* * *

Instead of returning to Grimmauld Place, everyone (except the children who were taken back to Hogwarts- all except Catina) gathered at the Burrow. Bill still held onto Catina as they sat down on an armchair, Catina sat in his lap, head resting on his shoulder. The adults all spoke as the the discussed what would happen next.

Sirius' trial to be cleared was starting and Fudge (under Dumbledore's argument) allowed Sirius to remain out of Azkaban so long as he remains hidden until the trial concludes. He was thankful for that. At least he wasn't dragged back to the prison, nor was Catina.

Needless to say, it was not long before the twins arrived. When they hurried into the living room to check everyone was okay, Fred's eyes fell in Catina who shied away from his stare. His heart skipped a beat and he took a small step towards her but Bill raised his arm to stop him.

"Not yet," Bill mouthed, "give her time."

Fred's shoulders slumped like a dead weight fell upon them. He nodded his head, sorrowfully and slumped into a seat across from them. He took notice of the way she looked. Considering she had spent months in a prison- she didn't look bad at all. A few more thick red scars branded her body, like red war paint and there were some bruises shadowing her skin but not much else. She did have bags hanging beneath her eyes, dark purple but he hardly doubted that she was sleeping very well. Her lips were chapped and dry and her finger nails bore dirt beneath them, yet her hair looked healthier than before.

"Can I use the bathroom please?" Catina whispered to Bill. Fred wasn't entirely sure as to whether that was so that he and his twin could not hear her (which they could nonetheless) or whether it's because she didn't want to talk much.

Bill smiled softly, rubbing her arm gently. "You don't need to ask, it's up the first stair case, second door on the left." He told her. She nodded and slipped off of his lap, softly padding out of the living room, clutching the tail as she ascended up to the first floor.

"What happened?" Fred demanded from Bill.

"Voldemort had her under the imperious curse. Bellatrix said something about her wanting him to leave Cat out of it. I don't know much else but we got her out of there. Fred, you have to remember this won't be the same Cat that you know. She's definitely not, I can assure you that."

Fred sighed and marched out of the room, running up the stairs to wait outside of the bathroom. He was fed up with the same sentence being said to him. "She's not the same Cat." Like hell does he care. He was mad for the girl and would be there for her no matter how she was or what she was now going be like. He wasn't going to ditch her and throw her away because she has endured more suffering. No. He would be there for her to know she could cry on his shoulder, hug when she needs more love, sleep on when she has nightmares.

He heard the tap halt and some shuffling around in the bathroom before the lock clicked open and the door slowly squeaked. Catina jumped when she saw Fred leaning against the opposite wall. Here eyes widened and a frown formed on her lips.

"Look, I know I shouldn't be bombarding you and there is more to what happened to you than this but Cat, I was a git. The biggest git in the world. I was so over-dramatically idiotic that I let my head get the better of me. I never meant to hurt you, to say what I did. Everything I said was not true and I regret it. I don't normally apologise even when I know I'm in the wrong but you deserve an apology. Don't think you have to forgive me but... I'd be very grateful if you could because I've missed you so bloody much. So, so bloody much-"

"Just stop talking." She mumbled. "Has it taken this long to realise what you did?"

"No, gawd no! I realised the second I walked away and I was too prideful to return to you and apologise. Cat, I hated myself so much. I thought that if I hadn't have done what I did maybe you wouldn't have gone to Azkaban- Merlin's beard- I'm an absolute twat. I shouldn't be putting this on you."

He turned to walk away but felt her grasp his wrist. "You promised you wouldn't leave."

His heart sunk. She was right. Her spin back to face her, his hand reaching up and shakily brushing her hair behind her ear, then culling her right cheek. "I know and I broke that promise. I feel like crap because of that."

She nuzzled into his hand. Why she was so forgiving, she didn't know. Perhaps it was because Draco informed her of how Fred sulked. How much the life had drained from his eyes without Catina being that. She still wanted Fred very much.

He watched in awe as she rested into his palm. The feeling of her being with him was one he couldn't describe even if he was given a dictionary. He stepped closer, his breath now fanning her face. "I missed you so much, Kitten."

"I missed you too, Fred."

"Can I kiss you?"

"No."