Cassie sat at the Ravenclaw table, idly dragging her fork through the last remnants of syrup on her plate. Around her, the Great Hall buzzed with the usual morning clatter — clinking silverware, students calling across tables, the distant flutter of owl wings delivering last-minute letters. Outside the enchanted ceiling, the sky was a crisp, clear blue, the kind of day perfect for a Hogsmeade trip.

Across from her, Aleksandr was buttering a piece of toast with the kind of slow, deliberate focus that meant he was about to say something ridiculous. Cassie barely had time to brace herself before he looked up.

"So," he said, casual but clearly setting up for debate. "Hypothetical situation — you're alone in the Forbidden Forest, and an angry Thestral comes at you. What's your move?"

Padma, seated beside him, didn't even glance up from her tea. "A Protection Charm. If it attacks, at least you won't get hurt."

Cassie tilted her head, considering. "Yeah, but that doesn't actually stop it. You'd just be a chew toy with a shield."

Aleksandr smirked. "Protego Diabolica."

Padma wrinkled her nose. "That's Dark Magic."

"So? It's effective. Creates a barrier and takes care of the creature."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, because nothing says 'good decision-making' like lighting yourself on fire to solve a problem."

Padma nodded in agreement. "Most people wouldn't use it. The 'Dark Magic' thing alone tends to be a deterrent."

Cassie tapped her fingers against the table. "Petrificus Totalus. Completely freezes it in its place, so no one gets hurt."

Aleksandr arched a brow. "And if you're in the majority who can't see it? Where do you aim?"

That made her pause. Right. Most people couldn't see Thestrals. She had no idea if Aleksandr could, but she knew the other girls couldn't. She wondered what that might be like, to only ever experience the creatures as shifting air and the occasional crunch of hoofbeats against the forest floor. Before she could think of a response, Padma scoffed.

"I don't know why we're talking about this. Thestrals aren't even dangerous unless provoked. They literally pull the carriages every term, and I don't see students getting mauled left and right."

Aleksandr leaned back, arms crossed. "That's not the point. Just because something can be tamed doesn't mean it isn't dangerous." He started ticking them off on his fingers. "Hippogriffs, dogs, even dragons. All trainable, all capable of ripping your face off if they feel like it."

Serena, who had been peeling apart a croissant with the kind of slow precision that meant she wasn't entirely invested in the conversation, finally spoke up. "Not that it really matters. Like you said, most people can't even see Thestrals. So if one did attack, it's not like they'd stand a chance."

That shut down the debate pretty quickly. Aleksandr hummed in agreement, while Padma huffed but didn't argue. Cassie just stayed quiet, focused on the swirl of syrup still clinging to her plate.

Meanwhile, Lorelei had long since lost interest. She leaned over her plate, scribbling something on a napkin with quick, confident strokes. Cassie glanced over, curious, then snorted.

Lorelei had drawn a rather dramatic doodle of Fred and George being chased by a massive, furious Hippogriff, both of them mid-sprint with wild, panicked expressions.

She had been off lately, at least where Fred and George were concerned. Normally, she'd banter right back, laugh off their antics, but now she just watched them with narrowed eyes, quiet and simply observing. Cassie figured it had something to do with one of their pranks — Lorelei had probably gotten caught in the crossfire of one of their worse ones.

Serena stretched, reaching for another piece of fruit. "So, what's everyone doing in Hogsmeade today?"

"I need to stop by the post office and meet Wayne and William," Lorelei said, still doodling.

"I'm getting my hair done," Serena said, flipping her braid over her shoulder. "Probably going to the Three Broomsticks after."

Lorelei smirked, finally setting her quill down to eye Padma and Aleksandr. "And you two? Will you be busy staring into each other's eyes all day?"

Cassie turned her gaze to Padma just in time to catch the flicker of an eye roll, the way she tried to suppress a smile but failed.

Cassie could still remember the night Padma had told them about the pair's date. It had been late, and the dormitory was quiet except for the occasional scratch of quills on parchment. She, Lorelei, Serena, and Hermione had been scattered across their beds, half-heartedly working on essays that had long since lost their appeal.

Hermione, who had been reluctantly convinced to sneak into the Ravenclaw tower, sat cross-legged on the floor beside Cassie's bed, her notes spread out in a careful, methodical mess. She had muttered something about "exceptional circumstances" when Serena had dragged her in earlier that night, but Cassie doubted McGonagall would have seen it that way.

Then Padma had walked in. Nothing obvious — no grand entrance, no excited announcement. But there had been something different about her. A certain lightness in her steps, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, how she sat on the edge of her bed and picked up her quill without actually writing anything, smiling to herself the whole time.

Lorelei had been the first to notice, of course. She had glanced up from her parchment, narrowed her eyes, and wasted no time.

"Alright. Spill it," she had said, setting her quill down with a knowing smirk. "What's got you giddy like that?"

Padma had scoffed, rolling her eyes, but she hadn't denied it. That was the first clue. The second had been the way she hesitated, fingers curling around the edge of her duvet like she was debating whether to even say it out loud.

Finally, after a beat, she had exhaled, trying for nonchalance and failing miserably.

"Aleksandr asked me out. Like…on a date."

The reaction had been immediate.

Hermione had let out a startled little squeak, clapping her hands together in excitement. Serena, to her credit, had merely arched an eyebrow over the top of her essay, but there had been the faintest twitch at the corner of her lips — approval, in her own Serena sort of way.

Cassie had merely met a grinning Lorelei's gaze, already anticipating what she'd find there — realization dawning, the pieces clicking into place. Now she knew. Now she understood what Cassie and Aleksandr had been up to.

Lorelei's smirk sharpened, brow lifting in silent accusation. Cassie just shrugged, feigning innocence.

She didn't buy it for a second.

Now, at the breakfast table, Cassie saw that same excitement still lingering in the corners of Padma's smile, the way she tried — and failed — not to seem too pleased about it. Aleksandr, for once, looked like he had absolutely nothing to say.

"At least I have a date," Padma finally shot back, smirking.

Lorelei looked ready with a retort, but Cassie cut in before she could. "Let's just meet back at six for the carriages."

The group gave their agreements before Professor Flitwick suddenly appeared at Cassie's side, looking up at her with a twinkle in his eye.

"Ah, Miss Valencourt," he said, hands folded behind his back. "Might I borrow you for a moment? You have a visitor in my office." His lips twitched in amusement. "I suspect they must've gotten lost on their way to you."

Cassie blinked. "A visitor?"

That was unexpected. Most people who wanted to talk to her could find her just fine, and it wasn't like she got surprise guests often.

She turned to her friends, shrugging. "I'll meet you guys outside by the carriages."

With that, she followed Flitwick down the corridor, casting a curious glance at him as they walked. "So…who is it?"

Flitwick chuckled. "You'll see soon enough."

His tone was light, almost teasing, but before Cassie could press further, he looked up at her with a thoughtful expression.

"I don't suppose you've given any more thought to the prefect position?"

Cassie huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "Still not for me, Professor."

Flitwick sighed, though there was no real disappointment in it. "You'd be an excellent candidate, you know."

Cassie had no doubt that he meant that. If anything, Flitwick was one of the few professors who actually seemed to believe in her potential. And she appreciated that — really, she did — but…

"I just don't think I'd be very good at it. I'm not exactly a commanding presence, and I've never been great at making people listen to me. Prefects have to be able to keep people in line, and that's just not me."

Flitwick gave a small hum of consideration before nodding. "Fair enough. Not everyone finds authority to their liking." His expression softened. "But you're far more capable than you give yourself credit for."

Cassie offered him a small smile, though she didn't quite agree.

They continued walking, the conversation settling into a comfortable lull before Flitwick's expression brightened again. "Did you have a nice birthday?"

"I did."

"I thought you might," he said with a knowing smile. "I must admit, I was rather surprised when Fred Weasley came to me, asking if I might turn a blind eye to any potential curfew violations that evening."

Cassie nearly missed a step. "Fred did that?"

She hadn't expected that. She'd assumed one of the girls had taken care of it—maybe Lorelei or Serena. But Fred?

Flitwick chuckled. "Indeed. He was quite persistent about it, too. Very insistent that you deserved a proper celebration."

Cassie had no idea what to say to that. She could picture it — Fred standing in front of Flitwick's desk, that easy confidence of his tempered just enough to seem sincere. But why? He hadn't needed to do that for her.

She'd always known Fred was the kind of person who looked out for his friends, but this felt…different. More personal.

It was…kind of sweet.

By the time they reached Flitwick's office, she was still thinking about it, but the moment she stepped inside, her focus shifted.

Perched on Flitwick's desk was a familiar tawny owl, ruffling his feathers in irritation.

Cassie sighed, already amused. "You know, Atlas, one of these days you might actually make it on time."

The owl hooted indignantly, as if deeply offended by the accusation.

Flitwick chuckled. "He's been waiting quite impatiently."

Cassie stepped forward, untying the letter from Atlas' leg. A small pouch was tied alongside it, and when she held it up, she felt the distinct weight of coins inside.

Curious, she unfolded the letter.

Dearest Cassie,

We hope this letter finds you well! It feels like ages since we last saw you, and your mum and I have been missing you terribly. You're probably too busy having adventures to miss us much, but we like to imagine you do.

Your mum has been caught up at St. Mungo's — they've been understaffed lately, and you know how she gets when there's work to be done. I've taken up dueling again and won a few contests! Thought you'd like to know your old man's still got it.

How was Christmas? Your birthday? We wish we could have been there to celebrate with you, but hopefully, your friends made it special. Fifteen is a big year, after all. We've sent along a little something — fifteen galleons for fifteen years! — so you can treat yourself to something nice. Books, sweets, an extravagant hat — whatever you like.

We're looking forward to hearing all about your year when you come home for summer. Try not to let the Triwizard chaos sweep you up too much, and stay safe, alright?

With all our love,
Mum & Dad

Cassie read over the letter twice, a quiet warmth settling in her chest.

It wasn't long or overly sentimental, but it was them. She could hear her dad's playful tone, picture her mum frowning at the parchment as she made sure it wasn't too short, too impersonal.

She did miss them. It wasn't something she dwelled on often — there was always so much happening at school, so many things to keep her occupied — but reading their words now, she could feel it. That little ache of homesickness, the kind that crept in when she least expected it.

It wasn't sadness, exactly. More like a reminder. A tug on a string tied to somewhere safe and familiar.

"Good news, I take it?"

"Seems your old protégé has taken up dueling again."

Flitwick let out a delighted chuckle. "Ah, well, he did learn from the best. Perhaps we'll have a friendly duel for old times' sake when I visit over the summer."

Cassie grinned. "You'd probably win."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Flitwick mused. "Now, are you planning to write them back?"

"Tomorrow. Not that it'll make much difference. I'll probably be home for summer before Atlas even makes it back."

"Well, you'd best get to the carriages before you're late. I'll make sure Atlas finds his way to the owlery."

Cassie gave the owl one last pat before heading for the door. "See you later, Professor."

And with that, she hurried off to meet her friends outside.

Cassie stepped out of the castle, her breath curling in the crisp January air as she made her way toward the waiting carriages. The sky was a soft winter blue, the morning sun casting a pale glow over the snow-dusted grounds. Her friends were already gathered near one of the carriages, chatting amongst themselves.

Lorelei leaned lazily against the carriage door, a knowing smirk playing on her lips as she glanced between Padma and Aleksandr. "So," she drawled, "big date in Hogsmeade today? Any plans? Candlelit brunch? A romantic stroll through the marketplace?"

Padma rolled her eyes, but a slight blush betrayed her. "It's not a big deal," she said, adjusting her scarf.

"Right, right, of course not," Lorelei said, nudging Aleksandr. "Just a casual little outing. No romance whatsoever."

Aleksandr, usually composed, actually looked a little flustered. "I — uh, well—"

Serena smirked. "I hope you at least have a plan, Sokolov. Padma deserves better than a wandering tour of Hogsmeade."

Cassie laughed as they all climbed into the carriage. The ride to Hogsmeade was relatively uneventful, the group falling into easy conversation. Lorelei continued her playful ribbing, making exaggerated guesses about what Aleksandr and Padma's date would entail.

By the time they arrived in the village, the streets were already bustling with students and locals. The air smelled of chimney smoke, butterbeer, and the faint sweetness wafting from Honeydukes.

As they stepped onto the cobbled streets, Serena barely lingered before announcing, "Alright, I'll see you all later. My appointment's in ten minutes." With that, she strode off toward the salon.

Padma and Aleksandr were about to leave as well when Cassie caught sight of Lorelei pulling Aleksandr aside. She wasn't exactly eavesdropping, but Lorelei wasn't being particularly quiet either.

"If Padma comes back anything other than happy," Lorelei said sweetly, "there will be one less passenger on the ship back to Durmstrang."

Aleksandr let out a short, slightly nervous chuckle, as if he wasn't entirely sure whether or not she was joking. "Noted," he replied before hurrying to catch up with Padma.

Lorelei turned back to Cassie with an innocent expression. "Well, I'm off. See you later." With that, she disappeared into the crowd.

Cassie took a deep breath and adjusted her bag before heading toward Tomes and Scrolls.

As she walked, her thoughts drifted to the conversation she'd had with Madam Pince weeks ago. She had asked about the Scrolls of Athanasia, and the librarian had told her she'd seen the name in the library's Archival History Records. But that had been ages ago — long before Cassie's time at Hogwarts. If the scrolls had ever been there, they weren't anymore. If the Hogwarts library had nothing, then she had to turn her sights to outside its walls.

The bookshop sat tucked away on a quieter side of the village, its large display window slightly fogged from the warmth inside. As Cassie stepped in, the comforting scent of parchment and ink surrounded her. Bookshelves stretched to the ceiling, lined with everything from well-worn secondhand volumes to pristine, gilded tomes. The Brown family had run Tomes and Scrolls for nearly a century, specializing in rare and collectible books. If anyone in Hogsmeade had even the slightest clue about the Scrolls of Athanasia, it would be Edward Brown.

Edward, a man in his forties with sharp eyes and an air of quiet intelligence, looked up from where he had been reorganizing a stack of books behind the counter. "Miss Valencourt," he greeted with a knowing nod. "Hogsmeade weekend again already?"

Cassie chuckled. "I'll take that to mean Lavender hasn't been by yet." She glanced around at the shelves before returning her gaze to him. "I was actually hoping you could help me with something."

Cassie hesitated for just a moment before carefully wording her request. "Have you ever heard of the Scrolls of Athanasia?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Interesting choice. What do you need them for?"

She had anticipated the question and shrugged, offering a half-hearted excuse. "Just some historical research."

He studied her for a moment before shaking his head.

"Well, I can't say I have anything on them myself. Have you checked with the Hogwarts library?"

"I asked Madam Pince, but it's been a long time since they were in Hogwarts' collection."

Edward hummed thoughtfully. "Well, I specialize in spellcrafts, so it's not exactly my area, but I do know a few collectors who deal in lost magical texts. I could put out some feelers, see if anyone's come across the name."

Cassie perked up. "Really? That'd be great." She reached into her pocket. "I can give you a few sickles for the trouble—"

He let out a short laugh and waved her off. "Keep your money. It's refreshing to see a student with a real interest in research."

"Thanks, Mr. Brown. I owe you one."

Leaving the shop, she made a few more stops — Honeydukes to pick up more Sugared Butterfly Wings, Gladrags for a new sweater. As she made her way toward The Three Broomsticks, a blur of red shot past her. Fred Weasley, running full tilt down the street.

"Oi, Fred—!" George was close behind him, looking flustered.

Cassie barely had time to react before George nearly ran into her. He stopped short, exhaling sharply.

"Sorry — didn't see you there," he said, glancing around.

Cassie furrowed her brows. "What's going on?"

"Have you seen Ludo Bagman?" he asked, a little breathless.

"No…? Are you alright?"

George hesitated. "Er — yeah. More or less. Just—" He muttered something under his breath before sighing. "Look, don't tell Fred I told you, but we're having a bit of a…disagreement with Bagman over some winnings. From the World Cup. He's been dodging us ever since."

"That was months ago."

"Yeah, well, turns out he's even slipperier than we thought."

Cassie gave him a sympathetic look. "That's awful. If there's anything I can do—"

George offered a small, appreciative smile. Before he could say anything else, Fred's voice rang out from around the corner.

"Oi, George!"

George exhaled sharply. "I'd better go. See you around, Cass."

Cassie lingered for a moment, watching them disappear down the street, a small knot of worry forming in her chest.

Inside The Three Broomsticks, the warmth was a welcome contrast to the cold outside. The tavern was lively with students and locals, the smell of butterbeer thick in the air. Serena was already waiting at a table, her freshly styled golden-blonde hair catching the candlelight.

Cassie slid into the seat across from her. "Nice haircut," she commented.

"I know."

They chatted idly, eventually landing on the topic of the upcoming Valentine's Day.

"Padma and Aleksandr will probably be off in a quiet corner of the castle, making googly eyes at each other," Serena mused, sipping her drink.

Cassie grinned. "And you could always ask Neville again if you get lonely."

To her surprise, Serena didn't immediately shoot the idea down. Instead, she snorted and said, "Well, at least I know he won't step on my feet this time."

The two laughed, finishing their drinks before realizing the time. They quickly bundled up and left for the waiting area, where Padma, Aleksandr, and Lorelei were already gathered, ready to return to the castle.

The group stood in the long line for the carriages, their breath curling into the cold evening air. The festive buzz from Hogsmeade lingered, but the temperature had dropped, making students huddle in their scarves and coats. The line shuffled forward as carriages were filled and sent off toward the castle.

Cassie stood a little apart from the others, hands buried deep in her pockets, watching the Thestrals.

They were restless tonight.

She could see it in the way their wings twitched, in the way their tails flicked sharply against their hindquarters. Normally, the skeletal creatures stood quietly, patient and unmoving as students loaded into carriages. But tonight, their ears flicked back every few seconds, their muscles tensed, their large, empty eyes darting to the crowd like they sensed something wrong.

The house elf attendants fussed over them, murmuring in low, soothing tones, but it wasn't working.

Cassie frowned. One shifted from foot to foot, letting out a low, anxious snort. Another gave a quick toss of its head, the movement sharp and agitated.

They usually weren't this jumpy. Maybe it was the cold. Maybe it was because Hagrid had been gone so long.

A dramatic sigh cut through Cassie's thoughts.

"Oh, Serena," Lorelei groaned, dragging out the vowels like she was on the verge of collapse. "Your hair is absolutely gorgeous tonight. The shine, the softness — I swear, it's like silk."

Serena let out a laugh, flipping a curl over her shoulder. "You're being ridiculous."

"No, I suffer," Lorelei moaned, letting her head fall against Serena's shoulder. "My hairdresser has been in Budapest since last spring, and it shows. I am wilting without her."

"Wilting?"

"Wilting."

Padma and Aleksandr stood a few feet away, deep in conversation about their date.

"The food wasn't bad," Padma admitted, adjusting her scarf.

Aleksandr exhaled into his hands for warmth. "No, but it was too busy. Every table was packed. Couldn't even hear myself think."

Padma smirked. "You don't go to Madam Puddifoot's for thinking. You go to eavesdrop."

Aleksandr raised a brow. "Oh? And what did you overhear?"

"Mm. Someone two tables over got dumped."

"Yikes."

"Right? The poor girl was crying into a heart-shaped crumpet."

Cassie wasn't fully listening. She was still watching the Thestrals. They weren't just restless — they were on edge. The way their ears kept tilting back, their hooves stomping aggressively into the snow, the constant shifting of their weight. Something was bothering them.

Then—

SNAP!

A loud crack echoed through the air.

Cassie flinched, her head snapping toward the sound.

A few feet away, George had accidentally set off one of his prank tricks. A plume of bright blue smoke curled from his hands, but Cassie barely noticed.

The sharp noise sent a ripple of panic through the Thestrals. One reared back, yanking free from its reins with a strangled whinny. The house elf attendants scrambled, but the creature had already bolted — straight down the path.

Cassie's stomach dropped.

The creature bolted — hooves kicking up snow, wings half-flared, its skeletal form nothing but a black blur against the night.

It was heading straight for the waiting students.

Straight toward Fred.

Cassie saw it in an instant. He couldn't.

The house elf attendants were shouting, scrambling after the runaway Thestral, but Fred wasn't paying attention. He was too caught up in whatever he was saying to Lee, hands moving animatedly as he spoke.

Cassie's chest clenched.

"Look out!" someone yelled, but Fred barely reacted, glancing up too late—

Cassie didn't think. She just moved.

Her wand was already in her hand.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

The spell struck the Thestral square in the chest. Its wings snapped shut, its limbs locked, and it skidded to a stop mere inches from Fred, sending a wave of snow spraying into the air.

For a moment, everything was silent.

Fred was frozen, breath coming fast, his hand half-raised like he had felt something rush past him. He turned, blinking at the empty space where the Thestral had stopped.

Lee's mouth was slightly open, his eyes darting between Fred and the snow. George was staring at Cassie.

So was everyone else.

Cassie still had her wand raised. Her fingers felt stiff around the handle.

The only movement came from a house elf, hurrying forward to tend to the Thestral. Soft murmurs filled the space as they released it from the spell, stroking its muzzle until it let out a shaky exhale. The elf carefully took the reins and led the creature away.

Fred exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. He turned to Cassie, his expression unreadable.

Cassie's heart pounded in her ears.

Everyone was staring.

Padma. Lorelei. Serena. George.

They were all looking at her.

Not at where the Thestral had been. Not at Fred. Her.

Aleksandr cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood. "Well," he said weakly, "I guess you were right — Petrificus Totalus can stop a Thestral."

No one laughed.

Cassie lowered her wand. Her chest felt tight.

Someone nudged her toward the next carriage, and she climbed in without a word.

The ride back to the castle was tense.

Cassie sat stiffly in the corner, staring out the window. Snow blurred past in white streaks, but she barely saw it.

Serena and Lorelei sat across from her, their eyes flicking to her every few seconds.

"Cass," Serena started, her voice softer than usual. "Are you—"

"I'm fine."

Lorelei hesitated. "It's just—"

"I said I'm fine."

The words came out sharper than she intended.

Serena's brows knitted together in concern, and Lorelei bit her lip, clearly unsure whether to push or let it go.

Aleksandr, in a desperate attempt to break the silence, said, "Remind me never to argue with you about spell effectiveness again. Your aim is terrifying."

Padma shot him a sharp look. Not the time.

Cassie pressed her forehead against the cold glass.

She wasn't stupid. She knew what they were thinking. What they wanted to ask.

She had always known that one day, she'd have to explain. She wasn't an idiot — she had always known.

But she hadn't expected it to happen like this. Not in the middle of a crowd. Not with everyone watching.

Not with Fred standing there, not seeing a damn thing.

Her stomach twisted.

Padma was the next to speak, her voice careful. "We don't have to talk about it now."

Cassie barely registered it. She kept her gaze on the window, watching the frozen landscape rush past. When they arrived at the castle, the girls hesitated.

"I think I'm just gonna head to the dorm," she muttered, pushing herself up. "Not really hungry."

Lorelei opened her mouth — probably about to offer to go with her — but Serena touched her wrist, stopping her.

"Let her be."

The pressure was building — the unspoken questions, the weight of their concern. She could feel it pressing against her ribs, clawing at her throat.

Cassie didn't look back. She stepped out into the cold, her boots crunching in the snow, and disappeared inside.

Later that night, Cassie laid awake in bed,staring at the canopy of her bed, the heavy velvet curtains half-drawn but doing little to block the dim glow of moonlight filtering in from the window.

The dormitory was silent, save for the soft rustling of blankets and the occasional creak of the wooden four-posters. The air had that dense, muffled stillness of the castle after hours — where even the usual sounds of wind against the stone or distant footsteps in the corridors seemed subdued.

It had been hours since they returned to the castle, but she still felt like she was standing there by the carriages, the cold air biting at her skin, the snow crunching underfoot, the world holding its breath as the Thestral turned its dark, empty eyes on her.

She turned onto her side, pressing her face into her pillow. Her head was loud. Too loud. Thoughts circling and circling and circling, refusing to let her rest.

She kept seeing the beast — its wings flaring, hooves kicking up snow, its empty eyes locked onto her like it knew. Like it saw right through her.

Cassie squeezed her eyes shut, inhaling sharply. But closing her eyes only made it worse.

She kept seeing Calypso.

Memories came rushing in, sharp and unrelenting, no matter how much she tried to push them back.

The garden. The summer air thick with the scent of lavender. The warmth of the sun on her skin.

Calypso's laugh, high and bright as she darted between the flowerbeds, her pale green dress brushing against the petals.

"Catch me if you can!" she had teased, her dark hair streaming behind her as she ran.

Cassie had chased after her, both of them breathless and giggling. And then—

A crack like thunder. A streak of green light, blinding and terrible.

Cassie's body jerked as if struck by the memory. Her hands clenched into the sheets, breath coming faster.

She had run toward her. Had screamed her name. Had nearly reached her—

But Calypso had fallen.

She had tripped, nothing more than a stupid, meaningless mistake. A tree root, half-buried in the dirt, barely visible in the overgrown grass.

Cassie had lost grip of her hand. Calypso had been just behind her. So close. If Cassie had been just a second faster — if she had moved first instead of hesitating—

Cassie swallowed, her throat tight.

Gone.

Cassie curled in on herself, pulling the blankets up to her chin.

She should've done something. She should've been able to stop it. She should've been able to grab her, to pull her back, to shield her from—

She sucked in a sharp breath.

She was spiraling.

The memories blended together, her mind replaying them over and over, trying to rewrite them into something else — something where she had reached Calypso in time, where she had grabbed her hand again, shoved her out of the way, done anything other than stand there, frozen and useless—

Her body ached from the tension, her chest too tight, her hands still clenched.

This was why she didn't talk about it.

This was why she didn't tell anyone.

Because if she started, she wouldn't stop.

Because if she let herself feel it, really feel it, she would break apart.

She didn't want them to see her like that.

She didn't want them to worry.

She didn't want to be a burden.

Her fingers curled tighter into the sheets.

She had spent years carrying this weight on her own. She could keep doing it.

Couldn't she?

Her throat felt thick, her breathing uneven, her heart pounding in her ears.

The silence stretched around her.

Then—

A shift. The rustle of blankets. The quiet creak of a mattress.

Cassie blinked, lifting her head slightly.

Her bed dipped.

A warm presence curled against her side, fitting neatly against her shoulder.

Lorelei.

She didn't say anything. Just slipped beneath the covers, her forehead pressing lightly against Cassie's arm.

Another rustle of fabric.

A second weight settled against her other side.

Padma.

She, too, said nothing. She simply tucked herself close, her hand finding Cassie's beneath the blankets.

Cassie stared up at the ceiling, eyes burning.

Then Serena. She didn't climb into bed, but she sat at the foot of it, drawing her knees up to her chest.

No one spoke.

No one asked her to explain.

No one told her to talk.

They just stayed.

And for the first time that night, the noise in Cassie's head quieted.

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "Her name is Calypso."

The words trembled.

"She is…" She shut her eyes. "She was my sister."

She felt Padma shift slightly beside her, heard Lorelei's small, steady breath.

"She was just a year younger than me," Cassie murmured. "But she always acted like she wasn't. She thought she was just as grown up as I was. Maybe more."

She let out a quiet, shaky laugh.

"She used to follow me around everywhere," she said. "Drove me mad."

No one spoke. They just listened.

Cassie let out a slow breath, steadying herself.

"We were playing in the garden when it happened." Her voice was flatter now, detached. Like it was happening to someone else. "Death Eaters came. Looking for my father. He was an Auror. They saw him as a threat."

Her throat was so tight it hurt, but she kept going.

"They fired spells. I — I don't even remember the first ones. There was so much light, so much noise. I ran to her, but—" She swallowed. "She fell. She — she tripped over a tree root, and before I could reach her—"

The words stuck.

The Killing Curse didn't leave marks. Didn't leave wounds. But Cassie had seen it happen. One moment, Calypso had been there — bright and real and laughing—

And then she wasn't.

Cassie blinked rapidly, willing her vision to clear.

"I should've helped her," she whispered. "I should've done something."

She shut her eyes, feeling the tears slip hot down her temples.

"My father came out right after," she murmured. "He took care of them. But it was already too late."

Silence settled over the room.

Cassie stared up at the ceiling, her vision blurred.

Then, a quiet voice.

"Why didn't you ever tell us?"

Serena. Quiet. Almost hesitant.

Cassie's chest squeezed, and she let out a breath that shook at the edges.

"I didn't…" She hesitated, her hands tightening around the blankets. "I didn't want to worry you. I didn't want to—" Her voice cracked. "I didn't want to be a burden."

Padma shifted beside her, her hand finding Cassie's and squeezing tight.

"Cass," she said softly, "you're not a burden."

Cassie squeezed her eyes shut.

"You're not a burden, Cass," she said softly. "We're your best friends. We're supposed to worry about you."

Cassie pressed her lips together, trying to breathe past the lump in her throat.

"You listen to us when we need you," Padma continued. "When we're upset, when we're struggling — you've never once made us feel like we were bothering you. Why would it be any different for you?"

"It's okay not to be okay all the time," Padma said. "That's why we're here. You don't have to carry everything alone."

Cassie inhaled shakily.

The sob tore out of her before she could stop it, her chest heaving, her body curling inward.

And still, they stayed.

Padma held her hand. Lorelei pressed closer. Serena stayed at the foot of the bed, her presence steady.

And for the first time in a long, long time—

Cassie let herself cry.

And this time, she wasn't alone.