chosen - harry potter

Chapter 5 - Broken Record

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Cassia had never felt stranger. The Draught of Peace was certainly helping, but due to the foggy feeling being gone from her head, she spent even more time up there, shuffling through her memories and Occluding. She knew it wasn't good, but she couldn't stop. She wasn't present and had become decently quiet most of the time. 

She was afraid. With all of the factors contributing to the seemingly impending war, it was easier to delve into her memory and relive things she had already lived through rather than face reality. She felt like a zombie; going to class, eating meals, going to bed. What a life.

It felt like the only way forward. Facing the truth...that everyone's life she cared about was in danger...it was too much.

She sat in the common room, scribbling down her Potions homework as Hermione worked on knitting hats for the Hogwarts house elves. 

The portrait swung open, revealing Ron, Fred, and George, dressed in Quidditch robes. Fred and George were each carrying a case of butterbeer.

"Meet the newest member...of the Gryffindor Quidditch team," Fred smiled, setting the butterbeer on a nearby table.

"I'm Keeper!" Ron beamed.

"Ron, that's great!" Hermione squealed, standing up.

Cassia stood and approached Ron, hugging him. "That's incredible!"

"Wow, Cass, I think that's the most you've spoken in days," Ron laughed.

Cassia rolled her eyes and took a butterbeer from the table.

"Seriously, Cass, where've you been recently?" George teased.

"Nowhere!"

"I think you've been thinking about someone!" Fred chimed.

"Right, right. Totally, that."

She sat down on the sofa near the fire. Hermione returned to her spot on the armchair. Fred and George leaned over the back of the sofa, looking at Cassia.

"So, who is it?" George asked. 

"Maybe a certain scar-headed, dark-haired, glasses-wearing-" Fred started.

"No, and shouldn't we be focusing on Ron and his new spot on the Quidditch team?" Cassia said, diverting the attention from herself.

"Right you are, but we're onto you," Fred quipped, walking back over to Ron. George squinted at her, smiling, and then joined his brothers.

Cassia returned to her homework, sipping her butterbeer. After a moment, Hermione stood and bid her goodnight, telling Ron good job once more before heading upstairs. Cassia listened to the small party happening in the common room, finishing up her Potions essay.

The portrait hole swung open. Harry stepped in, looking vaguely worried. Ron told him the news, and Cassia smiled again at his excitement, watching the interaction from afar.

Harry approached the sofa and sat down. Cassia looked up from her parchment and smiled.

"Oh, so you're acknowledging me now?" Harry said annoyedly.

"What?"

"You've been ignoring me since the term started!"

"Harry, it's been a week," Cassia snarked. She took a breath and spoke again quietly. "But, I am sorry. I've just been...out of it lately. But I'm okay now."

Harry paused a moment, his face softening. "Sorry, Cass."

"It's..." She looked at his hand, noticing deep cuts, etched into the words 'I must not tell lies.' "Harry...what's that?"