THE OPAL NECKLACE

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Days were going fast, now snow has been falling down from the sky. Its almost Christmas break and that can give them extra time to keep fixing the cabinet. Still, their number one priority is fixing the vanishing cabinet.

Cassiopeia sat in front of Draco, munching on toast in deep thought. Draco, his eyebrows furrowed, was reading a book about the vanishing cabinet that Borgin had sent them a few days ago.

A few moments later the post came. Owls came flying in the Great Hall, dropping their packages or letters on the breakfast table. Cassiopeia looked up to see an owl swoop down, landing on the table.

Cassiopeia took out a letter that was attached on its leg. She smirked, reading who it came from.

"What's that?" asked Draco.

"Borgin sent me a letter," she whispered.

"And?"

Cassiopeia opened it, read it as fast as she could before handing it to Draco.

"And it seemed like he has finally done it," she grinned.

"What made him get the necklace back?" He asked, handing the letter back to Cassiopeia.

Cassiopeia grabbed it, folded it neatly before placing it in her bag. "I did ask our dear friend Greyback to pay him a visit, didn't I? And he did, a few days ago."

Draco nodded, "that means later? At Hogsmeade?"

"Didn't you read?" Cassiopeia rolled her eyes, "Yes. Later. I'll talk to you about it more in the room."

Then she got up, grabbing her bag and her remaining toast, and walking out of the Great Hall. Since it was a weekend, Cassiopeia did not need to skip any classes today. She sat in the room of requirement in front of the cabinet.

Cassiopeia already had planned what she might need to do with the opal necklace, and all she needed was for Draco to agree with her. Although it might seem like a very stupid idea, they might as well try...

Draco had agreed to her plans later that day, he didn't object. But if they do get in trouble, she will be taking all the blame. Of course, she wouldn't do that, but Cassiopeia agreed, so he could shut up.

Cassiopeia tightened her coat as she and Draco hurriedly went through the snow. Cassiopeia went over to the post office first as Draco went to the Three Broomsticks.

The horrid smell of owl droppings reached Cassiopeia's nose. She grimaced, as she went over to the front desk.

"Name?" asked a thin, grey haired man.

"Malfoy, Cassiopeia. Here to pick up a package," she said.

He stared at her up and down, not moving. Cassiopeia was already impatient.

"Well?" she frowned.

"Malfoy, eh?" He asked, turning around.

Cassiopeia did not answer, she only covered her nose. He went over to her, handing her a package. It wasn't sealed well, but it did not matter now.

Cassiopeia handed him a sickle before walked out of the smelly post office. As she went out, she quickly transferred the necklace into another bag. Cassiopeia walked through the door of the three broomsticks.

Spotting Draco's blonde hair, she went over to him. She took off her long coat and gloves. Cassiopeia wore her usual suit and tie, she hid the package under her coat.

"You know where it is," she muttered. Draco nodded, as he was going to stand up, there was a familiar voice calling her name.

"Cass!"

She turned around to see Hermione, smiling at her, but her smile faded when her eyes landed on her brother.

"Hermione," said Cassiopeia, standing up. She glanced at Draco who had a scowl on his face, she nodded at the coat, and he took it, not saying anything but giving her a scowl.

"What're you doing here?" asked Cassiopeia, placing her hands in her pockets.

"Come with us," she said, taking Cassiopeia's arm and dragging her to their table. Harry smiled. "We tried to find you, but we thought you were still in your common room."

"Right. Hello love," she said, kissing Harry's cheek as she sat down next to him. Her eyes were on Draco, who looked around suspiciously. Cassiopeia glanced at the others, clearing her throat.

A skinny kid in an apron appears, "What'll we have?"

Cassiopeia looked at him, "three butterbeers,"

"Three?" asked Harry.

"I don't want to drink any right now," said Cassiopeia.

"A splash of ginger in mine please," said Hermione.

Cassiopeia noticed that Draco was staring at something next to her, she followed his gaze and sees that Harry is narrowing his eyes at her brother.

"Cass," said Harry, "what're you doing here with your brother?"

"He dragged me with him," she said simply, "I decided I should go with him, I was gonna look around to buy some things as well."

"Aw, bloody hell..." grimaced Ron.

They turn, sees Ron glowering at Ginny, who sits in a dark corner with Dean, their faces lit by a guttering candle

"Oh, honestly, Ron," huffed Hermione, "They're just holding hands--"

Cassiopeia chuckled before smirking at Ron, "and snogging."

"I'd like to leave," said Ron, grabbing his coat.

"Leave? You can't be serious," Hermione rolled her eyes.

"That happens to be my sister," stated Ron, motioning towards Ginny.

"So? What if she looked over here and saw you snogging me? Would you expect her to get up and leave?" asked Hermione.

"I'd like to see that," Cassiopeia muttered to Harry, chuckling as Harry grinned.
Ron blinks, utterly speechless.

"Harry, m'boy!" greeted Slughorn. Cassiopeia took this opportunity to look at Draco who seemed to be in a hushed conversation with Madam Rosmerta.

As Slughorn waddles over, sloshing mug in hand, Harry rises immediately -- an action so grossly out of character that Cassiopeia regards him with amused curiosity.

"Hello, sir. Wonderful to see you," said Harry, smiling. "So what brings you here, sir?"

"Oh, the Three Broomsticks and I go way back. Longer than I'd care to admit. In fact, I remember when it was simply One Broomstick!" Slughorn guffaws, Harry joins in, laughing heartily as well. Cassiopeia sent him a confused look.

The skinny kid slides three foaming mugs into the table, Cassiopeia takes a small sip from Harry's drink before handing it to him. Cassiopeia notices that Katie Bell held the package in her hands, emerging from the back, sitting down next to her friend.

"Listen, m'boy. In the old days, I used to throw together the occasional supper and invite a select student or two," said Slughorn. "Would you be game?"

"I'd consider it an honour, sir," said Harry.

"You'd be welcome too, Granger," chuckled Slughorn. 

Hermione, in the midst of emptying her Butterbeer in one long draw, slams down her mug -- leaving behind a "mustache."

"Be delighted, sir." She gave him a polite smile.

"Ah Malfoy! What're you doing with them?" He asked, confused.

"She's my girlfriend, sir," Harry said, grinning proudly.

"Ah! Wow! That's quite unbelievable," he muttered, Cassiopeia scoffed. "All right, you two look for my owl. Good to see you, Wallenby."

He patted Ron's shoulder before waddling away. Ron then turns to Harry with a confused look.

"What're you playing at?"

"Dumbledore asked me to... get to know him." Harry shrugged, sipping his butterbeer.

"Get to know him?" Cassiopeia lifted a brow, "what for?"

"Dunno," he replied, "But it must be important. Otherwise, Dumbledore wouldn't ask."

They continued to chat for a while and Cassiopeia's eyes landed on her brother, who watched Katie Bell start for the exit along with her friend.

"Let's get back to Hogwarts," said Ron, drinking his butterbeer, Harry followed suit.

Cassiopeia and the other three stood up, grabbing their coats. Except for Cassiopeia.

"Let me get my coat," she excused herself, she approached Draco who had her coat on his lap, she grabbed it before muttering to him: "see you in the room,"

He nodded, and Cassiopeia wore her coat before following the three out of the pub.

As they walked, Cassiopeia gripped her coat tighter. She noticed Katie and her friend walking not too far away from them.

Cassiopeia slightly jumped when a warm scarf was placed around her neck. She turned to Harry, giving him a grateful smile.

"No gloves?" He asked.

"No," she shrugged before taking his hand, "who needs one when I've got you?"

Harry rolled his eyes as Cassiopeia chuckled. Hermione was laughing around, catching snowflakes on her tongue.

"Katie! You don't know what it could be!"

Up ahead, Katie Bell and Leanne stand in the drifting snow. Katie picks up the package that fell. Hermione comes bumping up, drapes her arms over Harry and Cassiopeia.

''What's up?" She chuckled. Cassiopeia notices that the opal necklace laid on the snowy ground, Katie bends down to pick it up.

Shit.

Cassiopeia wanted to scream at Katie to not touch it, but she couldn't. At that very instant, Katie Bell rises six feet into the air. Hair dancing violently in the wind, her face remains eerily placid, her open mouth letting out a scream.

As Harry, Ron and Hermione dash forward, Cassiopeia stood still, scowling before letting out a heavy sigh. She puts on her concerned look and ran after them.

"I warned her! I warned her not to touch it!" said Leanne, tears streaming down her face as she looked up at her friend.

Lying in the snow is the package torn. Hermione bends to take a closer look at the familiar necklace.

"Don't touch it, Hermione!" warned Cassiopeia.

"Get back! All o' yeh!" shouted the voice of Hagrid.  He says this so forcefully the others instantly obey. Effortlessly, he scoops up Katie's thrashing body that just fell on the ground.

"Don't go touchin' that but by the wrappin's. Unnerstan'?" Hagrid nods darkly to the package in the snow.

Cassiopeia took out her wand, muttered a spell, and placed the floating necklace inside the paper bag. She took off Harry's scarf and placed the package on top of the scarf for extra precaution.

The trio looked at her, and she nodded at them before following Hagrid into the castle.