We will meet again ~ Fred Weasley

- A Free Elf -

"Hope had finally returned...but it had demanded another life in return."

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The first thing Katherine felt was the impact.

A sharp tap beneath her shoes as they landed against the cold cobblestone flooring of the cellar.

The familiar damp smell hit her immediately.

The darkness.

The stone walls.

The heavy silence.

For a brief moment, she simply stood there.

They were back.

Malfoy Manor.

The place she had spent every second since escaping trying not to think about.

The place where Luna was still trapped.

The place where Fred had nearly died because of her.

The memories rushed forward all at once, but Katherine forced them down.

Not now.

She couldn't think about what had happened.

She couldn't hesitate.

There were people here who needed her.

Her first instinct was to turn immediately towards Ron.

"Are you alright?"

The question came out before she could stop herself.

Ron was still frozen beside her, his eyes tightly shut as he waited for the horrible sensation of apparition to end.

Slowly, one eye opened.

Then the other.

He looked down at himself.

Then at Katherine.

Then around the cellar.

"Well..."

He took a deep breath.

"I still hate it."

Katherine smiled slightly.

"But?"

Ron nodded reluctantly.

"Not bad, Kat."

A small grin appeared on his face.

"Not bad at all."

He gave her a proud nod, attempting to act as though he wasn't secretly impressed.

Katherine rolled her eyes.

"You're welcome."

Ron ignored the comment, already pulling out the Deluminator and allowing the small orbs of light to illuminate the room.

The glow revealed exactly what Katherine had been afraid of.

Nothing had changed.

The cellar was just as cold.

Just as miserable.

Just as hopeless as when she had left.

The iron bars remained.

The damp stone remained.

The same feeling of helplessness still clung to the walls.

But Luna wasn't there.

Katherine's stomach dropped.

"No..."

She moved further into the room, searching every corner.