Passion Play (Cass) [pg-13 post]

[Julian Fallon S7]

Julian wondered around the Common Room. He knew what he had to do in order to get Cassandra to meet with him after their last meeting when she had told him that she found him pretentious. Julian had laughed about it. He knew that he tended to be demanding and obnoxious. He couldn’t help it. Julian had always been given exactly what he wanted and this time he was having to work at earning it. Why was it the one person or thing he wanted this time just happened to want someone else at the moment? Maybe if she learned that he wasn’t as horrible as she thought he was then winning her heart away from Liam might be a bit easier on his conscious. He had a good plan as to get her alone with him for a while though. A romantic picnic under the stars out by the lake. Tonight was supposed to be a full moon and Julian thought it would be a perfect time to trick her into a perfect picnic.

How to get her there? Julian thought to himself. He knew that if he asked her she would turn him down for the way she had first perceived him. An idea finally come into his mind. “I’ll write an owl to her, charm it so that it appeared to have came from Liam Angelus.” The thought of that boy made Julian so jealous. Julian decided that would be the only way to get Cassandra out to the lake. Julian searched his bag for the right piece of parchment. Scribbling out the letter, Julian thought of the charm that his father had showed him to change the writing from one person’s to another. Muttering the spell as he waved his wand over the paper, he watched the letter transform from his hand-writing into that of Liam’s. He glared at the letter wishing he could send the letter in his own hand-writing. He wanted so much for her to know that it was him sending the letter. He pondered deeply with the idea of getting the letter to Cassandra. An owl would take too long and would be impersonal, paying another Gryff would just be too much trouble because what if they told her who really sent the letter to her. Charming it into a paper animal so that it could carry it’s way to her. Whispering a simple charm, Julian watched as the letter turned itself into a lovebird, and made it’s way to Cassandra. He now just had to plan the food and the proper mood.

A quick trip to the kitchens and a bit of bribery to the house elves was all that it took to get the food preparation taken care of. There would be a basket full of whatever foods the two could possibly want waiting for Julian to accio once he was ready for it. He had sent the letter so late in the evening that he only had an hour to prepare everything else. He went out to the lake to find the perfect spot for the picnic and started to clear small pebbles out of the way of the blanket. A swish of his wand and a green and red plaid blanket appeared. Julian picked it up and spread it out, making sure not to get it too close to the lake. The stars were starting to shine as Julian finished up his preparations. A few magical candles sitting in different places on the blanket, a small radio playing gently and the food was the next to come. The dishes, Julian only hoped would be in the basket as well. “Accio picnic basket.” Julian said without trying to yell. He wanted so badly for the picnic to go well. Spreading the dishes and food out so that it looked proper and neat, he decided that all he could do was wait on Cassandra to show, and he could only hope that she would. He looked up at the sky. The stars and moon were shining brightly, finishing the mood and making it perfect. He found the book that he had brought with him and began to read as he waited to hear footsteps nearing his place of enjoyment.
Julian was unsure of how long he had waited when he finally heard footsteps. Putting his book far away, he stood, hoping to greet Cassandra warmly.

((Sorry it’s been so long since we posted last. Hope this is found approvingly.))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass sat at a table in the Student Lounge working on her Arithmancy paper. It was hard work, and arithmancy wasn't her best subject. She had just scraped an OWL out in the class. She honestly couldn't understand why she had decided to take the NEWT coursework. She muttered to herself as she continued to stare at the paper. "If sarin means...," several students stared at the Gryffindor talking to herself. She felt their eyes on her. She turned around and stared at them with a 'What are you looking at look?' They both quickly averted their eyes. Feeling satisfied, she went back to her essay. The sun was going down on Hogwarts. Cass' attention wavered to the scene outside the window. Several students were slowly making their way inside the castle since it was close to curfew. She yawned. Deciding she was done working on her essay, Cass started packing up her belongings.

A sudden rustling caught her attention. Looking down, she saw a small paper shaped bird sitting on the table in front of her. The curious Gryffindor picked up the oddly shaped piece of paper and opened it. She squealed with excitement. Several other students looked in her direction. " Sorry, just a note from my aunt," Cass said to the audience. All of the uninterested students turned back to what they were doing. Cass returned to her note. Liam! Her thoughts swam. They hadn't seen much of each other, and Cass had figured that their relationship had all but fizzled out. Now, he was beckoning her out to the grounds.

She could barely contain her excitement as she almost skipped down to the lake. As she approached the lakeside, she could see his black outline against the sunset as he was setting out plates on a blanket. It was close to curfew, and that meant that most students were already back in the castle. They would have the grounds to themselves where they could be alone. Then, they could have the rush of excitement that always came whenever they snuck back into the castle together. With her anticipation at its peak, she cried, "Liam!" Eyes closed and arms opened wide, she ran into his arms. Those strong arms felt so unfamiliar around her body. " Oh, I've missed you so much!" She quickly pushed her face for a kiss. She then nuzzled her neck into his to smell a very unfamiliar scent. As she opened her eyes, she said," Darling, are you wearing a new cologne? I'm not sure - YOU!" Cass pushed away the one person she never wanted to see, Julian Fallon. " HOW DARE YOU LURE ME DOWN HERE?"

[Julian Fallon S7]

Julian smiled to see a figure he could only guess to be Cassandra’s running toward him with open arms. He knew all too well that she was expecting the shadowy figure in front of her to be Liam, and knew that she would hate him for tricking her the way he had, but he had to do what was necessary to get her out there. Maybe one day he could make her understand. He had to try eventually. Something would work right. Greeting her open arms with a tight envelopment, Julian tried to not give himself away. Cassandra only made his attempt even harder by kissing him. He embraced the nuzzle Cassandra indulged in. It was only then that Cassandra figured out that the man holding her wasn’t Liam Angelus, but that it was in fact Julian. He couldn’t help but to smile as Cassandra yelled at him.

“Cassandra calm down. Luring you out here, pretending to be him was the only way I knew that I could get you to come. But as to a kiss, I wasn’t really expecting that this soon in the evening.” Julian replied to the yelling. “We’re going to get caught out after hours, and that’s not something you wish to get reprimanded for, is it?” Julian wasn’t sure if Cassandra would stay and join him for the indulgent dinner that he had gotten the house elves to prepare. Julian wasn’t trying to be smug but it seemed as if everything was coming out that way. “I thought you might enjoy a meal since I didn’t see you at dinner, and I took the time to prepare all of this. Surely you wouldn’t want to ruin it by getting us caught. Sit down Cassandra.” Julian knew that he was the last person she wanted to spend time with, but he had to find a way to make her, even if it meant being pushy.

Julian looked around for the bottle of wine that he had managed to get in Hogsmeade, “Now for something to drink.” He said as the cork flew out of the bottle. Pouring a small amount in the goblets that he had made sure to have the house elves pack, he handed one to Cassandra and took a small drink out of his own. “ Now, how would you like to start our evening? Dinner or talking?” Julian couldn’t stop himself from at least trying to be polite to this girl. He had stalked her from a distance, even taking the time to get to know her cousin Pyro and a bit more about her family so that he could at least talk to her.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass was actually softened by Julian's confession. He almost sounded sad about having to deceive her, but then that pompousness she so hated about him kicked him. Cass crossed her arms across her chest as if protecting herself from a horrible hex. "To tell you the truth, I don't care about getting caught. You would absolutely be dumbstruck if you knew the number of times I have escaped from the common room at night. This is old hat for me." Cass licked her red lips in a nervous way and sort of guffawed at him under her breath. "Oh, I get it. You thought you would impress the courageous Gryffindor by doing something against school rules? Ha. It takes a whole lot more than that to impress Cassandra Blackfire."

Cass continued to stand after he invited her to sit down beside him on the blanket. Cass was trying to hide her surprise at the spread before her. She looked down at the wine bottle he was holding in his had. Hell, he had her favorite wine! She wanted to gasp and exclaim in surprise but she wasn't going to give him that. How did Julian know that was her favorite wine? It surely wasn't a coincidence. "Julian, what makes you think that I would actually want to spend time with you? Forget this, I am heading back to the castle before I'm la-," Cass paused as she heard the the deep booming bells of the castle's large clock. It was ten, and that that meant Cass had officially missed curfew. There was no way she would get back into the castle without sneaking back in now.

She turned back to Julian, and his smug self was still sitting on the blanket smiling back at her. Oh, she was so angry, but oddly intrigued. How could he be so infuriating, intriguing, and good looking at the same time? Cass' arms fell to her side. She cocked her head to the side and evaluated the man in front of her. His arms felt so good around my waist, Cass thought to herself. She bit her lip. "Why should I allow you to have my company this evening?"

[Julian Fallon S7]

"No one said this was to impress you. You're not the princess you think you are Ms. Blackfire." Julian replied knowing full well that the pretentiousness that he was blessed with was beginning to show. Julian couldn't believe that Cassandra was so full of herself that she thought that he was breaking the rules was to impress her. The only part he had really set up to impress her was making sure it all happened during the right moments of the night when the stars were bright and the moon was at it's fullest. It still wasn’t entirely meant to impress her. Some of it just happened to fall in to place right.

“Sitting down wasn’t an invitation, Ms. Blackfire. I believe I saw a professor gazing out one of the windows toward us. I don’t care about getting caught myself, but just how would you explain being out after curfew with another man to Liam.” Julian replied smugly and with a smile across his face. The thought of Liam finding out that Cassandra was out with him in such a romantic setting just made Julian feel that much better about tricking her into coming out to the picnic this evening. He once again handed her the glass of wine after her refusing it the first time. He thought to himself that if she didn’t take it this time, he would simply sit it back down and let her watch him enjoy her favorite wine by himself. It would only be her fault when she finally caved in if the wine was gone and she had missed out of it.

“You don’t have to allow me the pleasure of your company, but is there really a need to waste this feast. How about we enjoy a little dinner before you continue to remind me of just how much you hate me?” Julian asked of Cassandra looking at the food and preparing his plate without her response.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

"I never said I hated you," Cass looked to wards the castle to see if he could actually see someone looking at them from the windows, "but Liam would never accuse me of being out with another man since you hardly qualify as one." She nervously looked over her shoulder once again; honestly expecting Professor Hardy to jump out of the nearby bushes. "Honestly, you -," Cass was having a hard time coming up with a decent enough insult to throw at the Slytherin, "Why would you actually think that I would be impressed by some sort of low down, slithering scum like yourself? All of you Slytherin boys are the same. All you want to do is conquer a Gryffindor because you think it is some sort of challenge, but I will have you know, Julian Fallon, that I am not some challenge with a prize to be won!"

Cassandra was livid at this point. She was red in the face, and her arms were making wide movements in the air to emphasize her point. Jeez, sometimes when she got started it was nearly impossible to get her to stop. Still, even through her anger, she could still feel his lips pressed against hers, and his tender fingers pressed into the small of her back. Worn down, she once again crossed her arms angrily across her chest. She was perplexed. Should she go back to the castle and risk detention, or should she stay here with Julian? Cass' foot began to tap nervously against the green grass under her feet. She gulped and looked down at Julian. He was still staring at her smugly with the glass of wine in his hand.

"Oh, I see! I get it! You are just trying to get me drunk so you can have your way with me? Do you think that I am so naive as to fall for something like that? I have been seduced by better." As she said this, only one thought came to her mind. Wow, he even looks good in those dowdy Hogwart's robes. Cass shook her head to get that though out of her head. "Still," Cass began, "why would you go through all this to get me out here?" She stared him directly in the eyes. They looked very determined. She sighed, and finally relented. She sat down in the most lady like manner she could across from Julian. She took the goblet of wine from him, and said, "Take a good look. That will probably be the last time you will ever get a good view up my skirt."

She took a sip of the wine and felt the warm liquor drip down her throat. It tasted good, but Cass new that if she got drunk in front of Julian she would never forgive herself. She didn't trust, and she made sure to remind him of that. "Just because I am sitting her, doesn't mean that I trust you. If you don't keep your hands to yourself, everyone in the school will know it because it will be written all over your face." Cass tapped her right hip where her wand was hanging from a holster. She took another deep drink of the wine. "So, was your only plan to get me out here, or where you going to provide some entertainment? Oh, I know!" Cass clasped her hands exuberantly. "Even though we are a couple of people short, I propose a good old fashioned game of truth or dare." She drank again and took a small sandwich off a nearby plate. "So, truth or dare, Julian Fallon?"

[Julian Fallon S7]

“You have all but said that you hate me, and honestly I can’t understand what I have ever done to you for you to feel such a way toward me.” Julian rightfully knew that anyone who felt the way that Cassandra did about him, felt that way because of his pretentiousness, but honestly he didn’t care. “It’s alright that you feel so harsh toward me, though. And as for me qualifying for a man, from the depth of the kiss earlier Ms. Blackfire, and the way you melted into my arms, I would say that at least some parts of you would consider me a man" Julian wasn’t exactly sure how Cassandra would react to that comment, but it was there and it was openly truth. Julian began to think about truths at that point. The only actual dishonest thing he had really ever done was tricking Cassandra into coming out with him. Sure he had bribed a few people into doing things for him, and he acted pretentious as usual, but that was really nothing dishonest. It was more something that had been expected of him since first year, when he showed up thinking that he was truly better than everyone.

Julian still felt that way, but there was something about Cassandra Blackfire that had made him want to change his ways. He would never tell her that though. Not unless he was forced to. He tried his best not to attempt a peek at her when she sat down, finally giving in to his wishes. Maybe I could eventually have my way with her, and win her over in the process Julian thought to himself. “No, my intentions weren’t that cruel, but if I shall be accused of it being my intentions, then I can only give it my best try.” He replied as she asked if he were just trying to get her drunk. Needless to say, there were still two more bottles of wine in the picnic basket, but the thought had honestly never crossed his mind until then.

“ I had thought of a few ideas for entertainment.”Julian replied smiling slyly at her, “ But the idea of Truth or Dare between just two particularly of opposite genders sounds indulging.” Julian wondered which would be the better for him to take, so just to start the game he decided on the safer one, “Truth, Cassandra, simply Truth.”

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass laughed when he remarked that he didn't understand why she didn't like him. "Well, if you haven't noticed, we do wear different colors." She looked down at the Slytherin emblem on his house robes. "You know, I've been in relationships with two other of your kind, and I've been burned both times." She crossed her legs out in front of her. "I don't like you personally because you are a jerk, you have been stalking me like an animal all year, and your a Slytherin. Do I have to have another reason?" She drank more wine and held out her goblet for a refill. She could already feel her body getting warm from the effects of the alcohol. Also, her one fatal drinking flaw was coming out from it. She always tended to get a bit too honest when she was drunk. This was dangerous considering the situation she was in.

"Hmmm....Truth, eh?" She was hoping that he was going to chose dare so she could tell him to get back into the castle on his own, but now, she would have to help him back in herself. That was going to be awfully hard since the Slytherin common room and the Gryffindor common room were at separate ends of the castle. "Okay, tell me this." She was slowly picking at food on the surrounding plates. "What is your one weakness? Something I don't know. I know you are a pretentious jerk already so that is nothing new. A real weakness, you know?" Cass drank more. Oh god, sometimes she wondered how she got in these situations. She fiercely wished that he would put his arm around her. Cass stopped. That last thought was obviously an effect from the alcohol.

Oh God! What was she thinking! She hastened to put down the glass of wine. Setting her jaw hard, she looked back at Julian with her hazel eyes almost daring him to answer.

[Julian Fallon S7]

“As for the colors we wear, those are just garments and colors. Colors mean nothing no matter what tradition says. According to tradition we are supposed to hate each other, but good things can happen regardless of colors. Look at Kris and Cleo, from two different houses but never let colors affect them. These are just colors and garments required for school. I’m sure you don’t wear that skirt outside of Hogwarts, even though it is very flattering.” Julian said calmly. Julian refilled Cassandra’s goblet as she held it out. “As for the fact that I’m a Slytherin, to me that is just a House. Granted most Slytherins are jerks, and I know I’m pretentious, we all have our flaws, including you. I’ve also had extremely good reasons for stalking you. Although I think I shall keep them to myself if that’s all the same to you.”

Julian pondered quietly about the one truth that Cassandra asked of him. His strongest weakness was sitting in front of him but he dare not tell her that. It would make him sound far too sappy and hopeless. It would defeat his purpose as well. “A weakness... One that no one else knows about me, a true weakness…“ Julian didn’t realize he was speaking as he thought. “I guess a weakness I have is that I can not stand when I have to grin and bear life. It’s not as perfect as everyone thinks it is” Julian swallowed the whole goblet of wine, so that he could keep the rest of his secret. “Now Cassandra, how about a Truth from you. What scares you the most?”

(sorry it's short and crappy, you know I'm still having inspiration problems after yesterday. I think I post better of a night)

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass nearly spit her wine up into her goblet when he asked for her truth. "Me? You've got to be kidding. I'm not afraid of anything." She took another swig of wine. She was getting drunker by the minute. Julian continued to look at her with unwavering eyes. She buckled and relented under his gaze. The girl's words became somewhat slurred with her next sentence. "Youwouldn'tbelievemeevenifItoldyou," her heavy accent making the words almost indecipherable. "Oh, what the hell?" She had made up her mind to tell him her deepest, darkest secret. "I'm horribly afraid of heights. I cannot even stand on the landing of the second floor and look down. My knees shake, my head swims, and my stomach lurches. In fact, every time I go up for a Quidditch game I have to say a little prayer that I won't fall of my broom." She then tipped up her goblet once again and finished off her second cup of wine.

She shoved the goblet back in Julian's face for a refill. "Does that surprise you? Honestly, how would my house react if they found out that their quidditch captain couldn't stand to be two feet off the ground?" Cass sat and folded her long legs underneath her. "Of course, it seems from your earlier statement that house pride means nothing to you. I actually find it very odd since I'm pretty sure I saw you giving a first year of your house a long lecture about Slytherin pride in the corridor a few weeks ago. Just proves that everyone in your house is fickle. No loyalties whatsoever." This last part was a bit exaggerated with drink. "In fact, I think I've had enough of this game already." She attempted to stand up on wobbly legs with her wine still in hand. “I have you know I am very proud of my house, thankyouverymuch. I wear my house colors with pride-!” Cass gasped as she fell to the ground. She landed in Julian’s lap. “Well, apparently I can’t go anywhere.” She blushed and looked up at him. “Truth or Dare?”

[Julian Fallon S7]

Julian couldn’t help but looking at Cassandra as if she weren’t entirely telling the truth. Everyone had a fear of something, even he did. He wasn’t at all shocked to learn that she was scared of heights. “Most people are, even those that play Quidditch, so it doesn’t surprise me a bit, and trust me, the secret is safe.” Julian reached for the bottle of wine to refill his own goblet, which he had just finished. He really wasn’t trying to get drunk, but something about the taste of the wine and the fact that the night wasn’t turning out the way it had hoped it would, was making him want to ditch the glass and drink straight from the bottle. He was trying to hide the hopeless romantic that being around Cassandra caused him to be.

“Who knows how your house would react. And truthfully why would you, a distinguished member of the Blackfire family care what they thought? I too wear my colors with pride, but they are only still colors. I do have house pride. I just wouldn’t let it stand in the way of befriending someone as lovely as you.” Julian knew that there would be no way he could hide how he felt throughout this game of Truth or Dare, or through the wine. As the night passed on, the truth was bound to come out somewhere. “There is nothing wrong with our little game of Truth or Dare.” Julian said watching a wobbly Cassandra try to stand. “Please..” was all he could manage to say before she safely landed in his lap. “Well now, isn’t this comfy.” He said, placing his free hand on her thigh. “ I shall go with Truth again, my Dear.”

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass scoffed and chortled a laugh. "Me? A distinguished member of the Blackfire family?! You have got to be kidding me! I have got to be the lousiest pureblood on the planet!" She emptied her goblet and picked up the bottle. "Haven't you heard my story? The Blackfires are a laughing stock in the wizarding world! My dear, devoted cousin Pyro is only disillusioning himself if he things that he holds any real power. Ever since my Uncle died, Pyro has only pretended to play the big man of the family." She took a swig from the almost empty bottle of wine. Cass looked around at the still full plates of full. They had hardly touched any of it. "I hold more sway with the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest than he does in any circle he gloats about." Cass was still sitting in his lap, and she was very aware of his hand on her thigh. She wasn't making any moves to remove his hand from where it was.

"My family is far from distinguished. Go ask your father. He would probably give you his real opinion of my family, and I bet twenty galleons that it isn't a very high one." She made herself more comfortable in his lap by nuzzling her head against his chest. She could feel his heart beating rapidly. She could eel his hand move higher up on her thigh. It was moving dangerously close to being underneath her skirt. She was passed caring about this though. She was feeling a strong attraction to him at the moment, but it was most likely the booze clouding her judgment.

"Truth, eh?" Cass scratched her chin in thought. What did she really want to know about him? She had come this far; so, why not take it all the way? "Okay, this one is a toughie." She ran her tongue over her top lip as she looked up at him in the face. "What is your worst regret?" She dropped herself down lower against his chest. The wind was starting to pick up a bit, and this was making her a bit chilly. After his reply, she took another drink out of the bottle, almost emptying it. She sat there in silence for a good minute before she made her choice. "Let's step this game up a notch. Dare."

[Julian Fallon S7]

Julian tried his best to not move his hand further up her thigh, but it was beginning to be a losing battle. The liquor was slowly getting to Julian as he and Cassandra had already polished off two of the five bottles of wine he had thought to bring. His face was starting to burn with urges that he was fighting off as hard as he could. Too much wine in his system had always made him do things that his brain was telling him better to do, but he still enjoyed wine every night. “I believe I’ll take you up on that bet Cassandra, I’ll owl my father tomorrow to get his opinion about the Blackfires, and find you so that you can be the first to open his reply.” Julian said reaching for a strawberry that lay on a plate just to his right. Looking at Cassandra he pondered a thought, “Would you like a strawberry, Darling?” He asked gently placing the strawberry to her lips for her to bite. He loved strawberries and wanted to taste her lips with the strawberry juice on them. That would have to wait though.

“My worst regret, that’s easy. My worst regret is that I have come off as a jerk to you. I know I’m pretentious, but I never meant to be a jerk to you. “ He said moving slightly as Cassandra curled up in his lap trying to hide from the cold wind. He thought for a momet of conjuring a blanket for her, but he would rather act as her blanket. If it got chillier throught the night he would conjure a blanket for the both of them. He took the bottle from her just long enough to take a sip himself. “A Dare huh? “ Julian said thinking. “I dare you, Cassandra, to allow me to kiss you. Not a simple peck either, but a deep passionate kiss.”

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass stopped for a moment after his dare. She could still taste the strawberry on her lips as he stared down at her from above. She had just realized that he had called her darling several times that evening, and she had not stopped him. The drink was taking her off, and she was losing control of the situation. Cass started to sit up. As she pulled away, she felt his hand leave her thigh. She sobered up quickly as thoughts of Liam swam in her brain. "Um, Julian, I've had a wonderful time with you tonight, but," she suddenly hiccuped, "but I think we've taken this a little too far. Innocent flirtation is one thing, but -," Cass didn't want to admit to herself that she wanted him to do those things to her. She had thoroughly enjoyed her evening. "I mean, I've got a boyfriend in the castle who loves me." She unbuttoned her shirt a couple of slots and pulled out the large Angelus medallion she kept hidden beneath. She fiddled with it nervously like she did when she was in a tough examination. "I'm sorry. I'm with Liam."

She stood up. Cass was pretty sure that he had gotten another look at her pink panties. "I think we need to go back to the castle now." She turned away from him and hesitated. She turned back and looked at him. Julian had stood up to stop her. "But -," she stepped extremely close to him, "I've never been able to turn down a dare." Cass pulled Julian towards her and pressed her lips against his. It was long, deep, and passionate. After a minute, or two, or three, Cassandra pulled her face away from his. Their bodies were pressed against each others. Her arms dangled around his strong shoulders while her hands played with the hair at the nape of his neck. She could feel his hands lightly touching her lower back. She didn't want to let go of him, and she was pretty sure he felt the same way. The only thing that was between them was the Angelus family medallion hanging around Cassandra's neck.

[Julian Fallon S7]

Julian stood, trying to stop Cassandra from going in. “I know all too well that you have a boyfriend. One who apparently has had no time for you, and from my understanding has been having conversations with other girls in which I hear your name was mentioned.” He realized what he said might have hurt Cassandra and that was not at all the meaning of it. “Does that medallion that He gave to you mean as much to him though as it does to you? I mean if I thought so much of a girl as to give her my family medallion I definitely would pay her enough attention so that another gentleman couldn’t sweep her off her feet.” Julian tried to pay little attention to the fact that Cassandra had unbuttoned her blouse even though it was still at a respectable length. He could still see the juice from the strawberry on her lips and wanted so bad to taste it.

“Innocent flirting is one thing,” Julian said gently touching Cassandra’s arm, “And I really don’t think we have gone beyond that just yet.” A sly smile coming across his face as his sentence finished. Julian moved closer to Cassandra, waiting to see if she would respond to his dare. Not at all to his surprise, Cassandra turned to face him, he was shocked at her pulling him to her, but then melted into the kiss. It was exactly as he had dared her to do, and exactly what he had wanted at that moment. He tried to stop her from pulling away as she ended the kiss. She didn’t pull away from his body though, and it seemed as if she wanted him to continue holding her, and he truthfully didn’t want to let go, and wouldn’t until she asked. “Why do we have to end this night now? Can we not continue? How about one more dare? I dare you to resist me over the next thirty days. Continue to have these secret meetings with me, though. For if we don’t meet somewhere, the bet is useless.” Julian whispered softly to Cassandra, still holding her tightly.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

"I hardly think of you as a gentleman," Cass stood up on her tiptoes and breathed into his ear, "and this is far from an innocent flirtation. Quit lying to yourself, and quite lying to me. I am not as naive as you think I am." Cass pulled away from him. She stepped back away from him after he had issued her his final dare. "Well, this is hardly fair, Julian. We were playing truth or dare. I haven't even gotten to issue my next challenge. You've broken the rules. I don't like rule breakers." Cass buttoned her shirt back up to a respectable level. She could only managed what she looked like out here. She took the silver compact that her mother had given her with the Blackfire family crest on it out of her pocket. Her hair was most likely a wild mess, her skirt was wrinkled to no end, and was very obvious that she had been wrestling with her clothing. It surprised her how far she was willing to go with this Slytherin. She looked beyond the mirror at Julian. She wasn't too sure about his innocent proposal.

"Why should I? I have no reason to play this silly game with you. My life is finally content, and you want me to risk it on some stupid game. That truly is a laugh. What is my guarantee that you aren't going to go running back to your common room tonight to tell all of your cronies that you bagged the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain? Don't think I don't know what they say about me. Even though most of your friends wouldn't dare a relationship with a blood traitor like me, none of you would hesitate for a one night stand or the like." Cass started to get angry. "You seem to think I don't see you in the Quidditch stands ogling me with your friends. I'm not deaf. I can hone in on any conversation up in the air. I did hear your little conversation at the Quidditch game today." Her voice got soft. "How do I trust you?"

This statement was followed by a very long silence. Gosh, this was hard! She was so intrigued, and fervently wanted to learn everything she could about Julian Fallon. However, he was a Slytherin, and thus a natural enemy. Any Slytherin boy would love to play with her, toss her away like a piece of meat, and then brag to all his friends what he had done to her. Hell, they probably had some sort of house award that gave the recipient some plaque declaring their evil deed. On the other hand, Cassandra had never backed away from a challenge. In fact, she was known for that within her house. She was fearless in the face of some insurmountable task. Could she actually resist him for thirty days, or would she break down? It was obvious that she was attracted to him, and that was a serious flaw in the plan. Cass always had a hard time resisting what she wanted, even though she knew it might be bad for her, when it was given so readily.

She bit her lip as if she didn't want the next words coming out of her mouth. "Alright, we can play your little game, but we play it on my terms." She crossed her arms over her chest again. This time, it was not to protect her against the biting wind, but it was to protect her already fragile heart. "I want some sort of collateral to assure that you are not going to let everyone in the castle know what we are doing. If you really care about me as much as you say, then that shouldn't be a problem. I also expect to be treated as a lady, not like some prostitute you picked up in Knockturn Alley."

[Julian Fallon S7]

"I never claimed to be a gentleman, Cassandra, but there's always the first time for someone to be polite to a lovely young lady" He said, gently stroking her arm. He would say anything at this point to stop her from leaving. "I would never lie to you either. This is a little beyond innocent flirtation, and never would I think of you as naive." Julian knew that he had drank a bit too much wine that evening and most of the truth was bound to come out, there was really no way of stopping him from telling the truth to this beautiful woman who stood in front of him now.

"If your life was as content as you say it is, then what made you stay out here at the beginning of this evening? Obviously, something somewhere is missing in your life. I'm simply insisting that you finish the game, and I do apologize for jumping turns, but I wasn't ready for this night to end just yet." Julian couldn't help himself. He had to state the obvious, and Cassandra had left it there for him to state.

"Collateral? What possibly would you accept as collateral that I wouldn't say those things about you? A family ring perhaps?" Julian asked, taking the platinum ring which sat on his finger housing many small round cut emeralds encircling a simple square cut Onyx. "Name your price, darling." Julian joked as Cassandra made her comment about being treated like a lady instead of a prostitute found in Knockturn Alley.


((Sorry if it's crappy, it's rushed))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

"My price? It's a high one, Julian. I'm an expensive hooker." Cass took the ring from him and examined it. It wasn't the collateral she was expecting. Truthfully, she wanted something that could be used in case this turned bad for her. What kind of embarrassment could she bestow upon him with his family ring? Family rings were a dime a dozen among pureblood families. In fact, she wore her father's on her right hand. However, Julian's was quite nice, and they were almost always handed over to a man's significant other during a courtship. If she took this, her revenge would be a long time coming. Of course, she would just adore the look on Julian's face when she waved it in front of his future fiance. "Your collateral is acceptable." Cass took the ring and slipped it on her left finger. Normally, Cass would of just dropped the ring into the bottom of her bag, but she was drunk and not thinking properly. The ring shaped itself to her finger. It was now a perfect fit.

"After tonight, 'Darling' will be the last thing you describe me as." Cass stroked the ring on her finger. "Since it seems you want to play dirty, Julian...," Cass turned back to him and looked at him under her eyelids. With a quick movement, she pushed the drunken man to the ground. She was soon on her elbows and knees hovering above him. The Angelus medallion was hanging gracefully in his face. "So," Cass traced a figure with her finger against his white cotton uniform shirt, "I'm assuming the same rules apply to me as well?" Every single one of her words slurred together. "We are in the twentieth century. Witches lib and all that nonsense." She stretched and reached for the nearby wine glass. She finished it one gulp. "Well, to tell you the truth. I really don't care if the same rules apply. I would rather cheat." With that, Cass leaned down and kissed Julian. It was long, deep, and passionate. She pulled away letting out a soft moan as she did so. "I hope you get my point."

[Julian Fallon S7]

Julian smiled, happy that Cassandra was at least satisfied with his collateral. “You were the one that referred to yourself as a hooker, keep that in mind.” He said laughing as he had only been joking when he told her to name her price. His mind went into a state of shock as he saw Cassandra slip his family ring onto her finger and how perfectly it fit her. That was something that he hoped would happen one day, but not with her so drunk that she wouldn’t remember how it got there in the morning. Julian wondered if he was doing the right thing by taking this advantage of Cassandra while she was in this state of mind. He had been accused of a lot of things, but taking advantage of a girl was not one of them. He would just have to take that chance though since the dare had already been issued and he wasn’t going to chicken out of his own dare.

“I’m sure there’s very little that you could ever do to stop me from calling you ‘Darling’.” Julian replied to Cassandra’s statement. Julian fell as Cassandra pushed him back down on the blanket, catching himself with his elbows. Smiling as Cassandra placed herself over him the way she did, Julian gave in to her every whim. Julian slowly removed the Angelus medallion from around Cassandra’s neck and tossed it toward the picnic basket. “We really don’t need this here right now, I hope.” He said softly. Julian was shocked that Cassandra had even agreed to go along with the dare in the first place, but it might be to his advantage, and it might help her see that he really wasn’t there just for a one night stand as she assumed he was. The long, passionate kiss was almost paradise for Julian, but he had to keep his cool. He couldn’t blow this dare, not this soon into the so called ‘game’ as Cassandra wanted to refer to it.

“No one ever said you have to play fair, and of course the rules would be the same for you as well.” Julian said, softly caressing Cassandra’s cheek with his left hand. He slowly moved his hand down her neck and pulled her closer to him again. Returning the long kiss, Julian wondered just how much of this Cassandra would enjoy, and if she would ever tell Liam about any of it. “This can be fun for both of us and intriguing all at the same time.” He whispered in her ear, as he began to gently kiss her neck, moving his hands down to the small of her back, and gently rolling over so that she was semi under him. Julian was definitely going to enjoy this.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass allowed Julian to roll her on her back. Relaxing a bit, she relished the feeling of his lips on her neck. She giggled a little bit as she let him enjoy himself a little bit. She hated to admit that she was comfortable in this position and didn't want to move. She pushed him lightly away with a hand to his chest which felt strong underneath her hand. "I think we've had enought for tonight. I'm cutting you off. I know what you are going to say. I'm like an addictive drug. Yadda Yadda. Yadda Yadda. I'm going to have to get back into the castle." She looked at her watch. "It is now officially an hour past curfew. I'm surprised we haven't been caught by a prefect yet. It is the end of the year. They are probably trying their best to ignore as much as they can."

Cass stood up. With her wand, she packed Julian's basket with a quick incantation. She then slipped Liam's medallion back around her neck. "I'm going, Julian, but you are on your own to get back into the castle." With that, she turned her back on the Slytherin. She only hoped she would get into back into Gryffindor tower without raising the alarms.