Surprise chap  guys!! I couldn't bear not treating you guys cos Shadows of Betrayal has officially crossed 100k!! its been 3 days and i still havent processed it yet- and its all thank to all of you! those who are reading this- those who vote - comment- and my silent readers! I am so thankful to each and everyone of u- sooo- here is a surprise chap i whipped up taking parts from some of my old writings- Again- had no time to edit- soo sorry abt the choppy non existing editing

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Theo leaned over Cassopeia, his arms crossed, watching Cassie drag her fingers over the runes she had painstakingly carved into the stone. Her brows were drawn together in concentration, the tip of her tongue peeking out as she worked. He was so fucking gone.

"That rune is off."

Cassie didn't even look up. "No, it's not."

He sighed. Of course she was going to argue. "The Algiz is too close to the Tiwaz If you activate it like this, you could—"

"Yeah, yeah, I know ," she cut in, waving him off. "Incinerate half the room, blah blah.Thanks for the concern, mOm"

Theo clenched his jaw. "I'm serious, Cass."

"So am I, " she shot back, finally looking at him, her grey eyes alight with the same light she has when she does something wild or life threatening  "I calculated it. It'll work."

"It should work. But if it doesn't, you're the one standing closest."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "So what- I am the one testing it."

Theo inhaled sharply through his nose. "Not happening."

She groaned, tilting her head back dramatically. "Merlin, you are such a baby."

"Says the person who refuses to listen to basic logic."

Cassie turned, facing him fully, lips pressing together in amusement. "Oh, so we're using big words now?"

Theo bit back a very unhelpful smile. "Cass."

She hesitated. He saw it—the flicker of hesitation in her gaze, the way she knew he wasn't being dramatic. "...Fine, " she muttered after a beat. "You keep a shield up For both of us. Happy? "

Theo narrowed his eyes. "I don't trust you."

She smirked. "I don't trust me either."

Theo exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. She was going to kill him one day. Not with magic. Not with a curse. Just by being her .

But still. "Alright" he said finally. " Together. "

Cassie grinned, eyes practically gleaming. In one smooth motion, she reached into her boot and pulled out her dagger—her favorite one, the one he had seen her use more times thanhe could count. Theo watched her closely. The way her fingers tightened ever so slightly around her wand The way her chest rose with a deeper inhale than necessary.

Excitement.

But something else too.

Fear.

She wouldn't show it, though. Never. Not Cassiopeia Black.

Cassie crouched down, angling the wand against the Blade. "Alright, let's see how deep we can take this."

Theo's lips twitched. "That's what she said."

Cassie barked a laugh. "Merlin, you're disgusting."

"Not my fault you set it up perfectly."

She shook her head, still grinning, before refocusing on the runes. Her wand pressed into the Blade, carving slow, deliberate lines as she deepened the inscriptions. Her strokes were steady, precise—yet he could see the slight tremor in her fingers when she paused.

A normal person wouldn't have noticed.

But Theo did.

He crouched beside her, wand slipping into his palm almost lazily. "I'll reinforce them as you go."

Cassie glanced at him, Then, she nodded.

They worked in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds being the scrape of wand against dagger and the occasional hum of magic as theo reinforced The carvings.

Then Cassie spoke, voice quieter "...You're sure the shield will hold?"

Theo looked at her.

She wasn't looking at him, focused intently on her work.

His fingers twitched.

"Yeah," he said, softer. "I've got you."

Cassie swallowed but didn't say anything else.

Theo didn't push.

He just watched her—watched the way she moved, the way she forced herself to breathe evenly, the way she threw herself headfirst into things that should terrify her but never let anyone see it.

The last stroke.

If it went wrong, it would just— boom.

Cassie stopped, wand hovering over the rune, and turned her head slightly toward Theo.

"Get away, Nott."

"No."

Cassie's grip on the dagger tightened. "Theo, I swear to Morgana —"

"Shut up and finish it," he cut her off. His wand was still raised, shield spell humming at the tip. "I've got it covered."

Cassie stared at him. He didn't move.

Her jaw clenched. "Fine."

She pressed the wand into her dagger, carving the last deep stroke. The moment it connected, the entire rune circle flared—a bright, electric blue light sparking to life. The air around them crackled, and Theo braced himself, just in case—

But nothing exploded.

Nothing shattered.

The light pulsed once.

Then stilled.

Cassie blinked. Then blinked again.

"...Did we just—?" A slow grin spread across her face, excitement flickering in her storm-grey eyes. "Did we actually just—?"

Her gaze snapped to Theo, and before he could react, she launched herself at him, arms wrapping tight around his shoulders. "Fucking hell nott- we did it!"

Theo stumbled slightly, caught off guard, hands instinctively gripping her waist to steady them both. She was warm, pressed against him, the scent of her hair— some mix of cinnamon and smoke

Then, just as suddenly, Cassie froze.

For exactly one second.

Then, just as quickly as she had launched herself at him in excitement, she yanked herself back, stepping away as if nothing had happened.

Theo, however, felt like he had just been thrown off a cliff. His heart was pounding in his chest, ears burning, face undoubtedly bright red . And her? She looked completely unfazed, already turning back toward the rune as if that hadn't just happened.

Theo, meanwhile, was still staring there like an idiot, wand hanging uselessly at his side. Get it together, Nott. he shook his head

Cassie clicked her tongue. "Alright, let's actually test this thing."

Theo exhaled sharply, dragging himself back to reality. Right. Testing. Focus, dammit. 

 Cassie twirled her dagger between her fingers before flipping it in her grip. "You strike first" she said, nodding toward the rune. "Harder this time."

Theo nodded, adjusting his stance. His fingers tightened around his dagger's hilt,

This time, the impact was different.

The moment Theo' s blade met the rune, the carvings flared with a sudden burst of energy, like they were fighting back . His dagger jerked violently in his grip, the resistance stronger than before.

Cassie grinned . "Ohhh, now that's more like it." Theo barely had a second to adjust before Cassie slashed forward with her own dagger. He was pushed back with double the force, boots skidding against the stone floor as he caught his balance just in time.

Cassie let out a sharp breath, stepping back.

No boom. Still in place.

"...Success?"

Theo huffed a laugh, still catching his breath. "Success."

Cassie ran a hand over the carvings, lips twitching in satisfaction. "Damn good one, too." Theo just nodded, watching her. The way she lit up when something worked, the way she was still tracing the lines of the rune with something almost like reverence .

She had no idea what she did to him.

Cassie traced her fingers over the rune they had just carved, tilting her head slightly. "This reminds me of the runes Grindelwald wrote in prison, " she mused, her voice far too casual for Theo's liking. He froze ,knowing exactly what Cassie's mind was thinking. His eyes snapped to hers, brows furrowing. "Cass."

She just smiled. "Can we try them next?"

Theo exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Are you mad ?"

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. It's just runes—"

"It' s not just runes " Theo snapped, "Grindelwald went insan over them, and you want to mess around like it's a fun little puzzle?" 

Cassie groaned, flopping dramatically onto the nearest cushion. "You take all the fun out of everything."

Theo crossed his arms. "I take the death out of everything."

"That's debatable."

Theo narrowed his eyes, but before he could argue, a sharp knock echoed through the Room of Requirement. Cassie immediately tensed. Her hand flew to her wand as she snapped her head toward the door, muscles coiling as if ready to strike . Who the hell—

The doors swung open.

Blaise sauntered in, looking amused as ever, followed by Draco, Pansy, They took one look at Cassie and Theo and made themselves very comfortable, dropping onto the scattered beanbags like they owned the place.

Blaise's lips curled into a smug smile. "We're not interrupting anything, are we?"

Pansy, standing behind him, barely suppressed a look. " Looks like we might be."

Cassie arched a brow. "Interrupting what , exactly?"

Draco exchanged a glance with Blaise before dramatically gasping. " Oh, Merlin . Did we just walk in on a moment ?"

Theo, looking completely unimpressed, deadpanned,"Yes, Draco. That's exactly what happened. We were moments away from professing our undying love when you tragically barged in."

Cassie snorted, turning to Theo. " Damn . And here I thought I was the dramatic one."

Blaise leaned forward, grinning now. "So, what's the verdict? Nott finally crack and beg you to date him?"

Theo shot him a withering glare. "If anyone is cracking, Zabini, it's your skull—against the wall."

Blaise laughed looking far too entertained. "you are not denying it, though."

Draco, meanwhile, had wandered over to their table, picked up a book they had been working from, read the title, and immediately tossed it away like it was infectious . "What the hell are you two doing ?"

Cassie leaned back lazily. "What does it look like?"

Draco raised a brow. "Like you're about to get us all expelled."

Theo sighed. "Finally, someone with sense ."

Cassie scoffed. "Draco doesn't have sense , he just has an overdeveloped sense of self-preservation ."

Draco crossed his arms. " Excuse me for not wanting to die before I graduate."

Blaise grinned. "Can't say I'm surprised. You two have been spending an awful lot of time together lately—late nights, secret meetings, dagger-related activities—"

Theo glared. "Zabini."

" I'm just saying " Blaise said, smirking. "It's very suspicious. You sure nothing else ishappening?"

Cassie grinned , propping her chin on her hand. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Pansy gasped dramatically . "Merlin's beard , is she flirting ?"

Theo turned to Cassie, looking done . "You see? This is why we don't let them in."

Draco sighed, dragging a hand down his face. " Can't you two be normal for once ?"

Cassie and Theo, in perfect unison , said," No ."

Blaise and Pansy cackled .

"This is actually the worst night of my life." theo groaned

Cassie leaned over, patting his arm mockingly . "Cheer up, Nott. It could always be worse.Don't you all have assignments to finish?" she suggested

Pansy shrugged "Oh, we copied off yours."

Cassie raised a brow. " Mine ?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "Obviously. Nott's handwriting is unreadable."

"Excuse me?"

Blaise grinned. "He's right, mate. You write like a blind troll."

Theo scowled. "That's ridiculous . My handwriting is perfectly fine."

Draco snorted. "For a Healer's prescription,maybe."

"Alright, enough of your nonsense—get out. We actually need to work, " Cassie announced, arms crossed, glaring at Blaise and Pansy,

"Riiight. Work," Blaise drawled, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively

"Shut up, zabini" Cassie snapped.

Draco, stretched in his seat "I think I'd rather stay here. Don't you think?"

"Yeah" Blaise agreed. "Could use some firewhiskey, though."

As if on cue, the Room of Requirement—always ready to enable bad decisions—made a fresh bottle of firewhiskey appear on the table.

"That's what I'm talking about, " Blaise grinned, reaching for it immediately.

Theo groaned. " Looks like we won't be getting anything done tonight."

Cassie rolled her eyes, pushing up from her seat. "Ugh, I'm not dragging this another day." She grabbed Theo's wrist, pulling him up with her. "Let's go work in the corner before I lose brain cells watching these idiots."

Theo allowed himself to be dragged, mostly because he had no real choice in the matter. He wasn't sure why he let her do this—boss him around like Maybe it was because she did it so easily, like she expected no resistance.Or maybe he just didn't mind

Draco, watching them with mild amusement, accepted a glass from Blaise, still throwing them skeptical looks.

She dropped down onto the floor in their usual spot, already reaching for the wooden board they had been working on. Her brows furrowed slightly in concentration, and for a moment,

Theo just—watched. As usual=It was easy to forget, when she was all sharp words and sharper smirks, how focused she could get when something actually interested her. She bit the inside of her cheek, head tilting just a fraction as she studied a carving. Her hair slipped over her shoulder, s, and Theo caught himself staring.Again.

Merlin, he was pathetic.

"You're mixing the sequences again," he muttered, forcing himself to focus.

Cassie hummed distractedly, still running her fingers over the runes. "Maybe."

"Not maybe" Theo huffed, crouching beside her. "You are ." He tapped one of the symbols.

Cassie, of course, ignored him. On the other side of the room, Pansy and Blaise—completely unsupervised—managed to break a bottle. Glass scattered across the floor, Pansy shrieked, and Blaise muttered something about it being a learning experience. Meanwhile, Draco had buried himself in a book, pretending none of this was happening.

"I'm telling you, this is too unstable. You can't just mix runes together like you're throwing ingredients into a cauldron and hoping for the best."

Cassie, not looking up "I can and I will."

"You're going to set something on fire."

She shrugged."You worry too much" she said, pulling out her wand. "Lemme try reinforcing it first—" Cassie was already pulling out her wand.

"Cass, no—" The explosion was immediate. A sharp crack split through the room as the wooden board shattered, sending a violent shockwave outward. Cassie and Theo were thrown backward, hitting the ground hard.

"Shit" Draco muttered, setting down his book.

Blaise and Pansy snapped out of their chaos, scrambling over. Theo groaned, rolling onto his side, hand pressing against his temple. "Ow."

Cassie, sprawled on her back, groaned. "I hate when you're right."

"Yeah, well, maybe next time listen to me before you decide to blow us up?" Theo muttered, pushing himself up.

"Think you'll survive another round nott?"

Pansy stepped in before things could escalate. " Yeah, no. That's enough out of you two. " She snatched their wands right out of their hands with a look that dared them to argue. " Get up. Chill. "

Cassie groaned dramatically but got up, dusting herself off. Theo followed suit, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the blast.

She started to walk away when Theo caught her hand. Cassie turned back, brows furrowing—until she felt the sharp sting of a splinter wedged in her palm.

Theo pulled it out carefully, fingers brushing against hers. " Hold still " he muttered,focused.

Cassie winced, sucking in a breath. " Ow. "

"Oi, lovebirds" Blaise's voice rang out, dripping with amusement.

Theo looked up just as Blaise and Pansy grinned at them, smug as ever.Theo let go of Cassie' s hand immediately, straightening like he hadn't just been caught doing something suspicious.

Cassie, completely unbothered, smirked. " You're just jealous no one's fawning over you. "

Blaise pressed a hand to his chest, mock-offended. " I have plenty of admirers, thanks. "

"Yeah, all the ones you pay " Pansy quipped, snatching the firewhiskey bottle back before he could protest.

Cassie just shook her head, muttering under her breath as she grabbed her wand back from Pansy. " Idiots, the lot of you. "---

They settled down, limbs sprawled over too-soft cushions, backs against bookshelves and beanbags. For a moment, they just looked at each other—

Cassie took the glass Blaise offered her, amber liquid sloshing just a little as she swirled "What now?"

Blaise shrugged. "Dunno. You're the one who always wants to stir the cauldron."

 "I do not" Cassie replied, immediately offended.

"You do too" Theo and Pansy said at the same time.

Cassie glared. "I hate you all;."

"You're deflecting" Blaise

Pansy, ignoring the bickering, scanned the Room absently— until her eyes snagged on something halfway hidden behind a stack of books. "Wait."She stood up, reached over, and yanked free an old, slightly tattered deck of enchanted playing cards and a suspicious looking bottle. The edges shimmered faintly,

 " Card game. But— " she said, already shuffling with an unsettling grin, "—with a twist."

"Go on."

"Challenges and truths, " Pansy announced. "Whatever the card says, you do it. Or answer it."

"And if we don't?" Draco asked, eyeing her warily.

"You will " she said, dropping the deck with a thud in the center of their circle. "Because we're drinking this —" she gestured to the bottle of firewhiskey that she had found with the cards "— and it's enchanted. Truth-binding. Compulsion layered in."

Theo squinted. "Meaning?"

"Meaning, " Blaise said, grinning as he poured another round, "you can't lie, and you can't ignore the dare. Not once you've taken a sip. "

Cassie narrowed her eyes at her glass. "...You lot are actually kids"

"And yet you're still here," Theo said, clinking his glass gently against hers.

She sipped. So did the rest of them.

The game began.

Pansy flicked the top card and read it aloud. "First one goes to... Theo. Tell the last thing you dreamed about, in detail. "

Theo blinked. "You've got to be joking—"

"Nope," Blaisee said, grinning behind her glass. "Dream boy, spill."

He groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, alright... I was in the dungeons. And for some reason, there were snakes everywhere. Talking ones. They kept hissing ' she' s coming' —and then Cassie walked in, covered in blood."

Everyone turned to stare at her.

Cassie blinked. "...Normal."

Draco winced in disgust "You're all sick in the head."

pansy flicked the top card. "Draco, you're up." He took the card eyebrows arching as he read it. "Challenge. Do your best impression of Professor Snape for thirty seconds. "

The room howled before he even opened his mouth.

Draco stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and dragged his words into a greasy monotone:\ " You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death... if you're not dunderheads. "

He spun toward Theo,  " Mr. Nott, if you added powdered root of asphodel to that, I will personally ensure you never hold a wand again. "

Pansy nearly choked on her drink from laughing too hard.

Draco bowed. "Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week."

Next was Blaise.

He plucked a card from the deck. "Truth. Let's see... What's the worst detention you've ever gotten? "

"Oh, that's easy, " he said, smirking. "Second year. I enchanted the armors outside mcgonagalls class to sing Celestina Warbeck backwards. McGonagall walked in on him crooning 'ekil uoy evol I' in falsetto. Three nights scrubbing trophy plaques."

Theo snorted. "Iconic."

Pansy pulled her card next. "Ugh, challenge. Why do I feel like this deck has it out for me?" She read the dare, then immediately groaned. "Nooo— You have to speak in rhyme until your next turn. "

"Start now?"

Pansy glared at him. "I suppose I must obey the rule,Though all of you are simply cruel. I'll rhyme and rhyme and curse your fate. May boils appear on your next date."

Draco choked on his firewhiskey. "Okay, that was good."

Then Cassie-

"Oh no" she muttered seeing a red card float up "It's a challenge, isn't it?"

Blaise grinned. "Read it."

Cassie did, squinting. " Sit on the lap of the person next to you. "

Silence.

She looked up, eyes narrowing. "That's oddly specific. Who the fuck wrote this?"

"No one did, " Draco said innocently. "We found the deck on the shelf, Cass. Enchanted, remember?"

Cassie glanced toward Pansy first. The other girl held up both hands. "Don't even look at me. You'll surely crush me." She rhymed

Cassie sighed. "Valid."

She turned slowly toward Theo.

He was already smugly smiling

"Well, " he said, shifting slightly, "don't have much of a choice now, do you?"

Cassie groaned. "How long do I have to stay?"

"Until your next turn," Blaise sang smug.

Theo patted his lap like a royal throne. "All yours, Black." With a sigh of dramatic suffering, Cassie lowered herself onto his lap, trying to look unfazed and failing miserably.

Theo leaned back, arms braced on either side of her. "Comfortable?"

"I hate this game."

"You're blushing " Draco said smugly.

"Shut up" Cassie shifted, crossing her arms, trying to ignore how warm Theo was under her. She refused to acknowledge the slight tension in his shoulders—or the way his hands twitched like he was fighting the urge to adjust her.

"Hey," Theo muttered after a beat. "I can't see anything over your hair."

Cassie groaned, leaning back against him just to be difficult. "How the fuck do you expect me to sit, then? Not my fault you're short."

Theo scoffed. "Oi—says the second shortest one in the group."

Cassie scowled. "You lot are all boys. Not fair."

Draco,smirked. "Well, technically, Blaise is the tallest, so maybe he should be the one with Cassie in his lap—"

Theo cut him off immediately. "Absolutely not."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Wow. How tragic. Guess you're stuck with me, then."

Theo huffed, shifting slightly—but not enough to push her off. His face wasn't warm. Definitely wasn't.

****

Cassie rolled her eyes, head tipping lazily to the side. "Who's next?"

"I am, " Theo said, voice muffled slightly as he tried to lean around her. "If you could just— shift aside—I could pick up a card."

Cassie smirked, not budging. "Baby" she muttered, grabbing one of the hovering cards for him and slapping it against his chest.

He caught it, read it, and groaned. " Don't speak until your next turn. "

His mouth opened in protest— and then closed again. He slumped back with a look of betrayal aimed directly at the deck. Cassie patted his cheek like he was a small dog who had done his best.

"good riddance" Blaise said, grinning.

"Justice," Pansy added.

Theo made a rude gesture.

"Alright, " Draco said, rubbing his hands together. "My turn." He drew a card, squinted, then

snorted. " Do a dramatic reading of the next poem someone recites. "

"Wait what?!" Cassie leaned forward, gleeful. "Ode to a Mandrake."

Draco groaned, but stood anyway and launched into a painfully serious recitation—hand on heart, eyes misty.

"Oh wretched root of screaming face, Your cry doth cause the soul to race..."

Cassie looked personally offended on behalf of literature."That's enough"

Draco bowed again, flourishing like he was onstage at the Globe. Diva.

"Alright, me next." Blaise said. He pulled a card and grinned wickedly. " Give someone in the room a nickname they have to respond to for the rest of the game. "

"Oh, I already have one, " he said immediately. "Cassie."

Cassie narrowed her eyes. "Don't."

"You're now Stormcloud," Blaise said, full of delight.

"Absolutely not."

"It's canon now. You have to respond to it."

"Stormcloud, pass me the firewhiskey" Pansy chimed in sweetly.

Cassie growled and passed it. "Dead to me. All of you."

Pansy picked her next card. "Truth." She read it and raised a brow. " What's the last lie you told? " She didn't even hesitate. "That I liked Tracey's new haircut."

Everyone winced in agreement

Then it was Cassie's turn againShe plucked the card with theatrical dread, eyes narrowing as she read it. " Reveal someone you've fancied. "

Draco immediately recoiled, holding up both hands. "I do not need to be hearing about who my sister fancied—"

Cassie didn't even blink. She took a slow, dramatic sip of her firewhiskey, drawing out the moment until someone actually leaned forward. "Charlie Weasley," she said coolly.

There was a beat of silence.

"EW!" Pansy gagged immediately, slapping her hand over her mouth. "Cassie—why?"

Cassie shrugged, utterly unfazed. "I had heard he works with dragons."

" That's your standard now? Fire-breathing reptiles?"

"thats hot" Cassie shrugged 

Draco looked personally offended. "Charlie Weasley is ginger."

"And probably ripped," Cassie added

"Ewww" Pansy recoiled at the thought

Theo blinked up at her from beneath, eyebrows raised in sheer disbelief.

Blaise just shook his head. "Stormcloud, you are not okay."

Cassie smirked. "Never said I was."

And with that, she jumped off Theo' s lap. "Alright. That was enough discomfort for one night."

Theo exhaled sharply, like he'd been holding his breath for way too long. His turn now. He grabbed a card, flipping it over. His brows lifted. "Oh. Interesting."

"What is it?" Pansy leaned in.

Theo read aloud:

Duel someone. No wands, no weapons—first to get pinned loses.

Blaise grinned. "Now this is a proper challenge."

\Theo smirked as he got to his feet, rolling his shoulders. " Alright then... who' s brave enough?" he said looking at draco

"I'm not wrinkling my robes for your bruised masculinity," Draco declared, recoiling like Theo had asked him to roll in mud. "These are pressed."

Pansy squinted at him. "You've literally got jam on your collar."

"It's raspberry preserve, and it's artisanal."

Theo turned to Blaise next, raising an eyebrow. "You in?"

Blaise leaned back, looking at Theo like he'd just asked him to sprint a marathon. "These robes are velvet, darling. Vel-vet. They don't do floor time."

"Come on—"

"Oh please" Blaise cut in smoothly, lips curling. "We all know who you actually want to wrestle."

There was a beat of silence. Then pansy snorted.

Theo blinked. "What?"

Blaise sipped his drink. "Don't play innocent. You've been staring at her hair like it owes you money."

Cassie raised an eyebrow, amused. "Should I be flattered or worried?"

Theo huffed, cheeks just slightly pink. "I've never lost to Blaise."

"You've never dueled me" Blaise pointed out.

"Exactly."

"Oh, I love that logic" Pansy muttered.

Cassie stood up with a sigh, tossing back the rest of her firewhiskey. "Gods, you're all exhausting."

Theo looked up at her, surprised. "Wait, you're volunteering?"

She smirked. "I mean, you've been dying to pin someone all night, right?"

Blaise choked.

Draco fake gagged violently into his drink.

Cassie rolled her neck, stepping forward, like a panther stretching before a kill. "But fair warning, darling—just because you want to pin me doesn't mean you'll win."

Theo squared up, that cocky grin tugging at his lips, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—hesitation, maybe awe. "Cass—have you seen yourself? You'll be pinned in ten seconds flat."

Cassie tilted her head, all faux-innocent. "Mmm. You sure about that, sweetheart?"

"You're like—" Theo gestured vaguely to her. "Strong, but you're tiny."

"I am literally your height when I stand on your ego."

The room oof'd in unison.

Cassie arched a brow, Taking off her jacket "Theo... you've never beaten me. What makes you think today's gonna be any different?"

Theo scowled, already tugging off his jumper. "You don't have your dagger today."

Cassie grinned, wicked. "Nott, I don't need a blade to cut you down."

Pansy whispered to Blaise, "Ten Galleons says he doesn't last thirty seconds."

Blaise snorted. "I'm betting he likes losing."

As if on cue, the Room of Requirement seemed to sense the chaos brewing. The furniture slid back into the corners like it wanted no part in whatever unhinged showdown was about to happen

Cassie and Theo stepped into the center of the room, circling each other like predators. Except Cassie looked bored and Theo looked... cocky. Dangerous combination.

"No wands, no magic, no stabbing—unless it's fun" Pansy chirped. "First one pinned taps out. Ready—go!"

Theo moved first, fast,—hands shooting out to grab Cassie's waist. And for half a second, he felt it. Her waist under his hands—firm, solid, all muscle beneath the curves. And for someone who looked like chaos wrapped in curls and attitude, her reflexes were terrifying. Her body twisted, fast and clean, slipping from his grip like water.

He blinked. "Wait—"

Wham.

Cassie hooked his leg, spun them, and Theo hit the floor flat on his back. He barely had time to recover before she was back in motion. He lunged again, this time determined, arms circling her waist to pull her down with him. And there it was again— Grounded. Tense. Coiled strength in a frame that felt more like a threat than a girl he was in love with

She grabbed his hands and slammed him to the ground. Theo hit the mat with a muffled grunt, Cassie straddling him effortlessly, one hand pinning his shoulder, the other locking his wrist down

His breath caught.

Cassie was panting slightly, her curls brushing his forehead. Her thigh pressed into his side. Her weight on him was... not unpleasant.

"Pinned, " she said, voice smug.

Theo tried to lift her off. She didn't budge. Her grip on his wrist tightened—not painful, just...controlling .

"You tapping out?" she teased, eyes flashing. Theo tried to shift under her. Failed. Tried again.

"You've been working out," he muttered.

"You just noticed?"

He inhaled sharply through his nose and tapped—one, two, defeated .

Ewwww," Pansy groaned, shielding her eyes. "You're practically making out. I can see the tension from here."

Cassie snorted, finally rolling off Theo and brushing herself off

Are you two gonna shag or should we leave the room?" blaise snorted

Draco turned his head away like he was shielding his innocence. mumbling something about decency.

Theo lay there, breathless, staring up at her.

His heartbeat? Not calm.

Cassie offered him a hand. "Get up, warrior." He took it, fingers curling around hers a beat too long.

She looked far too unfazed—like she hadn't just wrecked someone's dignity for sport.

Blaise whistled low. "Oof. Brutal. Ten Galleons, please." He stuck his hand out at Dracoc without missing a beat. Draco scowled and slapped the coins into his palm. "You all bet against me?"

"We bet against Theo," Pansy said with a snort, holding out her hand. "Don't make this about you."

"I just think she should've at least bought me dinner before—" Theo began, but Pansy made a gagging noise and threw a cushion at his face.

Cassie dropped down onto a nest of pillows beside Blaise, looking entirely unbothered. "I warned you."

Theo still dazed, muttering, "You hip-checked me into another plane of existence."

"Tactical pinning," Cassie corrected with a flutter of her lashes.

Blaise leaned toward Draco and whispered, "That wasn't tactical. That was deeply personal."

"Why are you whispering? I can hear you," Theo said flatly, grabbing a half-empty bottle of firewhiskey.

"Good," Blaise quipped. "That way you know how embarrassing that was."

Draco groaned, handing over a small pouch of Galleons to pansy with a pout. "I'm not proud of it, but she really did ruin him."

"I'll take those, thank you," pansysaid, smug as ever.

Theo dropped onto the carpeted floor next to Cassie, who didn't even flinch as he sat close. His shoulder brushed hers, and for a second—just a second—he didn't move.

"You alright?" she asked,

"I think your knee bruised my ribs."

"Yeah?" She took another sip of her drink. "You're welcome"

******

Everyone settled back down into the cozy sprawl of pillows and cushions the Room of Requirement had conjured the warm, low light flickering like a bonfire. Pansy tucked herself into ome of the beanbags, already halfway to sleep. Blaise stretched out like a damn cat, arms behind his head.

Cassie let her head tilt back onto the plush pillow behind her, eyes closing for a moment. Her curls tumbled around her shoulders in a wild mess, and Theo caught himself staring. Not at the hair this time—but at the way she looked right then. Unshaken.

Cassie cracked one eye open. "You're staring, Nott"

He looked away too quickly. "Am not."

"Are too," Blaise cooed from across the room, eyes still shut. "It's adorable."

Theo groaned, dragging a pillow over his face.

Cassie smirked and leaned back again. She shifted, just enough to feel the edge of his knee against hers. Theo didn't move.

He never beats me. He never will.

But that wasn't what lingered in her head.

What lingered was the way his fingers had curled around hers when she'd offered him a hand. The pause. The almost-too-long contact. The fact that her skin still burned where he touched her.

Cassie exhaled through her nose, eyes still closed.

She should shut it down.

She should draw that line again.

But part of her—an annoyingly curious, slightly masochistic part—was wondering just how long Theo could last before breaking.

And gods, wouldn't that be fun to watch.
**

Theo, on the other hand, was having a crisis of his own.

She looked unfairly good in the dark.

She always looked unfairly good.

And Theo was so, so screwed.

Maybe it was the fact that she could outfight him without breaking a sweat. Or the way her laugh cut through a room. Or that look she gave him when she knew she had the upper hand.

She didn't flinch. Didn't even look at him.

Of course she didn't.

Cassie was steel wrapped in silk—she could destroy you and make you say thank you for the honor.

Theo shut his eyes. Tried to breathe.

And then opened them again, stealing one last glance.

She was lying still, eyes closed. Asleep, maybe. He could never tell with her.

He knew this game. She was baiting him. Watching. Waiting.

She wants to see how long I'll last.

And God knows... he was already losing.

The worst part? He liked it. Liked the way she burned under his skin, how she threw him off balance and made him want things he shouldn't. Things they both knew were dangerous.

He couldn't take it anymore.

If he didn't tell her soon—really tell her—he might actually combust.

Not tonight.

But soon.

Very soon.

Because Cassiopeia Black was going to be the end of him.

And Merlin help him... he wanted it that way.

*****************

aahahhh- There is one last surprise

uh- i dunno- i just cant seem to judge- like writing abt feelings part- BUt i feel thats exactly the dynamic establushed btw the two- and its so obvious who the dominant one is- uhhh- also if u think smth is too cringe or can be better- feel free to point it out- im really bad at fluff and romance

pss- i am seeing your getting togetehr ideas in the comments- and honestly they are all amazing- literally yall shud be the one writing this book- Keep those ideass coming pls- the final confession scene is almost here- sooo- i need all the help i can get

and lastly- apparently chat gpt refined its create realistic images feature for the free users- and i wanted to try to get one of  cass x theo- cos- Tbh i never gave you guys a proper cast for cassiopeia- I still dont have an actress in mind - but i feel the images turned out to be some of my favourites- not exactly how i imagined her but not bad for an AI model

Feedback!!

till next time 

mxriddle