. The sun was starting to lower in the sky. I watched as a plane landed in the distance and another took off. I listened to the birds singing sweetly in the trees as the two of ate the slice of carrot cake. I got lost in the vastness of the world for a moment before George suggested we head back, "I promised I'd have you back for dinner." So we packed up and started the long journey back down the hill mountain, taking our time, enjoying the moments we had as just the two of us.

"We need to do this again some time." I said, "Thank you for sharing it with me."

"We need to do today again." George kissed me, "Shall we?" he offered me his arm and we disapparated.

"George, where are you taking me?" we apparated in front of some dodgy looking houses.

A note was placed in my hand, "Dumbledore asked me to give you this."

"George, where are we?" I persisted.

"Just read the letter and memorise it." He was looking about nervously, as though being watched. I looked down at the piece of parchment in the hope that it would give me some answers.

The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at
number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London.

"Huh?" I read the message and looked up to see a house appearing from nowhere, "Oh, wowzah." I said and George took me by the hand and walked me over to the front door of the newly appeared house, "George, what is the-"

"Shhhhh…" he shushed me, "I'll answer all your questions when we get inside."

He tapped the front door with his wand and opened it, closing it quietly behind the two of us. The hallway was pitch black and smelt terribly of damp. George took me by the shoulders and directed me along the corridor. There was an eerie feeling throughout the house, "George, where on earth are you bringing me?"

"Shhhhhh…" he whispered, "Watch out for the-"

"Ouch!"

"Umbrella stand." George sniggered, as I whacked him on the arm, he did that on purpose, "there should be a door in front of you, open it." He put his hands over my eyes.

I pushed the door open and George revealed the person standing in front of me, "Ohmygoodness." I said all in one, covering my mouth in surprise.

"Hello to you, too." Said Lupin.

"Permission to hug?" I beamed.

"Granted."

I wrapped my arms around my old teacher, "It's so good to see you."

"You're looking well." Lupin commented after letting go, he looked at my dress and was about to say something, but was interrupted.

"You look like my cousin." Came the voice of Sirius Black from the other end of the very long dining room.

I looked up at him and smiled, "It's a pleasure as always, Snuffles."

"I didn't realise your hair was curly." He said, a thoughtful look in his face.

"Now we're twins." I joked, looking at Sirius' curly hair. "Don't you look handsome now you've finally had a wash." I smirked.

"You are one cheeky little-" he shook his head at me, "I was expecting a 'thanks for letting me stay at your place' hug, but I guess that's not going to happen."

I turned my head on the side, ignoring the part of the sentence Sirius wanted me to pick up on, "This is your place?" but when he gave me daggers I opened my arms and said, "Come on then, thanks for letting me stay at your place." I gave him a big hug. "Mmmm… Coconut shampoo?" I asked.

He smiled, "Someone noticed." He shot Lupin a look.

"Kit-Kat!" Ginny came into the kitchen, "Look at you." I twirled on the spot to see her.

"I've been Malfoy-ed." I said, "But I actually quite like this outfit."

Sirius motioned being sick, "As long as you don't turn into one, we'll be alright."

I shook my head at him, "You know, it's always been a dream of mine to live with a bunch of Death Eaters. I've always been attracted to a bad boy." I winked.

George put a hand around my waist, "Stop flirting with other men, it's making me jealous."

I turned around and looked up at him with a pout, George pulled me in close, "Awww Georgie… you're jeawous?" I jested.

"Oh, stop paying attention to all your men and let me have some girl time!" Ginny split George and me up, "You two have seen each other already and I'm experiencing serious withdrawl symptoms from lack of my favourite girl." Ginny took my hand and was about to drag me out of the room, "Just don't tell Hermione I said that."

"You can't take Kathryn," Lupin said, he was about to say something, but caught himself on, "Dinner is nearly ready."

"Oooooh, I just looove being this popular." I giggled, "I must be the equivalent of the head high school cheerleader." I flicked my hair off my shoulder in an over-dramatic sort of way.

No one understood. I shook my head in disgust.

Ginny sighed loudly, "I'll take your bags up to our room, Kit-Kat. We're on the third floor, first door on the right." She took the bags off George and stormed up the staircase.

"Ginny?" Molly, who had just appeared from down a set of stairs called, "Tell everyone that dinner's ready, dear."

Whilst Ginny continued up the stairs I could hear her telling Fred, Harry, Ron and Bill to come downstairs. She excitedly told them that I had just arrived and the muffled surprise at not being able to hear us come in. The front door then opened.

Lupin looked up, "That'll be Tonks,"

I stuck my head out the door to see a girl with a heart-shaped face, dark brown eyes like mine, with long bubble gum pink hair, "Watch out for the-"

Tonks knocked over the umbrella stand, creating a large din. Then the air was filled with a horrible, ear-splitting, blood-curdling screech. I jumped back and George wrapped an arm around me as Sirius and Lupin huddled around a portrait which was yelling, "Yooou! Blood traitor, abomination, shame of my flesh!" it took a few minutes, but they managed to pull the curtains closed and silence fell once again.

"Sorry about my mother."

"Your-?" the two of us shared a look, like he knew, "Sorry." I looked at Sirius apologetically.

"Kathryn this is Tonks, Tonks this is Kathryn." Lupin said, grabbing my attention.

Tonks had already spoken before I looked back at her again, "Ooooh, I've heard a lot about you." She gave me the impression of being hyperactive and slightly over-excitable, but it was good, happy energy and I really appreciated it.

"Wowzah!" I exclaimed, "Your hair really is pink! That's incredible, I like!"

"Wotcher!" Tonks exclaimed getting a proper look at me for the first time, "I feel like I know you already…" she said, "I'm a metamorphagus." She bounced on her feet as she changed the topic of conversation as she realised I had mentioned her hair. She changed her hair to a violent shade of purple, "What do you think?"

I looked up at George in shock then back at Tonks, "You are so cool."

"DINNER'S READY." Molly called, "You have a habit of distracting people, don't you?" she looked directly at me, hand on her hip, in the exact way she uses to intimidate her children.

I put my hand on my hip and smirked, "You don't frighten me, Molly Weasley. You met my mother. You're a pretty princess by comparison."

She contorted her face and gave up, "Just go downstairs."

"Welcome to the club of people that Molly doesn't like." Sirius shook my hand and the two of us shared a short chuckle.

We all piled down the stairs and took a seat at the table that was not dissimilar to the length of the table in Malfoy Manor. Ginny pushed George up a seat and sat on my left as Tonks insisted she sat on my right. Hermione didn't look one bit amused, and sat on the other side of Tonks. Harry and Ron sat opposite. Harry was subdued, probably thinking about his trial in the morning. As we dug into our mince, onion and potatoes I kicked him under the table and he looked up at me and smiled weakly.

"Lucius told me about your naughty escapade last week." I smirked at him, "I never heard the end of it." I rolled my eyes, "Even in the Malfoy house you're famous, Harry Potter." I said in a terrible Irish accent which was much more gentle than my Northern Irish one.

"Shut up." He smirked back.

"It won't be too bad." I assured him, "I've already been through a full criminal trial this summer," I immediately wished I hadn't mentioned it, "You'll be fine."

He gulped, "How was it?"

I shook my head, "Your trial will be completely different. Don't be worrying."

"Mum said it was awful." Ron jumped in, "the most horrific-"

"I really don't want to talk about it, Ron." I shut him down.

But Ron clearly didn't get the memo, "But was it really that bad? I mean you talk about it with us-"

I set my fork down and put my hands on my lap to calm myself, "Yes, it was horrific, I learnt that my parents have murdered five people and have assaulted at least nine others. Yeah, and last summer they tried to kill me. I had to show my scars to the court, I had to tell them my story, I had to relive it all again. I had them watching me, smirking, knowing that it was bloody painful for me." I was barely holding it together, "But Harry, you'll be just fine." I nodded, pushing my chair out, "Please excuse me a minute." I stood and walked towards the stairs.

George pushed his chair out, too. I could see him giving daggers to Ron before looking at me, "I'll come with you." He took a hold of my hand.

I shook my head, "I just need a minute on my own, I'll be back in a jiffy."

Climbing the stairs, I found that my heart was racing and my palms were sweaty. I sat on the top step to calm myself. I had gone from feeling elated to being a mess from 0-100 in 0.1 of a second. I heard an argument brewing down the stairs. I knew it was best not to listen. Ron was no doubt being told off. He just didn't have a filter at times, it was just his personality. I ventured up the main stairs towards the room I was sleeping in, finding my bags on a double bed with a single bed closer to the door. I reached into the top pocket of the bag and lifted out Ginny's present as she has undoubtedly opened the rest of them. Then, waiting until I was okay again, I descended the stairs again.

"Happy Birthday, Sis." I set down the medium sized present beside her dessert spoon.

"You remembered!" Ginny hugged me tight, "Thanks Kit-Kat!" she attacked the wrapping with such determination to reveal a drawstring bag that said Ginny's Survival Kit, inside which was a large bar of honeycomb chocolate, a bag of the muggle sweets jelly tots, a diary, a quill, a pair of fluffy socks and a blank photoframe for her to fill. She looked at me with a smile and put an arm around me, "We'll have to get a group photo to put in here."

The two of us pulled unattractive poses and laughed, "I'm pretty sure you've missed the most important present at the bottom."

Ginny stuck her hand to the bottom of the survival kit and lifted out a rectangular package and revealed a four-finger KitKat chocolate biscuit. She was doubled over in laughter. It may or may not have been relating to the very dirty sounding message I wrote on the paper, but no one else was going to know that.

After dinner, Molly presented Ginny a red velvet cake with fourteen candles on top. We each took a slice with a cup of tea and conversation was in little groups. Tonks was chatting to Sirius, Lupin and Bill. Fred and George were talking to their father. Ginny and Hermione were gossiping about something. Molly approached Harry, "I've ironed your best clothes for tomorrow morning, Harry, and I want you to wash your hair tonight, too. A good first impression can work wonders."

I could see Harry's whole expression change, "How am I getting there?" he asked, his voice was dry.

"Arthur's taking you to work with him." Molly spoke gently.

Arthur looked up from his conversation with the twins, "You can wait in my office until it's time for the hearing." He sent an encouraging smile Harry's way.

Harry glanced at Sirius, but Molly spoke, "Professor Dumbledore doesn't think it's a good idea for Sirius to go with you, and I must say I –"

"– think he's quite right." Sirius spoke through clenched teeth and Molly pursed her lips.

Sirius looked in my general direction and shook his head. Harry then spoke, "When did Dumbledore tell you that?" he looked directly at Sirius.

"He came last night when you were in bed," Arthur answered.

Sirius stabbed his piece of cake with such brutality, staring at the plate in anger. "He doesn't look happy, does he?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin as I turned to Tonks, "Well, he is on the run and going into the Ministry of Magic would be risky business." I reasoned, "But I don't imagine reminding him of that fact would be comforting." I looked up at her, "It must be awful for him, being here, all day, every day. I feel trapped in Malfoy Manor at times and I am allowed outside!"

"Ah yes," she ate her last bit of cake, "How is my dear Aunt?"

"Wait. What?" I turned on the chair and faced Tonks, "Narcissa Malfoy is your Auntie? Is your mum in Azkaban?"

She cleared her throat in attempt to hide a laugh, "No, my mum is the other Black sister, the one who was excommunicated for marrying a muggle born, my Dad, Ted Tonks. Her name's Andromeda."

"Oh." I frowned, "I guess that's why I haven't heard about you before…" I thought back to the conversations with Draco where he mentioned his Auntie Bella but never anyone else, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What's your first name?"

"You'll laugh." she shook her head, "my fool of a mother thought that Nymphadora was a nice name."

"It is nice." I smiled, "besides, if the worst thing your mother has given you is a name you don't like, I think you're going pretty good." I said simply, "You could even shorten it to Dora?"

Tonks rolled her eyes at me, "My dad calls me Dora… You are called Kathryn and get called KitKat?"

"By Gin, yeah," I said, "George calls me Katy."

"Are you talking about me?" George came over and put his arms around me from behind, holding on tight, "Are you telling Tonks about how devilishly handsome I am?"

"Sure." I said, "And that you're massively big-headed and need some deflating."

"All good things, then?" he reached down and placed a kiss on my cheek, "Fred and I are going up stairs with Ron and Harry if you're wanting to join? You could referee our exploding snap game."

I looked at Tonks and rolled my eyes jokingly, "He's also very demanding."

Tonks laughed.

"Are you two coming upstairs?" Ginny and Hermione pushed their chairs in, "Or are you going to steal Kat-Kat from me the entire time she's here?" Ginny raised her eyebrows, "I know you think that this three-day-long competition between the four of you is really important but-"

"I will be upstairs and will see all of you in ten minutes." I said firmly. George released me and he went with Hermione and Ginny up the stairs, leaving me in peace, I let out a sigh, "They don't see me in six weeks and I'm like the newest plaything everyone has to have time with."

Tonks smiled, "You're very popular."

"No, they can't wait to interrogate me." I shook my head, "It's just like last summer when I got out of hospital. I was in the door thirty seconds, Fred had taken my bags off my shoulder, Molly offered me a cuppa, George wanted to show me something, Ginny wanted me so sit in the garden with her and Ron wanted to play a game of Gobstones. Right now, I'm very content sitting with the adults and engaging in adult conversation."

Tonks laughed, "You're too young to be sounding that mature. You're what…14?"

"You'd be surprised what she's capable of," Lupin smiled from opposite me at the table, he and Sirius had moved up, "she'll fight you."

My eyes widened, "Don't scare her off."

"She yelled at me when we first met." Sirius jested.

"Want to know what she said to me first time we met?" Lupin could barely control his sniggering as he said, "I was always warned by my Granny not to accept sweets from strangers." He tried and failed at a Northern Irish accent.

The sniggering erupted, "And so I was. You strange, strange man."

"You still took the chocolate."

"I then told you that you were my favourite teacher." I smirked, "Win, win."

Tonks then raised an eyebrow, "Free chocolate? You've never given me free chocolate!" she spoke in mock outrage, her eyes glittered.

"Kathryn here also happens to be extremely trustworthy." Lupin smiled.

"You're wanting some gossip from me, aren't you?"

Sirius laughed, "And she's intelligent."

"Meet us here tonight at midnight, after everyone else has gone to bed." Lupin said, "There's going to be an Order meeting and you're going to be the special guest. Well, if you don't fall asleep, that is."

"Sleep?" I joked, "What's that?"

"One snag," Tonks smiled, "You can't tell anyone."

"There's a lot of stuff you guys don't know and want to know. Trust me." I stood, realising that over ten minutes had passed, "And boys, you know I play by my own rules. But yes, the secrets safe with me." Realisation occurred to me in that conversation: The Order of the Phoenix is the organisation formed to fight off Voldemort and I was currently in the headquarters.

An hour later, Fred and George were 6-4 up to Harry and Ron. It was the first team to reach ten that won. I gladly let them fire away without me. All the adults were now in the sitting room and Hermione, Ginny, Tonks and I were all sitting on the floor chatting.

"Look at the colour of you," Ginny commented, "You'd never have your legs out normally. You just look so good, I'm jealous."

I screwed up my face, but Tonks looked at me slightly confused, so I explained, "This time last year I was about a stone and a half heavier and you'd have never seen me in a dress."

"But it all changed at the Yule Ball," Hermione smirked, "When someone finally convinced you of how hot you are. Ginny doesn't call you Kit-Kat for no reason, you know."

"Shut up, you." I scolded her, "You're both hot too. And flip me, I can't compete with a metamorphagus. I mean, if a guy likes blonde hair and big boobs, I'm sure you can facilitate?"

Tonks transformed momentarily and went back to having bright pink hair, "I've learnt that I don't really care what men think as long as I'm happy in my own skin."

"It's all about what's inside." Molly spoke in agreement with Tonks, "Looks fade but personality remains."

"But a man will always appreciate a beautiful girl to go along with everything that's inside… the personality quirks and intelligent conversation." George winked over at me.

I immediately put my head in my hands, so embarrassed. I had many hands on me, trying to prise my own hands away. Tonks had both my hands in hers and stuck her tongue out at me, "So why are you dating the twin?"

"Keep it audience appropriate Katy." George teased, "Go on, I'm listening."

I could have died a thousand deaths in that moment, "Audience appropriate you say? Then I'd best keep my mouth shut." I zipped it shut. But everyone kept me going, "Okay! Okay! So it's definitely not his dance skills or singing ability."

That got a few giggles.

I looked at George as I spoke, "More seriously, though, first time I ever laid eyes on George I was in love. It sounds ridiculous but it was love at first sight. He's my best friend. He found out about my past and didn't run a mile, instead he stuck by my side. We laugh together and he always lends his shoulder for me to cry on. He makes me feel loved, even when I don't love myself. He is always there and knows me better than anyone else. He makes this world a little brighter and a lot easier to live in. And I've always had a thing for gingers." I flapped my hands in the air to stop myself welling up.

"Marry her, mate." Lupin said.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Sirius said in a very official tone, "Now go kiss her before all the women in the room cry."

George stood from his seat by the window and put his arms out to take my hands and pulled me up off the floor, "You make my world a much better place just by being here." He whispered, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me in tight. It felt like it was just the two of us in the room. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him gently. Then I was rudely interrupted by silly cheering.

"Now go sit down and behave yourself." I instructed, pointing at the space beside Fred.

Tonks grabbed my attention, "So you two got together officially after the Yule Ball? What was your dress like?"

Hermione smiled at me, "If I know you well enough, you've brought the photos with you."

"Of course I've got the photos with me. I couldn't possibly leave them behind in Malfoy Manor, could I?" I stared at her, "I suppose you want to go upstairs and-"

"Yep." She was halfway out the door and returned thirty seconds later with the bi-fold picture frame, which she handed directly to Tonks and she sat my radio on the ground and started playing music.

Tonks pouted, "Aw, look at you two." She then passed the photos to Molly, who looked at them with her husband, "You two win the cutest couple award from me."

"The dress robes really compliment the colour of the dress, don't they?" Molly commented, "It's like I had planned for the entire event." She passed the picture to Sirius and Lupin, "Doesn't my son look awfully handsome?"

"He didn't look half bad, Molly." I smiled across the room.

"She didn't say until the night before that she'd go to the Ball with me." George commented from the opposite end of the room.

"Please don't remind me of that evening." Ginny shouted to her brother, "You're lucky you got a 'yes', you were so embarrassing."

"The sentiment was there, Gin." I smirked.

Lupin handed me the picture and said, "Looks like you had a wonderful evening."

"We did." I nodded.

Then Ginny asked Tonks about her job as an Auror. Hermione asked more intuitive questions about the job, to help with choosing subjects next year. Tonks talked about her grades in school and the training she did with Mad-Eye Moody for a number of years before qualifying last year. She seemed particularly fond of Moody just by the way she was talking about him. She was so animated and appeared to really enjoy her job. When Ginny started yawning, Molly enforced us all to go to bed.

I went upstairs with everyone else to get ready for bed with no intention of sleep, not that I was tired anyway. As Hermione and Ginny were sorting themselves, I knocked on Harry and Ron's door. "What?!" was Ron's response as he opened the door, then he saw me, "Oh, sorry, look about earlier-"

"It's fine." I said before he had to go through the embarrassment of apologising to me, "Can I come in a sec?" Ron opened the door fully and I stepped in, taking a seat on the edge of the closest bed, "I'm sorry I freaked out earlier, it's still a little raw… I felt like everyone was poking at my open wounds… I just came to bestow advice, if you wanted any?"

Harry sat on the bed beside me and said, "How did you do it?"

"I have no idea. I put one foot in front of the other and answered the questions that were asked." I said, "My lawyer told me to answer the questions, but to think about what way it could be twisted before answering."

"What do you mean?" he looked a little panicky.

I sat on the bed properly and crossed my legs, "For example… my parents' lawyer asked if I was creative, basically asking if I could be creative with the truth, he asked if I wrote stories, wanting to make it look like I write lies in my diary for the benefit of the court, then he asked about my memory-"

"How did he find out about that?" Ron asked.

"Exactly." I shook my head, "I also had to keep my cool, even though I wanted to bite the man's head off. I've had a lot of practice doing that this summer." I rolled my eyes at Harry, "I had a temper tantrum with Narcissa in public and smashed a few things…"

Harry and Ron both chuckled.

"She now knows not to offend you guys in front of me." I smirked, "Anyway, answer the questions and explain why you did underage magic in front of a muggle. The fact that you can produce a patronus will probably earn you a few brownie points." I tilted my head and smiled confidently, "You'll be FINE! I'm sure Hermione has told you all the legal things and explained that you simply can't get expelled." I nodded, "Besides, I can come with you in the morning, if it means that much to you."

"No!" Harry said immediately, "I'll be alright on my own."

I nodded in reassurance, "If you get expelled, I'll use some underage magic on blowing Lucius Malfoy up and we'll be expelled together, how about that?"

Harry smiled, "Deal. Please let me see you blow him up, though."

I walked out of their room a few minutes later and bumped into George. "Walking out of another man's room, should I be concerned?" He ended the sentence with a cheeky smile, "Offering some advice?"

I nodded and embraced him tight.

"Are you alright?" he asked, holding me.

"Ask me in the morning." I smirked, "but don't worry, I've always got Sirius' mother to scream louder than me." George shook his head at me and I continued, "If I get a couple of hours, I'll consider it a bonus. Night!" I kissed him on the cheek and turned on my heels.

George took me by the hand and pulled me back, "Do you call that a kiss?" he kissed me tenderly, "Goodnight Katy."

Returning to the third floor, I got changed and ready for bed where Hermione and Ginny were already under the covers waiting for me. "So what's it like in Malfoy Manor?" Ginny asked.

"It's exactly as I told you in the letter, I'm Narcissa's princess, Draco's best mate and Lucius's nemesis." I got into the double bed beside Ginny on the side closest to Hermione, "I'm not allowed to do anything, I put my feet up and I am waited on hand and foot. I know you may find that difficult to believe, but it's the truth."

Hermione said, "How, though?"

"With me being Muggleborn? Your guess is as good as mine." I said, "I was expecting them all to talk to me like Luscious Lucius does, but no, Narcissa I guess just wants me to get my life back on track again… It's weird, I feel like she cares."

"I wouldn't be so sure, though." Ginny said, "You know how manipulative they can be."

"I know." I said, "But playing the suspicious game is exhausting, and I don't sleep as it is…"

Hermione then cleared her throat, "You're more vulnerable the more tired you are, and she'll probably use that to her advantage. You'll need to be really careful what you tell her when you go back, I'm sure she'll have loads of questions."

"I'm not stupid, Hermione." I snapped, "I am quite capable of keeping schtum. There are plenty of things I know that would curl your hair just that little bit more. Things that would make you feel sick. Constantly."

"George told us that the trial was awful." Ginny said, "I thought he was just being overdramatic."

"Awful is an understatement." I spoke clearly, "And I really don't want to talk about it. I know it's your birthday, Gin, but it's just too – I can't." I reached over and turned the light off. I was not going to have them ruin a perfectly good day by making me feel like shit and spilling secrets to the Malfoys and talking about my raging murdering parents. I stared at the ceiling for forty-five minutes until I heard the two of them sleeping. I grabbed some clothes and got changed in the bathroom and snuck downstairs to the meeting.

"Remus! I thought we agreed no children in here!" Molly scolded.

"I requested that Miss Pink join us this evening." Dumbledore spoke, I was taken aback to see him here, "Please take a seat." His hand gestured towards the seat beside Tonks, and that is where I sat, "May I congratulate you on your examination results, I'm sure Remus would be as proud as Minerva and I to see you achieved OO on your Defence Against the Dark Arts examination."

I nodded shyly, "Thanks."

"You'll be the next female Auror after me." Tonks smiled. Lupin clapped my shoulder as he walked past to get a seat. Sirius winked.

"We'll see." I said taking a look around the table, there wasn't anyone I didn't know.

I heard the front door open and close again and the familiar clunk clunk clunk filled the air as Moody came down the stairs. I felt myself panic. I gripped onto the table to steady myself.

"Are you okay?" Tonks had a hand on my back, "It's only Moody."

The real Alastor Moody approached me and I felt myself shake, "Miss Pink," he held out his gnarled hand, "I would like to personally thank you for taking out Barty Crouch Jr for me." I stuck out my hand and he shook it, "Don't look so afraid, I'm not going to do whatever Barty did."

"Yeah, please don't." I forced a smile, I felt myself gulp, "Having your memory wiped, slowly return, being stuck in the hospital wing and getting sepsis thanks to your friend really wasn't my finest hour." 'Merlin's beard.' I heard reverberate around the table. "But stunning him to stop him from murdering Harry was particularly enjoyable."

"What I really want to know is… How did you do it?" Moody took a seat at the end seat of the table, near Molly and Arthur, I found everyone's eyes on me, Sirius wore an expression of deep interest at what I was going to say next.

I shook my shoulders and smiled innocently, "If I told you, I'd have to kill you."

"This is not a time for joking around, Kathryn," Molly started lecturing me, "This is serious. If you're not going to participate in this meeting, you can go back to bed. I'm not taking any more of your nonsense."

I stared at her and said nothing. I stood and pushed my chair in. Snape then walked into the room, "Sorry I'm late." Then he saw me.

"Twice in one week? You've got to be stalking me now, Professor." I looked at him expectantly, "I didn't take you to be one playing for both teams… Question is…" I whispered, "Are you team Harry or team Voldy?"

"Perhaps you should retake your seat, Miss Pink?" Dumbledore spoke.

"Are you going to answer me?" I asked Snape, taking a seat, "Who's information are you here to pass on?" I looked at him trying to fit pieces together.

Sirius cleared his throat, "You really are very intelligent, you don't miss a thing, do you?"

I turned my head to face Sirius, "When you sit through hours of therapy as a kid, you tend to notice things. You notice people's tendencies, their habits, the things that annoy them and you can work them to get a reaction out of them. For example, Sev here has a wonderful weakness-"

"Don't even think about it." Snape scowled.

I smiled, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I will only use the information if necessary, but for now, I am content hearing your side of the story."

"Professor Snape," Dumbledore interjected, "Is working for the Order of the Phoenix."

My smile got a little wider, as I leaned across the table slightly, "Let me guess… Dumbledore sent you on a mission after Voldemort returns, which I'm guessing meant you had to go back to your old master," I looked at the Dark Mark that was peeking out of his robes, "and you are now double crossing the double crosser."

"Merlin's beard, you're good." Tonks said.

Professor McGonagall then grabbed my attention, "How is your stay with the Malfoys?"

I shook my head, I tried to hold back my anger at the whole situation, but failed, miserably. "You'd better hope it's all sunshine and daisies, considering wanna be my mumma one and two," I pointed between Molly and McGonagall, "both sent me to wanna be mumma number three." I stuck my nose in the air.

Sirius starting laughing, "I've seen her annoyed, but this is comedy gold. If Kathryn was allowed to use magic, I imagine-"

"That is not helpful, Sirius." Molly snapped then looked at me, "I understand you're annoyed, Kathryn, but there is nothing I can do-"

"Nothing you can do?" I questioned, "You can take me away from that place? Get Lucius Malfoy off my back?"

Lupin sat forwards, he wore a concerned look on his face, "What has he done to you?"

"Not so much done, but said. He knows the score, it's all about psychological games with him." I said, "A man knows how to make a girl feel worthless anyway."

Lupin looked at me, his eyes soft, "Tell us."

I fixed my eyes on the crack in the ceiling, "He said that I had no family, no prospects, no people skills, no money, no friends and I'm a disgrace to the Wizarding World." I said slowly, "He also wants me to go top myself, because my own mother has tried and I should just put everyone out of their misery." I shivered, "Bearing in mind that was less than a week after the trial. I felt shit then."

"And how do you feel about it now?" McGonagall asked.

I looked at her, "Like shit." I sighed, "But that's not something you need to concern yourself with. I understand you all have better things to be talking about. Besides, I don't need this one," I glanced at Snape and back to McGonagall, "giving me grief about it when I get back to school."

Snape scratched his nose.

"Have you talked to George about it?" Molly asked.

"No."

"You know you can talk to any one of us?"

"Look, Molly, I appreciate the motherly tone, I do, but…" I shook my head, "I know you hate me and seem to have an issue with me at the minute. And yes, I know I can be a moody bitch, but that's because over the last 2 weeks I've had an average of 2 hours sleep a night. I'm also aware you don't like my sarcasm, but that is my built-in coping mechanism for all the stuff that's been thrown at me all my life. So I'd appreciate it if you at least tried to get along with me because I am really trying to hold it all together right now." I felt my chin wobble, but made myself stop. I started drumming my fingers on the table to distract myself, "And for the record, I'm just annoyed at you two," I looked between Molly and McGonagall, "for not telling me that I was going to stay with the Malfoys in the first place. And Molly," I looked directly at her, "I could have done with someone being there after I found out about the court date, I will now forever have to deal with the humiliation of having to tell someone else when I just wanted a hug from you…" my chin wobbled and my eyes filled with tears, "I just needed someone to tell me that everything's going to be okay and that I'm not going to be abandoned with them forever because if Lucius keeps treating me like he does, I can't do it." I rubbed my eyes, "I can't be in another home like that… I just got out of one…" I took a deep breath to try and settle myself, "All I've ever wanted was a family who love me." I said in barely a whisper.

Tonks took a hold of my hand, "We're your family." She looked around the room, "Oh come here," she put her arms around me, "I'm your annoying big sister, okay?"

Molly, who had been stuck to her chair in shock made her way over to me and handed me a tissue, "I had no idea you felt that way…" she embraced me and went back to her own seat, blowing her nose.

"Okay, now I've got that out…" I breathed, "There has got to be a reason why you sent me there because after that, Molly didn't say that she'd keep me here. And I'm a very good judge of character remember, so you can't lie."

Snape leaned forwards, "May I ask a question before-?" Dumbledore nodded and Snape continued, "How much did you see that night?"

"Enough," I said, "I don't know how they'll react if I say that I've seen Voldemort."

"Did he see you? Did anyone see you?"

"Not that I know of?" I leaned in, "Why? What's the problem with them seeing me?" Snape looked at me, exactly the same way he did when he challenged me in class, he was wanting me to work this one out for myself, "Narcissa was petrified at the thought of me being seen. She was willing to let me go out by myself, she thought it would be safer for me. Is it because I'm muggle-born? It still doesn't make any sense that they're harbouring me for the summer, I mean, what did you have to do or say to convince the proudest pure bloods to take in someone like me? And how has Narcissa come to be so protective of me? She cried when I told her about my parents for goodness sake. She said that she's always wanted a daughter, but I reckon if they were going to foster someone, it should really be a blonde pureblood? Or am I completely off the mark?"

"Why she likes you is a mystery to me." Snape said.

I gave him daggers, "If that came from anyone else's mouth it would be alright, but from you, it's just rude."

"Perhaps I should take over?" McGonagall suggested, "Would you mind doing a character analysis on Lucius Malfoy for us?"

I thought about it, "I'm going to be rude, purely because I don't like him and I feel like you guys need some comedy relief. I am also just being really honest." I smirked, "Luscious Lucius is a man who has low confidence but a huge ego and feels he has to assert his authority in other ways. He's a proud man, like a dog who has to piss on everything just to claim his territory. He has half his wife's foot in his trousers because she lets him know exactly when he's overstepped the mark. She is terrifying but a legend at the same time." I smirked, "May I add that everything isn't sunshine and daisies with them, it isn't paradise in the manor house… They have been to couple counselling; I'll have you know. This is where we have the wonderful benefit of me being friends with Draco… you get all the juicy details. That, and I can hear them arguing a lot. Sorry, back to Lucius, I get the impression that he's scared and he doesn't like me because I have this tendency to say exactly what I think to him and maybe one day I'll be right on the money and he'll have to deal with the consequences, so he silences me by being mean. He's a man on a mission that he doesn't want to do."

Snape nodded.

"Are you planning on telling us about the argument you had with Narcissa Malfoy at Rosa Lee Teabag?" McGonagall stared at me, "And don't lie, a customer in the shop, who happens to be a very good friend of mine witnessed the whole thing and wrote to me about it."

"That." I looked intently at the table, "She was being really offensive. I merely bit back and she took another stab and I exploded. I literally saw red mist in the middle of Diagon Alley. I may have smashed a few pieces of crockery as well."

Sirius let out a few surprised laughs, "I would have paid to see that."

"What did she say that riled you up that much?" Molly asked.

I shook my head, "She said that your son isn't good enough for me. She offended your family again and again and again so I… snapped. I slammed my hands against the table and cups and plates smashed on the ground. She challenged me. I threw a glass of ice-cold water over her. I told her that I thought she was a snob and that she had no idea how good you guys are to me and how you've stood by me. Then she played the respect card. I told her to earn it. I walked away from her and locked myself in my room."

"And how did she react later on?" Dumbledore asked.

I looked over at him, his glasses on the edge of his long nose, "Draco talked me down. He promised me something and I went down stairs and Narcissa looked genuinely happy to see me. Like she was glad I didn't run away. Lucius had a go at me, but Narcissa shot him down."

"Interesting…" Dumbledore spoke softly, "Can I trust that the following information shared will remain private and confidential?"

"Yeah." I nodded.

Dumbledore straightened his glasses, "You are to do a few jobs for us. Call it a secret mission."

I smirked.

"We are willing to take you on as an unofficial member of the Order of the Phoenix and in return we provide you with information and you will provide us with information."

"Okay…"

"We want you to spy on Lucius and Narcissa. Listen into meetings, conversations, find out where things are happening: when and who's involved. Narcissa appears to like you, get to know her."

"You want me to go into the meetings that you can't make it to?" I looked at Snape.

"NO!" Molly said firmly from the other side of the room, "She is a child. You can't make her do this. Imagine she is seen."

I turned to Sirius, "They want me to do my thing."

Sirius beamed at me, "Yes, yes they do. I volunteered you for the job, little miss knows everything."

"It's little miss know it all, but that's Hermione." I shook my head, "She can't be demoted, it'd break her. I'll be chief of whispers."

Arthur then spoke up, "And if you would kindly draw a map of the manor, that would be particularly helpful. They are hiding contraband in their home and we have raided the place and found nothing."

Molly elbowed her husband. When Molly wasn't looking I caught Arthur's eyes and nodded, "And I know you have a special way of communicating with George that I'm not supposed to know about, but it saved your life last year, so…" Molly made herself feel awkward, "tell him if you need help or get into trouble."

Sirius chuckled from the corner, "She'll be just fine."

Dumbledore nodded, "So in exchange I will ask you one more thing. I know you already do this, and you have spoken to him about the impending trial tomorrow. Look out for him, as you can imagine he is feeling vulnerable and needs your support." Dumbledore studied me as he spoke, "I believe Voldemort is after him and wants to collect him."

"Albus!" McGonagall exclaimed.

"This is the right thing to do, Minerva." Dumbledore looked back to me again, "I have to distance myself from Harry this year as I work with the Order to defeat Voldemort. Fudge isn't making life any easier and Harry will have lots of questions. Voldemort may try to communicate with Harry, and perhaps he will not understand at first… I need you to inform us if,"

"There's anything out of the ordinary." I finished his sentence, "Who do I tell?"

Dumbledore looked at McGonagall, "Either one of us. I'm sure you could also ask for Severus' help, but… as I hear, you have a strained relationship."

"I think I can manage that." I smiled, "And I'm sure we can keep up appearances, Snape, potions wouldn't be the same without all our usual shits and giggles." Snape rolled his eyes at me, "But cut out the death threats, yeah?"

"And no more stools being thrown, either, Severus." McGonagall spoke firmly.

Snape sneered, "I believe you have yourself a deal."

"Kathryn?" Dumbledore asked, "Can you come to one of us immediately if Harry speaks of the Department of Mysteries?"

"Sure." I nodded, "I'm guessing you're not going to tell me why…?"

Dumbledore looked at everyone in the room and they all shook their heads in agreement. "One more question before this meeting concludes," Dumbledore spoke, "Where is Draco?"

"He's staying with a woman called Mrs Burke. He has been chauffeured out of the house with me any time there has been a meeting in the house, his parents are protecting him, too." I said.

"Thank you."

Tonks spoke her eyes were tired, "Right, bed, Miss." She smiled, "Big sister duties, I'm afraid. Bed is calling me, I've to be up bright and early in the morning."

"Tonks?" I called after her.

She turned on the spot, "Yeah?"

"Am I going to see you again?" then I realised how that sounded and laughed at myself, "I swear I'm not asking you out on a second date or anything, but…"

Tonks smiled, turning her hair a mousey brown colour, "You'll see me again, don't worry."