20th December (cont'd…)

When visiting time was over, Arthur was sad to see us go, but was grateful we came. The three of us went into a dark alley and apparated to Diagon Alley. It was snowing heavily still and was absolutely freezing.

"This is not where we're supposed to be." I glanced up at Fred and George, "What mischief are we getting into?"

"I like the way you think," Fred smirked as we walked along the cobbled streets in the direction of Gringotts, "George and I saw an ad in the paper when we were up getting coffee earlier…"

George beamed, "If my knowledge is correct, I believe that this building there," he pointed, "Yes, number 93 Diagon Alley."

"It's empty." I said blankly, peering through the window.

"Katy… what would you say if Fred and I were to rent this space and turn it into our own joke shop?" George asked curiously.

My jaw dropped, "Seriously?" the penny dropped, "That would be incredible!"

"Do you think we could do it?" Fred rubbed his gloved hands together.

"I know you two can do anything you put your minds to." I said genuinely, I strolled over to the door and read the notice,

93 Diagon Alley
Available to Rent or Buy.
Extensive renovations required.
All interest should be put in writing to:
Mr Archibald Jenkins
Department of Administration
Ministry of Magic

I took out my diary and wrote it all down and ripped the page out and handed it to George. "I wonder what 'extensive renovations required' means? I imagine it will take a while to process."

Fred attempted to open the door to the shop, but it wouldn't budge, and George warned him not to set any alarm systems off. Fred then replied, "It'll be the new year before we get any information from Jenkins, then we need to arrange a viewing, sort out finances, sign contracts, fix the place up as well as mass production of all our products and then finally open the place. It will take months. I just hope we have the money to keep the place closed-"

"You'll just have to sell a load of Skiving Snackboxes, and I'm sure you'll not be able to keep up with production."

"So you'll help?"

"Of course I will." I grinned at the thought.

"Hermione?"

"Oh Kathryn! It's so good to see you!" She ran and wrapped her arms around me tightly.

"Aren't you supposed to be skiing?" I asked.

Hermione nodded, "Yeah," she whispered, "But to be honest, skiing's not really my thing. I told my parents anyone who was serious about O.W.L.s were staying at Hogwarts this Christmas to study. They'll want me to do well, they'll understand."

"Oh." Was my response. I couldn't help but feel annoyed. Not because she was here, but because she bailed on her parents to spend Christmas with us, rather than her own family, who never get to see her and actually want to spend time with her. John and Liz Granger were now going on holiday without their beloved daughter, because she-

"Kathryn?" Hermione waved her hands in front of my face, "Are you alright?"

I snapped out of it, "Me? Yeah, I'm fine."

"I came here by Knight Bus," she explained as she dragged me up the stairs to the room I was sleeping in with Ginny, "I arrived about an hour ago… Where were you?"

"St Mungo's," I responded as I looked around the room where I saw that Hermione had made herself at home. She had moved all of my things from what I had called my side of the bed and put them on top of the spare single bed beside the door. It took everything I had to hold my tongue and maintain a neutral facial expression.

"I've talked to Harry," she said, "He's talking and eating again. Why didn't you force him to come out of his room in the first place? He was just feeling sorry for himself. I know he was rude to you, but when has that ever stopped you from doing what is right?"

"Hermione?" I paused, "Can you excuse me?" I felt my hands shake with anger as I put my coat on the back of the door and careened down the stairs to the kitchen in the basement where Sirius was singing 'God Rest Ye, Merry Hippogriffs' at the top of his voice.

Molly stood back from the pot she was stirring and opened her arms, "You're back!" she hugged me tight, "How is Arthur? Is he well? Is he upset that I wasn't able to make it?" she sat down on one of the chairs at the table and encouraged me to do the same.

I felt my heart swell, I didn't need my own mother, I was quite content with Molly Weasley, "He's looking well," I began and she immediately smiled in relief, "he's not in any way annoyed that you couldn't make it, he understands that there is work to be done. He also sends his love and thanks for the parcel, which I did tell him to keep hidden," I giggled, "he opened it after we left. Fred and George grabbed him a coffee to keep him happy. The Healers are still trying to work out a potion that will heal his wounds. He's in good spirits." I assured her.

Molly stroked my cheek in a motherly way and smiled, returning to making dinner, "I'm sure you've become acquainted with Miss Granger?"

"I have," I said.

"Do you not want to catch up with her?"

"I saw her two days ago, Molly," I spoke incredulously, "And every day before that for a very long time! I am very content, sitting here, talking to you about your husband. I'm sure you hearing about Arthur is doing more good than whatever I'd be doing upstairs."

"There you are!" Ginny said triumphantly, "Hermione said you were here, but ran off before she could tell you the good news – Harry's talking!"

I nodded, "He's talking, he's eating, he's not locking himself up in a room on his own anymore." I recited, "I know."

"Are you not going to come up and see him?" she asked, "I know he said-"

"That he didn't want to see me nor hear my voice ever again," I said, "Yeah, I remember. I'm content sitting down here. Thanks."

Ginny put her hands on her hips, "Stop being so stubborn."

I put my head in my hands and sighed. I looked up at Sirius, who had stopped singing the moment Ginny put her hands on her hips, "If you don't move quickly, I'm afraid she might murder you." I saw the instant regret in his eyes.

"She wouldn't." I said slowly, "Sisters before misters and all that."

"True," Ginny winked at me, "Girl code. I'll be right back."

She ran up the stairs and within minutes was back, "Aow – Ginny, let – Ginny – I can walk down the stairs on my own, you know."

"Yes, but you're being just as stubborn as she is, but at least she has the right to." I could hear two sets of footsteps coming down the stairs, "Honestly, you two are so alike sometimes I wonder if you really are related." The footsteps stopped, "Harry, if you don't tell her what you told the rest of us, she won't save your ass any more, just – get – on with it." Ginny pushed Harry into view.

"Hey." He said awkwardly.

I raised my eyebrows at him and gave Ginny a glare.

"Kathryn, look-" Harry began, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, I didn't want to hurt your feelings or-" he paused, "I went too far and I messed up. And Hermione's doing my head in, so..."

"Tell me about it," I smirked, "Two minutes in the door and that was enough for me!"

"Right," Ginny stepped into the conversation, "Now that you two have made up, I would like to ask… What in Merlin's Beard has Hermione done to our room?"

"I know."

"Scandal." Sirius joked.

I laughed, "I was evicted from my own bed, my stuff moved-"

Ginny pointed up the stairs, "Well, she can just go and put everything back as it was. I didn't see you coming in during the summer and moving her stuff. Besides, you're the newest member of our family! You were here first and your late night gossip is so much better than Hermione's!"

I tried to hold back a laugh, "I am sure you will deal with the situation as you see fit."

24th December

I found myself awake early on Christmas Eve morning for no particular reason. I stood downstairs in the kitchen wrapping the last of the presents I bought yesterday in Muggle London in peace. I had the radio on, playing the usual Christmas tunes and I sang along to myself. I decorated George's presents with bows and ribbons including the book I got him and Fred on how to own and manage a business. I even shed a quiet tear to myself as I wrapped up the Terry's chocolate orange. Even now, after everything, I realised that I deeply missed my Granny…

A few minutes of silence later, I moved on to the next present where I wrapped up a pair of novelty socks for Sirius and added it to a book by a famous wizard comedian (whom I'd never heard of). I wrapped the book Hermione asked specifically for and added it to the ever growing pile on the long, wooden table. I counted to make sure everything was in place and wrapped properly and sang along to 'Oh Holy Night'. This song reminded me of Primary School, when we had our annual carol service and I was given the opportunity to sing a solo. As part of my many therapy meetings, one psychologist suggested I listen to music throughout the day, even if I was happy or sad, as a means of distraction. From there I developed my love of music. I like my music loud, unless I'm working. I used music to block out silences. Or the sounds of my parents screaming at me. So that I didn't have to listen to myself crying late at night. Music was the reason I survived my childhood.

Wrapping the very last present for George, I got lost in the music as I sang to myself,

Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night O night divine

"Wow."

I nearly jumped out of my skin, "GEORGE!" I clutched my chest as my heart raced, "You scared me!"

"Your voice is a lovely thing to hear when you wake up." He kissed me, "I could get used to this."

I closed my eyes, "I didn't wake you up, did I?"

"No, you didn't!" he laughed, "you need to stop being so self-conscious!"

I sat up on the bench and crossed my legs, "Apologies."

George walked over to where I was sitting and uncrossed my legs and stood in between, "Now, Katy, what am I going to do to you?"

I bit my lip, "I have no idea."

"Well…" George mirrored my movements, "I guess, I could do this." He kissed me and left a trail of kisses down my neck and across my collar bone which he exposed.

"Hem-hem."

"GINNY!" I yelled.

"This day last year, George was singing to you." She smirked, "Now you're singing to him! So. Cute."

We were all sitting in the lounge after dinner, drinking tea and eating cinnamon biscuits. Molly sat knitting, Fred and George were sitting in the corner holding a couple of pieces of parchment with their heads together. Sirius was reading this evening's newspaper. Ron and Harry were playing wizard's chess and Ginny, Hermione and I all sat talking quietly about Hermione's return letter from Viktor.

"You two don't write letters, you write chapters!" Ginny exclaimed as Hermione unravelled the piece of parchment.

"Well, it takes so long for the letters to get to Bulgaria and back, so we make it worth the time." Hermione smirked.

I read about his recent Quidditch practices, his home life, the fact that he's getting a new apartment now that he's left school, inviting Hermione to stay over the summer, how he read a poem in a book that reminded him of her and he wrote it out for us, I mean her, to read. "Awww…" I accidentally let out an emotion and Hermione glared at me. But it was so darn cute. I bet if George found a poem – who am I kidding? He doesn't read poetry.

"What are you three reading over there?" Fred asked as he and George looked over the top of their own piece of parchment. "It must be all gooey and yucky if Katy is covering her mouth like that." George finished.

"Ask no questions and I'll tell you no lies." I uncovered my mouth and smirked.

Fred laughed. George pulled a face half way between pride and exasperation.

"You three spend too much time together." Molly looked between me and the twins and shook her head, lifting her knitting and heading up to bed, "Don't stay up too late!"

I stuck my tongue out across the room to them and returned back to reading Hermione's letter. She had it concealed behind a large book and was waiting patiently for me to catch up. I had to read what was written in Viktor's accent in my head because his sentence formulation wasn't the greatest, but still made sense. I was interrupted. My diary on the floor beside me was warm to touch. I glanced up at George, who was sitting at the opposite side of the room and he beamed at me. I opened my diary and read the message on the Litteras Occultas.

G: What are you three doing over there?

I stared up at him and shook my head.

G: Go on, tell me. PLEEEAASSSSSEEEEEEE!
K: You really are most annoying, Mr Weasley.
G: You really are most secretive, Miss Pink.
K: You really are most nosey, Mr Weasley.

I raised my eyebrows at him above the book where I continued reading Viktor's letter. I read about his adventures from leaving Durmstrang, and his hope that Hermione would enjoy skiing with her parents. He also mentioned me, asking how I was and Harry and he hoped that everyone else was well. But he left the nicest thing to the end of the letter.

G: KATY! Stop ignoring me.
K: Stop interrupting me when I'm trying to read! I'm nearly done.

I glared at George across the room. I read the last section of Krum's letter. I felt George's eyes on me, but I didn't care. I ignored him with all my might.

Hermy-own, I hope this letter is reaching you by Christmas. Please be assuring that I will be thinking of you and your beauty on Christmas Day as we were in attending the Yule Ball together. It was one of the best nights of my life and it was such a pleasure to spend time with you. I hope that you are remembering that evening fondly, too. You are very precious and I hope that we will be meeting again. Write back soon,

Love, Viktor

"Oh, 'Mione…" I whispered, feeling really emotional.

"He loves you so much." Ginny was gobsmacked.

I smiled, "You did look absolutely gorgeous at the ball, though," I remembered, "And you two had a great time! I can't believe it has been a year already! I sometimes wish we could go back…" my eyes were fixed on George, watching him move, the way his eyebrows furrow when he's concentrating and the way he sucks on his lower lip.

G: You're staring at me.

He caught me on. I embarrassed myself.

K: I can't help it. You're just so pwetty.

George laughed at the other side of the room, biting his lip nervously as he wrote.

G: Let's play a game. Just you and me. Remember the good ol' day in McGonagall's classroom, 20 questions?
K: How could I forget?
G: Good I'll start off… Can I see you naked?
K: GEORGE!

I could see him smile to himself across the room like a little kid.

G: Fine, fine… What is your favourite memory of us?
K: Easy, the day you finally plucked up the courage to kiss me.
G: That was a good day.
K: Do you think either of us have changed from this time last year?
G: Definitely! I think we know each other a lot better. And we're more comfortable with each other. There's not a chance that I would have gotten into bed beside you the other morning a year ago. And you are far more open, don't get me wrong, the two of us talked, but now you come to me whenever you want to talk, instead of you keeping everything bottled up. And you smile a lot more, I've noticed that, too.
K: That's something I love about you. That we can say anything to each other and there is no judgement whatsoever.
G: What was your first impression of me?
K: At the time, I felt like you were the only person who had smiled at me for a very long while. I had to fight my inner shyness to smile back at you. I had butterflies in my tummy. You know I've always loved red hair. (Note I didn't call you ginger, even though you are.) You looked at me and you didn't see any of my past. It was a new beginning for me… If we had children, what features would you want them to get from you and which from me?
G: If they all looked like you, I'd be happy! There's no doubt they're all going to be tall and they'll probably all have brown eyes. I hope at least some of them are practical jokers, and I hope some are kind and sensitive like you. But saying that, you can be mischievous when you want to be, too. As long as they're healthy and happy, I don't mind. What's one thing you're scared to ask me, but really want to know the answer to?
K: I don't think I'm afraid to ask you anything.
G: There's got to be something…
K: Erm…

I stared at him across the room, struggling to find a question but he gestured for me to take my time. He set down his parchment and told Ron a move that would help him against Harry. Fred was scribbling away on a piece of parchment, but he was constantly scoring things out in an almost frustrated way. George peered over his shoulder, pointed at something and Fred seemed enlightened. I had a topic in mind, it was never something I felt comfortable talking about, nor did I know how to word the question. I sat thinking to myself for quite some time before writing…

K: Okay… Most awkward question of my life so far… I know you're older than me, and I know you think about it and it's something that we should talk about, but haven't… What are your thoughts about sex?

George lifted his parchment on the other side of the room and his eyes widened. His eyes found mine and I scratched my head, feeling really insecure. I know I shouldn't have, but I guess I've never really known how to talk about it. My heart started racing as I saw George starting to write.

G: You really need to stop panicking over there. I'm ready, but I don't think you are. Actually, I know you're not and that's okay. Katy, you waited for me for a long time to be ready for dating, to be ready to become your boyfriend! I can wait until we make love for the first time. I want it to be right, for both of us. There is no pressure. I'll know when you're ready.
K: Thank you! X

I looked up from the piece of parchment and smiled at him. He had already been watching me as I read. He nodded at me and I nodded back. Then he mimed that it was my turn to ask him a question.

"What are you two talking about on there?" Hermione asked, looking up from her own letter.

"Relationshippy things." I answered, "That, and we're playing a game."

Hermione returned her focus back to her reply letter to Viktor and said, "I don't even want to know."

K: What is one thing you'd most like to change about me?
G: I don't think you'd be content with the answer 'nothing' so… I'd like you to be less insecure about yourself. You need to believe in yourself, your abilities, your skills, you need to believe that you are the most beautiful girl in the world.
K: Never going to happen. I'm not pompous.
G: I'm talking more about self-confidence. But by the look on your face, (that I haven't seen until just now) you were being sarcastic. What's something that no one knows about you?
K: I've always loved classical music, just as much as pop or rock etc
G: Interesting…
K: Are you a boob, bum or legs type?

I heard George laugh to himself. He whispered to Fred and he laughed, too. Fred caught eyes with me and pointed at himself and mimed 'boobs'. Meanwhile George was looking at me curiously. As he wrote he was biting his lip, stopping himself from giggling.

G: Good question. I must say, I appreciate your legs, bum and boobs, but I think, overall, I've got to be a bum, guy. The way your ass looks in tight jeans makes my day.

I snorted.

G: Biggest turn on?

I sniggered. So did George as I gaped at him, but he shrugged his shoulders.

K: Depends on what you're doing… So… right now, when you smirk as you write, biting your lip as you concentrate, glancing up at me every so often. Yes. When you are talking to others about your products, showing them off, that confidence, that powerful stance that you have. Yes. When it's just you and me? I love the way you hold me, you make me feel safe and loved and I love how excited you get when we're making out. Oh yes.

George coughed.

Fred sat up and stretched, yawning dramatically, "Well, I'm suddenly feeling very tired, is anyone else?"

Hermione and Ginny smirked, and stood, "Yeah, very tired." Ginny added, pinching Ron as she passed and he, Sirius and Harry scurried out of the room and soon it was just George and me.

George swaggered in my direction and held out his hand for me to take, "May I…?" I felt the corners of my lips turn up and I glanced up at him, wondering what he had planned, "Don't look so afraid and take my hand."

"Okay," I smiled, "I just hope that you're not going to do anything inappropriate…"

"Never." We joked, we laughed, we sat and chatted, we cuddled, we kissed, then we realised it was getting late and headed to bed.

25th December

I woke up on Christmas morning to the sound of Harry, Ron, Fred and George battering our bedroom door. "Girls! Wake up! It's Christmas!"

I covered my eyes as they all bombed into the room in their pyjamas with their piles of presents in tow. George climbed into bed beside me and Fred got in beside Ginny making it feel like four pigs in one blanket. Ron and Harry sat on Hermione's bed with their backs against the wall.

"Katy! Look at the size of your present pile!" George sounded amazed, he clambered to the end of the bed and looked though the many tags, "oh."

"They're from the Malfoys." I filled everyone else in, "Waving the cash around as always. I'll deal with those later, I think." I pushed the covers off myself and looked through the pile, checking for a specific handwritten tag.

"There isn't Katy," George said, "I'm sorry... D'you – D'you wanna a cuppa?"

I nodded, "That would be lovely," my voice was very quiet. I took his hand and I escaped the overcrowded feeling, it was at times like this that I appreciated how much George knew me. I stopped on the stairs and he turned and looked at me in the eyes, "I'm sorry, I've never been very good with Christmas."

"I know."

I put my fingers through his hair and kissed his forehead, "Merry Christmas, George."

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart." He gave me a small smile, "Now that I've got you out of the room, I can give you this…" he handed me an envelope

I was filled with mystery, "Now what would you be giving me that you can't give in front of your family…? Dirty poetry? A picture of your…?"

"Just open it." He said impatiently, trying to hide a smirk.

Chez Pierre

I read the fancy golden lettering, and read inside and my jaw dropped, "George – Don't you realise?" I was lost for words, "This place is like – it's –"

"Seven course tasting menu, in a 3 Michelin star restaurant, you and me, 29th December," he grinned, "consider it an adventure, and an excuse for you to get dressed up, because I know you're a foodie and I want to spoil you."

I couldn't hide my happiness, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him in for a long, slow, kiss, "Have I ever told you that I love you?" I asked as we drew apart for breath.

He rubbed his nose against mine, "Je t'aime." With a flick of his wand, he summoned two cups of coffee, and we walked back up the stairs again.

"Your gift makes my gifts look like crap." I said, pushing open the door to the bedroom where I saw Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred and Ginny all look up at the two of us, looking relieved, then I looked to Ginny, "So tell me, what has Narcissa bought me? Cause I really hope there's a dress or something nice in there."

"Try the package in the middle," she smirked.

"I knew I could count on you." I winked. I picked up the package and ripped it open to reveal a plain burgundy knitted dress. I held it up in the air, "Ohmygoodness." I let Hermione touch it.

"That's cashmere!" she exclaimed, "That dress is probably about fifty galleons!" she took the dress from me and put it on a hanger as I opened a pair of grey and black tartan trousers and a matching black jumper, a navy jumper, a red cardigan and a pair of floral pyjamas. Next I opened a box with a beautiful pair of black oxford boots. The following present was a navy blue leather Burberry handbag and matching purse.

I was feeling completely overwhelmed, "I think I need to take a break from Narcissa and her huge bag of Galleons."

"This is the last one." Ginny said, handing me a small box, "Hopefully after that, the colour will return to your cheeks!"

I opened the box to reveal a long silver necklace, "You can understand why I'm pale – this is making me feel ill, the amount of money, like what does she want from me?"

Ron and Harry suggested it might be a ploy to buy my loyalty, or she really feels bad for not having me over for Christmas, "I wonder how high Malfoy's pile of presents was this morning?" Ron wondered aloud.

"Too high, the spoilt brat." I said unreservedly, "Using money as a sign of love and affection. Or as a replacement."

"Thanks for the book, Kathryn!" Hermione wrapped her arms around me, "Exactly what I asked for, and a notebook? Thanks so much!" she seemed happy.

I saw Fred lift the book I had bought him and George, "I would advise you two to open that one on your own later." I tried to avoid the curious eyes from the other four people in the room, "And George, that-"

"Kathryn! I've heard about these! Thanks!" Ron was in shock, "I mean, these cards are like gold dust!"

"You're welcome." I said, "You can't say that I don't listen, now." I then proceeded to open a present wrapped in red paper with a golden bow, "George? Is this a coffee mug that keeps coffee hot all day?"

George smirked, ripping through a present from his mother – another Weasley jumper, "Sure is. Fred and I developed them a month or so ago, we had coffee addicts like you in mind when we made them – non-stick, non-spill, about 24-hour thermos."

I gazed over at the two of them and mouthed the words, "Thank you."

I opened my package from Molly, and just like everyone else in the room, I got my own Weasley jumper. Mine was maroon with a golden 'K' in the middle and I couldn't have been happier. The next present I opened was from Ginny, who immediately started laughing as soon as I looked at the picture frame. She had placed loads of polaroid pictures and stuck them to card and decorated the background with drawings and little handwritten written messages.

I looked from the top right where there was a picture of Ginny and me at the Yule Ball where she wrote the comment 'the day you truly were a princess'. The next picture was of us watching the Quidditch World Cup, 'the day we were all Irish'. The third picture in the top row was one of Ginny, Hermione and me in school, I remembered taking the photo with my camera where we tried to all fit into the one shot and our faces were all squished, but we were laughing our heads off 'the day we realised we were always camera ready'. I couldn't help but snigger. The next photo was one of George and me kissing, 'the day I knew you two were going to make it'. The fifth photo was ofthe whole group after dinner as we sat in Grimmauld Place on my birthday 'the day you taught me an important life skill'. My eyes widened as I saw, not a photo in the last space, but a condom with a safety pin stuck right through it, 'the day you use this, use it well'.

I had no words.

George reached out, "Can I see?"

"No you certainly cannot." I said, "Actually, yes, yes you can, because I think Ginny should get a little bit of embarrassment out of this as well."

"Aw Gin, thinking about family planning?" he chuckled.

"If you're planning on getting me pregnant, sure, use the condom with holes in it." I joked.

There was a knock at the door and Sirius came in with a big smile on his face, "Did my ears deceive me, or did I hear mention of condoms?"

George handed him the photo frame and Sirius barked, "Reminds me of something I gave James. I wrote on it, 'In case of a miracle with Lily'!"

Harry went slightly red, but laughed all the same.

Molly came to the door, "What are you all laughing about?"

Sirius was just about to chuck me the photo frame when Molly grabbed it off him, "I see…" she tried to wipe the smirk off her face, "Breakfast!" she handed the picture back to me and said nothing.

I got up and followed Molly to the door, but I got called by Ron, "Kathryn! You've still some presents left to open!"

"They'll still be there after breakfast, Ronald." I smirked and followed Molly, with Sirius close behind as the others finished opening presents. I could smell the turkey cooking as we got closer and closer to the basement.

When we reached the kitchen Errol was perched, waiting for us with a package. Molly rushed over and opened the package and stumbled backwards. Sirius leapt into action and brought her over to a seat and I saw the tears streaming from her eyes. A Weasley jumper with a 'P' on it was returned without a note… Percy really is an arsehole.

I took the rejected present from Molly and placed it on the table and kneeled on the floor in front of her and held her hands. Sirius awkwardly put his hands on her shoulders and squeezed reassuringly. "I'm sorry, Molly, I wish there was something I could do…" I said, "Luckily I carry these bad boys around with me." I handed her a tissue from my pocket, "Oh whoops, that one's already been used…" I stuck my hand back into the pocket, "There you are… a clean snot rag."

Molly stifled a laugh as she blew her nose.

"That was awfully dignified of you," I said.

"I – I don't want to cry in front of you!" she sniffled.

"Molly, of all the people in the world, you can cry in front of me. I know pain and hurt when I see it. I just hope that Perce has some form of epiphany and comes running back. Other than that I'll have to gain permission to slap some sense into him." I smirked, "Can Sirius make you a cuppa?"

Molly looked up at me through her tears, "I – I – I'd love a cup."

I nodded to Sirius and he seemed grateful for a job, "Excellent delegator, I am." I joked as I dried Molly's tears, "Look, I know the situation isn't ideal right now, but you have to take advantage of men standing about idly."

"You teach me something new every day." Molly stroked my cheek affectionately.

"A wee spoonful of sugar in that cup there Sirius and we'll be flying!" I smiled, "Thanks!" I said to Sirius as he started to prep breakfast, "Now, Molly, you get this down you and no sooner than I see an empty mug can you get up and help. It's your Christmas, too."

Lupin walked in and I walked over to give him a hug and we greeted each other with a 'Merry Christmas', "Where did we get you from? Everyone else is upstairs and you're here helping with breakfast, letting Molly put her feet up!"

"Oh, you should know I'm the spawn of angels." I winked.

"Has anyone actually seen Kreacher?" Sirius asked a few hours later as he brought the turkey out of the oven for carving. Hermione had insisted on giving the House Elf a present.

"I don't think I've ever seen Kreacher, in all times that I've visited here." I answered, "I heard him when we arrived, but after you told him to get out, Sirius, I-"

Harry interrupted, "He couldn't have left, could he? I mean when you said 'out', maybe he thought you said get out of the house?"

"No, no," Sirius said, helping Molly drain some vegetables, "house-elves can't leave unless they're given clothes. They're tied to their family's house."

"They can leave the house if they really want to," Harry responded, "Dobby did, he left the Malfoys' to give me warnings three years ago… he had to punish himself afterwards, but he still managed it…"

Sirius looked disconcerted for a moment, then said, "I'll look for him later, I expect I'll find him upstairs crying his eyes out over my mother' old bloomers or something. Of course, he might have crawled into the airing cupboard and died… but I mustn't get my hopes up."

"Sirius." I chided, but Fred, George, Harry and Ron were all laughing.

I couldn't help but think about Kreacher, the house-elf I had never met as we ate Christmas lunch. I had turkey and stuffing, potatoes of so many kinds, carrots, brussel sprouts, lashings of gravy and little sausages. I wondered if Kreacher was as bad and insolent as Sirius said. I wondered if Kreacher was indeed hiding in the house, of if he had gone elsewhere. Sirius had mentioned that house-elves are tied to their family's house. What if Kreacher went to visit another member of the Black family for Christmas? I couldn't bear the thought….

"More turkey, dear?" Molly asked.

"Oh, no thank you!" I smiled, "This is delicious. I might explode if I eat much more!"

I pushed the thought of Kreacher out of mind as we went to St Mungo's to visit Arthur. This time escorted by Moody and Lupin. Moody sat close to Harry and Lupin sat beside me.

"Well, I must say I feel privileged." I smiled.

"You really are a teacher's pet." Lupin smiled back, "You're an outstanding student, with less of the Grangerism."

"Grangerism?" I whispered back, "Is that what you guys call it?" I smirked, shaking my head, "Is that the name you have given to all the know-it-alls? The swots?"

Lupin smirked as well, raising his eyebrows.

"So what has life been like outside Hogwarts?" I asked.

"Let's just say it's nice to have a role, something to do-" he stopped himself, "You talk far beyond your years, you do not need to have an old man burden himself upon you."

I was taken aback, "You're not an old man! You've a load of life left in you." I elbowed him, "Has there been anything more said in the Ministry after the attack?" I leaned in close, "I was talking to Tonks and she said that nothing had come from the search…"

"I was there with her, but there was nothing, I'm sure Voldemort was long gone by the time we got there. There haven't been any disturbances since. I was on duty two nights ago. Has Harry seen something else?" he asked.

"He keeps dreaming about the door," I said, "but he hasn't a clue…" the two of us stood as our stop was next, Lupin placed a hand on my back to stop me from falling as I slipped on a wet patch as the train came to a halt, "Thanks."

"You two look cosy," George said as he caught up with me in the deserted London Street with the entrance to the hospital, "Something you're not telling me?"

"Oh, you know me," I joked, "I always go for the older man." I rolled my eyes, "Is it a crime for me to enjoy his company?"

George scratched his head, "You and Sirius get along, but there's something different when you and Lupin are together. It's like when you have a conversation, you're both sucked into a different reality or something." He tried to explain, "I'm not jealous or anything – if that's what you were wondering – it's just that –"

"He was the first person I told about Barbara. Him and McGonagall."

"Oh," George's expression was one of realisation, "Oh, of course! I – He's like your –"

I took a deep breath and sighed deeply. That was when we arrived at the ward where we found Arthur propped up in bed with the remains of his turkey dinner on the table in front of him. His eyes lit up as he saw us and we greeted him, placing all the presents on his bed, as Fred and George navigated the table away from their father.

Molly wrapped her arms around her husband and planted a kiss on his cheek, "Everything alright, Arthur?"

"Fine, fine," he said a little too heartily, "You – er – haven't seen Healer Smethwyck, have you?"

"No," Molly said suspiciously, "why?"

"Nothing, nothing," Arthur said, unwrapping his gifts.

He is a terrible liar.

I looked up and saw that both Fred and George were staring at me. George poorly mimed sewing and I knew that meant if I thought Arthur had tried having stitches. Arthur tried to deflect his wife's suspicion by asking questions and opening his pile of presents. He thanked Harry for the fuse-wire and screwdriver. His mistake was leaning over to shake Harry's hand and exposing some of his bandaging under his nightshirt.

"Arthur," Molly started, her voice snapped like a mousetrap, "you've had your bandages changed. Why have you had your bandages changed a day early, Arthur? They told me that wouldn't need doing until tomorrow."

I had to hide my laughter through coughing. Arthur lifted the bed sheet higher, to cover himself. He babbled a few excuses. Molly stared him down. I was overcome by another fit of giggles. Fred shoved me in my seat and I bit my tongue.

"Well – now don't get upset, Molly, but Augustus Pye had an idea… he's a Trainee Healer, you know, lovely young chap and very interested in… um… complementary medicine… I mean some of these old Muggle remedies… well, they're called stitches, Molly, and they work very well on Muggle wounds-"

Molly was about to explode.

10

Lupin got up and left the bed and sat with the werewolf opposite Arthur's bed. He began making very intense conversation.

9

Molly let out an ominous noise somewhere between a shriek and a snarl. She took off the scarf around her neck and set it very gracefully on her lap and smoothed it incessantly.

8

Bill muttered something and leaned forwards in his chair. Next thing he stood and slipped out without either of his parents knowing.

7

Fred stomped on my foot.

6

George's eyes widened as he looked between me and the door.

5

I slowly moved forwards on my seat, Molly was right beside me, so I had to do this in one slick move. Fred took a hold of my hand and tugged me, his eyes darted back and forth to the door, too.

4

"Do you mean to tell me," Molly's voice got louder and louder, "that you have been messing about with Muggle remedies?"

3

I stood and made to run.

2

Molly grabbed my arm, "Did you know about this?"

1

I quickly shook my head, tapped Molly's hand which had formed a very tight grip on my arm and when she released me, I got out the door on the other side of the ward faster than I've moved in a while.

"That was close." I giggled once out of earshot of the roaring argument that had just erupted in the Dai Llewellyn ward. Seconds later, I saw Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all quickly escape from the area, "Tea?"

The group of us all climbed the stairs towards the café on the top floor. There were many portraits of famous Healers on the walls, all of whom I noticed, were male. The various Healers called for our attention, diagnosing us with different ailments and diseases, suggesting disgusting remedies for us to take. One particular medieval Healer followed Ron up the stairs, claiming he had a bad case splattergroit.

"Tis a most grievous affliction of the skin, young master, that will leave you pockmarked and more gruesome even than you are now-" the old Healer said.

"Watch who you're calling gruesome!" Ron's ears turned red.

The Healer followed nonetheless, "- the only remedy is to take the liver of a toad, bind it tight about your throat, stand naked at the full moon in a barrel of eels' eyes."

"I have not got splattergroit!" Ron was going a shade of beetroot. But I noticed something curious about the Healer.

"But the unsightly blemishes upon your visage, young master-"

"They're freckles!" Ron said furiously.

As the Healer was about to take another stab at Ron's appearance I interrupted, "Excuse me, but I'll find that whilst you are trying to diagnose my friend with an awful, awful illness, that you, yourself are not quite well. This fatigue you are experiencing, the way you are grasping your back and not to forget the obvious deformity of your legs. When was the last time you enjoyed a little sunshine, Sir? Because you certainly didn't do so when you were alive. Look, scurvy isn't nice and you should go And take a seat before you pass out, break a few bones and render yourself even more of a hindrance. Nice meeting you."

Ron clapped his hand on my shoulder and smiled as we set upon the next rickety stairs. At the top he stopped and stared, blinking at something. "Ron, what's wrong?" I asked, but before he answered I saw. It was Gilderoy Lockhart. Possibly one of the biggest fraudsters who attacked us with Ron's wand, which backfired and he rendered himself with, what was diagnosed as permanent brain damage.

"Well, hello there!" our old professor said to Ron, "I expect you'd like my autograph, would you?"

"Hasn't changed much, has he?" I heard Harry mutter to Ginny as Fred, George and Bill scooted up the next flight of stairs in the hope they wouldn't be noticed. George caught eyes with me and grinned like a naughty boy.

"Er – how are you, Professor?" Ron asked, sounding guilty.

Lockhart spoke with exuberance as he said, "I'm very well indeed, thank you! Now, how many autographs would you like? I can do joined-up writing now, you know!"

I thought back to the time we spent in the Chamber of Secrets, how Harry and I met the memory of Tom Riddle. I remembered the mess of my arm as it stuck out in a strange shape under my skin. I looked over to Ginny, who must have had a flashback of what had happened to her, she was pale and gripped her left arm with her right hand, to comfort herself.

"Er – we don't want any at the moment, thanks," Ron raised his eyebrows at Harry.

"Professor, should you be wandering around the corridors? Shouldn't you be in a ward?" Harry asked.

The smile faded slowly in Lockhart's face. For a few moments he gazed intently at Harry. I longed to be upstairs with Fred, George and Bill. Then Lockhart spoke, "Haven't we met?"

"Er… yeah, we have," Harry said, "You used to teach us at Hogwarts, remember?"

"Teach?" Lockhart repeated, looking unsettled, "Me? Did I?" the smile reappeared upon his face so suddenly it was rather alarming, "Taught you everything I know, I expect, did I? Well, how about those autographs, then? Shall we say a round dozen, you can give them out to all your little friends then and nobody will be left out!"

Just then a head poked out of a door at the far end of the corridor and a voice called, "Gilderoy, you naughty boy, where have you wandered off to?"

A motherly-looking Healer wearing a tinsel wreath in her hair came bustling up the corridor, smiling warmly at Harry and the others. "Oh Gilderoy, you've got visitors! How lovely and on Christmas Day, too! Do you know, he never gets visitors, poor lamb, and I can't think why, he's such a sweetie, aren't you?"

I felt so uncomfortable standing there. Hermione looked up at me and I could tell she was feeling the same. I remembered our first class with Lockhart and the famous quiz about him. Hermione answered everything correctly as she was completely in love and in awe of the man. I answered sarcastically because a pompous individual did not deserve my respect. If only I had known then what I know now.

Hermione took a hold of my arm and dragged me toward the ward Lockhart lived. The Janus Thickey Ward was a long-term residents' ward for permanent spell damage. The healer explained that the residents all undergo intensive remedial potions and charms in the hope that they would see improvement. I glanced around the ward, opposite Lockhart was a man who was lying on his back in the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Beside him was a woman whose face was entirely covered in fur. She barked when the Healer handed her presents. The far end of the room, on the same side of the ward as Lockhart, curtains were pulled around what seemed to be two beds. My attention was then drawn to Lockhart's headboard, which was plastered in pictures of himself. I wasn't remotely surprised.

Lockhart handed Ginny all the pictures he had signed in eight-year-old style joined-up handwriting and told her to put them in envelopes. She rolled her eyes at me, but did the job all the same.

"Oh, Mrs Longbottom, are you leaving already?" the Healer called out.

Something awful dawned on me.

From behind the curtains appeared an old witch wearing a long green dress, a moth-eaten fox fur and a pointed hat decorated unmistakably with a stuffed vulture. It was a familiar outfit as in third year, we had seen Boggart Snape sporting the same look. Trailing behind her looking thoroughly depressed – "Neville!" Ron called out as soon as he saw our friend.

Neville jumped and cowered as though a bullet had narrowly missed him.

"It's us, Neville!" Ron said brightly, getting to his feet, taking the excuse to get away from Lockhart, "Have you seen – Lockhart's here! Who've you been visiting?"

I rubbed my nose awkwardly. Neville had told me about his parents in confidence. I hadn't told a soul what he had confided in me.

"Friends of yours, Neville, dear?" said Neville's Grandmother graciously, bearing down on all of us. Neville was staring determinedly at the floor, bright red and wishing he was anywhere else in the world. This must be awful for him. His Grandmother ignored him and continued, "Ah, yes," she peered down at Harry and shook his hand, "Yes, yes, I know who you are, of course. Neville speaks most highly of you."

"Er – thanks." Harry said.

"And you two are clearly Weasleys," Mrs Longbottom's eyes fell upon Ron and Ginny, shaking their hands in turn, "Yes, I know your parents – not well, of course – but fine people, fine people … and you must be Hermione Granger?"

Hermione looked startled, even surprised that Neville's Grandmother even knew of her.

"Yes, Neville's told me all about you." She said, casting a discerning look down her nose at her grandson, "but he hasn't got his father's talent, I'm afraid to say." She jerked her head towards the curtains pulled around the beds so that the vulture on her head trembled precariously.

"What?" Ron looked amazed, "Is that your dad down that end, Neville?"

I had to do something. I couldn't make the situation bearable for Neville, but I could at least try to make it better.

"Of course, Ron," I said looking at him as though he were an idiot, "you really have left your brain at Hogwarts, haven't you? Neville's parents are both here, they were very brave, weren't they? Being tortured by the Lestranges?" I implored him to stop looking at me with so much confusion, "Neville speaks of his parents with so much pride, Mrs Longbottom, as I'm sure you are, too." I smiled, trying to sell the story to all my friends, who, one by one all nodded and smiled, too. Ron, who had been standing on his tip-toes to get a glimpse of Neville's parents put both his feet firmly on the ground and remained silent.

Mrs Longbottom looked at me for the first time and looked taken aback, "I'm sorry, do I know you?"

Cheers, Nev. I thought as he looked up from the ground for a second, his eyes pleading with me.

"I'm Kathryn, Mrs Longbottom."

"Hmm…" the old woman begrudgingly shook my hand, but with half the enthusiasm of the rest of the group. Ouch. "They were Aurors, you know, and very well respected within the Wizarding Community," Mrs Longbottom went on, ignoring me, "Highly gifted, the pair of them. I – yes, Alice dear, what is it?"

Neville's mother had come edging down the ward in her night dress. I imagine she was a frame of her old self. She was thin and her skin was worn. Her hair had turned white and was wispy and dead looking. She appeared, to me, as someone with profound special needs. She had the bodily capability to function, but her eyes were unfocused and her movements were secretive, almost childlike. She didn't speak, but was holding something in her outstretched hand.

"Again?" said Mrs Longbottom, sounding slightly weary, "Very well, Alice, dear, very well – Neville take it, whatever it is."

Neville had already stretched out his hand, into which his mother dropped an empty Droobles Best Blowing Gum wrapper.

"Very nice, dear," said Neville's Grandmother in a falsely upbeat manner, patting his mother on the shoulder.

"Thanks mum," Neville whispered so quietly I doubt many heard.

His mother tottered away, back up the ward, humming to herself. Neville looked around the group of us, his expression defiant. I wished in that moment I could have given him a hug. I had a lump at the back of my throat and it was getting harder and harder to swallow.

"Well, we'd better get back," Mrs Longbottom drew on long, green gloves, "Very nice to have met you all. Neville, put that wrapper in the bin, she must have given you enough of them to paper your bedroom by now." She walked out of the ward and Neville sauntered behind. I could have sworn he put the wrapper into his pocket as he walked. The door closed behind them.

"I never knew." Said Hermione, who looked how I felt.

"Nor did I," Ron spoke hoarsely.

"Nor me," whispered Ginny.

We all turned to Harry, "I knew," he said glumly, "Dumbledore told me but I promised I wouldn't tell anyone… that's what Bellatrix Lestrange got sent to Azkaban for, using the Cruciatus Curse on Neville' parents until they lost their minds."

"Bellatrix Lestrange did that?" Hermione whispered, horrified, "That woman Kreacher's got a photo of in his den?" she sighed, "How did you know?"

"Neville told me after the class with Moody last year. He made me promise not to tell anyone, but I reckoned it would have been more of an embarrassment for me not to have said anything to his Grandmother. I don't think she likes the look of me, though…

Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione shot looks between themselves.

"Can we just… go home?" I asked.

That evening, I lay on the sofa with my head on George's lap as he played with my hair. The five of us who had seen the Longbottom family were all subdued. I felt so bad for Neville. You really wouldn't wish that situation upon anyone. I tried to concentrate on a book, but found my attention drifting elsewhere.

I grabbed George's arm as he chatted to Fred and wrapped it around me. It felt ridiculous, me reacting in such a way to something I can't change. But I just wanted to be held. I held his left hand and laced his fingers in mine and started playing with his hands, tracing the veins, his knuckles, feeling along his recently cut fingernails. I sat, content for quite some time.

"And now to number seven in the Muggle Christmas charts, it's Oasis with Wonderwall."

I laughed.

'Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do, about you now…'

I sang along. In my best Noel Gallagher impression, obviously.

"Right, up you get," George shook his legs, moving my head from side to side, "we have got to dance. Shake it all out. For old times' sake."

"Happy anniversary, George." I kissed him.

"Merry anniversary, Katy."

I moved to let George up to his feet, but he pulled me up off the sofa and started twirling me around, even as the song ended and the next started, George had managed to get Ron, Ginny, Fred, Harry and Hermione all dancing. It wasn't particularly graceful, nor was it in any way coordinated, but it was us having fun. It was just like the Yule Ball; we really didn't care what we looked like. It made me realise that whilst bad things happen, we have to make the best out of what life has to offer.