Theo ran after Cassie down the dark dungeon corridor, barely keeping up as she stormed ahead, her boots echoing off the stone walls. He caught up to her just as she reached the stairs leading up to the hospital wing.

"Cassie, wait!" Theo called, grabbing her arm to slow her down.

She yanked her arm away, spinning to face him with a glare that could melt steel. "What?"

Theo blinked at her, taken aback by her tone "Damn, chill out. What did I even do?" 

Cassie rubbed her forehead, a deep sigh escaping her lips  "Yeah, yeah. Shut up, Theo."

"No, seriously," Theo pressed, crossing his arms. "Snape's the one who's an asshole, not me. Why are you acting like-

Cassie took a moment, her fingers brushing through her messy hair in frustration. "I know. But sometimes, I think you like making things worse."

Theo huffed. "Making things worse? How? I didn't do anything."

Cassie just massaged her temples again, her expression hard to read. "Whatever. You don't get it."

Theo opened his mouth to argue, but Cassie cut him off before he could speak. "Look, I'm going to the hospital wing. Happy now?"

"Why?" Theo asked, genuinely puzzled. "What's in the hospital wing?"

Cassie gave him a look like he'd just asked the most ridiculous question. "Are you dumb, Theo? Cole just went there."

Theo's face immediately darkened, his jaw tightening. "What, so you're just going to go hang out with him now? After everything?" His voice was dripping with something Cassie couldn't quite place—frustration, jealousy, something else.

Cassie shot him a sharp look, her eyes narrowing. "What's your problem, Theo?"

"I don't know," he snapped, his voice rising a little. "Maybe it's just the fact that you're so damn eager to spend time with him. You know, after everything that's happened. Seems a little..." He faltered, clearly trying to choose his words carefully, "...off."

Cassie whipped around, her eyes narrowing. "What the fuck do you mean?"

Theo's voice got sharper, his temper flaring. "Why do you need to see him? Really? You've been hanging around him all day. Isn't that enough?"

Cassie rolled her eyes, clearly losing patience. "Oh, so now you're keeping tabs on me? Are you serious?"

"Cassie," Theo shot back, his voice dripping with irritation. "You think I don't see it? You're just looking for someone to give you attention, right? What? You didn't get enough of that from him—" He cut himself off,

Her eyes flashed, her nostrils flaring. "Who the hell are you talking about?"

"Your fucking father, Cassie," Theo snapped, his words harsh, but now he could see the effect they were having. Cassie's face went pale, the sharpness in her eyes morphing into something colder. "Don't pretend you're not out here trying to make up for what he didn't give you. Chasing after any fucking guy who'll look at you—especially some Quidditch star like Cole."

Cassie took a step back, her lips curling into a tight, mocking smile. "Oh, so that's what this is about? You're mad because I'm hanging out with Cole, trying to do my job, , the one McGonagall forced me to take.  Cole was my responsibility, Theo.  You think I'm looking for validation from him, or anyone else? Is that it?"

Theo's hands were clenched into fists by his sides, frustration boiling. "You're so fucking naive if you think he's actually interested in you for anything other than what you can do for him. He's using you, Cass. You're just a distraction, a pretty little toy to keep him entertained while he does whatever the hell he wants. And you're too fucking stupid to see it."

Cassie stared at him, her chest rising and falling with each breath, the words stinging more than she wanted to admit. But she stood her ground, her voice low and venomous.
 "Fuck off theo- You have no idea what it's like to be abandoned, to have someone leave you like that."

Theo's anger faltered. "I didn't mean—"

The words caught in his throat as the weight of what he'd said hit him. What the hell was he doing? The sharpness of her glare, the tightening of her jaw, the way her hands balled into fists—every inch of her screamed betrayal.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. He wasn't supposed to lose control, to lash out at her because he couldn't deal with the storm inside himself. Anger at Cole, frustration at himself for caring too much, jealousy he didn't want to admit . The second the words had left his mouth, Theo had known they'd cross a line. And now, staring into her cold, furious eyes, he felt the crushing weight of regret.

I'm such an idiot.

Taking his anger at Cole out on her, of all people—why had he done that? It was too late to fix it. The damage had already been done, and by the looks of it, there was no taking it back. 

"Didn't mean what?" Cassie shot back, her hands clenched into fists. "You think you can just throw insults like that at me and pretend it's not going to hit me where it hurts?"

Theo's face went even paler. "I didn't— I wasn't thinking."

Cassie crossed her arms,  "Maybe if you didn't try to act like you know everything about me, we wouldn't be having this conversation." She took a step toward him, her voice colder now, sharper. "Where's your dad, Theo? Off rotting in Azkaban?"

The words hit Theo like a slap. His face reddened with guilt, his fists clenched at his sides. "Cassie, I didn't—"

But Cassie wasn't done. "Yeah, well, you really ought to keep your mouth shut, Theo. I don't need your fucking judgments. 

Theo's heart twisted in his chest, but he couldn't find the words. He stood there, dumbfounded, as Cassie shot him one last glare before turning on her heel and walking away, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

"Cassie!" Theo called out, but she didn't stop.

He stood there, feeling like an idiot, regretting every word he'd said. But he knew he couldn't fix it now.

**********

Cassie blinked 

Theo. Out of all people.

She was used to  the snide comments, the stares from people who thought they knew her. She'd learned to brush them off, to smirk and keep walking. Their words didn't touch her. She was Cassiopeia Black- They never had—until now.

But Theo? His words weren't like the others , they hit harder than she wanted to admit. He'd found the one chink in her armor, and he hadn't hesitated to drive the dagger in.

Why did it matter so much? Why did he matter so much?

Cassie swallowed hard, her nails digging into her palm. She didn't care what people thought of her. She didn't. That was the lie she told herself, the shield she carried. But for Theo to say it, to believe it—it felt like a betrayal.

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

Cassie walked into the hospital wing, her boots echoing off the stone floor. She wasn't here because she cared. Hell, she didn't even like Cole—she was just doing her duty because McGonagall said so, and because she didn't want to deal with the fallout if anything happened to him on her watch. It wasn't personal.

Cole was lounging in the bed, his face half-hidden behind a bandage. "Well, well, look who finally decided to show up, Came to check on your favorite patient?"

Cassie crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow. "I only came because McGonagall will have my ass if she finds out anything happens to you while you're supposed to be my responsibility." She gave him a cold glare. "Not to mention, your headmaster is pretty dramatic. I'm sure he'd have my throat for breakfast if u died"

Cole cocked his head. "Die from what? A boil curse?" he smirked. "I don't think that's lethal."

"Maybe not," Cassie shot back, rolling her eyes. "But I thought you might die from all the attention you're giving yourself."

Cole let out a laugh, unfazed by her usual cold tone. "Come on, you can't tell me you don't enjoy it just a little bit. Seeing me in pain, helpless, a damsel in distress... It's gotta be thrilling."

Cassie's lips curled into a smirk, but she quickly wiped it away. "You're delusional. I'm here because McGonagall told me to babysit you. Not because I care whether you live or die."

"Sure," Cole said, feigning innocence, though the glint in his eyes told a different story. "But you're still here, aren't you?"

"Yeah," Cassie muttered, walking further into the room. "Just to make sure you didn't croak and ruin my record of not caring about anyone."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Is that really it? Or is it because deep down, you enjoy seeing me squirm?"

Cassie shot him a glare. "You're not that special, Cole."

He leaned back against the pillows, a sly smile playing at his lips. "Maybe not. But I think someone here might beg to differ."

Cassie bit back a groan. "You are seriously full of yourself. How do you even manage to breathe with that inflated ego?"

"Skills," Cole replied easily. "But, hey—what happened? You look mad. Like, really mad. More than usual, even. Did something happen?"

Cassie stared at him for a moment, her anger flaring as she thought about Theo's last words. "Nothing much. Just Theo being a dick-

Cole's eyes glinted with interest. "Ah, the always delightful Nott. What'd he do this time? I bet I can guess—he's got that special way of making people want to punch him."

Cassie's nostrils flared. Usually, she would've bristled at any insult toward Theo, felt the instinctive urge to defend him But not today.

"Today, he earned it," she muttered, her tone clipped and cold.

Cole raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the hospital bed with an exaggerated smirk. "Now this is new. Trouble in paradise, Black?"

Cassie shot him a sharp glare, her jaw tightening. "He's just being a really annoying asshole" 

Cole's grin widened, like a predator sensing weakness. "Well, well. That's rich language coming from the black heiress . "

"Careful, Cole," she warned, her voice low and dangerous.

"Oh, I'm terrified," he replied, unbothered. . "Seriously though, what's he done to get under your skin? I heard you two were inseparable."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Fair enough," Cole said, a sly grin creeping back onto his face. "But just for the record, if you ever want to trade him in, I'm available. Less broody, more fun."

She snorted, the smallest flicker of amusement flashing across her face before she caught herself.

"Was that a smile?" Cole asked, mockingly scandalized. "Careful, Cassie, or I might start thinking you don't hate me after all."

"Don't get used to it," she snapped, turning away.

"Oh, don't worry, I'll treasure this moment forever," he said, placing a hand dramatically over his heart.

Cassie shook her head, the hint of a smirk tugging at her lips despite herself.

"By the way," Cole said, his tone turning lighter. "You should know, Karakoff's terrified of you."

She stopped mid-step, raising an eyebrow at him. "What are you talking about?"

"Swear to Merlin," Cole said with a grin. "The way he reacted when he heard your name? It was like someone walked over his grave. "

Cassie gave a dry chuckle. "I must remind him of an old associate. My aunt Bellatrix—she has that effect on people."

Cole whistled low, clearly impressed. "That tracks. You've got the same scary-but-hot vibe."

"Careful," she said flatly, though the corner of her mouth twitched upward for just a moment.

"Always," he replied, his smirk never fading.

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

AHAHHAHAHA- I HAD A BREAK AFTER M EXAM- WELL I HAVE 2 MORE LEFT BUT I THOT ILL UPLOADDD--

OMGSGSGSG- IK YALL WANNA KILL ME RN- IK WE WANT MORE THEO x  CASSIE-

BUT-

ANGST- FIGHT OMG IM IN LOVE- Like these are necessary for long run----- feedback plss

anywyas- hope yall are doing goodd--- till next time

mxriddle