2nd September

I got up bright and early the next morning, finishing off my hair and makeup as Hermione got up, "Wait for me." she said, so I waited down in the Common Room where I saw Fred and George come down the stairs.

Fred called me over as I shared a wide smile with George. "Look what we've got planned!" Fred said excitedly, showing me a sign:

GALLONS OF GALLEONS!
Pocket money failing to keep pace with your outgoings?
Like to earn a little extra gold?
Contact Fred and George Weasley, Gryffindor common room,
for simple, part-time, virtually painless jobs.
(We regret that all work is undertaken at applicant's own risk.)

"Virtually painless?" I questioned jokingly, "I'm sure you have Madam Pomfery on alert for first aid?"

Fred put an arm around my shoulders, "We were hoping that you'd take care of any mishaps?"

I laughed shaking my head in disbelief, "Hermione is going to love this. This alone is the reason why Dumbledore asked Hermione and not me to be Gryffindor prefect, because I'd let you two roam free as long as you don't seriously harm anyone."

"But we don't plan on seriously harming anyone, Katy, we've tested everything on ourselves already! It's just a disclaimer at the end of the ad." George said.

Fred continued, "It was you who gave us the idea in the first place." He pinned the poster up and looked at it proudly.

"Erm… George?"

"Yes, my wonderful, beautiful, charming-"

"Enough of that shite," I smiled nonetheless, "I'm guessing you're not going to be treating your wonderful, beautiful, charming, intelligent, imaginative and…"

"Modest." Fred suggested.

"Modest girlfriend to a perfect afternoon out in Hogsmeade that weekend?" I asked.

George pulled a face of realisation, "Katy, I-"

I smirked, "You'll just have to owe me." I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

"Deal." He kissed me back and both he and Fred headed towards the portrait door, "I'm guessing you're waiting for…?"

"Like the amazing friend I am? Yes." They waved before climbed through the hole.

"They are the limit!" I heard Hermione say, "We'll have to talk to them, Ron."

Ron looked alarmed, "Why?"

"Because we're prefects."

"Morning!" I said over-enthusiastically, sensing an argument between Hermione and Ron brewing. Harry smiled at me, "Shall we go down for breakfast?"

The three of them followed my lead, "It's up to us to stop this kind of thing!" Hermione told Ron, then she looked at me with a bright idea, "Kathryn, you'll talk to them, you'll make them see sense, won't you?"

"You can keep me well out of this." I shrugged my shoulders, "I feel like Ron in this situation, Fred and George are family, we're not going to tell them to stop living the dream… Just imagine…"

Hermione gave me the death stare. I smiled back. Ron looked relieved. "Anyway, what's up Harry?" Hermione knew not to continue this argument and changed the topic of conversation, "You look really angry about something…"

"Seamus reckons Harry's lying about You-Know-Who." Ron responded as Harry stayed silent.

"Seriously?" I turned on the spot as we were in the entrance hall.

"Yes, Lavender thinks so, too." Hermione said gloomily.

I was shocked, "She does?"

"You weren't there… You were with George."

"Oh."

"Been having a nice little chat with her about whether or not I'm a lying, attention-seeking prat, have you?" Harry said loudly.

"No," Hermione spoke calmly, "I told her to keep her big fat mouth shut about you, actually. And it would be quite nice if you stopped jumping down our throats, Harry, because in case you haven't noticed, the three of us are on your side."

There was a short pause as we sat down.

"Sorry." Harry said.

"That's quite alright," Hermione spoke with dignity, "Don't you remember what Dumbledore said at the end of year feast?" when she got no answer, she sighed and answered her own question, "You-Know-Who has a gift for spreading discord and enmity. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust… The point is that this sort of thing is exactly what Dumbledore was talking about. You-Know-Who's only been back two months and we've already started fighting amongst ourselves. And the Sorting Hat's warning was the same."

"And Harry got it right last night," Ron retorted, "If that means we're supposed to get matey with the Slytherins – fat chance."

Hermione looked at me for the first time in a while, "I think Kathryn's got the right idea. I'm sure you know what's happening on the other side."

"Of course I do." I smirked, "I'd tell you if there was something worth telling, don't worry." I served myself some breakfast, "I'm actually hoping to get a letter this morning, begging for my forgiveness, but there's little or no chance of that happening."

As they were about to ask me what I was talking about, Ange walked past, "Hi!" she said in her overly happy voice, "Good summer?" she asked Harry, but before giving him a chance to respond, she said, "Listen, I've been made Gryffindor Quidditch Captain."

"Nice one!" Harry grinned at her.

"Congrats, girl!" I let out a mini cheer from the other side of the table.

Ange smiled at me before diverting her attention back to Harry, "Yeah, well, we need a new Keeper now Oliver's left. Tryouts are on Friday at five o'clock and I want the whole team there, all right? Then we can see how the new person'll fit in."

"Okay!" Harry agreed.

Ange smiled at him then took her seat further down the table with her friends.

"I'd forgotten that Wood had left," Hermione said vaguely.

I choked on my breakfast juice, inhaling it, making me feel like my lungs were drowning. After repeated slaps on my back by Ron, who was sitting beside me at the time, I stopped coughing. "I'm good! I'm good!" I said after feeling like my throat had just been ripped out, my voice sounded deep and groggy, "Thanks, Ron."

"Someone hasn't forgotten about Wood's departure…" Ron stared at Hermione across the table.

"Sorry…" Hermione looked remorseful, "Have you seen or heard from him in the last year?"

I took a sip from my cup of coffee to help clear my throat before saying, "Saw him during the summer in muggle London when I was out with Draco and Narcissa. It was two days before I was due in court and I ate the head off him. He was terribly confused about why I was hanging around with the Malfoys, thought I'd broken up with George."

"I was wondering if you were ever going to tell me about that." George approached me, "Wood wrote to me after he saw you, wondered what had happened between us, that you looked really ill and you were acting strangely."

I looked up at him sheepishly, "I didn't think it was necessary? I had a proper go at him…"

"He mentioned that, too."

"You didn't… reply to him, did you?"

"Of course I didn't!" George smiled, "I was proud of you for publicly embarrassing him."

I felt the colour return to my cheeks, "Oh, good!"

"It won't hurt having some new blood on the team, will it?" Ron said.

With a whoosh and a clatter, the morning post arrived, descending all over the Hall, bringing letters and packages from home. It must have been raining outside because we all got showered with droplets of water. Hermione had to move her orange juice out of the way to make room for the huge barn owl that bared a Daily Prophet for her in its beak.

"What are you getting that for?" Harry asked irritably, thinking about the lies that had been written about him throughout the summer, I understood his attitude, "I'm not bothering… load of rubbish."

"It's best to know what the enemy is saying…" Hermione said darkly.

Suddenly there was an eagle owl that landed on my shoulder, I nearly had a heart attack, "You were saying about correspondence with the enemy?" I took the boxes attached to each of the owl's legs and it flew away, "I think I've done well."

I took one of the boxes and saw my name at the top, I opened it to reveal a letter from Narcissa,

Missing you already! I hope you and Draco are still on speaking terms!
Thanks again for being perfect company during the summer.
I just wanted to send you a little treat for your first day back.
Lots of love, Auntie Cissa xxx

Inside the box was a selection of Honeydukes chocolate and sweets all carefully wrapped, "Okay, so it's really hard not to love Narcissa Malfoy." I looked to Ron, who was salivating, "You get first dibs."

Ron rubbed his hands together and gave me a look of pure happiness.

As I looked at the other box, which was addressed to Draco, another owl landed on my shoulder and dropped a letter on my lap, the writing was small, incredibly neat and girly, I didn't recognise it. I opened the sealed envelope to read:

SIS!
YOU WERE RIGHT… They're kicking themselves about how right you were and how wrong they were not to believe you. I don't know if this gives you a cause to celebrate or be annoyed, either way I thought you'd like to know. (P6 DP)
Things back home are great. I've decided that friendship is the best way to start off. Work is busy as usual, but today is my day off. When is your next Hogsmeade trip? Want to meet up?
T x

"Emmm, 'Mione? Would you mind if I borrowed your paper? I've got to give this to Draco…" I popped the Daily Prophet into my bag and hopped off the bench and skittered over to the Slytherin table, "HEY FRIEND." I squeezed myself in between Draco and Pansy. I could see how much this annoyed her.

"What are you doing at the Slytherin table? You don't belong here?"

"Now, now, Pansy, wouldn't want you to embarrass yourself." I said coolly.

She seemed to have a bee in her bonnet with me, "I'll give you a detention for disruption."

"I'd like to see you try, love." I said in my broad Belfast accent that I only reserved for annoying people, "I'm sure mummy and daddy won't be amused." I looked to Draco.

He tried to hold in laughter but couldn't, "No, mother and father would be most disappointed." He said in an awfully posh accent, the way he was trying to teach me to speak over the summer, in the event that someone came over and I had to pretend to be someone else, "What is it that brings you to the Slytherin table this fine morning, darling?" Draco couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, darling, mother and father sent me a gift and letter this morning and requested I pass this on to you." I said in my best snobbish British accent, "I must say I have been positively spoilt. Such fun!" I giggled, handing him the box.

"I know you sent me a letter over the summer asking to transfer to Slytherin, Miss Pink, but I'm afraid the Sorting Hat's decision is final." Snape handed Draco his timetable for the year.

"It has always been a dream of mine." I said most sincerely, "Must be off, chat soon!"

I found myself back at the Gryffindor table just in time to get my timetable from McGonagall, "Everything alright, Miss Pink?"

"Yeah?" I replied as I looked at the new timetable, "Actually no… History of Magic first thing on a Monday morning is murder."

"Enjoy." McGonagall smirked.

"Look at today!" Ron groaned, "History of Magic, double potions, divination and double DADA, that's Binns, Snape, Trelawney and Umbridge all in one day! I wish Fred and George'd hurry up and get those Skiving Snackboxes sorted…"

"Do mine ears deceive me?" Fred joined us, along with George, they both squeezed in between Ron and me, George was basically sitting on top of me, "Hogwarts prefects surely don't wish to skive off lessons?"

"Look what we've got today," Ron said grumpily, shoving his timetable under Fred's nose, George took mine, "That's the worst Monday I've ever seen."

Fred scanned the column, "Fair point, little bro. You can have a bit of nosebleed nougat cheap if you like?"

I cleared my throat, and shoved George off my knee, "I'd strongly have to advise against that one, trust me, Ronniekins."

Taking my advice on board he asked, "Why's it cheap?"

George lifted a piece of toast from my plate, "Because you'll keep bleeding till you shrivel up, we haven't got an antidote yet."

"And speaking of your skiving snackboxes," Hermione began, "you can't advertise for testers on the Gryffindor noticeboard."

"Says who?" George looked astonished.

"Says me," Hermione said, "and Ron."

"Leave me out of it." Ron said hastily.

Fred and George both laughed as Hermione glared at Ron.

"You'll be singing a different tune soon enough, Hermione," Fred said now buttering a crumpet, George fought me for the slice of bacon on my plate, but I slapped his hand, "You're starting fifth year, you'll be begging us for a Skiving Snackbox before long."

"And why would starting fifth year mean I want a Skiving Snackbox?" Hermione questioned.

George then lifted my cup of coffee from my hand and took a sip before handing it back, "Fifth years O.W.L year."

"So?"

"So you've got your exams coming up, haven't you? They'll be keeping your noses so hard to that grindstone they'll be rubbed raw." Fred said with satisfaction.

George happily spoke next, "Half our year had minor breakdowns coming up to O.W.L.s, tears and tantrums… Patricia Stimpson kept coming over faint."

I thumped him, "GEORGE!"

"Kenneth Towler came out in boils, d'you remember?" Fred said reminiscently.

George laughed, "That's 'cause you put Bulbadox powder in his pyjamas."

Fred grinned, "Oh yeah, I'd forgotten, hard to keep track sometimes, isn't it?"

"Anyway, it's a nightmare of a year, the fifth," George said, "if you care about exam results, anyway. Fred and I managed to keep our peckers up somehow."

"Thanks for being super supportive, that's always something I've valued in you as a boyfriend." I said sarcastically.

George wrapped an arm around me and squeezed, "I'm here for you."

I rolled my eyes.

"You know we feel our futures lie outside the world of academic achievements." Fred announced.

George added, "We seriously debated whether we were going to bother coming back for seventh year, now that we've got-" George caught himself on, "Now that I've got you." George kissed my cheek.

"HA. Ha. Freaking ha." I gave him the look.

"And now that we've got our O.W.L.s. I mean, do we really need N.E.W.T.s? But we didn't think mum could take us leaving early, not on top of Percy turning out to be the world's biggest prat."

"We're not going to waste our last year here, though," Fred said, looking affectionately around the Great Hall, "We're going to use it to do a bit of market research, then produce products to fit the demand."

Hermione had a confused expression on her face, "But where are you going to get the gold to start a joke shop?"

Harry purposely dropped his fork to hide his red cheeks.

Fred shrugged his shoulders, "Ask us no questions and we'll tell you no lies, Hermione. C'mon George, if we get there early we might be able to sell a few Extendable Ears before Herbology." The two of them left with no question.

"What did they mean?" Hermione asked, looking at Harry, Ron and most specifically me, "Ask us no questions… Does that mean they've already got some gold to start a joke shop?" she looked at me with a piercing stare, "I know that you know, Kathryn."

"You know, I've been wondering about that," Ron's brow was furrowed, "they bought me a new set of dress robes this summer and I couldn't understand where they got the galleons…" Ron stared at me, too, "I know you know, too, Kathryn."

I shrugged my shoulders just as Fred had done, "Of course I know, but ask no questions and I'll tell you no lies." I got up and lead the way to History of Magic where we got a foot and a half-long essay on Giant Wars.

"Settle down," said Snape as he closed the door into his Dungeon classroom. Draco and I shared a glance as there wasn't a peep out of any of the students, we knew better than to talk when Snape closed the classroom door. "Before we begin today's lesson," Snape began, "I think it appropriate to remind you that next June you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and use of magical potions. Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an 'Acceptable' in your O.W.L., or suffer my… displeasure." His gaze lingered on Neville, who gulped, "After this year, of course, many of you will cease studying with me. I only take the very best into my N.E.W.T Potions class, which means that some of us will certainly be saying goodbye." Snape's eyes then rested on Harry and his lip curled. Harry glared back and I laughed. "But we have another year to go before that happy moment of farewell," Snape said softly, "so, whether or not you are intending to attempt N.E.W.T., I advise all of you to concentrate your efforts upon maintaining the high pass level I have come to expect from my O.W.L. students."

"Dream Team!" Draco whispered to me, shaking my hand as a sign that we are in this together.

"Something you'd like to say, Miss Pink?" Snape challenged me. I hadn't even opened my mouth.

I smirked, "You don't want to know what I'm thinking, Sir…"

"I know you enjoy speaking your mind," Snape smirked, "I'm sure I'll survive your silence a while longer."

I fake pouted at him and shrugged my shoulders.

"Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: The Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: if you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing."

Snape put the method on the board and opened the ingredients cupboard, Draco and I got to work. The potion was challenging, expecting to be stirred just the right amount of times in the exact motion and time required. I went into full concentration mode. With ten minutes to go Snape called, "A light silver vapour should now be rising from your potion."

"BOOM!" Draco and I momentarily high-fived before getting back to grinding up star anise and cinnamon, which I imagine made the potion taste a little bit like Christmas.

At no surprise of mine, Snape started criticising Harry, "Potter, what's this supposed to be?" and after two minutes of heavy slandering and the Slytherin half of the class laughing, Snape made the contents of Harry's cauldron vanish. "Those of you who have managed to read the instructions, fill one flagon with a sample of your potion, label it clearly with your name and bring it up to my desk for testing." Snape sneered, "Homework: twelve inches of parchment on the properties of moonstone and its used in potion making, to be handed in on Thursday."

"Twelve inches?" I whispered in disgust.

"Welcome back." Draco rolled his eyes, then proceeded to start laughing as Goyle's potion managed to shatter his flagon and set his robes on fire resultantly. The bell went and I left the room to go down for lunch with a very disgruntled Harry, embarrassed Ron and consoling Hermione. I knew in instances such as these not to say a thing. I had further reasoning today as the three of them started debating why Snape was trusted by Dumbledore enough to be in the order. Hermione and Ron had a disagreement (as usual) which turned into an argument which resulted in Harry throwing a tantrum and storming off up to the Gryffindor Common Room.

After lunch, I had the pure delight of sitting in my Muggle Studies class with Mandy Brocklehurst, Morag MacDougal, Lisa Turpin, Hannah Abbott, Ernie Macmillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley. Today we learnt about the muggle invention: The Internet. The first webpage went live on 6th August 1991 and we were given a two-foot-long essay, which we had started in class, giving a fact file on the World Wide Web. Towards the end of the class Professor Burbage handed me a letter from McGonagall asking for a meeting during my last period about my parent's sentencing date. Apparently it was the only time Mr Snow had available. As soon as the bell rang, I ran to the nearest toilet and threw up…

When I thought I had enough to deal with on the first day back, I walked into our first Defence Against the Dark Arts class with Professor Umbridge late.

"Nice of you to join us… Miss Pink, is it?" Umbridge said in her awfully high voice.

"Yes, Professor, I-"

"I don't have time to hear your excuses. Next time you're late, you can expect a detention, understand?" she had such a girly voice that I wanted to throttle her already, "Are you going to take a seat or are you completely-"

"Professor, if I could just have a minute of your time, in private, if you don't mind?"

"No, dear, if you have anything to say, you can say it in front of the class." She smiled widely, I knew I was annoying her, she had that murderous look in her eyes that I tried to ignore, "Hem-hem."

Hermione, Ron and Harry all looked at me nervously as I took a deep breath, I felt the colour drain from my cheeks.

Umbridge put a hand on her cardigan and pulled it taut, "Well, come on, spit it out."

"Professor," I tried my best to be polite, which came out as borderline rude and offensive as my broad Northern Irish accent came out instead, "Look, I have an appointment with my lawyer regarding my recent court appearance, Professor McGonagall sent me a letter in my last class asking me to meet during last period. I'd appreciate it if you let me attend."

"Is that all?" she said through gritted teeth.

"No…" I said firmly.

Umbridge clenched her fists, "No Professor Umbridge."

Everyone in the class was looking at me in surprise at my disclosure, "I will not be in your class next Monday, I will be in court all day finding out how long my parents are going to be imprisoned for. Do you have a problem with that?"

She looked like she wanted to throttle me, too, "You will see me in my office, after your meeting as soon as you finish dinner."

"Perfect." I sat down in the empty seat beside Hermione.

"Good," said Professor Umbridge, "I should like you to turn to page five and read 'Chapter one, Basics for Beginners', there will be no need to talk." She took a seat behind her desk, her legs dangling.

After a minute of reading I wished I hadn't turned up for class even more. This is a lot worse than any crap I'd ever read before. Hermione stuck her hand up in the air and stared at Umbridge, who ignored her. It was only by the time I had reached the end of page ten that Umbridge responded, "Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?"

"Not about the chapter, no." Hermione said.

"Well, we're reading now, if you have other queries we can deal with them at the end of the class."

"I've got a query about your course aims."

"And your name is?"

"Hermione Granger."

"Well, Miss Granger, I think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read them through carefully." Umbridge responded with a voice of determined sweetness.

"Well, I don't." Hermione went for the blunt route, just like me, "there's nothing written up there about using defensive spells."

Umbridge let out a little laugh, "Using defensive spells? Why I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class."

I laughed. Out loud. I had to resist the temptation to say like that attack on me earlier? But thought if I'd like to get out early from the lesson that I'd best keep schtum.

"We're not going to use magic?" Ron exclaimed loudly.

"Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Mr-?"

"Weasley," Ron thrust his hand up in the air.

Umbridge turned her back on the class for a second, obviously to compose herself. Harry, Ron and Hermione all had their hands up. This was going to be good. "Yes Miss Granger?"

"Surely the whole point of Defence Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?" Hermione said.

"Are you a ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?"

"No, but-"

"Well, then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new programme of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way-"

Harry butted in, loudly, "What use is that, if we're going to be attacked, it won't be in a-"

"Hand, Mr Potter!"

At the sound of the bell, I got up and walked out of the classroom. I didn't even ask for permission, at this rate, the woman was about to explode and I didn't have time for that. Dean started talking as I left the room. I climbed the stairs and found myself at McGonagall's classroom door. She was teaching, I knocked and I was directed into her office, which I had come to be fairly familiar with over the last four years.

"Hello," I said to William Snow, my lawyer, feeling a little unsteady on my feet.

William gestured, "Take a seat."

I took a seat opposite William, "How's your wife?"

"She's nineteen weeks and both mum and baby are doing well."

"I'm glad to hear that," I smiled.

"So I've been in contact with both Mrs Weasley and Mrs Malfoy, they will organise amongst themselves how you will be transported to and from the hearing. I am here to ask you if there is anything you would like to say to your parents in person, or if there was anything you'd like to write to them or…"

"No." I said firmly.

William ticked something on a list, "Okay, would you like to read these letters from your mother-?"

"No." I repeated.

"I urge you to keep them, until such a time you feel ready to read them."

I took the letters and put them into my schoolbag, "And if I never feel ready…?"

"Then you never have to read them," William flicked over a page, "but I do imagine there will come a time you will be glad to have kept them." I could see he was looking at a business card attached to a piece of paper, "Do you feel you need a psychiatrist to talk to? You can talk to Maura Crothers again if you so wish."

I laughed, "No."

"And you know I have to ask… How was the rest of your summer?"

"Sunshine and daisies." I said sarcastically, "I'm doing better now, though."

"Would you be happy to have Mrs Weasley and Mrs Malfoy as your foster parents next summer?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Sure."

William shuffled some papers, the desk was slowly but surely filling with a range of documents all with the header Case #3120 Miss K Pink, "I've been talking with your parents' lawyer… Jeremy, I'm sure you remember him?"

"How could I forget?"

William handed me a piece of paper, "I have been discussing your settlement – the money that you get as compensation for-"

I got a shiver down my spine, I withdrew my hands and folded my arms, "There will never be enough money in all the world that would make this right." I felt my voice tremble, "Money cannot fix this. Money is the reason my parents did what they did in the first place. You are offering me their blood money; you know that?" I felt a lump at the back of my throat.

William set the document in front of me. It was a document highlighting the agreed compensation I would receive. William also converted that into Wizarding currency, "I know you don't want to think about it and I know you think that you will never get enough money in return for your childhood, but you need to seriously consider this offer."

"Okay," I nodded, "Can I get back to you on it?" I looked at the document for the first time and saw a round 6-figure sum. I knew my parents had much more money than this, I knew this was simply my cut that is shared amongst the rest of the victims and their families.

"Of course. Your final decision is needed by next Monday."

I nodded, "I just need to talk to a few people…"

"That's perfectly alright, it's good that you're talking to people about this, it's good that you have people that you can rely on to help." William nodded encouragingly, "Next Monday you are not required to do anything, but it is necessary that you are there with at least one guardian in attendance, you will be sitting with the other victims. This is an open sentencing, so other members of the general public will be there in the gallery, this includes reporters, so you need to be on your guard. You will be the person they are most anxious to meet, the muggle newspapers have been drafting stories for weeks, so surround yourself by people you can trust and don't go anywhere alone. Then the issue of your fostering will be managed in a separate court."

"You'll keep me right?" I asked, as the door opened behind us, "Harry?" I asked, "Professor? Everything okay?"

The door closed automatically behind them and McGonagall looked between William and myself, "Sorry…"

William stood, "No, no, don't worry, we're almost done."

I looked to Harry who was trembling in anger.

"So I'll see you on Monday, 9 o'clock, court one?"

"Yes." William quickly put all his papers into one pile, "Here are all the papers you need, please read them before Monday, if you have any further questions please don't hesitate to contact me."

"Thanks!" I said with a small smile. Then within a minute, William had Floo'd back to his office, "What did you do now?" I looked at Harry and shook my head.

"Well?" Professor McGonagall sat on her seat at her desk, where William had been not so long before. Harry sat down beside me, McGonagall persisted, "Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?"

My eyes widened and I looked to Harry who had gone pale, "Yes." Was his response.

"You called her a liar?"

"Yes." He said.

"You told her He Who Must Not Be Named is back?"

"Yes."

Professor McGonagall frowned at Harry, I felt like I was being a fly on the wall, "Have a biscuit, Potter."

"Have – what?"

"Have a biscuit," she repeated, pointing to the tartan tin on her table, I was all too familiar with that tin. Harry awkwardly took a bite out of a ginger newt and made himself comfortable. McGonagall was sizing Harry up, "Potter, you need to be careful." Her voice was crisp and stern, but it was also very human, the voice that she used when talking to me about my parents... She was being very serious.

"Misbehaviour in Dolores Umbridge's class could cost you much more than house points and a detention." She looked at me for the first time, "Yes, you got a mention in this letter, as well. Disrupting class, being rude, talking about personal issues in the middle of class, leaving class without permission…" she listed.

I smiled. I couldn't help it.

Harry had a look of confusion on his face, "What do you-?"

McGonagall snapped, "Potter, use your common sense! You know where she comes from, you must know to whom she is reporting."

"My best friend." I looked to Harry.

"It says here she's given you detention every night this week, starting tomorrow." McGonagall looked to Harry, "And you… You've a meeting with Umbridge after dinner?" McGonagall looked at me and shook her head, "I could always count on you two to cause trouble. Please don't wind her up."

"Every night this week?" Harry was outranged, "But Professor, couldn't you-?"

"No, I couldn't," she said flatly.

"But-"

"She is your teacher and has every right to give you detention. You will go to her room at five o'clock tomorrow for the first one. Just remember: tread carefully around Dolores Umbridge."

Harry yelled, "But I was telling the truth! Voldemort is back, you know he is; Professor Dumbledore knows he is-"

"For heaven's sake Potter!" McGonagall straightened her glasses, "Do you really think this is about truth or lies? It's about keeping your head down and your temper under control!" McGonagall then looked at me, "And that goes for you, too. I know what you're like, Kathryn. Do not give that woman any reason to cause you any added anguish."

She and Harry stood. I was a little taken aback, standing a little slower than them. McGonagall and Harry shared a few words about Umbridge's speech, McGonagall, Harry, Ron, Hermione and I were all on the same page. Dolores Umbridge is dangerous.

"In the instance of full emotional disclosure." I thumped down McGonagall's letter to me on the table as George was sitting down enjoying his dinner.

He jumped.

I sat down and sighed, "I am having an awful day."

George served me some steak pie, mashed potato and sweetcorn, "What happened?" then he read the letter, "Oh… Are you okay?"

"Not particularly…" I played with my food more than ate, "I feel sick thinking about it…"

"But that'll be the last time you ever have to see them." George rubbed my back, "That'll be it over, for good."

I looked up at him, "But what if it's not? What if they get out early? What if they've hired someone from inside?" I was shaking, "They know people… They've seen me…"

"You're being ridiculous!"

"No, I'm not, George." I said sternly, "I know these people, I know what they're capable of."

"You're just being paranoid."

"Someone is out to get me, George, I can sense it…"

George chuckled, "Now you're starting to sound like you've gone mad! You need to relax, Katy, take a few deep breaths, think… it all over…"

"Mad?" I stood abruptly, "Mad? Seriously?"

I could see the look of instant regret in George's eyes. I shook my head at him. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out: he was conflicted. As I was about to walk out of the Great Hall, I heard a "Hem-hem" coming from behind me.

Through clenched teeth I turned and looked at Professor Umbridge, "Time for your meeting, now, Miss Pink." Her voice was high but filled with multiple threats.

I had to swallow my pride, "Of course, shall we walk together?"

"Certainly." Her smile was so wide and fake.

"So how are you liking the job so far?" I asked, desperate not to have any awkward silences that she could fill with punishments or further reasons to hate me.

"I didn't think I'd ever find myself back in a classroom again, but here we are, teaching all you lovely students." She did a high pitched laugh exactly like her 'hem-fricken-hem."

We entered her office, it was pink and covered in what looked like side plates with moving cats on them attached to the walls. She had a wooden chair in front of her desk. I took a seat. It took everything I had not to lose it with her as she told me, "You are a troubled little girl, your parents must have been very mean to end up in court!" she talked to me as though I was five, "Tea, dear?"

"Oh, no thanks."

"What was it your parents did?" When I didn't answer immediately she added a follow-up question, "They're muggles, aren't they? And that makes you a Muggleborn."

The way she said it made me shiver. She hated me for my blood status. I nodded courtly with clenched teeth.

"The Minister and I have been discussing you over the summer." HEM-HEM, "Cornelius reported that you have a short temper, Miss Pink, and that you have no manners when talking with superiors. I can help you with that, this year I will teach you respect. I will also teach you that the Minister is right, and you and your little friends are wrong. Together, I will mould you into the model student, and you will obey."

Well if I ever heard bullshit, the time is now.

"There will be nothing you do that goes unnoticed, no conversation unheard, no letter unread, no action missed." She showed her pointed teeth to me, "There will be consequences for acting carelessly. I am watching you, Miss Pink." She threatened, "You will learn that there is nothing you can do about it. That sounds like a splendid idea, doesn't it? Hem-hem."

The range of profanities on the tip of my tongue, dying to be spoken were innumerable. I was in trouble, so much trouble. "Yes, Professor Umbridge." I forced myself to say, "Whatever you feel is most appropriate."

"Lovely." She smiled widely, showing me all her sharp teeth, "We will meet at this time each Monday. We will dine together in my office after class, I will get to know you, and you, me. We are going to have so much fun." She stood and walked around her desk and placed a hand on my shoulder, and squeezed exactly on the stab mark just underneath my collarbone. I daren't cry out in pain. I forced the tears to return into my eyes. I will not show weakness, "As you are busy next Monday, we will meet the following Monday. You will have on my desk by next Sunday evening chapters one and two of the textbook written out four times for maximum retention. Hem-hem."

"Okay." I said quietly.

"You may go."

Fifteen minutes later, I found myself up in the owlery, looking at the copy of the Daily Prophet, page six. There was written about Sturgis Podmore:

Sturgis Podmore, 38, of number two, Laburnum Gardens, Clapham has been sentenced to six months in Azkaban. He has been charged with trespass and attempted robbery for attempted break-in to the Department of Mysteries on 31st August 1995. Mr Podmore refused to speak in evidence in front of the Wizengamot after being caught by watchwizard Eric Munch. Further information will follow.

I decided to write a letter to Tonks, I knew it had to be inconspicuous and seemingly talking about something else. That proved to be difficult, but this is the final draft,

Hey Sis,
Having the worst day… Met up with Mr Snow today about next Monday… I feel physically ill thinking about it. G thinks I'm going mad about it all. Also had a meeting with Professor Umbridge today, she's going to help me get back on track by teaching me etiquette, (which I'm really looking forward to) in the hope that I can be a model student. She knows all my points and how to help me do everything right. Isn't that great? She's just like a mother.
I'm glad the friendship route is going well for you. It'll only be a matter of time!
Hogsmeade weekend is 4th October. I could really do with some coffee and cake right now, though.
K-K x

I knew it was probably such a bad idea sending the letter, but I felt like I needed someone to talk to or I really would go mad. I then wrote to Molly,

Hey Molly,
Mr Snow said that he had been in contact with you and Narcissa and that you two were organising next Monday. I'd really appreciate it if you could make it. I'm really worried. There's so much happening and there's a lot of change going on.
Kathryn

Then I finally sent a letter to Narcissa, I could probably write a little more freely to her. I doubt messages to and from the Malfoys were screened.

Hey Auntie Cissa,
I had a meeting with Mr Snow today, he gave me the rundown of what is to happen on Monday. He said that you and Molly were sorting out what is happening with travel etc so I will expect a letter from one or both of you. I also wanted to say a huge thank you for the present this morning. It went down an absolute treat, they'll keep me going for a while, I'm sure. Draco and I are still friends, don't worry. We had our first potions lesson today and we successfully brewed the Draught of Peace, I could certainly do with a vial to keep my nerves at bay! Can't wait to see you next Monday.
Kathryn

I couldn't imagine anything worse than going back to the Common Room, so I continued sitting outside in the cool night air and started on my DADA homework, which was unfortunately a grin-and-bare sort of homework. I had so much going on in my head that I felt like I was going to explode. I had Umbridge who seemingly knew a lot more about me than I wanted. McGonagall who was warning me about my behaviour. Tonks who is clearly concerned. George who thinks I'm bonkers and friends that argue with the new professors and get a name for themselves or get detention for a week. Then on top of all that, I've a mountain of homework and a court case to keep me ticking over. I was done before I had even started. I knew that wasn't the attitude, but I thought to myself, if I can make it through summers of hell, I can pretty much do anything.

I went back to the common room as the sun had almost set and I was just able to manage my way back indoors again. It was just after 2100. I had managed to do a whole copy of chapter 1, my hand was numb, I was cold and exhausted, both physically and mentally. On climbing into the portrait, I was met by Hermione who was arguing with the twins and Lee Jordan, Ron who was telling her to back off and Harry, who was desperately hoping there wouldn't be another argument between Ron and Hermione. There was complete silence from both sides of the argument/ discussion upon seeing me. I walked quickly towards the stairs up to my dorm, but George caught me and wrapped his arms tight around my waist.

"I'm sorry, Katy, I'm so so sorry…" George kissed the top of my head countless times, "I didn't mean it, I swear, I know you're under a lot of pressure at the minute…"

I couldn't hold it in any longer. My whole body shuddered. George brought me over to the seat in the corner that is quite private. He sat down and I sat on his knee, placing my head on his shoulder, I sobbed my heart out. I couldn't bring myself to tell him the full story, not with the threat from Umbridge looming over me.