Cassie leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed as she looked up at Aleksandr with an amused smile. "A shield charm? Against a Catoblepas? Please. You'd be dead before you could even say Protego."
Aleksandr quirked a brow, his expression calm but clearly amused. "And your solution is…?"
"An area-repelling jinx," she said matter-of-factly, gesturing as if the answer was obvious. "Keeps it far enough away that you don't even have to deal with its death glare in the first place."
"That would work — if you didn't plan on going anywhere," Aleksandr countered, leaning slightly toward her. "But say you're stuck in close quarters? You're going to want something more direct. Shield charm's your best bet."
Lorelei, sprawled dramatically across the bench in the courtyard, groaned like she was suffering physically. "This debate again? Merlin's beard, Cassie, just admit defeat so we can all go on with our lives."
"Still wrong," Cassie replied, her grin widening. "But I'll let you keep pretending otherwise."
Aleksandr chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine. Agree to disagree, Valencourt. Speaking of disagreements…" He trailed off, his tone shifting just enough to catch her off guard. "How about we settle this over lunch during the Hogsmeade trip?"
Cassie blinked, momentarily stunned by the sudden change in conversation. "Oh, sorry," she said, her expression genuinely apologetic. "I already have plans with the group."
Lorelei, who had been tuning in just enough to catch that, let out an audible groan. "You're hopeless," she muttered, dropping her face into her hands.
Cassie frowned, glancing at her. "What?"
"Nothing," Lorelei replied, her tone dripping with exasperation. "Absolutely nothing."
Aleksandr gave a small, awkward chuckle, brushing off the moment with surprising ease. "No problem. Next time, then."
Lorelei dropped her face into her hands with an audible smack. "Unbelievable. Utterly, absolutely unbelievable."
Cassie frowned, glancing at her. "What?"
Lorelei sat up, fixing her with a look that could've melted glass. "You're hopeless, you know that? You have no idea, do you?"
Cassie tilted her head. "Idea about what?"
She gestured dramatically at Aleksandr leaving like she was performing in a tragedy. "That! That right there! He just asked you to lunch, and you—" She threw up her hands. "You said no like it's nothing. Girls would kill for a chance like that and you don't even notice!"
Cassie blinked again, bewildered. "Lunch with Aleksandr?"
"Nevermind," Lorelei groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "Let's just move on before I lose my mind."
Later that week, the chill of late November clung to the air as the girls made their way across the castle grounds. Bundled in scarves and coats, their breath hung in little clouds before them as they joined the growing crowd of students near the Thestral-pulled carriages.
Cassie hung back slightly, her eyes flicking to the creatures that stood waiting, their skeletal frames both eerie and elegant. She shivered involuntarily. No matter how often she saw them, they never stopped making her skin crawl.
"You okay?" Lorelei asked, nudging her arm.
Cassie snapped out of her thoughts, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just cold." She wrapped her arms tighter around herself, though she hadn't felt the cold until Lorelei mentioned it.
"Then let's hurry up before you turn into an icicle," Lorelei said, pulling her toward the nearest carriage.
Once they'd climbed in and settled, Serena stretched out, draping one arm casually across the seat back. "So, Lorelei, are you going to tell us what's got you so worked up, or should we guess?"
Lorelei, who had been uncharacteristically quiet until then, sat up straighter with dramatic flair. "Oh, I'll tell you. It's Aleksandr. Again."
Cassie frowned. "What about him?"
"I mean how you rejected him," Lorelei said, as she leaned in to emphasize the last two words.
Cassie groaned. "Oh, for the last time, I didn't reject him. I just—"
"Cluelessly shot him down," Lorelei cut in, smirking.
"It wasn't like that," Cassie protested, though the heat creeping up her cheeks betrayed her.
Padma, sitting beside Serena, gave a knowing smile. "You're collecting admirers, Cassie. At an alarming rate."
Cassie sputtered, turning to Serena for backup, only to find her smirking as well. "Hmm. You've noticed it too, huh?"
Padma nodded, feigning thoughtfulness. "Only recently. But I'm not certain yet."
Cassie narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, nothing," Padma said lightly, exchanging a glance with Serena.
"Absolutely nothing," Serena added with mock innocence, though the corners of her mouth twitched.
Lorelei waved a hand dismissively. "Forget them. The real tragedy here is Aleksandr. The poor guy looked like he was this close to crawling into the lake after you said no."
Cassie rolled her eyes. "He did not. And I didn't say no. I just…already had plans."
"With us," Lorelei pointed out. "Honestly, if you don't want him, maybe I should take pity and—"
"Lorelei," Serena warned, though she couldn't keep the laughter out of her voice.
The carriage hit a small bump, jolting them slightly as the path leveled out. They spent the rest of the ride bouncing between topics, from dress shopping to the rumored new Honeydukes treats. Cassie found herself laughing at Serena's sharp wit and Lorelei's theatrical indignation, grateful for the distraction from her own muddled thoughts.
As they rolled to a stop near the edge of the village, the familiar buzz of Hogsmeade greeted them. Cassie stepped down from the carriage, inhaling the crisp air and letting the chatter of her friends pull her forward into the bustling streets.
The cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade bustled with students and the occasional local, their chatter and laughter blending with the soft hum of magic in the air. The girls wandered down the main thoroughfare, the festive decorations hinting at the holiday season ahead. After a few stops to admire the displays in shop windows, Lorelei's stomach growled loudly enough to cut through their conversation.
"Alright, that's it. We're eating," she declared, steering the group toward a cozy café tucked between a bookstore and a stationery shop.
The café was warm and inviting, with a handful of small tables and a fireplace crackling in the corner. The scent of freshly baked bread and spiced tea hung in the air as the girls settled into a corner booth. Cassie peeled off her scarf, the chill from outside still clinging faintly to her cheeks.
As they perused the menu, Lorelei leaned forward, practically vibrating with excitement. "Okay, after this, we have to go dress shopping. I saw the most gorgeous gold gown in Gladrags last time I was there. It'll look incredible on me."
Padma, stirring her tea, raised an eyebrow. "Gold? Maybe, but I think you should try something darker. You usually go for bright colors and a darker orange would really make your skin glow."
Lorelei tilted her head, considering. "Dark orange? Hmm. I'm intrigued."
"What about you, Padma?" Serena asked, popping a sugar cube into her tea.
"I'm wearing my mother's turquoise lehenga," Padma said with a smile. "And my sister is wearing my aunt's pink one. We're all set."
"That's so sweet," Cassie said. "You'll look amazing."
Padma gave a modest shrug. "What about you, Serena? What's your color this year?"
"Probably purple," Serena said. "But I might look at black or silver, depending on what catches my eye."
"And you, Cassie?" Lorelei asked, nudging her.
Cassie took a sip of her tea before answering. "I'll probably stick to blue. It's safe."
"Safe is boring," Lorelei teased.
"Safe is also practical," Cassie countered with a grin.
The conversation shifted to holiday plans and gift shopping. Lorelei lamented how hard it was to shop for her brothers, while Padma joked about how her parents had already told her what they wanted.
By the time they finished their food, Lorelei pushed her plate aside with a decisive thud. "Alright, ladies, I'm ready to shop. Cassie, you're coming with me, right?"
Cassie glanced at the others, who were clearly waiting to be let off the hook. "Sure," she said with a laugh. "Why not?"
"I'm heading to Honeydukes before all my favorite sweets are gone," Serena announced, standing up and pulling her scarf around her neck.
"Same," Padma agreed. "I want to grab a few things for Parvati."
They gathered their things and made their way to the door. "We'll meet in front of the Three Broomsticks at 5," Lorelei called after Serena and Padma as they headed off down the street.
"Don't buy out all the sugar quills," Cassie added with a laugh before Lorelei tugged her toward Gladrags, already brimming with energy.
The cheerful bell above the shop door chimed as Cassie and Lorelei entered the third boutique of the day, the scent of fresh lilacs and polished wood filling the air. Lorelei beamed, immediately making a beeline for the racks of shimmering gowns, her enthusiasm drawing an amused chuckle from Cassie.
"Come on, Cassie," Lorelei said, already holding a dazzling gold gown in one hand and a deep red one in the other. "Let's find the perfect dresses to turn heads at the Yule Ball."
"This one! And this one!" Lorelei exclaimed, holding up a deep emerald gown against herself before tossing it over her arm. "Oh, and this would look amazing on you, Cassie!"
Cassie trailed behind her, scanning the rows of gowns until a dusty blue one caught her eye. She plucked it off the rack, holding it up for a moment before adding it to the crook of her arm.
"Cassiopeia? Lorelei?" a familiar voice interrupted.
Cassie turned to see Hermione Granger standing a few feet away, a surprised smile on her face.
"I didn't expect to see you two here! Looking for Yule Ball dresses?" Hermione asked.
"Of course!" Lorelei grinned, holding up the growing pile of gowns draped over her arm. "Although Cassie here is being difficult. She insists she doesn't need anything fun."
Cassie gave her an amused look. "I just said I didn't need something that sparkles like a chandelier."
Hermione chuckled. "A little sparkle wouldn't hurt, though. It is the Yule Ball, after all."
"Exactly!" Lorelei said triumphantly. "Hermione gets it. What about you? Found anything yet?"
Hermione shrugged. "Not yet. I don't really need anything extravagant—honestly, I'm looking forward to this whole ordeal being over."
Cassie raised an eyebrow. "I thought you'd be more excited? You were just saying it's a big deal."
Hermione hesitated. "I suppose, but I've never been one for big events to begin with. 'Formal' isn't really my thing."
Lorelei waved her hand dismissively. "You're selling yourself short. Bet you'd turn heads in the right dress."
Hermione smiled politely but then shifted her attention to Cassie. "Actually, Cassiopeia, could I speak to you privately for a moment? There's something I wanted to ask you."
Cassie blinked, surprised, but nodded. "Sure."
"I'll be in the back," Lorelei said, unfazed as she wandered off with her pile of dresses.
Cassie followed Hermione to a quieter corner of the shop. Hermione glanced around to make sure they were alone before speaking.
"It's about Harry," she began, her voice low. "We've been trying to figure out a strategy for the first task. He just found out that he'll be up against a dragon, and he's more than a little stressed."
Cassie's eyes widened. "A dragon?!"
Hermione nodded. "Yes. Needless to say, he'll need every advantage he can get his hands on. He's planning to use the Summoning Charm to call his broom during the task, but he's having trouble mastering it. I know you're brilliant at charms, and I was hoping you might help him practice."
Cassie frowned, processing the information. "The first task is next week. Isn't that cutting it a bit close?"
Hermione grimaced. "I know, but we've only just settled on this approach. If he doesn't master the charm, he's going to be in real trouble. You're the best person I could think of to help."
Cassie hesitated, her mind racing. Helping Harry meant giving him an edge — but was that fair? She couldn't decide if it crossed a line into cheating or if it was simply leveling the playing field against a fire-breathing dragon. Either way, she couldn't shake the idea that Harry might genuinely need her help to survive the task. If Harry didn't stand a chance, it wasn't just his pride at stake; it was his life.
"It's a dragon, right?" she said finally. "He's going to need all the help he can get. Okay, I'll do it. It won't be easy, but I think we can pull it off."
Hermione exhaled in relief. "Thank you so much. This means a lot."
Cassie offered a small smile. "Don't mention it. Let me know if you ever need help with anything else."
Hermione's eyes fell to the dress Cassie was holding. "That's gorgeous. The color is so striking — it'll look amazing on you."
Cassie glanced at the dress, surprised by the compliment. "You think so?"
"Absolutely. You should try it on," Hermione said warmly before heading toward the door. "See you at lunch Monday?"
"Yeah," Cassie replied, watching her leave before turning to find Lorelei.
She found her friend in another section of the store, rifling through racks of glittering gowns.
"What did Hermione want?" Lorelei asked, not looking up from a sequined dress she was inspecting.
"She just needed help with a charms assignment," Cassie said casually, shrugging off the question.
Lorelei gave her a suspicious glance but ultimately let it go, returning her focus to the dresses.
"Well, if you're done being mysterious, I think I just found my dress!"
Cassiopeia laughed, shaking her head as Lorelei held up yet another dazzling gown.
Meanwhile, across the village, Honeydukes was equally lively, packed with students eager to stock up on sweets before the weekend. The doorbell jingled as Padma and Serena entered, arms already laden with baskets as they browsed the aisles, discussing sweets for their friends and family.
"Okay, so pumpkin pasties for Lorelei?" Serena suggested, holding up a box.
Padma nodded her head. "Maybe Fizzing Whizzbees too? But I'm not sure they'll even have any. Someone keeps buying them all up," she said with a knowing glance, her tone dripping with mock irritation.
Serena groaned. "Ugh, don't even get me started on those two."
"Cassie's easier," Padma continued as she scanned the shelves. "Anything fruity. Tarts, pies, maybe some fruit jellies — oh!" She grabbed a jar of crystallized pineapple and held it up with a smile.
Serena hummed in agreement but then reached for a brightly colored package on the next shelf. "What about this? It's new. Think my brother would like it?"
Padma glanced at the package and opened her mouth to reply, but Serena suddenly grabbed her arm and stopped her mid-sentence.
"Well, speak of the devil," she whispered, nudging Padma.
Padma followed her gaze and spotted Fred Weasley at the counter, holding a small box and a decorative gift bag. He was leaning casually on the counter, chatting with the cashier.
"Well," Serena said with a sly grin, "who do you think that might be for?"
Padma's eyebrows knit together. "Let's find out."
The girls positioned themselves near the end of the aisle, pretending to browse but keeping a close eye on Fred. From their vantage point, they could just make out his conversation.
"Could you wrap this up?" Fred asked, handing over the box. "And, uh, put this in the bag."
Padma squinted, catching a glimpse of the packaging. It was a box of Glacial Snow Flakes, a popular but slightly sugary treat.
"Of course," the cashier replied. "Would you like a tag on it?"
Fred nodded. "Yeah. Could you write 'Cassiopeia' on it?"
Serena shot Padma a triumphant look, crossing her arms smugly. Padma stared at Fred, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement.
Before the cashier could begin wrapping the box, Padma accidentally bumped into a nearby display, sending a few Chocoballs rolling to the floor with a soft clatter.
Fred turned around sharply at the sound, his eyes landing on Padma and Serena. He froze, caught off guard.
He had definitely noticed them.
Padma and Serena stood there, their baskets in hand, and stared back at him. For a long, awkward moment, none of them moved or spoke. Fred's face shifted from startled to guilty, his hand still hovering near the box on the counter. Padma shifted her weight, feeling a flicker of embarrassment but recovering quickly.
She finally broke the tension with a half-smile. "Just so you know," she said, her tone light and half-joking, "she likes Sugared Butterfly Wings more than Glacial Snow Flakes."