For the entire week, Cassie had actively stashed the letters she received from her friends without reading them or replying. For that same week, she hadn't had to avoid her father as he wasn't home much and even then they never saw each other in passing. She didn't know how to feel about that; something felt off.

It wasn't until late at night that Lopsy appeared in her room with a grim expression that Cassie's heart dropped with expectation.

"Master Malfoy requests Cassie in his study." She said, solemnly.

"Thank you, Lopsy." Cassie said quietly, as she slipped her slippers on.

"Lopsy begs Cassie to take caution." Lopsy muttere. "Dark times. Dark times."

"I will, Lopsy." She assured the elf. "I promise."

She didn't know what to expect when she entered his study, but it certainly wasn't a lack of sadistic grins or him sat at his desk normally.

"Close the door behind you." He said and her blood ran cold.

She did as he said and turned around. It unnerved her to see him act so normal, so human. It must be a front, for he'd tried and failed to kill her just barely weeks prior.

"Sit down." He ordered, not bothering to look at her or gesture to the seat positioned across from him on the opposite side of his desk.

Silently, she slipped into the seat, watching him carefully. How could he just act as though he hadn't just tried to kill his own daughter?

"The reason I called you here," Here it comes. Her hands tightened on the arm rests of the chair, dreading his words. "Is to inform you that we shall be the hosts of a few balls here at the Manor."

She waited for him to continue. There must be something else, she'd been to countless balls before. Plus, he'd never cared to inform her of them before.

"I expect you to behave and to put your best manners into practice," He said, sharply. "As your possible suitors will be in attendance and you need to make a good and lasting impression if you want someone of value to take notice of you."

Just as she opened her mouth, he moved his hand to rest it atop of his wand laying on the table with a sinister grin. She snapped her mouth shut, blinking back her frustrated tears.

"Well?" He goaded.

She didn't take the bait and instead left his study without another word.

She was only 17 and he was already trying to marry her off to some rich family. In all honesty, she was more surprised it had taken this long, considering they had been arranging Draco's for years.

She fisted her hands, as she forced herself to walk back to her room without stamping. The whole house was quiet and even the tiniest noise echoed. She had never felt at home here and now more than ever, she felt alone.

They couldn't set her up, not when her heart already belonged to someone else. Someone that wouldn't ever dare be considered. She was reminded of yet another cruel reason they would never work. Their fates didn't coincide, no matter how she wished they would.

By the time she reached her room, her resolve as broke, as had the dam holding back her tears. She made her way over to her drawer and unlocked it to reveal the multitude of letters. She knew it would only make her feel worse, but she needed it. She needed to be reminded of why she was doing this. Of who she was protecting no matter how much it broke her.

She needed to read it, because it would be the only thing that would help her feel less lonely and insane.

She picked the one that was addressed from Blaise Zabini, the first one she had received and set it on the table, staring at the messy, swirly attempt as cursive writing. She knew if he really tried, he could write elegantly, but he had never cared for such things.

Her fingers twitched by her sides and in no time, she had the letter open and was sitting on the edge of her bed.

Dear Cassie

As much as you wish I didn't, I know you like the back of my hand. Which also means, that I know when you're doing something you don't want to. I'm not an idiot, I know you're scared, Cass, but that doesn't make you dangerous. If anything, you need us more than ever. Us. The people who love you and would go to the ends of the earth to keep you safe.

We don't have to get back together if that's not what you want, but I still want to be there for you Cassie, even if it's as a friend. Believe it or not, we need each other. Let me be there for you Cassie. I'm begging you. I can't lose you. Not now, not ever.

You're not alone in this.

BZ

Her heart ached with a painful longing. She wanted so badly to write back, but she knew she couldn't. She had to stick to her resolve.

She truly didn't deserve Fred Weasley.