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╰┈➤ ❝ [𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝑇𝑊𝑂] ❞ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-
⁺⤾·˚.⃗. [ ɴᴏ ǫᴜɪᴅᴅɪᴛᴄʜ?! ] 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋

The Great Hall
( September, 1994. )

𝑻he carriage ride passed in a blur, the wheels creaking and groaning as they rolled through the towering iron gates flanked by statues of winged boars. Cassie leaned against the window, squinting through the sheets of rain that lashed against the glass, her breath fogging up the pane. The towering silhouette of Hogwarts slowly emerged from the storm, its spires shimmering faintly behind the relentless downpour. Lightning split the sky, momentarily illuminating the castle in stark brilliance before the gloom swallowed it again.

As their carriage came to a swaying halt before the great oak doors, Cassie exchanged a glance with Olympia, who had pressed herself eagerly against the opposite window. Around them, students began leaping from their carriages, clutching robes over their heads as they dashed toward the stone steps.

Cassie groaned as a gust of wind blew icy rain straight into her face the moment she stepped down. "Merlin's beard!" she muttered, pulling her cloak tighter and rushing forward alongside Judeth, Fred, and George. Their boots splashed through shallow puddles, and Cassie could feel her hair sticking to her face as they finally scrambled up the steps and through the heavy doors into the refuge of the castle.

The warm glow of the Entrance Hall enveloped them instantly, its golden torchlight casting dancing shadows across the marble floor. Cassie paused to wring water from her soaked sleeves, muttering under her breath as she tried to pat her hair back into place. Around her, the buzz of laughter and excited chatter echoed against the high ceilings, students bustling past in small groups, their damp cloaks trailing behind them.

She glanced at Olympia, who stood a few steps away, her face alight with awe as her gaze swept across the hall. Cassie couldn't help but smirk; Olympia always looked as if she were seeing the castle for the first time, no matter how many years they'd been here.

Fred, on the other hand, was less reverent. "Well, that was refreshing," he quipped, shaking his hair out like a dog and sending droplets flying.

Cassie scowled and took a step back. "Fred, I swear, if you get me wetter than I already am..."

George laughed, brushing a hand through his equally damp hair. "Don't worry, Cass. You couldn't possibly look worse at this point."

Cassie rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at her lips as she nudged George with her elbow. The familiar warmth of the castle seeped into her, melting away the discomfort of the rain.

"Come on," Judeth said, tugging at her sleeve. "We need to get to the Great Hall before all the good seats are taken!"

Cassie followed, letting herself be swept up in the excitement as the group moved toward the marble staircase, their laughter blending with the buzz of students around them. For all the chaos of the storm outside, Hogwarts already felt like home.

As the group made their way toward the Great Hall, Cassie glanced over her shoulder just in time to see Olympia slip quietly away, her blonde hair catching the golden torchlight as she moved toward the Ravenclaw table. Cassie smiled softly to herself—her twin always had a knack for seamlessly blending into her own world, no matter how much they shared.

"See you later, Oly!" Cassie called after her, though it was mostly drowned out by the chatter of students filling the Hall. Olympia waved briefly over her shoulder before disappearing into the sea of blue and silver.

Cassie let Judeth tug her along to the Gryffindor table, where they found seats close to the middle. Judeth slid in first, leaving Cassie next to her, directly across from Fred and George, who were already seated and arguing about some prank they clearly had planned.

"Move your elbows, Fred," George muttered, shoving his twin playfully to make room.

"They were here first!" Fred shot back with mock indignation, but he scooted over regardless, sending Cassie a cheeky grin as if she'd somehow been involved in their spat.

Cassie rolled her eyes but sat down without comment. "Try not to cause too much of a scene this early in the year, will you?"

"Where's the fun in that?" George replied, smirking as he leaned back in his seat.

Before she could retort, a pair of arms suddenly flung themselves over the twins' shoulders, making them both lurch forward with exaggerated grunts.

"Miss me?" Lee Jordan grinned, his voice warm and teasing as he greeted Fred and George.

"Lee!" Fred exclaimed, laughing as he threw an arm around their friend's back. "Of course, we missed you! Who else keeps us from getting bored?"

George chuckled, shrugging off Lee's arm but clapping him on the back. "Took you long enough to find us. We were about to send out a search party."

Lee snorted, plopping himself down beside George. "Right. Like you two couldn't have managed without me."

The three of them erupted into laughter, their easy camaraderie filling the space around them. Judeth leaned into Cassie, grinning. "You're surrounded now," she teased.

Cassie smirked. "Surrounded, yes. Impressed? Not in the slightest."

Fred turned to her with a mock-wounded expression. "Not impressed? Cassie, you wound me."

"Don't be dramatic," she replied dryly, though her lips twitched upward. "You haven't done anything yet—besides take up all the space at the table."

"Oh, don't worry," George said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "The year's just begun, Cass. You'll be plenty impressed soon enough."

Cassie raised an eyebrow, leaning back with an air of feigned boredom. "We'll see," she said, though a small, traitorous smile broke through.

Judeth giggled beside her, and the table settled into an easy rhythm of banter and chatter as the rest of the students filed into the Hall, the energy of the new year sparking like electricity in the air.

Just as Fred and George were arguing over some new scheme and Lee was throwing in his usual clever commentary, a familiar presence loomed over the group. Cassie glanced up just in time to see Oliver Wood, looking as effortlessly self-assured as ever, approach the table. Normally, Oliver would claim a seat closer to the head of the table where the Quidditch Captain could soak in the limelight. But this time, to her mild surprise (and faint irritation), he slid onto the bench beside George and Lee.

"Alright, you lot," Oliver greeted, his Scottish lilt carrying easily over the buzz of the Great Hall. His tone was relaxed, but there was that usual undercurrent of intensity he never seemed to shake.

"Wood!" Lee exclaimed, clapping a hand on Oliver's shoulder. "Decided to grace us with your presence today, did you?"

"Thought I'd mix things up," Oliver replied smoothly, though his eyes flicked briefly to Cassie. The corners of his mouth twitched, as if he knew sitting here was bound to stir something.

George nudged him with a grin. "Don't tell me you're giving up your seat of honor just for us. We're flattered, mate."

Oliver chuckled, his easy confidence making the exchange seem almost casual. "Consider it an act of charity. Thought I'd spare everyone up front my charm for the evening."

Fred snorted. "Charm, he says. You just didn't want to miss out on the brilliance of our plans."

"Is that what you're calling them now?" Oliver shot back, his tone playful as he settled into his seat, elbows braced on the table.

"Plans?" Lee asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'm hearing about this now?"

"You'll love it," George said, leaning conspiratorially toward Lee and Oliver. "All in good time, of course."

Cassie folded her arms, leaning back slightly as she watched the exchange. She hadn't expected Oliver to join their corner of the table, and his sudden presence sent a faint ripple through the group's usual dynamic. His charisma was hard to ignore, even when it was tempered by his dry humor and competitive streak.

Oliver glanced at her then, a subtle flicker of recognition passing through his expression. He didn't smirk outright, but there was an unmistakable glint in his eye—like he knew she was watching, and he was amused by it.

"Cassie," he said smoothly, as if addressing her directly was the most natural thing in the world. "Didn't expect to see you looking so... entertained by our lot."

She arched an eyebrow, refusing to rise to the bait. "Oh, don't flatter yourself. I'm here for Judeth."

"Good company, then," Oliver replied, his tone light but layered with that familiar charm.

Fred and George exchanged a quick look, their expressions practically radiating mischief as they picked up on the unspoken tension. Judeth, meanwhile, nudged Cassie with a barely contained grin, but Cassie ignored her.

"Let's just hope you sitting here doesn't slow them down," Cassie said coolly, gesturing toward the twins. "They were just starting to sound like they had half an idea."

Oliver's lips curved into a smirk. "Don't worry, lass. I'll keep up."

Fred barked out a laugh. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

George nodded, his grin widening. "The best part of the year so far, no question."

Cassie rolled her eyes, but despite herself, she couldn't help the faint flicker of amusement tugging at the corners of her mouth. Whatever this year was shaping up to be, she had a feeling it wasn't going to be boring.

The Great Hall was alive with the glow of floating candles, their warm light reflecting off golden plates and goblets. The chatter of students filled the air, a symphony of excitement for the start of another year. At the head of the hall, the teachers sat along a long table, their expressions ranging from stern to amused. Professor Dumbledore, in deep-green robes, seemed both part of the lively scene and distant from it, his long fingers steepled under his thoughtful gaze.

Cassie barely paid attention to the chatter at the Gryffindor table as she looked around the hall. The enchanted ceiling above mirrored the storm outside, its black and purple clouds twisting ominously, illuminated by flashes of lightning. The energy in the room buzzed, both from the storm and the collective excitement of the students.

At the Ravenclaw table, Cassie caught a glimpse of Olympia staring up at the ceiling, her eyes wide with wonder as if she'd never seen it before. Cassie shook her head fondly, returning her attention to her plate just as it vanished along with the rest of the feast.

When Dumbledore rose, his presence alone was enough to quiet the hall. His voice resonated with authority, yet his tone remained calm, drawing everyone's attention with ease.

"Now that we are all fed and watered," he began, a faint twinkle in his eye, "I must once more ask for your attention while I give out a few notices."

Cassie half-listened as he detailed Mr. Filch's ever-growing list of forbidden objects.

"The list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs," Dumbledore said, his voice tinged with dry amusement. "The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, should anyone care to check it."

Fred and George exchanged exaggerated looks of disappointment, both dramatically mouthing "Four hundred and thirty-seven?" before flashing identical middle fingers in Filch's direction. Cassie rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help the faint smirk tugging at her lips.

Dumbledore, sharp as ever, noticed their antics and allowed a flicker of amusement to cross his face before continuing.

"As ever," he went on, his tone now firmer, "I would like to remind you all that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year."

Cassie barely registered the usual warnings. What did catch her attention was the unexpected shift in Dumbledore's tone, a quiet weight settling over his words.

"It is also my painful duty to inform you," he said with genuine regret, "that the inter-house Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."

The reaction was immediate and explosive. Gasps of disbelief echoed across the hall, especially from the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables.

At her table, Fred and George froze, their mouths opening and closing like fish out of water. "No Quidditch?" Fred mouthed silently, staring at George in wide-eyed horror.

But it was Oliver who seemed the most affected.

Cassie turned to him, and her heart almost stopped at the sight. All the color had drained from his face, leaving his usually tan complexion ashen. His jaw dropped, his expression frozen in shock as if he couldn't process what he'd just heard.

"No Quidditch?" he whispered, his voice faint, almost inaudible. His wide eyes flicked toward Dumbledore as if hoping for a reprieve, but the Headmaster's serious expression confirmed the worst.

Oliver sank back in his seat, his shoulders sagging. Cassie had never seen him look so utterly devastated. For a moment, she almost pitied him—almost.

"Well," she murmured under her breath to Judeth, "guess we won't be hearing the end of that anytime soon."

Judeth nudged her, her eyes sparkling with mischief despite the tense atmosphere. "Think he's going to survive the year?"

Cassie smirked faintly, glancing back at Oliver, who still looked like someone had told him Quidditch itself had ceased to exist. "Barely."

"This is due to an event that will be starting in October and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy—but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts—"

A deafening clap of thunder cut through Dumbledore's words, reverberating through the Great Hall. The sudden sound made Cassie flinch, her gaze darting toward the massive oak doors as they creaked open.

Every head turned, the room falling silent as a shadowed figure emerged from the storm outside. Cloaked in black, the man leaned heavily on a staff, his silhouette briefly illuminated by a flash of lightning. His presence was imposing, almost theatrical, as he strode into the hall, his cloak swirling behind him like a living shadow.

When the man lowered his hood, Cassie's breath caught. His face was unlike anything she'd ever seen—rough, weathered, and marked by scars that seemed to tell stories of countless battles. One of his eyes was small and dark, while the other was unnervingly large and electric blue, darting around the hall with restless energy. At one point, it even rolled completely backward, revealing a milky white that sent a shiver down her spine.

Cassie glanced at Judeth, who looked just as startled as she felt, before turning her attention back to the figure now making his way toward the teachers' table. Dumbledore greeted the man warmly, shaking his hand and speaking in low tones that no one else could hear. With a gesture, the Headmaster invited him to sit, and the man obliged, pulling out a small knife to stab at a sausage on his plate.

Dumbledore's voice broke the tension. "May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher—Professor Moody."

A few polite claps rippled through the hall, but most students remained silent, their attention fixed on the strange man at the table. Moody's blue eye darted around the room even as he continued poking at his food, his presence radiating an unsettling intensity.

Cassie leaned closer to Judeth, whispering, "We've had some odd Defense professors, but this guy? He takes the cake."

Judeth nodded, wide-eyed. "I feel like he could disarm someone with a glance—and not in a good way."

Dumbledore continued, his voice steady and commanding. "As I was saying, we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event which has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

A collective gasp rippled through the hall, followed by a moment of stunned silence.

Fred Weasley's voice broke the tension. "You're joking!" he shouted, his tone a mix of disbelief and excitement.

The hall erupted into laughter, even Dumbledore chuckling softly before addressing him. "I am not joking, Mr. Weasley—though, now you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all walk into a bar..."

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat sharply, and Dumbledore raised a hand in apology. "Er—perhaps this is not the time. Where was I? Ah, yes, the Triwizard Tournament."

As Dumbledore explained the history of the tournament and its purpose of fostering connections between magical schools, Cassie noticed Hermione looking alarmed at the mention of past fatalities.

"But," Dumbledore continued, his voice reassuring, "this time, we have taken all precautions to ensure safety. The Heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving in October, with their short-listed contenders, and the selection of champions will take place on Hallowe'en."

The hall buzzed with excitement, but Cassie noticed the determined glint in Fred and George's eyes when Dumbledore mentioned the thousand-Galleon prize.

"Only those seventeen and older will be allowed to enter," Dumbledore added firmly, his gaze sweeping across the hall and lingering on the twins. "I therefore beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen."

Fred's mouth fell open, and George looked equally stunned. When Dumbledore dismissed the students, the twins immediately began muttering as they made their way out of the hall.

"They can't do that!" George said, glaring toward the teachers' table. "We're seventeen in April—why can't we have a shot?"

"They're not stopping me from entering," Fred replied stubbornly. "A thousand Galleons! We could buy a new house for Mum. One that's not falling apart."

Cassie, walking alongside them, smirked. "Right, because nothing says safety and fairness like you two finding a loophole. What are you going to do, bribe the Goblet of Fire?"

Fred grinned at her, undeterred. "If it works, Cass, you'll be the first to know."

Nearby, Oliver Wood walked in stunned silence, his usually confident demeanor shaken. Cassie caught his pale, almost ghostly expression and leaned over to Judeth.

"Looks like someone's gonna have to find a new hobby," Cassie snickered, her gaze sliding toward Oliver, who still looked like someone had snatched the Quidditch Cup out of his hands and stomped on it.

Judeth giggled, leaning closer. "Like you?"

"Me?" Cassie's eyes widened in surprise, and she felt an unbidden heat rush to her cheeks. She quickly looked away, trying to cover her reaction with a scoff. "Oh, please."

But Judeth had already noticed the flush on her face, and her grin widened. "Oh no, Cass, you're blushing."

"I'm not blushing," Cassie hissed, tugging her cloak tighter around her as if it could shield her from Judeth's teasing.

"You totally are!" Judeth whispered, her voice sing-song as she nudged Cassie with her elbow. "All this talk about hobbies has you flustered, huh?"

"Flustered? Hardly." Cassie straightened her back, forcing an air of indifference despite the heat in her cheeks. She shot Judeth a pointed glare. "If anyone's flustered, it's Oliver over there. He looks like his entire world just ended."

Judeth glanced at Oliver, still sulking as he trudged along behind the group. "True," she said, giggling again. "But you're way more fun to tease."

Cassie rolled her eyes, though she couldn't quite fight back the smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible."

"And you're blushing."

Cassie groaned, pulling her hood up in mock exasperation as they climbed the stairs toward Gryffindor Tower. Judeth's laughter echoed beside her, and though Cassie tried to brush it off, she couldn't quite shake the annoyance she felt for Oliver Wood.