||𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚞𝚏𝚏𝚕𝚎𝚙𝚞𝚏𝚏 𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚌𝚑||

: S H O R T - H A I R :

Kathy Wood had been staring aimlessly out of her bedroom window as she twirled a piece of her newly cut hair in her fingers gently, her goal was to stare out of the window and at her family field as long as she could before reality would want to cut in and ruin her pleasant peace.

It was a strange and dark time, especially for someone who had just newly graduated and yet couldn't get a job anywhere because of the high risks of current times, it was a wait that so many weren't willing for.

But, nonetheless there was really no choice but to try and continue through everything with caution, until the end of the year when it will most likely set off.

Kathy and been given different envelopes from Rosie Deaver and dates written on top of them for when to be open, one even dating a little less than a year away, just before Hogwarts breaks up for the holidays.

And she was simply dreading having to open it and read every hard word she knew it would continue, but for now she hid them underneath everything that she still contained in her trunk from Hogwarts, along with most of her knitting equipment so people would just believe it was a bag full of wool and needles.

Kathy still had yet to visit the new Weasley shop known as the 'Weasleys' wizard wheezes', truth be told she hadn't really left her room for anything other than food, the bathroom and some fresh air on the rare occasion.

It was the nerves of pre-war that had settled on her and she was afraid that if she looked at someone from the night at the ministry, that she'd break down a guard that she had put up against her parents worries.

Her father and brother occasionally slipped in to check in on her, her mother just happened to not be around when it was more so her father than Oliver, the tense atmosphere between the two had obviously not rested for a moment even through the struggle of looking after a stressful Kathy.

"Alright, let's head over to the burrow and visit that strange girl—who's name I've already forgotten" A familiar voice cut into her dozing off and she turned and smiled at her friend stood in the doorway, clad in a large jumper that's as obviously not hers, and the girl rolled her eyes in return but a smile played on her lips. "He didn't want me getting cold and I had left my coat upstairs and couldn't be bothered grabbing it"

"Cute" Kathy commented, not bothering to tease as she knew that Penny would only tease her in return and Kathy still wasn't official with Fred yet, although she could gladly say that Rosie was in the same boat as her. "I'm ready"

Kathy quickly zipped up her muggle coat that Penelope had bought her some point during summer, before she held her hand out to the girl, who gladly took it in a loose grip.

They both zapped away in a flash, apparating to the burrow quickly and finding themselves in the burrow, the air immediately feeling warmer even if Kathy's room already was.

It felt like home and Kathy couldn't get enough of it.

"Kathy!" She heard someone squeal before she was wrapped in a hug that was worth challenging Molly Weasley herself, Kathy just laughed as she hugged back the youngest Weasley before she stepped away and gestured towards Penelope.

"This is Penny, she was in the year above me and she's my best friend, she went to the tri-wizard tournament" Kathy explained as she pointed towards a hungry Penny, who really just came for the food and teasing.

"Nice to meet you" Ginny sent a kind smile towards Penelope, which the witch returned before she removed away a piece of hair in her eyes.

"Kathy!" Another voice had joined in and brought the girl into a hug, this was Molly Weasley and her bear hugs that were warm yet suffocating. Molly stood back as she rested her hands on Kathy's cheeks. "Oh look at you, you get more pretty every time I see you! And you cut your hair!"

Kathy just smiled and giggled at Molly as she spoke, the woman was like her second mother and she couldn't help but feel relaxed in her presence. "This is Penelope, my friend that I told you about."

"The one that dates Cedric?" The group heard a male voice cut into the conversation, only to see a noisy Ron peaking from the stairs, Penelope rolled her eyes at the sight of the boy, knowing that most of them wouldn't have gotten over sixth year when Cedric beat Harry because of the Dementors.

"Oh hush up now, Ronald, dear" Molly shushed her youngest son before sending him a warming grin, "can you go fetch everyone and tell them that dinner is ready?"

Molly then wandered off to the kitchen, dragging Penelope with her so that the new guest could have first pick, which Penelope immediately agreed with.

"Remus, Tonks, Sirius, Melanie and Rosie are here as well. It's a packed house" Ginny updated Kathy, who nodded with her usual smile. "Twins aren't though, said they wanted to do something in the shop, I don't know what though"