𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

003

Later that day, after the morning classes had ended, the group of friends made their way outside to enjoy their break. The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the grounds of Hogwarts. It was one of the last days of summer, and the students were eager to soak up the final remnants of warmth before autumn's chill set in.

Cassiopeia walked a little ahead of her friends, the light breeze playing with the strands of hair that had escaped her butterfly clips. She felt a sense of contentment as she breathed in the fresh air, her steps light as she scanned the grounds. In the distance, she spotted Harry, and without a second thought, she skipped over to him, her heart lifting at the sight of her cousin.

"Harry!" she called out, her voice bright with excitement as she spotted her cousin. Harry turned just in time to catch her in a warm embrace, a broad grin spreading across his face. "Cass," he greeted, his voice filled with warmth, the kind of comfort that only family could provide.

Cassiopeia pulled back slightly, beaming at him before turning her attention to the two figures standing beside him. "Hermione, Ron!" she exclaimed, moving to hug them both in turn. Hermione returned the hug with a laugh, her eyes twinkling with warmth, while Ron gave her a more reserved but friendly smile.

Hermione was Cassie's closest female friend, alongside Ginny Weasley.

"Cassie!" Hermione laughed, her voice filled with genuine affection as they pulled back from their embrace. The two of them quickly fell into easy conversation, their voices mingling with the sounds of students enjoying the day around them.

While Cassiopeia and Hermione chatted, the boys hung back slightly, forming their own loose circle nearby. Harry and Ron stood together, their expressions neutral as they exchanged glances with Blaise, Theo, and Mattheo. The tension between them was subtle but palpable—Harry and Ron didn't necessarily hate the Slytherin boys, but they didn't particularly like them either. The feeling was mutual; the Slytherin trio tolerated Harry and Ron only because of their connection to Cassie. It was an unspoken truce, maintained solely for her sake.

Hermione grinned at Cassiopeia, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "You should definitely come visit me in London again," she said, giggling slightly. "This really cute café just opened up near my place. I think you'd love it."

Cassie's face lit up at the suggestion. "That sounds perfect! I'd love to," she replied eagerly, already imagining the cozy atmosphere of the café and the fun they'd have exploring it together.

Hermione's enthusiasm was infectious, and for a moment, the world outside their little bubble seemed to fade away. It was easy to forget about the complexities of life at Hogwarts when she was with her friends like this, just enjoying the simplicity of each other's company.

***

The days slipped by, and soon, the vibrant warmth of summer began to give way to the crisp chill of autumn. The grounds of Hogwarts transformed, the lush greens slowly turning into a tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows. The air carried a new sharpness, a signal that the carefree days of summer were coming to an end and that fall was arriving in full force.

With the change in seasons came cooler, rainier days. The once bright and warm corridors of Hogwarts now had a permanent chill, and students began to wrap themselves in their house scarves and thicker robes as they moved between classes. The shifting weather also brought the anticipation of Hogsmeade weekends, where students could escape the castle and enjoy the quaint wizarding village.

Cassiopeia stood with her friends outside the castle, ready for one such visit to Hogsmeade.

She shivered slightly, the thin fabric of her light blouse and skirt doing little to protect her from the cold. Despite the change in weather, Cassie had chosen to dress lightly, more out of habit than anything else. But before she could even register the discomfort, Mattheo was by her side in an instant, a concerned frown darkening his features. "You should be dressed warmer, Cassie. It's getting colder," he murmured, his voice gentle but carrying an underlying edge of protectiveness. Without waiting for a response, he deftly unwound his Slytherin scarf from around his neck and draped it over her shoulders, his fingers lingering as he adjusted it just so, ensuring she was wrapped in warmth. "I can't have you catching a cold," he added softly, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her heart flutter.