2nd November cont'd…

Everyone was subdued at dinner, despite the win against Slytherin. George and I snuck into the Great Hall. George sat with Fred and I sat with Harry and Hermione.

"We thought you'd have seen Ron…" Hermione whispered.

"I saw him earlier; he just needs some time on his own." I came down a few notches from alone time with George, at least we had made up, this feast was just depressing.

She looked up at me, "And you? How are you? You just… disappeared."

I nodded, "Wasn't the easiest thing to watch."

"Sorry…" Harry mumbled from across the table, he began filling my plate with beef and mushroom pie, potatoes and roasted veg, and placed it in front of me, "Are you two okay again?"

"Yeah… I think I'm going to go to bed after this." I picked through my meal, craving a bowl of pasta with grated parmesan.

"Miss Pink?" Umbridge stood behind me, "My office. Now." She walked on.

I closed my eyes and sighed deeply.

"What did you do?" Hermione asked in a panic.

"Nothing." I said, "I genuinely have done nothing." I looked over at George who looked like he was poised, ready to steal me out of here, I wish I could have gone, but the repercussions were too much. "Get me a bowl of Murtlap, would you?"

Hermione touched my arm sympathetically as I left.

"Miss Pink, take a seat." She pointed at the desk, I wondered what I was being punished for this time. I took a few deep breaths and steadied myself, my wand, which was touching part of my skin, vanished at my will, so that if she searched, she wouldn't find it. "You may be wondering why you are here?"

I didn't say a thing.

"Earlier in the year, Professor McGonagall overruled me and you got away without a detention. Now I have Educational Decree Number Twenty-Five, which gives me the deciding vote, and I believe you should be punished. So… Hem-hem." She took out the Black Quill and smiled, "You will be writing 'I must work hard and remain focused' until I tell you to stop. Off you go."

I looked at the blank piece of parchment and forced myself to write. At least this time I knew what pain to expect. I was far off being immune to it, by any means, but I ploughed on, creating a whole new indent in my hand, above the words, 'I must avoid confrontation and defiance' which I couldstill read as clear as day. I could feel Umbridge's eyes bore into my head with the odd gasp and intake of breath as she enforced self-infliction of pain.

What helped me though this time, wasn't the bitterness I felt last time, but imagining her suffer. I imagined using flipendo a jinx that would knock her off her feet whenever my eyes started to water. I thought about the confundus charm and watching her walk about here completely clueless when my hand started to cramp. I snorted (but covered it up by pretending it was particularly painful) when I visualised the Tarantallegra spell,with her stubby little legs flying about in all directions. I listed the many spells I could use to blow her up with every line I wrote. My energy levels were quickly fading; with that, my imagination lacked and I was kept awake by the burning pain of my hand. The sky was black outside the window opposite me. There was a pool of my blood on the parchment in front of me, covering my, now, extremely untidy handwriting. The pain was starting to get a lot worse, now.

"Ma'am!" Filch burst through the door, nearly knocking me off my seat in surprise, "Ma'am! Hagrid is back! The gamekeeper!"

Umbridge put on her green tweed jacket and grabbed her handbag, "You may go, Miss Pink."

Back in Gryffindor Tower I saw George sitting beside the remains of the fire along with Fred, who was snoring. "You okay?" he asked, encouraging me to sit on his knee, "Hermione left this for you…" he handed me the bowl of Murtlap.

"Let me guess. She, Harry and Ron went out?" I asked, soaking my hand in the liquid. I moaned in relief.

"Yeah?" George said, reading the inscription on my hand, which had just been made clearer due to the lack of dried, matted blood. He didn't even ask why I needed to work hard and remain focused. He knew that she was trying to get to me. This time I was stronger. I had to be.

"Hagrid's back and they're about to get caught." I yawned, "I'm sure they'll have the cloak to hide themselves." I leant forwards and gently stroked Fred's head and he stirred, "Hey sleepy head," I whispered, "Why don't you go upstairs and get into bed?"

"Are you okay?" he said in a very deep voice, stretching.

I stood with the bowl, "Yeah, I'm just knackered, see you both in the morning. Thanks for sitting up for me."

6th November

Over the past few days all Harry talked about was about Hagrid and where he had received his injuries and what we were going to teach at the next DA meeting. Umbridge was on my case about Harry, Ron and Hermione visiting Hagrid that night when I was in detention with her. She still has no proof that they were actually there, may I add. I genuinely hadn't a clue that Hagrid was back. I'm getting a little bit sick of being her scapegoat.

In brief: Hagrid was sent by Dumbledore to befriend the Giants, to convince them to be on our side, rather than Voldy's. Madame Maxime had accompanied Hagrid, but they got separated on their journey home. They were unsuccessful in their bid to gain favour, when death eaters were there and seemingly doing a better job at 'wooing'. I am yet to see Hagrid, there is an unspoken dislike of his towards me, I don't know what it is, or what I've done, but I suppose Hagrid has never shown the same friendship towards me as Harry, Ron and Hermione. I guess I'm not Harry Potter, I'm not as gifted as Hermione and I'm not from a well-known wizarding family like Ron. I'm just plain, old, complicated me... Professor Grubbly-Plank is working her notice before Hagrid steps back into his role.

Harry had set the new fake Galleon for a meeting tonight.

"Kathryn…" Harry sighed at me when I told him that he could teach whatever he wanted, "You're one of my best friends…"

That was a first.

"You've been off with us these past few days…" It was like he couldn't find the words he wanted to say, but he continued, "I need your anger at Umbridge to be put into meetings to defeat her, not to beat yourself up."

"I'm not beating myself up." I stated very calmly, "Harry, I want to blow stuff up, well, more specifically Umbridge, but right now I'm just figuring out how I'm going to do it."

"I thought you could do with letting off a little steam." He smirked, "Get up." He took me by the hand and pulled me up, "Don't worry George, she'll still be in one piece when I'm done with her."

"Harry James Potter, you cannot say things like that!"

"Harry's already talked to me, it's fine!" George shouted from his usual window seat, "Enjoy yourself, let your hair down."

Harry took me up to the Room of Requirement. We went, not into the usual DA room, but into a room full of targets, dummies and old items that were rendered useless. There was an awful lot of pink, too.

"Bombarda." I spoke, pointing my wand at a plate with a cat on it, "Sorry, I hate those bloody things."

"Don't be sorry." Harry said.

"Confringo." I smirked, pointing my wand at a target, and it exploded into smithereens, "Okay, Harry, this feels good."

He smiled at me, sitting down on a soft seat at the door. I targeted one thing after another, I burned, exploded, wrecked and mangled and it felt so good. I had all this pent up rage that was slowly being released. In the distance I saw a dummy that was dressed similarly to Umbridge. "I wonder if I could sever its head off...?" I spoke aloud to myself, "diffindo."

The dummy's head, that was shaped to look like Umbridge's fell to the floor and disappeared with another flick of my wand.

An hour later there was a knock at the door, "How're you feeling, Katy?"

"Excellent." I couldn't help but smile.

"She's back." Harry clapped his hand on my shoulder and smiled, "Shall we teach everyone else 'reducto'?"

25th November

Homework kept the four of us indoors the majority of the time. Snow continued to fall and lie on the grounds of Hogwarts, giving off the illusion of us living in some sort of ice palace. It was breath-taking, but bitter cold, and I had no reservations about sitting in front of the fire when I had the opportunity. I'm a home comforts sort of girl.

Unfortunately, on Tuesday afternoons I have to bear the cold and go to Care of Magical Creatures class. I was wrapped up with a hat, scarf, gloves and two pairs of tights and was soaked through as we got down to Hagrid's hut.

Hagrid had a half-dead cow over his shoulder and was telling us that our lesson was going to take place in the Forbidden Forest, because 'they prefer the dark'.

"What prefers the dark?" Draco sounded scared, "What did he say prefers the dark – did you hear?"

Hagrid led us into the Forbidden Forest and happily told , "I've bin savin' a trip inter the Forest fer yer fifth year. Now, what we're studyin' is pretty rare, I reckon I'm probably the on'y person in Britain who's managed ter train 'em."

"And you're sure they're trained, are you?" Draco was panicking, "Only it wouldn't be the first time you brought wild stuff to class, would it?"

There was a murmur of agreement amongst the class. Draco did make a fair point. Harry, Ron and Hermione glared at me as I nodded.

"Course they're trained," Hagrid scowled.

"So what happened to your face, then?" Draco demanded.

I sniggered. That was the unspoken question.

"Mind yer own business!" Hagrid said angrily, "Now, if yeh've finished askin' stupid questions, follow me." I was grabbed by Harry as he made a move into the forest following Hagrid. I wasn't scared, but you always have to be on your guard in Hagrid's classes.

We walked for ten minutes into the trees until a point where the trees were so close together it was dark and no snow lay on the ground. Hagrid then deposited his half-dead cow sacrifice on the ground and stepped back to face the class, "Gather roun', gather roun'." He encouraged, "Now, they'll be attracted by the smell o' the meat but I'm goin' ter give 'em a call anyway, 'cause they'll like ter know it's me."

Hagrid let out a shrieking cry that echoed through the trees.

Nobody moved a muscle.

He did this two more times. Harry nudged Ron and me simultaneously and pointed his head in the direction of a pair of blank, white, shining eyes which were growing larger. I then recognised the familiar dragonish face, neck and then skeletal body of a great black winged horse. A thestral.

I heard Ron whisper, "Why doesn't Hagrid call again?"

Harry looked up at me and I leaned in, "They're thestrals and can only be seen by those who have seen someone die and understood what it was they saw." I went a round-a-bout way of explaining it, but Harry nodded slowly, the two of us not taking our eyes off the beasts for a second until Hagrid cleared his throat.

Harry's eyes widened.

Hagrid asked for those of us who could see the creatures to raise our hands. Hagrid nodded at Harry, glanced at me and looked more intently at Neville and Theodore Nott.

"Excuse me," Draco interrupted in a sneering voice, "But what exactly are we supposed to be seeing?"

Hagrid pointed at the carcass for his answer.

Half the class gasped. Parvati squealed, "What's doing it? What's eating it?" she retreated.

"Thestrals." Hagrid said proudly.

"Oh." Hermione spoke softly.

"But they're meant to be really, really unlucky!" Parvati interrupted, "They're supposed to bring all sorts of horrible misfortune on people who see them. Professor Trelawney told me once."

"Probably because those who are in the unfortunate position to be able to see them, have seen someone die, and they have had the emotional intelligence to process it as death." I spoke crossly, "Preceding misfortune, I may correct you."

Hagrid looked at me, "Tha's exactly right, ten points ter Gryffindor."

"Hem hem."

"Oh Merlin." I whispered.

Ron didn't even react, Umbridge vs Hagrid was never going to be a laughing matter.

It's safe to say that Umbridge's arrival was most unwelcome and Hagrid stuttered and stumbled throughout the rest of the class. It was brutal. Umbridge took any opportunity to humiliate him and exacerbate the situation. I stood silently and refused to say or do anything that might get me into trouble.

At the end of class, Harry, Ron and Hermione were not best amused at how Hagrid had been treated. They discussed Thestrals nonetheless, saying that, for Hagrid, Thestrals are pretty safe. "The way some people can see them and others can't!" Hermione sighed, "I wish I could!"

"Do you?" Harry and I both looked at her.

"Oh – I'm sorry – no, of course I don't – that was a really stupid thing to say."

"It's okay, don't worry." Harry said, "So you've been able to see them?" he asked me.

I nodded, "From the first time I saw them in second year. Nasty business seeing someone murdered. At least your way it wasn't as bloody, gutsy and gory, and contained a lot less stabbages." I shuddered, stepping into the Greenhouse. My hand drifted towards my shoulder, which gave a sympathetic pang of pain. I saw Harry watching me, "But I suppose, death is death is death. It sucks."

He nodded.

12th December

Dear Kathryn,
I hope you're well and working hard. Lucius and I are doing well. Thank you for your letter. I have baked the brownies to the recipe you sent, but they just aren't as good as yours. I think I'll try something else next… maybe chocolate cake?
I have already sent a letter to Mrs Weasley, but I think it's best that you stay with the Weasley's over Christmas. I imagine you will prefer to stay there. Don't worry, I'll still send you presents.
Love, Narcissa xxx

"Mum invited you to stay with us weeks ago!" Ron was reading the letter over my shoulder, "Can I ask what you put in those brownies that made her love you so much?" Ron asked, he lifted one of the brownie pieces from the box Narcissa sent and smelt it cautiously.

"Am I not a lovable sort of person?" I asked him, pulling a look of offence, making his cheeks go scarlet.

George stood behind me and skimmed over the letter, "You are extremely lovable, darling." He said in a posh accent, "But one does believe that one's brother was asking about one's secret ingredient?"

I rolled my eyes at him, "Secret ingredient."

Hermione's eyes widened, "You didn't put anything illegal in there, did you? I've heard a lot about certain ingredients being added to brownies…"

"What's life without a little fun?"

"You're starting to sound like Snuffles." Harry smirked, his fondness for his godfather showing.

"What do you really take me for?" I rolled my eyes once more, "I add in chocolate chips and fudge chunks."

"Can I pre-order some of those for my Christmas present?" Fred shoved George out of the way and started sucking up to me, "Pretty please?" he batted his eyelashes jokingly, "Just remember that I'm the best twin to your boyfriend ever."

I sniffed in a standoffish way.

"Oooooh." Ron gasped, "You just got burned."

I giggled, "Anything for you, dear." George had shoved Fred out of the way and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, "Gotta keep him sweet if we're wanting to get up to no good." I whispered.

The look on George's face said it all.

"Ron and I have to go…" Hermione said, grabbing a brownie, "They're nice, but are definitely missing something…" she talked whilst eating, "We're on corridor patrol, making sure the first and second years are behaving themselves. I wish the snow would hurry up and melt. Will I see you in the library afterwards?" Hermione asked me hopefully.

I nodded, grabbing my pile of books.

Ron groaned as he and Hermione got up to leave, "They're cheeky little snot-rags, you know, we definitely weren't that rude when we were in first year."

18th December

Harry and I went early to the Room of Requirement on the last DA meeting before Christmas to set things up. We had thought it best to go over all the spells we had learnt in the last number of weeks, to see improvements and to work out weaknesses. As we walked up to the seventh corridor together, we decided to go over the impediment charm first. Harry opened the door for me and I walked into the newly decorated DA room.

"OH HARRY!" I was in stitches, "HARRRRRRRYYYYYY LOOK-AT-THE-BAUBLES!"

Harry stood looking around the room in disbelief. One look at the golden baubles had set me off and I felt in no way able to hide my emotions.

"Dobby." Harry was in no way amused at the artful décor, "Take them down."

I was lying on the floor at this stage, clutching my chest, it was hurting too much to laugh, "NO, Harry, I want to leave them here!" I wiped my eyes with my sleeves, gasping for breath.

"KATHRYN!" Harry was very paranoid. The golden baubles that hung from the ceiling had a picture of his face and were bearing the legend 'HAVE A VERY HARRY CHRISTMAS!'. He quickly started vanishing all the baubles, "Seriously, Kathryn?"

After a while, I pulled myself together and started to vanish the golden, sparking baubles. Then I stashed a few into my bag, just if I ever needed any collateral in future. I glanced over at Harry and saw Mistletoe over his head, "Awk, darling, are you wanting a wee smooch?" I puckered my lips jokingly.

Harry sent me daggers, "You're lucky you're like my sister and I know you can joke about this sort of stuff, but…" he paused, "have you ever imagined us…?"

"Kissing?" I snorted, "NO! No… that would be weird."

Harry smiled, "I'm glad you feel the same way."

Luna walked in as Harry (thought he) had all the baubles vanished. She was quickly followed by Ange, Katie and Alicia, who looked frozen. I was grabbing cushions from the cupboard and placing them on the floor for everyone to sit on.

"So we've finally replaced you." Ange told Harry, looking disgruntled, throwing her cloak into the corner of the room impatiently.

"R-Replaced me?" Harry asked blankly.

Ange folded her arms impatiently, "We've a new seeker and two new beaters."

"Who?"

"Ginny Weasley." Katie replied. I had completely forgotten she was going to try-outs this evening. She wanted to keep it on the down-low, so that Ron, Fred and George wouldn't put her off.

Harry's chin dropped.

Ange pulled out her wand and flexed her arms, "Yeah, I know… She's actually pretty good. But nothing on you, of course. But we can't have you…" she threw him a very dirty look.

"Oi." I said, having finished setting up, "No need to be bitter, what is done is done, and Ginny will be great."

"I'm sure she will," Ange looked between Harry and me, "but the beaters… Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper. Neither of them are great, but compared to the rest of the idiots who turned up…" she sighed.

Ron, Hermione and Neville arrived next, allowing Harry and me to escape the depressing conversation. Fred, George and Lee arrived amongst others and the room filled quickly. Harry stood at the front and I joined him, "Okay," he opened the meeting, "I thought this evening we should just go over the things that we've done so far, because it's the last meeting before the holidays and there's no point starting anything before a three-week-break."

"We're not doing anything new?" came the voice of Zacharias Smith, in a disgruntled stage whisper, "If I'd known that, I wouldn't have come."

"We're all really sorry Harry didn't tell you, then." Fred said loudly.

Harry looked to me and I said nothing. He then addressed everyone after the sniggers stopped, "We can practise in pairs – we'll start with the impediment jinx for ten minutes, then we can use cushions and try Stunning again."

I stood at the front of the room as everyone followed Harry's orders. The cries of Impedimenta sounded throughout the room, and there was the odd giggle and sound of triumph between friends as they challenged each other. I watched as Neville froze Harry three times in a row. I saw the zealous look on Ron's face as he took on Hermione again. Harry then started walking around the room, his eyes often on Cho and the elegant wave of her wand. In the far corner were Ginny and Michael, who looked as though they were having a ball.

"You know," George had approached me without my recognition, "there's some mistletoe in the corner over there… I know a few moves that would put a smile on that gorgeous face of yours."

"Just because I'm not smiling, doesn't mean that I'm sad." I stated, placing my hair behind my ear, "I'm content, standing here, on my own, doing a spot of people watching." I continued, watching the actions of everyone else, "it's a good vantage point, making sure that I'm not going to get hit with a stray spell." I blocked one of Neville's impediment jinxes that was aimed at Hermione, "And yes, I did notice that particular bit of greenery in the far corner. That doesn't mean we have to kiss over there. You can kiss me right here if you like." I raised an eyebrow, my eyes locking his briefly.

"C'mere," George took a hold of my hand and brought me over to where Fred was standing, "This, brother, is how you kiss a girl…" George placed a hand on my lower back, bent me over backwards, leant over and kissed me passionately.

When George brought me back up to my feet, I was a little bit weak at the knees. Subconsciously, my finger graced my lips and I looked up at George, feeling a little bit shocked, but as I opened my mouth, I could only utter the word 'wow' before laughing at myself and how pathetic I was being. I placed my hand behind my neck, bit my lower lip and pointed in the opposite direction, "I'm just gonna…"

"How, after almost a year of you two being together, can you still make her breathless and she make you grin like an idiot?" Ange asked.

"Spontaneity." I smiled before returning to Harry where he decided to start practicing stunning spells. He split the group into two, as there wasn't enough room for everyone to practice at once. In the first group were Harry, Ron and Neville, Fred and Angelina, George and Lee, Luna and Justin, Padma and Parvati, Alicia and Katie. Whilst I stood watching as Harry instructed.

"Kathryn?" I heard my name being called by a small voice behind me.

I turned and saw a very shy looking Cho staring back at me, "Want me to talk you through it?" I asked. But I was confused, she never talked to me and I always let Harry talk to her, based on the fact that they both liked each other and well, I guess I really don't know the girl.

She nodded slightly and I showed her the wand movements. Marietta stood with her arms folded, not one bit amused. "Kathryn…" Cho sighed, "I want to ask you something…" she leaned in close, whispering into my ear.

"Yeah?" I leaned in closer.

Cho barely whispered, "You and Harry… you're friends, aren't you? Well, of course you are, it's just… are you or Hermione…?"

I looked at her quizzically, "Neither Hermione nor I are dating Harry, and neither of us are interested in him that way. Don't get me wrong, he's like one of our best friends but… no."

"Oh." Cho said, as though she was deep in thought, Marietta was tapping her foot impatiently, she was forced to come to these meetings and didn't enjoy her time here at all, that was obvious, "So…" Cho spoke awkwardly, "Is Harry seeing anyone at the minute?"

"No." I said plainly, "Off the record, I say talk to him and see what happens."

Cho gave me a shy smile, "Thanks."

At the end of the hour, Harry called the meeting to a halt, "You're getting really good," he addressed the group, "When we get back from the holidays we can start doing some of the big stuff – maybe even Patronuses."

There was a murmur of excitement. I was looking forward to learning how to produce a corporeal patronus as I had never been able to do so myself before. Then everyone left the Room of Requirement in groups of two and three, returning back to their Houses for the evening. I took it upon myself to help stack cushions and usher everyone out. One look to Hermione, told her to leave with Ron. Fred and George started talking to Harry about their newest product, but I cleared my throat loudly and they took the hint. At last, I had managed to get Harry and Cho alone. I closed the door behind myself and caught up with Fred and George.

"Match making, are we?" Fred asked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I smirked.

"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about." Fred eyed me up and down.

I shrugged my shoulders, "Well, what more do I have to do to get you and Ange together?"

"I'm working on it." He said firmly.

"Get a move on." I replied in a similar tone of voice as I climbed into the Gryffindor Common Room where I saw Hermione setting down a letter and rolling out some parchment. She was wearing a small smile on her face. She wore that look for one person only. Ron was lying on the hearthrug looking exasperated at a piece of parchment.

Fred grabbed my attention, "It took me four years to get you two together."

"Three years, three months and twenty-five days, I'll have you know." I smirked, raising an eyebrow.

George snorted.

"You both deserve to be happy, too, you know." I spoke sincerely, "It's nice having someone. To have a person. You don't know if you don't try."

"Where'd that come from?" Fred asked staring at me incredulously, "Since when do you care about my love life?" I sensed a little bit of hostility.

I held my hands in the air and backed off.

"Hey, mate, there's no need for that! Katy just wants what's best for you. You meddled long enough with us!" George stepped in, defending me.

I opened my mouth to speak, but stopped myself. I simply nodded. I stood on my tiptoes and pecked George on the cheek, summoned my radio from my dorm and sat down on the sofa in front of the fire and started copying out the textbook again for Umbridge.

"Hey, 'Mione?"

"Hmmmm?" she turned to look at me distractedly.

"Where is it your parents are bringing you skiing?"

"France," she answered, "Why do you ask?"

"I was just thinking about the exchange students last year…" at this she smirked at me, she knew where I got the line of thought from, "and the Beauxbatons crowd were really unamused at our cold climate when they get more snow than us in winter!" we smiled at each other, "and you know, George and I are a week off being together a year. A whole year! Isn't that crazy?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, it's lovely."

"I still find it weird that Muggles use pieces of wood to travel in snow." Ron looked up from his work, scratching his head.

"I've never understood it, either, Ron!" I agreed.

A few minutes later, Harry came back to the common room, and flumped himself down on the sofa beside me, "What kept you?" Ron asked him.

Harry didn't answer. He looked as though he was in shock. He was unreadable.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Hermione asked, peering at him over the tip of her quill, she had stopped writing momentarily.

Harry gave a half-hearted shrug.

I crossed my legs, put my feet up on the sofa and faced him.

Hermione was eyeing me to do the questioning, but it didn't seem right, so I shook my head. Hermione continued nonetheless, "Is it Cho? Did she corner you after the meeting?"

Harry nodded.

Ron sniggered.

Hermione caught Ron's eye and Ron fell silent.

"So – er – what did she want?" Ron asked in a mock, casual voice.

Ron really is clueless.

"She –" Harry began, his voice was hoarse, he cleared his throat and tried again, "She – er –" Harry became fixated with a point on the hearthrug.

"Did you kiss?" asked Hermione briskly.

Ron sat up so quickly, he spilt his bottle of ink, but I don't think he particularly cared, "Well?" he demanded.

Harry glanced from Ron, who looked like he was mingled with curiosity and hilarity, to Hermione, who was wearing a frown and then to me, who seemed to be acting the most mature about the whole situation. Then he nodded.

"HA!" Ron made a triumphant gesture with his fist in the air and went into a raucous peal of laughter. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Hermione gave Ron a look of deep disgust and continued writing her letter. Harry showed a reluctant grin. "Well," Ron said finally, looking up at Harry, "How was it?"

"Wet."

I was taken aback. Ron made a noise half way between jubilation and disgust. I don't imagine I'd describe my first kiss as 'wet'.

"Because she was crying," Harry continued heavily.

"Oh," said Ron, his smile was fading slightly, "Are you that bad at kissing?"

"Dunno… maybe I am." Harry sounded worried.

Hermione set down her quill, "Of course you're not."

That's a little presumptuous. Is there something I don't know? Is that why Harry asked me that earlier?

"How do you know?" Ron asked the question on my lips.

"Because Cho spends half her time crying these days." Hermione answered. She was looking at me strangely.

Of course. I would have known if Harry and Hermione had kissed.

She continued, "She does it at mealtimes, in the loos, all over the place."

"You'd think a bit of kissing would cheer her up," Ron grinned, "Look, I've seen the way you and George are when you've kissed, you're both pretty happy."

I suddenly felt very awkward, "Ron…" I began, "This is different…"

"Ron," Hermione said simultaneously, "you are the most insensitive wart I have ever had the misfortune to meet."

I snorted.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron said indignantly, "What sort of person cries while someone's kissing them?"

"Yeah," Harry looked between Hermione and me, "Who does?"

"Someone who's hurting…" I sighed.

The boys looked between us, they really didn't understand.

"Don't you understand how Cho's feeling at the moment?" Hermione asked.

"No," said Ron and Harry together.

Hermione sighed and laid down her quill with the upmost reserve, she implored me for help. "What?" I shrugged my shoulders, "If they don't understand complicated girl emotions from being friends with me, we have no hope."

"Well, obviously she's feeling very sad because of Cedric dying." Hermione began, "Then I expect she's feeling confused because she liked Cedric and now she likes Harry, and she can't work out who she likes best…"

I nodded and continued, "Then she'll be feeling guilty, thinking it's an insult to Cedric's memory to be kissing Harry at all, and she'll worry about what everyone will think if you two ever start dating…"

Hermione agreed, "Yes, and she probably can't work out what her feelings toward Harry are, anyway, because he was the one who was with Cedric when Cedric died, so that's all very mixed up and painful."

"And," I added, "she wasn't sure with the signals you were giving her, Harry, if you're interested in her or not…"

"Oh, and she's afraid she's going to be kicked off the Ravenclaw Quidditch team because she's been flying so badly…"

There was a long pause as the boys sat, stunned for a moment. Then Ron spoke, "One person couldn't feel all that, they'd explode."

"Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have," said Hermione nastily, picking up her quill again.

I gave her an air five as she shook her head at me.

"She was the one who started it," Harry said, "I wouldn't've – she just sort of came at me – and next thing she's crying all over me – I didn't know what to do…"

"I really hope you were nice to her, Harry…" I rubbed my eyes.

"I sort of – patted her on the back a bit."

Hermione and I inhaled deeply and closed our eyes to prevent eye-rollage.

"So…" I said, forcing myself to get rid of the image of Harry patting Cho's back awkwardly, "When are you going to see her again?"

"Erm… the next DA meeting?"

I couldn't restrain myself any longer, "Okay, Harry, I'm going to speak freely and you're not going to get annoyed or angry or anything but… You cannot just kiss a girl and pretend it didn't happen. You like her, she likes you! You need to arrange to meet up, do something, go to Hogsmeade, go for a walk around the grounds, you just can't leave her hanging. She put herself out there for you this evening, least you can do is acknowledge it. And you can't use nerves as an excuse because that girl had the guts to come and talk to me today about you and that couldn't have been easy. And don't worry, I was an absolute delight."

Harry sat for a second, his lips parted slightly, "That's what you were talking about?"

"You can thank me later."

"Who're you writing your novel to, anyway?" Ron's eyes widened at the length of the piece of parchment Hermione had just filled with her tiny writing.

"Viktor."

"Krum?"

"Yeah," I said sarcastically, "Bulgarian, Durmstrang student, seeker for the Bulgarian national Quidditch team, we met him last-"

"I-know-who-she's-talking-about." Ron said shortly. He looked disgruntled and continued his transfiguration homework with such aggravation I wondered what the parchment had done to deserve such brutality...

I smirked, "Look, Ron is capable of more than one emotion… there's jealousy, aggravation, impatience, anger…"

Ron clenched his jaw and tensed his body, "Kathryn, there's nothing I'd like more than to -"

"Little piece of advice for you," I said, "don't." Ron opened his mouth to retort, "One day you will be glad of my existence. Promise."

Hermione was trying to hide a laugh as she rolled up the parchment and sealed it. "I think Kathryn and I will go up to bed now." Hermione smirked, we were the last four in the common room again, the two of us headed up the girls' stairs, "They really are clueless, aren't they?" Hermione whispered to me as we entered our dorm room, the other three were fast asleep.

"Merlin help the person Ron marries." I raised my eyebrows at Hermione teasingly.

Hermione smiled, "Between us, we will have Ron and Harry suitable bachelors for any suitable bachelorette."

"You'll have to name your first kid after me for all the effort I'll go through."

"I'll consider it." Hermione said, switching off her light.

19th December

"Kathryn!" someone had opened the curtains to my bed, "Kit-Kat!" their hands came in and shook me, "Kit-Kat! Please! Wake up!"

I opened my eyes and saw a panicked Ginny.

"What's going on? Are you okay?" I asked her, sitting bolt upright.

"It's dad, he's been hurt… We've got to go… Get up! McGonagall's getting Fred and George!" she handed me my dressing gown and I slipped my feet into my slippers.

I thrusted my diary into my pocket and ran.

"What's going on?" I asked as Ginny and I arrived at Dumbledore's office, rubbing my eyes. Ginny was grasping my hand so tight. I hadn't really woken up. Harry was talking to Dumbledore, and his voice rose higher and higher with anger and anxiety and Dumbledore took it on the chin. I also noticed that Harry was sweating profusely, "Georgie?"

George reached out a hand to me. I took it and held on tight. I could feel him shaking.

"Harry – what's going on?" Ginny asked, frightened, "Professor McGonagall says you saw Dad get hurt-"

My automatic response was to look to Dumbledore, who spoke on behalf of Harry, "Your father has been injured in the course of his work for the Order of the Phoenix. He has been taken to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. I am sending you back to Sirius's house, which is much more convenient for the hospital than The Burrow. You will meet your mother there."

"How're we going?" Fred asked, ashen-faced, "Floo powder?"

"No," said Dumbledore, "Floo powder is not safe at the moment, the Network is being watched. You will be taking a Portkey." He indicated the innocent kettle lying on his desk, "We are just waiting for Phineas Nigellus to report back… I want to be sure that the coast is clear before sending you-"

There was a bright flash of flame in the very middle of the office, leaving behind a single golden feather that floated gently to the floor.

"It is Fawkes's warning," Dumbledore spoke calmly, catching the feather as it fell, "Professor Umbridge must know you are out of your beds… Minerva, go and head her off – tell her any story-"

Professor McGonagall was gone in a swish of tartan.

"He says he'll be delighted," said a voice from one of the portraits behind Dumbledore, "My great-great-grandson has always had an odd taste in house-guests."

"Come here, then," Dumbledore said to all of us, "And quickly before anyone else joins us."

I tugged George and Ginny over to the old kettle. We all knew how portkeys worked. Last time I used one was when we were all going to the Quidditch World Cup. Then, I was a little spaced out on pain relief, now I'm a little spaced out due to lack of sleep. We all touched the metal and Dumbledore counted us down… I felt a powerful jerk around my belly button as the ground beneath us vanished from sight and the six of us sped forwards in a swirl of colours and a rush of wind, the kettle pulling us onwards… until my feet hit the ground so hard that my knees buckled and I landed in a heap on the floor.

"Back again, the blood-traitor brats. Is it true their father's dying?"

"OUT!" roared a second voice.

Sitting up, I saw that we had just arrived in the gloomy kitchen of number twelve, Grimmauld Place. It was exactly ten minutes ago that I was awoken. Sirius hurried towards us all, still in his day clothes. He was unshaven and smelt of stale drink, "What's going on?" he asked us, helping Ginny up off the floor, "Phineas Nigellus said Arthur's been badly injured –"

"Ask Harry," said Fred.

"Yeah, I want to hear this for myself," said George, taking a hold of my hand, maintaining a tight grip.

"It was –" Harry began, I could tell that this was very difficult for him, "I had a – a kind of – vision…" he looked between me, the twins and Ginny, "I was asleep and I had a weird dream, and then it changed and I could see a giant snake, slithering along a corridor,"

Ron looked up at Harry, but didn't speak. He was very pale.

Harry continued, ignoring Ron's look, "then I saw your Dad, lying asleep at a door, the invisibility cloak had fallen off him. Your Dad began to stir and the snake attacked him…. My scar was hurting really badly, I knew it had to be real, I – it all happened so fast, there was so much blood. He was found and transferred to St Mungo's…"

I gulped. George's grip on my hand was a little tighter, as though he was trying to hold himself together. Everyone was staring at Harry, pale and anxious.

"Is mum here?" Fred turned to Sirius.

"She probably doesn't even know what's happened yet." Said Sirius, "the important thing was to get you away before Umbridge could interfere. I expect Dumbledore's letting Molly know now…"

"We've got to go to St Mungo's," Ginny spoke with urgency, she looked around, "Sirius, can we borrow cloaks or something?"

"Hang on, you can't go tearing off to St Mungo's!" said Sirius.

Fred wore a defiant expression, "Course we can go to St Mungo's if we want, he's our dad!"

"And how are you going to explain how you knew Arthur was attacked before the hospital even let his wife know?"

"What does that matter?" said George hotly.

Sirius looked to Harry and then to me. He was struggling, he was worried, too.

"Look," I said slowly, "We're not supposed to know about your Dad. Harry isn't supposed to be having visions of snakes and seeing your Dad get injured… We're supposed to be hundreds of miles away, tucked up in bed, fast asleep. The Ministry would have a field day if they found us at St Mungo's, can you imagine what they would make of the information? Your dad was found and he is in hospital and all we can do is wait and hear from your Mum."

Ginny said, "Somebody else could have told us… we could have heard it from somewhere other than Harry."

"Like who?" said Sirius impatiently, "Listen, your dad's been hurt while on duty for the Order and the circumstances are fishy enough without his children knowing about it seconds after it happened, you could seriously damage the Order's-"

"We don't care about the damn Order!" Fred shouted.

"It's our dad dying we're talking about!" yelled George.

"Your father knew what he was getting into and he won't thank you for messing things up for the Order!" Sirius was equally as angry, "This is why you're not in the Order," Sirius glanced quickly at me, "- you don't understand – there are things worth dying for!"

"Easy for you to say, stuck here!" bellowed Fred, "I don't see you risking your neck!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" I snapped, "This is not doing anyone any good." I said shortly, "Your parents, if they were here, would be telling you to sit down, shut up and mind your manners. There is nothing more that any one of us can do right now but wait."

What little colour that was in Sirius's face had now drained from it. He looked like he was about to hit Fred when I intervened. Sirius took a deep breath and said, "I know it's hard, but we've all got to act as though we don't know anything yet. We've got to stay put, at least until we hear from your mother. Kathryn's right, there's nothing we can do right now, but wait."

Fred looked at me as though I betrayed him. George's grip was still as strong as ever. Ginny, however, took a few steps over to the nearest chair and sank into it. Harry and Ron shrugged their shoulders and sat down, too. Fred and George stared at Sirius for a minute or so longer before taking a seat on either side of Ginny. I was sitting in between George and Harry.

"That's right," Sirius spoke encouragingly, "come on, let's all… let's all have a drink while we're waiting. Accio butterbeer!" Sirius looked at me and I shook my head, I already felt like I was intruding in a very private family affair. I knew I probably shouldn't have snapped at Fred and it started eating me up inside. He was only worried about his dad. I had told the twins about the Order guarding a prophesy, but they had obviously forgotten. The weight of that knowledge sat on my shoulders, making me feel uneasy. Arthur had risked his life so that Voldemort wouldn't find out the truth about his destiny with Harry. But there were only two people in the room who could appreciate that. Everyone else was taking sips of butterbeer, sitting subdued, worrying. George's grip wasn't as tight any more, but every so often he stroked my hand. After an hour or so, he rested his head on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and pictured the scene: the snake biting Arthur as he lay asleep on the floor, obstructing the entrance to the Department of Mysteries, the floor was now covered in deep red blood. I prayed that he would be alright. I prayed that the bleeding would stop, that Arthur wouldn't be poisoned, that he would be home by Christmas. I knew it was a big ask, but in the silence, only interrupted by the clinking of a butterbeer bottle, or by someone asking the time, I had gotten through most eventualities.

At one point, which seemed like hours later, there was a burst of fire midair and a scroll of parchment fell onto the table, accompanied by a single golden phoenix tail feather.

"Fawkes!" Sirius snatched up the parchment, "That's not Dumbledore's writing – it must be a message from your mother – here-"

Sirius thrusted the parchment into George's hands. It was the first time he had let go of my hand. He ripped open the letter and read aloud,

Dad is still alive. I am setting out for St Mungo's now.
Stay where you are. I will send news as soon as I can.
Mum.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. George looked into my eyes, there was a hope there that I hadn't seen before. He had thought the worst. Fred took the parchment to read for himself as George thought aloud, "Still alive," he said, looking around the table, "But that makes it sound…" he didn't finish the sentence. He took my hand again.

Ginny, who had been curled up in the seat, was sitting upright, leaning into Fred for comfort. Fred put an arm around her and pulled her in close. Sirius had suggested that we all go to bed. This was met with four red-heads looking at him in disgust. I reached over to Harry, who was staring determinedly at his fingers and grasped his hand.

"This mustn't be easy for you, either," I whispered to him, using my invisibilia powers to make sure the conversation was not disturbing anyone else, "but Harry, you did the right thing, you told Dumbledore and people found him, otherwise he'd still be lying in a pool of his own blood right now."

"It was me." he said, "I was the snake." The words came out of his mouth so fast it was difficult to process, "I wasn't looking down on the scene, I wasn't a bystander, I was the snake. I was the one who bit Mr Weasley." I could feel him shaking underneath my touch.

"Harry, it wasn't you, you were hundreds of miles away in Hogwarts!"

Harry looked over at me, "I was in the snake's head."

"Harry," I began, choosing my words carefully as Harry's gaze went back to his pyjama bottoms, "have you been dreaming of that corridor for a while?"

He flinched slightly, "Yes. I've been dreaming about the door that Mr Weasley was guarding for weeks."

"And your scar?"

"Unbearable pain whenever it happened," he said, "don't tell anyone, but it was so bad I threw up all over my bed."

I shook my head and squeezed his hand gently, "You don't need to be ashamed, Harry, I have nightmares and sometimes I'm sick when they're really bad. I replay things in my mind. I have seen things through other people's points of view as well. It's strange living in someone else's body, navigating the world, hearing their thoughts, following their actions."

Harry nodded as though he understood, "Do you think I was in Voldemort's head?"

"I don't know, Harry, but that's the most logical explanation I can think of right now. The fact that your scar hurt, makes me think it was Voldemort," I said, "It wasn't you that caused Arthur to get attacked, I know that for sure."

Harry gave my hand a squeeze, "Kathryn?" he asked quietly a few minutes later.

"Yeah?"

"When we were about to leave Hogwarts, as Dumbledore was counting down the time on the Portkey…" he paused, "my scar felt like it was going to burst open again, I felt so much hatred towards Dumbledore. I felt like I wanted to stab my fangs into him…"

"Well, Harry, unless your animagus is a snake…" I spoke light-heartedly, "I don't see any harm in you… In fact, I'm perfectly alright holding your hand, making sure that you're okay, because you're not going to hurt anyone! Do you know how I know that?" I paused and Harry looked up, his eyes pleading with mine, "Because you are a good person, Harry, a very good person."

It was one of the longest nights I've sat through in a long time. Fred's head was lolling about as he drifted into a doze. George was staring at a point in the distance. His hand was resting on my thigh, my hand on top of his. Ginny had returned into her cat-like position on the chair, her eyes were wide open. Ron had his knees up, feet on the chair and his head resting between his knees, it was hard to know if he was awake or asleep, but due to the lack of a snore, my guess was that he was awake. Harry was staring at his bottle of butterbeer, my hand was still on top of his and he didn't show any signs of wanting me to move. Sirius was sitting, with his seat pulled in closer to the table, resting his head on his hand, staring into the distance. Molly had surely arrived at St Mungo's and things were surely okay.

At ten past five in the morning, the door swung open and Molly entered the kitchen. She was extremely pale. Everyone was on the edge of their seats. She gave a wan smile.

"He's going to be alright." She said in a small voice, "He's sleeping. We can all go and see him later. Bill's sitting with him now; he's going to take the morning off work."

I let out a sigh of relief, "Oh, thank goodness."

George and Ginny got up and walked swiftly over to their mother and embraced her. Fred fell back into his chair and covered his face with his hands. Ron let out a shaky laugh and downed the rest of his butterbeer in one.

"Breakfast!" Sirius said loudly and cheerfully, jumping to his feet, "Where's that wretched house-elf? Kreacher? KREACHER!"

But Kreacher didn't answer the summons.

Of all the times that I had been in Grimmauld Place, I hadn't really seen the house-elf. Hermione always complained that Sirius wasn't being nice to him. Ron mentioned that he was an old git and was very disobedient as a quick look around the house said that he had been neglecting his duties. I had never had the chance to make my own mind up.

"Oh, forget it, then," muttered Sirius, counting the people in the room, "So it's breakfast for – let's see – eight … bacon and eggs, I think, and some tea, and toast-"

"Let me give you a hand." I said, allowing Molly to have time to chat to her kids, "What do you want me to do? If you heat a pan for me I can scramble some eggs?" I asked Sirius.

Harry got up to follow me, but Molly pulled him into a massive hug. I don't know what she said to him, but I don't think it helped his guilt.

Sirius smiled at me, "Here," he handed me a box of about 20 eggs, "use them all. You can find salt and pepper up in that cupboard there," he pointed to the one to my right.

Molly then moved onto Sirius, "Oh Sirius! I'm so grateful… they think he'll be there a little while and it would be wonderful to be nearer… of course that might mean we're here for Christmas."

"The more the merrier!" Sirius said with such obvious sincerity that Molly beamed at him.

"You," Molly looked at me with a smile on her face, "why have you been avoiding me?"

"I haven't!" I smiled, "I reckoned you'd like some time with your family."

Molly wrapped her arms around me, "You are family, Kathryn, you have every right to be here. I'm sure you've kept everyone in line and as calm as possible."

"Well-" I began.

"She was excellent, Molly, she has a real mother's touch," Sirius winked at me.

"Right you," I rolled my eyes at him, "Are you going to get this bacon started or…?" I had already cracked six eggs.

Molly smirked, "I have no idea who she gets it from!" she put on an apron and we all got stuck in. I was on eggs, Sirius on bacon, Molly on tea and toast and Harry sorted the table. Molly started cooking the bacon as Harry and Sirius had a quick chat in the pantry, "Has he been okay?" Molly asked me, nodding her head towards Harry.

"I don't know… I think he feels guilty, he watched everything happen and he couldn't stop it…" I said, carrying on with my job, "Can I ask about Arthur?"

"There's an unusual poison in the snake's fangs that means that his wounds won't stop bleeding, but they've got bandaging on to keep it under control and he's drinking a blood replenishing potion every hour. He's also got a few broken ribs."

"Ouch," I said, "There's little they can do for ribs… It's really quite painful." I spoke from experience, "He'll need plenty of painkillers, nothing but the good stuff." I smiled, "But when they find an antidote for the venom, he'll be okay?"

Molly touched my arm gently, "We hope so."

After eating breakfast, Molly suggested that we all go and get some sleep before visiting hours this afternoon. Ginny and I went up to the bedroom Ginny, Hermione and I had slept in over the summer. As we were already in our night things, Ginny clambered into the double bed. I was about to lift the sheet from the single bed beside hers.

"Don't be silly," she said, "I don't want to be alone." Within minutes, was fast asleep. It was never that easy for me. But it was relaxing lying there, listening to the sound of her deep breathing. She was a very peaceful sleeper and didn't tend to move about too much or cause any fuss. After a while I felt my eyes close and my body drifted into sleep.

I don't know how long later, but I heard the door of the bedroom open and I saw the shadow of a tall figure.

"Katy?" came a whisper.

"Georgie?" I sat up slowly, "Are you okay?"

George came into the room and closed the door, "Can I come in?" he asked, but I knew he meant more than just coming into the room.

I moved over in the bed and invited him into the bed beside me, "What's up sweetheart?"

"Could you not sleep, either?" he asked.

I didn't have the heart to tell him that he woke me up, "Oh, you know me."

"Is Ginny asleep?"

"Fast asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow."

I could tell George wanted to say something. I could see the outline of his body, he was fidgeting, I could make out every part of his face in the dull light escaping from behind the curtains. What struck me was the way his eyes were gazing into mine. He kept opening his mouth and closing it, unsure of what to say or how to broach the subject, "I felt this overwhelming desire to come in and talk to you…" he began, "you just make me feel like everything is going to be okay…"

I reached out to him and took a hold of his hand and squeezed tight. I could feel him shudder and let out a sob, "Oh Georgie…"

"Oh Merlin, I feel like such an idiot for crying…" George sniffled.

"Never feel bad for showing emotions, okay?" I wiped his tears with my fingers, "It is okay to cry, you have been through enough. You've been so strong for so long." I kissed his forehead.

"I can't lose Dad…" his voice was rough, "he's too young, too good-"

I stroked his hair gently, "He's going to be just fine."

"What would we do without him?" his tears started flowing again. It took everything I had to remain strong for him as I pulled him into a tight hug.

I rubbed his back and spoke soothingly, "I was talking to your mum, she's optimistic, she wouldn't tell you he's going to be fine if he's not. The Healers are great at their jobs and can work wonders!"

"The thought of mum being on her own…" George crumbled into pieces.

"She will always have help and support. I know that the Order would see her right. Besides, your mum would never be on her own, not with you lot constantly driving her up the walls!"

I could hear George exhale in what could only be considered half a laugh. I gave him a few minutes to get some head space. His eyes were closing and he drifted into and out of sleep, trying to fight it, gazing into my eyes, studying my face, "I love you, you know that?" he stroked my cheek.

"You know I love you more than anyone else in the world." I said sincerely, "Now come on you, let's get some sleep."

"Can I cuddle you?" he asked, as though gaining permission to stay.

"Of course you can." George wrapped his arms around me, one around my middle, and one diagonally, resting on my shoulder, making me feel safe and secure. I placed my hands on his, moulding my body to the shape of his, so that I could feel his breathing steady, his heart rate slow and his body relax.

I lay there for a while, just thinking. I know I shouldn't have, but I imagined Molly walking in and having a hissy fit, or Ginny waking up to find a third person in the bed. I didn't care. It felt so right having George beside me. It felt good that he wanted, above all other people to talk to me, to share his emotions with me, that he trusted me. I drifted off into a nice peaceful sleep.