Winter was approaching and one could feel the excitement among most of the students as they would soon get to go home to visit friends and family over the break. Catherine had decided that she would have to go home over the holidays, as her mother otherwise would guilt-trip her to her deathbed, but after that, she would enjoy the silence of Hogwarts for the rest of the break. It was honestly a bit sad how anti-social she had became since the passing of her father. She didn't even hang out much with Illyana anymore, but the beautiful History Professor had respected this and Catherine was grateful. Apart from her very weird encounters with Grey, the only social contact Catherine had was with the students but they all made sure to keep a distance from her as she had changed. She was far more irritable, and cold, than her former self. She had pointedly avoided any contact with her niece, Natalie, and the same went for any other family member. She simply couldn't deal with them right now.

The worst was over though, or so it seemed. The Herbology Professor was at least sleeping again, and had started to eat again. She was still pale and had dark circles around her eyes, and her robes hang loosely over her now skinny body, but at least, she was somewhat of a functioning human being. But she truly could use a break.

The last class of the day was done and Catherine routinely started to tend to the plants and flowers in the Greenhouses. Usually, one or two students would assist her, but she had wanted the solitude. Being around the plants was the only thing really in Catherine's life that was somewhat joyful, nowadays. The door to the greenhouses was open and Catherine could hear the students from other classes emerging, probably on their way to dinner. She didn't let it bother her, but continued to replant one of the Abyssinian Shrivelfigs.