18th August

"She doesn't want to talk to you." I heard George say firmly.

There was a female voice that was speaking in hushed tones, I couldn't make her out. But I had a fair idea who it was and what they wanted.

"Don't you think she's been through enough these last few days? She will talk when she wants to talk!" and a few seconds later he said, "Oh, yes, barging in on her when she's sleeping isn't going to win you any brownie points."

I got out of bed and opened the bedroom door, "He's right, you know." I said, "I don't want to talk to you."

She looked as though she might cry.

"Hurts, doesn't it? When someone you care about doesn't want to talk to you." I said slyly, "Go home."

"No." Tonks said firmly, standing tall, "I know I messed up with you and I'm sorry. But Dumbledore has asked me to ask you to speak at the Order Meeting."

I let out a booming laugh, "Do you think I give a shit about Dumbledore and what he wants?"

She gave a small smile, "I told him you'd say that." She relaxed herself a little, "I also told him that you'd hardly come under my request either, but here we are. The meeting is this evening, but if you have any information you think would be better acted upon quickly, then share it now."

I shook my head in disbelief as she continued talking.

"Look, Kathryn, if you'd just let me explain what happened -"

"You f*cking went out for coffee and cake whilst I was being tortured!" I shouted at her, "Like you had already given up on me!"

"I -" she looked stuck for words, "Let me -"

George stood between us, "Perhaps another time." Then he chauffeured Tonks out of the apartment, down to the shop and locked the door behind her, "You okay?" he asked.

I shook my head, "I have an appointment with Maura."

Hours later, I was sitting on the sofa with Fred and George staring at me. I thought back to the appointment with Maura, where she told me that it was alright that I missed my last appointment, because being captured by Death Eaters really is on the list of reasonable explanations. She was being sarcastic of course, a trait that she didn't use, ever, and didn't work for her, at all. I don't think she understands the term all too well. She did praise me for the efforts to sustain my life, then gave me methods to cope with the after-effects. I was surprisingly alright, and well held-together. I guess so much has happened to me recently, that I have learnt to cope now the CBT is working. She concluded the meeting by saying she was proud of me.

But with the twins both staring at me solidly for twenty minutes, like I was something that could internally combust at any second, I knew I needed to get out of there.

"Fine." I told them, "I'll go to the stupid meeting."

Fred and George looked at each other and smiled widely. They had planned this.

"Here's your travelling cloak," Fred said.

"And your trainers." George added.

"You may grab my diary as well." I told them, "I gather they'll want to see the letters. So that they can seize every opportunity to yell at me for going against their wishes."

George squinted at me, "Is that why you don't want to go, because you feel like you're going to be shouted at?"

I looked at him, "I know I'm going to be shouted at. I was an idiot. I followed my heart instead of my head, and look where's it's gotten me. And I'm really not looking forward to the 'I told you so' look I'm going to get from your mother and everyone else who told me not to."

Fred clasped his hands together, "Well, I sense an argument could arise from this conversation, and you honestly don't have time. We're already ten minutes late."

George and I both glared at him, "We're not going to argue." I said angrily, "We are having a discussion about my feelings in the midst of all this."

Fred held his hands up and acted innocent, pulling his travel cloak over his shoulders, "I'll see you both there." And stepped through the fire.

I knew I was riled up, but I was not looking forward to going, at all. It was all going to be me making one big apology, and I didn't fancy it. I made a mistake, yes, but how was I meant to know I was going to get ambushed? They must have thought I was dangerous if they sent seven Death Eaters to get me. Either that, or they sent seven idiots, which, I can half believe. They didn't know what they were doing. Torturing someone for information wasn't something they had done before. Picking a sixteen-year-old girl, with experience, was not their wisest choice. That, or they were ordered not to hurt me.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, "Flashbacks."

"Look, if you don't want to go…" he rested a hand on my shoulder, "You know I'm not going to force you." His thumb touched around my bruised eye, the swelling had gone down, the bright purple colour was truly hideous, matching in well with the dark circles under my eyes, "Think about how much you can help the Order, any information you give will be priceless."

"You want me to do this?"

He nodded.

So I reached my hand out to him and said, "Let's go then."

I was nervous as I walked into The Burrow. I could feel my heart pounding; the Weasley's kitchen table was more crowded than usual. Dumbledore was sitting there, along with McGonagall, Moody, Lupin, Dedalus Diggle, Hestia Jones, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Tonks, Molly, Arthur, Sturgis Podmore, Bill, Fleur and Fred. Everyone who didn't know me, introduced themselves, shaking my hand when they could reach me. I felt so weak standing there, so self-conscious, surrounded by brilliant witches and wizards I wouldn't stand a chance against. The room had been expanded to fit everyone in, and two chairs, opposite Dumbledore and McGonagall had been left empty.

"Welcome, Kathryn, to your first official meeting as a member of the Order of the Phoenix." Dumbledore began.

I gave a very small smile, "Where's my badge?"

There were a few laughs around the room.

"Take a seat, Kathryn." Dumbledore nodded.

"Uhm -" I paused, my voice shaky, I looked up at George, who's eyes were full of concern. I turned on the spot and opened the kitchen door, to see a pair of extendable ears on the floor, so I picked them up and yelled into them, "ARE YOU LOT COMING DOWN?"

I could hear the reaction coming from upstairs, of ear drums being burst and subsequent scrambling of feet to come down and join the group. A few disgruntled noises sounded behind me, "We agreed her, not the rest, Albus."

I took a deep breath and turned to Moody, "They're my friends, and they deserve to hear my story, too. They don't need to stay until the end, and you can ask them to leave at any stage," I looked specifically at Dumbledore, "They're only going to ask me anyway."

"Very well." Dumbledore said, producing chairs for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny to sit on.

It was only then that I took a seat, pulling the chair in closer to the table and said, very calmly, "What do you want to know?"

Dumbledore stared at me, like he always did, as though x-raying me with his icy blue eyes, "How did they lure you?"

"I received this letter from Mr Snow, my lawyer, he's muggle born, married a muggle, helps out witches and wizards from time to time." I explained, handing the letter over, "it's a bog standard letter, no reason whatsoever to be concerned," I explained, "So I think he sent that letter genuinely and it was intercepted." I also lifted out the letter from Bellatrix and set it on the table directly in front of me, "I also received this letter, which may or may not have clouded my judgement." As a hand reached out across the table, I placed mine on top of the letter and shook my head, "Later."

In the corner of my eye, I could see Tonks leaning back in her seat, she knew who the letter was from. She was one of the ones who begged me not to write to her, yet I went and did it anyway.

Dumbledore regained my full attention again, "So, you received the letter and presumably went to London? With Mr Weasley?"

"Katy asked me if I would escort her into London, so I saw her to the doors and watched as she got into the muggle lift. There was nothing suspicious, nothing." George defended himself, "I even offered to go in with her, but, she's fiercely independent and I respected that."

Dumbledore didn't even look at George when he spoke, but studied me intently and asked, "When did you become suspicious?"

"As soon as I entered the office and saw my cousin Emily – sorry, Helen's niece Emily," my eyes found Tonks for a split second before continuing, "She told me that she'd never come back to London, but realistically I was going to give her the benefit of the doubt, then she started slandering my grandmother. That wasn't Emily at all. And the whole set-up was a bit… weird. I mean, Mr Snow should have asked my permission to have Emily in the meeting about my inheritance, right? The alarm bells were ringing loudly when she mentioned my mum by name. I not once said the words Bellatrix Lestrange to her, not once. Then I asked about Simon, the boy Helen and Richard assaulted for dating Emily, and she acted like they were still an item. So I got up and tried to leave. In the reception area I got ambushed by five male Death Eaters and one female Death Eater…" and so I explained, until I got hit by the stunning spell.

"A Stunning spell?" Hestia Jones questioned, "They've lost their sting."

I turned my head on the side, "Oh honey, they hadn't even gotten started."

I then told the group about what happened for the next three days in that dark, damp room. Dumbledore only interrupted me for descriptions and for me to confirm things the Death Eaters said to each other, accents – identifiable characteristics. They seemed to know who some of them were by my accounts. The Carrow brother and sister were two of them, and it might have been Goyle's father who was so nervous around me, "Do you know where they held you in Knockturn Alley?" he asked politely.

I shook my head, "I know I should have looked, but I -"

"She couldn't have, the swelling in her eye, the pain," Molly spoke for the first time, "I'm just proud she made it out of there alive."

"How did you make it out of there alive?" Kingsley Shacklebolt asked me, "I'd hire you here and now for the Auror office if you gave me your secret."

A knowing look was sent around the group between those who knew my secret. I sent a sweet smile to those who were oblivious, "Perhaps one day you will earn the right to know the secret, or perhaps if you do a little digging into the Black Family history, you'll find out."

"You know, from the moment you gave us the live feed from one of the Death Eater meetings last summer, I knew you had to be. You wouldn't willingly sit in a dark corner risking your life if they could see you."

"Congratulations, Mr Shacklebolt."

"You're an -"

"A what?" Molly Weasley leaned forwards.

Mad Eye Moody's blue eye swivelled wildly, "An invisibilia. That's a r-"

"Rare gift, I know." I said, "Or so I keep being told." I looked around the room, watching the looks of surprise in the faces of The Order members, "But before you ask, I've been having a lot of trouble with it. I can't function properly sometimes. I couldn't get out of there until -"

"You ate." Dumbledore concluded.

"So if any of you happen to have any knowledge or literature to share with me, I'd be grateful. I barely got out of there with my life, because I had to manipulate a Death Eater to give me the strength to make myself invisible." I felt like I was oversharing, but it felt good to talk about it, "I know you'll not remember this, Moody, but when you were not you, Barty Crouch Jr attacked me. I still don't understand it, but I ran down that hill to see Krum with Barty Crouch Sr and I was invisible, and he didn't see me, but it was only when I 'malfunctioned'," I used air quotes, "that he did and well, you know how that turned out. When I'm exhausted, hungry or scared out of my wits, I can't do it. Thought you ought to know that before you send me off to do crazy stuff for The Order."

"I'm glad you told them, Kathryn." Tonks said from across the table, "You can trust them with this. I'll have a look for literature for you, if you like?"

I found it really difficult to look at her properly, but I managed a nod.

"Shall we take a ten minute break, Albus?" Molly questioned, "Cup of tea? The kids can then go up to bed?"

I could hear Ron and Ginny's protests from behind me. Harry shared a short word with Dumbledore as George spoke to me, "You were really brave."

I smirked, "I've spoken in court, Georgie, this was nothing."

He kissed my forehead and said, "I'll get you a cup of tea."

"May I talk to you for a second?"

Without even looking at her, I directed Tonks with my hand gesture to sit on George's seat beside me. I knew this was going to happen. I knew she'd put me on the spot, because I can hardly refuse to speak to her, here, in front of everyone.

"I can only imagine how difficult it was for you, you were so brave and you managed the situation so well." She said, pulling the chair closer to me, leaning in, making the conversation more intimate, "I don't know if I could keep up the same lie over and over like that."

I glanced up at her from staring at the table and raised an eyebrow in a 'don't play that shit on me' look. I really wasn't in the mood to hear praise designed to flatter and worm their way back into my life.

"Look, Kathryn…" she sighed awkwardly, shifting again in the chair, "I'd rather not talk about this with certain people in the room."

Under the table I placed my hand on my leg, palm up. This was the option I was giving her.

Without hesitation, Tonks took a good firm grip and began, "I'm sorry, Kathryn, I truly am… Will you look at me?" she was exasperated.

I swallowed hard to contain my emotions before meeting her tear-filled eyes.

"I see you with him, and I'm jealous and the way he talks to you and talks about you; I wish it was me." she was desperately trying to prevent tears from falling down her cheeks, but one escaped, and she wiped it away roughly, "I hate the way you can just sit down beside him and talk to him. I hate the way he dropped everything when I told him you were in trouble. I hate the way he loves you but doesn't love me."

I massaged my left temple with my free hand, trying to comprehend the hate she was feeling against me. She hated the attention I was getting. Trust me, if I could have a normal life, I'd opt for it.

I shuddered.

George placed a hand on my shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze, setting down the cup of tea on the table in front of me. He extended both arms and hugged me from behind, I let my head rest on his arm. I let go of the tight grip Tonks had on me to reach up to him. I didn't want him to let go, I wanted to sit on his knee and to feel his embrace. I didn't feel safe, in fact, I was on edge. I was now wondering why she had gone with Ginny and Hermione for coffee when I was missing. My hand shook so bad as I lifted the tea that it slipped and I spilt some of the scalding liquid down myself.

I set the tea down on the table and it sloshed around in the cup. A multitude of profanities floating around my head, "I need a couple minutes." I announced to Tonks and stood quickly, exiting the kitchen in haste, to lock myself in the bathroom.

"Can I come in?" George tapped the door gently.

I opened the door, pulling him into the safe space, one that I was certain only he and I were sharing, "Just hold me." I wrapped my arms around his middle, tucking my head under his chin, the two of us swayed from side to side in some sort of slow dance as I breathed him in. I felt my heartrate settle, my breathing slow and my mind became clearer.

"Here," George tapped my wet clothes with his wand and dried them, his eyes met mine, he was expecting tears, but I didn't have any to shed today, "What was she saying to you?"

"Do you think Remus loves me?" I sat on the edge of the bath.

George sat on the toilet seat, "Sometimes I do."

"But sometimes you don't?"

"He tries to protect you, like a lion tries to protect his cub." He said, "I see the way he looks at you. I imagine Tonks sees the same signs. He will come running to your aid, he will talk you round, he will give you advice like a father gives his daughter. He loves you, but I don't think in that way." He paused, "I was talking to him, when you were talking to Tonks and he made a comment that will stay with me, he said, 'she's growing up George, soon she's not going to need me', that's when he passed on the baton to me, to look after you, to protect you."

"He really said that?"

"Yeah."

I thought about the words uttered, "That's really strange…"

"He's giving me permission to marry you."

I raised an eyebrow, "We don't need anyone's permission." I walked over to him, standing between his legs and leaned down to kiss him gently. My hair falling on his face, his hands pulling me closer as he stood. He pulled away, breathless, needing to cool off before returning to the kitchen.

I returned to the table and placed my hand in Tonks', "Why did you go for coffee with Hermione and Ginny?"

Her eyes fell on mine, "I'm sorry, I know how that must have looked. I was exhausted, I was emotional, I had been searching for hours and I was panicking that the last thing I said to you was that I didn't want to talk to you… I couldn't live with myself, thinking about you being dead, dying with you hating me."

"I don't hate you." I assured her, "You just hurt me."

"I'm sorry… I truly am…"

"And it was over something completely out of my control." I said, "Look, I'll tell him to back off if you want, but I don't see what good that's going to do. He's already annoyed at me for telling him off about you, so we're both in the doghouse right now."

She gave me a smile, "You told him off about me?"

"Yeah, I did tell you I was going to do it in that letter."

"True." She sniffed, gathering herself, "How about dinner with my family, to make things up to you?"

I think I took too long to answer, as she started making excuses and apologising, but when I finally got in a word, I told her, "I'm not too good with leaving here, or the flat. I know they're looking for me."

"They don't even need to see you leave the house." Tonks smiled and I nodded in agreement.

Dumbledore stood, commanding the attention of the room. Molly shooed Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny up to bed. As Harry got up, he approached me and held his arms open wide, inviting me in for a big hug full of warmth and thanks, he even planted a kiss on my cheek. I could sense George's annoyance as Harry gave me that look, the one where he says 'You're going to tell me what happens in the rest of the meeting, right?' I gave him a small smile and the four of them went upstairs.

When I heard the footsteps reach the respective bedrooms of my friends, I turned and pointed my wand at the door, "Muffliato."

"KATHRYN!" Molly and Arthur chided me.

I gave them a mischievous smile before holding my hands in the air, "Arrest me, perhaps then I might be able to meet Daddy." I said in a fake childish way, "Get acquainted with the whole family!" I gave a fake grin, raising my shoulders in fake excitement.

"Miss Pink?"

"Professor Dumbledore?"

"You were going to tell us about a letter you received," his eyes fell to my diary, which was full of parchment slotted in, "may I suggest that now is a good time to divulge this information?"

I straightened the chair to the table and opened my diary, carefully, "Before I show you any of this, you cannot judge me for what I've done because I am already beating myself up for doing it." I lifted out the first letter I received from Bellatrix Lestrange, "After my parents – Helen and Richard were found murdered, 100 miles apart, in maximum security prisons, killed minutes apart, a couple of days after I told Bellatrix what they had done to me, my mind drew one conclusion. So I wrote to her, I know it was you. I just wanted to say… Thanks. And I signed it, KBL so that she would know it was me, but not very many others would."

I used two fingers to push the letter across the table for Dumbledore to read, I took a sip of tea, "And this, I presume is her response?" he read the letter and confirmed his musings, "Bellatrix took credit for the murders." His voice showed a hint of surprise, "Are you planning on pledging your allegiance to Voldemort?"

I choked on my drink, George had to rub my back, "No!"

"I think you should."

"Are you kidding me?" I spluttered, "After all they've done to me? After you naming me a member of the Order?" I spoke incredulously.

"You would make an excellent spy for the Order."

A few voices spoke at once – George, Molly, Arthur, Tonks, Remus, all variations of the same thing – "NO WAY."

Dumbledore raised his hand in the air and silence fell in the room, the five argumentative voices coming to a halt.

"Albus, don't you think Kathryn has been through enough?" McGonagall put her stern voice on, "It was only yesterday that she managed to escape the Death Eaters with her life!"

"And here are the other three letters I have received whilst in correspondence with my mother. And just so you know, Narcissa tracked me down and warned me that Bellatrix is going to or possibly already has told Voldemort about me, so realistically, I can't hide from him anymore. He already knows who I am, the girl at Harry Potter's side in the Ministry?" I spoke loudly and quickly, soon having the attention of everyone as I gave them the information I didn't tell my friends, "They know who I am, they found me, they tortured me and now they know I can escape them. They're gonna want me on their side more than ever. What do you actually want me to do?"

There were voices of objection around the room.

"Well, as you already know Severus Snape is working for the Order," Dumbledore spoke to me, ignoring the rising commotion in the room, "I want you to spy, make it appear that you are indeed, considering becoming a Death Eater." He thought aloud, "A very public breakup with George should start the ball rolling, a breakdown of friendships, you already possess within you enough of your mother."

"Excuse me?" George questioned, slamming his fists down on the table.

"You realise you're asking me to give up the love of my life, my friends, the people I call family, everything I hold dear and for what?"

"Intel."

There was a knock at the door between the kitchen and the stairs, and in stepped Ron Weasley, looking a little shifty, "This raven was pecking at my window for ten minutes – Kathryn it's for you."

I closed my eyes putting my face into my hands before rising from my chair, and approaching Ron to take the raven and the letter, "Thanks." I said weakly, "You already know who it's from anyway." He closed the door after himself, and George performed the muffliato charm this time, as I sat down on the chair again, having let the raven out the back door.

I sent a few nervous glances around the room, and my eyes fell upon George's. He rested his hand on my thigh, just as he always did to calm me. I cleared my throat as I read out,

'My dearest darling Katy,

I hope this letter reaches you in good health. I searched St Mungo's for you, I have searched the streets for you, but I could not find you. I must offer you my most heartfelt apology. I was boasting about you. I couldn't resist talking about you, my secret weapon, the person who will help me take down Harry Potter. This information filtered down to those within our ranks that I do not trust. They found our letters and traced you. They know who you are now and the Dark Lord has become aware of the truth. I begged them not to hurt you and three of them are now dead. Why did you not give them any information? I assumed you would be aware of Harry Potter's whereabouts, or could easily have found out for me. I must admit I am disappointed. I'm both surprised and proud of your successful escape – I must ask how you managed it! Please let me know you're alright by immediate return owl.
I'm so sorry, please forgive me. I never meant for people to find out this way.

Your ever-loving mother,
Bellatrix Lestrange'

"Reply," Dumbledore spoke.

"Yeah, I'll be telling her to f*ck right off and never speak to me again, that bloody woman has outed me to Voldemort and you expect me to be cool with that?" I replied in anger, "I'm already walking around with a target on my back."

"Reply," Dumbledore repeated.

I took out a blank page from my diary, one that I used for letter writing and pushed it across the table with a pen, because I wrote in pen in my diary now, because quills and ink was a pain in the arse to carry around, "You reply."

I don't know if the surrounding Order members were impressed or disgusted by how I had just spoken to Dumbledore, but he still looked at me as calm and collected as ever.

"Remind me why you're here, Kathryn." Dumbledore spoke.

I pursed my lips in a very McGonagall-like way and eyeballed him, "You know exactly why I'm here."

"Then you know exactly what to do."

"And when I get a letter asking about Harry, or yourself, what exactly do I tell her?" I questioned.

Dumbledore sat forward, "Tell her, in your reply letter, that Harry is being moved between the homes of members of the Order of the Phoenix. As for me, I am travelling, last time you heard, I was in Italy, tasting their famous Gelato. You have handled these letters with both respect and perhaps more importantly, with a mixture of truth and well thought-out lies." he glanced at the most recent letter, "Exploit her willingness to make contact with you."

I nodded.

"If she wants to meet, you agree a time and a place. Using this," he handed me a piece of parchment, "You inform the Order and someone will make sure they are nearby should you require assistance."

I took the piece of parchment, "Litteras Occultas?" one of Fred and George's inventions.

Dumbledore continued, "And wearing more black won't go amiss, either. Constantly report back on your progress. You will be able to read of the rest of the Order's work. But under no circumstances do you run to anyone's aid. No more underage magic, unless you are in grave danger, do you understand me?"

"I understand." I said, but I'm certainly not going to obey.

"I also have an understanding that you have received a degree of Defence training under Remus' teaching and both you and Mr Potter were teaching others in the DA last year?"

I smirked, "We were only teaching ourselves what Umbridge refused to do."

There was a hint of pride in his eyes, "So what are you going to write in this letter?"

"I'm going to play the part." I said in my very British upper class accent, I am becoming ever more grateful for Draco teaching me. I unrolled my sleeves, and stood, sticking my nose in the air as though I've got dung under it, pouting slightly like a spoilt brat, "Think I've nailed it?"

Tonks sniggered across the room, "Shoulders back."

"Apologies."

Hello Momma,

I am alive and well no thanks to those buffoons who tried their best to make me represent roadkill. I'm sure that my legs will never be the same with all the scarring. The swelling around my eye is only beginning to soothe, but I've had many a black-eye before, so it will have healed by the time I get back to Hogwarts.
I have never felt so betrayed by someone I was beginning to trust so deeply. Why were you so idiotic in leaving our correspondences in such a vulnerable manner? I'm also deeply offended that you didn't assist me in Knockturn Alley – as someone underage, who had her wand stolen by your so-called comrades, it is particularly difficult to convince a Death Eater to let you go. I hope all the other recruits aren't as dull. That'll be no fun at all.
As for the information you so desperately crave, Harry Potter is being moved from home to home, most likely that of an Order member. Other than those present in the Ministry the night we met, do you know of any other members that I might pay them a visit? I saw Albus Dumbledore in the Leaky Cauldron and he showed me nothing but kindness – fixing my broken nose and fingers, paying for a room for a night so that I could get back up on my feet again. He told me he is travelling, his next destination is Italy, where he plans on tasting some Gelato, or something. He was beginning to get wary of my questioning, but I assured him it was because I had been away from kind human contact for so long. So many people have turned their backs on me since finding out about you and Dad. If this gets out any further, I'm going to lose every connection I have to Harry and I'll have no entry to his life. I don't want to let you down any more than I already have.
How has the Dark Lord reacted to the news of you having a child? Has he punished you? Does he want to punish me? Hopefully the information I have given you will help us.
Don't think I'm going to be able to go to New York now, not when I look like this. Emily will hardly trust me after being in London and being attacked like that. Hope you're well, and both Draco and Cissa. Miss you all!

KBL x

"How about that?" I asked.

"I think that will suffice." Dumbledore nodded before turning his attention away from me, "How is your research coming along, Remus?"

Remus Lupin looked startled to be picked on so unexpectedly, "I'm making little progress, and all this to-ing and fro-ing on my part is making the werewolves suspicious. I know it couldn't have been helped." He totally was hinting at me there, "Greyback is dangerous, he is converting for a sport now, gaining more supporters for Voldemort on a daily basis, he's been given free reign, and kills anyone who refuses to join. I'm making little to no headway."

"Appeal to those who are wavering, give them support on how to deal with full moons -"

"Yes, Sir." He said without question.

"Kingsley?"

"The three of us are keeping an eye on all the usual suspects, no further suspicious activity. I don't believe Voldemort has gotten to Scrimgeour."

There was a nod, "Arthur?"

Arthur shifted in his chair, a glance was shot in my direction before answering, "The situation with Wilkes is no longer a problem."

"Hestia? Sturgis? Dedalus?"

"Nothing to report, Albus." Hestia responded on behalf of the men on either side of her.

"Bill? Fleur?"

Bill answered coolly, "Nothing new."

The meeting was quickly concluded, by Dumbledore, who hadn't realised the time. It wasn't late, but he slipped out of that room faster than a dog that had something in its mouth it shouldn't. He must have been late for something…

Hestia Jones approached me, congratulating me on my appointment to the Order of the Phoenix. She looked proud to have another young supporter. She wasn't by any means an older lady, but she was constantly reminding me of my young blood and how the young ones were going to be the ones to get Voldemort off the streets for good. She also thanked me, for what I wasn't sure. But that was when McGonagall interrupted our conversation.

"I haven't heard from you…" she said.

I lowered my eyebrows, "Sorry?"

"I thought that, maybe, you might want to talk about the end of last term?" she breathed, "I feel like I could have done better to support you, to help you cope with all the emotions you've been feeling."

"You're off duty during the summer, you hardly want me annoying you during your free time, Professor."

She pursed her lips and stared at me for a second before replying, "There are certain students you make time for, even when you are on holiday."

"Hey, Kathryn -" Fred interrupted, "I don't mean to be rude or anything, but I think George -"

I turned around and saw a very pale looking George, who was staring at me longingly. I imagine that was the impression I gave him when I was desperate to go home. So I turned to McGonagall, "Em – he doesn't look very well… I'd better get him home."

"May I visit?"

I nodded, "Sure! Just pop into the shop and someone will point you in my direction. Or send me an owl!" I smiled, turning away from her, "Nice seeing you." Then I put an arm around George's middle, "What's up with you?"

He took a long, slow breath, "I need to talk to you."

"Okay," I stepped into the fire with him and we arrived back home, where it was quiet and peaceful. I waited around for a second, and realised Fred wasn't following behind us, "What's up, Georgie?"

"Katy, don't do this. I'm begging you, don't do this." He looked panicked, falling to his knees on the floor, hands clutched together, "I've never begged you to do anything, I've always let you make your own decisions, and I've always stood by you, but you can't do this. For me, Katy, I know it's selfish, and I know it's your life, but you are my life, so if I can veto on the orb or whatever," he put his hand on my chest, right over my heart, "don't do this. Please."

"Don't do what?" I questioned, getting onto my knees on the floor in front of him.

"Don't break up with me."

"Oh, George..." I felt speechless, but I knew I had to say something to console the pale, tearful mess he had become, "I wouldn't – I would never! George I love you!" I leaned in and kissed him, his body pressing against mine.

He wiped the snot hastily away with the back of his hand, "I can't lose you, and I don't care what Dumbledore says or tries to force you to do. You're not breaking up with me. I don't agree with you joining up ranks, either." He said, "That's just like you asking for a death wish." His chin wobbled, "I can deal with you sending letters – but you have to be so careful, Katy." His hand caressed my cheek, his eyes taking me in.

"I don't fancy the tattoo that comes with the job," I commented with a hint of sarcasm, "It'll totally cramp my style."

His watery face offered me a crooked smile, "Can't have you calling Voldemort to our bedroom in the middle of the night if I accidentally touch you in the wrong place in the haste of our love-making."

I burst out laughing, clutching my ribs, the two of us fell to the floor, giggling like a pair of idiots at the idea of Voldemort's embarrassment. "You could offer him some You-Know-Poo as a consolation." I giggled.

"I wouldn't even notice him being there, having you intertwining with my body." He rolled over and went into a press up position with me lying under him, "Our bodies touching," he did a press up, "moving perfectly in-sync," his body brushed against mine again, "giving each other immense pleasure."

I felt myself hold my breath at the idea, his eyes stared into mine, like he'd very much like to rip the clothes off my body and take me there and then. He leaned down to kiss me as –

"Oh, shit, sorry guys, I'll just – ignore me." Fred jumped out of the way, slamming his bedroom door yelling, "SORRY!" as he did so.

"We seriously need to have some alone time." George sat up, the moment completely gone.

"Perhaps we should stop being so public about our affections." I smirked, sitting up beside him, giving him a friendly punch on the arm, "I mean, I know you wanted more PDAs, but this is getting a bit close to the line."

He laughed, "Okay, I'll admit it."

"Also, totally up for some alone time." I leaned on him, resting my head on his shoulder, "But I think, for now, we should get up off the floor?"

"Agreed."

The two of us lay awake for what seemed like hours. I was cuddled into him, head on his chest, listening to the steady rate of his heart. What happened in tonight's meeting was replaying on our minds. I told George about the rest of my conversation with Tonks and that I've been invited to dinner again. I kept having these really negative thoughts, the intrusive kind that floated back and forth between the truth of the past and the uncertainties of the future.

There came a point where I knew sleep was far from me, "I'll get up and let you sleep…" I said, sitting on the edge of the bed, "I'll read or something…"

"No!" George put his arm around my waist and pulled me back into bed, "There's clearly a lot going on in your mind, and there's a lot on mine…" He turned his lamp on, so I did the same, "Can I tell you something you're probably not going to want to hear?"

"Go on…"

"It's about Harry…"

To prevent myself from glaring at him, I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, "Not this shit again."

"You said to Dumbledore that he knew why you were there?" he sat up straight and questioned, "Why were you there? Why have they accepted you into the Order at sixteen?"

"I'm seventeen in a few weeks!" I uttered.

He sat directly in front of me and crossed his legs, looking at me anxiously, "Listen Katy, I trust you, I trust you wholeheartedly, and we tell each other everything, but I feel like I'm missing something. You tell me that you hate Dumbledore for what he did to you, for holding back information, for being completely useless and unsympathetic when telling you about your family. But there's more, isn't there?"

I felt the intensity of his stare as I decided what to do, what I should tell him. I trusted him, more than I trust anyone else, I knew I couldn't lie. But I also knew the risk to his life, if Death Eaters were to find out. I gave George the smallest of nods. He leaned forwards invitingly. "I can't tell you. I can't risk it. You mean too much to me."

"Dumbledore told you and Harry how to kill Voldemort? That's why he wants you to join up, to get into the inner circle? Or maybe he didn't tell you, but he wants you to find out his weaknesses?" George surmised.

I couldn't help but smile at his imagination, but I shook my head, "So you know the way the Death Eaters came to the Department of Mysteries and tried to kill us all?"

"Yes…?"

"They were trying to collect a prophesy between Harry and Voldemort."

He nodded, "The prophesy was destroyed, no one got to hear it." he sat up straighter in realisation, "But it wasn't destroyed, was it?"

"Oh, it was destroyed," I agreed, "it's just Dumbledore was the person who heard the original as Trelawney uttered the words to him."

"Of course he did." He said incredulously, his tired eyes widening in interest, "And he told you? And Harry?"

I nodded, "I think he only told me because it would be a lot for Harry to handle on his own."

"What's the prophesy?" he enquired.

"I'm not telling you." I said, "I'm not telling anyone."

He looked offended, "But Katy -"

"Don't do this to me, George." I tried to hide the emotion in my voice, "Please don't fight with me. I'm keeping it from you to protect you."

"It predicted that Harry is the one who has to finish off Voldemort?"

I nodded, "With a few other details even we don't understand yet."

"Like what?"

"Like how."

"You know," he said in a way that shows just how much time he spends with me, "the more time I spend with Albus Dumbledore, the more I realise why you don't like him." I urged him to explain, "He manipulates people. For example, he's trying to manipulate you into joining the Death Eaters and spying for him. He's making Remus seem like he's volunteering to live with werewolves. He gave Hagrid a job and Hagrid now feels like he owes Dumbledore some debt of gratitude or something. He's probably going to try and screw Harry over. He expects loyalty in return for whatever he's done for you."

I thought about it, "At least you don't think the sun shines out of the man's arse. I owe that man nothing. Whatever I do, I will do because I chose to."

"I think he's worried he can't control you."

"He should be."

"I'm worried he's going to put you in a terrible position where you have to do what he wants."

I nodded, "I know, I can sense it might happen."

"He knows that there are certain people you would do anything for…" he surmised, "and he's going to use that to his advantage. Like getting you to do stuff for Harry. Merlin's beard, he even tried to split us up this evening!"

"It'll take a hell of a lot more for me to walk away from you." I gave him a small smile, "I'm in this for the long haul, honey."

He beamed at me. We were a lot lighter after the conversation, and fell asleep in the comfort of each other's arms.

19th August

"Good morning, baby!"

I turned around in the bed and stared at him, "Baby? Seriously?"

"I'm just trying new things!"

I smirked, "Don't you have a shop to run?"

"Cheeky." He said, "There's an advantage to having a twin. Fancy coming down to give me some company?"

"I'm pretty certain you'll have plenty of company down there, but I'll come down nonetheless, the supporting and affectionate girlfriend I am."

"Kathryn, don't come downstairs!" Fred saw me about to leave the flat and pushed me back in.

"What's wrong?" I asked him, "Who's down there?"

He swallowed hard, "I – em – hate to be the person to tell you this, but your face is plastered all over the Daily Prophet."

I laughed. Then I saw the serious side of Fred Weasley as he handed me a copy of the Daily Prophet, "You're kidding." I said as I saw a picture of my mother, the wild and reckless, escaped Death Eater beside a picture of me taken from the Muggle newspapers. I let out an exasperated sigh, words failing me.

"They've written extensively on you." Fred said, "Some truth, but a lot of lies." he and George brought me over to the table and sat me down, "I've told everyone downstairs to deny knowing you. There's a lot of attention going on outside the shop, looking for you, George, I've continued the story that he hasn't seen you because you've gone travelling on your own."

I reached out and touched his upper arms, giving a thankful gentle squeeze, "Thanks Freddie." I took the newspaper in hand before saying, "Let's assess the damage."

"At least they chose a nice picture?" George stroked my hand with his thumb as I stared at my face on the front of the Daily Prophet. I've changed a lot from the time those pictures were taken. So many people were going to be looking at it, staring, judging, hating. I thought back to when Harry got hate mail. And Hermione. And that was for Harry telling his side of story of Voldemort's return and poor Hermione for moving on from Harry to Krum, which was a lie, and she ended up with boils on her hands from undiluted Bubotuber pus.

Yes, it wasn't the worst photo in the world. They did manage to choose the picture where I look most like my mother, mind you. The headline was 'KATY LESTRANGE: Secret daughter of escaped Death Eater'

"Katy Lestrange died sixteen years ago." I said, "That answers the first question. Oh, but they've named me as Kathryn Pink, thanks guys, super 'preciate it." I continued reading, "Oh look, I've now to turn to pages 4-8! YAY!"

I could sense the twins exchanging glances across the table. I busied myself with near vomiting at the MANY pictures of me. From baby photos that even I hadn't seen, to the picture of me with the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, the pictures of me outside muggle court. Where did they find the baby pictures? Why did I just ask that? Bellatrix handed them over, course she did.

I then began reading…

Kathryn Pink, sixteen, known for her talent for duelling, has had a hidden identity for many years now. Previously known as Katy Lestrange, Kathryn was adopted before her first birthday by Muggles who provided her with an upbringing similar to what a daughter of a Death Eater would be exposed to – physical, sexual and emotional violence.

"Okay…" I said slowly, "Didn't know I was sexually abused."

"Ignore it, Katy." George said.

Fred leaned forwards, a solemn expression on his face, "It gets worse..."

"Huh." I snorted, "Didn't know I was in court for murdering Muggles, either."

'This violence has taught her many skills in the Dark Arts, having attended a Muggle Court of Law for the murder of several Muggles. Miss Pink certainly has the reputation of her parents, but has managed to escape incarceration so far.'

"Oh, now they're calling me by my other name, 'Miss Lestrange ironically of Gryffindor House, is a known friend of Mr Harry Potter,'" I read from the article, "Oh here we go." I muttered, "'Will their friendship survive, or will Miss Lestrange become a threat to his very existence? Will Gryffindor students reject her? Will she find solace in Slytherin House, where her mother, father and so many family members before her have been sorted?'"

And so the article went on, and as Freddie told me, so it got worse.

'A reliable source states that Bellatrix Lestrange gave her only child up for adoption because she didn't want to be a mother. In fact, she didn't want to be a mother to a girl. She didn't want to be held back in her quest to gain You-Know-Who's favour when he wanted her to bare a son.'

I could have guessed that. Narcissa got the boy and two months later I was chucked. No one needs a good-for-nothing girl when there's fighting to be done. The article threw out ideas, stating about how I look so like my mother, but a fresher, younger face, that Voldemort might be drawn to. Or I might become a favourite to him, playing the love-card. Or perhaps that is why Bellatrix has kept me apart from Voldemort and the other Death Eaters for so long. I had heard so much about my mother's obsession with Voldemort, that she is madly in love with him and apparently, he with her. I don't even know what to believe anymore. The article is trying to suggest I might be Voldy's spawn. Merlin, I hope I'm not. That would be a great one to add to my list of achievements this summer. I continued reading and stopped on this line…

'Why would a woman like that want a child, least of all want to know her now that she is turning seventeen, other than to use her for her own personal gain?'

I know. The daughter who is turning seventeen has these feelings, too. And so I read on. This seemed to be the biggest story of the day, no details to spare. My eyes flickered to the end of the article to see if I knew the author, but it simply stated 'Author(s) wish(es) to remain undisclosed'. Thanks for covering your own arse. The article produced it's 'facts', not that there was much truth to the words and analysed everything down to the T. Extensively.

'Our question is, what is wrong with Katy, the one and only true surviving heir to the Lestrange fortune, to have her name left out of the famous and historic family tree?'

The damning report went on, and on, and on… It started to become hurtful.

'Katy is a plain and unremarkable girl. Known to have been around the block a few times, her escapades are not subject exclusively to the male population, but she has also shown much interest in her female counterparts. Her known relationships have been with Quidditch Player Oliver Wood, a Blood Traitor Weasley and the daughter, her cousin Draco Malfoy and The-Boy-Who-Lived Harry Potter. How she managed to attain such relationships is up for discussion. Perhaps a love potion, threats or perhaps a very well-placed Imperius Curse because one thing is for sure, this girl isn't special. Have you seen the way she dresses? Has the girl seen a clothing shop in ten years? Being the daughter of the wealthy Lestrange family, you'd think she'd have two Galleons to rub together. Perhaps the unkempt, tatty, hand-me-down look is something that runs in the family. Has the girl seen a hair stylist in the last number of years? Those wild curls are wildly representative of her mother's untamed mane. And can we just talk about those thighs? Seriously girl, get yourself some exercise, those wobbles are enough to make anyone vomit. No one needs to see that. Now we can deduce why her parents are ashamed of her. Her only talent is for duelling, and at sixteen, she can hardly be up to much. She'll probably be dead in the next few weeks. If she makes it back to Hogwarts in September, I'll be utterly surprised. Hopefully she'll make the world a better place and do the right thing.'

Two paragraphs later, dishing out criticism, after abuse after hurtful truths, the article finally ended.

'Is Katy, the secret daughter of You-Know-Who, about to emerge as the Death Eater's secret weapon, perfectly placed in Gryffindor House, the insider, poised, ready for action to become the most dangerous Death Eater known to wizard-kind? Is her unremarkable nature an act? I urge you, Katy or Bellatrix to comment. Watch this space.'

"Watch this space, I will." I said aloud when finished, composing myself.

"How are you feeling?" George asked me slowly.

"Like I don't want to die," The sudden realisation hit me like a tonne of bricks, I do not want to die. I don't want my life to end. I didn't realise the stray tear that ran down my cheek, "People on both sides are going to hate me after reading this…" I wiped my cheek hastily, making it look like I was scratching my nose, "I think I want to be alone for a while."

George took a hold of my hand, that was shaped like a fist on my lap, "I don't think that's sensible right now."

I swallowed hard, my eyes meeting his, then drifting toward the window beside him, the rain pelting against it. I had nothing I wanted to say, and had no desire other than to be on my own, to process everything.

"You know the majority of what is written there is complete and utter bullshit, right?" Fred said, "None of that stuff is right about you, you're great and there's not a bad bone in your body. Right George?"

"Right." George said, he too, I could see, was trying to process everything, "Katy, you already know how incredible I think you are. You're more than incredible. You're kind, and beautiful and remarkable."

I glanced from Fred and then to George, "I want to be alone for a while." I paused, "Neither of you have seen me from Platform 9 and ¾. I'm travelling on my own, sorting out loose ends from my muggle past and discovering who I really am. You haven't heard from me. And I guess after that, you can say what you like, because everyone else will be. I imagine the hate mail will be flooding in, soon." When the twins still stared at me I said, "Go, please. I'll be alright."

Reluctantly George followed Fred down to the shop, and for that I was thankful. Having the flat to myself gave me the space to think, to process my feelings and manage the hurt. The newspaper was unnecessarily cruel about me. An article written to destroy a sixteen-year-old girl.