Chapter Text
[Cassia's POV]
Sitting in the train compartment, I stare out the window waiting to begin the hours long journey to Hogwarts. I’m waiting for Isla and Adrian to join us while Fred and George are rambling about the fight in Flourish and Blotts. Their exaggerations have Jacob enthralled.
“Your dad fought with Lucius Malfoy?” Jacob questioned Fred and George with wide eyes.
“Yeah, the muggle way, of course.” Fred answered mimicking a muggle fighting stance, “With his hands.”
“And Dad landed some punches too.” George chimes in pretending to throw punches.
“And there was blood on the floor, and Lucius Malfoy is now covered in bruises.” I rolled my eyes.
The three of them turned to look at me.
“If you’re going to embellish the story, at least make it believable.” I quipped. “And you two know better than I do that Hagrid broke your dad and Mr. Malfoy apart before it escalated. It was one shove into the bookcase.”
“I though you said you didn’t know what happened?” Fred wondered, looking at me.
“I received the unedited version.”
“From whom?” Fred inquired.
“I bet it was Gin.” George answers.
“Or Percy.” Fred adds.
“Does it matter?” I question.
“Suppose not.”
And the three of them returned to their conversation just as Adrian walked through the compartment door and the train began leaving King’s Cross. He takes a seat next to me but across from George.
“How was the meeting with Flint?” I asked him.
“About as well as any conversation with Flint goes.”
“You still haven’t told me why you attacked him at the end of last term.”
“It’s not important.”
“It must have been for you to fight the captain of our house team and risk getting kicked off the team.”
“Can we talk about this later?”
Before I could respond, Isla appeared at the compartment door looking worried and said, “Cas, I need to talk to you.” She looks around at the lads. “Privately.”
I look at Adrian before saying, “Yeah, of course.”
I follow Isla out of the compartment. We head in the direction of the lavatories on the train.
~~~
[Adrian's POV]
“You never told her about what Flint said before summer break?” Jacob asks.
“Obviously not.” I respond.
“Wait, you fought Flint at the end of last term for something he said?” George questioned.
“What did he say that was worth fighting over?” Fred interjects.
“He made some suggestive remarks about Cassia. And I overheard him telling others on the team what he plans to do to her this year. Including his plan to get her alone in the Quidditch changing rooms after practices since she’s the only girl on the team.”
“What kind of suggestive remarks?”
“That if she wasn’t already, she would be the ‘Slut of Slytherin’. And he would ensure it by forcing himself on her and therefore making her into what he already sees her as.”
“He said WHAT!?” Fred and George say in unison.
“After I heard that, I hit him, but Jacob grabbed me before it could escalate. And we ran onto the train.”
“And you haven’t told her. Have you at least told a teacher?” Jacob asks.
“No. It’s my word against Flint’s. And I don’t think Snape is going to risk losing the Quidditch Cup by punishing Flint.”
“You have to tell her.” Fred says.
“I don’t want her to have to be on her guard in case Flint is lurking around every corner.”
“I don’t think you’re giving Cas enough credit. She’s stronger than she may appear.” George acknowledges.
“After the sorting ceremony and welcome feast. I will tell her. And I won’t leave her side.”
“I knew Flint was a lot of things, but this takes the biscuit.”
The atmosphere in the compartment shifted although Fred and George tried to make it lighthearted again. Unsuccessfully. The only sounds heard were the whistling of the wind and the tracks below.