3rd September

Today started off with double Charms followed by double Transfiguration. Both Professors Flitwick and McGonagall gave the same chat we experienced yesterday, that the exams at the end of this year matter deeply for our future careers. "So if you haven't already given serious thought to your careers, now is the time to do so…" Flitwick said.

We spent an hour revising Summoning Charms, which were bound to come up in the exam, according to Flitwick. The lesson was rounded off by setting a mountain of homework. Transfiguration was worse. We were learning vanishing spells today. I wish I could have stood and tapped the wand on my own head instead of the poor snail and vanished. That would be cheating as an invisibilia, but that would have meant I would have been better than Little Miss Perfect, Hermione Granger who sat beside me, who continually outdid me in every class. Hermione was the only person not given homework, we were all to practice overnight.

Harry, Ron and I, who were now freaking out about the serious amount of homework we had piling up, spend the entire lunch hour in the library researching the properties of moonstone in potion-making. Hermione didn't join us, apparently she and Ron had an argument about House Elves and woolly hats. They weren't talking again. Surprise, surprise.

I tried to get by the rest of the day by keeping my head down. In Care of Magical Creatures, I drew a picture of the Bowtruckle we had been given to study. Draco was having a go about Hagrid, but I didn't have the energy to get riled up about it. Next was Herbology, with another lecture about O.W.L.S. from Professor Sprout. Ernie Macmillan extended his support to Harry, claiming that he believed You-Know-Who was back. I was wondering why he had been so interested in talking to me about it yesterday in Muggle Studies. I thought he was just trying to copy my work…

Smelling of Dragon dung, I went into the Great Hall for some dinner. After my first mouthful of mince, Ange arrived with a temper, "Oi, Potter!"

"What now?" Harry muttered wearily.

"I'll tell you what now." She marched straight up to him, poking him hard in his chest with her finger, "How come you've landed yourself in detention for five o'clock on Friday?"

"What?" said Harry, "Why… oh yeah, Keeper tryouts!"

Ange snarled, "Now he remembers! Didn't I tell you I wanted to do a tryout with the whole team, and find someone who fitted in with everyone? Didn't I tell you I booked the Quidditch Pitch specially? And now you've decided you're not going to be there!"

"I didn't decide not to be there!" Harry was stung, "I got detention from that Umbridge woman, just because I told her the truth about You-Know-Who."

"Well, you can just go straight to her and ask her to let you off on Friday," Ange said fiercely, "and I don't care how you do it. Tell her You-Know-Who's a figment of your imagination if you like, just make sure you're there!"

She stormed away.

Fred and George caught the brunt of the yelling match against Harry. I shook my head at them.

"You know what?" Harry said to the three of us, "I think we'd better check with Puddlemere United whether Oliver Wood's been killed during a training session, because Angelina seems to be channelling his spirit."

"What d'you think the chances are of Umbridge letting you off on Friday?" Ron asked Harry sceptically.

"None." Was my response, "Don't even try."

By the look on Harry's face, he was going to ignore my advice, "I hope she doesn't keep me too long this evening. You realise we've got to write three essays, practice Vanishing Spells for McGonagall, work out a counter-charm for Flitwick, finish the Bowtruckle drawing and start that stupid dream diary for Trelawney?"

Harry left the dinner table at five to five for his detention. Hermione and I took a desk in the library. We didn't say a word to each other apart from the odd thank you as we passed books to and from each other. I managed to get my Muggle Studies two-foot essay done, another two copies of chapter one for Umbridge, I had finished the drawing of the Bowtruckle in class. Then Hermione and I were told that the library was closing and we went up to the Common Room to practice the Vanish Spell (Hermione wanted to help and I let her). I was done in by the time I had mastered it. Hermione knew I was cheating when I touched the snail myself, but was mesmerised nonetheless by my ability.

7th September

I showed Umbridge my work at the staff table this afternoon at lunch, "Is there anything else you'd like me to do for tomorrow?" I asked quietly, trying not to draw attention to myself, knowing that I had to be nothing but respectful. I was exhausted and was praying for a break.

Umbridge took a look at my work and nodded, "There will be a class test Monday after next on these texts, I advise you prepare well and we will have our little chat as discussed afterwards."

"Okay, thank you Professor." I said, taking the notes that I had spent HOURS writing and turned my back.

"Kathryn?" I heard my name being called out, I turned to see McGonagall beckon me towards her.

"Yes, Professor?"

"You look exhausted," she said before standing and coming around the table, "Good luck for tomorrow. Have you got everything sorted? Your outfit?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

McGonagall smiled, "Here are letters with the extra details you may need, you will be at my office tomorrow morning at 0830, straight after breakfast where you will be meeting Mrs Malfoy. She will take you to court and Mrs Weasley will return you back to my office whenever everything is over. Make sure and follow the instructions carefully," McGonagall hugged me tight and whispered, "and don't show anyone the letters." She let go, "Spend this evening with friends, don't worry about anything. My office door is always open."

"Thanks." I nodded again, not sure what else to say, I had a bunch of letters in my hand and Umbridge was eyeing them up like they were solid gold. I put them in a safe place for reading later on.

I found myself alone that afternoon in my dorm room, the boys were down having a Quidditch practice (yes, Ron got onto the team) and Hermione was finishing off the last of her DADA work. I told Hermione I just needed a minute to sort my outfit. I explained the least amount of information possible to Lavender, Fay and Parvati for them to be contented. They got the idea that I wanted to be left alone. I opened my diary, where I had put the letters and read the first,

Kathryn,
Sorry I am replying so late, I had to approve everything with Professor McGonagall. She said we will meet on Monday morning at 0830 in her office. We will then apparate into London. It has been agreed that Mrs Weasley will return you back to Hogwarts that evening. Everything will be completed by early evening. Don't worry about a thing. I've got everything sorted.
It was my pleasure sending you the chocolates. I hope school is going well.
Catch up on Monday,
Auntie Cissa

I opened the next letter,

Kathryn dear,
Narcissa will be taking you to court on Monday morning. She will pick you up from Minerva McGonagall's office and side-along apparate with you to get you into the courthouse safely. I will be returning you back to Hogwarts that evening. I aim to arrive at court for 9 o'clock, but don't worry if I am slightly late. I will be there, I promise.
Molly xxx

I felt slightly more at ease now that I had the beginnings of a plan. I lay on the bed, looking up at the ceiling, focusing on my breathing. I still had no idea what I was going to do with regards to settlements or what I'd do if I was given to another family for the holidays as a foster child. I imagined being stuck with Crabbe or Goyle. I'd definitely lock myself up in my room for a while if that happened, and I'd definitely embrace Draco coming over to visit all the time. Or I suppose I could be fostered by a lovely couple who have grown up children, perhaps they'd let me bake and – I sound pathetic. I know. Panic was beginning to set in. I felt something warm up the bedsheets beside me. My diary was roasting hot… I knew that could only mean one thing…

G: Help required down on the Quidditch pitch. Ange is going to drop our new keeper before he plays his first match. That, and Malfoy and his cronies are here causing havoc as usual. I know you'd find great joy in sorting them out for us. Pretty please with a kiss (or two)?

I couldn't help but laugh. George assumed that I knew how to handle Draco when he was playing up. He was right.

Ten minutes later I was down at the Quidditch pitch and saw Ron practicing with the team – I found out he was the new keeper whenever he went down for practice this evening – I swear no one tells me anything these days!

"Draco? What are you doing here?" I played it cool. He was there with Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy Parkinson. They were cheering loudly as Ron missed another save as Alicia threw it straight past him. Angelina looked as though she was at her wits end but was playing the supporting coach well. "Stop – stop – STOP!" she screamed.

Perhaps not.

"Ron – you're not covering your middle post!" she yelled at the top of her lungs. Katie had a bloody nose. The Slytherins were laughing and chanting more and more. I felt like I had walked into someone else's nightmare. Most likely Ron's. Ron was as red as the Quaffle and was clearly struggling to gel with his new team with Draco being such a prat.

"Oh… sorry…" Ron apologised.

Harry was looking around desperately; he must have a snitch floating about somewhere nearby.

"You keep shifting around while you're watching the Chasers!" Ange explained, "Either stay in centre position until you have to move to defend a hoop, or else circle the hoops, but don't drift vaguely off to one side, that's how you let in the last three goals!"

Oops.

"Sorry," Ron repeated.

"And Katie, can't you do something about that nosebleed?"

I could see her wiping her nose with her robes, "It's just getting worse!" I then saw Fred and George fumbling about with items in their pockets. I had no doubt that they were testing their sweets on her. I really wanted to help her, but I was suddenly distracted.

"Gryffindor are losers, Gryffindor are losers!" The Slytherins who were right beside me started chanting. They were really doing my head in, never mind putting the team off their practice. I doubt anyone would turn up to their practice and be so obnoxious.

I marched straight over to Draco, who had ignored me first time I addressed him, "Fun's over folks." I said, hands on hips. I meant business.

"Free country, Pink," Pansy at least acknowledged me, "Besides, Weasley is farrrr too entertaining. He's given her a bloody nose, he has only managed to save one single goal and can't catch a Quaffle to save himself! This is comedy gold."

"Do you know what else is entertaining?" I smiled threateningly, I just had a fantastic idea and took my wand out.

Pansy took out her wand and waved it about threateningly, "I'll give you a detention if you're not careful."

"Do I look like I'm worried?" I shot right back at her, "Draco," I approached him and got up in his face.

"What do you want?" he tried looking past me. He pushed me out of his way.

I shoved him back, "Excuse me?" I clicked my fingers in front of his face, "Yo. Attention, to me, Malfoy."

"Gryffindor are losers! Gryffindor are losers!" Draco started chanting again.

"I'm afraid you leave me no choice." I grabbed him by the ear and dragged him off the pitch.

"AHHH! AHHH! AH! AHHH! KATHRYN! LET GO! AOWW! KATHRYN! PLEASE! LET GO! AHH! AOWW!" Draco moaned and complained the whole walk, trying to fight me off.

Draco grimaced as I let go. He could see by the look on my face that I was not one bit amused, "I'm going to tell father about this."

"Go for it." I challenged, "I really couldn't give a shit, Draco. Those-" I pointed back in the direction of the Gryffindors, "Are my friends and you are being an absolute arsehole and they shouldn't have to deal with you and your stupid f*cking chants. Now f*ck off and leave them alone or I swear Draco-"

"Alright, alright! I'll go!" Draco left the pitch, cronies and all. He knew I was not in the mood and would physically fight him if I had to.

Pansy gave me a look that could kill, "Another toe across the line, Pink, and I'll put you in detention myself."

"Write a letter to my parents, they'll really care." I suggested as she made her way up the hill, "They'll take on your parents and have them dead in their sleep. And make it look like an accident. See how cocky you are then! Eh?"

"KATIE!" I heard Alicia cry out.

When I turned my back I could see a chalk-white version of Katie who was covered in her own blood, "What on earth have you done now?" I shook my head as I approached Fred and George who were holding up a limp Katie, "Move!" I shouted, "MOVE! We need to get her up to Madam Pomfery!" I hopped onto Katie's broom and took her up to the Hospital Wing with Fred and George on either side, keeping me stable. I flew straight through the front doors to the Hospital Wing.

"Bleeding potion, Madam Pomfery, she's taken a knock to the nose and these two have probably made it worse." I sat her down on the bed, pinched her nose and got a kidney dish to catch the excess blood.

"We think she's taken a blood blisterpod by accident."

Madam Pomfery looked at me and shook her head, "I've got her, can you grab me the haemofumate solution and pour out some into the medicine cup?" I ran into her cupboard and summoned the bottle from high up as Madam Pomfery administered some of the potion to stop the bleeding. I handed over the solution and waited for Katie's nose to stop bleeding.

"It's not working, is it?" I questioned, "What's the next choice?"

"Blood replenishment potion." She said and I hurried into the cupboard. The cupboard had an anti-stealing jinx on it, meaning that I had to go into the tiny room to get everything as Madam Pomfery's hands were both in use. I grabbed the potion and Madam Pomfery poured it down Katie's throat which brought her round to being conscious again. There was so much blood.

"Erm… Madam Pomfery, what about tranexamic acid?"

"Yes!" she said, "Top shelf."

I brought out the liquid-tablets and Katie took them and the bleeding stopped, and so my heart rate slowed.

"That is what you want, boys." I chucked them a few tablets from the bottle and said, "Next time you experiment, don't do it on your teammates." I was cross, "How did you plan on-"

"Katy, Ron hit her with the Quaffle by accident, we were just trying to help!" George was treading carefully.

Fred took a step forwards, "If there's anyone to blame, it's me… I was the one who gave her the chew." He looked pale, he had seen me annoyed before.

Then Katie sat up in bed, "Look, I'm fine, Kathryn, don't worry! It was me who took the sweet, don't get annoyed at them, they were only trying to help so that I wouldn't have to miss the entire practice."

"So you mean I threatened two prefects for… this?" I shook my head, "I am literally going to be in so much trouble." I accidently rubbed my face with my bloodstained hands.

Katie laughed, "You look like something out of a horror movie."

I stared at the remainder of blood on my shaking hands and looked up at George. He quickly summoned a towel and soap and immediately started cleaning me up before I looked down at myself and freaked out. "Are you okay?" he kept repeating.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I repeatedly responded, my outfit was covered in blood splatters.

"Look, I'm sorry for bringing you into the middle of it all. If Malfoy starts waving the detention card, you can tell his mother tomorrow or mine and they'll have it sorted in seconds... I just thought getting you down to sort them out would have helped you think about something else other than tomorrow." George apologised.

I shook my head disbelievingly, "You certainly took my mind off it." Then I looked to Katie, "Don't let them leave until they grovel. Fred's lip quivers when he's afraid and George," I went over to her and whispered that his eyes go all unfocused, "I'd also expect a full escort back up to Gryffindor Tower." I smirked.

Katie smiled, "I think I can manage that."

George grabbed my hand as I walked by, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I have a letter to read," I said, "I'll see you in the Common Room."

George called after me, "You just avoided my question."

"I'm really hormonal right now." I tried to stop myself from crying, "I'm angry at the Slytherins, scared that she was going to bleed to death, petrified of what's going to happen tomorrow, concerned that Draco and Pansy might actually file a restraining order against me and elated that I told them where to stick it. There also happens to be a-hundred-and-one other things going on in my head right now." I swallowed the lump at the back of my throat, but couldn't manage to stop my chin from quivering, "I think I just need a minute." I nodded and left the hospital wing.

I avoided talking to everyone at all costs. I just walked straight past everyone as though I was actually invisible. I focused all my energy into wondering who the third letter was from. I shed a tear or two when I got up safely to the confines of my bed and wrapped the curtains around myself. Merlin I was so hormonal. I summoned a chocolate bar from the pile Narcissa sent me and ate it as though I had never tasted anything like it. Then after taking time to chill myself out, I smiled widely as I opened the third letter,

Sis!
Got your letter. I've handed this letter to Minerva directly, so keep it very safe. Please don't worry about Monday, I will try to be there in disguise to make sure that you make it through the day. I will be disguised as a reporter and will be wearing a red headband. I know you'll be sensible in how you interact with me when Narcissa is around. She must not find out who I am. I hope that my presence will bring you comfort.
I'm guessing your last letter was suggesting that fifth year has been a lot harder than it's meant to be so far? This new Umbridge woman is trouble, but Minerva has already told me she has warned you and Harry. You need to tell me exactly what she has done. Is she trying to use you as a pawn? Has she hurt you? You say that she was just like a mother, I'm assuming that she is just like your mother and that can never be good. Remus said for you to keep your head down, keep studying, don't react to anything she does. Sirius wants to give you advice that I don't want to tell you, it involves you and I quote 'having a bloody good laugh'. Hopefully that'll bring you a smile.
Everything with the Order is much the same. We're still guarding the Prophesy despite the added Ministry security. Fudge is making life very difficult for us.
Keep an eye out for Harry as well. I know this is a lot to ask when you've so much on your mind, but he will talk to you before he tries to write a coded message to Sirius. Thanks for the heads up about Lucius. He has been acting suspiciously as well recently. Any ideas?
I know I haven't known you long, and I probably have no right to say this, but I feel oddly close to you, so I'm just going to say it… Look after yourself. Eat at mealtimes (I have informants within Hogwarts, you know). Don't be afraid to tell George what's been going on. He's worried about you. You can trust him with anything. You can also talk to me if there is anything you need.
Tonks x

I got up off the bed and skipped steps as I went down into the Common Room, I knew what to do. "George?" I interrupted his deep conversation with Fred and Lee, they were discussing the Quidditch practice where they were training up Ron, "I need to talk to you."

He put an arm around me as soon as he saw me, "What is it?" I could see the concern in his eyes, even Fred stopped talking to look at me.

"I need to go to McGonagall," I said, "And I'm bringing you and…" I looked around the Common Room, "Hermione?" I called out.

"Yeah?" she came over to me, "What's wrong?"

"We're going to McGonagall, you will ask no questions and you will both be supportive because I am trusting you with this information, alright?" I then walked out of the common room, armed with my diary straight to McGonagall's office where I knocked on the door.

"Enter." She said.

I took a deep breath as I opened the door, "I need some advice."

"Miss Pink!" McGonagall fixed her glasses on her nose, she was seemingly half way through a pile of essays, "What can I do for you… Mr Weasley and Miss Granger? Take a seat."

I pulled the seat forwards and sat very business-like, "Professor, in my meeting last week with Mr Snow he offered me a settlement for all the stuff with my parents. I need to know what I should take and what you think I should be owed. I've never had money of my own and I've never had this much responsibility on my shoulders and I haven't talked to anyone because they've either been busy or stressed and I just-"

"Want some advice? Kathryn… why didn't you come to me sooner? I can't help you if you don't tell me what is on your mind." McGonagall looked at me with concern in her eyes, she could probably see how my emotions were completely up the left.

I opened my diary and laid down the papers, "Wanna be mumma one and three are two extremes of people and I thought mumma number two would be the least biased." I handed McGonagall the official document.

Her eyes widened, "You need to accept this offer." She said before catching herself on, "I would advise that you take this, it's a life-changing sum of money, you could live comfortably until you get yourself on your feet."

George put a hand on my lower thigh, "How much is the offer?"

I turned to him, "Just over 20,000 galleons."

"Wow." George said, putting a hand on his neck.

"Or £100,000 in muggle money," I looked to Hermione, "if I accept this, they've won."

"No, they haven't Kathryn…" McGonagall had her motherly voice on, "They've lost, they're going to muggle prison tomorrow for a long time. You've won."

Hermione moved the chair to face me, "You've been freaking out about this all week, haven't you?"

"You've been awfully quiet…" George took my hand, "And just then you were a complete mess of emotions, Katy I've told you this, you can't bottle everything up! You tend to throw yourself into work whenever you're worried about something…"

"Of course." I said in almost a whisper, then I looked over my shoulder, I lifted my diary and flicked back to where I had written about Umbridge. I set it down on the desk and said, "I have nothing to hide." I looked from McGonagall, to George and then to Hermione, the three of them read my account one by one.

McGonagall nodded, "I have been speaking with your sister. She has made me aware of your concerns, please let her know this tomorrow."

"I don't know what to do." The lump reappeared at the back of my throat.

"She will not hurt you, Kathryn." McGonagall said.

I looked to George and said, "She knows where my scar is, she knows she can hurt me, I shouldn't have acted like I did or I wouldn't be in this mess."

"She won't hurt you, Katy."

"It's only a matter of time, I can feel it." I said, "And there's nothing I can do about it. Because she's up there and I'm way down there." I accentuated Umbridge's role in Fudge's office and how I'm a nobody, "But I wanted to let you all know how I'm feeling."

Hermione leaned forwards, "What she did in class wasn't fair, but we're going to keep our heads down. Harry had lines to do, she kept him in for hours. We don't need that happening to us as well."

"Miss Granger's right, you need to keep cool and calm and don't do anything irrational." She gave me a look; I knew exactly what she meant. I had a tendency to say exactly what is on my mind.

"Well, I'm feeling a lot lighter now…" I nodded and stood, "I can now focus my concerns on normal teenage things, like passing exams and boyfriends and stuff." I smirked, "Thanks for your advice."

McGonagall smiled, "Any time."

Hermione, George and I had dinner then went back up to the Common Room and I found some space in my head to think about homework. It was better than sitting watch Hermione knit hats to free house elves (yes, this is her new thing) who was talking to Ginny who was barely keeping her eyes open and soon went up to bed. George kissed my forehead and told me to at least try to get some sleep before heading up to bed himself.

"Do you reckon Hermione would help us with Sinistra's essay?" Ron asked Harry and me, looking over his shoulder longingly for Hermione to take pity.

"No," Harry and I both said.

"Besides," I continued, "It's really not that difficult."

Ron gave me a look, "Well, you do my essay then."

"Do you not think I've got enough work of my own to be getting on with? I've already done double the work for Umbridge this week!" I tried not to get riled up. He knew it was just my nerves and stopped talking to continue writing.

I found myself in a bit of a daydream as Hermione came over to the table and decided, after all, to take pity on the boys. She relished it. Whilst Hermione corrected Harry's work, Hermes arrived at the window bestowing a letter from his owner, Percy.

Dear Ron,

I have only just heard (from no less a person than the Minister for Magic himself, who has it from your new teacher, Professor Umbridge) that you have become a Hogwarts prefect.
I was most pleasantly surprised when I heard this news and must firstly offer my congratulations. I must admit that I have always been afraid that you would take what we might call the "Fred and George" route, rather than following in my footsteps, so you can imagine my feelings on hearing you have stopped flouting authority and have decided to shoulder some real responsibility.
But I want to give you more than congratulations, Ron, I want to give you some advice, which is why I am sending this at night rather than by the usual morning post. Hopefully you will be able to read this away from prying eyes and avoid awkward questions.
From something the Minister let slip when telling me you are now a prefect, I gather that you are still seeing a lot of Harry Potter. I must tell you, Ron, that nothing could put you in danger of losing your badge more than continued fraternisation with that boy. Yes, I am sure you are surprised to hear this - no doubt you will say that Potter has always been Dumbledore's favourite - but I feel bound to tell you that Dumbledore may not be in charge at Hogwarts much longer and the people who count have a very different - and probably more accurate - view of Potter's behaviour. I shall say no more here, but if you look at the Daily Prophet tomorrow morning you will get a good idea of the way the wind is blowing - and see if you can spot yours truly!
Seriously, Ron, you do not want to be tarred with the same brush as Potter, it could be very damaging to your future prospects, and I am talking here about life after school too. As you must be aware, given that our father escorted him to court, Potter had a disciplinary hearing this summer in front of the whole Wizengamot and he did not come out of it looking too good. He got off on a mere technicality if you ask me and many of the people I've spoken to remain convinced of his guilt.
It may be that you are afraid to sever ties with Potter - I know that he can be unbalanced and, for all I know violent - but if you have any worries about this, or have spotted anything else in Potter's behaviour that is troubling you, I urge you to speak to Dolores Umbridge, a really delightful woman, who I know will be only too happy to advise you.
This leaves me to my other bit of advice. As I have hinted above, Dumbledore's regime at Hogwarts may soon be over. Your loyalty, Ron, should be not to him, but to the school and the Ministry. I am very sorry to hear that so far Professor Umbridge is encountering very little cooperation from staff as she strives to make those necessary changes within Hogwarts that the Ministry so ardently desires (although she should find this easier from next week - again, see the Prophet tomorrow!). I shall say only this - a student who shows himself willing to help Professor Umbridge now may be very well placed for Head Boyship in a couple of years!
I am sorry that I was unable to see more of you over the summer. It pains me to criticise our parents, but I am afraid I can no longer live under their roof while they remain mixed up with the dangerous crowd around Dumbledore (if you are writing to Mother at any point, you might tell her that a certain Sturgis Podmore, who is a great friend of Dumbledore's, has recently been sent to Azkaban for trespass at the Ministry. Perhaps that will open their eyes to the kind of petty criminals with whom they are currently rubbing shoulders). I count myself very lucky to have escaped the stigma of association with such people - the Minister really could not be more gracious to me - and I do hope, Ron, that you will not allow family ties to blind you to the misguided nature of our parents' beliefs and actions either. I sincerely hope that, in time, they will realise how mistaken they were and I shall, of course, be ready to accept a full apology when that day comes.
Please think over what I have said most carefully, particularly the bit about Harry Potter, and congratulations again on becoming prefect.

Your brother,
Percy

"That just proves he's a complete arsehole." I said as Ron ripped the letter to shreds, chucking the remains into the fire, "And how dare he? Fred and George are-" I stopped myself, "I'm actually surprised he hadn't mentioned me! I appear to be greatest enemy number 2 when it comes to Fudge and Umbridge."

"I'm assuming I'm number 1?" Harry asked.

"Harry, you'll always be number 1, sweetheart." I winked sarcastically.

He pursed his lips, he knew he walked straight into that one, "Shut up."

"I wonder what will be in the paper tomorrow?" Hermione wondered aloud.

"I'm bound to be front cover of all muggle newspapers." I answered and Hermione went silent.

The clock struck midnight as I finished my essay, and Hermione had finished giving out her tips and changes to the boys' essays. She basically re-wrote Ron's, but that was no surprise.

"Hermione," Ron said in a loving way, "you are honestly the most wonderful person I've ever met, and if I'm ever rude to you again…"

"I'll know you've gone back to normal." Was her response.

I snorted slightly louder than intended. It was so obvious that the two of them had a thing for each other, but they were both completely blind to it.

Harry was on his knees on the floor, "Em, Harry, darling, are you feeling alright?" I set down my book and started looking into the fire like he was, "What are you looking at?"

"Sirius' head." Harry said, "He was there, I could have sworn!"

"I was starting to think you'd go to bed before everyone else has disappeared." Sirius' face appeared in full, "I've been checking every hour."

I smiled, "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes? To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"Well…" Sirius smirked jokingly before getting serious again, "This was the only way I could come up with of answering Harry's letter without resorting to a code – and codes are breakable."

"You didn't say you'd written to Sirius!" Hermione accused.

"I forgot!" Harry said.

Hermione looked as though she was about to argue but Sirius spoke over her, "Anyway, we'd better be quick, just in case we're disturbed – your scar."

"Your scar's hurting?" I asked Harry directly, "Why didn't you tell me?" I felt highly offended.

"You've had a lot on your mind this past week…" Harry began, but then sensed Sirius' urgency, "I'll tell you afterwards. Go on, Sirius."

Sirius continued, "Well, I know it can't be fun when it hurts, but we don't think it's anything to really worry about. It kept aching all last year, didn't it?"

"Yeah, and Dumbledore said it happened whenever Voldemort was feeling a powerful emotion. So maybe he was just really annoyed the night I was in detention." Harry reasoned, he hadn't mentioned his detentions with Umbridge to me, I assumed she was making him sit for hours on end staring at the four walls filled with kittens like I had.

"Well, now he's back it's bound to hurt more often," Sirius said.

Harry asked, "So you don't think it had anything to do with Umbridge touching me when I was in detention with her?"

"I doubt it," Sirius said, "I know her by reputation and I'm sure she's no Death Eater-"

I laughed, "Are you sure about that? She's a bloody nightmare. I'd even go as far to say that she's worse than Lucius." After a second of surprise, Harry, Ron and Hermione agreed with me.

"Yes, but the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters," Sirius responded with a wry smile, "I know she's a nasty piece of work, though – you should hear Remus talking about her – she drafted a bit of anti-werewolf legislation two years ago that makes it almost impossible for him to get a job."

I shook my head, "Please don't give me any more fuel to want to murder her on the spot."

Sirius smiled, "So what are her lessons like? Is she training you to kill half-breeds?"

"No," Harry said, "She's not letting us use magic at all!"

"All we do is read that stupid textbook." Ron added.

Sirius raised his eyebrows, "Ah, well, that figures, word from inside the Ministry is that Fudge doesn't want you trained in combat."

"Trained in combat?" The four of us repeated incredulously, and Harry continued, "What does he think we're doing here? Forming some sort of wizard army?"

Sirius nodded, "That's exactly what he thinks! That Dumbledore is forming an army of students in which to overturn the ministry."

"Count me in," I smiled, "Where do I sign up?"

Sirius smiled back at and shook his head, "Fudge thinks Dumbledore will stop at nothing to seize power. He's getting even more paranoid by the day. It's a matter of time before Dumbledore gets arrested on some trumped-up charge."

Harry then asked about Hagrid, who was still on his mission but was currently MIA, apparently Madame Maxime had gotten back and he still hadn't shown… "He's a big lad, he'll be grand." I tried to reassure as Sirius was trying to stop the other three freaking out about their friend. I always had the feeling that there would be no feelings lost between Hagrid and me if either of us disappeared, he never seemed particularly interested in me any way.

"Kathryn, your Northern Irish is escaping," Sirius grinned before addressing the four of us, "When's your next Hogsmeade weekend, anyway? I was thinking, we got away with the dog disguise at the station, didn't we? I thought I could-"

"NO!" Harry, Hermione and I all said together, very loudly.

"Sirius, didn't you see the Daily Prophet?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"Oh, that," Sirius was grinning, "they're always guessing where I am, they haven't really got a clue-"

I moved closer to the fire, "Did I or did I not make myself clear when we were at the train, Sirius?" I said seriously, "Lucius Malfoy knew it was you in animagus form. Draco knows it was you. And if you haven't already noticed, Lucius is a Death Eater who has a very big influence in the Ministry."

"Alright, alright, I've got the point." Sirius was not one bit amused.

"No, don't pull that crap with me, Sirius," I said threateningly, I found myself waving my finger about, "You can go back to Azkaban, no bother, it's no skin off my back. But don't say I didn't warn you. I'll take you out at Christmas, okay?"

Sirius looked at me in pure disgust, "Shouldn't you be going to bed? You'll be up early in the morning… big day." I knew exactly what he was trying to get at, but I wasn't going to let him get to me, he was just being spiteful.

Harry agreed, "Look, Sirius, you know we'd love to see you, but I just don't want you getting chucked back into Azkaban!"

"Well, I'd better get going, I can hear Kreacher coming down the stairs," he was clearly lying, "I'll write to tell you a time I can make it back into the fire, then, shall I? If you can stand to risk it?"

There was a tiny pop and Sirius' head disappeared. We bade each other goodnight.