Forever Yours

Prologue 1: Fallen Soldiers

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the people or places that belong to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as they belong to J.K. Rowling. The OC (Katherine) is entirely my own.

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It was over. The war was finally over.

The sun was shining brightly over Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Great Hall was alive with people, celebrating yet mourning at the same time. Arthur and Molly Weasley had gathered their family close to mourn the loss of a son and brother.

The dead were being taken to St. Mungos to be prepared for burial, while the injured were being taken up to the Infirmary. The Dark Lord's body, along with Bellatrix Lestrange's body, were laid in the corridors, away from the bodies of the fallen heroes of the war.

The golden trio had not been seen for a while, having snuck off to the Headmaster's office to talk with the portrait of Albus Dumbledore. While the Hogwarts staff and their new Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, set about to start repairing the castle, itself.

Great chunks were missing from the marble staircases, pieces of the balustrade were gone, rubble blocked passageways and corridors, and blood littered the stone floors. Everyone knew it would take time to repair it all, but with Voldemort gone for good, it gave everyone a new hope for a better future.

Narcissa Malfoy still sat huddled in the corner of the Great Hall, with her son Draco and husband Lucius huddled beside her. Even so often she would glance at her watch, noting the time warily. It had been close to an hour since the last time Narcissa had seen her. Her best friend. The woman she considered a sister. Katherine Dumbledore.

Narcissa worried heavily over the missing witch, who had left to retrieve the body of her fallen friend. No husband. 'The Potter boy had said they had bonded.' She remembered, as she looked at her watch again. Fifty minutes had passed. She couldn't take it any longer. As soon as Narcissa caught sight of Minerva, the younger witch rose and strode quickly to the Headmistress' side.

"Professor?" Narcissa whispered hoarsely to the elder witch, who turned to face Narcissa with a stern look. "I was wondering if you knew, if Katherine has returned to the castle yet?"

"I am sorry Mrs. Malfoy," Minerva said sternly. "But I have not seen her return as of yet. The woman needs time alone to grieve, so let her do so..."

"But I'm worried about her," Narcissa blurted out. "She shouldn't be going through this alone."

"Although I agree with you on that Narcissa," Minerva stated, raising an eyebrow at the blonde. "Katherine expressed the fact that she want some time alone to grieve..."

"Grieving alone will only stress her further," Narcissa interrupted her again; tears now form in the blonde witch's eyes. "And being stressed is not good for her right now."

"What in Merlin's name are you babbling on about Narcissa?" Minerva bristled.

"She's pregnant Minerva," Narcissa cried out. "Katherine's pregnant. She needs help. She needs to be taken care of."

"Pregnant?" Minerva whisper, as she laid a hand across her chest in shock. "Are you sure?"

"She is Minerva," a voice came from behind the two women. Minerva turned around sharply to face Poppy Pomfrey, who had just entered the Great Hall, looking tired and distressed. "Katherine came to me yesterday morning complaining about a possible allergic reaction to a potions ingredient. But when I examined her, I found that it wasn't an allergic reaction to anything; it was the early stages of morning sickness."