The inn room wasn't much. The bedspreads were a dull, faded green, the kind of sterile design that all inns seemed to have, meant to look welcoming but feeling anything but. The window overlooked the busy streets of Edinburgh, where magical and Muggle worlds brushed up against each other without ever quite touching. Outside, the sky was heavy with the promise of rain, the kind of grey that settled deep in your bones.
Ginny stood by the door, her duffel bag slung over her shoulder, her body tense in a way she couldn't quite shake. There was something about the quiet of the room, the closeness of the walls, that made her stomach twist with unease. It felt too small, too exposed. And sharing it with Katie only made the feeling worse.
Katie was already tossing her things onto the bed nearest the window, her movements casual and unbothered, as if this was just another trip, just another inn room, just another game. Ginny wished she could adopt the same ease, but her fingers felt clumsy as she set her bag down on the other bed, her movements stiff with the quiet nervous energy that had been buzzing under her skin since they'd left the pitch.
Her heart raced, but she tried to keep her face neutral, her body language relaxed. Katie didn't need to know. No one needed to know.
Ginny unzipped her bag, carefully keeping her back to Katie as she rifled through it. Tucked between her uniform and spare clothes, hidden beneath layers of folded fabric, was the stash she was trying to keep out of sight—the small glass vials filled with dark, shimmering liquid. Strong sleeping potions. More than she wanted to admit.
Her hand hovered over the vials for a second, her stomach twisting with a mix of shame and desperation. She didn't want to need them. But the nightmares... they were getting worse. Stronger. She couldn't shake them on her own anymore.
Ginny felt her breath catch in her throat, a flash of panic rising up as she quickly buried the vials beneath her clothes again, forcing herself to act normal, to act like nothing was wrong.
"Everything alright?" Katie's voice broke the silence, casual but with a hint of curiosity. She was watching Ginny from across the room, one eyebrow raised slightly in that way she always did when she knew something was off but didn't want to push too hard.
Ginny straightened up too quickly, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yeah, fine. Just... getting sorted."
Katie nodded slowly, her gaze lingering for a moment before she turned back to her own bag. "You seemed a little distracted back at practice, that's all. Just checking in."
Ginny forced a smile, trying to push the tightness in her chest down. "I'm fine. Just pre-match nerves, you know?"
Katie gave a small smile, the kind that said she didn't quite believe it but wasn't going to press the issue. "Yeah. Pre-match nerves. We've all been there."
The quiet settled between them again, thick and awkward, as Katie continued unpacking her things. Ginny could feel the weight of the sleeping potions in her bag like a stone, pressing against her ribs, and the quiet nervous energy that had been simmering under the surface for days bubbled up inside her. She wanted to keep moving, to do something, anything, to keep herself from thinking too much.
"You want to head down for dinner?" Katie asked, breaking the silence again as she stuffed a stack of Quidditch gear into the wardrobe. "I'm starving."
Ginny hesitated, her fingers fiddling with the strap of her bag. She wasn't hungry, not really. Her stomach had been in knots since the morning, and the idea of sitting through dinner, trying to act normal, trying to keep up a conversation, made her feel even more on edge. But saying no would only raise more questions, and the last thing she needed was Katie digging deeper into what was really going on.
"Yeah," Ginny said finally, forcing another smile. "Sounds good."
Katie grinned, and for a moment, it was easy to forget the tension, to pretend that this was just another trip, just another game. "Great. Let's go before all the good stuff is gone."
As Katie grabbed her jacket and headed for the door, Ginny stole one last glance at her bag, the vials hidden beneath layers of clothes, the weight of them still pressing down on her.
She shoved the feeling aside and followed Katie out into the hall, her heart racing for reasons that had nothing to do with Quidditch.
Hours Later
The pub was loud, filled with the roar of chatter and laughter, and Ginny couldn't help but grin as she leaned back in her chair, the firewhisky in her hand sending a pleasant warmth spreading through her chest. The buzz in the air was infectious, fueled by the Harpies' win earlier that day. Her body ached from the match, the dull throb of the injury in her shoulder reminding her that she'd pushed a little too hard—but she didn't care. Not tonight.
They had won. And she had been part of that victory.
The sound of a bottle being slammed down on the table drew Ginny's attention back to her teammates. Katie was sitting across from her, her cheeks flushed with excitement and the heat of the pub. She raised her glass, eyes shining with a mischievous glint. "To Weasley, the star of the match! Not even a Bludger could take her down!"
The rest of the table cheered, their glasses raised in unison, and Ginny felt a rush of pride mixed with the slight fogginess that came from the firewhisky. The victory had been hard-fought—Edinburgh's team had come out swinging, and Ginny had taken more than one hard hit in the scramble for the Snitch. But in the end, she'd caught it, diving through the chaos to snatch the tiny golden ball just before her opponent.
A mild injury was a small price to pay for a win like that.
Ginny raised her own glass, her grin widening. "Couldn't have done it without you lot backing me up!"
More cheers, more clinking of glasses, and the buzz of conversation swelled around her again. The pub felt alive, humming with the energy of their victory, and Ginny soaked it in, letting it wash over her. The ache in her shoulder was dull now, numbed by the alcohol and the warmth of the room. She had been lucky the hit hadn't been worse—just a bruise, the match medic had said. Nothing to worry about.
The drinks had been flowing steadily since they arrived, and Ginny was already feeling the effects. Her limbs were loose, her thoughts a little slower, but the sharp edge that had been gnawing at her for days had dulled. She wasn't thinking about the nightmares, or the sleeping potions still hidden in her bag back at the hotel. For the first time in what felt like weeks, she wasn't thinking about anything at all except the thrill of victory and the warmth of the alcohol in her veins.
Katie leaned over the table, her voice barely audible over the din. "You alright? That Bludger hit looked nasty."
Ginny shrugged, though the movement sent a jolt of pain through her shoulder. "I'm fine. Nothing a bit of firewhisky can't fix."
Katie grinned, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes—concern, maybe. "Still, you should get that looked at Mungo's not some local mediwitch. Don't want you falling apart before the season even starts."
Ginny waved her off, taking another swig of her drink. "It's just a bruise. I'll be good as new tomorrow."
Katie's gaze lingered for a moment longer before she nodded, her smile returning. "If you say so. But if you can't lift your broom in the morning, don't say I didn't warn you."
Ginny laughed, the sound mingling with the noise of the pub. Her head was starting to feel pleasantly light, the alcohol weaving through her thoughts, loosening the tension that had been coiled tight inside her since the nightmare. For the first time in days, she felt free.
It wasn't until she stood to get another drink that she realized just how buzzed she was. The room tilted slightly, and she had to grip the back of her chair for a moment to steady herself. A small laugh bubbled up from her chest—she hadn't realized how much she'd had to drink. But it didn't matter. Not tonight.
Katie was by her side in an instant, her hand on Ginny's arm, steadying her. "Whoa there. Maybe take it easy?"
Ginny waved her off again, though she didn't push Katie's hand away. "I'm fine. Just... standing a bit too fast, that's all."
Katie chuckled, but her grip didn't loosen. "Sure. Or maybe you've had one too many firewhiskies."
Ginny grinned, the buzz in her head making everything seem funnier than it probably was. "I'm celebrating! You can't blame me for getting a little carried away, can you?"
Katie's smile softened, her hand lingering on Ginny's arm for a moment longer before she finally let go. "Alright, but just... don't overdo it, okay? We've got another match coming up soon. And I'd rather not carry you back to the hotel tonight."
Ginny laughed again, though there was a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the alcohol. "Don't worry, Bell. I can handle a few drinks."
Katie raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. Instead, she turned back to the table, raising her glass again. "Weasley, the unstoppable Seeker!"
The cheer rose once more, glasses clinking together, and for the rest of the night, Ginny let herself get swept up in the celebration. By the time they left, returning to their room, her head was spinning pleasantly, the air outside cool against her flushed cheeks.
The room swayed slightly as she crouched beside her bed, her vision blurring at the edges. The effects of the firewhisky hadn't fully hit her until they'd returned to the quiet of the hotel room. Now, away from the noise and energy of the celebration, Ginny could feel the alcohol coursing through her veins like liquid fire. Her limbs felt heavy, uncoordinated, and her head buzzed with a dull, pleasant fog.
The cheer rose once more, glasses clinking together, and for the rest of the night, Ginny let herself get swept up in the celebration. By the time they left, returning to their room, her head was spinning pleasantly, the air outside cool against her flushed cheeks.
Katie walked beside her, her steps steady as they made their way back through the dimly lit hotel corridor. The night's energy still hummed in Ginny's veins, but the firewhisky was catching up with her now, wrapping her in a warm, hazy fog. She could feel the world swaying gently around her, like the pull of a tide, and every step felt just a little too loose, a little too light.
When they finally pushed open the door to their shared room, the quiet hit her like a wave. The noise, the laughter, the adrenaline—it all seemed distant now, replaced by the low hum of the hotel's heating system and the soft creak of the floorboards underfoot. Ginny blinked, her vision slightly blurred as she dropped her jacket onto the bed and started toward her duffel bag.
Katie glanced over, catching the slight wobble in Ginny's step. "You sure you're alright?"
Ginny laughed, waving her off. "I'm fine," she said, though her voice felt thicker than usual, the alcohol slurring her words just a bit. "Maybe a bit more than a few drinks, but it's nothing I can't handle."
Katie smiled, a mix of amusement and concern flickering across her face. "Alright, but I'm holding you to that." She headed into the bathroom, leaving Ginny alone for a moment.
The room swayed slightly as she crouched beside her bed, her vision blurring at the edges. The effects of the firewhisky hadn't fully hit her until they'd returned to the quiet of the hotel room. Now, away from the noise and energy of the celebration, Ginny could feel the alcohol coursing through her veins like liquid fire. Her limbs felt heavy, uncoordinated, and her head buzzed with a dull, pleasant fog.
She knelt beside her duffel bag, tugging at the zipper with fingers that felt clumsier than they should've. The cool night air from the cracked window did little to sober her up, and she could feel the warmth of the alcohol deep in her chest, making everything seem softer, slower.
Her hand slipped into the bag, brushing past her Quidditch gear, her clothes, until her fingers found the small bundle of vials she'd hidden beneath it all. She needed one tonight. She could feel it—her mind already spinning faster than her body, the buzz of the evening threatening to dissolve into something darker, more restless. The nightmares would come, and after everything, she needed rest.
Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled one of the vials free. The glass was cold and smooth, and for a moment, she just stared at it, the liquid inside shimmering in the dim light. Her thoughts felt muddled, her body heavy, and her movements weren't as controlled as they should've been.
Suddenly, her grip faltered, and before she could react, the vial slipped from her fingers. It hit the floor with a sharp crack, the glass shattering instantly, and the dark liquid spilled out, pooling on the floorboards like ink.
Ginny froze, her heart skipping a beat. Panic surged up through the fog of alcohol, but her body was too slow to react. She stared at the broken glass, her mind racing to catch up with what had just happened.
"What was that?" Katie's voice came from the bathroom, sharper now.
Ginny's pulse quickened as she fumbled to gather the pieces, but her movements were too sluggish, her coordination off. Her heart pounded in her chest, panic rising faster as Katie stepped out of the bathroom, her eyes widening when she saw the shattered vial on the floor.
"What the hell, Ginny?" Katie asked, her voice tense with alarm as she crossed the room. "What is that?"
Ginny's throat tightened, her hands trembling as she tried to sweep the glass into her palm. "It's nothing," she mumbled, her words thick and clumsy. "Just... it's just a potion."
Katie crouched beside her, her brow furrowing as she looked at the dark liquid staining the floorboards. "A potion? Ginny, what kind of potion?" Her voice was calmer now, but laced with concern.
Ginny's head spun, and she couldn't seem to find the words. She didn't want to admit it, didn't want Katie to know how badly she needed the potion, how much the nightmares had been controlling her nights.
Katie's expression softened as she reached out, gently taking Ginny's arm and helping her to her feet. "Are you... Ginny, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ginny mumbled again, but the words felt hollow, weak. The room swayed as Katie steadied her, guiding her toward the bed. The warmth in her chest that had come from the firewhisky now felt like something else—something heavier, something laced with guilt.
Katie sat beside her, her eyes searching Ginny's face. "Is that dreamless sleep Ginny? You've had too much to drink for that."
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Katie's breath caught in her throat as Ginny twitched again in her sleep, a small, sharp movement that made Katie's heart race. She waited for Ginny to settle, but instead, Ginny tensed, her body growing rigid under Katie's arm.
Katie shifted slightly, trying to soothe her. "Gin, it's okay," she whispered softly. "I'm here."
But Ginny didn't hear her. Her body jerked again, more violently this time, her breathing quickening as she fell deeper into whatever nightmare had hold of her.
"Ginny," Katie tried again, her voice firmer now, panic rising in her chest. "Ginny, wake up."
But Ginny didn't wake up. Her body thrashed suddenly, her elbow jabbing into Katie's side with enough force to knock the breath out of her. Katie gasped, her grip loosening as she tried to hold Ginny still, but Ginny was fighting her—fighting the nightmare, fighting whatever was in her head.
"Ginny!" Katie's voice was sharp now, her hands gripping Ginny's shoulders as she tried to hold her down, but Ginny's arms flailed wildly, her fists striking out blindly in the dark.
One of Ginny's fists connected with Katie's jaw, sending a sharp burst of pain through her face. Katie winced, her heart pounding, but she didn't let go. She couldn't. Not when Ginny was still so lost in the nightmare, still fighting for her life in a battle that wasn't happening anymore.
"Ginny, it's me! It's Katie!" she shouted, her voice cracking as she tried to get through to her. "You're safe, Ginny. You're safe."