Chapter 7: Red-haired boy
"Alright, I've got three butterbeers, one water and one Ogden's Old and ginger beer," I called out, passing out the Butterbeers to Cedric, Gethin, and Annamaria, the water to Daniel, and saving the firewhiskey for myself. I turned to Daniel and offered my cup.
"A toast?" I proposed.
"What's the occasion?" he asked me, leaning in.
I considered for a moment. "Being together. To being Cass and Daniel, and everyone else be damned."
We clinked glasses, followed by a quick kiss. I blushed, knowing our friends witnessed the entire exchange.
"Get a room!" Gethin called out.
"Yeah, Cass, I don't need to see you snogging my best mate!" Cedric taunted. I whacked him in the chest, my silent way of telling him to shut the hell up.
Dan and I looked at each other and laughed out loud, kissing again. I took a sip of my drink after. As the burning liquid slid down my throat, a smile spread across my entire face. Firewhiskey and ginger beer was my favorite drink, and I'd been known to let loose at parties in the Slytherin common room after a few too many glasses of it.
After about ten more minutes of milling about, a voice boomed over the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen . . . welcome! Welcome to the final of the four hundred and twenty-second Quidditch World Cup!" bellowed the voice. I couldn't get a decent look at who was speaking, but Cedric said his name was Ludo Bagman, some former professional Quidditch player who now worked for the Ministry.
The voice called out over the crowd again.
"And now, without further ado, allow me to introduce . . . the Bulgarian National Team Mascots!"
As we peered over the railings of the box to see whoever was coming onto the field, I could see Cedric, Gethin, and even Daniel leaning farther over the railing. When I turned back to see what they were staring at, I saw a dozen dancing young women, with long, white-blonde hair and pale, almost translucent skin. They were beautiful, more beautiful than any women I'd ever seen, and while I couldn't tell what exactly they had done to all the men in the stadium, I could tell it was powerful magic.
"Hey! Dan, Ced, how'd you like to fall fifty stories and break every bone in your bodies?" I called to them. All of a sudden, they broke free of their trance. I laughed. Cedric looked around wildly, clearly unaware that he was under the spell of a dozen veela.
"What-what was that – no, I don't want to fall over, why would you ask me that?" he asked me. I laughed again.
"No reason. Just if you keep doing…whatever it was you were doing, you'll do exactly that," I laughed, trying to confuse him as much as possible.
I looked around, experiencing the same sensory overload I felt when Tonks and I arrived. I was surrounded by a sea of crimson and green and gold and black. Striped scarves with Bulgaria's colors and oversized leprechaun hats adorned almost every person in the arena. The cheers of the crowd as Ireland's mascots – leprechauns – darted through the air, gold coins falling through the arena like rain. I laughed aloud as Daniel and Cedric used their empty cups, hats, and hands to catch as much leprechaun gold as possible.
"Isn't it brilliant?" Daniel asked me, handing me a handful of coins.
"It is," I said, my smile wide. "It really is."
The game started twenty minutes later and moved at break-neck pace the entire time.
I had never seen Quidditch played at such a high speed before. I was definitely going to need to ice my neck after tonight, since it was turning nonstop. Ireland's Chasers were unmatched, but Bulgaria still had that wunderkind Krum. Before I knew it, Ireland was in the lead, leaving Bulgaria to trail them thirty-zero.
"I'm going to go grab another drink, you want anything?" I asked Daniel. He shook his head. I kissed him on the cheek, then bounded out of our box to grab another, much larger Ogden's Old and ginger beer.
As I bounded down the steps, I wondered where Tonks was. I knew she probably was hanging out with Charlie and the Weasleys, but we were going to have to reunite at some point. I hope she's having a ball, I thought. I feel bad that we aren't spending this whole night together though.
I could see the bar about fifty feet away, but something caught my eye and distracted me. Someone caught my eye and I forgot what I'd even come down there for.
"Lucius, I really can't thank you enough for your contribution to St. Mungo's this year, you really were far too generous, you always are- "
"Cornelius, you know it is my pleasure and my duty to give to such charitable causes. You needn't mention it again."
Right in front of the bar, chatting up the Minister for Magic, was my father. By his side was my brother.
I hadn't seen either of them…well, since the day I left. I had a strong feeling they would be here tonight, but I was so drunk off the happiness of being here with my friends that I'd simply forgotten about it. Get a grip, Cassie, I thought to myself. He'll probably just ignore you, which is for the best. Just get your drink and go back to your friends and Daniel and forget you saw him.
With as much confidence as I could muster, I held my head up, pushed my hair out of my face, and walked quickly over to the bar. Unfortunately, I had to squeeze past my fatherto actually catch the barman's eye.
"One Ogden's Old and ginger, please," I called over to him. "The largest one you've got."
Out of the corner of my eye, my father's head turned over his left shoulder. If I were completely sober, I probably wouldn't have done anything. But I wasn't. I turned over my right shoulder and looked him in the eye.
I never really noticed how dark my father's eyes were. They were gray, but I noticed that they were a cold gray, a soulless gray. You could stare into the man's eyes for hours, searching for something more, but you'd never find it. My father probably didn't even have a soul. Just a bag of bones and cold, cold blood, covered by pale skin and expensive robes. All style, no substance.
He held my gaze, sizing me up until the barman came back over to me. At first, I didn't think he recognized me with the face paint and black hair, but his eyes darted down to my shoulder, where a blond section of my hair lay.
"That'll be twelve Sickles, love," the barman said. I handed him the money and took my drink, taking a huge gulp as I turned around. Once again, my horrible luck kicked in as I choked on the sheer amount of firewhiskey that I'd just ingested.
Once again, my father turned around to see what all the ruckus was. The Minister for Magic even craned his neck to look.
"My goodness, girl, are you quite alright?" Cornelius Fudge asked incredulously, as if my coughing within his orbit was some sort of personal attack on his existence. Nevertheless, I smiled at him.
"Forgive me, Minister," I said, flashing a smile. "I'm quite alright. Thank you for asking."
I smiled a thin-lipped smile, gave my father one more glance for good measure, then walked away. That wasn't so bad, was it Cass? I thought to myself.
Just as I was about to walk back up to our box, I felt someone step on the flag around my neck. I stumbled back.
"Watch it, you git," I growled, whipping around.
My little brother sneered at me.
"Didn't think you'd show your face in the wizarding world again, let alone at the Quidditch World Cup," Draco taunted. His hair was longer, and his robes were pristine. My parents were definitely grooming him to be the perfect, pureblood son.
"Why would I do that?" I asked him, playing dumb. He rolled his eyes.
"Who're you here with? Not like I need to ask, you're probably with that mudblood Light. You're lucky I won't tell Mother and Father that I've seen you," he said. I shrugged.
"I already saw Dad. He gave me a look when he was talking to the Minister," I said plainly. "Seeing me probably threw off his whole 'Cassiopeia is traveling and won't return until the start of the fall term at Hogwarts' story. He did tell one of those, didn't he?"
I jumped up on the steps, so that I was standing above him. I sipped my drink and eyed him carefully, choosing my words in my mind.
"I won't take up too much more of your time, baby brother," I said, checking my watch. "Give Mum my best – oh and tell her I met her sister! Yeah, our aunt Andromeda is the loveliest. She and her husband - that's our uncle - took me in over the summer. It's nice to have family that's so accepting of others. Sad you'll never know what that's like."
He smirked, but I could tell he was a little surprised. I don't think he knew that our mother had another sister. With that, I walked away. As soon as I was out of sight, I almost collapsed.
Leave it to my disgusting little brother to needle me like that, I thought. What happened to the sweet, funny, curious little boy I took care of when we were little? The one I chased through the hedges and read stories to? What happened to him?
As I leaned on the staircase to get up to our box, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I jumped at the person's cold touch.
"Cass! It is Cass, isn't it?" Charlie Weasley asked me, his forehead beaded with sweat and his smile wide, probably from the large firewhiskey he was also carrying. "I was coming to grab another drink. Tonks was just saying she was going to try and find you. You want to come up to our box for a bit, say hi?"
I blinked rapidly. I thought about Daniel, what he'd say if I was gone too long or if he found out I'd wandered off. He'd worry, as he always did. But this night was supposed to be my night out with Tonks. I think I deserved to spend a little more of it with her.
"Yeah, Charlie, hi. I'll absolutely come up. I was grabbing another drink and then I…" My voice trailed off. "Needed some air. Tonks didn't say where you all were sitting, so you'll have to lead the way!"
Charlie smiled and turned around to keep climbing the stairs. Little did I know, we were about to climb to the top box.
"Did you bring me another firewhiskey, Weasley?" Tonks called over to Charlie when we walked in.
He grinned. "I didn't. I brought you something better," he said, stepping aside to reveal me.
"CASSIE! YOU'RE HERE!" she called out, slurring the words ever so slightly. Her hair was now the same red as the Weasley's and reached her waist. A stranger would've definitely thought she was one of them.
"Hey, you, I'm so glad to see you," I breathed, gulping down my drink and bracing myself against the railing of the box. Tonks reached out and shook my shoulder.
"You alright? What's going on? What's happened?" she asked, searching my face.
I shook my head. "I'm fine, really. I've… just seen my father and brother."
Her smile faded. "Merlin's beard, are you alright? Did they say anything? Did you say anything?"
I shook my head again. "I'm fine, just shaken up. My dad didn't say a word, but my brother had all sorts of lovely things to say," my voice oozing sarcasm. Tonks smiled at me and wrapped me up in a hug.
"You can tell me later, when we're back at the tent. That is, if you're not totally sloshed. Oi, look who's decided to join us!"
Bill, Fred, George, and Mr. Weasley all looked up to wave at me. Fred and George made room in between them for me to stand. I crossed the box and stood in between them.
"What's in the cup?" George asked me, eyeing my nearly empty drink.
"My drink of choice. Ogden's Old and ginger beer," I replied.
"Fancy giving me a taste?" George asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
"I would, but given that your dad is right behind me, I'll probably have to pass," I said.
George laughed. "I tried, Freddy! Can't say I didn't!"
Fred laughed as well, his laughter ringing in my ears. "That I cannot, Georgie! That I cannot!"
After a few minutes of awkward silence, I called over to Tonks.
"How's it feel knowing you're going to owe me five Galleons after this game is over?" I asked. She shook her head.
"Game's not over yet, cuz! The night is still young!"
I laughed. Fred and George exchanged looks.
"Were you two gambling? Did you join Bagman's betting pool?" George asked.
I shook my head. "No, just a friendly wager between cousins. I bet her five Galleons that Ireland would win, but Krum- "
"Would catch the Snitch?" Fred piped up. I turned to face him. His cheeks were painted green and white, and his long, flaming red hair was sticking to his forehead and neck. I never really noticed it, but he was really handsome, in a chaotic, haphazard sort of way.
"Yeah, actually. That's exactly what I'd predicted," I said, looking him up and down. He smirked, then went back to watching the game.
The next ten minutes of the game flew by. Ireland was still leading, but the Bulgarian Beaters were playing dirty and the veela and the leprechauns were getting on each other's nerves. I was starting to grow a little tired, but knew I had to see this through to the end.
"You know, you don't strike me as a Malfoy," Fred whispered in my ear.
"That's probably because I'm not a Malfoy," I said, not meeting his gaze. "I'm not sure if Tonks told anyone this, but my parents kicked me out in May. Banished me, disowned me, whatever you want to call it. I probably don't seem like a Malfoy because I'm not one. Not anymore, anyway."
He nodded, unsure of what to say. I was thankful for the silence.
"Why'd they kick you out?" he finally asked.
Damnit. Why couldn't he have stayed quiet?
"I don't really like talking about it," I said. That was the only answer he was getting.
"Do your friends know? Like Diggory?"
"The only reason Cedric knows is because my boyfriend told him. He's the reason I got kicked out."
"Ah, you just talked about it!" Fred exclaimed. I shook my head.
"So I did. However, that's all I'm going to say," I replied, taking another gulp of my drink, knocking my head back as I swallowed. Out or the corner of my eye, I could see Fred still smirking.
"You're too nice to be a Malfoy, I'd reckon," I muttered. "And too pretty."
After hearing that, I turned to face him, leaning against the box's railing.
"You think I'm pretty?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow and screwing up my face as I took a long sip of my drink. He laughed.
"Not when you're making a face like that, you're not," he said.
I laughed, then choked on my drink, then spat firewhiskey on his shirt. My eyes widened, and my hand flew to my mouth after I'd realized what I'd done.
"I am so sorry."
He just laughed and laughed. "Is that your way of telling me to not compliment you? If so, it's quite convincing. I'd rather you didn't spit on me if I try to say any more nice things about you."
I shook my head, laughing. "No, that's just me laughing at your boldness, Fred Weasley. And not for anything, my boyfriend thinks it's cute when I make faces like that at him, hence why he's the better man."
"Oh, is that so? Well, he might be the better man, but I'd reckon I'm probably better-looking," he responded, winking at me.
I couldn't figure out why Fred Weasley was flirting with me, but he was. That said, I knew damn well that Fred had a reputation for being overly friendly with every girl who looks at him, so I didn't think too much of it.
"No comment," I said, rolling my eyes. "Besides, you're- "
My train of thought was cut off by Fred's sudden cheering. Not just Fred's, but the entire arena.
"IRELAND WINS!" Ludo Bagman shouted. "KRUM GETS THE SNITCH — BUT IRELAND WINS!"
That phrase was music to my ears. I screamed and pumped my fist in the air as I downed the rest of my drink. The Bulgaria supporters looked dejected, but every Ireland supporter in the arena was bellowing, hugging, kissing, doing anything and everything in celebration of the unexpected win. I leaned over the railing to catch Tonks's eye.
"PAY UP, COUSIN!" I screamed. "PAY! UP!"
Tonks laughed, reached into her jacket pocket, and slapped five Galleons into the palm of my hand. I grinned and pocketed the coins. Meanwhile, Fred and George were doing some sort of victory jig and Bill and Charlie embraced drunkenly, while their brother Ron crossed his arms angrily, clearly upset about the match's outcome.
I angled my way through the ecstatic crowd to where Tonks stood.
"What now? We hanging out a while longer? Or are we going to sleep when we're back?" I asked, having to yell over the crowds.
She grinned. "I don't think we'll be sleeping for a while after this! Charlie's asked if we want to have a drink back at their tents, you fancy it?"
I considered it for a moment. I probably should've gone back to Daniel, as it had just dawned on me that I'd been gone for well over an hour. I'd already spent most of the day with him, and I was having a lot of fun with Tonks and the Weasleys…
"Yeah, I do fancy it. Shall we?"
One thing I learned about Fred and George Weasley that night: they are surprisingly good dancers.
The shock and euphoria over Ireland's win stuck to us like glue, and we were in the Weasley's tent for another hour, drinking, dancing, and everything in between.
As I drank another Ogden's Old and ginger beer and watched Tonks and Charlie do a jig, I felt two strong arms lift me up unexpectedly, causing me to spill my drink.
"HEY! Ogden's and ginger is a precious resource and you just squandered a bit of it," I slurred.
"You're already plastered, Malfoy, it's not like you really need it," Fred countered. He eyed the cup, curious. He looked at me, then back at the cup, then back at me, before bringing the cup to his lips and taking a long, drawn-out sip. As he swallowed, he winced slightly.
"Merlin's beard, that is strong," he groaned. "I've heard the rumors about you at Slytherin's parties, Malfoy. I never thought they were true, but after trying even a sip, I don't doubt them for a second."
Before I could respond, George pulled me away and into a high-stepping, chaotic jig. As we danced, I turned back to Fred.
"And what, exactly, have you heard?" I called, trying to make my voice heard over Bill and Charlie's drunken singing.
He danced over to me, pulling me away from George and spinning me around. "Just that you've got a nasty habit of dancing on tables after one too many Ogden's and gingers, that's all."
Ron's jaw dropped, as did his friend Hermione's (I think that was her name? I couldn't remember). His other friend, Harry – Harry Potter, that is – just snickered. Tonks whistled, her eyes and smile wide. I shook my head.
"I don't know who told you that, but it's entirely true," I slurred again. God, I was drunk. "Besides, you've never been to a Slytherin party, so you wouldn't know, would you, Weasley?"
Fred smiled slyly. "You're right. I haven't been to a Slytherin party. But I'm here. With you. Right now."
Before I could even respond, I heard a resounding "NOW!" before Fred and George hoisted me up onto a table in the middle of the tent, in front of everyone. I stumbled around as I tried to face front.
"C'mon, Cass, show us your moves!" Tonks called.
"Let's see you shake it, Malfoy!" Fred called out, whistling again.
"CASS! CASS! CASS! CASS!" the whole room cheered. My head was spinning. I couldn't stop smiling. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this good.
Before I could even move my feet, I felt another pair of arms pull me down from the table and back to solid ground.
"Everybody, get moving," Mr. Weasley said quickly. "We have to get out of here, now!"
A/N: Thank you to the few people who have followed/favorited this story! I've been so excited about it that I've been writing nonstop, hence all the frequent updates! I hope you're enjoying so far.
One thing I wanted to mention as the story progresses: this is going to be a SLOW BURN between Cass and Fred. She's got some conflicting feelings about Daniel, and at the moment, Fred is just a guy that she finds really funny and intriguing. Their relationship will develop into something more, but it will take time. It will be worth it, though, believe me on that.
Hope you enjoyed chapter 7! This one was my favorite one to write so far. Until next time! -j