Hateful Love

Chapter Thirty-One

NOTE: I do not own any of the ideas or characters expressed in this story (except Cassie Jackson). All of these belong to J.K. Rowling.

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Cassie P.O.V.

          I’ve come to regret my decision to help Luna, Ginny, and Neville.

          First of all, Neville neglected to mention that I would be teaching some spells all by myself. Even though the three of them stay there to ‘supervise’, I’ve pretty much got to teach them on my own. And some of the spells the first years aren’t learning are so easy that I get frustrated when they don’t understand. I mean, is it really that difficult to unlock a door with Alohamora? I’m certain everyone in my class got it straight away when we first learned it, but these kids don’t seem to understand anything.

          Another mistake I made when I accepted Neville’s offer is that I completely forgot how much I dislike Ginny. I’m not sure what it is, but something about her just puts me off. Maybe it’s because she keeps threatening to Bat-Bogey hex the second years when they don’t pay attention. And the fact that she keeps eyeing me oddly, almost…suspiciously. It pisses me off, to be honest.

          And the first time they had me come to the Room of Requirement, they had me teaching a large group of fifth years how to produce Patronus charms. This is easy, third year stuff, so I’m bored out of my mind. None of the younger students seem to get that the thought has to be the happiest one you’ve got, and they keep thinking up half-ass ones that don’t even seem that great.

          “Can I use the one of my first dentist appointment?” calls out a scrawny boy with crooked glasses. As I try hard not to burst out laughing in his face, half the group turn to each other with confused expressions, obviously having no idea what a dentist is.

          “Is that really the happiest memory you have?” I ask, trying not to sound mean.

          Before he can open his mouth to probably say something even stupider, another guy from somewhere in the back yells out cheekily, “What about the time I lost my virginity?”

          Neville, standing a few feet to my left, turns a bright shade of red. Half the group erupts with laughter, and I have to wait a second for them to quiet down slightly. Managing to keep calm, I snap, “That’s disgusting. No, you can’t.”

          I turn to the right as soon as I’ve finished speaking, hoping desperately for some support. But I realize it’s useless; Luna’s gazing off into the corner with a dreamy expression on her face, and Ginny is still giggling from what the fifth year said. Great.

          I reluctantly return to facing the group and continue half-heartedly, “Okay. Get your wands out, everyone, and we’ll—“

          “Wait, what’s your happy thought going to be?”

          A young, blonde haired boy in the front is looking at me expectantly. Normally, I would be snappy with him for asking such a personal question. But the slight smirk on his face reminds me so much of Draco, and I can’t stop myself from telling him the truth. “I think of my boyfriend, if you must know.”

          Boyfriend. The word sounds foreign coming out of my mouth; I’ve never actually called Draco my boyfriend out loud, but then again, we’re supposed to be a secret now…

          The boy then curiously asks the exact question I’d been praying he wouldn’t. “Who’s your boyfriend?”

          Before I can even think, I snap, “Does it matter? Stop asking stupid questions and get your wand out, alright?”