Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
HALFWAY THROUGH OCTOBER CAME THEIR FIRST TRIP TO HOGSMEADE. Everyone had been pleased to find out that their trips to the village were still happening as many wondered if they would be permitted to leave the castle, given the security measures. They woke that morning to find the castle grounds covered in snow and a heavy, frigid wind.
Cassiopeia awoke extra excited that day. While getting out of the castle was nice, she was looking forward to spending time with Ron in Hogsmeade. It would be their first official date.
Ron approached her with the idea one day after Herbology. He had been feeling guilty about the small argument they had during Quidditch practice a few weeks ago, even though he had apologized for his attitude profusely, and wanted to make it up to her. He said they could do whatever she wanted as long as they met back up with Harry and Hermione at the Three Broomsticks.
The girl had been over the moon when he asked her. She had never been the romantic type but Ron knew how to bring it out. She never thought she would be this excited over a silly date to Hogsmeade. Unable to stop smiling, she pulled herself out of her warm bed and got dressed, making sure to layer extra sweaters and scarves.
She trekked out of the dungeons and met up with Ron, Harry, and Hermione in the Entrance Hall. As soon as she was close enough, she jumped into Ron's arms and embraced him tightly. The redhead laughed confusingly at her actions, "Someone's excited this morning, eh?"
Cassiopeia playfully hit his shoulder, "Oh, shut up. Let's go. I wanna get to the Honeydukes before all the third-years get there."
Filch was standing in front of the great oak doors, checking off the names of people who had permission to go into Hogsmeade. The process took even longer due to him triple-checking everyone with his Secrey Sensor. Ron rolled his eyes when he saw this.
"What does it matter if we're smuggling Dark stuff out?" He demanded, eyeing the Sensor apprehensively. "Surely you ought to be checking what we bring back in?" His comment earned him a few extra jabs and he was still wincing when they stepped out onto the grounds.
Ron and Cassiopeia walked with their arms linked, as their hands were constrained by wooly mittens. Behind them, Harry and Hermione were bickering loudly about something. They were so loud Cassiopeia could hear them over the howl of the wind. She asked, "What's with them? It's usually you Hermione is arguing with."
"She's upset over Harry still using that book that belonged to the Half-Blood Prince."
"I thought he turned that back in when the new ones came from Diagon Alley."
"No, he just switched the covers and put the new one back."
Cassiopeia had heard of this strange book a few weeks ago. She became very suspicious of Harry's newfound talent in Potions and pestered him about how he suddenly got so good. It had been obvious that Harry didn't want Cassiopeia to know about the Half-Blood Prince but Hermione had already told her everything about the textbook before he could stop her.
