XVII

Cassiopeia hesitated with the quill over the diary. Maybe George was too busy with his family and didn't have the time to talk to her. The girl had been home for two weeks now, and most of her time was spent locked in her room, especially after Runcorn's incident. Her birthday, however, was coming up and she wasn't very happy with the idea of spending it like that. She wanted to be with George, and the past two weeks had given her a strange sort of loneliness and almost need to see him.

Slowly, she lowered her quill to the paper.

"Do you want to meet?"

The Malfoy girl didn't expect the answer to come in until at least an hour but, to her surprise, George's handwriting appeared right under her words not less than a minute later.

"Tomorrow morning?"

A smile blossomed on her sharp face and she felt herself relax while he told her the location.

"Meet me at Godric's Hollow at 11."

Neither Lucius or Narcissa asked any questions when Cassiopeia announced she was out for the day or looked twice at her. Still, she was careful when walking in the street George had told her to meet him, fearing anyone could see her and run to her parents to tell them what she was doing.

"Cas!" the blue-eyed girl heard, turning around to find George and relax just as he wrapped his arms around her skinny body in a tight hug.

"George," she whispered, melting in his embrace. Gosh, has he always smelled so good?

She had missed George. She missed talking to him and having the freedom she felt when around him. He was the only person she could be completely honest with and speak her mind without fear of being reprimanded. She didn't need to be the perfect example for anyone to follow. With George, Cassiopeia could be just herself.

"I missed you," he squeezed her. "I really did."

Neither of them actually wanted to let go but separated eventually.

"Sorry I didn't contact you. With your family and stuff, I thought you'd be too busy."

He raised his eyebrows at her in surprise.

"Busy? I'm never busy for you!" he affirmed, almost over the top. "I thought you didn't want to talk to me or your parents were all over you."

Cassiopeia lowered her eyes, taking a breath, and he quickly raised his voice.

"No talking about your parents," he decided.

She nodded to him slowly, giving him a sad smile.

"Let's just..." she licked her lips, and his eyes moved to it for a short moment. "Do what did you plan?"

George's face lit up quickly and he reached down to get something from his side, raising a small basket.

"We're having a picnic!" he said with a large smile. "And guess what?"

Cassiopeia raised her eyebrows at him.

"Yes?"

"I actually helped make something in this basket."

She looked at him with a surprised smile.

"I'm curious now," the girl decided. "And hungry. Shall we?"

He confirmed, still smiling, and offered her an arm, but the girl hesitated.

"Are you sure this place is safe?" Cassiopeia whispered.

George's face softened.

"The only people we know that live here are the Abbott family and they are out for the holidays."

He probably noticed the confusion in her eyes – she couldn't remember anyone named Abbott – and shifted the weight on his feet.

"Hannah Abbott? Hufflepuff?" he listed. "She's your brother's year."

Cassiopeia just shook her head.

"Doesn't ring any bells to me."

The red-haired boy stared at her.

"Do you even pay attention to people around you?" he questioned with a serious face.

She just shrugged.

"Only if I have to. She isn't relevant."

George held his look for a moment, but then looked away.

"Okay," he decided slowly. "No judging. Picnic?"

Cassiopeia finally confirmed and he offered her his arm again, which she took this time.

The two had a bit of a friendship code. Cassiopeia and George were two different people, their houses were just the start of it. He usually displayed his feelings clearly, was impulsive and very inventive, while she was much more rational and careful, sometimes even emotionally distant to see everything through the correct lens; and while he always put other people before himself, Cassiopeia would never ever risk her head for anyone unless they were actually important people, like Draco or her parents. So she came up with some rules to make things easier between the two of them, and the first was the most important: They wouldn't judge one another, it didn't matter how different something either of them said to the other or how odd a trait seemed.

Cassiopeia didn't say anything when George guided her to the cemetery and spread the sheet so the two could sit on it comfortably. She just watched as he organised everything he'd brought for the day.

"And what did you make?"

He promptly offered her the basket, pointing inside and making her look inside, which only increased her confusion.

"There's nothing in here George," she looked up at him. "Just a bunch of napkins."

He just gave her a nod and a proud smile.

"You see those napkins?" he pointed inside. "I folded them."

Cassiopeia just stared at him for a moment before finally answering.

"George!" the girl exclaimed, shaking her head and laughing. "Who cooked all that food, then?"

"My mum, of course!" he reached for one of the said napkins he was so proud of. "She said hi."

That made her freeze and turn to look at him.

"Did you tell her about…?" the blonde girl managed to ask.

"Most of the stuff," he affirmed, turning his body to her. "From Aleksandar to the diary... I mean, you don't know how happy she was that you helped me and Fred with homework and tests, cause now every single professor is talking about us like we got so much smarter overnight. She's kinda proud."

She watched his face for a little bit. He actually looked quite upset.

"You're not dumb," she finally affirmed. "Neither is Fred. You're one of the smartest people I know."

He just gave her a small smile.

"Really," she assured him. "You two create amazing things!"

He blushed up to his ears, looking away.

"You're just saying that because you're our number one fan."

"Exactly."

George finally looked directly at her.

"She said you should show up on your birthday," he offered. "If you don't have plans with your family."

This time Cassiopeia wasn't just surprised but completely shocked.

"Are you serious?" she questioned.

He shrugged.

"Of course. It's your birthday, and you said your house was kinda weird lately. You deserve a break."

Finally, her blue eyes acquired a soft look and she gave him a small smile.

"Thank you a lot, George," Cassiopeia reached out to cover his hand with hers. "I'll think about it."