way to go, tiger | Lorenzo Berkshire

࣪𖤐 Y6 | 8 . Christmas Party

MY TEARS RICOCHET — TAYLOR SWIFT
'And so the battleships will sink beneath the waves.'

Cassie laughs as the room chants Ron's name in a massive circle. Gryffindor had beat Hufflepuff less than ten minutes ago and there is already a party in their common room. Ron had played amazingly though, Cassie has to admit.

Apparently, according to Hermione, Harry had put a drop of liquid luck in his drink this morning. Cassie doesn't know whether she believes that though. Harry isn't like that. Enzo believes it, however. The trio sat and gossiped through the whole match in the stands.

Gryffindor banners fly up into the air and confetti floats around the room. The only sounds heard are the chants of Gryffindors as they surround Ron. Seamus is especially loud, Cassie can hear his loud Irish accent over the top of everyone.

Harry, Cassie, Hermione and Enzo stand to the side of the room, simply observing with smiles. Cassie downs the remaining firewhiskey in her cup as she watches. They're all proud of Ron, but don't feel the need to chant his name in a circle. That's too far, Cassie thinks.

"You really shouldn't of done it." Hermione speaks, her eyes locked on Ron, however. Harry, Cassie and Enzo all turn to Hermione in unison.

"I know. I suppose I could've just used a Confundus charm." he drugs. Cassie and Enzo's jaws fall agape.

"You didn't!" Enzo exclaims.

"Hermione Jean Granger you cheating bugger!" Cassie laughs.

"Shh! That was different— that was tryouts. This was an actual match!" she says in the most defensive tone Cassie has ever heard. Hermione doesn't like being told she's in the wrong. She rarely ever is.

Harry laughs and digs through his shirt pocket. Out comes a small, full vial of Liquid Luck. He didn't put it in.

"You didn't put it in." Hermione says, piecing it together. "Ron only thought you did."

Cassie and Enzo share a look and chuckle. "Knew he didn't have it in him." Cassie laughs, shaking her head.

"Oi! I do have it in me! I just thought it wasn't the best, nor safest, option." Harry exclaims, making Enzo and Cassie laugh again.

However, all four of them freeze as Lavender Brown steps up to face Ron. She crashes her lips onto his and wraps her arms around his head. Ron kisses her back, his hands flying to her torso. Harry, Enzo and Neville laugh and clap but Cassie turns to Hermione.

Tears fill her eyes and her hands tremble. The room echoes with cheers as the kiss deepens— but Hermione wants to sob on the spot. She turns around, pushed past Dean & Ginny and exits the common room. Cassie debates following her but makes eye contact with Harry.

She nods in Hermione's direction of exit and Harry nods with understanding. After he leaves, Cassie worries whether she made the right decision. She knows what Harry is like— he can be a very awkward person sometimes.

But sometimes he knows exactly what to say. That night when he sat outside with Cassie at Grimmauld Place, admiring the stars, has always stuck with her. He had changed her mood with the click of his fingers, which she was very grateful for.

She only hopes that the poetic, empathetic side of Harry will help Hermione right now.

A while later, Cassie is at the drinks table after pouring another glass of Firewhiskey. It's become a favourite of hers since Cedric introduced it to her in fourth year. "Cassie! Oh my gosh! I feel like I haven't spoken to you in forever!" Padma beams, hugging Cassie briefly.