1st January 1997

"- going great and leaving Verity in charge was the right call. We know we can definitely trust her. She keeps asking about you, asking when you're next going to make the staff some cupcakes. She also says she's not fussy if you want to make cake or tartlets or something else. It's a relief that I know the shop is safe in her hands, she even -"

"I hoped I'd be able to hear that voice again!"

"Oh my goodness, you're awake!" George sprung out of his chair, planting kisses on my lips, "You're finally awake!"

"I did promise, didn't I?"

George leaned over me and smiled, "You were definitely circling the drain at one point… Healers told me not to get my hopes up and I told them that I know you and you defy the odds." He stroked my hair, which I assumed was a repetitive action he had been doing during my time in this bed, "How are you feeling?"

I thought about it for a second before answering, "My insides feel like they're burning, my body doesn't seem to be responding too well to my attempts at voluntary movement, I've a killer headache and despite the amount of time I've undoubtedly been asleep, I'm really tired."

"Look, I promised I'd call for a Healer when you woke up." He said, getting up, going behind the curtain in the ward.

A minute or so later, a familiar face appeared, "Hello Kathryn."

"You again?" I smiled at Jensen, "I owe you my life a few times over now."

"You certainly help me earn my Galleons." He smiled back, "At least this time you had the decency to tell me what your injuries were. George told me your current symptoms, do you mind if I check you over?" he took out his wand.

I tried to shake my head, but couldn't, so I answered, "Of course not."

Jensen performed a number of spells over my body, muttering to himself as Madam Pomfrey always did. I did my best to follow his action, but my head was fit to burst, "Your internal injuries appear to have healed significantly."

"Do you think I could have something for all the pain?"

"It's that bad?" he questioned, but didn't wait for an answer, before gently lifting my head with one hand, he poured a potion down my throat, "That should help."

The effects immediately kicked in, "Have you given me the same potion Narcissa did to knock me out… or am I paralysed?"

"I'm hopeful you'll regain feeling once your nerves have regenerated. It's a painful process which takes weeks." He explained, taking a seat on the side of the bed where I could see him, "The poison your mother used is rare and unforgiving to any unlucky recipient. I believe your Aunt's quick actions saved your life. The poison itself attacked your nerves first. You probably found that immediately after the stabbing that you couldn't feel your arm?"

"Yeah, I was really clumsy, I couldn't stand."

Jensen nodded, "Your nerves were essentially paralysed first, then when you arrived with us, your internal organs were dying before our eyes, but we syphoned your blood, cleaned the wound and tried to find an antidote. We had to keep you asleep and use Lazarus potions to keep you alive, we found the antidote after 24 hours, but you took a lot longer to respond, I had my doubts. I apologise. I should have had more faith in you, young warrior."

I laughed, "Ooooh, that hurt."

"The fact you have woken up has given me great courage for the future."

"How long was I out for?"

"One hundred and twelve hours." George answered, "Give or take a few minutes either way."

I re-directed my eyes towards him, "Can I have that in days please? My brain hurts too much to be smart right now."

"Today is technically day 6."

I smiled, "No wonder you look like shit."

"Trust you to say something romantic." George took my hand, but I stared at it, not being able to feel his warmth, his soft skin, his thumb stroking, I was literally numb, "You look decent for someone who was pretty much death warmed up for days on end."

"Here -" I turned my eyes to Jensen, "did Bellatrix show up here at all?"

Jensen shook his head, "We only allowed three visitors at your bed – George, Fred and Molly. If Bellatrix was here, she would have been turned away."

"No, no, no…" I tried to re-explain, swallowing hard, clearing my throat, "As a patient was she here?"

"Why would she be here as a patient, Katy?"

A smile appeared on my face that I couldn't control, "Cause I gave that woman as good as I got. Nice big abdominal wound if I remember correctly."

George kissed my hand, "One wound for another."

"I think she got the upper hand, though." A wave of pain shot through my body as I said, "I got her first, but she – she -"

"You need to rest now," Jensen spoke, "I'm going to give you something to help you sleep off this pain."

I looked to George, "Sleep. Be careful who you tell I'm alive to. No one outside home. Hear me?"

He nodded. He said something, but I didn't hear as I fell into a deep sleep.

2nd January

"It's seriously weird watching her sleep so peacefully." Said a familiar voice.

"I know, mate, she's usually in any which way shape." A second familiar voice laughed, "I often woke up with her leg wrapped around me, and I don't know how that could possibly be comfortable."

They laughed, "You could take that so many different ways."

"Fred Weasley, you're lucky I can't slap you for being a dirty minded arse." I opened an eye.

Fred let out a huge sigh and smiled at me widely, "So he wasn't lying?"

"Naw. This is just your imagination." I muttered, "You can wake up any time you like."

"Stop messing with him, Katy." George laughed, taking my hand, I felt a sharp pain down my arm.

"Aow! Aow! Aowww!" I cried out.

One of the nearby Healers hurried over to me, taking a hold of my hand, inspecting my arm, "It's working!" he called out before looking at me, "We've tried six different potions – this is going to hurt, but it's your best chance at gaining full feeling back."

"It wouldn't be like me to have a pain-free life anyway." I grumbled, pulsating pain signals travelling up and down my arm as it woke up.

"I can offer you the chance to sleep through it?"

I realised I couldn't shake my head and felt a burning frustration which resulted in me saying a very nasty, "I'm barely awake as it is." And I caught myself on, "Sorry, I – I'll ask for the potion if it gets too much."

He nodded and disappeared.

"Gosh, I'm such a bitch." I sighed.

"No you're not," Fred smiled, "You just want to talk to your favourite twin a little longer, and George, too, I guess."

I laughed, "Oh Freddie, it hurts to laugh."

"But what am I if I'm not funny?"

"My beautiful, charming brother from another mother."

Fred beamed, "You hear that, George? She called me beautiful."

"Stop it you." I pulled a determined face, "One of these days I'll surprise everyone and whack you for trying to make me laugh. Then I'll end up hurting myself even more and that's not ideal, either." I gasped in pain.

"Katy," George grabbed my attention, "What was it you were saying yesterday about Bellatrix, what did you do to her?"

I concentrated on pushing past the pain, though I was now seeing the world through black spots, "I used the diffindo charm. Cut her right across her abdomen – she stopped me as I got to her heart – she put the body-binding curse on me – then cut me with her blade."

George grabbed the attention of the Healer, "I think we've exhausted her. I'll come see you tomorrow." He kissed my lips and waited until I fell asleep.

3rd January

"We are not calling our daughter Georgia." I muttered, "And no, we're not calling her Cathy either. You know I'm naming our children and you won't have a choice in the matter."

"I think she's awake." said a female dressed in medi-wizard robes, "I'm Clara," she spoke coolly as she wiped my brow, "You've had a tough 24 hours… I wanted to wake you up to see if the treatment is working. My job role specialises in body movements and physical recovery."

"Hi." I said, "You're basically a muggle physiotherapist."

She smiled warmly, "Yes. I've been working with you for the past week, keeping your muscles working, by helping you with some exercises. It was only in the last day that you were showing signs of improvement."

The pain started to build up again, "You think I'll be returning to Hogwarts tomorrow?"

She looked at me, her expression tense, "I – I don't – you -"

"She's joking, Clara." George put her at ease, "Katy's speciality is making inappropriate jokes at her own expense."

I couldn't help but giggle, "Ooooh, that still hurts. So Clara… how are we going to achieve today?"

"Positive mental attitude, excellent." She pulled around the curtains, so as to make the session more private, "I'm going to lift your leg and flex your knee joints."

"Okay."

The first hand to touch me was uncomfortable, the second was worse and when she bent my knee I let out a high-pitched scream.

"I think we should leave it for another day." George spoke quickly. I could tell he was eager to touch me, to physically comfort me, but I was in so much pain they had to put me back to sleep again.

4th January

This afternoon, well, I'm assuming it's afternoon as there was a very distinct smell of fish in the ward from lunchtime, I woke up with no one at my bedside. My bed was at a slight incline, so I could now see slightly more than just the white tiles on the ceiling above me. I could make out five other beds and everyone was asleep

"Oh, you're awake already!" Fred said, entering the ward, approaching the end of my bed, "I'll go get George!"

"Don't be silly." I said, "Erm… I'm patting the bed for you to come sit."

Fred's eyes lit up, "He's just getting us coffees, we asked – the medi-wizard looking after you said you can't have anything other than potions orally for another few days… She said something about your stomach and corrosion and she lost me, but basically she meant no coffee or snacks."

I sighed, "I'm detoxing rightly over here."

"I know you'll have one of those cups of coffee where you can stand a spoon up in it as soon as you can." He flashed me a smile.

"But for now I'm completely powerless and have no choice but to succumb to the kindness of others."

He leaned forwards, resting his arms on the edge of the bed, careful not to touch me, "Bad day?"

I snorted, "Bad week."

"Sorry…" he apologised.

"How are things with you and Ange?"

Fred pulled his arms back a bit, "Erm… We're taking some time apart."

"What?" I questioned a little too loudly, "Why? Tell me everything. Don't leave anything out."

Fred rolled his eyes, but on my absolute insistence, he began, "So you know we had a bit of a fight after your party back in August? I just couldn't understand how someone could be so reckless. Yes, I know that's rich coming from me. I remember how badly I felt, and then I wondered how much worse you'd had it, considering you'd never had a proper drink before. She apologised and that's when I was looking through those lingerie magazines."

"And you did a lot of making up?"

Fred smirked, "Yes, and things were good, for a while. It was the evening I went with you and George to bring you back to Hogwarts after you being in Hogsmeade, I was late to our date, we hadn't seen each other in a few weeks and then there was this bad feeling between us all evening, no matter how much I tried to explain that I was doing the right thing -"

"But Freddie, you didn't need to, if you had a date -"

Fred ignored me and continued, "Whenever she found out about Katie later that evening she was all apologetic and yes, I understand I was late and she doesn't have much free time, but I did show up and I was only ten minutes late. Things just haven't felt the same, she's changed. She'd be annoyed that I'm spending my Saturday afternoon with you and not her. And before you say anything, you're far more important."

"Aw, Freddie…" I pouted, desperate to place a hand on his to comfort him. He was clearly battling something. He loves her, but doesn't know how to make it work. There was a shot of pain in my foot that lingered a whole lot longer than it was invited to stay before it eventually dissipated.

"Don't you be sad…" he said, "I'm supposed to be making you feel better, so you get to come home sooner."

"What're you two chatting about?" George asked, entering onto the ward with a cup of coffee in each hand.

I gave him a smile, "Give Freddie a hug from me." a sharp pain flew up my left arm from the palm of my hand, "Aow."

"And a kiss for my lady?" George leant over and kissed me gently.

I licked my lips, "Mmmmm… Coffee."

The twins burst into a fit of laughter, "At least your lips bring some pleasure, Georgie."

I tried to stop myself laughing, I would have clutched my ribs if I could've, but this was painful, "Freddie…"

"Sorry…" he said.

I saw Clara approach my bedside, today I could make out her finer features, the white hairband she wore in her blonde hair, the sea-blue eyes. She looked kind, but I had also (more importantly) learnt that she isn't averse to banter, "Nuh-uh." I screwed up my face, "That hurt yesterday. I'm not in a very forgiving mood today."

"Still sore?"

"The incline on the bed is nice," I let out another gasp of pain, "but I feel worse. My hands and feet are throbbing."

She raised her eyebrows and smiled, "That's actually a good sign."

"Gee, thanks." I said, "I don't want to endure that pain again today. I'm just not feeling up to it."

"I'll come back tomorrow?"

"I can hardly stop you," I said sarcastically, "but I'll consider your presence if I'm less sore."

She stood with a handful of what looked like giant rubber bands, "I need a positive attitude, what will encourage you to work with me?"

"A cup of very strong coffee?" I suggested, "For you to leave me alone until I'm pain free? A holiday to some far off land?"

She considered my proposal before saying, "See you tomorrow."

5th January

"Fleur pissing you off?"

"What would give you that impression?" she smiled.

"Come on…" I smirked, "Harry, Ron and Ginny have gone back to Hogwarts and you went for an entire… what… 24 hours of staring at Fleur before pleading with the twins to let you visit me?"

She rolled her eyes and flattened the creases out of my bedsheets before admitting, "Alright, you got me. I brought some food for you."

I screwed up my face, "I haven't eaten anything… I'm pretty sure my insides are still massively messed up and one of those wonderful lines connected to my body is keeping me fed. You'll have to ask permission, but I can't honestly say I feel hungry anyway."

Molly stroked my hair gently, "Oh my poor child…"

I yawned, "I promise you're not boring. Tell me all the gossip."

"Arthur told me about a confiscated watch that had a cuckoo fly out of it every hour on the hour… His poor wife said she bought it at a market. Gave a good description of the wizard, though."

I smiled, "Awesome." Molly clearly doesn't understand what the term 'gossip' entails.

She took out some knitting. I couldn't turn my head to see, but I could hear the clicking noises, "How about a blanket for this bed?"

"You know; I don't plan on staying here for the rest of my life." I said clearly, "And it's not like I can see the blanket all that well. It's just me, my peripherals and this lovely white tiled ceiling."

"And me," Clara said, "your favourite medi-wizard."

I grimaced, "Just seeing you makes me feel sore."

Clara pointed a finger in the air, "I considered your proposal from yesterday and I have returned with one better."

"I'm listening…"

"This is the good stuff." She wiggled a bottle, "It'll help. Besides, I'm determined to get you out of that bed. Or at least able to give me some of that sass without hurting yourself." She helped me swallow a couple of gulps.

Molly tittered to herself, "She's a fiery one."

"Well, I've got to make up for the fact that I don't have the fiery red hair."

"Do you want me to leave?"

"So you're imagining me shrugging my shoulders and placing my hand on yours saying something nice like… No, mum, stay. I'd love for you to help me through the pain."

Molly shook her head, returning back to her knitting, "The potion has kicked in."

12th January

I haven't written anything of my past week because after Clara worked on me on Sunday, I was in excruciating pain all day Monday. She promised me that was normal. She promised me that it would get better, but it was hard to believe as I felt worse than when my parents had almost murdered me. After days of the stupid almost ritualistic type movements, I had made no improvement, I was in unimaginable pain and I simply wanted to be left alone.

Where I really want to be is at home, lying in my own bed beside George where it wouldn't hurt me so badly to have him touch me. But lately when anybody touches me it sends my neurones into hyper-stimulation and I consumed an entire bottle of the strongest pain medication to make it somewhat bearable. I want to be able to hold him, to feel him again.

On Thursday, Clara pressed a little too hard and I lost it. I have never experienced anything like it. I kicked her. I then proceeded to scream at her for making me kick her, but she did deserve it because she really did hurt me. Then I realised… I kicked her and it reeeeaaaaalllyyy hurt. It was like my reflexes just sprung to action, even though I hadn't moved by myself in weeks.I remember Jensen coming. He tried to calm me, but I couldn't catch a breath with whatever my body was going through. They put me to sleep for three days.

Today was different, though. I woke up on my left hand side, facing the frosted window. My hands were both above the bedsheets and there was a definite chill in the air. I quickly determined that the worst of my pain was in my lower back followed closely by the pulsing pain in my left arm. It felt like an age, me just lying there, staring out of the fake window. Body aching, my stomach rumbled and I felt really determined to be able to get out of here.

A certain amount of concentration went into my following movements, forcing every one of my muscles to work together, forcing my legs to dangle over the edge of the bed. I pushed myself up into a seated position, and shimmied forwards so that my bare feet touched the cold hard floor.

"Woah," I said to myself, "that was a lot colder than expected."

"Katy?"

I looked over my shoulder, "Aow." I raised a hand to soothe my neck, "Haven't moved in a while."

George stood before me, "You just… got up?"

I nodded, "Yeah. I didn't appreciate staring at the wall."

"This is just – I mean – you just – moved." The incredulous expression on his face hadn't shifted.

I stared down at my hand and determinedly lifted it, nervously holding it out, "I've been dying to feel you. Literally."

George slipped his hand into mine and we interlocked our fingers together, "Try standing up."

"I don't think I could…"

"Try."

"It still hurts." I told him, "It's just not pulsing as strongly anymore. I know it doesn't make sense…"

I heard someone walking up behind me, "You never fail to amaze me, Kathryn."

"I woke up and I had this desire to sit up." I told Jensen, "The nerve regenerating potion must be nearly complete."

"May I?" he took out his wand and performed a number of spells over my body, murmuring to himself. His facial expressions showed a mixture of awe and surprise, "You're going to ache for a while – that's the fastest regeneration of nervous tissue I've seen in quite some time! As for your organs, you're as good as new! I think you've earned yourself a drink of your choice. Non-alcoholic of course!"

I smiled, "Coffee. Strong as you can make it."

15th January

Over the last couple of days, I worked a lot on getting my strength back. This meant that today I was able to walk outside the ward. George had told the Medi-wizards that he would arrive around 2pm, so I made a special effort to walk out to meet him. I'm not going to lie, every step still physically hurts to take and I grabbed onto the handrail in the corridor to keep myself steady when I felt wobbly. The worst of my pain was in my covered-up left arm. I could barely look at it as it dangled by my side.

I definitely got more than I bargained for when I took a rest on the bench outside ward 49, when I caught sight of an old lady wearing a black hat with a stuffed vulture on top staring at me, "You should be ashamed of yourself," she spoke harshly, "lurking out here."

I felt the colour drain from my cheeks as I tried to stand, but a pain bolted through my body originating in my right knee, "Trust me, I mean no harm."

"I thought you were supposed to be dead?"

"Bellatrix tried and failed." I took a deep breath to try and soothe the pains growing in my leg, "But she hasn't made it easy to recover from, either."

"My grandson said that you had been murdered."

I looked up at her, sweat now forming on my brow, "Not very many people know I'm alive."

"What happened?"

"I – You-Know-Who wanted to brand me and I talked my way out of it and Bellatrix wasn't very amused, so she used a knife with poison to -"

Mrs Longbottom's eyes were drawn to the long white bandage on my arm, "I see…"

"Katy!" George popped his head up over the crowd of people looking to visit their relatives, "There you are!"

Mrs Longbottom raised a surprised eyebrow, "I must be tending to my son and his wife now."

George shrugged off the conversation, knowing that, from the look on my face, it was best to act now and ask questions later, "How are you feeling?"

"Like I'm about to pass out."

16th January

"You're doing too much too soon, Kathryn." Clara scolded me as I wiped sweat off my brow, "I'm sure you haven't forgotten the pain you were in yesterday afternoon?"

"Of course I haven't… but I'm never going to get out of here if I don't push myself." I said, climbing up and down the portable staircase Clara had brought into the ward for me to try. I had started off gingerly, but now was taking two steps at a time, much to her dismay.

Clara took a deep breath, "Your recovery is meant to take weeks, you're already pushing boundaries by being up and about."

I was beyond frustrated now, "Yes, I get it. I'm supposed to be dead. But guess what? I'm not and I'm bored and I need something to do to make this whole process a little easier to bear."

"Fine." Clara huffed, coaxing me back into bed with a cup of tea and a packet of chocolate biscuits, "You'd think I didn't have any other patients to look after." And she disappeared.

Visiting time arrived and Fred joined me on the ward with a warm smile. He was dressed smartly and was carrying two cups of coffee, one of which he sat on the table in front of me, "A little bird told me that you've been causing mischief in here." He took off his cloak and set down a thick book in front of me, "Apparently your Charms class are reading this. Don't say I don't do anything for you."

I opened up the front page of the hardback textbook and a piece of parchment fell out with a message from Professor Flitwick.

Hello Kathryn!
I heard that you are anxious for something to do during your time in St Mungo's, the rest of your class are reading through the textbook and answering the list of questions that follow. Do not feel obliged to get all the work done if you're not well enough.
Wishing you a speedy recovery,
Filius Flitwick

"Flitwick? Really?" I expressed my shock, "I would definitely have McGonagall or Snape piling on the work before any other Professor."

"He might've been the only teacher who was free." Fred said shrugging, "I also brought a copy of today's Prophet for you to see the article which tells the wizarding world that Bellatrix Lestrange killed you."

I picked it up and flicked through, "Aw… that's one of the nicest things they've ever written about me."

Fred snorted and sat on the edge of the bed beside me and sighed, "I miss not having you at home."

I placed the book back on the table and stared at him for a minute, "Are you sick, Freddie?"

"No…" was his response, "Why? Do I look sick?"

"No… I just thought, of all people, that I'd hear those words from George's lips and he's quite determined that I stay in here…" I snorted to myself, "that's probably because I'd do his head in if I ever do get out of here. He can control my crazy a little more in here."

Fred laughed, "I love your uncontrolled crazy."

"That's because you don't have to deal with it." I elbowed him, taking a sip of the coffee, "D'you know what's just dawned on me?"

"What?" Fred turned to face me with fake wonder.

I elbowed him again, "I have no idea where my wand is… and did my hotel room get emptied?"

Fred opened the top drawer of the patient locker beside me, "Here's your wand." He then proceeded to pull out my trunk from behind the locker, "And the contents of your hotel room, emptied by none other than Fleur Delacour and my mother."

"Ah."

"Look who finally decided to show up." Fred poked fun at George.

"Hi." He said taking a seat on the edge of the bed, the twins making what looked like a mirror image of each other.

But I sensed something wasn't quite right with him. He was reserved, he does this when something's on his mind, "Come here…" I held open my arms and pulled him in close, "Talk to me. What's wrong?"

George laid with his head on my chest and I stroked his hair, kissing the top of his head.

"I've spent all day consoling Tonks…" he sighed deeply, "She was absolutely devastated at the thought of you being… you know… dead. She wanted to come see you, but I told her she couldn't until you get out of here…"

"Right..."

"Everything's changing… We never thought Bellatrix would try to kill you, but she did. It didn't really hit me that this war has begun until I read that article this morning. People are going to start believing you're dead. How does that not scare you?"

I couldn't help but smile, "It actually gives me a bit of a break. I've had to be alive for so long, it's not bad being fake dead. Harry and I actually planned for this. That if I get caught, I'd try to do as much damage as I could before they finally kill me and then he can take it from there. Does he actually know I'm alive or is the gossip rippling through Hogwarts?"

"We had a few people turn up at home this morning, they couldn't understand why Freddie and I were so happy." He told me, "Flitwick is going to pass on the news to the Professors, I'm not actually sure if they're telling the other students or not... I got the impression that they think Draco will tell Bellatrix and you'll be in danger, so maybe they'll wait until you're a little stronger, or at least out of here."

"Remus was with mum and Fleur when I left." Fred added, "I think they're making sure people aren't telling, you know, just in case we can use this to our advantage."

I chuckled, "What's the masterplan?"

Fred shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno…"

"My focus is on getting you better." George stroked my cheek, "You don't need to worry about a thing."

"Okay… So you telling me that I don't need to worry about anything makes me feel like there's something I should be worrying about… Why do you want to keep me in here? What's going on at home?"

Fred and George shook their heads simultaneously, "Nothing!"

"Sorry boys… visiting time's up…"

After dinner, I had a short nap and sat up for hours reading. It was such a pleasure to catch up on work, I had forgotten how much I was missing learning, being at Hogwarts and my friends. I was reading about the water-making spell, the knitting spell and the bubble-head charm and loved it. Thoughts were rushing around in my head for the first time in weeks now that I had more clarity, now that I wasn't high – off my head on pain-relieving medication.

Unfortunately, with this new-found clarity, I found myself lying in dim wand light overthinking. George hadn't asked me in great detail what happened that day in Malfoy Manor. I told him what he needed to know, but I didn't tell him how I felt and the impact that fighting your flesh and blood has had on me. I was terrified. I vividly remembered the fear, my heart pounding in my chest, wondering if at any second my life was going to be taken from me. I had accepted the fact that I was going to die but I woke up, beyond delighted to be able to hear his voice again.

K: Hey G, are you still awake?
G: Yeah, can you not sleep either?
K: No… I think it's one of those nights where I just need you.
G: I'll be with you in less than ten minutes.

Lo and behold, George snuck into the ward and climbed under the bedsheets into the bed beside me, "Hey." He whispered.

"You came." I slipped my hand into his.

"Couldn't miss an opportunity for a cuddle!"

I wanted to talk to him, to tell him everything that's on my mind, but I couldn't. George Weasley's head hit the pillow beside me and he fell asleep with his arms wrapped around me.

17th January

I woke up quite alone. The way I was in my nightmare. Alone.

G: Hey Katy, sorry I had to go… The scary Medi-wizard came to check on you and saw me and I made a run for it before she made it so that we can't have children. I hope you slept well.

The truth is… I didn't sleep well and I don't feel so good today. A fog hung over me, a darkness that thrived on every negative thought and emotion.

"Hey Kathryn!" Clara approached the side of my bed, all chirpy and happy, "It's not like you to still be in bed at this time. You haven't eaten any breakfast… Do you want me to make you some fresh toast?"

"No."

"You've got to eat something."

I turned over in the bed to face the opposite direction, "I don't want anything. I just want to be left alone."

It was a considerable amount of time later when I heard George talking to the medi-wizards working on the ward today. I heard them express their concerns. George said that he would 'sort' it. They called after him as he left, but even he knew to leave me be.

"Hey Katy, wake up." George gave me a gentle shove as he got into the bed beside me.

"Not today, George." I grumbled, my eyes firmly shut.

He gave me another gentle nudge, "Yes today, do you know why?" but when I didn't respond he continued, "I bought all of your favourite things and you and I are going to have a party."

I sighed.

"Come on, don't be rude, open up those beautiful eyes of yours."

"George I'm really not in the mood."

"Ah, but you haven't seen the Americano, the red velvet cupcake, the slice of triple chocolate cake, the brownie, the Terry's Chocolate Orange and the massive bag of muggle sweets." He put an arm around me, "or we can just cuddle, but the least you could do would be to drink the coffee before it gets cold, I did just run around London to get all this stuff for you."

I opened one eye, followed by the other and glared at him, picking up the coffee. Lifting off the lid, I breathed in the scent and immediately felt my shoulders relax as I took a sip.

"Better?"

"A little bit."

"What else do you need?"

I shakily pushed myself up the bed to sit, "Pain relief."

"Coming right up."

He returned within minutes with a medicine cup of potion, which I swallowed with instantaneous relief. He didn't say anything for a very long time. He just allowed me to place my head on his chest and feel all these emotions residing inside me. He opened up the pick 'n' mix bag of muggle sweets and started eating, "It hit you, didn't it?"

"Yeah."

"I knew it was only a matter of time…" he said before continuing to eat, breaking the cupcake in half, he offered me the bigger half.

"You didn't need to do all of this."

He took a gulp of his own stupidly weak coffee, "Yes, I did. I've also booked an appointment to see Maura. You can go in on your own, or if you like, I'll come in too?"

"I think it's about time I stop hiding from the fact that Bellatrix Lestrange tried to kill me," I told him, "and come to terms with the fact that I actually did survive it, even though I thought I was as good as dead. I owe you a proper explanation as to what happened. Please don't hate me for what I did to survive."

"I could never hate you." George kissed my forehead.

"You can imagine my surprise when I read in the Prophet yesterday that you're dead and today I see you're booked in for an appointment." Maura took a seat opposite George and me, "I was beginning to worry when you didn't turn up for your appointment on the 28th."

I took a deep breath, "Sorry, I was busy trying not to die."

"Start at the beginning."

So I told Maura and George what happened from the moment I stepped in through the front door of Malfoy Manor. How Bellatrix put me on the spot and I spoke to Voldemort, how I was very composed, how I tried to protect those I love and how Voldemort was happy with me. I told them about the Dark Mark, the fact that the Death Eaters were called and how I had a few hours grace before Bellatrix returned. I described every detail of Bellatrix trying to kill me, how she used Killing Curse after Killing Curse against me, but I managed to avoid them all. I showed Maura the huge red scar on my left arm where Bellatrix cut into me without looking at the monstrosity myself and demonstrated how the feeling in my arm disappeared. I told them about Narcissa and Draco protecting me and trying to save my life and me trying to protect them in return as Draco carried me to the gate and Narcissa gave me the potion to slow the rate of infection.

"Maura?" I asked, "Why can't I cry?"

"I know we spoke about controlling your emotions -"

"Yes, but I didn't cry when Katie was cursed, I didn't cry when Hannah's mum was murdered, I haven't cried when Hermione has cried because of Ron and I didn't cry when Ginny let it slip about Draco kissing me and now I can't cry, even though my own mother has put me in hospital for no darn good reason." I was getting angry now, so I took a deep breath to restore calm back into my body, "The last time I cried was on the first night back at Hogwarts. I just feel so empty. I cry, it's what I do, I cry, I get it out, I get over it, but I just have this emptiness now, it doesn't feel right."

Maura leaned forwards, "Have you considered that your lack of tears is because you're strong? You've had so much happen over the years, I've watched you grow, I've watched you mature, you're an adult now, you're coping differently now."

"Really?"

George laughed, stroking my leg jokingly, "Yes, really. My girl's all grown up."

"Oh shove off, George."