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IT IS SAID THAT FEAR MAKES ONE TURN INTO A GRAVE BEING.

It is said that fear can do many things to humans. That it can make you quiet to the point of scarcely breathing, that it can lead to your heart pounding deafeningly against your ribcage, so harshly that it can be close to the point of collapsing. Even, that it can be the sole reason why the human race would fail to come together. Because fear makes people shrivel up, and detach themselves from other people: it makes people ultimately scared. Fear makes people do terrible things. Fear turns human beings into different versions of themselves; it twists their emotions, entices and warps the beliefs they hold so dear to themselves — it'll eventually turn someone into an unrecognisable, badly reformed version of themselves. And all because fear was allowed to cloud their emotion, both literally and figuratively.

     It takes a little over a month for some sort of atmosphere to return within the walls and faces of those occupying Hogwarts castle. Until then, everything felt numb; the air was void of any emotion, no single iota of a smile on any single face. Almost as if the death of Cedric Diggory had taken away the innocence and remaining purity that resided in Hogwarts. Perhaps, it had.

     Cassia has been one to stand by and watch as the Ministry claimed Lord Voldemort hadn't returned, but she knew that wasn't the truth. She saw Theo that night. The sheer look of distraught, fear, and trepidation that he held in his face. And Cassia would always believe what Theo said. With every living cell in her body, she trusted Theo.

     She didn't know what exactly her parents would believe, but she had a good feeling that they knew Lord Voldemort was back too. Her parents weren't stupid, and though Marlowe Greengrass works under the ignorant Cornelius Fudge, she knew how to differ truth from made-up. Cedric Diggory's death didn't just 'happen' — the Greengrass's could sort that much out for themselves.

     It eventually dawned on Cassia that the boys of the Slytherin dormitory had made an agreement. That they, like the Ministry and every other person whispering rumours between their hands within the walls of Hogwarts, would pretend that Lord Voldemort hadn't returned. They would play the blind mice card and treat Cedric Diggory's death as an accident. By any means, Cassia knew Theo was doing it not for the sake of his dad, like Draco, Crabbe or Goyle, but rather, for the protection of himself and his mother. Because, by acting like nothing is happening, it makes Theo's father less likely to involve him or his mother in any business they don't want to be involved in.

     Cassia and Daphne Greengrass both think that this idea conjured up by Draco Malfoy specifically, is absurd. Completely and wholly absurd. Sure, they wouldn't know what it would be like to have a family member involved in things as dark and harmful as this — but it was still meaningless and they were only fooling themselves. Eventually, something would happen. They were only giving way to more uncertainty and lies, and once you start lying — you can't stop. It's like putting an obstacle in a trail of falling dominoes. Eventually, it'll stop with a preventative barrier. But at the expense of something else. One domino would have to take the harsh fall to the surface, similarly how the human race will pay for their ignorance once all has been revealed. Someone will fall. Innocent or not.

     But, yeah. Both Greengrass twins think it pointless for everyone to pretend like whatever happened that Triwizard Final night an accident. Because it wasn't. A boy died, and everyone is playing it off like it was some kind of mishap when he was murdered. In cold blood.

     (Daphne specifically got into a row over this matter with Pansy Parkinson — who would only but agree with what Draco would say.)

     Since that night happened, Cassia and Harry had hardly seen each other. Not by choice.. but because... it just didn't seem right. And truth be told, people were frightened of what could happen to the castle by night. Cassia remembers the first night she decided to go up to the Astronomy Tower after that night just to see him, and she understood why he didn't come when all that remained in the Tower was the soft breeze humming against the glass in the telescopes. He'd been through trauma, and Cassia understood that. Meeting Cassia was the least of his concerns. But it'd been too long since they last saw each other, and there remained a few more days of school before they'd go back on the Hogwarts Express to a greatly-welcomed Summer. So Cassia caught up with him one day after class and asked if they could meet at some point in the next couple of days to which he seemed happy to agree to. She missed Harry. What Cassia didn't know, though, was that he missed her just as much.

     The Slytherin common room is a quiet vicinity of await. There's hardly the hum of people approaching anything for themselves any more, and instead the bottle green-illuminated hearth was occupied by students waiting for the next thing to approach them, rather than the standard being reversed. Cassia watches the grandfather clock in the common room tick. She can hear the clogs built in behind the pane of wood disguising it as she waits for the time to come when she'll get to see Harry again. Properly. Not hidden behind the hatred or neglect her fellow Slytherins aimed at him, even though that had refrained in the last month, because the Slytherins also felt bad too. It was the last day of school, and in a few hours they would be back on the King's Cross to their homes. This was the last chance Cassia would get.

Another thought had been penetrating and contracting within the walls of Cassia's mind, though: the topic of her and Harry's friendship. The only person yet to have found out was Theo, and though he didn't exactly agree with Cassia's choice of friend, he accepted it and only pestered Cassia to come clean. She was still hesitant about the idea. Obviously. People — specifically, her people, the Slytherins — would see this as a violation and Cassia hated that. She wished that, for once, people within Hogwarts could stop using the colour on their tie or the purity of someone's blood to determine their validity. Because it was not a reliable variable. But, still. Cassia was hesitant about people in her house knowing she was friends with Harry, but she knew they couldn't hide forever.

Cassia stands up as she feels the final tick of the grandfather clock signalling her cue to go meet the boy waiting for her. She takes a look around her: Daphne on the sofa beside her, reading an article on Witch Weekly; Pansy, Tracey and Millicent in conversation with each other; Eva, recollecting instructions from her mother about reaching Bordeaux and Maryam, her nose firmly planted in a book. (Cassia can't help but see that the title on the front is to do with Quidditch, and feels an inner happiness at her best friend wanting to possibly pursue the hobby she so often hid from the world.) She doesn't know where Theo's gone, but thinks he's probably out talking to Draco or Blaise or someone.

"I'll see you guys after," She says, giving them a fleeting smile, "I have... something to do."

"Where are you going?" Daphne asks, her brows furrowed.

     Well then, Cassia thinks. She knows she can't lie. That's her twin sister, for heavens sake. But she doesn't know if she can tell them either. One thing outweighs another, and it wouldn't be long before Cassia would have to make the decision she'd anticipated for a while.

     "Erm, I — uh," Cassia fidgets with her fingers, not knowing how to put this out and stalling as much as possible. "I'm going to... meet someone.."

     "Who?" Daphne's eyes squint with blatant suspicion.

     It's now or never, Cassia thinks. It seems like fate tripped her into this moment where she would have to tell about her secret friend, but she knew it would come eventually.

     And it hits Cassia how she's overdramatising this so much because sure, people may hate her for it, but a boy's just died and she's worried about this small secret being let loose? Perspective. Cassia inhales a deep breath, and takes a look at the faces all staring up at her curiously. Daphne. Pansy, Millicent, Tracey. Eva and Maryam. And she realises it's now.

     "Harry Potter." She lets out in a taut voice. Almost immediately the tension engulfs the air, strictly conforming the green glow in the room from a mundane common atmospheric expression to one of common disbelief and confusion.

     "Hang on... what?" Daphne says, her voice shallow and almost breathless. "Did you say–?"

     "Yeah, I did." Cassia answers, her eyes trained on the carpeted floor she stood on. She did not want to look at any of their faces at the moment.

     "Potter?" This time it was Pansy Parkinson's shrill voice that spoke up, and she stood up with a look of form atrocity lighting up her pug-like features.

     "You heard me right," Cassia says with a blank nod, "I'm going to meet Potter."

     "But... why?" Eva asks, wholly curious.

     Cassia takes another inhale. "Because.." she begins, "We're friends. Now if you can excuse me I should be off." Cassia doesn't stay back to witness their bewildered, fuming and confused responses but begins to make strides out of the dungeon. The secret's out. And now as she heaves open the large black, weighted door, she realises she doesn't hear it slam shut behind her as she left it. She turns, and sees Daphne catching up behind Cassia and reluctantly stops for her twin.

     "Daph?" Cassia says. "What are you — ?"

     "I'm meeting Sterling." Daphne says as she falls into step beside Cassia, her auburn hair curled loosely over her shoulders. "And — erm — I wanted to ask — is it really... true? What you said? I know you wouldn't have wanted to talk much in front of Pansy, but if it's just me — ?"

     Cassia nods, stopping Daphne short. "Yeah, it's true. Me and Potter are friends." She takes a cautious look over to her sister. "Are you.. are you mad?"

     Daphne shrugs. "I don't... think so. I'm just confused, I suppose."

     "I understand that and I swear I'll tell you everything on the train." Cassia inhales and purses her lips, "I wanted to tell you. Really, I did. I hate keeping secrets from you, because I feel like you do this thing where you can see right through me like that Muggle medical device."

     "I have no idea what you're talking about." Daphne chuckles in Cassia's reference to an X-Ray machine. "How.. how long?"

     "The entire year, I suppose." Cassia replies. She can hear Daphne sigh, a sort of sad, overwhelmed kind. (Cassia hated this. She hated making her family sad. It made her stomach feel as if it were tripping over an eternal cliff, like she would be continuously plunged into nothingness. She hated what these secrets were doing to her and Daphne.) But of course Daphne would feel overwhelmed: she's just found out her twin sister was friends with Slytherin's most hated Gryffindor!

     Cassia glances over at Daphne. She wore a kind of weary, exasperated look, and Cassia just felt terrible. This wasn't the only time this year that Cassia had kept a secret from Daphne. And for that she felt horrible. Her and Daphne used to always tell each other their secrets. That's how they always were. They talked to each other. But for some reason, lately they didn't.

     "Cass, what happened to us?" Daphne sighs. They both stop in the middle of the rocky dungeon corridor, and Daphne turns to Cassia, taking a hold of her forearm. "We used to always tell each other our secrets. But now we don't, and I had to hide Sterling from you before the Yule Ball and you had to hide a fair deal of secrets from me, too. And then, you hardly talked to me because of all this thing I did between you and Theo... I don't... like it."

     Cassia frowns. "Me too," she says, taking a hold of Daphne's hand, "Look. I don't like what's been happening to us this year at all. I hate keeping secrets from you, and we shouldn't have to. You're my sister. My twin. We were together before anyone else came along. And... I miss how we were."

     Daphne nods, frowning lightly. She squeezes Cassia's hand in hers. "No more secrets. Promise?"

     "Promise." Cassia grins.

     "Does anyone else know?" Daphne asks as they continue walking and go up a flight of stairs. As they start walking back along the corridor, the air seems lighter. Less tension. More trust. And Cassia preferred that. Maybe things weren't what it used to be between Daphne and Cassia Greengrass, but this was the start to a relationship being mended. And that was better than nothing.

     "I mean, the whole world will know now that Pansy knows." She says deridingly. "Theo knows, though," Cassia says, immediately trying to back up her claim, "but I swear it was by accident. I would've wanted both of you to find out at the same. Honest."

     Daphne smiles calmly. "I know. Theo's like a brother to you, isn't he? I see that now."

     "Yeah," Cassia smiles, "He is. I'm glad you can finally see that."

     (At this particular moment, Cassia may have seemed calm with Daphne's new revelation but she was absolutely overjoyed and whoever lived in her head were enjoying themselves too — Cassia just knew that they were all dancing up there in her head. She would've danced too, had the mood of the situation been different. Daphne wouldn't try to set her and Theo up anymore!)

     "And — erm — don't worry about Pansy." Daphne says. "I'll get through to her. I usually do. She can just be really irrational sometimes, but I'll make sure she won't make that much of a big deal about it."

     "Thanks," Cassia smiles softly. She throws a hesitant glance Daphne's way, her teeth absently grinding against her lower lip. "Daphne... are you sure you're fine with this?"

     Closing her eyes momentarily, Daphne drawls out a long sigh. "Yes, Cass." She tells her. "I'm fine with it. Slightly mind-boggled, nonetheless, but I'm fine. I understand why you didn't tell people about this — we're Slytherins. He's a Gryffindor. We both know hatred isn't really my thing, but that's not the same for half of us down there. You were scared about people coming to know about it, and having a reason to despise you and I get that. Honestly."

     An appreciative smile stretches across Cassia's lips, not before they contorted into a small grimace. "Also, you can be scary!" She exclaims, a small burst of laughter sounding from her.

     Daphne's eyebrows furrow, unsure of what she meant.

     "When you found about Blaise and Tori?" Cassia exemplifies, her tone incredulous. "You scared half of the people in the common room with your rampage! Tell me I'm sane for not wanting to come in the way of that anger."

     Realising what Cassia was talking about, Daphne erupts into laughter, her hand cupped over her mouth as she reminisced over her rage-fit before Christmas. "Merlin, you're right," She chuckles, an amused grin splayed across her face. She shrugs her shoulders haphazardly, "What can I say? Zabini knows not to mess with our Tori, and I daresay so should Potter!"

     Cassia cringes, not wanting to go over this conversation again. She'd already had it with Theo near-enough times. "It's not like that, Daph..." She says slowly, warningly, "I've already talked to Theo about this — me and Harry are just friends. Nothing more."

     Ridden with disbelief, Daphne cocks up an unconvinced eyebrow. "Like I'll actually believe that."

     "But it's true!" Cassia exclaims with stark offence. "You're just as bad as Theo."

     Daphne grins wolfishly. "I'll have you know I'm even worse."

     Cassia couldn't help but let out an enigmatic smile at her twin's persistence. She hadn't realised how much the absence of herself and Daphne's confidences in one another had affected her, and she yearned for things to be like they used to be. But though she knew they definitely wouldn't, Cassia had hope and faith that they could still veer into a good place for them both.

     Sterling comes into view, slinging a gentle arm around Daphne's shoulders. He grins softly at Cassia. "Hey, Cass. You good?"

She liked Sterling. To Cassia, he was the stark epitome of sweet Hufflepuff. And Daphne seemed to really like him too.

Cassia smiles. "Yeah, great."

     "I'll see you later, then?" Daphne proposes, Cassia nodding in return. Daphne shoots her twin a playful grin, "Enjoy your thing with Potter."

     "Thing with Potter?" Sterling questions, glancing between the two sisters with deep curiosity.

     "I'll tell you about it on the way," Daphne tells Sterling. Before turning away, they both smile at Cassia, bidding her goodbye.

     "See you." Cassia returns, continuing on her own venture. Her feet trail along the rough, solid ground, passing by many portraits and even more people. Trunks bulked with luggage littered the hallways, getting ready to be loaded onto the train when the time would eventually come to leave, soon after the Leaving Feast. She comes to a halt in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, and immediately recognises the bespectacled boy waiting patiently in front, swaying lightly on his heels, his hands in his pocket. Harry notices Cassia and smiles.

     (She had no idea how much Harry missed her in the past month — the exact same could be said for her, too.)

     "Hi," Harry says, smiling, falling into step besides Cassia.

     "Hey," Cassia returns, beaming gleefully. "It's good to see you."

     "You too. Where should we go?"

     "The Astronomy Tower?" Cassia suggests with a soft grin.

     "Sure," Harry chuckles. He looks around him, a wariness depicted within his searching green eyes. "Are — are you sure you're fine with... well, being out here? In front of everyone?"

     Cassia waves a hand dismissively. "About that..." She begins to grimace, "The girls in Slytherin now know. And knowing Pansy's bigmouth, the entire year will probably find out before the train leaves today. So, it's not a big deal any more. For me, I think."

     "Not a big deal?" Harry questions, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean? Did they take it alright?"

     "Well —erm—I think Daphne's okay with it, at least. She didn't really have a problem with it... only that I kept it from her. And, as expected, Pansy was appalled by the idea. So, she'll likely throw a tantrum that I'm friends with yet another Gryffindor asides from the Weasley twins. I'm yet to find out what Eva and Maryam think about it all, but there's no doubt they'll bombard me with questions on the train. So, yeah."

     "Oh," Harry says, thoughts spiralling inside his head at the idea of Pansy Parkinson making a big strop out of their friendship. "So you're fine if I tell Ron and Hermione?"

     "I mean, they've probably found out by now, but sure — knock yourself out. I'm fine with it." She tells Harry. "Will they be, though?"

     "Well... Hermione shouldn't think it's that bad.." Harry explains, "Ron, on the other hand, might take it to heart a bit."

     Cassia sighs exasperatedly. "I mean— at least we don't have to keep it from people anymore? The secret is out!"

     "Along with many other problems," Harry chuckles depreciatingly. Cassia frowns at him. She knows what he means — how people aren't believing him about Cedric Diggory's death and that Voldemort really was back. Cassia believed Harry, and even more so, she believed Theo, even if Theo refused to show he did.

"I — erm — I'm sorry people aren't believing you. Really."

"And you do?" He asks, an eyebrow upturned with incredulity.

"When have you not spoken the truth to me, Harry?" Cassia concedes. "This entire year I've trusted that you'd been telling the truth. What would be so different to now?" She smiles understandingly, "And I know that whatever you saw that night... it must've been traumatic, and that of all things to lie about, this definitely wouldn't be one of them. So, yeah. I do believe you, Harry. Even if everyone else doesn't."

     A hold of relief grasps onto Harry — more so at Cassia's trust in him rather than the fact she believed him (well, that too). Wow, he missed her. Even if it were only a month. And at this point, he didn't even care whatever the hell Ron or Hermione or anyone would say about his friendship with Cassia because goodness, he didn't know he would ever need a friend like her until she'd shown up. She was unique, and trustworthy, and independent, and Harry appreciated that so much.

     "And — erm — I won't force you to talk about whatever happened back then, but — if you do need someone to talk to, you can always come to me." She adds, pressing her lips together into a tender smile.

     (Wow, Harry thinks. What would he do without this girl?)

     "Of course. Thanks." He tells her, his person flooded with gratitude. But then he draws a long sigh, looking at Cassia solemnly through his glass-rimmed eyes. "About that..."

     "What?" Cassia inquires, "What is it?"

     They've reached the spiralling stairs to the Astronomy Tower now, and they took care to avoid shocked stares of passerby's on their way. They could deal with that later. Harry sighs, as he allows his feet to climb the length of the thin-barrelled steps.

     "Where I went... a graveyard... he was there," Harry begins to explain. Cassia didn't even need him to clarify who he was. "And many of his followers were there too. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were there. And Nott's — Theodore's — his dad was there too."

     Cassia inhales slowly. "I know." She takes note of Harry's confused expression. "Not—not about the graveyard." She quickly iterates, stumbling over her words slightly. "But.. about Theo's dad. Theo.. he told me. That night of the Third Task, he'd been at unrest the entire day. And he heard something that made him realise that he was back. And — well — he figured out why his dad was acting strange the entire summer."

     Harry nods his head slowly, processing the information. "What — what does he think about all of it?" When she looks at Harry, she recognises the look in his eyes. It was something bridging on concern — maybe not concern in its entirety. But it seemed more intent than the expression he had when he almost considered Theo as having the same beliefs as his dad back in December.

     "To be honest? He feels horrible. He hates the fact that his dad was included in something like this. A cause like this. But... he's keeping quiet about it, because he thinks it's what'll keep him and his mother safe."

     "Yeah," Harry agrees. "I don't... blame him, I suppose. I'd want to keep my family safe too." He glances at Cassia again as they reach the top of the stairs, the crisp sunlight shining through the Tower. He sighs deeply. "There's actually... something else I have to tell you."

     "Really?" Cassia furrows her eyebrows, "What is it—"

     "—You have got to be joking!"

     As far as familiar sneers went, this one was sure to register as one of the most famous ones in Cassia's books, sure to resonate in her memories for times to come. There, basking in the well-given sunlight at the topmost height of the Astronomy Tower, happened to be Draco Malfoy. Theo was leaning on one edge of the railing talking to Blaise: both of whom turned their bodies to face Draco's apparent shellshocked figure. Theo seemed unbothered, though fascinated to see how this would play out, while Blaise, with his classic handsome expression still present, had an eyebrow raised at the scene in front of him.

     "Greengrass — what on earth are you doing with him?" Draco says in a shriek that resembled Pansy's earlier on.

     Cassia sighs, ready to handle the first of the taunts that would come with being Harry's friend. Much to her and Harry's surprise too, the words to be spoken didn't come out of her mouth, but someone else entirely. Theo's. His tone blatant and almost bored-sounding.

     "Isn't it obvious, Draco?" Theo implores, strolling up beside the flaxen-haired Slytherin. He gives Cassia an acknowledging look, testing his gaze limply over Draco. "They're friends. What else would Cass be doing with Potter?"

     Draco gives Theo a look of pure astonishment, as if it was a crime that Cassia Greengrass was friends with Harry Potter. And he makes many claims, most of which Cassia could not waste her time paying attention to because heavens, she could not be arsed listening to him. She could tell Harry was also growing bored of this, which she knew was even worse because that was his enemy right in front of him. He doesn't say anything, though — part of Cassia tells her Harry was wishing for her to do the talking.

     "I'm really not in the mood for this," She mutters under her breath, pinching at the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger. She looks back up at Draco, an exasperated gaze hanging in her onyx blue orbs, "Yes, Draco! I am friends with Harry. I apologise if you can't deal with that, but I really do not have the time or energy to listen to you. I'm sorry we interrupted your... meeting, or whatever. We'll leave." Cassia goes to turn away, when she feels an hang grasping onto her  wrist. Theo's.

     "You can stay," Theo tells her, a look of understanding encasing his eyes, "We were about to leave."

     "No, we weren't?" Blaise states incredulously, his eyes squinted at Theo.

     Theo counters this with a pointed stare of his own, clearly saying let's just go you little shits before I hex you into the Lake to get devoured by the mermaids.

    "Yes, we were." Theo persists, his teeth gritted. He looks back to Draco, currently glowering in Harry's direction, and smacks him on the arm. "Move, Draco. Smile a bit. It'll scare the beasties away."

     As the three leave the Tower — Blaise, giving Cassia a confused yet casual stare, Draco, glaring at both and now Theo and Theo, looking absolutely done with all of it, Cassia gives Theo a small smile. She loved her best friend, and everything he did for her. Even if he didn't like Harry, at all.

     "I'm... sorry about him." Cassia frowns, her hands clasping around the bar outlining the Tower as Harry settles himself beside her, leaning his bodyweight against the cool metal. He dismisses her with a shake of the head.

     "You've no need to be," He replies, "We both seem to be on the same stage as this. Malfoy's just being—"

     "Malfoy?" Cassia cuts off, them both chuckling. "Yeah, I know. Who'd have thought being friends with you would come with such a price?"

     Harry furrows his eyebrows. "You don't.. regret it, do you?"

     Cassia purses her lips, a sardonic smile making its way along her face. "Oh, so much," She says with a roll of the eyes. "Worst decision of my life. You're insufferable, abhorrent, vexatious, a right pain in the—"

     "Okay, we get it!"

     "No, I don't." Cassia answers more firmly, a genuine smile playing at her lips. "Never."

Harry grins.

"Vexatious?" He questions after a small induced silence, his eyebrow perked up amusingly.

"Theo," Cassia briskly explains. "He... well, he has this hobby of expanding his vocabulary every day by trying to get through as many different books as possible. Like, he comes up with the strangest words like borborygmi and ericaceous."

"That's... interesting?" Harry quips somewhat questionably, his face contorting into an odd expression. "He's quite similar to Hermione. Nott. They could be friends... if, well, the hatred is gone."

"I mean... sure?" Cassia chuckles. Theo and Hermione could be friends. It's like Pansy said a near age away — Theo was practically the Hermione of Slytherin. "Never thought about it. Theo doesn't... hate Granger, though. He doesn't exactly have an opinion of her. Weasley, on the other hand—"

"They absolutely detest each other." Harry finishes for her.

"Yeah, and it would take a miracle for Weasley to allow Theo and Granger to ever interact."

Harry raises an eyebrow in question at her statement.

"What, you don't think I haven't noticed the way Weasley fancies Granger?" Cassia scoffs incredulously, "Even the dumbest of idiots could find out."

"You're not wrong," Harry chuckles.

"Hey — erm, before we got interrupted by Draco — what was it that you wanted to say to me?" Cassia inquires, her body angled curiously towards Harry.

     "Oh, yeah—" Harry comments, his tone reminiscent. He takes a deep inhale, as if preparing himself for whatever he had to inform Cassia of.

     "Okay," He finally utters. "That night when I was in the graveyard, I saw all these different Death Eaters — Nott, Malfoy, Macnair. But... there was one more. And I still can't seem to wrap my head around it."

     "Who?"

     Harry takes a cautious glance towards Cassia, inhaling yet again. "Abercrombie."

     Abercrombie? As in — Eva Abercrombie?

     Cassia shakes her head, struggling to make sense of this in her head. "You mean—"

     "Eva's dad."

     "Wait — but—"

     "Cassia, I'm sure of it." Harry persists. "His mask got taken off and he looked just like Eva. It had to be her dad. Or at least, someone related to her."

      Cassia stares down at her hands, at a loss for words. Eva's dad? A Death Eater?

     "But it doesn't add up." Harry adds. "I've been doing my research and looking at all of Hogwarts' old archives in the library... Enoch Abercrombie has never had any affiliation with the Death Eaters and is one of the schools' most generous benefactors and has been one of the most significant governors for years now... it just — it doesn't add up—"

"But it might," Cassia says, abruptly halting Harry's speech with a deliberating gaze into the cascading ripples of the Great Lake beneath the golden shine of the sun. Harry's eyes narrow. What did she mean? "I mean — you're right," She blurts, "It doesn't make any sense that he's done so much good that he would end up being a Death Eater. But... Eva's parents divorced. This Christmas. And it came as a total surprise. What if the reason they divorced was because—"

"Abercrombie was a Death Eater? Yeah, that's... an idea."

"Listen, Harry," Cassia begins, looking at him with a kind smile, "Thanks for telling me. I... I want to investigate this, I suppose. So you're fine to stop looking into it, you can leave it to me."

"You're sure?"

"I — yeah." Cassia answers, pressing her lips together finely. "Eva's my friend. I should do this for her."

Harry nods his head, understanding the motive of the Slytherin beside him. "Will you — I mean, are you gonna tell her?"

Cassia purses her lips. Eva has always looked at her family as if they were the moon, shining their light over anyone and everyone. This Christmas was the first time she'd ever came to terms with the fact that her family wasn't the perfect ensemble that she'd thought it was. And she's been so happy with Adrian, that Cassia thinks to ruin that would be harsh. It would mean she'd be keeping yet another secret, but this was for Eva's own good. She didn't want her to look at her dad differently — or at least, to have had the dad she held so close to her heart be accused of something she'd be horrified by.

"No," Cassia answers firmly, "She's already had a rough time when finding out her parents were no longer together — I think it would be best that she doesn't have to deal with another shock. She's so looking forward to spending her holidays in France with her mother. And... there's no proper evidence yet, either. It would be cruel."

"Yeah, you're right." Harry agrees. "Erm — well, I think the Feast will be starting soon. So — should we go now?"

"I think it's best if we do," Cassia smiles. Before he can turn away, she pauses, putting a hand on the side of his arm. "I'm glad we saw each other again..."

     Harry grins. "Me too."

     And with that, along with agreeing to see each other for goodbyes on the platform, Cassia and Harry departed from each other's company, delving into a highly enjoyable Feast. People's spirits seemed to be higher given recent events, though not for the Slytherin fourth years — Pansy had spread the tale that Cassia is now fraternising with the enemy or more specifically — that she is now besties with Harry Potter. But with her head held high and a confident scowl on her face, she was sure to repel any of the lingering flares and confused stares of her fellow Slytherins.

(Cassia found herself asking why it was such a big deal? It's not like Harry was some kind of psychotic killer that'd rip their hearts out? She knew he wouldn't have the guts for that.)

The Great Hall was filled with students as per usual, but there seemed to be an absence of decorations, with there being instead dreary, black drapes lining the ceilings. The teachers are silently eating like the rest of the students, and there seemed to be notice that Karkaroff's chair was empty after his discordant vanish the prior month. Madam Maxime still remained, sitting beside Hagrid alongside Professors McGonagall and Snape (who appeared to have the bitter taste of lemons plaguing his face).

"Do you reckon that's the real Moody, up there?" Theo asks, gesturing with his fork to the replica of the man they'd had teaching them that year, who only seemed to be more twitchy than usual.

"It has to be," Cassia says, "They wouldn't let a Death Eater stay in this school." She saw the way Theo shuddered at the word 'Death Eater', sending him an apologetic glance. "I'm sorry."

Theo brushes it off with a shake of his head. "He seems so much more... agitated, though. Something completely different to the guy yelling constant vigilance the entirety of this year."

"I don't blame him," Daphne adds, leaning over the table slightly from her position opposite Cassia and Theo. "He'd been kidnapped and impersonated for nearly an entire year. He'd be sure to have been diagnosed with paranoia by now."

Maryam and Eva were sat beside Daphne, and Cassia was trying her hardest to avoid their pressing stares. She wanted to wait until they'd gotten onto the train before she started answering the plethora of questions that they'd have. And every time she saw Eva... her thoughts go back to the possibility outweighing them. Her dad could be a Death Eater.

On Daphne's other side, was the scrutinising, harsh, scornful glare of Pansy Parkinson. With her black hair characteristically in its short bob-cut and pale, ghost-like skin, she'd be sure to come off as alarming to anyone but Cassia. Who, like she was doing to her friends too, made sure to not make eye contact. That wasn't the same for Theo, though. He locked eyes with his ex-girlfriend from their third year, recollecting her ruthless, plain motives to pawn Theo in a plea to gain the attention of his best friend, Draco. Theo remembered this, and when he'd realised that to Pansy it was all just a game, breaking up with her as soon as it had happened.

With that in mind, he threw her a piercing glare of his own, his hazel-like swirls attacking her own beady orbs. "Bugger off, Parkinson." He spat. "Yes, she's friends with Potter. Accept it and grow up, you brat."

Pansy shrieks offensively, turning towards Tracey and Millicent so sharply, she would've been sure to gain whiplash. And Cassia perked her head to meet Theo's, throwing him a curious glance as if to telepathically convey Theo? What was that? And earlier on in the Astronomy Tower?

Theo sighs, exasperatedly rolling his eyes. "Don't think anything of it, Cass. I despise Potter and everything about that ignorant, attention-seeking arsehole and Merlin, I still can't believe you're friends with him, but I don't like seeing you get treated like this either. So, shush!"

Cassia only had enough time to send an amused yet grateful grin his way, when Dumbledore made his way up to his podium. And all of a sudden, the atmosphere grew so silent the mere breaths of each inhabitants were heard.

"The end," Dumbledore says, "Of another year." Dumbledore washes his solemn gaze over the Hufflepuff table, a tragic sadness encasing the half moon-rimmed glasses he wore. Of course, it wasn't only Dumbledore - everyone in the Hall seemed to take cautious glances to the table consisting of students in yellow ties, wondering - and reminiscing over the empty spaces. Any of which, could have belonged to him.

"There is much that I wish to say to you," Dumbledore says, "but I must first acknowledge the death of a very fine person, who should be sitting here enjoying our Feast with us. I would like you all please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."

And just like that, in a momentarily cacophonous movement, everyone had gotten upright onto their feet, brandishing their silver goblets in the air, a low grumble of "Cedric Diggory" reverberating through the thick walls of the castle.

"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities which distinguish Hufflepuff house," Dumbledore continues once everyone had retaken their seats. "He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it cam about."

Through all the trepid, curious, intent faces peering up at him, Dumbledore spoke the words, "Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."

The thick yet invisible smog of tension heightened within the Hall as people whipered between themselves involuntarily. Theo stiffened in his seat, and Cassia reacted immediately by slipping her warm hand into his, giving it a warming squeeze of comfort that no one would have ever thought he needed. She, of course, had to suppress the urge to reach out and smack Draco Malfoy at his insolent and audacious cries of displeasure. How rude could one person be?

"The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this." Dumbledore informs. "It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so - either because they do not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, as young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory.

"There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death. I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter."

Nearly everyone's heads slashed towards the spot in the Gryffindor table occupied by a boy with rimmed glasses, a worn-looking face and dishevelled black hair. Cassia sighs, a kindling look in her eyes when sympathising with her Gryffindor friend.

"Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort." Dumbledore adds. "He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honour him."

Goblets were being raised once again, and the scratching of grinding benches were heard once more. Hardly anyone from the Slytherin table stood up bar the Durmstrangs, but when Cassia ascended with her goblet held high, it encouraged a few bashful first and second years to do so, along with Astoria Greengrass's own empathetic figure, even if her own boyfriend Blaise gave her an utmost puzzling glance. And despite the silent protests of Pansy Parkinson's, Daphne stood up, mimicking her twin's and younger sister's gesture. Then with a heavy heart and a wall of ignorance between himself and Draco Malfoy's burning glare, Theo stood up too, his goblet raised in front of him.

     Cassia smiles at Theo.

"The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote everyone's magical understanding," Dumbledore continues as everyone seats themselves once again. "In the light of what has happened - of Lord Voldemort's return - such ties are more important than ever.

"Every guest in this Hall will be welcomed back here, at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again - in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.

"Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.

"It is my belief - and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken - that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you, in this Hall, have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst."

Cassia heaves a silent sigh from her chest, dropping her head softly onto Theo's shoulder. He returns the gesture, rubbing his hand over the one set in her lap.

"Remember Cedric," Dumbledore says, an intent hint of finality to his words. "Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between doing what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave. Remember Cedric Diggory."

———

THE AUTOMATICALLY-DRAWN CARRIAGES arriving to take the students of Hogwarts line up in a chain, awaiting the boarding of desperate students yearning to be comforted by their parents and homes. Cassia was the same — she couldn't wait to see her parents Marlowe and Phoenix again, and even more so being able to return to her bedroom in the Greengrass Mansion. She'd still been keeping herself at arms' length between herself and Eva and Maryam, dreading the questions she would eventually have to answer.

     (In her defence, Cassia would rather answer all their questions regarding Harry in one sitting, instead of being continuously bombarded while in the midst of something else. She'll satisfy their curiosities — or rage — when they're confined to a compartment of the Hogwarts Express.)

Cassia had, one again, in an attempt to avoid her best friends (Salazar please forgive her), chased herself, Theo and Daphne, to a spot further away in the Entrance Hall — in doing so, they'd gotten a carriage solely for the three of them. Cassia wanted to tell them what Harry told her — about Eva's dad. Because, if things were going to be different from now on, so would they. And divulging something like this to the people she was most closest to seemed an appropriate option.

As Theo shut the carriage door behind him, settling with a click, he and Daphne looked at Cassia with a confused and bewildered expression. The way she'd grabbed Daphne from her and Pansy's conversation was not subtle by any means, and neither were the unimpressed looks of Eva and Maryam as Cassia pretended not to see them.

"Cass, what the hell?" Theo says, an interrogatory hinting within his tone. "What was all that about?"

"Yeah!" Daphne agrees, a scowl depicting her features. "Pansy was in the midst of lecturing me about standing up for Potter during the Feast — and not to mention, she's pissed at me that I'm not pissed at you for suddenly being a Gryffindor empath."

"I am not a Gryffindor empath," Cassia scoffs, "Just because I'm friends with Harry and the Weasley twins does not mean I want to kiss the arse of every Gryffindor that I pass. And besides, Theo likes the twins too—"

"Do not bring me into this!" Theo adds, his eyes widened disapprovingly. "And why were you avoiding Eva and Maryam like that—?"

"Because," Cassia says, "They'll have enough time to interrogate me on the train. And I have something to tell you guys that I can't have Eva and Maryam know just yet. Well — Eva, at least."

"What is it?" Daphne asks.

Cassia sighs. "Earlier on, when I was talking to Harry, he told me about part of what happened... that night."

Both Daphne and Theo shifted in their seats, supposedly more interested. Giving a wary look to both, Cassia continues: "He says they were in a graveyard when he came back. And that... his followers were there. The Death Eaters. And..." Cassia takes a cautious glance Theo's way, "Your dad was there."

"Dickhead." Theo mutters with a vehement scoff. "Doesn't... surprise me. What else did he say?"

"He said that all the other Death Eaters were convicted — Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Macnair. All the others. But... one doesn't make sense." With a deep inhale, Cassia says, "Abercrombie."

     "What?" Daphne says, her voice bordering on hoarse. "As in—"

     "Eva." Cassia says.

     "How is that even possible?" Theo questions disbelievingly. "Eva's family have never had any convictions as Death Eaters, right?"

     "Yeah. Right. I couldn't believe it either, –"

     "–But? There's a but coming, right?"

     Cassia nods. "Yeah. I couldn't believe it, but, when you think about the fact that Enoch and Astrid divorced out of absolutely nowhere this Christmas — it makes room for possibility."

     "What?" Daphne says, "You think that the reason Enoch and Astrid divorced was because — and I can't believe I'm saying this — because Enoch's a Death Eater?"

     The silence that followed was enough of an answer for Daphne — and she couldn't help but shake her head at the idea.

     "But there's no pure evidence, is there?" Theo says. "How can we know if Enoch is actually a Death Eater?"

"We don't." Cassia punctuates. "But I want to find out."

At this bequest, Theo and Daphne found themselves narrowing their eyes at her. If there were no evidence to suggest anything in the first place, what's to suggest Cassia can actually find something?

"How are you planning on doing that?" Daphne inquires.

     "Well," Cassia begins, "He's one of the school's governors, right? He's on the school council, and he's also a benefactor to Hogwarts — albeit a bit of a selfish one, since Eva told me he only makes all these donations to make himself look good rather than for the bigger picture — but there'll have to be like, archives and records from work he's done in the past, right? Like, in the school library. So there must be something in there can help us determine what exactly he is and how no one has managed to find out that — if — he's a Death Eater."

     Theo's head nods slowly, absorbing the information. "Sound plan," He tells Cassia, "Just one slight flaw. The school year has ended. There'll be no access to any of these archives from the library, that you're wanting to get."

     "Yeah, I know." Cassia says, a sigh escaping her. "I'll have to wait until after the holidays to work on finding any proof. Not that I don't believe what Harry is saying — you might not like the guy, but he doesn't lie. I just find it so strange that he's this apparent Death Eater that's never been convicted or found out by anyone."

     "What about Eva?" Daphne asks. "Will you tell her?"

     "No." Cassia says definitively. "She's had enough of a shock this year at her parents divorcing, and she's so looking forward to going to Bordeaux for the summer. I don't want to ruin that." Somewhat hesitantly, she adds, "And I owe it to her. Before she finds out... we have to know for sure that we're not just pointing fingers here. We can't just falsely accuse people. I have to be convinced that Enoch is a Death Eater."

     "Yeah, I suppose so." Theo says. "Well, since today's been a day filled with new and shocking revelations —" Theo gets off of his seat, swivelling around to face Daphne and gets down on one knee onto the carriage floor (of which was bumping alone the trail it treaded atop), taking Daphne's hand between his with a solemn, intent look in his eyes, "— Daphne Greengrass, I profusely apologise that your attempts to make me fall hopelessly in love with your twin sister have severely failed. I am not, and shan't ever be, in love with the coupon that is Cassia Greengrass."

     Daphne takes a moment to herself following Theo's dashing speech, blinking multiple times, but any time she'd reopened her eyes, Theo was still there with a dignified expression that was growing less solemn by the moment, along with his unrestful posture. Daphne bursts out into a fit of laughter, shortly glimpsing there amused expression Cassia wore, along with the growing grin of Theo's.

     "Oh, Theodore," Daphne pauses, wiping away her tears induced by her hilarity, "You really are... charming. It's a wonder Cass didn't fall for you this year." Daphne sends a smirk Cassia's way, before saying, "But she already fell for Potter, anyways."

     "I do not fancy Potter!" Cassia yells, an outraged tone to her voice. "How many times do I have to tell you?"

     "Clearly not enough," Theo sniggers, before shrugging innocently.

     "It makes sense, though," Daphne adds, "Why else would she not be able to fall for Theodore Nott in all his glory? She fell for Potter and his Triwizard Champion charisma instead. Don't worry, Theodore. I've given up on you two."

     "She keeps denying it, like we don't already know. I'm just waiting for the day she has some kind of magical awakening and is like 'oh shit! I fancy Potter!', and we'll all be here to say 'I told you so'."

     Unable to take all of this one-sided conversation any longer, Cassia lets out a displeased grunt. "You guys do realise I'm still here?"

     "We know." They say in unison. They both share an identical grin — one that'd make you think Theo was Daphne's twin instead — a look of mischief depicting born of their features.

     When the carriages come to a halt at Hogsmeade Station and Theo helps both Greengrass twins out with a courteous helping hand, their path is obstructed by two grinning, identical redheads.

     "Evening, our Slytherin comrades," Fred Weasley bellows exuberantly in the midst of the students awaiting to board themselves into the rouge locomotor.

     "Evening?" Cassia questions. "The sun hasn't even set yet."

     "That's what you think," George grins cheekily.

     "That's what I see?"

     "Okay, never mind the time." Fred says. They begin to start walking along the platform, and in doing so, Fred slings his arm around Cassia's shoulder while George does the same for Theo (while Daphne sidetracked them, her expression consumed with amusement).

     "We wanted to congratulate our Favourite Greengrass on being friends with our Favourite Speccy Git." George alludes, winking in Cassia's direction.

     "Thanks?" Cassia laughs.

     "We also wanted to say goodbye to our Favourite Greengrass." Fred adds. And her friend, I suppose."

     "Excuse you!" Theo gasps. "I am the handsome, the smart, the charming —"

     "Extremely cocky?" George adds casually, "Narcissist, bighead, conceited—"

     "Okay, okay. You can stop." Theo narrows his eyes at both twins, a smile hiding beneath his terribly-disguised offence.

     "We're only joking." Fred says charmingly. "You're cool too. Never cooler than us, though."

     "And I'm the narcissist?"

Amidst their light bantering as they progressed towards the train, Fred's eyes wander to a figure following behind them — one he or George have probably never talked to, but they were up for making new friends! And given who her sister was, he was sure they would have no problem getting along.

"Am I right in saying you're the famous twin of our Favourite Greengrass?" Fred questions to a silently amused Daphne, everyone turning to face their direction.

Daphne exchanges a look with Cassia as if to say erm — is this actually happening? Cassia shrugs her shoulder, smirking lightly.

"Er — yes. Yes, I am." Daphne answers — slightly bewildered at the sudden interactions with the twins, though not entirely deferred. "I'm Daphne."

Fred sticks a hand out in par with George. "Well, I'm George." Fred says. Cassia immediately rolls her eyes, a laugh escaping her mouth.

"No, you're not?" Cassia interrupts, exposing Fred.

"Yeah, she's right." George grins, shaking Daphne's hand. "I'm George. He's Fred."

"Nice to... meet you?" Daphne says. She was somewhat confused — she'd never spoken to the twins in her life, and though she never held any rough opinion on them like the rest of her friends, they actually seemed kind of... relatable? And pretty easy to get along with?

"Troublesome, so your sister is." Fred quips.
"Fun fact — Cassia is one of the few people to pick us two apart. Probably one of the reasons she's our Favourite Greengrass." Fred grins mischievously, before leaning in and whispering to Daphne, "But from one twin to another — we both know you can also be in the run-in for Favourite Greengrass."

Daphne's eyes widen, and Fred distances himself away, both him and George beaming contently. "Well, that's us." Fred says. "Places to do, things to be, you know?"

"We are busy men indeed." George adds. "But have a good summer and all that, yeah?"

Cassia smiles. "Same goes, you two. Stay out of trouble."

They both grin identically. "Never." The two redheaded twins say. And like that, they'd scampered off somewhere else and out of their sights. Cassia turns to Daphne, smirking.

"So you've met the twins," She says. "What do you think? They seem to... like you."

"They are... pleasant." Daphne admits, smiling musingly to herself. They begin clambering atop the train with everyone else in tow, dragging their trunks behind them. "I should probably go see Pansy before she throws another strop..." Daphne says, "Millie and Trace must be having a hard time. I'll see you guys on the platform."

"Bye." Cassia greets as Daphne shuffles her way through the train, her auburn waves trailing smoothly behind her. She turns to Theo. "Time to find a compartment, I suppose?"

"How about—"

"—Right here is fine." Theo is cut off when both him and Cassia are grabbed by the scruff of their necks and dragged into the nearest compartment, landing on the soft fabric with a small thud. Bewildered and intent, they see that their captors were none other than Maryam and Eva, the latter of whom was shutting the compartment door. It wasn't an understatement to say that both looked severely unimpressed and vexed.

"Hi?" Cassia releases hesitantly, with the moment of confrontation preceding her.

     "What is wrong with you?" Maryam spouts with an incredulous breath. "Firstly, you came out with the fact that you and Harry Potter are friends, then you pretended like we didn't exist during the entire Feast and then you grab Theo and your sister and completely ditch us with the carriages? You are not getting away now!"

     Cassia grimaces, sharing a look with Theo, who only shakes his head sheepishly. He tactically averts his gaze out of the compartment door and into the corridor, and his eyes widen at the sight he witnessed.

     "Can someone explain to me why Draco and his two minions are unconscious in the middle of the corridor?" Theo divulges curiously. It was obvious that he was partially amused though — he wasn't exactly on the best of terms with Draco at the moment, after he defended Cassia. And Theo didn't like Crabbe and Goyle, anyways.

     "Shut it, Theo. This conversation is not going to be sidetracked." Eva spat.

     "Okay, okay." Theo concedes. "Just — let me get out of here, go find Blaise or someone. I don't want to be caught in the middle of your guys' bitch fight."

      "We're not gonna have a bitch fight, Theo." Eva rolls her eyes. "Get out, then."

Cassia is silently pleading in her head for something to prevent Theo's escape — but alas, he managed to slip out of the compartment no problem, his chestnut hair disappearing with the characteristic click of the doorway. Now, she's left to face the obtrusive stares of both her friends: Eva, whose golden hair glistened in loose, flirtatious curls and with a prodding essence visible from within her crystalline eyes, and Maryam, her dark hair in two French braids, a fiery expression glazed across her protruding features.

"Well, then?" Maryam rouses. "Why have you been ignoring us?"

Cassia inhales, rubbing her lips together. She truly was cornered by the two impatient Slytherins seated in front of her. "I just... I was trying to... avoid the questions until now, I suppose." She say slowly. "I thought it would be best to wait until it would just be us... instead of around everyone else."

     "Go on, then." Maryam says, folding her arms stiffly together. "Tell us everything."

     Cassia raises her eyebrows. "Ask me a question, or something. That'll help."

     "How about," Eva begins. Cassia has to push aside the bearing that maybe, just maybe, Eva's own dad was a Death Eater. She had no idea how she would be able to keep this secret for the upcoming year. Or at least, until she had enough evidence. "Why don't you tell us how on earth you and Potter became friends? Or even better, why?"

     Cassia takes a deep sigh. Thank goodness they would be seated for the next few hours.

———

WHEN THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS COMES TO A HALT IN KINGS' CROSS, the sun has set. It's nearing evening by now, the sky a pale lilac, a blanket around the awaited crescent moon ready to take its place in the night sky. Students are emerging from the train, luggage in hand and with desires of a blissful sleep. To most, it hadn't even dawned on them how exhausted they were — and to most, it certainly was a long school year. Bedtime was in order.

And Cassia is no exception to the clause. After having explained every intricate detail, attribute and element of how she and Harry came to be friends and how no one else found out, she was looking forward to seeing her parents again and be comforted by the warmth (and spaciousness) of the sensational Greengrass Mansion. Blaise and Theo had also joined them in their carriage at a point, and Cassia was subjected to yet another bout of questioning by Blaise, and she knew for a fact this was only the start of it.

     When she steps onto the rock-solid platform, her eyes scan around her for her parents. She manages to spot Astoria, bidding her goodbyes to her friends — and Blaise, of course — and Daphne, her arms around Pansy, both of which — even Pansy — were smiling brightly. She says her goodbyes to Maryam and Eva, and went to hug Theo.

    "I'll see you at some point during the holidays," Cassia smiles, pulling away from the hug. "I'll miss you."

     "Don't go all soft on me now, Cass." Theo says, grinning serenely. "Me too. I'll miss seeing your little coupon every day. Better than the one I have to see on a daily basis, anyways." He gestures towards a man in pristine, opulent robes, an ostentatious appearance to his firmly-set scowl, though handsome nonetheless, with his straight, chiselled jawbone and posture worthy of a paragon. Theodore Nott Senior's hands were set astutely at his side, one of them examining the pocket watch attached to the pocket of his suit. Theo sighs. "Did it have to be him that picked me up? Couldn't Mum have come instead?"

     Cassia frowns. "Don't let him get you down," She says in reassurance. "I hope he doesn't.. give you a hard time. Tell your mum I said hi, though."

     Theo smiles. "Same goes. Bye, Cass."

     "Bye, Theo!"

     Daphne comes up beside Cassia after having said her goodbyes to her friend, grinning. "I think I saw Mum and Dad over there." She says, pointing towards a pair in the midst of all the other reunited families. Sure enough, Marlowe and Phoenix Greengrass stood there arm-in-arm, eyes searching through the hoard of people within them. Cassia also happened to see a certain Boy Who Lived make his way through the platform, his two best friends at his side.

     Cassia looks to Daphne. "You go on," She says, "I have to get something."

     "Or someone," Daphne adds teasingly, seeing her twin look in Harry's direction. She shakes her head, "It's fine. I'll tell Mum and Dad you'll be there soon."

     "Thanks." Cassia grins.

     Cassia begins to shovel through the students and unfortunately, she comes faced with Pansy. But, before Pansy can glare or show any hint at contempt towards Cassia, she grins mischievously, hugging Pansy tightly. "Pans! Have a great summer. I'll see you later!" She exclaims, hurrying out of the way before Pansy can react in any way. (She did not happen to see the sheer bewilderment within Pansy's pretty, pug-like features.)

     Thank Merlin it's the end of the year, Cassia thinks to herself, lugging her trunk behind her.

     "Hi!" Cassia says as she comes to a halt, facing Harry, a displeased Ron and a confused Hermione.

     "Hey," Harry smiles. He takes a look at either side of him, Ron and Hermione both present. "Erm — can you guys give us a moment?"

     "Sure," Hermione agrees. She begins dragging a reluctant Ron by the arm, "Come on, Ronald!"

     Cassia chuckles, seeing Hermione force Ron out of the way. She smiles softly at Harry. "Um — hi. I just wanted to say bye to you, and.. have a nice summer. Oh, and this." She fishes her hand into the back pocket of her jeans, bringing out a small folded piece of parchment, handing it to Harry.

     "What's... what's this?" Harry asks as he unfolds the parchment, peering at it through his bespectacled eyes.

     "My address." Cassia grins. "So we can owl each other. Keep in touch, you know?"

     "Oh, of course." Harry chuckles. "Are you getting picked up?"

     Cassia nods, pointing to where her parents where. "Yeah, my parents are over there. You?"

     "My aunt, uncle and cousin," Harry replies a bit grudgingly, rolling his eyes as he gestured to a trio of highly pompous-looking family — a pretty big-boned, towering man, his wife, who had a very tall neck from what Cassia could see and their son, who looked about Harry's age. Harry smiles at Cassia. "Have a great holiday."

     With a wide beam, she says, "You too."

     Before she's able to turn away completely after giving Harry one last smile, something takes a hold of her forearm and she's spun into an abrupt hug, catching her off-guard. She stands there for a millisecond, Harry's arms around her while her own arms are stiff and restricted beneath his, until she's able to relax and wound her arms around Harry's waist, dropping her head on his shoulder and reminiscing in likely the last time she'd see him till the new term. Harry smiles into Cassia's hair, allowing himself to take in one last watt of the heavenly jasmine scent reverberating off of her person.

     She allows herself to look up slightly, and sees Harry's relatives with their eyes narrowed at this interaction. "Harry?" She raises an eyebrow. "Don't tell me the only reason you're hugging me is to piss off your aunt and uncle?"

     Harry laughs, "That's part of the reason." He admits sheepishly. "And also... I'm going to miss you. Besides, the worst that can happen is I'm gonna have no meals for a week."

     Cassia pulls away from the hug, holding Harry by the shoulders, a wide beam alighting her features. "Well, if things ever get that bad, you know where to find me."

     "Of course." Harry smiles. "Bye, Cassia."

     "Bye, Harry." Cassia replies, her voice a mere rustle that would have easily been lost in the roar of the train, in the same manner that Harry was easily lost amidst the rest of the train station inhabitants. Finally, Cassia was going to join her parents and sisters, when she notices the silky, reminiscent curls of Eva Abercrombie preceding her as she took a leisurely seat on one of the benches, with Kings Cross not being as crowded any longer.

     (Of course, Eva was waiting for her train to Paris, since she was to spend the first half of her holidays with her mother Astrid in Bordeaux. Eva couldn't lie — she was excited to visit her grandparents and mother again, even if the circumstances were undesirable. Goodness, she still found it bizarre to say that her parents were divorced.)

     For a minute, Cassia thinks she should tell Eva. About her dad, and about everything Harry told her. It was better without any secrets. But she couldn't, without knowing how the half-French blonde was bound to react. She couldn't, without knowing if it was even true. Sure, Enoch Abercrombie might not have been the most familial person in the world, but that didn't mean he was one of the worst type of person in the world — it was wrong to accuse someone of such a thing without any proof. And this was the reason Cassia knew she shouldn't tell Eva. Just yet.

     With that, Cassia turns on her heel, and walks in the direction of her family, Eva's woes a mere zephyr in her mind. She grins as she's familiarised with her mother, Marlowe, her hair stylishly black, sleek and thick, stopping short below her shoulders. Marlowe was still in her work clothes, a classic pencil skirt and blouse with her navy blue Obliviator department robe adorned on top. Weathering with grace, her face bore fine ageing lines, but nonetheless displayed an affectionate smile, enveloping her daughter Cassia in a yearned-for hug.

     "Oh, sweetheart!" Marlowe harmonises, breaking away from the hug. "I've missed you. I trust you're well?"

     "Perfect, mum. I missed you loads." Cassia replies with a grin, moving to embrace her dad — Phoenix — who'd been engaged in pleasant chatter with his other two daughters. Phoenix Greengrass, similarly to his wife, aged with grace, his chiselled features still sculpted with admiration, and an auburn stubble accompanying his hearty expression. Cassia and Daphne, both inheriting their pristine blue eye colour from their mother, inherited the auburn tresses of Phoenix. Likewise, Astoria bore the black tresses of Marlowe's, yet her eyes were as piercing of a green as her father's. The three girls were a perfect mixture of both their parents — the good, and maybe even, the bad.

     "There's my girl!" Phoenix beams. "Well, one of my girls," He adds following the misconceptive 'hey!' from Daphne and Astoria, pulling away from the reunion with his second-oldest (if you can even count seven minutes between the twins' birth a reason for Cassia to be the middle child), looking down at her adoringly from within his charming robes. "I'm glad all three of you are good and well. Or at least, well enough, regarding the circumstances."

They all frown at the remembrance of the reality, but Marlowe cuts in quick enough with an alluring smile and refreshing tone. "We should head home quickly. The house elves are cooking up a feast for us all, and I'm sure we have loads to catch up on."

With that, the Greengrass family disembark on their way back home, bypassing the barrier and into the pale, evening sky gracing London's landscape. Marlowe comes up beside Cassia, her heels clicking naturally along the pavement, linking their arms and looking down at her daughter inquisitively.

"So, Cass," Marlowe begins, a hint of amusement within her tone, "Daphne tells me you and Harry Potter have gotten closer lately?"

Cassia, exhausted beyond means, can only laugh at this point, looking ahead to Daphne and Astoria, both of their arms linked with their Phoenix's for warmth.

"Yes, Mum," Cassia answers with a defeated chuckle, "Me and Harry Potter are friends."

***

THERE'S ACT ONE FINISHED WOOHOO!! yes ik it was overall a short act one since i didn't want to drag things on too much (cos let's be honest, GOF is good but it's way too long) so that's why. acts 2-4 will probs be a lot longer tho!

also FUCK this chapter was so long i'm literally out of breath as i'm typing this like its deadass over 11300 words??? longest chapter ever oml even longer than the christmas one

BUT I HOPED YOU ENJOYED IT!! there was a lil hint of the greengrass parents 😌 and theo's dad 😡 and i'm gonna post their castings in the next act divider.

but if you've stuck with me so far: THANK YOU SO MUCH???? my heart goes out to all of you guys and genuinely you make me feel so💓💓💓 me and cass love you ALL 💓💓💓💓

yeah so i hoped you enjoyed this LONG ASS CHAPTER and pls stick with me for the rest! also pls make sure to check out my charlie weasley fic distant game bc my oc will be making an appearance in the next act :p

ILY ALL SO FRIGGIN MUCH!!!

(i made a signoff gif be proud of me)