We will meet again ~ Fred Weasley

- You Belong To Me -

"We loved each other so deeply that it stopped feeling like a choice a long time ago—it felt inevitable, like we belonged to one another in a way neither of us could fully understand."

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The next day, Katherine and Ron strolled lazily through the castle corridors on their way to Herbology, both of them in no rush at all.

Professor Sprout wouldn't care if they were a little late.

The corridor ahead was mostly empty, sunlight spilling through tall windows in pale strips across the stone floor.

Then a voice echoed sharply from somewhere just ahead.

"I don't like it, Fred!"

Katherine slowed instantly.

Ron did too, one eyebrow lifting as he glanced at her.

She already had a feeling she knew what they were about to walk into. After all, it had happened before.

Angelina's voice carried again, tighter this time. "You asked me to the ball, and now you're acting like she's changed your mind?"

Fred's reply came after a beat, quieter.

"No, it's not like that—"

"Yes, it is!" Angelina snapped. "So tell her you're not interested, Fred. Or tell me, for God's sake."

A pause.

Then Fred again, sharper now, frustration creeping in.

"I will. I just—I don't like it when you are upset."

Katherine stopped fully this time.

Ron looked at her.

She didn't move.

From around the corner, Angelina spoke again, voice softer but still hurt.

"Fine. The ball is tonight, if I end up going alone, I will never forgive you."

There was the sound of a brief pause, then movement—Fred clearly pulling her into a quick, apologetic hug.

Katherine felt something tighten sharply in her chest at the sound of it.

Not jealousy.

Not exactly.

Something worse.

Uncertainty.

Ron exhaled through his nose. "That's... not great timing."

Katherine didn't respond.

Because it didn't feel like timing anymore.

It felt like confirmation of something she'd been trying not to think about. This had happened before, Fred and Angelina, that's why it ended the first time. To see it again when so much had changed between them seemed ironic.

Without another word, she turned on her heel.

"Katherine—" Ron started.

"I'm too angry to talk about it right now," she said flatly, already walking. "I'll deal with him later."

Ron followed for a few steps before stopping, watching her go with a concerned look but wisely not pushing it.

By lunchtime, Katherine had done an excellent job of burying everything under normality.

She sat at the Gryffindor table surrounded by Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, pretending like the morning hadn't happened at all.

If anything, she was louder than usual.