November changed the colors, and soon December was at Hogwarts. The cool air whisked back into the castle, hurtling at the students like a bludger. And then, there was Christmas. Cassia had already asked her mother of she could come home, but her mother told her that she and Cassia's father were visiting Horus, who was a year younger than herself, and whom she had always despised.

Dahlia had not spoken to her since their argument, hanging around Orion, Eliza, Rose, and some Slytherins. But Cassia wasn't lonely. She and Oliver had dated, but then she met another boy, a third year, named Jeffery. He asked her out, and seeing as she and Oliver hadn't been getting along of late, Cassia accepted. Oliver then admitted he had been cheating on her with a Hufflepuff, a close friend of Cassia. Though she felt betrayed, she told herself it was all for the best.

Jeffery always smiled. His hair was blonde and his eyes were a vibrant blue. They adored each other, and Cassia felt truly happy.

Jeffery could make anyone grin, even when they were upset, which drew Cassia further into the relationship. Cassia swore she was in love more than once, which just made her even more elated every time they did something together. She loved the kisses they shared in the hall between classes, the notes the swapped during meals, and the nights they spent in the Common Room talking on the couch until they fell asleep. This relationship was far more intimate than the one she had with Oliver. And she loved every second of it.

Saturday morning Cassia woke up to arms wrapped around her waist. She woke Jeffrey up.

"Jeffery, Jeffery wake up!" she whispered.

"Huh?" he murmured in his sleep. Suddenly, Cassia had an idea.

"Clarinets are better than trumpets!" she told him. He rolled her of the couch and they toppled until they stopped, laughing.

"So not true!" he laughed. He lifted his head. "Maybe since you play one, I'll consider it. . ."

"Oh, shush, you!" Cassia giggled. "Trumpets are too loud! And besides, that squid dude from Sponge Bob Square Pants plays a clarinet. So there!"

"Yeah, yeah," he mumbled.

Cassia laughed at him, and walked upstairs, into a very soft wall. Wait, it was a human! It was...Dahlia! Yes Dahlia, and she didn't look mad at all, just apologetic. Weird. Cassia realized with a jolt that she really did miss her.

"Hey, um. . ." Dahlia said, biting her lip.

Cassia knew that Dahlia wasn't really good with words unless she was writing them down. "I know!" she said, hugging her friend. Dahlia gingerly hugged her back.

"So. . . No more Oliver."

Cassia shrugged. "No more Oliver."

"And who's that boy down there in the Common Room?"

"Jeffrey. He's a third year."

"Yeah. I know. That's Eliza's twin brother."

Cassia's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? They look nothing alike!"

Dahlia shrugged. "Funny how somethings work out."

Cassia smiled. "So, later, do you want to spend some time together, hang out? Catch up a bit?"

Dahlia frowned, looking guilty. "No. . . I-I can't. Sorry."

"Plans with Orion?"

"N-no, something. . . something else." Suddenly, her eyes widened. "What time is it?"

"Um. . ." Cassia thought about it, then gave a rough estimate.

"Oh, no! I have to go!" Dahlia pounded down the stairs. "Bye! See you at supper!"

Cassia stood, dumbfounded. She just stood in place until she was sure Dahlia would be gone. Then she slipped on her uniform and went to class.