The Marauders Era

Bloody hell Dorcas!

During her time away, Cassie had forgotten just how comfortable the beds in the dormitory were, how the sight of the snow falling outside of their window had a magical ability to make her forget what was troubling her. Or at least it used to.

For the last few hours, she had been curled up against her headboard, trying to study. Whether it was because she was utterly bored or if there was something else she wasn't entirely sure about, but ever so often, her eyes would trail off to the mirror lying at the foot of her bed. She wondered briefly if she should look at it once more, but the possibility of seeing her reflection yet again made her pause. During the first week back, Cassie had managed a few days of not giving in to her desires of looking into the mirror, for if she did, how on earth would she manage to get him off her mind.

After her fourth day back, she had woken up in the middle of the night, her body slick with sweat as her limbs trembled from terror. It had been the same nightmare as the cottage. She didn't know if it was because it felt so real or the way he looked at her that terrified her the most. Worried out of her mind, she quickly found the mirror and muttered his name. 

A soft light appeared, and for a few moments, there was nothing until suddenly, a mop of messy dark hair and a pair of tired eyes appeared. Even as it was clear he had just woken up, the moment he recognized her features in the dark, his face softened, and his lips curled in a warm smile. A smile that only lasted for a second until he noticed her terror-stricken eyes and the dark strands of hair clinging to her too pale face.

He had been so worried about her that any fear Cassie had about her dream faded away. The pair laid talking with each other for a few hours before Cassie fell asleep with the mirror propped up on the pillow next to her.

After that night, the mirror would not be too far from her reach whenever she was in the dormitory. She could almost curse herself, but the relief of seeing his face triumphed the small voice telling her that if she wanted to get him out of her head, the mirror would have to go.

Whenever Marlene had seen her friend with the mirror, a smug smile danced on her lips as she couldn't help but start teasing the older girl mercilessly. As the blonde was unaware of her friend's nightmares, she only thought the girl kept the mirror close because she liked him. It hadn't taken more than a day or two before Dorcas and Lily joined in as well. Alice was the only one who had at least tried to keep the teasing to a minimum.

It had only been a few days since the first letter from Rabastan had arrived, a few days since the dark grey owl had tapped on her window, just like he had done that day when he came bearing the man's first letter. Thankfully she had been almost alone in their room when the owl came. Unfortunately, it was Marlene that had been sitting on top of Lily's bed as the two worked on their potions essay when the owl came.

Even if the blonde had never met him before, she was so excited when the letter had arrived. So much that Cassie started teasing her lightly as if Dorcas was the one who received a letter.

Cassie's eyes roamed the parchment with the blonde hanging over her shoulders, letting both of their sights be filled with his elegant handwriting. Her lips tugged up to a smile as she read the plans his mother had made for him. It seemed like Cerys had been rather adamant that Rabastan was going to escort, as he had said, the two ladies on their journey to France. He had also mentioned that her mother had thrown a fit when she had gotten a letter saying that the dress shop didn't have any open appointments with a consult until the end of March. It seemed as if there were quite a few weddings or parties happening throughout the spring and summer.

Just the way he had word himself about going to France with their mothers told Cassie enough. She could almost envision the look on his face while writing it. One part of her was glad that she wasn't going with them, but yet she couldn't help but wonder how long it would take the two ladies to find a dress. She just hoped her mother wouldn't appear with a feathered ball gown on her wedding day.