10th July

I don't know if you know the feeling. The feeling that comes with your biggest desire coming true and it not having the effect on your life that you wished. Like begging your parents for a dog, the safe haven, the member of the family that would never judge you but always give you unwavering love. But the thing with dogs is, that rain, hail, sleet or snow, it needs walked, it needs attention, it needs food and you can't go on holiday and expect it to look after itself.

I know that's a pretty crap analogy, but when you wish for years and years that your parents weren't actually your parents and it comes true, that your real parents are even worse than your fake parents, that's pretty shit. But it's when your real mum, who barely knows you, finds out what said fake parents did and she makes the drastic decision to murder both of them for you, as a sort of favour, or a sorry plea. I guess I don't know I feel about that.

I don't know if anyone will ever read this, but sometimes writing in here is like having a conversation with a friend. You can't answer back; you can't tell me I'm mad or stupid or down right off my rocker. Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes it's tough. I guess if there is ever anyone reading this, remember this: you are loved, you matter and someone out there is willing to do just about anything to see a smile on your face.

I was reminded about that as Molly found me in the apple orchard, lost in a world of my own pure imagination. She wrapped her arms around me and said, "Let's go make cake."

It wasn't just a simple hug, it was a Molly Weasley hug, the type that is both kind and loving and is given out to those who are really in need of it. I couldn't help but smile at her when she proposed baking. She wiped the tears from my cheeks and said the very simple phrase, "It's over." I knew exactly what she meant. Once everything went through with Snow, my life, my previous life, caught up in the affairs of the muggle world were over. No connections, no love, no loss. It's over.

And that was when I knew that this was my new beginning.

"Something smells good," George wrapped his arms around my middle as I stirred the pot of curry, "How are you feeling now?"

I turned around and kissed him, "Well, since the surprise visit at lunchtime, I have baked a cake, painted Ginny's nails, had a very interesting conversation with Fleur and Ron has filled me in with all the gossip."

"Sounds good," he smiled, taking off his robes and replacing them with muggle clothes. I think it's safe to say he doesn't care if I see him with very little on. I always appreciate a glance or two when I get the chance.

"George?" I asked.

"Katy?" was his response.

I turned my head on the side, "Can I borrow one of the company owls?"

"Of course you can!" he stuck a spoon into the curry and tested it, "You don't need to ask – this is delicious!"

"You may call everyone, it's ready!" I said, slapping his hand as he went for a second spoonful of curry, "Oi you! Come on, get a move on!"

George kissed me, "Yes m'lady."

At the end of eating dinner, there was a knock at the back door and Ginny bounced off her chair to answer it. There before the Weasley family, Fleur and me stood the one and only Hermione Granger. "According to the Ministry -"

"It's her." I joked.

"Recite the entirely of 'Hogwarts: A History'." Ron joined in, he looked back at me sitting on his other side.

"Honestly Ronald, if you just read it -"

"It's definitely her." Ron rolled his eyes.

Ginny took her bags as Hermione waved her parents off. I suppose it would be strange for them to walk into a Wizarding Family's home, they might get a bit overwhelmed by it all. Hermione then stepped inside and I gave her a hug, "How come you manage to turn up in time for cake?"

Hermione smiled, "You baked for me coming?"

I shrugged my shoulders, I glanced around the room, "No one told me you were coming."

"We wanted it to be a surprise." Molly smiled.

"You're looking well," Hermione looked me up and down, "How are you feeling?"

I nodded, "A lot better than I did last time I saw you." And before she could ask any more questions I asked one of my own, "So you kept Hermione quiet… is Harry going to show up, now, too?"

"I imagine he will arrive on the fourteenth." Molly smiled.

"Excellent." I nodded encouragingly, "It'll be good to have us all together once again." I then went to slice the chocolate fudge cake and serve it up. Hermione had pulled up a chair and sat herself in between Ron and me. She seemed unsurprised by Fleur's presence and presided to ignore her. She and Ginny must have been in cahoots. To be honest, I'm really not surprised.

Hermione lowered her voice to me as conversation flowed around the table, "So, tell me, what's happened in the last two weeks?"

"I think you know enough from conversing with Ginny."

She glanced up at me, she knew she'd been caught out, so she changed tactics, "Why on earth did you walk out?"

"Ask Ginny." I told her, "I don't fancy telling the story for the thousandth time."

"Why are you always like this with me?"

"Like what?"

"Closed off? You willingly tell everyone else what is going on, but when it comes to me, you just shut me out, I just don't understand."

"Because you demand -"

Hermione started into one of her rants, Ron looked at me with pleading eyes as he watched the situation unfold. Hermione gave off about always being the last one to know things, about her almost dying a few weeks ago and having a new perspective, about me not being open with her, and how she had to find out about me leaving from Ginny. "I travelled all the way from Switzerland once I found out the news that you'd gone missing. I was worried sick! Then I show up here and you act like nothing has happened, you pretend that everything is okay when it's not. You've still got that look on your face, Kathryn, I know you, I know when you're worried about something. I just wish you'd let me in and do you know what? I think I deserve it, after everything you've done and put me through -"

I raised my eyebrows at that. Ron choked on a piece of cake that he was chewing and the conversation at the table came to an abrupt halt. I didn't dignify her statement with an answer.

But Arthur did, "Hermione," he sighed, "I think it is sensible to say nothing in these situations and wait for information to be shared, rather than taken -"

George cleared his throat, "I think what Dad is trying to say is shut your fat mouth -"

Even Ron was on my side, "We've only got her back and things aren't exactly easy for her after what happened today -" he stopped after the glare she gave him.

"What happened today?"

Everybody sat in silence.

"My um –" I paused, "Richard and Helen –" I struggled to formulate the sentence, "- they um –"

"They what?" Hermione leaned forwards in anticipation, stopping herself from shaking the information out of me.

I took a deep breath and blurted, "Richard and Helen were murdered last night. Snow came to visit to tell me. It dug up the past."

"Oh." She said as though sorry to have asked.

"Happy now?" I gave her a few seconds to get suitably embarrassed, "You here for the rest of the summer?" I asked.

She nodded, "Yes."

I looked to George that meaningful look that he knew exactly what I was getting at.

He yawned and said, "I think I should call it a day, Katy… Are you ready for home?"

"I'll go grab my stuff, I'll be two minutes." I kissed the top of his head and paraded up the stairs and shoved my stuff into the overnight bag and hastily returned downstairs, "Night everyone." I announced.

"When will we see you again, dear?"

"Katy and I have plans tomorrow," George said, "So after that."

Molly took to her feet and wrapped her arms around me again, "And you know you can come here any time of the day or night if you need anything or if you feel -"

"I know; I know…" I told her, "Night."

Before anyone else could hold us back, George took me by the hand and we were away. The Floo Network was so quick and easy and we hoped no one would follow. "I thought you would have wanted to stay longer." He told me, taking off his cloak and throwing it onto the stand, "I'd have loved to see you embarrass Granger a little longer."

"Honestly George." I told him, "I stopped myself. She always does this. It's as though she expects to be brought up to speed with everything, well what happens if I don't want to tell her every bitty detail of how difficult my life has been compared to her perfect one?"

"Do I hear a hint of jealousy?"

I glared at him, "Do I have to admit to it?"

"No, you don't." he kissed me, "Shall we get into bed for a cuddle?"

"I'd love to," I smiled, "but I've got to send that letter before I forget."

So I found myself an owl in the shop's mail room who very willingly stuck out it's leg for me to attach the letter to Bellatrix Lestrange. I didn't write much, but I felt, deep down, that this is something I had to do.

I know it was you.
I just wanted to say… Thanks.
KBL x

11th July

I'll be honest, George and I lay in bed for most of this morning snuggling. The sun was streaming in through the curtains and we could hear the hustle and bustle of shoppers in Diagon Alley. His arms were wrapped around me and we placed little kisses on each other. This was all whilst having a serious conversation about our life together. It all started with George asking if I saw us together in five years, to which I responded, "I see us together when we're old and senile, George, never mind five years' time."

"Good." He told me and so the conversation went on a while about plans for the future, how we will get our own place together when I finish at Hogwarts and then he asked, "And do you see us…?"

I turned myself around in the bed and smirked, I could see his eyes were wide and mysterious, "Are you asking what I think you're asking?"

"I won't know if you don't tell me." he gave me a mysterious look.

"You want to know if I want to have sex with you."

His eyes met mine, "And do you?"

I bit my lower lip, "Soon, I think I'd like to have a clearer head before and maybe I'll go to the gym and put myself on this very intense diet -"

"I get that you want to clear your head, but why do you want to go to the gym and starve yourself?"

"Cause you'll get the shock of your life if you see me naked." I said ever so seriously, "too many wobbly bits. And you know, George – I have scars and they're not the prettiest things to look at -"

George smiled, "They show me that you're brave." He placed a hand on my lower back under my pyjama top and traced my kidney scar, "They tell me that you have defeated your past." His other hand lowered the arm of my top and he traced the scar on my shoulder, "And I happen to love your wobbly bits, besides, you may have forgotten, but I have seen you with very little on… and most of those times you were in hospital or getting dressed with the door ajar." He winked, "I like what I see."

I closed my eyes, feeling all embarrassed, "Okay, okay, stop!"

"I can't wait to get my hands on you." His hands wandered, his lips planting kisses along my collarbone, and further down. I felt my back arch as I enjoyed the sensations.

"Oi." I stopped him, "If you go any further, you won't have much else to explore."

"What's stopping us?" he pulled me in closer.

I pushed myself away, "I can't, not today, not this week -" I got out of bed and clung onto the fabric of my pyjamas so as not to die from pure embarrassment.

George shimmied across the bed and took a hold of my hand grasping onto my clothes and linked it with his own, "There is nothing for you to feel shame about." With his other hand, he lifted up my t-shirt slightly and kissed my bloating stomach, "This proves that you are a woman."

I felt my chin wobble, "Why do you have to be so perfect?"

"Why do you?" he asked, stroking my cheek gently, "I'll go make us some brunch if you want to shower?"

I leant down and kissed him, "I love you."

He kissed me back, "I love you, too."

12th July

Hey sis!
Today is my day off and Molly told me I'd find you here.
Come downstairs and find me.
T x

"Ahhhhhhhh!" I let out a squeal in the tiny apartment and nearly fell over myself in excitement as I ran to find my converse and hopped on the spot to put them on. I grabbed my keys and locked the door behind me as I joined in the mayhem of the shop.

I knew I had to be sensible as I walked past busy customers. I saw Verity again, "He's downstairs!" she smiled back at me.

"Thanks, but I'm actually looking for a friend. Chances are, she'll have an outrageous hairstyle."

"I saw someone with bubblegum pink hair downstairs two minutes ago?"

"You did?" I smiled, "Thanks!"

I battled through the crowds once again and out of nowhere, Fred put a hand on my arm, "Kathryn? George is in the room with the shield hats… Are you okay?"

"Yeah!" I beamed, "Tonks is here!" I rubbed my hands together and I saw the blob of pink hair and chased after her, "Hey sis!" I said, "In the disguise section, are we?"

"We are." she smiled and the two of us let out a squeal of excitement and hugged each other tight.

I couldn't help but smile, "You have no idea how good it is to see you!" I took her by the hand and said, "Follow me upstairs, it's a bit quieter up there."

I brought her into the apartment and after closing the door, the sound of the shop was shut out. "Tea?" I asked her and she nodded, "Take a seat." I busied myself with boiling the kettle and being a good hostess, "You'll never guess what I did yesterday afternoon?"

I turned around to see that Tonks was in tears.

"Hey hey hey!" I hurried over to her, and with a hand on her back I got onto my knees and said, "What's up, girl?"

She sniffled, "Don't pay attention to me," she took a tissue out of her pocket and blew her nose loudly, "I keep forgetting you're not seventeen yet…" she waved her wand and the two cups of tea zoomed in the air towards us.

"You forgot the most important part…" I hurried over to the fridge, grabbed two forks, plates and a knife, "I bake. I think cake is required right now, don't you?"

She gave me a watery smile and I cut a modest slice, "If that's for me, you'd better give me double." She remarked.

I laughed, "Alright, alright, silly me!" I took the small slice for myself and pushed the entire plate with the remainder of cake in her direction and handed her a fork, "Dig in, girl. I've got all afternoon." I handed her a clean tissue, "Start from the beginning."

Her chin wobbled, "The beginning?"

I gave her a small, encouraging smile, "It'll help me understand."

"So you know I've got a thing for Remus?"

"A pretty big thing at that." I nodded.

She ate a bit of cake and sighed to herself, "The two of us were doing a lot of Order Missions together when you were at Hogwarts," she told me, "we spent a lot of time together and I really got to know him and we really got along, you know?"

I nodded.

"Well one night when the two of us were hiding out outside Yaxley's house, bearing in mind we'd been spending time getting to know each other for over a year, I made a remark about how Sirius was still handsome even after Azkaban. Remus was really bitter and told me that Sirius always managed to get the women. It really hurt me to hear him say that, I was angry, that after all this time he thought I was taking a fancy for his best friend, so I told him outright, that he knows perfectly well who I've fallen for, if he wasn't too busy feeling sorry for himself to notice. And -" she wrapped her hands around her mug after wiping her nose with her hand roughly.

"And…?"

I could see she was preparing herself to tell me the awful news, the thing that had her so upset, the information that was making her hurt so badly, "He looked so happy..." tears filled her eyes, "Like he couldn't believe that I felt like that about him." Then she spluttered, "And all within seconds he told me that he didn't understand what I meant, that surely no one could show any affection towards someone like him. He wondered if I'd been put up to it…" She bawled her eyes out, "Then – then he – he walked away…"

I closed my eyes and felt myself get all emotional, too, gosh I felt so bad for her. I pulled myself together, taking a sip of my tea and digging into my slice of cake.

"Even you're now eating cake…" she cried, eating another healthy forkful.

"I'm sorry…" I told her.

"What have you got to be sorry about? It was him who flat-out rejected me." she blew her nose, "You know, it actually gets worse…"

I braced myself, "Oh no…"

"He started avoiding me after that, he – he requested missions where he knew he wouldn't be with me – he's taking on more dangerous tasks, he's – he's going to get himself killed…" she ate a huge chunk of cake and washed it all down with a swig of tea, "I woke up in hospital the morning after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and Remus was sitting at my bedside, red-eyed and – I mean – what a handsome man to wake up to –"

I chuckled, fighting off the lump at the back of my throat, "Agreed."

She gave me a friendly thump on the arm, "Kathryn, you can't tell anyone this – everything I've told you and everything to come – not Ginny, or Hermione not even George, do you hear me?" she leaned forwards and took a hold of my arm.

"Loud and clear… what happened?"

"Well… in the same breath that he told me that Sirius was dead, I told Remus that I was in love with him and after everything that had just happened it should mean something, be a sign that life is too short and that we should be together." She sobbed into a handkerchief after telling me, unable to tell me anymore, then she started in on some more of the cake.

"What was his response?" I asked carefully.

She sighed, "He told me that he was too dangerous, too old and that I deserved someone pure, someone whole." She took another handkerchief out and dabbed her eyes, "That was the 19th June. I got out of St. Mungo's on the 21st and saw him briefly at Platform 9 3/4 for the first time since and then on the 9th, saying that he promised you that he'd pass on a message. He told me what you told him and left."

"What did he tell you exactly?" I asked.

Tonks was now a quarter of her way through the cake, "He told me that you felt really conflicted. He told me that you went to see Bellatrix after you and George had a fight. He told me how Bellatrix was nice, but tried to use you to get to the Order and through that, get to Harry and then she tried to recruit you. He's really worried about you. He's proud, but…" she sighed.

I leaned forwards, "But what?!"

"I don't know what it is with you two…" she said, "He's very protective of you for some reason."

"I don't think I'd go as far as 'protective' but when we were in Hogwarts, he taught us about Boggarts and he saw mine and asked me who the scary woman was. He was the man who cared enough to ask, he wanted to help me, he knew that it wasn't just some fear that I'd made up in my head, but something I'd actually experienced. He listened to me and it is because of him that I opened up about what my parents were doing to me."

Tonks' mouth opened a little, "You told him first?"

"Yeah."

"Merlin, can he get any more perfect?" she sighed.

Tonks refilled our mugs of tea as I continued, "He helped me through a pretty tough time. I told him things because I trusted him. He talks to me, too. I don't know what he's told you, but it must have been pretty big for him to admit that he's a werewolf half-way through the school year to a third year."

"He did?"

I nodded, "I don't know what 'it' is, but between you and him, you've both got it has meant that I have been able to talk to you two about stuff that's going on without really knowing you, but I trust you." I put my hands in my hair awkwardly, "It sounds so cheesy when I say it out loud."

She shook her head, "No it doesn't… I feel like that with him, too... Do you think he loves me?"

"Yeah, I do." I told her honestly, "I asked him about you, not knowing that any of this had happened."

Tonks' eyes widened and her chin dropped.

"I asked him if he liked you and he was all embarrassed, he wouldn't give me a straight answer, but I can tell you that he is in love with you. Just the same as Ron and Hermione have something brewing, and have done so for years. At least you were brave enough to say something to him! I told him, in a very obvious, in-your-face, can't-be-misconstrued-for-anything-else way that it doesn't matter what age you are, or if he's a werewolf or if you're too 'pure' I told him that when feelings are involved shit like that doesn't matter." I took a hold of her hand and she was looking at me in awe, "He changed the topic after that, but he definitely took it in."

"Lil Sis, I could kiss you."

I puckered up jokingly, "Well, go on, then, just don't let Georgie catch us in the moment."

She rolled her eyes at me and let out the smallest of laughs, "I hate the way you're only sixteen and you've managed to find and keep a hold of the love of your life, and here's me, barely talking to mine."

"Don't worry, it'll all work out in the end." I told her, "I had to date a guy who was way too old for me, show George just how utterly-downright-gorgeous I am and then deal with him acting like a child until he finally realised just how much he was in love with me." I held up my hands and pressed them against hers in a high-five sort of thing, "We got this."

Tonks took a deep breath, blew her nose, wiped her eyes and gave the faintest of smiles, "I can't believe I've just eaten half of your cake!"

"Don't worry about that, either!"

"Half a chocolate cake!" she started laughing, which turned into crying, which was sort of a confused sound and I heard someone coming up the stairs.

It was George, "Hey Katy! Fred told me you were here, Tonks! It's good to see you. Are you –?"

I quickly stood to face him and gave him a look as if to say 'please do not comment on anything' and then his eyes found the cake and I think a little bit inside him crumbed.

"Hungry?" he finished his sentence, "I went into muggle London to try that bakery everyone was talking about, they do these amazing sandwiches that Justin gets every day and I thought you might like some?" he wrapped his arms around my waist.

I hugged him tight, "Thanks so much!" and then I made it so only he could hear, "She's having a bit of a crisis. I will make you another cake."

"Why can't I get a man like him?" Tonks' voice was thick with emotion.

"You're welcome to him -" I joked, but George looked at me in a mixture of fake disgust and fake hurt, "Only joking, I like him too much to share." I pinched his cheek like a baby, "But you don't need a George, Tonks, you need a yin to your yang, that's what it is, isn't it, George?"

George rolled his eyes and droned, "Yes, dear."

"It's like you're already married."

"He wishes." I elbowed him.

"Before I become the brunt of the rest of your jokes -" he gave me some serious side-eye, "I am going to love you and leave you. Enjoy your 'girl time'!" he did air quotes, grabbed his sandwich and a cold drink from the fridge and left.

I grabbed juice and glasses, too and we tucked into our sandwiches, mine was a chicken-bacon-mayo and salad in focaccia bread. Delish. I took a sip of juice and Tonks commented, "He must be great in bed."

I spat out the contents of my mouth, which happened to be a pathetic dribble of juice down my chin, "Why do people assume that George and I are having sex?"

Tonks sat with a wry smile on her face and raised an eyebrow at me, "I mean, COME ON, the way you two look at each other, the glances, the way he holds you. You totally lit up when you saw him."

"No," I said, "I lit up when he brought me food."

She laughed, "Oh you. But seriously, you're not?"

"It's on the cards, I just don't feel -"

"Ready?" she asked a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Sexy." I mumbled.

She set down her glass a little harder than she probably intended, slopping the contents over the edges and sloshing over the table. A swish of her wand and it vanished, "You're worried you're not sexy enough for him? Not good looking enough? You don't think you'd get him going?"

I blinked.

"Stand up," she ordered, "Look at you."

"I'm wearing a baggy t-shirt, jeans and converse."

"And working it." She told me, "Finish your sandwich, I've got work to do."

I put my hand on my face in embarrassment.

"Let me do this, it'll take my mind off everything." She pleaded, and when I relented she said, "In a few weeks I've got to help you feel sexy, we're going to go out and buy you underwear and you are going to jump into bed with that man of yours and -"

"Alright, alright."

"You won't regret this."

Five hours later Tonks decided that it was time to go back home to her parents' for dinner. Let's just say, Tonks was putting her heart and soul into making sure I felt 'sexy'. I really wish I hadn't of mentioned it, but at the same time, it was nice to not have her look miserable. She had me try on the nicest of my underwear and model it. Yes, model it. I have not let George see me like this, but I suppose it's different when you're with another girl. She was making plans of future appointments and places we were going to visit, things we had to do and I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel horribly uncomfortable, but we're going to have fun. I think. I hope.

Oh, and another thing. I've an invite to meet Auntie Andromeda and Uncle Ted next week. Eek.

15th July

"Ugh…" George rolled over when his morning alarm sounded after he snoozed it twice, "No…" he groaned as he turned it off, "Can I just cuddle with you all day?" he wrapped his arms back around me and spooned with me, "Too many orders to send and not enough staff…"

"Tell you what…" I rolled out of bed and stood up, "I'll come down with you? Give a hand?"

George blinked, shook his head and said, "I thought you said something else… Do you want to come down?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Why not?" He got out of bed, his hair stuck out in all directions, looking gorgeous and dishevelled and I had to zone back into the conversation again, "Sorry, what did you say?"

"Staring at my body?" George flexed his muscles jokingly.

I stood up on the bed and walked over to him and placed my hands in his hair and kissed him. He then proceeded to fireman's lift me out of the bedroom and I squealed.

"Fred!" George called out and Fred left his bedroom with pyjama shorts on.

"What are you doing to her?" Fred was flabbergasted by the fact that I was upside down over George's shoulder, bum in the air. By this stage I stopped squealing and was 'just chilling' up there, holding my t-shirt from exposing my boobs.

George slapped my bum, "This one," he flipped me back onto my feet again, "has agreed to help us downstairs today."

I put an arm on George's biceps and rested a good bit of my weight there as my body readjusted to being the right way up again, "I'll do whatever you need so long as I don't get chucked into Azkaban for underage magic. Fudge would have a field-day if he caught me out."

"I think he's a few more pressing issues to deal with at the minute." Fred said, "Besides, didn't he get fired?"

"I think Dad said he was about to?"

"All my dreams are coming true…!" I let out a loving sigh, placing my hands over my heart.

George, backtracking slightly, put an arm around my shoulders and winked, "You're willing to do… anything?"

I glared at him, "Shut up, you." Then I turned to Fred, "Do you need my help or not?"

Fred nodded, "A hand in delivery for a couple of hours would be amazing! Shall I get a set of robes?"

"There's no point," George said, "but if you want to fit in?"

I nodded.

An hour later, I had a set of magenta robes donned and Fred was showing me the ropes of how the delivery system worked. So long as I put the order in the correct sized box, wrapped neatly, followed by the order receipt, then the advertisement and a new blank order form, the owls did the rest. It really wasn't rocket science.

The first hour of the day was just Fred and me, apparently the person who is supposed to be in for the early morning shift requested today off for some family emergency, so Fred was covering for him. Then there's a guy called Johnny coming in at ten.

"You know…" I began in a very conversational way, "I never got a chance to ask you about Ange… how's it all going?"

"Really well," Fred said after a minute, he looked up and watched me, making sure I was working.

"Come on, Freddie, you've got to give me more than that." I egged him on as I packed a pair of size 8 sticky trainers into a box.

Fred smirked, "What do you want to know?"

"Everything."

He laughed, "I took her out for dinner that evening I asked you to help me choose shirts, we went to this nice restaurant where we got a chance to talk, just the two of us. She had a few cocktails and I had a few beers and it just felt… right?"

"That's good!" I told him, "Did you choose the blue shirt or the Hawaiian one?"

"Blue shirt, to show the more sensible side of Fred Weasley." He dared to impersonate something that was quite hilariously pompous.

"Lovely," I smiled, "Have there been other dates?"

He tried to hide a smile and failed miserably.

"I'll take that as a yes, then." I joked, "And by the embarrassment on your face, you've been up to no good."

"I feel like I'm on a bit of a high." He said, "No love potion necessary." He said, summoning one from the stock to send in a parcel, "What about you and George? Everything back on track?"

"Oh yeah," I smiled, "We're good."

Then he asked, "And the nightmares?"

"None, and no panic attacks, and fewer tears. I can't help the odd tear, I'm an emotional person." I joked.

"Thanks for coming back," he said after a few minutes of searching for a few products, "I don't think I would've been able to forgive myself for letting you go… and Mum would probably have murdered me."

I smirked, "No problem. I'm glad I did."

Fred and I then discussed his and Ange's next date idea before Johnny arrived two minutes before ten to start, "Morning, Mr Weasley!" he said cheerfully, "Morning." He said to me.

"Hi." I greeted him.

"Johnny this is Kathryn, Kathryn this is Johnny. Johnny I've told her the basics of delivery for her first shift, so if anything is needed in the shop itself, Kathryn'll need a hand. Oh and another thing, she's not seventeen yet. Kathryn, Johnny is great and if you need anything ask him, he knows his way around here just as well as I do."

"No problem, Sir." Johnny said.

I tried not to laugh at Fred getting called 'Sir' but it was a little surreal, being in the business when I'm usually upstairs, above all the going's on. Johnny asked if I was okay listening to some music and I said yes.

He then asked, "Is this your first day?"

"Yeah!" I nodded, "What's it like working for them?"

"They're great bosses." He told me sincerely, "there's enough work to keep us going in here and it's away from all the hectic out there."

"It is a bit overwhelming, isn't it?"

He laughed, "You'll get used to it once you've worked a few shifts. But you can always hide away working in here if it's too much."

"Good to know."

Johnny looked over at my box of Orders with awe, "Did someone order all that? How much?"

I blinked at the sheet, "A lot."

He took a look and his eyes nearly popped out of his head, "That kid is so lucky. I wish I could afford all that, I mean… there's skiving snackboxes in there, instant darkness powder, a shield hat, extendable ears, dung bombs, trick wands…"

"You can't forget the Decoy Detonators." I lifted it out of the now, quite heavy box, "This kid is up to no good."

He laughed at me.

"Those extendable ears are an incredible invention; don't you think?"

"You seem to know a lot about these products, did you have them in Hogwarts?" he asked.

"Oh yeah," I told him, "And I was the – I mean, I saw a lot of Guinea Pig work going on." I tried not to give too much of myself away, I didn't want him to feel awkward talking to his boss's girlfriend.

He sighed, "I wish I was back at Hogwarts," he explained, "especially when the two Mr Weasley's were there. I was a Hufflepuff, so I don't imagine they would have paid much attention to me. Were you in Gryffindor?"

"Yeah, I am, two years to go." I told him.

"Should you really be working?" he asked me, "I mean, you must be… sixteen?"

I looked over to him and smiled, "It's not wrong in the Muggle World."

"You're Muggle Born?"

I thought for a second about how I was going to answer that, but he guessed from the look on my face.

"Sorry – didn't mean to offend you."

"You didn't!"

After a few minutes, another few boxes had been packed and sent, Johnny looked as though a lightbulb had just flashed, "Are-you-in-the-same-year-as-HarryPotter?"

I laughed, "Same year. Same classes, mostly. Same Common Room." I lifted my hands up to my face jokingly.

"Are you friends with him?"

I couldn't help but laugh all the more, "Yes."

"Huh." Johnny looked impressed, "Cool." But before he could ask any more questions, Fred came back in.

"How're you getting on?"

"Grand." I told him, "How's it going out there?"

"No more chaos than usual." He joked, "Are you okay in here until lunchtime? I imagine you'll have gotten most of the home orders done by then?"

I nodded, "Of course. Whatever you need."

"You're the best." He smiled, "Dinner is on me tonight."

Johnny was standing there, eyes wide open, like his ears were deceiving him. His mouth opened and closed and then he pointed at me, then at Fred, then at the ceiling. Then he blushed.

"I'll leave you to explain?"

I stood there, shaking my head. Fred left the stockroom with a smile on his face, knowing he had just put me right in it.

"I shouldn't be calling you by your first name!"

"Why not?" was my response. I climbed a ladder Fred conjured for me earlier, so that I could grab a broom-broom kit from the top shelf.

"Because – because you're -" Johnny stuttered, "You're – management – you part own this place – Mr Weasley has told us all about you. He said that you invested in them, in the business. The WonderWitch Section is there because of you, and you were the inspiration for half of the products on the shelves!"

I giggled, "You can stop now." I felt myself all embarrassed, "Yes, I have invested in this place, but the twins are making me out to be much better than I am!"

Johnny shook his head, "No they're not! You know these products, you know your way around here better than anyone I've seen working around here and you are just so… normal?"

I started laughing, to the point where I was breathless and banging the table in front of me as I couldn't get over what I heard, "Me? Normal? I don't think anyone has ever used that word to describe me before! Besides, I don't think any 'normal' girl could withstand living with those two!"

And so the conversation went on. It was just so funny as Johnny seemed to be in awe of me. I dread to think what Fred and George have told their employees about me, but apparently they've painted a nice picture, so we'll roll with that. Now Johnny is treating me like royalty, but I told him for productivity's sake, that he ought to let me search for my own products. There was a general consensus among the two of us that we could speak relatively freely.

The door opened, "Katy could you get me a box of size 6 sticking trainers? They have -"

"An anti-stealing jinx on them so you can't summon anything?" I finished, "Who am I bringing them to?"

"It's alright, I'll take them." He smiled, "I'll just check you out on the ladder."

"You see what I have to put up with, Johnny?" I called out, half way up the ladder, George was laughing beside the door as I searched. I think Johnny knew better than to answer, "Here you are, darling." I handed George the trainers, "Also… Freddie's buying me dinner tonight, so you'll have to convince him to buy you some, too."

He smirked, "Thanks. Are you sure you're okay?"

I sighed, "Johnny is the perfect gentleman and is telling me all the gossip. I'm just fine. That customer has been waiting a while."

"So how was your first shift in Weasleys Wizard Wheezes?" George asked me at lunch, I had made the three of us sandwiches because it was, in all honesty, one of those days it was too warm to eat much.

"Not bad." I smiled in return, "I think I preferred it, when I was just 'the new girl' to Johnny, until somebody ruined it." I glared at Fred.

Fred chuckled, "It was completely worth his reaction, he felt like he should be bowing down to you or something."

"What am I, like a goddess around here?" I joked, I was now in my own clothes, I lifted the edges of my t-shirt and curtseyed before lifting the glasses of ice-filled juice to the table.

"Oh, but my dear," Fred took a bow whilst sitting, and he grabbed my hands, "You are a Princess."

I looked down at the Princess ring Ginny bought me, there was hardly a day that went by that I didn't wear it. I just loved the ongoing banter that went with it. "I forgot about that." I looked at George and winked, "Are you sure you don't need anything doing this afternoon?"

"We're sure." Fred answered.

I clapped my hands and rubbed them together, "So what do you want? Cake? Traybakes? Cupcakes? I haven't made cupcakes in ages!"

"Cupcakes it is, then!" George smiled, "The two of us should get back… see you in a few hours." He finished off his drink, kissed me on the cheek and they left.

I put on some music, got my groove on, as I mixed a serious amount flour, eggs, sugar and butter together. Then I split the mixture into batches. First batch was double chocolate, second batch I decided was salted caramel and the third was raspberry and white chocolate.

As I was on my fourth batch, which were red velvet, I heard a knock at the door. No one had ever knocked at the door before, unless it was Fred or George before grabbing their keys. They took too long, so it had to be someone else… a used the peep hole (or is it a peek hole, who knows) and saw Johnny standing there with an owl.

"Hey," he said, "sorry to bother you – Mr Weasley, I mean… Fred said it was alright for me to deliver this – but this owl must have gotten lost on its way to you. He refuses to give up the letter to anyone else."

"Oh," was my response, "Wanna come in a sec?" I looked down at my mixture-covered hands, "I doubt the poor owl would appreciate having sticky feathers!"

Johnny stepped in, "I suppose not… What are you baking?"

"Cupcakes!" I said chirpily with a grin as I washed my hands and my timer went off, I took the raspberry and white chocolate cupcakes out of the oven and set them on the counter.

"They look great!" he said as I stuck a skewer into them to test if they were indeed cooked all the way through.

I looked up, "Sorry…" I apologised, and hurried back over to the door where Johnny was still standing, "Where's that letter then?" I saw the owl and it immediately lifted its leg for me to untie the letter, "Oh crap." I felt myself shake as I recognised the writing at once: This was a Hogwarts owl. As Johnny opened the door to return to work, I let out a massive scream as my eyes flickered over the grades. I had to check twice to make sure I wasn't imagining things.

Dear Miss Pink,

The results for your Ordinary Wizarding Level Examinations (O.W.L.S.) completed in the summer of 1996 are as follows:

Subject: Grade:

Astronomy O

Care of Magical Creatures O

Charms OO*

Defence Against the Dark Arts O

Herbology O

History of Magic O

Muggle Studies OO*

Potions O

Transfiguration O

Congratulations, Kathryn you have received top grades in both Muggle Studies and also in Charms. Once again, all of your hard work has paid off. Professors Flitwick and Burbage have asked me to pass on their congratulations.
When you have returned to Hogwarts in September you may choose any Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test (N.E.W.T) subjects from the list above. It is up to you how many subjects you would like to undertake, we can always discuss this at the beginning of term, or using owl post.
Please feel free to contact me about anything else.

Kindest regards,

Minerva McGonagall

"Katy!" I heard George shout out above the noise of customers, "Are you okay?"

"George!" I called out to him, ran down the flight of stairs, waving my letter in the air with a huge smile on my face. He stood at the top of one set of stairs and I at the bottom of another, both staring at each other on the same level, "I got 7 O's!"

He smiled brightly, "And two E's?"

I shook my head, "Two OO's!"

His jaw went slack and I jumped into his arms and kissed him, right in the middle of the busy shop, "All O's?" he questioned, a little bit breathless, "I'm so proud of you!" he kissed me again.

"Did mine ears deceive me?" Fred asked as George set me down, "All O's?"

"All O's!" I beamed, "Here's your proof!" I pointed through the letters.

Fred wrapped his arms around me, "Well done! I knew you could do it! Hermione isn't going to be happy though."

I laughed, "Perhaps if I tell her, she'll not talk to me and then I'll have some peace and quiet for a while!"

"Do it, I want to see her face."

"Fred, she's the next Perce."

Fred grimaced, "But she's better looking."

I rolled my eyes, "I'll let you two get back to work. I feel too many eyes on me right now."

"Congratulations, Kathryn!" Verity said on her way past.

"I suppose you two are wanting to go out and celebrate tonight?" Fred remarked, I wondered if I could detect a little disappointment in his voice.

"Don't be silly, Freddie," I put an arm around his waist, "you are very welcome to join us, and if you have anyone in particular you'd like to invite, by all means, let's make a night of it."

His face lit up, "Are you sure?"

"100%!"

I escaped back up to the flat, hating all the attention and continued baking. I was in my happy place, up there by myself. Having baked the red velvet cupcakes, I was on my final cupcake, which was a bit of an experiment with the aim of tasting like banoffee pie. Whilst whipping up some buttercream, I had another unexpected visitor; Molly Weasley appeared out of the fireplace.

"Kathryn!" she had a good look around the flat, clearly impressed by how clean and tidy it was, other than my work space which was covered in dishes and equipment that were in the process of being dried, "I was hoping you'd be here." She smiled, "Cakes?"

"I was going to bring some to the Tonks' when I visit and some when I next pop by to see you lot and I'm sure the twins will devour the rest! Take a seat, I'll be done in a sec! Can I get you anything?"

"No thank you dear!" Molly took a seat at the kitchen table and watched me, "Receive anything in the post this morning?"

I looked up at her from the bowl I was drying, "Yes?"

"Good news?" she treaded carefully.

I nodded and gave her a smile, "The best. The letter is beside you, if you want to have a look."

Molly's reaction was priceless as her jaw dropped and gave me a massive hug, "Oh Kathryn dear, I am so proud!"

"Thanks, Molly!" I said, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell everyone until I got a chance to see them first?"

"I understand," she nodded, "What subjects do you think you'll do?"

I shrugged my shoulders, and took a seat beside her, "The question I think is, how many do I want to do?"

"I'm sure you'll make the right decision," she smiled, "And I've some wonderful news to tell you. Arthur got a promotion! Rufus Scrimegeor took over as Minister for Magic and he offered Arthur the head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects! He has ten people reporting to him! TEN!"

"Aw!" I beamed, "That's incredible! Will you pass on my congratulations and best wishes until I can come see him myself?"

Molly stood, "Thank you dear! The reason I'm here is because there is someone at home who would like to visit you, what do you say? Can I let them come see you?"

"Of course." I said, wondering who it might be.

So Molly happily left and within a minute, a familiar individual walked through the fireplace, "Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! It's Harry freaking Potter!" I said sarcastically, overplaying the excitement, "I am not worthy of your presence!" I stood out from behind the kitchen counter where I had been measuring out chocolate.

"Shut up!" he smirked, "C'mere!" he held open his arms, something he didn't do often.

I gave him a massive hug and smiled, "You alright?"

"Yeah," he nodded, "you?"

"I'm doing a hell of a lot better than I was a couple of weeks ago!"

"I can see!" he smiled, "It's lovely here!" he had a look around, "So is the shop downstairs?"

I nodded, "Wouldn't advise you to go down there… Was talking to one of the guys earlier and he nearly collapsed when he found out we were friends." I smirked, "You're still famous, Harry Potter."

"Stop winding me up!" he gave me a friendly shove.

I sighed jokingly, "Alright, alright! Want a cuppa?"

Harry had a good look around the kitchen area and his eyes widened at the number of cupcakes sitting on cooling trays, "With one of those." He pointed at the undecorated double chocolate cupcakes and then made to grab one.

I slapped his hand away, "Patience." I went into the fridge and grabbed the replacement chocolate cake I made the boys after Tonks demolished the entirety of the first cake, having taken it home with her, "Will a slice of this suffice?"

"Exactly how much have you baked?"

"Not that much?" I said unsurely, "It just gives me something to do. But I had a real notion for a cupcake today so… I baked 40 of them."

I sat down at the table with two mugs of tea and two slices of cake, "Ron told me about your parents." He said.

"Which set?"

"Helen and Richard. He said that they were both found dead and that you reckoned it was your other mother who killed them? What makes you think that?"

"Because when I met Bellatrix Lestrange, I asked her why she gave me up and why specifically to Helen and Richard, and I told her what they did to me. Then she tried to read my mind to find out information about you, so I used Occlumency and showed her exactly what they did to me." I told him as though telling him about the weather.

His eyes searched mine, "So it's true… you actually went to Malfoy Manor?"

I nodded.

"Did she hurt you?"

"That's a bit of a complicated question." I told him, "If you mean… Did she lay a finger on me? The answer is no." I stood up, feeling the intensity of his questions slightly intimidating on a one-to-one basis. I knew he was eager to know, half of my family were deeply interested in his immediate death, and the other half, or probably third were working to prevent this from happening.

Harry considered me for a second, "Did she mention him?"

"Who?"

"Him." Harry repeated, his voice low as he looked at his hands.

"You can say his name to me, Harry," I said softly, "I was there, I saw what happened, I know the aftermath."

Harry glanced up at me, "That's why I asked Mrs Weasley if I could come here and talk to you… alone. 'Cause you and Dumbledore are the only people I can talk to about this." His eyes then dropped to staring into his cup of tea, "Did Bellatrix mention Sirius?" I could see how difficult it was for him to say his name out loud, the pain I saw in his distinctive green eyes.

I nodded, "She used Sirius as a way of taunting me… and she brought you up, too." I took a sip of tea, "Listen, Harry, I had to be really careful when I was in Malfoy Manor, I know one single slip-up would have meant you guys planning my funeral, but I gave her as good as I got." Harry gave me half a smile as I continued, "I told her that I didn't agree with her decisions, I told her that I liked Sirius and I warned her if she keeps murdering family members, she's not going to have any left."

I think Harry was impressed.

"When she realised I had a tough exterior she invited me to join up forces and together we could stand with Voldemort." It was now my turn to stare at the bottom of my cup, "She wants to offer me to him."

There was a hint of fear in Harry's voice, "Have you told anyone else about this?"

"Just Lupin and he told Tonks." I glanced up at him, "We don't need to worry anyone else about my impending death whenever I turn seventeen and don't sign myself up. So I'm going to try and have a bloody good summer -"

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you." Harry said.

I leaned forwards, "Just the same as I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that it Voldemort who dies at the end of all this and not you."

He gave me a small smile.

"I'll kill the two of them myself, if I have to." I jested.

"I have a funny feeling it's got to be me who tops Voldemort…" the two of us shared a stupid giggle, "I'm glad we can talk like this," Harry smiled fully, "I can just imagine what Ron and Hermione would be like if they knew everything… and Mrs Weasley would be feeding me quadruple portions!"

I gave it a thought, "You've always got me, Harry." I then gave a wry smile, "That is, until I get murdered or… sent to Azkaban for murdering her first."

"I'd like to see them find you." He smirked.

"True, very true." I stood from the table and said, "Let's get you a cupcake, eh?"

So Harry and I stood and decorated every single cupcake; I made the suitable icing flavours and iced the cupcakes whilst I allowed Harry to decorate them. Let's just say, I allowed him to decorate them under the strictest of instructions. He was warned. But we definitely had a ball.

"The three of us are out this evening, but you're very welcome to stay and catch the twins when they come upstairs?" I said, "I'd invite you along, but I'm almost certain Molly would have my head -"

Harry laughed, "It's not easy being famous."

I smiled at him, "Have your cupcake, I'm just going to do my makeup." I grabbed my makeup bag and sat down opposite him with a mirror and started to apply foundation, taking more care than I usually would in the morning time. I felt Harry's eyes watching me, "What?" I stopped and looked up at him.

"I don't understand why women wear makeup."

"To make ourselves feel pretty," I told him, "but I do it for me, I hate looking in the mirror without makeup on even more now… I look like her too much."

"You look perfectly alright without makeup on."

I smirked, picking up some powder, "Thanks, Harry." As I moved onto my eye makeup, I asked him, "Have you told anyone else about the prophecy?"

He nodded, "I told Ron and Hermione," I could see him looking for my reaction, almost as though seeking my approval, "I told them that the Prophet has it right, that in the end, either Voldemort will kill me, or I'll have to kill him."

"How'd they take it?" I enquired, blending my natural smoky eye.

"They took it a lot better than I thought they would." He told me, "Ron reckons since Dumbledore is giving me private lessons this year, he doesn't think I'm a goner."

"Oh Harry, I didn't know! That's great! Any ideas what they'll be about?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders, "Take a guess like the other two, I'm clueless."

"I reckon that you and Dumbledore will be discussing tactics?" I suggested, "Decoding the prophecy further? Didn't he teach Tom?"

Harry raised his eyebrows, "That's interesting… Ron and Hermione reckoned that Dumbledore would teach me how to defend myself, you know, advanced magic and defensive spells."

"Hmmm." I nodded, looking over the top of the mirror, starting on the second eye, "That could be helpful, too, I guess. You should definitely teach me; I'll take all the tips I can get."

"We can train each other up," he nodded, "At the end of the day, you were the one who was still standing beside me at the end in the Department of Mysteries."

I looked up at him again, "By pure fluke. And don't forget about Neville!"

"How's business going downstairs?" he changed the topic of conversation.

"Great!" I told him, "As far as I can tell, the boys are loving every second of it, it's like them standing in the Gryffindor Common Room selling their products but on a much larger scale, with their own staff and they are called Mr Weasley and Mr Weasley." I chuckled to myself, "There's certainly plenty to be getting on with, orders are flying in from all around the world -"

Harry finished the cupcake, "You've been helping?"

"Not really, I was lending a hand this morning cause someone had to take a day off." I said, "I've left all things business for them to deal with, but I guess, now that I'm feeling better, that I could have more input?" I looked up at the clock and saw that it was almost five o'clock.

"Did you get your O.W.L. results this morning?"

"Mine arrived this afternoon," I told him, "They're on the table beside you. I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell Hermione -"

Harry's eyes widened, "Kathryn! These are great! Hermione got an E in DADA!"

I set down the brush, "She what?"

"We were wondering who got all the other OO's. She only got 5, those are her words, not mine. I only managed to get a OO in DADA."

"You did?" I smiled, "You totally deserved it, considering you cast the corporeal patronus in the middle of the exam hall!"

"And you're amazing at Charms!" he told me.

I laughed, "Not as good as Hermione."

He shrugged his shoulders, "Well obviously you are! It's all that practice for the DA! Between us we've DADA and Charms sorted."

"Shall we keep the DA going?" I asked him.

"I dunno… depends on how Dumbledore's lessons go and how much work we've to do!"

"Suppose…"

There was the sound of the scuffle for keys at the door and I jumped off the seat to open up, "Hey you two!" I let them in.

Fred looked excited, "Angelina will be here in half an hour."

"Excellent." I smiled.

"You've dolled yourself up," George took a good look at me, and was about to say something else but then he looked over to the kitchen area, "Oh hello, Harry! When did you get here?"

"Couple of hours ago!" he said, "I'll get going now, since you're all going out."

Fred said, "It's alright mate, I was just going to get a drink, can I get you one?" Harry said that he was alright, and I sat down at the table to finish off my face as George hopped into the shower, "When did you get to the Burrow?"

"The other night," he said as I stood to pack away all the cupcakes into boxes and I didn't catch much more of their conversation. I had to arrange them into piles of Weasleys', Tonks', ours and I was thinking of sending some downstairs for all the staff. From all the 'quality control' Harry and I did of off-cuts and taste testing I hoped they would be delicious. Around ten minutes later I may have been slightly distracted by George walking out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist.

He caught eyes with my staring ones and laughed, "Wanna come in and watch?"

I sent him a dirty look.

"Kathryn?" Fred grabbed my attention as George closed the bedroom door, "I'm going to grab a shower, Angelina should have been here by now, and I don't want to make us late, would you mind getting the door when she arrives?"

"No problem." I nodded, "I've left that box for you to bring back," I told Harry, "Make sure you get first dibs and tell Fleur very specifically that she HAS to eat one."

He screwed his face up, not having been present for the first heated discussion on English women eating too much and being fat, he didn't really understand, "Ummm… okay. Are Fred and Angelina dating?"

"I think so?" was my honest answer, "I haven't actually seen the two of them together from when they were at school and if you remember, they were getting cosy even then."

Harry shrugged his shoulders. I knocked on the bedroom door and asked George to hand me out my box of hair things. I carefully took my hair out of the hair claw out and let the curls fall down past my shoulders, then I tackled it with my pointy comb, which draws the curls out from mushing together and looking from looking a mess, I managed to have it sitting half decent. I didn't have time to straighten it all.

I heard someone call up that someone was at the door, "I'll be right back, Harry!" I jolted into action and hurried down to the ground floor of the shop, avoiding unaware staff members who were tidying and restocking shelves and displays. Then I reached the door, "Hello there." I smiled.

"What is something that only really the two of us would know…?" Ange smiled.

"What was the song I was dared to 'perform' in the Gryffindor Common Room?"

Angelina laughed, "If you wanna be my lover!" she mimicked me, "that was a fun night! Do they sell the game here?"

"It is you." I let her in, "And yes, they do."

Angelina took off a travelling cloak to reveal the most beautiful, tightly fitted white cocktail dress, she was all boobs, bum, flat stomach and legs that went on for miles. "Ange, you look gorgeous." I commented.

"Oh this old thing?" she said. "If you don't finish getting ready soon we're going to be late!" she commented as I walked up the stairs to the flat.

I don't think I could have envied her any more in the moment. I thought I was dressed and ready to go, with my nice trousers and blouse on. Nope. Not when you're walking around with Barbie by your side. Well, black Barbie. "I'll em – I'll be ready in a few minutes." I said as we entered the flat, Fred wrapped his arms around her and I wanted to fade into the background, never to be seen again. Instead, I forced myself into the bedroom, where I threw open the wardrobe and was about to rip my own clothes off my body.

"Are you getting changed?" George asked slowly, coming out of the bathroom smelling heavenly.

"Yeah." I said, feeling a bit of a wobbly lower lip as I looked at all my clothes and realised I had absolutely NOTHING. TO. WEAR.

George put a hand on my shoulder, "Are you okay, Katy?"

"Just need a sec." I whispered, gulping a little to stop the formation of the lump at the back of my throat. George opened the bedroom door and left me. I felt like I could rip every outfit I had out of the wardrobe. I took my own clothes and threw them on the floor and put on my dressing gown. The cashmere dress was too warm, the tartan dress was too formal, the black dress meant I'd look like my f*cking mother. I felt like I could rip my hair out in anger. And jealously. And self-consciousness. I felt so ugly. So unworthy.

"Woah," George said when he came back into the room, seeing the clothes thrown onto the floor, "You don't need to wear a dress, Katy! I thought your outfit was lovely!" he then turned me to face him and he saw my eyes welling up.

I swallowed hard, "I do need to wear a dress, because you're going to spend the entire evening comparing me to her, just like every other bloody person in this world who sees me and compares me to her." I went into the bathroom and closed the door sitting on the toilet seat, I grabbed a bit of toilet roll and carefully dabbed my eyes.

"Katy…" I could hear George come up to the door and let out a deep breath.

"I'm just being over-sensitive, it's fine! I'm fine, George!"

"What about this blue skirt and the blouse?" he asked through the bathroom door thirty seconds later.

"The cobalt one?" I questioned, "I've worn that out with you before…"

"But I happen to like that outfit on you a lot." He opened the door, his voice was calming, "It's perfect for tonight." He got down onto the floor and had a good look up at me, "Please don't be upset, Harry said you spent a lot of time on those stunningly beautiful eyes of yours." he started laughing, "I never really imagined me being on one knee in the bathroom with you sitting on the toilet."

I couldn't help but give a watery grin.

"Seriously though, Katy. I've worn this outfit before with you, too. I happen to think it's a decent outfit and the colours match, so that's good going for me." he tried to make me laugh again, he grabbed a bit of toilet roll and dabbed the corners of my eyes, "I won't be looking at anyone else this evening." He put a bit of hair behind my ear, "Just you." He tapped my nose, "Now I'd better get up, cause I haven't found the right ring yet."

"I can't stand beside her…" I looked up at him, my voice a whisper, "not when she looks like that."

"I happen to think that her outfit is wildly inappropriate." He said, "It leaves nothing to the imagination." He looked bewildered.

"I know, right?" I sniffled. George took out the skirt and I put it on, then I turned my back to put on the blouse, "I feel like shit right now. And I look like shit, too." I looked into the bathroom mirror.

George turned me around, "How many times do I need to tell you? You are absolute bloody perfection." He put his hands on my hips and pulled me in closer, "I wish you would believe me. I'd love to see you beaming with confidence." He turned me around to the long mirror at his side of the bed, and pointed at us, "I wish you could look into that mirror and see what I see." He kissed my cheek gently.

I took a deep breath, "Can you get my makeup bag from the table?"

"That's my girl." He kissed my head and returned within seconds, "Need me to do anything?"

"I need you to find my blue shoes." I said, touching up my eye makeup, "Actually," I paused, "I think they're in Ginny's room." I finished off my look, stuck on my pair of converse, grabbed my cloak and called out to Harry, "Let's get you back before Molly has my head."

Harry followed me into the fire and we Floo'd together and stepped into the Burrow. I took off my travelling cloak and stepped into the kitchen where Fleur was helping Molly make dinner. "Flying visit!" I announced, "Enjoy the cupcakes!" and made for the stairs, "Gin!" I said, pushing open her bedroom door to find Hermione and Ron there, too.

"Wow, Kit-Kat!" she said, "You look great!"

"Date night?" Hermione asked.

"We're celebrating!" I told them.

Ginny enquired, "What are you doing?"

"Looking for my blue shoes that match this skirt… I could have sworn I left them here…" I searched the back of the wardrobe, "have you seen them?"

"These blue shoes?" Ginny lifted a pair from under her bed, "I meant what are you doing tonight?"

"Thanks, girl!" I took the shoes, taking off my converse and hopping to get the heels on properly.

Harry entered the room, "To answer your question Ginny – Kathryn, George, Fred and Angelina are going out for dinner… celebrating Kathryn getting 7O's and two OO's."

I turned to Harry and gave him a dirty look, "I thought we agreed we weren't going to tell everyone?" then I turned to everyone else: Ginny looked delighted, Hermione looked murderous and Ron looked insanely jealous, "Have a good evening!" I announced. I gave Ginny a quick hug, kissed Harry on the cheek and ran down the stairs.

"Kasrine!" Fleur called out as I was heading back into the lounge, "Wait!"

"Yeah?" I said, making a grab for the cloak.

Fleur smiled, "Molly and I were just commenting on your good looks. I theenk you are missing somezing…" Fleur summoned a raspberry-coloured lipstick and put it on my lips, "Now you are perfect."

"Thanks!" I said, "See ya!"