Good Influence
Minnie worried greatly about what would happen once the school year began again.
To distract herself, she picked up a book about guitars. She tried reading everything she could. She bought a set of strings from Dominic's Maestro shop.
She'd been promised by Uncle Jack that she could stop by one morning over the break and he'd string the guitar. He also promised her a first lesson before the store opened for the day.
One morning, a week before the start of school, her father brought her to Diagon Alley to spend a day the record shop.
He left with the intent of visiting Grandma Longbottom again. He said he'd be back that evening to take her home.
Uncle Jack strung the guitar before teaching her the basic chords. For being a man of many words, his teaching was simple and concise. It was refreshing to just sit and learn something without worrying about the rest of the world.
Half an hour before the store opened Cas' father arrived.
"Hello Jack." Mr. Warrington exclaimed as he walked in carrying a box, "I have Cas stacking Aisle's X and Y for you."
Minnie's throat tightened, she hadn't considered that Cas might be at the shop. She scolded herself for not considering that he would probably be there with his dad. She would have worn something nicer, or made sure her hair looked better.
"Good." Uncle Jack answered before placing Minnie's guitar against a box, "Why don't you watch the front of the house while I grab us all some grub for lunch? Since Minnie is here I figured I'd treat us all to some Leaky Cauldron sandwiches, Hannah does make the best."
"That would be excellent." Mr. Warrington's face brightened as he noticed Minnie, "Hello little Longbottom Lady, I forgot you were coming here today."
"Hi Mr. Warrington." Minnie waved a little. "Uncle Jack's teaching me guitar."
"I heard!" Mr. Warrington exclaimed before crossing his arms. Minnie noticed he still didn't have a wand.
"She's certainly a superior student." Uncle Jack winked at her. "I hope to maybe teach you more over the Summer. Maybe, I'll convince you to work for me, the pay will be tolerable and I'll teach you guitar."
"Really?" Minnie asked, that sounded absolutely perfect. She could make some pocket money that way.
"I'll talk to your parents." Uncle Jack laughed, "Your mum and I used to spend Summers working for your Grandmother at her shop. Your mum was more dedicated later, but of course, I was going through things."
Minnie nodded, she hadn't gotten there in the book yet.
"We'd definitely enjoy having you around." Mr. Warrington insisted before putting down the box of records. "Maybe keep up your good influence on Cas."
"Good influence?" Minnie repeated in confusion.
"He told me you two had become close, and honestly I've noticed a change in him." Mr. Warrington exchanged a look with Uncle Jack. "He's always been a studious studier, but he's been reading more and he's certainly got more pep in his research. He wants to work longer hours and he's very dedicated to some article he's writing for that silly little Gazette. Not to mention, he's been smiling more, something I haven't seen since his mu-well in a very long time."
"I mean the influence of a good woman can have positive effects. I personally have never noticed them, considering women often distract my attention in a more negative way, which is why I have chosen to remain a bachelor." Uncle Jack said wistfully.
"Yeah." Mr. Warrington nodded with an eyebrow raised, "Something like that. While Jack goes and grabs us some all a spot of lunch, why don't you go say hello? I'm sure he wouldn't mind a visit."
"Oh." Minnie said before standing and fixing her purple skirt. "I suppose I could."
"He's probably in aisle X to start." Mr. Warrington instructed.
Minnie left the back room, entering the main shop. The front doors unlocked themselves as the clock struck eleven.
The records began playing a vintage Weird Sister's song.
Minnie wound her way through the shelves, looking for Cas.
She found him, looking very handsome as he pulled a wagon behind him. He wasn't in Hogwarts robes, instead dressed in a pair of black jeans and a rolled up white shirt.
"Hello." Minnie called to him.
He jumped as he heard her voice. His face looking incredibly terrified. He whipped around like a dervish catching sight of her.
"Oh Minnie!" Cas begged before steadying himself, "You can't scare me like that."
"All I said was hello."
"Yes, and it was a very surprising hello." Cas insisted as he walked through the aisle with the little wagon behind him. "I hadn't known you would be here so early."
Minnie followed him until he stopped midway through an aisle.
He whistled at a top pitch causing a bronze ladder to swiftly glide over to him.
"I'm sorry." Minnie apologized.
"It's alright. Jack mentioned you'd be here today and honestly it's nice to see you." Cas said before pulling a paper from his pocket. "I was hoping to talk to you about a few things, like the investigation."
Minnie had been so preoccupied by everything that she'd almost forgotten about the investigation.
"I updated a list of every person in Hogsmead who has a connection to the school. I was at first thinking we could talk to them, maybe see if they've been followed or seen anything." Cas said as he handed her the paper. "And maybe warn them."
"Interesting list actually." Minnie said looking it over. There were a few names she again recognized. At the top of the list sat the names of both of her parents. "But it's nearly two dozen people, we wouldn't be able to warn them all."
"I know, not to mention I doubt they'd take us seriously." Cas leaned against a shelf as Minnie handed him back the list. "We could always give the list to Potter and you could maybe talk to your parents."
"I could, but I think the only reason I got away with it the first time was because I passed it off so casually." Minnie said before qualifying, "And my parents are pretty prepared for crisis."
"I'd assume so." Cas stood up before grabbing a box of records from the floor, "They keep popping up in books about the second war. Terrifying shit."
"What book are you reading for the report?" Minnie asked.
"That one your mum wrote about Potter." Cas said as he began to climb, "Bet you've already got your report written. Your mum's probably got first editions you could read."
"No, I'm reading the book about her." Minnie explained feeling embarrassed. She hadn't touched the book since Christmas. Things since the Potter's party had been muddy for her.
"Well that's certainly not fair." Cas said with a cough. He began stacking records. "You've probably read that a few times."
Minnie didn't respond, she didn't want to explain her hesitancy. She looked away from him and instead through the shelves. She could just barely make out the front window.
Josie was trailing behind her father who was vivaciously striding through the streets, probably heading towards his joke shop. She had a large package in her arms. It was shaped like a broomstick. Minnie wondered if it was an early birthday gift. Josie's birthday was in January after all.
Minnie pondered if Josie would still accept her birthday present. It was going to be awkward once they returned to school.
"Isn't that Weasley?" Cas asked after climbing back down the ladder for another box.
Minnie nodded.
"You don't have to stay here and watch me work, you could go say hello." Cas insisted as his eyes turned downward.
"No, she's miffed at me." Minnie said nervously watching Josie scuttle away.
"Why would she be miffed at you?" Cas asked picking up a different box, "Aren't you two chummy?"
"We were." Minnie said before chewing the inside of her cheek.
"Tell me what happened, if you want." He said as he grabbed the handle of the wagon and walked further into an aisle near the back. "I won't tell anyone."
Minnie followed, explaining everything.
Cas kept at his work but listened intently. He went up and down the ladder. She followed him through the aisles at his insistence.
"So you are blackmailing Weasley?" Cas asked raising both of his eyebrows. He whistled for the ladder again.
"No, that's not, I mean, it-'"
"Don't explain yourself Minnie." Cas chuckled as he began to climb up the ladder again. "It's kind of cool."
"I feel like a horrible friend." Minnie explained trying to ignore her warming ears.
Cas grunted, "Weasley's the idiot, not you. Personally it's a bad technic for her team."
"You won't tell anyone right?" Minnie had forgotten he was the Captain of Alice's opposing team.
He said before climbing down to retrieve another box, "No, the school year will be far more interesting if I don't. Honestly, it might be somewhat hilarious to see how Weasley handles it."
"Yeah." Minnie responded.
"I bet she's only doing it because your sister is all the Quidditch scouts can talk about." Cas insisted. "They just kept saying how good she could be in five years. If I were Josie and I was looking to join a Pro-Quidditch team, I'd be quaking."
"How do you know all that?"
"You aren't the only one who can use an extendable ear." He said as Minnie handed him a box from the wagon. "The whole team listened in during the Ravenclaw game."
"Why?" Minnie asked, "Wanting to be scouted?"
"No, it's my hobby, not what I want to do." Cas laughed as he stacked another set of records. "We were trying to see what they said about your sister's technics so we could pick it up."
"Oh." Minnie felt her ribcage tighten, "Is that why we're friends? So you can get information?"
Cas's expression faltered before abrasively jumping down to Minnie. He had left a full box records above him. "No. That would go against my honor."
Minnie explained, "Sorry, Alice insisted that you only got me out of detention so you could get on the Gazette."
"Promise you won't blackmail me if I say Alice is an idiot?" He chuckled, sitting back onto the ladder. "I just happen to like being around you. Is that a crime?"
Minnie put her hands into her pockets, "I suppose not."
"Speaking of the Gazette though, are you going to that Gala thing?"
"I sort of have to." Minnie answered, "My mum throws it and I'm on the Gazette."
Cas asked as he rubbed his eyes, "Do you have a date?"
Minnie snorted a little with laughter.
"I'll take that as a no." He said with a tone that bore very little amusement.
Minnie couldn't help it, just kept laughing, "It's nearly two months away Cas."
"You spend a lot of time with Jordan and Scamander that's all." Cas observed with a cock of his head, "And I assumed one of them would have jumped to it already."
"Merlin's pants no." Minnie shook her head. "I'm not Cody's type certainly, and Lysander, he's like my brother."
Cas stood up from the ladder, closing a bit of the space between them.
"Would you want to, you know, go with me then?" Cas asked putting his hand on the shelf behind her. He leaned on it, standing slightly above her.
Minnie felt her mouth gape, "Me?"
Cas shrugged, "Yeah."
"Me?"
"Yes you."
"To the Gala?"
"Don't act so surprised." Cas smirked a little bit.
Minnie wondered if he was pulling her leg, "But I'm surprised."
"Why?" Cas asked.
How could Minnie tell him it was because she was ugly? How could she say it was because she wasn't anywhere near the type of girl she'd seen him with? How could she explain she wasn't interesting or motivated enough to be anyone's type?
"Why would it be so surprising that I fancy you?" Cas said tilting his head and biting his lip.
Minnie asked without thinking, "You fancy me?"
"I thought I'd made it really obvious." He rolled his eyes and she felt a small butterfly hit her stomach. "I was trying to ask you the other day after class, but you ran away. I could hex Brenna for humiliating you like that."
Minnie realized she may have missed a few hints.
Cas looked over her face, as he had before, but this was different.
He whispered, "Your ears are bright red."
Minnie reached her hand to her ear, "Oh, I-"
"I like it." Cas insisted before she could say anything else.
He reached his hand to her's as it rested on her ear. He moved it down, interlacing their fingers.
She wondered if maybe she were dreaming. She'd secretly imagined moments like this in her mind.
"And for the record, Minerva," Cas said with a smooth essence, "I don't have an agenda in asking you, I just like spending time with you."
She wasn't sure where the courage came from, but it certainly made an appearance as she kissed him. His lips were more than soft.
He kissed her back, making her heart pound directly out of her chest.
They let go and Minnie realized she was slightly out of breathe.
"It's always the quiet ones." He said precociously before pulling her face back. They continued in a way Minnie would have been happy to remain forever. She worried she wasn't much of a snogger, but he didn't seem to care.
"Cassius! Minnie!" Mr. Warrington's voice sounded through the shelves, "We've got lunch!"
They pulled their faces apart, but stayed fairly intertwined.
"Alright, Dad!" Cas yelled back, "Be there in a moment."
Minnie began attempting to pull herself away from Cas' warm embrace.
"So will you go with me?" He asked in a murmur. He held her tighter, preventing her from leaving.
Minnie nodded a little, "I'll go with you."
His face lit up into smile, "Great."
"Great." She repeated, feeling her lips spread into a wider smile.
"Do you know what color you are going to wear?" He asked, "Dad said my tie should match your dress robes."
"Violet." Minnie answered.
"Is that your favorite color?" He asked before planting a small kiss on her cheek.
She had goosebumps as her mind ran through everything that had just happened.
"Yes." She felt herself smiling a little more, "I mean, unless you don't want to wear violet."
"No, violet is a good color." He insisted as he kissed her nose, "I'm sure you look lovely in it."
As if on queue, his dad called out again, "Come on Cas! For the record, I'm not quite positive Jack will be thrilled if you and his niece are snogging in his shop. I'd hope you'd be more respectful."
"We aren't snogging dad!" Cas yelled back, pulling himself away from her completely. His cheeks were redder than her ears.
Minnie laughed at his lie before her mind caught up to what his father had just admitted.
"Wait, does your dad know?" She whispered as they walked hand in hand through the aisles.
"Of course, so does Jack." Cas smirked before kissing her hand. "To which Jack threatened to hex me. He's really fine with it though."
Minnie was surprised by his admission, being slightly relieved she wouldn't have to process what had happened in complete secrecy.
The rest of the afternoon was a bit like living on a cloud. They all ate lunch together around the front desk.
Minnie and Cas' hands stayed quite intertwined. Uncle Jack and Mr. Warrington asked few questions, but mostly just smiled at their abrupt closeness.
After promising not to snog while Cas worked, Minnie accompanied Cas as he continued to stack shelves.
They weren't the best at keeping promises.
Cas kept stealing kisses as he stacked shelves. They discussed the investigation and school as they had become accustomed, but it was much more relaxed.
Minnie's cheeks were hurting from smiling so much. A smile remained on her face even when her dad arrived to pick her up that evening. Their hands were still quite intertwined as they had been sitting at the front desk together.
"Oh Merlin's beard." Her dad mumbled with a roll of his eyes. "You asked her didn't you?"
"Yes Professor." Cas said before reaching out his hand, "If that's still alright?"
She'd known she'd have to tell her parents eventually, she just didn't expect them to already know about it.
Her dad laughed taking Cas' hand and shaking it, "Of course."
The confusion must have played across her face.
"Young Mr. Warrington here asked your mother and I if it would be alright he ask you." Her dad explained with a cautious cross of his arms, "The gesture was certainly honorable, but your mum told him it was ultimately up to you of course."
Minnie didn't know what to think.
"Dad suggested it." Cas admitted before giving Minnie a quick kiss on the cheek.
Minnie could feel her ears go warm again, "I'll see you soon."
"Merlin's beard." Her dad exclaimed again with a sour expression, "Come on Minnie."
They arrived home where they sat down at the table to eat another dinner with Lulu's tag on it. Her mother asked her a dozen questions, but allowed Minnie to answer as much or as little as she'd like.
Alice stayed uncharacteristically silent. Her cheeks and eyes strained, like she was holding something disgusting inside of her.
She'd forgotten about Alice. Alice surely hated her, and there Minnie was, just joyously talking away.
"You are being awful quiet." Her dad observed to Alice, "There is no way the Little Terror herself has no opinion on this whole thing."
"I have an opinion of course, I'm just holding it in." Alice grumbled as she pushed her dinner around.
Minnie's mum scolded, "Be nice Alice."
"I am being nice." Alice said scrunching her nose, "And you've alway said if you can't say something nice, don't say it."
"I don't mind Lissy." Minnie begged, "Honestly, I'd rather know how you feel."
Alice put her hand to her cheek and in a complete turn of events even Minnie couldn't have fathomed she exclaimed, "Well, everyone with eyes knew he fancied you."
"You don't mind?" Minnie asked sitting up.
"Oh I mind. Of course I'd prefer my sister go with someone of better quality." Alice's nose flared, "But he's a fine quidditch player and writer and he's never been cross with you."
Minnie felt herself smile again, "I thought you'd hate me."
"I could never hate you Min." Alice said her eyes dropping. "You are my sister, I think that's more important than my opinion on some boy."
If Alice had more opinions it was interrupted by a knock at the front door.
Her father stood to answer the door. Minnie listened to hear who it was. It was a man, his voice was gruff.
"See, everything is fine Minerva." Her mother rubbed her back, interrupting her eaves dropping. "I like Cas, he's a decent writer and he's a far bit nicer than his dad was at his age."
"Didn't you punch his dad once?" Alice asked after taking a drink of water.
"Yes," Her mother chuckled, "He stole my friend's camera, he had a black eye."
Her father came back a few moments later. His demeanor had changed drastically.
Her mum asked Minnie's dad upon his return, "Who was that Nev?"
"You remember Atticus?" He was rubbing his neck.
"How could I forget Atticus Marwood?" Her mother chuckled. Her laughter ceased as she looked into his eyes.
His eyes were wide and his mouth was sternly clenched.
"What's wrong Nev?" Her mother stood as the air became stiff.
Her father ran his hand along his face, "There's been two more attacks. You were right Minnie."
"I am?"
"Yes."
He was clenching his fist. "They are targeting people who may be connected to the students and the school. I was informed by Atticus that your mother and I are possibly targets. They are considering we are the only teachers who are not permanent residents at the school."
"Wouldn't be the first time." Her mum stated placing her hands upon his shoulders.
"We should take the girls to the castle. It'll be safer." He insisted as he sat down, the ducts of his eyes were filling. "Girls, your Great Uncle Flume was one of the people who was attacked."
Minnie's heart raced into her throat.
Alice let out a small shriek, "But we just saw him, at Christmas."
"Is he missing?" Minnie asked.
"No."
"He isn't dead is he?" Her mother asked now wrapping her arms around him.
"No, worse." Her father shook his head, holding onto Minnie's mother. "They think he's had his soul sucked out."
"Dementors." Her mother whispered, "But no one's seen Dementors since Kingsley banished them after the war."
"Nothing else would do that." He shook his head, "He was found in front of that passageway. You know the one that used to lead to Hogwarts?"
Everyone at the table nodded, the passageway had been sealed long ago.
"He stopped them, from getting to it. He was protecting the school." Tears began to fall from her father's eyes.
Minnie had seen her father cry. He had never shied from it. This seemed a different cry, it was mournful and more than genuine.
"Oh Nev. I'm so sorry." Her mother exclaimed after the four had sat in silence. "Who was the other person attacked? Are they the same way."
"George Weasley." Her father announced making Minnie's body feel completely numb.
"Josie's dad?" Minnie asked.
"He's missing, we can only hope he's not in the state Uncle Flume is." Her father said before patting his wife's arm.
"But I just saw him and Josie in Diagon Alley!" Minnie exclaimed standing up.
"He was visiting for an evening inspection here it seems." Her father shook his head, "He was closing early when his employees said he simply vanished. His family hasn't seen him in hours."
Minnie couldn't believe it. She wished she had warned everyone that very afternoon as she and Cas had been discussing it.
Now it was too late.
Now Josie's dad was missing and her Uncle Flume was in a state worse than death.