We will meet again ~ Fred Weasley

- The Warning -

"Hogwarts was changing slowly, cruelly — not all at once, but rule by rule, silence by silence, until fear began to feel normal."

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The Hogshead Inn was exactly as unpleasant as Katherine remembered.

The pub sat tucked away at the end of a narrow street in Hogsmeade, looking more abandoned than open for business. The windows were coated in grime, the wooden sign above the entrance creaked loudly in the wind, and the smell inside was a horrific mixture of smoke, damp wood, and something suspicious she couldn't quite place.

Katherine wrinkled her nose the second she stepped inside.

"I hate this place," she muttered quietly to Fred beside her.

"It has character," George replied cheerfully.

"It has diseases."

The lighting inside was dim and yellowish, making everyone look vaguely ill. Dust coated the tables, and the barman behind the counter barely glanced at them as students slowly filtered nervously into the pub.

Katherine hadn't expected this many people to show up.

Students from every house crowded awkwardly around tables and walls, whispering amongst themselves while shooting uncertain looks towards Harry and Katherine. Some of them recognised her immediately from the Prophet articles. Others looked uncomfortable just being there.

And a few—

a few looked guilty.

Like they regretted not believing them sooner.

Katherine noticed several familiar faces amongst the crowd.

Neville hovered nervously near the back beside Ginny and Luna. Dean and Seamus sat together whispering quietly. Cho Chang stood awkwardly beside a group of Ravenclaws, occasionally glancing towards Harry before quickly looking away again.

Even some Slytherins had shown up.

Not many.

But enough to surprise her.

Theodore Nott leaned silently against the wall near the doorway with Blaise beside him, both pretending they weren't there out of personal interest. Daphne Greengrass stood nearby with crossed arms, looking deeply unimpressed by the entire pub.

Katherine caught Theodore's eye briefly.

He gave the smallest nod.

It was enough.

Everyone settled eventually, though the atmosphere remained painfully awkward.

Hermione stood near the front beside Harry and Katherine, clutching a piece of parchment tightly in her hands.

For once, she looked nervous.

Actually nervous.

Katherine gave her a small reassuring nod.

Hermione inhaled sharply before speaking.

"Um... hi, everyone."

The room quieted immediately.

"You all know why we're here," Hermione continued, her voice slightly shaky. "We need proper Defence Against the Dark Arts teaching. Real teaching. Not whatever Umbridge is doing."

"Why?" a short Hufflepuff boy asked from somewhere near the middle of the crowd.

Ron looked personally offended by the question.