"Can't believe you grew even taller, Dray... I thought I'd finally be taller than you," Cassie grumbled, trying to stretch to her full height.

Draco laughed, his voice deeper than before. "Guess you'll just have to get used to looking up at me."

Cassie continued grumbling as they made their way up the misty field between long rows of tents. Most looked almost ordinary; their owners had clearly tried to make them as Muggle-like as possible but had slipped up by adding chimneys, bellpulls, or weather vanes. However, some were so obviously magical, like the Malfoys' tent—an extravagant confection of striped silk resembling a miniature palace, with several live peacocks tethered at the entrance, their plumage glittering in the early morning light.

"Who all are coming?" Cassie asked, pulling her Irish shawl closer against the breeze.

"Nott was gonna come, but his grandmother fell ill, so..." Draco trailed off.

"Wait, Theo's not coming?" Cassie asked, disappointment evident in her voice.

Draco smirked, nudging her. "Pretty disappointed, are we?"

"It's nothing like that," Cassie retorted quickly.

"Mhm," Draco nodded knowingly, a teasing glint in his eye.

"Get that knowing look off your stupid face. What about Blaise and Pansy?"

"Nope. They went to Egypt."

"Why?"

"I dunno, neutral purebloods convention or something," Draco shrugged.

Cassie nodded, gazing around and taking in the festivities. Their fellow campers were starting to wake up. Families with small children were the first to stir, much to Cassie's disappointment. She watched as tiny witches and wizards ran about, their excited chatter filling the air.

"I don't get why you're supporting Bulgaria. They will obviously lose," Cassie said haughtily.

"You don't know that," Draco frowned. "They have Krum," he declared as if that settled it.

"Ah, and see, we enter the Irish territory," Cassie said, watching the surroundings change to a sea of green.

"Has everything gone green?" Draco asked, bemused. They had walked into a patch of tents covered with a thick growth of shamrocks, making it look as though small, oddly shaped hillocks had sprouted from the earth.

"Oh look, Gryffindors," Cassie sneered, her nose crumpled in disgust. A group of Gryffindors were gabbling excitedly about something. They obviously received looks—not pleasant ones, but not nasty either, as Cassie had a tendency to make anyone scared with just one look. The dagger she wore at her waist didn't help.

"Bulgarian area seems more pleasant now, doesn't it?" Draco laughed.

"Alright, let's go. I can practically hear you dying to meet Krum," Cassie snided.

As they moved along, a Ministry wizard appeared haughtily before them. "Now, now, miss. I'm pretty sure the instructions were for Muggle clothing."

Cassie narrowed her eyes, turning to face the old wizard with the renowned Black death stare. "Isn't this leather jacket Muggle enough?"

The Ministry wizard, baffled, stepped back as if Cassie might lunge at him at any moment. "Uh, it's over your wizard robe—"

"Give it a rest, sir," Draco stepped in authoritatively. "She is with me."

"Oh, Mr. Malfoy, didn't see you there. Of course, I'll back away."

Cassie rolled her eyes and walked towards a large patch of tents where the Bulgarian flag—white, green, and red—was fluttering in the breeze. The tents here were not decorated with plant life, but each one had the same poster attached to it, featuring a surly face with heavy black eyebrows. The picture, of course, was moving, but all it did was blink and scowl.

Cassie fake gagged.

Draco gasped as if personally insulted. "Cassie, that's Krum!"

"Why is he scowling so much?"

"Cassie, all you do is scowl," Draco pointed out.

"I scowl with elegance," Cassie said, flipping her hair dramatically.

"Touche," Draco replied, shaking his head with a grin.

Just then, Lucius arrived, his blond hair tied back in a ponytail as if he was a diva (he is )

His eyes flicked disapprovingly at Cassie, who grinned, delighted at having annoyed him. "Draco, come here. I want you to meet the Bulgarian Minister."

Draco glanced at Cassie. "I'll be fine. I'm not a child," Cassie said haughtily, waving him off.

Draco grinned and walked away, his posture shifting into a haughty pureblood stance.

Cassie surveyed her surroundings, feeling a bit bored. The air buzzed with the sounds of the crowd: excited chatter, the rustling of tents, and the occasional shriek of laughter from children. The festival atmosphere was vibrant and chaotic, but Cassie found it tiresome.

She pulled out her dagger, flipping it idly, her eyes following its arc as it went up and down. Each time, she sent it higher, challenging herself to keep it under control.

"Careful there," a deep voice called out. "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Cassie rolled her eyes, deftly catching the dagger and spinning around, her eyes narrowing as she raised it defensively. Standing before her was a young man who immediately raised his hands in mock surrender., strikingly handsome, with dark, tousled hair and piercing eyes that seemed to take in everything around him. His Quidditch robes, sleek and tailored, clung to his athletic frame, 

"Whoa, I didn't mean it that way"

Cassie's eyes flicked over him appraisingly. She recognized him immediately—Cole Gregwitch, the youngest player ever to be recruited onto a national Quidditch team. His name had been all over the Daily Prophet just a few months ago.

She lowered her dagger slightly but kept her grip firm.

Cole chuckled, lowering his hands. "Hi, I'm Cole Gregwitch," he said, extending his hand 

Cassie glanced at his hand, her expression indifferent. "Didn't ask," she replied coolly.

Cole's smirk widened, clearly amused 

"Ouch. You've got a sharp tongue to match that sharp blade."

Cassie rolled her eyes, sheathing her dagger. "Is there a point to this conversation, or are you just wasting my time?"

"Wow, straight to the point," Cole said, his smirk never faltering. "I like that."

Cassie huffed, glancing around and hoping Draco would return soon.

"You know, usually people introduce themselves," Cole continued, undeterred by her lack of enthusiasm.

Cassie looked at him, her eyes narrowing. She remained silent, her expression a mixture of impatience and indifference.

Cole raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the challenge. "Alright, mystery girl. If you're not going to tell me your name, at least let me guess. You seem like a... Cassandra? No, too obvious. Maybe a Selene?"

Cassie's lips twitched slightly, but she quickly suppressed the almost-smile. "Cassiopeia," she said finally, her tone clipped.

"Ah, a starry name for a starry girl," Cole said, his eyes twinkling. "Cassiopeia Black, right? I've heard about you."

"What have you heard? Psycho? Maniac? Daughter of a Mass murderer?" Cassie scoffed

Cole raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading slightly. "Not exactly the words I had in mind. I was thinking more along the lines of pretty, mysterious and hella scary i hear."

"Clearly you have too much free time if you're keeping up with gossip," Cassie retorted.

Cole chuckled, his voice like a tumbling waterfall.

Cassiopeia sighed, looking around and flipping her dagger once more.

"So, do you make it a habit of scaring people?" Cole asked

"It's more of a hobby," she sneered.

"Oh my god," Draco's voice cut through the tension as he hurried over, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Oh my god," he repeated, surveying Cole. "The Cole Gregwitch? Draco Malfoy," he said, extending his hand. "Huge fan."

"Really? You wouldn't stop talking about Krum a minute ago," Cassie scoffed.

"Shush," Draco whispered, clearly starstruck.

"So, what brings you by?" Draco asked, turning back to Cole.

"Just trying to talk to your pretty friend here," Cole chuckled. "Didn't have much luck, though."

Cassie rolled her eyes, feeling a mix of irritation and relief at Draco's arrival. "Your attempts were duly noted and dismissed."

"fiesty" 

Cassie huffed, slipping her dagger back into its sheath. I'm sure you have plenty of admirers to keep you company"

Cole's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I see I'm not winning you over anytime soon."

"You're perceptive," Cassie said dryly, nudging Malfoy. "Dray, let's go."

"You are in Durmstrang, right?" Draco asked, awed.

Cassie huffed. "Draco."

Cole nodded. "I am."

"I wanted to go there, but my mother said no," Draco lamented.

Cassie nudged him again.

Draco looked at her. "I'm surprised you aren't asking him about Durmstrang. You always wanted to go there"

"Oh, did you now?" Cole asked interestedly.

"We all made mistakes, Draco. Now let's go, or I swear to God I'll stab you," she said threateningly.

"No, you won't," Draco scoffed nervously.

Cassie whipped out her dagger. "You really wanna try me, Malfoy?"

Draco gulped, staring at the dagger.

"Nice meeting you, Cole. All the best for your match," Draco said hastily, immediately turning away.

"Quite the temper there," Cole remarked watching Draco hurry away

 "Be glad it wasn't on you." she retorted

"You'll be seeing the match, I suppose?" Cole asked , glancing at Cassie's Ireland scarf with disappointment.

Cassie just looked at him and nodded before turning on her heels and walking away.

"It was nice meeting you," he called after her.

Cassie didn't reply.

"Interesting," Cole smirked

**********************8

HOW DO WE LIKE THIS NEW DYNAMIC GUYS????

Mahn so . 

like my college is going on so well

but at times its so weird

its like i have so many friends yet i have none (except these three girls who are an absolute delight)

but smtimes its so lonely

but its all part and parcel of college!!!

anyways- lemme know what u think about this chap and do we want more cassie x cole???

mxriddle