The trip to Kings Cross was quite cheerful and Ron had a whole story to tell us about Aragog the Acromantula (oh yes, I figured out what those acromantulas are: giant spiders about many feet tall, must be a scary sight to behold) as well as the duel with Gilderoy Lockhart (Ronald's backfiring wand at its best, well it was widely agreed that Lockhart won't be coming back next year, gone for good). 

It was all very funny to listen to though I knew Ron would have been scared senseless in all those events he told us about. Being friends with the Chosen One can drag you down into numerous adventures, trust me. And then that diary. 

No one spoke about the diary in front of Ginny now since she was quite sensitive about it but one thing was certain: that ancient cluster of blank pages and leather binding was a Dark object and the key element in the opening of the Chamber of Secrets. 

Anyhow all that has passed is past now. The one thing that prevailed (which I knew clearly wasn't going to subside that easily) was the cold barrier between Gin and me. Ah well... She's not the one to blame entirely, you know. Anyone in her place would think the same. And with that Tom Riddle to egg her emotions on... 

Oh yes, Harry told us about Riddle as well. Kinda awkward the way he said that he didn't look at all like someone who would evolve into the Darkest most evil person to walk the Earth. Yeah, awkward. But then one shouldn't rely on appearances alone. 

I mean... No, just forget it. I'm not quite in the mood to give a confusing philosophical lecture today. No thanks. 

Mom and Dad were waiting at the Station for us. They had been sent an owl earlier regarding the situation and Mom engulfed Ginny into a tight hug soon as she stepped out. Dad also bent down and now they were having a little private conversation. 

I said goodbye to my friends: Angelina, Katie, Oliver, the rest of our Quidditch team, Lee Jordan, Penelope Clearwater (yeah you heard it right, Percy's dear girlfriend), Luna Lovegood, Neville and so on and so on. I even spotted Davies and it was thoroughly hilarious to see him edge away soon as he caught my eye. 

God, sometimes it feels so good to scare someone. 

Finally after all the hellos and goodbyes, Mom told us that we were leaving. From the corner of my eye, I spotted a man (really really fat to the point of bursting out of his tweed jacket, swollen reddish purple face), a woman (probably his wife, stick thin with a crane like neck, upturned nose that showed how accustomed it was to be stuck in other people's business, disgusted frown and tightly knit eyebrows), and last but not least a boy of about Ron's age (nothing like Ron in the least, quite a miniature duplicate of the ludicrously fat man with a mop of blonde hair on his head, well actually seeing him made me think that he must be the kind of person who eats a lot but has not a fickle sense in his mind). 

The three of them were eyeing Harry as if he had just vomited on their shoes. Oh wait, I remember that man! He's Harry's Uncle Vernon Dursley who was absolutely furious when we sneaked Harry out from right under his nose through Dad's flying Ford Anglia. 

Harry went up to them quietly staring down at the ground. I do feel sorry for the poor child. And to think that this woman... This Petunia Dursley was Lily's sister... Actual sister... Trust me, all this is unbelievable. 

And the fact that Harry lived with these people who were so different was all the more frightening. It could only mean that the other three of the Marauders were unable to take Harry in. I wonder why, though. 

As far as I know they would have loved to take care of their little Prongslet, Moony would have enjoyed reading bedtime stories to him, Sirius would have loved to spoil him by giving him everything he asked for, Wormtail would have baked each birthday cake and thrown out huge feasts, Marlene would surely have loved to take him to the park, eat ice cream and sometimes even play dress up with him. 

I do wonder what happened to all of them. Why couldn't Harry be adopted by them instead of this Muggle family who practically hated Harry. 

"Bye Harry, we'll call you on the felly-tone," Dad waved over to him. The Dursleys were looking at us as if thoroughly revolted, well trust me the feeling is mutual. After they were gone (Harry slumping behind them wearily), we also made our way to... 

Yeah, we don't have a car now. 

I looked over to Mom, "how are we getting home?" 

She smiled at me, "don't worry, honey, we'll use the Floo Network. There's a chimney here at Platform 9 3/4 which is assigned for that purpose." Then turning to the rest of us, she spoke, "you all have your trunks with you? Good. Now make way to the waiting room. We are using Floo Network." 

***

We arrived at the Burrow shortly afterwards using the Floo Network through the same lineup routine. Mom kept instructing us to put our things in place and avoid making a mess. I went up to my room and placed my trunk by the bed. 

There wasn't much space in here since it used to be the attic but Mom keeps everything really clean so no one can tell the difference. Over the previous summer I had redecorated the room. It had a white low bed and a dainty window that faced the east. 

I had fixed a painted bookcase on the wall and now I was sure of it getting filled by my books, the dressing table (well it wasn't exactly a dressing table; actually a framed mirror whose borders I had painted myself and a tiny bracket underneath which I always kept filled with flowers) and on the windows were pale green curtains that gave a very nice outlook to the room when they moved from the vagrant breezes. 

All in all a perfect place to live in despite the lack of space. To be honest this room is evidently loads better than that ward in the asylum and even though I'm saving some money to buy wallpaper (apple blossom would be most favorable), still it looked as grand as ever. And now I have a lot of unpacking to do. 

But the train journey had been tiring as well so I decided to get unpacked later and climbed into my bed. I was really tired and that's the only reason for me falling asleep so suddenly. Or else I usually have a hell lot of problem in falling asleep.

***

I didn't know exactly for how many hours I had missed out on the world since when I opened my eyes it was rather dark. Oh wait, I can't light up my wand here. Will have to walk to the switchboard to switch on the bulb. Ah well, one of the many disadvantages of being an underage witch. I switched on the light then creaked open the door. 

It was weird really that no one had come to wake me up by now. Really weird. But when I opened the door, I noticed a lot of sticky notes pasted on it. Let's see what all this is about. I peeled them off one by one then went by reading them:

"Katerina, honey, we are all waiting for you downstairs." 

(From Mom definitely).

"Kat we've been knocking for ages and the funny thing is that you're certainly not dead but still not answering us." 

(The twins, of course).

"When are you going to wake up? Mum told us not to disturb you and just post the message on these notes but tell you what it's highly boring."

"Life is starting to suck, you know. Mum says we have to degnome the garden tomorrow."

"It's been three hours, honestly, when is your beauty sleep going to end?"

"We were going to start experimenting on that Niffler. Looks like we'll have to do it without you."

"Dinner is in the food closet. You can come down and eat it whenever you please. And, dear, next time do take the alarm clock with you." 

Okay... Alright. I'll take the alarm clock. And yes I am really hungry now so I guess I might go down and check what's in the food closet (as long as Ron hadn't gobbled it up as well). 

I traipsed downstairs as everything was really silent except the usual explosion noises coming from the twin's room. Only the lantern in the kitchen was on and a dim light was coming from the parlor. 

Guess I'll go to the kitchen first to gain access to the food closet. 

I crossed the parlor but stopped, hearing voices coming from inside. Looks like Mom and Dad are having a little chat. I decided to move on but heard my name among their discussion whatever it was about so I paused again. 

"But she's such a nice lovely child, Arthur, she fits in our family perfectly."

"I know that. Of course, she's quite different from what I had expected but we should keep all the possibilities in mind."

"The Ministry permitted us to take her in, now don't tell me that they are thinking about changing the decision."

Changing the decision? Hell no, am I going back to the asylum? 

"No Molly, nothing of that sort is happening. Yet. But I want you to be prepared. Lucius is not a man to back off easily. He might have shown indifference earlier but if the matter is pushed too far he might react."

And how does Malfoy's high and mighty father get involved in this? I sure do want to find out what all this is about. So I left the idea of dinner for later and concentrated on what they were discussing.

"I was surprised too at Flourish and Blotts. For a moment I feared that he might demand answer from us then and there. And his son... There wasn't any doubt that both of them recognized her."

"Well yes that was surprising. I had also expected him to create a scene instead he simply left. But then of course Molly if the Ministry has entrusted us with taking care of Katerina instead of him, there must be a reason behind it. Lucius is quite heard of at the Ministry. Fudge favors his opinion and there is no chance that this matter wasn't brought up before him."

"Then what are you anxious about? If Malfoy himself wants to stay away from the responsibility and me and our family has absolutely no problem with Katerina then what is the problem exactly?" 

"I fear for the child. She is nothing like her parents and is worthy of having so much more from life. But a feeling tells me that Malfoy is up to something again. If he hadn't objected earlier about her being placed in our custody, he might have something up his sleeve. I mean he does have a plotting machine of a brain. It was him who put the diary in Ginny's stuff in order to get me humiliated, Dumbledore suspended and Muggleborns wiped out. Killing three birds with one stone." 

Oooh, Malfoy does have a plotting machine of a brain. But how come...?

"We'll take care of her as long as we can," I heard Mom's voice and it was firm with resolution, "I love the girl like my own daughter and nothing can stop me from that. Not even Malfoy. He may do all he wishes. With pleasure. But Katerina is part of our family and that she will remain."

Oh I so wanted to go and hug Mom now. I love you so much, Mom, I can't express it. I could shout it from the rooftops! Merlin, Kat get a grip, this is not a cliché romance that you're going to shout your love confession from the rooftops. Good Lord, my brain surely is a bit off the edge. But then I spent years in an asylum so I guess that's explanation enough.

"I remember the first day she had been here. Arthur, she cried out of happiness. I was expecting her to be as stiff and arrogant as her family, but no. I had looked in her eyes that time and realized the very instant that at heart she's a Weasley. A true Weasley. And none of the Malfoy blood in her veins can change that." 

Wait... What? Did I hear that right or was it just my imagination? Malfoy...? Malfoy blood? What the freaking hell? Malfoy blood in my veins??? I feel like I'm going to faint. This is so not happening. I definitely imagined it. No no no, I'm not a Malfoy. It's simply not possible. 

Maybe I kicked the door in frustration because Mom and Dad stopped talking. 

"Katerina dear, come in please," Mom's kind voice reached me. 

Numb from the shock, I opened the door and stepped in staring at the ground guiltily. Well, I shouldn't have been eavesdropping on them. It's bad manners, I know that. 

"Come here honey," she smiled and patted the place next to her on the couch. I did as she had said and sat down beside her still looking down. 

Dad excused himself and said that he had to go check some stuff in the garage. Now it was just me and Mom alone. She asked, "now for how long have you been listening in on us?" 

I mumbled, "I'm sorry, Mom." 

She shook her head, "oh but that's nothing to be sorry about. We were talking about you so you had every right to listen. Though there are some reasons for which we didn't tell you ourselves." 

Yes, I can see that very clearly now. I nodded in reply. She gently stroked my head and the gesture was so motherly that I simply couldn't resist. It had been so long since I had known a motherly touch as this. I was inclined to do what I used to with my Russian mother whenever she stroked my head. 

I put my head in her lap and she kept stroking it talking softly to me, "honey, we only want what is best for you." 

I didn't speak because my voice had stuck in my throat. Tears had begun to trickle down my eyes. I had missed a loving touch that only a mother can bestow for so so long. "M-Mom, I... Is it true that I'm a... A Malfoy?" 

She paused for a second, "no Katerina. Who said that?"

"I thought I heard... I don't know."

"Well, the truth is sometimes bitter, my child, but you must find the courage to ingest it. Do you know that you are not a Russian by birth? That you had another family before that?" 

I nodded and she was definitely surprised at that, "I overheard Professor Dumbledore and then... Dobby the house elf told me a few things. Both of them said that I am a pureblood but nothing else other than that. Though Dobby... He said my family had been in Slytherin for ages." 

She spoke, "well, you are a pureblood and yes your ancestors had been in Slytherin for centuries but that doesn't make any difference to us. Not at all. At heart, you are a true Weasley, my child. And that is what counts."

"And is there any... Any link between me and... And the Malfoys?"

She stopped as if considering, "all purebloods are interrelated. There is a relation between us and the Malfoys as well despite the fact that we are very distantly related. But related, still."

But that doesn't make things any better. In fact it only makes it all the more confusing. Why can't they just tell me who my parents are instead of talking in riddles? 

"Kat, dear, it's getting late. Have you had dinner yet?" 

I shook my head in a no. She looked at me completely horrified, "good heavens, child! Come with me. Instantly. I can't understand what's up with children nowadays ignoring their food and skipping meal times. Come along quickly. I have a feeling that I'll have to feed you up myself." 

Oh come on, its not like I'm starving to death. "I had had a lot of food at the Feast," I replied. In fact, the truth was that all the uninvited conversation had made me lose my appetite. 

But Mom was having none of it, "nearly 24 hours have passed since the feast. You hurry along now or else I'll have to force you myself." 

No please, thank you very much. She did as she had told and filled up my plate and watched me for the whole time as I ate my dinner. All that was very good and it felt nice to have someone to remark on things that showed concern for me. 

I felt a lot better now as she was telling me about the latest magazine article she had read on Gilderoy Lockhart's demise. 

All was well except the fact that I noticed Ginny standing in a corner by the door looking at me and Mom in a way that clearly showed that she was not enjoying this at all.

***