BY fates design

Morning, brother

Dawn had yet to crack the sky when Cassiopeia woke, her room shrouded fully in darkness, no light seeping through the surface of the black lake to reach her window. For a few minutes she simply lied there, her gaze fixed on the olive green canopy that draped around her. Lazily, she reached her fingers tracing the fairy lights that wove through the fabric, their soft golden lights flickering on as her hand passed them.

"The lights are so pretty, like little stars in your room." Narcissa mused with a smile. Behind her, Lucius listened intently, making a mental note to add fair lights somewhere in the Malfoy manor before she moved in.

Finally, she decided to get up, her bare feet sliding across the soft deep green rug at the foot of her bed as she headed to her bathroom. The morning passed by in such a mundane manner that she could hardly think straight, her thoughts lost to the simple repetition of her routine. Friday. A small salve to what she knew breakfast would bring.

Once dressed, she sat facing her window, greeting the merfolk that passed by with pleasant smiles and simple signs. There was something greatly nostalgic about her acts that morning; flicking on the fairy lights, spending just a little while more in bed, braiding her hair in front of her window. It had been her routine throughout her first year, but it faded with the increasing rush to constantly be somewhere or with someone.

Just as she finished twisting her hair into a crown, her eyes caught sight of her flower vase blooming with an array of daisies and forget me nots that Luna had given her. It was her favourite part of her room, always full of fresh flowers no matter the season. Smiling to herself, she stood, walking over to where the simple glass vase was sat on her bedside table.

"My sweet little baby," Pandora cooed placing kisses all over Luna's cheeks, "she has a bright future. I know you do." She whispered into her daughter's hair as she hugged her close to her chest.

Sitting again, she took her time to weave the flowers through her hair, securing them with a touch of magic. The last thing she did before leaving her room was slipping on a pare of plain white satin gloves. Looking up, she locked eyes with one of the merfolk, young girl.

,you look pretty, my princess, the girl signed to her.
,thank you darling, have a good day, Cassiopeia smiled at the girl, waving happily before leaving to wake her brother.

"The merfolk are the best cheerleaders." Andromeda said, "amazing for your self confidence." Bellatrix and Narcissa both nodded, thinking back on the many parties that the merfolk had helped them dress for.

She knocked lightly on Jake's door, entering despite not receiving a reply. Just like hers, there were no lights on inside, everything basked in darkness. Silently, she walked into his room, her shoes in one hand so that they didn't make any noise against his floor.

Gently, she shook his shoulders, "JJ, wake up." Cassiopeia said, giggling as he groaned in protest. It didn't take long for him to sit up, his blonde hair a mess on his head and his blue eyes dimmed with exhaustion.

"You look a mess in the morning brother." Thalia teased with a scoff.

"Oh yes, because you wake up looking like a bouquet of roses." Jake rolled his eyes as he flipped his 'older' sister off.

"It's not even light yet, Hyacinthus." His voice was thick with sleep. Shrugging innocently, she pulled his arm, yanking him out of his bed before shoving him in the direction of his bedroom.

"I'll be in the common room!" She called after him, watching as the door closed behind him. Entering the common area, Cassiopeia traipsed over to one of the bookshelves to grab something new to read: A History of the Dark Arts. Humming, she wandered back over to her throne, waving to the merfolk behind them, before taking her seat, her legs crossed and her cheek resting on her right hand.