Katherine woke up to Lisa hovering over her "Hey." She chirped obliviously a morning person, Katherine sat up and looked at Lisa who was already dressed in her school uniform, her blonde hair pulled up in a pony tail that was on the side with blue and bronze striped band. "Owls already run?"Katherine asked Lisa smiled "Nope, I decided to get my mom to turn four bands into different colors for the houses. I got one for you." She sang as she held out a blue and bronze band for Katherine's hair. Katherine got out of bed and took it with her clothes to the bathroom, "Thank you Lisa." She said as she closed the door and got ready.
Katherine stared into her reflection and twirled a piece of her brilliant red hair in her fingers, She was so nervous that she was sick to her stomach all she wanted to do was to talk to her mother about her nerves about her first day. Her hazel eyes started to water at the knowledge that her mother wouldn't answer any Owls from her or Harry. If she had her Aunt than she would have someone to talk too. Katherine picked up the band and brushed her hair back and into the pony tail that wasn't like Lisa's it was perfectly even on her head. She tightened the blue and bronze tie and looked at her reflection, She turned her head to one side and then to the other as if to try to see if she could point out the parts in her facial features that was her Aunts.
"Katherine!" Lisa yelled from the door, Katherine sighed and walked out "Sorry."Katherine said Lisa grinned as Morag walked in and crossed her arms, Her hair was pushed back with a blue and bronze headband "If we are going to meet up with those losers than we need to hurry." She said in that bored drawl that was extra harsh apparently Morag wasn't a morning person. "Come on then!"Lisa cheered jumping down the stairs, For once Katherine and Morag shared a identical look, Annoyed. Katherine walked down the stairs last and was met with Terry's grinning freckled face "Good morning Terry."She said politely as she smiled. "Didja sleep well?"Terry asked "I was too excited for class." Katherine could tell because his tie was crooked. A habit from living with the Dursleys she reached out and straightened his tie.
"Not really, To nervous over Harry." Katherine said softly she really was everyone could tell because she looked constantly worried "Don't be Potter is probably being treated like roality." Morag drawled from her position beside the exit from the common room. Katherine looked at her and nodded, He probably was..
"Come on Harry." Ron shouted from the bathroom, Harry opened the door and looked not well rested, His messy black hair was even more messy, His glasses only slightly hid the deep circles underneath his green eyes. "Oh Merlin Harry, Didn't you sleep?"Ron asked Harry pushed his glasses up "Sorta." was his reply.
Anthony walked with Terry who was laughing at some muggle joke that wasn't really funny but Morag trying to figure it out nearly left the small group of Ravenclaws in tears. Morag on the other hand wasn't too keen on being laughed at and looked like she had swallowed a sour lemon, "Don't worry Morag, You can get me with Pureblood jokes."Katherine said as she noticed Percy at the Gryffindor table but no Ron or Harry, Hermione walked past her and sat down, Katherine paused wondering if she should ask her but decided that she didn't want to hear her swotty reply.
"Percy.", Percy turned to face the girl from before who called him 'Perfect Percy', "yes?"He asked nicely but still looked a little stiff. Katherine thought that she deserved it "I wanted to say sorry about calling you Perfect Percy, I didn't know that your brothers would do that. Ron explained and I thought I should apologize, even if I didn't realize it at the time." Katherine stated directly, Percy pushed up his glasses and looked at the small group of Ravenclaws who where watching. He cleared his throat "Thank you Katherine."He said remembering her name because of her long red hair.
Katherine gave him a small smile and then sat down with her... What where they to her? Katherine didn't know what to think, She never had friends and the only people who she talked too at her old school thought of her as a freak but never picked on her because she was only for Dudley to pick on. "Are we friends?"She asked Terry's blue eyes widened "Of course!"He said as the others agreed, Terry didn't even know why Katherine was asking. "Didn't you have any Muggle friends?"Morag asked instead of answering her question "No, My brother did though but they where more like a gang."She explained to Morag, Terry nodded "Did you get picked on?"He asked Katherine nodded "Me too, It must be a muggleborn thing." He said.
"Muggles don't know what to do with Magical children so they react badly." Lisa chirped "My mom works with Magical Orphans try to get them an outlet for any pent up aggression or teach them how to deal with the muggle orphans. " Lisa explained "I'm Half-blood.". Katherine smiled "I guess you where right, Harry once turned our teachers wig blue, ended up on the ceiling, I once floated to the top of our room trying to get away from my brothers gang."Katherine said. Anthony frowned "Excuse me? Your own brother's gang picked on you? If you where my little sister I would hex someone." He told Katherine who blushed.
"He must be a fat Lowly muggle." Spat Morag who looked disgusted. "You've met Dudley?" A voice from behind Katherine said Morags eyes widened and Katherine grinned "Harry!" Katherine said throwing her arms around him pull him into a hug "Katherine, You look okay."He said pulling away. Katherine got a good look at him and frowned "Did those boys keep you up?", "No, Nervous about today."He lied Katherine nodded and looked out of the great hall "Come on."Katherine said needing to have sometime with Harry before class, She picked up two plain muffins from the Ravenclaw table and walked off. They watched them walked off and Morag scoffed "It's like we are chopped Rat spleen.", "Morag, She needs Harry." Lisa said her eyes where reflecting her anger. When Morag went to open her mouth Lisa spoke up "You didn't hear her. Have you looked at Harry and her? I mean really looked?" Lisa asked.
Anthony nodded "His robes are falling off of him, He looks to be four sizes below a normal size for a child his age should be. Katherine was so confident when she came in with Potter than when he was separated from her, Her confidence faded and she became shy borderline meek. Also she looks to be a little underfed as well probably having to give her food to Potter so he would have something." He observed. Morag, Lisa and Terry look at Anthony as Padma sat down "What did I miss?"
"So How is the Ravenclaw dormitories?"Harry asked as they sit down on the large fountain that looked more pleasing to Katherine than the ground, "Beautiful"She said looking up from fixing there breakfast. "Its odd to be around so many people."Katherine added Harry shrugged and started to eat. He didn't quite understand how much of Katherines' bravery was tied to him and Katherine liked it that way. She shook her head and forced herself to snap out of her funk so Harry doesn't noticed. "Why didn't you sleep Harry?" She asked Harry rubbed his eyes "Worrying about you, We got separated." He said Katherine nodded "I belong in Ravenclaw, The hat is always right Harry.", "Not about everything." Katherine dropped it and looked at her small paper that Terry had given her.
"I have Potions first with the Hufflepuffs I assume."Katherine said a slight groan to her voice that made Harry smile "He wanted the Defense against the Dark arts position, Looks like a scary bloke also." Katherine nodded "He must not like Professor Quirrel then.". "Katherine! We are leaving for Potions!" Shouted Anthony, Katherine stood and looked down at Harry whos smile faltered a little bit. She poked him on his scar "See you later Harry."She said as she picked up her bag and walked over to her new friends. Harry watched Katherine walk away from him and he couldn't help but feel so envious of her, She smiled and laughed at something another boy said and Harry got up and turned away from her. Katherine laughed at Terry and turned around to see Harry walking off. Her stomach was in knots and she couldn't help but wish that she wasn't in Ravenclaw but in Gryffindor.
Katherine sat next to Morag who pulled her into the seat last minute as the door slammed open and Professor Snape came in, His robes billowing and his voice was soft but they all could hear him because they where silent."There will be no foolish want waving, You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potions making." He paused his eyes skimming over Katherine's side and then the other. "I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of a softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, The delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses."Snape looked back towards Katherines side of the room, His eyes found her in the mid-isle.
"I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even put a stopper to death if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads I usually have to teach."He sneered the last part, He didn't like this girls hair it was too familiar "Miss Dursley is it?"He asked coming closer to the table. Katherine looked up her hand paused over the quill "Yes Professor."She said softly. Snape sneered, She was a typical Ravenclaw... pity, He thought as he crossed his arms "What is Lovage used in?"He asked Katherine frowned "I don't know sir." She answered even though Morag shifted obliviously wanting to answer it. "Did I tell you to take down notes yet?" Katherine shook her head "Don't believe your famous connections will get you an easy grade in this class Miss Durlsey." He stated walking back up to his desk and then he flicked his wand and notes started to appear.
"Now write this down and also read the first four chapters.".
Katherine walked out of Potions feeling embarrassed and angered by Professor Snapes outlandish claim that Katherine would use Harry in such a vile way. "How dare he!" She shouted half way towards her next class, Terry gave her a small smile "Its okay Katherine, You will be fine. He will forget about you eventually." Terry laughed trying to pull Katherine out of her oblivious funk. "I like him, He is so intelligent." Morag stated chipper about the class. "Morag." Terry said giving her a look "So he told her like it is Terry, She shouldn't use knowing Harry Potter as an excuse." Katherine turned on her heels and Morag halted. "I would never use Harry as an excuse! I can stand so much but not that! Don't you ever say that again!" She stated every time she put a punch in her words Morag would be pushed away from her.
"How are you doing that!" Morag asked her voice sounded fearful and surprised "You don't even have your wand?" Katherine didn't reply as she turned on her heels and walked through the crowd of students that had gathered around to watch them including the dark shadow of her potion's Professor. Katherine couldn't stand people who assumed that sort of rubbish, Terry turned to Morag and shook his head "You will learn." He tutted with a smile as he walked off with a silent Anthony. Lisa saw Katherine and her bright grin faltered as she saw Katherine walk through her hazel eyes darkened and Lisa could feel the magic crackle around her as she swung into her chair beside Lisa who didn't say anything "What class is this?" She asked Lisa frowned "Transfiguration with Hufflepuff again." She answered quickly "What?"Katherine asked trying to calm herself down from snapping at Morag "Nothin just look a bit tense." Lisa said softly "Its okay, I don't need to know what got you spittin fire like a dragon.".
"Thank you Lisa." Katherine said "Sure sure" She replied as the class started.
When Katherine reached the grounds for the flying lesson she was pushed past by the blonde kid making her books fall everywhere. "Crap." She said as she knelt down trying to pick up everything before she was late for her flying lesson "Here let me help you." Said a male voice as hands started to put everything in order "Thank you... I got shoved and ugh.." Katherine was having a very trying day and she was really thinking about what her aunt must have done to handle the first day to Hogwarts. She pushed a strand back behind her ear and looked up at the boy who was helping her, He was a burly boy almost the size of her brother but a lot more healthier.
Katherine turned red as he looked up and gave her a cooked grin, His eyes where a nice hazel more prettier than Katherines "Rough day?"He asked the girl with pretty red hair, Katherine nodded but didn't say anything. Her voice didn't want to work as the handsome boy gave her back her books and papers and Katherine shoved them into her note-bag "It will get better, The first day back is always rough and hectic don' let it shape what you think. Wait till the Quidditch season starts."He said "I will keep that in mind...Your a gryffindor?"Katherine asked as she noticed the red and gold lion on his chest that was eye level with her.
"Your a Ravenclaw."He drawled his accent was very thick scottish and Katherine found it to be very dashing "Thank you." She said as she walked on past the burly Gryffindor Scotsman who watched her scamper away with a crooked grin. He shook his head and walked on to his Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Katherine turned and steadied herself as she let out and sigh and wished she knew what his name was after all he was very helpful to Katherine who turned red again. "What's got you so red in the face?"Asked Terry making Katherine jump "Terry!"She yelped as she clutched her books to her chest "That's my name." He said raising and eyebrow and smiling at Katherine "Yeah...Nothing lets get this over with." She stated placing her bag with the others and yanking Terry on the field.
"Hello class, I am Madame Hooch I will teach you how to fly. I will warn you that the first time on a broom is a make it or break it stage." Katherine looked down at the broom that was on the ground with excitement "Now hold your left hand over the broom and with a clear voice command it up." She said "Up." Katherine said it didn't move Morag smirked "Up!" She stated and it flew up on her first try which made her smirk widened. "You can do it Katherine." Said Terry who already had his broom up too "Up!" cried Katherine as she felt herself get flustered the broom smacked her hand "Very good, Now that you all have your brooms up you will grip it tightly so you won't slip off. Swing your legs over the boom and kick off." being a class of all Ravenclaws before doing what Madame Hooch wanted them to do they formed a line so they wouldn't knock into each other.
"One.. Twoo.. three!" with the blow of the whistle Katherine shoved off and squeaked a little as she rocked and back forth trying to get her balance on the broom, Terry shot past her a was having a fit as he twirled in the air. Morag just acted like it was kids play even when Lisa knocked into her "Whoops" Lisa giggled as Anthony reached out and caught Terry from hitting the ground and Padama helped steady Katherine who was slightly sick to her stomach.
"I love the ground." announced Terry as they walked towards the Great Hall for lunch "I agree." Katherine said rubbing her wrist from where Anthony had to grab her to stop her from barreling towards the earth "Hows the wrist?"He asked Katherine smiled "Its fine Anthony, It was either my wrist or my head." Morag scoffed "I don't see how you can act so stiff on a broom when you should be use to it, you have those great mechanical birds." She stated Terry narrowed his blue eyes on her and gave her a very deep 'What the heck look' "We don't fly the planes, Actually there is more to them! Like a floor and seats!" He stated Katherine nodded "Lisa is this true?" Morag asked amazed "Yeah, My mom and I took one to the states once."Lisa chirped as she took out a brush and unknotted her thick blond hair.
"How was it?" Morag asked actually Katherine wanted to know as well. The Dursley's wasn't much on flying "A bit stuffy, I got caught with a rather fat muggle who needed a potion or two." She said waving her hand in front of her face at the memory"But it was still cool to fly above the clouds.". Terry took Katherine's hand and pulled her into the Great Hall and he helped her into a place closest to the teachers table "I feel a tad sick." Terry said as the rest of them walked and Morag shot Terry a scathing look "Why didn't you tell us we were about to pass the Great hall?"She stated Terry shrugged as Anthony took his right since Katherine was on his left.
"Maybe he knew I would point it out?" Lisa asked as she happily took the seat next to Katherine "Why are we siting so close to the teachers?" Asked Padama "Nobody wants to sit so close because they can't get away with anything. At least we don't have anything to hide." Terry said Katherine nodded as she saw Harry. She went to stand up caught herself and looked down at her plate deciding what to put on her plate "Harry's here Katherine." announced Lisa happily "I know." Katherine said as she placed a bunch of fruits on her plate.
Lisa frowned and looked over at Anthony who leaned over Terry "Don't you want to harased him!" Morag asked Katherine shot her a annoyed look "No." she stated rather harsher than she thought. "Why?"She asked Katherine shrugged seeing him talking to Ron and the round faced boy who held up a ball "He's busy making friends." She said Morag scoffed flipping her hair out of her face"He wouldn't care." She said but dropped it. Anthony looked away from Katherine to look at Harry Potter who was amazed over a remembrall, He studied Potter as he would look towards Katherine and go to get up but when Terry and her would talk he would narrow his green eyes and go back to talking to the Wealsey. "Katherine, Go talk to Harry." Anthony told her after a moment "I will wait for you." He told her.
Katherine stood and did what Anthony told her to do Morag looked at Anthony "How the hell did you get her to do that?"She asked the boy who continued to eat "I didn't upset her for one." He stated towards Morag who blushed a deep crimson and stood "Padama why don't we leave these three." She stated Padama looked at them then at Morag who gave her a look so she stood "See you in Defense Against the Dark Arts."She said fallowing Morag. "Harry?" Katherine asked Harry turned and smiled "Katherine how was your classes?"He asked standing and pulling her into a hug.
Missing him deeply and she grinned "Okay... The potions professor is mean.", "Your tellin us, He practically killed Harry." Ron said Katherine gave Harry a worried look "Its fine!" He said smiling slightly "Did you fly yet?" He added Katherine nodded "I don't think I am too good." She said rubbing the back of her neck "Although Terry did do a bit worse than me."She added. "Who?" Harry asked Katherine's eyes widened "Oh! How rude of me Harry, I never introduced you to my friends." She said quickly grabbing him and Ron's hands and yanking them to the Ravenclaw table where Lisa nudged the boy who looked up "Terry, Anthony, Lisa this is my cousin Harry and his friend Ronald." She said "Ron." Ron corrected turning slightly red as Lisa pulled the two into hugs.
"Oh is is such a pleasure to meet both of you." Terry grinned "Don't mind Lisa she is a little over excited."He said Lisa stuck her tongue out at him. "Nice to meet you too." Harry said awkwardly as he felt a bit ashamed for thinking Katherine was leaving him for new friends. He should have knew that Katherine would never do that to him, He pulled her tightly into his side as she grinned "Now we have to get to Defence Against the Dark Arts and face Quirrel." She said she didn't know why but that teacher really creeped her out. "Alright."
Katherine walked out and saw Ron and raced to catch up with him forgetting her Bag that Terry had gotten for her. "Ron!" She shouted Terry scratched the back of his neck and decided to bring it up to the common room "Katherine, Did you hear?"Ron asked in a fast pace excitement "What?"She asked "Is Harry okay?", Ron grinned" Better than okay! He became Seeker."He said as Katherine caught site of Harry talking to the boy from before. Katherine stumbled slightly as she turned a light pink.
"So?"Ron asked looking from the Burly man to Harry "Oliver says I will make a good seeker." Harry said grinning. So Oliver was his name Katherine thought as Oliver nodded "Tomorrow we'll throw the balls around and go threw the...Hey." Oliver said noticing Katherine "Hey."She said "Has your day brightened?"He asked Harry and Ron looked at each other than at Katherine who nodded "Good, as I was saying Harry I'll show you some plays and things."He said Harry nodded "Okay I will meet you since I don't really know my way.". "Alright, Have a good day." Oliver told them as he nodded at Katherine and walked past her.
Katherine blushed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "You too." She said softly as she watched him walking away "Are you sick?"Harry asked Katherine turned as Oliver paused and turned around "If you want too, You can come with Harry." Katherine nodded and smiled "I might."She said to Oliver who nodded and turned back around. "I am fine." She stated as Hermione walked up to them "Harry is it true?"She asked Katherine narrowed her eyes on the curly haired witch "I made it on the team, Yah." Harry said Hermione smiled "I was sure you would, Its in your blood." She said leading them into a trophy room and Katherine looked over Harry's shoulder "Your father was a Chaser and a captain Harry!" Ron said with wide eyes "I didn't know.." Harry said frowning Katherine rested her hand on his shoulder as she stared at it too.
"You are the youngest seeker in History, This is something they would be proud of." Katherine told Harry. Ron and Hermione nodded as the stair moved Katherine gripped the sides "What is happening?"Ron asked "The stairs move." Both Katherine and Hermione said Katherine being the last on the staircase glared at her. "We better go." Harry said as they walked up and got into a corridor that was dark and dirty "I don't think we should be here Harry." Katherine whispered as Harry gave her hand a squeeze "This is the corridor Dumbledore told us not to go down!" Hermione said as Katherine yipped a bit as they heard Filtch's cat.
"Lets go!" Ron said in a loud whisper as they raced down the corridor and lunged at the door "It won't open!" Ron stated "Move." Katherine said yanking out her wand "Alohomora" she hissed the door opened and they rushed threw. Katherine stood the closest to the door as she heard Filtch's voice, "Oh god." Katherine said darkly "I am going to get into so much trouble." She whispered "Hush." Harry said pinching her sides "I think he's...RUN!"Hermione scream as everyone turned seeing a large black nose with six eyes Katherine screamed as she threw open the door and everyone rushed out to pull the door shut from the snarling dogs.
Harry grabbed Katherines hand and pulled her out of the corridor and raced down the stairs "Was that a three headed dog?"Katherine asked shaking a bit as they waited on the stairs to move "Who puts a blood three headed dog in a corridor!"Ron shouted as the swung around "To hide something.." Katherine said as Harry rubbed her back as they got of of the stairs. Katherine thought Rowena Ravenclaw was a brilliant woman to create moving stair cases but right know she would rather have the ones that stood still. "Personally I think we could have gotten in trouble or killed. I don't like either option." stated Hermione Katherine now calmed down rolled her eyes "I bet you don't I am going to my common room, Night Harry, Ron." She said walking away from Hermione who rolled her eyes.
Katherine walked into the Ravenclaw common room to see Terry with two bags next to him "Oh I'm sorry Terry!" She said blushing as he shrugged "Its fine Katherine."He said as the red head witch wrapped her arms around his neck "No it not! That isn't how you treat a friend." exclaimed the girl who pulled away from the now blushing Terry Boot. "Its fine..Do you need help with homework?" Katherine shook her head "But I would like some company." She said Terry nodded and the two of them stelled down and worked together with their homework.
"I think before bed I am going to check out the library." Katherine said with a smile as she walked back down from placing her stuff on her bed "Do you want me or Anthony to go with you?" Terry asked concerned of her late night adventure. Katherine shook her head "No, I have it."She said smiling as she walked out of the Ravenclaw dorms and started to track down to the Library that was almost deserted "Ma'am, Is there books on magical Creatures here?" Katherine asked Madame Prince who nodded "Down to the right, four isles down." She stated.
Katherine gave her a smile before walking threw the isles to the one she was told to go down, She inhaled relaxing at the smell of old books. She lightly hummed as she raised her hand and let it caress the spines of the books as she skimmed the titles. She pulled down a book and looked threw the index "Hello." Katherine jumped and twisted around to see a Slytherin boy with short blonde hair and a expressionless face "Hello." Katherine replied a bit unsteady as she looked back down at the book out of the corner of her eyes she could see him moving around the isle looking for something. Against her better judgment she closed her book "Do you need any help looking?" Katherine asked the Slytherin boy.
He looked at her, his blue eyes making her feel a tad uncomfortable "Not particularly." He stated "Oh..okay." Katherine went back to reading as she found the thing she was looking for and she read the little line about the three headed dog. It was almost like the myth's that Katherine would hear in school, "Excuse me." Katherine jumped out of the way careful not to knock into chair. "Careful." He told her, Katherine blushed and tucked a strand of her long red hair behind her ear "Just getting out of your way." She stated as she reopened her book and tried to find anything else on the dog.
He looked at her before pulled out a book and skimming the index like she did before, she saw this and smiled slightly "Nott, Its almost time for bed." Katherine looked across from her to see a boy walk into the room. His skin was tan and he had the most particular eyes, They were a light lilac "You too Ravenclaw." He said Katherine closed the book "Thank you." She told the boy he nodded and watched her place the book up. "Lets go Blaise." the blond boy named Nott said Katherine nodded at the two and muttered a "Goodnight" Before leaving the boys and the library.
So his name was Blaise, It fit him in a way, Katherine's mind was filled with many things including the first weekend and having to decide if she wanted to face Oliver or not. Her stomach had butterflies in it as she walked up the stairs leading to the knocker, She was enjoying the silence and it gave her some time to herself. She walked in and smiled as she seen the common room still packed with older students and she walked over to Anthony who smiled "Did you find what you wanted to find?" He asked she nodded.
"I met a couple of slytherins too." She frowned "I guess I missed them when we where getting sorted or something." Anthony shrugged "Ravenclaws and Slytherins have a truce unlike the Gyrffindors." Lisa chirped as she saw down beside Terry "So they won't pick on us much?" Katherine asked Terry nodded "Most of the time they want Gryffindors but sometimes they do lower themselves to us. We don't rise to much to it though." said a boy with hair that looked almost like Harry's and wore a smile that looked like he was trying to be superior.
"I'm Eddie Carmicheal." He added "Nice to meet you." Lisa said blushing "Why don't we?" Katherine asked Eddie looked at her with a surprised look "I would leave that stupidity to the Gryffindors." he stated Katherine narrowed her eyes "Gryffindors are not stupid." she stated "Yah they are." Eddie remarked as he stood and walked up the boy's dorms. Katherine didn't like him at all, She sat back in her chair as Teddy smiled "Just think, Tomorrow will be easier." Katherine hoped. "I am going to go to bed, goodnight." Katherine said before standing and walking up to Rowena Ravenclaw, She let her hazel eyes move over the soft stone figures and then she walked up the girls dormitory just as Eddie decided to walked down from the boys.
"She's a pretty thing, Aye?"He asked moving one of Morag's potions books off of the chair arm that she was reading and sat on it. She flushed and narrowed her eyes on his butt that was in her face "A bit mouthy for my taste" He added Terry stood and everyone fallowed including Morag who shoved Eddie off of her chair arm before standing "You are wrong." Lisa chirped as she nodded and walked up the girl dormitory. Katherine stared at the ceiling that glittered and sparkled like the night sky. She had decided to join Harry and Oliver in the morning also she was thinking of why someone would put a Three headed dog to guard something. If the Mythology was correct all it took to soothe the beast was music. Katherine's face twisted at the thought of her putting her experiment to the test. She decided that tomorrow was looking better and better as her tired eyes fluttered closed.