Cassie's Flower Shop

You had woken up, eager for the first time in weeks. For birthdays, you and your dorm mates go BIG. As soon as the birthday girl falls asleep, silencing charms thrown up before decorations happen. Streamers, balloons, and presents. Everyone is awake long before the sun comes up, breakfast brought up by a house elf. It was the greatest thing to ever happen.

Imagine your surprise when you wake up and find it bare and dead. Lavender and Parvati still fast asleep in their bed, snores coming from behind their curtains. Hermione's bed made perfect and empty.

You attempt to shove down the disappointment bubbling in your stomach. Did they-

You shake your head, dispelling the thought. There was no wast they forgot your birthday, right?

You quickly get out of bed, rushing through your morning routine. You were quite certain you forgot a step, and you knew for a fact that you almost sprayed your perfume into your mouth instead of your mint breath spray.

Maybe they have a surprise waiting in the Great Hall. Maybe Lav and Parvati were decoys and they were going to decorate once you're gone. That has to be it. Has to be because you couldn't bring yourself to imagine the alternative.

It happened. The worse case scenario actually happened.

They forgot.

Each and everyone of your friends forgot today was your birthday. Every time you saw one of them in the hallway or a classroom, you waited, holding on to the slightest sliver of hope that remained.

Yet nothing. Absolutely nothing.

And to add salt to the wound, Harry asked for the date during Transfiguration. Not even registering when you said it.

Pushing the cold potatoes around the plate, you look between your friends as they talk to each other. Not only did they forget your birthday, now they excluded you from the conversation. The pit of despair in your gut swirls.

How..how could they-

"What's wrong with you?" Ron asks, mouth full of food. Hermione scolds him for talking with his mouth full, smacking his arm.

"Are you okay though? You have been rather quiet today. If it's your studies, I can create you a timetable to help."

You scoff, rolling your eyes. You couldn't take this any longer. You stand up, storming out of the Great Hall.

Each of their birthdays, you made sure it was special. That they felt loved and appreciated. And this is how they repaid you.

Some great fucking friends they are.

Ever since your first year, you have found comfort in one other spot besides your dorm. The alder tree hidden behind the quidditch pitch. A place all to your own, that kept you sane from end of year exams to yule ball date failures.

"What's got your tail in a knot, little lion?" You look up, surprised to find the Slytherin Prince casually lounging on the branch above your head.

You must have been so in your head you didn't notice him. You quickly wipe the tears off your cheeks as you stand up, not wanting to add fuel to his taunts.

Mattheo Riddle, slytherin in your year. He was vicious, mean, and cruel. You once saw him knock a poor first year's book straight out of their hands. Seriously who does that?

"Not in the mood Riddle. Not today." You call over your shoulder as you walk away. Maybe Hagrid was in his hut. Surely he did forget.

Cold fingers wrap around your wrist, bring you to a stop. "What's wrong?" You shake your head, probably looking a bobble head with how much you have been shaking it.

"What's it to you? Going to tell all your friends that you found me crying. Fuck off." You spat, attempting to pull your arm from his grasp yet his grip tightens.

"Tell me." You press your lips into a thin line, tears lining your vision. Why wouldn't he just leave you alone? He looks around, curls bouncing around before his unusually warm eye fall back onto you.

"Come with me." He says, before dragging you back towards the castle. Your eyes wide n, a single tear slipping down your cheek. "Wait what?"

You died. Died of loneliness or maybe hypothermia from sitting out in the cold. But either way, you were dead.

The sight in front of you felt like a fever dream. The Mattheo Riddle whisking a batter, holding a conversation with a house elf as if they were old friends.

As for you, you sat perched on the counter where Mattheo placed you. Physically placed you. Picked you up, and told you not to move.

Not that you could even if you wanted to. This sight, has left you frozen.

"What are you making Riddle?" He flashes you a smirk. You noticed the flour dusted across his cheek. The way his smile seemed easy and warm unlike any time you had ever seen him smile. Wait have you ever seen him smile. Smirk, sure. But smile. Never. Mattheo clears his throat, winking at you. "Just you wait. You'll see."

"Now open your eyes." You listen, deciding it would be better to cooperate while being held hostage in the kitchens when he told you to sit a the table and close your eyes. A small gasp falls from your parted lips at the sight.

A messy lopsided cake sat on the table. Your name barely legible in icing still there and a single candle.

You look up, meeting his eyes. "What? What is this?" Mattheo rolls his eyes. "What does it look like?"

"But why?"

His cheeks flush, the scar across his nose more prominent, a shade darker. "Don't most people want cake on their birthday? If you hate it, then give it to Potter or Weasley." You shake your head, standing up. "I love it. Tha-thank you."

Your friends didn't remember your birthday but the guy who you fought endlessly with remembered and made you a cake?

A tear slips down your cheek as you pull him into a hug. "Thank you Ridd- Mattheo." He pulls back, cupping your cheek. His thumb brushes the tears away. "Happy birthday little lion."

"You didn't have to walk me back. I'm a big girl Riddle." Mattheo chuckles, elbow bumping into yours. "Back to Riddle, huh?" You shrug, the corner of your mouth twitching.

"What? You think because you remembered my birthday when all my friends forgot that our relationship would change?" His eyes widen as the toe of you come to a stop just short of the Fat Lady. "I mean.."

You couldn't do it any longer, letting go of the laugh bubbling inside. His shoulders sag in relief. "Of course it changed for me. I just didn't want to assume-" He cuts you off by take your hand into his, slowly brining it up to his lips.

"Please assume." He mumbles before his lips brushed against your knuckles, his eyes never leaving yours.

A throat clears behind you. You turn, finding Harry, Ron, and Hermione glaring daggers at the boy who was still holding your hand.

"Step away from her Riddle." Harry growls, pushing up his glasses before taking a step forward.

Mattheo smirks, pressing another kiss to the back of your hand. This time his eyes never leaving Harry before letting your hands drop back down but still interlocked.

"Mattheo, please don't." You whisper, eyes focused solely on him. You couldn't bring yourself to look at your so called friends right now. "He's not worth it." He turns to you, his face softening instantly.

"Traitor!" Ron shouts, pointing directly at you as he steps into the space beside Harry. "Is that why you have been off today? Hiding out with this snake?" Your head snaps up, tears brimming your lashes. You look to Harry and Hermione yet neither say anything, nothing defending you. "How long have you been sleeping with the enemy?"

You laugh dryly, sounding similar to a villain in one of those muggle films. "You have no right. No right to judge me. Not when he is the only one in this bloody castle who remembered my birthday." The trio pales, sharing a panicked look. "What? No we couldn't." Hermione steps forward, apologizing with pointless excuses. "Still doesn't explain him." Ron doubles down, still trying to make it seem like this was all your fault.

White hot anger pulses through your veins, thundering inside your ears. "And to answer your earlier question Ronald, since tonight." You yank Mattheo down by his tie, catching the flash of surprise in his eyes as you smash your lip against his. His hands come up to your waist, pulling you impossibly closer. It was messy, desperate, teeth clashing type of kiss.

You pull back first, in desperate need of air. Your heart raced as you look into those honey brown eyes. "Wow." Mattheo nods, pressing one last kiss to your lips. "Yeah wow."

"Now if you excuse me, I'm going to bed." You turn back,heading straight for the staircase. "Our dorm is here." Hermione reminds you. Scoffing, you roll your eyes. You throw the fakest smile you could spread across your flushed cheeks over your shoulder. "Didn't say I was going to my bed did I, Granger?"

A content smile tugs at your lips as you lean against the bedroom door. Your eyes carefully watch as Draco takes off his cufflinks, placing them into the ceramic dish gifted by his youngest cousin. Teddy said it was a dragon, but even with your eyes squinted, it just looked like a green blob.

Pushing off the door, you slowly approach your husband. "How's my favorite birthday boy?" Draco looks up, a soft smile designated only for you tugs at the corner of his mouth. "Better now that you're here." You shake your head as you take over the task of unbuttoning his shirt. "Sap."

Draco chuckles as his hands fall on your hips, thumbs brushing small circles. "Don't tell anyone my secret." Popping the last button, you smirk as you slowly slide your hands up his bare chest. "Hate to break it to you Dray," You push the white button up off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. "but everyone already knows."

Draco rolls his eyes, lifting you up by your thighs. "Sue me for loving my wife." You giggle, wrapping your arms around his neck. "We're not even married yet." You rest your forehead against his, nose brushing against the tip of his. "Only 178 more days until you become the next Mrs Malfoy." He whispers, voice raspy with need. "But who's counting?"

You close the distance, lips slowly brushing against his. His hand squeezes your thigh as he stops in front of the bed. You pull back breathless as you smile hopelessly in love. "Happy birthday my star." Draco carefully lays you on the bed, hair layer across the Egyptian cotton sheets. He places a gentle kiss to your cheek before standing back up. His hand circles your ankle, as he lifts your foot, undoing the straps of your heel. "Thank you my love."

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The plate of cookies warms your hand as you walk down the dark hallway to the dusty old library. In all of your time with the Black Bulls, no one entered the library. Ever.

But yet for some odd reason, Gauche, Vanessa and Finral have been holed up inside the stuffy room for the past seventy two hours.

You kicked the door open, letting it hit the wall with a soft thud. "I come bearing snacks." Vanessa smiles, reaching for one of the white chocolate raspberry cookies.

"You're the bes-" You cut her off with a instinctive smack to the hand. "Not those." She groans, clutching her hand to her chest as if you had burned her. "What? Why not?" You smile, running your free hand through Finral's soft hair.

Honestly, you were a bit jealous of his hair, so soft and healthy even after dying it. Unfair truly.

"Sorry Ness but I don't love you guys as much as I love Finral."

Finral chokes on his cookie, bits spraying across the table. "Fucking gross." Gauche growls, chair screeching across the floor as he stormed out of the library. You tense, each individual muscle freezing as your words wash over you. "I mean..um..that's not..I mean I do but I didn't want the first time to be.."

Finral stands, knees knocking against the table causing the plate and stack of books to rattle. He reaches for your hand, hesitating for a brief second before taking it. "I um..I love you too."

Bonus:

Vanessa leans back into her chair, munching on another cookie. Her eyes never leaving the two of you like her favorite show was on. "I cannot wait to tell everyone this is how you lovebirds confessed your undying love for one another."

"What do you mean quidditch is cancelled?" You shriek, causing the entire common room to turn it's focus onto you. Cedric pops up, munching on whatever candy he had left over from the train. Professor Sprout sighs, pinching her nose.

"Due to the blasted tournament," she says robotically, clearly against the event. "yes quidditch has been cancelled. Something about the field being needed and the other schools. Now if you excuse me, I need to go check on my Venomous Tentacular. She looked a tad wilted before dinner." With that she was gone.

The common room returns back to normal. The first years now terrified of the loud seventh year. AKA: you. You fall onto the sofa, head hung in defeat. "What am I supposed to do without quidditch?" Cedric chuckles, holding out his container of Bertie Botts. "Pretty sure you mean how are you supposed to flirt with Davies now?" You smack his arm, sending his jelly beans airborne. "Cedric Diggory shut up before I shove my broomstick up your ass."

"Oh Roger I do hope you'll press me up against the broom shack and ravish me. Oh Roger!" Cedric laughs, falling against the arm as you lunge forward, fingers wrapping around his throat. "I am going to kill you. Actually murder you!"

"Mind if I sit here?" Your look up, eyes widening at Roger. "Um no go ahead." You turn you head, watching as the Cedric ducks behind a rock. You feel him sit beside you, leg pressed against yours. You clear your throat, fixing your scarf.

"Is he..is Diggory clinically insane?" You chuckle, watching as Cedric shoots a spell at the dragon. "Yeah it would seem that way. What you don't want eternal glory?" Roger scoffs, his fringe swaying as he shakes his head. "Merlin no. I would much rather not face dragons or whatever other death traps they have planned." You laugh, catching his eye.

Your chest tightens at the look in his eye, like you were the only one in the world. Cheers surrounding you pulls you away, causing you to look back down just as Cedric grabbed the egg. "Smart man Davies."

"So…" Roger says, breaking the silence halfway through Krum's match. "So?" You spare him a glance, frowning as he fidgets with his ring. "Spit it out Davies." He scratches the back of his neck, accidentally elbowing the person beside him. "Just miss seeing you in the air. Almost forgot what you look like without a broom between your legs."

He freezes, eyes blown wide as his cheeks flush a deep shade of red. "Wait that is not what I meant. What I meant was that I missed you. Merlin I sound like an idiot." You blink slowly before a laugh bubbles from your frozen lips. "You.." you wipe the stray tear that fell down your cheek. "You're such a big softie Roger." He looks away but not before you noticed the way his lips curled up.

Swallowing your nerves, you slide your hand across your lap, the side of your hand brushing against his. "I miss kicking your ass too." Roger chuckles, interlocking his pinkie with yours. "Whatever."

"Did you hear Roger Davies turned down Fleur Delaclour?" You freeze, hiding behind the bookshelf. You shouldn't be eavesdropping. Your just couldn't help yourself, no when you heard his name.

"What? Are you serious?" You hear the other person hum, confirming it. "Get this, apparently she asked him." "And he said no? How is that even possible? Isn't she like part Veela?"

Their books close with a sharp snap. "Yeah that's what I heard too. I read into it and supposedly the only way to resist the veela charm." "I wonder who it is."

Your back presses against the shelf as your heart pounds in your ears. He said no to her. Why? You recall the girl's words. Who was Roger in loves with?

The wind wraps around you similar to a hug from an old friend. You pull your broom up, stopping over the Black Lake. Durmstrang's boat sat not too far. You could see some of the students working out. Your eyebrow raises as you spot Krum arguing with his headmaster. Interesting.

"Figured I would find you here." A voice appears being you. "What are you doing here Davies?" He chuckles, flying up next to you. "What are you doing up here?" You shrug, looking at him for the first time since you heard the gossip in the library.

His chestnut brown hair is grown out and tucked behind his ear. "Needed a break with the chaos of the tournament, NEWTS coming up, and this bloody ball."

You sigh, looking back at the lake. The sun setting on the horizon reflecting off the water. "I just needed a break." Roger hums. "I get it."

Chuckling as the squid knocks against the Durmstrang's ship, you let the tension fall from your shoulder. "So do you have a date to the ball?" Your broom drops as you scramble to grab the handle. "What? I um mean," You pause as you take a deep breath, trying to calm yourself. "No not yet." Roger nods, wiping his hands on his pants just like he does before every game. His tell for when he's nervous.

"Would you like to go with me?" Your eyes widen. "What about Fleur?" He slides closer, his outstretched palm brushed across your cheek. "She's not you."

Resting your forehead against his chest, you couldn't fit the smile spread widely across on your cheeks. You couldn't believe how perfect tonight had been. "You alright?" You look up, finding Roger staring down. "Absolutely wonderful."

Soulmates. The one person who is supposed understands you. The one soul who fit you like a puzzle piece. The one person who can give your life color, turning your dull grey life into something vibrant.

Blaise didn't do soulmates.

Fickle concept if anyone asked him.

One person meant solely for you. And the possibility that you may never meet them.

Nah, Blaise didn't believe it for one second.

How could he when each husband his mother brought home, she claimed they were her soulmate. one for each color.

Blaise would rather live in a grey world than believe in that childish nonsense.

Despite his resolve, Blaise had the the unlucky opportunity of finding you during his second year.

Blaise roamed around the halls, completely and utterly bored out his minds. He heard the adults in his life regale how wonderful and engaging Hogwarts curriculum was, yet Blaise found it, well for the lack of words inadequate. All his classes were terribly easy, not even potions could pique his interest.

Gliding his finger against the chilled stone wall, Blaise strolled down the corridor, leading straight to the Slytherin common room. Just as he turned the corner, something or more like somebody collided into his chest.

A small grunt falls from his pressed lips as the person drops to the floor, muttering apologies as you pick up your scattered books. Blaise looks around, making sure no one was around before he joins you on the floor.

“Here.” He mutters, holding out your transfiguration book. Your fingers brush against his, tingle shooting up his arm. “Thank you. I am so sorry. I should have been paying-” Your voice trail off as you meet his eye.

The corridor around him morphs into colors. Colors he only heard and stories. He hears the way your breath catches and your throat as your jaw drops slightly. His own heartbeat pounds into his ears as the walls start to spin.

This could not be happening.

“Oh. Oh wow. Um hi.” You mumble as you look away, your cheeks flushed red. Just like he read in books. Your gaze returned to his, as you stuck out your hand. “I'm um.. sorry I'm nervous. I'm-” Blaise shakes his head as he stands up.

“No.” Your face falls and Blaise couldn't help the way he noticed the color of your eyes. His chest clinches at the pain reflecting in them. “No?” Blaise exhales, wiping is sweating palms onto his trousers. “Can't do this.” Blaise says, pointing between the two of you. “Sorry about your books.”

And with that, Blaise turned and left the way he came, leaving a piece of him behind.

Five Years Later:

A groan falls from your dry, chapped lips as your head rolls to the side. Your hands press weakly against your side, hissing in pain as you attempt to stop the bleeding. Sighing, you recall exactly how you got into this situation.

Dark Arts class with Brother Carrow. Today was practice of the cruciatus curse. Each student was to practice the curse on the lined up muggleborn students, including you. Refusing to be a dummy for Crabbe, you mouth off. Which earned you detention with both brother and sister.

You cough, blood splattering on your hand. Your eyes squeeze tightly as the pain starts to become unbearable.

You need..

Your breath comes in short rapid paces. Shit you need help or else the Carrows will win. Using the last bit of strength you could muster, you focus all your magic into your palm as you conjure a patronus. Blue wisps swirl around, forming into a fox. You smile weakly at the sight. Even without a wand, you could still do it.

“Go,” you gasp, the room starting to fade away. “go to Blaise. Tell him. I need help.” The fox nuzzles your cheek, sending a wave of warmth through your body before it slips through the door, leaving you alone. “Blaise.” You whisper as the darkness pulls you in.

When you woke up, you were convinced you were dead. There was no way he found you in time. That's if Blaise even came. Not once in the past five years has he spoken a word to you. Not since he left you in the corridor.

Opening your eyes felt like pulling concrete apart. The room around you was bright, a soft glow. Emerald green curtains hung above your head. The softest sheets underneath you. Surely you were dead.

You cough, throat dry as Hagrid’s rock cake. “Where am I?” You croak, trying to push yourself up despite the searing pain in your side.

A loud screech causes you to flinch before you see him. “No don't sit up. You're going to pull at your stitches.” He says softly, pushing you back down. Stitches? You hand presses against your side, causing you to hiss. “Who?” Blaise shakes his head, taking your hand into his. “Daphne. She learned muggle healing methods over the summer. She helped me.” His voice cracks as his grip tightens around your hand.

Your eyes flutter shut as you try to take it all in. You were practically tortured by professors. And now you're soulmate saved you and his pureblood friend sewed you up.

Yup you were definitely dead.

His fingers brush against your cheek. “You're okay.” He mumbles to himself but you still heard it. “I'm okay.” You whisper, squeezing his hand.

You open your eyes to find Blaise crying, tears streaming down his face. “You came.” Blaise nods he presses a kiss to your hand. “You called.”

Some time in the night, Blaise joins you in his bed with you. He left enough space between the two of you, mindful not to hurt you. “I'm sorry.” He whispers to your sleeping figure. “I almost lost you and it's all my fault.” His hand brushing against your arm, sliding up as he cups your neck. “I almost lost the person who.. I'm so sorry.”

You reach out, cupping his cheek as your eyes flutter open. “S’alright. I'm here now.” Blaise shakes his head. “Almost missed this. Missed you. From now on, I'm not going anywhere. Stuck with me for eternity.” He proclaims quietly, but each word true. You huff as an easy smile spreads across your face, scooting until you're curled into his side. “I like the sound of that. Eternity.”