Roses and Riots | f. weasley

Chapter 37: Seeker

A/N: As always, thank you for the love and support! Ily all xx

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The following Saturday morning, after Harry and the twins had been banned from Quidditch, Emilia sat in the Great Hall, familiarising herself, as Head Girl, with Umbridge's latest rules.

"Do you think she's right for making all of these new rules?" She asked the Slytherin boy sitting across from her.

Cassius Warrington ran his hand anxiously through his light brown hair and he looked up from the piece of parchment in front of him, which also outlined the new school rules.

"It's not right, but what can we do?" He answered, fidgeting slightly.

"We can tell her we disagree. Two feet of distance between students at all times? No congregating in groups of more than four at a time? Honestly, my entire friend group has at least six of us most of the time, it's completely ridiculous." Emilia scowled and put her head in her hands.

"Hey," Cassius said, sliding a small dish of sweets that had appeared on the table over to her. "Can I ask you something?"

Emilia took a sweet from the dish and glanced at the quiet Slytherin boy as she unwrapped it, "sure, what is it?"

"Is...Is he really back?"

Emilia looked at Cassius in surprise, "You-Know-Who, you mean?"

"Yeah."

Emilia took in the anxious look on the boy's face, "he is. I'm sorry to tell you that, but it's the truth."

"I always believed Harry, you know. I just...I didn't want to say anything."

"Why?" Emilia asked, their 'meeting' about the new school rules completely forgotten.

Cassius glanced around them, checking over each shoulder before continuing, "there's a reason I don't want to draw attention to myself, and why I'm wary of disagreeing with Umbridge."

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Cassius," Emilia said kindly, sensing how nervous he was.

He nodded, "I want to, you're nice to everyone who deserves it, and I know you won't judge me. The truth is, I'm- um, I'm a Muggleborn."

Emilia's eyebrows shot up, "wow, I definitely didn't know that."

Cassius nodded, "no one does, really. I've kept it quiet all these years because some people in my class aren't exactly accepting. Could you keep it to yourself for now?"

Emilia gave him a small smile, "of course."

"That's why I can't openly agree with Harry, the people in my house have, um, strong beliefs. I really don't want to stand out."

Emilia nodded in understanding, "your secret is safe with me."

Cassius began to gather his things, "thanks Emilia. Can we meet again next time she puts up a new school rule? Perhaps telling us what colour socks we're allowed to wear? Maybe we could come up with a diplomatic way to disagree with her."

Emilia grinned, "yeah, I'll see you soon."

He gave her a small wave as he walked towards the entrance of the Great Hall, and was immediately replaced by Angelina who was breathing heavily as though she'd just run across the entire castle grounds.

"Emilia."

She frowned at her panting friend, "Angelina."

"I need you to come down to the Quidditch tryouts," she said pleadingly.