We will meet again ~ Fred Weasley

- You Hurt Me -

"I tried to stay angry at you, I really did—but loving you has always been stronger than my pride, and every time I look at you, the anger disappears before it can even reach my heart."

______________________________

As George and Katherine headed upstairs together, she narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.

"If Fred mysteriously appears in Hogsmeade today, I'm blaming you."

George looked deeply offended.

"Katherine Potter, I would never manipulate a situation involving unresolved romantic tension."

"You absolutely would."

By the time they reached the courtyard, the rest of the students preparing for the Hogsmeade trip had already gathered near the gates. Snow covered the grounds in a thin glittering layer, which was unusual for this time of year, untouched in places except for the narrow paths students had trampled through on their way outside. The air was freezing enough to sting exposed skin, and Katherine immediately pulled her scarf higher over her mouth as a sharp gust of wind swept through the courtyard.

Ronnie was waiting beside the gates, bundled in enough layers to rival Mrs Weasley herself. The second she spotted Katherine beside George, her eyes widened dramatically.

"You convinced her?"

George looked smug. "Of course I did."

Ronnie looked genuinely impressed. "Blimey. Fred owes you money."

Katherine groaned. "If either of you mentions Fred one more time, I'm turning around."

"Right," George said quickly. "No Fred."

"Absolutely no Fred," Ronnie agreed.

A beat passed.

Then George said, "You know who's having a horrible week though—"

"George."

"Sorry."

The three of them joined the flow of students leaving the castle grounds, boots crunching against snow as they made their way down the long path toward Hogsmeade. Around them, students laughed and shoved each other playfully, all wrapped in house scarves and winter coats, their breath visible in the cold air.

Katherine kept her hands shoved firmly into her pockets as they walked between George and Ronnie. She could feel people glancing at her occasionally—some curious, some whispering quietly to each other—and she knew exactly why.

The Daily Prophet article had apparently spread through Hogwarts like a disease.

Add Fred publicly asking Angelina to the Ball on top of that, and suddenly everyone seemed far too invested in Katherine Potter's personal life.

She hated it.

"You're scowling again," Ronnie informed her.

"It keeps people away."

"It's also terrifying small children."

"An added bonus."

George snorted beside her.

As they passed through the village gates, Hogsmeade looked almost unreal beneath the snow. The little shops were covered in white, smoke curling from crooked chimneys while warm golden light glowed through frosted windows. Students flooded the streets in noisy groups, darting between shops and cafés with excited energy.

For a moment, despite herself, Katherine relaxed slightly.

She had always loved Hogsmeade.

George stretched his arms above his head dramatically. "Right then. Where first?"