XVI

"Christmas?" Tonks raised her eyebrows at Cassiopeia.

Since Summer, the new bride was bouncing from area to area in her life. Working at the store, giving George attention, spending time with Fleur and trying her best to help Tonks with what was going on with her and Remus, although unsuccessful at the last task. She was bad… No, terrible with things to do with love. Goodness, it had taken her and George a full year to grow a pair and get officially together, how could Cas help anyone else?

Still, she cared for Tonks and forced her to eat and bathe and get out of the house as much as she could, even though her cousin was still in a sad state she couldn't entirely understand.

Lately, however, and she hadn't told anyone the reason, her hair had come right back to its usual bubblegum state, and she looked much less sad than she had just weeks before. Even though Tonks was hiding how and why she had changed so drastically, she was still happy that she was getting back on her feet.

"Christmas," the blond straightened her back when the seamstress poked her with a needle.

The wedding dress was a gift from her Aunt and Uncle. According to Andromeda, Cassiopeia was like a daughter to her, and she wouldn't even forgive herself if any of her daughters paid for their own wedding dresses.

"That's in two months," Tonks pointed out. "You're saying that you're getting married in two months?"

"Well, two months and twenty days," she corrected her. "It's fine, we're just worrying about the bridesmaid dresses but we already have their measures and Fleur is taking care of that part and I can take care of the rest."

"Have you told mum that?" she raised her eyebrows.

"Of course I did!" she turned to the pink haired girl. "Why do you think we're already sending…"

Cassiopeia yelped when a needle pricked her arm, interrupting her, and the seamstress gave her an angry look.

"Miss Tonks, I can't do my job if you keep moving so much!" she reprimanded her.

Cas' face fell, and her cousin moved her eyes away, both of them falling into complete silence.

"Malfoy, ma'am," the teen finally corrected her. "My name is Malfoy."

The woman moved her eyes to her face and blushed while she kept a cold and sterile look on her face, as stoic as ever.

"I'm sorry, Miss Malfoy. I thought because you were brought here by Mrs and Mr Tonks…"

"It's okay," she faced forward. "An understandable mistake."

The room was filled with silence for a long moment until Tonks cleared her throat.

"You were saying?"

"We're already sending invitations," Cassiopeia kept her voice neutral. "Molly is going to send the family names tonight, and we'll hopefully be finished by tomorrow."

She hesitated, biting her lip, and even though there were no words spoken, Cassiopeia knew what she was about to say before she even did.

"Are you inviting your mother and brother?"

Once again, the blond forced herself into a serious face and neutral voice.

"I'm still debating over that."

Her cousin must have sensed her discomfort because she didn't ask her any more questions and changed the subject.

"So…" she shifted on her place. "I have something to tell you."

Cas raised one of her eyebrows at her and raised her right arm for the seamstress to fit her waist.

"Go on."

Tonks bit her lower lip, excited.

"Well… I've patched up things with Remus."

The made Cassiopeia turn to look at her, absolutely surprised.

"You did?" she answered slowly.

Her cousin blushed, looking down and giggled like a schoolgirl, and she opened a smile.

"Tonks…"

"We're dating," she whispered like it was a huge secret. "For real."

Cas couldn't say anything, just smile at her. That wasn't something she expected, but seeing her so happy was great.

"Honey," the girl hesitated, feeling worry sipping its way through her. "After what you two have been through…"

"He apologised," he affirmed. "He had a talk with Arthur and Molly, and then with mum and dad, and I guess they put some sense into his head."

Her smile grew again.

"That is amazing, then!" the bride-to-be decided. "I really want to hug you right now."

The old seamstress glanced at the two of them, clearly disapproving, and the grey-eyed girl offered her an apologetic look.

"But maybe after we're done here."