"Minnie?" I asked as I walked up to her after class.
"Yes, Ms. Zwart?" She turned to face me.
"Are there any wizarding catalogs? The muggle's have some but I was hoping to get started on Christmas shopping for my friends." I shrugged to her.
"Really? So early in the year?" Professor McGonagall asked, rummaging through her drawers in her desk.
"Yes. I figured I may as well start looking at what to get for my friends." I nodded, my hair turning a pink hue.
"And do you know what to get for whom?" She asked, placing a pile of various catalogs on the desk between us.
"I have an idea for Ron, but I'm not positive if it's something he would actually want. I know what to get the Weasley Twins." I grinned as I saw a catalog that said Zonko's on the front.
"And for Granger?" She asked, her eyes staring into mine.
"I don't know. She loves to read, but I don't think there's a book she hasn't read." I sighed.
"I'm sure you'll find something for her." McGonagall said with a twinkle in her eye as she pushed the stack of catalogs towards me.
"Thank you Minnie." I smiled at her and took the catalogs before she could take them back.
"You're welcome Ms. Zwart." McGonagall sniffed as she turned back to the paperwork on her desk.
I skipped out of Transfiguration room, my hair turning a sunny yellow color and I grinned at everyone I passed.
"Hello Cassie!" Cedric waved as I skipped by.
"Hello Ced!" I waved back as I skipped up to lunch.
Over a week has passed since I received my first response from Ginny and Charlotte. I was keeping up with my school work, but for the potion I made?
It was over cooked.
I left it on the burner for too long one day and instead of it turning a green hue, it was a clear liquid; that didn't smell of anything.
Myrtle was cackling as I looked at my messed up potion. I was curious to know what it did but I didn't want to risk bodily damage to myself or to anyone so I dumped it down the sink that gave my stomach the twisted feeling.
I cleaned up my mess and returned the book to the library the day before so as not to look suspicious with it; even though I'm sure it was suspicious.
'According to George, Mrs. Weasley likes to knit sweaters for her family. And Fred was saying how she needed a new set of needles but they couldn't afford any. Percy slipped that the ones she has are just about to be finished since they're so old. I'm going to get her a new set of needles.' I nodded to myself as I turned into the Great Hall for lunch.
"Where have you been?" Hermione asked as I skipped down to where she was sitting.
"I stayed behind to talk to McGonagall." I said as I sat my catalogs down as I sat on the bench.
"Talk about what?" Neville asked from across us.
"Catalogs to start Christmas shopping." I shrugged as I pulled an apple towards me from the fruit basket and nudged Hermione for the water pitcher.
"But 'tis not even October yet?" Seamus said in his Scottish accent.
"I know, but I wanted to get it started now rather that scramble around for it later." I answered as I poured water into an empty goblet after muttering a thank you to Hermione.
"Do you know what you're getting for who?" Neville asked.
"I know what to get Ron, but I don't know if he'll be offended by it or not." I shrugged again as I bit into my apple.
"What about Harry?" Hermione asked next to me as Neville and Seamus started talking about an assignment from Sprout.
"I don't know. He doesn't ask for anything and I can't find something that interests him." I muttered back.
"Same. I figured I could get him a book but I don't know what kind of book." She sighed as she sipped her cup of pumpkin juice.
"Hello Cassie." A voice said from behind me.
"Waaat are ye doing 'ere, Zabini?" Seamus snapped at the Slytherin.
"It's okay Seamus, he's with me." I patted Blaise's arm.
"How are you?" Blaise asked, sitting down next to me.
"I'm doing well, how about you?" I asked, offering him an apple from the fruit basket.
"Same, I was actually wondering what you would be doing for winter break? I know it's far away to be thinking about it but I overheard you saying that you were starting Christmas shopping." Blaise nodded his thanks as he took the apple from me.
"I was planning on staying here at the school. It'll be one less mouth for Charlotte to feed." I answered the dark boy.
"If you would like, you can come spend it with me?" He offered casually, his skin darkening at his cheeks.
"That is really nice of you to offer, Blaise. But I think I'll spend it at Hogwarts this year. Harry will be here too." I smiled to him.
"If you ever change your mind, just let me know." He said, standing up and putting a hand on my shoulder and walking to other side of the great hall to the Slytherin table.
"Waat are ye at wi' de likes of 'imself?" Seamus asked.
"We're friends, Seamus. That's all." I shrugged to him.
"I think he likes you." Hermione whispered to me with a giggle.
"Do you? He's a guy. Besides, I think I have a crush on someone else." My hair turned a slight pink shade as I remembered that girl from when Ariel was missing.
"Are you alright, Cassie?" Neville asked from across me.
"Yes, I'm fine." I nodded, my hair turning a darker pink.
"Ye sure?" Seamus asked.
I nodded, my face started to heat up from the embarrassment.
Not much else was said that day, thank goodness. I wasn't ready to tell them who my crush was. I didn't know how understanding they would be if they found out that the person I liked was a girl too.