XI

"That was quite a sell," Cassiopeia approached George, who'd just said goodbye to one boy with a very heavy bag of products.

Even though the times were hard, the store was now packed up with kids and teens, all visiting Diagon Alley to get ready for Hogwarts and many filling up their personal stocks for pranks – at least until Christmas -, and that meant very good news for their small group.

"They're going back to school," he pointed out. "Fred was right when he said we should double our stocks for the second half of August."

"Excuse me," his twin stop in front of them. "Can you say that again?"

"You were right," Cas repeated, rolling her eyes. "Do you want a medal for that?"

Before he could say anything, her eyes fell on the group of teens who'd just entered the store.

"Your family is here," she noted.

Fred walked away from the couple, squeezing himself between the customers to reach them, while she put herself behind the counter to check the order they'd just received from the Ministry. Apparently: they'd heard from the Shield Hats the store was selling – George's idea – and wanted five hundred of them, and their other Defence Against the Dark Arts products had suddenly started flying out of the shelves.

"Hey, Cassiopeia," Hermione squeezed herself until she reached the counter, which was a few steps from her. "Are you busy?"

The blonde stored the paper in one of the drawers and quickly walked closer to the divisor. The moment she looked up her face, she knew just what she needed.

"Let me guess," she palmed her apron, looking for the Bruise Removal Paste. "Boxing Telescope?"

Hermione nodded and Cas reached out, spreading some of the thick paste on her skin.

"It'll be better in an hour."

The girl smiled shyly to the blonde.

"Thanks."

Cas leant onto the surface and gave her a small smile.

"I actually came up with it," she confessed. "It's not my field, but the boys couldn't find anything to help with the telescope."

"It's quite nice," she noted. "The store isn't doing so bad."

"It has some ups and downs," the Slytherin sighed. "I think people are only now hearing about us, so that's a positive."

She nodded, and Cas turned around when Vera stopped by the counter.

"Miss Malfoy," Vera, a girl who's started working with them just a couple of days prior. "Mister Weasley is asking your assistance with a client outside."

She offered Hermione a smile, excusing herself before walking out and leaving the room, making sure to fix her hair while she was still out of their presence.

"Did you ask for me?"

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"I think someone is gonna get a full salary next time her pay-check arrives," George joked, grabbing Cassiopeia by her waist affectionately. "Any idea what you're gonna do with so much money?" he extended the two last words in a mocking tone.

She chuckled, rolling her eyes but throwing her arms over his shoulders. The store had emptied out, as it was nearly closing time, and Fred was checking what they had to replace while Vera cleaned the floor.

"I was thinking of taking a guy out," she teased. "We never got to celebrate our first anniversary together."

George raised his eyebrows, smiling largely.

"Oh yeah? And where do you plan to go?"

She tilted her head to the side.

"I don't know… But I'm taking suggestions. You two," the blonde moved her hands down, holding the sides of his green suit jacket. "Have very similar tastes."

George moved forward, taking his girlfriend's lips in his whilst giggling. He had his back pressed onto the counter, so Cas was facing the door, and she wasn't sure if she regretted the position when she opened her eyes, losing her smile instantly.

Standing by the door of the store, her mother was staring at the two with ice-cold eyes.

Cassiopeia untangled herself from George slowly, not missing when her boyfriend pulled his wand from his pocket discreetly.

"Can we help you with anything?" she lifted her chin, unwilling to show any emotion but pride.

"Is that what you do now?" she looked around the place, clearly displeased and maybe even disgusted. "You work in this… Trash heap?"

The blonde teen ground her teeth.

"This is a respectable store, ma'am," she affirmed in the coldest voice she could find, though there was a knot ready to form in her throat. "Is there anything you need from us? It's closing time."

Cassiopeia blinked twice, hoping she couldn't see the way her presence was affecting her. So that was it? Months away and the only thing she could do when she saw her daughter was offend her?

"No," Narcissa straightened her back, but instead of leaving, she lowered herself down and put a pack of whatever was in her hands down the floor.

Then, she turned around and left, and the girl felt her shoulders dropping in response, instantly leaning onto George when he braced her.

"Are you okay?" he whispered.

Cassiopeia took a deep breath. Things were going okay. She wouldn't let that affect her, she couldn't.

"Yes. I'll be just fine."

All four of them stared at the box until Fred walked up to it, bringing it inside and dropping it to the counter.

"What are you waiting for?" he raised his eyebrows. "Open it!"

Sensing it was her time to go, Vera walked out of the room while Cassiopeia unwrapped the deep purple paper, leaving the three of them behind as the girl silently opened her… box.

Inside, a summer cloak in deep green was neatly folded.

"It's a gift," she whispered.

Cassiopeia noticed the details of the piece when she pulled it out. It could be worn at both sides, with one in deep green velvet with her family's crest embroidered right over her chest, and the other side in black silk, and it also had a hood.

"Try it on," her boyfriend whispered.

When she did it, it became clear that the cloak had to be custom made, as it fit her height perfectly.

A card fell onto the floor, and his brother was quick to pick it up.

"Happy birthday," he read, breathing in deep.

Cassiopeia closed her eyes. She did think of her, after all.

The girl breathed in deep, covering her face with her hands for a moment, completely confused by the mixed signals.

"Let's just help Vera cleaning up," she decided.

No one said anything, and she folded the cloak right back into its previous state, putting it back onto the box.

"Just…" she cleared her throat. "Let's not talk about this," she requested, just as Vera came back. "Please."