A Life of Longing

"It might take three or four days," Harry said. "Why?"

"It's nothing," Anne shook her head, "I was just asking."

Cassandra glanced at her, then looked down again.

"Missing her?"

Anne blushed slightly. "No, I didn't."

Cassandra smiled and didn't call her out.

In the afternoon, Anne finally finished reading the book she was holding.

She closed the book and stretched.

"Bored?" Harry asked.

"A little," Anne said, "I want to go for a walk."

"Then let's go for a walk," Cassandra said without looking up. "But don't go too far."

Anne stood up and took Harry's hand. "You stay with me."

Harry smiled. "Okay."

The two changed into their outdoor clothes and walked out of Grimmauld Place.

The London afternoon was sunny and bright, with few pedestrians on the streets.

They walked slowly hand in hand, enjoying their precious time together.

"Actually," Anne suddenly said, "I've always wanted to ask you a question."

What's the problem?

When did you start liking me?

Harry thought for a moment, "A long time ago."

"How long is 'a long time'?"

"Probably—after you were cursed," Harry said. "Back then, I worried every day that you would disappear, but then I realized how important you had become."

That's what they say, but Harry also felt that he was actually a bit confused.

Anne stopped and looked at him.

Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

"Me too," she said. "From the first time you risked your life to save me, I knew that you were the other person, besides Sebastian, whom I would love with my life."

Harry felt a warmth in his heart and gently kissed her lips.

Anne closed her eyes and responded to him.

The two kissed on the street corner, completely oblivious to the world around them.

They were interrupted by a cough.

They separated and turned to look—an old woman was looking at them with a strange expression.

"Young man, you're on the street, be mindful of your behavior."

Anne blushed and quickly pulled Harry away.

Harry couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"You're still laughing!" Anne punched him.

"I'm not laughing anymore," Harry said, but the smile in his eyes was hard to hide.

Anne glared at him, then couldn't help but laugh herself.

In the evening, they returned to Grimmauld Place.

Cassandra was still reading when she saw them return and looked up.

"You had a lot of fun?"

"I'm so happy!" Anne ran over and sat down next to her. "Cass, aren't you bored reading all the time?"

"It's not boring," Cassandra said. "Reading is very interesting."

As she spoke, she looked up and said with a smile, "It's Potter."

For dinner, Ruby a sumptuous meal.

The three sat around the dining table, eating and chatting.

After dinner, they sat in the Living Room.

Anne leaned against Harry's left, Cassandra leaned against Harry's right. The three of them squeezed onto a sofa, quietly watching the flames in the fireplace.

"Cass," Anne suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

Do you think we'll always be like this?

Cassandra paused for a moment, then said, "Yes."

How did you know?

"Because we all want it," Cassandra said. "If you want it, you'll work hard to achieve it."

Anne thought for a moment and nodded.

That makes sense.

Harry hugged them both, his heart filled with warmth.

"No matter what happens in the future," he said, "At least for now, we're together."

Anne and Cassandra exchanged a glance and smiled simultaneously.

"Yes." The two said in unison.

It was late at night. Anne yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"Tired?" Harry asked.

"Mmm." Anne nodded. "I want to sleep."

"Then go upstairs to sleep."

Anne stood up, kissed Harry on the cheek, and then kissed Cassandra on the cheek.

"Good night."

"Good night," they both said at the same time.

Anne went upstairs, her footsteps fading into the distance.

Only Harry and Cassandra remained in the Living Room.

"Did you go out with Anne today?" Cassandra asked.

"Hmm," Harry nodded, "I went for a walk in the street."

Cassandra looked at him, holding back her anger, and finally refrained from making sarcastic remarks.

"Are you happy?" A hint of sourness in the voice is unavoidable.

"I'm happy," Harry said, "But I'm happy to be with you too."

Cassandra gave a soft hum, but said nothing.

Harry smiled and reached out to pull her into his arms.

"You too, don't just read all the time, you need to rest too."

"I understand." Cassandra nestled in his arms and closed her eyes.

On the third day, Veratia still hadn't returned.

Harry lived a simple and warm life with Cassandra and Anne.

We eat breakfast together in the morning, do our own things in the morning, sometimes go out for a walk in the afternoon, and sometimes stay at home reading and chatting. In the evening, we sit around the fireplace, chatting until we get sleepy.

Anne became more and more open. Since opening up to Cassandra, she no longer just stayed quietly, but would take the initiative to chat with Cassandra, asking her what the books were about and what her life was like at the Malfoy Manor.

Cassandra may not talk much, but she always answers seriously.

That afternoon, Anne suddenly had a brilliant idea and said she would make them afternoon tea desserts.

"You can do it?" Cassandra raised an eyebrow.

"No," Anne said matter-of-factly, "But I can learn!"

She went into the Kitchen and spent the afternoon fussing around with Ruby.

Finally, a plate of fairly normal-looking cookies and a pot of fragrant black tea were served.

"Try it!" she looked at Harry and Cassandra expectantly.

Harry picked up a cookie, took a bite, and surprisingly, it tasted pretty good.

"It's delicious." He wasn't exactly lying.

Anne's eyes lit up, and she looked at Cassandra again.

Cassandra picked up a piece, took a small bite, and nodded approvingly.

"Good."

Anne jumped up with joy, ran to Harry, kissed him on the cheek, and then ran to Cassandra and kissed her on the cheek as well.

Cassandra paused for a moment, her face flushed slightly, but she didn't say anything.

Harry, watching from the side, couldn't help but laugh out loud.

These days are wonderful.

On the evening of the fourth day, a green light flashed in the fireplace, and Veratia returned.

She emerged from the Floo Network, a hint of weariness on her face, but a smile still appeared when she saw the three people in the Living Room.

"I'm back."

Anne was the first to rush over and hug her.

"Veratia!"

Veratia smiled and ruffled her hair.

Did you miss me?

"Yes!" Anne nodded vigorously.

Cassandra remained seated on the sofa, her gaze fixed on the travel-worn Veratia.

"You've worked hard," she said.

Veratia looked at her, smiling.

"Is Cass showing concern for me?"

"It's just a polite remark," Cassandra said.

Veratia smiled and didn't call her out.

Harry walked over and took the bag from her hand.

"Are you tired? Sit down and rest."

"It's alright." Veratia sat down on the sofa, Anne immediately leaned against her. Cassandra didn't move, but she shifted slightly closer.

Veratia looked at the two of them, then at Harry, her eyes full of smiles.

How have you all been while I was away?

"That's great," Anne said. "We eat together, read together, and chat together every day."

"Really?" Veratia looked at Cassandra, "Cass chatted too?"

Cassandra gave a soft hum. "Of course I chat."

Veratia laughed and reached out to pinch her cheek.

Cassandra hesitated for a moment, but did not dodge.

Anne watched from the side, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter.

Harry sat opposite them, watching this scene, and felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction welling up inside him.

Four people, all together.

This is the life he wants most.

Of course, we're still missing Pabbie.

At dinner, Ruby prepared another sumptuous meal. Veratia sat to Harry's right, Cassandra to Harry's left, and Anne sat next to Veratia —she had chosen this spot specifically to be near Veratia.

At the dinner table, the four of them ate and chatted about the events of the past few days. Veratia talked about the affairs she had handled in the Confederation, Anne talked about what she had learned from Cassandra, Cassandra occasionally chimed in, and Harry listened quietly without saying a word.

"Oh, right," Veratia suddenly said, "There are still a few days until School Opening, how about we go somewhere fun?"

Anne's eyes lit up. "Is that okay?"

"Of course," Veratia said. "Where do you want to go?"

Anne thought for a moment, "I want to go to the beach."

Cassandra raised an eyebrow. "The beach?"

"Yes!" Anne nodded. "I haven't been to the beach in ages."

Cassandra looked at Harry, Harry nodded.

"Then let's go," he said.

"Great!" Anne was so happy she almost jumped for joy.

Veratia looked at them with eyes full of doting affection.

After dinner, the four of them sat around in the Living Room, discussing tomorrow's itinerary.

"Which beach are we going to?" Anne asked.

"How about Cornwall?" Veratia asked. "There are some beautiful beaches there, and a Wizarding Reserve, so you don't have to worry about Muggle."

"Okay!" Anne nodded immediately.

Cassandra chimed in, "I've been to Cornwall, it's really nice."

"It's settled then," Harry said. "We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Anne was too excited to sleep, while Veratia and Cassandra chatted until late. Finally, Harry urged them to go to bed, and they all went back to their rooms.

The next morning, after breakfast, the four of them used their Portkey to go to the seaside in Cornwall.

The sun was shining brightly, the sea breeze was gentle, and the azure sea stretched to the horizon.

There was almost no one else on the beach, except for a few seagulls foraging in the distance.

Anne was the first to rush into the sea, stepping into the shallow water, as happy as a child.

Veratia and Cassandra sat on the beach, watching her splash around in the water.

Harry stood beside her, his eyes following Anne's movements.

"She only feels this relaxed in places like this," Cassandra said.

Veratia nodded. "She's usually too well-behaved, keeping everything bottled up inside."

"Take her out more often in the future," Harry said.

The two looked at him and smiled at the same time.

"Okay," Veratia said.

Anne called out to them from afar, "Come on over! The water's so refreshing!"

Veratia stepped forward, removed her outer robe, revealing her Chenyi. Cassandra also stepped forward, gracefully removing her long skirt.

The two of them walked into the sea.

Harry watched their retreating figures, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his face.

He took off his clothes and followed.

The sea was clear and the sun was warm. The four of them frolicked in the sea. Anne splashed water on Veratia, Veratia retaliated. Cassandra gracefully dodged from the side, but was successfully ambushed by Anne.

"Cass!" Anne called out with a smile.

Cassandra wiped the water off her face, then splashed a handful of water precisely onto Anne.

Anne screamed and hid behind Harry, leaving Harry sandwiched in the middle, surrounded by water on both sides, both amused and exasperated.

Veratia was laughing so hard she couldn't stand up straight.

Sunlight shone on the sea, making it sparkle.

Seagulls cried as they flew by in the distance; everything was so beautiful.

In the evening, they sat on the beach, watching the sunset sink into the sea.

Anne leaned against Harry, Veratia leaned against Harry on the other side, Cassandra gazed into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.

Four people huddled together, watching the sky change from golden yellow to orange-red, and then to deep purple.

"So beautiful," Anne whispered.

"Mm." Veratia nodded.

Cassandra didn't speak, but simply closed her eyes slightly, feeling the sea breeze caress her cheeks.

Harry hugged them, his heart filled with warmth.

"I'll come every year from now on," he said.

"Okay." The three of them said in unison.

"Next time, bring Pabbie along," Gong Niang Niang Veratia suddenly said.

"I don't even know what she's doing right now," Anne said.

As the sun sank below the horizon, the stars began to twinkle in the sky.

They packed their things and returned to Grimmauld Place using the Portkey.

Back home, Anne was still excitedly recounting the events of the day.

Harry went to the Kitchen to find Ruby and asked her to prepare some hot drinks.

In the evening, the four of them sat around in the Living Room, drinking hot chocolate and chatting.

Anne leaned against Veratia, Cassandra leaned against Harry, and the four of them huddled together, quiet and warm.

"How many more days School Opening?" Anne asked.

"Four days," Cassandra said.

"Four days—" Anne said softly, "That went by so fast."

"What? Don't you want to School Opening?" Veratia asked.

"No, it's not that," Anne said. "It's just that these days are too good, and I don't want them to end."

Veratia ruffled her hair.

"It won't end," she said. "There will be many more days like this in the future."

Anne looked up at her, her eyes sparkling.

"Real?"

"Really." Veratia nodded. "We're all here, Harry's here, Hes's here. We'll have a holiday every year from now on, and we can do this every year."

Anne smiled and buried her face in Veratia's arms.

Cassandra looked at her with gentle eyes.

"Silly guy," she said softly.

Anne looked up and stuck her tongue out at her.

Cassandra gave a soft hum, but said nothing.

As night deepened, the four of them returned to their rooms.

Harry lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, a smile playing on his lips.

The door opened gently, Anne peeked in.

"Can't you sleep?"

Harry sat up. "What's wrong?"

Anne slipped in and crawled into his bed.

I want to sleep with you forever.

Harry smiled and put his arm around her.

After a while, the door opened again, Cassandra walked in.

She saw the two people on the bed and raised an eyebrow.

Looks like it'll be lively here tonight.

Harry smiled helplessly, "You're here too?"

Cassandra thought for a moment, then crawled in and lay down on his other side.

The three of them squeezed onto the bed; it was a bit cramped, but very warm.

Anne was in Harry's arms, Cassandra leaned against him; they both fell asleep quickly.

Before Harry could even fall asleep, the door was opened again.