18th June

"Madam P, I need to talk to you … privately." I said, realising that Fleur's eyes were following my every move, "Do you mind if we speak in your office?"

Madam Pomfrey's eyebrows furrowed and her eyes scanned me closely as though searching for some new embarrassing ailment I may need help with, "Of course, lead the way."

"I need to ask something of you in complete confidence." I said upon her closing her office door, "You can't tell a soul."

"You have my word, there's a Hippocratic Oath for a reason and that extends to your mental health and wellbeing as well, but you know if you or someone else is in immediate danger -?" She spoke sincerely, her eyebrows raised as we both took a seat.

I took a deep breath, "It's not like that, it's just - it's not safe for me out there, and Bellatrix even found a way to get to me in here… The castle isn't safe and the homes of the Order aren't either, not really…" I paused, and I think she realised where I was going with this as I continued, "I'm going to have to go on the run until things calm down and I need your help in order to survive."

"Kathryn -"

"Please. I'm trusting you. The Weasleys have no idea how much danger they're putting themselves in by having me around."

The matron sighed, remaining silent for a minute as she weighed up my statement, "What do you need?" she said finally.

I breathed a sigh of relief, "Medical supplies, as many of them as you can give me, for every eventuality you can think of."

She nodded, "I'll have the items for you by the end of term."

I reached over to hug her, to hold the woman tight. She had always been on my side and had always acted as my advocate, and had never asked too many questions. Her priority was my health and I believed that she would carry out my request covertly. If the four of us were going to go on the run, injury and sickness was always on the cards where Voldemort and his Death Eaters were concerned.

20th June

"I suppose I'm just going to have to accept that he really is going to marry her," Ginny sighed this evening as the five of us sat in the Common Room beside the open window, which was letting in a much welcomed cool breeze. Bill was now awake, sitting up and eating. It was a massive adjustment for him, dealing with his new appearance and discovering his new likes and dislikes. Fleur was by his side throughout it all, and I think that just solidified how set they were on this marriage.

"She's not that bad," Harry said, and Ginny's eyebrows quickly raised, "Ugly though." He added for good measure and Ginny let out a reluctant giggle.

"Well, I suppose if mum can stand it, I can."

I nodded from the window seat, squinting as the sun's rays were at eyelevel, "I think she got off on the wrong foot with everyone. She's used to French culture, and British-ness is a lot to adapt to. There's no doubt in my mind that she adores Bill and she is going to make it work."

"Anyone else we know died?" Ron bluntly asked Hermione, who was sitting with the Prophet.

"No," she said reprovingly, folding the paper up, "They're still looking for Snape, but no sign."

Harry's body grew tense, "Of course there isn't, they won't find Snape until they find Voldemort, and seeing as they've never managed to do that in all this time…"

I glanced over to him, "I know where exactly I could find both of them, but I reckon I'll be leaving Malfoy Manor in a body bag and that's the best scenario." I shrugged my shoulders, I'd discussed over and over with Maura about death and dying. Yesterday's session was no exception. She is now preparing me for going it alone, for me having to go on the run, should the time come. I of all people know the risks of Bellatrix knowing that I'm actually alive. I'm also aware that the next time I step foot in Malfoy Manor, I'm dead. I've had too many close encounters with death in that house, "Why is it that my family have always been the people most likely to try and kill me?"

"Kit-Kat!" Ginny chided.

I held up my hands, "Just being real with you. It's not like I plan on walking in there, fully visible, with a death wish. Rest assured, I plan on being around to piss you lot off for many years to come."

"Speaking of rest," Ginny said, standing up, letting out a yawn, "I'm going to bed. I haven't been sleeping all that well since … well … I could do with some sleep."

"If you're not asleep in an hour, you can always crawl in beside me." I said sincerely, "I don't mind. Or if you wake in the middle of the night?"

She kissed Harry and waved to us, "Night!"

Once Ginny was out of sight, Hermione leaned forwards, facing Harry with the most Hermione-ish look on her face, "Harry, I found something out this morning, in the library…"

"R.A.B.?" Harry questioned, sitting up a little straighter.

"No," she said sadly, although it was certainly something the two of us had been looking for, in the many hours that we had spent in there following Dumbledore's death, much to the suspicion of Madam Pince. If she only knew the half of it… "I've been trying, Harry, but I haven't found anything … there are a couple of reasonably well-known wizards with those initials – Rosalind Antigone Bungs … Rupert 'Axebanger' Brookstanton … but they don't seem to fit the bill. Judging by that note, the person who stole the Horcrux knew Voldemort, and I can't find a shred of evidence that Bungs or Axebanger ever had anything to do with him … it's actually about … well, Snape."

"What about him?" Harry questioned moodily.

Hermione then surmised about Eileen Prince. She'd practiced her speech with me earlier, for fear of Harry biting her head off about it. Eileen Prince was Snape's Pureblood mother and Hermione reckoned that the textbook used to belong to her before she passed it down to her son. It's a solid line of enquiry based on the information she's found. Her other evidence was since Snape's father Tobias Snape was muggle-born, that this technically made him 'half a Prince' and Snape would play on the fact that his mother was a Pureblood to gain favour with Voldemort.

"He knew." Harry said bitterly, "He knew when I used Sectumsempra. He didn't really need Legilimency … he might even have known before then, with Slughorn talking about how brilliant I was at Potions … shouldn't have left his old book in the bottom of that cupboard, should he?" he sighed again, "I should've shown Dumbledore the book, he would have known who it belonged to. He spent so much time showing me how Voldemort was evil, even when he was at school, and I had proof Snape was, too -"

"'Evil' is a strong word," Hermione said quietly.

"You were the one who kept telling me that the book was dangerous!"

Hermione looked to me for help, so I answered, "Look, Harry… If there's anything I've learnt these last number of years, there's no point dwelling on it. None of us could have deduced what happened."

Ron added, "Yeah mate, none of us could've guessed Snape would … you know …"

Hermione stood, yawning involuntarily, "I'm going to bed. I'll see you all in the morning. Try and not leave all your packing to the last minute…" she looked pointedly at Ron, who had risen from the sofa to follow her. The two of them going their separate ways at the staircases. I continued watching out the window, seeing the multitude of lights shining in the not-so-far distance, of all the people who had come to Hogsmeade and the neighbouring villages to pay their respects.

"Kathryn, can I ask you something?" Harry broke the silence.

"Of course." I said, "What's up?"

He wrung his hands together as he asked, "What happens at a funeral? I don't know what to expect tomorrow, I've never been to one."

I sat down on the sofa and patted the space beside me. I told him everything I knew, emphasising that I didn't really know if there was much difference between muggle funerals and wizarding ones. I imagined Ron was probably the better person to ask, yet he chose me… So I reassured him that it would be okay for him to show emotion, that it's only natural and is part of the grieving process. It was after midnight by the time we'd finished talking, sleep invading Harry's eyes as he shared with me that he wished we had a proper funeral for Sirius. Our parting words seemed to comfort him just the same as my presence in the bed beside Ginny had her sleeping within minutes.

21st June

"Kat! Kit-Kat! Wake up!" Ginny shook me gently.

I jolted out of sleep, "Wha – what's wrong?"

"Thought you might be having a nightmare. You started talking in your sleep."

I sat up and rubbed my eyes, memories of what I dreamt about flooding to the forefront of my mind, "Maura said I have the tendency to dream about things I subconsciously worry about…" I explained, "I had the most awful thoughts about today, that people are going to recognise me and tell Bellatrix that I'm alive and they'll start searching for me again… I don't think I'd survive it…"

"Shhhh!" Ginny said soothingly, "No one's going to recognise you!"

"Gin, my face was plastered all over the Prophet last summer." I reminded, "You know the time they blacklisted me as the secret Lestrange kid? And the muggle newspapers – they've me outed as the abused kid, too. There are few places I can truly hide."

Hermione climbed into bed beside me, the three of us squeezing together, "The Order will be there, George will be there and we're not going to let anything happen to you. Do you hear me? We will hide you in plain sight." She took a hold of my hand as I nodded, allowing me to fully wake up, settling myself, "I'm proud of you." she whispered.

I snuggled into her, "Just a wobbly moment."

When we finally reached the Great Hall, the tone of the room was understandably subdued. I had done my best to be as unnoticeable as the Lestrange kid as I could in my black dress, straightening my hair and using makeup carefully to distract from my mother's eyes. A quick glance up to the Head Table saw Rufus Scrimgeour in Snape's seat and Dumbledore's throne-like chair had been left vacant. I poured myself a cup of coffee and forced myself to eat something, just in case I needed to become invisible. Many eyes lifted from the surrounding tables as Scrimgeour's entourage entered the Hall, Ron was disgusted to see Percy proudly leading the way. No one was particularly interested in any of the other goings on, or even breakfast, this surprisingly included Ron, who was repeatedly stabbing kippers on his plate with a fork.

I took a long look around the Great Hall, taking in all of the finer details I'd become so used to; the exquisite stone work, the thousands of suspended candles, though none of them were lit due to the sun beaming in through the bewitched ceiling … I was taken back to my first time entering the Great Hall, sitting on the three-legged stool, terrified but desperate to prove myself as both brave and competent, but most importantly someone worthy of being here. Hogwarts was my fresh start. Six years in this place has certainly changed me. I hoped that, should I ever be fortunate enough to return to this room, that I will still be worthy.

I caught eyes with Katie further along the table and she gave me gentle nod towards the front of the room. McGonagall stood and the general chatter dissipated.

"It's almost time," she announced, "Pupils please follow your Heads of Houses, Slytherins after Professor Slughorn – Gryffindors after me." And she strode between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables, and we all filed out in silence.

Hermione linked her arm with mine, "Are you okay?" she whispered gently as we entered into the open spaces of the school's grounds. The sun shone down on us from a cloudless sky, you could not have asked for a more beautiful day.

"Yeah, you?"

"Yeah." She nodded as we followed McGonagall all the way down to the rows of seats set out beside the Black Lake. There was an aisle in the middle of the chairs which lead to a marble table. I always thought it was curious that Dumbledore actually wished to be buried here. You'd think he'd want to be laid to rest with his family, not that he'd ever seemed to have anyone he was close to.

Over half of the seats had been taken by the time we arrived. McGonagall took her seat towards the front with the Minister for Magic. My eyes scanned the rows of mourners, trying to find the redheads. What in fact caught my eye were the most beautiful locks of bubblegum pink hair. There was a space and then – "George!" he stood and exited the row, wrapping his arms around me.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." I burrowed my face into his chest, breathing in his delicious scent under his black dragonskin robes, "I just really hate funerals."

"I don't think they're designed to be enjoyed, Kathryn…" Fred said, offering me a quick hug, "though the person who created the word, putting 'fun' in 'funeral' ought to have their head checked -"

George continued, "We saved you a seat beside us."

"Who is this pink-haired bombshell?" I questioned as Fred, George and I approached the end of the row.

Tonks giggled as she and Remus exited the row to allow us access, "Hey lil sis!" she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a tight squeeze. As she retracted her arms, something glinted in the sunlight.

"Hey hey hey!" I said, grabbing her hand, "What's all this?"

Tonks proudly showed off her modest silver band with a beautiful cluster of diamonds, "You don't miss anything, do you?" she beamed, "I wanted to see your face when I told you… Remus and I got engaged four days ago."

"You did?" I looked between the two of them with a watery grin, "Really?"

"Really really!"

I couldn't help but wrap my arms around her again, grabbing Remus and dragging him in to the hug as well. I had to wipe my eyes with the tissue George so kindly provided to realise Tonks now had her sparkle back. It was such a relief to finally see the two of them together and happy as we shuffled into the row. As we settled into our seats, Remus took Tonks' hand and my heart just leapt with joy.

"Will you meet me? Tomorrow morning? We can have a girly day?" Tonks asked, before looking to George, "You don't mind me stealing your girl for a few hours?"

George smiled, "Not at all, just make sure you bring her home to me in one piece."

There was no opportunity to reply as merpeople began singing in the lake beside us. I'd never seen them up close before, with their purple hair and pallid faces as they sang in their own language. It was a mournful song, clearly their way of conveying their sense of loss in Dumbledore. It was the same as the centaurs, hiding in the treeline and the ghosts lined up at the other side of the seats, heads all bowed in sorrow. I shifted back and forth in my chair trying to find a comfortable position to see beyond the person who'd just sat in front of me with a massive hat.

"You're very distracted," George whispered into my ear, "If you want to sit with them, it's alright."

"Don't be silly," I whispered back, taking his hand in mine, "There is no place I'd rather be than in your arms, don't forget that. It's just a little warm, that's all." I reached his hand up to my lips and kissed gently.

George squeezed my hand gently, his eyes then fell upon Hagrid, who was walking slowly up the aisle between the chairs. He was crying silently, his face gleaming with tears, and in his arms, wrapped in purple velvet spangled with golden stars was Dumbledore's body. A quick glance over my shoulder saw Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron all sitting a few rows behind. They were discreetly sitting at the end of the row beside the Black Lake; Harry was staring into the glistening water when Ginny elbowed him gently to grab his attention to Hagrid. Ginny and Hermione were both in floods of tears, Ron was so pale and Harry looked like he was in real pain. The sound of whimpering made me choke up a little bit. I then re-focused my attention on what was going on ahead of me, trying to not draw any attention to myself. I sidled up closer to George, lacing our fingers together as Hagrid tenderly set Dumbledore's body onto the table at the front.

Hagrid retreated to the back of the crowds, blowing his nose loudly, resembling a human trumpet as he sat beside Grawp. Turning my head towards the front, I couldn't hear a word the bloke was saying. He was a little tufty haired man in plain black robes: an officiant? Do they even have officiants in the wizarding world?

"You didn't happen to bring a pair of extendable ears with you?" I breathed into George's ear.

He gently shook his head, clearly disappointed in himself. I picked up the odd words, 'powerful', 'highly respected' and 'both intellectual and talented beyond measure' but I think Dumbledore meant different things to a lot of people. Obviously pupils both past and present look to him as this incredible man who can't believe that he could have been deceived by Severus Snape. But to me, as it has just transpired, Dumbledore's death has really put a spanner in the works.

I saw Dumbledore as the man who withheld the truth and drip fed it to those desperate enough to kneel at his feet and plead, but not a second before it suited him and his agenda. I don't think I'll ever forgive him for not telling me about my parentage sooner, nor will I forgive him for not helping me escape from the Pinks when they were clearly beating the life out of me. I know he knew, and he did nothing. How can someone who is such an upstanding member of society allow for abuse to happen? He did the same to Sirius, forcing him to stay indoors, not allowing him to fight, which ultimately, in my eyes, lead to his untimely death. And don't get me started on the way he has treated Harry, having him on call, ready to jump into action like a lap dog. He could have told Harry this information years ago, then we might have half a clue as to what the heck we're searching for and where. Goodness knows what we're getting ourselves into. Dumbledore's death is more than the death of the school headmaster, but the death of the man who had the answers to help us out of this mess. That man is the reason I have to give up valuable time with the one person who makes me truly happy…

George kissed the top of my head, "Here…" he dabbed the tears that were flowing in full force from my eyes. The short man in black robes had finished talking, taking his seat. No one else stood.

Several people screamed. The tears stopped, replaced by fear. My hand reached my wand in a quick-draw scenario. Bright white flames erupted around Dumbledore's body and the table upon which it lay: higher and higher they rose, obscuring the body. White smoke spiralled into the air and formed into shapes I associated with Dumbledore – his wand, his hat, Hogwarts, Fawkes the Phoenix – before vanishing as though the flames had never existed. In place of the table stood a white marble tomb, encasing Dumbledore's body as he was finally laid to rest.

In the distance, arrows from the centaurs flew in a sign of respect, landing far short of the crowd. The merpeople sank bank into the waters and were lost from view. People started to stand. Was that it?

"Kathryn?" I felt someone gently tap my shoulder, and I quickly turned around, "I thought it was you! You don't forget a girl like you in a hurry."

I blinked at the figure, partially blinded by the sun, "I'm sorry I -"

"Kat – it's – it's!" Tonks spluttered.

I stood and properly turned myself around, "Oh hey!" I said, looking at the man dressed in black skinny jeans, with ripped black robes and black eyeliner, "How are you?"

"I thought you were dead? I saw in the newspapers after Christmas – or am I just seeing things?" He reached over to caress my shoulder before hugging me, much to George's disapproval.

I froze, mid hug, "I em – I'd appreciate it if you didn't parade the fact that I survived -"

"No problem!" he smiled, "Where are my manners?" he shook hands with George, "Myron Wagtail." Followed by Fred, Tonks and Remus who all appeared a little starstruck for conversation-making.

"This is Tonks – my best –"

He smiled, "How could I forget that favour? Are you two coming to the gig tomorrow night?"

I returned a smile, "They're not my tickets. I don't imagine I'll be there."

"Oh…" he looked crestfallen, "You're still welcome backstage I can always grab you another ticket or two?"

"I appreciate the offer." I nodded, "Look, it was lovely to see you again, but I've got to get back to – Take care, Myron."

He politely nodded his head and excused himself.

"Why'd you do that for? Don't you realise who he is?" Tonks was outraged, "How often am I going to have the opportunity to speak to a member of the Weird Sisters?"

I raised an eyebrow, raising the palm of my hand towards the sky, "Em – tomorrow night, when you go to his concert? You know the one I got you back stage tickets for?"

"But he's not going to pay me a button of attention if you're not there."

"I'll kindly remind you of two facts: you, Tonks, are happily in a relationship with a particularly lovely gentleman who has placed an engagement ring on your finger and I am also quite happy in my current relationship and don't need to be sending off any of the wrong vibes to other men."

"You're no fun." She huffed.

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't care." I said, catching Rufus Scrimgeour talking to Harry, finding myself getting rather distracted from the conversation I was part of. The two of them were walking towards the end of the row of seats together. Harry didn't look particularly happy and Scrimgeour appeared to be holding back his frustration. Good lad, Harry.

"Look, I've gotta go…" I turned to George, knowing there were a few things I needed to do before leaving Hogwarts for the last time, "See you at home in an hour or two?" I suggested, kissing his cheek, "I'm going to skip the train situation, so I don't get -" I stopped myself from divulging my thoughts, "I've things I need to do." I turned to Tonks, "Tell George what your plans are for tomorrow and I'll see you."

I hurried along the end of the row towards Harry, who had just abruptly ended his conversation with Scrimgeour, who was purple in the face. Scrimgeour limped past me, taking a double take when considering me, though he didn't stop. Hermione and Ron caught up to Harry just before I arrived.

"What'd he want?"

"Same as he wanted at Christmas," Harry shrugged, "Wanted me to give him inside information on Dumbledore and be the Ministry's new poster boy."

Ron seemed to struggle with himself for a moment before saying loudly, "Look, let me go back and hit Percy!"

"No!" Hermione said firmly, grabbing his arm.

"It'll make me feel better!"

Harry and I both laughed. Hermione grinned, although she did try to hide it. Her smile faded, however as she looked up at the castle.

"I can't bare the idea that we might never come back," she said softly, "How can Hogwarts close?"

"Maybe it won't," Ron said, "We're not in any more danger now. I'd even say Hogwarts is safer, there are more wizards inside to defend the place. What d'you reckon, Harry?"

"I'm not coming back, even if it does reopen."

Hermione and I shared a knowing look.

"We knew you were going to say that, Harry." I told him, despite the fact that Ron was gaping at him, "What's the plan?"

"I'm going back to the Dursleys' once more, because Dumbledore wanted me to," he said definitively, "But it'll be a short visit, and then I'll be gone for good."

Ron's eyebrows furrowed. As predicted, Ron hadn't placed any consideration into the alternatives, now that Dumbledore is dead, "But where will you go if you don't come back to school?"

"I thought I might go back to Godric's Hollow. For me, it started there, all of it. I've just got a feeling I need to go there. And I can visit my parents' graves, I'd like that."

"And then what?" Ron questioned.

"Then I've got to track down the rest of the Horcruxes, haven't I?" Harry said, looking past me towards Dumbledore's tomb, "That's what he wanted me to do, that's why he told me all about them. If Dumbledore was right – and I'm sure he was – there are still four of them out there. I've got to find them and destroy them and then I've got to go after the seventh bit of Voldemort's soul, the bit that's still in his body, and I'm the one who's going to kill him. And if I meet Severus Snape along the way, so much the better for me, so much the worse for him."

There was a long silence.

The crowds around us had almost completely dispersed. I could see in the corner of my eye, the stragglers giving Hagrid and Grawp some serious side eye as the Giant comforted his half-brother as he howled in grief. George had now gone home, as had Tonks and Lupin, all of whom I had a thousand questions for, but this, right now was really important. Hours of discussion told Hermione and me to allow Harry and Ron to process this and we had to play it like we hadn't been making preparations already.

"We'll be there, Harry," Ron said.

"What?"

"At your aunt and uncle's house," said Ron, "And then we'll go with you, wherever you're going."

Harry appeared taken aback, "No." he said quickly.

"You said to us once before," Hermione said quietly, "that there was a time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we?"

I stepped forward, placing my hand comfortingly on his arm, "We're in this with you, for the long haul."

"Whatever happens." Ron confirmed, "But mate, you're going to have to come round my mum and dad's house before we do anything else, even Godric's Hollow."

"Why?"

"Bill and Fleur's wedding, of course!" he said incredulously.

Harry looked at him, startled. Ron continued to look at him expectantly, before the expression turned to one of hope. Harry knew then to cave in and agree.

"But Kathryn, what about you? And George?"

I smiled, "I'll deal with George." I assured him, "Look, Harry... I've arranged with McGonagall our separate ways of getting home. She will escort you to Privet Drive, okay? Hermione can apparate home and both Ron and I can use the Floo Network. We will all write to each other and plan everything, yeah?"

Harry looked at me gratefully, "Thanks, Kathryn."

"So this is it, then?" I questioned, looking up at Hogwarts, feeling a strong sense of purpose for the days ahead, "The end of an era."