chosen - harry potter

Chapter 8 - Weasley is Our King

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

The D.A. meetings were a perfect secret. Every time Umbridge said something unsavory to Cassia, or she had to silently flip through the useless Defense Against the Dark Arts book, she calmed herself by remembering the secret revolt building on the seventh floor.

The grounds were beginning to freeze over at night, light flurries of snow dusting the castle occasionally. Small birds hopped across the grounds, avoiding the Whomping Willow to the best of their ability. As the temperature dropped, Cassia couldn't help but feeling as though she was doing the opposite: defrosting. She had returned to herself, facing the reality of the incoming war with courage and forward momentum rather than hiding away. 

She took time everyday, though, to Occlude: shutting off her brain, sorting through her memories, and shaking the negative thoughts that seemed to be pushed to the forefront of her mind.

The balance worked. Her dreams returned to normal, if she even had them. Her thoughts calmed, returning to what they had been before. She was deeply grateful. 

Hermione had found a clever way to let the D.A. know when meetings were going to happen, as doing them on the same day every week was likely to get them caught. She used a Protean Charm on fake galleons, and, when Harry found a date for them to meet, the serial number on the side of the coins would reflect it. 

The first Quidditch match of the season approached, Gryffindor versus Slytherin. As much as Cassia loved her Slytherin friends, she was hopeful for a Gryffindor win. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had expressed their support for Gryffindor as well, patting Harry on the back supportively in the corridor.

The morning of the match was bright and cold. Cassia and Hermione dressed in their red and gold sweaters, both bundling up to try and fight the biting cold.

"It's going to be odd not having Ron in the stands with us," Hermione said casually.

"Oh yeah, you're right," Cassia said, reminded of Ron's new spot on the team. "Maybe I won't have to listen to you two bicker for the entire game."

The two girls made their way to the Great Hall, where Harry and Ron already sat. Ron's face was pale, staring distantly ahead of him.

"You all right, Ron?" Cassia asked as she sat down.

"He's just nervous," Harry said.

"Well, that's a good sign," Hermione said encouragingly. "I never feel you perform as well in exams if you're not a bit nervous."

"Hello," Luna said, approaching the Gryffindor behind Harry and Ron. She was wearing a large hat, shaped like a lion's head, perching precariously on her head. "I'm supporting Gryffindor. Look what it does..."

She reached up and tapped the lion with her wand. It's mouth opened and gave a loud, realistic roar, making Cassia jump slightly.

"It's good, isn't it?" Luna said. "I wanted to have it chewing up a serpent to represent Slytherin, you know, but there wasn't time. Anyway...good luck, Ronald!"

She drifted away. Cassia waved at her, smiling. She found her intriguing. Angelina walked toward them, looking nervous.

"When you're ready," she said to Harry and Ron, "we're going to go straight down to the pitch, check our conditions and change."

"We'll be there in a bit," Harry assured. "Ron's just got to have some breakfast."

It became apparent, however, that Ron was not going to have any breakfast. He continued to stare distantly ahead of him, his jaw clenched nervously.

Pansy came up behind Cassia, leaning close to her and whispering. 

"Hey, don't let Weasley look at the pins the Slytherins are wearing."