The Buddy System. *Updating In Process*

14. Between Yesterday and You

The first weekend of term was supposed to feel liberating.

No lessons. No schedules. No rush from class to class.
Just a quiet Saturday morning and the promise of a Hogsmeade trip — something all seventh-years were finally permitted to enjoy every weekend.

And yet, when I woke... I felt like death warmed over.

The nightmare had ripped me awake at 1AM and sleep had refused to touch me again. Every time I closed my eyes, the prison corridor crept back in behind my eyelids. The dripping water. The rusted chains. Those silver-red eyes staring at me from the dark.

By 3AM, the images were replaying in my mind like a cursed loop.
By 4AM, my heart was racing so badly I thought it might climb out of my chest and flee the castle without me.

By 6AM, I gave up entirely.

If I wasn't going to sleep, I might as well get dressed.

Dressing was... a kind of armour for me.
The more put-together I looked on the outside, the less anyone would see the cracks beneath. So I took my time with it — slow, deliberate movements meant to soothe my jittering nerves.

First the long skirt — flowing, comfortable, black with a subtle sheen that made it ripple when I walked.
Then a fitted long-sleeved shirt, soft cotton, charcoal grey.
And finally my newest treasure: a cropped denim waistcoat, stitched at the seams with silver thread. A statement piece. Something that made me feel just a little bit cooler, a little bit braver, a little bit me.

I brushed my hair until it fell smooth and straight down my back.
Applied a little gloss and a soft sweep of blush to counteract the fact that the bags under my eyes were... well... larger than my handbag.

Overall?
I looked better than I felt.

Which wasn't saying much, but still — better.

Bleu chirped sleepily from his little nest by my pillow as I packed my bag.
"Not today, little man," I whispered, scratching under his tiny chin. "You're staying here where it's warm. And safe. And preferably not chewing my quills again."

He squeaked indignantly, but gave in the moment I set down a little feast of fruit, grain, and a shallow dish of milk — his favourite. He rushed toward it, tail flicking happily.

"At least one of us is excited today," I muttered with a tired smile.

I slipped out of my dorm quietly, not wanting to disturb the handful of Ravenclaw girls who did get a full night's sleep. The common room was empty — just how I needed it.
No whispers.
No curious glances.
No awkward questions about the shadows under my eyes or why I was up so early.

The halls were deliciously silent as I stepped into them.
The kind of hush that only existed at Hogwarts before sunrise, when the portraits were still half-asleep and the staircases hadn't decided what chaos they wanted to cause for the day.

I headed toward the Great Hall, steps echoing faintly on the marble.

Breakfast wouldn't be for a while, not really — most seventh years would be sleeping in after a long, exhausting first week back. And I was praying they would.

I wasn't sure I had the mental strength today for—

—Draco.
—Pansy's curiosity.
—Blaise's perceptiveness.
—Harry's concern.
—McGonagall's quiet, piercing understanding.

This morning, I just needed quiet.

Just needed to feel like the castle and I were the only two souls alive.