Double Posts because forgetting to post chapter 6 is my own fault- and this was the intended chapter for this week/month!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Also, I know Percy's good with studies and is all smart and all, but I feel (with her parentage) that Cassia's best class/knowledge will be Potions (Lily was really good at Potions, according to Slughorn, and Snape, obviously realllllly good at potions).
Warning: Weasley family Fluff -heart-
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, just Cassia (and Rue)
"Don't go too high on those stairs, Weasley!"
"Yeah- wouldn't want you passing out on us!"
Flint and Montague laughed as they passed Cassia on their way out of the Great Hall. She glared at them from the bottom of the steps—their laughter and taunting never ending in the past four months. Ever since that first flying lesson—and luckily, her last—select students made fun of her.
Okay- mostly it was Slytherins, with a few Ravenclaw's thrown in. There had been more, Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs included, but after both Bill and Charlie getting involved, and Rue and Tonks—most of the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaw's backed off.
No such luck getting Slytherin's off her back though.
Sighing as she walked through the doors and made her way to the Gryffindor table, Cassia sat down and rested her chin on her hands, her shoulders sagging in defeat.
"What's wrong, Cassie?" Percy asked as he took his seat across from her.
"Why do I gotta be afraid of heights? It would make life so much easier if I weren't," she frowned.
"This again?"
"Come on, Perc! It's not fair! No one else in the family is afraid of heights! Why do I gotta be?"
He just shrugged his shoulders in answer, before focusing on his potions essay.
"Thanks. You're a lot of help," Cassia glared at him. She reached in her bag and pulled out a few of her own assignments to work on for free period- starting with her Charms one.
"Ah, Misses and Mister Weasley," Professor McGonagall said as she neared," Am I correct to assume the two of you will also be returning home for the Holiday?"
"Yes, Professor," Cassia answered, as Percy gave a nod in agreement.
"As I thought. I'll see you both tomorrow evening in class—don't forget about your assignment due."
"Finishing it up now, Professor," Cassia laughed, the older woman giving her a small smile before walking towards the front of the room.
"Is it bad that I'm glad Slytherin lost their first quidditch match to Ravenclaw last month? Maybe knock them down off their pedestal?"
"Nah- everyone wanted them to lose," Percy shook his head," Well- except them." His voice lowered slightly as the Slytherin Head of House neared, walking from the front of the Great Hall towards the back.
"Yeah," Cassia laughed, tweaking her a head a bit to get a better look at his essay," You know you got that part wrong right? The bezoar? It's not Roman—it's derived from the Persian word padzahr."
"Per—No…" Percy frowned, opening one of his textbooks and doublechecking. He was too focused on the book—and Cassia had her back to Professor Snape, so she didn't see him come to a stop behind her and look at her in slightly bewilderment. Most first years didn't know much about Potions, let alone know something off the top their head about Bezoars. Stiffening, Professor Snape realized he had eyes on him from different tables—and after sending a glare to the other students, he continued on his way out of the room.
"It's believed to be the universal antidote to most poisons, hence the Persian word meaning 'protection for poison," Cassia continued.
"I hate when you're right," Percy told her, closing his book and crossing out the incorrect part of his essay," Guess I'll re-write this later."
"You're welcome."
Her brother rolled his eyes at her, before returning his focus to his essay, leaving her to focus on her own.
"Vast ways to use Alohomora," Cassia thought," This could take a while."
0o0o
"Why is it that you three always end up injured after playing?" Molly questioned, carefully checking over the twins and Cassia. Small, minor burns were on their hands—and there was even a tiny burn on Cassia's cheek.
"We don't mean too, honest," George frowned.
"It's all in good fun," Fred admitted.
"Well, I think you three should find something else—less injury prone—for fun," Molly told them.
"Can we go outside with Bill and Charlie?" they asked in unison.
"Just be careful," their mother nodded; they instantly ran out the door, leaving Cassia standing there in the kitchen. Molly saw how her eldest daughter watched after them, staring into the distance at where they would be joining her older brothers for Quidditch. A resigned sigh left her as her shoulders slumped, and Molly could feel the sadness radiating off her.
"Cassie, dear, why don't you get washed up and help me start supper?"
Cassia looked over her shoulder at her mother, a small smile lifting the corners of her lips," Sure, mum."
0o0o0o
Three days later, the Weasley family sat around the living room, exchanging the few gifts they had with one another—while discussing anything that came to mind.
"Have you had any thought, Bill? What you'll do after Hogwarts then?" Arthur asked, opening a small package and instantly looking around with mild excitement," Okay—who done this?"
In his hand was a small, yellow rubber duck.
Each of his eight children were stone faced silent, until Cassia burst up laughing, along with Bill and Charlie.
"Cassie asked us to go with her— she was adamant on finding one for you," Bill chuckled, opening up the gift from his mother.
Christmas sweater with a B monogrammed on it.
"Thank you, Mum," Bill told her before he answered his father," Well, with everything going on at Hogwarts right now, I've been considering taking after Patricia Rakepick. The Cursebreaker? I could see myself doing that—helping the world and all."
"That's a very dangerous career, Bill—are you certain?" Molly fearfully asked.
"It's dangerous, yeah, but someone's gotta do it. But it's just a potential idea right now. McGonagall's got me researching into it quite a bit."
"Good—get as many answers as you can before you fully decide upon-" Molly nodded as she opened her gift, before stopping and placing a hand over her heart.
"C-Cassie, did you do this?"
"Do you like it?"
"I—I love it, sweetie," Molly flushed," Oh, Arthur—look!" She passed the small patch of parchment paper to her husband so he could see.
It was an ink-drawn family portrait of the Weasley's.
"Took me about a month to do… had to let the ink dry every time before doing a new section…" Cassia explained, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly," I know it's not the greatest but—"
"Nonsense," Arthur shook his head," It's remarkable."
"It's going up by the clock!" Molly exclaimed, instantly standing up and walking over to the large Weasley clock.
"Thanks for the sweater Mum," Charlie smiled, instantly pulling his over his head," They always keep me nice and warm."
"You're quite welcome, dear- what about you? Any plans for after Hogwarts?"
"Nothing quite yet. I mean—quidditch star would be nice. But I really like my Magical Creatures class, so… We'll see."
"I already know what I'm going to do," Percy smirked," I'm going on to work at the Ministry with you Dad. Different department—but definitely Ministry. Perhaps I'll be the Minister one day!"
"That would be lovely, Percy!" Molly smiled warmly, as Arthur nodded.
"Would be nice to work with you—any of my children," Arthur admitted, turning to Cassia," What about you, any ideas?"
"Hmm? Oh, uh—not really. I don't… I mean—there's nothing standing out to me right now," Cassia admitted, playing with the sleeves of her Christmas Sweater.
"That's quite alright dear—you've plenty of time to figure it out," Molly told her, patting the spot on the couch beside her. Cassia stood up from her spot on the floor and went to sit beside her mother, who pulled her in for a long hug.
"Everyone has their own path in life—some think they have it all figured out early in life, and then when time comes, they realize it's not what they want," Molly told her," Others have a set decision and stick with it. To each their own—and when the time is right, you'll know what you are meant for."
"Thanks Mum," Cassia smiled, holding onto the older woman tightly.
"Anytime, my dear," Molly smiled, holding her close," Anytime."
That night, as she lay down for bed—she took a moment to think. Everything that had happened in her life up to now. Everything that had happened since September—starting at Hogwarts. Her whole life ahead of her—everything uncertain.
There was one thing that was for certain.
Taking a look to the bed five feet away, where Ginny slept peacefully. Thinking to the other rooms where the Twins slept—where Charlie and Bill slept—where Percy and Ron slept. Where her mother and father slept.
No matter what uncertainty lay before her in life—one thing was certain.
She was loved.
Looking out the window one last time, Cassia Weasley closed her eyes and fell asleep—knowing she was loved—she was safe—her mothers words repeating in her mind.
"When the time is right… you'll know what you are meant for."