𝑨𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒕 - ʜᴊᴘ x ᴏᴄ [𝐌𝐀𝐉𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆&𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆]

𝟑𝟑

   ─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ʜᴏɢᴡᴀʀᴛꜱ

   ─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The Hogwarts Express was bustling with students as Cassie Black stepped onto Platform 9¾, her trunk rolling behind her and a familiar smirk playing on her lips. The last few weeks of summer had been long—too long—spent enduring the company of her insufferable grandparents. But now, she was back where she belonged.

"Katherine! Daphne!" Cassie called, spotting her best friends near the train's entrance. Katherine Rosier had her arms crossed, her dark hair glinting in the morning sun, as she bickered with none other than Draco Malfoy. Daphne, standing to the side, gave Cassie an exasperated look.

"They've been at it since they got here," Daphne muttered as Cassie reached them.

"Of course, they have," Cassie said, raising a brow. "It's like they physically can't exist without arguing."

Daphne and Cassie had gone back and forth over this more than once. Daphne was convinced that Katherine and Draco's constant bickering had started this year because of "tension," while Cassie dismissed the idea entirely, insisting it was simply because they were both stupid.

"I do not argue with him!" Katherine protested, shooting a glare at Draco.

Draco smirked, leaning against the train. "That's right. You just talk a lot. Loudly. And angrily."

Katherine huffed, brushing past him into the train. Cassie and Daphne exchanged knowing looks before following her.

Inside, they claimed an empty compartment, tossing their trunks into the overhead racks. The train had barely started moving when the door slid open again, and Theo Nott strolled in, hands in his pockets, his usual composed expression firmly in place.

"Mind if I join?" he asked, though his gaze flickered toward Cassie more than the others.

"Not at all," she replied smoothly, shifting to make room for him.

Theo sat beside her, stretching out his legs. "The last two weeks were unbearable," he said. "My father was insistent on discussing 'proper expectations' for my future. Whatever that means."

Cassie snorted. "Sounds delightful."

He smirked at her sarcasm, his dark eyes glinting. "And you? How was your summer?"

"Equally dreadful," Cassie said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "My dear grandparents reminded me daily how I was 'disgracing' my family by playing Quidditch and having opinions."

Theo's smirk deepened. "Well, can't have that."

Meanwhile, Katherine had taken the corner seat, still grumbling about Draco, while Daphne watched the scenery roll by. The conversation turned to Hogwarts, their upcoming classes, and, of course, the annual house rivalry.

As the train neared Hogwarts, Draco appeared at their compartment door, arms crossed. "Rosier," he drawled, "I assume you'll be needing my help again in Potions this year?"

Katherine rolled her eyes. "If by 'help' you mean correcting your mistakes, then yes."

Draco smirked. "Denial isn't a good look on you."

"And arrogance isn't a good look on anyone," she shot back, standing to grab her robe.

Cassie nudged Theo and whispered, "They're going to end up together, aren't they?"

Theo chuckled. "Absolutely."

"And us?" she asked, tilting her head at him, playful but curious.

Theo met her gaze, his usual calm demeanor never wavering. "We'll see."

Cassie smirked, trying to cover her flushed face. "I like a challenge."

He simply leaned back, watching her with quiet amusement as the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station. Second year had officially begun, and it was already promising to be an interesting one.