Regulus rubbed his temples, already pulling out his wand. "Okay. Look. It's not that serious-I'll just Obliviate him-"

"NO!" Cassie snapped, throwing herself between Regulus and Theo , arms out like a barrier. "Absolutely not.

Regulus raised a brow.

"-ugh-it's fine if he knows." Cassie huffed, clearly flustered. "I trust him. And what if you screw it up and wipe the wrong memory-what if -what if -you erase every memory he has of me?"

"Oh," Regulus said flatly. "Right. I forgot you two were together." His eyes narrowed, shooting Theo a slow, unimpressed once-over. "Lucky me. I get to play meet-the-boyfriend with a possible Obliviate on the table."

Cassie turned to him, scowling. "Stop looking at him like you're planning fifty ways to hex his spleen."

Regulus crossed his arms. "I am planning fifty ways to hex his spleen "You're my daughter. You think I'm going to let anyone-"

"Okay, stop He's not just anyone. He's Theo." she reached toward him without thinking, her fingers brushing the sleeve of his robe

Theo flinched.

Hard.

Like she'd burned him.

Cassie's hand hung there in the air for a second too long, like maybe if she just touched him he'd stop looking at her like that. Like she was something toxic.

"Don't," Theo said quietly. "Don't touch me right now."

She dropped her hand like it had never belonged there in the first place.

"Right," she said, voice flat. "Of course."

Theo laughed once-short, breathless, disbelievin. "So Pierre doesn't exist? At all?"

Cassie didn't answer.

"You said he raised you," he said, voice rising. "You said he took you in when Sirius left.

"He did,"

"Except he's Regulus Black," Theo snapped. "Supposed to be Dead, youngest Black heir, loyal Death Eater turned traitor-that Regulus Black?!"

Cassie's jaw tightened. "He wasn't any of that to me, alright? He was just... my dad."

"And you just decided not to tell me?" Theo said, arms thrown wide. "You just let me believe it was some rando named Pierre while I-while I told you everything-

"It wasnt-

"Don't." Theo cut her off, voice suddenly louder. "Don't give me some rehearsed, clipped, Cassiopeia Black damage control line. Just-don't."

Cassie exhaled like she was trying not to break something. "I didn't know how. You don't know what it means if anyone finds out he's alive-"

"I'm not anyone - didn't you just say it ?," Theo bit. "I'm not some accomplice of yours-. I thought I was - fuck, I don't know what I thought. But I didn't think you'd lie to me. Not like this."

Cassie's voice turned mean before she could stop it. "Well, clearly you thought wrong."

That landed.

Theo stepped back like she'd slapped him.

"Wow," he said, blinking. "That's what you've got? That's your defense? You're the most powerful girl at Hogwarts and this is what you fall back on? Cruelty?"

"I-

" Oh no Cassioepeia-that's exactlywhat you do. When you get cornered, you throw knives. You don't apologize. You just try to cut deep enough so you don't have to feel anything."

Cassie's breath caught.

"And I took it," he continued, bitter. "I let you use me like a shield. I let you bite my head off every time you got - I thought-I thought maybe you just didn't know how to be cared for. But now I get it. You don't want to be- You want control. Secrets. Power. Something no one else can touch."

"I just wanted one thing that was mine!" Cassie yelled, finally cracking. "Everything in my life is public knowledge or gossip or trauma! Just one thing, Theo! Just one!"

"Then maybe you shouldn't have picked me to lie to."

Silence.

That one carved her open.

Her face twisted, but she didn't speak.

"You could've told me, Cass. I would've kept it. For you. Protected it. You know I would've."

Cassie clenched her fists. "And what if they came after you? What if telling you got you killed? "

"I couldn't risk it. You're not some expendable name on a list, Theo. You're-" She stopped.

Theo waited.

But she didn't finish.

And that silence? That did more damage than any spell ever could.

He stepped back. "Right."

Cassie blinked. "No-"

Theo shook his head. "I can't do this. Not right now-You can keep your fuckin secrets Black" he spat

He turned toward the door.

And Regulus, who had been hovering at the edge of the room this whole time suddenly snapped, "Oi. Watch your tone when you're talking to her."

Cassie spun on Regulus. "STOP. Just-stop. Haven't you screwed up enough for one day?"

Regulus stared at her.

Like she'd thrown cold water in his face.

Regret immedietly clouded Cassie's face-and she shook her head. "I didn't mean - ugh-I'll sort it, Dad."

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

Theo's footsteps crunched on the gravel drive as he hurried away from the house. Cassie burst through the doorway, eyes wild, and raced after him.

"Theodore! Theo, wait-" she called, lunging to grab his arm. He jerked away instinctively,

Cassie braked to a stop, she reached for him again. He flinched, palm held up between them. "Cass-please." She didn't back down.

"Don't 'please' me, Nott! You can't just walk away-"

He took another step back. "I need air."

With every retreat, her panic flared hotter. She clenched her jaw. "Stop running from me!" she snapped.

Theo's shoulders tensed. "I'm not running. I-just-" Theo's muttered coldly ,footsteps crunching on the gravel as he continued walking away

Cassie stood at the doorway, chest heaving, watching him go-

Then, in one reckless motion, she pulled the dagger from her boot and flung it.

Thunk. It buried itself in the dirt just inches from his foot, the steel still humming with force.

Theo froze, staring at the dagger still vibrating in the gravel. "What the fuck, Cass-are you psycho?! You could've stabbed me!"

Cassie didn't even flinch. "Oh, please," she scoffed, already walking toward him "I could have nicked your shoe if I wanted to "

He gawked at her. "That is not comforting."

"It wasn't meant to be," she muttered, brushing past him to yank the dagger from the ground . "You weren't listening. You never listen when you're spiraling."

"I was not spiraling-"

"You were spiraling, Nott." She sheathed the blade into her boot again and turned on him with a look that could kill. "You always do this thing where you retreat like you're some tragic hero who got stuck with some villain. and I'm not chasing you down every time just to watch you self-destruct with guilt."

He stared at her, breathing hard. "So your solution was to try and kill me?"

Cassie rolled her eyes. "You knew I wasn't going to hit you."

"You could've stabbed me!"

"Did I?" she snapped.

His mouth opened. Closed.

"You're not walking away from me, Nott-not like that. You want space? Fine. Go take a nice long walk around the dagger I just threw at your foot--I have 3 more on me"

He stared at her like she'd lost her mind. Maybe she had. But she wasn't done

"Theo listen--listen to me"

"Why?! So you can spin another story? Maybe tell me your father's actually a fucking librarian?"

She shoved him back, full-on chest poke. "I didn't want you to find out like this," she said. "But you weren't supposed to find out at all."

"Yeah. That's pretty fucking clear."

"I lied," she said, not flinching. "I lied, and I'd do it again."

He blinked at her, hurt flaring. "You really expect me to be okay with that?"

"I expect you to know me." Her voice cracked through the air, hoarse "I expect you to know that I don't lie for fun-I lie to survive. To keep what little I have left. Regulus has been my dad since I was one. Since Sirius left me for dead.

"Pierre was mine," Cassie growled, "I didn't have anything else. Pierre was mine. So yeah, I lied. Because for once-just once-I wanted something that was only mine."

Theo's breath hitched. We said we told each other everything."

Her jaw flexed. "We did."

"No. You didn't."

"I didn't tell you one thing-"

He stepped forward, voice low and savage now. "One thing? You lied about your entire fucking life, Cass. That man raised you. He was your father. "

Her spine went stiff.

"And you let me." he continued. "I Told you everything-about my mom-my dad- ."

Cassie didn't move.

"Did you ever-once-think I deserved to know who you really were?"

Silence.

Cassie stepped closer, . "I tore myself apart for you too, Theo. For years. You think I've been fine? You think I didn't lie awake wondering if one day you'd leave too? Every person I ever loved left-every single one. And I still came back to you."

Theo's jaw clenched. "And still, you couldn't tell me."

"I didn't know how," she bit out. "I didn't know how to let someone in without losing them. I thought if I kept one piece of me hidden, I could protect it. Protect you."

He laughed, dry humorless . "Bullshit. You don't protect people, Cassie. You hoard them. You lock them away, and then act shocked when they can't breathe.

Something flickered in her eyes. A break. Just for a second.

She blinked, fast, almost imperceptibly-then a single tear welled up, shimmered against her lower lash line-

Theo saw it. He always did

Cassie turned her head so fast it was like she'd been slapped. Wiped it away with her sleeve like it hadn't existed at all. When she looked back at him, her face was stone again.

Emotionless. Controlled. Indifferent.

"Don't fucking look at me like that," she said coldly.

He stared at her. "You just-"

"You saw nothing"

Theo didn't answer but his fury had definetly died down

"You can hate me," she said. "But you don't get to walk away like I'm some villain you never knew. You knew what you were signing up for."

Theo didn't answer. Not yet.

"I thought you were like me," she went on. "You, of all people, know what it's like-we would burn the world for the people we love. I know I would. For you."

That made him stop. His eyes met hers. Her grey ones weren't as cold anymore-still stormy, but honest.

"You're right," she admitted. "I should've told you."

Theo blinked, silent.

"And I don't deserve forgiveness," she added. "But I do deserve your silence."

She stepped closer, voice dropping. "Swear you'll keep this to yourself," she said. "Or I Obliviate you. Or kill you. I haven't decided."

Theo stared at her, jaw tight.

A long silence stretched.

Finally, he said "I won't say a word. You know I wouldn't-even if you didn't ask."

Cassie studied him like she didn't quite believe it. Then, finally, she gave a single nod.

She turned toward the house.

And this time, Theo followed.

He hadn't forgiven her. Not exactly. But he wasn't angry anymore either-if that was any different

Because she was Cassiopeia.

Relentless, terrifying Lying but still Cassiopeia-

And he-he was the idiot who loved her anyway. Who always would.

Merlin help him, he would've followed her anywhere.

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

Back inside, the silence between them wasn't exactly peaceful-but it had stopped bleeding.

Theo stood by the hearth now, arms folded, gaze skimming across the living room like he was still trying to figure out if this was real.

The walls were covered in more portraits-most of them Cassie. All moving. Some recent. Some older. Some where she looked terrifying. Others where she looked...like a kid. Like someone he barely recognized.

He stopped in front of a crooked frame, cocked his head, and then-snorted.

Cassie turned from where she'd dropped her cloak over a chair. "What's so funny, Nott?"

"You," Theo said, grin twitching onto his face.

He pointed to the photo.

It was Cassie-maybe eight years old-her entire face smeared with black frosting, half a cake crushed in front of her, her expression caught mid-manic scream of joy. Her curls were wild, her robes completely ruined, and a beheaded doll floated in the background

"Oh," she said, strolling over. "That."

He looked at her in amusement "The hell were you doing?"

"That was our birthday tradition," Cassie said with a shrug. "Smash the cake. Behead the dolls. Regulus was always very committed to the theme of the year."

Theo stared. "What kind of theme was this "

She didn't blink. "Destruction and disappointment."

A beat passed. Then he huffed out something that might've been a laugh.

Cassie leaned her shoulder against the fireplace next to him angling towards him with the sort of smirk that said she knew exactly where he was now.

Not angry anymore. Not really.

Just hers again, whether he liked it or not.

"Come on, Nott," she said lightly. "Don't make me beg for forgiveness."

Theo raised a brow, his voice dry. "You would beg?"

Cassie scoffed. "Of course I wouldn't. Gods, it's like you don't even know me."

A corner of his mouth twitched, just barely. . "No, I do. That's why I'm asking. Thought maybe you were evolving."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Oh, bite me."

Theo leaned in the tiniest bit, lips twitching. "Tempting. But your dad's still in the other room with a wand and unresolved trauma."

Cassie huffed a laugh. "Right. That."

Theo didn't reply still looking at the wall

"Come on," she nudged, tone lilting now. "What's that thing you call me? Love? Come on love I apologized. What more do you want? A monologue? A tragic sonnet? I could cry if you're into that sort of thing."

Theo finally looked at her, eyes softer now, mouth barely hiding a grin. "What makes you think I haven't forgiven you?"

Cassie turned her face toward him fully, suspicious. "Well, one-you're still leaning away like physical contact might infect you."

"I'm not leaning-" Theo began.

She arched a brow. He immediately stood straighter.

"And two," Cassie continued, "you're not losing your mind about the fact that my father is going to walk in any second and interrogate you like an overprotective war criminal.

"He is???," Theo said suddenly panicky. "Where's my-bloody-mirror-" He yanked it out, flipping it open and squinting as he tried to fix his hair.

Cassie rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't get stuck. "If he already hates you, Nothing would you know-change that. You could show up in full dress robes with a unicorn bouquet and he'd still be planning your execution."

Theo gave her a flat look. "Why would I bring unicorns?"

"I don't know," Cassie shrugged. "Trying to woo me, maybe. Prove you're not entirely emotionally stunted."

He checked his reflection with a frown, slicked his hair back with one hand.

Cassie watched, unimpressed. "Wow. Didn't realise you wanted to impress the man who is probably planning to curse your eyebrows off."

"Well, I have excellent eyebrows," Theo said. "They're not up for sacrifice."

Cassie snorted. "If he hexes your face, I'm not fixing it."

He smirked. "Don't lie. You'd miss it."

She gave him a cool once-over. "I don't know. I've seen you pouting. Could be an improvement."

Theo leaned in again-just a hair too close. His voice dropped. "You know, if this is your way of flirting, you're terrible at it."

"Oh, love," Cassie purred mockingly, eyes gleaming. "If I were actually flirting, you'd already be on your knees."

He opened his mouth, closed it again, then barked a laugh, half-winded and amused. "Right. Yeah. Never mind. You're exactly the same."

Cassie smiled, just faintly. "And you're still here."

A silence passed between them, brief but weighted. Not tense. Not awkward. Just... knowing.

Theo nudged her elbow with his. "Don't get sentimental on me."

She looked at him sideways. "I could still Obliviate you, you know. Just for fun."

"Sure," he said, turning back toward the mantle. "But then you'd have to explain everything to me all over again."

Cassie groaned. "Ugh. Worst punishment imaginable."

Theo grinned. "Exactly."

From the hallway, the faint sound of a door creaked.

Theo straightened instantly, eyes wide. "That him?"

Cassie didn't even flinch. "Relax. If he kills you, I'll revive you just to kill you again."

"Touching."

The gate creaked open and Regulus strolled in like he hadn't been lurking dramatically behind the door for ten minutes rehearsing his entrance.

Theo immediately straightened, every part of him snapping to attention "Mr. Black."

Regulus just looked at him. Not blinking. Not smiling. Not moving.

Cassie, off to the side, muttered, "Merlin, he's going full melodramatic dad."

Regulus finally spoke. "So you're the boy."

Theo cleared his throat. "Theodore Nott, sir."

"That's unfortunate," Regulus said flatly.

Cassie stifled a snort behind her hand.

Theo, to his credit, stayed impressively composed. "I care about Cassie very much, sir. I would never let anyone hurt her."

"She can hurt people just fine on her own," Regulus said, walking slowly into the room, inspecting Theo "The concern is whether you're capable enough to survive her."

Cassie beamed. "See? He gets me."

Theo attempted a smile. "I-I like to think I hold my own."

"She almost blew up the kitchen because I ate her pumpkin pasty."

"That was one time I was like 10-it was accidental" Cassie muttered.

Regulus ignored her. "How are your shielding charms, Mr. Nott?"

"Excellent," Theo answered quickly.

"They're passable," Cassie chimed in with a shrug.

Theo gave her a betrayed glance. She looked smug.

Regulus tilted his head. "Duelling?"

"Top of my year," Theo said confidently.

"Second. After me." Cassie interrupted again

"Barely second."

"Still second."

Regulus took another step forward. "How do you intend to protect my daughter if something happens?"

Theo answered smoothly, "I'd kill the threat, get her out safely, and make sure she's protected before myself."

Cassie muttered, "He'd probably throw himself in front of me dramatically."

Theo side-eyed her. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

"It's pathetic," she said gagging "And kind of sweet. Disgusting."

Regulus ignored them both. "And if you are the threat?"

Theo didn't flinch. "Then I'd ask her to kill me herself."

Cassie raised her brows. "Wow. We are really leaning into the melodrama today."

Regulus finally - finally - gave the faintest nod. "Good answer."

Theo blinked. "Was... that approval?"

Cassie leaned in. "That's as close as it gets. He didn't hex you. Consider it a win."

Regulus walked past them both and poured himself a drink. "I'll be watching you."

Cassie: "He means that literally. There's probably a spying ward in your shoes now."

Theo looked mildly panicked. "Is there?"

Regulus didn't respond.

Cassie grinned, reached over, and patted Theo's chest lightly. "Welcome to the family, Nott."

Suddenly-

POP.

A loud crack echoed through the room as Kreacher materialized out of thin air, hunched and muttering, a tray of tea and snacks balanced in his gnarled hands.

He didn't even look at Theo.

"Mistress Cassiopeia," Kreacher wheezed reverently, bowing so low his nose nearly touched the floor. "Kreacher brought your favorite hot chocolate, and the candied bits you liked as a child. Mistress Cassie always liked nightshade..."

Cassie grinned, taking the cup. "You didn't lace them with poison again, did you?"

Kreacher blinked. "Only a little, Mistress."

Cassie sipped and nodded approvingly. "Good."

Theo stared. "What the-?"

She waved a hand. "Don't hate it till you taste it, Nott. It's like-this lovely feeling where your throat feels like it's definitely closing, but then it doesn't, and boom-hot chocolate."

Theo recoiled

"Pour him a cup too, will you, Kreacher?"

Kreacher looked deeply insulted. "For the Nott boy?" His eyes narrowing. looking Theo up and down like he was gum on an heirloom.

Regulus, sipping his drink in the corner, offered dryly, "Also apparently her boyfriend."

Kreacher made a sound. A wet, squelchy click of disbelief and disapproval. He took a full step back, like Theo might infect the very air. "Mistress deserves a proper match. A strong heir. A warrior. Perhaps a young Rosier boy-"

Theo narrowed his eyes. "She already has a warrior."

Kreacher hissed. "Not for her."

Cassie cackled. "Okay, that's enough matchmaking, Kreach. Put down the snacks before you traumatize my boyfriend."

Kreacher obeyed immediately. He set the tray down , eyes never leaving Theo like he was planning something deadky.

"You're making him nervous," Cassie added, amused.

Regulus finally looked at Theo and drawled, "If Kreacher doesn't like you, you'll know. He once tried to slip a poison ivy in my brother's drink. It wasn't subtle."

Theo looked between them all, visibly unsettled. "Right. Well. Noted."

Cassie leaned in toward him, her voice just low enough. "You're doing great by the way."

Kreacher muttered something that sounded like, "Mistress's standards have fallen."

Theo blinked. "Did he just-"

"Yes," Cassie said, not looking up. "But that's actually his way of saying welcome."

Kreacher crossed his arms with a sneer. "Kreacher will not be preparing the wedding feast."

Cassie grinned. "Oh, you will, and you'll like it."

Kreacher bowed, muttering something unintelligible under his breath.

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Ignore him." She spun around on her heel, gesturing down the hallway. "Come on, Nott," she grinned. "I'll show you around. Try not to fall in love with the decor."

Behind them, Regulus's voice cut through "Don't you dare kiss her."

Cassie groaned. Loudly. "Dad."

Regulus didn't flinch. "I mean it."

"I'm literally walking him through the house, not dragging him into a broom cupboard."

Theo coughed into his fist, failing to hide the laugh.

Regulus stared at them, stone-faced. Then, as if a switch flipped, he stepped forward and wedged himself directly between them.

"You know what? I'll come with you."

Cassie blinked at him "Seriously?"

"Yes." He adjusted his robes primly. "For moral support. And crowd control."

"Crowd? It's just us."

"I don't trust him," Regulus said plainly.

Theo, still somehow polite, just shrugged. "That's fair."

Cassie rolled her eyes hard enough to cause permanent damage and started walking. "Great. Family bonding time. Let's go."

**************
Theo stared around as they walked

The house was... big. Stupid big. But it didn't feel cold.
The furniture was mismatched but soft, with too many blankets everywhere. Shelves were stuffed with books, half-burned candles, and weird trinkets that buzzed faintly when you walked past. Theo caught sight of a clock shaped like a snake swallowing its own tail, and a suit of armor that was definitely giving him a dirty look.

"This is the hallway," Cassie said, waving a hand vaguely "Everything important connects to it. It also makes horrible groaning sounds at night, but we try not to take it personally."

Regulus walked a step behind them "That's because the last owner murdered someone in it."

Cassie shot him a look. "We talked about this dad - we don't lead with that."

Theo raised an eyebrow. "You live in a murder hallway?"

"Honestly?" Cassie said. "The murder hallway has great lighting."

They passed through what looked like an old sitting room, but instead of formal chairs, there were squishy sofas and weird knickknacks - a cursed chess set mid-battle, floating cushions that re-fluffed themselves, and a photo wall that showed a pale dark haired women Theodore assumed was her mother, holding a very scowling baby cassie .

Cassie pointed lazily at one on the opposite wall "That's me at age six. I tried to steal his wand and accidentally set the piano on fire."

Regulus nodded fondly. "You didn't cry. Just stood there and watched it burn."

"I was a visionary."

"You were feral."

They walked on towards the kitchen

The kitchen had an enormous cauldron in the corner. A real one.

Theo stared. "Do you... cook in that?"

"Yes," both Blacks said at once.

Cassie added, "Also for dramatic effect. It bubbles on command."

Regulus muttered, "I taught her that spell."

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

They passed a tiny indoor greenhouse full of overgrown plants, a library that smelled like smoke and ink, and a room Cassie called the "chaos room," which turned out to be a weird second sitting room full of pillows and ancient newspapers.

"Nexr stop," Cassie said, kicking open a wooden door with her foot, "this is the war room. Also known as room where I won every childhood duel with a huge doll dad gift me"

The room was cluttered, . There were three sagging couches, and a large photo above the mantel -. Little Cassie was sticking her tongue out at the camera, and Regulus kept trying to adjust her posture from behind.

Theo grinned. "I love that you look like you're about to slap someone."

"She did break the camera right after," Regulus muttered.

"Dad!" Cassie said embarrassed

Eventually, they reached the hallway of guest rooms. Cassie pushed open one door with a flourish.
This one's yours. Guest room. Towels are charmed to punch you if you steal them."

Theo stepped inside and blinked. It was - surprisingly beautiful. Soft bed. Warm lighting. A view of the hills beyond the house. Everything felt... homely.

He turned back. "Wow-uhm- Okay, but where's yours?"

Cassie opened her mouth, but Regulus was faster, "Why do you want to know?"

Theo blinked guiltily. "I-was just curious."

"'Curious' is how most romance novels begin," Regulus said flatly.

"Dad, stop," Cassie groaned. "It's not like he's going to sneak in and-"

"He won't," Regulus said simply. "Because he values his life."

********
But she led Theo anyway, down a side hallway that grew noticeably darker. The wallpaper faded from warm golds to deep slate. The lamps flickered like they were suspicious. A skull dangled from a chain overhead.

Theo slowed. "...Is this the corridor where I die?"

Cassie threw him a grin over her shoulder. "Welcome to my sanctum."

The door creaked open.

Inside, her room was a dramatic mess of darkness. Black velvet curtains. Raven feathers. Potion vials and loads of daggers. A fireplace flickering violet-blue. The bed was massive - something out of a gothic romance - and above it, a giant mural of a dragon's eye watched them like it

Theo blinked slowly.
"...You live like this?"

"I thrive like this."

Behind them, Regulus cleared his throat.
"You have three minutes. I'm counting."

"Merlin's balls," Cassie muttered. "You're insane."

"I raised you."

"Exactly."

"Wow" Theo said looking around overwhelmed but taking it all in "Isn't there a-

"TIMES UP"

"Dad !" Cassie groaned exasperated

"Come on both of you-out now"

Theo bit back a laugh at Cassioepia's expression but headed out anywyas

(***************

They were halfway down a hallway, Regulus lecturing about proper bookshelf organization ("You never stack war stories next to romance, Cassiopeia, that's how you ruin a generation"), when Cassie abruptly stopped walking.

"Wait."

Theo stopped. Cassie narrowed her eyes slowly turning towards Regulus "When we walked in earlier... you were dragging a body."

Regulus didn't even blink. "Yes."

Cassie squinted at him. "You weren't gonna mention that?"

"I was waiting for the right time."

Theo stared between them like he'd been dropped into a fever dream. "I'm sorry - what?"

"Oh, relax," Cassie said, waving a hand . "Probably just a corpse."

"I didn't kill him," Regulus scoffed. "I'm not stupid."

Theo's voice rose a full octave. "...That's your opening defense?!"

"He was a thief. A Muggle. He broke into the shed. I panicked."

"You hexed him," Cassie guessed, amused.

"I hexed him."

"And dragged him across the threshold by the ankle," she added helpfully.

"I didn't want blood on the carpet you know just incase" Regulus said, like that was the rational part.

Cassie clicked her tongue, mock-offended. "Can't believe you did a panic-hex without me. Some father-daughter bonding that is."

Theo turned slowly toward her. "I'm sorry, is this how you two bond?"

Regulus tilted his head, considering. " Not always -There was that one summer we spent building a secret trapdoor under the potions lab for rat infestation"

"Technically, you built it," Cassie said. "I just decorated it."

"Skulls on the hinges," he said fondly.

Theo looked at both of them, utterly flustered, then turning to Cassie "I see where you get your insanity from."

"You're so dramatic," Cassie muttered. "The guy just fainted. Right?"

Regulus sniffed. "Eventually. After the Obliviate. Which was clean, by the way."

"Oh, you Obliviated him after dragging him? That's a bit out of order, isn't it?"

"I was improvising."

Theo rubbed his temples. "This is the most unhinged house tour I've ever been on."

"And this is where the house tour ends" Regulus said shortly "You'll sleep now.?" He asked, the question sounding more like a statement

"We'll have dinner first," Cassiopeia cut in, "Then sleep."

Theo shot her a grateful glance, mouthing thank you behind Regulus's back.

Regulus sighed like he was surrounded by hormonal teenagers. Which, to be fair, he was.

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

The next morning was too quiet.

No creaking floorboards. No wind howling through the walls Just sunlight through sheer curtains, the distant chirp of birds, and kreacher grumbling about the house

Theo blinked blearily as he padded into the kitchen, barefoot, in a plain black tee and joggers.Cassie was already there, legs up on a kitchen chair, a half-eaten piece of toast in one hand

She glanced up. "You look like you lost a duel with the mattress."

"I think it bit me," Theo muttered, eyeing the coffee pot "This place is too quiet."

Cassie snorted. "Right? I love it."

He poured himself a cup, squinting toward the hallway. "Where's your dad?"

"Dunno." She bit her toast. "Maybe finally hexed himself trying to charm that plant that hates him."

Theo turned slowly toward the living room. "Is it weird that I... don't believe you?"

Cassie grinne. "Good instincts."

And sure enough-a shadow moved. Subtle. Too subtle. But Theo caught it.

The curtain.

Just a sliver.

Just enough to see two pale fingers parting it the tiniest inch.

Theo leaned closer to Cassie, voice low. "He's watching us."

Cassie didn't even blink. "He's always watching."

Theo turned more toward her. "You knew?"

"Of course I knew," she muttered, sipping her coffee. "I heard the floorboard creak three minutes ago. He's standing behind the sitting room curtain like a Victorian widow."

Theo nearly choked on his toast. "I'm going to die."

Cassie grinned. "Not if you act normal."

"What's normal in this house?"

She casually leaned over, grabbed his sleeve, and yanked him down into the seat next to her. "Smile. Sip. Pretend he's not eavesdropping"

Theo rubbed his temples. "Is he always like this?"

Cassie shrugged. "You're the first person to sleep under this roof except us-

"Comforting."

Another pause.

Then Cassie raised her voice slightly. "You can come out now."

The curtain didn't move.

Cassie sighed loudly. "Dad, we can see you."

Nothing.

"I heard you muttering about the lighting ruining your line of sight, Come out."

Still silence.

Theo blinked. "Is he really-?"

Regulus appeared from the hallway, stepping very deliberately into the kitchen with a newspaper tucked under one arm and his expression completely, painfully neutral.

"Good morning," he said, like he hadn't just spent fifteen minutes crouched behind his own drapes like a nosy aunt.

"Morning," Cassie said, way too cheerfully.

Theo just nodded. "Sir."

Regulus looked between them, eyes narrowing just slightly. "Sleep well?"

Cassie hummed. "He survived the mattress."

Regulus raised a brow. "Impressive."

He sat, folded the paper, and then-so casually it almost worked-said, "Hope you two didn't get too cold last night."

Cassie didn't blink. "We weren't in the same room."

Theo nearly knocked over his coffee "We-we weren't. I was in the guest room. Alone."

Regulus gave him a tight smile. "Of course you were."

Another pause.

Theo cleared his throat. "Do you... need help with anything this morning?"

Regulus took a deliberate sip of his tea. "You offering to clean the attic, Nott?"

"...Well-Uh-sure?"

Cassie buried her face in her mug.

Regulus tilted his head. "Interesting. Even the possessed mannequin?"

Cassie stood abruptly. "Okay. Nope. That's enough psychological warfare for one breakfast. Theo, come on, let's go outside. Breathe. Touch grass."

Regulus stood too. "Not too far."

Cassie threw up her hands. "What are we, twelve?!"

"I don't know, Cassiopeia," Regulus said, voice cool. "You've dated exactly one person and he's sitting there sweating like a Polyjuiced Weasley."

Theo muttered, "This is going great."

Cassie stormed toward the door, grabbing Theo's hand on the way. "If he hexes you, I'll unhex you. Probably."

Regulus called after them, "Be back by lunch!"

Cassie shouted, "This is why I refused homeschooling"

"I'm still watching!"
*********************************
********************************

Cassie yanked the door open and stepped barefoot into the dewy grass . Theo followed warily, eyes scanning the space like Regulus might emerge from the shrubbery in full gear.

"You alright?" she asked over her shoulder.

"I'm just saying," Theo muttered, "he could be anywhere. Behind a tree. Under a Disillusionment Charm. Polyjuiced as the bloody rosebush."

Cassie paused by a rusted iron bench, turned, and blinked at him. "Are you okay?"

"No," he hissed. "Your dad is mental and I am one wrong blink away from a Crucio ."

Cassie's grin widened. "Relax. He's mental but. He doesn't come outside."

Theo squinted. "How do you know?"

She walked toward him slowly, curls wild in the morning light, robes hanging loose over a dark tank top, utterly unbothered.

"Wanna test it?" she murmured, .

Theo stiffened. "No. Bad idea."

"Oh my god," Cassie laughed. "You're actually scared."

"Of course I am! He dragged a body yesterday and then ate dessert?!"

Cassie snorted, stepping even closer. "He only hexes people he doesn't like. You? He's just tormenting you. It's a bonding ritual."

"Are you hearing yourself?"

She tilted her head. "Maybe you're the one being mental. Maybe he's testing you."

Theo blinked. "Testing me how?"

Cassie got unreasonably close, her voice dropping to a silky taunt. "Maybe he's waiting to see what you'll do if we're unsupervised."

Theo opened his mouth, closed it, then narrowed his eyes. "This feels like a trap."

Cassie smiled sweetly. "It is a trap. I'm the trap."

Theo's throat bobbed.

Cassie leaned in, eyes dark and gleaming with mischief. "Do something spontaneous, Nott."

"Spontaneous how?" he muttered, backing toward the hedge.

"Your call." She shrugged, . "But if he's watching, might as well make it a show."

He exhaled sharply. "You are the worst."

"Come on. You said you could live with the curse."

Theo hesitated, then grabbed her wrist, yanked her in, and kissed her-quick, messy, and full of barely-held panic.

Cassie froze for half a second. Then laughed into it, half annoyed, half impressed. "That was the most stressed-out kiss I've ever-"

"Shut up," he muttered, ears red. "I'm under surveillance."

"I told you, he's not out here!"

A loud crack echoed in the distance.

They both turned.

A single garden gnome scurried for its life.

Theo jumped. "I KNEW IT!"

Cassie sighed. "That's not my dad. That's Gregory. He explodes when startled."

Theo stared at the gnome sprinting across the lawn, trailing smoke. "What the hell is wrong with this house."

Cassie grinned. "Too much to list. But it's still home. Wanna see the cursed piano next?"

Theo blinked. "Not like I have a choice."

She grabbed his hand. "Oh, you're going to love it here, Nott."

"Well, I hope I survive," he muttered, letting her drag him along.

"Of course you will. Do you think we're monsters? Besides, it's your birthday the day after tomorrow-"

"Oh, so I die after that?"

Cassie just laughed.

And somewhere, from the upstairs window, Regulus sipped his tea and muttered, "Hmph. Not the worst." watching her laugh-openly, easily, with someone who wasn't him.

For once, he felt relieved.

Maybe... maybe it wouldn't all fall apart for her if he was gone.

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

(bonus Theodore's birthday)

DAD, I TOLD YOU HE LIKES GREEN! That doesn't mean you turn the whole house into a bloody forest!"

Regulus, wand in hand, blinked. "But Star, you said-green."

"It looks like we're being hunted by moss demons," Cassie muttered, glancing up at the ivy creeping down the hallway ceiling like it was alive. "You made the walls breathe, father."

"It's called ambience."

Meanwhile, in one of the upstairs bedrooms, Theodore Nott, birthday boy and unwilling participant, had just opened his eyes to the sound of-

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUU-"

Theo jolted uprigght. A portrait above the fireplace-one of Cassie's long-dead great-aunts-was grinning manically and singing a high-pitched, off-key solo with an vibrato that rattled the glass.

He stared. "What the fu-"

"Language," the portrait snapped mid-note.

He stumbled out of bed, dragging a blanket with him like a lost ghost, and opened the door to... a hallway that looked like the Forbidden Forest . Green vines moved. The carpet squelched. Something howled in the distance.

And then Cassie appeared in the chaos, barefoot and holding two mugs. "Oh good, you're up," she said brightly, then leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Happy birthday, Nott."

Theo blinked, disoriented. "Are we under attack?"

"No," Regulus coughed from behind a suit of armor, emerging stiffly. "Just celebrating. Happy birthday, Theodore."

"...Thank you, sir."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "You could've smiled."

"Did you smile?"

"No, but that's my thing."

Theo looked around slowly. "Is this... cursed?"

Cassie shoved a mug of cocoa into his hands. "Go get dressed. I'll fix this."

"Fix it? What is this?" he asked, gesturing vaguely at the swamp hallway.

"Go. Back. Inside."

" But-"

"Get dressed," she ordered, "The theme is horror."

"Why is that extremely on-brand?" Theo mumbled as he stumbled backward.

"Because I thought of it," Regulus called out proudly.

"Of course you did, Dad," Cassie said, throwing a look over her shoulder "You think of the themes I take care of the trauma

Ten minutes later...

Theo came back out wearing all black, his usual attire, only to find the horror theme had... evolved.

The hallway was now lit by flickering red candles floating mid-air. One of the portraits was sobbing. There were actual cobwebs hanging from the chandelier-and were those human teeth in the vase?

A small Slytherin banner blinked "CONGRATULATIONS ON NOT DYING YET" and another one that said "NOTT BOY IS ONE YEAR CLOSER TO DEATH!!"

He stepped into the living room-

And stopped dead.

Because nothing in the room matched the hallway.

It was... pink.

Like, blinding, aggressively pastel, unicorn pink.

Ribbons. Heart-shaped balloons. Pink lace tablecloth. There was glitter on the walls. Banners.

But the worst part-the truly horrifying part-was the girl standing in front of it all.

Cassiopeia Arcturus Black.

In a dress.

A pink dress.

Theo stared at her like she'd sprouted an extra head.

"Is this... is this real? Are you trying to kill me?"

Cassie tilted her head, sweetly. "Surprise?"

"I... don't... what is this."

" horror theme," she shrugged, "And what's more horrifying than me in this thing?"

She twirled. The dress had a bow. Theo took an instinctive step back.

Theo exhaled. "worse than torture"

Cassie flipped her hair. "Don't be dramatic. You should feel honored. I haven't worn pink since I was five and possessed by a cursed doll."

Theo was still staring. "I think I'm sweating. I feel... unsafe."

She grinned "Good."

Regulus wandered in with a cake knife. "We ready to cut the death pastry?"

Cassie nodded handing him a party hat. It had bats on it. He stared.

"Put it on," she said, eyes glittering with mock threat.

Theo sighed, put on the hat, and muttered, "This is why I don't celebrate things."

But even as he said it, he was watching her-this strange, terrifying, terrifyingly thoughtful girl who had turned her house into a horror-pink monstrosity just for him. For his birthday.

"I decorated the cake" She said proudly

Well it was definitely obvious

The cake was somehow... alive.

Theo stared at it like it might lunge at him.

It was three-tiered, vaguely lopsided, and decorated in pink icing and green thorns. At the base of the cake, two tiny enchanted figures were locked in an animated duel-one clearly Theo with an unimpressed frown clearly losing the fight, the other Cassie grinning and holding what looked like a wand and a dagger.

That wasn't it all-

The cake, unfortunately, sang.

Cassie lit the candles with a flick of her wand, and suddenly the frosting shifted-eyes blinked open on the second tier, and a high-pitched chorus of voices started shrieking "HAPPY BIRTHDAY THEO"

Theo flinched. "Why does the cake have teeth."

"Adds texture," Cassie said cheerfully. Regulus nodded in approval from the corner.

"I hate this," Theo whispered.

But he was smiling. Just a little as he cut the cake

The candles blinked and hissed as he blew them out, and the cake let out a final, defeated moan before falling silent. One of the balloons in the corner popped with a dramatic bang.

Cassie grinned and clapped once. "Right!"

"Is it me or is that slice... moving." Theo said poking at the slice he just cut

"It's thematic," Regulus said matter-of-factly, "I hexed the fondant."

Cassie handed him a slice of the cake. "Wonderful. Now shoo."

Regulus frowned. "Excuse me?"

"Shoo, Dad. Privacy. Go prep the-uh-special dinner," Cassie said , widening her eyes at him meaningfully.

Regulus squinted. "You said I wasn't allowed to cook after the last time-"

"But you wanted to make it special for Theo, don't you?" Cassie said already guiding him toward the door

Theo tilted his head. "You did?"

Regulus cleared his throat. "Well-I considered it-"

"And you'll make the garlic crisps, right?"

Regulus scowled

Cassie swung the door open. "Now go. Get the dinner ready. Try not to burn the house down."

With an exaggerated sigh and a suspicious amount of hidden excitement, Regulus stepped out, muttering under his breath about culinary artistry and ungrateful children.

Theo watched him go, then turned back to Cassie with a low laugh. "Do you always evict your father this casually?"

She smirked, sauntering closer. "Only when I have something more interesting to focus on."

Theo raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Cassie tilted her head, giving him that look-the one that said I dare you to look away.

Theo's voice dropped as he stepped closer, "You're ridiculous, you know that?" he murmured, reaching up and brushing a finger along the shoulder strap of her violently pink dress.

"Mhm?"

Theo looked at her for another beat. She was lit by the weird flickering light of the cursed gramophone candles-her hair a wild tangle, her pink dress still the most horrifying thing in the room, "You know you could be the scariest thing I've ever seen... and still the most beautiful."

Cassie froze. For half a second, she didn't smirk, didn't laugh. She blinked.

Then-mask back on-she rolled her eyes like that hadn't completely melted her bones. "That's Gross."

But before she could throw a quip, the living room door slammed open.

Kreacher stormed in, wearing a violently festive sash that read:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NOTT BOY

...in glittering green sequins that definitely spelled "NOT BOY" at first glance.

Cassie snorted

Theo straight-up recoiled. "What the-?"

"I made the drinks as Mistress asked" Kreacher announced proudly, placing a silver tray down . The goblets were bubbling. One hissed. One glowed. One had a tiny eyeball floating in it.

Theo stared, horrified. "Those are... illegal."

"They are art," Kreacher sniffed. "Kreacher has experimented."

Cassie was already reaching for the most lethal-looking glass. "Ooooh, this one looks like it could kill me," she said, delighted.

Theo stared in horror. "You are not drinking that."

Cassie raised it to her lips, completely unbothered. "Too late."

"Mistress must not," Kreacher interrupted suddenly. "First, the song as Mistress asked"

Theo blinked. "Wait. What song?"

"The traditional celebratory ballad," Kreacher said in the tone of someone delivering a death sentence. "Passed down through generations."

"Nope," Theo said quickly. "Absolutely not. I'm good-"

But it was too late.

Kreacher launched into something that sounded like A cat screaming- his voice warbling like a crying banshee. A cursed gramophone in the corner exploded to life, playing screeching violin music that may or may not have been from an ancient elf opera.

Halfway through, the cake let out a soft, muffled sob.

Theo stood there, staring in frozen horror, while Cassie beamed like she was watching fireworks.

The song lasted three full minutes.

At one point, Kreacher pulled out a flute. No one knew where it came from. Theo aged a year.

When it finally ended, Kreacher finished with a sweeping bow, one foot out, arms wide

\Cassie gave him a standing ovation. "Ten out of ten. Haunting. The cake cried and so did my soul."

Theo, voice flat: "I just saw my life flash before my eyes."

Kreacher muttered something about "ungrateful Nott boy" and shuffled away, sash dragging dramatically behind him.

A beat of stunned silence.

The gramophone fizzed and died with a pop.

Theo just stood there, blinking at the cake.

Cassie cleared her throat. "Okay, well. Now that your ears have been permanently damaged and you're emotionally weakened... I have presents."

Theo slowly turned to her, expression unreadable. "There's more?

She stepped around the still-sobbing cake, dug beneath the pink tulle-, and pulled out a bag
She rummage around it for a minute then she pulled out a black velvet box about the size of a spellbook, charmed shut with silver thread and sealed with her crest.

She stood, dusted it off with one hand, and shoved it into Theo's arms

Cassie crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, staring very hard at a cobweb on the ceiling. "That one's nothing. Just-open it or don't. I don't care."

Theo gave her a suspicious look. "You're acting normal, which means this is either a trap or extremely dangerous."

"Correct on both," she muttered.

He opened the box slowly.

Inside was a black leather journal, bound with threads . When he touched it, his fingertips lit a glow.

A name appeared on the cover in thin script:

"Property of Theodore Nott. Touch and Burn."

Theo blinked. "You charmed it?"

Cassie shrugged. "It only opens for you. If someone else tries, it bursts into flames and burns their hands to ashes."

He snorted. "Wow. Romantic."

"Shut up and look inside."

He did. And immediately went still.

Inside the journal were pages and pages of handwriting-hers. Chaotic, looping, rushed. And sketches. Of him.

Dueling. Sitting by the fire. Smirking at her across a table. Sleeping with his mouth slightly open and her snarky annotation underneath:
"You look like a kicked puppy. Tragic."

There were tallies of his dumb little smirks. Entry One: Smirk Tally = 67. It's getting worse. He thinks it's charming. It's not. I hate it.

He snorted. "Oh my God."

"Keep reading," she

Doodles of his profile from across a table. Notes scribbled in the margins:
"Fix your left foot, idiot."
"Stop smirking, it's ruining my hex."
"Six smirks today. I'm keeping count."

He flipped another page. One of them had a photo clipped in-blurry, clearly taken without him noticing. He was reading in the library, half-asleep, slumped forward with a quill tucked behind his ear.

Cassie had written underneath:
"Smug bastard. Can't even nap like a normal person."

His lips twitched.

But then he flipped again and stopped.

There it was.

Tucked near the bottom of a page that looked like it had been rewritten three times, her writing jagged and rushed:

"-and maybe it was that morning in the Room of Requirement, when he corrected my spell mid-duel and smirked like a bastard. I think that's when I knew. Shit."

Theo stared.

He didn't look up.

Not even when Cassie snapped, "You can stop reading now."

He didn't.

Not even when she added, "Or I'll take it back and burn it myself."

Still, he kept staring.

She crossed her arms tighter. "That's just the first one."

He looked up then, "There's more?"

Ashe handed him another box. This one smaller. Shabbier.

Theo opened it carefully.

Inside, there was a tiny music box. Plain. Old. It looked like it might fall apart if he breathed on it too hard.

He turned the key on the side.

And it began to hum.

Not a song.

Just... her.

Cassie's voice. Humming. Quiet. Soft. Imperfect. No words. Just the sound she made when she thought no one was listening. a little off-key, like she was half-distracted while doing it.

Cassie stared at the floor. "I made that one. Obviously. Don't know why it sounds like I'm being strangled-"

"Cass."

She looked up sharply.

Theo was still holding it. Like it might vanish if he moved wrong.

She shrugged. "You don't sleep much. Neither do I. I thought it'd help. Or annoy you into oblivion. Either way."

"Cassie."

"What."

"It's perfect."

Cassie rolled her eyes like she hadn't just been hit in the heart with her own music box. "Shut up. It's gross when you are sweet."

Theo smiled.

Until she gave him the third box .

This one was long. Heavy.

He opened it.

Inside sat a dagger.

Ancient. Gleaming. .

It had clearly been reforged from some old weapon-twisted steel, Along the hilt, two names were carved in Old Script:

Cassiopeia Arcturus Black
Theodore Nott

Theo stared at it for a long time.

Cassie spoke, "It's a blood-bonded weapon. Powerful. Possibly cursed. Possibly not. I fixed it up."

He ran his fingers over the names.

"You're the only one I'd trust to carry a weapon with my name on it."

Theo looked up at her.

Cassie was avoiding his gaze completely, pretending to be very interested in the torn corner of a throw pillow.

"If you hate it, you can throw it in the lake."

Theo said nothing.

Then finally:"You are the most unhinged, romantic person I've ever met."

She didn't look at him. "Good."

"And dangerous."

"Better."

"And I think I'm in trouble."

That made her smirk-but only a little.

"I'm not done," she said.

Theo blinked. "What?"

Cassie stepped away, walked to the side table, and returned holding something-small, wrapped in black silk. She dropped it in his hand like it meant nothing.

"This is my backup gift. In case you hated everything else."

He opened it slowly.

It was a dagger. Again.

Except this one was solid gold. Not charmed. Not cursed. Just pure gold. Useless in combat. Showy. Heavy.

He stared at it.

"This is... solid gold."

"Yeah."

"Cassie."

"What?"

"What did we say about saving money?"

Cassie shrugged. "We said you should do that."

Theo sighed and shook his head, grinning.

Cassie tried to look unaffected, but he saw the way her eyes flicked to him, the tightness in her jaw.

"Cassie."

"Hmm?"

He reached out, tugged her gently closer by the wrist, "I'd have loved any of it. Even if it was just you humming."

Cassie rolled her eyes.

But didn't pull away.

Instead, she sat beside him, leaned her head on his shoulder, and muttered, "You're the worst birthday boy ever."

"You made me a death journal and a crying cake."

"Exactly I put in the effort "

"You did" theo said softly holding all three gifts like they might -vanish-if he let go.,aw clenched slightly like he was trying to commit every moment to memory without looking like a sap.

Cassie, true to form, pretended not to care.

She crossed her arms, "So" she said coolly, "solid gold dagger didn't feel too over the top?"

Theo gave a sharp breath of disbelief, "Cass. It's a brick of gold with a blade."

"I thought it was subtle."

"Subtle for who?"

"Me."

Before Theo could answer, a slam echoed from the kitchen. Regulus Black stormed in, robes flaring, a bloodstained apron tied crookedly over his chest like a warrior returning from battle.

"The roast has been sabotaged," he declared, eyes wild. "Kreacher swapped the garlic for basil. Basil, Cassiopeia. Do you know what that does to THE ROAST?"

Cassie barely blinked. "You'll live."

Regulus ignored her and turned to Theo, pointing a ladle like a wand. "I was making you something legendary, Nott. A dish passed down through the Black family line-one only prepared in times of honor, vengeance, or near-death."

Theo looked alarmed. "Should I... be concerned that those are the categories?"

Cassie walked over, patted her father's shoulder. "Dad, why don't you go fix your stew of vengeance and let me talk to my boyfriend without a lecture on meat?"

Regulus looked affronted. "It's a roast. And I don't lecture-I monologue."

Theo stifled a snort.

Cassie arched a brow.

Regulus narrowed his eyes but after a long, theatrical sigh and one final dramatic swirl of his apron, he muttered, "Fine. But if the dinner is ruined, I'm blaming both of you."

He exited with a tragic shake of the head, mumbling something about "culinary tragedy"

Theo watched him go. "I like him."

Cassie gave him a sidelong glance. "Yeah?"

Theo turned back to her, and for once, there was nothing smug in his expression. Just quiet awe.

"It' just feels-home - maybe a bit traumatizing at first but-" he said

Cassie blinked,

."Also cant believe You charmed a dagger for me, you literal menace."

She rolled her eyes, "I didn't know what to get you."

"You got me you. That's more than enough."

Cassie looked down, suddenly fascinated by a crack in the floor tile. "It's stupid."

"It's perfect."

A beat passed.

She muttered, "You're such a sap."

"You're the one who made a humming music box."

"Shut up."

Theo just leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to that dangerous, fond quiet that always threw her off-balance. "Cass."

She didn't answer, just met his eyes, unflinching.

"You make everything terrifying," he said. "Even gifts."

"Well. That's my thing."

And from the hallway, they heard Regulus shout, "The meat lives! IT LIVES!"

Cassie sighed. "He's going to make this about himself for the next three hours."

Theo laughed. "Let him. It's his first time hosting a birthday since... ever?"

"since I left for Hogwarts yes"

She walked over, nudged his knee with hers. "Happy birthday, Nott."

Theo grabbed her hand, pulled her down into his lap .

She didn't protest.

He rested his forehead against hers.

"Best one I've ever had."

From the kitchen came a crash.

Regulus: "KREACHER, NO-NOT THE BLOODWINE!"

Theo sighed, eyes closed. "We should help."

Cassie didn't move. "He'll manage."

Another crash.

"CASSIEPEIA, IT'S ON FIRE."

Cassie groaned into Theo's shoulder. "Fine."

They stood up, reluctantly.

As they walked toward the kitchen, Theo held the journal under one arm and the music box in the other.

And Cassie, without thinking, reached for his hand.

Regulus was waving a flaming spoon. Kreacher was howling. The cake was crying again.

And this is how Theodore Nott ended his birthday-half-burnt dinner, excellent pudding, and three impossible gifts. Still wondering how the hell he'd fallen in love with a Black. And not just any Black-Cassiopeia Arcturus Black. Beautiful, terrifying, and carved straight from myth. The kind of girl you don't survive loving-who would ruin him without trying. And he'd let her. Smiling-

The kind of girl you swear your loyalty to, and hope she spares you

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

TOO FLUFFY? IDDUNNOOOO

THIS CHAPTER IS BASICALLY MY COMFORT CHAP AT THIS POINT

IT STARTS WITH ANGST

THEN-THE BLACK FAMILY AND NOTT LOSING IT

AND THN FLUFF?

PS-I WROTE THIS LAST PART AT THE AIRPORT STARING AT THSI REALLY CUTE GUY WHO IS SITTING LIKE REALLY FAR-

AND THSI IS HOW MXRIDDLE FALLS FOR EVERY 3RD GUY SHE SEES

(THIS MAYBE THE LAST CHAP OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS TILL THEY ARE BACK AT HOGWARTS)
TILL NEXT TIME?
MXRIDDLE