For the next few following days, Terrance was quiet. He was mostly seen in the company of Roger and me. Though we both tried to comfort him, saying that it would get better, we knew that that missing part would never be back. 

Within a week, Terrance was back to normal. He was slightly himself again. The grief was there, but he said that in order to make his parents proud, he mustn't be sulking. The week soon past, and it was 13th of February. 

The rush of people asking someone to be their Valentine, was everywhere. I decided to  ask Terrance, to come with me to Hogsmede. Why should the guy always ask the girl out, right?

I had not brought anything though. The loss of Mr. Terrance, had me almost forgetting about tomorrow. Today was not a hogsmede weekend, so I couldn't really go out to buy anything. So I decided to sneak out. My first option though, was to go take some flowers from the Herbology room; but later decided against it, because I did not want Terrance to be swallowed by a flower. 

I went through a secret portrait door that Fred and George had told me about. It was daytime, but no one would be there to identify me, I thought. I decided to stick with a bunch of roses, and maybe a book for tomorrow. 

A book may not sound romantic to everyone; but to Terrance it did. He loved books; not because he was a Ravenclaw though. Every book has a million perspectives. A hundred emotions written down. A few words that tell a story, and often a voice for those not heard. This is how explained books.

I went to a shop in hogsmede, and brought what I wanted. I quickly headed back to Hogwarts; dodging the few teachers that were there. 

------- 

I was waiting near the black lake for Terrance. He had asked me to meet him there, and thus I decided to ask him there itself. I saw him jogging over to me, his hands behind his back. "Hi" we both said at the same. A smile was etched on both of our faces. 

"I wanted to ask you something" We both said together again. We gave out a small laughter. "Will you be my Valentine?" we said. 

"YES!" we said again. We switched our roses. And we sat down under a tree that was near by, and talked. Through my peripheral vision, I could see Annalise. She had a lavender rose in her hand, and she had a smile on her face, as she walked towards the castle. 

-------

"Who is it?" I asked in a singsong voice, to Annalise. We were in the study hall, but our books were left unattended. "Who?" she asked. 

"I saw the rose. Who's your Valentine?" I asked. "A person." she said. 

"I know that it is a person. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." I said. 

"No. No it's fine. Nicole Greenwood. She's a Hufflepuff, and one year above us. She's sweet. SO when she asked, I said yes." 

"Wait you're-"

"Ya. I like girls. But hope you won't see me any di-"

"Of course I won't see you any different." I cut her off. "I'm proud that you identified yourself Anne. And that you were brave enough to accept it." I said. 

After a minute of silence I said, "Do you wanna help me set up the date for Terrance? I have no idea what he has in plan, but I have something beautiful. Or atleast I hope so." 

"Why not? I'll be happy to help!" she said. Already closing her books. I helped her pack the rest of her things, and got up. I looked around, for a pair of red heads. I snapped, and a few heads turned, including the twins'. I nodded my head to the door, and they got the sign. 

"So you got another volunteer?" they asked. 

"I just need help with the decorations. I've done the rest. Now come on." 

I took them to a place near the grounds of Hogwarts. There was a small lake, and few trees. I had found it a week back, when I was just exploring around for some calmness. I had set up a tree house there with the help of magic of course, and now just needed to decorate it for tomorrow.

"Wow..." said Annalise. "Walter sure is a lucky guy." 

I blushed a bit. "Thanks Anne." 

"What should we be doing?" enquired Fred and George, walking over to a carboard box that I had kept. Fred slowly took out a string of fairy lights. "Did you buy all this?" he asked, pointing to all the stuff in the box. 

"Borrowed most of 'em. I brought those 2 bean bag chairs, and that picnic mat. The fairy lights, I borrowed from Luna, and the  paper decorations were made by hand by me." I said. 

We soon got to work. And within an hour, the place was all set up. We put the bean bag chairs, and the hanged the fairy lights in the tree house. And put up small decorations here and there. 

I thanked them all for helping me, and they were leaving when Anne said, "Cass, I may have something that could be an addition that Walter may like."

------- 

I got up in the morning, and the weather was perfect. Katie and Laura, were already getting ready. "Good Morning!" I said happily. I brushed my teeth, had a shower, and changed in a floral white dress, with small blue butterflies here and there, which came above my knee. 

I down my slightly curly black hair, and it brushed against my waist. It had grown, and I was going to ask Molly to cut it short for me the next time I see her. 

I put the book in a small red paper bag, and went out the Common Room. Terrance was already waiting for me outside the door. "Who's date first?" he asked. "Your wish. Maybe yours?" I said. 

We went to Hogsmede. It was more rushed than before; everyone going to different shops. Terrance took me to the High Street, and there was a pink store; a tea shop. Madam Puddifoot. 

The only problem was, that the inside was full. And there was a line a huge line. Terrance told me to wait outside, and he went in. He returned back in less than a minute. "Don't think this date is happening." he said sadly. 

"What happened?" I asked. 

"There were too many people, and of course shops look at profit! They cancelled all the reservations, and made it to a first come and first serve basis. Look at the line. It's huge!" he said. 

"So... What should we do now?" 

"We'll go for your date." he said. 

"You sure?" I asked. I didn't want him to feel bad for not being able to complete his date. 

"We're spending time together either way." he said with a smile. 

I thus held his hand, and we walked together to the picnic I had arranged. I had already asked Fred and George to place the basket of food in the spot. We soon reached there. A curtain of vines hanged down, slightly hiding the place. We both parted the vines, and saw the beautiful sight. 

The sunlight shone beautifully on the surface of the water; making it shine. The tree gave shade to the white cloth I had put on the grass for us to sit. "This is beautiful!" he exclaimed. Anwe sat down. 

We talked, and occasionally stole kisses. We ate food after a while, and then went up to the tree house. We played muggle board games, and had great fun. It soon turned dark. "This was awesome!" he said. "There is one more thing." I said, and reveled a telescope from under a cloth. "Star gazing?" he asked excitedly. 

"Even better. Anne told me about some pink shooting star that is gonna pass today at 8. So she gave me her telescope." 

"That was today! I thought it was yesterday, and missed it. Wait. What about Annalise? Doesn't she need it?"

"She said that she'll go to the astronomy classroom. Even though I told her that it was fine for her to keep her telescope."

We stayed up till 8; talking and laughing. The shooting star was indeed beautiful! And since it was late anyways, we decided to sleep in the tree house. We got cozy in two bean bags, and slowly went to sleep. 

------- 

I got up in the morning, and sleepily looked at my watch. My eyes widened. It was 8:40; classes start in 20 minutes! 

"Terrance wake up!" I said, and shook him awake. "What?" He startled awake, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Classes start in 20 minutes! We're gonna be late."

The word late made him jump up to his feet. "I have potions! A test!" he said. "You can get going. I'll quickly clean up and join you." I said. 

"But you'll be late!"

"It's fine. I have free period." I said. He gave me a small kiss and also took the basket and Luna's fairy light with him, so he could return it. 

I picked up any trash we left behind, and dashed out. I could take down the stuff later. But I should have known that sneaking in the castle would not be a good idea. A voice called from behind me. "Cassie Smith. Where do you think you're going?" said a high pitched voice. I stopped in my tracks. "Turn around." she ordered. 

"I'm just going to my class professor." I said innocently.

"Where's your uniform then?" she enquired. 

"It- It's my birthday today." I said. 

"Lies again! You're birthday is on June 10th." she stated.

How the heck did she know my birthday? I thought. "Detention today at 6 after classes. Unfortunately, I have a meeting at the time, so one of the Inquisitorial Squad members will be in charge. Now run along to your classes." 

Great. I have detention, and I'm late for class. I went upto my dorm and changed into my uniform quickly. I ran to the study hall, while tying my hair. I rushed in and sat next to Harry, Ron and Hermione, who had free period then too. 

"Why're you late?" asked Hermione. "Slept in." I said. 

"You mean slept in with Walter." said Ron, fake reading a book which was upside down anyways. 

"Wait! You mean you did the-" started Harry with wide eyes. 

"No! We slept in my accident in the tree house that I showed you guys yesterday. Stop making assumptions. And Ron, keep the jokes to yourself." I said. 

"What are you so stressed about?" asked Hermione. I was all over the place anyways. 

"Detention." I said. "Umbridge I bet." said Ron, and I nodded. 

"Umm.. Cass? You're shirt is inside out." pointed out Harry. I looked at myself. And indeed it was. I waited till the bell rang, and went to my dorm to change. I was not late this time, and I looked put together. 

_______________________________________________________________________

A/N:

Hey Loves! How are you all?

I know it's been a while since I updated, and I'm sorry. I've been caught up with school and stuff. Yup, Annalise is a lesbo, and I had this mind from the day that she was created. 

Also, almost all the outfits that Cassie wears is inspired by Pinterest. If you guys wanna check out the outfits, then you can go to my board on Pinterest called TRULY REALITY. 

https://pin.it/78sha5I

That is the link to the board. Or check for Chaithra Gireesh in the search bar for people. 

Hope you have an awesome Day!

Smile to the haters! 
Love you all <3333

~Chaithra