"Cassie!" Pansy bounded over, arms outstretched. "You're finally here!"

Cassie couldn't help but visibly back away as Pansy rushed toward her, wrapping her arms around her, laughing.

"I swear to Merlin, Pansy, one day I'll hex your hair red," Cassie muttered.

Pansy laughed heartily and withdrew, her hands still resting on Cassie's shoulders as she looked up at her friend. "Damn, girl, you grew taller," she remarked with a playful pout.

Cassie rolled her eyes affectionately. "I see you haven't changed."

Summer had done little to alter Pansy's height; she remained petite but undeniably striking, her features as sharp and beautiful as ever, her hair longer and wavier.

Pansy pouted, grabbing Cassie's arm and pulling her through the crowded Hogwarts Express. They weaved through groups of chattering students until they reached the boys, who were lounging in their compartment.

Theo's eyes widened upon seeing Cassie. He couldn't help but take in the sight of her: her curly hair messy as ever, her signature killer smirk in place, but her robes fit snugly to her athletic frame.

"Look who decided to grace us with her presence," Blaise drawled.

"Careful with that tone, Zabini. I've picked up a few more tricks with a dagger over the summer."

Blaise mockingly raised his hands in surrender, chuckling. "Noted."

"Theo?" Cassie said, settling herself comfortably in front of him. "Hello?"

Theo's stare lingered on her, unable to tear his gaze away. Blaise nudged him gently, breaking his trance. "Hi, Cassie," Theo started, his cheeks coloring slightly.

Draco smirked, leaning back in his seat. "Stop drooling over my sister, Nott."

"I wasn't!" Theo protested defensively, finally breaking his gaze away from Cassie.

"You have grown taller," he blurted suddenly, trying to change the subject and regain his composure.

Cassie grinned proudly, a playful glint in her eye. "Took up some muggle weightlifting over the summer, too."

 "You're still shorter than us," Draco remarked with a smirk.

"You really wanna go there again, Malfoy?"

The train rumbled forward with a slight jerk. Draco, lounging comfortably, turned his attention to Blaise. "So, how was the convention?"

Blaise shrugged nonchalantly. "As boring as ever. Would've given up anything to be with you guys at the World Cup."

Cassie leaned forward. "Despite all the drama that happened?"

Pansy nodded emphatically. "I saw the news, I was so worried."

"Yeah, what was up with that?" Theo asked.

Draco glanced at Cassie, who shrugged dismissively. "Just some idiotic Death Eaters wanting entertainment."

Theo spoke up, not believing her dismissive tone. "And what about the Dark Mark?"

Cassie sighed heavily. "That was something..." She paused, her voice trailing off. "He's coming back. There's no other explanation."

Silence fell over the compartment as Cassie's words sank in. No one wanted to believe it, but they had no choice.

"But there's still time for that," she added optimistically, as if that settled it.

"Yeah," Theo echoed half-heartedly, attempting to shift the conversation to a lighter topic.

Suddenly, Draco's face lit up with excitement. "Oh, and guess what else happened?"

"What?" Pansy leaned in eagerly

"Cassie here rejected Cole Gregwitch. Yes, THE Cole Gregwitch," Draco announced proudly, unable to contain his grin.

Pansy gasped in disbelief. "No way! Cole Gregwitch himself?" Her eyes took on a dreamy glint.

Cassie rolled her eyes exasperatedly.

Draco nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, he was all over her... Totally smitten, couldn't take his eyes off her."

Theo frowned slightly. "What was he like?"

Blaise smirked knowingly, sensing Theo's unease.

"Have you seen that man? He's like the Quidditch god," Pansy gushed dreamily.

Draco nodded in agreement.

Cassie scoffed, her expression turning sour. "Oh, please. He was irritating."

Draco's face twisted in horror. "He was trying to flirt with you!"

"That was flirting?" Cassie exclaimed, her disgust evident. She shook her head, unable to comprehend how Cole Gregwitch's advances could be mistaken for anything but bothersome.

"Yes!" Draco said excitedly.

 "I'd rather face a Dementor."

Theo chuckled, clearly looking relieved.

"I did get new daggers, though," Cassie said, reaching into her bag and pulling out a sleek, silver-hilted dagger with intricate runes etched into the blade. She pulled out another similar one in black.

Theo smiled, his eyes lighting up as he reached into his own bag and produced a matching dagger. "I did too."

Cassie smirked. "Dagger duel soon, Nott?"

"You're on," Theo replied.

Cassie laughed lightly, stowing her dagger back into her bag.

"I'm so excited for the tournament this year," Pansy exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Blaise, leaning back comfortably, raised an eyebrow. "What's there to be excited about?"

"Oh, I don't know. Watching people trying to kill themselves for a few Galleons is pretty entertaining," Cassie snorted.

The compartment erupted in laughter.

"So, you're not planning on entering, then?" Draco asked.

"Hell no," Cassie replied with a smirk. "You think I'd miss a chance to skip lessons just to risk my neck for a prize? I prefer watching... way less work."

Draco chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair point."

"Wanna bet Potter enters?" Theo snorted

"Of course he will. He just needs a chance to show off," Draco replied, 

Pansy interjected with a raised eyebrow. "Do you guys not know there's an age limit?"

"Seriously?" Blaise leaned forward, surprised.

"Yeah," Pansy confirmed with a nod.

Cassie smirked "I still bet 50 Galleons Potter manages to enter."

Draco shook his head firmly. "Nah, I don't think so."

"Yeah," Blaise chimed in. Pansy nodded in agreement.

"Alright, 50 Galleons on Potter managing to enter," Cassie said

"50 on he doesn't," Draco countered, joining the bet.

"Me too," Blaise added quickly.

"Me three!" Pansy exclaimed eagerly.

Cassie turned to Theo. "Theo?"

Theo met her gaze, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, 50 on he enters."

Cassie's grinned "Good choice."

"We all know Cassie doesn't lose bets," Theo remarked confidently, high-fiving Cassie.

"Speaking of Potter—wanna pay him a visit?" Draco suggested, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

"You don't even have to ask," Cassie said, standing up eagerly.

"Yeah, no, we're good," Blaise interjected. "Don't wanna miss the trolley lady."

"Ill come" Theo grinned standing up himself

"Fuck you really are taller" Cassie grumbled looking up at theo who grew leaner taller his frame more athletic and he was cuter.

wait- cuter? ew. Cassie internally recoiled at her thoughts shaking her head.

"I did" Theo grinned while Cassie pouted

Ignoring the banter, Draco led the way down the corridor. Cassie, Theo, and Draco moved, pushing past chattering students until they reached the Gryffindor compartment.

 Draco knocked theatrically before sliding the door open.

"We saw him right up close, as well," said Ron. "We were in the Top Box—"

"For the first and last time in your life, Weasley," Draco interrupted, standing in the doorway with Cassie and Theo flanking him.

"Don't remember asking you to join us, Malfoy," said Harry coolly.

Draco ignored him, his eyes falling on Pigwidgeon's cage. "Weasley... what is that?" he sneered, pointing at the small owl's cage. A sleeve of Ron's dress robes was dangling from it, swaying with the motion of the train, the moldy lace cuff very obvious.

Ron tried to stuff the robes out of sight, but Malfoy was too quick for him. He seized the sleeve and pulled.

"Look at this!" said Malfoy in ecstasy, holding up Ron's robes and showing them off to Cassie and Theo, who chuckled

"Weasley, you weren't thinking of wearing these, were you? I mean—they were very fashionable in about eighteen ninety..." Malfoy laughed, his voice filled with mockery.

"Eat dung, Malfoy!" Ron snapped, his face as red as his hair as he snatched the robes back out of Malfoy's grip. Malfoy howled with derisive laughter.

Cassie stepped forward, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Honestly, Weasley, are you trying to bring glory to the family name? There's money involved as well, you know... you'd be able to afford some decent robes if you won..."

"What are you talking about?" Ron demanded.

"Are you going to enter?" Malfoy repeated. "I suppose you will, Potter? You never miss a chance to show off, do you?"

"Either explain what you're on about or go away, Malfoy," said Hermione testily, over the top of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4.

A gleeful smile spread across Malfoy's pale face. "Don't tell me you don't know?" he said delightedly. "You've got a father and brother at the Ministry, and you don't even know? My God, my father told me about it ages ago... heard it from Cornelius Fudge. But then, Father's always associated with the top people at the Ministry... Maybe your father's too junior to know about it, Weasley... yes... they probably don't talk about important stuff in front of him..."

Ron's fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. "Get out, Malfoy," he said in a low, dangerous voice.

Theo  laughed, a high, cold sound that echoed through the compartment. "Temper, temper, Weasley...Not really our fault your father is a loser"

Ron lunged forward, but Harry grabbed his arm, holding him back. "Ignore them, Ron. They're not worth it."

Theo smirked, crossing his arms. "Listen to Potter, Weasley. He knows you're no match for us."

Hermione, eyes blazing with anger, stood up, her wand clutched tightly in her hand. "Leave. Now."

Draco, Cassie, and Theo exchanged amused glances before turning to leave.

"Enjoy your ride, Potter," Cassie said over her shoulder as they exited the compartment. "It might be your last."

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

Just a really normal chapter!

They finally fixed the wifi here- 

Okie- so for upcoming chapters- 1st i really want cassie to get back at potter for the jab he made at the world cup about sirius

im still figuring  it out

also cassie- moody- are we thinking good relation or bad

anyways- college has been really exhausting honestly its a downpour everyday and the prices of everything are just sky high

ps- i know many stories have those playlists and all- and people really enjoy them - the prob is that- i honestly dont have music idea- but if any of u wants to make one feel free- and lemme know so i can share it in the book

lastly
how are all of u!

mxriddle