Private Space
Opeila's throat was on fire. What on earth was that? The Slytherin coughed, immediately regretting her choices, and set the glass down as if it might explode. "That was not red wine.", she croaked, shaking her head with disgust, her eyes watering. Only then she was Cassius' look. "What?"
"You are so cool."
"Uh-huh, sure I am." Opeila rolled her eyes with a pained smile- her throat still burned- certain that he was mocking her. But oh well, she probably would have done the same if the roles were reversed.
At least the liquor did what she had intended, burning away some of her panic. Opeila was still unsettled, still shaken, but not as restless anymore.
While her throat was still recovering, Cassius now voiced his theories on the situation. "You think... His own family is setting him up as a pawn to be killed?" Opeila shook her head at the level of evil. The Virtanens could never. Did that mean- Vladimir. Did he save you?
It was a possibility and Opeila couldn't help feeling relieved. It was only a theory and a horrific one, but... If not being heir removed a target from the former Ravenclaw, she was not going to oppose that.
The window wouldn't reveal any secrets. Opeila stared at the glass, stared some more but it didn't help and in the end she just stopped looking. Leaned into Cassius' hug, savored the moment the two of them had alone while it lasted. Why the heck did everything have to be so complicated all the time? For a second she imagined this were a normal event, no visions, no creepy priest.
Maybe they would have snuck away together anyway, for entirely different reason. Found themselves a private corner, just like- Oh. Opeila thanked the stars that Cassius could not see her face that had to be just as red as the liquor she had so recklessly chugged.
The shame certainly burned even worse. Maybe it really was the liquor's fault that Opeila's mind had wandered down that forbidden path that did not belong to Cassius. She had not meant to revisit the memories, the private corners and closets in Hogwarts castle that she had visited with a different boy. But here she was, in the arms of her boyfriend she adored, fighting the stream of memories that would surely do nothing but poison them, just like her vision had previously poisoned Aaron and her.
Opeila remembered her conversation with Meenauh about that cursed memory orb years ago- maybe she should really try and smash some memories. Clearly there was no space in her head for both Cassius and Aaron.
"Hey, do you see that?"
Grateful for the distraction, Opeila looked at the window again- had Cassius found something after all? Yes, he had. Now she also noticed the three figures outside. The giant charging at the building, soon followed by loud noises behind the door of their room. Yet the two women were what sent a chill down Opeila's back. What was that? Quickly she grabbed Cassius' arm and pulled him away from the window, when it shattered.
It took her maybe three seconds to put two and two together. "The giant is a diversion. He has to be." Someone started fighting the women and then there was a young boy too. "... Finn?"
"We need to get out there. I have my cloak. It will conceal us. Can you get the door?"
"Your- is that an invisibility cloak?", Opeila called out in surprise. "And you call me cool..." There was no time for this. "We can't go through there, the giant got in." Carefully she approached the window again, examining the window frames for shards. "Let's go through here. Then we won't lose them."
"And one more thing..."
Cassius' kiss took her by surprise, set her head spinning even more than it already did from the liquor. She wrapped her arms around him, returning his kiss.
"I love you."
Opeila's heart skipped a beat at his declaration, partly with delight, partly with shock. Those words carried weight and she had never used them lightly. She adored Cassius, she trusted him with her life, she wanted to see him happy.
But she couldn't say it. Maybe it was because they had only dated for seven months. She wouldn't allow herself to think about other possible reasons.
Before the pause could get too long, she leaned forward and kissed him again. Shorter this time, but with all the affection she could muster in the rather unromantic situation they were in.
"Let's go.", she whispered.
Leaving with Cassius, moving to the Front Lawn.
Last edited by Opeila Winters on 15 Sep 2025, 22:18, edited 1 time in total.
Private Space
The two strange women saw what August did not. The movement behind the famed auror. The flutter of heavy fabric. The faint shift of light across the flowers as Cassius and Opeila emerged from the fractured ballroom window.
This was one of those storybook moments. Cassius was romantic and a little bit reckless. But, he was not what the girl was looking for. Considering the choice of ping, that would be Aaron Jones, a specter that haunted this relationship, preventing the Seer from moving on.
Story continues on the front lawn.
Some stories should never be told...
Cassius slipped through the window in a movement that was almost dance-like, even with the rain-slick frame under his palms. His expensive footwear found the wet lawn without a sound, the cloak billowing as he drew Opeila in close under its folds. It was more performative than practical, given they hadn’t yet covered themselves before stepping out.Leaving through the window
Cassius Roll: 15 (+14) = 29 — Success, Coolness Maintained
This was one of those storybook moments. Cassius was romantic and a little bit reckless. But, he was not what the girl was looking for. Considering the choice of ping, that would be Aaron Jones, a specter that haunted this relationship, preventing the Seer from moving on.
Opeila’s exit lacked that same grace. Her boot snagged slightly on the sill, making the hem of her dress snap with an audible whip before she found her footing beside him. They were moving, yes, but anyone looking their way could trace their outline under the cloak. And here, the women were looking.Leaving through the window
Opeila Roll: 9 (+14) = 23 — Success, but Less Graceful
Story continues on the front lawn.
Some stories should never be told...