KILLER | H. POTTER

5. ICE

Cass's foray into Muggle dance and ice skating costuming had come about in a highly coincidental way.

It wasn't something that would've ever crossed her mind before, but a few years ago, Cass had started frequenting Muggle boutiques looking to keep her wardrobe fresh. She rarely interacted with Muggles other than the cashiers at said boutiques. But once in a while, there'd be another shopper who'd get chatty with Cass. Cass wasn't sure why. She put it down to always being the most fashionable person in the room.

Cass would've normally made a non-commital comment to the girl who asked for her opinion on a dress, but something the girl said gave Cass pause. She needed a dress for her ice dancing competition and getting it custom-made was too expensive if she wanted it to look anything nearly nice. The boutique they were at wasn't exactly cheap, so it must not have been money that was the problem for the girl.

So, Cass told the girl none of the dresses in the shop looked flattering, and gave her her card.

It turned out to be one of Cass's most profitable ideas. No one would pay the big bucks for some hand-crafted garment by a no-name designer, whether it was nice or not. But people would pay a lot of money for these dance costumes if they were nice, no matter who made them. Plus, with the elves' help, Cass could churn them out faster than most other designers in the field, not to mention the elves' frugal pay left a hefty sum for Cass.

And very honestly... Cass enjoyed it. She liked coming up with designs and matching them up to the music the dancers used for their routines, she liked going absolutely crazy with sequins and crystals.

Cass could make most costumes without having to meet a client at all or maybe once if Cass was able to, but once in a while she'd get a customer who was tricky and demanded a meeting and to get their measurements taken by Cass personally. Cass usually declined that work, but this time... well, she'd already run the numbers and after corresponding with the client once, she was pretty sure she could squeeze this girl for a significant amount of money. So, she acquiesced.

It worked out either way, more or less. That coming Hogsmeade weekend, Cass went into the village and headed straight for the Hog's Head where she met with her Muggle world liaison–something Cass was loath to pay for but needed if she wanted to communicate with Muggles via something other than owl while she was at Hogwarts.

Tyler was a Muggle-born wizard who had graduated from Hogwarts a few years ago, and Cass had run into by chance on a run to a fitting at an ice rink (she refused to pay rent on a space she'd barely use for a studio, so she went where her clients were). She hadn't recognised him, but he'd recognised her. They'd struck up a deal.

They barely said two words to each other before Cass took Tyler's arm and they Apparated into the very same rink they'd met at.

Kara, Cass's client was waiting for her by the entrance already, Prada purse in hand. "Ready to go?"

Cass raised a brow. "Go where?"

"My house is just a few minutes away. We'll have more privacy there," Kara said, already walking through the parking lot, keys in hand. "Don't worry, I'll bring you back. I have to come back too."

Cass gave Tyler a look. Then she followed after Kara.

Cass had only ever ridden magic-rigged cars, but she imagined they couldn't be all that different from fully Muggle cars. Kara's vehicle was a large sleek SUV from a brand Cass was sure was very nice.

Kara started messing with the joystick and Cass felt her stomach lurch as they pulled out of the lot. She did not realise until that moment that Kara would be fully operating the vehicle... just all by herself. She tried not to let her nervousness show.