22nd August (cont'd…)

When Freddie entered the apartment after work, his face lit up like a firework in the night sky. Wrapping his arms first in a manly hug with his brother, followed by giving me a rib crushing hug that lifted me up off my feet he then brought the two of us in for a group hug, "I've missed you two so much!"

"Aw Freddie!" I smiled as George showed him the matching straw hats we got for them when away. When the gaudy sunglasses came out of the bag, the twins went into full-on Gred and Forge mode and I left them to it. I'm pretty sure they were chatting in the bathroom whilst Fred was in the shower. I suppose that's one thing with being with a twin – you will never understand their bond, or the fact that they have to share everything.

And therefore it came as no shock to me when Fred left his bedroom about half an hour later that he gave me a very overdramatic wink and wiggle of the eyebrows. I stood, showing off the 40s swing dress along with the tan I had developed and gave him the of course he wanted me look. "Shall we get going?"

"I totally see it, bro." Fred shared a glanced with George and they high-fived, "Dayum."

"Are you two finished gawping?" the skirt of the dress twirled as I turned to put on my travelling cloak.

Looks were definitely exchanged when the three of us arrived at The Burrow. Perhaps it was my new dress, or the wide smile I couldn't help but wear, or the bag of presents in hand, I didn't care, I was happy. I sat between Bill and Hermione, and opposite both Fred and George, realising that they had probably never spent so long apart in their entire lives together. Their catch up between mouthfuls of food continued to be as intense as ever, as Hermione and I chatted.

"So…" she began, "how was France?"

"Incroyable." I told her, "St Tropez was just so beautiful and I mean, the scenery, the architecture, the coffee."

Hermione and Ginny (who was admittedly being nosey) both laughed, "I thought you were cutting down?"

"Two cups a day is not bad for me!" I said in jest, "Besides, the thing you need to worry about is the patisserie selection. Dessert for lunch!"

"Jealous." They both said in unison, not that either of the girls had a particular sweet tooth.

"'ow was your French?" Fleur asked, from the other side of Bill.

"Well -"

George interrupted, "It was incredible. I didn't understand a word of it, but she was… conversing."

I snorted, "Gee, thanks honey."

"No problem, baby."

I turned to Fleur and smirked, "Con comme ses pieds."

And she burst out laughing, "Oh Kasrine, 'ow I have missed you."

"What did you say?" George asked me before turning to Fleur, "What did she say?!"

I tapped my nose and said, "You'd only be offended if I told you."

He placed a hand on his chest, "I don't deserve this."

I sniffed, "Just remember the incident with the fanta."

"I'm not even sorry!" he chuckled to himself, "That was far too funny!"

I stared at him with a deadpan expression until he had to look away, "Now." I returned my attention back to Hermione and Ginny, "Where were we?"

"Any photos?" Ginny asked.

"My own personal photographer has to sort through everything."

"Here." George handed Ginny a single photo – one of the two of us after he gave me the ring, sun setting in the distance, yachts to our right, an example of the beautiful architecture to our left. We were standing on the cobbled streets, posing naturally, my arm around his waist, looking from him to the camera.

Ginny glanced from the picture to me, then Hermione snatched it off her as she said, "Girl."

Molly held out her hand and demanded to see the picture. Her eyes fell upon the picture and widened, "My eldest daughter is all grown up."

Arthur slipped his glasses off his forehead and agreed, "Yes, yes, very nice you two."

Turns out, nothing much happened at home when we were away, so they dragged the rest of our trip out of us. I let George do the talking; hearing about our holiday from his perspective was really refreshing, knowing that he enjoyed himself as much as I did. He spoke fondly of our time together, giving off about yesterday morning's shopping but praising the night life. He very conveniently took out a handful of pictures and showed them amongst the group – a lot of them very posy pictures of me, a few of the two of us and George on his own. There was a resounding enthusiasm around the table as George signalled he had finished his recall of our time away.

"We've piled all your mail up in Harry's room, do you want to -?"

I held my hand up in the air, something not very many people have the confidence to do to Hermione Granger, "Nothing, I repeat nothing is going to ruin this day. We will deal with my death wishes in the morning." I told her with a smile, "The four of you are invited to the party. Bring snacks, I'll bring music."

Harry and Ron shrugged their shoulders and nodded. I didn't pay attention to Hermione and Ginny's grim expressions. Molly announced then it was time for the four of them to go to bed. Fred and George took it as their cue to leave, too, but I stayed behind for a chat.

"Bill? Could I ask you for a massive favour?" I led him into the sitting room, purely on the basis of getting a bit of peace and quiet.

"Considering I'm speaking to the only person in my family who gives a damn about my fiancée, I'll do anything for you." he sat down, directing me to do the same, "What is it?"

I started playing with my hair, out of nervousness more than anything. I don't think I've ever had a conversation just with him before, "I need you to check my bank account."

His eyebrows furrowed, "What's happened?"

"When I was in that meeting with Mr Snow and Emily, before I was taken, Mr Snow told me that ninety thousand galleons had been deposited into my vault. I need to know if the money is a) there, b) if it is there, where it came from, and c) if you wouldn't mind grabbing me a few galleons to keep me going when up at Hogwarts?"

"Ninety thousand?" His eyes widened, "Where would you be getting that sort of money?"

"Apparently I was on Sue Robert's Last Will and Testament – Helen's mum."

He shifted in his seat, "That's a lot of money!"

"If there is ninety thousand in there, you and Fleur can take as much of it as you want! Pay for your wedding, a deposit for your first house – it's yours for the taking!"

He smiled, "You know I'm not going to do that. You and George still have to get married and put a deposit down on your first home, too, you know."

"I'm pretty sure the money is a result of my parents' ill-gotten gains anyway."

"I'll do my best for you." He touched my hand gently with his, "And thank you."

"For what?"

"Giving a damn." He said, "For making Fleur laugh; I don't think I've heard her laugh all summer in the presence of everyone."

23rd August

I got up early with Fred and George as they got up for work. I didn't much feel like lying alone in bed this morning, it hit me that I was going to open hate mail and that prospect wasn't particularly appetising. But I do know what is appetising. Cake. So I searched through the cupboards and came across enough mixture to make only one chocolate cake. Fred and George were a little offended, so I promised to try and save them a piece. I also laughed at them as they left for work. There was never going to be left overs where Ron and I are concerned. Even after George was totally romantic, wrapping me in his arms, kissing me tenderly and wishing me well for my letter-opening.

Molly fed me second breakfast when I got to The Burrow. I brought the icing along with me as the cake was still too warm to decorate. Ron's face lit up when he saw it, so I assured him that it was a gift from me, and that yes, he could indeed have the largest slice. That certainly put him in a good mood.

I invited Tonks to come, to be the 'sensible' adult, who was allowed to legally use magic should one of the letters be dangerous. Molly was going out with Arthur today, and both Bill and Fleur were working, so Tonks being here was ideal. The five of us set up in the kitchen, when Ron asked me to come up to his room.

"This bird has been at my window for 4 days now." He stated, opening the latch where the eagle owl fluttered in and landed very gracefully on my shoulder, "Refused to leave. You know as well as I where this bird has come from, I gathered last night that this was the last thing you wanted to receive."

I wrapped my arms around him, taking him by surprise, "Thank you."

He shrugged me off and suggested we get back downstairs again before people started getting ideas. I slipped the letter from Bellatrix into my pocket. In the kitchen, Tonks rubbed her hands together, "Shall we get started?"

I carefully lifted the first letter, from the top of the pile and read, before responding, "Nice! This woman thinks I should have been killed as a baby." I put it back in the envelope and threw it to the end of the table, "Next."

"This man thinks – ew – he's too old – he thinks you would be great in – I'm not saying that, no matter how lovely you are, Kathryn." Harry scrunched his face up, showing Ron the words, and they both decided to chuck it in the fire with immediate effect.

"This person wants to boil your body in their cauldron." Hermione chucked that one in the fire.

The next letter I opened felt a bit… fluid-y, so I handed it to Tonks. She carefully suspended it in air, tapped it with her wand and the contents – a vile smelling pus that had us momentarily vacate the house as she fumigated it.

"Great start." Harry said.

"Well, we're all still alive." Hermione commented as Tonks bade us safe passage back into the house again.

We continued through the pile, one by one; the music from my radio playing loud and proud. So many messages were sent, stating that I would be better off dead, am 'evil spawn' and my personal favourite 'the Black-haired devil child'. I kept the last one, for memory sake. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all opened the letters, throwing them into the fire as appropriate, making light jokes as the opportunity arose, not taking the whole task too seriously. Tonks had a further three dodgy letters to deal with before I decided we should stop for a cuppa and something sweet.

We sat outside where I iced the cake and indulged in generous slices. The conversation was light and flowed. Tonks complimented my dress, and I filled her in on the details from the holiday. She did give me the look and I lifted one of the sweets off the table and winked at her, rubbing my foot up her leg as I did.

The stare I got in return was astonishing, as she leaned forwards and smirked, "I knew it. You're far too happy."

"It's mad that we're back to Hogwarts in just over a week's time." Hermione said, interrupting the – can I call it sexual tension, even though the two of us only want to talk about it? – between Tonks and me, "I can't wait to start classes again!"

Glimpses shared between Harry, Ron, Ginny and I spoke clearly: none of us were particularly looking forward to going back to studying again. This was Ginny's O.W.L. year, afterall, and I was going to be away from George for months, I just don't feel like Hogwarts is going to be the same without him. Harry and Ron barely pay attention in class. And, let's be fair, we all have a little more than schoolwork on our minds at the minute.

"Shall we get back to it?"

Molly and Arthur returned from their errands as we were about three-quarters of the way through the mail. It was exhausting work; the negativity was taking its toll on me and the others. Determined though I was to not let it affect me, we took a break for lunch soon after to get away from it. I went for a walk in the garden, towards the orchard on my own to read the letter from my mum.

My beautiful daughter, Katy,

It was not me. I swear it. I didn't leak the information to the Daily Prophet, nor did I fabricate any of the lies. I love you. You are beautiful. You know the truth; you know I had to give you up to save your life. You know I would have kept you if there was any way around it, but the situation was dire, I had no choice. Your father is my husband, I promise you. Please Katy, let's talk about this. Let me make it up to you. I am desperate to meet with you before you begin back at Hogwarts again. Just you and me. 2pm Borgin and Burkes on 27th August. Ask me anything and I'll provide you with the whole truth. I need to know you're okay. I need to see you.

Your loving mother,
Bellatrix Lestrange

'Interesting.' I thought aloud to myself. I've been told that talking out loud to yourself is the first sign of madness, but this is how I'm going to process it. She is desperate for me to believe her. She is desperate to see me again. Is it a trap? Or is she being genuine?

I had been out here on my own for so long that Tonks joined me. I handed her the letter and as her eyes locked onto mine, I was certain she didn't know what to say. I wasn't afraid of seeing her again, I was terrified. My heart says run, but my head says you've got to do this. Which other member of the Order is going to get an invite like this? I just need to play my cards right. I took out the Litteras Occultas that was my direct line to the Order and I did what they would want me to do. Ask for advice.

Remus: No way!
Minerva: You don't need to do this, Kathryn.
Molly: Come back into the Burrow and we can talk about this.
Albus: Your mother is just looking for reassurance.
Remus: You cannot be serious, Albus! It could be a trap!
Kathryn: What if we met on my terms? For one, I'm not keen on Borgin and Burkes, that's her territory. We would need to meet somewhere I feel safe.
George: Inside, now.

Now I'm in trouble…I sheepishly re-entered the Burrow, Tonks on my tail, seven pairs of eyes staring at me as I walked in.

I set down the letter in front of Harry, who was sitting in the middle of Ron and Hermione. They snatched it and read so quickly and intently, now feeling they were part of the conversation. George's reaction was all I was focused on, he was pale and clammy, he also looked angry at me, as he opened his mouth I said, "Don't start."

"You can't meet up with her!" he started, "I'm sure you don't need reminding of the last time you spent in the company of Death Eaters! They -"

"You said –" I interrupted him, "You said that you would be my greatest advocate! You said that you'd respect my decisions! You promised!"

"Not when you're going to get yourself killed, Katy." He scrunched up his nose, "How can I keep those promises when you're dead? How can we plan for our future together when you're going to throw your life away like this?"

I couldn't even look at him. We have been here before.

I heard him sigh, "I'm sorry…" his voice as low and full of emotion, "I trust you, I just don't trust her."

"She's still my mum, George." I spoke quietly.

"She doesn't have any power over you, Kathryn. She relinquished that sixteen years ago."

My eyes fell on the small pile of letters at the end of the table. He never calls me Kathryn.

Arthur cleared his throat, "It is only natural for adoptees to be curious of their ancestry. For some, it becomes an obsession, trying to find answers to questions they don't want to hear the answers to. Kathryn, I believe you are searching for a fairy-tale ending with Bellatrix Lestrange which you are not going to get. Sometimes people are better off drawing a line under it and moving on."

I stood there, unmoving, for quite some time. I was contemplating my next move. Breathing deeply, I came to my own conclusion and solution. I grabbed writing paper and a quill from the fireplace and sat down to write. I even made the page invisible, so as to not have prying eyes over my shoulder.

Momma,
Unfortunately I am going to have to decline your offer to meet up at this current time. The number of 'hate' letters I have received from the article was published is astonishing. Poisons have been encased, threats against my life have been made and I have been told on countless occasions that I am not worthy to be the daughter of such a well-respected Death Eater. I cannot step foot into Diagon Alley or Knockturn Alley, least of all Borgin and Burkes.
I am being followed, I am being watched, I am only one person against many.
I can't do this.
Please accept this letter with my most sincere apologies.
KBL
P.s. I have enclosed a number of letters as evidence of my hardship at this time.

I handed the finished letter to George, "Happy now?"

He bowed his head, "I'm not happy to see you like this, no."

"Go back to work." I said, "I'm not going to do anything stupid." I lifted the 'evidence' letters and handed them to him, "You'd better send these, seeing as you probably don't trust me to do it."

"Katy -"

"I have more hate mail to open, George," I sighed, "I'll see you later."

I sat down where I had been all morning and started opening more letters, scanning them and chucking them in the fire. I think it took a while of me ignoring him for George to finally leave, but he took the hint, in the end. It was hard enough reading this stuff when I was in a good mood, but every letter now felt like a blow to my self-esteem, my pride, my identity.

I don't give a shit if anyone doesn't like me, I am not here on this earth to please everyone, but receiving hate mail from someone who doesn't even know me? That's painful.

"I just don't know how I'm going to show my face in public again."

"Don't worry Kit-Kat, you've got a beautiful face." Ginny wrapped an arm around me.

"Katy I'm so sorry…" George apologised to me when I got home that night. He was sitting up in bed, waiting for me, and stood as soon as I entered the room.

I had stayed at the Burrow until Molly and Arthur basically pushed me through the fireplace, either that or I was to stay in Ginny's room. That was never going to happen. They knew I was just leaving George to stew, letting him suffer a little longer. I had cooled off after dinner time and was back to my usual chirpy self again. I was just doing this out of badness. But I was still pissed off at him.

"You undermined me."

"I'm sorry…"

"You treated me like a child -"

"I'm sorry…"

"- like I'm not capable of making my own decisions, about my life, about my mother. You gave me no choice. You humiliated me."

"I'm sorry…"

"We're supposed to be a partnership. Equals, George."

"And when were you going to tell me about the letter?" George argued back, "If you're going to play the partnership card, don't you think I had the right to know what the letter said before you contacted the Order? You could have asked for my advice, my thoughts. She is the most dangerous woman in England, in the UK, and dare I say the world right now. She is quick tempered, hot headed, unpredictable, impetuous and impeccably hard to handle and that is just from me seeing you when you get like this."

I stood there, folding my arms, anger flashing through my body like lightning bolts, "I think the terms are fiery, passionate and headstrong."

"You make the words sound nicer if you like, but you are being a right royal pain in the arse, Kathryn Pink." He took a step closer to me, "No I won't apologise for saying that. You need taking down a peg or two. You are not invincible, you are not beyond reproach, and if we are going to make this relationship a success, you have got to get it in your head that you cannot concern yourself with number one when there are other people in the world who care about you and for your safety."

I turned on my heels and walked out of the bedroom.

"Don't you dare walk away from me." I could hear him stomp behind me.

I turned and looked at him, "Or what?" he was standing so close to me. I could feel his heavy breath, the heat in his body, the anger that I, too was feeling. This was a lovers' quarrel.

His lips locked onto mine in a fiery kiss. I pushed him off me in rebuke. My stubbornness kept us apart, but passion took over. I locked eyes with him, wrapping my arms around his neck, he picked me up, my feet wrapped around his middle. I felt the zip of my dress slowly unravel. I succumbed to the strength, the authority and the desires of George Weasley. For the greater good.

27th August

"You've certainly changed in the last few weeks." Andromeda commented as she sent a cup of tea in my direction, "It's a good thing." She said, taking a sip, "You're a lot more together."

I breathed a sigh of relief, "No panic attacks today, hopefully." I added the hopefully as a last-minute addition to the sentence, "Thanks for inviting me back."

"It's our pleasure, sweetie." Ted nodded, with an enthusiastic smile.

"It's a shame Dora got called away for a work emergency." Andromeda offered me a selection of sandwiches – she had prepared afternoon tea, "But it just means I get you all to myself after lunch, while Ted completes his errands."

"Lucky me!" I smiled widely, "Now, I've got to ask. Have you invited me here, to make sure I'm not close to Knockturn Alley where I'm supposed to be meeting your sister, my mother, this afternoon?"

The glance shared between husband and wife said it all.

"Huh," I shook my head, "Glad they trust me."

"There are some things you do that just remind me so much of her – your mannerisms, the expression on your face." Andromeda continued eating her sandwich, "Reminds me of the good in her."

I took a sip of tea, "I'm not allowed to talk about her in The Burrow." I paused, "Causes too many arguments. I get called words like self-centred."

"Well, I'd like for you to think of this as a safe space."

I nodded, "Am I like her, before she… turned?"

"Oh honey," she set down her scone, "No. You look like her, you have some of her mannerisms, wear the same expressions, but you do not act like her. You are not her, you will not become her, you are far too pure a soul for that."

"Dora told us how you responded to her invitation to meet." Ted spoke, "That must have taken a lot of courage to take a step back from everything to make that decision."

"And, from what we hear, and know, you choose goodness time and time again."

"Okay, so…" Tonks entered her family home late-afternoon, armed with bags and a huge smile, it was happier than I'd seen her in a long time, though her hair was still dull and lifeless, "George told me to tell you to get changed." She held up the black dress.

I closed my eyes, quietly praying for strength, "What has he done this time?"

"Something about early birthday celebrations!" she smiled, and I took a deep breath before taking a sip of my umpteenth cup of tea, "Oh, come on sis! Show a little enthusiasm! You only turn seventeen once!"

"I turn seventeen in two weeks time."

"Yes, but in a week, you'll be back at Hogwarts and we can hardly come crash Gryffindor Tower." And when I gave her a hopeful look, saying 'please come crash Gryffindor Tower', Tonks smirked, "He wants to celebrate you, he's been so excited all afternoon! It'll be the last time we have everyone together for a while."

I nodded, pulling a face, "Everyone? Everyone? Give me the low down – are we going out for dinner, or is this true Fred and George flamboyant style?"

She smirked, "No expense spared."

"Shit."

"You look great!" Tonks watched as I stared into her bedroom mirror looking less than thrilled to be in a tight fitting dress and heels. I had eaten all afternoon, from sandwiches, to scones, to tray bakes, to cakes and tea, "We're already ten minutes late!"

I raised an eyebrow, "Well, you know whose fault that is!" as I spent half an hour trying to convince her to wear her LBD that we bought on our shopping day. My reasoning was that if she wasn't allowing me to wear my combat boots, she was going to have to dress up, just like me. That's totally fair. She looked blooming gorgeous after getting dolled up!

"How are you feeling?"

"Overdressed." I avoided the question.

"Kathryn…" Tonks sighed, "Mum said you had quite a harrowing session with Maura this morning. This is not going to be you standing out for the wrong reasons, nor is it you being self-centred, this is us getting a chance to spend an evening with you because you'll be at Hogwarts. And you know as well as I do that this isn't a party for you, not really."

My eyes found hers and I nodded, "I think that's why I'm hesitating so much… I don't want this summer to end…"

She wrapped her arms around me, "Let's go have a bloody good time!"

Ted and Andromeda insisted we took a few pictures together before escaping to the party. So the two of us got posing and mucking about. "You two really could be sisters!" Andromeda confirmed our likeness and Ted seemed a bit emotional and didn't say much.

"Twenty minutes late."

"Fashionably late, darling." I made myself invisible before we left and took Tonks' arm outside the confines of her house and when we arrived in Diagon Alley, the front door of the shop opened.

I saw George standing there, his eyes searching around for me, "I thought you weren't coming… Is Katy here?"

"Yes, she is." Tonks glared in my direction, "Reveal yourself."

I stood in front of George, feeling stupid for being shy, clutching my arm with the opposite hand, "Hey – I thought you'd like this." He jerked his head toward the flat, "We have music playing and all your favourite people and – come here!" he wrapped his arms around me, "You look gorgeous."

I rested my head on his shoulder, "I'm sure I'm going to love it!" I decided to get over my inhibitions and go for it.

"That's the spirit!"

I took both George's and Tonks' hand and we arrived together, "LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!" the three of us yelled, making our grand entrance! The flat was 100% bigger than it usually is, all the chairs around the Burrow's kitchen table were there, along with the whole Weasley clan, minus Charlie and Percy.

Angelina was the first to approach me, "Girl! Don't you look fabulous?"

She was in a slightly-less-fitted dress than her skin-tight-you-can-see-what-she's-eaten-for-dinner white dress she had the last time we celebrated. Her dress wasn't unlike mine, in the sense that it was black, slightly above the knee, except hers was a round neck and I showed more cleavage in my V-neck, "You look great, as always."

"Like what we've done with the place?"

"Of course, and the music is definitely a plus!" I praised her.

"Stop hiding at the door and come on in!" she linked my arm with hers and dragged me into the house-full of people. From Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, the people I was expecting, a few members of the Order – Remus, Hestia and McGonagall. Then you had Verity, Johnny and Chris to name a few of Fred and George's employees. My eyes then followed Angelina towards Katie, Alicia, Tobias, Lee and Bernie. The only missing people were Andromeda, Ted, Narcissa and Draco, and perhaps a few of my Hogwarts friends, but there really wasn't the room for many more bodies.

Molly approached me, "You look lost in your own home…" she handed me a drink of fruit punch, "It's not like you to be shy."

I sighed, "I got a letter."

"Oh," she placed a hand on my arm and said, "Want to talk about it?"

I lifted it out of my bag and unravelled it for Molly to read,

My beautiful daughter Katy,

You really ought to shake off this fear, you have blood of both House Lestrange and the Most Nobel House of Black running through your veins. I have taken care of those who hurt you. You need not be afraid of Diagon Alley nor Knockturn Alley. You have friends there, allies, people that you can turn to for help and guidance on the Dark Arts. I am really disappointed that you chose not to meet me, your own mother. I thought you would do this one thing for me, with all I have done for you recently.
Another piece of advice: ignore the Daily Prophet and what they write about you. You need to grow up and learn that a piece of negative publicity is not the end of the world. Hate mail is merely a sign that people are now aware of who you are (it is about time), and are expressing their dislike for me, through you. Everyone who speaks ill of me or the Dark Lord should become your sworn enemies.
The Dark Lord has agreed to spare your life, on the promise that you will join his ranks on your seventeenth birthday. Should you decline, well, let's just say you don't want to.
Don't let me down again.

Your loving mother,
Bellatrix Lestrange

"How rude? How dare a mother speak to her child that way!" I could feel Molly's blood pressure rise beside me, "You forget her, Kathryn, you ignore that horrible woman." She wrapped her arms around me, and tears started to roll down her cheeks, "I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you are as good as my child. And you will always have a place in my heart."

The thing is, I haven't cried over the letter. It would probably have been easier, meant that I could get the emotion out, over and done with. My heart is heavy, yes, but I'm more pissed off. My goodness, if we ever do meet again, I'll give her an earful. I'll probably get murdered for it, so let's hope it doesn't come to that.

"What's up?" George sat down beside his mother, placing a comforting hand on her back, looking at me for help. Molly handed the letter to her son and he read it at lightning speed. His eyes closing, his shoulders tensing, his jaw taut, "Come on, up you get, both of you. No more sadness, this is a party!" George threw the letter and my bag into the bedroom and closed the door, "I knew there was something… We can talk about it later."

I nodded, "Thank you for doing this." I reached up and kissed his cheek, took the drink in his hand and downed it.

"Uhm, Katy… That had rum in it."

I set down the cup and took both his hands, "Oh well." I shrugged my shoulders and dragged him into the middle of the room where I had him dancing to, 'This Is How We Do It', "Let's show 'em how it's done."

"Are you sure?" George asked me, knowing we had done some suggestive dancing to this song a few nights back where we certainly weren't being watched by family.

"Maybe tone it down a little?" I ruffled my hair with my hands and loosened my body up a bit, getting rid of oddly-stiff, shy Kathryn and welcoming Katy. I shimmied to start off, then we started with the body poppin', body rollin', synchronising moves we had practised from a choreographed dance on our first night out and I'm pretty sure we were very close to the metaphorical line we talked about not crossing, but my goodness did we have fun.

"Look who just joined the party!" I heard Ange shout as the song ended. George and I only had to glance at each other to laugh – everyone was watching us, and whatever moves he did, I matched, in heels. Just saying. I'm no longer the wobbly baby giraffe in heels, that's for sure. If you can walk in heels on cobbled streets, you can do pretty much anything. (Within reason, of course.)

"Drink?" I asked him, gasping for one.

He put an arm around me, "It's like you read my mind." At the table, we grabbed a bit of the hot food, that I had clearly missed being put out. In all, I think Tonks and I were half an hour late. Oops.

Other people were now dancing. Ron and Harry, naturally were sitting on the side lines, so I joined them, "This too boring for you, Potter? Weasley?"

Ron raised his eyebrows, "You've certainly learnt how to dance since the Yule Ball."

"Thank you." I said, knowing that it was not a compliment at all, but rather him making a snide remark about how I was dancing, "Since you two are enjoying this so much, I know exactly what to do in the Gryffindor Common Room on your 17th, Ronniekins."

"You wouldn't."

"You might even enjoy yourself." I jested, poking him in the ribs, before quickly moving over to where Tonks had just sat down, alone, "Girl."

She put an arm around me, "Molly told me what -"

"She is not invited to the party, so we do not talk about that woman."

Tonks nodded, "No, of course not."

I swung my legs over hers, leaning my back against the wall behind me, showing off the length of my legs to George who was sitting opposite, with a few others, "You know, this is the perfect way to forget everything that's going on."

"You've certainly learned sexy." She nodded her head in George's direction as he pointed a camera towards us.

"Pose." I put my head back, hands on the chair behind me and my right leg up at as close to a 45-degree angle I could muster. Tonks held her red solo cup in the air and looked at it with a thought provoking stare, "Gosh, we're so hot." I winked, "And Mr McWolfy is over there, and we gotta show him just how freakin' irresistible we are. Well, you are. George could do with something to get jealous over. He already thinks we've something going on."

"Yeah, a womance."

I laughed out loud as the next song started – Can't Touch This – she rolled her eyes at me, and we busted our moves. For this one, we kicked our heels off half way through the song, for the sake of the floor and how much we were jumping around. I twisted and twirled Tonks, making her look as desirable as possible. Not that Remus was looking in our direction.

"Pay no attention." I said at the end of the song as Tonks looked a little deflated at Remus' lack of interest, "This night is – oh no… T…"

My heart couldn't handle the tears streaming down my best friend's face. She wrapped her arms around me, digging her face into my chest, shuddering with every cry. I tried not to make a scene as I brought her into mine and George's room, sitting her down on the bed, "Sorry about the mess!"

"It was me who made the mess!" She sniffled, and blew her nose as I managed to locate a box of tissues, "I am a mess!"

"No, you're not…" I sat beside her, rubbing her back, catching stray tears with a hankie as they fell, "You're just going through a tough time."

"Why did you bring me in here?"

Confusion rippled through me, "Why wouldn't I?"

She sobbed, "Because I thought you'd choose him…"

"Are you kidding me? You're my cousin, my sister from another mister, my best friend – just don't tell Ginny or Hermione I said that!"

"You really feel that way about me?" her watery eyes fell upon mine, her chin wobbling as she spoke.

I put an arm around her and kissed her forehead, "Of course I do!" I stood and went to the door.

"Where are you going?" she questioned in a voice that would be more suited to someone a lot younger.

"I'm going to tell Mr McWolf-Face to go home. Either that, or -"

"No, you can't do that…" she sniffed, "It's okay, I'll blow my nose and pull myself together -"

I stood by the door, arms folded, deciding what to do, "Fine. But I will not hesitate to ask him to leave if he's making you uncomfortable."

Tonks went into the bathroom and fixed her makeup before giving me the nod as we re-entered the party. She was trying her best to be comfortable, she wanted Remus to be there. On thinking about it, there aren't too many occasions that the two of them are together in the same room. But I will be the bitch and ask him to leave, if it comes to it.

"Everything okay?" George asked me as soon as I closed the bedroom door. Tonks had integrated herself back into the party and he seemed to get me completely on my own.

"Yeah!" I told him, reaching up and playfully messing up his hair. I joined in the line-dancing to the end of the song 'Achy-breaky-heart', not knowing any of the steps, but having a good laugh all the same.

Just to keep on the country theme, the next song to come on was Cotton Eye Joe, which just proved my inability to follow the steps further. I escaped from the middle of the room and sat beside Katie and Alicia, "Long time no see, ladies!" I remarked.

"We barely recognise you!"

I sighed, "I'm still me, but I've been through the mill and back again."

"We heard…" Katie nodded, "I know you don't talk to us now…" she joked, "But Fred and George keep us updated." She smirked, "Katy Belle Lestrange…?"

"Oh my goodness!" I let out a booming laugh, "I never even put two and two together!"

"How've you been?" Alicia asked, "It's not easy when it comes to guys giving their opinions, they say you're fine, but 'fine' to a girl is not good. We met up with Angelina a few weeks back, she said that you weren't doing great…"

I shrugged my shoulders, "My parents aren't my parents, my real parents are the equivalent of the fake parents. And I was captured by a bunch of Death Eaters and tortured for information. I'm the definition of just fine."

"You always find a way to make light of everything that's going on."

"You have to, if you're me."

"You'll have to keep an eye on Kathryn when you're back at Hogwarts, Katie!"

She put an arm around my waist, "You know I will!"

Making the rounds, I then found myself saying hello to Bernie, Tobias and Lee, who all seemed to be enjoying the selection of alcoholic beverages they brought along with them. I got a quick chat with Verity before McGonagall tried to grab my attention.

"I had been hoping to chat to you before getting back to school…" she was shouting a little over the music.

"What is it?"

I had to repeat myself three times before she assumed what I said, when she answered, "Yes, it is a great party."

Confusion showed on my face and then on hers. That was when she decided, "I'm too old to be here. I think I'll call it a night." I nodded, giving her a quick hug. Before she turned to leave, she asked, "Can we meet in my office on the first week back?"

"Of course!" I nodded, giving the thumbs up, hoping she understood.

Hestia wished me a happy birthday before following McGonagall out. Molly and Arthur spoke to Fred and George and then the couple approached me, "We hope you have a great night." Molly shouted to me.

"Thank you!" I smiled, "Are you heading home, too?"

She nodded, "Arthur has work in the morning, and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny know that I'll wait up for them coming home." She placed a hand on my arm, "I'll be in touch in the next few days about the arrangements for the 1st."

Molly told me to look after Ginny, even though she would be the last person I'd worry about around here. She also told me what to do in the event that if anything bad happens, but I didn't catch it. Fred and George put protective charms on the flat, from everything that has happened with me over the last while, so I was almost certain a Death Eater wouldn't be able to find us up here. Realistically we were more a danger to ourselves, as when Molly, Arthur and the rest of the 'adult-y' adults left for the night, the music was cranked up and the alcohol started flowing.

It was only then that I really let my hair down. Perhaps it was the red solo cup that contained a triple shot of rum that was placed into my hand or the following drink I was handed by Angelina. I was standing there with both drinks in my hands, having drank from neither cup.

"Oh what the hey!" I drank the rum first, getting rid of the cup, pulling both Hermione and Ginny to their feet for a dance to No Diggity. Hermione, who like me a couple of months ago, doesn't know how to loosen up and not give a second thought to what anyone else thinks. I guess that's what being in an intimate relationship does to someone. Even George seems just that little bit more relaxed, not just with me. Perhaps this is what contentment feels like?

"You're different." Ginny told me at the end of the song as we sat down and I started in on the second drink Ange handed me, "In a good way." She encouraged, "I don't think I've seen you so relaxed in a long time."

I smirked, "That would be the alcohol, little sister." I held up a finger to my lips, "Shhhhh…!" I giggled, then proceeded to drink the remaining contents of the cup.

Fred approached me and took me by the hands, insisting that we had a dance together. What made it all the more entertaining was that Alicia immediately changed the song to 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' and Freddie embraced his inner flamboyant woman. The two of us were prancing like idiots around the room, hand in hand, embracing the fact that we really didn't give a shit. We managed to make everyone laugh and I guess in the end, that's what we both wanted.

"Too many drinks in a red solo cup results in a fully-fledged human being." Ange handed Fred and me yet another concoction of merlin-knows-what as we were applauded, "That, and I'd really like to see you drunk." She told me as the song 'Baby Got Back' came on and she mimed the words to Katie 'Oh my gosh, Becky, look at her butt…" and she pointed at me. And I totally flaunted the size of my butt, even though Ange definitely has a bigger butt than me, so I dragged her into the spotlight where we stood proudly as fat bottomed girls. By the end of the song, both males and females alike were wiggling what they had for all it was worth. And having everyone on their feet was the perfect opportunity to dance to 'the Macarena'.

I remember George, Tonks, Fred and I all dancing to Madonna's full 'Vogue' routine. I sort of remember Insomnia playing in the background as I swayed back and forth on the spot with yet another drink in hand. I don't remember anything after that. Nothing. Zilch.