10th July (cont'd…)

"Erm, Katy?" George called out from our bedroom, "Is there something you need to tell me?"

I shared a confused glance with Fred, thinking of the possibilities, "No…?"

"Then why is there a positive pregnancy test in our bathroom?"

"I'll give you two a minute – or an hour – or day -" Fred frantically scrambled around the apartment to get his stuff to run, "As long as you need, really."

"It's not mine." I said calmly as George stood in front of me, an expectant look etched onto his face, holding the test in his hand.

He sat down beside me, disheartened, "It's not?"

I shook my head, "Did you want it to be?"

"I mean…" he looked down at the test, one hand on the back of his neck.

"So does this mean what I think it means?" Fred sat on my other side, back where he was a minute before, except this time he was wearing his travelling cloak, "Are Tonks and Remus expecting?"

I pressed my fingers to my lips.

Fred jumped in the air, "This is so exciting! I mean, I'm practically going to be an Uncle. I've always wanted to be the cool Uncle! Did you know that? Could you imagine if it was the two of you having the baby? I'd buy them all the cool toys, take them on amazing outings, give them all the best sweets! OHHHH! I'd buy them an 'Uncle Freddie's favourite niece or nephew t-shirt'!"

During this excitable monologue of Fred's, George and I both stared at each other. I don't know what was going through his mind and I didn't know if I should ask with Fred being here. Did he want me to be pregnant?

"You two aren't supposed to know." I said, still looking at George, Fred's exuberance was scaring my uterus, "I thought T took the test with her… I didn't realise. She went home to tell Remus the good news. So you really can't know yet." I took George's hand and used my Invisibilia powers to speak to him directly, "Hey, what's up?"

He shook his head, "I guess I thought for a second I was going to be a Dad."

I kissed him gently on the cheek, "All in good time." I pulled him closer in to give him a hug, "Besides, I'd want you there with me if I ever took a test, so that we could find out together."

"I'd like that." He smiled.

13th July

It was our weekly dinner at The Burrow, where Molly took her opportunity to mother me and ensure that the twins were treating me right. She was looking for an excuse to insist I moved into The Burrow. Fred and George were working on a new order which arrived late and so I came here alone ahead of them. Molly wouldn't let me help with dinner and Ron stole me away from Ginny who was reluctantly working with Fleur to layer the trifle for dessert.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Ron asked as soon as we were out of earshot in his bedroom.

I shook my head, "I don't think I'm ever going to feel ready. Mr and Mrs Granger have been beyond kind to me over the years, even though they didn't know me or understand what was going on in my family life… Now I'm going to repay them by wiping their memories of their daughter."

"It was Hermione who asked you, and that means she thinks you're the best person to help her." Ron said sympathetically.

I stared at him, "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You were nice to me." I lowered my eyebrows, "Without being told."

He laughed and I broke my emotion-less expression, giggling with him.

"So have you told George yet?" he asked.

That stopped my laughter like someone had just burst my bubble.

"I'll take that as a 'no', then?" he sighed, "You've got to tell him, because he's going to be really mad if we have to leave tomorrow… What if something happens at Hermione's parents' house and you don't come home?"

"Are you suggesting that I'm going to die tomorrow?"

His eyes widened, "No, of course not, but, of course, we don't really know, do we?" he paused, "I just think George would be annoyed at you if you didn't tell him in good enough time -"

I sighed. I knew he was right. I was just putting it off. I had been for the last number of weeks, not wanting to change the relationship between the two of us. He would constantly be living in the fear I live with, except now I'm used to it – the constant looking over my shoulder, the need to be invisible, to blend in, be nothing but ordinary. Once I tell George, everything will change and the fact that I'm leaving will become real.

"I'll do it tonight." I said, "Keep Fred entertained, would you?"

"There you are!" George popped his head through the door, "What are you doing up here? Something I need to know about?" he raised a cheeky eyebrow.

I threw one of Ron's pillows at him, "He wishes."

"Well, dinner's nearly ready."

"You could have led with that, I'm starving." Ron awkwardly squeezed between George and me to leave. Pointing from me to George behind his back, 'tell him' he mimed before trotting down the stairs in anticipation of food. I quickly followed suit. Before dinner was not the time to break news like this.

"Why is it that every time you're here talking to Ron before dinner, you're all quiet and lost in your own thoughts and everything?" George asked me when we'd finished eating as everyone was gathering in the lounge for a post-dinner chat.

"I'm not that quiet!" I stroked his arm gently, "I'm just not as chatty as I am at home because it's not just the three of us."

He placed his hand on mine, "So long as there's nothing else?"

Ron caught eyes with me. I could see him mouth 'tell him' again. I was merely going to have to bite the bullet. He even started a conversation with Fred and asked him if they were thinking of doing any product launches soon. That was bound to keep Fred busy for a while.

"Katy?" George stroked my cheek to bring me back to reality again.

"Em," I looked up at him, "Do you think I could get you alone for a minute or two?"

He gazed down at me, his eyes wide in wonder, "Of course." he directed me towards the fireplace, stopping momentarily to whisper something into Fred's ear as we passed, so I went on ahead to mentally prepare myself.

Back at the apartment, I flicked my wand to boil water for tea, thinking if I sat him down to talk to him like an adult, he'd appreciate it more than blurting it out. But when George arrived, he grabbed me and his lips hungrily locked onto mine before reaching down to unbutton his trousers. I broke connection by pulling away and George started kissing down my neck and along my clavicle.

"George." I couldn't help but moan as I ran my fingers through his silky hair. He had unbuttoned my blouse and had buried his head in my chest, causing me to arch my back, welcoming him.

"Just tell me if you want me to stop," he breathed, unhooking my bra effortlessly.

It was one of those what the heck moments. I led him into the bedroom and joined in on the fun, pulling off his t-shirt, removing every last piece of clothing. Now the two of us are very familiar with each other's bodies, we don't need a second to take in the other's form, we know of every curve, line and dimple. In the frankest sense of the act, he laid me down on the bed and took control. No part of my body was left untouched, and both of us were left extremely satisfied as we lay on the sheets, completely out of breath.

He gazed across the bed at my naked body, with a hunger in his eyes, licking his lips greedily as he gained control of the rise and fall of his chest.

"That was better than any dessert mum was offering up tonight."

I grinned, lost in his eyes as he leaned forwards to kiss me again. When he caressed my hair again, my expression changed because I knew what I needed to do.

"What's wrong?" he questioned, and when I didn't immediately respond he pressed, "Was it not good for you? Did I hurt you?"

I blinked a few times, taking a deep breath, "You're perfect." I told him assuredly, tracing my finger on his chest as I spoke, "and I couldn't ask for better."

"What is it? You didn't plan on coming here for sex, did you?"

"No…" I gently shook my head, "I need to talk to you about something," continuing with the same calm sincerity I promised I'd give him, I owed it to him.

He nodded, decreasing the space between us, our legs intertwined, his fingers grazing my thigh, "You can tell me anything."

"What I'm about to tell you, cannot leave this safe space, and I need you to know that I love you and the last thing I want to do is hurt you, okay?"

"You're starting to freak me out…" he placed his hand on the curve of my hip and steadied me.

I took a deep breath before continuing, "I've already told you that over the last year at Hogwarts, Harry has been having private lessons with Dumbledore. But what I haven't told you is that these lessons were about Harry gaining information about Voldemort, who he is, where he grew up and what he was like as a student, in the hope that Harry would understand more about the man who has tried time and time to kill him." I paused, seeing the confusion on George's face, "Dumbledore permitted Harry to tell Ron, Hermione and me only, in the hope that, when the time comes, we will be able to support Harry."

George remained silent, allowing me to explain, despite the fact that he wasn't grasping my point as yet.

"And with Dumbledore dead and Voldemort progressively taking over the Ministry, the four of us are at the greatest risk we've ever been in. Harry's had a target on his back all his life. Once Bellatrix works out I'm alive, and we both know it's only a matter of time, I'm as good as dead. Hermione's a muggleborn and Ron's a blood traitor and we're all Harry's closest and best friends. What Voldemort would do to get his hands on any one of us..."

"But I'm protecting you, the Order is, you're safe as long as you -"

I interrupted him, placing a finger on his lips, "Dumbledore gave us a job to do, and it's only us that can do it. I wish I could give you more information, on what we'll be doing, of where we'll be going -"

"Going?" he questioned.

"- but the less you know, the better. I would never forgive myself for telling you and Death Eaters torturing you for information." I struggled to say the next line, but forced myself, "So there will come a time when the four of us get together, we're going to make a plan and we're going to leave for a little while -"

George swallowed hard and his eyes filled with tears, "No."

"Please don't make this more difficult for me…" my chin started wobbling, and I desperately tried to control my emotions.

"Please don't go…" he pleaded.

I reached over and stroked his cheek, "I have to. I need to protect you. I need to keep you safe, the longer I stay here, the sooner they're going to realise I'm here and they'll hurt you." I wiped my eye roughly with my hand, "And Harry needs me to do this."

"I don't care about Harry freaking Potter." His tears turned into angry ones, "I want you here, I want you where I can keep you safe."

I shook my head, "If there was any other way to go about this, I'd tell you, believe me. But I have to go."

"So you're ending this?" he pointed between us, refusing to let me wipe his tears with my fingers, "So that's why you let that happen? Break-up sex?"

I sat up, pulling the sheet up off the bed to cover myself, allowing the next tear to fall freely, "No! I couldn't do that to you, to us. It's selfish of me, but I love you too much to break up with you, it would kill me. I need to know that you're going to be here when I get back."

"By the sounds of it, you have everything all planned out." he said rather nastily, "You're going to leave me and get yourself killed and I'm going to be an absolute mess, waiting for you to come back, but you're never going to." He sat up too, "We're supposed to be a team, you and me. To do things together," he argued, reiterating, pleading, "What if I don't hear from you for a few days? What's that going to do to me? How am I meant to sleep at night when I don't know where you are or what you're doing or if you're even alive, Katy?"

"Probably as well as I will."

"I can't believe it," he breathed heavily, his jaw clenching, "you're going to Hermione's tomorrow and you're both going to plan when you're going to leave, aren't you? You're actually going to go through with this complete and utter madness?"

There was a chilliness between us now. He was reacting just as I had expected him to. He would never want me to go, I doubt he'll even accept the fact I'm leaving and I know that I'll be breaking his heart, for the greater good. I got out of bed and grabbed my underwear, quickly dressing myself as George had started doing the same. All the love and tenderness was now gone.

"So you're not going to tell me what you're going to do? Or where you're going to go? Or when you plan to be back?"

I shook my head, "Even I don't know…"

"You're going to get yourself killed." He said bluntly, "How many times have I been by your side pleading for you to wake up, to make it through the night, to open your eyes?" his voice was gruff and he didn't sound like himself at all.

I walked around the bed and placed both my hands on his arms, "Listen to me," I said clearly, "I'm not doing this to hurt you. I'm doing this for you. For us. For our future, so that I don't have to look over my shoulder, constantly worrying that someone is going to try and kill me. I'm doing this so that I can bring our children into this world without fear. I'm doing this to put an end to Voldemort and his Death Eaters. I'm doing this to make our world a better place." I placed my hand on his chest, over his heart, "You have me and my heart and I will fight with every ounce of my being to stay alive and come back to you. Do you hear me? I will fight, so long as my heart beats and there is breath in my lungs. I will fight to get back to you."

He swiped my hands away, not with malice, but in hurt. He couldn't bring himself to look at me. That tore me to shreds.

"I don't know if that's going to be enough." He said, "I feel like if you leave, you're choosing to kill yourself. We could have years together, Katy, years." He spoke before walking out of the room and slamming the door into the shop.

Knowing better than to be here when he gets back, I quickly grabbed some overnight essentials and an outfit for visiting Hermione's parents. I wrote a handwritten note simply stating: 'I love you.' Travelling cloak on, I headed back to The Burrow where I immediately caught eyes with Ron and shook my head. He left the lounge to speak to me.

"What happened?"

"Exactly what I thought would happen. He's angry." I blinked back further tears, "And I can't blame him."

Fred took one look at me with a bag over my shoulder and change of clothes in my arms, "Are you okay?" he asked, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tight which only made me cry harder.

"Georgie needs you," I said, "Please don't think the worst of me whenever he tells you."

He furrowed his eyebrows, "Tell me."

I held out my hand and using my Invisibilia powers informed him, "I told George that I'm going to have to go on the run with Harry, Ron and Hermione when the time comes, to protect you all. Dumbledore's given us a job to do."

Fred nodded, "He'll come around."

I loved his assuredness. I needed it as he disappeared into the Fireplace. Ron looked at me with pity in his eyes.

Ginny peered out of the lounge, "What's going on out here – Kat are you okay?"

"Yeah," I said, wiping my eyes, she knew what I'd just done, I could tell by her expression, "I'm going to stay with Tonks tonight and then she can bring me to -" I paused, I couldn't tell her what I was going to do, no one could know I was going to Hermione's, "- I'll bring home a surprise tomorrow, all being well."

She put her arm around me, "My bed is big enough for the two of us, if you need a place to stay?"

"I know." I smiled, "Thanks."

Closing my eyes, I stepped into the Fireplace and landed in the flat.

"Tonks?" I called out, my eyes tight shut, "Remus?"

The two of them laughed, "Yes?"

I opened my eyes to find them cuddled up on the sofa, "Oh thank Merlin. I knew it was a risk showing up here to the home of newly-weds."

"Has something happened?"

I bit my lower lip at Tonks' question and ignored it, "You can say no, but I'm in need of somewhere to escape tonight where you'll not ask too many questions."

Remus took my bag and clothes and brought them into their spare room. A flick of his wand had clean sheets on the bed, the bedside lamp on and the curtains drawn.

Tonks had directed me to the sofa, "Tea?"

I nodded and within the minute, a cup of hot tea was placed into my hands and Remus said, "I can make myself disappear if you two need to talk about anything…"

"Like this?" I made myself invisible and reappeared again.

"Not quite…" he scrunched up his face.

"You don't have to go anywhere," I said, "I trust you as much as I trust your lovely wife, it's just sometimes I reckon your ears would prefer not to hear about my sex life."

He cringed, "I'm definitely leaving, it's like hearing your little sister -"

"I'm not going to talk about anything that would make you uncomfortable," I assured him, "George and I – well… he's annoyed at me and I'm giving him some space."

"You haven't broken up, have you?" Tonks' voice was high with emotion.

"No, no!" I sat closer to her and took her hand in mind, "He'll come around. You have to remember, the two of us are hardly ever in each other's constant company, and any couple would be lying if they said they never argued!"

Remus and Tonks shared a very sweet look before returning their attentions back to me.

"So, tell me something good."

Tonks beamed, "Well, Remus and I were going to keep it to show you tomorrow, but since you're here now…"

"I'll get it, Dora." Remus summoned a piece of paper from a bag before handing it to me.

I gasped, "Is this what I think it is?" I felt myself tear up, "Is this my little niece or nephew?"

"Sure is," Tonks grinned through her tears too, "Peanut had their first photoshoot this morning!"

"And everything's okay?"

Remus placed an arm around his wife who answered, "Everything is absolutely perfect."

My heart felt so full. I stared down at the moving picture of baby Lupin. I was able to make out the curve of the back, and at either end were legs and a head. Baby was lying all curled up, "A little miracle." I said, "And you will be so loved little one, and your Auntie Kathryn will spoil you rotten whilst I give your mummy and daddy time to themselves to get some sleep. How about that?"

"That sounds ideal!" the couple said in unison, "Do you accept payment in form of chocolate?"

14th July

I was awfully disappointed to learn that Tonks was working today. I'd have loved nothing more than a girly morning followed by a nice brunch at some café before heading to Hermione's. It was quiet, just Remus and me alone in the flat. I made a batch of ginger biscuits to combat the pregnancy nausea Tonks told me she was suffering from and tidied up after myself. I sat down afterwards to re-study memory and modification charms – placing them and revoking them, just in case.

I had heard someone up in the middle of the night. I initially thought it was Tonks, but the longer I spent in his presence, I believe it was Remus as he brewed his third cafetiere of coffee. He sat reading the Daily Prophet, making the odd comment, telling me about Professor Burbage, my Muggle Studies teacher who unexpectedly resigned from Hogwarts at the end of last term. He reckoned something's happened to her and it's been covered up. There were a series of disappearances of muggleborn individuals I had never heard of. He also mentioned a book by Rita Skeeter that was about to be published about the 'Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore'. He didn't seem too amused about that either. I told him that I haven't paid attention to the nonsense that's written in the Prophet for quite some time now. I don't think my comment helped much.

I don't think he particularly minded me being here, but something was definitely off.

"Remus?"

"Yes?"

"Could you do me a favour?"

He smiled at me as he poured himself another cup of coffee, "What do you need?"

"Gosh I feel so stupid asking you this… Can you come with me to Hermione's, just to drop me off? I know George would want to make sure I got there okay…"

Remus placed his hands on my shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze, "Of course. Just let me know when you want to leave."

"Hey!" I greeted Hermione as she opened the door, letting out a waft of deliciousness into the summer air, "Remus is just here to drop me off."

She looked up at Remus, who studied her, "Good to see you Professor Lupin."

He smiled, "It's been a long time since I've been your Professor, Hermione. Enjoy your afternoon, I'll see you both this evening at The Burrow?"

"Thanks, Remus." I placed my hand on his shoulder before walking indoors. He waited until the door was firmly shut before leaving.

"You told George, didn't you?" Hermione asked before calling out to her parents, "Kathryn's here!"

I raised my eyebrows, "He took it as well as you'd imagine. Told me that he won't let me go, that it'll be like me killing myself."

Hermione shrugged her shoulders in reasoning, "He's not exactly wrong, is he? We're risking our lives – don't get me wrong, I know we have to go, but he's not wrong."

"We'll see if I'll be camping in with you and Gin tonight."

"Oh Kathryn, how lovely to see you again!" Elizabeth Granger approached me, wiping her hands with a tea towel, "Hermione and I have planned a lovely afternoon of treats, we're just finishing the scones now."

I gave her a tight hug, "I hope you didn't go to too much bother!"

"Not at all." She said, "John, Kathryn's here!"

John Granger, who's hands were covered in soil approached me, "My my, you've grown into a fine young woman since you were last here. Hermione tells us you've moved in with – George – is it?"

I smiled and nodded, "Molly – Ron and George's mother – took me under her wing after everything with Richard and Helen and finding out that I had been adopted. It took a while to get my head around it, I don't think I'll ever fully get to grips with the situation."

"No, I don't imagine you will." He directed me into the kitchen, where he washed his hands, much to Elizabeth's dismay, "But you know that we're always an extension of your family, if you need us."

I looked to Hermione who looked like she was internally crying, like I was, "Thank you, it means a lot."

"Tea? Coffee?" Elizabeth asked.

"Whatever you're having." I said, settling myself into the seat beside Hermione where I took her hand and gave a reassuring squeeze, "It's so refreshing being back in a Muggle household," I said to no one in particular, "I do most of my baking and cooking the Muggle way still, it's much lazier with magic, but simple things I grew up with, like a television…" Elizabeth poured tea into my china cup, "Thank you."

"There's been a lot even for John and me to adapt to," she added, "Hermione seems to have had a wonderful time at Hogwarts, and we hear all about you, Ron and Harry."

The timer for the oven buzzed and Elizabeth hurried to lift out the scones, to put them on the cooling rack on the table in the hope of serving them warm. Out of the fridge came a tray of sandwiches cut into fingers, and we all sat at the table, engaging in polite conversation and as we ate a scone each. I managed to get Hermione's parents to divulge stories about their daughter when she was a young child. I heard tales of their family holidays: a trip to Disney Land, learning to ski on the Alps and surfing on the English coast. It was lovely to hear what a 'normal' childhood is, the experiences, the firsts and the joy of watching your child master a talent. Hermione beautifully played a few pieces on the piano for us after we ate a slice of Victoria sponge each. There was no doubt in my mind that both Elizabeth and John loved their daughter very much, but they also knew too much.

I allowed Hermione to make every decision, to enjoy the last afternoon she'll have with her parents but the time came for us to do what we had to do, as time passed at an alarming rate.

"No, they're my parents, I'll do it," Hermione said definitively, her lower lip quivering, "I'll modify their memories and – can you make sure I planted the fake memories right?"

I took her hand in mine, "Of course I will. Only if you're sure?"

Teary eyed, Hermione nodded, "It has to be me."

The two of us headed up to Hermione's bedroom to discuss our plan. She was going to modify her parents' memories, to remove herself from their lives, if the charm was to successfully work, her parents won't know her from Adam. Between us, we had everything in place. Hermione had all of the travel information, her parents' aliases and the essentials packed.

Hermione asked for fifteen minutes alone with her parents. I sat on the front doorstep, ready to undertake my roll of ensuring the memory charm worked. A tearful Hermione exited her parents' home with her beaded bag in tow, which had an undetectable extension charm added to it. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight, wiping the tears away, wishing I could take away her pain.

"That was awful…" she cried.

"And it was the right thing to do." I assured her, "Have a seat in the back garden and I will take it from here." I handed her my book of useful spells and sent her on her way.

Once Hermione was out of sight, I rang the doorbell. The first indicator of if the spell worked, would be if they recognised me, as an extension of their memories of Hermione.

"Hello, Mr and Mrs Wilkins?" I used their new names.

"Sorry, who are you?"

"My apologies, my name is Katy Brown and I work for Travel Solutions," I held up the continuation of my incredibly altered ID, and they bought it. There was no hint of recognition on their faces, "can I confirm that you are Mrs Monica and Mr Wendell Wilkins?"

They looked at me blankly. There was no need to panic as yet.

"That is what is written in your travel documents, this is you, isn't it?" I handed over the fake documents that Hermione and I had forged to an inch of our lives, guaranteed to pass any airport security and gain entry into any country.

Hermione's mother gazed blankly at me for a minute before saying, "My apologies, yes I'm Monika Wilkins, do come in. My husband and I have been expecting you."

"So you're planning a move to Australia?" I asked in a friendly tone.

"Yes," Hermione's father answered, "ever since we got married twenty years ago, we dreamed of moving to Australia and starting our own dental practice there."

I smiled, "No better time than the present." I opened up my document folder, "Well, I best not keep you waiting much longer – here are your passports, visas, travel documentation and the individual you will be meeting on the other side, these are David's contact details." I gave them both time to take in all the information, find the tickets, examine their passports and consider their next steps as Wendell and Monica.

"And you've set up everything for us?"

"That's my job, Mrs Wilkins." I smiled sweetly, "To take the stress out of travelling, I've enclosed an itinerary on the final page of your booklet, which gives you a rough outline of how your travel experience will proceed." I had a quick look around the room; all evidence of Hermione had vanished in the last fifteen minutes, but I knew I had to focus on the present, "Do you have any family here that will be joining you in Perth?"

Hermione's mother looked up at me, her eyes full of sorrow, "No, no it's just us. We were never blessed with any children of our own and our parents are no longer with us..."

"Ah right." I nodded, trying desperately to hide the shiver that ran down my spine and the tears that were forming in my own eyes.

"We'd better get packing, Monica, our flight leaves in five hours – we've got to get ourselves to the airport with time to spare." Hermione's father's eyes nearly popped out of his head at the realisation of the immediacy of their plans.

"Are you happy for me to sit here and sign off the rest of the paperwork?" I asked, "And I'll organise for you to get a taxi?"

He nodded, "Please – Take your time."

"Wendell?" Hermione's mother called out from upstairs, "Did you start packing already?"

"Didn't you?" Hermione's father answered, "We've been planning this trip for months!" he looked at me and smiled, "Excuse me, help yourself to some sweet treats."

I pottered around the kitchen, putting leftover foods into Tupperware boxes to bring home. Goodness knows how long this house is going to be empty. I went around switching all the plugs off and emptying the perishables out of the fridge, passing them out the back door to Hermione who put everything into the proper bins.

"Why didn't I think of this?" Hermione said, desperately trying to be quiet to avoid the suspicion of her parents who no longer know who she is.

"That's why I'm here," I whispered back, "I'm just going to call for a taxi now, and we'll be able to lock up property."

She placed a hand on my shoulder, the look on her face showing her gratitude. Within no time, the taxi had arrived and both Wendell and Monika Wilkins had handed me the spare set of house keys for me to 'keep an eye on the place'. I stood at the front door and waved them off, with Hermione watching and waving invisibly by my side, the two of us praying that one day we'd be able to meet again.