We will meet again ~ Fred Weasley

- One Perfect Evening -

"For once, nobody needed anything from me. Nobody needed me to fight, to lead, or to save them. They simply wanted me to be happy—and somehow that meant more than I knew how to put into words."

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By the time Katherine finally escaped Snape's classroom, she felt as though every ounce of energy had been wrung from her body.

Occlumency lessons had quickly become the part of her week she dreaded most. Each session left her exhausted in a way that ordinary lessons never could, forcing her to relive memories she would rather forget whilst simultaneously attempting to keep others hidden. Snape seemed to take a particular pleasure in pushing her limits, and lately she had begun counting down the minutes until each lesson ended.

The journey to Gryffindor Tower felt twice as long as usual.

Students hurried past her in the corridors, laughing and talking amongst themselves, but Katherine barely noticed any of it. Her mind felt foggy, her limbs heavy, and all she wanted was to curl up beneath her blankets and sleep until summer.

The portrait hole swung open.

Warmth immediately washed over her.

The familiar sound of conversation filled the common room, accompanied by the crackling fire and the occasional burst of laughter from one of the card games taking place near the windows.

For the first time all day, Katherine allowed herself to relax.

"Ah, there you are, darling."

Fred's voice cut through the noise instantly.

Her tired eyes found him sprawled across one of the sofas near the fireplace.

The moment he saw her properly, his easy smile faded slightly.

"Are you alright?"

Katherine responded with nothing more than a small nod and a yawn.

Without a word, she crossed the room and collapsed onto the sofa beside him, stretching out across the cushions until her feet landed in his lap.

Fred immediately rested a hand on her ankle.

It was such a small gesture.

So familiar.

So normal.

And somehow it eased something inside her.

"Tough lesson?"

"Mm."

"Snape?"

"Mm."

Fred grimaced.

"Say no more."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Katherine's mouth.

For several moments neither of them spoke.

She simply lay there with her eyes half closed while Fred absentmindedly traced circles against her leg, allowing the exhaustion to slowly drain away.

Then she noticed he seemed unusually quiet.

Fred Weasley being quiet was often a warning sign.

Opening one eye, she looked up at him.

"What's wrong?"

Fred hesitated.

Which was even more alarming.

"Fred?"

He sighed.

"There's something I need to tell you."

Katherine immediately sat up slightly.