VIII

Cassiopeia pulled the strap of her backpack close to herself after checking everything inside. She was going to spend the rest of the weekend at the Weasleys and only come back officially after work on Monday, and was trying to show excitement for it.

It wasn't like she disliked her boyfriend's family – quite the contrary – but the latest hours of the day had been pretty melancholic for her. She missed home, and more than ever today. Her aunt was amazing, her cousin felt like a sister and Mr Tonks was as good to her as an uncle who'd taken a homeless niece under his wing could be, but still… The girl missed her mother's kisses and tender love, missed playing with Draco and teasing him, and missed her father's protective presence; he wasn't a good man, she knew that, but he was a good father and loved her, all of them did, and Cassiopeia loved them back. That was what hurt the most, because she knew she wouldn't see them again for a long time – or ever again.

"Be careful, dear," Andromeda instructed. "Do you have a jacket with you?"

"Yes, ma'am. And my keys too."

She smiled.

"Have a good time there," she walked to the teen, pushing a bit of blond hair behind her ear and kissing her cheek gently. "And let me know if you need anything."

Cas confirmed, waving to Mr Tonks briefly before leaving, clinging onto George so he could apparate the two of them to the Burrow.

"Mum!" he called loudly as the two landed. "We're here, we're back."

Mrs Weasley showed up at the door just as the pair walked closer to the entrance, and ushered them inside with a big smile.

"Oh, finally," she hugged her son tightly. "I was starting to get worried something had happened."

She released George and quickly moved to Cassiopeia, wrapping her arms around the girl and squeezing her so tightly around the ribs she almost lost her air.

"Look at you," she stepped back, touching her face with both her hands, and Cassiopeia had to hold herself from stepping away from her overly intimate grasp. "You look so much better since you started living with your aunt, I always had the impression that those people were starving you."

She looked at her boyfriend, embarrassed, and he cleared his throat, putting a hand on his mother's shoulder.

"Hey, mum," he interrupted her. "You know what I forgot to tell Cas? About dad's promotion."

Molly's face lit up instantly, and she opened a large smile.

"Oh, you won't believe what happened, dear!" she moved her hands and took hers in them, creating quite a contrast with the girls long thin fingers. "Arthur was promoted to head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects!"

Cassiopeia gave her a small smile in response.

"That's great!"

"Yes, he has ten people working under him now, it's a very important position. He's usually home at midnight, you may catch him at breakfast, though. It's so amazing to have you here!" she turned to her once again.

She gave George a worried glance. Okay, that was weird.

"You know, from all of the boys' girlfriends I've ever met, you're the best of them. You are a hard worker at the store, you're always so gentle and follow instructions and never do anything wrong, and you mind your own business!" by the time she's finished saying it, she was grinding her teeth so hard that Cassiopeia were expected them to fall right off, and she was just utterly confused. "I know I was hesitant at the start, but you've revealed yourself as a great person and future daughter-in-law."

"Thank you?" she said slowly, but it came out more like a question than anything else.

The girl was ready to ask what had happened when she changed the subject.

"George, dear, put her things upstairs," the red haired mother turned to her son. "I've let her bed ready in Percy's old room, I'll go make dinner. Cassiopeia, dear. Can you help me?"

Her eyes widened instantly. If Cassiopeia hadn't been confused before, she was confused now. What in the craziest hell was going on? She never asked for help with dinner and always refused help from anyone.

"Of course, ma'am."

She followed her inside, mouthing a 'what the hell?' to her boyfriend, but he simply shrugged before taking her things and leaving the two of them alone.

Cassiopeia entered the kitchen silently and was quickly ushered to cut the vegetables over the table.

"I'm making turkey," she muttered, and Cas wasn't sure if it was for her or herself. "I'll make the gravy with some onions, roast some potatoes… Oh yes, the kids would certainly like that."

Cas smirked to herself, feeling suddenly sad all over again.

"My mother used to make roasted Turkey with Peppers," she washed her hands, walking to the spread vegetables and picking an onion, quickly starting to peel it. "But she removed the red peppers because Draco hates them since we were kids."

She bit your lip when her eyes watered, both from the onions she had started to shop but also from the feelings she'd buried so deep inside herself.

"But the elves did the gravy, she could never get it right. It always came out lumpy," the blond sniffed. "But her turkey was really good. The last I had it... I don't really remember."

Cassiopeia felt someone's eyes on her, and raised her gaze in the direction, finding Mrs Weasley, George and a silver-haired girl she was sure she had met before staring at her.

"What?" she asked, keeping her voice steady.

"Uh…" her boyfriend stuttered. "This is Fleur. We met her in our 6th year. She's Bill's fiancé."

Cassiopeia recomposed herself quickly, washing her hands and walking to her.

"From the TriWizard Tournament, right?" she tried to sound nonchalant.

"Yes," she opened a large smile. "You are Cassiopeia Malfoy, right? I didn't know you and George were dating."

"We've been together for almost a year," the girl explained. "We started dating on my 17th birthday."

She just nodded.

"Well, Bill and I have been together for the same time," she said. "We got engaged just a couple of weeks ago."

"That sounds great," she said sincerely, and the veela girl lifted her hand to show the ring. It was simple but very beautiful. "Have you settled on a date yet?"

By their side, Mrs Weasley cleared her throat, and Cassiopeia turned to see her cutting potatoes all by herself.

Now everything made sense.

"Do you mind sitting down, so I can talk to you and chop the vegetables at the same time?" she offered, completely ignoring her boyfriend's mother clear distaste for the girl.

"It's no problem. I can help," she offered. "I'll just wash my hands."

Cas confirmed and she walked past her, leaving George and his girlfriend for a moment, and he was quick to walk to her, taking her hands in his.

"Are you okay?" he questioned.

"I'll be fine," she assured him. "Don't worry."

He raised his eyebrows in clear mistrust, but she just squeezed his hands.

"I'll talk to you later," the girl promised. "When we are alone."

That seemed to peace him down, and just then left, giving her the opportunity of turning to Fleur once again, giving her a soft look.

"So, tell me how you two met."