Taming the True Fire (HP)

Catherine paced nervously in the fourth-year girls' dormitory, her thoughts tangled in a frantic loop. No matter how fiercely her mind raced, it refused to arrive at any meaningful conclusion about the boys' completely mad idea.

"So, bottom line," - James announced, his tone triumphant - "we think these timings aren't just a coincidence. We should at least try to test if you'd still have nightmares under similar conditions, so to speak."

"What do you mean by 'similar conditions'?" - Catherine asked, anxiety creeping into her voice.

"It'd be simplest if you slept in our dormitory." - Remus said, as though it were the most obvious solution in the world.

The girl's eyes widened in disbelief. "In your room?" - she repeated, her voice rising as her cheeks turned crimson - "You mean in one of your beds? While you're in there too?"

"Well, how else would it work?" - James replied with a nonchalant shrug - "From what we've observed, there needs to be physical contact. You can alternate between me and Sirius, and we should also test if it works with Moony and Peter."

The young witch gawked at him, blood pounding in her ears. "Are you insane?!" - she shouted, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and embarrassment - "Do you have any idea what would happen if someone found out? We'd be expelled! And besides, it's ridiculous to think sleeping next to one of you would stop my nightmares!"

"It's worth testing, even if the chance is small." - Remus said calmly, his steady gaze meeting hers.

James rolled his eyes. "Come on, Flame. It's not like we'd do anything weird."

"I know that!" - Catherine snapped, then quickly softened her tone - "But it's still... embarrassing, Prongs."

The boy grinned. "What's there to be embarrassed about? You're practically our sister."

"Really?" – the witch muttered, her scepticism evident as she glanced at Remus, who gave her a reassuring smile.

"Yes, really!" - James said firmly, taking her hand in his and making the girl look at him - "I know it's unconventional, but your health is more important than anything else. If you can finally get some proper sleep, it might help with the weight loss and get you back to your elemental training. It sounds strange, but it's worked twice already. We can't ignore that."

"And you wouldn't bother us." – Remus added with a faint smile - "The beds are big enough, and you could slip back to your dormitory early in the morning. You're always up before anyone else anyway."

"Trust us, Flame!" - James urged, his hazel eyes alight with determination - "We wouldn't suggest this if we didn't think it could help."

Catherine sighed heavily, sinking onto her bed and pressing her fingers to her temples. No matter how many times she replayed her conversation with James and Remus, she still couldn't make a decision. The uncertainty troubled her, and it didn't help that she had no idea how Sirius felt about the whole thing. Since the night she'd fallen asleep in his arms two days ago, they hadn't had a chance to talk. He acted like his usual cheerful self around her, but something felt... different.

"Hey! Why are you hiding here?" – Lily's voice startled the fourth-year, who tried not to look too uneasy in front of her friend.

"I'm not hiding." - Catherine said quickly, her tone more defensive than she intended - "It's just a bit loud downstairs, and I decided to stay here instead."

"Loud?" - Lily arched an eyebrow, her red hair catching the candlelight as she leaned casually against the doorframe - "Everyone's studying. You could hear a pin drop down there. What's really going on? Still upset about Dumbledore cancelling your lessons?"

Catherine hesitated, then let out a resigned sigh. "No... well, yes, that too, but there's something else." She stood abruptly and began pacing the room once again, her anxiety bubbling to the surface. "After Dumbledore broke the news to me... I was really upset, and the boys were trying to calm me down. I guess I was more tired than I realised, and I ended up falling asleep while Sirius was holding me. We stayed like that until morning. And the weird thing is... I didn't have any nightmares that night."

"Okay..." Lily said slowly, her expression unreadable. 

"This has happened before." – the girl added quickly, running a hand through her dark hair - "The night I spent in the Hospital Wing—after James accidentally hurt me during our practice duel? He came to visit me, and he saw I was tossing and turning in my sleep. He grabbed my hand and stayed with me for the rest of the night. And just like that, the nightmares stopped."

Lily frowned, her brow furrowing in thought. "That's... a bit too strange to be a coincidence."

"That's what the boys think, too." - Catherine admitted, flopping back onto her bed with another sigh - "Now they want to test if this 'close contact' thing actually works. Their brilliant plan is for me to sneak into their dormitory at night, sleep in one of their beds, and sneak back here early in the morning before anyone notices."

Lily was silent for a moment, her face thoughtful and her lips pressed together. Then, with sudden confidence, she declared, "This could work."

"What?!" – the other witch stared at her, astonished - "Are you serious? Do you have any idea what could happen if we get caught?"

"Yeah, but you won't." – the red-headed Gryffindor replied with a mischievous smirk, her emerald eyes shining – "Mary won't say a word, even if she notices you're missing, and Gwyneth sleeps until the last possible minute. It's not like anyone would think twice about you being up early—you're always jogging or off to Quidditch practice at the crack of dawn. Nobody has to know."

"It still sounds way too risky." - Catherine said, folding her arms across her chest.

"But what if it really helps with your nightmares?" - Lily pressed - "You can't keep relying on Dreamless Sleep Potion just to get a few hours of rest. It's not good for you."

"I know." – the black-haired girl mumbled, her gaze dropping to the floor – "It's just… it feels so wrong. And honestly? It's quite embarrassing."

"I get it." – the other witch said, busying herself with rearranging the pillows on Catherine's bed - "I won't pretend I like any of those dunderheads—well, maybe Remus is the exception—but let's be real. They care about you, and you know they're not the type to grope you or try anything indecent. Right?"

Catherine nodded reluctantly, her cheeks burning as an unwelcome thought slipped into her mind. Would it really be so bad if one particular boy got a bit less decent with her? She shook her head quickly, willing the insane idea away before Lily could notice the blush creeping up her neck.

"So, you think I should go along with their plan?" – the black-haired girl asked, her voice hesitant.

"Absolutely!" - Lily said, her tone bright and supportive. Then she added with a grin - "We could even test if sleeping in my bed helps with the nightmares. Much less scandalous."

"That would be amazing if it worked." – the other girl chuckled - "It'd make things so much easier for everyone."

"Exactly!" - Lily agreed, pulling her wand out of her pocket - "But just in case it doesn't... Pneuma Pluvia!"

The pile of pillows under Catherine's blanket began to move rhythmically, rising and falling as though a person were breathing beneath it. The effect was startlingly realistic.

"We'll call it—Operation Sleeping Beauty!" - Lily declared dramatically.

Catherine burst into laughter, the tension in her chest finally loosening. The other witch joined her as they both tumbled onto the bed, giggling.

***

End-of-year exams always brought a particular kind of tense silence to Hogwarts. The air in the castle seemed thick with stress as students desperately crammed last-minute knowledge into their heads. Minor incidents peppered the exam period, like Fabian Rookwood from Slytherin ending up in the Hospital Wing after taking a fake Focus Potion, or Elowen Frost from Gryffindor having a full-blown meltdown during her DADA N.E.W.T. exam. Professor Thorne had to cast a Calming Charm on the girl and escort her to a quiet room for half an hour before she could continue.

In stark contrast to the frazzled chaos around her, Catherine breezed through her exams with effortless ease. She was probably in the best mood she'd been in all year. While spending the night in Lily's bed hadn't helped her nightmares, much to her surprise, sleeping in the boys' dormitory worked miraculously.

The first time they tried it, the young witch woke up feeling groggy but still incredibly well-rested—an alien sensation after months of sleepless nights. For a few seconds, she was disoriented, blinking in the soft morning light, until James' warm breath on her arm brought everything flooding back. There were faint, fleeting memories of dreams, but no magical outbursts or residual chaos. Against all odds, her friends' ridiculous plan had worked.

Encouraged by the success, Catherine agreed to test the limits of her condition in the nights that followed. Sleeping in Remus' bed proved just as effective, though she spent the first few minutes under his blankets absolutely mortified. Moony, ever kind and patient, quickly put her at ease with the most ridiculous and painfully unfunny joke only an introvert could muster, but the awkwardness did melt away.

The next experiment, however, didn't go as planned. She had barely fallen asleep beside Peter when her nightmares returned with full force. Thankfully, she managed to wake up before her magic flared. The last thing she wanted was to explain a burned carpet or books flying around the room. Her friends were kind enough not to question her too closely, and she was grateful they didn't push her further. With Peter out of the rotation, she began alternating between James, Remus, and Sirius.

Of the three, sharing a bed with Sirius was the most nerve-wracking. The first night was an exercise in self-restraint; Sirius, outwardly cool and nonchalant, made it look easy, but Catherine was a bundle of nerves. Her heart pounded so hard she was certain he could hear it, lying just centimetres away. Sleep came only in fleeting snatches, her thoughts spinning in a mix of embarrassment and something she refused to fully examine.

Over time, it became easier—or at least less mortifying. Sirius, for all his teasing, was surprisingly considerate, and Catherine eventually managed to relax. To her astonishment, she found that she slept better next to him than she did with James or Remus. It was a fact she tried not to dwell on too much, especially when she caught herself looking forward to the nights they'd share.

"So, the hottest boy soothes your nightmares most effectively?" - Lily asked with a giggle as they walked back from the Library, their arms full of books, ready to get some rest before the Charms exam the next morning.

"You think Sirius is hot?" – Catherine teased, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"No, he's hideous!" - Lily rolled her eyes, though her tone betrayed her sarcasm - "I mean, he's still a complete pillock, but objectively, he's the most handsome of our classmates."

"James is going to be heartbroken!" – the other girl shot back, clearly enjoying the fury now spreading across her friend's face – "Oh, come on! You know he's head over heels for you."

"That's his problem!" - Lily snapped, her cheeks reddening - "Besides, I'm done with boys for a while. I want to focus on my family and friends. I think I've had enough romance to last a lifetime."

Catherine tilted her head, her teasing tone softening. "Are you sure you can't fix things with Greg? You two were such a great couple."

"I can't be with someone who gives up on me on a whim and then claims it's 'for my own good.'" – the red-headed witch said decisively, her green eyes blazing - "Not to mention, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have even known the real reason behind the breakup. He's been avoiding me like the plague ever since."

"There's a lot on his plate." - Catherine defended her brother, though her tone was measured - "Being the heir of our family and keeping an eye on me isn't exactly easy. But… I do agree he screwed up big time with you. He should have at least explained the real reason instead of hiding behind excuses."

"Water under the bridge." - Lily shrugged, but her expression shifted into something mischievous - "Speaking of breakups, you're awfully quiet about the one the whole school is gossiping about."

"I don't really care about gossip." – the other girl said, her shoulders stiffening as she avoided her friend's gaze.

"Oh, come on, Daisy, spit it out!" – the red-headed witch refused to let go – "What are you going to do now that Sirius is free again?"

"Absolutely nothing." – Catherine replied firmly, keeping her tone as neutral as possible.

Lily stared at her, completely floored. "Are you serious? The two of you need to stop playing games and just get together already!"

"It's not that simple." – the other girl mumbled.

"I don't see anything complicated about it." - Lily scoffed, tossing her hair back - "He's been crazy about you since the first day on the Hogwarts Express. I don't know what possessed him to start dating Marianne, but the path is clear now."

"I don't think Sirius breaking up with Marianne has anything to do with me." - Catherine replied, shaking her head - "He's been acting completely normal when I sleep in his bed—except he's started calling me his sister for some reason."

"Merlin's beard!" – Lily burst into laughter – "He must be in complete denial! So why don't you take the initiative? I've been watching you struggle for months, Daisy. It's so obvious you like him!"

"Really?" – the other witch asked, her face turning a deep shade of red. She hesitated, then muttered – "I don't know... Maybe I do like him, but I can't go through another rejection. It was awful last time, and it nearly ruined my friendship with Remus. Things with Sirius are so good and chill right now. I don't want to lose my best friend. And with everything happening to me, who knows how much time I even have left? I don't want to drag him into all this."

"Don't say that!" - Lily snapped, her fiery temper flaring as her eyes flashed with emotion - "You're going to be fine! I believe in you! With all the extra sleep, you're going to stop losing weight, and maybe you'll even gain some meat on those scrawny bones of yours next year."

"That would be nice." - Catherine said softly, allowing herself a small smile - "I might end up with noticeable breasts."

"Stop obsessing about your looks!" – the red-headed girl shot back, her voice trembling slightly - "You're beautiful, Daisy. Inside and out."

The heartfelt words struck a chord, and Catherine felt her throat tighten as if tears might escape.

"But seriously," - Lily continued - "you should consider telling the boys the truth about... well, you. It's fine to keep your identity a secret, but at least let them know about the demon. They've probably already figured out there's something strange going on with the nightmares. The longer you keep it from them, the worse it'll get. You might be surprised how much their support could help."

Catherine hesitated, biting her lip. "I'll think about it." - she said at last - "For now, I just want to go back to using true fire. I feel strangely helpless without it. Gold and sparkles!"

The portrait of the Fat Lady swung open, and the girls stepped into the Gryffindor Common Room. The space buzzed with quiet energy, full of students buried behind books and notes, the weight of exams pressing down on everyone. Catherine and Lily didn't discuss the earlier topic any further, instead trying to relax —though it was easier said than done with Peter pacing frantically, mumbling incantations under his breath as he struggled to memorise them all.

The Charms exam, the last of the season, went relatively smoothly. Catherine's nerves steadied as she flawlessly demonstrated the Severing Charm for Professor Flitwick, earning an approving nod. She stepped aside to make room for Ethan Wilkies, who was next.

As she passed the Slytherin, he smirked and said loud enough for the whole room to hear, "Good job, Plantier! Now you can get rid of your clothes with a simple spell."

Heat rose to the black-haired girl's face, her ears burning with embarrassment. She clenched her wand tightly, tempted to hex the smug look off his face. Instead, she hissed through gritted teeth, "You're lucky this spell doesn't cut through flesh. Perhaps I should modify it."

Ethan let out a mocking laugh, but the young witch ignored him, turning sharply on her heel. She left the classroom, her heart pounding with a mix of fury and frustration.

Once outside, she quickened her pace, heading toward the Black Lake to calm her nerves. The sky stretched clear and bright above her, but the air felt oppressively heavy, clinging to her like the tension she couldn't quite shake. Groups of students dotted the grounds, their chatter filling the space as they compared exam answers and shared their relief at the year coming to an end.

Catherine made her way to her favourite spot under the willows, where the air seemed cooler, quieter. As she approached, she noticed a familiar figure sitting on the soft grass, her gaze absentmindedly skimming the shimmering surface of the lake.

"Hi, Gwendolyn." – the fourth-year greeted the older girl as she sank to the ground beside her – "I assume you're all done with your N.E.W.T.s?"

"Yes." – the blond witch replied with a small, sad smile - "It's all done now. Just a few more days left to enjoy Hogwarts before I leave for good."

"Well, you can always come back and teach if you love it here so much." – Catherine suggested cheerfully.

"That's true, but it would probably not happen." – the other witch agreed with a wistful sigh – "I've accepted a position working with Professor Amélie Sauveterre. She teaches Ancient Runes at Beauxbatons, but she's also one of the most renowned scholars of Ancient Magic in all of Europe."

"Sounds like a perfect fit for you." – the Gryffindor remarked warmly – "Are you going to be her intern?"

"Yes, though most of my work won't be tied to her teaching." – Gwendolyn's tone brightened with enthusiasm – "Professor Sauveterre is currently researching Angelica's Ring. It's a legendary artifact said to have belonged to Angelica, princess of Cathay. Supposedly, the ring made its wearer immune to all enchantments and rendered them invisible when placed in their mouth."

"That's incredible!" - Catherine said, her eyes widening - "I hope you find what you're looking for—it sounds like an amazing opportunity. I'm really going to miss you, though. Not to mention, I won't have anyone to talk about Ancient Runes with anymore."

"Well," - Gwendolyn said thoughtfully - "I've had some interesting discussions with that Slytherin boy, Severus Snape. He's in your class, isn't he? He has some fascinating ideas about Ancient Magic. Maybe the two of you could have some nice conversations."

Catherine bit the inside of her cheek to keep from saying something childish about how she'd prefer discussing runes with a mountain troll over Severus Snape. Instead, she forced a small smile and replied, "It won't be the same."

The other girl nodded with appreciation, her expression softening as she suddenly reached out to take the Gryffindor's hand. "Catherine, I need to ask you for something."

"Of course, if I can help." – the fourth-year aid, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Since I'm leaving for France and Giselle is still in America, we don't really have anyone to rely on here." - Gwendolyn said, her voice hesitant - "My younger brother, Gilderoy, is starting school next year, and he's going to need some guidance."

"I'm always available if he needs anything." – the other witch replied politely.

"The thing is…" – the Ravenclaw paused, carefully choosing her words – "He's not a bad kid, but we might have tried a bit too hard to make sure he didn't feel overshadowed by me and Giselle while growing up. As a result, he's become... well, a bit too certain of himself. He's not lazy, but he doesn't like to put in the effort when things don't come easily. He tends to assume everything will just go his way. You can imagine how that might cause issues here at Hogwarts." 

Catherine nodded slowly, her brow furrowing. "I see." - she hesitated, unsure what she could realistically do for young Gilderoy Lockhart - "I promise that even if he's not sorted into Gryffindor, I'll reach out and let him know I'm here to help if he needs anything—homework or otherwise."

"Thank you so much!" – the other witch let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders visibly relaxing – "It really means a lot to me—and it'll help put my parents' minds at ease about sending him off to school."

"Don't mention it." – the black-haired girl said with a smile, standing and brushing off her robes – "After all, you've helped me so many times, especially when I was struggling with Lumirith. It's the least I can do."

A low rumble echoed across the mountains, drawing their attention skyward. Gwendolyn's blue eyes reflected the now-grey sky as she frowned. "Looks like there's going to be a storm." - she said flatly, seemingly unaware of the flicker of unease that crossed the younger witch's face.

"It does." – Catherine replied, trying to mask her impatience – "I'd better get back—I don't want to get caught in the rain. See you around, Gwen."

Without waiting for a reply, the fourth-year almost sprinted toward the castle, her heart pounding. She hoped the boys had finished their Charms exam by now.

'I need to sort this out before the holidays!' – she thought frantically as she dashed through the castle doors and hurried up the Grand Staircase.