Chapter 7 A/N I do not own Harry Potter, French is back in italics

"Cassie. I trust you stayed entertained home alone this week? It really is a shame that you couldn't come with us." Mr. Delacour said when he spotted her standing up. Gabrielle was shaking her head at her furiously from behind her parents, but it was to no avail as Cassie didn't see her.

"It was pleasant enough, sir." Cassie answered with a smile, it quickly faded at the disappointed look she received from Gabrielle's parents. The damage was done. Madame Delacour took her daughters and Cassie's sister through the door to the carriages while her husband spoke with Cassie.

"Do not lie to me! We know you didn't go home! Where did you go?!" he asked furious. "Imagine our surprise when your parents call us, furious and wanting to know where you are! We looked like fools, not knowing what they were talking about! You were supposed to be under our care!"

"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean for you to-"

"Didn't mean for what?!" he forcefully whispered, mindful of the people around.

"I realize my actions were foolish, sir." Cassie said, looking down at her feet properly chastened. "I apologize for breaching your confidence and lying to you. I should have just been truthful." she said softly, looking into his eyes.

"Why didn't you tell anyone? Something could have happened to you. You could have gotten hurt." he said, his fondness for his youngest daughter's best friend making him accept her apology.

"I didn't think anyone would want to help me." she said truthfully.

"Help you with what? You know we think of you as a third daughter. You and Gabrielle are close enough for that to be true." he said, concern lacing his voice.

"I went to Britain. To take a series of exams." she said slowly, gauging his reaction. When she saw curiosity win over anger, she told him for what. "To transfer to Hogwarts for the rest of my schooling."

"Is there something happening? You know you can write to us no matter what, I meant it when I said you were like a daughter." he said softly, taking her hand gently and pulling her in for a hug.

The tears that had formed when he reprimanded her, were flowing freely when he pulled her in for a hug. Her father never did that, not like he was doing so. He rarely showed any emotion, just like her grandfather.

"I-I-I. Please don't be angry with me. You know what happened over Christmas?" she asked tentatively, looking up at him. When he nodded she continued softly; "It was me. I turned him in, I saw his memories… After we left for holidays… what he did. I couldn't live with myself knowing it, I was a wreck for days, and when I couldn't handle it anymore, I went to the muggle police. I wrote the Headmaster of Hogwarts, to see if I could transfer and he said I needed to take a few exams to make sure I could start in second year next year." she explained, gaining confidence with every word.

"Cassie. Your parents know. They know it was you who turned him in. Here. We kept it from the girls, but I'm sure everyone at school already knows." he said kindly, pulling her in closer for another hug and handing her a newspaper article. When he let go and she could quickly read the article, she blanched and began trembling.

"He said he wouldn't tell." she said dully.

"Come, darling. You'll miss the carriages." he said, pulling her through the door and letting her run off next to Gabrielle.

She was halfway onto her carriage when she turned around and ran to give both Delacours a big hug, which they returned tightly.

"Tell me everything!" Gabrielle whispered once they closed the carriage doors and found their own empty compartment.

"They know." she said, her excitement from the morning gone. "My parents. They know it was me." Cassie whispered as fresh tears fell.

"Cassie." Gabrielle said, cradling her best friend as she cried her eyes out.

It took an hour for the tears to subside, and when they did Cassie wordlessly showed her the article she had clutched in her hands.

"Cassie, I'm so sorry that this came out. But look on the bright side, it's a muggle paper. Not everyone reads them." Gabrielle said softly.

"Your father said that Le Cri de la Gargouille also had an article on it, since we're wizards."

"Cassie. I'm your friend. If anyone says anything they have me to get past. I won't let anything happen to you. And I won't let anyone hurt you, you're like a sister to me!"

"Your father said the same thing." Cassie said with a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"What? That you're like a sister to him? That's rather odd, he's so old!" Gabrielle said, scrunching up her nose in a way to cheer her up. It worked as she gave a watery laugh and wiped her eyes carefully. "Now, if I don't see a smile, I will start tickling you, and I've known you long enough to know exactly where." she said with a look that said 'try me.'

"Okay. You wouldn't believe how BIG Hogwarts is! Imagine all the gardens and courtyards and the chateau enclosed, with at least seven floors, not counting the towers, and that's just the castle. The grounds are vast, and beautiful and they have an actual squid!" Cassie said, her voice still thick from crying, but she was trying.

"You said you made some friends? Tell me about them. Are they as good a dresser as me, or do they dress more like your sister." she asked, her nose turning up in derision at the mention of the torn muggle clothing that Cassie's sister preferred.

"Well, they don't dress like that. They stick to slacks and a t-shirt." Cassie said, rifling through her garment bag for the picture.

"The brother of one of them took a picture of us sitting under a tree...here." Cassie said, giggling at her friend's look of jealousy at how cute they looked in the picture.

"He's the cutest. You must invite him for the summer and introduce me!" Gabrielle said, pointing at Leon.

"Oh. I guess I don't know you as well as I thought," Cassie said with a fake pout, "I thought you'd like Cedric more." she finished, pointing him out in the picture.

"He is cute! But Leon is cuter, just look at the way his nose bunches when he smiles!" Gabrielle said, looking at him longingly. "How'd you do on the exams? Were they very hard?"

"Extremely hard! I thought I wouldn't pass Potions and Astronomy, but Leon lent me his Astronomy notes, and the Potions professor had me do the Cure for Boils." Cassie said, putting her hand up to her brow and tilting her head back in relief. "Charms and Transfigurations were my best, and Herbology was another one I did fine at, although they have some strange plants that I didn't quite recognise. The professor chalked it up to the different countries." Cassie told her. "Thanks for lending me your Herbology notes, by the way. Mine are a complete disaster! They're so dirty."

"I knew you could do it! You're the smartest in our year!"

"Thanks." Cassie said, blushing at the praise. She didn't think she was very smart. If she were, then she wouldn't have believed the policeman when he said he would tell no one.

"Tell me more! We haven't gossiped in DAYS, I swear, I'm suffering from BFW." Gabrielle said dramatically, clutching Cassie's hand

"What's BFW?" Cassie asked, her brow furrowing.

"Best Friend Withdrawal." Gabrielle said as if it was the most obvious thing.

"I did find someone who managed to fix that prank. You know, the one with the hair? The twins in the picture, they managed to put a delay on it and change the hair color. Gave me the box back for one prank! We have to pick our moment though, now's not a good time." Cassie said, her mood quickly souring at the thought.

"Don't worry. Do you want some food? I'm starving, we had breakfast on the train at seven."

"Sure, I haven't had breakfast yet. Well, sweets but that's not really a breakfast." Cassie said, moving to the bell to summon the house-elf.

"Yes, misses Cassie and Gabby?" the house elf asked, bowing low.

"Zorrey, would you bring us two Nepali teas, some toast and blackberry jam, and an orange for me? Thank you." Cassie said kindly, jumping slightly at the popping sound.

"Do they have house-elves in Hogwarts?" Gabrielle asked curiously.

"Yes, they do. And they are just as nice as the ones we have." Cassie said, knowing the elves heard everything.

The two girls spent the rest of the trip gossiping about the boys at Hogwarts and comparing them to the ones at Beauxbatons, the compartment locked and their backs turned to the door, ignoring the looks they were getting from outside. It didn't take too much longer for them to reach Beauxbatons, Certainly not as long as it bloody took to get to Hogwarts. When they got off the carriage, Cassie was practically dragged away from Gabrielle by her brother.

"How could you?" he practically growled, his grip tightening on her upper arm.

"How could I not?" she argued back, angry tears burning behind her eyes.

"You've torn our family apart! You've betrayed that trust and bond, Cassie! How could any of us ever trust you!" he yelled at her.

"A-" Cassie tried saying, but the slap that sounded after he hit her was audible to the crowd gathered. The sting from it made her tears fall and her hand fly to her face.

"No, I'm done with you! We're done with you!" he said, stalking away angrily. Cassie stood rooted to the spot, too shocked to move, too upset to think.

"Guess everyone finally sees you for what you are, Cassiopée. A double-crossing wolf in sheep's clothing." her sister said, derision lacing every word. When she was close enough, she slapped Cassie's other cheek and stomped off in the same direction their brother went.

The crowd that had gathered were staring at her open-mouthed, not believing what they had just witnessed. They stayed there, staring at her for a few minutes before the headmistress arrived.

"Mademoiselle Gratien. My office. Now!" Madam Maxime said cooly, turning gracefully to look at the gathered crowd. "Well? Go about your business!" she said, making them all disperse quickly. Cassie took a deep breath and composed herself, walking straight-backed and with an impassivity that was rarely ever seen on her. She walked with her head held high into the chateau, maintaining her composure while the faces of every single student turned to follow her path silently. When she arrived at the Headmistress' office, she walked in and waited for Madam Maxime to take her seat before entering further.

"Sit, Mme. Gratien. There are some things we need to discuss."

"Yes, Madame Maxime." Cassie said respectfully.

"First thing, I trust you did us proud at Hogwarts?"

"Yes, Madame Maxime. Professor Dumbledore sent me with some papers for you." Cassie said, reaching into her bag and retrieving the roll meant for Madame Maxime and handing it to her.

"Thank you." she said, taking the parchment and unrolling it. She took a moment to read over the contents and looked up at Cassie. Now, for the second thing, I was contacted by your parents earlier this week. They said that you did not have their permission to travel alone. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"No, Madame. I don't. It was incredibly selfish and foolish of me to do so. I apologize for any inconvenience I have caused because of my irresponsibility, and will take whatever punishment is given to me." Cassie said softly, flushing in embarrassment.

"Very well. I'm afraid that there is another order of business. Your parents are here. They have requested to speak with you privately before we meet." she said, tapping her wand on her desk, letting them know they could pass through to the office.

"Madame Maxime." her father greeted, waiting for her to leave before casting a silencing spell and rounding on his daughter.

"How dare you! You insolent child! You have brought ruin on this family! If we hadn't had money in our private vault at Gringotts, the muggles would have taken EVERYTHING! Our reputation is in shambles, you have RUINED US!" he yelled, grabbing her angrily by the shoulders and shaking her vigorously. After a heavy pause, he reached into his robe pocket and took out various official looking papers. "Sign here, here, and here." he ordered her.

"What is it?" Cassie asked timidly, afraid to look at him in the eyes.

"We are releasing your trust, you have access to the money in your vault, but there will be no more than what has already been placed there. This one says that you no longer need our permission regarding anything legal, educational, or otherwise. And this one states that, until you are sixteen, you will be claimed in the muggle taxes and your tuition will be paid by us, after that you will be officially emancipated. Under the law, you are our daughter for now. But make no mistake, you stopped being a part of this family when you turned Father into the bloodhounds! We are disowning you." he said, his voice becoming colder as he explained. When Cassie just sat there, frozen he growled angrily, spit flying from his lips, "Sign!"

"Y-Yes, sir." Cassie said quietly, signing her name where she had to, When she was done, she handed the paper to him with trembling hands. He made two more copies of the documents: one for her and another for the school.

"This is the last time you will see us. Good bye and good riddance!" he said, storming out the door and nodding curtly at the Headmistress before disappearing through the double doors.

"I believe we have one more thing to discuss, Mlle Gratien." Madame Maxime said softly, holding out a hand-embroidered handkerchief to her.

"Yes, Madame?" Cassie asked dully, turning back around to face her with red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

"Your punishment. You will work in the stables for two weeks for an hour, from six to seven during the week. You begin today." Madame Maxime said, hating having to punish her, especially after she just lost her family.

"Oui, Madame. I understand why I am being punished, and accept it." Cassie told her sniffling, waiting for her dismissal so she could wash her face and compose herself some.

"You may go." Maxime said, looking down at her desk and shuffling some papers while Cassie stood up slowly and walked out the room. "And Mlle," she called out, making Cassie pause and turn around, "I'm sorry for what just happened. They should not have done that. You did the right thing." Cassie just nodded at her with a sad smile and left, closing the door gently.

She walked quickly to the nearest lavatory and splashed her face with water, making sure there was no evidence of her crying and noticing the bruises that were forming from how hard her siblings had slapped her. She opened her garment bag, rifling through it until she found her cosmetics bag and grabbed her face powder and brush and applied just enough to cover the forming bruises. She repacked her bag and made her way out the bathroom, walking calmly to the dorm she shared with Gabrielle and closing the door quietly, locking it behind her, and letting her tears fall freely.

"Cassie." Gabrielle breathed out, stopping unpacking and holding her friend close while she cried more. They stood like that for what seemed like forever, before Cassie finally sniffled and spoke.

"I can't believe you're still my friend after everything." she whispered sadly.

"Cassiopée! I will always be your friend. We made a promise to each other all those years ago. Remember?" she asked softly, tilting her friends head up by her chin and looking her in the eyes.

"We promised to never steal each other's boyfriends again, Gabrielle." Cassie answered with a short laugh.

"What else did we promise?" Gabrielle prompted with a soft smile, remembering well when she kissed Raoul and Cassie got payback by kissing Jean-Luc when they were six.

"To never abandon the other, no matter what. And to never let each other go out looking like a complete fool in mismatched clothes!" Cassie said, giggling at remembering how bad they were at dressing when they were younger.

"Exactly. As long as you don't steal my boyfriend or let me walk out wearing a mustard yellow shirt with a hot pink jacket like that one time, we'll be friends forever." Gabrielle said, glad that she was able to make her smile some. "Now, shall we head to lunch? It's three and I'm starved!"

"I almost don't want to go. Everyone will be looking at me. And I'm pretty sure I have bruises where my sibling slapped me. Purple really doesn't belong on my face. Remember that time I tried the purple eyeshadow? I looked horrible!"

"It doesn't help that we were nine and couldn't even put powder on without looking like bakers." Gabrielle replied giggling. They never used makeup, but at least they knew how to put it on now.

"You can barely see it, we'll go to Marguerite first, she can help you with the bruises."

"Okay. Let me change first. I refuse to eat lunch wearing my traveling clothes. I have detention at six in the stables." Cassie said, groaning.

The two girls made their way through the chateau to the back, where the healer resided, and knocked on the door.

"Good afternoon, Marguerite. Could you help me with some salve for bruises." Cassie asked timidly.

"I was wondering when you would come, Cassie. Everyone knows about what happened in the courtyard. Those must sting." Marguerite said, wincing.

"I honestly barely feel them anymore, Maggie." Cassie said, calling her by the nickname she preferred, she was the guérisseuse-en-formation and was much younger than the resident healer, and Cassie quickly became friends with her, especially when she was forced to serve detention in the aile de l'hôpital for two weeks after the time she made ten people's skin turn an iridescent green.

"Here, this should get rid of them in an hour." she said, handing her a small tub of salve.

"Thanks, You wouldn't happen to have something in there that makes me invisible, do you?" Cassie asked, not wanting to leave the relative emptiness of the hospital wing.

"Afraid not. It'll get better, Cassie. I have it on good authority that tomorrow something else will happen, and you'll be old news." she said with a kind smile.

"Ooh! What's happening?!" Gabrielle asked, hungry for gossip.

Nope, you've got to wait for tomorrow. Can't say anything." she said with a hint of playfulness, to which both girls deflated a little.

"Come on, Cassie. Lunchtime's almost over." Gabrielle said, dragging her friend across campus.

"Told you they'd all stare at me." Cassie muttered under her breath when they walked in the dining hall.

"Let's just sit down and eat." Gabrielle said, shooting Cassie's siblings a death glare, which her sister returned.

"There's something I haven't told you, Gabrielle." Cassie said quietly, making sure no one was eavesdropping. "My family disowned me." she whispered ashamedly, her eyes downcast.

"What?" Gabrielle asked, astounded that they would do something like that.

"They'll pay tuition for school, but that's it. I have nowhere to go. I assume that I'll be able to get my clothes, but I don't think I can get anything else. I don't know what to do, Gabrielle. What if Dumbledore won't accept me at Hogwarts anymore?! He said that he needed their signatures before June ended or I couldn't go."

"That's ridiculous! You're eleven. Do they expect you to live on the street over summer? And how will you eat?" Gabrielle whispered back furiously.

"I don't know." Cassie said, the wheels turning in her head. "I just hope that they let me get my clothes, to be honest. The way my mother wouldn't even look at me. And my father, he looked at me so cold. Like I was less than dirt." she finished sadly, flinching when an owl dropped a note in front of her.

You will collect all your belongings at the end of term. Anything left in your former room after that no longer belongs to you. -Eira Gratein

"She won't even write my name." Cassie said folding the paper and putting it in her purse.

"I'm going to write Father. He'll know what to do. I'm sure you can stay with us over summer." Gabrielle said with conviction.

"I should probably travel to London, take care of everything. If Dumbledore even accepts me now. I'm a freak with no family!"

"You have us. We're your family. Don't ever forget that!" Gabrielle said fiercely, a fire burning behind her eyes.

"Thank you, G. You've been more of a sister to me than M-" Cassie was saying before she was interrupted by her brother.

"Cassie."

"Yes?" she asked hopefully.

"I-I apologize for striking you. It was unbecoming." he said in a detached voice, looking at the bruises that were far more visible than Gabrielle let on.

"It's okay. They don't hurt anymore." Cassie whispered, hiding her disappointment.

"Right. Then. I'll see you around." he said, in a way one would speak to a passing acquaintance.

"Okay." Cassie said after he walked away. "I've lost my appetite, I think I'll just go back to our room. Unpack."

"I can go with you. I'm done anyways." Gabrielle said; she was still hungry, but her friend was more important at the moment.

"No, I'm just going to change and head over to the stables. Could I borrow your overalls? Mine are at ho- They're not here." Cassie said, cutting herself off from saying home.

"Sure. Go ahead."

"Thanks." Cassie said with a forced smile.

She walked to her dorm, changed, and walked out to the stables, ignoring all the looks she was getting from her schoolmates. She got to the stables around two hours early and figured she would ask if the detention could be served on the weekends instead of everyday. There was no harm in asking. The answer was a resounding no, but since she was so early to her detention, the groom decided to let her serve it at this time instead, telling her to start mucking out the stalls. It was gross, tedious work, but it was her punishment.

At the end of the hour, she left with a polite goodbye and went straight to the showers, washing off the smell of horse scat, and crying her eyes out. She didn't hear when the door opened, nor the shushed snickers as her sister and friends snuck in and stole her clothes and towel. She remained under the stream of hot water until her fingers were pruny, letting the falling water wash her face. When she stepped out of the shower, she walked over to the mirror and wiped the steam off, noticing how puffy her eyes looked and how the angry, dark purple hands on either cheek stood noted vaguely how her shoulders and arm had handprints on them as well. She hated how easily she bruised and looked around for the salve Marguerite had given her earlier that day. She found it on the floor near the door and noticed that the door wasn't locked. She locked the door, then bent down and picked up the tub, and started applying the salve generously to her cheeks and shoulders.

When she was done, she looked around for her towel and clothes but didn't find them. 'I can't believe she would stoop so low!' Cassie thought morosely, looking around for anything to dry herself off with. Finding nothing of the sort, Cassie went back into the shower stall and curled up in the corner, once again crying.

"Cassie? Are you akay?" Gabrielle asked through the door softly. "Cassie?"

"I'm here." she sniffled walking out of the shower once again, hating how her head pounded and her eyes burned.

"Can I come in?" Gabrielle asked, noticing Cassie's brother walking in her direction. She shot him a death glare before turning her back to him and asking again.

"I-I'm not decent. M-Someone's taken my clothes and towel."

"Your sister?" she asked, ignoring how he walked around and mouthed 'what's going on?'

"Most likely." Cassie said defeated.

"I'll be right back, Cassie. I'll go get a bathrobe from our room." Gabrielle said, warning him not to say anything to her with a glare.

"Okay." Cassie whispered, closing in on herself again as she leaned against the door. She didn't know that on the other side her brother stood, listening to her quiet sobs. He knocked softly against the door and took off his jacket; he was much bigger than she, so it would cover up her petite frame.

Cassie opened the door a crack and reached out her arm for the bathrobe, but was surprised when she got a jacket instead. She put it on and zipped it up all the way, making sure she was covered enough to walk back to her room quickly.

"I couldn't find a bathrobe, but I got some loose pan-" Gabrielle said as she neared the door, but Cassie had already opened it enough to see her brother standing there instead. With a horrified gasp, he reached his hand up to her cheek, but stopped when she flinched violently at the movement.

"Cass? D-did I do that to you?" he whispered, tears forming in his eyes at how black her face looked. Not knowing what to do, Gabrielle handed Cassie the pants she had gotten and stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

"Cassie, it's okay, it's just me now. Here, the pants will make you more comfortable." she said soothingly, keeping the thin shirt hidden as she handed Cassie the pants and turned around.

"Thanks." Cassie whispered automatically, waiting for Gabrielle to turn around before putting them on.

"Come on. It's getting close to curfew. We should head to our room." Gabrielle said softly, taking Cassie's arm and guiding her to the door.

"Cassie, please. I-I am so sorry for… I didn't mean to hit you so hard, I was just upset a-and surprised at everything. I'm so sorry." he pleaded, slowly raising his hands so that he could envelop her in a hug. When she didn't flinch back too much, he closed the distance and hugged her tightly to him, rubbing circles on her back as she broke down crying against his chest. At some point, Gabrielle had left them alone, going back to her room to give them privacy.

"Why didn't you tell us before…" he asked when her crying slowed down to the occasional hiccough and sniffle, trailing off as he didn't want to send her running again.

"I didn't want you to know." Cassie said in a small voice untangling herself from his embrace. "Grand-père, he was drunk and left the door to his study open. Curiosity got the better of me, and I went into his penseive. I couldn't tell you, because I didn't have the words, and then I didn't want anyone to change my mind. I know what mummy and daddy are. I know that they're" Cassie stopped and looked around furtively before continuing in a frantic whisper, "Death Eaters. And I know that daddy agrees with his father. I was going mad, and I couldn't live with the guilt of knowing he killed hundreds of people directly, hundreds of thousands indirectly." Cassie explained in a feverish state, "I couldn't live with myself knowing what I knew, and not doing anything about it." Cassie said, pleading with her eyes for him to understand, for him to love her.

"Cassie." he said, heartbreakingly soft, "Our parents aren't Death Eaters. I would know. And grand-père wasn't evil."

"You don't believe me?" Cassie said, her eyes burning furiously with no more tears to be shed as she shattered.

She couldn't take it anymore, what he was saying, how he was acting. She lost him, and her walls were crumbling. She had no more energy left to keep up the cool facade, she couldn't keep pretending to be alright. Cassie felt herself wither under his gaze, and turned around and ran through the palace, her steps soft on the marble floor, and out the doors into the courtyard. She ran and ran, not caring where she was going, not seeing how the groom's eyes followed her out with pity, or hearing her brother's heavy footfalls behind her. She got to the gate that protected the school from wandering muggles and hikers and slammed into it, crying out at the force of the impact and falling to her knees, broken and alone.

"Cass?" he asked tentatively, walking up behind her and crouching behind her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Leave me alone." she said dully, shaking his hand off her shoulder. "Your parents disowned me, your sister disowned me long ago. Why don't you? Why don't you just turn around and leave me alone. You obviously don't believe me, you think I did the wrong thing and you've said as much. Just go. You won't need to bother with pretending next year. I'm leaving. I'll be out of your hair for the rest of my life." she said in a monotone.

"You're leaving?" he said, hurt written plainly across his face at her words. "Cassie. I don't want to lose you. You're my sister. I love you." he said, snaking his arms around her and pressing her close to his chest. "I don't want to believe you, because if I do then I lose everyone. I lose you, our parents, our grandparents, everyone and everything." he whispered against her hair.

Cassie heard his words, but she refused to see his perspective. She already did lose everyone. The second she saw them fighting alongside Voldemort. The second she heard her grandfather tell a boy her age that he had to die, because his people were the one culpable for all of the war. She just sat there in his embrace, staring off into space lost in her dark thoughts until she fell asleep.

When she woke up the next morning, she was back in her room tucked into her bed and snuggled into his arms. She opened her eye to see Gabrielle taking a picture of them from her side of the room.

"That is so adorable! You both wake up exactly the same way, opening one eye first and then the other!" she said from behind the camera.

"Ugh." They both said in unison and reached out to throw something at her, making her laugh even more and take another picture.

"I really do hate to say this, but you'll be late for class if you stay any longer." she said, walking out the room and taking the camera to develop the roll later.

"Are we still brother and sister?" he asked hopefully, sitting up and stretching.

"I suppose." Cassie said with a sad smile. 'At least I didn't lose everyone.'

"Let me see your cheeks," he said, turning her face towards him to check how bad the bruises were. "They're practically gone! They looked terrible last night. I can't believe how hard we hit you, Cass. Could you ever forgive me?" he said, his voice going quiet with shame at the end.

"I forgive you," Cassie said, hugging him tightly and getting up herself to shoo him out of her room. "But now you have to go, I need to get dressed, and you need to shower." she said, crinkling her nose in a teasing way.

"Oh. Ha. Ha." he fake laughed and shot her a look before leaving her room.