#hcu

So yes, he will absolutely be there, with the mindset of I'm in no matter what Reader asks of him. Despite Duncan's heart swelling weirdly every time you give him the look, he tells himself this is platonic, and that it is duty, because, well, his dick caused the misery, so letting you use him is the least he can do.

At first it's innocent enough. A mid-conversation, mid-joke, small, exasperated, point-making sit. You just sit. Awkward too, because it's in the middle of his thigh, and Dunk realises his legs are spread for no good reason but Jesus, good fucking riddance. There is a stretch of that thick silence he's used to hate but tries to unlearn the hating with you. With you, what follows the thick silence are other thick things, and those he enjoys. Your thick ass. The way your tongue feels thick in his mouth. The way he feels thick inside you.

He just stares at you and waits for the telling smile and a lip bite and maybe the slow fan of lashes, and when all the boxes are ticked, it's on. Sweetly, he asks you, D'you need somethin'? His hands are already at work, because oh, it's actually Duncan who needs and what he needs is you closer. He's holding you by the hip dips and sliding you down his leg and perching his knee a little so the slope becomes gravity's natural order and not only his doing. You land with your pussy pressing against where his thigh creases, buttocks spilling on either side of muscle and he's keeping them safe for you, because he's helping. He's helping and not at all getting anything from it. He's helping, and it only happens so that your tits press under his throat and your arms come round his neck, and your mouth murmurs into his forehead yes, just like that.

His glasses skew a little with you rocking against him, enough for his vision to blur. So he closes his eyes and lets himself experience your weight only through the remaining senses. You smell lovely. You chest tastes of sweat where his mouth hangs open against it. Your butt fills his palms completely and Duncan thinks great many things about how the world is build, and concludes that this particular piece of ass has been made for him specifically. There's wet at his trousers now, and your leg knocks his crotch gently every time you roll your hips and he fights the urge in himself to lie back on the bed and just let you ride him with your hands on his throat.

He helps as best as he can. Sets his palms under the heavy parts and takes the work over and hitches his thigh higher and pretends the sound he makes is effort. He's muttering, there, right there, use me lass, use me, that's it, and it all goes into your tits and Dunk has some faint idea that his soul will be spared if he means for it to go to your heart. His face is bullied into position of worship and suffocation which he has no quarrel with because it would be a good death to lose breath in your cleavage.

Then his brain tricks him into believing he's actually getting fucked and his cock takes the bait so eagerly Duncan near shames himself. That's beautiful, he says, and means both the pressure in his groin and you on him. Christ, yer beautiful when ye need somethin', girl. He's too owned already to tell being used from being claimed. He's all of those things, and you are making sounds and breathing hard into him, and it all arrives in his body through denim and bone, wet and hot, and oh God, he's helping, he's helping, it is a good deed, it is his job to keep you happy, it is platonic, service rendered through clenched teeth, and he's squeezing your arse and bearing you down on himself so hard it's actually him dictating the movement and he rasps, fuck yes, take it, take it, my girl, just like that, fuck, fuck—

On February 1st, Cassie Luna entered the Great Hall like she owned it. Her presence alone was enough to shift the energy in a room. Heads turned, hushed murmurs trailed behind her like ripples in still water, but she paid them no mind.

The morning air carried the rich aroma of honeyed porridge and freshly steeped tea, a familiar, comforting haze that wrapped around her as she slid into the bench near the center of the Slytherin table, reaching for the silver serving tongs.

Before she could fully place a croissant on her plate, the false sky above erupted into a flurry of wings and feathers. Owls swooped through the enchanted ceiling, weaving between one another in a chaotic storm. Cassie hardly glanced up, she wasn’t expecting mail.

And yet, a soft green envelope, the color of eucalyptus, sealed with a press of molten gold wax landed square on her plate not a moment later.

Cassie’s brow arched, her fingers grazing over the parcel. The parchment was thick, the kind reserved for invitations to exclusive galas.

No name. No crest. No indication of who had sent it.

Her eyes swept the Great Hall, brow furrowed as she searched for the sender.

Nothing. Just the usual bustle of students, the scrape of utensils against plates, and the low murmur of voices thick with morning fatigue.

Someone had gone out of their way to be unnoticed.

“What’s that?” Her fellow Slytherin and friend, Val asked from across the table. Her boyfriend, Cal and her boyfriend's boyfriend, Ale, sat to the left of the pink haired girl. Both boys were already watching with vague curiosity, their attention shifting from the breakfast before them.

“I’m not sure…” Cassie replied, flicking it open with one perfectly manicured nail.

Upon unfolding the parchment, she found a letter written in a soft cursive, with a cluster of small yellow and white flowers taped to the bottom right corner.

“What does it say?” Ale tipped his head, talking through a mouthful of sausage.

“Ugh, come on man,” Cal nudged him, rolling his eyes. “Don't talk with your mouth full.”

Cassie stared down at the note. She blinked and then blinked again. Her other friend Ellie, joined the table and glanced at the note before gasping.

“Oh my GOSH!” She plucked the note from Cassie's hands. “Cassie has a secret admirer!”

Heat flamed up Cassie's cheeks as Ellie started to read the letter out loud. “Ellie! Shut up!” She hissed, trying to snatch back the note.

“Oh it's fine!” Ellie laughed, holding the note high in the air. “Besides, if they're going to give you gifts, might as well let them.”

“Yeah, but-” Cassie started, before she was interrupted by their other friends migrating to the Slytherin table.

“Oh, what's that, Ellie?” Alyn asked, arm hooked with Jo.

“Cassie got a valentine~” Ellie said in a sing-song voice, scooching closer to Cassie so they could join the table.

Cassie burned. Not with embarrassment, but with the slow, creeping horror of realization.

The worst possible thing will happen.

Her friends would all know now.

“I do not!” Cassie groaned, cheeks red. “I have a… UGH! Give me that!”

“A problem?”

Cassie froze.

The voice was warm, familiar, and far too amused.

Alex.

She turned slowly, finding her boyfriend standing behind the bench, arms crossed, one brow quirked in a silent question.

The entire table fell into amused silence.

Cassie let out a slow breath, fixing her traitorous friends with the most venomous glare she could summon before shoving the letter into Alex’s hands.

“A problem.”

Alex read the note in silence. The soft furrow of his brow was the only indication that he was even slightly invested in solving this.

After a long moment, he asked, “Do you recognize the handwriting?”

Cassie stared.

“I- the… what?” She gestured wildly to the letter. “That’s what you’re focusing on? Not the… entire thing?”

Alex shrugged, rolling the letter between his fingers. “Well, I mean… it’s well-written.”

Cassie exhaled sharply.

“Do you?” he pressed.

She sighed, shoulders deflating. “No, I don’t recognize it.”

Alex nodded. Shrugged again.

“Okay.”

Cassie blinked, “…Okay?”

He stole a bite of her croissant.

Cassie stared at the love of her life like he had grown a second head. “Are you not… upset?”

Alex finally looked at her, setting the croissant down like this was the most casual breakfast conversation they’d ever had. “Do you love me?” he asked.

Cassie stilled, brow furrowing at the unexpected question. “Of course, I do.” She reached out, fingers curling around the fabric of his sleeve. “Why would you even ask that?”

Alex tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, his thumb brushing against the curve of her cheek before he answered.

“Then I’m not upset.”

Cassie felt her heart swell.

“I trust you,” he continued, voice warm and steady as stone. “And the letter doesn’t read as romantic. It’s poetic. Friendly. Overly dramatic, sure.”

Ellie snorted.

“But nothing to worry about.”

Cassie sighed, a slow smile creeping onto her lips. If Alex wasn’t worried, then she wouldn’t be either. He trusted her. And she trusted him.

She gave his sleeve a final squeeze before pulling away.

Ellie was grinning. “Sooo, you’re keeping the letter?”

Cassie shoved it in one of her books. “Not because I care. Just in case it becomes evidence.”

Alyn laughed. Jo shook her head. Alex reached for another bite of croissant.

Cassie swatted his hand away and tried to not think too hard about the letter. Alex was right, it didn't seem overtly romantic. And besides, if this mystery admirer did try anything, she knew Alex would have his bat at the ready.

~~~

The next few days were relatively quiet, or at least, as quiet as Hogwarts could ever be. Cassie nearly forgot about the letter tucked between the pages of her Potions textbook. The flurry of school life had swept her along, drowning out the soft echo of the mystery letter.

That was until Charms on Wednesday.

It was surprisingly warm for an early February afternoon, the last remnants of winter clinging stubbornly to the stone walls of the castle. But the promise of spring whispered through the open window, where Professor Ronen had propped it ajar to freshen the stale air.

The breeze carried the scent of damp earth as it rustled parchment and lifted a stray curl from Cassie’s face.

Part way through Ronen's lecture on the water-making spell, Aguamenti, a small green bird fluttered through the open window.

No, not a bird.

Not really.

The origami figure swept gracefully through the open window, its delicate folds catching the light as it moved with grace. In its tiny paper talons, a silver vial glinted in the afternoon sun.

The class fell into hushed murmurs as the charmed bird flitted toward Cassie’s desk, its path smooth, deliberate.

Professor Ronen’s lecture faltered as he turned, eyes widening in fascination.

Cassie felt her stomach dip as the bird landed on the corner of her book, its tiny parchment wings folding neatly against its sides.

A hush. A pause.

Matty, her good friend and deskmate, tilted her head, voice low with amusement. “Is that from your secret admirer?”

Cassie didn’t answer, fingers reaching out to brush the delicate folds of the paper. It was the same shade of green as the first letter.

“I think so,” she murmured.

The moment her fingertips met the bird, it sprang to life, lifting off to unfold in midair.

A second letter.

Cassie exhaled softly, smiling despite herself. There was nothing to worry about, this was all just in good fun.

She picked up the silver vial from where it had landed atop her book, her fingers toying with the intricate glasswork before she finally unstoppered the cap and pulled out the soft doe-foot applicator. It was lip gloss.

A swipe across her lips, vanilla and brown sugar. Sweet, but not overwhelming. Familiar. Comforting.

Cassie tilted her head, impressed.

“Who do you think it is?” Tori, who sat in front of her, asked, turning around. Her girlfriend Poppy glanced over curiously.

Cassie tapped the vial against her palm. “No idea,” she admitted. “But they have good taste.”

She pocketed the note and the gloss as Professor Ronen cleared his throat, returning to the lecture.

The letter had been right. It did, indeed, run long. By the time Cassie made it to lunch, her curiosity had begun to simmer.

She spotted Alex at the Ravenclaw table, already deep in conversation with Jo. The moment she sat down beside him, he immediately reached out, rubbing slow circles against her back.

“Ronen?” he guessed.

Cassie sighed into his touch, resting her head against his shoulder.

“Yeah,” she muttered. “He wouldn’t stop going on and on about how important Aguamenti is. Like, it’s just water. We get it.”

Alex snorted. “Oh, yeah. Last year, he kept us an extra hour doing the exact same thing.”

Cassie froze.

Last year.

The letter.

Her admirer had mentioned that very same thing.

“Oh my god.”

Alex blinked. “What?”

Cassie was already rummaging through her bag. Alex exchanged a glance with Jo, both of them mirroring the same confused expression. “Cassie, what-”

She pulled out the familiar parchment and silver vial, setting them both on the table. “I got another letter.”

Jo leaned in, eyebrows raised. “Another one?”

Alex picked up the note, scanning it quickly. Then he frowned, tapping the postscript. “Oh…”

Cassie grinned. “They’re in your year.”

Jo immediately sat up straighter. “Okay, so who was in your Charms class last year?”

Both girls turned to Alex expectantly.

“Uhhh…” He furrowed his brow, thinking. “It was Ravenclaw and… Slytherin. Yeah. The Slytherins.”

Cassie’s grin faltered. “…Okay, so we’ve narrowed it down to half the seventh yeards.”

The three of them glanced around the Great Hall.

Ravenclaw. Slytherin.

The older students sat scattered at their respective tables, deep in their own conversations.

No one seemed out of place.

No one was watching.

So who could it be?

~~~

Cassie was watching closely now. She was going to find who this mystery admirer was. She wasn't going to let another note just appear.

And yet, despite her best efforts, it did.

Cassie had just entered the dormitory, arms ladened with parcels and bags of shopping from Gladrags and Madam Snelling, when she spotted the all too familiar, green envelope resting on top of her pillow. Next to it was a small container of Honeydukes chocolates.

She frowned and deposited her things at her trunk, before picking up the letter.

“Cassie? Is that another letter?” Ellie asked, setting her own bags down to be put away. Val turned around curious too.

It was. A third letter. In her dormitory.

Cassie ripped the envelope open, not caring about keeping the wax seal intact.

Cassie read it once. Read it twice.

Then, without a word, she held it up to her friends, waving the parchment dramatically.

“I AM BEING TAUNTED,” she announced.

Val took the letter and read it over before passing it off to Ellie. Both girls were laughing by the time they passed the note back to Cassie, who just stared at them.

“It’s not funny!” She cried, chucking her pillow at them.

“Oh, come off it, it's a little funny.” Val giggled.

“Agh!” Cassie flopped back onto the bed, bouncing slightly as she read the letter again. Opening the box of chocolates, she popped one into her mouth and frowned at the silky sweetness melting on her tongue.

“I see you're enjoying the gifts,” Ellie sat at the foot of the bed, eyes glinting with amusement.

“It’s chocolate! I'm not going to say no to chocolate.” Cassie rolled her eyes, taking another piece out of the box.

“Just like how you didn't say no to the lip gloss?”

It was true, the little vial of gloss had quickly become a staple for her everyday appearance over the past week. She had discovered that no matter how often she applied and used the vial, the amount never diminished. It was enchanted to always remain full.

So naturally, Cassie had to test it to make sure it really did stay full… Not because it was the perfect glossiness for her lips… Not at all…

Cassie glared at her friends and continued to eat the chocolates, pondering over the letter.

~~~

It wasn't until later that week, the Thursday before Valentine’s, that she took another step closer into discovering who her secret valentine was.

Their group had decided to meet in the library, everyone invested in discovering who this mystery person was. The letter was passed around, each line scrutinized and compared to the previous ones.

“Doesn’t this mean it's a Slytherin doing this?” Alvin asked, reading the latest letter over Matty's shoulder.

The group went silent.

“Oh my god, you are right!” Alyn let out a breathy laugh. “They would have had to be Slytherin to get the note inside!”

“Unless they had someone else do it for them…” Matty frowned, flipping the note over, before passing it to Jo.

“They could've. But what do we know about the person so far?” The Ravenclaw pulled out a spare piece of parchment.

"They're a year above,” Alex offered, his arm wrapping around Cassie's waist. He had become invested in this whole ordeal since finding out it was someone in his year.

The other day, he had mentioned a “handwriting analysis” of all the seventh years. Cassie put a stopper on that.

“They are a bit dramatic,” Matty laughed, gesturing to the letters laid before them.

“A bit?” Ellie laughed. “I think they rival our dear Cassie here.”

Cassie huffed and rolled her eyes. “I'm not that dramatic.”

“Oh sure, and I'm the Queen.” Alex laughed, tucking one of Cassie’s curls back. She gasped and swatted his hand ways, feigning annoyance.

“They either have to be a Slytherin or a Ravenclaw.” Tori hummed, guiding the conversation back to the pressing issue.

“I think it's more likely to be a Slytherin than a Ravenclaw,” Alyn stated, tapping her fingers on the table. “This just doesn't seem like a Claw.”

“Yes, I agree. While the theory of having someone else deliver the letter is possible, it is unlikely given the other notes were basically hand delivered.” Ellie held up the other notes.

“It also has to be a girl, guys aren't able to get into the girls dormitory.” Matty added.

“Yeah, that would be creepy,” Val snorted.

“Okay, so that narrows it down to female Slytherin seventh years.” Jo clapped her hands.

“Only four suspects!”

“Who would be the most likely?” Cassie leans forward, brow creasing slightly.

Before anyone could comment again, a puff of green smoke materialized right in front of Cassie. Startled, she pulled back with a yelp.

As the smoke dissipated, it revealed as small silver compact mirror, about the size of her palm. The polished surface glinted in the low light, catching the attention of everyone at the table.

Another gift.

The table had grown absolutely silent, not a single peep out of any of them as they watched Cassie gingerly pick up the mirror like it might disappear on her.

The compact clicked open with a gentle snap, revealing two perfect mirrors and, nestled between them, a small slip of the soft green parchment.

She carefully pulled it free and, after glancing around as if expecting the culprit to be watching from the shadows, read it aloud:

A soft smile spread across Cassie’s lips as warmth bloomed in her chest. She tilted the mirror toward her, the reflection clear and sharp against the smooth surface.

And then-

"Oh my, you are such a beautiful young witch!"

Cassie yelped and nearly dropped the mirror when the disembodied voice filled the air. Her friends jumped as well, Ellie clapping a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh while Val scrambled to steady an inkpot teetering on the edge of the table.

Cassie’s eyes were wide as she turned the compact toward her again. The mirror’s surface shimmered, and though it showed her reflection perfectly, the voice had clearly come from within it.

"Did it just…" she began.

"Yes, lovely, I spoke," the mirror said again, its tone elegant with a faintly amused lilt. "And you’re wise to listen to me, dear. After all, I don’t lie."

Cassie blinked. "Right... okay. So you're a... talking mirror?"

"A complimenting mirror, actually," it corrected. "Why state the obvious when we could focus on what really matters! Like how clever you are? Or perhaps how gorgeous your eyes look with that shimmer?"

Cassie bit back a surprised laugh as her friends leaned closer to listen.

"Where did you come from?" Alyn asked, voice low with intrigue as she questioned the mirror.

“Hush now, you lot are incredibly smart. I have no doubt you can figure it out,” the mirror hummed. “You are so very close.”

Cassie snapped the mirror shut and tucked it into her bag, her eyes glinting with determination. “Alright, let's figure this out.”

Her friends snapped back into action, listing out the names of all the Slytherin girls in seventh year.

“Well there's Vivian, Cassiopia, Eugenie and Clarice.” Jo wrote out each name.

“Wait, aren't the letters signed by ‘C’?” Val asked, tipping her head.

“Oh yeah…” Tori pointed to each of the signatures.

“It's reasonable then, to assume that our culprit also has a name that starts with C,” Cassie reached over and crossed out Vivian and Eugenie.

“Clarice and Cassiopia,” Alex scratched his chin.

“Do you know either of them?” Cassie turned to her boyfriend with a raised brow.

“Not really,” Alex shrugged. “I mean, I've seen them in class and everything, but I've never really talked with them.”

A murmur fell over the group as they tried to recall anything they could about the two Slytherins.

After a few minutes of getting nowhere, Cassie huffed and pulled out the mirror again.

"Alright," she muttered, popping the metal clasp. "Let’s see what else you’ve got to say for yourself."

The polished surface caught the lamplight, reflecting her face as perfectly as ever. Then, with a faint shimmer, the voice returned. "Ahh, there you are, my radiant goddess," the mirror cooed. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten me."

Cassie blinked, caught somewhere between shock and amusement. "I- what?"

"Well, it's not every day I get the honor of reflecting such flawlessness," the mirror continued. "Those lips? Glossed to absolute perfection. Your makeup? Simple yet elegant. And don't get me started on the style! Merlin himself would weep."

Val snorted. "That mirror is basically you in enchanted form."

Cassie hid her laugh behind her hand. "You're laying it on a bit thick, don’t you think?"

"Thick? Darling, this is honesty. And might I add," the mirror’s voice dropped to an approving murmur, "that shade of green you're wearing? Inspired. Your eyes have never looked more stunning."

Cassie’s cheeks flushed despite herself. She touched the emerald bow around her neck with a thoughtful hum. "Well… I do have a knack for picking accessories."

"A knack? No, no. Talent. Artistry. Honestly, Hogwarts should replace one of those tedious trophies with a plaque honoring your impeccable taste."

Alyn giggled. "Does this mirror have a twin?"

Cassie tilted the mirror slightly, watching how the glass caught the library light. "Alright, magic mirror. You've complimented me to the moon and back. Care to tell me who sent you?"

The surface shimmered again, as though the mirror was thinking.

"Mmm… no," it said at last, with something like a smirk in its tone. "That would spoil the fun."

"Oh, come on." Cassie’s lips quirked up in a challenge. "We know it's either Clarice or Cassiopia. So spill. Who is it?"

"Please, I know a cunning Slytherin when I see one." The voice grew warm again, soft with admiration. "That sparkle in your eyes? It’s got 'scheming mastermind' written all over it."

"Flattery won't distract me."

"Won’t it? Look at you. You've barely blinked since you opened me. I’m irresistible. Admit it."

Ellie gasped. "It knows you too well."

Cassie huffed a laugh and snapped the mirror shut with a soft click, turning it absently in her hands.

Her friends waited, watching her expectantly.

"Well?" Jo asked.

Cassie slipped the mirror into her bag again, lips curving into a satisfied smile. "Whoever this is," she said, standing and gathering her things, "they clearly know how to play."

She tossed her hair over her shoulder before striding towards the exit. Her friends followed, exchanging curious looks.

Behind her, the mirror gave one last, muffled whisper from the depths of her bag:

"I’ve got a feeling you’re going to love the final surprise."

~~~

Cassie hadn’t slept in days. At least, not properly.

Which was ridiculous, because today was Valentine’s Day. She should have been relaxing, getting ready for her date with Alex.

But instead?

She was here.

In the Great Hall, before breakfast was even properly served deep in the final phase of this absurd mystery.

And she would not rest until she had her answer.

The enchanted ceiling above was still a dusky blue, the soft glow of morning creeping through the clouds. Most students were barely waking up, filtering in for an easy Sunday morning.

Cassie, however, was on a mission.

Because this morning, at the foot of her bed, had been the final gift.

In a soft green box, tied with a bow, laid the grand prize. The one Cassie had been waiting for. The one the talking mirror had built up suspense for all weekend.

A polished, silver police constable badge, neatly engraved with:

#1 DETECTIVE

Pinned beneath it, the last note:

Cassie had stared at it for a full minute, blinking. Then she had dragged Val and Ellie out of bed and marched them to the Great Hall. On the way, she sent word to Alex and their other friends, who, rightfully so, were still cozy in bed and reluctantly joined her.

She sat near the center of the table, Clarice on the left a ways down, half asleep, absently stirring her porridge. Cassiopia had her nose buried in a book to the right. Neither looked overly suspicious.

But one was her culprit. And she was getting her confession.

She clicked open the compact mirror, tilting it toward her face. “Alright, magic mirror,” she murmured. “Give me something good.”

The glass shimmered before the voice rang out in an overly dramatic tone. "Ahh, my celestial muse! My radiant, breathtaking goddess of unparalleled beauty!"

Alex snorted into his tea and struggled to stifle his laughter as he watched Cassie turn first to Clarice.

Only confusion was etched into the seventh year's face. She had no clue what was going on…

That means…

Cassie’s eyes met Cassiopia's, the older girl's lips curling into a smirk.

Gotcha.

“It was you!” Cassie claimed, snapping the mirror shut, resting her hand on her chin. “Are you going to admit it?”

“Alright, you got me,” Cassiopia let out a soft laugh, holding her hands up in surrender.

Alyn gasped. “I KNEW IT.”

Cassiopia tilted her head, smirking. “Took you all long enough.”

Cassie exhaled sharply, shaking her head with mock exasperation. “Merlin’s bloody beard.”

Cassiopia grinned, stretching back lazily. “I have to admit,” she mused, “this was entirely too fun.”

Cassie crossed her arms. “Okay, explain yourself.”

Cassiopia sighed dramatically. “Well, originally, it was just supposed to be the notes. A bit of dramatic flare and jokes here and there.”

Cassie raised an eyebrow. "Oh, please. You don’t just casually send someone an enchanted mirror and call it a joke.”

Cassiopia smirked. “You’d be surprised.”

She lifted her teacup, meeting Cassie’s gaze over the rim. “But then," she added lightly, "it was far too entertaining to watch you spiral into full-blown investigator mode.”

Cassie huffed. “You were taunting me!”

“I mean… yes,” Cassiopia admitted, eyes glinting with mischief. “But it was friendly taunting.”

Alex leaned in, grinning. “So what you’re saying is, you basically drove her insane for two weeks for fun?”

Cassiopia shrugged. "More or less."

Cassie pointed an accusatory finger at her. “I should be furious.”

Cassiopia smirked, eyes dancing with amusement. “Well,” she said smoothly, lifting her tea in a toast, “us Cass’ have to stick together, don’t we?”

Cassie froze. Her friends erupted into laughter. Matty fell off the bench, Jo was wheezing. Tori shook her head, wiped a tear from her eye. “Oh, this is too good.”

Cassie groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “You are so lucky I respect the art of drama.”

Cassiopia grinned. “I was counting on it.”

Cassie, despite herself, laughed too. After calming down, she lifted the police badge, inspecting it one last time.

Then, she pinned it neatly to the front of her robes.

Alex sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “Oh no.”

Cassie smirked. “Oh yes.”

Ellie grinned. “Oh, this is going to be unbearable.”

Val tapped the badge. “You realize she’s never going to let this go now.”

Cassie folded her arms, tilting her head dramatically. “Hey! I take my duties as Hogwarts’ #1 Detective very seriously.”

Alex dropped his head onto the table.

Cassiopia sipped her tea and smirked over the rim. “Oh, I’m well aware.”

Cassie turned to her, eyes narrowing. “And you. You thought this was hilarious, huh?”

Cassiopia grinned. “More than you’ll ever know.”

Cassie huffed, then glanced down at the compact mirror. She flipped it open.

It shimmered, then purred, "Ahh, my flawless goddess! Tell me, did you finally catch that devilishly clever admirer of yours?"

Cassie grinned before snapping the mirror shut and tossing it into her bag. “Doesn’t matter," she said breezily. "The mirror’s mine now."

Cassiopia laughed. “Fair trade.”

Alex, rubbing his temples, sighed. “Now can we go enjoy our actual Valentine’s date?”

Cassie patted his cheek. “Yes, darling. You have my full attention now.”

He shot a glance at the badge. “Do I?”

Cassie gasped, mock-offended. “Are you suggesting I am not a dedicated and loving girlfriend?”

Alex arched an eyebrow. “I’m suggesting that if you spend our date flashing that ridiculous badge at people, I might jump into the lake.”

Cassie nudged his shoulder playfully. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. The badge is coming with us.”

Alex groaned.

Cassie stood, striking an exaggerated pose. “Hogwarts' #1 Detective never rests.”

“Merlin above,” Alex shook his head.

Cassie laughed, linking her arm with Alex’s. “Alright, alright, let’s go,” she said, grinning up at him. “It is Valentine’s Day, after all.”

Alex sighed dramatically but leaned in to kiss her temple. “About time.”

~~~~~~

P.S. Yes, I know some aspects of this are not historically accurate, but suspend your reality for the vibe.

There you have it!! I sincerely hope that you like it and that I did your babies and the rest of the HCU justice! This was a lot of fun, and I just love Cassie so so much!

All the hugs and love and smooches to you!!

ALL MY LOVE!

Your fellow Cass 😘

I also want the thank @ravenwind-75 for being my partner in crime and my double agent getting me insider knowledge lmao couldn't have done it with out you!