The station was a goddamn madhouse. Crowds of students swarmed around, laughing and bickering while suitcases clattered over the stone floor. The Hogwarts Express loomed in the background, Cassie slogged through the chaos with a scowl on her face, dark eyes fixed ahead 

"Man, this place never fails to piss me off," Blaise grumbled, wrestling with his overstuffed trunk as he dodged a gaggle of first-years.

Cassie snorted. "Tell me about it. Every bloody year, the same circus."

As they neared Platform 9¾, a burst of commotion caught her attention—a cluster of Weasleys laughing like idiots around a black dog that was gleefully bounding about.

"Nice dog, Harry!" boomed Lee Jordan's familiar, irritating voice

For a moment, everything else faded. Cassie's gaze locked onto the dog, her dark expression unreadable. Her companions immediately turned to see what had caught her eye.

"Cassie?" Draco prodded, stepping closer. "What's got you all zoned out?"

Cassie shook her head and muttered, "Nothing, just... sick of all this bullshit. Let's move before someone takes our compartment" She hefted her battered luggage with a tired snarl.

Draco exchanged a quick look with Theo. In a low tone, Theo said, "That's him. Sirius Black"

Draco's eyes widened as he followed Theo's gaze. "The fuck? You're not serious."
" Should I tell father? He'd have that damn dog arrested on the spot.""

Theo cut him off sharply. "No, Draco. Not this time."

Blaise leaned in"I don't think you need to mention it, mate. they glanced toward a distant figure whose steely eyes, unmistakably Lucius Malfoy's, were fixed on the black dog. "He obviously knows."

Cassie rolled her eyes and muttered darkly, "Honestly, sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one who's sick of this endless crap." 

Draco scoffed, adjusting his bag. "Yeah, well, we'll just have to get on the damn train and forget about it."

"Let's move it," Theo said, voice gruff 

As the group began to file into the train, Cassie lingered for a moment, glancing back at the chaotic scene with a bitter smile. 

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

The train corridor was a mess of tiny, jittery first-years scrambling to find their compartments, dragging trunks twice their size, and squeaking apologies whenever they got in the way. Cassie pushed through them with all the patience of someone running on two hours of sleep—so, none at all.

"Move," she snapped at a particularly slow-moving kid, who yelped and practically flattened himself against the wall.

Theo snorted beside her. "Not that up to your usual game black."

"Im out of practice" Cassie shoved open the door to their usual compartment and slumped into her seat by the window. She stretched her legs out, propping her boots onto the seat across from her with a sigh. "Fucking finally."

Pansy, who had just stepped inside, immediately scowled. "I have no space," she declared, shoving Cassie's legs off the seat with unnecessary force.

Cassie rolled her eyes, pulling them back up the moment Pansy sat down. "Make space, princess."

Draco and Blaise strolled in next, tossing their trunks into the overhead storage. "I hate the train," Blaise muttered, flopping into a seat. "Too many children."

Cassie smirked. "Look at you, already channeling your inner middle-aged man."

Draco, who was leaning against the door with his arms crossed, scowled. "He's right, though. Feels like they're multiplying."

At that moment, a loud shriek echoed from outside their compartment.

"The fuck?" Theo muttered, peering out the door. A few compartments down, a couple of first-years were bickering over something, one of them dramatically clutching their chest like they'd been mortally wounded.

Cassie snorted. "Merlin, I forgot what it was like to be that small and that goddamn loud."

"Probably because you were never that small," Pansy mused. "I swear you came out of the womb fully formed and already pissed off."

Blaise cackled. "No, but really—imagine a tiny Cassie just scowling at the world like it personally offended her."

Cassie didn't even deny it. "Accurate."

The train jerked forward, and within minutes, the trolley lady appeared at their door with her usual sweet old smile.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?"

Blaise, Theo, and Pansy immediately shot forward, rattling off orders like they hadn't eaten in weeks. Cassie, instead of picking anything, just reached into her pocket and handed the woman a handful of galleons. "Take whatever and keep the change."

The trolley lady blinked. "Oh, that's—dear, are you sure?"

Cassie waved a hand lazily. "Yeah, yeah, just grab whatever they're having. I'm too tired to pick."

Draco scoffed. "You do realize you just gave her enough to buy the whole damn trolley?"

Cassie shrugged, grabbing a chocolate frog from the growing pile of sweets. "Maybe I just have more money than I have patience, Malfoy."

Blaise grinned, already unwrapping a Pumpkin Pastie. "Rich people problems."

"Exactly." Cassie leaned her head back, letting the train's steady hum lull her into a momentary peace—before Pansy kicked her again for taking up too much space.

"Move your damn legs."

Cassie groaned. "This is going to be a long fucking ride."

Blaise tossed a Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean in the air and caught it effortlessly in his mouth. A second later, his face twisted in disgust.

"Ugh—dirt flavor." He gagged, reaching for a Chocolate Frog to chase it down.

Cassie barely spared him a glance, twirling a dagger between her fingers. "You brought that on yourself."

Theo smirked. "Still better than earwax."

"Or vomit," Pansy muttered darkly, inspecting her nails.

Draco, who had been staring moodily out the window, let out an exaggerated sigh. "Alright, enough of this—who do we think our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is?"

Silence.

The entire group collectively shrugged.

"Does it matter?" Cassie muttered. "They'll either be dead or gone by the end of the year."

Blaise snorted. "True. But it's still fun to place bets."

Theo stretched his legs out, crossing his arms behind his head. "I'm sticking to my one-month prediction."

Draco rolled his eyes. "At least try to be optimistic."

Pansy gave him a dry look. "Why?"

No one had an answer.

The train ride stretched on, the sky outside darkening as they neared Hogwarts. The lights inside the compartment flickered on automatically

Cassie rolled her eyes, standing and stretching. "Come on. Let's get changed before the corridors turn into a bloody battlefield."

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

The group shuffled out of the compartment, the cool night air creeping in as they pushed through the throng of students clogging the corridor. 

Cassie barely paid attention, pulling her cloak tighter around her as she stepped off the train. The scent of damp pine and crisp autumn air filled her lungs, 

"First years line up over here, please! All first years to me!"

Cassie's gaze flicked over to the source of the voice—a strict-looking woman holding up a lantern, 

"Where's that oaf?" Pansy scoffed,

Draco snorted gleefully. "Maybe he finally got himself fired."

Blaise chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "About time, honestly."

Cassie hummed noncommittally, eyes scanning the crowd. Hagrid's absence wasn't surprising, but something about it didn't sit right with her. She would've guessed Dumbledore had sent him off as an envoy to the giants—a dumb idea, honestly. Could never work. Giants weren't exactly the cooperative type, and if anyone thought a few good-natured grunts from Hagrid would change that, they were delusional.

Whatever. Not her problem.

The others were still busy laughing at the first-year Draco had practically reduced to tears, but Cassie had already tuned them out. The air smelled of rain-soaked wood and smoke from the train, the chill of the night settling into her bones.

"Let's go," she muttered, pushing past them toward the carriages.

As they neared, her steps slowed, gaze locking onto the creatures pulling them.

Thestrals.

Feels like death itself, it seemed, that she could see them. Gaunt, shadowy things with blank, white eyes and too-prominent ribcages. There was something almost grotesquely beautiful about them.

"Creepy bastards," Blaise muttered as he climbed in, shuddering as he looked at where the creatures should be.

Cassie tilted her head slightly. "They're not."

Theo glanced at her, brows furrowing slightly. "You can see them?"

Cassie met his gaze for a fraction of a second before climbing in beside him.

"Obviously."

She didn't elaborate. Theo didn't push. 

(they are so perfect im gonna cry)

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

The carriages rolled to a stop near the stone steps leading up to the towering oak doors of Hogwarts. Cassie was the first to step out, stretching slightly before shoving her hands into the pockets of her robes. The castle loomed above them, glowing with torchlight, the night chill still clinging to the air.

"Finally," Pansy groaned, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeve. "I thought we'd be trapped in those carriages forever."

Draco huffed. "You'd think they'd find a better way to transport us. Maybe a private entrance for prefects, at the very least."

Cassie snorted. "Yeah. Right next to your personalized throne room."

Blaise laughed as they ascended the steps, slipping through the heavy doors into the grand entrance hall. Warmth from the torches seeped into their bones, the clatter of hundreds of footsteps echoing off the stone walls as students funneled into the Great Hall.

The long House tables were filling up under a starless, enchanted ceiling, the soft glow of floating candles illuminating the sea of students. Ghosts drifted between them, and loud chatter filled the room

Cassie slid into her usual seat at the Slytherin table, across from Theo, who was surveying the staff table with mild curiosity. Draco, beside him, had gone oddly stiff, his brows furrowing as he leaned in.

"The actual fuck—" Draco recoiled slightly. "I know her. That's Umbridge."

Cassie followed his gaze and spotted the woman sitting beside Dumbledore—a squat, sickly pink nightmare of a woman with a tight Alice band and an even tighter expression.

"Ministry hag," Draco muttered. "She works with my father. An absolute nightmare."

Theo's lip curled slightly. "Looks like a toad in a cardigan."

Pansy scowled. "And we thought Lockhart was bad."

Cassie tapped her fingers against the table, watching as Dumbledore inclined his head toward Umbridge, listening to whatever nonsense she was feeding him. This wasn't good. Hogwarts had always been Dumbledore's. that was shit as it was- but now? Now it felt like the Ministry had dug its claws in.

The chatter faded as the first years shuffled in, their faces pale under the candlelight.

"Merlin, look at them," Blaise murmured, watching a trembling boy in the middle. "Like lambs to the slaughter."

Cassie, chin resting on her palm,  "If they're lucky, they'll get sorted before they piss themselves."

Theo shot her a look, but she just shrugged.

Professor McGonagall placed the old, patched Sorting Hat on its stool, stepping back as the school held its breath. The rip in its brim split wide, and then, just like every year, the hat began to sing.

Cassie barely listened. Her eyes flickered back to the staff table, to the woman in pink.

Something about this year already felt wrong.

In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted:

United by a common goal,

They had the selfsame yearning,

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning.

"Together we will build and teach!"

The four good friends decided

And never did they dream that they

Might someday be divided,

For were there such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffndor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Huffepuff and Ravenclaw?

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there and so can tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those

Whose ancestry is purest."

Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose

Intelligence is surest."

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those

With brave deeds to their name,"

Said Hufflepujf, "I'll teach the lot,

And treat them just the same."

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light,

For each of the four founders had

A House in which they might

Take only those they wanted, so,

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pure-blood wizards

Of great cunning, just like him,

And only those of sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to daring Gryffindor.

Good Hufflepujf she took the rest,

And taught them all she knew,

Thus the Houses and their founders

Retained friendships firm and true.

So Hogwarts worked in harmony

For several happy years,

But then discord crept among us

Feeding on our faults and fears.

The Houses that, like pillars four,

Had once held up our school,

Now turned upon each other and,

Divided, sought to rule.

And for a while it seemed the school

Must meet an early end,

What with dueling and with fighting

And the clash of friend on friend

And at last there came a morning

When old Slytherin departed

And though the fighting then died out

He left us quite downhearted.

And never since the founders four

Were whittled down to three

Have the Houses been united

As they once were meant to be.

And now the Sorting Hat is here

And you all know the score:

I sort you into Houses

Because that is what I'm for,

But this year I'll go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfill my duty

And must quarter every year

Still I wonder whether sorting

May not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within.

I have told you, I have warned you. . . .

Let the Sorting now begin.

As the Sorting Hat fell silent, the Great Hall erupted into polite applause—some enthusiastic, some merely habitual. Cassie, however, didn't bother clapping. She just leaned her elbow on the table, propping her chin up as she eyed the old, battered hat with something bordering on mild amusement.

"Oh, we must unite, must we?" she muttered under her breath. "What a revolutionary concept. Why didn't anyone think of that before?"

Theo, beside her, smirked but didn't look up  "Mmm. Maybe we should all hold hands and sing."

"Yeah, right after the Gryffindors stop looking at us like we kick puppies for sport," Blaise added, leaning back in his seat.

Pansy scoffed. "The others can barely see us as anything other than villains. Fat chance."

Cassie's lips curled, gaze flickering to the other tables. The Hufflepuffs were all polite smiles, but there was always that slight edge of caution in their eyes when they glanced toward the Slytherin table. The Ravenclaws weren't even subtle about their disdain—half of them looked like they were debating whether Slytherins had a lower IQ by association. And the Gryffindors? Please. They stared like Slytherin was the Dark Lord's personal recruitment agency.

"Let them think what they want," Cassie murmured, "If they want a villain, I'm happy to play the part."

Draco chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "Merlin, you're dramatic."

"Comes with the bloodline." Cassie shot him a smirk before returning her attention to the Sorting.

Another trembling first-year shuffled forward, barely able to hold their head up. The Hat took its time before finally calling out Ravenclaw! and Cassie sighed, already bored.

"Wake me up when this is over," she muttered.

Theo smirked. "Don't tempt me. I'd love an excuse to hex you."

"like you could"

Theo's smirk widened. "Like I couldn't?"

Cassie arched a brow, "Go on, then. Hit me with your best shot."

He leaned in just slightly, his charming smile in place "Maybe I'm just saving it for the right moment."

Before she could fire back, Blaise groaned dramatically, flicking a piece of parchment at them. "Oi, you two—get a room or something. You're making the first-years sick."

Cassie turned her head lazily, catching the nervous glance of a newly sorted Slytherin who had just slid onto the bench, clearly unsure of whether they'd walked into the wrong House. She gave them a slow, assessing once-over before dryly remarking. "Welcome to the villain table, kid."

The first-year gulped.

Draco rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched. "You're terrible."

"Am I wrong?" Cassie countered smoothly, as the Sorting continued.

Slowly, the long line of first-years thinned. In the pauses between the Hat's decisions, Blaise's stomach let out an obnoxiously loud growl.

"Merlin's beard—how long does this take?" he muttered, rubbing his stomach. "They should just chuck them all into one House and be done with it."

"You'd cry if they made you a Hufflepuff," Theo said dryly.

"Like hell I would," Blaise scoffed. "I'd take it as a sign to drop out."

Pansy snickered as another name was called. Finally, after what felt like ages, the last terrified first-year scurried off to the Hufflepuff table, and the Sorting Hat was carried away.

Cassie barely had time to brace herself before Dumbledore's voice rang out, bright and manipulating as always.

"To our newcomers," he declared, arms wide and smile blinding, "welcome! To our old hands—welcome back! There is a time for speech-making, but this is not it. Tuck in!"

There was a ripple of laughter, polite applause, and then—

The food appeared, and Blaise made a noise that could only be described as reverent.

"Finally."

Cassie just shook her head, reaching for a goblet as the Slytherin table burst into the usual hum of conversation, speculation, Plates clattered as hands grabbed at the feast, piling roasted chicken, shepherd's pie, and heaps of mashed potatoes onto plates like they hadn't eaten in weeks. 

Blaise, true to form, was already stuffing his face, Cassie leaned back slightly, swirling the goblet in her hand, only half-listening to whatever nonsense Draco was droning on about—something about his father and the Ministry—when a chill washed over her.

The Bloody Baron drifted toward them, his silver form gliding eerily above the table. A few first-years flinched, looking appropriately terrified.

Cassie, however, grinned. "Hey—if it isn't my favorite not living entity."

The Baron's hollow eyes flickered to her. "Black." He grunted, tone unreadable.

"Sup, Baron," Blaise greeted, mouth still half-full.

The ghost cast him a thoroughly unimpressed look—well, as much as a spectral being could—before promptly ignoring him and turning to Cassie, his chains rattling faintly.

"You need to get your antics right this year, Black," he said gravely. "We need this new Ministry woman on our side."

Cassie raised an eyebrow. "What happened to house unity?"

If the Baron could roll his eyes, he would have. Instead, he let out a weary sigh, his already translucent form seeming even more ghostly in the candlelight.

"House unity," he said flatly, "is a fairytale for Gryffindors and dreamers. We deal in reality."

Cassie hummed, tilting her head. "Sounds an awful lot like you're afraid of her, Baron."

The Baron let out a low, echoing chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "I am already dead, girl. Fear is for the living."

That sobered the conversation just a bit. Pansy muttered something under her breath, reaching for another roll.

Draco, who had been silent up until now, took a slow sip of pumpkin juice before leaning in slightly. "So... how screwed are we?"

The Baron studied him for a long moment before answering.

"That depends," he said, voice a whisper of a whisper. "On just how much of a monster you've brought into your halls."

And with that, he floated away.

A beat of silence.

Blaise blinked. "Well. That's fucking ominous."

Cassie snorted, stabbing a roasted potato with unnecessary force. "I bet Dumbledore's paying that hat in new stitches or whatever just to spew that house unity shit. I swear, If I hear another speech about how great friendship is, I might actually start hexing people for sport," 

"Might?" Theo said dryly. "What have you been doing all these years then?"

Cassie flicked a pea at him. He caught it effortlessly and tossed it right back at her.

The rest of their group, long used to their bickering, ignored them. Theo decided his time was better spent eating his way steadily through his steak-and-kidney pie, then a large plateful of his favorite treacle tart.

When all the students had finished eating and the noise level in the hall was starting to creep upward again, Dumbledore got to his feet once more. Talking ceased immediately as all turned to face the headmaster.

"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore. "First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students — and a few of our older students ought to know by now too."

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes," Dumbledore said, his gaze lingering briefly on the Slytherin table, "nor are hexes, curses, or pranks—"

There were a few muffled snickers from across the room.

"—nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door."

Cassie leaned toward Theo, voice low. "Think Filch actually updates that list, or just adds random shit whenever he sees a student breathing too loudly?"

"I bet half of it is just new ways to say 'students existing irritates me.'"

Dumbledore continued, "Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the —"

He broke off, looking inquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then—

"Hem, hem."

The sound was grating. Cassie felt her entire body stiffen at the sheer audacity.

"Oh, no, she did not," Pansy muttered in disbelief, staring at Umbridge as if she'd sprouted an extra head.

Cassie slowly turned her head toward Theo, who was rubbing a hand down his face like he was already exhausted. Blaise stared blankly ahead, like he was dissociating.

"What is she doing?" Daphne whispered.

Dumbledore, to his credit, took it in stride. He sat back down smartly, his expression composed, though there was an unmistakable glint of amusement in his eyes. He looked alertly at Professor Umbridge as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk.

Other members of staff were not as adept at hiding their reactions. Professor Sprout's eyebrows had disappeared into her flyaway hair, and Professor McGonagall's mouth had pressed into such a thin line it was practically a single thread.

Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."

Her voice was high-pitched, breathy, and little-girlish, and immediately, Cassie felt a powerful rush of dislike that she could not explain. It wasn't just the voice—though that was already unbearable—it was everything. The way she sat, the way she smiled, the way her beady little eyes scanned the hall like she was surveying a room full of naughty children. And then there was the fluffy pink cardigan.

The cardigan somehow made it worse.

"Hem, hem."

Cassie barely resisted the urge to stab her fork into the table.

"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" Umbridge chirped, her saccharine smile stretching wider. Her teeth were oddly pointed, which only made her unsettling. "And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!"

Cassie glanced around. There were no happy little faces. There were, at best, blank stares and, at worst, barely concealed expressions of horror. Even the Hufflepuffs looked vaguely concerned.

"She's delusional," Pansy muttered under her breath.

"Oh, we are so screwed," Blaise added.

"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"

"I bet she thinks we braid each other's hair at night and sing campfire songs," Theo muttered, barely moving his lips.

Blaise snorted into his goblet, while Pansy, who had been glaring at Umbridge like she was an unfortunate stain on her designer robes, rolled her eyes so hard she nearly saw the back of her skull.

Across the hall, the Gryffindor table wasn't hiding their reactions any better. Weasley was making exaggerated gagging motions, while Granger had her arms crossed so tightly it was a wonder she hadn't cracked a rib.

"Good friends," Blaise mused,"I give it a week before she's issuing detentions like candy."

Cassie smirked. "A week? That's generous."

Professor Umbridge cleared her throat again ("Hem, hem"), butwhen she continued, some of the breathiness had vanished from hervoice. She sounded much more businesslike and now her words had adull learned-by-heart sound to them. 

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education ofyoung witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare giftswith which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured andhoned by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations lestwe lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledgeamassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polishedby those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching."

Professor Umbridge paused here and made a little bow to herfellow staff members, none of whom bowed back. Professor McGonagall's dark eyebrows had contracted so that she looked positively hawklike, 

Umbridge gave another little "Hem, hem" andwent on with her speech. 

"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has broughtsomething new to the weighty task of governing this historic school,and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnationand decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. Abalance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change,between tradition and innovation . .

"Balance between old and new? Does she mean tradition like, say, the Ministry controlling every single thing we do while pretending it's for our own good?"

"Obviously," Cassie muttered not listening to her anymore

Professor Umbridge did not seem to notice the restlessness of heraudience 

. . because some changes will be for the better, while others willcome, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment.Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereasothers, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us moveforward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practicesthat ought to be prohibited."She sat down. 

Dumbledore clapped. The staff followed his lead,though Cassie noticed that several of them brought their hands together only once or twice before stopping. A few students joined in,but most had been taken unawares by the end of the speech, not having listened to more than a few words of it, and before they could startapplauding properly, Dumbledore had stood up again.

 "Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," he said, bowing to her. "Now — as I was saying, Quidditchtryouts will be held . . ." 

Cassie  leaned forward, voice dripping with mock sincerity ."Here's your Ministry-approved summary: 'Shut the fuck up, do as you're told, and pretend you don't notice the noose tightening around your necks.'"

There was a great clattering and banging all around them; Dumbledore had obviously just dismissed the school because everyone was standing up, ready to leave the Hall.

Theo leaned back lazily, glancing at Draco and Pansy. "Aren't you supposed to be showing the first years the way?" he asked dryly.

Pansy jumped slightly, eyes widening. "Oh—right!" She immediately grabbed Draco's arm, dragging him forward toward the cluster of nervous first years.

Draco groaned. "I already hate being a prefect."

Cassie smirked. "And it's only been an hour. Impressive."

Draco shot her a look before rolling his shoulders like he was preparing for battle. He turned to the first years, who were staring up at him with wide, terrified eyes. With a long-suffering sigh, he snapped, "Oi—you lot. Pests. Follow us."

One of the first years flinched. Another looked like they might cry.

Blaise snorted. "Fantastic leadership skills, Malfoy."

Draco ignored him, already storming toward the doors, Pansy trailing behind with a perfectly rehearsed smile for the little ones.

Cassie leaned toward Theo, watching the first years scramble to keep up. "Think they'll make it to the common room alive?"

Theo hummed, considering. "Sixty-forty chance."

Cassie tilted her head. "Against?"

"Against."

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

im- so- freakin- exhausted- sick af- down with fever cough cold and exams-

my drafts are ready just dont get my laptop much to edit- but my exams are ending april 23rd- then i have a 2 month proper break- with wifi- and my laptop- expect year 5 done before june

hope yall are great- and - not too mad at me

TYSM FOR THE 100+ FOLLWORS AND 90K+ READS- I LOVE YALL

till next time

 mx riddle