Memories of Them

Cassie rolled over groaning, glad it was a Saturday and she had had a chance to lie in. Tugging back one of the canopy curtains around her bed she noticed that Odette and Libby’s beds were both empty; Whilst Bonnie was clearly still asleep, her curtains tightly shut. Dropping her head back down onto her feather soft pillows she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and stretched. Glancing at the alarm clock beside her bed she realised she only had fifteen minutes before she was due to meet the twins downstairs for breakfast. Grabbing a pair of floral embroidered jeans and her favourite rose coloured Weasley jumper she rushed into the bathroom to get dressed. Once she was dressed and had applied a light covering of makeup she began to tackle the hamster nest that was her hair; brushing it through she decided to create a pretty half up half down waterfall braid hoping that it would stay all day.

Rushing back out of the bathroom she found a pair of fluffy socks that she decided to put on along with her brown combat boots. 

“Morning Cass,” Bonnie yawned as she opened the curtains of her bed. 

“Morning Bon, how did you sleep?” questioned Cassie, quickly applying some lip balm in the mirror.

“Great until someone decided to have a shouting match in the common room at three o’clock,” Bonnie said grumpily.

“Ah, that would have been little Harry Potter,” Cassie said knowingly.

“Yeah well little Harry Potter needs to shut it,” Bonnie growled.

“I’m heading down to breakfast. I'll see you later, okay?” asked Cassie laughing at the girl as she made her way out of the dormitory, conscious of the time.

“Can you please please please help me with my Care of Magical Creatures essay later, it turns out I didn’t listen to a word we were told about the rights of centaurs,” she begged, fluttering  her eyelashes at Cassie and smiling sweetly. 

“Yeah we can go to the library this afternoon,” Cassie replied quickly before the door slammed shut.

Quickly rushing down the stairs she got to the common room dead on 10.30, looking around she noticed that the twins were yet to make an appearance. Going over to the towering bookcase she grabbed an old tattered copy of A Hogwarts History and cosied up by the window to wait. After half an hour Cassie was beginning to grow impatient, getting tired of her stomach growling. Looking at her watch she realised that they had now missed breakfast and would need to wait another hour and a half until lunch. Snapping the book shut she jumped up and made her way to the bottom of the boys staircase. Noticing a first year student about to climb the stairs up to the dormitory she stopped him.

“I don’t suppose you have seen the Weasley twins this morning?” she asked politely.

The young boy suddenly became a bright shade of red, getting increasingly flustered as Cassie continued to stare at him with a questioning look.

“Um. Hi. Yeah, they were just heading down for breakfast when they had to break up an argument between the fourth year boys. The whole dorm has been on edge since last night,” he said nervously, tripping over his words. 

“For goodness sake, thank you,” she said, smiling sweetly at the young boy and beginning to stomp up the stairs.

Once she’d got up to the landing it wasn’t hard to figure out where the boys could be. Crowded around a door that had been left cracked open was a group of students of all ages, craning their necks to hear better.

“Really, and you all say that girls live for drama. Have you not got anything better to be doing than eavesdropping on a private conversation?” she asked, scowling with her hands on her hips. 

The group boys whipped around to face her, all had mixed looks of embarrassment and surprise on their faces. Some began grumbling about how unfair it was that girls could get into their dormitories.

“Well go on, leave!” she cried, “Nosey sods!” 

The boys all scrammed, bumping into each other as they tried to run away. All disappearing behind closed doors or downstairs. Cassie laughed slightly at their reaction, she had never considered herself to be even remotely scary. Slowly walking towards the door she could hear in more clarity the deep monotone voice of Ron who appeared to be shouting at someone. Knocking delicately on the door she heard the whole room hush as footsteps made their way towards the door.

“Cassie?” questioned Lee as he stuck his head out of the door, nervously looking behind him.

“Morning Lee, I’m looking for the twins,” she said, smiling at the surprised expression that appeared on his face.

“Wait, because you want to talk and reconcile or because you want to scream at them, murder them and then bury them somewhere in the Forbidden Forest where their corpses will never be found?” he questioned sassily, eyebrows raised.

“That all depends on how breakfast goes,” she laughed, “although we’re not off to the best start because it appears we’ve already missed it.” 

“Good Godric Ronald, you’ve been moaning that long that we’ve missed breakfast?” came an agitated voice from inside the room.

Loud footsteps stomped over to the door. Someone appeared to shove Lee out of the way as the door was harshly pulled open. Cassie’s hand was grabbed as she was roughly dragged into the room, the door slamming shut behind her. 

“Talk some sense into the idiot Cassie, I can’t take it anymore,” groaned Fred, dramatically dropping his head on to her shoulder and pretending to cry. 

Snorting at the boy's dramatics she shoved his head off of her shoulder and made her way further into the room. The boy’s dorms appeared to be set up in the same way as the girls, this room contained 5 messy beds with equally messy bedside tables. They had a couple of desks pushed up against the wall, both were cluttered with clothes and sweet packets, clearly not fit for purpose. The wardrobe doors were hanging open, however nothing appeared to be hanging inside, instead a pile of clothes had been thrown on the wardrobe floor spilling out all over the place. Cassie wrinkled her nose in disgust and pulled her wand out from the safe place in her boot, with a small flick all of the clothes from around the room were neatly folded and put away in the wardrobe or the correct trunk whilst rubbish put itself into the bin. Nodding her head in approval she perched on the end of the tidiest bed and looked between the four boys in the room. 

“You just got rid of our floordrobe!” whined Geroge, “It has taken us weeks to get it that big.” 

“That’s revolting,” Cassie said looking at the boy in disgust, “but the state of your room is not what I came to discuss. Ronald I am starving, you better have a good excuse for ruining my breakfast plans,” Cassie said menacingly. 

“Wait, you and the twins made up? The last time we spoke you wanted to hang them by their thumbs off the Astronomy Tower,” Ron said bewildered. 

“Wow, that was an over exaggeration Ron,” Cassie muttered, her cheeks turning pink.

“I think you’ll find Cass that was a direct quote,” argued Lee, enjoying the look of discomfort on Cassie’s face.

“Wait you wanted to torture us? Cassie! How could you?” Fred said with a cheeky grin spreading across his face.

“I’ll hang you all off the Astronomy Tower if we don’t hurry up and sort this so I can go and find some food,” she growled. 

“Fair enough,” George said timidly, “Ron I believe the beautiful woman who shouldn’t even be up here asked you what was the matter,” he said, taking a step back from Cassie, knowing that she could explode at any moment. 

“Stand firm brother, there is one of her and four of us. There is no need to be weary,” Fred mocked in an overly posh English accent. 

“Fred, shut it,” Cassie snapped, “Ron, continue,” she demanded.

“You should know why I’m annoyed! My own best friend  betrayed me! You of all people should know what that prize money could do for our family Cassie. He didn’t even have the guts to tell me how he did it, he just snuck out in the night!” Ron practically bellowed at her. 

“Have you considered that he didn’t put his own name in the goblet?” Cassie questioned, keeping her tone neutral and her voice soft.

“No. I’m not getting sucked into another conspiracy theory. There is always some drama, someone is always out to get him, then we bend over backwards trying to save him from danger. Realistically if we had just minded our own business and let the professors do their jobs then everything would work out in the end. I want a normal year, like a normal student, doing normal things!” Ron said defiantly. 

“Okay. I understand that. But he really needs his friends around him right now Ron. He’s going to need all the support he can get,” Cassie tried to reason. 

“Yeah well maybe he should have thought about that,” Ron grumbled. 

“I don’t want to argue with you, just don’t say or do anything you’ll regret, okay? I know how it feels to lose your best friends, don’t throw that relationship away over something that won’t matter in the future,” she advised, trying not to start a fight.

“Oh Cassandra,” George wailed, throwing himself towards her whilst fake sobbing, “we’ve missed you too!” 

Cassie suppressed the laugh that had begun bubbling up and shoved George harshly, making him lose his balance and fall to the floor with a hard thump. Lee and Fred both sniggered watching the two. 

“Sure, Cass,” Ron said, slightly downhearted, clearly not entertained by George's little show, “I’m going to go and leave you guys to it. Hermione is forcing me to study in the library with her all day. Apparently one of the Durmstrang students likes to stare at her whilst she studies,” he grumbled, walking out of the door.

Cassie just watched the younger boy's retreating figure, sad that she hadn’t been able to make him see sense.

“Has anyone seen Harry this morning?” she asked, worried about the younger boy, knowing that most people's reaction to him is going to be less than kind.

“He and Ron had a shouting match this morning. He stormed out of the Common Room and hasn’t been seen since,” Lee replied.

“I wonder what it’ll take for Ron to see sense,” Cassie thought out loud.

“He hasn’t seen sense in the last fourteen years Cass, I’m afraid he’s a lost cause,” George joked standing up from the floor and jokingly elbowing her. 

Cassie let out a hearty chuckle before lying back on the bed she was sitting on. 

“I can’t believe we missed breakfast, I’m starving!” she whined.

Fred couldn’t help the small affectionate smile that began to light up his face as he watched the younger witch. He couldn’t remember the last time things had felt so easy. In that moment he felt the happiest and most content he had done in ages. 

“Well if you would stop frolicking on my bed maybe we could all go and find some food?” Fred joked walking over to his bed and grabbing Cassie’s hands to pull her up. 

“But I’m so tired,” Cassie groaned as she was dragged away from the soft mattress. 

“Come on Princess, let's go and grab some food and then you can go for an afternoon nap,” George laughed at the sleepy looking girl.

“I’ll leave you guys to it, I stuffed myself silly at breakfast. It’s definitely time for my midday nap,” groaned Lee as he threw himself onto his bed, laying on his stomach and burying his  face in the pillows.

Cassie glared enviously at the boy as she was dragged out of  the room by the twins. She had no idea where they were heading but easily fell into step beside them, chatting away happily as they went. It was remarkable how easily they had slipped back into their friendship. It didn’t appear as though any of them had to think about it. The twins had been catching Cassie up on their eventful year last year; the crazy story had included dementors, a rat man, a werewolf, an enchanted tree and a convict. If she was being honest Cassie found it extremely hard to follow the story as the twins tended to go off on tangents about pranks and quidditch half way through a sentence. She had however been delighted to hear that they had won the Inter House Quidditch Cup, beating the snobby Slytherins. She hadn’t been paying any attention to where the trio were heading, instead she had trustingly followed the way down to the dungeons. Suddenly the boys stopped, looking down at her with a cheeky grin on their faces. Cassie couldn’t help but feel nervous. 

“Where are we?” she asked, looking around for any landmarks that she recognised from her previous time in the dungeons. She only came down here for potions lessons. 

“We are introducing you to the secrets of Hogwarts,” George said in a somewhat menacing tone. 

“George stop trying to scare the girl and go and tickle the pear,” Fred snorted, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Tickle the pear? The 'pear' of you have officially lost it,” Cassie joked, laughing at her own pun.

“That was awful Cassandra. I’m in half a mind to leave you here,” groaned George, looking distastefully at the girl. Shaking his head he took two large steps towards an ancient looking painting of a fruit bowl and lent in gently to tickle the ripe green pear. A high pitched giggle echoed through the corridor as the painting swung forward to reveal a doorway. Fred gently grabbed Cassie’s hand and began pulling her forward. 

Cassie’s senses were instantly assaulted. The room was alive with the hustle and bustle of a commercial kitchen. Pots and pans were clanging, there was a delicious smell of cooking lunch wafting through the room and the heat from the stove tops and roaring fire was almost uncomfortable. Cassie realised that the kitchen had been set up in  a way that reflected the Great Hall above. Four long oak tables ran the length of the room, each cluttered with platters and plates, holding piles of bread and spreads of cold meats and cheeses. Large cauldrons held steaming soups and stews that would hopefully warm the castle inhabitants on a chilly winter day. Around the circumference of the room a row of counters were crowded by tiny house elves preparing for the castle's next meal.

As soon as the trio had stepped through the door a tiny house elf appeared in front of them, bowing so low it appeared as though her nose brushed the floor. 

“Flossy is at your service, how may she help?” squeaked out the tiny elf, staring wide eyed up at the twins who were towering over her. 

“We managed to miss breakfast, we were just wondering if it would be possible to grab some food for a picnic?” questioned Fred, smiling kindly down at the elf.

“But we understand that you are currently busy cooking lunch so if it’s not possible we understand,” Cassie butted in, worried about putting the tiny creature under so much stress.

“Flossy can get you a picnic! Flossy would be most happy too. If Misters and Miss could wait over there by the fire, Flossy will bring it straight over to you,” the little elf said excitedly, herding the group over to a couple of cracked leather armchairs in front of the fire. 

Cassie took a seat, her head swivelling in all directions trying to take in all of the details of the cosy room. Fred sat on the arm of her chair, watching the look of wonder on Cassie’s face and smiling fondly. George sat in the chair across from the pair, watching his brother with a knowing smile. 

Cassie couldn’t keep her eyes off of the elves, some were walking around in grubby tunic-like outfits tied at the shoulder whilst others were wearing an odd assortment of clothing. One appeared to be wearing a tea cosy on their head, another had twenty multicoloured ties hanging around his spindly neck, another was wearing three pairs of aviator sunglasses and the final one was wearing a matching scarf and glove set and  a pair of mismatched tatty slippers. The elves almost reminded Cassie of some of the wizards she had seen at the Quidditch World Cup. 

Looking up at Fred Cassie asked, “What’s with the strange clothes?” 

Laughing at Cassie’s question Fred scanned the enormous room looking for one particular House Elf. Finding him he called out, “Dobby!” 

An elf with a tea cosy on his head, who was also wearing an oversized woollen jumper with matching knitted socks spun around so quickly his oversized ears flapped around wildly. A huge grin lit up his wrinkled face as the tiny elf rushed over towards the twins.

“It is Harry Potter’s Wheezy twins!” cheered the elf excitedly whilst jumping up and down. 

“How have you been, Dobby?” asked Fred, smiling at the elf.

“Dobby is  good, Master Wheezy! Dobby is most looking forward to his day off tomorrow. Dobby is hoping Dobby can go into Hogsmeade if not too cold,” the elf said smiling.

Cassie couldn’t help but smile at the enthusiastic tiny elf. 

“Who is Master Wheezy’s friend? Dobby has not seen this girl around the castle. Dobby would remember a pretty girl with Harry Potter’s Wheezy’s!” the elf asked, his giant brown eyes staring at her as he peered around Fred.

“This is Cassie, Dobby. George and I’s best friend, she’s visiting from Beauxbatons,” Fred introduced.

Cassie held out her hand to the elf, politely grasping his tiny hand and gently shaking it, “Hello Dobby. It’s  lovely to meet you.”

“Master Wheezy’s girl is very polite! She shakes Dobby’s hand like Dobby has seen wizards do!” the elf laughed, turning to look at Fred and George mystified. 

“She is very kind,” agreed George, laughing slightly at the elf. 

“Dobby likes Master Wheezy’s girl,” Dobby said enthusiastically nodding his head.

Cassie laughed at the adorable elf, “I like your outfit Dobby,” she complimented. 

“Masters Wheezy’s, Harry Potter's Wheezy, Harry Potter and Harry Potter’s bushy girl gave Dobby lots of wonderful clothes,” Dobby said excitedly, giving Cassie a twirl to show off outfit. 

“Actually we bought something else along with us today, Dobby,” George said, taking an old leather belt out of his pocket and handing it to the elf, “It’s a belt, wizards normally wear one to keep their trousers up,” he explained as the elf was inspecting the belt with a bemused expression on his face. 

“Dobby has never had a belt before Masters Wheezy’s!” The elf cheered animatedly.

“We know, we were trying to think of different items of clothing we could give to you,” Fred explained.

“Dobby loves it!” the elf said, wrapping the belt around his neck and doing the buckle up so that it looked like a tie, “Dobby thinks it matches Dobby’s outfit very nicely!”

The group all nodded encouragingly at Dobby as he looked down at his new belt.

“Thank you muchly, Masters Wheezy and Master Wheezy’s girl,” the elf said bowing at the group, “Dobby must go, Dobby is filling custard tarts for pudding, Dobby always thinking Blinky doesn’t put enough custard in the tarts. Dobby always adding more,” he said cheekily and waving at the group as he returned to his work station showing off his new belt to any passing elves. 

Cassie couldn’t help the massive grin on her face, “That did not explain the clothes at all,” she laughed turning to Fred. 

“Well you see Master Wheezy’s girl,” Fred started jokingly, making Cassie giggle, “Harry freed Dobby from the Malfoy’s at the end of his second year. Since he’s become quite the ambassador for elf rights and a complete fashionista. He now gets paid and has one day off a month. Dumbledore tried to offer him more but he got all shy and blubbery, bless him. Since then he’s converted a couple of his friends, I mean could that guy be styled by anyone else?” Fred questioned gesturing to an elf walking past wearing 9 knitted hats and a mismatched pair of leg warmers, causing Cassie to snort in a very undignified manner.

“Some of the elves don’t like it. They prefer the old ways. But Hermione’s started to campaign for House Elf rights, she’s been leaving clothes around the Common Room for them to accidentally pick up. Dobby and his little gang are the only ones who will clean Gryffindor Tower now,” George continued. 

“I’m surprised Hermione hasn’t accosted you yet, demanding you pay a galleon to become part of her spew club,” Fred muttered. 

“SPEW?” laughed Cassie.

“The Secret Protective Elf War, or some rubbish like that,” George explained. 

“What on earth?” 

“It’s some club Hermione set up, we all paid her a galleon to get her off of our backs,” George whined, “That galleon would be better spent on absolutely anything else! If the elves don’t want to be freed we should just leave them alone.” 

“Well that part I understand, they have been brainwashed into accepting servitude over millennia,” Cassie tried to reason, “-BUT! I don’t agree with tricking them into anything, the movement needs to involve House Elves not completely disillusion them,” Cassie further explained, noticing the disgusted looks on the twins faces.

The group were interrupted by the return of Flossy who was lugging behind her a ginormous wicker picnic hamper.  Dropping it in front of George’s feet Flossy bent into another deep bow before smiling at the group. 

“Flossy hopes Dobby was not annoying Masters and Miss!” she said, frowning at the group before shooting Dobby a wicked glare. 

“Not at all Flossy,” Fred said, “Dobby is an old friend.”

“Hmm,” she muttered, “Flossy has packed you food, drinks, tableware and a blanket,” she continued shooting them another winning smile.

“Thank you so much Flossy, this is incredible. We’ll return the hamper and tableware when we’re finished,” Fred said, scooping up the basket and heading towards the door.

Cassie threw Flossy one last smile and a little wave as she followed the twins out of the kitchen and back into the corridors outside. She instantly noticed the drop in temperature in the corridor compared to the oppressive heat of the kitchen. Balling her hands up in the sleeves of her jumper she tried to prevent the chill from nipping at her fingertips. She was glad she had chosen to wear one of her warmest jumpers. Retracing their steps through the dungeons and back into the entrance hall, Cassie was shocked when Fred led them out of the castle into the school grounds. The sky was sleet grey and the air was frigid, with an icy wind nipping at any exposed skin. The pathways leading to the Black Lake and Quidditch Pitch were precariously icy. The trees across the grounds were barren of any leaves, their long wispy limbs swaying in the wind. It was November 1st and winter had officially set in. Staying within the shadow of the looming castle the trio was protected from the roaring wind as Fred led them along the narrow gravel path towards the back of the castle. Cassie couldn’t stop her teeth chattering and her body violently shaking, she was almost certain that if she looked in a mirror her lips would be blue. 

“Fred, as lovely as this would be in the summer, I’m getting pneumonia,” Cassie complained, wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to preserve some body heat. 

“We’re almost there, drama queen,” Fred said over his shoulder. 

The trio finally came to a stop outside one of the enormous Hogwarts Greenhouses; discretely Fred took a glance over both shoulders to check that the group weren’t being watched before turning the rusted door knob and allowing the glass door to swing inwards. Bowing with a cheeky grin on his face, Fred gestured towards Cassie, encouraging her to enter the humid greenhouse. 

Inside looked like a jungle, potted trees grew up to the glass ceiling, stringy long vines hung from them like spiderwebs whilst fluorescent flowers lined man made paths throughout the building. The sweet floral smell and the warmth of the greenhouse reminded Cassie of early summer.

“This is the seventh year Greenhouse,” explained Fred, noticing the look of wonder on Cassie’s face, “the plants can be used for medicinal purposes or in potions, but we sneak in here to be alone and plan our pranks.” 

“You should feel lucky, we never bring anyone here,” George said, looking between his brother and Cassie with a crease between his eyebrows and a look of betrayal on his face. 

“Don’t worry Georgie, I won’t tell anyone about your secret hiding place,” joked Cassie, grinning up at the twins.

Fred laughed at the pair before leading them through the greenhouse, occasionally warning Cassie about carnivorous plants as they went. Once they’d got to the potting tables at the back of the Greenhouse Fred dropped the picnic basket onto the desk and began rooting through it, pulling out a tartan blanket and laying it onto the floor. Once the spread of pastries, bacon sandwiches and fruit had been laid out in front of them, the trio all sat around on the blanket and tucked in. Cassie grabbed a container of overnight oats topped with berries and a cinnamon swirl, quickly shovelling the food into her mouth. Once she had finished she grabbed the flask of steaming tea and poured herself a cup, adding two sugar cubes.

“That was incredible,” she said, rubbing her bloated stomach. 

“I know the Hogwarts food is amazing but I’m not sure anything beats mum’s cooking,” George said, still nibbling on a bacon sandwich.

“Oh, of course. Nothing beats a Molly Weasley feast,” Cassie agreed nodding her head enthusiastically, “Merlin I miss her chocolate fudge brownies and homemade cookie dough,” Cassie sighed dreamily. 

“She still makes them every summer you know,” Fred said, “I think she hopes you’ll come and stay for the summer and wants to be prepared,” he finished somewhat sadly. 

“I’ve missed her too,” Cassie said quietly thinking about the stocky woman who was like a second mother to her. 

“I noticed she still sends you the traditional Weasley jumper though,” George said jokily, looking her up and down. 

“Of course, every year for Christmas! This one is from a couple of years ago. Last year she knitted me the most beautiful seafoam green jumper with a glittering silver C. I love that she makes them a couple of sizes bigger so I can properly snuggle up in them.” Cassie rambled, complimenting their mother. 

“You’ve got Freddie to thank for that, every year he reminds her to make your jumper a little bigger,” George said, wagging his eyebrows at Cassie making her blush. 

“You do?” Cassie asked, turning to Fred who was as red as the strawberry jam in front of him.

“You used to steal all of my jumpers. It was self preservation really,” Fred tried to joke. 

Cassie couldn’t help the small shy smile that tugged at her lips. Before he could see how red and heated her face had become she turned away from him, making herself busy with some fruit in front of her. 

Clearing his throat and trying to dissipate the awkward tension that had settled on the group Fred asked, “Have you got plans for this afternoon Cass? George, Lee and I were hoping to show you all something.”

“I’ve got to help Bon and Lib with their Care of Magical Creatures essays,  I said I’d meet them in the library this afternoon,” she responded. 

“Eugh, why are you all so diligent? Just sack it off,” he groaned in response. 

“Fred!” she laughed, “I can’t! We’re all here on the promise that we’ll keep our grades up, otherwise Madame Maxime will be sending us straight back to Beauxbatons!” 

“Fine go and nerd it up in the library today, but tomorrow you’ve got to be free all day. We’ve got a plan,” Fred said seriously.

“Deal,” Cassie said, shaking her head at the boy's dramatics.

The group continued to talk absolute nonsense for around an hour whilst eating their way through the picnic. Once they had finished and packed up they headed back to the castle, laughing, joking and josling as they went. Once they reached the Entrance Hall the group split, the twins went to return the picnic hamper to the kitchens whilst Cassie ran to the Common Room to grab her school bag before heading to the library to meet her friends. No matter how much she begged and whined, the twins refused to accompany her citing an allergy to the library and the librarian who resided there. 

Cassie reached the library huffing and panting, leaning against a wall she tried to catch her breath before pushing the double doors open. The Hogwarts library wasn’t as grand as the Beauxbatons one, it didn’t have any of the moulding or oil painted murals like the library she was used to, however it was beautiful in its own way. The rows of floor to ceiling dark oak bookshelves went as far as the eye could see. Around the perimeter of the room massive windows looked out at the Hogwarts grounds and the desolate landscape beyond. Long oak tables ran the length of the hall whilst small work areas hid at the end of every row of bookshelves. The whole room was lit by a mixture of ornate copper sconces and milky white floating candle sticks. The room was almost completely silent, aside from the occasional whispered conversation and the shushing of the librarian. 

Cassie walked down the length of the room peeking her head down every row trying to find her friends. Once she’d got to the very back of the room she followed the sounds of muffled laughter and conversation to find her friends in the back corner. Fabian and Hugo appeared to have enchanted pieces of parchment to play out a quidditch match, Odette was diligently taking notes from a large book placed beside her and Libby and Bonnie both had rolls of parchment and quills in front of them but were whispering while glancing at a Hogwarts boy that was studying a couple of tables away. Cassie dumped her bag on the table and took the spare chair between Bonnie and Fabian, rummaging to find her completed Care of Magical Creatures essay she placed it on the table beside Bonnie for her to refer back to, she then pulled out her 6th Year potions essay about Amortentia she had barely started and rolled it out in front of her. 

“Thank Merlin you’ve arrived! Who on earth is Aldrus the Concealer and why is there a court hearing spanning nearly 28 years?” Bonnie exclaimed almost as soon as Cassie had sat down.

“I honestly feel as though I didn’t attend any of the Care of Magical creatures lessons this term!” Libby whined.

“I think you spent most of your time staring at the Hogwarts boys and gossiping to be fair,” laughed Cassie. 

“We’ve been here a month, we've just been sussing out who's who and who's available!” argued Libby. 

“That information appears to have really helped your studies!” Cassie joked. 

“That’s why we have you!” Bonnie and Libby said together, making them all laugh.

“I did try to help Cass, but apparently you explain everything better,” Odette said in an offended tone.

“We didn’t need a 200 year overview, Odd, we just needed a quick rundown of who he is and what happened,” Libby said. 

“It’s fine you can use my essay and I bought my highlighted notes and textbook, take what you need. Just please don’t copy my essay though, we are not getting sent home for plagiarism!” Cassie joked. 

Once the girls had read through her essay and borrowed her study materials they all got to work, hastily scribbling down all of the information. Cassie focused on her potions essay occasionally getting up to go and find a reference book or scroll. Once she had finished she shook her aching hand and slumped back into her seat. Beside her Fabian groaned in frustration, laying his head on her shoulder and closing his eyes.

Gently running her fingers through his curly hair in a calming manner she whispered, “you okay?” 

“I’m fine Cass, just tired. I think I’m done though. Would you mind reading through it?” 

“Of course,” she said, grabbing his parchment, taking out her quill. She quickly made some minor corrections before rolling it up and placing it in his bag. 

The two of them sat snuggled together waiting for their friends to finish their work. Cassie lazily played with his hair as he napped on her shoulder. It was dark by the time they were all ready to head down to the Great Hall for dinner, chatting and laughing happily as they went.