𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒 || 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐘

E L E V E N.

The One Where He Cares.

The Christmas holidays ended far too quickly for Kayla's liking, and she was thrown back into the school routine before she felt entirely ready. The ache from Miles' betrayal had started to fade after Kayla's reunion with Jane; she'd lost one person in her life and gained another. But the thought of going back to Hogwarts, back to seeing Miles everyday, back to dealing with Jade and Claire's doomed friendship, and with the NEWT exams hanging over their heads, Kayla didn't know if she'd be able to handle it.

Both fortunately and unfortunately, as soon as the seventh years arrived back to the castle, teachers took it upon themselves to bury their students in homework. Many students complained heavily and argued that the exams were months away, but Kayla was secretly happy with the workload. It acted as a distraction.

"Come on Kayla," Jade called across the common room. "We've patrolling tonight!"

Kayla, who was seated with Jane and Claire near the fireplace, nodded and shut her potions book, leaving it on the coffee table. Jane muttered a small joke as Kayla walked away, causing the latter to continue to chuckle as she left the common room.

"So you're friends with Selwyn now?" Jade asked casually. Kayla noticed Jade had been in a much better mood after the Christmas holidays, towards Claire especially. Perhaps her previous harsh words were purely due to stress of school. "When did that happen?"

"She visited me over Christmas," Kayla said, copying Jade in pulling her sleeves down to her fingertips, for the abandoned corridors still had that wintery chill. "And we made up. She's helped a lot with- you know."

Jade crossed her arms across her chest as they approached Umbridge's office. "I wanted to come visit too, but Christmas was really busy for me."

"Don't worry about it," Kayla smiled. "I'm glad Jane and I are friends again."

Jade hummed and didn't continue the conversation as Graham had caught their eyes, waiting by the door of Umbridge's office.

"Cassius isn't coming," Graham told the two girls. "Didn't say why."

Kayla sighed. "Okay. I'll just patrol on my own. Again." She bit her bottom lip as Jade and Graham walked away, preparing herself to wander the halls at night alone.

Kayla's footsteps felt unnaturally loud as she patrolled the abandoned corridors. When curfew settled upon the castle, Kayla almost felt she too should return to her dorm. The castle was eerily silent, more so than usual.

The corridors all looked relatively the same at Hogwarts; long and wide with wooden doors lining the walls. The classrooms were all closed off, making the castle seem almost abandoned.

Kayla was surprised when she noticed one of the classroom doors were opened, and headed straight for it, ready to tell whoever was in there to return to their house before she took points off them.

She entered the classroom and was surprised when she found it empty. She was turning to leave when she realised what room she was in.

The room where she caught Miles.

Perhaps it was because of how late it was, or maybe it was the worry of upcoming exams, or maybe it was simply because she was hurt, so hurt, that for some reason she wasn't good enough for him.

Kayla broke down.

She threw her hand over her mouth as a sob racked through her. Tears rushed down her cheeks, which had paled over the winter months. Despite her hand, sounds of her sorrow and grief filled the room, and Kayla rushed to shut the door to avoid anyone hear her, slamming it harsher than she meant to.