JANUARY 1ST, 1991. Katelyn wakes up at seven in the morning to her mother. She is holding a cake in her hands. It's small and round, enough for a small group of people. It reads 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' in red cursive with eleven candles surrounding it.

"Good morning, amore mio," Camilla says to her softly, brushing her daughter's hair away from her eyes as the little girl wakes. "You're eleven, caro."

Katelyn sits up, grinning as she remembers what day it is. She gets her Hogwarts letter today. She's been waiting since her fifth birthday. She looks around the room and her smile falters just a little when she sees her father is nowhere to be seen. 

"Sorry, mitica," says another voice. Katelyn's eyes light up at the sight of her aunt, Eliza Black, who smiles and sits down beside her, curling an arm around her and pressing a kiss to her hairline. "Happy Birthday, baby." 

Camilla sets down the cake on Katelyn's bedside table and sits down near her legs. She holds up a letter. 

"Holy crap!" Katelyn exclaims, snatching the letter away from her mother in excitement. Camilla scolds her for her use of bad language, but smiles. Katelyn opens the letter and reads.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss Royal,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. 

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Katelyn grinned as she read the first sentence. She was a Hogwarts student. She was going to Hogwarts!

"Did you get in?" Says another voice, this one younger and tired. Katelyn nods as Poppy, Eliza's daughter, climbs onto the bed to settle beside Katelyn on her other side. 

Katelyn pulled out the other list that shows the books she'll need for the school year. She reads through it, before setting the paper and envelope aside. 

"Cake?" She asks with a grin. Her mother chuckles and grabs the cake, setting it on Katelyn's lap while Eliza produces four forks. They each get one and then dig in.

◂◊●◯●◊▸

AUGUST 1ST. DIAGON ALLEY WAS ALWAYS one of Katelyn's favorite places. She loved hanging out in the Eeylops Owl Emporium. Whenever her mother let her go by herself or with Narcissa, Draco, and Freya, she'd always find herself in the pet shop either helping the owner or petting the animals.

The second was Flourish and Blotts. She's read a variety of books and it was her favorite place to get them from. Whenever she has free time and she isn't in the Emporium, she's in the bookshop directing people to the correct aisles or helping the owner tidy up the shelves.

Now, she was in Diagon Alley to collect the things she'd need for school. She had her lists written in a journal that resides in her. She was dressed in normal wizard attire, a black sweater, a pair of black slacks, and a black cloak. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail -medium length.

"Where to first?" 

Katelyn stared at Draco with an incredulous look in her icy eyes. He hadn't noticed since he was looking around, his platinum blonde hair slicked back like always and his cloak hiding the same outfit Katelyn had on. 

Their mothers had the grand idea to dress them alike every time they were together. Katelyn never minded it, but Draco would grumble and complain (he refused to admit her liked it). 

Draco turned to look at his best friend when she didn't respond and shrunk a little under her gaze. "What?" He demanded, scowling at the older girl. 

Katelyn rolled her eyes. "'Where to first?'" She mocked and he glared at her with an annoyed frown, "what have I told you about asking stupid questions, Drake?"

"Hey!" He said indignantly, fixing his cloak as a breeze passed them. She cocked an eyebrow at him and then grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the shop she wanted to attend first. Their mothers had allowed them to wander by themselves as long as they promised to stay away from Knockturn Alley.

He let himself be pulled, looking around mindlessly. He only stopped when he ran into Katelyn who had stopped in front of the shop. He grunted and she gave him a dry stare. He jokingly hissed at her before turning his head up to look at the shop name. 

Ollivanders.

The wand shop. The shop that Katelyn has wanted to enter ever since she first stepped foot in the alley.

Draco perked up at the choice. Their fathers always said Ollivanders was a mad. No place for a wizard like their selves. Katelyn never listened though and that meant Draco didn't either.

Katelyn beamed excitedly and entered the shop without another second and Draco followed after her. From what they could see, the shop was empty. 

There were hundreds of wands. Boxes thrown about, some piled high in corners of the shop and most of them overwhelming the shelves that were made for them. Some boxes laid open on the counter. 

Katelyn squeezed Draco's hand, rocking on her heels back and forth. Draco took in the place, scrunching his nose at the mess and untidiness. He guesses it sums up the Wizarding World pretty well though. 

"It doesn't look like anyone's in, Serpent," Draco said, tilting his head at the empty counter, "maybe we should come back—"

He was cut off by the appearance of an old man who emerged from the back of the store. 

The old man had white skin and pale silvery eyes. It was unnerving, but Katelyn knew what it felt like to have such an interesting eye color that pierced one's soul. 

"Ah," the man spoke. His voice had a slight rasp, deep and soothing. "Miss Royal, Mr. Malfoy... I had a feeling I'd be seeing you soon. It feels like just yesterday I gave your parents their wands," he rambled, giving them a toothy grin. 

Draco gave the man a weird look while Katelyn grinned back at the man. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ollivander," Katelyn said, polite as ever. Draco merely gave the man a nod, still tightly grasping Katelyn's hand in his. 

The man looked at the two curiously before he disappeared into the shelves. He came back moments later with two wand cases. 

One case was gray with a silver outlining. The other case was white with black outlining. 

Ollivander handed the gray one to Draco and the white one to Katelyn. He gestured to them to open them. They both did. 

Draco's case held a 10" long hawthorn wood wand. It was a nice-looking wand, slick and neat just like Draco. The boy pulled it out and a gust of wind blew past them. 

Mr. Ollivander smiled, "you've found your wand, my boy." Draco looked over at Katelyn with wide eyes and the girl grinned at him, nudging his shoulder with her own. "That wand is made of hawthorn wood. It has a unicorn hair core. It's reasonably springy." Draco looked up at the man, confused.

Katelyn opened the white box and found herself staring at 7" long sycamore wood wand. She pulled it out, holding her breath. Nothing happened. She looked up at the man, unsure of what to do.

"Give it a flick," Mr. Ollivander advised. 

So, she did.

"Bloody hell!" Draco yelped, covering his face as the vase near the window shattered and almost nicked him. 

Katelyn's eyes widened and she quickly gave the wand back to the old man who looked as surprised as she felt. "Well, that's not it," he muttered.

"Clearly," Draco huffed and the man disappeared once again. "You're trying to kill me," he gave Katelyn accusatory look.

"Oh, you've figured it out. Finally," Katelyn drawled sarcastically.

The old man returned before Draco could retort. He opened a silver box and held out the next wand to her. This one was a 9" long redwood wand. 

She hesitated after nothing happened before swishing her wand. The lamp light on the counter exploded along with the light bulb above the two first-years. 

Draco and Katelyn scattered as the wand shop fell into darkness except for the light coming in from the front of the store. 

A light from the tip of a wand appeared beside Mr. Ollivanders now illuminated face. He didn't look fazed, staring tiredly up at the light bulb. "I don't think that one's right either," he said.

Draco and Katelyn both looked at each other from across the store, their hearts pounding and their breathing faster than normal. They knew what the other was saying without having to voice it. 

'What the fuck.'

With a swish of his wand, the lightbulbs were replaced, and the shattered pieces were gone. Light filled the store again and the old man disappeared once more. 

Katelyn put the wand back into the case and set it on the counter, taking a meaningful step away from it. 

Mr. Ollivander returned with another box. This one was brown with a darker brown lining. He opened the box and held out the wand. 8" laurel wood. 

She gulped and took it. She gave it a small whirl and jumped when some of the wands flew out of their spots on the shelves. Startled, she quickly put the wand back on the counter, staring at the mess she created.

The poor old man hummed thoughtfully. "Dear, dear,"  he murmured, tapping his chin as he thought. 

"It's usually me that's making the messes," Draco complained, "you're supposed to be the composed one." 

"It couldn't be..." Ollivander was speaking to himself. He quickly disappeared into the back. He was gone for several minutes that the two were beginning to think that he had left, but he finally returned after seven minutes.

He was holding a black box with gold lining. He very carefully opened it up and revealed the most beautiful wand Katelyn has ever seen. 

It was 12" black oak wand. The handle had carvings of lions, a serpent, a badger, and an eagle. The eyes of the lion were red, the eyes of the serpent were green, the eyes of the badger were yellow, and the eyes of the eagle were blue. The rest of it was pure black. It looked like a nightmare.

Katelyn carefully pulled it out of its casing. The lights flickered, a glow appeared around her, and a gust of wind flew around the shop.

She had found her wand.

◂◊●◯●◊▸

"HOW COME YOU GET NOT JUST ONE badass core, but two?!" Draco huffed as they walked through Diagon Alley to get to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions shop.

When Katelyn finally found her wand, Mr. Ollivander had explained to her how special it was. It was the rarest want to ever exist. It had two different cores: a phoenix feather and a dragon heartstring. Not only that, but it was specifically created for her (the man had said it came to him in a vision ten years earlier) and only one person could wield it. Along with the wood that was used which wasn't normally for wand making. 

"Dunno'," Katelyn said, her mind working quickly to try and figure out why Ollivander had been so vague. Before they had left, he had told Katelyn:

'Your mind will be your savior.'

That's not something someone just says to a person.

Draco interrupted her thoughts as he pushed open the door to the shop and waltzed in. "I mean, it already looks awesome! Why does it need to be, like, triple awesome?" 

Katelyn scoffed, shaking her head in amusement. "Triple awesome?" She repeated.

He sniffed, "don't judge." 

She raised her hands in mock surrender before pulling him over to the school uniform section. They collected all that was on the list. 

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of black plain work robes
2. One plain black pointed hat for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves
4. One black winter cloak with silver fastenings

Uniform:
- A white buttoned shirt
- Black necktie
- Black dress shoes
- Gray V-Neck jumpers
- Trousers
- Breeches
- Cardigan
- Skirt

Once they were done, they left the shop and ventured onto the next one. Flourish and Blotts.

"There's eight books we need to find," Katelyn told Draco, staring down at the list in her hand. 

"Eight?!" Draco shrieked. 

Katelyn rolled her eyes, "yes, I know. So much reading. Eight too many for your reading level," she said, giving him a smile.

He glared at her, unamused.

"Look," Katelyn sighed, "I'll find the books. You go get us a telescope, brass scales, glass or crystal phials, and a cauldron. You think you can manage?"

"Yes, I can manage!" He huffed indignantly. Katelyn merely cocked an eyebrow, not believing him in the slightest. He sighed, "yes, I can do it. Go." He went to Magical Menagerie where Katelyn would meet him after.

She entered the bookshop, looking around to try and find the owner. 

The shelves were stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather to books the size of postage stamps in covers of silk to books full of peculiar symbols and a few books with nothing in them at all.

She loved the place endlessly. 

Madam Villanelle has been running the shop since the 1980's according to her mum and aunt. The place was first established in 1454. 

"Ah, Katelyn, I figured you'd show soon," said a familiar voice. Katelyn turned towards it, smiling upon seeing Madam Villanelle. 

"Madam," she said, sinking into the hug the woman provided. "It's nice to see you." 

"It's lovely to see you as well, my dear," Villanelle smiled and walked back to the counter. Katelyn followed her. "You're here for your school list, yes?" 

Katelyn nodded, beaming. Villanelle patted Katelyn's cheek from across the counter before gesturing to the shelves and shelves of books. Katelyn quickly got to work, plucking the bag she used all the time from behind the counter.

With her mother's permission, Katelyn worked at the book shop from time to time. Her uncle, Frederico, had enchanted a bag for her to work with so she wasn't lugging around fifteen books at once in her arms.

She quickly walked into the shelves, pulling out the list that she needed. 

COURSE BOOKS
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

She's read all of them already, but that was years ago (minus Fantastic Beasts since she rereads that one at least once a week) so it will be nice to freshen up on the subjects. She goes to the school section of the shelves, hoping that'll make her search easier.

She disappeared between the units, looking for The Dark Forces book first. She collects five out of the eight books -two each- before she runs into someone. Or, well, someone runs into her. 

Neither was paying much attention, but Katelyn was aware of her surroundings and how many people were close to her. The person on the other hand must not have been. 

When they collide, the large and heavy book fumbles out of the hands of the person. The person trips backward into her causing Katelyn to lose her balance. 

Luckily, Katelyn had fast reflexes. One of the fastest reflexes that one could have. Her hand shoots out, clasping around one side of the open book to stop it from crushing their toes. Her other hand flies around the person's hip, Katelyn pressing her back against the shelves, so she doesn't become one with the ground. The person rests against Katelyn's front, breathing heavily and seemingly in shock. 

Katelyn takes a moment to gather what just happened. The person had been taking a couple of steps backward, reading Hogwarts: A History, and probably hadn't seen her. 

Katelyn turned her head when the bushy mass of brown hair tickled her nose. 

"Are you alright?" She asked and the person quickly pulled away, turning around with wide eyes.

"I'm so sorry," the girl said. She looked about Katelyn's age, maybe a little older or a little younger. She had brown eyes that looked like milk chocolate and brown bushy hair. 

Katelyn's eyes widened in recognition, her mouth dropping. "Hermione?" She almost yelled, startling not only her friend but herself. Katelyn quickly said sorry to the other patrons who had been startled.

Hermione let out a disbelieving laugh, laughing about the girl's embarrassed blush and disbelief over the fact that Katelyn Royal was standing in front of her. Her friend from muggle school.

Although, now, Katelyn didn't look like a muggle. She was dressed in very nice clothes that probably cost more than Hermione's whole closet. The opposite of what Hermione was wearing; a pair of denim jeans and a purple zip-up sweatshirt and no cloak.

Katelyn looked back at Hermione, swallowing. "I, uh—"

"You're a witch," Hermione interrupted, raising her eyebrows even though it wasn't a question. Katelyn blinked and then nodded absentmindedly, the girl's eyes making her forget what happened in the first place.

Then she quickly snapped out of it, "yeah, I am," she said. She closed the book and handed it back to Hermione who took it gratefully. "Hogwarts: A History. Interesting choice." Not many people read the book, saying it was too long and boring. But then again, it was Hermione. She did things many people didn't.

Hermione pinked and looked down at the book with a shrug. "I've already read it. I just wanted to show my parents," she explained.

Katelyn nodded in understanding. "I've read it too. So has my mother, but my father said that it was a waste of time," she drawled, waving her hand.

A thud occurred followed by Villanelle's yell of her name. She winced and quickly put her hand down. Sometimes her magic worked without a wand or even a spell.

She gave Hermione a sheepish smile before quickly walking to the end of the shelving unit to see what had happened. Hermione followed her and the two stared at the mess of books and papers near the counter.

Madam Villanelle gave Katelyn an exasperated look, her hands on her hips. "Sorry, Madam," she apologized, a grimace on her face, "it was an accident."

The woman shook her head and flicked her wand, the books going back to their place while the papers put themselves in a neat stack on the counter. "I'm afraid of the damage you'll do with your wand, Miss Royal," Villanelle tsked but shot Katelyn a smile as she went back to work.

"I'm guessing that happens a lot?" Hermione inquired, turning her curious eyes onto Katelyn who sheepishly nodded.

"I can't control it sometimes. Happens more often when my emotions are running high," she explained with a shrug.

Hermione raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

Katelyn glanced at her and then sighed, "can I show you around?" Hermione looked at her, biting her lip.

◂◊●◯●◊▸

"HAVE YOU GOTTEN ALL YOUR SCHOOL things?" Katelyn asked Hermione curiously. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were walking close behind them, whispering to each other in awe of the magical place around them. They had been surprised to see Katelyn, but Rose (Mrs. Granger) had said it explained a lot. Oliver (Mr. Granger) had grinned at her and clapped her on the back.

"Mostly," Hermione nodded, checking her list, "I came down here with mum and dad when Professor McGonagall first told us about all this."

"How did you take it?"

Hermione raised a confused eyebrow at her.

"Finding out about the Wizarding World," Katelyn clarified. She's never really met a muggle born witch or wizard. She's heard about them of course whenever Lucius complains to her parents about Arthur Weasley and his muggle studies. She's grown up in the world, so she doesn't really know anything different. Although, Hermione being a witch makes a lot of sense now that Katelyn really thinks about it. Some weird things have happened whenever she, Harry, and Hermione were involved and the brunette hadn't said anything about it. Almost as if she was used to it.

"Oh," Hermione grinned, looking excited as she began to explain. "Well, when Professor McGonagall showed up with my letter on my birthday, we were very surprised. We'd never heard of it before, of course, and my parents didn't believe in it, even though some things had happened throughout my life that science couldn't explain. I was so happy to finally understand why I was so different compared to my cousins and other family members. It was relieving to know why I was 'special', you know? I'm a witch!" She beamed a small skip in her step.

Katelyn smiled at the girl's excitement as she nodded. She understood finding out why one was 'special'. She had been different from other members of the Black family since she was born.

First the blonde hair. Second the intense color of her eyes. Third the care for everyone and the strong opinions against the purist minds in her family.

It had gotten her in trouble quite a lot in her short life, but she didn't back down. Standing up for what she believed in was her way of showing resistance to her father.

"Yes," Katelyn said, stopping in front of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions shop once again. "A witch who is in muggle attire. You lot stick out like a sore thumb," she hummed, walking into the shop without sparing them a glance.

Hermione followed her, brows drawn together in annoyance. "What's wrong with our clothes?" She demands stepping in stride with Katelyn while the two older Grangers quickly followed them, looking confused as well.

"A lot of people here don't too kindly to muggles," Katelyn explained, gesturing to the older pureblood woman who was giving them disgusted and nasty stares. The three Grangers looked over and each showed a look of discomfort at the woman's obvious dislike. "G'day, Madam Pollen, glad to see the sun hasn't dried you up," Katelyn said in a kind voice even though the words were not as such, smiling politely at the woman who looked outraged.

"No respect for your elders," the woman muttered, turning away.

Katelyn rolled her eyes and continued toward the front of the store. "Woman should've died ages ago. Horrid woman: always tried to pinch my cheeks whenever she came to my house," she told the three.

Rose was trying and failing to hide her amusement while Oliver looked surprised at the scene that just played out. Hermione was smiling.

"Katelyn, dear, you and your shadow were already here today," Madam Malkin said from where she was fixing an old cloak. She didn't even look up from her work, knowing exactly who had entered since the door opened.

Katelyn smiled slightly. The owners of the shops around here often knew Katelyn by name since she visited often, and she helped out a lot. While they all joked about Draco being Katelyn's 'shadow' because he's always following her around whenever they are in Diagon Alley together.

"I forgot about him," Katelyn said thoughtfully and then shrugged, "eh, he's fine." Malkin scoffed in amusement. "Do you have three cloaks for your favorite shopper?" She smiled charmingly at the woman who cocked an eyebrow.

"What's wrong with the cloaks I gave you earlier?" The woman shot back, looking back down at the hemming job she was doing.

"Nothing. They're perfect, but these lots need 'em," she explained, jabbing a thumb in the muggles' direction.

Madam Malkin raised her head, staring at the three behind Katelyn over her glasses. Then she looked at Katelyn. "Muggles?" The blonde nodded. "What does your father have to say about them, dear?"

"You know me better than that, Madam," Katelyn grumbled, waving her off.

The woman chuckled, nodding her head. She did know the young girl better than that. She'd never tell her father anything even if she was caught. "Alright, well, I'll fit you," she points at Oliver without looking up from her stitching, "first, then I'll move on to you," she points to Rose, "then you." She gives Hermione a smile before whisking the man away.

"Well then," Rose muttered, following after her husband and the other woman. She gives Hermione a look and the girl gives her a reassuring smile.

"Was this your way of getting me alone?" Katelyn turned to look at the girl, her eyes wide. Hermione was staring at her with a raised eyebrow and a tilt of her head. She looked smug.

"I— uh, what? No— what—" Katelyn stammered, her cheeks heating up.

Hermione giggled, amusement filling her eyes. "I'm just joking with you," she grinned teasingly and brushed past Katelyn to check out the shop. She had been there earlier this year to get her uniform and required clothing items.

Katelyn stood still, watching the girl go. Her heart was beating fast —faster than it's ever been before— and she breathed out heavily, blinking. Hermione had gotten really comfortable with her and vice versa, but Katelyn still got caught off guard every time.

She quickly followed the other girl. "Hey, you know, about the whole witch thing... I'm sorry I didn't tell you," she knows it's a shock to find out that the person you grew up with is, in fact, a person who possesses magical powers.

Hermione smiled at her, shaking her head amusedly. "It would've been weird if you did tell me. There's no way you could've known I was a witch and you had no way of knowing how I'd react." That wasn't true. Katelyn always had an inkling that Hermione was like her. Sometimes she could see the magic happen, different colors that surround a person when they use it, not that she ever told anyone. Perhaps she should've. "I could've very well freaked out and told the police," she said, nudging her shoulder into Katelyn's.

The blonde gave her a look. "No, you wouldn't have. You'd just think I was crazy," she chuckled. Hermione had a look on her face that was clear she already thought she was crazy. "Hey!" Katelyn said indignantly. Hermione laughed, falling into the girl's side. Katelyn smiled and wrapped her arm around the girl.

"You can't blame me!" Hermione argued through her giggles, "you almost got us expelled multiple times! Not to mention the time you and Harry almost froze to death in the pond."

"In our defense, we were saving a dog," Katelyn said, her eyes becoming glassy as she remembers that particular day. Hermione shook her head with a smile, leaning it against Katelyn's shoulder. The blonde sighed and looked at her friend. "How about," she paused and made sure Hermione was looking at her, "how about we promise that there are no more secrets between us?" She raises her pinkie into the air and wiggles it in Hermione's direction.

The brunette stared at it for a hesitating moment before she grinned and wrapped her pinkie around Katelyn's. "Promise," she said. Katelyn eyed her subtly, aware of the hesitation and the forced grin. She opened her mouth to ask when her friend quickly interrupted. "Madam Malkin seems to like you," Hermione said once Katelyn fell into step with her.

"I help out," the blonde shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal, forgetting about the weirdness. For now.

"Do you help out everyone?" Hermione asked. She had noticed how the shop owners seemed to have a certain soft spot for the girl. Even some people that were walking by gave Katelyn a 'good morning' or 'hello'.

Katelyn nodded, "most of them. Some purists don't want to associate with me because of my views," she said. She frowned, "or they're scared of my father."

"Your father?" Hermione prodded.

Katelyn shook her head, "no one important." Hermione was about to argue but thought better of it. Katelyn always shut down when her father was brought up.

"So, what's with the cloaks? I get the muggle clothing, I guess," Hermione said, grabbing Katelyn's cloak to pull her to a stop.

Katelyn shrugged, "it's just wizarding customs, I suppose. I've always worn them. Don't knock 'em till you try 'em," she told the muggle.

Hermione scrunched her nose and gave a curious glance over the cloak that Katelyn was wearing. "I don't know," she argued.

"Try it," Katelyn said, undoing her cloak and pulling it off. She put it around Hermione's shoulders and re-clipped it. She stepped back and looked the girl up and down. "It suits you," Katelyn told her with a small smile.

Hermione's cheeks dusted pink. Which was ridiculous considering they shared clothes all the time. Harry would too and Oliver would joke that they were the three musketeers.

"What d'you think?"

"I think it's—"

"Katelyn!" The blonde startled, turning to face the platinum-blonde boy who had abruptly entered the shop. He looked worried and nervous. He stormed over to her, "you just left me in the shop!" He said, outraged, "I was waiting!"

"My dearest apologies," Katelyn said dryly.

"What were you even doing? We've already been here," Draco fumed, crossing his arms and glaring at his best friend.

Hermione cleared her throat, drawing their attention. "I'm afraid that's my fault," she smiled sheepishly at the boy. She's never seen him before, but Hermione guesses he grew up in the Wizarding World, unlike her friend.

Draco narrowed his eyes at her, looking the girl up and down. Then he turned his glare toward Katelyn who stared back at him with a disinterested expression. "Why are you fraternizing with a mudblood?"

"Draco!" Katelyn hissed, smacking the boy on the side of the head, "learn when to hold your tongue!"

Hermione frowned in confusion. She didn't know what a 'mudblood' was.

"Don't defend her! You know what our fathers think about muggles," Draco snapped back.

"I'll do what I want, you bloke. And I genuinely couldn't care less about what my father has to say," Katelyn said calmly, rolling her eyes at the mention of the man. She hasn't seen him in eight months, not once.

Draco looked frustrated. "Whatever!" He exclaimed, "we need to go! Mother told me to come and get you. Serpen and Father are back."

Katelyn paled.

Hermione put a hand on her bicep, staring at her in concern. "Katelyn, are you alright? You look like you're going to be ill," she said, squeezing her arm gently.

"I— I need to go. Um, I gotta—gotta go. I'll see you at school," Katelyn stammered, pulling away from Hermione and grabbing Draco. The two scrambled out of the shop and sprinted toward the Leaky Cauldron.

Hermione watched them go with a concerned frown.

Then she realized that she still had Katelyn's cloak.

◂◊●◯●◊▸

KATELYN AND DRACO SAT BETWEEN THEIR mothers each nursing a cup of hot cocoa. They hadn't spoken since they arrived at the pub and greeted their fathers.

Serpen, her father, was describing his long trip. Even though it was vague and made the other four uncomfortable. Only Lucius seemed to enjoy the story.

"Katelyn," she looked up at her father's acknowledgment, "where is your cloak?" He asked, staring at her in disapproval.

Katelyn internally slapped herself. She had forgotten it with Hermione. Her face stayed carefully controlled, not showing her panic. "It seems I have forgotten it at home. We were in such a rush," Katelyn replied with a sheepish look as she squeezed Draco's thigh to silently tell him to 'shut up'. Both Narcissa and Camilla don't express any surprise or confusion, staying completely expressionless.

"I leave and suddenly my daughter forgets how to act," her father shakes his head and gives Camilla a disappointed look.

Camilla merely cocks an eyebrow back at her husband as she takes a sip of her drink.

Her father scoffs at his wife. His attention is quickly taken by a group of men who enter the pub and suddenly, the four are alone as Lucius and Serpen go to catch up.

Camilla turns toward her daughter with a 'explain' expression on her face.

Katelyn grimaces. "I'm sorry, Mum. I lent it to a friend to see if they'd like it. I forgot to take it back," she explains.

"The 'friend' is a mudblood," Draco whispers urgently to Camilla, "I caught them in Malkin's Robes."

Katelyn smacked the table hard as she glared at her friend. "Say that word again and I'll cut out your tongue!" She hisses. Draco shrinks back in fear of the girl and takes a sip of his hot cocoa.

Narcissa sighed and gave Draco a scolding look. Whenever the patriarchs of the family weren't around, they acted like decent people. They spoke nicely about everyone and didn't use those kinds of words.

Camilla rolled her eyes at the boy before looking back at her daughter. "A muggle-born?" Katelyn nodded, "I heard about a few of them coming to Hogwarts this year. No names, but Minerva said she had visited three already."

"She and her parents were really nice. They were in awe of everything though," she said with a grin. Camilla had met Hermione in passing one summer day when they needed some water before going back to playing, but she's never met, Rose or Oliver.

Camilla hummed and nodded. "Sounds right. It's a whole new world to them," she said, "but, why did you lend her your cloak? You only let Poppy touch it." She raised an eyebrow at her daughter. Then realization fluttered across her face. "Hermione."

Katelyn nodded with a bright smile, "it's so cool! Her and I can hang out more. Plus, Harry's, like, guaranteed to be there this year too! We'll all be together still," she said excitedly. The three of them had the best of times and Camilla had never seen her daughter as happy as she is when she was with them (and Poppy).

Camilla smiles at her daughter's excitement, but can't help the feeling of panic clutch at her chest. A familiar dark night being lit up by the fullness of the moon and screams. She blinks them away and ruffles her daughter's hair. 

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AN: i'm publishing the prologue and the first chapter to see how you guys will like it. if i feel like people are interested then i'll keep publishing the rest of the chapters!! lemme know!