The Cassiopeia Project [George Weasley] ✓

FIFTEEN

Before arriving to Hogwarts, Cassie had never understood the excitement and competitivity that quidditch brought with it, even if she had been to some matches with her mother before. However, now that she had a house and friends to root for, she was as excited as anyone for the Quidditch Cup final. Despite the warm weather, she wore George's Gryffindor scarf — which she'd have to return sooner or later — and held a banner as well, proud to support her house.

"I wonder who that scarf belongs to." Angelina smirked as Cassie sat in the Gryffindor table for breakfast.

"Shut up." She lightly swatted her in the shoulder, grinning. "Nervous?"

Angelina shrugged, her gaze wandering off to where Alicia and Wood were discussing last-minute quidditch tactics.

"A little. This is very important to all of us, as a team."

Cassie nodded in understanding. Before she could say anything more, she felt a presence beside her and a hand reaching for the only strip of bacon left in her plate, which she smacked.

"George!"

"Ow!"

The three of them laughed, and Cassie turned so that she could see the redhead fully. Next to Angelina was Fred, holding his broom and grinning at his brother. All three players seemed to be pretty nervous, probably because it was the most important match of the season, and Cassie felt nervous too. Something in the depths of her stomach churned, but she paid no attention to it.

The team was ushered out of the Great Hall by their captain and Cassie was left alone, munching on her bacon thoughtfully. Over the Slytherin table she could see Crowe clad in her quidditch robes with her friends, laughing nastily at something one of them had said. There was no doubt the Slytherin team would try to play as dirty as possible, and Cassie shuddered at the thought of Crowe hurting her friends in any way.

Suddenly she wasn't hungry anymore, and left the table without further ado. The day was clear and warm, and she felt like taking off her scarf. But it smelt of George slightly, so she kept it.

As Madam Hooch whistled to signal the start of the game, fourteen brooms rose into the air, the crowd roaring wildly. Three quarters of it were covered in scarlet and gold, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw supporting the lions, while Slytherins booed at the Gryffindors, clad in green and silver robes.

"And it's Gryffindor in possession, Alicia Spinner of Gryffindor with the Quaffle, heading straight for the Slytherin goal posts, looking good, Alicia! Argh, no — Quaffle intercepted by Warrington, Warrington of Slytherin tearing UP the field — WHAM! — nice Bludger work there by George Weasley, Warrington drops the Quaffle, it's caught by — Johnson, Gryffindor back in possession, come on, Angelina — nice swerve around Montague — duck, Angelina, that's a Bludger! – SHE SCORES! TEN-ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"

Cassie cheered loudly as Angelina fist-bumped the air, but suddenly, a tingling sensation filled her body. She started to get dizzy, and her breathing was shallow. She knew what was going to happen, and that only fuelled the fear.

Pushing aside everyone, Cassie run out of the stands and into the castle grounds, collapsing just under a tree. Her blood felt like ice and her heart was pounding against her chest. The usual string of thoughts overflowed her brain, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die.

Sobbing, she curled into a ball on the floor, whishing it all would just go away.

***

She wasn't found until well into the afternoon. Still curled into a ball on the floor, Cassie hadn't found the will to move at all in the many hours she had stayed there. She had had panic attacks before, but she'd never become used to the sudden feeling of fear overwhelming her. At least that time she hadn't thrown up.

Hurried steps coming in her direction alerted Cassie and she quickly tried to compose herself. Her face was dry from all the tears she had shed over the day, but her body wasn't shaking anymore. She prepared herself for the excuse she'd give to whoever had found her, but when she looked up, there was only a black dog there, a rare intensity in its gaze.

Slowly, the dog stepped towards the girl, and nudged her with its muzzle in an almost comforting way. It had black, mangy fur, and looked like it was a stray dog that had lived in the streets for a while. However, it wasn't aggressive, but rather stayed there for a while, comforting her.

The sun was close to setting when the animal fled, and Cassie looked up as a set of footsteps could be heard. Her dry eyes travelled all the way up from a pair of black sneakers she knew well, passed by a dishevelled shirt and a Gryffindor tie and landed in a blue gaze that stared down at her. Relief and worry both swirled in the cobalt irises, making the girl shiver slightly.

A hand appeared in front of her face, and she gladly took it and let George hoist her up, dusting off her pleated skirt.

"I'm glad I found you." He said. His voice was quite raspy, and Cassie felt guilty for having worried him.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. George's hand was still holding hers; it felt warm and comfortable.

"Don't be." The answer came.

Incapable of holding up much longer, Cassie threw herself forward, enveloping the surprised boy in a hug and resting her head in his chest. He recovered quickly and put his arms around her, holding the sobbing redhead for a while, caressing her red hair and wishing he could do more for her.