𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

011

Halloween had come and gone, and with each passing day, the air grew colder as the castle and its grounds were gradually draped in the quiet stillness of approaching winter. The once-vibrant colors of autumn had faded, replaced by the pale gray of frost-covered mornings and the sharp bite of cold wind that cut through the ancient stone walls of Hogwarts. Christmas was drawing near, and the students began to chatter excitedly about their plans for the holiday season.

Cassiopeia, however, had something particular on her mind. She had been thinking about Christmas for weeks now, and after several thoughtful conversations with her parents, she had come up with a plan. One that she hoped would bring a bit of warmth to those she cared about most.

As she entered the Great Hall, her eyes immediately searched for the familiar group of boys. They were seated together at the Slytherin table, as usual, their heads bent close in conversation. Cassiopeia took a deep breath, gathering her resolve, and made her way over to them.

When she approached, Blaise was the first to notice her, a small smile curving his lips as he saw her coming. "Cassie," he greeted warmly, his voice filled with genuine affection. Theodore and Mattheo looked up as well, each of them offering her their own version of a smile—Theodore's more subtle, Mattheo's with his usual hint of mischief.

"Morning, guys," she said brightly, sliding into the seat they had left open for her. There was a sense of comfort in being with them, even in the midst of the bustling Great Hall.

"Morning, amore," Theodore replied, his voice steady and calm as he poured her a cup of tea from the pot on the table.

"Hey, princess," Mattheo added with a wink, leaning back in his seat as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Sleep well?" Blaise asked, his tone gentle.

Cassiopeia nodded, accepting the cup of tea with a grateful smile. "Yeah, I did. Thanks, Theo." She took a sip, savoring the warmth before setting the cup down. "I wanted to ask you guys something."

The boys exchanged a quick glance, their curiosity piqued. "Go on," Mattheo prompted, his eyebrow raised in interest.

Cassiopeia hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "I was wondering... what are your plans for Christmas this year?"

The boys looked at each other, their expressions becoming more guarded. It was an unspoken truth among them that Christmas wasn't a time of joy for any of them, not in the way it was for most others. The holiday season often brought reminders of the cold, strained relationships with their families—families that didn't offer the warmth or comfort of the home life Cassiopeia enjoyed.

"We'll be staying here," Theodore answered after a beat, his tone neutral. "Same as every year."

"Yeah, Hogwarts is better than home, anyway," Mattheo added, a slight edge to his voice that betrayed his usual carefree demeanor.

Blaise nodded in agreement, though he didn't say anything. His eyes, however, showed a flicker of something more—resignation, perhaps, or a quiet acceptance of a holiday that was just another day.

Cassiopeia took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she prepared to share her plan. "Well... I've been thinking about this for a while. And I talked to my parents about it, and they agreed..."

She paused, her gaze shifting between the three of them to gauge their reactions. "I've been thinking a lot about Christmas," Cassiopeia began, her voice steady but laced with vulnerability. "And I've come up with a plan that I hope you'll all consider. I've talked to my parents, and we all agree—we want you to spend Christmas with us at my home."