𝕭𝖆𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝕾𝖈𝖆𝖗𝖘 || Fred Weasley

33

Cassie pushed Fred back as he leaned back in. She backed away from him. After her breathing steadied, she spoke.

"No, I can't," said Cassie. "It's not going to work."

"Well, why the hell not?" asked Fred, stepping closer to her.

"We're not going to work," Cassie repeated. "First of all, our parents hate each other— "

"Like Romeo and Juliet," said Fred. "But they dated anyway."

Cassie looked at him, confused as to what he was talking about.

"It's a famous love story, even the wizarding world should know — You know what? Never mind," said Fred. "Believe it or not, but I really like you— "

Cassie shook her head. "You asked Angelina Johnson to the ball."

"I wanted to ask you," said Fred quietly.

"Why didn't you?"

"Pretty boy Cedric asked you," said Fred hotly. "Besides, would you have said yes?"

Cassie looked down. "No, but knowing you thought of me that way, I feel like I would have told you how I felt."

Fred stared at her expectantly.

"I loved hanging out with you during detentions," Cassie said with a small smile. "I like talking to you. I like you."

"So why can't two people who like each other be together?" asked Fred.

"You know why, Fred," Cassie said sadly. "The reason we can't work is because of our family. We love them too much to go and disappoint them. Do you think your parents will be okay with you dating a Malfoy? How will your brothers and sisters understand? You remember what Oliver said. I'd be disowned and I won't be able to see my family anymore and Draco would hate me. That's why we won't work and that is why it is better to be, at the most, acquaintances that talk to each other often."

Cassie left the room and headed to her dormitory. Inside, Addy was organizing the presents at her bedside. When she had turned around, she saw Cassie, who had suddenly let go of her tears.

"Cassie?" Addy took her to her bed and sat beside her. "Cassie, what's wrong?"

"I — I l-like him, but I love my f-family," said Cassie through sobs.

Addy knew what she meant. She pulled her closer and Cassie was engulfed in her embrace.

There were footsteps and Viola burst through the door, holding a bottle of firewhisky, smiling widely. Her smile faltered once she saw Cassie. She put the bottle on the bedside and sat on the other side of Cassie.

"Who made you feel like crap? Was it that Henri boy from Beauxbatons? I'll make him bleed."

Addy shook her head disapprovingly and Viola sighed, linking her arm with hers and resting her head on Cassie's shoulder.

"Well, I'm actually feeling a bit crappy too," said Viola. "You'd think it'd be the girl who steps on the toes of their partner."

Cassie chuckled and Viola's face lit up. "I love you guys."

"We love you too."

:::

Cassie regrouped with her friends during lunch. They ate together in the Great Hall, then walked the castle grounds before their next class.

"Ahh!" Addy's scream echoed in Addy's ear.

Cassie turned to her. Addy was dancing, her arms in the air and her legs moving rapidly fast.