𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

002

The soft morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Hufflepuff dormitory, casting a warm glow across the room. Cassiopeia stood in front of the mirror, carefully arranging the last few strands of her hair. She adjusted the butterfly clips that held two small buns in place, allowing the rest of her hair to cascade down her shoulders. She smiled slightly, satisfied with her reflection—a perfect balance of elegance and playfulness.

Lea, one of her roommates, watched her with a warm, supportive smile. "You know, those boys are so lucky to have you. Having you as their girlfriend? They must feel like they've won the lottery every day," Lea teased.

Cassie chuckled softly, rolling her eyes as she turned away from the mirror. "I'm not their girlfriend, Lea. We're just... close," she replied, though her words felt rehearsed, a line she had repeated many times before.

Lea raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Are you kidding? Any one of them would bend over backward for you. And don't even get me started on how they look at you, Cassie. You've got them wrapped around your finger, and you don't even realize it."

Cassiopeia felt a slight flush rise to her cheeks at the thought. She knew the boys—Blaise, Theodore, and Mattheo—cared for her deeply, but the idea that their feelings might run deeper than she was willing to admit made her heart race. Shaking off the thought, she grabbed her bag and headed for the door, flashing Lea a playful grin.

"Well, if that's true, then I'm the lucky one to have such amazing friends," Cassie called over her shoulder as she left the room.

As she descended the stairs to the common room, Cassiopeia mentally prepared herself for the day ahead. The first day back at Hogwarts always brought a mix of excitement and nervousness, but this year felt different—more charged, as if something was hovering just beneath the surface, waiting to reveal itself.

However, any thoughts of the day ahead were abruptly interrupted as she stepped into the common room. Blaise, Theodore, and Mattheo were waiting for her, their presence commanding the space in a way that made her pause mid-step. She hadn't expected to see them so soon; she had assumed they would meet at breakfast.

"Morning, amore," Theodore greeted her with a soft smile, stepping forward to press a gentle kiss to her temple. His touch was warm, familiar, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

Cassiopeia blinked in surprise. "What are you all doing here? I thought I'd meet you at breakfast," she said, a hint of confusion lacing her voice.

Blaise's eyes glinted with amusement as he raised an eyebrow, his expression one of mock reprimand. "Didn't think you could escape your promise, did you?" he asked, his tone teasing yet edged with something more serious.

Cassie's mind raced, trying to recall what he was referring to. And then it hit her—she had promised them she'd spend breakfast with them, after their little standoff the night before when she insisted on sitting with her Hufflepuff housemates at dinner.

A slight smile tugged at her lips as she playfully rolled her eyes. "I wasn't trying to escape, Blaise. I just didn't expect you to come all the way here to collect me."

Mattheo, lounging back in his seat on the leather sofa, turned his gaze toward her, his usual cold, sinister grin softening at the sight of her. There was something almost possessive in the way he looked at her, a quiet declaration that she was his to protect, his to keep close. Cassiopeia's heart fluttered, a mixture of flattery and unease battling within her. Was it just his way, or was there more to it? The thought lingered, even as she tried to push it aw "We couldn't risk you slipping away from us, Cassie," he said, his voice low and almost possessive. There was a smirk on his lips, but his gaze held an intensity that made her heart flutter.