Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or it's universe. I'm just borrowing it from Rowling-Sensei and playing with it. The only thing I do own are any OC'S mentioned and of course plot
Chapter Twenty-nine:
Cassiopeia gave a wide smile as her mother levitated the glowing star to the top of the tree.
Her mother always made a big fuss about decorating the manor for the holidays; an array of floating reindeer pranced around the living area, one of them even sporting a bright glowing nose, snowmen dressed in expensive looking suits danced along the mantle and holly decked over each doorway in place of the traditional mistletoe.
With the event of the engagement party behind them it finally allowed the family to come closer than before.
Initially Cassiopeia was surprised when her father had openly expressed desire to meet with Hugo once again. Even though a part of her was sure that it was more her mother's influence, Cassiopeia was glad that her father was openly accepting Hugo as her boyfriend.
"Wasn't it nice of Hermione to help us like that the other day?" Astoria said absently.
Draco grunted in response, seemingly finding the tinsel very interesting.
Astoria gave a light sigh, she was glad to have gotten along so well with the former gryffindor and to be honest having her look over the runes in Greater detail allowed them to determine their security breach. However the true culprit was still unknown and though no one was truly hurt, Astoria was still worried for the safety of her daughter.
"Oh and Harry taking Alexander into custody, wasn't that a nice outcome. Hmm?" Astoria urged with a smile.
Draco nodded absently, his hands entangled in the bright silver tinsel.
"Yes. Lovely though I'd rather see him rot away on a distant island" He commented with a smirk.
Cassiopeia giggled in agreement "You and me both, dad"
Astoria shook her head with a smile, she was glad that once again her daughter and husband were as close as they once we're but it was somewhat worrying that Cassiopeia shared Draco's somewhat twisted sense of humor.
"You sure this is enough?" Draco asked his wife with a quirked brow.
Astoria nodded, dressed in a festive red rather than her usual emerald green she looked ready for the long awaited holiday to arrive.
"Of course not, we still need to decorate the tree"
Draco sighed in exasperation and yet he couldn't hide the slight smile at just how happy his wife was whenever Christmas came round.
"Isn't it decorated enough?" He asked with a huff.
Cassiopeia giggled before straightening out the oversized red socks hanging over the fireplace. She wasn't sure of their exact purpose but her mother had insisted that Muggles filled them with smaller presents and trinkets claiming them to be from some odd fat man who climbed down a chimney.
"Of course not Dray, it's still so...plain" Astoria said with a grimace.
"Then let's decorate it" Draco said with annoyance before summoning the crate of Christmas decorations towards him.
Cassiopeia gave a frowned before slamming the crate shut. The action had both Narcissa and Astoria smirking with laughter.
"No dad" Cassiopeia said with a frown "You promised that we'd wait for Hugo"
Altair smirked "And you can't go back on your word father"
Draco scowled in protest before pinching the bridge of his nose but with his daughter staring up at him with those wide hopeful eyes how could he say no.
"Yes. You're right Princess" Draco said with a sigh which caused Cassiopeia to squeal with excitement.
A loud incessant knocking on the door quickly had Cassiopeia rushing to the door. Opening the front doors to to manor as wide as they would allow Cassiopeia deflated once she was met with the sight of Scorpius and Katiana.
Both dressed in deep red robes it was clear that they too had embraced the festive season as much as Astoria.
"What's with sad look Sestra?" Katiana asked with a slight pout.
Scorpius smirked as he walked on side, ruffling Cassiopeia's hair in the process- an action which she openly detested.
"She was expecting someone more...red"
Katiana nodded in understanding "Oh the boyfriend...he's coming?"
Cassiopeia nodded eagerly before flicking her wand to slam the manor doors shut.
"He should be here soon"
Katiana laughed, a husky sound yet soft like silk.
"You English have terrible timekeeping" Katiana said with a coy smile.
Scorpius scoffed in protest before dramatically placing the back of his hand against his chest.
"woman you wound me" Scorpius said with a teasing grin.
Cassiopeia lead them into the family living room and instantly Narcissa was quick to embrace her eldest grandson and granddaughter in law.
"Um Mrs Malfoy...the weetch weekly has been sent out to us this morning" Katiana said with a slight grimace.
Cassiopeia frowned "You mean the magazine?"
Both Katiana and Scorpius nodded, Katiana pulled the rolled up copy of Witch Weekly from her handbag, large pink lettering was plastered across its front reading:
INFIDELITY REVEALED?WEASLEYS INVOLVED!
"You shouldn't even bother reading it...it's rubbish really" Scorpius said in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
Cassiopeia paled "Can I…?"
Draco growled before snatching the copy of the magazine from Scorpius' hands.
"Dad I need...I need to see" Cassiopeia protested.
Narcissa gently placed her hands on her granddaughters shoulders.
"There's no need" Narcissa cooed "That awful magazine does nothing but spread malicious lies about people like us"
Altair nodded in agreement "Besides you've been on the front page more often than not...you've already had enough had press"
Cassiopeia blushed slightly in embarrassment, the action causing Scorpius to swat his younger brother round the head.
"Really Altair?" Scorpius asked with a scoff.
Cassiopeia sighed before walking over to her father's side and peering over his shoulder to get a look at the magazine. There was no need to look further, the words cheat, and phrases like sleeping around and shameful stuck out the most. Bit the worst of it wasn't that her family name was once more dragged through the mud, but they had attacked Hugo's too.
The Weasleys were generally good, kind natured people and Cassiopeia felt disgusted at how just by associating herself with them that they were being ruthlessly attacked.l
Noticing that Cassiopeia was there Draco quickly scrunched up the magazine before throwing it into the flames. The flickering heat devoured the wisps of paper hungrily before dying down leaving Cassiopeia stood awkwardly in its wake.
"I'm sorry father" Cassiopeia said sincerely "I Um...should have listened" Cassiopeia said sadly before quickly disaparating up to her room.
XOXO
By the time Hugo arrived at Cassiopeia's family home he was quickly welcomed by her eldest brother Scorpius and his fiance Katiana.
"You couldn't have come at a much worse time mate" Scorpius commented with a sigh as he lead Hugo through the manor's main hallway. It wasn't as dark as he expected but rather well festive...almost to the point of over the top. Stockings were draped over the chique bannister rail and tinsel was wrapped around almost every door frame visible making it look as if it were decorated by an over excited child.
"Oh that" Scorpius said with a laugh "My mother likes to go all out for the season"
Hugo nodded in understanding, his eyes widening at the sight as a trio of reindeers pranced through the air beside him.
"What's happened?" Hugo asked with curiosity.
Katiana offered him a shy smile "The witch weekly" The russian beauty said with a grimace.
Scorpius nodded with agreement "They accused Cassiopeia of cheating and said some stuff...horrible stuff and well she apparated to her room and hasn't come out since"
Hugo sighed "Which ones her room?" Hugo asked before suddenly realising how his request sounded "Not that I'll do anything...like that"
Scorpius chuckled at his expression "I would hope so. Or I'll have to kill you"
Hugo chuckled in response though both Katiana and Scorpius remained silent. Neither cracking a smile.
"Oh…" Hugo said awkwardly "That wasn't a joke"
XOXO
Cassiopeia was sprawled out on her back on her four poster bed when a loud thump sounded against her door. Not wanting to be disturbed the blonde waved her wand, casting a non verbal locking charm to hopefully send the message of her desired solitude to whoever was on the other side.
Sighing she turned onto her front and buried her face into her pillows. How could she have let this happen, once again she was the sole cause of her family's demise of their already fragile reputation.
It was as she felt the bed dip with weight that Cassiopeia quickly lifted her head, her eyes widening at the sight of Hugo sat on the edge of her bed with his usual lopsided grin.
"Alright love?" Hugo asked with a smile.
Not expecting anyone to get in Cassiopeia gasped with surprise before hurtling the first thing she could- her stuffed rabbit straight into Hugo's face.
"Guess you don't like surprises" Hugo commented with a wry smile.
Cassiopeia grimaced slightly "Sorry...I wasn't expecting anyone to come up here- least of all you"
"ouch" Hugo said with a slight frown.
Cassiopeia gasped "No...I didn't- forget I said anything" Cassiopeia muttered.
"Come ere love" Hugo said softly, he lifted his arm and draped it over Cassiopeia's shoulders as she scooted closer towards him. With their backs rested against the headboard of her bed and staring up into its large canopy.
The pair stared in silence, Hugo marvelling at its decoration for the canopy was decorated in such a way to look like the night sky. The constellations slowly twirled around the expanse of the beds canopy in an almost gracefully display.
"I am glad that you're here" Cassiopeia murdered.
Hugo smiled "I know" his tone teasing as his fingers tangled in Cassiopeia's silky locks.
"They talked about you too" Cassiopeia quipped with a scoff and a slight smile on her lips.
Hugo quirked a brow "about my handsome face and chivalrous nature?" Hugo asked with fake innocence.
Cassiopeia giggled before shaking her head "Not quite" Cassiopeia said "More about you being a homewrecker" Cassiopeia said with a slight frown.
Hugo frowned in confusion "How could I be stealing what was already mine?" Hugo asked with a teasing grin.
Cassiopeia quirked a brow "So I'm yours now?" She asked as she poked him in the chest.
Hugo gently took a hold of her fingers before bringing them to his lips and causing Cassiopeia to blush at the action before quickly turning away to avoid embarrassment.
"Since the first time I saw you" Hugo whispered softly.
Cassiopeia glanced up at her boyfriend eyes wide and heart racing. It always amazed her how he was able to get to her to react like this. How he could leave her feeling so vulnerable and protected both at once.
"You mean it?" Cassiopeia asked her voice barely a whisper though she already knew the answer.
"With all my heart" Hugo said, his eyes never leaving Cassiopeia's. His tone was sincere and the way his gaze never faltered had Cassiopeia believing him. For her heart belonged to Hugo as much as his own was to her.
Not wanting to waste another moment Cassiopeia claimed Hugo's lips. She wanted to give him everything, to let Hugo know just how much she loved him solely through the way she kissed him.
The pair slowly pulled apart with Hugo gently placing his fingers under Cassiopeia's chin and tilting her face to meet his gaze.
"Hey" Hugo said softly "Open your eyes for me love"
Cassiopeia slowly met his request, her eyes wide as she stared up at Hugo the latter sorted a soft smile.
"I'm the fungus to your toenail" Hugo said with a grin.
Cassiopeia giggled softly, the sound coming out more like a choked up laugh than the soft giggle Hugo was used to.
"Guess I'm stuck with you" Cassiopeia quipped before resting her forehead against his own.
Hugo smiled before running a hand through her hair, silently admiring the way her expressive grey eyed just seemed to light up at the very action.
"I wouldn't have it any other way"
Cassiopeia smiled softly, radiating in the warmth Hugo gave her both inside and out, just by his genuine words, soft touch and lopsided grins.
"How touching"
Cassiopeia shrieked with alarm before quickly hurtling one of her throw pillows towards her brothers head. Expecting the action, Altair merely sidestepped with a smirk as the pillow fell to the ground with a soft thud.
"Enjoying the show?" Hugo asked with a slight smile.
"If you must know I found it rather sickening" Altair said with a grimace. He was lazily propped against Cassiopeia's doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. The way he walked in one would assume the room was his- desire the array of stuffed animals…
"Well no one told you to come up here so leave" Cassiopeia said with a huff.
Altair quirked a brow "Now that's rude. I only came up here since mother wants us all for dinner"
"Already" said cassiopeia with confusion "It's only-"
"Half six" Altair sad quickly interrupting his sister. "and I'm starving so hurry up" Altair drawled before walking out of the room.
Cassiopeia gave Hugo a small smile before shifting so that she was now resting on her knees.
"Its best not to keep them waiting" Cassiopeia said with a slight laugh.
Hugo nodded in understanding before quickly standing and pulling Cassiopeia along with him.
After taking his hand in her own Cassiopeia apparated the pair of them into the manor's dining room, where the entirety of the family were sat on the long stretched table awaiting their arrival.
Hugo felt somewhat awkward having the Malfoy's stare at him with their blank expressionless faces but Cassiopeia gave him an assuring smile before gently squeezing get his hand in a silent gesture of her own support.
"Don't just stand there, take a seat" Astoria urged, a bright smile on her face as she wordlessly sent two of the vacant chairs out allowing the pair to sit.
Hugo was quick to take a seat next to Cassiopeia however to his horror it meant he was in the direct firing line of Draco Malfoy's stone cold glare.
Noticing the shift of Hugo's thoughts from worried to quite erratic Cassiopeia quickly lifted her gaze towards her father with a slight frown. It was obvious to anyone what he was doing, though Cassiopeia wasn't happy with it
"Dad…" Cassiopeia said in a warning tone.
"Isn't there something else you could be doing?" Cassiopeia asked with feigned innocence.
Draco cleared his throat before turning his attention elsewhere though Cassiopeia clearly see the snide glances he directed towards her boyfriend.
Cassiopeia gave a loud sigh, Astoria doing the same as both women shared the same thought: this was going to be a long night.
XOXO
"Your parents doing anything special this holiday, Hugo?" Astoria asked with a smile.
Hugo quickly turned his attention from his plate and back to Astoria. Out of all of Cassiopeia's family it had been her mother Astoria who was the most welcoming. With her warm smiles and calm demeanour it was difficult to not feel at ease around herm
"Nothing special" Hugo said as he returned Hugo's smile "Just having Christmas dinner at my Grans"
Astoria beamed at this, her smile so wide that even Draco's lips quirked in amusement.
"Of course that's special" Astoria stressed "Spending the holiday with the ones closest to you is what Christmas is all about"
"And of course the food" Scorpius added with a wink.
Hugo nodded in agreement "Yeah mate- Christmas turkey" Hugo said with a grin.
"Pigs in blankets" Scorpius said with awe
"Just regular bacon smothered with even more bacon" Cassiopeia said with a grin.
"How lovely" Altair said with a grimace.
Hugo grinned in response, "That's the way to do it love" Hugo said as he squeezed Cassiopeia's hand under the table.
It seemed that Draco noticed the little action for instantly he was back to glaring at Hugo as if he would explode on the spot.
"So Hugo what do you play?" Astoria asked in an attempt to diffuse the obvious tension.
"Keeper" Hugo said with a shrug.
Astoria frowned in confusion "Oh Hugo you're so funny" Cassiopeia said with a forced laughter.
Astoria slowly nodded "He is rather amusing right Narcissa?"
"Yes...hilarious" Narcissa said, a stone cold glare on her face and lips pulled into a straight line as she met Hugo's eyes for the first time that evening.
To be honest Hugo hoped that it would be the last,the fact that Cassiopeia looked similar to her Grandmother was almost unsettling.
"Um" Cassiopeia said with a slight grimace "Hugo plays piano mother" Cassiopeia said with a smile "Right Hugo?"
Hugo nodded "Just a little" Hugo said sheepishly.
"You should play for us" Astoria urged before gesturing to the midnight black grand piano sitting in the corner of the room. "Something light and well upbeat, right Draco?"
"I really don't want to impose-"
"Nonsense" Astoria urged, her lips pulled into a smile "Go on"
"Yes Hugo" Altair smirked as he noticed Hugo's obvious discomfort "serenade us"
"Tai" Cassiopeia hissed lowly "Shut it"
"Just one song?" Katiana asked with curiosity.
Hugo sighed, the whole family was staring at him expectantly; save for Draco and Narcissa who the latter barely even meeting his gaze whilst the former had yet to stop glaring at him.
"Surely Mrs Malfoy" Hugo said with a smile which instantly had Astoria beaming with excitement.
He cleared his throat as his fingers glided over the piano keys, a soft tune filling the dining room and allowing the family to enjoy the soft melody.
Hugo was somewhat nervous with his playing, never before had he had an audience let alone one of this high calibre and the fact that no one was studying anything only seemed to make his nerves worsen.
It was then that Cassiopeia moved to sit next to him on the piano stool, a small smile on her lips as she watched Hugo's fingers move almost fluidly against the keys.
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones I used to know..." Hugo turned with curiosity, his brow quirked with surprise as Cassiopeia sung alongside him.
He almost stopped playing for he was mesmerised by her voice, not perfect yet beautiful all the same.
"Where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow.."
Hugo smiled at Cassiopeia as the song came to a close the pair staring into each other's eyes silently for no words needed to be shared. His fingers slid from their space on the keys to where Cassiopeia's were placed on her lap and gave the slender digits a squeeze.
XOXO
The rest of the evening went better with mostly Astoria and Scorpius engaging with Hugo with conversation which helped put his nerves at ease. Hugo being lead by Cassiopeia had followed the rest of the Malfoys to the drawing room where apparently they had been awaiting his arrival to decorate the tree.
The event was rather eventful with Hugo learning just how meticulous Cassiopeia's grandmother Narcissa was when it came to decorating. Whereas Astoria's was carefree and almost childlike, Narcissa's was chique, elegant and just plain perfection.
There were numerous times where Narissa had dictated the tree decorating leading to exasperated sighs from nearly all the Malfoys (save Astoria who beamed the entire time) an act which Hugo found rather amusing once Cassiopeia revealed that it was a yearly thing.
Though what shocked Hugo the most was when Cassiopeia's father openly asked his opinion on the tree's appearance in an attempt to make conversation with him. Struck dumb Hugo returned broken answers though it seemed that both Cassiopeia and Astoria were ecstatic over the new turn of events.
Once the tree was deemed to meet Narcissa's strict standards of satisfactory perfection, Cassiopeia had opted to give Hugo a personal tour of the manors gardens. The pair walking under the starlight through the impressive plant life decor.
They walked side by side, Hugo's fingertips brushing Cassiopeia's causing her to blush a dusky pink which was obvious even in the night's darkness.
"You really surprised me there, Cass" Hugo said softly as he absently entwined his her own.
Cassiopeia smiled back.
"Beauxbatons put a lot of stress on the performing arts" Cassiopeia said "So every Christmas we'd put on a little ensemble for the school governors"
"You don't really talk much about your old school" Hugo mused.
Cassiopeia shrugged "There isn't much to tell" Cassiopeia said with a slight grimace "Besides I prefer focusing on making new memories" Cassiopeia said with a smile before bumping her hip against his own and her grin widening.
"Is that so?" Hugo asked before twirling her around and thus causing Cassiopeia to shriek with laughter.
They twirled around in the snow, the pair sliding around before eventually Hugo lost his footing causing the both of them to fall to the ground. Cassiopeia giggled, her face pressed into Hugo's chest though it was Hugo who took the brunt of the fall.
"Nice moves" Cassiopeia commented with a smirk as she shifted her position so she was lying on her back.
"I always save the best ones for you" Hugo chuckled in response as he turned on his side to face her. A few snowflakes had fallen on her lips and his gaze flickered down as the urge to kiss them away grew.
Smiling Cassiopeia shuffled closer towards him and tugged his face down to meet hers, the two sharing a slow passionate kiss. Their lips moved together in perfect tandem and soon Hugo's tongue was begging entrance to Cassiopeia's mouth.
Hugo always loved the taste of Cassiopeia, the sweet taste which always had him begging for more.
There was something about kissing her soft slightly cold lips as they lay in the snow, slender fingers grasping tightly against his sweater in a bid to pull him closer and curvaceous body moulded perfectly against the hard planes of his own.
A swarm of thoughts ran through Hugo's mind; he loved kissing Cassiopeia, generally just being her.
Thinking about a future with her after their impending graduation had once scared him...but now...now it seemed like something he wanted.
Sitting with her, hearing about the boring aspects of her day only to pull her against him and kiss her.
Was this this what he wanted- the two possibly living together. Of course
How could he ever have been scared of this?
He was the fungus to her toenail. They were stuck...in for the long haul.
The pair slowly pulled apart once the need for air grew. Cassiopeia gave a shy glance towards Hugo before quickly turning away, her eyes turning back to the starry sky above them.
"You didn't...you didn't mind?" Cassiopeia asked with curiosity.
Hugo frowned, of course he didn't mind the kiss. In fact he rather enjoyed it.
"Not the kiss" Cassiopeia said with a slight blush "Me...reading your mind"
Hugo shook his head "It's a part of who you are" Hugo said as he brushed her bangs away from her face.
Cassiopeia smiled at the action "So you don't mind that I saw you thinking about us?" Cassiopeia asked with curiosity.
Hugo blushed "What...what do you think?" Hugo asked slowly. Afraid of what she would say.
"I think it's a wonderful idea" Cassiopeia said with a smile "I want to be stuck with you, for as long as you'll have me" Cassiopeia whispered, her eyes never leaving his.
Hugo beamed before leaning down to kiss Cassiopeia on the nose, the action causing her to giggle before tugging him by the scarf for a real kiss.
He smiled against her lips, silently marvelling about how quickly the night had taken the turn for the better and Cassiopeia couldn't have agreed more.
XOXO
Unknown to the young couple, Draco and Astoria had also decided to take a late night stroll into the manors gardens however the older couple had entirely different motive.
Draco watched with a fond smile as his daughter's light laughter came to his ears, never before had he seen her so truly happy and yet Draco found it somewhat saddening that it took someone else to bring out such a side of her.
Of course he was still a tad confused as to why his daughter had decided to become so enamoured with one of the Weasley brood and yet he found it difficult to truly find a fault with her chosen partner. Honestly it was frustrating!
"You're not mad are you" Astoria asked with confusion. "You've been awfully quiet"
Draco sighed "They're all growing up aren't they?" Draco said.
Astoria smiled once more, her gaze flickering over to where Hugo and Cassiopeia were now making what she knew to be called 'snow angels' they're arms and legs waving madly in the snow.
"I'm sure Altair will give us both a head full of grey hair before he too leaves"
"I'm glad that she's at least happy" Draco mused. Astoria hummed in agreement, a slight smile on her lips as she watched her husband.
"She's in love" Astoria said with a smile.
XOXO
A/N Time:
So the Christmas countdown has already started despite it still being November.
By the way I don't regret using disgusting fungus imagery to portray Hugo and Cassiopeia's wuv.
Stay tuned for the next chapter where Cassiopeia enjoys a different type of Christmas, Altair comes to a revelation and Hugo makes a promise.
This is Heavensfairy signing off x
