News had erupted that Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick had been petrified. Harry, as was typical, was the one to discover this, and was promptly blamed for it. Panic spread throughout the school, and there was a riot to book seats on the Hogwarts Express to go home for Christmas.
The day before most of the students left for break, Will approached Cassia at breakfast, sitting next to her.
"You sure you don't wanna come home, Bertie?" His tone was unserious.
"Are you scared I'm going to get petrified, William?"
"Not at all! I'd prefer it, actually!"
He ran back to the Hufflepuff table, grinning back at an annoyed Cassia.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
Term ended finally, and Cassia was ecstatic. The Gryffindor tower was inhabited only by the quartet and the Weasleys, which meant they could play Exploding Snap and practice dueling without bothering anyone.
"Wake up, Cass!"
Christmas morning dawned, and Hermione was shaking Cassia harshly.
"I've been working on the potion, and I think it's ready."
"For real?"
"Yes, we need to go get the boys. Here, I have your presents."
Cassia got dressed and tied her dark hair up haphazardly. She took her five gifts and the four gifts that Harry received from Hermione's arms. They climbed the stairs to the boys' dormitories, Cassia dropping gifts a few times.
"Wake up," Hermione said loudly, pulling the curtains back.
Cassia jumped and sat on the foot of Harry's bed. "Merry Christmas!"
"You guys aren't supposed to be in here," Ron said, shielding his eyes from the light.
"Merry Christmas, Cass," Harry said, yawning.
"I've been up for nearly an hour," Hermione said, throwing Ron his present. "The potion is ready."
"Are you sure?" Harry said, sitting up quickly.
"Positive," she sat down on Ron's bed. "If we're going to do it, I say it should be tonight."
Hedwig swooped into the room, and Cassia started to open her presents. Hermione gave her a book on "Exceptional Wizards," that included information about Untrackables; Harry bought her a jar of never-ending ink (because of her recent complaints of always being out of it); Ron gave her a small box of assorted candies. The present from her parents had a small note attached to it:
We hope you're staying safe and warm! We love you so, so much. Merry Christmas!
- Mum and Dad (and Will)
It was a pair of soft, knitted, pink socks that her mother had made. She beamed, and she reached for the gift from Mrs. Weasley. She gave her a new emerald Weasley sweater with a C in the middle and a tin of cookies.
"Good gifts this year?" Harry asked her.
"Yeah, good gifts," she waved her wand to clean up the trash, smiling at him. "Are you ready to drink a Slytherin potion?"
"Cassie," Harry said, scrunching his face in disgust.
They burst out laughing, and the snow outside fell gracefully.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
The Great Hall was wonderfully beautiful. There were a dozen frost-covered Christmas trees and streams of holly crossing the ceiling. Enchanted snow was falling from the ceiling, landing on Cassia's dark hair. Dumbledore led them in a few Christmas carols, and Cassia sang along loudly and happily.
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chosen - harry potter
Fanfictionharry potter x fem! oc - Our story begins in Cassia Bright's first year at Hogwarts. Though most hope for her to be quiet and out of trouble, the odd group that she happens to meet on the train with her childhood friend Ron make sure that that isn't...