Demon Goblin Mutant
The two days following up to Saturday felt like the slowest ones yet during this semester, or at least that's what Cassie thought. James and Lily had hardly been seen together; however, whenever one saw the other, their faces would heat up, and they immediately turned on their heels and went the opposite direction. Seeing as it was Saturday, all Hogwarts students who would normally be wearing the school uniform had now exchanged them for their casual clothes. Something that was quite a relief to Cassie as it would make it easier for her to blend in and not stick out like a sour thumb sneaking around the halls.
During the last days, the same thoughts had continuously been circling her mind. What did she write to him? Why on earth did she write to him? and though she was a bit embarrassed to say it out loud, thank god she hadn't drunken away all of her brain cells back then and actually had the wits about her to say Saturday instead of a school day. It would have been slightly trickier to sneak out of the castle between divination and defense against the dark arts. However, being friends with a group of infamous pranksters did give her some advantage when sneaking out. Finding them, though, had been a little harder than she imagined, or at least finding the right marauder.
She could have asked her brother or Remus as they were the two she had seen the most; she supposed she could have asked Peter too, seeing as he had been easier to find. Yet, it wasn't really them she needed. James Potter had probably been the hardest boy to find at Hogwarts in the last two days, as he had never been in one place too long. When she had first asked Remus, he told her that James had gone to the quidditch pitch earlier that day; however, when she came there and found Sirius flying around on a broom, he told her that James went to Hagrid.
When Cassie went to Hagrid, she was told that he had returned to the castle just minutes before her, which almost made the girl want to rip her head off. Although she was a chaser on the quidditch team, it wasn't a past time of hers to go spend her morning chasing after her friends. However, she did manage to catch up with him just before he entered the common room.
"Thanks for this, James, really. I don't want to take the chance of getting detention with Filch, again..." He smiled while handing her the cloak and the map. The map had been easy enough to borrow; it had been the cloak that had needed some persuading. James trusted her with his life; it wasn't that. However, she might have accidentally misplaced the cloak on the floor one night when they were out and about, which ended in Cassie plus the Marauders, or rather the marauders excluding Remus, as he was keeping watch on the map, crawling and feeling around the corridor floor for an hour or two after curfew.
"No problem, just try not to lose the cloak. It's easy to misplace, as you might know." He grinned at her for a moment before a somewhat nervous look covered his face as he ran his hand through his hair. He was quiet for a while before he started talking. "How's Lily? I haven't seen her around much." She gave him a comforting smile though thinking of her friend made her let out a slight sigh. "She's hiding out in the library. I don't know who's trying to avoid who more, you or her." She looked away for a moment while running her fingers through her hair before looking back at him. «Why don't you just talk to her? I mean, you didn't mean it did you?"
"Of course not!" he burst out so sudden that Cassie, whose eyes were now wide opened, looked almost startled. "I... What if she hates me now? I shouldn't have said anything."
Seeing the terror in his eyes, Cassie couldn't help but sympathize with the boy.
"I understand... I mean.. you've practically been in love with her for years, and finally, when you get to kiss her, she doesn't even remember." Hoping to cheer him up a bit, she continued jokingly. "At least it wasn't your first kiss." A redness covered James's face as he immediately looked to the ground and refused to met his friend's eyes. She let out a slight gasp as she covered her mouth in shock. "It was. Oh, James... your first kiss, and she doesn't even remember it." James ran his hand through his hair yet again as he let out a tired and deep sigh, eyes still glued at the floor.
"Well... it didn't help that she passed out afterward. Just please don't mention it around Sirius. you have no idea how hard I've been trying to get him to shut up for the last two days." Looking dejected, he continued. "I'm almost surprised the entire school doesn't know." With her hand that wasn't holding the cloak and the map, Cassie reached for James's and gave it a comforting squeeze. Looking up, he saw a gentle smile present on her face. "Trust me. I'll keep your secret."
A smile was shared between the two friends, and a little while later, the pair went their separate ways, as Cassie made her way to the dormitory to get ready for meeting Rabastan.
The trip to Hogsmeade had gone by faster than she thought it would as she exited Honydukes and made her way into a small ally so she could take off the cloak. After folding it together, she opened her purse and put it in, thanking Remus for the undetectable extension charm. Looking down at her wrist, her eyes widened when the dark-haired girl saw that she was a few minutes late. Speeding up her steps, she walked fast to the three broomsticks, letting out a small yelp as she slipped on some ice before regaining her steps.
The Hogsmeade streets were quieter and emptier than it had been the last time the girl had walked there. However, the wind was just as strong as then, if not even more. As the months changed from October to November, the school grounds and Hogsmeade now laid covered in white blankets of snow, and as the days got colder, the winds got harsher. Cassie held tightly on to her maroon coat and felt her scarf hit her face as she neared her destination. Entering the pub, she barely had the chance to catch her breath before she saw Rabastan sitting by one of the tables reading an edition of the daily prophet. Cassie let the familiar warmth and the smell of butterbeer wash over her as she untied her scarf and put it in her purse.
She moved towards him in quick steps, not noticing a chair that was dragged halfway out on the floor. Just as she reached Rabastan, her foot got caught in the chair's legs, which sent her flying forward. She braced herself for pain, not at all expecting a pair of strong arms to grab her by her waist and steady her. Cassie looked up and met the warm eyes of the boy whose arms were currently holding her waist. "You okay?"
"Yeah, thanks." He held her gaze for a moment, letting her soft whispering voice fill his ears, before letting his arms fall and taking a step back, giving her some space. The feeling of his warm hands leaving her affected the girl in a way she didn't think possible, as she felt a sudden longing, wishing they would have stayed there longer. Though as soon as those thoughts came, she shook them from her mind. As they sat down at their table, he sent her a teasing grin. «Didn't take the Black family for being clumsy." This caused her to laugh as she proceeded to take off her jacket while giving him an amused look. "Then you haven't met my cousin. She's only three but trips over anything; she'd probably have an assigned bed at St. Mungos if it weren't for her sister."
A broad smile covered her lips as she thought about the two Tonks twins and how they were already enough trouble for Andy and Ted at only the age of three. Seeing the curious expression on his face, she couldn't blame him for not knowing, as she was sure the topic of the disowned daughter of the Black family wasn't a rather popular one. Just as she had opened her mouth to answer, a waiter came and took their order. The moment he left, Cassie returned her gaze to Rabastan, who was already looking at her. "They're not really my cousins. Well... In a way, they are; they're my cousin's daughters."
Rabastan nodded his head as he finally understood what or rather who she was talking about. "They're Andromeda's children, right?"
"Yeah," She nodded. "Little Nymphadora and Andora Tonks, adorable girls, but tiny mischief makers those two."
"How so?"
The pair fixed their gaze on the waiter coming closer and closer with their mugs of butter beers. Cassie immediately took her mug and let the familiar sweet taste fill her mouth as she drank from it, while Rabastan raised an eyebrow as he watched the drinking girl. Just as he was bout to take a sip of his own mug, he heard what sounded like a satisfied moan coming from her. Cassie sent him a curious gaze when she noticed the look he was giving her as she put her mug down on the table, though he just shook his head while grinning at her as he took a sip of his drink.
Remembering their conversation, the girl quickly got back on the topic of the young twins. "They're twins, but they're not identical, so one would think that telling them apart wouldn't be too hard, right?" Grinning at him, she continued. "However, they are both metamorphmagus, who really like the fact that they can change into each other." Rabastan seeing where this was going, smiled in amusement. "That must drive their parents mad." He said as he took another mouthful of butterbeer. "Only Dromeda," Cassie responded, smiling at the thought of her cousin's frustration. "You know, one day while Ted was bathing Andora, Andromeda walked by and saw them, and then a little while later when she came down to the living room, she thought she had gone mental for a moment as there was another Andora watching tv. Ted just finds the whole thing amusing." Laughing, she lifted her mug.
"Well. Being a metamorphmagus sounds like something that could be extremely handy sometimes." She nodded in agreement while taking a big sip. However, Rabastan burst out laughing as she set her mug down. "You have a little something here." He pointed to the corner of his lips, making her aware of the foam resting by her mouth. Her cheeks grew into a soft pink color as she quickly wiped a napkin around her mouth, clearing her throat, and looked at the boy whose laughter had died down to small chuckles. And couldn't help herself but admire him, or more like his eyes that shone warm with amusement, the way his brown hair looked effortlessly styled, and his smile. His smile was rather pleasant to look at.
Cassie had to admit that he was good looking, and as she was getting to know him more, she liked how he was, honestly nothing like she expected. "You are not how I expected you would be." He looked taken back by the statement, yet he thought for a moment before replying. "What were you expecting?"
That you'd be an egocentric sadistic ass, just like your brother, were the exact words going through Cassie's head, but she decided that it was best if she didn't say them. However, no other words came to her mind, and seeing her hesitation, Rabastan spoke. "Let me guess, someone like my brother?" As he spoke, the understanding tone in his voice was obvious, as if he already expected that to be her answer.
"Would it be bad if I said yes?" Leaning forward, he shook his head gently. "I don't blame you. I know how Rodolphus is." A strange glint shone in his eyes as he looked at her. "I'm not my brother; I'm glad you see that." There was something about how he said it that made Cassie ask something she probably shouldn't have. "Are there some who don't see it?" A haunting look covered his eyes, as he looked slightly sad yet a bit regretful for telling her. His eyes lost some of its warmth as they were glued to the table. "My parents." He didn't say more than that. He didn't need to say more than that; Cassie had lived long enough to know just how complicated family can be. And, she could tell there was some history there.
Seeing his broad shoulders tense up and his face darken slightly at the mention of his parents, with a burst of courage, Cassie took hold of his hand that was lying on the table and gave it a gentle but comforting squeeze. She met his gaze as he looked up at her in surprise, and an understanding look was shared between the pair.
"I have a confession to make." Smiling sheepishly at him, she changed the topic. "I honestly have no memory of the letter i wrote to you." His shoulders relaxed, and she could see the warmth slowly returning in his eyes, along with a small grin dancing on his lips. "I know." Raising her eyebrows, she looked at the boy in pure confusion, and her voice went a pitch higher as she spoke. "You know?"
He nodded at first, but seeing the slightly worried look on her face, he decided to elaborate. "Well, I suspected as much, though you did tell me there was a chance you wouldn't remember it in the morning." He turned slightly and started to fumble with his coat pockets for a while before a white envelope appeared in his hand. Smiling reassuringly at Cassie, he handed her the letter, though she was a bit hesitant when taking it. In fact, she was not sure if she wanted to know what was in the letter.
The girl had two options, one, read the letter and live with the embarrassment that came along with it, or two, take the letter, don't read it, and burn it when she returned to the common room. The second option was the most tempting one. However, Cassie was a bit too curious, and she knew if she didn't read it, she'd be even more curious. And if she burned it, she would regret it. She took a deep breath as she looked up and was met with a teasing grin.
Against her better judgment, she opened the letter. And the first sentence alone was enough for her cheeks to catch fire.
My dear future husband
I'm having the time of my life!
I'm not sure if you know, seeing as I haven't received a letter today, but it's my birthday or was... I'm not sure what the time is...
And.... and the best part is Lily kissed James!
LILY KISSED JAMES!!
I knew she liked him. They're gonna get married and have several kids.... everything was going perfect until SOMEONE (Lily) had to pass out.
Maybe James's kisses kill people. Thank god I'm never kissing him. Bleah. "there was a drawing of a disgusted face."
Anyway, I really really really want to see you again, why don't you come here now?
You could apparate, and you should see the number of balloons I brought up here, we have a ballon sky in the ceiling. Instead of star gazing, we can go ballon gazing.
Oh, that's genius
I always knew I was the smart Black...Ghihihi...
Or what about Saturday? When I'm not drunk or hungover.. though, it would be less fun than right now.
I need to go... Marlene is staring at me weirdly... think she might eat me?
What if she's secretly a demon goblin mutant or something.
I hope I see you and your bloody fantastic smile soon
Love your fiance
Future Wife
Wife
Casipia
C.
P.S just so you know, I see some blue hippogriffs flying around the room now, so I might not remember this.
Ignoring her several failing attempts at signing the letter, she could see most of the words crossed out except for the C. Cassie immediately buried her face in her hands while taking several deep breaths to calm herself. What it the bloody hell was the matter with her? Sure, it was all embarrassing.. but for the love of merlin, she could've at least have written her name right. Lifting her eyes slightly, she regretted reading the letter when she saw the smug look on Rabastan's face.
"So, you like my smile, huh?" Her face flushed brighter than before and found its way back to her hands, refusing to look anywhere near him. A burst of warm laughter was heard from him, which continued for a while before he stopped and looked at her. "I'm only joking." Seeing her head rising slowly and the brown eyes of hers starting to appear, he continued jokingly. "Flattered, though, especially since you thought I could apparate to Hogwarts. I must say, I really liked the part with the demon goblin mutant." Biting back a laugh, she smiled at him, meeting his gaze before taking a sip from her drink.
"Though I was wondering... how are you here? I mean, it's not Hogsmeade weekend, so how did you manage to get out?" A mischievous smile grew on her lips as her entire face literally said, I've done something I shouldn't have, and I'm proud of it. "Magic," she said while winking at him. He stared at her in disbelief for a moment before she continued."Why don't you let me worry about that? Maybe we can meet outside of the Hogsmeade trips too?"
"I'd like that very much." The two smiled at each other for a moment, not noticing the waiter getting closer until he stood in front of them. "Would you like a refill?" He shifted his gaze between the two, catching both of their eager nods. Taking their empty glasses, he turned around and left.
"Anyway.." Cassie started as she watched the waiter go and turned to look at rabastan to continue. "What have you told my mother? I haven't heard anything from her, not sure if I should be pleased or worried." He scratched himself on the back of his neck as he looked down, and a small smile appeared on his lips. "I..eh.. might not have told anyone that I've been seeing you.» Cassie looked slightly taken back by the statement, not at all expecting that answer. Clearing her throat gently, she asked him. «Why?»
As he looked up, he almost wanted to laugh at the surprised look on her face, though he couldn't blame her. Honestly, the thought of telling anyone at home hadn't been anywhere near his mindset, and knowing how his brother was, Rabastan decided it was for the best to keep quiet. Besides, it was more comfortable like this, without any of their family knowing, there weren't any expectations on them. And they could be just like they wanted to be, themselves. "I...I thought it might be easier for us to get to know each other without any influence from our parents.» Leaning back in her chair, she couldn't help but let a smile spread across her face. "I suppose you're right."
Seeing the brilliant smile that she wore and the way her eyes were lit up, Rabastan didn't even try to stop the smile that appeared, and just for a moment, the two were lost in their own little world as they sat smiling at each other.
"Here you go." The two mugs that were placed down on the table broke the stare between the pair. Cassie and Rabastan had been too caught up in each other that they had failed to notice the waiter coming back with their drinks. "Thank you." Cassie smiled at the waiter before taking her mug and lifted it to her lips. As they both took a sip of their butterbeer, a ridiculous grin appeared on the girl as they sat down their mugs. For a moment, she wondered if she should tell him or just let him sit like that for a little while. What harm could that do? Though he looked a bit confused for a moment, a smug grin quickly spread across his lips as he took his napkin and wiped off the foam resting on the upper side of his lips.
Cassie felt a bit disappointed that she wouldn't get the chance to make him blush just as he had done to her earlier, though he just sat there grinning proudly at himself. You'd almost think he'd read her mind. He sent her a wink as they shared yet another smile and spent the rest of the afternoon talking and taking joy whenever they made the other blush.