The next morning was a very solemn affair.
Cassie was the last to wake and get ready. After dressing in a red and blue plaid button up, black jeans, beat up brown combat boots, a knit grey beanie, brown and gold bracelets, and a matching ring, with minimal makeup, she made her way downstairs to find everyone in the kitchen, already dressed and sitting in silence.
Draco handed her the normal black mug that she used, a gift from Molly Weasley that she had gotten before leaving England, that was filled with her normal coffee. She sent him a small smile before sitting on the bar stool next to him and taking a sip of her coffee.
Viktor, who was sitting to her left, grabbed her left hand and started playing with her fingers. "Are you sure you are okay to go today? No one will mind if you need an extra day."
She shook her head. "I'm fine. I need to get this over with."
Draco chuckled and muttered something about 'stupid Gryffindor bravery' under his breath. She sent him a mock glare. "Do you have anything you want to share with the rest of us, Mr. Ferret?"
Ron laughed at the mention of Draco's brief stint as an albino ferret during their fifth year, something that the blonde still had not been able to forget. Said Slytherin sent a glare to the twins who were laughing at the memory before turning to Hailey. "Not at all, Miss Potter."
They smiled at each other before looking away, both knowing that the tension was way too strong and they might do something that they would end up regretting.
Eventually the time neared when they would have to leave, causing everyone to get up and get in their cars. The drive to Forks High School was made in silence, everyone staring out their windows at the dense green foliage that covered literally everything in sight.
The Cullens and Bella Swan were waiting by their cars when they arrived, staring at them as they all got out. The biggest boy, Emmett, caught Cassie's eyes and sent her a big grin which she returned with a cautious smile. Draco stared at them both in confusion before he led Cassie towards their English class.
The morning went by quickly and without any incidents and they all reached lunch safe and sound. As the half hour passed by, Hailey started to get slightly more nervous which made Draco a little bit on edge as well.
When the bell rang to release, they all stared at each other in anticipation. Slowly Draco pulled Cassie out of her seat, kissed her forehead, and let passed her over to Blaise and Ginny who led her towards the science building. Ginny smiled at both and gave Hailey a quick hug before making her way to Chemistry while they walked towards Biology.
They were the last ones to enter the room, causing everyone to stare at them openly. Blaise and Cassie looked at each other, partially confused before shrugging it off and continuing in. Blaise made his way over to his seat by Swan who was not looking at him, probably still terrified about his outburst from the day before. Cassie made her way to talk to Mr. Varner.
The man smiled at her holding out his hand. "You must be Miss Cassiopeia Potter. I'm so sorry you weren't feeling well yesterday, but here is your syllabus. From looking at your records you are among the new students from the United Kingdom."
She nodded. "Yes, sir."
His eyes lit up. "You all are so polite. It's quite refreshing from all the other kids here. Well, your seat is right over there next to Mr. Cullen. If you have any questions about what is on your syllabus or about the school in general, feel free to talk to me after class."
She smiled. "Thank you."
She slowly made her way to her seat, trying to ignore the vampire sitting next to her, even though his mere presence set every nerve tingling.
It was the same affect Cedric had on her.
She picked up her syllabus and started reading over it carefully, paying attention to all the due dates for projects and classroom policies. She was halfway through when she heard a honeylike voice from her left, one that she recognized instantly, despite the musical lilt to it.
"Hello."
Taking a deep breath, she turned to the doppelganger of her soulmate sitting next to her, almost frozen at the familiar features that haunted her every step. "Hello. I take it you are Edward Cullen."
He smiled crookedly at her which caused her heart to both flutter and clench at the same time. "I am. You must be Cassie Potter, one of the new students from England." When she nodded, he continued. "May I ask where you heard my name from?"
She let her lips quirk slightly. "I have the displeasure of sitting next to one Jessica Stanley in one of my earlier classes."
That made him chuckle. "That would definitely do it."
Cassie nodded. "Yes and may I ask for how many times you turned her down or do you prefer not to tell?"
His chuckle turned into a full laugh. "Five times at least."
She smiled. "Some people just never give up do they?"
Edward shook his head. "No, they do not."
They dissolved into silence for a moment before he started asking questions. "May I ask exactly where in England you are from?"
Cassie took a breath. "I was born in a small town called Godric's Hallow but was raised in Surrey. I spent most of my time in Northern Scotland at a boarding school though. That is where I met the others."
"Are you related to any of the others?"
She shook her head. "No, just friends though a few of us did come with some of their siblings. Ron and Ginny are brother and sister and came with three of their older brothers and the eldest's wife. Daphne and Astoria are sisters as well."
He thought that over. "How many are there in your group?"
She answered immediately. "Twenty. Seven adults and thirteen teenagers."
"But you said not all of you are related?" he questioned, slightly confused.
"Yes." She paused for a minute not sure how to word this. "There were some issues back home. We all needed some time away, so the parents gave the adults here temporary guardianship. My godfather is the guardian of Neville, Luna, Hermione, and myself. Bill and Fleur, Ron and Ginny's oldest brother and his wife, oversee them and technically their other two brothers since their mother doesn't trust the twins on their own. Severus Snape, the other adult, oversees Draco, Blaise, Daphne, Astoria, Theo, Greg, and Vince."
"You are missing someone." Edward pointed out.
Cassie sighed. "Viktor came because he didn't want to leave me on my own. He and Draco seem to have a rivalry between them on who is better at protecting me. After he found out I was coming, and Draco was joining me, he agreed pretty quickly."
"So they both are trying to protect you?"
She nodded, and he was silent for a moment before asking something she hoped he wouldn't catch on to. "You said 'the parents', not 'our parents'."
She sighed. "My parents were killed when I was a baby by a mass-murdering psychopath. I was raised by my horrible aunt and uncle until my godfather, Sirius, succeeded in gaining custody of me last summer."
He looked contrite. "I'm so sorry."
She shrugged. "It's fine. I barely remember them. All I have left of theirs is my inheritance and the scar on my forehead. The psycho that killed them left it there. He tried to kill me but couldn't."
He stared at the scar on her forehead. "Why not?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. He disappeared till I was eleven and then kept popping up until he died back in May."
"Is he why you are here?"
"Partially." Thankfully he didn't push that issue though she knew he was still curious.
Instead he changed the topic. "I heard some people in your group calling people some weird names. Do you know why?"
She paused. "Were the names Gryffindor, lion, Slytherin, snake, Hufflepuff, badger, Ravenclaw, or eagle?"
He nodded, and she sighed. "Our boarding school could be described as unique, but that would be a massive understatement. The four founders, Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, and Salazar Slytherin, designed it with an intent to make it different than anywhere else. To do this, they figured out a way to sort the students into four different categories that were based off the traits each of them valued the most. The four Houses as they were called would compete against each other throughout the school year to win the House cup. To win, the professors would award students points for doing stuff such as answering questions in class or performing well during a specific task. If you did poorly in class or misbehaved, you could lose points. Each house had a different team for the main sport that the school played and would compete against each other in different things."
"That sounds complicated. How did people know which students which were?"
"Our uniforms. Each house had a different mascot animal and color pattern. After you were sorted at the beginning of the first year, your uniform would be in the colors of the house you were in. Everybody in the house would live in a different dorm area. One male and one female student would oversee the house and one professor from the school would also be the faculty advisor. Two students from the highest year, no matter the house, would be chosen as the positions as Head Boy and Head Girl. They were sort of like Class Presidents."
"Makes sense. But how do the names play in?"
She smiled. "The houses were named after each of the founders. Ravenclaw, which is the house Luna is from, is known for knowledge and wisdom. The colors were blue and bronze and their animal mascot is an eagle. Hufflepuff, the house of loyalty and hardworking kids, has the badger as their mascot and the colors of yellow and black. Astoria's boyfriend back home, Sampson Harris, is from that house."
She watched him for a second, trying to see if the names of Cedric's house and best friend meant anything to him. He looked puzzled for a minute before the emotion vanished from his golden eyes.
But it was there, and it gave her hope.
"That's two. What were the other two?" he asked.
"Slytherin valued the cunning and ambitious. Its mascot is a snake and the colors are green and silver. Draco, Blaise, Daphne, Astoria, Theo, Vince, and Greg are from there and Severus Snape, one of the adults that came, is the faculty advisor. Neville, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and I are from Gryffindor, the house of bravery and chivalry. Our mascot is the lion and our colors are red and gold. Slytherin and Gryffindor have the biggest rivalry at the school. Draco and I hated each other until last year and Ron and him still don't particularly like each other most days."
That caused him to laugh. "I get that. How do the two of you get along then?"
She smiled. "I was almost a Slytherin. I was perfect for either house and got to pick which one I wanted. Ron was my friend and had told me all about how mean Slytherins are, so I picked Gryffindor. Draco was pissed off because he thought us being in different houses meant we couldn't be friends. It wasn't until the problems involving the man who killed my parents came to head that he got over that."
"So you and Draco are friends?" He asked.
She stared at him strangely. "Yes. He's one of my best friends."
He looked relieved for a moment. Cassie was just about to question why when the bell rang, and she realized she hadn't been paying attention to the class at all. Thankfully it was only the second day and Mr. Varner didn't really do much but continue the course introduction that he had begun the day before. Blaise had let her look over his notes from the day before and it seemed quite like stuff they had done back at Hogwarts in potions and herbology.
Both her and Edward started packing up their bags when they reached for their pencils which had ended up right next to each other on the desk. For just a split moment, their hands touched.
And it changed everything.
A spark shot up her mind, a spark she recognized faster than she could catch a snitch. Her and Cedric and felt the same spark when they first touched in the hospital at the end of her fourth year.
It was the spark that let people know they had met their soulmate.
Her hazel-green eyes widened as she caught sight of Edward who was staring at her in utter shock. Staring at him, she finally let herself come to the one possible conclusion that had been floating around in her head since she saw him in the cafeteria.
She quickly grabbed her pencil and ran out of the room, ignoring his attempts to call after her. Blaise and Ginny were waiting for her outside and froze at the sight of her utter panic. "What happened?" Blaise demanded.
She shook her head. "I need to get to Draco."
That caused the Italian's eyes to widen before he kissed Ginny's forehead and grabbed Cassie's hand as they raced towards the gym.
They split up quickly to change. She quickly changed, ignoring Swan and Stanley as much as she could before making her way out. Thankfully they weren't doing much besides going over the basics such as stretching, laps, and a free spot in the end to play either volleyball or basketball.
The second that warm ups were done, and everyone dispersed to play whatever they wanted, she was met by all three of her boys. Draco was practically panicking while Blaise and Vince seemed just as bad.
"What happened, Hails? I knew we should have skipped today!"
She shook her head and grasped his arm, attempting to calm him down. "Edward and I brushed our hands up against each other."
That froze all three of them and it only took a second for the others to register the same truth she had.
"So it is him." Draco muttered. "Edward Cullen is Cedric Diggory."
She nodded. "We were talking about Hogwarts and I mentioned Hufflepuff and Amp and he almost recognized them. I think he somewhat remembers but it's not clear."
"Did he say anything after you touched?" Blaise asked.
She shrugged. "I ran out so fast I didn't stay to hear what he had to say. He did seem to recognize that the spark meant something."
Vince sent her a small smile. "At least it's something Hails. He may not remember but at least it means that he does know you are important."
That was true.
The rest of PE passed quickly, the four of them choosing to jog around and work on their running or pass a basketball back and forth like it was a quaffel. They were all still fit from their time training for the fight against Voldemort that the running barely made them breath harder than normal.
They were leaving the gym when Cassie remembered that she left her notebook in her math class. Draco wanted to come with her, but she refused, stating she would just be a minute.
It didn't take long for her to get the notebook and the teacher commented on how well she had performed on the pre-test. She had smiled and told the woman that this had been covered at her former school, which was true. Her choice to take Arithmancy had paid off.
As she was walking out, allowing another student, a shy girl with dark brown hair, matching eyes, and glasses, to talk to the teacher when she was met by two people she would rather not see.
Rosalie and Emmett Cullen did make a striking couple. They were both matching in their light blue, white, and black clothing, complimenting the other quite well.
They were both staring at her in confusion and anticipation causing her to sigh. "I have a feeling I know what this is about so how about we make our way where prying eyes and wayward ears can't find us?"
Rosalie smiled. "I think that would be best."
The three quickly found an abandoned classroom that she quickly unlocked with a wave of her hand, causing both vampires to stare at her in shock. After they entered, she locking it again with another flick of her hand and cast a silencing charm.
She loved wandless magic. It made her life so much easier.
Emmett was the first to speak. "How did you do that?"
She shrugged. "Just used an ability I have." She stared at them both. "Let me guess. You would like to talk about the fact that Blaise let your little human pet know that we know what you are. I would like to assure you that we have no intention to let out your secret as long as you do not tell the fact that we are supernatural as well."
Rosalie smiled. "That's good but may I ask what you do know?"
Cassie stared at them for a moment before answering. "I know that you and your family, though I haven't met your so called 'parents', are vampires. However, you all drink animal blood, which is why your eyes are gold, so you aren't any danger to the humans in town. I saw your coven mate, Jasper I believe, a little tense yesterday so I guess he is newer to the diet than the rest of you. I also know about the shapeshifters at La Push. I also think that at least one person in your group has a special ability."
The couple looked at each other in surprise. "That was good and all correct." Emmett spoke complimented.
Rosalie continued. "Alice, Jasper, and Edward all have gifts as we call them. And you are correct. There are werewolves at the reservation."
She shook her head. "Shapeshifters. I know a real werewolf. Those boys are just overgrown puppies with hormone problems compared to a real wolf."
That caused Emmett to laugh. "That is actually accurate. I think I might like you."
His blonde mate elbowed him in the side before walking up to Cassie with her hand out. "I do not believe we properly were introduced. My name is Rosalie Lillian Hale."
The flame-haired witch stared at her hand a moment before taking it, not reacting at all to the icy temperature of the blonde. "Cassiopeia Elizabeth Rose Potter, but you may call me Cassie. It is a pleasure to meet you." She made sure to say her name properly, showing off her British accent.
Emmett smiled before taking her hand in his and out of Rosalie's. "Emmett Cullen, at your service, Miss Potter. May I say, I love your accent."
She smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Cullen."
Rosalie smiled at the two of them. "I normally don't like people outside my family, Cassie, but you might be an exception. Though, since you know what we are, may I ask what you are?"
She thought over it for a moment. "I'm a witch, a human basically with magical abilities. All the others in my group are witches and wizards as well though we are a little different to others due to a spell we did a little while back that had some unexpected results."
That made them both freeze in shock. Emmett was the first to break out if and shook his head. "Now I've seen everything. Do mermaids exist as well?"
She nodded. "They aren't pretty though and are really mean. Disney got that part way wrong."
Rosalie stared in at her in anticipation. "What about unicorns or dragons?"
Cassie smiled. "Unicorns are just as pretty and rare as you might believe. Dragons are just terrifying thought baby ones can be cute. I fought an adult at fifteen when I got forced into a magical tournament."
Emmett stared at her in delight. "I think I just found a new best friend."
Rosalie hit his arm causing him to stare at her with a fake hurt look. She shook her head at his antics as she turned to an amused Cassie. "I apologize for him. I love him but he's an idiot." Emmet's exclamation at that caused her to smile. "But I do agree and would love to talk to you. Is there a way we can talk about this out of school?"
Cassie froze for a moment before suggesting something. "Are you two free this evening?"
They looked at each other before Rosalie spoke up. "I believe so. We just have to drive home and drop off our stuff."
The 'Girl-Who-Lived' smiled. "I may have to come with you. We put up some magical barriers around the house to make it appear normal to muggles, humans without magic, and prevent people from sneaking onto the property. I have to make sure you can get though them, and it would be easier if I was with you."
Emmett nodded. "We're good with that. I suggest you go talk to your friends before meeting us at Rose's car."
She nodded and unlocked the door. "I'll meet you there. I just have to tell Draco, Luna, and Neville to go on ahead."
She left the room, making her way back parking lot while the couple stood to talk alone for a moment.
Draco was outside his car. The lot was mostly vacant except for a few cars. "What took you so long?" he called out as she got closer.
Luna poker her head out from the back seat. "It's okay, Cassie. We will tell Sirius and the others about Edward and our visitors."
Draco stared at the blonde before turning his silver eyes on Cassie. "Who?"
She shrugged. "Rosalie and Emmett. Blame Blaise, he was the one who opened his mouth yesterday to Swan. I'm going with them to drop their stuff off and help them get through the barrier."
He sighed. "I'll tell Sirius and Uncle Severus. Go ahead, but if you don't get to the house in the next few hours I will be going after you, probably with Krum."
She sighed. "You two are so overprotective."
He smirked at her. "Of course. We have to be since you are practically the princess of Hogwarts, Hails."
Cassie smiled as he kissed her forehead before getting in the driver's seat and driving off. She watched as the car drove away before making her way to Rosalie's red Camaro. She gracefully hopped in the back seat without opening the door and settled down, smiling at the two vampires. "Are we ready?"
They stared at her for a moment, shocked about her ability to jump in so effortlessly, before shrugging. She laughed lightly as Rose cranked the engine, rolling her eyes. "Ready."
Cassie leaned back into the black leather seat, mentally preparing herself as they drove off to the Cullen house.