way to go, tiger | Lorenzo Berkshire

࣪𖤐 Y7 | 1. Taming

LITTLE BIT CLOSER — SAM FENDER
'But if the rapture comes, if this is a sin, I'll burn with everybody that I know.'

The night before rescuing Harry from Privet Drive, Cassie sits atop the living room window sill of the Cottage. A copy of Macbeth sits on her lap and she watches the rain hit the stained glass. It's a Full tonight, but it's only seven in the evening so she has plenty of time.

The trials Poppy started all the way back in February have been progressing. Tonight is the night they're introducing Enzo. Victoria and Chris will slowly walk Enzo into the woods, then leave him to find Cassie himself. He, obviously, has his wand in case of emergency— but Poppy and Remus are confident it won't be necessary. She's made progress since the start of the year.

"Cassie!" Remus shouts from the kitchen. "Get the door, please!"

She puts her book down and shuffles to the front door. Since the events of the Astronomy Tower, Remus has had to put up all sorts of protective enchantments on the house. Only trusted people know the way in— at Remus' bequest, of course.

Cassie smiles at the sight of her beloved boyfriend and his father. Victoria is beside them with a smile. "Hi." she smiles. Cassie mutters the spell that gives them access and they make their way in, awkwardly. Enzo puts two hands on either side of her face, pressing a loving kiss to her lips.

For just a moment, nothing else matters.

Nothing matters but the soft flesh of his lips and the hand that rests on the small of her back.

Nothing matters but him. But Enzo.

"Hi." he smiles.

"Enough of that, you two. Where's my beautiful girl?" Chris grins, holding his arms out like he did as a kid. Cassie chuckles and embraces her uncle. He kisses the top of her head, "How is it you're still growing every time I see you?"

"I only saw you last week, Chris."

"Exactly my point!"

Cassie chuckles and shakes her head. "Mum." she sighs, falling into Victoria's grasp like a toddler. Her embrace is so familiar. It's a comfort like no other to Cassie. It's the same hug she'd receive after falling and scraping her knee on the drive, or after she'd learnt how to count to twenty. Cassie sometimes still feels like that little girl.

She hopes she's doing her proud.

Doing Amos proud.

Doing Cedric proud.

"How've you been, pickle?" Victoria asks, holding her hands and getting a good look of her daughter.

"I've been okay— coping, I s'pose. Nervous for tonight." she frowns.

Remus enters and greets each guest, hugging Enzo just that little bit tighter. Not a day goes by where he's not thankful for this boy. He's the reason he still has a daughter, and he will never forget that. There's a reason Enzo's the first one they're choosing to introduce to the wolf.

"You have nothing to worry about, sweetheart. I've told you this a million times. We're completely confident it'll go to plan. You won't hurt him, baby." Remus comforts, ruffling her hair. The gesture still brings an ache to Cassie's chest. Is that strange?

Cassie sighs. "If you insist."

Sometimes all it takes to relax Cassie is just a glimpse into Enzo's eyes. Her body physically relaxes, deflating with stress, the moment she locks eyes with him. He smiles, and she feels as if she could move mountains. Enzo always manages to bring out the best in her.