A magical makeover
After spending a few hours not only hiding from her brother but also working up the courage to finally kill her curiosity, Cassie felt relief fill her when she noticed the nearly empty common room. Two second years were playing exploding snap while a fifth year was reading quidditch through the ages. Placing her bag on the floor, she sat down in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. Truth be told, she couldn't remember the last time she had felt this stupid. It's just a bloody letter, for merlin's sake. Cassie thought while she stared at the elegant writing that was her name.
"Bloody hell," She muttered out softly before turning the letter around and opened it. She let her eyes dance over the letter while taking in the handwriting, and for a moment, a silly little moment, she wondered if Rabastian also had had lessons in how to write elegantly when he was younger. As their mother had forced Sirius, Regulus, and herself to attend, stating that no member of the noble house of Black should be seen with scrawny or plain handwriting. It felt as if the air had left her body momentarily.
Dear Cassiopeia
You should know that I am pleased that you wrote to me. I had been thinking about writing you a letter for the past few days but unsure where to start. The fault is equally mine as it is yours, so please do not worry.
Are you available for your first Hogsmeade trip? If so, please let me know, and I will make arrangements to meet you there.
Sincerely
Rabastian Lestrange
To say Cassie was shocked could be an understatement; however, she felt a small ray of happiness fill her. All though relief was the feeling that dominated everything for the moment. She made a mental note to reply to his letter when she went up to her dormitory later, but for now, she would relish in the fact that it was not as scary as she thought it would be. Closing her eyes and letting her body relax properly since the letter's arrival, she drifted off to a small nap that was heavily needed.
A half-hour later, Alice walked into the common room along with Frank. Her face glowed with joy as she looked at her boyfriend, who looked at her the same way. Having just gotten together before the summer holiday, they were still in the newly in love phase. The brunette let out a small giggle when she saw her sleeping friend by the fire and made her way over with Frank in tow. While he sat down on the couch, Alice kneeled in front of her friend, placed her hand on the girl's arm, and shook it gently.
"Cas? Wake up" She gave her friend another shook and retreated her hand when she saw Cassie's eyes slowly start to open. "Hey, sleepyhead."
Cassie let out a yawn as she rubbed her eyes "Hey, Ali." Turning her head slightly, she saw the light brown-haired boy she knew quite well. "Hey Frank, what's the time?"
He raised his hand to look at his watch. "It's almost time for dinner." Alice stood up and moved over to the couch where her boyfriend sat and placed herself next to him. It was first now she noticed the opened letter that was lying in her friend's lap. And although Alice wasn't as curious as Dorcas, she couldn't help but let the next words fall out of her mouth. "You read the letter?"
Cassie looked down at the said letter and nodded her head. She lifted her eyes and met Alice's excited gaze. "Yeah. He wants to meet in Hogsmead during our first trip." A brilliant smile covered Alice's face as her entire body screamed excitement. "Oh, that's brilliant, Cas. The Hogsmeade list was posted earlier today, and the first trip is on the first weekend of October."
Cassie ran her hand through her dark curls. The first weekend of October was, in fact, the next weekend; in a way, it fitted perfectly. However, she hoped that he wouldn't mind tagging along to some shopping, seeing as she needed more ink as most of her bottle was currently stained on her hands, and she needed a few things for quidditch.
"Ali? Could you help me with that?" A warm smile was sent her way. "Of course, we will gather up the girls and give you a makeover so magical he would think a bludger hit him" Her eyes shone brightly in excitement, and a warm smile seemed almost permanent on her face. Frank laughed at his girlfriend's enthusiasm and was genuinely hoping that the girls wouldn't go too overboard on the makeover, as he remembered the time Alice had been given a makeover in third year, looking a bit disastrous. The said girl looked at him, wondering why on earth he was laughing.
"What are you laughing about?"
"Oh, I just remembered that time in third year when the girls gave you..." The look on Alice's face immediately shut Frank up. A single eyebrow was raised while her eyes had narrowed, and from the corner of his eyes, he could see Cassie shaking her head while trying her hardest to keep her face neutral. "That never happened. I have no idea what you're talking about."
"What never happened?" A voice said behind the couch, making the couple turn around to see who it was. Without the trio noticing it, Lily had seen them when she came down the stairs to the girls' dormitory and decided to see what her friends were up to. Cassie's eyes immediately found the green eyes of her friend, and a wicked smile grew on her lips as she raised a finger and pointed right at the redhead. "I know what you did."
Lilys eyes widened before she gave her friend an apologetic smile. "Yeah... I'm sorry." Her eyes moved quickly down to her friend's lap before turning her gaze up. "Although I see you have open it. So... what did he say?" Cassie let out a soft laugh, honestly feeling a bit ridiculous for having worried so much about the letter.
"I'm meeting him in Hogsmeade next weekend."
A warm smile graced Lily's face as happiness filled her. Although she didn't know Rabastian, she, along with everyone else, knew of the family. However, she hoped with everything that she had, that somehow those two would manage to figure it out and hopefully live a good life together or at least as good as possible.
"And we are giving her a makeover, a magical makeover." Alice smiled at Lily before sending a glare towards her boyfriend. At first, Lily was somewhat confused; however, one look at Cassie, who had trouble keeping her composure, and by the look of Frank's both guilty and terrified face, her question was answered. And she honestly couldn't help but let a small laugh escape her lips.
It was during their third year when a fourth year Ravenclaw had asked Alice out. And having watched a few muggle movies over the summer, she wanted to experience the well-known makeover before the big date. However, that didn't go quite as well as she had hoped. Being only thirteen, none of the girls had very much experience with makeup, so the result was fascinating, to say at least. Alice had been thrilled though she had noticed that none of The Marauders or Frank could look her in the eye without laughing. It wasn't until the date that she truly noticed it.
The Ravenclaw boy hardly looked at her and didn't seem as interested as he did before, and told her that a second date wasn't necessary at all, although she was heartbroken, she knew that she couldn't blame her friends, seeing as all of them, including her, had thought she looked great. It was that day that they all realized that none of them were any good at makeup. However, that was before learning beauty spells and before all their hours sitting in their dormitory practicing at each other, vowing never to let it happen again nor speak of it.
Looking down at her watch, Lily thought that this was the perfect time for a distraction. Merlin knows what Alice would do with Frank if not. "Anyway, would any of you want to join me for dinner?" Cassie was on her feet faster than anyone could say quidditch and was already by Lilys side before the duo even had the chance to stand up.
"Well, I suppose that answers it." A warm smile filled Lilys face as she joined the laughing duo. Cassie only shook her head while a grin rested on her lips as they all made their way towards the great hall.