The Vanishing Cabinet...Black

𝟒. Nerves

tw: light mentions of blood prejudice

IT REALLY WASN'T THAT BAD. After a lengthy, tear-filled apology by Cass that Malka accepted, all she really got were a couple distasteful looks from Slytherins in the halls before the drama subsided. Even if she couldn't read minds, she could tell she had faded once more into their peripheries, another pesky Gryffindor.

It was now a charming Friday, after classes and Hogsmeade. Malka had indeed gone to Gladrags Wizardwear, partially out of guilt, but their new collection wasn't in fact catered to Slughorn's dinner party. It was more tailored towards what a grandmother would wear to bed, and even Cass agreed. So it was decided that Malka would wear one of Cass's dresses, a rather fiery maroon dress with bell sleeves. Cass had jumped in delight when Malka chose that dress, and Malka had smiled sheepishly, knowing they both had things to make up to each other.

Cass laid it out on Malka's bed for her, ready for tomorrow's dinner.

"Perfect," she said. "Um, I have to go now. Cindy and Alecto said they were going to sneak back into Hogsmeade and get some Chocolate liqueur, so..."

"Oh, of course," Malka said, nodding her head as Cass made another awkward little gesture before bobbing her head and walking out of their room.

As Gryffindors, Malka and Cass shared their own room. They'd applied for it in their fifth year, since the other two Gryffindor girls of the year, Mary Macdonald and Margaux Bishop, were also exclusively best friends and politely declined rooming with Malka and Cass.

Thus, two girls shared one room, which they were happy with, even if it was smaller and had just the one window. Their furniture matched, but you couldn't even tell that they were once the same. For all of Cass's trunks walls, her dresser and closet, everything was colored in purple. Whether it was posters of her favorite Quidditch team, Pride of Portree, or fabric in different shades of lavender, Cassana Fortescue loved purple. There wasn't a spot on her walls that wasn't covered, even her photoframes were smoky pale violet.

Meanwhile, Malka's side of the room was virtually empty by comparison. She was never much for decorating, and all of her furniture remained unTransfigured and her walls bare. She had a small spot that had pictures, and little decorations on her desk and dresser, but that was about it.

Cass walked back into their room. "Oh, Mal, I just forgot about something,"

"What is it?" Malka said, sitting up from her previous position sprawled over her blanket.

"Erm- it's kind of a favor...you don't have to,"

"No, I don't have anything to do the rest of the night, I already finished Potions, it was quite light,"

"Well, I asked the house elves to bake a cake, and I was just wondering if you could deliver it to the Hospital Wing for...Regulus Black? I just felt kind of guilty about the whole Bludger thing...I was gonna do it meself, but I just realized I have to leave..."

"Oh. Sure, I can do it," Malka said with a hesitant smile, noticing the white box on Cass's nightstand.

"Thanks, love. I'll buy you a butterbeer next week," Cass said in open relief, her cheeks flushing as they smiled.

"Alright," Malka chuckled, as the two girls walked out together before parting on the staircases.

The Hospital Wing wasn't far from Gryffindor Tower, and most of the other students were at dinner. Cass and Malka had gorged on confections at Hogsmeade, so much so that neither was currently hungry. Malka clutched the cake box as she walked, wooden heels clacking on the granite floors. It was a simple white box, covered so she couldn't see the actual cake. Malka hoped Cass didn't write anything embarrassing on it. Malka was wearing her usual red cardigan, with her hair in braids and a tweed skirt.