Friends, Foes and War

࣪𖤐 Y6 | 3 . 6th year trials

➵ SYMPHONIA IX - CURRENT JOYS

After the first few days back at school, Cassie decides she's going pay a visit to her favourite medi-witch. She knocks on her office door, the nurse coming to the door almost instantly.  "Cassie! Come in, come in!" Poppy exclaims with a smile, truly happy to see her.

Cassie sits down by the fireplace as Poppy pours a glass of water for her. "How've you been, dear?" she asks, sitting down next to her.

"Not too bad— I've been worse."

"How've you really been?"

Cassie sighs, tapping her finger on the glass. "I mean, I miss him more than anything. I stay up all night thinking about him. I am struggling without him— but I think I'm coping. I don't think I'm struggling like last time."

"That's good, darling. But know that it is okay if you're not okay."

Cassie nods and twists her bracelet, "I know." she sighs, "I think the worst part about it all is seeing how it's affecting dad." Poppy's heart sinks at the thought of her favourite student mourning entering her mind. "He's doing a lot better than he was, that's for sure, but he still has his days. I think me being away from home isn't helping either. You know what he's like, he'll spiral without someone there to remind him of reality."

Poppy nods, "I think Remus will be okay as long as you are."

"Yeah, I suppose."

"I noticed you not spending time with your usual Slytherin friends, have you fallen out?"

Cassie sighs and took a long sip of water. "Enzo and I decided it was for the best that we stopped being friends with them. We ended things on good terms but I don't know... I miss them. I know I did the right thing and it would've been worse if I didn't, but they were my best friends— I can't just forget them that easily."

"Nobody expects you to move on from them that quickly— they've been your best friends for the past six years, dear. You'd be insane if you could forget them easily."

Cassie nods, "I just don't know what to do with myself really."

"But that's okay. You don't owe anyone anything. As long as you stay alive, that's all that matters."

Cassie smiles but tugs at her bracelet. "Is it normal to grieve for this long?"

"Sirius only just passed, dear, it's completely normal."

"No no, not Sirius." Cassie says, shaking her head. "Cedric, I mean."

Poppy nods with understanding and guilt. "Cedric was your best friend, darling. Even before I knew you like I do now, I saw how much he meant to you. He'd always be the first person in here after you were brought in. He would refuse to leave, now matter how much I would pester him. You two were each other's everything— so yeah, I think it's completely normal." Poppy stands up, motioning for Cassie to do the same. She wraps her warm arms around her shoulders and brings her close. Cassie sighs and rests her head on her shoulder. "You're going to be okay, dear. If you're ever not okay, come straight to me. I care about you ever so deeply."

—

A few weeks after the start of term, Cassie begins to adjust. She gets used to smiling at Pansy whenever they walk past each other. She gets used to the pit in her stomach when she watches Mattheo and Blaise whisper. She gets used to being with Ron, Hermione and Harry all the time. She gets used to relying on Enzo.

So, one late September morning, Cassie, Ron and Harry stand by the side of the manic corridor, watching and laughing as students scramble to get to lesson. Mcgonagall stands in the middle of the hallway, shouting and sending students in different directions. Luckily, the trio have a free period while Hermione and Enzo are in Potions with Slughorn.