Midnight Meetings (( Alex, Pyro, Liam and Kennedy)

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass opened her eyes to behold her roommate, Alexandra Ricci, sleeping across the room from her. Throwing back the covers, she lowered herself into her red flats that were hidden discretely by the bed. Cass was a clean freak and had a tendency to put everything in its place before going to bed. Alex would of been tipped off that something was going on if she had seen Cass' favorite shoes near the bed. She checked herself in her vanity mirror. Fixing her makeup, she took extra steps to make sure that her mascara hadn't smeared. Looking back at Alexandra, she made sure she was still asleep as she stole out of the bedroom.

This was not the first time Cass had snuck out of Blackfire Manor in the dead of night. Normally, she crept out at least twice a week to meet her boyfriend of almost a year, Liam Angelus. Since her Uncle and Aunt disapproved of their relationship, the couple had to go these extra lengths to see each other. However, Cass was not meeting Liam on this night. Grabbing a cloak out of the closet by the door, her thoughts turned to Kennedy Valek. It was a strange turn of events when she met the Slytherin last year, and she had been intrigued by him ever since their strange conversation in the tavern. Cass had sent an owl to Kennedy this morning, asking him to meet her in a little coffee shop owned by wizards in London. Thinking he would decline the invitation, Cass was surprised when his owl had arrived this afternoon accepting.

Entering the kitchen, she tip toed past one of the slumbering houselves to make her way toward the roaring floo. Grabbing a handful of black powder out of a fine vase, Cass threw it into the hearth. Green flames roared violently as she stepped inside and announced her destination.

A few moments later, she stepped out of the fireplace into the tiny coffee shop. Pointing her wand to herself, Cass blew the particles of soot of her. Looking around the tiny shop, she found a small table near the back and sat down. After ordering an earl grey tea, Cass opened up a nearby Evening Prophet and began to peruse the headlights. Cass' stomach rumbled from nervousness as she waited for Kennedy. She kept looking up to the door in earnest, hoping that the Slytherin would arrive a few moments early.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

When he had received the letter from Cass, Kennedy was very curious and confused. The two weren't exactly what you would call friends, but they had talked once or twice and at least got along with each other. What he didn't understand though was why she would have invited him to meet her at such an odd time. Plus, the letter didn't indicate any reason for their meeting, or even if it would be a meeting between just the two of them or if others would be there too. Really, Cass left much of the details out of the owl, leaving Kennedy wondering what it could possibly be about. In the end, the curiosity won over him, and he replied that he would try his best to make it. He knew his parents wouldn't approve, especially since he really couldn't even produce a valid reason. Thus, he decided sneaking out would be the easiest way. It wasn't like they actually checked on him or anything. Once they got his little brat of a sister Kailyn to sleep they would settle down, relieved to have some free time together without her demanding their every second.

The minutes ticked away as Kennedy laid on his bed and listened to the noises coming from the other rooms in the house. There was much screaming and stomping- the normal bedtime routine that he was quite used to by now. Finally, Kailyn's cries of rebellion faded, and Kennedy waited for the final slam of his parents' bedroom door, which indicated it was safe for him to go. He pulled on his black jacket over his white t-shirt and walked to the living room where the fireplace was. Careful to be as quiet as possible, he threw the floo-powder into the flames and instantly appeared in the coffee shop he was to meet Cass. The place had changed a little from his last visit there, but it didn't take him long to find Cass looking anxiously his way. She was in the back corner holding a newspaper.

He approached her table, noticing that she was alone. The oddity of the meeting began to sink in more as he got closer. What could she possibly need to talk about with him that she had to do it here and now? He could sense someone behind him, and he turned to see the waitress bringing Cass her tea. "I'll just have a water," he said, taking a seat across from Cass. He just sat there, silently, hoping she would be the first to make conversation. Was he supposed to be calm? Did he have any reason to be nervous? For some reason though, he had a feeling that whatever Cass had called him there for would change things in a big way- a way that he couldn't even begin to imagine.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass looked up at the floo just in time to see Kennedy walk through and shake the soot of his shoulders. The light bounced off his dark hair showing the almost blue highlights in it. Oh, handsome, Cass thought to herself. Shaking away those thoughts that had gotten her into trouble so long ago, she turned around in the booth and fixed her clothes one last time. Kennedy had soon come around the booth and taken a seat in front of her. Kennedy then ordered a water, and then looked at Cass, waiting for her to speak. The silence was awkward, but then she began to talk like water flowing from a faucet. " Hey, Kennedy. Sorry it is so late, but it is easier to get out of the Manor this way. You know, ever since the incident at the Leaky Cauldron last year, I've been a prisoner in the Manor. Usually, I can't leave without an escort, but what one of the things I wanted to ask you tonight I needed done without prying ears."

" Well, the first request isn't as embarrassing as the second," Cass bit her lip as she looked into Kennedy's face. Okay, maybe she did have a little crush on Kennedy, but it was nothing major. I mean, really, she was happy with Liam, but it was okay to harbor a small crush everyonce in a while. Besides, he was a Slytherin, and Cass had already traveled that road before. Cass had urgently owled Liam this afternoon after her Aunt's demand. Her Aunt and Uncle had announced that the family had been invited to the Minister's Ball for St. Mungo's this year. Alexandra had seemed excited at the thought of going with Pyro, but Cass had been forbidden from taking Liam. Cass knew that Lust wanted her to have an escort, and she didn't want to have to take one of her unknown cousins again. She explained to Liam her situation, and the both knew she could not go without someone on her arm. Liam grudgingly accepted their circumstances, and told Cass he would somehow snag an invite so he could be there. In the meantime, she better find someone she trusted to accompany her.

Cass knew Liam hated their situation, but somehow they had found a way to spend some time together this summer. Even in these dark times, the duo had been able to spend some quiet evenings together; usually, with Cassandra slipping back into the house just before dawn. Cass took a sip of her hot tea. " Okay, I know you don't owe me anything, but I really couldn't think of anyone else to ask. I need a favor, well, two actually. I really didn't feel that Jack would do it, and I sure as hell didn't know of anyone else." Cass nervously bit her lip again. " First of all, I need your help on something, and since I can't watch Pyro every moment at Hogwarts, I really need to enlist a Slytherin's help." Kennedy looked at her and had yet to say a word. " You see, about two years ago, Pyro got looped into some kind of secret society, and he was sent to fetch this book from a friend of mind. Now, you might wonder what kind of book, but I can't really tell you. All I can tell you is that it probably contains some pretty dark magic. " Cass turned over her left hand to show Kennedy a deep scar in her palm. " Now, I stole this book out of my friend's house to keep it away from Pyro, but my cousin was able to take it from me anyway." Cass could sometimes feel Pyro's hands on the back of their neck as they had struggled in the Room of Requirement. " I need that book back, Kennedy. In exchange for your help, I would be more than willing to share its secrets with you. I have no qualms with that. You can take whatever knowledge from it you would like, but I do intend to destroy it when I am done." Cass looked at Kennedy's split look of surprise and bewilderment as he chewed on her proposal. Hoping Kennedy wouldn't take her straight to the ministry, she sat back in her booth waiting for him to speak.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Breaking the silence, Cass began to explain their meeting, and Kennedy listened closely to every word. She had two favors to ask of him. It got even better. Kennedy could barely think of one reason she would need him to meet her, let alone two! As she got into the details, he made sure to catch everything Cass said.

As the words spilled out of Cass's mouth, Kennedy could only stare in amazement. She needed him to spy on her cousin Pyro- a fellow Slytherin that he shared a room with at school. She mentioned something about a secret society, and a magic book; both of which Kennedy was somewhat confused about. He knew about some secret society that people spoke about that included hand-selected Slytherins, but Kennedy was never given any actual information about it. This could have possibly been the secret society she spoke of, but Kennedy couldn't be sure.

For a moment, he pondered how he might help Cass if he decided to. He and Pyro weren't close friends. They were merely acquaintances and they had never had more of a conversation besides casual chit-chat when in their dormitory. Cass should have know this since she was Pyro's cousin, but she must have had some expectation that Kennedy could get the book, or she wouldn't have asked him

The next thing Kennedy pondered was his motive for whether or not to help Cass get the book. The type of material that was in it was a mystery, but it must have been of some importance if the book meant so much. He was sure there would be something of value in the book, and Kennedy did love gaining new knowledge- especially information that could make him more powerful. His decision was complicated.

"Well," he said finally, after musing over his options, "why do you really want this book so bad?" he asked. If he was going to get himself into it, he wanted to know why Cass found the book so valuable. "Plus, doesn't Pyro know that you are after the book? Won't he be extra cautious with it?" Kennedy found that there was a flaw in Cass's plan, but he wanted to hear her motive before making a final decision. Also, she had mentioned something about two favors, and he was very intrigued to hear what the second favor might be.

The waitress brought him his water, and Kennedy gulped down half the glass. "One more thing," he added, "what makes you think that I am your best option for this task ahead of you? I am sure that there are many possibilities for how you might acquire this 'magical' book?"

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

The glass of water struck the far wall and shattered into a million pieces and splashed water all over. Pyro sat up in his bed, breathing hard in an attempt to regain a normal pattern of breathing. His eyes were wide open with shock as he looked down at himself. The dream had happened again, it had grown worse once more. He growled as he clenched his fist to get his body to calm down once more. He had snapped awake and sent his water glass flying across the room. A bad mistake since he was now extremely in need of a drink. Once his breathing was back under control Pyro slipped out of his bed and hastily tied back his unruly hair into a loose ponytail. No need to braid it just for a glass of water. He casually slipped on a loose T-shirt and exited the room. His room was on the top floor of a three story manor. Even with the manor's size it housed only one kitchen, on the first floor. He hated having to walk all that way, but his throat was now broadcasting a rather large need to have a drink. So a few minutes later Pyro stood in his kitchen downing a glass of water.

"Ahh," Pyro said in satisfaction as he emptied the glass. He turned and was expecting an uneventful walk back to his room, but that wasn't the case tonight. Pyro heard footsteps ahead of him coming toward him. He quickly ducked into a dark cubby and watched as Cassandra walked by. She was trying to move quietly, without being caught. Pyro had caught her sneaking out only once so far. Where could she be off to this time? He wondered to himself. Grinning a little he slipped out of the cubby and followed her down the hall. His practiced steps were deathly silent, Cass never heard a thing. Pyro watched her enter the floo network and kept his ear open for the destination. His face scrunched up in confusion. "What could she possibly want there? At this time?" Quickly grabbing one of his fathers cloaks from a nearby closet he slipped it on and pulled the hood low over his head and hid his face. He stepped into the fire, tossed the powder, and spoke the same destination as Cass.

Pyro stepped out of the fire and looked around the small coffee shop. A quick scan spotted Cass sitting at a booth. Pyro moved quietly across the room, not attracting any attention and chose the booth next to hers. No sooner had Pyro sat down than another person joined Cass. Expecting Liam Pyro was in for quite a surprise when Kennedy Valak sat down across from his cousin. What was a Slytherin doing meeting a Gryffindor at this hour. Ordering himself a water Pyro leaned back and listened in on their conversation.

His eyes flashed as Cass spoke. That little twit! Pyro's teeth clenched in anger as Cass spoke. She was still on about that damn book? That deal was done and closed. All be it Pyro had to beat Cass to get the book to his organization. Did she still think he had the book? Pyro no longer had it, he had given it up to their leader a long time ago. It had been used in a orientation ceremony for a new member. What was with the book now? Pyro had no idea. So now Cass was enlisting the help of Kennedy to get the book back? What would she possibly want with it? Other than destroying it the spells were way beyond her. No way would she be able to learn them. Pyro felt like jumping up and ruining their little meeting, but it could be more advantageous to him to remain quiet. If Cass didn't know he was on to her, she couldn't do anything, but if she knew that he knew. She would merely make a new plan, one Pyro didn't have any idea about. Pyro tuned back into the conversation and listened for more.

[alexandra]

Alexandra's dream was rather boring and confusing at the same time. She was screaming at Cassandra because she thought that one of Alexandra's shoes had made it's way over to "her side of the room". In the dream, Alexandra spoke, to some length, about how that shirt was NOT hers and that she had never seen it before in her life! Cassandra then shook her head, her eyes turning black and horns growing from her forehead. Alexandra screamed as the creature who used to be her roommate came toward her. It's face was angry and it was going to... suddenly a loud crash awoke Alexandra from her strange nightmare. She sat up and looked around. It sounded as if glass was shattering. She looked over to Cassandra's bed and then sighed. It was empty.

She shook her head, disappointed. The girl had snook out a lot during the summer holiday. Alexandra sighed, laying back down and seriously thinking of returning to sleep, but a noise outside the door awoke her. She bit her lip. It sounded as if someone was walking past the door. A smile crept to her lips as the thought of catching Cassandra sneaking out came to her. She smiled wickedly and threw the covers over, slipping out of bed. She quickly stepped into a pair of jeans and shoes, then started to creep out of the bedroom. She made her way down two floors worth of stairs and looked into the living room. A voice spoke. Alexandra was confused. A coffee shop? And why was it Pyro's voice? Confused, Alexandra made her way to the fire place.

The green flames were just disappearing, proof that Pyro had used floo powder. Curious, Alexandra followed. She took a small handful of floo powder, threw it into the fire, and walked inside, repeating the same name as Pyro's voice had. Soon, she was there. It wasn't long before Alexandra found Cassandra and Pyro. Cassandra was sitting in a booth in the far corner, while Pyro sat in the one next to her. It was obvious that he was spying on her. Alexandra decided that her curiosity was too much and would go join her boyfriend.

As she started over, Alexandra realized that Cassandra wasn't alone. At first, Alexandra thought the figure sitting in front of Cassandra was Liam Angelus, but as she neared, Alexandra found it was not Liam, but Kennedy Valek. Another wave of confusion and curiosity overwhelmed her. Cass and Kennedy began talking and Alexandra went to the bar, getting a glass of water and a magazine. Then, acting like she was reading the magazine, she walked over to Pyro. His face seemed rather angry and Alexandra sat down as if he expected her to be there. She lowered the magazine and smiled.

"What's going on?" she mouthed to her boyfriend

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass looked up at Kennedy like a poker player trying to conceal their hand. " Truthfully, Kennedy, I don't even know if Pyro knows what he has. I had the book in my possession for a short time. I did read a bit of it. It's got some pretty serious stuff. Like you wouldn't believe. All I know is that Pyro was told to fetch it by the head of this group from a friend of mine. Unfortunately, I found out about it and stole it first." Cass looked down at the table. " I know this sounds crazy, but I think it can help me find out who killed my Mom an-?" Cass saw a familiar figure walk across the restaurant to the bar. Alexandra Ricci, dressed in a pair of jeans, non-chalantly ordered a drink from the bar and retreated to the rear of the restaurant. " Oh my god. The girl is more obvious than, Pyro." Cass rested her head in her hands, shaking it vigorously.

Sighing, she continued. " I'm sorry, Kennedy. I just saw Alex; I.e. Pyro is here somewhere. I knew I wouldn't be able to get out of the house long without them noticing. Of course, they normally just ignore my midnight jaunts. Since he is probably listening in, I will just leave it at this. If I can find the blokes who killed my family, I'm pretty sure it will lead me to the same people who attacked several of my friends and I a few years ago at Hogwarts." Taking a breath, she looked the Slytherin right in the eye. "You need to understand one thing about this, Kennedy. This isn't for any type of personal gain on my part. It results to nothing more than revenge. I plan on getting these people who killed my mother and brother, and if I meet the people who put the Cruciatus curse on me two years ago along the way, so much the worse for them."

Cass gulped and looked at Kennedy, who looked very stoic, across the table. " Actually, I know you will probably need time to mull over my proposition. To tell you the truth, I'm surprised I'm being this ruthless. I fear I'm becoming more and more like a Slytherin every day. This brings me to my second question," Cass bit her lip nervously. She wasn't quite sure how Kennedy would take the next question. " The Blackfire's have been invited to the Minister's Annual Gala for St. Mungos'. Unfortunately for me, I have been forbidden by my Uncle and Aunt to take Liam. I was wondering if you like to escort me? I'm not looking for anything long term mind you, but I do need someone suitable to take or I will be forced to take cousin Harold. If you knew my cousin, you would understand why I want to do this on my terms." Cass pressed her hands together and squeezed them. " It would be perfect timing. The ball is in two weeks, and you could give me your answer then. Plus, my Uncle would be able to introduce you to some very powerful people."

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy listened intently as Cass explained her motives behind wanting the book so badly. It made sense, but he still doubted how he might be successful. In a way, he felt like he might help Cass if he could, but it really was her problem, and he didn't feel he was in the right place to be able to help her out. Plus, he didn't see any real merit from taking on the task of helping Cass. Sure, he could find out some very powerful and most likely dark magic, but couldn't he just ask Pyro about the book casually and get that information just as easily, without risking getting caught handing it over to Cass to destroy? The plan just didn't add up in his head. He didn't feel that he gained much from it, and the risk was too high with the success rate seeming almost impossible.

Cass's sudden sigh alerted Kennedy, and he looked toward the girl that Cass had pointed out. He knew Alexandra from his house also, and wasn't surprised to hear Cass explain that Pyro was probably close by listening to what they had to say. Like that would even help my cause if I decide to help her, he thought to himself, rolling his eyes at the idea. He was however curious now about the book, and he thought about asking Pyro about it when they got back to school, just to see if he could find anything interesting out. But as far as helping Cass with this, he figured she would be on her own.

Just then, she went straight into the second reason she had asked him there. This request seemed even crazier than the first. But then, when he thought about it, he had a brilliant idea. He listened close until Cass had finished and then took a moment to think about her question.

The first thing that popped into his mind was his girlfriend Fiona. What would she think? How would he ever justify going to a ball with someone whom he was sure Fiona didn't exactly get along the best with. Hell, he knew he would have a lot of explaining to do if Fiona knew he was meeting Cass tonight. But then again, if he could just convince Fiona that there was much to gain by him going, she just might agree. Cass was a pureblood, and there would be a lot of high-up people there. But best of all, this might give him the chance to maybe get to know Pyro a little better and possibly find out about this whole secret society thing. He was sure Fiona would be interested in hearing as well if he found anything out. The options started to seem appealing.

"Hmmm," he mused aloud. "I suppose I have no reason not to accompany you," he said with a serious look. He didn't want Cass to find out his true motive for going. It might help his cause to just seem like it was only an act of sympathy or kindness. "And is Liam alright with this?" he questioned. Not that he really cared what Liam thought, but causing drama wouldn't help his cause either. He listened again as Cass explained how he could tell her at the ball about whether or not he would help her to get the book. This however, he had already decided on as well.

Biting his lip, he revealed his honest choice to Cass. "Look," he said with a shrug, "I'm sure that getting this book means a lot to you, but I just don't think I'm gonna be able to help you out. I really don't see how I would gain anything from it, and why would I want to make Pyro mad it me? He would obviously find out that I helped you." Taking another gulp of water, Kennedy watched to see if Cass took his answer well. He hated sounding like a jerk, but he knew Cass would get over it. She should have known that it wouldn't be an easy job to convince him to help. At least that seemed obvious to him. "But I can help you out with the ball," he finished, wanting to emphasize that he was at least fulfilling one of her requests.

((OOC: So I just wanted to clear a few things up. Obviously, we all know that Fiona is also part of 'The Chosen' but she has not revealed that to Kennedy yet. So, we will see how that goes when we get there. As for Kennedy and Pyro, I figure that maybe when school starts again, we could have a post where they discuss some of these issues since Pyro knows Cass tried to enlist Kennedy and that Kennedy isn't going to spy. I don't know. I just think that maybe a few side plots would make this easier and move things along nicely. Plus, we still have to see how Liam gets involved in this, and obviously Fiona will eventually show up somewhere. We have lots of options that I think we can have a lot of fun with. Maybe if everyone posts their ideas in the plot thread that Cass started for this post, we can talk about it there and figure it all out. I just think that having a plan ahead of time makes it easier to see where you are going with things and helps make posting easier and more of a sucess. Let me know what you guys think!))

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

"Hmm?" Pyro noticed movement coming toward him. He glanced up and his jaw nearly hit the table. What was Alex doing here? She must have followed him. If this continued the entire Blackfire manor was going to be out here. Alex did her best in trying to hide herself. Pyro just hopped that Cass wouldn't glance over until Alex was hidden in the booth. Pyro placed his finger on his lips in the "Shh." signal and mouthed. "Later." to Alex, than leaned back and listened to the conversation once more. In a few seconds Cass began to speak once more. Damn! She had spotted Alex and made the assumption that he was close by. Pyro clicked his teeth, it seemed he wasn't going to get anymore info this night. But low and behold, they actually continued to talk. Grinning Pyro listened in once more. Pyro's eyes flashed in surprise. Cass believed her parents were murdered? Pyro wasn't niave, he too believed that the fire was a little to.....convenient. He even believed his own father to have played a hand in it, but as of right now he had no proof.

This could be bad. If Cass found out that Pyro's father had been involved, something Pyro didn't doubt in the least. Her quest for revenge would mess up his own plans. He was going to have to keep a close eye on her. Make sure she didn't get to deep and mess everything up. "Cass, you are becoming a thorn in my side." He muttered under his breath. First the book, now this. He sighed and put the book into the back of his mind. He'd have to attempt to get it back from Cole. He needed to keep it close to him, watch it every second he could. If Cass thought this was going to be easy for her, she was wrong. Just than Kennedy began to speak and Pyro listened intently.

He smiled at Kennedy's words. "Good boy." Pyro again muttered to himself. Kennedy was one less person he'd have to watch his back from, but still, it would be wise to keep a close eye on Kennedy for the next few months. Just to be sure that Cass didn't attempt to sway him. Pyro couldn't help but smile. Even though Cass had the suspicion that he was near, she was still talking and giving away valuable information. Listening for a few more moments wouldn't hurt anything.

[alexandra]

Pyro's shock at seeing her walk in was rather satisfying. Alexandra always delighting in surprising her boyfriend as much as she could. She tried to get something out of him, but all she got was a 'later', which, too be honest, irritated her, but she remained quiet and tried to listen as best she could. The things she heard, were, if nothing else, rather confusing.

As Alexandra sat there, her confusion and puzzlement grew and grew. The fact that Cass had spotted her made her very nervous, which, teamed with the confusion, made her a bit worried. She was constantly biting her lip and fidgeting with her hair.

Cass' parents were murdered? Alexandra's eyes widened and she looked at Pyro, her mouth dropping. His face told her that he was a bit skeptical about that, which made her feel better. She shut her mouth, took a quiet deep breath, and tried to calm her suddenly racing heart. Then Pyro muttered something and Alexandra looked over at him, but he wasn't talking to her so she tried to listen in once more.

It was when Kennedy began to speak that Alexandra's confusion expanded even more. Kennedy was going to accompany Cassandra to the ball!? Alexandra was not only surprised but curious as well. Obviously, Kennedy was going so that he could meet some high-class wizards. He was playing it off as if he was just helping her out. Then he said something about a book. Alexandra was baffled. What book? She looked at Pyro, an eyebrow raised, but he wasn't paying any attention to her. Just as Alexandra turned back to the conversation, she just barely caught Kennedy asking about Pyro. Alexandra's eyes narrowed. He had something to do with this book. A book so powerful that it might help Cassandra find out things about her parents. She leaned back in the booth, her arms folded over her chest, and her right eyebrow raised, looking at Pyro. Her eyes clearly said, 'You better explain some things' and it was directed to the boy sitting right across from her.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass kept a straight face and gave Kennedy a genial smile. Even though she played it off well, she was raging inside. Damn, doesn't he get it? This book would make him more powerful than his wildest dreams, Cass thought to herself wildly. " I understand, Kennedy. Truthfully, I don't have all of the logistics worked out. However, think it over a bit. I think it would be extremely worth your while." Cass leaned forward and nearly whispered over the table. " I don't think Pyro and his band of Egomaniacs understand what this book is about. I studied up on it. They don't know what they are dealing with. " Cass took a slow sip of her coffee. " Thank you for accompanying me to the ball as well. I needed to go with someone who would be considered acceptable by my family."

Cass smirked when Kennedy made the remark about Pyro being mad at him. " Why should you care if Pyro is mad at you? I mean, really, the Blackfires are nothing more than a disgraced pure blood family with some really good connections. That is the only reason why my part of the family reclaimed the name. It's easier to motivate people when you have a good last name." The bell over the door rang and Cass looked over to see a very frumpy wizard walk in. " Personally, I don't see why it should matter. Being a Blackfire doesn't make me any better than anyone else. It's a chore being pure blood. You have to act write, observe niceties, laugh at someone's bad jokes just because they are important.... Who wants to pretend like they are something they're not?"

Cass focused her attention back on Kennedy. " Take Pyro for example." She took a sip of her coffee. " Two years ago, he was more of a disgrace to his family than I was. After acting a fool, my Uncle kicked him out of the Manor and stripped him of his name. He stayed at Mary Evan's Home for the summer until he decided to kiss up to his father and return home. What a joke," Cass frowned. " He could of at least stuck to his principles. I think it's sad. I may be a Blackfire, but I didn't sell out like he did." ...Or maybe I did?, she thought bitterly to herself.

Cass drifted off into her own thoughts for a moment, and then snapped back to the conversation at hand. " Pyro is nothing to worry about. Truthfully, him and I could accomplish so much together, but he is to close minded to think about nothing more than his selfish vendetta." Looking at Kennedy, she quickly tried to the conversation back around to the Ball. " Anyways, the Ball is next Saturday at the Minister's Mansion. You can either meet me at Blackfire Manor, or I can arrange to have a driver come and get you. I can also let the house elves know if you are coming by floo, but i wouldn't advise traveling that way. Might get your dress robes dirty."

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Apparently Cass wasn't keen on taking no for an answer. She went on a little more and told Kennedy to think about it. Truth was, he was becoming ever curious as the time went on, but he still couldn't figure out how he would even be able to get the book. Then, Cass went on to thank him for agreeing to be her date for the ball. "No problem," he said casually.

Kennedy found Cass's next topic of conversation interesting. It came as a surprise to him to hear about Pyro. He was also surprised that he didn't know all of this about him already anyways. They had been sharing a dorm for the past four years. It just went to show that being independent didn't have all the advantages. This too made him even more anxious to get Pyro alone and talk with him. He was sure that there was so much more that Cass chose to omit, and then even more that she probably didn't know. The Blackfire family was seemingly becoming more intriguing as the night went on.

"Well," he said finally. "I guess I could think on it more, but I doubt I will change my mind." He wanted to do a little more investigating before he decided to put energy and effort into the cause. "And as for the ball," he added, "there is one concern." His eyebrows raised as he looked at Cass. He wasn't sure if she knew what he was about to tell her. In fact, he doubted it since neither he or Fiona had told anyone yet about their relationship. However, he also knew that once one person knew, the whole world might as well know something like that- at least the whole Hogwarts world. "I don't know if you've heard yet," he began, pondering the oddity of what he was about to tell her, "but Fiona O'Reilly and I are now dating." It felt good to say it, but he knew that this opened a whole new conflict in itself. "So, I'm not really sure how she is going to take it when I explain that I am accompanying you to a ball." He bit his lip and gave Cass a look that said 'this could be bad!' What if Fiona wasn't okay with him going? Surely she would understand that he was only doing it to get some attention from well-known wizards and some possible secret information. However, he was interested to see what Cass had to say about the new twist in plans. Could she provide a good reason for Fiona not to be upset?

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

Pyro was well aware of Alex’s impatience sitting across from him. He sighed, he really didn’t want to get her involved in all this. A lot of it had to do with behind-the-scenes family politics. Also it looked as if the Chosen were getting involved. Pyro had kept his membership to that group a secret to Alex. The Chosen was sworn to secrecy and he didn’t want to endanger Alex by letting her in on this secret. He’d have to think fast and come up with something to tell her later. Right now he didn’t have the time to explain anything to her. Please, just be patient a bit more Alex. He thought to himself. He groaned as he noticed Alex’s stare at Kennedy’s words. Again, he didn’t have the time. He gave her a ‘Trust me.’ Look before turning his attention back to the conversation.

Pyro’s grip tightened against the desk he was sitting at when Cass began to speak again. He could look past most insults that she threw his way, but being underestimated really made him mad. The chosen wouldn’t mess with an artifact of great power without understanding what it was. His knuckles whitened and cracked with the pressure he was putting on them. His teeth clenched as Cass didn’t simply stop there. She continued and started to insult the Blackfire family. Pyro was forced to bite his lip to keep himself from bursting out of the booth and confronting Cass right than and there. A thin trickle of blood flowed down his chin as he listened to the insults at him.

His teeth continued to dig into his lip and his knuckles grew bone white on the desk in front of him. So he was nothing to worry about? Cass would learn the hard way not to underestimate him.

[alexandra]

When Pyro didn't respond to her glare, but instead gave her a 'please trust me' look, Alexandra sighed and turned back to the conversation. She knew she could wait, but for how long? She didn't know. Pyro would explain. She knew him better than that. It was what Cassandra said next that turned things around. Alexandra's patience was wearing thin, but the moment Cass started insulting Pyro and his family, that's when the anger set in.

The things she said about Pyro upset Alexandra, obviously, because he was her boyfriend and her only true friend. So, naturally, she was bit ticked off that Cassandra would say those things about her own cousin. What confused Alexandra the most, however, was when she was insulting the Blackfires themselves. They had given her a home, a Gryffindor, and that same girl was insulting their hospitality? They were even nice enough to let Alexandra stay at the manor when she had no where else to go! Alexandra glared at the booth, secretly promising herself that if Cassandra said one more thing then she would go out there and tell her off.

Something caught the corner of her eye. She looked over at Pyro and gasped. He looked furious. His eyes were dangerously angry and his lip was bleeding. Alexandra's eyes widened and she wondered what she should do. It would have been best to have left him alone, but he was hurting himself! She tried to catch his eye by staring at him, but that usually didn't work anyway. She bit her lip, desperately trying to think.

Alexandra caught the last few words that Cassandra spoke and it seemed like the girl had moved on. She shook her head. That idiot. She knew Pyro was listening! She had to of known! She did make the assumption! And she still went on insulting him and his whole family? It made no sense. Alexandra looked back at Pyro, wanting to comfort him, but what would she say? What could she do? He was angry and there was nothing she could do at the moment other than make it worse.