Purple Rain.

Chapter Thirty-Four.

"Hey," (Y/n) quietly greeted. She was almost amused by the fact that she was the one to frighten a ghost.

"(Y/n)!" Cassius Warrington beamed. "I thought you were avoiding me."

"I was," (Y/n) admitted, looking down in shame. Cassius seemed to have made some sort of attempt to get her to look up, for (Y/n) was filled with shivers, making her peer at Cassius. He was right in front of her now. "It's not you, I promise," (Y/n) said quickly. "It's just... well, you know..."

"I've heard you cut everyone off for about a month," Cassius murmured.

"Who told you that?" (Y/n) asked nervously, averting her eyes.

"I've got my sources," Cassius grinned, shrugging as though the question didn't answer.

"Snitches," (Y/n) mumbled. "But I did cut them off... only because I didn't want to feel anything at the time."

"Why not?" Cassius frowned.

"Gosh, I can't win, can I?" (Y/n) huffed. "I'd be guilt-tripped for being upset and now I feel guilty for not talking to anyone at—"

"(Y/n)," Cassius interrupted, staring at her with the same comforting eyes that he always used when (Y/n) felt she was in the wrong. "How many times do you need to hear it to learn that people that genuinely love you won't guilt trip you for being emotional? Especially after... well, you know..."
(Y/n) couldn't help but notice the fact that Cassius didn't seem at all affected by the fact that he was dead. Despite Cassius having been murdered, it seemed that Cassius was the least affected by the matter. His presence was there, but Cassius was not and that was what hurt (Y/n) the most.
"The people that do care have made themselves known, haven't they?" Cassius added softly.

"You're right. They have," (Y/n) confirmed. "But I don't want to—"

"Burden them?" Cassius finished. (Y/n) nodded in confirmation, much to Cassius's dismay. "They're the ones trying to get you to talk, (Y/n)!" he exclaimed. "If anything, you're getting on their nerves by not doing so!" (Y/n) pursed her lips and looked down, kicking at the dusty ground. "Hey," Cassius said quietly. "Look at me."

(Y/n) met Cassius's eyes again and he offered her the very same, contagious smile that (Y/n) couldn't help but return. Cassius pumped his fist in accomplishment, flying in a small circle around her. And, for the first time in a while, (Y/n) found herself genuinely laughing into her hand.

"Of all pestering people, you, Cassius Warrington, are the worst," (Y/n) stated. Cassius smiled widely.

"Good!" Cassius said. "If I didn't pester you, I'm scared you'd continue drifting away from everyone." The two stood silently for a moment.

"Do you... know what today is?" (Y/n) asked quietly. Cassius tilted his head.

"I kind of stopped caring about dates after I died, but if I had to guess... today's the day I took you on a date two years ago?" Cassius said. (Y/n) smiled and looked down at the ground.

"No, that was on Halloween, Cass," (Y/n) laughed. "It would have been our one-year anniversary."

"Oh," Cassius mumbled. His face lit up and he smiled warmly. "I'm glad that you remembered."

"Yeah," (Y/n) said softly, nodding and refusing to take her eyes off the ground. She promised herself she would not cry that day and she planned on holding true to it. Even if she was shamed that day for having friends and even if people had been so incredibly dismissive of Cassius's death that day.

"You've all got your choices down?" (Y/n) asked upon noticing everyone was present. It was later in the evening after everyone had returned from Hogsmeade. After several confirming nods and words, (Y/n) nodded at Angelina.