Cassie sighed in relief, thankful to finally be free of the medical wing. However, now she was increasingly aware of the fact she would be returning home today and would be thrust into the unknown. She felt she'd rather stay in the medical wing after all. There was no knowing how her father would react and it terrified her, just as it had all her life.

Madam Pomfrey had given her the all clear, a sad smile upon her face as she had wished her a lovely summer and left, to give her privacy to change into her robes.

She was happy to be out of the flimsy loose gown and stepped out from behind the small folding screen, looking up from folding the gown to find Dumbledore standing by the edge of her bed expectedly. He offered her a smile and she returned it, albeit with uncertainty.

"Good morning, sir." She greeted, as she started stripping the bed and folding the sheets on top in a pile to be washed. It was always a job left to Madam Pomfrey or the Elves if she was really busy, but Cassie always liked to show her gratitude, even in small ways, plus, it wasn't a hard task.

He regarded her in what seemed to be curiosity and amusement, as she finished, turning her full attention to him.

"Hello, dear," He said softly. "I was hoping to catch a quick word with you before you set off home."

She stiffened, her breathing faltering as his voice held a knowing tone. What he knew she didn't know and that concerned her most. It left her uneasy.

"Of course, sir." She nodded.

"Ah," He ran his index finger meticulously across a flower of one of the various bouquets she had received. "From Mr Weasley, I presume?"

She blushed, barely able to nod in confirmation, but judging by his growing grin, he'd already known. Fred had gotten her a bouquet of lilac freesia flowers, her favourite flower known to existence. At the time, it had warmed her heart, now, however, it reminded her of what was to come and it left a pit in her stomach. She couldn't take them home with her, she couldn't take anything the others had gave her, lest her father beat her into oblivion.

"Where is the young devil, this morning?" Dumbledore asked, with a mischievous smile.

"He's just packing," She replied, smiling at the next part. "He'll be back as soon as he's done, but since I've finished early and my bags are already packed, I figured I could surprise him."

"I'm sure he'd love that." He smiled fondly, before becoming serious. "I won't take much of your time then. I would just like to say how truly sorry I am for what you experience and the danger I put you in. I certainly don't expect you to forget, but I do hope you can come to forgive me, in your own time of course."

She nodded in appreciation, blocking out the memories that always pushed to swarm her mind at even the slightest mention of what had happened.

Dumbledore placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, "Dark and dangerous timed lie ahead. Soon, we all will be forced to make a choice between what is right and what is easy. Please remember that you are not alone. You have friends to support you."

With a small smile, the old man left with a swish of his robes, letting the heavy door shut softly behind him.

She sighed heavily, dropping down onto the now bare bed and ran a hand through her hair before dragging it down her face.

This was all too much.

"George," Cassie could hear Fred's exasperation from around the corner. "Later, I promise."

"But-" She could hear George whine.

"Later." Fred said, firmly. "I'm gonna go see Cass."

Cassie smiled.

"Fine." George conceded. "Tell her I'll catch her later."

"You got it."

She waited until she heard his footsteps echoing further down opposite the hall, before creeping out and catching up behind him. Because he was so much taller than her, she had to reach her arms up and stand on her tip toes to be able to cover his eyes. He stopped and she could feel his cheeks move up with the smile that made its way onto his face.

"Guess who." Cassie whispered, with a smile.

"Well," He said, his tone teasing. "Only one person is small enough to struggle this much to reach."

She scoffed playfully. "You're just freakishly tall."

He gently took his hands in hers and turned in her hold so that her hands rested behind his neck.

"Hey, Cass." He breathed a smile.

"Hey yourself." She smiled, completely taken by him.

If anything were to happen to him...

He must have noticed the falter in her smile, as his own dropped and his expression turned to one of concern. With one arm remaining on her hip, he reached out to gently cup her cheek, softly running his thumb across it.

"What is it?" He asked, quietly, his attention solely on her.

She shook her head, forcing a smile.

"Nothing."

"C'mon, Cass," He frowned, feeling as though there was something she was hiding.

She hesitated, not knowing what to say, and was thankful for the rowdy group that had exited the common room and were heading towards them.

George was talking with Lee, with Hermione, Harry and Ron at their backs. George glanced forward and she watched his face light up instantly.

"Hey Cassie!"

The others also turned their attention to her and smiled, the group bounding up to them, as Fred stepped back to allow her to be hugged with a frown. George gave him a weird look over Cassie's shoulder.

"What's wrong?" George asked, as Cassie walked in front with Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"I'm not sure," Fred sighed, looking at Cassie. "Something just feels off."

"Well," Lee said, trying to quell his worries. "She has just been put through hell, mate, just give her time."

Fred nodded, but he couldn't dismiss the worry that nagged at him and the anxious pit in his stomach.

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After having said goodbye to Serena and Cedric, as well as the younger trio, Cassie set off with the twins in tow to search for Lee who had went ahead to find them a compartment.

As they walked along the carriage, they past by Pansy's compartment, who just sneered at the sight of them, although, this time it seemed much more half hearted.

Finally finding Lee near the back of the train, they took their usual seats. Lee and George immersed themselves in talk of their joke products, as Fred reached down and entwined his fingers with Cassie's, squeezing in hope to lessen whatever seemed to weigh her down. She smiled sadly, before turning her attention to look out of the window.

She was going home under much different circumstances. The routine she had grown accustomed to had now changed and she didn't know what to expect. It was one thing to be hit and molested by a father, but it was another to have been almost killed merciless at his hands.

Would he kill her back home? If he did, would anyone find out? Or would she just disappear? What would her friends think? It was a sad thing to be thinking of your own death so casually.

She snuck a glance at the three boys that spoke so compassionately and couldn't fight the small smile from breaking out onto her face, turning away once again. She owed a lot to them. They had made a bad situation more bearable, it little more easier.

She should cut all ties before they got hurt either way. She was a dangerous person now and they couldn't risk being associated with her - she refused to compromise them like that, she simply cared too much.

It broke her heart.

And Fred. Oh Fred. They had finally gotten somewhere and she was foolish enough to it could work, nevermind let it happen in the first place. A person who lived a life like hers was not meant to be happy.

Cassie wasn't the girl that every boy noticed, but she was the girl Fred noticed. To her, that meant everything.

There was no other way. No way around it. No happy route. No happy ending.

She startled when Fred stood up, gently pulling her up by the hand he still held and left the compartment, leading her to the back of the train. There, he opened the door of a closet and ushered her inside, shutting the door behind them. He reached up between the little space between them and muttered Lumos.

"I figured we should have a proper goodbye this year," He spoke softly. "I didn't exactly want George and Lee oggling either."

"Fred-" She began.

"There's something I need to say," He said, cupping her cheek and running his thumb across it. "I know that you're still suffering and as much as I wish there was, I know there's nothing I can do to change or take it away. I just need you to know that we all love you and we're here for you every step of the way, whatever you need."

She nodded, her head swimming, her senses overloading.

"I'm gonna miss you," He whispered, leaning in and kissing her so tenderly that it broke her heart to the point of no return. Tears escaped as she kissed him back, sure it would be the last time she got the chance. She wanted to convey just how much he meant to her and for him to understand, even if her next words couldn't quite convey it.

Frowning, Fred pulled back and concern littered his features as he brushed away the tears with his thumbs.

"Cass?" He whispered, holding either side of her face and looking into her broken eyes.

"Freddie," She breathed, stifling a sniffle. This was undoubtedly the hardest thing she'd ever had to do. "I care for you so deeply it hurts and I would do anything to protect you, to keep you from harm, because you're so precious to me. I've never cherished anything so much."

He was equally worried and overjoyed at her words, as uncertainty plagued him. She reached up and took his hands from her face and held them at stomach height between them.

"And it's for that reason, that I have to say the words that break my heart. That I have to do the hardest thing imaginable."

"Cassie?" He said, a panic lilt to his tone.

"It's over. We can't be together, Fred." She said, her voice breaking, before a sob took over her. She continued to speak, her voice croaky and indistinguishable at times through her sobs. "Any association with me compromises your safety. I'm dangerous and I won't risk dragging you into this mess."

"Cassie, no. Please don't do this." He begged, hurtful tears springing to his eyes. He didn't know what hurt most, the fact she was breaking up with him or the fact that she was terrified and didn't feel safe. "You don't have to worry. Even though I know there are still things I don't know, what I do know is that you will never be dangerous. Not to me. You don't have to go back home, you can come home with me. I'll protect you, we all will. Please, let me."

"I'm sorry, Fred." She forced out, before bursting out of the cupboard and taking off.

She could hear him calling her name, as he followed at her back, but her breath hitched as she ran into someone and they grasped her shoulders. She looked up through teary eyes and just made out her brother.

"Cassie?" His voice was quiet, and worry was etched on his face as he wiped her tears with the shoulder of his robe sleeves. "What happened-?"

He looked up and saw that Fred had also stopped a few steps down, a frantic look on his face.

"I'm going to kill him," Draco muttered darkly, taking a step.

Before he could get any further, Cassie grabbed his arm and pleaded with her eyes to just leave it. Draco looked at her hard, trying to understand the situation before complying, but not before shooting the distressed boy a murderous glare of dark promises, then leading Cassie away with an arm around her shoulder, neither saying a word.

She didn't want to go home. She had found home between Fred's arms and now, she didn't even have that thought to help her get through this, if she got through this.