XVIII

"I'll have my own room!" Fred celebrated, setting up the window with the new products. "I've never had my own room!"

Cassiopeia smiled. She and George had told him about the house as soon as dinner was over that night, and Fred had seen it with his eyes this morning before they went on to open the store.

"I'm glad you liked it," she affirmed, cleaning the shelf closer to her. "Are you thinking of painting it? The old paint is kinda flaky."

But he just shrugged.

"If we have paint left, sure, but I don't mind," he said, still very excited. "I never had my own room, and I'm an adult, for Merlin's sake. I even shared the womb with that dude!" he joked, pointing at his brother with his thumb.

He then turned to her and sighed.

"You didn't have to do that," he pointed out, biting his lower lip. "I'd be fine staying home with mum and dad."

"And separate the two of you?" she questioned, raising her eyebrows. "I'm not insane. You're not ready to live away from him yet."

He smiled and walked to her side quickly, holding Cassiopeia's face and kissing her cheek several times, loudly and excitedly.

"You're awesome!" he exclaimed. "If only you had a sister as nice as you."

"I have Draco," she noted.

His eyes quickly widened.

"Don't even suggest that…" he started, stopping when she raised her eyebrows at him.

"Well?"

Fred blushed.

"I don't… Really like your brother."

Cassiopeia didn't even answer. It wasn't much of a surprise.

She moved her face when she caught a glimpse of someone outside the store, and felt her body tensing when she noticed it was her mother.

Narcissa turned, leaving, and the teen walked out before she was too far away, running in her direction. The cold hit her unprotected skin like thousands of small knives, but she ignored the pain.

"Mum," she called, and pulled her by her elbow.

She stopped, freezing in her spot, and Cassiopeia took a deep breath.

"I wanted to talk to you," she said, keeping her voice firm and steady. "I didn't know if I should send you a letter, but there's something you must know."

Her mother turned around slowly, her expression as stoic as her own, and waited in silence for what she had to say.

"I'm getting married," the teen declared. "On Christmas."

Her eyes widened as surprise spread onto her face, quickly being covered once again.

"I suppose I must congratulate you?" she said, more in the form of a question than anything else.

"You can do whatever you want," Cas simply said, looking away when her eyes threatened to water.

Not here and not now, she told herself.

"Cassiopeia…" she started saying, but the girl raised a hand.

"I thought it would be best to let you know beforehand," she decided. "You're my mother, even if you've disowned me. I thought you would like to know."

She finally made silence and Narcissa just continued to look at her daughter.

"Is it the Weasley boy?" she questioned.

"Yes."

She lowered her eyes for a moment before looking up at the girl again, turning around and leaving.

Cassiopeia closed her eyes for a moment, breathing it deep and going back into the store.

"Cas," George whispered, touching her arm.

"It's okay. I'm okay," she interrupted him. "Let's go back to work."