We will meet again ~ Fred Weasley

- The Truth At Last -

"The truth lifted the weight from my shoulders. Fate replaced it with something far heavier."

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Katherine stood at the entrance to the common room for several seconds before she could force herself to move.

Her stomach felt sick.

Every instinct was screaming at her to turn around.

To leave.

To keep walking until she could pretend none of this existed.

But she couldn't.

Not anymore.

Draco's words from the previous night still echoed in her mind.

There is no way out.

She hated that she could still hear his voice.

Hated that she could still see his face.

Hated that even now, after everything, some part of her still wanted to protect him.

Her hands were shaking.

She curled them into fists.

Then crossed the room.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting near the fire.

Talking quietly.

The moment Hermione spotted her, she smiled. The sight of it made Katherine feel even worse. Because in a few minutes that smile would be gone.

"Katherine," Hermione said. "You look exhausted."

Katherine tried to answer.

Nothing came out.

Immediately all three of them noticed.

Harry frowned.

"What's wrong?"

She swallowed.

Her throat felt dry.

"I need to tell you all something."

The three of them exchanged glances.

Something in her voice had clearly alarmed them.

Katherine sat down slowly.

Her pulse was racing.

For a moment she simply stared at her hands.

Trying to find the words.

Trying to figure out how to say any of this.

Harry shifted impatiently.

"Katherine?"

She looked up.

"You have to promise to let me finish." The words came out rushed. "No matter what I say."

Harry's frown deepened.

"What are you talking about?"

"Please." Her voice cracked slightly. "Just let me finish."

The nervousness in her expression must have convinced him.

Because after a moment he nodded.

"Fine."

Katherine took a deep breath.

Then another.

Then another.

None of them helped.

Finally she forced the words out.

"I've known Draco was a Death Eater since the day Katie Bell was attacked."