28th August cont'd…

Half an hour later after taking a shower I heard a lot of commotion from Harry and Ron's room, so naturally went to investigate. I knocked on the door and let myself in, "What are you-?"

"Kathryn! Kathryn! I've just been made prefect!" Ron thrusted the P badge into my face.

My chin dropped, "Prefect?" My voice was about 100 octaves higher than it should have been. I looked down at the badge which was now in my hand then from Ron to a disappointed looking Harry who was trying to hide his emotion as I handed him the badge to have a look at, "Wowzah! Congratulations!"

"Prefect … ickle Ronniekins the prefect." Fred repeated.

"Ohh mum's going to be revolting," George groaned.

Seconds later the door swung open and Hermione barged in clutching an envelope similar to Ron's, "Oh Harry I knew it!" Hermione shrieked loudly, "Me too, Harry, me too!"

I cleared my throat very loudly. Fred and George were in stitches.

"No," Harry said, thrusting the badge back at Ron as though it was a bomb about to detonate, "It's Ron, not me."

"Ron?" Hermione's jaw dropped, "But… are you sure? I mean-" she went bright red.

"It's my name on the letter." Ron showed it to her.

"I…" Hermione looked utterly bewildered, "I, well… wow! Well done, Ron! That's really-"

"Unexpected," George said nodding. I elbowed him in the ribs, "What it is!" he whispered to me.

"No," Hermione blushed even more, "no it's not… Ron's done loads of… he's really."

I realised that something needed to be said to salvage the situation, "What Hermione is really trying to say Ronald, is well done."

At this, Molly walked in the door, arms piled high with freshly laundered robes for the boys, "Ginny said the booklists have come at last, Kathryn I think she has yours…" then she looked at Ron, "if you get them to me I'll take them over to Diagon Alley this afternoon and get your books while you're packing these. Ron, I'll have to get you more pyjamas, these are at least six inches too short, I can't believe how fast you're growing … what colour would you like?"

"Get him red and gold to match his badge," George smirked.

"Match his what?" Molly said absently, rolling up a pair of Ron's socks.

"His badge," Fred reiterated, "His lovely shiny new prefects badge."

It took her a second, but Molly looked at Ron and her jaw dropped, "His… but… Ron, you're not…?"

Ron proudly held up his badge.

Molly let out a shriek just like Hermione's, "I don't believe it! I don't believe it! Oh, Ron, how wonderful! A prefect! That's everyone in the family!" she flung her arms around her youngest son.

"What are Fred and I, next-door neighbours?" George said indignantly, as his mother poured her affections on Ron. Fred and George started making loud retching noises at the sight of this display of emotion. I found myself slowly backing out of the room, feeling strangled by whatever emotion this was.

I sat beside Ginny at the table and started in on breakfast. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat with my head resting on my hand, staring into the distance. "What's up Kit-Kat?" Ginny sat down the copy of the Daily Prophet, "You can't be surprised Hermione got prefect, are you?"

"Oh? No…" I said, "That was a cert."

"Did something happen last night when you were talking to my parents about the whole adoption thing?" she asked.

"No." was my response.

Ginny shook my arm, "Well, what is it then?"

There was a loud crack as Fred and George both apparated into the kitchen.

"George," Ginny grabbed his attention, "Your girlfriend is broken."

"I'm not broken, Gin." Was my somewhat sharp response, "Your mum said you had my letter?"

"Woah girl," George sat down beside me, "What's ruffled your feathers? What's put a bee in your bonnet? Who-"

I pointed at my nearly full cup of coffee, lifted it and left the room with no further wordage from my mouth. I found myself in the drawing room where Sirius was sitting. "What was it like when you stayed with James? Did you ever get this feeling that you can't shift? That-" I sighed, I barely knew what I meant in order to explain.

"Watching another family function but never feeling 100% part of it?" Sirius responded, "Yeah."

I sighed, "Is it really bad that right now, I kinda wish I was back at Malfoy Manor in my little dysfunctional bubble?"

"Yes."

"I live with these people most of the year, I just feel like something's changed this summer."

"You've changed," Sirius said, "You've realised how unfair the world is, you've grown up realising how unfair life is, that everything isn't simply black or white… You've come on leaps and bounds this summer, you've come so far and you know now that there is so much further left to go…" he looked at me, staring deep into my eyes, "you know the war has only just begun…"

I scratched my head, "I don't know what to do anymore!"

Sirius smiled, "You're smart, you'll work it out."

"There you are!" George slid into the seat beside me, "You haven't drunk your coffee…"

"Oh…" I said, looking down at the mug of lukewarm liquid in my hands, "Ah well."

George looked at me strangely and shrugged it off, "Fred and I were planning on adding a certain ingredient to a certain other this morning and I was wondering if we could be blessed with your presence?"

I looked to Sirius and shook my head, "This," I felt ashamed to say as I stood, "Is one of the very few things I'm certain of right now." I looked back to George, "I'm not trying or testing anything. What I could do with though, is a cuddle."

"I'm sure I can manage that." George smiled down at me, placing a tiny kiss on my forehead.

After a small get together to celebrate Ron and Hermione becoming Prefects, with Sirius, Lupin, Tonks, Mundungus Fletcher, Moody and Shacklebolt, it was soon time for me to pack and get back to Malfoy Manor.

"I was never a prefect myself," Tonks was telling Ginny as I pushed in my chair, "my head of House said I lacked certain necessary qualities."

"Like what?" Ginny asked.

"Like the ability to behave myself." She laughed at herself.

I have the ability to behave myself – I keep my head down, my grades are good, it's just everything else that gets in the way. Like my inability to stay out of the hospital wing. Hermione then started talking to Lupin about elf rights, Ginny asked Sirius if he was a prefect, Harry's ears perked up at that one. Ron was telling anyone who would listen about his new broom from his parents as a means of congratulations. Molly started arguing with Bill about his hair. The twins had their heads stuck together as they wondered why they couldn't solidify the bleeding potion we brewed earlier. I saw George's eyes follow Mundungus Fletcher, then he and Fred pounced and looked as though they were going to strike a deal.

I tiptoed up the stairs so as to not draw attention to myself. As soon as I got up the room, I started humming and dancing as I lifted my clothes from the neat pile on the floor, packed my toothbrush and toothpaste, then carefully wrapped up my birthday presents. But as I was about to press everything down inside the bag to do the zip I was distracted by the sound of muffled crying. Opening the door, I heard the sobbing coming from the opposite room and quickly went to investigate.

"Molly?" I questioned as I pushed open the door slightly, the door creaking loudly, "Are you okay?" Molly was cowering in the corner, staring at something lying in the middle of the room. I took a step in. My eyes followed her line of sight. Fred and George were lying dead on the ground, their bodies sprawled, their limbs pointing in every direction. I felt a lump at the back of my throat, I couldn't breathe. I ran and fell to my knees at their sides. I reached out to touch George's pale, lifeless body.

Molly sobbed loudly, "R – r – riddikulus!" she pointed her wand at Fred and George's dead bodies.

Crack.

I let out a shrill scream as I saw the familiar bloody-blonde hair from my nightmares. Barbara's hands and face were completely covered in blood splatters, just as I remembered. She looked furious. She dragged her broken leg, holding up the bloody knife, threatening me, "WHAT DID YOU SEE? WHAT DID YOU DO?" I had frozen, my body failed me. I felt like an eight-year-old all over again. As Barbara approached, her face changed to that of my mother's, then my father's, their anger, their blood lust. For my blood.

"RIDDIKULUS!"

They disappeared.

I gasped for breath.

"Oh – oh – oh!" Molly broke into a storm of crying.

Lupin, who had performed the counter-charm went to her, "Molly, Molly, don't…"

"Are you okay?" Tonks was kneeling beside me as I laid with my back on the floor.

"Yeah," I said, sitting up, "Is Molly okay?" I looked over to see her sobbing her heart out to Lupin, her head in his shoulder. In the doorway I saw Harry, Sirius and Moody.

Sirius was staring at the patch on the floor, "So Sirius, did you have the pleasure of meeting my family?"

He didn't have any words. He couldn't even smile.

George pushed through the door, completely out of breath, Fred was quick on his tail, "Katy! Are you okay?"

I nodded, "I'm fine!" I stood up, with a hand from George and wrapped my arms around him, incorporating Fred into the tight squeeze, "I'm just immensely glad that you're both okay." I kissed both their foreheads in turn. "Fred," I looked up at him, "go get your mum a cup of sweet tea, I think that's exactly what she needs right now… George, I'm thinking a biscuit might complement the tea nicely?" They left without question.

"Molly," I approached her as she was sobbing her heart out.

"I'm just s – s – so worried," she said to those of us in the room, "Half the f – f – family's in the Order, it'll b – b – be a miracle if we all come through this… and P – P – Percy's not talking to us… what if something d – d – dreadful happens and we've never m – m – made it up with him? And what's going to happen if Arthur and I get killed, who's g – g – going to look after Ron and Ginny?"

"Molly that's enough!" Lupin said firmly. "This isn't like the last time. The Order is better prepared, we've got a head start, we know what Voldemort's up to-"

Molly gave a squeak of fright at the sound of the name.

"Oh, Molly, come on, it's about time you got used to hearing his name – look, I can't promise no one's going to get hurt, nobody can promise that, but we're much better off than we were last time. You weren't in the Order then, you won't understand. Last time we were outnumbered twenty to one by Death Eaters and they were picking us off one by one…"

"Don't worry about Percy," Sirius said abruptly, "He'll come around. It's only a matter of time before Voldemort moves into the open; once he does, the whole Ministry's going to be begging us to forgive them. And I'm not sure I'll be accepting their apology," he added bitterly.

I looked at him and shook my head.

"And as for who's going to look after Ron and Ginny if you and Arthur died," Lupin smiled slightly, "what do you think we'd do, let them starve?"

Molly smiled tremulously, "Being silly." She muttered, mopping her eyes. By this stage, Fred and George had both returned, handing their mother the tea and biscuits, "Thanks boys." She kissed them both, "I'm so proud of you two." She kissed them again.

I went back across the hallway to pack the rest of my things, and came across Hermione and Ginny looking a little pale. "How's mum, Kit-Kat?" Ginny asked.

"She'll be fine. She loves you all so much." I said, reaching out to grab my bag.

Hermione took a hold of my hand, "You're shaking!"

"Don't worry about me." I said, "My boggart can't happen ever again."

An hour or more later, things settled again in 12 Grimmauld Place. I looked down at my watch, it had just turned 2137 and I was supposed to meet Narcissa thirty-seven minutes ago. I couldn't just leave. The only adults that could bring me back were either Fred, George, Molly or Arthur, all of whom were still comforting Molly.

I knew it was highly inappropriate but I couldn't help but laugh, "I bet you a very large bar of Honeydukes chocolate that Draco is a prefect, too." I shook my head, "I. Am. Doomed."

Harry rolled his eyes, "It'll be a competition between ourselves to see who can gain the fewest detentions from him…!"

"You know I just wouldn't turn up. He can stick his detentions right up his-"

Molly cleared her throat, "Kathryn, it has been a delight as always. Send my most sincere apologies to Mrs Malfoy, George will bring you back, I don't feel up to it right now. I'll see you on Platform 9 ¾. If you need anything, just write."

"I will, thanks!" I smiled, I stood and walked over to her, "Take it easy."

Molly reached up to hug me and placed a motherly kiss on my cheek, "Look after yourself."

George took a hold of my hand and squeezed, he had my bag on his shoulder, "See you lot on the train." I waved, then gave Tonks, Lupin and Sirius hugs, "Don't be strangers." I nodded, "Molly – see you on the 8th." I looked up at George and nodded towards the door, "Let's go."

We disapparated and saw a very concerned looking Narcissa pacing outside the Leaky Cauldron. We were over an hour late and I had a plan as to how I was going to handle the situation.

"Kathryn! Where have you been? I've been worried sick!"

I forced myself to cry, "Cis, it was awful…" once the tears started flowing, I realised just how much I needed to get the emotions out, "there was a Boggart, I – I – it-" then I blubbered.

"Shall we get a drink?" George urged as Narcissa wrapped her arms around me.

"Of course!" she nodded and we went into the Leaky Cauldron, George ordered a butterbeer, a fruit punch and Narcissa said she would take a gilly water. George paid as we got a concealed seat. "Kathryn, what happened?"

"Dad brought a Muggle's desk home from work that was riddled in magic…" George began, "he thought it was safe-"

I looked up at him, he was as good at lying as I was getting out of sticky situations, "I – I – It wasn't his fault!" I said, "It was m – m – me thinking it was pretty… I – I – I shouldn't have o – o – opened the drawer…"

"How were you to know?" Narcissa asked, placing a comforting hand on mine.

I could hardly get the words out, this was the third time I had seen what appeared to be George's dead body this summer, "It t – t – turned into F – F – Fred and G – George…" I looked up to George, he didn't know that fact, he looked surprised, "Then it t – t – turned into B – B – Barbara and my p – p – parents trying to murder me…" I was in a flood of tears by this stage.

George squeezed my hand and helped calm me down, "It's okay, it's over!"

I took a long drink of my fruit punch and blew my nose, "That's why we were late…" I said, "I couldn't get away from it… I couldn't let myself be in a position like Harry, using defensive magic and having a resulting full criminal trial… I'm sorry…" I looked to Narcissa who was drinking her gilly water.

She took out her own handkerchief and dabbed my eyes, "It must have been so frightening… You've been through so much this summer…"

"Uh-huh…" I said, "I feel like an idiot."

"Don't sweetheart, let me get you home and into bed, Draco's news can wait until the morning." Narcissa fretted over me and took my bag from George.

One look from George told me he knew that Draco was a prefect. I sat with him for a few more minutes, settling myself down again. When Narcissa got distracted by a friend at the bar, I took full opportunity to talk to George, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you… I walked into the room with you mum and there you were, lying on the floor." I took a deep breath, "I knew I had to tell her or she'd think your mum was breaking the rules or something and that'd start a whole new feud between them!"

"You were very convincing at the beginning but I think they turned into real tears?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't take much to get real tears out of me these days!" I looked at our interlocked fingers, "Sirius promised it'll get easier. I sure hope he's right."

George put his arm around me and whispered, "Of course he's right. Soon this will be all over. No more living with Death Eaters, no more living with my parents."

I couldn't help but smile, "We'll be together. Properly."

Narcissa came back to the table, "You two ready?"

I kissed George on the cheek and stood, "Let's go! See you soon Georgie!"

1st September

"I swear Draco!"

"Oh do you?" he challenged me, "I'll give you and all your little friends a detention."

The two of us laughed.

"Will you be back here next summer?"

"I don't know…" I looked around the kitchen, taking it all in, "It depends what happens on the 8th. Your mum mightn't want me back again." I said honestly, "It's not as if I really fit in, either!"

Draco sat down his glass of breakfast juice, "Don't say that! I've loved having you here, it's been nice having company." He then looked down at his plate, "I'd keep you around based on your ability to cook any day."

"Cheers." I said sarcastically.

With pancake in his mouth, Draco started his next sentence, "And if you aren't to come back here next summer, make sure the two of us can meet up for a date or two, yeah?"

I laughed, "Yeah, just make sure you don't call them 'dates' in front of George." I looked mysteriously over my mug as I took a sip of coffee.

"I'll give him a detention if he threatens me." he waved his finger in the air, "he can write lines, clean toilets, wash my dirty underwear… anything really."

"I'm sure he'd thank you for that." I remarked, "And then he'd definitely be happy for the two of us to spend time together."

Narcissa marched down the stairs, "Come on you two! Stop talking and get a move on! We need to leave in twenty-five minutes!"

"Keep your hair on." I said jokingly.

"But he can't stop us being potions partners." Draco winked, ignoring his mother, "we're still Snape's dream team."

The two of us high-fived as we left the kitchen to finish getting ready. I packed the remainder of my things in my case, including all the new pieces of clothing and jewellery I had acquired over the last two months. I held the teddy bear comforter in my hands and smiled to myself. "Take it with you." Narcissa was leaning on the doorway, "It's yours."

"Oh, thanks." I said, wrapping it tenderly in my scarf, "Look, Cissa-"

"It has been my absolute pleasure, Kathryn." She replied, "I've really enjoyed getting to know you and having you stay here, in a place I hope that you can call home."

I nodded and crossed the room to hug her tight. Lucius was standing behind her, "Despite it all, I suppose you're alright." He said.

I smirked, "That's a massive compliment coming from you! You're not all that bad yourself." I gave him a quick hug, "Thanks for letting me stay here."

Draco stood with his hands on his hips in disgust, "Do I not get a hug?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Maybe?" I stuck out my tongue, "Come here you!" I opened up my arms, and hugged him tight, "You've grown so much this summer." I said, now having to look up at him.

"All in the goal to become more attractive." He did a silly pose.

Narcissa cleared her throat, "Five minutes."

"SORRY!" I turned on the spot and put my hands in the air dramatically, "I just don't want things to change. So I'm absorbing the happiness." I gave a wide smile and packed up the last few things and tugged my trunk out of my room. I took a look back and was filled with such gratitude that in spite of having an awful summer, I've come out the other end a survivor.

Narcissa, Lucius, Draco and I arrived at platform 9 ¾ in good time. I saw the usual hustle and bustle as kids said goodbye to their parents, grandparents and siblings. I saw hugs and tears and students greeting their friends they hadn't seen in 2 months. Draco and I looked at each other and nodded, "Don't be a stranger, okay?"

Draco nodded, "Deal."

I chose a carriage and Draco chose his. I hauled my trunk into a compartment big enough for us all to fit in. I stood and had a look out for a group of redheads, but, as I expected, they hadn't made it yet. The 1st of September was a nightmare of a morning in the Weasley household and I imagine they were going to have extra security this morning for Harry.

I decided to return back to Narcissa, "What was that?" she said, pointing in the direction Draco went. Lucius was now talking to Terence Crabbe and Hector Goyle the resemblance between the men and their sons was definitely uncanny.

"Things are different in Hogwarts. Draco and I are in different houses, lead very different lives, have completely separate friendship groups. The two of us spend time together in potions and that's it. I can't force him to act differently or to talk to me."

"I know you well enough now to know that you don't care if you're seen talking to Draco, or me or my husband. I sleep a little better at night knowing that the two of you are friends." Narcissa put her hand to my cheek and stroked it.

"You do?" I could hardly believe her words.

She smiled, "Of course I do! You care about him, the difference between the two of you two months ago and now is astounding! You are like brother and sister! Just look at the two of you messing around this morning! You look out for each other, he was there for you when you were down, you were there for him when he was sick. Draco isn't like that with just anyone."

"You know that-"

"I am aware of my son's feelings for you, but he's changed, he understands. I think he's realised how lucky he is to have you as a friend."

This conversation was getting incredulous, "Lucky to have me? How?"

"Not that he will admit it, but you're the best friend I've ever seen him have. Yes, he has Vincent and Gregory, but he's different with you, he talks to you, I've heard him. Just… Don't lose that for the sake of fitting appearances."

I shook my head, "You know I won't! I'll keep him in line, don't worry!"

Narcissa hugged me tight, "I'm going to miss you so much."

"You're going to see me next week you know…" I rolled my eyes jokingly.

"I know, but I'll still miss you. I'll write to Minerva McGonagall and Molly Weasley to arrange how you'll get there. Don't you worry about a thing, okay?"

I hugged her tight, "I'm going to miss you too Auntie Cissa."

The Weasley family arrived with Harry and Hermione as Narcissa and I were having our heart-to-heart. Lucius approached me, looking at me strangely and said, "What is Sirius Black doing here?" I knew exactly what he meant, Sirius was there in animagus form.

"What? Where?" I ducked and pretended to be scared.

"The dog."

I had to think on my feet, "That's Molly and Arthurs dog, Bear. Arthur was all about doing something muggles do, so they got a dog. Bit ridiculous, really, but Bear is a decent dog."

"He looks a bit… scruffy." Lucius pulled a face, that upper class looking down on others look that I hate, "Not that I should be surprised."

I ignored his snide comment by giving him a questioning look, "He has a habit of rolling in muddy puddles and giving you a big kiss. You'll have no choice but to love him."

Lucius pulled a look of utter disgust.

"See ya around, Lucius." I waved.

Ginny was waving me over as I turned from talking to Lucius. I pushed through the crowds of people and hugged her tight, "It's good to see you Gin!"

I approached Molly and hugged her, at the same time whispering, "Lucius knows that the dog is Sirius."

"Oh, Kathryn dear, it is so good to see you again!" she smiled.

An old lady with tight grey curls and a purple hat shaped like a pork pie approached me and smiled, "Hello dear." She smiled.

"If only by your smile, I wouldn't have had a clue." I greeted Tonks without drawing too much attention to her, "I just wanted to let you know about our fellow dog here; his disguise isn't as good as he thinks…"

Sirius approached me, wagging his tail and jumping about the platform excitedly, I got down on my knees and scratched his ears, "You're in trouble, you're the Weasley dog, Bear. They bought you because Arthur wanted to do something muggle-like. Okay?"

I had a tap on my shoulder and I turned to see George who lifted me up to my feet again, "Hello, you." I said.

George kissed me, taking me by surprise, "Hey!" he smiled.

A warning whistle sounded.

"Quick, quick!" Molly said distractedly, hugging everyone at random, "Write… be good… on the train now, hurry!"

I directed everyone to the carriage I reserved and we all got in and waved from the window as the train began to move. The figures of Tonks, Lupin, Moody, Arthur and Molly all got smaller but the black dog was bounding alongside the window, wagging its tail. Next thing, Sirius was gone.

"He shouldn't have come with us." Hermione said in a worried voice.

"Oh, lighten up, Hermione, he hasn't seen daylight in months, poor bloke." Ron said.

"Actually," I pulled a face, "I'm going to have to agree with 'Mione on this one… Luscious knew it was Sirius and Sirius has seen the light of day in the past month, don't worry Ronald."

Fred clapped his hands together, "Well, can't stand here all day, we've got business to discuss with Lee. See you later." Both he and George disappeared further down the corridor.

Both Ron and Hermione stood still as I directed them to our compartment, "Err… We're – well – Ron and I are supposed to go into the prefect carriage." Hermione looked so awkward.

"Make sure Draco doesn't give you a detention for breathing." I smiled, "He doesn't know you two are Gryffindor's prefects. I wanted you to have the delight of surprising him yourselves."

They left Harry, Ginny and me to it.

"Right you two," I opened the door to the compartment that I left my stuff in, "Oh hello." I said to Neville who was sitting there with Trevor his toad in hand. I also saw a girl with straggly, waist-length, dirty blonde hair sitting in the far corner.

Neville shrugged his shoulders, he didn't know her either, "I hope you don't mind, I saw your trunk and I-"

I smiled, "Yeah, that's grand, how are you Neville? Good summer?" I took a seat opposite the blonde girl which was beside Neville. Ginny and Harry also got in and sorted.

He nodded, "Guess what I got for my birthday?"

"Another Remembrall?" Harry asked.

"No," Neville said, "I could do with one, though, I lost the old one ages ago… no, look at this…" he put his free hand into his school bag and pulled out a small grey cactus in a pot, except it was covered in boils rather than spines, "Mimbulus mimbletonia." He said proudly.

Harry and Ginny shared slightly disgusted looks. It was good that the two of them could sit in a room together and not be embarrassed by each other's presence. I suppose that's what happens when you spend half the summer in Grimmauld Place together.

"It's really, really rare," Neville beamed, "I don't know if there's one in the greenhouse at Hogwarts, even. I can't wait to show it to Professor Sprout. My Great Uncle Algie got it for me in Assyria. I'm going to see if I can breed from it."

I made eyes at Harry, begging him to ask Neville something plant-like. I had no love or joy for Herbology whatsoever. Harry asked, "Does it – er – do anything?"

"Loads of stuff!" Neville was delighted by the interest, "It's got an amazing defensive mechanism. Here, hold Trevor for me…" he dumped the toad on Harry's lap and took a quill from his schoolbag.

The girl with the dirty blonde hair's protuberant eyes appeared over the top of the magazine she was reading. It was just then that I noticed the magazine was upside down. On seeing her face a little more clearly I recognised her. But from where I wasn't sure… I looked back to Neville.

Neville held the Mimbulus mimbletonia up to his eyes, his tongue between his teeth, chose a spot and gave a sharp prod with the tip of his quill. Liquid squirted from EVERY SINGLE BOIL ON THE PLANT. Thick, stinking, dark green jets of it. The liquid hit the ceiling, the windows and splattered every individual in the compartment. The blonde girl's magazine covered the majority of her body, Ginny, who had managed to put her hands up to her face in time, looked like she was wearing a slimy green hat, but Harry, Neville and I were covered from chest upwards. The liquid smelt like rancid manure.

"S-Sorry," he gasped, "I haven't tried that one before… didn't realise it would be quite so… don't worry, though, Stinksaps not poisonous." He added nervously as Harry spat a mouthful onto the floor.

At that precise moment the door of the compartment opened, "Oh… hello, Harry," said the voice of Cho Chang, "Um… bad time?"

Harry was in the process of wiping his glasses and was completely blind, "Oh… hi," he said blankly after putting the glasses on and realising who it was. He went bright red.

I couldn't hold it in any longer. I erupted in laughter. Ginny joined in.

"Um…" said Cho, "Well... just thought I'd say hello… Bye then."

"Never mind," Ginny said bracingly, "Look, we can easily get rid of all this." She pulled out her wand, "Scourgify!" The Stinksap disappeared.

"Aw no, Gin…" I said in an overly disappointed voice, "I wanted to keep that stuff around a little longer…" I had imagined myself giving either George, Fred or Draco a hug and covering them, too. Then it dawned on me and I turned to face the blonde girl, "You're Luna Lovegood."

Luna dropped the magazine and nodded, "You came into the Ravenclaw common room back in my second year, I got Terence Bagman for you."

I nodded, "I knew I knew you from somewhere!"

She started reading her magazine again. Harry, Neville and Ginny all shrugged their shoulders at me.

After an hour of girl chat with Ginny, the trolley passed the compartment and we stocked up on sweets and pasties and both Ron and Hermione joined us. Ron started in on the pile of sweets we left and Hermione looked disgruntled, "Well, there are two fifth-year prefects from each house," she took a seat, "A boy and a girl from each."

"And guess who's a Slytherin prefect?" Ron had his eyes closed.

"Didn't George tell you it was Draco?" I questioned, "He's already threatened us all with a detention already today when we were having breakfast this morning, I told him to wind his neck in." I smiled, "But let's be honest, who would you rather have Crabbe, Goyle, Zambini or Nott as prefects?" The others pulled faces. Hermione was about to argue but I started talking before she had the chance, "And let me guess… Miss Parkinson as girl prefect?"

"Did you know that one too?"

"No, Draco and I discussed it… It was either going to be her or Bulstrode."

Ron looked at me in dismay, "What else did you discuss with Malfoy?"

"Well…" I began, "I think it'll be Hannah and Ernie for the Puffs and Padma and Anthony for the Claws?"

"Correct." Hermione said, she was giving me the same disapproving look as Ron.

"You went to the Ball with Padma Patil…" Luna said vaguely, looking at Ron, "She didn't enjoy it very much," Luna informed him as though doing him a favour, "she doesn't think you treated her very well, because you wouldn't dance with her. I don't think I'd have minded," she added, "I don't like dancing very much." Luna retracted back behind her magazine again.

"Should have brought Luna instead, Ronald." I smirked, "if only we knew…"

Ron looked at his watch, "We're supposed to patrol the corridors every so often, and we can give out punishments if people are misbehaving. I can't wait to get Crabbe and Goyle for something…"

"You're not supposed to abuse your position, Ron!" Hermione said sharply.

"Yeah, right, because Malfoy won't abuse it at all." Ron replied sarcastically.

I cleared my throat, "He'll only abuse his power if you give him reason to do so. He's talked about getting you, or Harry or even Fred and George to clean toilets, wash his dirty underwear and-"

"Will you stop talking about him like that?" Ron looked at me threateningly, "All you've done is talk about him as though he's your best mate!"

I was taken aback, "I was only making conversation! You were the one who brought it up initially, I'm merely filling you in on all the gossip-"

"Gossip? You're sitting there like you're one of them!" Ron looked at me up and down, "In brand new designer clothes, with that look Narcissa has on her face like there's dung under her nose!"

"Excuse me?" I was affronted.

Ron bit into a third chocolate frog, "What are you going to do? Crawl back to mummy? Oh wait…"

I stared at him, not daring to show any emotion. I had my hand on my wand and I was so close to performing a spell on him, but which one I couldn't choose… "You're just as bad as they are, Ron." I said so quietly I could see the colour drain from his cheeks, I didn't dare break the connection between our eyes as I made him feel excruciatingly uncomfortable. I stood quickly, making him jump. As I walked past, reaching out for the door I broke eye contact and Ron stuck his foot out and tripped me up. As I regained my balance, I looked over at him and said, "Seriously? Real f*cking mature, mate," and continued walking out the door.

I wandered along the corridor with no particular destination in mind, my fingers tracing the line of the rubber border between compartments. I was perfectly calm. My dress swished from side to side with the motion of the train. The corridor was quiet, cool and at the bolted doorway, I watched the greenery of the English countryside pass by.

"Kathryn?" I heard Draco's voice sound as he passed in from the adjacent carriage, "What are you doing standing out here on your own?"

"Nothing." I spoke, shrugging my shoulders.

Draco took a step closer, "Who are you trying to get away from?"

I pursed my lips, "Can a girl not take some time out to herself?"

"Come here," he said, directing me down the corridor to the opposite end where he brought me into an empty compartment, well, he told Pansy to go patrol for a while and told me to sit down, "What's wrong with you?" he got himself comfortable, he wasn't going to budge, "As you would say to me, you've got a face on you like a slapped arse."

I rolled my eyes at him, despite how impressed I was at his attempt at the Northern Irish accent.

"Well, if you're not going to talk, I'm going to guess…" he pondered, "are you annoyed that the Weasley you date is on another carriage?" he looked at the expression on my face, "No…" then he pondered, "Did you get a detention already?"

"No, Draco, I haven't."

He smirked, "Someone pissed you off." Then going by the look on my face, the smirk disappeared, "They talked to you like my Father when he was trying to rattle your cage… They didn't."

I turned my head to the side, "They did."

"I'll give them a detention right now." He stood, looking threateningly, "It's not fair that people can bring that up! You've been through so much this summer."

I poised myself, ready to guard the door, "There's no point, Draco… They don't understand. They also don't understand how much you've helped me through this summer…" I rested my head right back, "It was never going to be easy, us being friends, but they're just going to have to learn." I sighed loudly.

There was movement at the door, "GO AWAY, PARKINSON."

"Let us in, Malfoy." It was Hermione.

Draco looked at me and spoke, "Why should I?"

"We can give you a detention for not letting us in to our own carriage, you know." Ron said.

I held up a finger to Draco to shush him. I stood up and straightened my dress and opened the door with such dramatic fashion, "What do you want, Ronald?"

"W – WH – What are you doing in there? Kathryn why are you with Malfoy? That carriage is reserved for prefects!"

"Ah well." I said closing the door in his face.

I could hear Ron stamp his foot, "Kathryn, I'm going to have to ask you to leave the compartment."

"I'm afraid I'm in deep conversation with my new best friend, and I won't be able to converse with you anymore due to the extensive amount of dung under my nose which will lead to my inability to see you and the river of tears might be a problem, too, as I can't run off and talk to my murderous bitch of a mother."

Draco mimed the words 'you are on fire'.

I curtseyed.

Ron was fuming on the other side of the door, "Kathryn, I'm going to have to give you a detention."

"I'd love to see you try, Ronniekins." I opened the door, "See you soon, Draco." I said and left the room, "Please, go be a prefect, just like Perce." I knew he wouldn't dare trip me up this time.

Just as Ron and Hermione were about to close the door I heard Draco say, "You brought up her mother?"

Ron raised his voice, "Since when did you care about her?"

"Since when did you stop?" Draco fought back.

"She's never going to love you, Draco, so stop trying." Ron was about to lose his temper, "Don't play mind games with her."

After getting changed into my robes, I returned to the compartment to find Draco, Crabbe and Goyle at the door. This was going to be good.

"Get out!" Hermione stood and slammed the compartment door in Draco's face.

"Not so friendly." Draco said to his cronies.

"I'm sure you deserved it." I commented, he had also changed into his robes, "At least you didn't get blasted out of their way."

Draco gave me a sideways glance, "I was looking for you, actually."

I felt my eyes widen, "Why? What have I done now?" I walked towards him, very conscious of Crabbe and Goyle's eyes on me, too.

Draco smiled, "Nothing! I was just checking – you're okay?"

I couldn't help myself but smile, "I'm grand. I appreciate the concern though." I opened the compartment door enough for me to fit in, "Oh, Draco," I called him, "Stop messing with my friends." I entered the compartment to see a number of surprised looks on everyone's faces. I reached up to the rack where my trunk was and put in my muggle clothes and swopped over my blue pumps for my new black school shoes.

We pulled up to Hogsmeade station, a moonless night and rain greeted us. Ron and Hermione went off to conduct their prefect duties. Harry, Ginny, Neville, Luna and I all disembarked together, carrying each other's belongings including Pigwidgeon and Crookshanks in hope that nothing would be left behind. Professor Grubbly-Plank was standing in for Hagrid for some reason – no-one seemed to know why. Surrounded by hundreds of students desperately trying to keep up with their friends, Harry got separated from Ginny and me as we headed towards the bat-horse like creature Thestrals pulling the carriages.

"There you are!" George, who was accompanied by Fred, Ange, Katie and Alicia grabbed me and we took the next available carriage, "I've been looking for you!"

"That seems to be a recurring theme of this journey." I said hauling my trunk up, "Well, you've found me now!"

"Hermione told me that you and Ron-"

I laughed, "News travels fast, doesn't it? And before you ask, I'm fine!"

"Good summer, Kathryn?" Ange asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, "It was eventful to say the least."

"The very least." Fred said.

"It's your final year…" I said, pouting slightly, "You've got to make it one to remember, especially since I've another two years here without you four!" I looked to Katie, "It's just going to be us next year, Mrs!"

"God help you!" George joked, pulling me into a hug.

"What does that mean for you two?" Ange asked, watching George squeeze me as I jokingly fought him for being so cheeky.

I looked over at her, "I don't know… I'd like to think he can wait for two years? But he'll probably find himself a replacement, a more beaut-"

"I'll wait for you, Katy, don't you worry."

Fred reached around George and poked me in the shoulder, "They'll be married with seven kids in ten years' time."

I gave Fred the look, "That doesn't give us much time. I've three years left of school, so we'd have to marry pretty quick-ish and pop out a baby every year after that. Somehow I don't fancy the idea…"

"I agree with Kathryn," Ange said, "Ten years doesn't give her enough time… But imagine… the kids would be gorgeous though."

George and I shared a smile.

In the Great Hall, we all got seated at the Gryffindor table. Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron all caught up with us, Ron started complaining about hunger as George nattered on in my ear, "I wonder who that is…"

It was obvious who he was talking about, there was only one new member of staff this year, "Must be the new DADA teacher…"

"She's almost as pink as you are…" he giggled, "Like how much pink can one person wear? She's either going to love you or hate you!"

"Shut up." I said sarcastically, "I'm an absolute delight."

George couldn't help but laugh. I took a closer look at her; the woman was titchy, with short, curly, mouse-brown hair and she was wearing a bright pink Alice band that matched her fluffy pink cardigan over her baby pink robes. Her eyes were toadlike and pouchy.

"It's that Umbridge woman," I overheard Harry saying a few seats up.

"Who?" Hermione asked. That gave me a sense of relief, if Hermione didn't know that tended to be alright.

Harry exclaimed, "She was at my hearing, she works for Fudge!"

Ron smirked, "Nice cardigan."

"I happen to like that cardigan very much." I said sarcastically, which got a giggle from Ginny who was on my other side.

"She works for Fudge?" Hermione repeated, "What on earth's she doing here, then?"

"Dunno…" Harry answered.

Hermione looked up the table, past the students and at the row of teachers facing us, "No…" she muttered loud enough for me to hear two seats down, "no, surely not…"

The hall suddenly went very quiet as McGonagall lead the first years into the Sorting Ceremony.

"They all look so small, George!" I said, "I swear they get smaller every year!" I watched as they went by, "Aw, look at her… Not a chance I'd have a kid that small."

"We, Katy, we."

"Not with your lanky legs we won't."

"Shhhhh!" I was given a stern look by one of the prefects as the Sorting Hat began to sing.

'In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted:

United by a common goal,

They had the selfsame yearning,

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning.

"Together we will build and teach!"

The four good friends decided

And never did they dream that they

Might someday be divided,

For were there such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there and so can tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those

Whose ancestry is purest."

Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose

Intelligence is surest."

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those

With brave deeds to their name,"

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,

And treat them just the same."

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light,

For each of the four founders had

A House in which they might

Take only those they wanted, so,

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pure-blood wizards

Of great cunning, just like him,

And those of sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to daring Gryffindor.

Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,

And taught them all she knew,

Thus the Houses and their founders

Retained friendships firm and true.

So Hogwarts worked in harmony

For several happy years,

But then discord crept among us

Feeding on our faults and fears.

The Houses that, like pillars four,

Had once held up our school,

Now turned upon each other and,

Divided, sought to rule.

And for a while it seemed the school

Must meet an early end,

What with dueling and with fighting

And the clash of friend on friend

And at last there came a morning

When old Slytherin departed

And though the fighting then died out

He left us quite downhearted.

And never since the founders four

Were whittled down to three

Have the Houses been united

As they once were meant to be.

And now the Sorting Hat is here

And you all know the score:

I sort you into Houses

Because that is what I'm for,

But this year I'll go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfil my duty

And must quarter every year

Still I wonder whether sorting

May not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within

I have told you, I have warned you...

Let the Sorting now begin.

"Well, that was… interesting." I whispered.

"Abercrombie, Ewan." McGonagall called out.

A little boy with blonde hair, who looked positively frightened walked up to the stool, sat down, the hat drew breath (if it had lungs in which to breathe) and shouted 'Gryffindor!' The Gryffindor table clapped as little Ewan took a seat at the end of the table, hoping never to be watched by anyone ever again. After about twenty minutes, the last girl to be sorted was Rose Zeller, ("What a name, George, what a name.") who was allocated to the Puffs.

Dumbledore stood, "To our newcomers, welcome, to our old hands, welcome back! There is a time for speech-making, but this is not it. Tuck in!"

"YES." I had a mini celebration as food appeared out of nowhere and I served myself some roast chicken, cocktail sausages, veg and roast potatoes with lashings of gravy.

"This or hotel food?" George grinned.

"That food was simply divine." I did the okay gesture as I put more food in my mouth, I bit my lip thinking about that evening, where the two of us had a laugh eating far more than our bodies could handle with absolutely zero regrets.

Alicia set her fork down, "You two were in a hotel room together?"

"Overnight?" I looked at George, "Whaaaaat?"

"You ask no questions and we'll give no answers." George smirked.

Angelina had a thoughtful look on her face, "Did any… sleeping go on that night?"

George looked at me and laughed, "Katy didn't sleep a wink." He lovingly, (but jokingly) stroked my arm a few times before wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me in closer.

"Lies." I said mysteriously.

"As much as I love how you're my sister now, KitKat, I just can't-" She put her head on my shoulder, "I know what mum said." Her cheeks went pink.

George and I laughed all the more.

"Do not worry, young one." I said robotically, "We have everything under control." I winked at her.

Dumbledore started making his usual announcements just before bed. By this stage in the evening I was pleasantly full and had my head resting on George's shoulder. First years aren't go to into the Forbidden Forest… Filches list of rules and contraband… He then said that Professor Grubbly-Plank was returning to Care of Magical Creatures and introduced Professor Umbridge, the new DADA teacher. We politely applauded.

Dumbledore then continued, "Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on the-"

"Hem, hem." Professor Umbridge stood as though to make a speech.

George looked back at me, "Did she really just do that?"

Dumbledore looked taken aback for a moment, then sat down smartly and looked alertly at Professor Umbridge as though he desired nothing more but to listen to her. There were looks of utter disbelief along the staff table. Amongst the students there were smirks and chatter.

"Thank you, headmaster," Professor Umbridge's voice was high pitched, breathy and little-girlish, "for those kind words of welcome." Then she did that "Hem-hem" thing again before continuing, "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say." She smiled, her teeth were very pointed, "and to see such happy faces looking up at me."

I put a hand on George's thigh, "Who does she think she is?"

Fred looked past George to me, "She'd best not talk to us like we're five-year-olds."

"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!" she said.

"That's likely." Fred and George said in unison. There were quiet whispers shared around the tables. I looked up to the front of the room in disbelief.

"Hem-hem." She did that thing again, a little more impatiently this time, "The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you are born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the wizarding community must be passed down the generation, lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded-"

George leaned his head over to me, "What on earth is she going on about?"

"I get the impression she's going to try and change things around here…" I whispered.

Umbridge turned and made a little bow to her fellow staff members, none of whom returned the gesture. McGonagall and Sprout exchanged a significant look. They were wondering when she was going to get down off her soap box.

"Hem-hem." Umbridge started talking again, "Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance then of old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation…"

George muttered, "Where is she going with this?"

Ange who was opposite me, yawned. This lead to a cascade of yawning across the table. Fred and George started making jokes. I looked across the room to see Draco making snide comments to a group of willing listeners. He saw me looking, pulled a face and went back to captivating his adoring audience. Even Ernie Macmillan, the new Puff Prefect couldn't keep his eyes open. I felt myself laugh. Umbridge continued on with her (what seemed like a) well-rehearsed speech as though she, too was captivating her adoring five-year-old fans. I looked to the front and all the teachers were very intently listening to every word. Hermione was doing the same. I zoned back in…

"…because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness off time to be recognised as errors of judgement. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning whatever we find practices that ought to be prohibited." She sat down.

Dumbledore clapped. The staff followed his lead. I, for one, did not.

"She's going to start caning naughty students." I whispered to George, "if you're not careful, you'll be first."

George laughed, "She'd never inflict pain as a punishment."

"She's just like my mother." I said, "stupid high pitched voice, 'progress for progress's sake must be discouraged' it's the same as my mother saying, 'I've got a beautiful baby girl who has been ruined by demons in her mind'You need to keep an eye on her." I warned.

George shuddered. I looked around to see a similar look on Hermione's face, she was thinking along the same lines as myself. Dumbledore spoke, "Now off to bed, pip pip!" and I stood. George did not get up immediately.

"Sorry," he said as Fred and I gently shook him.

When we got up to the Common Room, Ron and Hermione alongside the other prefects had shown the first years around. Most students had now retired to bed for the night. George, on the other hand, took a seat in front of the dimly lit fire. Fred looked at me and shrugged his shoulders as I thought about what I had said. I pointed to myself and nodded. Fred pointed upstairs and nodded his head towards George. I was being left to it.

"Hey," I sat beside George and cuddled into him, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier… I wasn't thinking…" I whispered, taking his clammy hands.

George leaned on my shoulder, "It shouldn't be me feeling like this… You are the one who has the right to feel awful about your parents…" he sighed, "I feel so stupid…"

I stroked his hair gently, "It's okay… I make comments like that because it's how I get by, how I process stuff… I shouldn't have made you relive-"

"No…" he said, "I am used to your little comments, it's just that…" he sighed again, "you said that Umbridge is just like your mother… I don't want you to have to feel like that again, to have this fear of someone who acts like the one woman who is supposed to love and protect you but did anything but…" he looked up at me, concern in his eyes as he tried to process how I might be feeling.

"Woah," I put his head back down on my shoulder and stroked his hair a little more, "you worry too much about me. If Umbridge lays a hand on me I will tell someone. Besides, if I was worried about anything, first person I'd tell is you."

George shuffled his head uncomfortably, "Are you going to tell me what happened between you and Ron earlier? Or am I going to have to hear everything second hand from my sister? She said that you got up and left the compartment and she didn't see you for hours… She assumed you came to see me, but Hermione and Ron found you talking to Malfoy and… I know you see him as a friend, Katy, but I swear the way you talk about him sometimes…"

I laughed, "George, don't go all jealous on me, now."

"No, Katy, I'm just worried… It's like you hated the time we spent together this summer, that you preferred being with Malfoy, and I get that he was there for you because you lived together, but I thought you'd be a little happier to be back here amongst all your friends again." He sat up and took my hands, "I don't know Draco well enough to know if you can trust him, but he just seems to get in the middle of everything… I get that you're friends and I know that you talk to him and that's okay, but it just doesn't seem to be helping you right now…"

"Do I honestly look that miserable?"

"Yes." George said, now looking at me eye to eye, "I don't think very many people can see it, Katy, but I'd like to think I know you well enough now, that when you make those snide comments about your parents, that when you argue with Ron and take yourself off from the group for a long time –I'm worried about you… You haven't been you since the third task…"

I opened my mouth to speak, but George continued talking.

"And while I understand that you've had a lot to deal with, and you talk to me about a lot of stuff, I feel that there is still a lot of stuff that you don't talk about." He stroked my cheek, "That you put on a front and-" he stopped suddenly.

"And what?" I asked, urging him to continue.

"You try to please people, give the impression of being okay when you're not. I know it's a long way off, but… I need to know that you're going to be okay next year when you're here without me… that when you have an argument with Ron or a disagreement with Hermione or Harry takes sides, that you're going to be okay and not pack up your bags and face the world on your own."

I opened my mouth again to talk but George put his finger to my lips.

"Don't argue with me on this one, I know what you're like. I know that you would happily tackle everything on your own, just like you did as a kid, but now you don't have to. You have got me and you've got Ginny, Hermione, Harry and Ron and even Fred, Ange, Katie and Alicia! You need to learn to talk to people or you are going to end up-"

I nodded, "With really bad mental health problems."

"Look," George took a deep breath, "I love you and I am willing to do so much to help you, all you need to do is ask or… let me help at least." He kissed my forehead.

I smiled, "I wish I was better at this having people care about you thing. Like earlier, Narcissa said that she was going to miss me, that she enjoyed having me stay, that I was a really good friend to Draco and she appreciated what I did by being there." I got a better grip of his hands, "I can't just forget that Draco and I had lunch together every day, that we read books together, that we went shopping, ate a serious number of cream buns and cupcakes and ice-cream… I need you to understand that he has helped me get through this all and despite being an arrogant prick half the time, that he is a good friend to me and has been for a long time. And another thing, there is a high chance that next summer his parents may be fostering me again, or I might be adopted, but I need to keep in that loop, and I need you to understand that it is nothing more than friendship and he knows that but I need it."

"Okay." George nodded his head.

"And I need Ron to stop being an arsehole, but I reckon pigs will fly before that ever happens. Some days I can handle him, but today I just needed to get away. I was on my own, Draco was patrolling the corridor, he got me talking, Ron and Hermione but mostly Ron stuck his nose in it and then started accusing Draco of corrupting me, but little does he know that I was already corrupt before I met Draco!"

George laughed, "He's the outsider that sees you differently."

I nodded, "Something like that, yeah. You don't need to worry about me. I will sort myself out." George gave me a sideways glance, so I smiled and emphasised, "With your help. Tomorrow is a brand new day."