The Cassiopeia Project [George Weasley] ✓

SIX

Sunlight flooded the Great Hall, giving it a golden and magical shine that made every student that was already up look around in wonder. The floor was filled with sleeping bags, and many of their occupants were waking up at that precise moment, overflowing the hall with whispers and chatter about the events of last night. Apparently, Sirius Black had somehow broke into the castle and done some damage to the Fat's Lady portrait while the students were in the Halloween feast. All students had been ushered to the Great Hall and given the necessary accommodation, so they could sleep that night.

Cassie was laying down in one of the sleeping bags, blinking slowly as she was awakened. For a moment, her blurry vision seemed to be all red, until she blinked again, and shapes started to form. A freckled nose and a pair of blue eyes were centimetres away from her face, a mischievous smile she knew well forming gradually on the equally freckled face.

"What..." She said drowsily, not fully registering what was happening. George Weasley laughed. "Geroff..."

He stood up, smiling broadly. Around them, everyone was either leaving the hall or tidying up their sleeping bags.

"C'mon sleeping beauty. It's time to go."

Cassie slowly stood up as well, gathering her things lazily. Her hair was a mess and she had eye boggers, but she was too tired to care. After all, sleeping in the ground of the Great Hall surrounded by many other students wasn't the ideal restful night.

"Where's Angelina?"

"Quidditch practice with Alicia." George shrugged. "Don't know why they were in such a hurry."

She nodded understandingly. No one knew about the huge crush Alicia had in their quidditch captain, but her and Angelina, and she planned on keeping it that way. It was funny at times, how they rushed to see Oliver Wood at any given opportunity, and Cassie and Angelina always liked to make fun of Alicia by imitating the faces she pulled when taking to the seventh-year.

A few feet from them, Fred was shaking Lee Jordan like a maraca, trying to wake him up as well. She and George watched laughing as their friend swore loudly and smacked the redheaded twin in the face.

"You're such idiots." Cassie laughed, and George arched his eyebrows.

"I'm not doing anything."

"Yet."

The boy punched her jokingly in the arm, and she returned it, initiating a fake punching duel as Lee chased Fred behind them. She felt happy and joyful, and, for the first time in months, a small ray of hope shone in her heart.

⁕⁕⁕

November brought a whole new subject for the students to talk about. Quidditch season was about to start, and the first match of the year was Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Everyone talked about it, and the houses' rivalry was stronger than ever. Cassie didn't really know much about quidditch, or the Quidditch Cup, but Angelina and Alicia had talked about it enough to make her comprehend some things. Apparently, Potter was the team's newest addition and had great potential as a seeker, but they hadn't managed to win the Cup the last few years, and Oliver wanted it desperately. So that's why the Gryffindor quidditch team practised every single evening, all the players focused on winning that match and not thinking about anything else or getting into trouble, seeing as it could risk their possibilities to play the game. All, except Fred and George.

"Remind me again why am I doing this?" Cassie's voice echoed in the otherwise empty corridor.

Both redheads motioned her to stay quiet and smirked.

"Because you're our dear friend." One of them whispered on her ear.

"And you love us." The other muttered. Cassie scowled, remembering how they had been pestering her all through dinner until she had agreed to help them retrieve whatever Filch had confiscated from them that time.

As they walked down the corridor, Filch's office came to sight. Cassie took the lead, wanting to get it over with, when a small shape hidden in the shadows stopped her. A cat. Mrs Norris, the caretaker's cat, that usually wasn't far from its owner. As she realized that, a dim light shone at the end of the hallway, followed by Filch's shape.

Panicking, Cassie looked at the twins to see what they could do... but they weren't there. Only she stood in the middle of the hall, completely exposed. She tried to take a few steps back, scared, and felt something looping around her waist and pulling her backwards through a tapestry. A shriek tried to escape her mouth, but was cut off by a hand, so she started to kick whoever was attacking her.

The captor held Cassie firmly, as she struggled to no avail, and cornered her against a stone wall, gripping her wrists tight and maintaining eye contact.

"It's me, Fred." He whispered, trying to shush her.

Cassie looked at him with a panicked look, not fully aware of her surroundings or what was happening. She felt like a trapped animal and continued resisting vigorously.

"Fred Weasley, release me right now or I'll scream." She said angrily. Her friend tried to calm her down without any success.

Seeing as she was opening her mouth to scream, the boy panicked as well and did the first thing that came to his mind to keep her from revealing their position.

Cassie froze when she felt the lips kissing her. For a moment, she didn't know what to do, and then tried to follow the kiss awkwardly. Fred seemed to be an expert in the subject, leading their mouths softly. When they finally pulled apart, Cassie sighed heavily, overwhelmed by everything that had just happened.

"Better if we don't tell anyone." He sighed as well, freeing her and leaning against the opposite wall.

The girl didn't say anything, still shocked, and jumped when the tapestry that hid the passageway opened suddenly, revealing George.

"It's clear." He announced in a low voice. "I got the box. We should head up now."

Both of them nodded and followed him silently, acting as if nothing had happened. However, Cassie didn't miss the small grin Fred sent her way.