September:

Her eyes narrowed as the Durmstrang students entered the Great Hall. Her sister, Eliza, placed a hand on her shoulder both in comfort — because of the noise her twin had always hated — and restraint, knowing her impulsive nature. The two were something of a rarity at Hogwarts. They were nearly sixteen and fifth yea's due to their being born in late September. They were Slytherins, yet close friends with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger — setting aside the differences in both house and year. They excelled without much effort in their classes, but were semi-impulsive (Eliza) to extremely impulsive (Cait) which often found them in the headmaster's office. Eliza herself was a gifted potioner, while Cait had her wits and, admittedly, legilimancy on her side. But, perhaps, the most curious thing about them was that they were both American. Technically, they were British-Americans, but they had both been raised in between DC and London as their American mother worked for MACUSA as an auror and their father worked for the Ministry of Magic.

It had been their mother who had insisted they move to the UK to live with their father and attend Hogwarts because, in her words: "it's becoming almost as bad here as it is in New York, God forbid New Jersey." Their mother had scoffed at that last. "Since apparently everything is legal in New Jersey."

"Eliza," Cait eventually murmured as Dumbledore introduced the Tri-Wizard Tournament — something their father had already told them about although primarily because he had known Cait would have used her legilimancy then to hear it. "I really hate people."

"You also hate dogs, the color beige, hip hop, commies, and more," Eliza whispered back. "You're kinda a hodgepodge of emotion and awkwardness. I don't care that we're both attractive, paler than pale, and pixie-like. The last time someone asked you out, you gave them a black eye."

Cait scowled. "That's not funny."

"What are you two talking about?" Ron whisper-shouted from the table beside theirs. "And what's a commie?"

"Communist," Cait informed him. "They're bad, trust me."

"The USSR already disbanded," Hermione countered. "Are you trying to be stereotypically American so people from the other schools don't realise that you and Eliza are the minister's daughters?"

"You're not helping," She said, adjusting her glasses and then crossing her arms. "I mean at all."

Eliza elbowed her. "I wish we were old enough to enter."

"Us too!" Fred and George Weasley chorused.

"I'm okay," Cait said dryly, eyeing the Tri-Wizard cup. "Death Eaters at the Quidditch World Cup were enough. I like living fine, thanks."

Ron rolled his eyes. "What about glory?"

"Sure," She replied. "But I ain't fighting dragons or shit to get it."

October Part 1:

"I ripped out a lot of your hair last year," Cait said, shrugging as Pansy Parkinson took a step back in the corridor. "I can still do it."

"I hate you," Pansy snapped. "You're a polymath, a pain in the —"

"Bye!" Eliza all but yelled as she gave the password and ran into the Slytherin common room.

"Are you aggressive on purpose?" Draco asked, looking to Cait. "Or do you really hate people that much?"

"Any way I answer that will make me look bad," She replied darkly, silently thankful of her father's years in politics. "So, I'll pass."

"You are so full of it," Pansy taunted. "Don't you have a life?"

"Yes, but describing it requires the usage of language too hard for you to understand," Cait smirked as she pulled a small, clear plastic bag full of hair from within her bra. "Here," She said, tossing the bag to Pansy. "I think this all came out of your head."

There was a silence, followed by someone snorting as they paused by the group.

"Interesting," He said in a thick accent. "A little American bitch that apparently can commit assault."

She scowled at him. "You Soviet?"

He took an imperious step towards her. "As much as you're American."

She crossed her arms. "Don't act all high and mighty. I might be a bitch, but at least I'm not a communist."

He slapped her in an impulsive move of anger, catching her by surprise.

"You..."

Her gaze hardened as she clenched her fists, not noticing the prefects coming down the corridor. Within seconds, her fist slammed into the bridge of his nose with enough force to cause it to bleed.

October Part 2:

"Have you lost your senses?" The minister of magic stared at his eldest in shock. "I'm completely serious: have you lost your senses?"

Dumbledore said nothing but glanced to Angelica, who ceased her pacing.

"Why did you punch him, Cait?" She finally asked her daughter.

"He called me a 'little American bitch' and when I accused him of communism, he slapped me," She considered the events for a moment, almost amused. "There was no magic involved; fist to fist only. And, for the record, he said it out loud. I didn't read his mind."

There was an uncomfortable silence, and Angelica sighed, looking to her husband.

"It's better than that damn trick box thing she's been working on with the Weasley twins," She reminded him. "It's also better than her turning that one girl's hair hot pink by mistake. Or the creepy communication mirrors —"

"Angelica —"

"I'm going to let this go," Dumbledore told them. "But, as her parents —"

"Let it go, Cornelius," Angelica said tiredly. "It's not that big of a deal."

He sent their daughter a sharp look. "No more mischief this year, not with the OWLs coming up."

She sighed. "Fine…"

November:

"Lemme tell you something," Cait said, motioning for Harry to follow her after the first test. "That thing is gonna scream if you open it."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "I know. How would you know?"

She lowered her voice. "I read my dad's mind after a meeting with other world leaders because I get bored, just like anybody else. He was worried about letting you compete because you're underage and started recounting the trials to himself."

Harry sent her an uncomfortable glance. "Okay?"

"Seriously," She said, gesturing to the golden egg. "Don't open it above water."

"You really don't understand boundaries, do you?" He laughed a bit and she smirked, understanding the truth and some of the jest. "Also: you get bored?"

She sighed. "More often than you might believe."

"Uh, Harry?" Cedric Diggory paused for a moment, nervously glancing at Cait. "You're reading my mind."

She jumped a bit, startled.

"What?" She exclaimed. "No. I was translating runes to English and then to Spanish."

"Cedric," Harry said awkwardly, sharing a short nod with the other Hogwarts Champion. "How are you?"

"I just wanted to thank you for the heads up on the dragons," He said, eyeing Cait suspiciously but relaxing a bit upon her rolling her eyes. "And, with the egg...take it up with you to...the prefects lavs. I hear that it's not a bad place to take a bath."

Harry stared at him for a moment as he walked away.

"Told you," Cait said, a bit smug. "FYI, Professor Moody gave him that hint. His thoughts were practically screaming at me."

Harry sent her a befuddled look. "I don't get your powers, not fully, anyways."

She shrugged. "It's okay. I don't really get them either."

"Cait!" Eliza almost slammed into her twin on the bridge as she reached her. "You're never going to guess who's here!"

"Can't she read your mind?" Harry countered. "Doesn't that defeat the purpose?"

"I've actually never been able to read Eliza's mind," She admitted. "Probably because she's my twin, but I'm not sure." She sent Eliza a pointed look as she adjusted her glasses. "If it's dad —"

"No...well...yes...but only for a meeting with Dumbledore that isn't about us...I don't think," Eliza swore under her breath for a second because of her rambling. "Mom's here."

Cait raised an eyebrow. "Are you —"

"There you two are!" Angelica Fudge smirked upon her twins turning around in surprise. "Somehow I've always been good at tracking you two. And Harry: you've survived so far."

He laughed a bit and nodded. "Thankfully."

"Harry!" Ron exclaimed upon reaching the small group. "I need help!"

Cait started giggling. "Fred and George are puking out slugs because they got in a duel?"

Ron scowled. "Get out of my head!" He told her, albeit teasingly.

"I'll be back," Angelica whispered to the twins before slipping off.

"Can Hermione fix it?" Harry asked, and Ron hesitated. "What exactly happened?"

"They were trying to impress French girls and it didn't go well," He surmised. "And Hermione is still trying to fix it."

Eliza grinned, elbowing her sister. "Fitting that they ended it up puking slugs, since the French eat them."

"I thought those were snails," Ron paused in consideration. "Or maybe they're the same. I don't know."

"I've gotta see this!" Cait declared, pushing through them. "And thanks for telling me where they are, Ron!"

December:

Eliza stepped out of the ballroom gracefully, wanting to take some time to herself and let the cool, winter air fill her lungs. It was getting loud but, more irritatingly, stuffy inside. Ron and Hermione were feuding over something she found to be completely benign. Her parents were together for an appearance at the event and were happily dancing. Harry was still thinking about Cho Chang, according to Cait. The revelry that seemed so appealing at first waned in her, and she wanted to be alone. Cait was still inside though not in the ballroom. Alongside Fred Weasley, who had agreed to go with her to the event, and George Weasley, who tagged along after he was done in the ballroom, she was trying to find materials to keep working in secret on their trick boxes. Eliza pushed aside the jealousy and leaned forward against the ledge. It was all calm out here, and even the trouble in their world could not change that. Life would go on, she realised, even when faced with all hell.

"Damn…" She murmured to herself. "I'm so glad I was born after the wizarding war."

A soft chuckle was heard behind her.

"I am too," The voice said, stepping over towards her. "Although I wish things were easier in my family."

Eliza raised an eyebrow as she turned to him. "Draco, what are you talking about?"

"You keep secrets and I trust you more than most," He sighed. "My father expects near perfection from me and wants me to live out a grand legacy. I know why, and I understand it, but it doesn't make me happy. My mother does her best, but you know how much she demands too."

Eliza placed a hand sympathetically on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"Draco, don't try to be strong to the point of being inhuman."

"I don't always have a choice!"

"There's always a choice!"

"Maybe for you."

"You think my life is easy?"

"I never said that —"

Completely on impulse and without consulting her better judgement, Eliza cut him off in pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. To her surprise, he kissed her back and wrapped his arms loosely around her. The embrace was calm yet passionate, and neither wanted to let go.

"Okay…" Cait stifled back giggles upon breaching the scene with Fred and George who were trying to hide the firecrackers she had found in her bag. "I don't know what this is, but congratulations!"

Draco and Eliza broke their embrace rather suddenly and both flushed pink.

"You're not funny," Eliza told her.

She winked. "On the contrary, I should think I am."

January:

"Professor Snape?" Cait awkwardly hesitated for a moment even as the Potions Master gestured for her to enter. "I know whose been stealing the polyjuice potion supplies from your storage."

He stared at her but then nodded. "I presume your abilities as a natural legilimans guided you?"

She nodded. "Yes, sir."

Snape was silent for a moment in consideration. "Whom is it?"

She swallowed hard. "Professor Moody."

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious, Miss Graves? That type of accusation —"

"Take his hip flask and sip it, I dare you," She paused, reminding herself to be careful in her explanation. "I haven't been able to read him all year, but I finally got a blip into his mind and saw that he was thinking of his next dose of Polyjuice. Say what we may about the real Mad-eye Moody, that is not his priority thought."

Snape pursed his lips. "Have you told your father?"

"Is my name Draco Malfoy?" She replied. "I've only told you."

"Wise," He remarked, standing up quickly. "I will look into this, but if nothing can be proven —"

"Innocent until proven guilty," She murmured. "I know."

A silence passed and she began to leave the room but he spoke again just as she reached the doorway.

"I do have a question for you, though," He said. "Regarding your legilimancy."

She sighed. "What?"

"Have you ever read my mind?" His voice was sharp but could not mask his curiosity. "And, if you have, what did you see?"

She hesitated, adjusting her glasses. "Um...well…"

Snape sent her a pointed look. "Miss Graves?"

"I'm terribly sorry about Lily's death," She bit off. "Don't blame yourself, and listen to Dumbledore."

Snape's eyes widened in shock. "I...I am a highly skilled occlumens —"

"And I'm a highly skilled legilimans," She countered. "I'm sorry, but your thoughts were yelling."

He nodded curtly. "You may go."

February:

"Nice work in the second trial," Eliza said to Harry with a smile as they sat in the library with Ron and Hermione. "Only one left."

"Not soon enough," He muttered, laughing weakly. "But thanks."

"Any time," Eliza said, setting aside the book she had been reading. "Hey, can I tell you guys something? Something kind of secret?"

"It's not about the trial," Ron said immediately. "Cait's the one who knows all about them."

"And please don't judge me," She added. "I'm not sure you guys are going to be thrilled by this."

"I'm a bit lost," Hermione told her. "Care to explain why we won't like what you're going to say?"

Eliza groaned, burying her face in her hands.

"Is that an answer?" Ron stage-whispered to Hermione. "Or are we still waiting?"

"Still waiting," Eliza mumbled. "Got it?"

The trio stared at her for a moment and then went silent, allowing her to speak.

"Alright, look," She eventually said. "You know the ball from back in December?"

Befuddled looks were exchanged, but the trio nodded.

"Well, I…" Eliza flushed pink, similarly to how she had that night. "Draco and I kissed."

Ron burst out laughing. "You're serious?"

Eliza glowered. "Of course I am!"

"So…" Hermione started awkwardly. "Does that mean the two of you are a couple?"

Eliza grimaced. "No! I'm not ready for something like that, especially with the OWLs coming up."

"Great…" Ron muttered. "We have to take those next year."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's not going to be that bad."

Harry looked at her as if she had gone mad. "Please tell me that's a joke."

"It's not," Hermione replied. "They're not going to be that bad if you all actually study."

"And Cait is even though she can read the minds of the professor and get the answers," Eliza scoffed. "I wouldn't have her integrity or self-restraint if I had her powers."

"I imagine it's both mentally and emotionally draining," Hermione countered. "So, in that sense, I understand it."

"Either way, we've got to keep going…" Eliza bit her lip. "I wish there were anything to make it easier."

March:

Angelica embraced her eldest as she stepped off of the plane in New York for the spring holiday.

"I'm so glad you're here," She said, pulling her aside and apparating them into the alleyway just behind the Woolworth Building. "And I think that we'll have some semblance of fun."

Cait shrugged. "We still haven't filed that I'm a legilimans."

Angelica shushed her. "That's for your own protection. "After what happened to my father...it was a miracle he survived but you know he's never recovered. We have bad luck on my side of the family, and we're not letting word of your gift out on purpose."

They slipped into MACUSA's main lobby with ease, and Cait could not help but look around in awe as she always had.

"Director!" MACUSA President — Casseia Jansen — started briskly towards them. "I'm glad you're here. You've been gone for so long that I can't help but wonder if you've basically missed the late eighties and the early nineties."

Cait giggled and Angelica smirked.

"On that note," She said, beginning to walk beside the president with Cait following behind them. "What did I miss?"

"Primarily only what's been reported," Jansen told her, voice low. "Although the murders in Seattle are worse than the New York Ghost editors want people to believe. They've accused me of fear mongering, but it really is that bad. Over a hundred witches, wizards, and no-majs killed in a month. The no-majs are blaming hate groups and gang violence from their world, but it's worse than that."

"Are you serious?" She asked as they stepped into her office without Cait, though the legilimans was reading the president's mind through the door. "Madame President, please tell me this isn't solely our fault."

"Not ours, but our community," Jansen sighed. "It's times like these that make me miss Rappaport's Law."

Angelica hesitated. "Who's doing this?"

"Copycat artists, a copycat group, actually," Jansen replied. "Death Eaters aren't only a British concern, not anymore, and especially not after what happened last summer at the Quidditch World Cup."

Angelica took in a sharp breath. "What are we to do?"

"I was hoping you could track as many of them as possible," Jansen but her lip bit went on nonetheless. "And monitor the situation in England, because you and I both know that when no-majs are afraid, they attack. That may very well be the one thing we can't afford to deal with right now, and we have to get this right. The first time, Angelica."

May Part 1:

"That's a dead body," Cait remarked upon Harry's return with the cup, glancing to Angelica. "Mom —"

Both Angelica and Cornelius Fudge pushed through the crowd to meet the scene where Dumbledore and the boy's father were gathered.

"Voldemort?" Cait glanced to Harry as she and Eliza made their way to the front of the stands. "He did this?"

"What are you talking about?" Eliza asked as the crowd went silent. "Cait?"

"Mister Diggory," Angelica said calmly, showing him her MACUSA ID. "An analysis must be —"

"My son is dead!" He exclaimed. "What more analysis —"

"Cause of death?" Angelica proffered. "I know this is upsetting, but I am the MACUSA director of magical security, and I know what I'm doing."

Diggory collapsed to the ground in tears, reaching helplessly for his son.

"Murder…" Harry choked out, startling Dumbledore, the minister, and the American director. "He was murdered."

The world stopped, for a moment, as it struggled to comprehend what had happened.

"By whom?" Angelica raised an eyebrow as she attempted to corroborate his assertion, taking a step back upon faint, green smoke rising from the boy's chest. "Mister Potter, might I examine your —"

"He didn't kill Cedric!" Cait almost fell over as she forced her way out to the scene. "It's written all over him!"

Rita Skeeter sat down beside Eliza. "Seems like this has turned into a bit of a shit show."

Eliza scowled. "And you're going to profit off of it?"

Rita laughed but sent her a serious look. "Elizabeth Graves, I genuinely hope that you'll realise that most people are in this game called life for only themselves. You can profit off of almost anything — look at Gilderory Lockheart — and I say...why not jump in and have fun?"

May Part 2:

"You're…" The minister of magic stared at Potter, Dumbledore, and his eldest incredulously as he paced in the headmaster's office. "No, that can't be right. You-know-who can't be back — he's dead."

Cait crossed her arms. "Would you like me to hand out Veritas Serum in little shot glasses to prove it? I'm pretty sure that sighting of the dark mark at the Quidditch World Cup last summer was a good warning."

Fudge sighed, sending her a sharp look. "That won't be necessary."

"Corneilus," Dumbledore said calmly. "You and I both know there is no denying the evidence. Voldemort is back."

"Also," Cait put in. "I was right that quote un quote Moody wasn't him. Although I didn't expect him to be Crouch's bastard."

They all looked at her for a moment, unsure of her to respond.

"You can be terrifying," Harry finally said, a bit awkwardly, as an attempt to briefly break the tension. "Your legilimancy, that is."

"As well as smug, haughty, and domineering," Angelica Fudge shook her head. "Cait, you are going to get yourself into trouble — genuine trouble — if you aren't careful."

She resisted the urge to giggle and reply dryly, instead opting to say nothing at all.

"If He-who-must-not-be-named really is...back," Angelica said slowly, glancing to her husband with crossed arms. "Then we must proceed with caution because this could prove him to be as strong as Gellert Grindelwald, someone I have personal contempt with."

Dumbledore nodded shortly. "I agree with that, however, the ministry must get immediately involved —"

"If we were to do that, we would be playing right into his hands," Fudge countered. "I have trusted your advice for years, Albus, but this would take more innocent lives than —"

"Allowing Voldemort to —"

"Don't say his name!" Corneilus looked to his wife, who was pretending to examine one of the many trinkets in Dumbledore's office. "I know we have proof, but the public is going to disagree. No one is going to believe he's back."

"No one wants to accept the facts, especially in times such as these," Dumbledore replied. "But that does not destroy the truth."

"The world will never be the same if we go out and declare that You-know-who is still alive, and that he's trying to rebuild his army," Corneilus Fudge sighed heavily, glancing out the window at the night as a thunderstorm began. "And, right now, the last thing we can afford to do is stir up panic."