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Gentle snow fell onto the grounds of Hogwarts, a white blanket enveloping the school grounds. Creating an unusual quietness among the castle. You remained confined in your room, shielding yourself from the cold, while a storm brewed outside a different one was in your room. Books and notes lay scattered across every available surface—piles on the desk, papers spilling onto the floor. Your eyes strained, red and weary from hours of relentless study or deep contemplation, the lines of text blurring together. A headache had crept in a few hours ago, a dull ache spreading across your temples, while your body grew increasingly stiff from hours spent sitting on the edge of your bed. Every muscle seemed to protest, the tension settling deep into your shoulders and back, a reminder of the hours lost to study and silence. Exams before the holiday break were always a routine part of life, but now that you’re older, they feel exceptionally more challenging. Back then, you had a habit of studying until you crashed, and some of those patterns still linger. When stress runs higher than usual, you often forget to take care of yourself, slipping back into old habits without realizing it.
“Huh?” You hear a faint tapping, turning your attention to the window. An owl as white as the falling snow perched just outside, a note delicately clutched in its beak, its eyes watching you intently. As soon as you took the note, the owl swiftly took flight, disappearing into the snowy sky. You opened the letter and immediately recognized the fancy handwriting, squinting your strained eyes to read the penmanship.
Stop overworking yourself and join me tonight in Hogsmeade. Don’t make me come up there, be thankful I even sent a letter.
Cassandra
P.S.
Clean up your appearance and wear something nice. I know you haven’t left your room for days.
Your heart fluttered at the thought of her making the first move; usually, you were the one doing all the planning. But then, a wave of panic set in. You quickly closed the window, eyes darting around the room, and rushed to grab your wand lying on the center table beside your cauldron.
With a swift wave of your wand, papers and books lifted from the cluttered surfaces and began to dance through the air. One by one, the scattered notes, textbooks, and parchments glided toward the shelves, where they landed with precise accuracy, stacking neatly into orderly piles.
After cleaning up the room, you rushed straight to the baths, ignoring the surprised calls from other students as you left your usual solitude behind. Thankfully, the baths were empty. As soon as you sank into the warm water, your body relaxed, the tension melting away. For the first time in what felt like forever, your mind finally stopped racing, settling into a peaceful quiet. Soft music played in the background, and the soothing scent of roses filled the air, adding to the calm. You thought about what you’d wear for the evening, coming to the conclusion you had nothing that would meet her standards. Sure you had nice clothing but she had already seen everything in your wardrobe and you didn’t want to disappoint.
Thanks to the use of Floo Powder, you managed to reach Madame Malkin’s after a long run down Diagon Alley. You entered the shop, out of breath, trying to fill your lungs with warm air.
Madame Mallin turned your way, shocked by your appearance. Your hair was freshly washed but messy, and your clothes were all wrinkled. “Why hello dear, it’s been quite some time since I’ve last seen you. You look flustered, take a deep breath before you speak.”
“Hello to you too. I was wondering if you have anything fitting for a special occasion.” You sat down on a nearby chair, fanning your face with your hand.
“Another outing with that Slytherin girl? She has quite an interesting fashion taste.” The scissors beside her snipped a piece of fabric.
You step further into the store and take a seat in front of the vanity. Brushes and scissors emerge from the drawers, immediately getting to work on your appearance. A light layer of makeup is applied, concealing the dark circles beneath your eyes. Brushes smooth through the tangles in your hair, and a spritz of product gives it a glossy shine. Once the products are satisfied with their work, you begin to browse through the racks of clothes. Most of them you already own and Madame Malkin appears from the entrance with an outfit you had never seen before.
“This is my latest creation, I had a feeling you’d need something new to wear. It comes in three different varieties and will do wonders for the upcoming ball.”
The outfit she held out was on another level. Abyssal Andante, what an incredible name. Every piece was tailored to your exact measurements. It is a black, tailored long coat with white fur or feather detailing around the collar, giving it a regal and sophisticated look. Underneath, there's a white, high-collared shirt with decorative accents. The pants are slim-fitting and dark, paired with black knee-high boots that add to the polished aesthetic. Accessories include dark gloves, a braided belt loosely dangling in the hip, and a necklace that features a delicate chain adorned with purple, diamond-shaped crystals or gemstones. The overall color scheme is monochromatic with touches of silver, adding to its luxurious appearance.
After slipping into the final pieces of the outfit, a spark of confidence ignited within you. You felt as though you could balance on a flying broom or master a complex dance like a waltz. Once you finished paying for the outfit you ran to the closet fireplace and used floo powder to teleport into Hogsmemde. The chilly air blew off the ash and the sun was beginning to set. The smell of food traveled in the air, making your stomach growl. You passed by all the local places to eat but couldn’t find Cassandra, all except for- there’s no way. You started walking to Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shoppe, a wide grin on your face.
Quickly stepping into the shop you were immediately met with an empty room. The air was warm, the smell of sweets wafting from the kitchen, and all except one table was left. In the center of the room sat Cassandra patiently waiting. Her outfit is a blend of elegance and fantasy with a dark and regal aesthetic. It features a fitted black top with long sleeves and intricate lace or embroidery detailing at the neckline. The top is paired with a flowing green skirt that sparkles subtly and has a sheer overlay with lace trim at the hem, adding depth and sophistication. The accessories include a black headband with a diamond pattern and earrings shaped like flowers. The look is completed with a black belt accentuating the waist and the overall theme of contrast between dark and vibrant green hues. You also notice she isn’t wearing any gloves.
A teasing smile forms on your lips. "What an interesting choice of place," you remark, eyes twinkling with amusement.
She stares intensely, studying your outfit from head to toe. You feel a bit flustered realizing you overdressed, although it did the job of impressing her. “Yes, this place seems to have grown on me.”
A towering arrangement of assorted sweets and delicate sandwiches gracefully floated over to your table. Alongside it, a steaming pot of freshly brewed tea was set down with a soft clink of porcelain.
“I must say, I didn’t expect you to be so… dressed up.” She studied you once more, her eyes never leaving you as she took a sip of her tea. A faint pink hue rose to her cheeks, betraying a hint of warmth beneath her composed demeanor.
“Only the best for the best.” A warm smile appeared, catching her off guard since you weren't usually so straightforward. You grabbed her hands and held them in yours, eyes leveling with hers. “Cass, I’d like to thank you for getting me out here.”
“Of course, I knew you’d be here. After all, I’m sure you haven’t eaten properly in a while.” Although she had helped you break the habit of overstudying, she couldn’t help but feel upset seeing you fall back into those old patterns. It was hard not to feel frustrated, knowing how hard you’d worked to find balance, only to see the pressure of your studies take over again. The tension in your shoulders was clear, a sign of the long hours spent studying. Despite your effort to hide it, the bags under your eyes showed through the makeup, proof of sleepless nights. She wondered how much longer you could keep going before the exhaustion hit. Even though you tried to look fine, the signs of fatigue were obvious.
The frown on her face makes your heart ache, squeezing her hands in reassurance. “I wouldn’t miss a date with you for anything.” Both of your faces immediately turn red like the roses on the table, and both your bodies tense up.
Eventually, her posture relaxes as she takes a deep breath. Then, to your surprise, she laughs, and the mood lightens. “If it means you stop burying yourself in books, I’ll take you out as many times as you’d like. Consider it a gift, not many get to spend so much time with such superiority.”
The two of you spend the rest of the evening talking and eating, drifting from one topic to the next, laughter filling the air. There was a sense of comfort between you, the kind that comes from sharing a meal and letting the conversation flow effortlessly. As you savored the food, time seemed to slow, allowing you both to relax and enjoy the moment. The world outside felt distant, and in that shared space, everything seemed just a little bit lighter.
While walking back to the castle side by side to escape the cold, a growing sound caught your attention from above one of the side entrances. You looked up to see a familiar plant creeping from the bricks—mistletoe. Without thinking, you pull Cassandra in for a quick kiss. The world around you seemed to fade away as the kiss sparked a rush of excitement in both of you. It was a simple moment, yet everything felt electric, your hearts beating faster in unison as you pulled apart, eyes meeting with wide smiles and hearts full of joy.