Hogsmeade
George scaled the rickety ladder first, stopping at the top to carefully lift the flag stone of the cellar floor above. Creating a gap no bigger than a centimetre, George silenced everyone in the tunnel below and then listened for the sound of footsteps or shuffling from above. When he was sure nobody was in the cellar he raised the stone further, eyes quickly scanning the room checking for any figures or dark shadows. After his final check he moved the stone completely to the side; using his arms to pull himself up out of the tunnel. Standing at the top of the ladder he silently encouraged the rest of the group to quickly join him. Fabian climbed the ladder first and then proceeded to act as a lookout as the rest of the group emerged from the hole. Cassie couldn’t wait to leave the dark musty tunnel and hastily followed Bonnie up the ancient wooden rungs of the ladder, her knuckles turning white as she tightly gripped the crumbing wood, anxiously climbing higher. Once she had reached the top she used all of her strength to hoist herself out of the hole. Ungracefully scrambling to her feet she looked around the tiny cellar room. The group had come up in the centre of the room. Overhead the ceiling appeared to have been created using the floorboards of the shop above, ahead of them was a ramshackle flight of wooden stairs that led up to a closed purple door. Lining the walls of the cellar were towering cyan shelves that held boxes and boxes of products, all neatly labelled in a handwritten cursive font. In an alcove under the stairs an ancient overstuffed leather armchair sat beside an antique side table, on top a chipped mug and copper kettle stood waiting for their owner to return. Although tiny the space appeared to be clean and neatly kept.
Cassie was startled by someone gently taking her hand and tugging it slightly. Turning she realised that the stone had been replaced, leaving no evidence of the tunnel below. Everyone was standing in a line on the stairs behind Fred and George who had opened the door a crack. Giving Odette a thankful smile she joined the others and waited for the twins to give them the all clear. One by one the group slipped out of the cellar and into the sickly sweet smelling shop behind the purple paint peeled door. Cassie was the last of her friends to leave the cellar, waiting at the top of the stairs with Fred.
“We’ll go together, don’t worry,” Fred whispered, smiling as he looked at her creased brow.
Cassie nodded her head thankfully and took his outstretched hand. Putting his ear to the door, Fred listened once more for anyone on the other side. Gently opening the door and sticking his head out he tugged on Cassie’s hand briskly leading her through the door. She didn’t even have a chance to look at the colourful shop around her before she was dragged out the front door and into the street beyond. Their friends were waiting across the street under the canopy of an old bookshop. When they saw the final pair they all let out a relieved sigh, whilst George let out a loud cheer, shaking them both slightly.
“We made it!” he cried.
The entire Beauxbatons group let out a slightly nervous chuckle, not quite believing they had done something so against the rules. The weather was grey and gloomy, with a sleet like rain hanging in the air, although they hadn’t been out in the open long small pearlescent rain drops hung in everyones hair. Cassie couldn’t help the shiver that ran up her spine as she pulled her scarf tighter around her neck and zipped up her coat. She had already begun to miss Fred’s warm hand in hers. Shaking the thought from her head with a blush she forced herself to listen to the conversation going on in front of her.
“What’s the plan then?” Fabian asked, looking between the twins.
“We’re going to follow your lead. The only place we really need to go to is zonko’s at the top of the highstreet,” George said, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.
“Well, I'm ready for some proper shopping,” Libby squealed, linking arms with Bonnie and Odette and dragging them up the cobblestone street, twittering excitedly.
Slowly the group began to amble up the desolate street, peaking into the windows of the tiny shops. The pavement in front of the shops was bathed in the warm golden light; the smell of wood smoke hung in the air, signifying there was a warm fire blazing in the hearths inside. The weather appeared to deter any other shoppers or residents, the streets were completely devoid of any other life, calming Cassie’s nerves slightly. Eventually the girls stopped in front of a midnight blue clad store, the mannequins in the window were clothed in stylishly patterned winter jumpers and sturdy leather boots, glancing between each of her friends Cassie gave a knowing smile.
“We need to go in here,” Cassie said, turning to the boys. Fred and George rolled their eyes whilst Fabian and Hugo let out a dramatic groan.
“The last time we went shopping with you all, we spent 3 hours in the pyjamas section of a shop. I am not mentally or physically prepared to go through that trauma again today,” Fabian whined.
Fred and George looked at the group of grinning girls with looks of horror and concern.
“3 hours?” questioned Fred, his eyebrows raised.
“Look here Trent, I bought lace and frills thinking that I would find myself a beautiful British husband. Instead I’m constantly freezing my tits off, to the extent I think my left nipple may have frostbite. So before you judge me and my shopping habit how about you first think about my suffering,” Libby yelled almost hysterically whilst jabbing her finger in Fred’s chest.
It appeared that Fred had decided to completely ignore the rest of Libby’s outburst before saying, “My name is Fred?” he said in a questioning tone, pointing to the maroon F knitted into his bobble hat, “Not Trent.”
All of the French students in the group laughed heartily at the stupid inside joke, whilst Fred and George stood there bewildered. Fred threw Cassie an amused yet questioning look when they locked eyes, making her laugh harder.
Rolling his eyes Fred said, “How about this, the girls go into the clothes shops and we’ll meet them at the Three Broomsticks when they're finished?”
“Sounds good to me,” Libby said with a shrug, before turning on her heel and entering the small boutique, the bell above the door jingling to announce her arrival. Bonnie and Odette quickly rushed in after her mumbling about saving her from herself.
“What if something happens and we’ve split up. This is how everything goes wrong in horror stories,” Cassie mumbled looking between each of the boys.
“It’ll be fine Cass, we haven’t seen another soul since we arrived. I think the likelihood of us getting caught is pretty slim,” Fabian tried to reassure her.
“Plus, you’re with the girls, no one is going to confront or argue with Libby whilst she’s shopping,” Hugo joked with a chuckle.
“The pub is literally 4 buildings up on the right, we’ll wait for you all in there,” Fred said, a small comforting smile on his face.
“Okay, but I want a butterbeer when we're finished,” she sighed.
“Deal,” he laughed, taking her hand and giving it a little shake making her giggle.
“Come on then Trent, I’m hoping to snag a table by the fire!” George said, throwing his arm around Fred's shoulder and leading him away. Cassie watched all four boys retreating figures; before she turned she caught Fred looking behind him, throwing her a cheeky grin. Blushing slightly she bustled into the shop to find the rest of her friends.
Inside the boutique was bathed in hues of cream: cream carpet, cream walls and cream furniture. The only pops of colour came from the clothes lining the golden racks that were hanging from the walls. Walking through the dainty dress section Cassie found her friends at the back of the store looking at the jumpers and cardigans.
“There she is!” Bonnie cheered, linking arms with Cassie and dragging her over to the rails full of winter jumpers.
“I’m surprised Fred let you out of his sight,” Odd joked, elbowing her jokily.
“Shut it,” Cassie muttered, rolling her eyes at the girls.
“Cass, you can act all coy and shy but we’ve all seen you today. Holding hands and whispering,” Bonnie said quietly, smiling at the girl.
“It’s nothing!” Cassie stuttered, “We were just catching up.”
“That may be so, but we all know you’ve had a pining crush on him for years! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you blush so much,” laughed Libby.
“Libby!” she whined, hating the crimson blush that had begun to spread up her neck and across her cheeks, setting the tips of her ears on fire. “Yes, I had a stupid childhood crush on him, but you seem to have forgotten that I have also spent the last five years practically hating him!”
“But now you're talking and spending a considerable amount of time together! Who knows what could happen,” Libby teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
“I’m all for the enemies to lovers trope, it's one of my favourite literary themes!” Odd joined in.
“We are not lovers!” Cassie almost yelled, slapping her hand across her mouth when the cashier gave her a disapproving look.
“Look, Fred and I are just friends. Old family friends. He definitely doesn’t think of me like that, but I’ll take friendship over nothing,” Cassie whispered, her tone sounding slightly downhearted even to herself.
“Cassie, I’m no expert in crushes and love. The closest I’ve ever come to a relationship was the snog I shared with Haymitch Alderay in third year, and we all know that was like kissing a wet sponge. But I’ve seen the way Fred has been looking at you,” Libby said comfortingly.
“You don’t necessarily have to do anything about it Cass, just don’t rule anything out. You haven’t spoken in 5 years but he still knows all of your little quirks and the rest he can learn. Plus you’ve definitely grown up if you know what I mean, your beautiful Cass. I’d date you if you’d just give me a chance,” Bonnie said, trying to lighten the mood.
Cassie couldn’t help the little chuckle that left her lips at the girl's comment, “Well for now at least, I’m happy with the way things are,” she said, still feeling the heat of the red blush painting her cheeks.
“And that's fair enough, I’d be happy holding hands with a tall, handsome ginger too,” Libby joked, squeezing her arm affectionately before turning back to the jumpers in front of her, “I’m tempted to buy them all, I don’t think I’ve ever been so cold and it's only the beginning of November!” she muttered.
Cassie laughed at the girls over dramatic nature and began thumbing through the jumper section herself, hoping to find some soft warm woollen jumpers for herself.
The girls had wandered through the entire store, touching almost every item of clothing and gossiping as they went. Cassie had picked up some beautiful pieces: a knitted cream jumper that had golden thread woven through it, a navy and cream striped jumper dress, a navy and emerald green tartan wool skirt and a grey knitted cardigan with floral detailing. She was standing in the shirt section looking between a black chiffon tank top with lace eyelet detailing along the neckline and shoulders and a champagne coloured button down blouse, when Bonnie came up behind her.
“They’re both beautiful,” she said in a hushed voice, looking between the two tops.
“I didn’t bring any fancier clothes, Ginny was telling me that Gryffindor are known for their parties,” she mumbled, eyes still focused on the tops in front of her.
“I think they’d both look great on you. they can be dressed up with skirts or dressed down with a pair of jeans,” Bonnie said, thinking aloud.
“But which one?” questioned Cassie, loving both of them.
“Both, definitely both,” Libby said, butting into the conversation.
“I’ve only got 100 galleons to last me the whole year. I can blow it all on the first trip out of the castle!” she groaned, still feeling indecisive.
“They’re both on sale. Just get them, it's not going to break the bank,” Libby encouraged.
“You’re right,” Cassie said, grabbing the hangers and adding the shirts to the pile on her arm.
“I also found a dress that I think you’ll love,” Libby whispered, guiding Cassie to the section by her shoulders.
With a flourish Libby presented Cassie with the most beautiful crushed velvet mini dress. It was an onyx black colour with a square neckline and cap sleeves. Around the waist was a thin velvet belt with a small bow in the same material. Cassie instantly fell in love with it, planning all the ways she could accessorise the dress.
“Wow!” she said in an airy tone.
“That is sure to turn Finn’s head,” Libby said with a cheeky grin.
Cassie knew she was right and in a tiny corner of her mind she giddily tried to imagine his face when he saw her in the dress. Realising that she had allowed her imagination to run wild she shook her head.
“It’s like it was made for you Cass, and 7 galleons is a steal!” Bonnie encouraged, knowing what mental images had caused the small smile on her best friend's face.
“This shop has not been good for my purse,” she grumbled as she grabbed her size in the dress, “I need to leave before I do anymore damage,” she said, causing her friends to laugh.
With her arm aching under the pile of clothes, Cassie made her way up to the till, smiling politely at the shopkeeper as she dropped her purchases on the counter. With heavy bags in both hands Cassie shouldered the door open and headed back out into the frigid afternoon, giddy with excitement about her new purchases. As the girls walked up the street towards the pub they discussed how they were going to style their new items of clothing, planning outfits with hairstyles, accessories and shoes. As she walked Cassie had to adjust the bags in her hands a couple of times as her arms began to ache; she couldn’t help the sigh of relief that escaped her lips when the stone pub finally came into view. Barging through the heavy oak front door Cassie was met with a blast of warmth and loud chatter. Along the right-hand wall stood a bustling bar, where patrons clamoured to place their orders, voices mingling with laughter and the clinking of glasses. The rest of the room was lined with wooden booths, their deep wood polished to a warm glow, each seat upholstered in soft tan leather, worn smooth by countless visitors. These cosy alcoves were only interrupted by the imposing presence of a large stone fireplace at the far end of the room, its flames crackling and roaring, casting flickering shadows across the walls and filling the space with a comforting warmth. The girls wound their way through the maze of tables in the middle of the room keeping their eyes out for their friends. Suddenly a blaze of red hair caught Cassie’s eye in the back left corner, pushing her way to their table Cassie threw her bags to the floor and flopped onto the bench beside Fred, leaning her head against his shoulder.
“I can’t feel my fingers,” she groaned, “between the cold and the heavy bags I think I’ve lost all function.”
“Sounds like a successful shopping trip then,” laughed Fabian from across the booth, as he lined the girls' bags up, making sure that they were out of the way of the walkway.
“Mhmm,” Cassie agreed, stealing a chip from the basket in front of Fred.
“Hey!” he whined, swatting her hand away as she tried to grab another.
“Sharing is caring Freddie,” she grinned stealing another chip with an innocent smile.
“Cass, what do you want? I’ll go and order,” Bonnie called from the end of the booth.
“A butterbeer and one of the ham and cheese toasted sandwiches please,” she replied, pulling her purse out of her handbag and throwing it to the girl. She could have joined Bonnie and offered to help her but Libby and Odette were seated next to her blocking her in and frankly she couldn’t be bothered to get up.
“Cass, shall we split a ham and cheese toastie and a portion of cheesy chips?” Libby asked, turning to her and giving her puppy dog eyes whilst pouting slightly.
“Perfect combination,” Cassie replied with a smile.
“Plus it means you can stop stealing from my plate,” Fred joked, poking her in the sides, making her laugh and squeal as she tried to get away from him.
It only took about 10 minutes for the girls' food and drink to come and in the meantime the group chatted, gossiped and laughed. Cassie couldn’t help but feel as though the twins had slotted into their friendship group seamlessly, they had joined in with all of the teasing and joking, whilst listening to all of the Beauxbatons stories and drama- they had particularly enjoyed Cassie’s flying failures and were crying with laughter when Fabian recounted their first year flying lessons. Once their stomachs were full they began to plan the rest of their day. It appeared the rest of the group were keen to go and see the Shrieking Shack, a building on the outskirts of town that was said to be haunted; Cassie however wasn’t overly enthusiastic about this plan, knowing that her bags were heavy and the weather frigid.
Looking down at the petit witch beside him, Fred could see she wasn’t particularly eager to join her friends, nudging her slightly he caught her attention.
“There’s somewhere I’ve been wanting to show you for years,” he whispered, “-we could head there instead of the Shrieking Shack?” he asked somewhat shyly.
“Where is it?” she asked, her eyebrows raised questioningly.
“It’s a surprise, but I promise it’ll be a lot warmer than hiking up to the Shrieking Shack.”
Cassie noticed Fred’s eye glinting mischievously, his characteristic smirk plastered on his face.
“And it’s completely legal, not likely to explode or get us into serious trouble?” she questioned with a teasing grin.
“Who do you think I am?” he exclaimed in a faux offended tone, grinning along with her, “I promised you I wouldn’t get you into trouble today, trust me?” he asked, a new pleading look in his eyes.
“Of course,” she smiled.
“Hey guys, I’ve got something I want to show Cassie. We’ll meet you at Zonko’s in about an hour?” Fred asked as the group began to stand, getting dressed in their winter gear to brave the outdoors.
Cassie noticed her friends throwing her cheeky looks, all smiling widely.
Through a snigger Fabian managed to say, “Sounds good, we’ll see you later.”
“Be safe!” Libby laughed, wiggling her eyebrows at Cassie suggestively.
Cassie could feel her face burning for the hundredth time that day. Discreetly flicking her middle finger up at her friends- causing them all to roar with laughter- she also stood and began to shrug her jacket on and wrap her scarf tightly around her neck. Before she could bend down to retrieve her bags from the floor, she was gently pushed aside by the tall red head.
“I’ve got these, if you lose function in your fingers you’ll have to start turning the pages of your textbooks with your toes and that would be highly inappropriate in McGonagall’s classroom” he laughed, turning around and making his way to the door of the pub.
Once out on the street the group split going left and right. Cassie followed Fred down a narrow alleyway, grey stone walls towered on either side of them adding to the dark oppressive feel. Before her irrational claustrophobia could sink in, the pair emerged onto another long street that appeared to run parallel with the highstreet. It was clear that they were currently in the more residential area of Hogsmeade, small stone cottages lined the length of the cobblestone street; Cassie particularly liked one with a blush pink door and beautiful cottage garden. Wandering in a comfortable silence Cassie took in the quaint village around her that was completely juxtaposed with the jagged mountain scape, the landscape possessed an undeniable beauty, even in the midst of cold and rain. Thick white mist cascaded over the mountains, cloaking their rugged peaks in a soft, ghostly veil. Below, emerald trees and deep-hued purple firs blanketed the towering hills, their vibrant shades standing out boldly against the brooding slate-grey sky. She hadn’t realised that Fred had stopped walking beside her until he cleared his throat. Spinning around quickly on her heel she sent him an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, I was too busy taking in the scenery. I understand why Kingsley loved it here so much. He always says he’ll retire to Scotland,” she said, making her way back to him.
“I could get behind that idea,” Fred smiled, “it is pretty beautiful around here. I would say that the best way to see the landscape is by broom, but it's my understanding that you are a bit of a liability on a broom,” he laughed.
“I just can’t get the hang of flying!” she whined, swatting his arm as he kept laughing at her.
“Maybe I’ll take you up there one day. I’d keep you safe from yourself,” he continued to laugh.
“Well I’ve never made it further than 3 metres off the ground, so I don’t think that will be happening anytime soon,” she replied, trying to stop her racing heart.
Fred just rolled his eyes at her, “I’m beginning to understand why you only ever refereed our Quidditch matches when we were children. It never occurred to me that you didn’t like flying,” he mumbled, his eyes glossed with nostalgia.
“I can’t imagine why I wouldn’t want to be hit by a crazy, rampaging, flying ball,” she replied sarcastically, “plus it was the only time I ever got enough peace and quiet to read,” she joked.
“Ah I forgot that you’ve always been a nerd!” he joked, stumbling after Cassie barged into him, “-but, I’m now more than confident that’ll you’ll love my surprise.”
Fred gestured to the building that was standing in front of them. It was a quaint looking shop, almost like something out of a fairytale. Delicate wisteria vines climbed gracefully up and around the vibrant blue door, their tendrils twisting along the weathered grey stone walls. A weathered sign hung just outside, swaying and creaking in the biting, frigid breeze, its worn wooden surface hinting at the age of the shop. The stepping stone path leading to the entrance was uneven and slightly moss-covered. As they gently pushed open the door, the faintest tinkling sound echoed from above—a delicate, wind chime-like bell had rang out softly, announcing their arrival. Inside was a shop unlike anything Cassie had ever seen. From floor to ceiling, books filled every available inch of space, stretching endlessly on towering blue bookshelves. The shelves were crammed full with volumes of every size, their spines worn with age. Precarious piles of books teetered in every corner, threatening to spill over at any moment. Countless windows let in soft, dappled light, each framed by cosy window seats adorned with plush, inviting cushions where customers could sink in and lose themselves in a story. The front counter, painted the same vibrant blue as the bookcases and door, was equally cluttered—paperwork and books piled high beside an ancient, gleaming gold till. Cassie couldn’t stop her mouth from gaping as she looked around her.
“I found this spot in third year, I wrote to you all about it. I’ve been waiting to show you ever since,” Fred almost whispered, not wanting to break the stillness of the shop around them.
“It’s incredible,” she said, staring back at him in awe.
Leaving her bags in an overstuffed armchair by the door, Fred delicately grabbed onto her hand giving it a tender squeeze before gently tugging her deeper into the labyrinth of bookcases. The smell of parchment, leather and dust carried an enticing warmth, as though the very building had absorbed the centuries of knowledge held within its walls. As they walked Cassie gently brushed her fingers along the spines of the books feeling the rough leather binding under her fingertips. She read the embossed titles as they passed, covering every imaginable subject- ancient history, forgotten languages, obscure wandlaw- all waiting to be uncovered. With each quiet step the pair took dust moats rose gracefully into the air and floated lazily like dancing fairies as they caught shafts of the soft winter light.
Gold gilded letters stood out vividly against the dark, polished wood of one of the bookshelves welcoming them to the potion section of the vast bookstore. Ancient tombs and scrolls were crammed onto the shelves beside the lines of books. Names like Nicholas Flammel, Aesop Sharp and Vindictus Viridian caught her eye as she browsed. She was particularly interested in the book Potency in Potions: A Natural Guide, she gently pulled it off the shelf and began leafing through, her eyes skimming the information. Fred stood casually, leaning on the bookcase opposite. His arms were crossed loosely over his chest, and a small amused smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he observed her. Slowly, Cassie lifted her head, her eyes meeting Fred's over the top of the book. The hint of surprise in her expression quickly softened, and a timid smile crept onto her face.
“I think this might be my new favourite place in the whole world,” she whispered, not wanting to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.
A wide smile broke across Fred's face, lighting up his entire expression. His cheeks grew rounder, and soft crinkles formed beside his eyes, adding a boyish charm to his features. The light from the nearby window caught his hair, making it shimmer with a faint, ethereal glow, almost as though he were haloed in soft gold. It was the first time Cassie allowed herself to think he was truly attractive. She couldn’t help the way her eyes subtly roamed across his face, taking in every detail she had previously overlooked. The small freckles that lined the bridge of his nose, the tiny silver scar ginting on his top lip, the rosy hue of his cheeks — all of it seemed to come into focus, and she found herself captivated, lingering on each feature longer than she intended.
“We don’t have much time before we need to meet the others. Do you want to look in any other sections?” he asked, breaking Cassie's focus away from the mole on his neck under his jaw.
“Um, is there a section about local history? I love to learn more about how Hogwarts was founded,” she managed to huff, her breath slightly uneven as she rushed through the words.
Fred snorted, “Of course you would,” whilst rolling his eyes playfully, “I’m sure there is something around here,” he said, pushing himself away from the bookshelf and standing up to his full height.
Cassie hastily placed the potions book back onto the crammed shelf she had found it on, dust coating her finger tips in a silver sheen that glittered like frost. Brushing her hands together and wiping them down the front of her dark jeans, she spun round- her chocolate hair fanning out around her face- to follow Fred onwards through the towering maze. Without looking back, Fred’s hand instinctively found hers. He pulled her along effortlessly, his pace changing from a lazy stroll to a brisk determined walk, Cassie found herself needing to jog beside him to keep up. Suddenly, Fred veered sharply to the right, darting through a narrow gap between the soaring bookshelves into the next aisle. The movement was so quick and unexpected that Cassie barely had time to react, stumbling slightly as she followed him. His pace continued to increase with each step, until they were practically running through the narrow aisles, the bookshelves blurring in their vision on either side. The only sound that echoed throughout the dim shop were their heavy footsteps, laboured breathing and Cassie’s wild laughter that erupted from deep within her chest; it had started as exhilarated giggles before roaring out of control filling the silent bookshop with the defiant sound of life. Eventually, Fred’s pace slowed to a steady walk, his grip on Cassie’s hand loosening as he glanced around with searching eyes. His lips moved soundlessly as he read the faded titles of the books surrounding them, his brow furrowed in concentration. The air was still now, save for the lingering panting breaths. He came to a halt, casually leaning against a shelf, and turned toward her with a raised eyebrow and a cheeky smirk playing on his lips.
"We have arrived, My Lady," Fred declared with a playful grin, laughter still dancing in his voice. He gave an exaggerated, theatrical bow, sweeping his arm out in front of him as if they had just reached some grand destination. His hair fell forward messily as he dipped low, the smirk on his face betraying the mock seriousness of the gesture.
Craning her neck to look at the top shelves of the bookcase Cassie's eyes flitted across the countless book titles. The dim lighting barely revealed the subjects, but as she continued to scan the row she noticed a variety of local history subjects—witch trials, ancient folklore, legends of forgotten wizards, and the long history of the Village of Hogsmeade. Her curiosity piqued, Cassie continued her search until a familiar title caught her eye: A Hogwarts History. Knowing that she was in the correct section she continued her search running her finger along the worn spines; finally pausing when her finger hovered over an imposing volume titled The Four Founders. Delicately tugging the book from its place tightly wedged between two others, she began to flick through the pages. The whisper of pages turning was abruptly interrupted by the rhythmic tapping of Fred’s foot against the wooden floor. Restlessness was etched across his face however it was clear that he was doing his best to keep still, the chaotic energy that always seemed to surround him was unmistakable. His eyes were darting around the room taking in even the smallest of details. Meanwhile his fingers absentmindedly toyed with a loose thread at the bottom of his worn jumper, twisting and pulling it as though the small distraction would be able to contain his usual whirlwind. He was like a bored child staying quiet at the promise of a chocolate bar if he was good. With a small smile and a shake of her head she snapped the book closed, starling the boy out of his daydream.
“Come on then,” she smiled, taking a couple of small steps towards him and gently taking his hand. He looked startled by her action, grinning down out of their intertwined hands.
Gently tugging his hand, Cassie began to walk slowly towards the front of the shop. Fred’s hand was firmly clasped around hers, their fingers intertwined, swinging gently between them like a pendulum. Her other hand held on to her new book tightly, tucking it up protectively under her arm. She had already planned the perfect evening in her head: curled up by the fire whilst her friends gossiped and joked reading her new book.
At the front of the store a tall spindly looking man was now standing behind the counter, leafing through the stacks of paperwork. At the sound of their footsteps his head shot up, a kind smile gracing his features.
“Did you find everything you were looking for?” he asked, tenderly taking the book from Cassie's hand and beginning to wrap it in brown paper.
“Yes thank you. You have the most magnificent shop here,” she complimented, fumbling through her bag for her purse.
“I can’t disagree with you! This shop has been in my family for nearly 800 years and is one of the largest collections of wizarding texts in the United Kingdom,” he said proudly.
Cassie cast a last look over the historic shop, taking in its charm yet again, wishing she could spend the rest of her day getting lost in the countless bookshelves. A small back book caught her eye, sitting on the side table beside one of the window seats. Discreetly looking behind her she found that Fred had gone to gather her other bags, taking the chance she grabbed the book- Secrets and Deceptions- The untold story of the last Wizarding War. Carefully placing it on the counter on top of her other book she sent the bookkeeper a hesitant smile, hoping he wouldn’t question her literary choice. With a cocked eyebrow he wrapped the second book, placing it in a small lavender bag and handing it to her, before taking the tinkling coins from the palm of her hand.
“Have a lovely day Miss,” he said, shooting her a curious smile.
“You too,” she managed to mumble before heading over to meet Fred.
With a sly grin, Fred quickly snatched the bag of books from Cassie’s hand before she could react. He didn’t miss a beat as he spun around, his movements smooth and confident, and headed straight for the shop door. Without a word, he pulled it open with an easy motion, turning back to her with a raised eyebrow and that familiar glint of mischief in his eyes. "Allow me," he said, his tone playful, as he stood aside, holding the door open with a teasing smirk. Cassie laughed at the boy's antics shaking her head at him as she walked out onto the street.
In the short time they had been inside, the weather had taken a dramatic turn. The once sleet-grey clouds had darkened to an ominous black, thick and brooding as a storm clearly gathered on the horizon. A biting polar wind howled through the streets, whipping violently through the trees, sending leaves and dust swirling across the pavement and tumbling through the gutters. Cassie’s hair was caught in the chaos, whipping and flailing around her face as the gusts pulled at her coat and scarf. They both walked with their heads bowed against the relentless wind, hands shoved deep into their pockets for warmth. The storm made speaking useless—any words they tried to exchange were snatched away by the howling gusts before they could reach each other’s ears. Instead, Fred led the way in silence, using gentle nudges of his shoulder and subtle tilts of his head to indicate where they needed to turn. Once they reached the high street, Fred’s pace quickened, his strides long and purposeful as he made a beeline for a red-fronted shop just ahead. Cassie hurried to keep up, catching a brief glimpse of the vibrant rainbow display in the window—bright colours standing out against the stormy backdrop—before ducking inside behind him. The door closed with a satisfying thud, shutting out the biting wind as the warmth of the shop enveloped them. Cassie’s fingers immediately began working to free the strands of hair that had become hopelessly stuck in her lip gloss. She combed her fingers through the tangled mess, trying to smooth it out, but the wind had done too much damage. With a resigned sigh, she pulled the hairband from around her wrist and quickly gathered her wild hair into a messy bun, knowing there was no point in trying for anything more polished. As she secured it with a twist, a few stray strands escaped, but she accepted the dishevelled look, giving up on the lost cause.
Now that she could finally see—no longer hindered by the curtain of hair—Cassie took in her surroundings. The small shop felt almost overwhelming, an explosion of fluorescent colours and chaotic patterns filling every inch of space. The tight quarters seemed to amplify the intensity, and her eyes struggled to keep up with the sensory overload. Shelves were crammed with an array of strange and whimsical items—boomerangs with gnashing teeth, colour changing quills, and glow in the dark balls. Behind the till, an entire wall was dedicated to pills, tablets, and sweets in packaging too wild to be trusted. Posters plastered every free surface, advertising bizarre new products in bold, flashy fonts, promising impossible things. Cassie wasn’t sure where to look or what to focus on, her eyes darting from one oddity to the next, struggling to take it all in. She stood there for a moment, feeling a little lost, captivated by the madness around her but unsure of what to do next.
Fred's face was a picture of pure glee and excitement, his eyes wide with childlike wonder as he hurriedly grabbed things off the shelves to inspect. Each item seemed to fascinate him for only a moment before something even more bizarre and shiny caught his attention, drawing him away. He darted from one shelf to the next, his energy infectious, picking up odd trinkets and then immediately tossing them back with a grin.
Cassie stood there, watching, unable to drag her eyes away. She knew she was staring, but the sight of him like this—so carefree, so full of youthful happiness—reminded her of the little boy she used to know. It was as if time had melted away, and for a brief moment, she saw the playful, joyful Fred from their childhood. The thought made her smile, the chaos of the shop fading into the background as she watched him with quiet affection.
Suddenly, the door of the shop burst open with a loud bang, the force rattling the bell above and sending its sharp clang echoing throughout the store. The unexpected noise made Cassie jump, her heart racing as she spun towards the door. Five familiar figures stumbled into the shop, laughing as they slammed the door behind them. Shaking off the wind and rain, they each brushed through their hair and patted down their soaked clothing, creating a large puddle on the chequered floor.
“Thank Merlin we made it,” huffed Libby, “I thought we were going to get blown all the way back to the castle.”
Cassie laughed going over to help extract the girl from her soaked coat.
“The weather definitely took a turn for the worst, didn’t it?” she asked, looking around at the group who all looked a bit worse for wear. Bonnie’s mascara was smudged around her eyes, Fabian’s curls were tussled on the top of his head in a nest like fashion, whilst Libby’s beautiful braid now had hair sticking out in all directions reminding Cassie of a muggle scarecrow.
“How do you not look like you’ve been in a fight with a shower and hair dryer at the same time?” complained Bonnie, giving Cassie a harsh look up and down.
“We’ve been in the most beautiful bookshop all this time. It felt as though the shelfs continued on for miles and contained every book about every subject imaginable,” Cassie said almost wistfully, “On the walk here the wind had picked up but it wasn’t raining,” she confirmed with a sympathetic smile.
George threw Fred a distasteful look, scoffing as he said, “You actually stepped foot in a bookstore? When did you learn to read?”
The group burst into heartfelt laughter, their voices ringing out over the pounding of the rain and the howling of the wind outside of the shop, while Cassie tried—and failed—to hide her growing smile behind a cough. Fred shot her a mockingly wounded look, placing a hand dramatically over his heart as if deeply offended. Cassie, feigning innocence, threw him a sweet, harmless smile, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief. Fred narrowed his eyes at her, but the corners of his mouth twitched, betraying his amusement.
“Cassie was teaching me,” Fred quipped, “I know the ‘sh’ sound and we were just learning the ‘i’ sound which means I can read and spell the word idiot,” he said staring directly at his twin.
Cassie snorted at the banter between the twins, unable to help herself as she rolled her eyes. It was always the same with them—one moment they were cracking jokes, the next they were pushing and shoving each other like they were still children. Their playful scuffle sent nearby trinkets rattling on the shelves, and for a moment, it looked like they might topple a display.
"Honestly," Cassie muttered under her breath, shaking her head with a smirk, though the laughter in her eyes gave her away.
“Boys, enough!” she cried, seeing Fred put George in a tight headlock, tugging at his knotted hair, “We should probably head back soon, it looks like this storm is only going to get worse. You’ve got 10 minutes to pick out your toys before we’re leaving.”
Standing to their full height, the twins snapped into mock salutes, their faces a mix of exaggerated seriousness and mischievous glee. "Yes Ma’am," George quipped, whilst Fred muttered a playful profanity under his breath, earning a sharp elbow to the ribs. Cassie raised an eyebrow, feigning unimpressed authority, though she couldn't quite suppress the grin tugging at her lips.
Still muttering jabs at each other, the twins turned and wandered off deeper into the shop, clearly on a mission to restock their dwindling prank supplies. Their bickering continued in low voices as they scanned the shelves, their movements filled with the familiar energy that hinted they were still up to no good.
“I don’t know how you do it. George on his own was like a niffler on steroids, put them together and it's like trying to herd pixies,” Fabian laughed from beside Cassie, observing the pair with the same fascinated look one might use to examine a particularly brutal Quidditch foul.
“They’re like puppies, you’ve got to be firm with them otherwise you’ll end up with piss on the carpet and a hole chewed through your favourite socks,” Cassie shrugged.
“You’ve got such a lovely way with words Cass,” Odette snorted.
After much shooing and a good deal of playful encouragement from Cassie and the others, the twins finally made their way to the counter, each begrudgingly paying for their loot. The shopkeeper, who had clearly dealt with their antics before, raised an amused eyebrow but said nothing as he handed over two large bags, each filled to the brim with pranking merchandise. It was clear from the look in the twins' eyes that they were already plotting mischief.
“I’m not going anywhere near you for the next month,” Cassie muttered, eyeing the bags of pranks with trepidation as she shoved them out of the door and into the street.
Outside, the rain was coming down in sheets, hammering against the pavement with a relentless force. It drummed on the rooftops and splashed up from the puddles, the downpour so heavy that the road in front of them was barely visible through the watery blur. The storm had intensified, the wind howling as it whipped the rain sideways, turning the world outside into a chaotic swirl of grey and silver. Throwing up a quick umbrella charm Cassie tried to shield herself the best she could from the incessant pounding. The storm was coming fast, its presence heavy and inescapable.
Slipping and sliding down the rain-soaked high street, the group hurried toward the sweetshop, their shoes filling with rainwater as they ran through countless puddles, their coats and jackets becoming heavy and sodden. Each of them silently prayed that the shopkeeper hadn’t decided to close early due to the storm. Just as doubt began to creep in, Fabian spotted the faint flicker of light through the front window. Dashing forward he hastily threw open the door, the familiar warmth and sugary scent instantly flooding out to meet them. “Quick, before he changes his mind!” Fabian called, ushering everyone inside with a wave of his hand.
The shopkeeper glanced at the group of dripping teenagers with clear disdain, his brow furrowing as he muttered under his breath about having to mop the floor—again. His grumbling, however, didn’t stop the group from browsing the shelves, their soggy clothes leaving a trail of dirty water in their wake.
Cassie, knowing this was the perfect time to restock on her favourite sweets, grabbed a basket without hesitation. Ignoring the shopkeeper's muttering, she moved through the aisles with purpose, tossing in a selection of sugar quills, chocolate frogs, and gummy slugs, the colourful treats piling up quickly. Once she had finished and knowing that she needed to restrain herself Cassie headed over to the till throwing the shopkeeper an apologetic look as he cantankerously rang up her items. After paying she continued to aimlessly browse the shelves, trying to figure out a plan as to how they could get back into the cellar. However, it appeared that luck was on their side- once Hugo the last of their group had finished paying, the shopkeeper, without so much as a backwards glance opened a door to a store cupboard and stomped inside, still muttering furiously under his breath.
Without a word, the group exchanged knowing glances before darting towards the purple door in perfect sync, their movements quick and silent. They slipped through the entrance, hurrying down the rickety stairs into the dark basement beyond; their hurried footsteps echoing faintly off the stone walls.
Cassie, lagging slightly behind, flicked her wand with a practised ease. The shop door upstairs creaked open just enough to trigger the welcome bell, its soft chime ringing out in the shop above. With a sharp slam, the door closed again, as if someone had entered and left in an instant. A satisfied smile spread across Cassie’s face at her clever distraction, and she rushed through the cellar door, eager to rejoin the others.
As she stepped into the dimly lit basement, she was greeted by the bewildered faces of Fred and George, both staring at her with wide eyes.
“What in Merlin’s left kneecap was that about,” George asked half-amused, half confused as he led her by the small of her back towards the hole that had reappeared in the cellar floor.
“Just in case he wondered where we went, that made it sound like we left the shop!” she argued.
“I think he would have known that we had left the shop when he came back with the mop and we weren’t still standing there dripping on his wooden floor,” Fred quipped back with a laugh.
“I was just making it more believable, you don’t want him finding out about the tunnel that is hidden in his cellar!” she hissed, rolling her eyes as she watched him descend into the dark.
“Yes thank you for your help with that,” George sarcastically nodded, “How about you get into said tunnel before he comes into the basement and finds a hole in the floor?”
Huffing in exasperation and muttering under her breath, Cassie carefully descended the rotting wooden ladder, the wood creaking ominously with each step. Her hands gripped the rungs tightly, though irritation simmered beneath her concentration. As her feet neared the compacted dirt floor below, she felt a gentle hand press against her back, steadying her just before she could misstep.
She glanced over her shoulder, slightly surprised, only to find Fred giving her a reassuring nod and a gentle smile. Cassie sighed, her annoyance fading slightly as her boots hit the ground, the musty air of the tunnel welcoming her back.
The group walked in complete silence on the way back to the castle, exhaustion settling over them like a thick blanket. A cool breeze swept through the narrow tunnel, whispering through the cracks in the stone; its chill biting at Cassie's damp clothes and clinging to her wet hair. She shivered as the cold seeped into her skin, her breath coming out in faint wisps in the dim wand light.
Fred, noticing her discomfort, shifted both of their bags into one hand and wrapped his free arm around her shoulder, pulling her close in an attempt to warm her. His body radiated a comforting warmth, and Cassie gratefully leaned into him slightly, a soft smile on her face.
The walk back seemed much shorter than the way there, and before they knew it, they had reached the rock fall that marked the start of the passage. Cassie looked up at the narrow shaft leading to the One-Eyed Witch entrance, her breath catching in her throat. This time, there was no ladder to ease their ascent, only the steep, jagged walls of the tunnel. George, as usual, was unfazed. Having done this countless times, he scaled the walls with the ease of a mountain goat, his feet finding steady holds as he worked his way up. Once he reached the top, he tapped his wand against the ceiling. Immediately, the sound of screeching stone filled the air, the grinding noise reverberating through the narrow passage, twisting and distorting as it bounced off the walls. It was unsettling, the echoes morphing into something that resembled human groans and distant screams. Cassie shuddered, her heart racing for a moment.
A dull light from the corridor above began to seep through the opening as the passage cleared, casting long shadows and causing Cassie to squint as her eyes adjusted to the brightness. The eerie atmosphere lifted slightly with the light. Using his upper body strength Geoge pulled himself up and out of the passage and took to standing guard as he waited for the others to climb up.
“Fabian, if you go next you can help the girls at the top,” Fred encouraged, leading him to the bottom of the shaft by his shoulder and discussing the easiest foot and hand holds.
Fabian, Bonnie and Hugo all made fast work of the climb up, grinning triumphantly as they reached the top. Their adrenaline fueled laughter echoing softly down into the tunnel. At the base of the shaft, however, Odette and Libby stood frozen, faces pale as they stood shrinking into the wall behind them. Both appeared to be surveying the climb with apprehensive gazes as they eyed the crumbling stone. Cassie threw each of them a sympathetic glance, knowing exactly how they felt- her own heartbeat pounding loudly in her ears.
She exchanged a look with Fred, who seemed to notice the same thing, ready to offer a hand if needed.
“I’ll go first, hopefully that’ll give them some confidence,” she mumbled looking into Fred’s worried eyes.
“It shouldn’t be too hard, just make sure your foothold is secure before moving your hands,” he advised, rubbing his chin anxiously.
“I know I have the athletic ability of a flobberworm but you don’t have to look at me like that,” she laughed, causing a small smile to spread across his face.
“Just be careful, please,” he begged.
Cassie shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips at Fred’s obvious concern for her welfare. Walking over to the wall, she ran her fingers along its surface, inspecting it closely. Large cracks bisected the crumbling stone horizontally, while thick, intertwined roots pushed through the plaster, offering various points that seemed sturdy enough to grip. However, as she reached out to test one of the roots, a section of the wall crumbled under her touch, turning to dust almost instantly. She pulled her hand back, frowning. The fragile condition of the wall was worse than she'd expected—each section seemed ready to disintegrate at the slightest pressure.
Taking a deep breath and shaking her head, she tried again, finding a deeper hole to wedge her hand in. The ascent was slow going, Cassie knew that she was taking far longer than everybody else had but her entire body was coursing with nerves. Her anxieties wouldn’t let her rush. Each time a handhold crumbled or a root broke free in her grasp her heart would race and she’d freeze in place for a couple of seconds, clinging tightly to the wall as she tried to gain her composure. Half way up she realised she was practically hyperventilating, her breath coming out in shallow bursts, her palms becoming slick with sweat despite the cool winter air. She knew she had to steady herself and focus on each individual movement- one hand, then one foot.
Beneath her, Fred hovered, silently, not saying a word and barely breathing. His eyes were trained on her every grip, silently willing her, encouraging her upwards. She knew he wouldn’t let any harm come to her, but she wasn’t entirely sure he would be able to catch her if she fell.
Cassie had finally reached the lip of the statue pedestal, her fingers gripping the rough stone tightly as she glanced around, trying to plan her next move. Her gaze followed the path upward and realised that the next handhold was the edge of the opening in the witch's hump—a good deal higher than any of the holds she had used so far. The distance made her stomach tighten. One wrong move, and she'd tumble back down the shaft onto the unforgiving stone floor below.
She swallowed hard, her fingers trembling slightly as she clung to the pedestal, trying to gather the nerve to make the final stretch. When she looked up, her eyes met Fabian’s. He was at the top, peering over the edge. His expression was kind, his eyes warm with encouragement.
"You've got this," he said, his voice low but steady. "Just one more stretch, Cass. You’re going to straighten your right leg and reach your left hand up as high as you can. I'll grab you as soon as you're close." His words were calm, meant to soothe, and for a moment, the knot of fear in her chest loosened. She nodded, trusting his presence, knowing he would catch her.
Cassie gave herself a silent three-second countdown, her breath coming in deep, steadying waves. On three, she made her move. Her right leg straightened beneath her, pushing her upward with just enough height, while her left hand extended, fingers stretching desperately for a hold. For a heart-stopping moment, all she felt was the cold, empty air slipping between her fingers. Panic surged within her, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to freeze. She pushed a little harder, fingers straining farther, until they finally grazed the rough stone edge of the witch’s hump. Her heart pounded in her ears, and her grip felt weak, but she held on, her knuckles turning white and her arm shaking. Suddenly, a large hand wrapped around her wrist, its warmth penetrating deep into her bones and spreading a reassuring sense of security throughout her. The grip was firm yet gentle, and as the person began to pull her upward, Cassie quickly searched for footholds with her feet, pushing against the wall to aid her ascent.
With one final tug, she felt herself being lifted over the edge of the hole and onto solid ground. No longer dangling, suspended in a void she had landed softly, held against someone's side. Looking up with a crazy adrenaline fueled smile she met Fabian’s gaze, his expression a mix between relief and amusement.
“You are too small to be doing that ever again,” he laughed.
“I’m the same age as you, you idiot,” she snapped back, amusement evident in her voice.
“I meant size wise Cass, you're only a foot taller than the common goblin. Your body wasn’t made for climbing,” he joked, nudging her slightly as she pretended to not be offended.
“I think I did pretty well all things considering,” she argued, wincing slightly as she tried to roll her shoulder to get rid of the aching pain that had begun to spread from her previous injury.
“Merlin, I’d completely forgotten you were still recovering from internal bleeding and multiple broken bones,” Fabian gasped, inspecting the crease in her brow that proved her discomfort.
“I’m fine,” she waved them off, the rest of her friends now looking at her with concern, “I just ache a bit that's all, I think that’s been the most physical exercise I’ve done since the accident,” she mumbled a grimacing smile plastered on her face.
“Cass if you need to go and sit down, I can make sure that everyone makes it up safely,” George said, he was incredibly aware of how uncomfortable she looked. She was looking incredibly pale and a light sheen of sweat was sticking small strands of hair to her forehead.
“I’m fine,” she affirmed, looking him in the eye with clear determination. She refused to be weak.
It took a lot of encouragement to get Libby to climb. She stood at the bottom, pale and nervous, her hands trembling as she eyed the steep ascent. The group at the top, gathered around the edge, shouted down words of encouragement and pointed out handholds she could use.
"There's a root on your left, Libby! Just reach for it!" Fabian called, his voice steady and reassuring.
Bonnie chimed in, "You're doing great! Just one hand at a time!"
Meanwhile, Fred remained below, directing her to the correct footholds. “Move your foot a bit to the right, there’s a solid spot,” he said, his voice calm despite the situation. He watched carefully, ready to catch her if she slipped, his hands outstretched just in case.
With each small step, Libby’s confidence grew, though her movements were slow and hesitant. Cassie, standing above, offered an encouraging smile every time their eyes met. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Libby reached the top, her hands gripping the edge as the group pulled her up to safety. She collapsed onto the floor with a relieved laugh, her face flushed with a mixture of fear and triumph.
Odette was much harder to encourage. Despite all the coaxing and reassurances from above, it wasn’t until Fred gave her a personal demonstration—climbing a few steps up the wall and guiding her from below—that she finally attempted the ascent. Her movements were slow and shaky, every step filled with uncertainty.
But then disaster struck. One of her footholds, a piece of crumbling rock, suddenly gave way beneath her weight, disintegrating in a puff of dust. She let out a sharp gasp, her hands gripping the wall in a death grip as she froze mid-climb. The fear in her eyes was palpable, and tears began streaming down her cheeks. Her entire body shook violently, her hold growing more precarious with each passing second.
"Odette, don’t move! We’ve got you!" Fred called, his voice firmer now, trying to cut through her panic. Above, Fabian and George reached out, ready to grab her the moment she got close, while Cassie looked on with wide eyes, her heart hammering in her chest.
But Odette was paralyzed with fear, her sobs choking her breath, making it harder for her to hold on. The shaking of her limbs only made things worse, and the wall beneath her seemed fragile, ready to give way at any moment.
"Odette, look at me!" Fred's voice was steady but urgent. "You're okay, just take a breath. You’re not far. We’re all here." His eyes were locked on hers, his hand held out before him, offering support, though he couldn’t reach her.
Cassie, sensing the gravity of the moment, crouched near the edge and extended her arm as far as she could. "You’re almost there, Odette. Just a few more steps. I’ve got you, I swear." Her voice was gentle, but her heart was pounding. She glanced at Fred, silently pleading for him to say something that would help Odette move.
Fred’s voice softened again. "You’re strong, Odette. I know it’s scary, but you can do this. Just trust me. Move one hand up—just one. I’ll catch you if anything happens." Odette’s tear-filled eyes met his, her breathing still ragged.
Cassie felt a rush of movement beside her as Hugo suddenly leapt forward, trying to get over the lip of the hole to reach his twin. His face was a mask of determination, desperation clouding his judgement.
“Wait!” Cassie yelled out, her voice sharp with urgency as she grabbed the back of his shirt, yanking him to a halt. “If you send any rocks tumbling towards her, or if you fall and hit her, you’ll only make the situation worse!”
Hugo froze, breathing heavily, his eyes wide as he looked at Cassie, then down at Odette. His jaw clenched, and for a moment, he seemed torn between charging ahead and listening. But as he saw the fear in Odette’s tear-streaked face, her fragile grip barely holding, he realised Cassie was right.
“Let Fred guide her,” Cassie said more gently, her hand still on Hugo’s shoulder. “We need to stay calm.”
Fred, sensing the tension, glanced back at them briefly. "Hugo, I’ve got her. I promise," he said, his voice steady but urgent. He was still focused on Odette, every muscle coiled in readiness, but he knew they couldn’t afford another panicked move.
Hugo took a shaky breath, stepping back from the edge, his fists clenched in frustration. Cassie gave him a reassuring nod before turning her attention back to Odette, whose sobs had quieted slightly, though her trembling continued.
“We’re here, Odette,” Cassie whispered. "You’re so close. Just a couple more steps. We’ve got you."
“I can’t,” she whimpered, her voice shaking.
“It’s okay, take a couple of deep breaths for me, Odd. In through your nose and out through your mouth,” Cassie encouraged her eyes glued to the figure of the trembling girl.
"Fred," Cassie called out, her voice calm but urgent, "you’re going to need to climb up beside her and guide her. You’ll have a better vantage point that way."
Fred glanced up at Cassie, his brow furrowed in concentration as he considered the suggestion. Without hesitation, he nodded. "Right," he said, his voice low and determined. “But the bags, I can’t climb with them as well as guide Odd,” he called.
“I’ve got that, just leave them where they are,” she smiled reassuringly at him, nodding her head encouragingly.
He climbed quickly shifting his weight and testing the nearby handholds as he went. When he was level with Odette he positioned himself beside Odette rather than directly beneath her. Every move was slow and deliberate, making sure he didn’t dislodge any loose rocks.
“Odette, I’m right here," Fred said gently, his presence now level with her, his hand hovering just below hers. "I’m going to help you, okay? One step at a time. Look at me."
Odette’s tear-filled eyes flickered toward Fred, her body still trembling, but her grip seemed to steady just slightly at the sound of his voice.
"Now," Fred continued, keeping his tone soft but firm, "move your hand to that root up there—just like we talked about before. I’m not going to let you fall."
Cassie watched from above, her heart in her throat, as Fred stayed close enough to catch her if anything went wrong, but gave her enough space to make the climb herself. With his guidance and constant reassurance, Odette slowly lifted her hand, reaching for the next hold.
"That’s it, Odette, you’re doing great," Fred said, his voice steady, even as his eyes never left her trembling form.
Odette moved, inch by inch, as Fred mirrored her movements, guiding her with calm instructions. Cassie held her breath, hoping this would be enough to get her safely to the top.
It was clear Odette was beginning to tire. Her muscles trembled with every move she made, her breath coming in shaky, uneven pants. She had made it to the lip of the pedestal, but her strength was waning fast. Her fingers gripped the rough stone tightly, knuckles white, as she paused, unable to go any further without rest.
Fred, sensing her exhaustion, had tactically positioned himself directly beneath her, his arms ready to catch her if her grip failed. "It’s okay, Odette. Just take a break," he said softly, his eyes locked on her. "You’ve come so far. We’re almost there."
Odette’s shoulders sagged with relief as she rested her forehead against the cold stone, her chest heaving with the effort of the climb. She was shaking all over now, her body visibly struggling to hold on, but Fred’s calm voice grounded her.
"You don’t need to rush," he continued, his hands ready to support her if she slipped. "We’re all here for you."
Above, Cassie exchanged a worried glance with Hugo, who was anxiously hovering near the edge. "You’re almost there, Odette," Cassie called down, her voice filled with quiet encouragement. "One more push."
Fred looked up, meeting Cassie’s eyes briefly, and then back at Odette. "When you’re ready, I’ll guide you up the rest of the way. I’m right here."
“If you can reach one of our hands Odd we’ll pull you up,” Cassie continued, eyes trained on the figures below, her arm dangling just out of their reach.
“Just one big stretch Odette,” Fred encouraged.
Odette shuffled slightly, her eyes flicking upward to lock with Cassie’s. "I’m here," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with trust, offering a small, tremulous smile.
That seemed to be all Odette needed. With newfound determination, she placed her left foot into a higher foothold and stretched upward, slowly releasing her right hand from the wall. Her fingers reached out, trembling, and latched onto Cassie’s. The moment Odette’s weight shifted onto her, Cassie felt a sharp tug at her shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through her body. She let out a low, guttural groan as the pressure intensified. The ache in her shoulder flared, but she gritted her teeth, pushing the pain aside. Now wasn’t the time to falter. Cassie wrapped her other hand around Odette’s, tightening her grip, and began to pull with every ounce of strength she had. Her muscles strained as she fought against the weight. Just when it felt like her body might give out, Hugo appeared at her side, his hands wrapping firmly around her wrist. Together, they heaved, their combined strength making the task a little lighter.
"Almost there, Odette! You’re doing amazing!" Fabian shouted from above, his voice filled with encouragement.
"Keep going!" Bonnie cheered, while the rest of the group called out, their voices filled with support and urgency.
With one final pull, Cassie and Hugo managed to drag Odette over the edge of the opening. The girl collapsed onto solid ground, breathing heavily, her body shaking from exertion but safe at last. Cassie collapsed beside her, her shoulder throbbing but her heart flooded with relief. She turned her head to meet Odette’s exhausted, grateful eyes and smiled.
"You did it," Cassie whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of their heavy breaths.
"Couldn’t… without… you," Odette gasped between breaths, her chest still heaving from the effort. Cassie smiled warmly at her, the tension in her own body slowly easing. She reached over, grasping Odette’s hand gently, and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"You did most of it," Cassie said softly, her voice filled with pride and relief. "You’re stronger than you think."
Odette offered a weak but genuine smile in return, still catching her breath, but the gratitude in her eyes was clear. Behind them, the rest of the group gathered around, the tension in the air dissolving as they exchanged relieved glances and quiet murmurs of encouragement.
A sudden shuffling and the sound of grunting alerted Cassie to Fred’s reappearance. She turned just in time to see him pulling himself over the lip of the hole, his face flushed with effort. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and before Cassie could fully process it, Fred surged towards her.
Without hesitation, he wrapped her in a tight embrace, his arms circling her as though he’d been holding back the entire time. Cassie barely had time to react, but the warmth of his grip and the flood of relief in his eyes made her melt into him.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice thick with concern as he pulled back slightly to search her face, his hands still gripping her shoulders.
Cassie smiled, feeling the tension drain from her. "Yeah. We’re okay," she replied softly, glancing toward Odette, who was sitting up now, a tired but triumphant look on her face.
“You were amazing,” Fred breathed into her hair, his voice barely above a whisper as he pulled her closer again, his embrace firm and comforting. Cassie felt the warmth of his breath against her temple.
She rested her forehead against his chest, her aching shoulder momentarily forgotten in the safety of his arms. “We couldn’t have done it without you,” she murmured, her words muffled against the fabric of his jumper.
Fred’s hand gently stroked her back, the tension still ebbing away. "We make a good team," he replied softly, his tone filled with both relief and admiration.
Behind the pair, someone cleared their throat, breaking the moment. Cassie and Fred turned to see Hugo standing there, slightly pink in the face, his eyes darting awkwardly between them.
“Uh, sorry to interrupt,” he stammered, shuffling his feet as he tried to find his words, “I just wanted to say thank you, to you both for helping Odette.”
Cassie wriggled out from Fred’s embrace and walked over to Hugo, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, “I couldn’t have pulled her up without you,” she replied, pulling him into a tight hug. The stress of the last 20 minutes seemed to dissipate from his shoulders and he grasped her back tightly, giving her one squeeze before he pulled away.
Looking at the relieved faces of her friends around her, Cassie couldn’t help but laugh. “I think we all deserve a quiet night.”
Everyone chuckled at her lighthearted comment, nodding their heads in agreement, the tension from their earlier ordeal beginning to fade.
“Cass, I know you said you’ve got the bags, but I forbid you from going in that hole until we work out how to transfigure a ladder,” Fred declared with mock seriousness, helping Odette up from the floor. He gave her a comforting squeeze as she repeatedly bashfully thanked him, her cheeks still flushed.
“I don’t need to go back down,” Cassie replied confidently, sauntering back over to the entrance and locating the bags on the floor far below. With a swish and a flick of her wand, the bags began to levitate towards her outstretched hand, floating gracefully upward as if obeying her every command.
Taking a small mock bow as her friends cheered around her, Cassie beamed with pride while handing out all of the bags. Grasping onto the handles of her own bags tightly she tried to balance their weight to alleviate the incessant throbbing in her shoulders and back that was beginning to make her feel sick.
“Give them here, I’ve got them,” Fred muttered, stepping closer and taking the bags from her hands with surprising ease. He threw her an uneasy look, concern etched on his face.
Before Cassie could argue, he shook his head firmly. “I know you’re in pain. Just let me help.”
Cassie opened her mouth to protest, but the worry in his eyes stopped her. She hesitated, feeling the weight of the bags pulling at her, and finally relented with a sigh. “Fine, it’s just over exertion, I’ll be fine in the morning” she tried to clarify.
“I don’t care what it is. You’re looking increasingly pale, and I can carry this,” Fred retorted, his voice firm but laced with concern. Without giving her a chance to argue, he shifted all the bags into one hand with ease. His other hand gently found the small of her back, applying just enough pressure to guide her without causing more pain.
Cassie, though reluctant, couldn’t ignore how relieved she felt at the light support. Her muscles were screaming from the day’s exertion, and Fred’s warm touch gave her something to focus on other than the throbbing in her back.
Slowly, he led her through the freezing, deserted corridors, the chill in the air making Cassie shiver as they walked. The sound of the group's footsteps echoed off the stone walls, but the familiar path to the Gryffindor common room gave her some comfort. She focused on Fred’s steady pace beside her.
“Almost there,” he murmured softly, his breath forming misty clouds in the cold air. Cassie gave a faint nod, her exhaustion catching up with her.
It appeared that everyone was utterly exhausted as they walked in silence, the events of the day weighing heavily on their tired bodies. When they reached the moving staircases, Hugo and Fabian broke off from the group, stretching stiff limbs and giving a quick wave.
"We’re going to change into something clean and dry," Hugo said, his voice thick with fatigue. Fabian nodded in agreement, his usually cheeky grin replaced by a tired smile.
Cassie nodded in understanding, her eyes soft with empathy. “Good idea,” she murmured, pulling each of them into a brief but warm hug. Before they left, both Hugo and Fabian turned their attention to Odette, fussing over her as if they hadn’t already made sure she was okay countless times.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Fabian asked, glancing at her with concern.
Odette rolled her eyes but smiled, her cheeks still a bit pale from the ordeal. “I’m fine, really.”
With a final shove down the stairs and some lingering words of encouragement, the boys finally departed. The remaining girls exchanged amused glances before continuing to follow the twins, Fred and George, through the quiet corridors of the castle.
Cassie had never been more relieved to see the portrait of the Fat Lady. The familiar, rosy-cheeked guardian of the Gryffindor common room gave them a knowing glance as Fred mumbled the password. With a creak, the portrait swung open, and they all stumbled through the hole, utterly drained.
The instant they entered, they were enveloped by the warmth radiating from the huge log fire roaring in the hearth. The heavy, comforting scent of burning wood filled the air, and Cassie could feel the heat begin to chase away the lingering chill from her damp clothes and aching muscles.
Cassie exhaled deeply, sinking into one of the overstuffed sofas nearest the fire, letting the warmth seep into her bones. She glanced around at her friends, who had collapsed onto various sofas and chairs, all of them basking in the glow of the fire, their exhaustion finally starting to ease.
Fred sat beside her, gently placing the bags on the floor, his eyes watching her closely as if making sure she wouldn’t push herself any further. Cassie smiled softly in return, beginning to feel grateful for his constant care.
Gently, Fred reached down and picked up Cassie’s legs, lifting them with care before placing them across his lap. She looked at him, slightly surprised, but didn’t protest, too tired to do anything other than sink deeper into the chair.
Without a word, Fred grabbed a thick, cosy blanket from the back of the chair and draped it over them both, tucking it around her legs before settling it over his own. The warmth of the fire and the soft weight of the blanket were comforting, and Cassie could feel the tension in her body slowly begin to melt away.
The crackling of the fire, the hushed voices of their friends and the occasional muffled laughter from a few students that were still lingering in the common room were the only sounds. Cassie closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the exhaustion finally catch up with her.
“Better?” Fred asked softly, his voice low and gentle, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the calm around them.
Cassie nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Much better,” she whispered, her eyes flicking up to meet his, gratitude shining through the weariness.
Fred’s expression softened, his usual cheekiness replaced by something more tender as he gave her ankle a reassuring squeeze.
Cassie could feel her eyes growing heavy as the warmth from the fire and Fred's presence began to lull her into a state of complete relaxation. Snuggling down deeper into the blanket and shifting closer to Fred’s warmth, she let out a contented sigh.
Her head found the soft down pillow behind her, the exhaustion of the long, eventful day finally overwhelming her. The sounds of the crackling fire and the gentle rise and fall of Fred’s breathing became a soothing lullaby.
Within moments, Cassie’s eyelids fluttered shut, and she drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep, safe and warm.