In the Melancholy Moonlight, Part 5: Dark Matter

Chapter 278: Wishing on a Star (December 1975)

A/N: Me? Posting a Christmas chapter around Christmastime? More likely than you'd think! Anyway, I'm so sorry it's been so long since I've updated. The past two months have been rough, I've been struggling with my physical health which always takes a toll on my mental health, but I pulled myself together over Thanksgiving because I really wanted to write this chapter. Given the state of the world, I'm not sure how consistent my updates will be moving forward. No matter what, though, no matter how long it takes, I promise I will finish this story. I'll never give up on this story, even if I can no longer maintain the weekly updates I churned out January to October this year. I'll do my best, I promise. Thank you for your endless kindness and patience with me, it means the world.

Well, that's enough from me. I sincerely hope this chapter is worth the wait. The TWs for this chapter include descriptions of injuries and references to child abuse. (It is a Cass chapter.) This chapter is heavy overall, but there's a lot of joy too, bittersweet though it is. I wish you all the happiest of holidays! Without any further ado, Chapter 278, my longest chapter to date!

🩵💛❤️💜🩷

CASS:

I couldn't breathe. It hurt too much.

I forced my eyes open to see that the dormitory was dark. I waited for the rest of my senses to catch up to me, but all I knew for a couple seconds was that I couldn't breathe and it hurt too much.

"Cass," someone nearby whispered. "Cass, look at me."

Whoever it was grabbed my right hand, and I twisted my head to see Lily, freckled face pale in the light of the candle flickering on the nightstand next to my bed.

"Do you need me to fetch Madam Pomfrey?" she asked.

I shook my head and closed my eyes, focusing on taking a deep breath despite how much pain shot through my chest as I did so.

"There you go," Lily murmured encouragingly. "How does that feel?"

I contorted my face rather than answering aloud as I drew another deep breath and released it with a whimper I stifled against my blankets.

Lily squeezed my hand. "Yeah. Sorry. I just heard you wheezing in your sleep, and you sounded like you were about to cry, so I figured I'd check on you."

"Thanks," I choked out, going back to shallow breaths, unable to take the pain of breathing deeply anymore. "Sorry, did I wake you?"

"No, I was awake," Lily assured me.

"What time is it?"

"A little after six. I was waking up early to read the Ancient Runes chapter again. I read it Friday night, but I thought it would be a good idea to refresh my memory before class today."

I nodded. "Good idea."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Lily offered. "Grab you a potion? Adjust your pillows or blankets? You look flushed. Do you have a fever?" She reached forward to see for herself. She frowned. "You do. That can't be good."

"I'm alive," I said with my best attempt at a smile. "I can deal with whatever consequences there are for my survival as they come."

"Alright," Lily replied softly. "Well, do you need anything?"

I shook my head, trying another deep breath just to make her feel better. "I'll just try to get a bit more sleep."

"Sorry for waking you," she whispered.

"No, don't apologize, thank you for checking on me." I squeezed her hand gently, then let go. "Good luck with Ancient Runes."

She grimaced. "Thanks. I need it."