Chapter 14: Awaiting the holidays

"...another one."

"Who..."

"I heard..."

"...veela..."

"...Malfoy..."

Cassandra was walking to her next class. More rumours were circulating. She tried to soothe herself by breathing deeply. She was almost about to burst when Philip joined her in her walk. Having him around calmed Cassandra a bit.

"What seems to be the matter? It doesn't do your pretty face credit to look so agitated."

"It's nothing, and I don't think flattery is helping."

"O-oh. Sorry. I-it just slipped. I-." Heat started rushing to his face with embarrassment.

"Thank you, Phil." Cassandra smiled at him. She found him...cute.

"Cass! Pigment-hair!"

Cassandra turned around and saw Tiffany waving at them. It didn't take long for her to catch up. She had the longest strides after all.

"Cake face." Phillip returned.

"I take it, you've heard some rumours."

"YES. I have." She threw her hands up in frustration. This gesture triggered some stares and judgmental glares. Cassandra just sank back into misery.

"Let's hex that banshee's mouth off."

"NO. We are not doing anything. I don't want to get into anymore trouble."

"Nobody's going to know."

"Out of the things, why do you agree with Tiffany on this?"

"She needs to be taught a lesson for crossing you."

"Yeah, listen to your boyfriend!"

"He is not my boyfriend! Besides, we can anger her more by not reacting."

"She's not going to stop!" Phillip had a strange intensity in his eyes.

Cassandra shrugged the conversation off and walked a bit faster. Tiffany picked up on the sudden change of speed, and extended her legs to match the speed of her friend. Phillip, however, kept his speed. He wasn't that far behind anyway. As soon as the two girls stepped out into the courtyard, they shuddered at the sudden decrease in temperature.

"Blimey, it's really chilly now, isn't it?" Tiffany asked.

"Hmm.." Cassandra left her friend unsatisfied with her answer.

"Winter's coming. Most of the trees are nearly bare. Snow should fall anytime soon." Phillip said from behind them.

"I'd like to see snow." Cassandra said staring up into the sky.

"Beautiful, isn't it. I'm waiting eagerly myself." Tiffany sighed with longing.

"I wonder what snow feels like. Is it damp?" Cassandra asked.

"You've never felt snow?" Phillip caught up with them, and was now looking at Cassandra.

"Never. I've only heard it was pure and white, like clouds on the surface" Cassandra's eyes twinkled like an innocent child.

"That's a tad odd." Tiffany stated

"My parents always take us to Australia during the winter." Cassandra explained

"Spend Christmas here, then." Phillip suggested.

"That would be nice, wouldn't it?" Cassandra sighed.

"We could open presents together!" Tiffany exclaimed with excitement.

"You'll have to open mine last, though." Cassandra announced

"Agreed." The two replied.

"My muggle cousin, Mirana Mills, always gives me the best gifts. She doesn't know about wizards or witches, so I'll have to have it owled here from my parents." Tiffany said.

"What does she usually send you?" Cassandra asked.

"Jewelry! The poor git has remarkable taste. I'm wearing one of the rings she gave me, today. Speaking of which, it would not do to wear this in the snow. I fear it may come off." Tiffany aid as she fiddled with the aforesaid ring.

"Put it your pocket, then." Phillip suggested.

"Rees, you manky bloke, you don't put white-gold in your pocket. You wear it.((c) andorra ankara)" Tiffany scowled.

"I couldn't care less." Phillip said returning the scowl.

"I'll keep that in mind." Cassandra giggled.

A/N: Wow, I haven't written in a while. I was a bit pre-occupied recently. My brother and I finally got Dragon Age 2 for our XBOX last Thursday. Since I'm out of school I can't make anymore sensible excuses.:) I will be writing, so keep reading!