For once, Cassie felt like she and Potter were getting the same amount of stress and whispers in the hallways. Except, of course, hers weren't laced with condescension. No, no one dared to call her delusional—she was too terrifying for that. The looks she got were more along the lines of please don't curse me into next week, which, honestly, was preferable.

By the time night fell, the Slytherin common room had settled into its usual state of quiet murmurs, firelight flickering over dark green and silver décor, and a handful of students whispering in corners. Cassie sat curled up on one of the black leather couches, staring at the ceiling, utterly bored.

That lasted all of three minutes before she turned and kicked Theo.

He jolted, nearly dropping the book he was reading. "Ow, Cassie, what the hell?"

"Come with me."

Theo blinked at her. "Where?"

Cassie shrugged. "Room of Requirement. Let's—I don't know—practice, work on runes, something. I don't want to sleep. Won't get any, anyway."

Theo frowned, straightening in his seat. "You should try a Dreamless Sleep potion."

Cassie shook her head. "Nah. I'll get addicted."

Theo exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. He didn't argue, though—because they both knew she was right. Instead, he stood, shutting his book with a quiet thud. "Fine. Let's go."

And with that, they slipped out of the common room, moving like shadows through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwar. Cassie muttered the Disillusionment Charm under her breath, feeling the odd trickle of magic slither down her skin as she and Theo blended into thecorridor. Their steps were silent as they tiptoed through the castle, avoiding the occasional flickering torchlight and the distant echoes of Filch's mutterings.

The halls were eerily empty at this hour, tCassie moved ahead with the kind of confidence that came from years of sneaking around, while Theo kept just half a step behind her

They reached the seventh floor, and Cassie slowed her steps as she approached the blank stretch of wall.

"Alright," she murmured. "We need a place to practice. Something private. Maybe with—"

"Runes," Theo supplied.

She turned slightly, the corner of her mouth quirking. "And spellwork."

"And maybe some dueling."

Cassie smirked. "Oh, you want me to beat you up? You just have to ask, darling."

Theo rolled his eyes but didn't bother denying it. Instead, he simply gestured at the wall. "Go on, then."

Cassie paced three times, focusing on what they needed. A door shimmered into existence, ancient-looking, as if it had always belonged there. With a flick of her wand, she dispelled the charm on both of them before pushing the door open.

The room was perfect. The walls were lined with bookshelves— on runic magic, defensive spells, and Dark Arts theory stacked in neat piles. At the far end, a wide dueling platformmarked with protective enchantments. 

"Not bad," Theo mused, stepping inside.

Cassie shot him a look. "Obviously."

She wandered towards the bookshelves, running her fingers along the spines, before selecting an old, leather-bound volume on runic reinforcement. She flipped it open, scanning the first few lines, but she could feel Theo watching her.

"What?" she asked without looking up.

There was a pause. Then—

"You should sleep."

Cassie exhaled through her nose, shutting the book with a quiet snap. "Told you, not happening."

Theo stepped closer,  "You'll burn yourself out."

Cassie tilted her head, finally looking up at him. His face was unreadable, but she knew Theo well enough—he wasn't just saying it to nag her. He meant it. And for some reason, that made something in her chest tighten.

She huffed, placing the book back on the shelf. "Well, you're here, aren't you? That means you're not sleeping either."

Theo's lips twitched—just slightly. "Yeah, well. Maybe I just like the company."

Cassie blinked. For half a second, she wasn't sure what to say.

Then she smirked. "Oh, you'd be lost without me."

Theo scoffed. "Absolutely." But there was something softer in his eyes, something quieter that made the usual teasing feel... different.

Cassie ignored the way her heartbeat stuttered. Instead, she flicked her wand at him, sending a harmless stinging hex his way. Theo dodged it smoothly, raising a brow.

"Really?"

Cassie grinned. "If you're not gonna let me read, we might as well duel."

Theo sighed, shaking his head. "You're impossible." But he still pulled out his wand, shifting into a defensive stance.

Cassie felt her grin widen.

This—the magic, the rush of adrenaline, the unspoken ease between them—this, she could deal with.

Cassie sprang to her feet, he twirled her dagger between her fingers, the dim firelight catching on its sharp edge.

"Dagger and wand?" she suggested, tilting her head.

Theo sighed dramatically, drawing his own sleek, black-handled blade. "Fine. But don't cry when you lose."

Cassie laughed. "We both know that's not happening."

They circled each other, wands still gripped loosely in their free hands. The first few spells were fast—sharp, movements that sent sparks crackling through the air. Cassie deflected a jinx with a flick of her wrist, countering with a disarming spell that Theo barely dodged.

Then came the hexes. A sharp, slicing one from Theo, which Cassie countered with a well-placed shield. She retaliated with a silent Expulso, forcing him to roll out of the way. The duel escalated, a blur of movement and spellfire, their feet moving in sync, their magic clashing in bursts of light.

Then—

A curse met a counter-curse in the center of the room. A bright, forceful explosion cracked through the space, sending their wands flying from their hands.

For a split second, silence.

Then Cassie lunged.

Theo was ready. Their blades met mid-air with a metallic clash, the sound ringing through the chamber. Cassie twisted, feinting left, but Theo anticipated the move, sidestepping smoothly. She aimed low, slashing toward his side, but he blocked it, their daggers locked together as they stood mere inches apart.

Cassie's breath hitched.

Theo was close. Too close. She could see the faint smirk playing at his lips, the slow rise and fall of his chest, the sharp focus in his eyes.

"Getting tired?" Theo murmured, voice low.

Cassie scoffed. "Hardly."

She shoved forward, forcing him back. Theo spun away, the movement fluid, but Cassie caught him off guard by kicking his knee out slightly—enough to throw him off balance. He recovered quickly, blade flashing as he slashed forward. She ducked, twisting, —each step, each swing, each dodge pushing them closer together.

Then—Theo feinted. Cassie was half a second too slow to react. His blade grazed her sleeve, a shallow cut slicing through the fabric, just barely touching her skin.

Cassie froze for a moment.

Theo grinned, breath slightly uneven. "Got you."

But Cassie only smiled.

"You know, Theo," she said, voice dropping just a fraction. "I have a confession to make."

Theo's grip on his dagger faltered. Just slightly. Just enough.

Cassie stepped in, close enough for their breaths to mingle, Then she leaned in—just enough to make his breath hitch—

"I always" she whispered, "had feelings for you."

Theo blinked.

For the first time in the entire duel, he hesitated. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his expression—shock, confusion, something else—but Cassie didn't give him a chance to react.

She moved in a flash. Hooked her foot behind his ankle. Twisted his wrist just so. And in one smooth, merciless motion—

She pinned him.

Theo hit the dueling platform with a soft thud, Cassie straddling him, her dagger pressed lightly against his throat.

A stunned pause.

Theo stared up at her, breath still uneven. His face was flushed, though whether from the fight or from her, Cassie wasn't sure.

Cassie grinned. "Looks like I win."

Theo swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing just beneath the blade. "...That was dirty."

"Was it?" she mused, tilting her head. "Seemed fair to me."

A muscle ticked in Theo's jaw, but there was no real frustration in his eyes—just something else. Something Cassie wasn't entirely prepared to acknowledge.

Theo exhaled, still sitting on the floor, staring at Cassie like she had just short-circuited his brain.

"You—" He ran a hand through his hair, looking utterly baffled. "You can't just say things like that mid-duel."

Cassie smirked, stretching her arms behind her head. "Why not? It worked, didn't it?"

Theo groaned, flopping onto his back next to her. "You fight dirty."

Cassie turned her head toward him, grinning. "You hesitated."

"I was distracted."

"I wonder why," she drawled.

Theo shot her a look, but there was no real heat behind it—just that same flicker of something else in his expression. He shook his head, muttering something under his breath before sitting up again. "Alright, enough trying to kill each other. Can we read now?"

Cassie rolled onto her side, reaching for the runes book she'd brought. "You sound like Hermione."

Theo smirked. "That's offensive."

Cassie snorted, flipping open the book and plopping down onto a nearby beanbag. She pulled her legs up, getting comfortable as she skimmed the first few pages.

Theo walked over and nudged her foot with his. "Scooch over."

Cassie didn't look up. "What? Get your own book."

"How do we work together if we're reading separately?"

Cassie sighed dramatically but shifted over just enough for him to squeeze in next to her. 

Theo practically wedged himself next to her on the beanbag, shifting until he was comfortable—which meant he was definitely taking up more than his fair share of space. Cassie scowled at him but didn't protest. Not yet.

The book lay open across both their laps, old parchment pages filled with intricately drawn runes, explanations scrawled in tiny, cramped text. Cassie ran her finger along one of them, tracing the sharp, angular script.

"This one," she muttered. "Algiz—protection, defense, connection to higher powers—"

"Mhm."

She felt Theo shift beside her, leaning in slightly, his shoulder brushing against hers.

Cassie ignored it.

"Looks like a wonky trident," Theo murmured, voice right by her ear.

Cassie shot him a look. "That's because it is one."

Theo smirked, chin nearly resting on her shoulder as he peered over at the book. "So, what happens if you modify it?"

Cassie flipped a few pages, trying—and failing—to focus on the words instead of the way Theo's breath brushed against her skin every time he exhaled. She pushed past it, pointed at a different rune.

"You add Gebo," she said, tapping the symbol beside it, "then it's not just protection—it's bonded protection. As in, it ties the caster to whoever they're protecting."

Theo hummed, considering. "So, say you carved that into a dagger—"

"—it'd be linked to its wielder. The weapon would be harder to disarm, more intuitive. More—"

Theo reached for the book, flipping back a few pages. But instead of moving away, he shifted closer, his head tilting until it was nearly resting against hers.

Cassie went completely still.

She could feel the warmth of him, the way their legs were pressed together, the steady rise and fall of his breathing. Too close. He was too close. And worst of all—he wasn't moving away.

"So..." Theo mused, eyes flickering to her. "That means if someone used this on, say, a wand—"

Cassie swallowed. Her brain was short-circuiting. "It'd be tied to them," she managed, voice steadier than she felt. "Almost like an extension of their body."

Theo exhaled through his nose, amused. "Sounds dangerous."

Cassie was still staring at the page, but she wasn't seeing anything. Not the runes, not the text—nothing but the fact that Theo's head was resting against hers now, his body warm and solid against her side.

She should shove him off. Make a snide remark. Something.

But she didn't.

*********

Theo didn't know when exactly he started paying more attention to her than the runes.

Maybe it was when she first traced that stupid symbol with her finger, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. Maybe it was when she started explaining things in that effortlessly confident way she always did, like the whole damn world should just keep up with her.

Or maybe—just maybe—it was when she didn't shove him off the second he leaned in.

He wasn't an idiot. He knew he was too close. He could feel the tension in her shoulders, the way she went just a little too still, her breath hitching almost imperceptibly. Almost.

She was trying so damn hard to pretend she didn't notice. And that—that—was fascinating.

His gaze flicked down, watching the way her lips parted slightly as she concentrated, how her fingers fidgeted minutely on the page. 

Theo smiled. He didn't move away.

Instead, he flipped a few pages forward, voice deliberately casual. "So, say you carved that into a dagger—"

Cassie cleared her throat, fingers tightening around the edge of the book. "It'd be linked to its wielder. The weapon would be harder to disarm, more intuitive. More—"

He watched the way her throat moved as she swallowed. He wondered if she realized how obvious she was being.

"So," he mused, tilting his head—closer, just a fraction—"that means if someone used this on, say, a wand—"

Her breath was unsteady now. Good.

"It'd be tied to them," she managed, her voice stubbornly even. "Almost like an extension of their body."

Theo exhaled, amused, feeling the warmth of her against him, the weight of her presence pressing into his side.

"Sounds dangerous," he murmured.

Cassie still wasn't looking at him.

And she still wasn't pulling away.

"Let's try this now," Cassie said suddenly, breaking the quiet.

Theo turned his head sharply, narrowing his eyes. "Are you mental? You don't even know the proper incantation or anything—that's just suicidal. You know how bad it can get if runes go wrong."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "That's why you're here," she said, and before Theo could protest, she shifted, sliding down against his body, her weight pressing into him as if she was finally letting exhaustion catch up to her. "You can cast that shield we tried last year."

Theo stiffened, momentarily distracted by how close she was. His pulse jumped when he felt her against him,

"No, Cass. We need more protection," he said firmly, clearing his throat.

Cassie groaned dramatically, tilting her head back against his shoulder. "Ugh, you never let me do anything fun.

Theo exhaled through his nose, willing himself to focus on the argument rather than the way Cassie fit against him so effortlessly. "It's not about fun, Cass. It's about not getting ourselves killed."

She made a disgruntled sound, not moving. "You worry too much."

"You don't worry enough," Theo countered.

Silence stretched between them,Just the steady rise and fall of their breathing, and the way Cassie's presence felt too damn natural against him.

"Way better than sleeping, right?" she muttered after a moment, cracking one eye open to glance at him.

"Hell no," Theo said. "Cass You need sleep."

Cassie sighed, her fingers lazily tracing patterns on the dusty floor. "Fine. Let's go to the Astronomy Tower—then I'll sleep. I promise."

Theo groaned. "It's already two o'clock, Cass."

She turned her head fully this time, eyes locking onto his, "If I can't do runes, then not even this? What harm can one smoke do?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're insufferable."

"You love me."

Theo didn't answer that. He didn't have to. (he is so in denial-so cute omg)

With a resigned sigh, he flicked his wand, recasting the Disillusionment Charm over them both. Cassie grinned, bouncing up to her feet as they slipped out of the Room of Requirement,
***********8

The Astronomy Tower was empty when they arrived, the crisp night air biting at their skin. Cassie walked ahead, settling herself at the very edge, legs dangling over the side 

Theo followed, slower, settling beside her. He wasn't reckless like her—but somehow, when she did it, it didn't seem reckless. Just... inevitable.

Cassie wordlessly pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a flick of her wand. Theo watched as she took a slow drag,

She turned, exhaling a stream of smoke before passing it to him. He hesitated for a second, then took it, fingers brushing.

His stomach tightened.

She was looking at him now, the sky reflecting in her greay eyes. "You're thinking too hard," she murmured.

"And you don't think enough."

"Maybe that's why we work so well."

Silence. Comfortable, charged, something neither of them were fully willing to name.

Cassie leaned back on her palms, tilting her head up. "They make it look easy, don't they?"

"What?"

She nodded toward the sky. "Existing."

Theo didn't answer. Just watched her, his cigarette forgotten between his fingers.She was so close. He could see the faint shimmer of the Disillusionment Charm on her skin

"Cass," Theo started, She turned fully to face him now, knees bumping, eyes unreadable. "What?"

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Theo clenched his jaw. "Nothing."

Cassie arched a brow, smirking slightly. "Liar."

Theo huffed, looking away. "Shut up."

Another beat of silence. Then, she stretched, leaning back on her hands, tilting her head up toward the sky.

Theo forced himself to do the same. To focus on the stars instead of the way Cassie's hair brushed against his shoulder.

Way better than sleeping, right?

He wasn't so sure anymore.