Chapter 6
Regulus walked her back to the dorms, where in her old room she dropped into her new bed, only managing to kick off her shoes, before succumbing to sleep. After such an emotional day, it was a relief to hide under the covers, and just let go for a moment.
After months of bad sleeping habits, it came as no surprise that she woke up in the middle of the night. The beds around her were occupied, their inhabitants snoring softly. She got her first look at her new roommates. She felt a little guilty to watch them like this, but to be fair - they probably did the same before they went to bed.
Enough was enough, and so Cassandra made her way down to the Common Room. She could probably kill the time before her first day of classes here. It was thankfully deserted, the light from the Moon mixing with the water behind windows, casting beautiful shapes on the walls and furniture. Levitating an armchair towards the windows, she sat down to watch the water, lost in her head. It was such a contrast, the calm water and all the emotions swirling inside her.
It kind of helped to calm her down as well. She cried and freaked out so many times already, and it has only been a day. It feels like so much has happened. Well, no more. The negatives are very obvious, but maybe it was time to look at the silver lining. What can she be happy about, thankful for?
A lone fish swam in sight now. She tapped the glass, scaring it away. There probably wouldn’t be a glass to tap, if Ranrok succeeded. She can be happy about the castle standing. Life at Hogwarts obviously continued. A number of students, safe, getting education. Amit published a book(s?) and it is in Hogwarts curriculum, people read it. She is alive. She can continue studying.
A hand touched her shoulder. Cassandra startled, and noticed Regulus standing beside.
“My apologies, I couldn’t get your attention. Want to join us for breakfast?”
She suddenly realized there was a lot more activity in the room around her. Students sitting and getting ready, chatting, and yawning, shooting her occasional glances. It was as if she were underwater, and suddenly came up for air. “Oh! Yes, thank you.
Who is ‘us’ then?”
She corrected her skirts and walked with Regulus. His friends were waiting for them by the doors. After seeing them, she did a small double take - they have certainly taken liberties with styling of their uniforms. The blond boy with semi short hair wore just the white shirt, the green and silver tie hanging from his pocket. Big blue eyes were focused on the coming pair, specifically on Cassandra. The slightly taller boy beside him with shaggy brown hair at least wore his tie, even though the knot was sitting around the middle of his chest, the shirt unbuttoned from the top 3 buttons.
As she quickly looked around, it seemed the rest of the male student body was dressed pretty similarly, while the girls all wore skirts with knee high socks. The shirts were usually also unbuttoned at the top, at times showing their collarbones (and MORE!). Fashion seems to have changed quite a lot in the past century. Their outfits could not be called modest at all. Sebastian would love it here, she thought.
It made her take a look at Regulus again. A standard vest, pressed shirt, with a small chain leading to his pocket. A sudden laugh escaped her. No wonder she felt comfortable around him, his fashion sense reminded her of her friends from her time. He raised an eyebrow at her, and she quickly muttered under her breath to remind her later.
The scrawny boy with brown hair was already greeting them. “So, you are the new student that managed to make Regulus miss classes. A miracle maker, if I ever seen one,” he laughed.
“Don’t mind Barty, he likes to exaggerate. It is not like Regulus never missed classes before. Even though usually a Hospital wing is involved, and a very mean look from the nurse.” smirked the blond, winking at Regulus.
“Let me introduce you to the idiots I have the misfortune to call friends. Smartass number one is Bartemius Crouch,” he pointed to the brown haired boy, “and the one pretending to be less dramatic is Evan Rosier.” Evan took a mocking bow.
“This is Cassandra Drake, she was homeschooled until now, but decided at the last minute to take O.W.L´s officially, enrolling now,” introduced Regulus casually, according to the story she crafted. Cassandra smiled politely, and apologized for making them wait.
“No worries, Regulus always makes us get up early ‘just in case’.”
After that, they left for the Great Hall for breakfast. They were actually nice and the conversation pleasant, probably prompted by some pointed elbows to the side by Regulus.
At some point, Evan told a story that made her snort from laughter, making her blush furiously and hide her face, making the boys laugh in turn. She really was not used to humor like that, but she wasn’t uncomfortable.
Soon after they arrived to the first class of the day, which turned out to be Transfiguration with professor Mcgonagall. She had a very similar style of teaching, maybe a little more strict. She sat next to Regulus in the front, since she did not have the most recent textbook. Evan sat next to a ravenclaw girl who looked extremely similar to the boy, but with long blond hair, and poor Barty sat in the back. Professor McGonagall noted the shift in the usual seating arrangements, but made no comment.
During the class, she felt everyone looking at her, the newest attraction. McGonagall did what she could to quiet the class and shift the focus to the lecture, but she is only human, no stronger than the collective curiosity.
Surprisingly enough, no one swarmed her after class. A few people looked her way, but upon seeing Regulus standing next to her, they changed their mind. They met up with Evan and Barty, and they introduced her to Pandora, who is apparently Evan’s twin sister. She was a little eerie, as if her big blue eyes saw through her to the core, and saw secrets even Cassandra didn’t know. In a way, she reminded her of winter. A cold beauty, but also the warmth of hot cocoa, sweet.
After a silent evaluation, she eventually smiled. “You are a nice soul. Old, and yet not. I think we will get on great.”
Goosebumps rose on her forearms, at this statement. There was something about that statement ringing too close to the truth.
They had Charms together next, and Pandora instantly entwined their elbows, taking her towards a seat in the back. “Come sit with me, the boys will survive an hour without you.” Evan snickered at that, making Regulus glare at him. Despite the slight nerves, Cassandra let her lead her to their desk.
As it was the end of the term, professor Flitwick let them practice a color changing spell, leaving them to their devices. He did call Cassandra to his desk, where they discussed a plan for extra tutoring and most probable spells she needed to practice for her summer O.W.L.s.
After that, Pandora told her a little about their Charms professor. Apparently the short professor was a great duellist, which instantly peaked her interest.
“So, Evan said you were homeschooled until now. It must be a little overwhelming.”
Well, technically it was true, she was homeschooled before Hogwarts. It has just been a year since then. “A little, I have never been around so many students my age before. And I adore the castle, it feels so magical.”
“Oh, I wish I could see it for the first time again. It can be a little chaotic, but it has a certain charm to it.” eyes flickering to the professor explaining a wand movement to another student, she realized what she said,” no pun intended!” she laughed.
Both girls laughed at that. They spent the rest of the class whispering and gossiping. Or, specifically, Pandora was gossiping, and Cassandra was absorbing all the information she could. Pandora was exactly who Cassandra needed to spend time with. She was lighthearted and a dreamer, and her attitude did wonders for Cassandra’s underlying anxiety.
It felt as if she had one more person in her corner, and that made her feel much better about the future now.