The first task of the Triwizard Tournament was finally over, and the Gryffindor common room was probably erupting in celebration over Potter's miraculous survival. But in the Slytherin dungeons, the mood was one of near euphoria for entirely different reasons.

"I still can't believe he actually faced that dragon. Nearly got barbecued in the process," Pansy said, lounging on the couch

"Nearly," Blaise corrected, leaning back lazily. "Which is a shame. Would've saved us all from his constant wa wa wa, I'm the boy who lived. Wa wa wa, I'm an orphan. Everyone revere me im your savior"

Cassiopeia chuckled dryly, perched on the armrest of Theo's chair. "Shame the dragon didn't have better aim. I would've rooted for it."

"You were rooting for it," Theo pointed out, tilting his head toward her.

"And?" Cassie arched an eyebrow

Just then, the sound of wings flapping broke through their conversation. Cassie turned just in time to see Mortem, her sleek black owl, swoop into the room, carrying an envelope sealed with an unmistakable crest—the Malfoy Minor.

"Looks like mail for the queen," Blaise teased, nodding toward Mortem as the owl landed gracefully on the table before Cassie.

She rolled her eyes and untied the envelope, letting Mortem nip at her fingers affectionately before he flew off. Cassie broke the wax seal carefully, her eyes narrowing as she instantly recognized the elegant script.

"It's from Narcissa," she muttered, scanning the parchment.

"What's up?" Draco leaned forward from his seat nearby, his curiosity piqued.

Cassie ignored him, her frown deepening with every second as she read the letter.

Cassiopeia, as you are undoubtedly aware, the Yule Ball is approaching. As a Black and a Malfoy by association, you are expected to represent our families in the finest manner. Your attire must reflect our standing—absolutely no leather jackets or other experiments you might favor. The world is watching, dear. Do not disappoint.

Cassie lowered the letter and stared at it for a moment before groaning dramatically and flopping onto the couch. "Oh, fuck me. The Yule Ball. I completely forgot about that nonsense."

"You forgot about the Yule Ball?" Pansy exclaimed, scandalized. "It's all anyone's talking about!"

"That's because you're obsessed with dresses and dates," Cassie shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Meanwhile, some of us have lives."

"Are we supposed to bring a date?" Blaise interjected with a smirk.

Cassie rolled her eyes exasperatedly. "Probably."

At that, Theo, who had been silent until now, gave her a look—a look that lingered just a moment too long, his brows slightly furrowed as if worried about her tone.

"What?" Cassie shot at him

Theo shook his head and leaned back in his chair, though a faint flush colored his cheeks. "Nothing. Just thinking how much fun it's going to be watching you try to avoid dancing."

Cassie grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. He dodged easily,

"Well, I, for one, am excited," Pansy declared, brushing an invisible speck of dust off her sleeve. "The gowns, the glamour, the gossip. And you—" she pointed a perfectly manicured finger at Cassie—"are not getting out of this."

"Don't remind me," Cassie muttered, sinking deeper into the cushions. She stared at the letter again, her mind spinning with dread at the thought of having to parade around in some overpriced gown, playing the part of the perfect Black.

"Wait," she said suddenly, sitting up. "She doesn't have to know if I don't attend. How would she even find out—"

"Draco," Theo interrupted dryly. "For one, he tells his mother everything."

Draco smirked from his spot

Cassie huffed, crossing her arms. "I don't even have anyone to bring. And for the record, I don't need anyone."

Theo's gaze lingered on her, unreadable, before he looked away.

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

"Bet Cole would be dying to ask you," Pansy teased as they lounged in the common room, her tone a little too smug for Cassie's liking.

"Shut up," Cassie shot back, flipping through her Potions notes with exaggerated disinterest.

The announcement of the Yule Ball had thrown the Slytherin common room into a frenzy. Even the typically composed house couldn't avoid the wave of excitement and speculation spreading like wildfire. Professor Snape, much to his apparent misery, had been forced to gather all the Slytherins and announce that attendance was not only encouraged but expected. 

Unsurprisingly, Draco had immediately asked Lyra Rose, the timid but pretty Ravenclaw he'd been shamelessly hanging around lately. Pansy  had asked that "wimpy" Hufflepuff Tyler- . Blaise had ambitiously aimed for not one, but two Beauxbatons girls—and been turned down by both, much to everyone's amusement.

Cassie, however, remained unattached—and unbothered. At least until three boys, in the span of one day, decided to test their luck in asking her.

The first was a Ravenclaw Quidditch beater who intercepted her as she exited Charms with her friends. Cassie blinked at him, already irritated by the interruption.

"Hey, Black," he began, "Would you like to go to the ball with me?"

Cassie stared at him for a long, agonizing moment. Then, she snorted.

It started as a soft laugh, but soon it bubbled into a full-blown howl. She doubled over, clutching her stomach, tears pricking the corners of her eyes as the absurdity of the situation hit her. It was so ridiculous and unbelievable that she couldn't have possibly kept a straight face. She didn't stop until the boy's own embarrassment made his face a deep shade of red, and he stammered out something unintelligible before fleeing down the corridor.

Blaise, who had witnessed the whole thing, shook his head in disbelief. "Merlin's beard, Cass. That was brutal—even for you."

Cassie straightened, still chuckling. "He should've known better."

The second incident occurred during Defense Against the Dark Arts.

The second boy—a Slytherin with a terrible haircut—thought he'd be more discreet. During Defense Against the Dark Arts, he slid her a note across the desk. Cassie didn't bother unfolding it. She crumpled it into a ball, fixed him with a dead-eyed stare, and set it ablaze with her wand.

The ashes floated dramatically onto Moody's boots.

The professor raised an unimpressed brow and turned to the would-be suitor. "If you're going to try your luck with Black again, boy, you'd have better odds wooing a dead rodent. Save the theatrics for outside my classroom."

The boy sank into his chair, his face burning red.

By the time the third suitor appeared, Cassie was done. She didn't even wait for him to open his mouth before pulling out her wand.

"Absolutely not," she snapped, sending him scurrying in the opposite direction.

Something was definitely wrong. Cassie had half a mind to believe the Weasley twins were behind it—perhaps running bets on how many fools would dare ask her out. What else could it possibly be? There wasn't anything about her to like—or so she told herself.

Pansy, of course, had a different take.

"You won't agree, but you are pretty," she said one evening in the common room.

Cassie snorted. "Spare me."

"I'm serious.".

Cassie sighed wandering over to the mirror, half out of habit, half out of curiosity.

Her reflection stared back—a sharp, striking face with the unmistakable features of the Black family. Gray eyes , framed by thick lashes. Her jawline was strong, her cheekbones high, her lips set in a permanent smirk—or maybe a scowl. Her wild, unruly curls tumbled around her face,

She tilted her head, observing the rest of herself critically. She wasn't tall, but she was sturdy, her frame broad-shouldered and toned from years of dueling practice and relentless training. She didn't see what anyone else apparently did.

That night, Mortem swooped in, dropping a letter onto her bed. Cassie recognized the seal immediately.

"Regulus," she muttered, breaking it open.

Hey, Star,
Narcissa forced me to write this, but—please, for Merlin's sake, pick a decent dress. She'll have my head if you don't.
Also—are you going with that Nott guy? I like him.

Cassie groaned, tossing the letter onto her desk. She grabbed a spare parchment and scribbled back a short reply:

The heck, Dad? No.

Mortem hooted indignantly as she tied the reply to his leg, sending him off into the night.

"You should ask Theo," Pansy commented casually.

Cassie snorted. "Why in Merlin's name would I do that?"

"Because he likes you," Pansy replied, leaning back "You do too"

Cassie's brows knitted together. "Doubt it."

"Oh, come on." Pansy leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Astoria's already asked him. Three times."

That caught Cassie's attention. She straightened, feigning indifference. "What did he say?"

Pansy shrugged. "Said no. Guess he's waiting for someone." She shot Cassie a pointed look.

Cassie hummed noncommittally, but the prospect lingered in her mind. She didn't like like Theo, of course. It wasn't that. But if she had to endure something as insufferable as the Yule Ball, it would probably be easier with him by her side. Theo wouldn't make a scene or force her into nauseating small talk; he'd likely be just as exasperated by the whole ordeal as she was. That thought alone was oddly comforting. Still, the idea felt ridiculous the moment it crossed her mind, and she shook it off quickly, mentally chastising herself for even considering it.

"What's up with Cole?" Pansy's voice cut through her thoughts, snapping her back to the present. "I thought he'd be the first to ask you."

Cassie blinked, dragging herself out of her musings. "No idea," she said flatly, shrugging as if it didn't matter.

But the truth was, she had noticed something off about Cole lately. He'd been unusually quiet, keeping his distance in a way that was uncharacteristic for someone like him Just small smiles and subtle waves across the corridor—that was all she got now. It was unsettling. Very un-Cole-like.

"Maybe he's planning something," Pansy said, a mischievous grin creeping onto her face.

Cassie groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. "Don't even joke about that."

The very idea made her skin crawl. She didn't need another embarrassing spectacle from Cole.

***********

In only two days since the Yule Ball's announcement, Cassie was sitting on a total of seven traumatized and slightly maimed boys.

By the seventh, Theo had begun to worry for the general male population of Hogwarts.

"She's a menace," Blaise declared, leaning back against the Slytherin common room couch 

"Maybe they should take the hint," Theo muttered, pretending to focus on his book. His eyes flicked to Cassie across the room, where she sat lounging with Mortem perched on the back of her chair, and her snake- who she named Nyx curled up on her arm- 

Unsurprisingly, Mortem had taken a particular liking to the snake, occasionally swooping down to drop an offering—a dead rat or a bird—for Nyx to devour. This  ritual had sparked several complaints from Pansy, who had threatened to hex both creatures the next time she found feathers or fur in her bed.

"Cassie," Pansy whined from her spot near the fireplace, shooting a glare at Mortem. "Can't you control your little zoo? I swear, if I find another bloody carcass near my things, I'm sending that snake to Hagrid."

Cassie raised a brow, absently stroking Nyx's head with her fingertips. "You could try, Pansy, But I doubt you'd make it halfway to the hut without losing a finger."

Pansy crossed her arms, muttering something about "ghoulish pets" and "death omens," but wisely dropped the subject

"Maybe you should ask her," Blaise suggested suddenly steering back the conversation to the yule ball

Theo's head snapped up. "What?"

"You heard me." Blaise smirked. "You're clearly invested in her... lack of a date. So why not put those poor idiots out of their misery and ask her yourself?"

"I'm not 'invested,'" Theo said quickly, though the pink tinge creeping up his neck suggested otherwise. "I just think it's reckless to hex half the school before the ball. She's going to run out of victims."

Pansy snickered from her spot by the fireplace. "Oh, please, Nott. You're worse at hiding your feelings than Longbottom is at potions. You should just ask her."

"She's not interested in a date," Theo said, setting his book down with more force than necessary. "She's made that painfully clear. I'm not stupid enough to become rejection number eight."

"Then don't ask her as a date," Blaise reasoned, shrugging. "Ask her as a friend. You two practically do everything together anyway. What's one more night of standing around and mocking everyone else?"

Theo opened his mouth to retort but stopped. The idea... wasn't entirely ridiculous. It wasn't like he hadn't considered the possibility, but he'd quickly dismissed it. Now, with Blaise and Pansy pushing the idea, it didn't seem quite so absurd.

As friends, he thought. That wouldn't be weird. They were already friends. This wouldn't change anything, right?

Across the room, Cassie caught him staring and raised an eyebrow. He quickly averted his gaze, fumbling for his book.

"Yea," he said finally, keeping his tone deliberately neutral. "As friends, I could ask her."

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

Cassie pushed open the door to the Slytherin common room, her cloak slung casually over one arm, intending to head to the library. The chill of the dungeon corridor greeted her, but before she could take more than a few steps, familiar, irritatingly sugary tones reached her ears.

"And, of course, Theo agreed to go with me," Astoria trilled, her voice carrying far too easily in the otherwise quiet hallway.

Cassie froze mid-step. Her grip on her cloak tightened instinctively as her mind caught up with the words. Theo? Agreed to go with Astoria?

"Oh, that's wonderful!" one of the other girls chirped. "You two will look perfect together."

Astoria preened. "I asked him, obviously. He didn't say yes right away, but I could tell he was just being coy. Boys love playing hard to get." She giggled. "I mean, come on, who else would he go with? He wouldn't dare say no to me."

Cassie didn't turn back, didn't move forward either. Her body remained rooted as her stomach twisted unpleasantly. Theo never mentioned agreeing to go with Astoria. Had he?

The chorus of laughter that followed made Cassie's jaw clench. She wasn't sure why it annoyed her so much—Theo was free to go with anyone he wanted.

Right?

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

The next morning at the great hall, Cassie sat at the Slytherin table, stabbing her fork into a piece of roast chicken as if it had personally offended her. Across from her, Theo watched her carefully. She looked irritated—well, more irritated than usual.

Theo's own thoughts were a tangled mess. He had spent half the morning debating how to approach Cassie. Not that it meant anything, of course—just as friends. But now, after witnessing her utter brutality with every boy who dared ask her out, he was second-guessing everything.

"Black!"

Cassie's head snapped up. A Durmstrang boy stood confidently in front of her, his long dark coat making him look more imposing than he probably was.

"What do you want?" she asked coolly, leaning back in her seat.

The boy smiled, clearly mistaking her disinterest for intrigue. "Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the Yule Ball?"

Theo froze mid-bite, his chest tightening at the question. He clenched his jaw, waiting for Cassie's response.

She tilted her head, as if considering it for a moment. Then she stood, her movements slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey.

"No," she said simply, her voice calm but icy.

The Durmstrang boy faltered, his smile dropping. "I—uh—"

Cassie leaned in closer, her grey eyes narrowing. "You didn't hear me? I said no. fuck off"

The boy stumbled back, mumbling something in his native tongue before scurrying off. Theo exhaled quietly, feeling an odd sense of relief. But it was short-lived.

"Cassie," a nervous voice called. Theo glanced up to see a fifth-year Slytherin approaching the table, his hands shoved awkwardly in his pockets. "I—I was wondering if—"

"No," Cassie snapped before he could finish, not even bothering to look at him.

The boy looked crushed but wisely retreated.

By the time the third boy—a Gryffindor, no less—appeared, Cassie had reached her breaking point.

She stood abruptly, pulling her dagger from her pocket with a fluid motion. The sharp blade gleamed under the enchanted ceiling as she pointed it directly at the boy's chest.

"Listen, you dumb fuckers," she snarled, her voice slicing through the Great Hall like a whip. "I swear, if anyone else asks me to this ball, I'll stab them in their fucking eye. And I am serious."

The Gryffindor froze, his face pale as the whispers and gasps filled the room.

The silence that followed had been deafening, punctuated only by the sound of her dagger slamming back into its sheath. Cassie's glare had swept the room, daring anyone to challenge her. They hadn't

At the Slytherin table, Theo's heart sank. He had been moments away from standing up, his carefully rehearsed words ready to go. But now? Now he wasn't sure if she'd stab him too—or worse, laugh in his face.

Now, the crowd in the Great Hall had resumed its noisy chatter, though students gave her a wide berth. well-

Until Cole approached.

"Cassiopeia Black."

The voice cut through the din, smooth and unmistakably Cole's.

Cassie raised a brow, her expression half-amused, half-annoyed. Of course, it had to be him. "You've got to be kidding me," she muttered under her breath.

Cole stopped a few feet in front of her, bowing dramatically before straightening with a grin. "Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the Yule Ball?"

The hall went silent again, all eyes darting between Cassie and Cole.

Mortem let out a low hoot, Nyx hissed softly, and Cassie just stared at him, her lips curling into a wry smirk. "You've got some nerve," she said, her tone dry.

Cole shrugged, unfazed. "I figured someone had to have it. And I thought, who better than me?"

The audacity. Cassie couldn't help the flicker of amusement in her eyes, though she quickly masked it. "After my very polite warning earlier?"

"I considered it," Cole said, his grin widening. "But I like a challenge."

Cassie turned slowly, her brow arching in mild surprise. She studied Cole for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, to everyone's shock, she smirked,  the sheer audacity of it was... almost impressive.

"Alright," she said casually, 

The hall exploded. Gasps, shouts, and even applause echoed off the walls as Cole grinned triumphantly.

"What the—" someone whispered.

"Is she serious?"

"She's actually going with him?"

Cole's grin turned triumphant, and he offered her his hand theatrically. "I promise you won't regret it."

Cassie rolled her eyes and pushed off brushing past him without taking his hand as she exited the hall, her voice carrying over the commotion. "That was a test."

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

"What a circus," Cassie muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she strode down the empty corridor. 
Her snake Nyx slithered tighter around her arm, as if agreeing.

Her mind wandered briefly to Theo, wondering how he'd taken the spectacle. Not that it mattered. Or so she told herself.

"Cassiopeia!" Cole called, catching up with a lopsided grin. "A moment, if you don't mind."

She sighed audibly, stopping mid-stride but not bothering to turn around. "What now, Cole? 

Cole chuckled, stepping around to block her path, his hands raised in mock surrender. "Hey, easy. Just thought we should clarify something—'that was a test,' right? So... did I pass?"

Cassie raised a brow, finally meeting his gaze. "You're still breathing, aren't you?"

"Good point," Cole quipped, unfazed. "But seriously, what does this mean? Are we actually going to this ball, or was that just for show?"

Cassie's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. "You asked. I said yes. Congratulations, Cole—you got what you wanted. Now, stop trailing me like a lost pup before I change my mind."

Cole laughed, clearly pleased with himself, and took a step back. "Fair enough. I have to admit, I didn't think you'd actually say yes."

"Don't get too comfortable, Cole. I only agreed because I was tired of people asking me. If you get any ideas—"

"Relax," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm not expecting a love story, Black. It's a ball. We'll show up, dance once—maybe twice—and call it a night."

Cassie studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Good. Keep it that way."

As she turned to leave, Cole called after her, "You know, you didn't have to agree at all. You could've just kept stabbing people."

Cassie paused, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Don't tempt me."

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

The Great Hall remained in uproar long after Cassie and Cole disappeared down the corridor. Whispers flitted between tables like wildfire:

"Did you see her face? She looked impressed!"
"Impressed? She probably agreed just to plan his murder later."
"Cole's a dead man walking."

At the Slytherin table, Theo stabbed at his plate with his fork, his appetite completely gone. Blaise leaned closer, ever the instigator.

"Did you see that, Theo? Your competition just walked away with her."

"There's no competition," Theo said flatly, though his knuckles whitened around the handle of his fork.

"Oh, right, because you haven't been brooding about her all week," Blaise teased, his grin widening.

Theo shot him a glare but didn't respond. His mind replayed the moment—Cassie's smirk, the effortless way she agreed, and the smug, insufferable grin on Cole's face. It shouldn't have bothered him. Cassie was... Cassie. She didn't make decisions lightly, and if she said yes, it was probably for her own amusement. Yet the thought of her at the ball, standing next to Cole, ignited something uncomfortable in his chest.

"Earth to Theo," Pansy interrupted, waving a hand in front of his face. "Merlin's beard, are you sulking? I didn't know you cared so much about who Cassie goes to the ball with."

"I don't," he said sharply, but his tone betrayed him.

Pansy's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned her chin on her hand. "It's adorable how jealous you are."

"I'm not jealous," Theo snapped, his voice tight. "And Cole's an idiot. He probably doesn't even know what he's gotten himself into."

"Oh, I think he knows exactly what he's doing," Pansy said, her smirk widening. "And so does Cassie. That girl doesn't do anything without a reason."

Theo didn't respond. He couldn't. The knot in his chest was growing tighter, and the last thing he wanted was to give Pansy more ammunition to use against him later.

Instead, he abruptly pushed his chair back, his movements sharp. "Hey, Astoria," he called, striding toward her.

Astoria turned to him her voice sickly sweet "Theo?"

"Wanna go to the ball?" Theo asked, his tone nonchalant but his jaw set.

Astoria blinked, before a slow smile spread across her face. "Of course," she said sweetly. "I'd love to."

Behind Theo, Pansy's eyes widened as Blaise let out a low whistle.

"Well, that's one way to handle it," Blaise murmured, leaning toward Pansy.

*********


Im pretty sure yall wud cancel me for this chap- I TOO WAS ORIGNALLY PLANNING IN 

THEOx CASS IN THE YULE BALL-

but then i remembered- the reason romione happened was cos of jealousy in the yule ball--

ANDD- COMEONN- I PROMISSE TEH LONG RUNS WORTH IT- PLUS COLE ISNT LIEK THE WORST WORST-

hope yalll are doing amazingggg-- till nextr time

mxriddle