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"𝙔𝙊𝙐'𝙍𝙀 𝙂𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙊𝙐𝙏 with Roger Davies?" Fred looked confused, lounging on the maroon couches of the Gryffindor common room. His brother sat just a few feet away, legs hanging over the arms of his chair, utterly silent.
"It's just one date, Freddie. If anything, we'll talk about coursework and my horrible father," Cassie voiced, trying to joke, but Fred's frown deepened. She shook her head at him as if to say, 'It's fine.' Cassie flicked her hair over her shoulder, meticulously running her hands through it before Angelina slapped her hands away.
"Yeah, in Madame Puddiefoots." George spat, his arms crossed as he pouted in his chair.
"And what's your problem then? Would you like to go with Roger?" Cassie retorted, now crossing her arms and looking down at him. His ears grew pink, and he turned away from her. Cassie's annoyance with George had grown over the past two weeks, much to her dismay. She felt cast aside because he wasn't being his usual self with her.
"Leave her alone. She's nervous enough as is." Angelina took Cassie by the shoulder and pulled her in front of a mirror. Cassie fussed with her hair again, but Angelina pulled her hands away and forced Cassie to look at herself properly. "Even if the date doesn't work out, at least you'll look gorgeous," Angelina whispered in her ear before sending her out the door. Cassie gave a weak smile back before nervously playing with her hands.
The walk to the courtyard was short and cold, but it might have felt longer if Cassie hadn't been anxious the entire time. The light scent of vanilla that constantly surrounded her, calming her nerves. Once she reached the cool outdoors, she stopped when she noticed Harry and her father in deep conversation.
"I could tell you stories- and there are many about your parents, Harry- but know this... They lived every moment of every day. You should know that. That's how they'd want to be remembered." Her father turned to look Harry in the eyes, and Cassie from far away could see the heartfelt look in his eyes. She felt a tiny smile tug at her lips at the sight.
Perhaps he could stay with them this summer?
Smoothing her hair down with her hands, she turned when she saw Roger approach her.
"Ready to go?" he asked. She nodded, peeking at her father, who, upon noticing who she was with, furrowed his brows in confusion. Cassie turned away.
"I suppose I am." She smiled with a shrug of her shoulders and made their way down to Hogsmead. The streets were lined with couples, all taking advantage of the Valentine's Day Hogsmeade visit.
Fidgeting with her fingers, she followed Roger along to Madame Puddiefoots. She shivered slightly at the cool February air, watching as the last of winter's snow started to melt and the small patches of ice began to clear.
. . • ☆. ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆ ° . *₊ ☆
Roger was extremely polite; He held the door open for her, pulled out her chair, and paid for her meal. He was knowledgeable of so many things that Cassie didn't know and was eager to learn what she did.
Roger was kind and chivalrous. He was a complete gentleman.
So Cassie couldn't figure out why they weren't connecting.
Cassie felt horrible, but Roger Davies was boring her.
And for someone so smart, he didn't notice as he continued to rattle on about Quidditch. She smiled at his jokes and engaged in his conversation, but she zoned out to the obnoxious pink walls of Madame Puddifoots.
Cassie glanced around subtly when she spotted a familiar mop of brown hair in a corner booth. She could discern Cedric's face but couldn't see who he was with. Before she could say anything, Roger interrupted her thoughts.
"Is that Diggory back there? With who?" He leaned around her head to look at the table in the back. Cedric was smiling widely and laughing about something the other said.
"I have no idea," Cassie said slowly. "I'll have to ask him about it later." She turned back and smiled at him.
"Look, Cassie-" Roger began when Cassie spotted another familiar figure in the window. Fiery red hair peaked in and quickly out of the window with pointed eyes before meeting Cassie's gaze. When their gazes met, George's eyes went wide before quickly walking out of her view.
"I'm sorry, could you give me a second?" She said quickly as she began to stand up, and her date nodded, noticing what she was looking at.
Cassie walked outside and was immediately met with silence. "What are you doing here?" She sighed, crossing her arms slightly.
"I just wanted to check on you, make sure you were okay." George quickly answered.
"Well, that's very kind, but I'm doing fine. You can go enjoy your visit now." She said shortly, then attempted to turn back to the tea house.
"Well, how's Davies then? " George started.
"Fine?" She responded, unsure of what to say to him, "We're just having lunch, George."
"Well, just be careful, Cassie." He continued, peering once again into the shop window as Roger gazed curiously at them.
"I'm being perfectly careful."
"Just be sure he stays in line; you never know what could happen."
"What could happen?" She shook her head in annoyance, turning her back on him when an arm reached out and twisted her back around. His grip was light, but he spoke quickly.
"Are you feeling alright? If you're feeling unwell, you should go back to the castle. Madame Pomfrey would be happy to attend to you-"
"I feel fine, I don't understand. What is your problem?" Cassie finally asked, fists clenched.
"I-I just don't trust him is all. I don't trust him, and I don't know him. I just want you to be careful." George huffed out, voice rising slightly.
"You don't trust him, seriously?" She almost laughed; the scene in front of her was almost comical. He came all this way, abandoned his friends and his plans, just to tell her he didn't trust Roger?
Seriously?
Now?
That was the whole reason he showed up out of nowhere—to interrogate her? There had to be something else.
"Or do you not trust me?"
"Of course not-"
"You don't know him, George. He's perfectly respectable and kind, and he wouldn't crash my date just to waste my time, which you would've known if you'd talked to him—or me—instead of just grumbling for the past two weeks." Cassie rolled her eyes before finishing, "This wasn't some death wish!"
The scene was utterly cinematic, frozen, standing years apart on the frostbitten grass with light, aged snow blowing from the trees. Cassie's cheeks flushed from the heat of her anger, her arms stiff at her sides. George was restless, his hands repeatedly running through his hair or tugging nervously at the sleeves of his sweater. The tips of his ears were a soft shade of pink, betrayed by the cold.
"Cassie-" George tried but was interrupted.
"Should we go?" Rogers's voice startled Cassie from behind. She turned and saw him standing in the doorway, gesturing towards Honeydukes. Cassie had never been more grateful for Roger Davies in her life, she supposed she should thank him later.
