As Cassandra stepped out of the compartment where Wentworth and his friends were sitting, the smile that had been playing at her lips quickly faded, replaced by a trace of uncertainty.
She kept telling herself, over and over:
I'm doing this to save my father. To save my family. Wentworth is just a familiar stranger! I haven't done anything wrong!
Yet, just as she was beginning to steady herself, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Cassandra! Wait a moment—Cassandra!"
Her heart clenched at the sound of Wentworth's voice.
She hesitated for only a second before forcing herself to stop and turn around. Fixing him with an impatient look, she said, "Why are you shouting my name like that? Are you planning to give me a Christmas present or something?"
Her lips curled into a mocking smile.
To her surprise, Wentworth stopped in front of her and, looking genuinely astonished, exclaimed, "By Merlin—Cassandra, do you have the Sight?!"
Cassandra's smirk froze.
Before she could react, Wentworth reached behind him and pulled out a long, neatly wrapped box. Beaming, he extended it toward her.
"Merry Christmas, Cassandra!"
Cassandra stared at the box in his hands, her fingers instinctively reaching out—only to withdraw at the last second. She looked up at Wentworth, disbelief flickering in her eyes.
"This… is really for me? A Christmas present?"
Wentworth glanced around dramatically. "Unless there's a third person standing here that I haven't noticed?"
Seeing her hesitation, he took her small hand in his, pressing the box into her palm.
"This is for you, Cassandra. I hope you like it."
Cassandra ran her fingers lightly over the surface of the box, biting her lip.
Wentworth, intrigued by her reaction, urged, "Go on—open it!"
Slowly, she lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in soft velvet, was a sleek, state-of-the-art broomstick.
At that moment, Wentworth's voice rang out again. "It's a prototype Firebolt from the Quidditch World Cup—awarded to a lucky spectator. I want you to have it."
His grin widened. "I felt terrible about breaking your broom during our flying lesson. This one should more than make up for it! Though now, I suppose I won't be able to catch up with you in class anymore—haha!"
Wentworth chuckled, but Cassandra remained silent, staring down at the broomstick. After a long moment, he hesitated. "You don't like it?"
She shook her head and, as she looked up, Wentworth noticed the slight redness in her eyes.
Before he could say anything, Cassandra spoke softly. "No—I love it. Thank you, Wentworth. It's just… this is far too valuable. I—"
Before she could finish, Wentworth cut her off with a casual wave. "As long as you like it, that's all that matters! Honestly, I'm terrible at picking out gifts for girls. This is actually the first time in my life I've ever given one. You wouldn't want to embarrass me by making me take it back, would you?"
First time in this life, at least, he thought to himself.
Cassandra blinked in surprise. After a moment's hesitation, she silently hugged the gift to her chest.
"Thank you, Wentworth."
Wentworth chuckled.
Just then, a cheer erupted from the other side of the train car.
"Look outside, everyone—it's snowing!"
Excited voices filled the Hogwarts Express as students rushed to the corridor, eager to press their faces against the frosted windows.
In the commotion, Wentworth and Cassandra were gently pushed toward the window, ending up side by side.
Wentworth shifted slightly, making room for Cassandra, while she stood quietly, gazing at the swirling snowflakes beyond the glass.
"It's beautiful," a student murmured nearby. "The first snowfall of the year."
Cassandra let out a small sigh. "The first snowflakes to touch the ground never last. They melt before the true snowfall begins."
Wentworth studied her, sensing something was off. Since when was Cassandra this poetic?
Curious, he ventured, "So… you prefer watching them fall together?"
Cassandra turned to him, eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. "No. Quite the opposite. To stand alone—that is the pride of the strong."
Wentworth arched a brow. "Doesn't that get lonely?"
She was silent for a long moment before finally whispering, "Friendship is just a joke for the weak. A lifelong friend? Don't make me laugh."
With that, she shoved past the gathered students, ignoring their startled exclamations, and disappeared down the corridor.
Meanwhile, in a quieter compartment, Kirk let out a long, exaggerated sigh, turning to Cedric.
"So tell me—if Wentworth and Cassandra really do end up together, what does that make me?"
Cedric pondered for a moment before replying, "A test of true love?"
Kirk looked utterly defeated.
Just then, Wentworth entered the compartment. Kirk's eyes darted to his empty hands, his expression turning pained.
"You really gave away that Firebolt?"
Cedric cleared his throat pointedly.
Kirk immediately switched to a look of exaggerated admiration, giving Wentworth a thumbs-up. "I mean—what generosity! That's true leadership, Wentworth!"
Wentworth rolled his eyes and swatted Kirk's hand away. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, the sharp whistle of the Hogwarts Express filled the air.
Cedric glanced out the window, a grin spreading across his face. "We're here!"
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