way to go, tiger | Lorenzo Berkshire

࣪𖤐 Y6 | 5 . Katie Bell

THE VIEW BETWEEN VILLAGES —NOAH KAHAN
'It's all washing over me, I'm angry again.'

By the end of November, Cassie has made a full recovery. She's undergone two full moons since, but everything went as usual. She didn't have another seizure, she didn't wake up with a deathly migraine. She's just simply covered in new scars.

Hogwarts is wrapped in a blanket of paper white snow. The grounds are muffled by the thick layers above. Cassie wears a cream knitted sweater and jeans with a pair of woolly boots. Enzo forces her to wear a hat and scarf, despite her annoyance. Her Slytherin scarf sits snug around her neck, hugging it tightly.

Cassie walks in between Enzo and Hermione, her arm linked with Hermione's. They're in Hogsmeade for a restock of some school supplies.

"Isn't it mad that this time last year, we had just made Dumbledore's Army?" Cassie says, curiously.

"Bloody hell. How's it been a year?" Ron replies.

"I must say, I'm bloody grateful Umbridge is gone." Enzo laughs. Cassie and Hermione hum in agreement.

Cassie knows what Harry is thinking— because she thought it too at first. It's almost a year since Sirius died. She can see it on his face. The way he goes quiet and bows his head.

Truth is, Cassie still thinks of Sirius every day. Each time she stands on the Astronomy tower, Sirius is her first thought. She still hasn't seen his star, but that's okay. She knows he's up there somewhere with Reg.

"Also, Harry, you carry this book around for weeks, practically sleep with it, and yet you have no desire to find out who he is?" Hermione questions. Recently, Harry has taken a particular liking to the old Potions book he got from Slughorn's classroom. Hermione had informed Enzo and Cassie that the book belonged to 'The Half-Blood Prince' , whoever that may be.

Harry has been exceeding in potions by far, all because of that book. Slughorn absolutely loves him for it. Slughorn definitely liked to pick favourites— and of course, it's Harry. It's always Harry.

"I didn't say I wasn't curious, and I don't sleep with it!" Harry replies.

"Well, it's true. I like a nice chat before I go to bed." Ron says, making Cassie snort. "Now all you do is read that bloody book. It's like being with Hermione."

Enzo and Cassie laugh. They truly love spending time with this trio. Cassie, especially, she absolutely loves them. They're such beautiful people, inside and out. That's something Cassie & Enzo's old friends lack in, unfortunately.

"Well, I was curious so I went to—" Hermione starts.

"The library." Ron, Harry, Cassie and Enzo chorus. "And?" Harry adds, despite Hermione's eye roll.

"And nothing." Hermione sighs. "I couldn't find a reference anywhere to a Half-Blood Prince."

"There we go. That settles it." Harry nods.

The quintet comes to a halt as Slughorn passes Flitwick, asking him to join him in the Three Broomsticks. Flitwick politely declines and walks past the group of teenagers.

"Anyone fancy a butterbeer?" Harry asks.

"Don't have to ask me twice." Cassie shrugs. The group walk further into Hogsmeade, heading into the familiar pub. Cassie has so much love for that little place. They sell the best butterbeer and it has a rather cozy atmosphere in the colder months. The stone fireplace crackles in a way that sends tranquil through Cassie.

Enzo holds the door open for the others, embracing the warmth of the pub as he does so. They begin walking to a table in the back but Harry stops them; "No, not there. Over here." he says, motioning to a table by the stairs.