We will meet again ~ Fred Weasley

- Detention -

"Nothing about you makes sense to me. Your kindness feels temporary, your coldness feels real. And still, I cling to the idea that there's something good in you."

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Morning didn't arrive gently.

It dragged Katherine back into consciousness with a dull, persistent ache behind her eyes and a heaviness that settled into every part of her body.

For a moment, she didn't open her eyes. She just lay there, aware of the faint pounding in her head and the unpleasant dryness in her throat, trying to piece together where she was without moving.

Slytherin dorm.

Her bed.

That much came back first.

Everything else followed more slowly and far less kindly.

The party.

The drinks.

Too many drinks.

The corridor.

Her eyes opened abruptly at that.

The ceiling swam slightly before settling into focus, and Katherine groaned under her breath, lifting a hand to press against her forehead as if that might quiet the pounding.

"...Oh god," she muttered.

"Good morning to you too."

The voice came from somewhere to her left, far too alert for this hour.

Katherine turned her head slowly, wincing at the movement.

Pansy was sitting cross-legged on the end of her bed, already dressed, perfectly composed, and watching her with a mixture of amusement and mild disapproval.

Beside her, Veronica lounged back against her pillows, watching Katherine with equal curiosity, though her expression carried more quiet amusement than outright judgment.

"...If either of you say 'I told you so,' I'm leaving," Katherine said, her voice rough.

Pansy smirked slightly. "We don't need to say it. It's quite obvious."

Veronica let out a soft laugh. "You look like you've been dragged through the Black Lake."

Katherine closed her eyes again briefly. "Thanks Ronnie."

"You're welcome," Veronica replied lightly.

Katherine pushed herself up slowly, every movement careful, deliberate. The room tilted slightly before settling, and she paused halfway upright, waiting for it to stop.

"Water," she said, more to herself than to them.

"There's some on your bedside table," Pansy said, gesturing vaguely. "Fred brought it in last night."

That made Katherine pause.

Her hand hovered mid-air before she reached for the glass.

"...He did?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Pansy's eyes flicked to her, sharp and observant. "Walked you in himself, actually. You were hardly in a state to do it alone."

Veronica shifted slightly, propping her chin on her hand. "You don't remember?"

The room tilted just enough to make her stop halfway, her hand gripping the edge of the mattress as she steadied herself.

Veronica pushed off the bedpost immediately, crossing the room and passing the mug into her hand.