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This is why she hated men.

Either they behaved perfectly well or behaved like over-impulsive, over-emotional babies, and Kate was then at the receiving end of the latter. On one end was her closest friend being moody and not rational in any way possible. He was rude to Riddle whenever the occasion provided itself and while the two had never been friends, they had certainly gotten along. Now, a form of latent animosity had risen to the surface, manifesting itself in odd and ugly ways.

"Good morning," Alden walked in, looking significantly happier on her third day of hospitalisation in the wing. "I suppose you will be out today?" She nodded, accepting the dinner tray in his hands. "Perfect - one less day of copying lessons for you."

"I never asked you to."

"Nonsense," he waved a hand dismissively, "one Gemino spell and the job was done. I also got Professor Dumbledore to provide you a two day extension for the essay on Animagi."

"Fanks," she spoke through a mouthful of baked potato. The two spoke about Quidditch, recent developments in class and inane topics like his mother's pet Puffskein, and Kate was thankful for the normalcy in their conversation.

"Well, I must get going," he sighed, rising from his chair, "Has Madam Pomfrey told you when you can leave?"

"Not yet - nevertheless, you will see me in the Common Room tonight."

"Thank Merlin for that - see you soon, Katie." She wished him goodbye, finishing the last piece of brownie on her plate. At dinner, Tom entered the hospital wing, all smiles.

"Good evening," He sounded quite upbeat.

"You seem in fine spirits," she commented as he took the supper tray from her, placing it on a trolley in front of her bed.

"Well, you'll be out of the wing and I'll finally have company on these damned nighttime patrols."

"That doesn't seem reason enough."

"Can't a fellow enjoy the simple blessings of life?" His smile was playful, and Kate noticed he had deposited another batch of red carnations and camellias on the nightstand.

"I don't suppose you'll tell me what these flowers mean?"

"I just seem to like them - they remind me of the invalid I bring them to."

"You never do anything meaningless, Riddle." His grin widened.

"Well, like my name, these too are a riddle - it is up to you to find the answer to them."

"I'd like to start now, then." Bare feet hit the ground as she tried to stand up, and a sharp pain rose in her side as she took her first few steps. In an instant, Tom's arms were around her, an arm around her shoulder while the other steadied her by the waist.

"Madam Pomfrey," he called out, and the nurse came rushing out of her office in her nightgown, looking both glad and mortified upon seeing her stand up.

"Well, since you cannot stand without much assistance, I think I should maybe keep you here longer."

"No!" She was dying to get out of the hospital wing, and any delay was simply unacceptable. "Madam Pomfrey, my breathing is perfectly fine - it's just a small ache on the side, which will certainly fade by tonight."

"Well then, one Relieving Potion ought to set everything right," she muttered, shuffling through the drawers until she found a large blue bottle, pouring the required amount in a large spoon. "Up you go, young lady." Kate took it, downing the sharply minty potion in one gulp. The liquid slightly burnt her throat but a minute later, she felt the pain die down a little. "You'll be right as rain - keep taking a spoonful after each meal for a week," she handed her a smaller bottle. "Shall I?" She looked at Tom, who left her side as she followed Madam Pomfrey to the bathroom.

Five minutes later, Kate emerged, dressed in her Slytherin robes, the Head Girl's badge pinned on the side. "Should you experience any major discomfort, do come to me immediately." She thanked the matronly lady, taking one last relieved look at the hospital wing as they left it.

As much as Kate wanted to walk the whole route without any assistance, the ache in her side had not yet subsided enough for her to be comfortable, and she leaned by a corridor wall once they were quite out of sight of the hospital wing.

"Are you sure you don't wish to go back to Madam Pomfrey?" She shook her head vehemently, glaring at Tom as he spoke. "Well then," the boy sighed, putting an arm under her shoulders, the other arm supporting her side as they walked to the seventh floor.

Each step up the stairs was turning into agony by the time they had climbed the four floors up to the seventh floor. Tom, sensing her discomfort, stopped midway as she leaned by a wall again, breathing deeply.

"I'll carry you, Summers." She grit her teeth, standing upright and trudging forward, the Head Boy coming to her aid once again as he partially hoisted her up.

By the moment they reached the portraits of the Founders, Kate was unable to support herself independently. She looked at Helga Hufflepuff imploringly, who immediately obliged, swinging the door open.

The Head Girl rushed to the sofa and collapsed, breathing short breaths between acute winces. She wrapped her arms around her side, trying to quell the ache. A few moments later, a blanket was placed upon her, followed by a hot water bottle flying through the air. "There was no reason to lie to Madam Pomfrey."

"I'd rather suffer this than stay in the hospital wing for one more damn second," she hissed, her hand reaching out for the hot water bottle. A wave of relief ran through her body as the warmth pressed against her side. "But how would you know, pretty boy? Ever been in confining spaces for far too long?"

"For someone raised in orphanage, confining spaces come in the package." His tone didn't sound as offended as she would've expected, but she still felt the need to apologize.

"My apologies - I forgot." It was no secret that his Pureblood parents had passed away when he was young, and Kate felt terrible thinking of his childhood, isolated from filial love and magic.

"I certainly don't parade the fact for everyone to know." A prolonged silence followed his statement, punctuated by the sound of her breathing. "I suppose you will require assistance to your dorms?" He said, breaking the uncomfortable stretch.

"Yes, but Walburga doesn't possess the strength to support my frame, and I don't possess any to walk back either. Frankly, this sofa is very inviting at this moment."

"Are you sure that this arrangement will suit you?" She pushed herself up in a sitting position, pulling the bottle out of her robe pockets. " Accio glass, " she poured herself out half a glass, downing the scalding concoction.

"Now it will. Thank you for all your assistance, Tom. I certainly would not have made it back this far without you."

"It was my duty." She looked at him, blanket draped around her frame. After what felt like a considerable stretch of time, Riddle moved towards the door, turning back as he opened the door.

"Oh, and Summers?"

"Yes?" She looked up from her comfortable position on the sofa, peeping from underneath the blanket.

"Do take care of yourself till the morning." The expression bore no malice or falsity, and she could see genuine concern for herself on his face.

And if it was acting, it was bloody good acting.

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