The Quidditch season soon came to Hogwarts, and Cassi was walking with the Gryffindor Quidditch team towards the pitch. They were all dressed in their uniforms with their brooms in hand. Cassi and the twins had managed to pull of their prank on Lockhart, and he hadn't came out of his office for days because every time he spoke he sounded like a goose honking. The week of detention was completely worth it. Now, Cassi and the boys knew they'd have to put off their pranking a bit, so they could make it to Quidditch practice because Oliver would kill them if they missed that due to getting detention.
"I spent the summer devising a whole new Quidditch program." Oliver explained as they walked. "We're going to train earlier, harder, and longer."
The twins groaned from behind Cassi, and she chuckled as she glanced back at them.
"What-?" Oliver asked. "I don't believe it."
Cassi turned when hearing his annoyed tone, and she frowned when seeing the Slytherin team fully dressed in their uniforms and heading towards the pitch. The team followed Oliver as he walked towards Marcus Flint.
"Where do you think you're going, Flint?" Oliver asked.
"Quidditch Practice." Flint replied.
"I booked the pitch for Gryffindor today." Oliver said.
And Cassi didn't think sharing was an option. There isn't mock games for a reason. Especially between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
"Easy, Wood." Flint said. "I've got a note."
He held up a piece of rolled up parchment, and as Wood took it, Cassi exchanged a look with her fellow Chasers. This didn't look like it'd be ending well.
"I, Professor Severus Snape, hereby give the Slytherin team permission to practice today, owing to the need to train their new Seeker." Wood read off. "You've got a new Seeker. Who?"
The Slytherin team parted ways to reveal Draco, who had a smug look on his face. Cassi shook her head knowing Draco wasn't meant for Quidditch. He was too prissy. Not to mention it was sad how much like Harry he was trying to be. As if it was going to make him better or something.
"Malfoy?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"That's right." Draco said then looked to Cassi. "Scared, Cousin?"
"Not really." Cassi deadpanned. "You and your team go on and take today's practice slot. I have a feeling that this year will be an easy win for Gryffindor."
Draco scowled at Cassi as her teammates all laughed and chuckled. The twins pat her on the back as Oliver grinned down at her.
"I'm not all that's new this year." Draco said as if Cassi hadn't spoken.
The Slytherin team all showed their new broomsticks, and Cassi rolled her eyes. She's not impressed.
"Those are Nimbus 2001's." Ron, who had shown up with Hermione, said. "How did you get those?"
"A gift from Draco's father." Flint said smirking.
Cassi was not all surprised that Lucius had sent these broomsticks to the team. He had to ensure that Draco got on somehow considering he had no real talent for Quidditch.
"You see, Weasley, unlike some, my father can afford the best." Draco said.
"The broom doesn't make the flyer, Weasel." Cassi said. "The flyer makes the broom."
Draco once more scowled at Cassi, but she was never frightened of his scowls, so it did nothing to her.
"And at least no one of the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in." Hermione said. "They got in on pure talent."
Draco stepped up towards Hermione, and Cassi knew something bad was about to happen.
"Now one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood." Draco said.
Everyone, beside the Slytherins, gasped in shock at the audacity of Draco to use such a fowl word. Hermione looked as if she had been slapped.
"You'll pay for that one, Malfoy." Ron said as he raised his wand. "Eat slugs!"
He waved his wand at Draco, but the spell backfired right towards him. He went flying with all the Gryffindors, but Cassi, going to check on him. Ron slowly turned over with Hermione asking if he was alright. His reply was to throw up a slug onto the grass.
"Ew!" Angelina and Katie squealed as they leaned away.
Collin Creevy showed up at that moment to take a picture. He asked for Ron to be turned around, but Harry told him to get out of the way as he and Hermione picked up Ron who threw up another slug.
"Let's take him to Hagrid's." Harry suggested. "He'll know what to do."
Another slug came from Ron's mouth, and the two friends hurried past the Slytherin team to get Ron to Hagrid's hut. The Slytherins all laughed until Cassi, who had been boiling silently in rage, punched Draco right in the face.
"OH!" The Gryffindor team gasped as Draco hit the ground.
"Nice swing, Cas!" George called out.
Blood ran down Draco's chin onto his robes as Cassi stood over him with an enraged look on her face.
"If I ever hear such a foul word leave your mouth again, Draco Malfoy, I will do much worse to you." Cassi said then looked to Flint. "You better get him out of here, Flint, or you won't have a Seeker much longer."
Flint glared though he and one of the Chasers picked up Draco off of the ground.
"Just wait until my father hears about this." Draco spat at Cassi, and she had to step to the side to avoid the blood. "He won't let you get away with this."
"Your father can't do bullocks to me." Cassi growled. "Black beats Malfoy every time."
Draco glared at her then was dragged off towards the Hospital Wing. Cassi stood there a moment trying to calm down. The twins came to stand on either side of her.
"You know now we have to do something to get detention too, ya know." Fred said.
"Yeah, can't let you spend your evening alone." George said. "You'd go mad without our company."
Their teasing words didn't work as they had wanted since she was still glaring in the direction Draco went.
"I'll meet you later." Cassi said. "I want to check on Hermione before McGonagall comes for me."
"Want us to come with you?" George asked.
"No, I need to do this on my own." Cassi said. "Besides, don't you have your own trouble to get into?"
"Right." Fred and George said grinning.
Cassi nodded then went off to catch up to Harry, Hermione, and Ron. She walked down to Hagrid's hut. She made it to the hut, and she knocked on the door. A few seconds later Hagrid opened the door.
"Cassi, I wasn't expecting you." Hagrid said smiling kindly. "Of course, I wasn't expecting anyone today, but I appear to have a full house."
Cassi mustered up a grin to the kind half-giant who allowed her inside without even asking her why she was there. She saw Ron with his head in a bucket as Harry sat next to him. Hermione was standing to the side with some tears in her eyes.
"Cassi?" Harry asked. "Is Wood upset I left?"
"No, it wasn't like we could have practice anyway because of the Slytherins." Cassi said. "Not that they can have practice now either since I punched Draco in the face."
Mouths fell open in shock as Cassi held up her hand to show a bit of Draco's blood on her Quidditch glove.
"I think I broke the git's nose." Cassi admitted.
"Brilliant." Harry said smiling.
Cassi chuckled then turned her attention on Hermione who looked a bit cheered up to hear Draco got punched in the face.
"Hermione, I wanted to personally apologize for my cousin's behavior." Cassi said. "He had no right to use such a foul word."
Hermione seemed a bit shocked Cassi came all the way down to Hagrid's hut just to give her an apology for something Cassi didn't do.
"Purebloods like the Malfoy family...and even my parts of my family like to believe they are the 'upper class' of the Wizarding community." Cassi said. "However, I believe that anyone who could use such a cruel word has the lowest of class."
Hermione wiped at her eyes as Hagrid smiled at Cassi. She came from one of the most prestigious of pureblood families. The purist of the pure ever since the Middle Ages, and yet she was not prejudice. She treated people by how they act not by how they were born.
"Besides, the blood doesn't make the witch or wizard. You might be a muggle-born, but you have twice the talent of any pureblood in your year...and probably more than the third years above you. Just remember that the next time someone brings up your blood status." Cassi said to Hermione.
Hermione smiled a bit shyly at Cassi since she honestly admired the older girl. Yes, she got into trouble a bit much, but she tried her hardest in all of her classes. And she was kind and brave.
"Thank-you." Hermione said. "And I'm sorry if you get in trouble for hitting Draco."
"It's not your fault." Cassi said shrugging. "Weasel had it coming to him. I've been wanting to do that for years. Sure, McGonagall will give me detention, my mum will send me a letter scolding me, and I'll get an earful from uncle Lucius. Once, the prior two learn why I punched Weasel, McGonagall will give Draco detention too, and Mum will be proud of me for sticking up for a classmate. I can handle Uncle Lucius, so it's no big deal."
Cassi, who was now out of her Quidditch robes, stood in front of McGonagall's desk. The second Cassi had left Hagrid's hut, she went to change back into her school robes. After that, she walked herself to McGonagall's office. The Professor had been waiting for her.
"Miss Black, care to explain why you punched Mr. Malfoy in the face?" McGonagall asked.
"Yes, Professor, my cousin used a very foul word to Hermione Granger to describe her blood status." Cassi said without missing a beat.
McGonagall's eyes widened though she immediately knew what word Cassi was speaking of immediately. McGonagall schooled her expression.
"I understand why that would upset you, Miss Black, but punching Mr. Malfoy was not the way to handle that situation." McGonagall said. "Once he is released from the Hospital Wing, he will receive detention as you are about to."
Cassi nodded her head while completely ready to accept her punishment. She wasn't afraid of taking punishment.
"There will be many of you in detention tonight." McGonagall said. "So we will have to spread you out."
"Many, Professor?" Cassi asked.
"Yes, Mr. Potter and Mr. Ronald Weasley still have detention to finish for the car incident. Mr. Fred Weasley and Mr. George Weasley set off dung bombs outside the Potions room. You know what you are in trouble for, and then Mr. Malfoy will also be joining detention tonight." McGonagall said.
Cassi nodded her head. It seemed most of the students of Gryffindor house were just a gluttons for punishment. Then Draco's stupidity once again gets him a detention.
"Mr. Potter will be serving detention with Professor Lockhart." McGonagall said looking at a list she had in her hand.
Cassi grimaced feeling sorry for Harry. Cassi would rather clean the dungeons for two weeks straight than spend a detention with Lockhart.
"Mr. Ronald Weasley will be serving detention with Mr. Filch polishing trophies." McGonagall continued to read.
Cassi held back a grin. Ah, the trophy room. Cassi has such fond memories in the trophy room.
"Professor Snape requested you and the Weasley twins personally to scrub clean the cauldron's his first year class used today." McGonagall said. "However, Professor Sprout needs help in her Greenhouses, so I will send Mr. Fred Weasley there."
Cassi nodded her head while not surprised that Snape would request her personally.
"Mr. Malfoy will be serving detention with Madam Prince." McGonagall said. "She has many books that need reorganizing."
Cassi tried not to smirk, but it was hard considering she knew Draco would have to do that without the aid of magic.
"Report to Professor Snape three hours before dinner." McGonagall said.
Cassi nodded her head then left McGonagall's office after she was dismissed. Cassi knew she had an hour before having to go down to Potions classroom, which was in the dungeons, so she decided to go find the twins. She wanted to ask them how their prank went.
"You two will scrub all the cauldrons clean." Snape said glaring at the two fourth years in front of him. "You will not leave until all of them are clean enough to eat from, understand?"
"Yes, Professor." Cassi and George said in unison.
"No wands." He said.
He held out his hand to them, and they both handed their wands over. Cassi didn't like her wand being in Snape's slimy hands. Her wand is sensitive. It didn't like just anyone holding it.
"Get to cleaning." Snape ordered as he tossed them the cleaning supplies.
Cassi sighed while turning her head to look at the twenty or so cauldrons waiting to be cleaned. She and George got started under the watchful look of Snape. They worked in silence because they knew he'd only tell them to be quiet if he heard them talking. However, after the first hour passed, he left to go do whatever slimy gits do in their free time.
"You know I think he gets a sick satisfaction watching me work like this." Cassi said. "My dad did used to prank him out of poor boredom. This is probably the closest he'll get for revenge, and he's enjoy it."
George laughed though wouldn't be surprised if that was all true. They scrubbed for a few more minutes in silence with Snape still gone.
"What did those first years even made today?" George asked frowning as he tried hard to scrub the gunk off the inside of the cauldron.
"No idea." Cassi said. "All I know that whatever it was had to be nasty."
To back up what she was saying she held up the rag in hand that started out white, but was now completely black. It was also ripped up a bit from how hard she had been scrubbing. She tossed it to the side to the small pile of rags they've already ruined trying to clean these cauldrons. They've barely cleaned four a piece, and still had 22 cauldrons to go. She picked up a clean one to start scrubbing once again on her fifth cauldron.
"Wonder how Fred is doing." Cassi said. "I heard he was serving detention with Professor Sprout."
"Yeah, she's having him help her apply the flesh-eating slug repellent to the green houses." George said. "I heard they started with the school cabbages, but are now starting to eat up everything even the Mandrakes."
Cassi frowned thinking of those ugly plants. She wasn't fond of them after that one bit her. Of course, she got back at it by slapping it, which got her a night of detention. That stupid plant was just one big annoyance. She wished that her brown thumb killed the little bastard like it seems to do with all the other plants she touches.
"I bet that stinks...literally." Cassi said.
George snorted at her little joke, and Cassi grinned at him in return. She then winced when her hand was cut on the dry, rough gunk inside the cauldron. It had cut through the rag right into her hand. She held up her hand seeing it wasn't too deep. However, it probably wasn't going to stop bleeding for a while. Not to mention she has no idea what she just cut herself on. She knew it was dried out now, but she didn't like the thought of a mystery potion running inside her blood.
"You okay, Cassi?" George asked looking concerned.
"I cut my hand." Cassi said as she frowned at her hand.
George got up to walk over to her. He knelt down to look at her hand as blood dripped on the floor.
"Come on, we need to clean this up." George said as he held her stand up.
He kept one arm around her as his free hand gently held her wrist. He went over to the sink that was in the corner of the Potions classroom. He turned on the warm water then put her hand under it. She winced a bit though stood as still as possible. For some reason she felt a little warm with George's front pressed against her back as he helped her with her hand. She tried to ignore the feeling since she didn't completely understand it. She put it off by mentally saying it was only natural she felt warm since he was giving off his own body heat.
As George was cleaning off Cassi's hand, he took note that her hands were rather soft despite the years of using a broom. There was just a hint of roughness, but the rest was completely smooth. He never took notice before now. Once her hand was clean, he reached up into the cabinet above the sink that had the first aid kit. Cassi felt even warmer as he pressed against her a bit more when he had reached forward for the first aid kit. She did not understand why she felt like this.
George grabbed the first aid kit then disinfected the cut on her hand. He then got out some bandages. He turned Cassi toward him while taking her hand. Cassi watched as he wrapped up her hand. She chuckled because it was a bit sloppy. She only knew this because her mother taught her some basic medical knowledge incase Cassi ever found herself in need of the knowledge. Cassi didn't say anything though as she looked up at George's face, which was set in concentration. He tied it off once he was finished.
"Thank-you, George." Cassi said grinning up at him.
She kissed his cheek in gratitude. George felt his cheeks heat up, and he was glad for the dim lighting in the room.
"You're welcome, Cas." George said. "We better get back to work before Snape comes back."
Cassi nodded her head then went back to her cauldron. She picked up a new rag then more carefully stared to clean the cauldron. George watched her a moment with his lips twitching up in amusement when her nose wrinkled a bit as she concentrated on her task. He shook his head then went to continue cleaning as well. He really didn't want to miss dinner, which started in two hours. Of course, they could always go after hours into the kitchen like they always do whenever they miss dinner because of detention.
"Wonder how Weasel is enjoying his task of organizing the library?" Cassi murmured.
"He's probably cursing your name with Madam Prince shushing him every time." George said.
Cassi grinned looking happy to hear that. In fact, she was picturing Draco trying to put books back on the top self while balancing on a ladder. One little slip and SPLAT! Draco will be stuck in the Hospital Wing for a few months and away from her.
"Cas, why do I have the feeling your thinking of something a bit evil?" George asked.
Cassi smiled innocently over at her friend, but he knew better. Cassi was anything but an innocent girl. At least in one sense. George paused a moment in his scrubbing.
"Do you think Malfoy's father will try to have you expelled?" George asked.
"Definitely." Cassi said while not looking up. "He tried when I dumped those slugs on Draco last year. However, I am a Black. Coming from that family actually has a bit of perks."
George looked at Cassi curiously because he didn't completely understand.
"I am the last Black that is purely Black...well nearly pure Black. My father is more Black than me, but he's locked away." Cassi said. "People like me are like exotic rare beasts. No other pureblood family can say that they are purely of their family's blood. Yes, the Black family has fanned out through other pureblood families over the years, but our direct line as always been Black."
Cassi frowned because she will be the last of the Black family line because she can't carry the family name. The Black family was once the largest and one of the oldest pureblood family. Now, it was ready to die out, which is why people treat her as if she is glass...why they would give her anything she wanted. They knew she didn't want to follow pureblood tradition, so they are trying to bribe her...make her happy, so she will do as they want.
They wouldn't dare expel her because they would want her to have offspring (hopefully male) with Draco, and if they tick her off, she could say to hell with them and their marriage contract. If she and Draco had more than one son, one of them would take the name of Black to continue the line. She really hates Pureblood politics though they kept Lyra from being sent away completely from the family. Lyra hadn't been disowned for leaving the family as Sirius had been because she had something that the family could use...which was Cassi the last of the direct Black bloodline. Cassi's birth was the only thing that kept Lyra's face from being burned off the wall.
"They want to stay on my good side." Cassi said. "So, I will go along with what they want. So, that I will marry Draco, have children, and if any of them are male, they will take over the Black family name. The Ministry doesn't want the Black family to die out, but I am the last and will be the last pure Black. It's all politics."
George frowned with his gut tightening at the thought of Cassi marrying Draco only because people wanted children from their union that could carry on the Black name.
"They don't want me 'wasting' my genes with anyone less than a Black." Cassi said. "Draco is only half Black, but they will take that since they are desperate."
"But you're not going to marry him, are you?" George asked.
"I don't plan to." Cassi said. "Mum is trying to get me out of the contract, but uncle Lucius holds the contract. My grandmother knew that if she died, Mum would immediately drop the contract, so grandmother Walburga left the contract to uncle Lucius. If worse comes to worst, I'll run away as my father had done. Of course, he ended up marrying Mum in the end anyway, but because he loved her...not because some piece of parchment told him too."
If Cassi ever married someone it would be for love. She refused to marry because of a bloody piece of parchment.
"However, if the Ministry believes that I haven't made up my mind, they keep uncle Lucius off my back." Cassi said. "Dumbledore wouldn't expel me anyway. The Ministry can force him to, but they won't even if uncle Lucius demands for it to happen. Don't worry, George, you and Fred are stuck with me for a very long time."
Cassi grinned at George, and he grinned in return. They went back to work just as Snape returned. He glanced between the two, but they kept their heads down. He went to sit behind his desk as the two students exchanged smirks.
George and Cassi walked side-by-side towards the Great Hall. They finished right before dinner, and they were ready to fill their stomachs.
"Oi!"
The two paused to turn to look behind them. They saw Fred making his way towards them. Cassi waved at the other Weasley twin. He finally caught up to them.
"Have a fun detention with Sprout, brother?" George asked.
"The woman wouldn't stop telling me facts about all the different plants we were spraying down with fleshing-eating slug repellent." Fred said frowning. "I was ready to throw myself off the edge of the castle."
Cassi snorted in amusement while shaking her head at Fred's dramatics.
"What about you two?" Fred said. "I see you sustained an injury during your detention."
He picked up Cassi's bandaged hand to give it the once over. He knew his brother had to have wrapped it up because it was too messily done. Cassi's handiwork was much neater.
"I cut my hand on some of that dried gunk inside a cauldron." Cassi said then grinned at George. "Healer George was kind enough to take care of me."
George shrugged modestly as he scratched the back of his head. Fred chuckled as he released Cassi's hand. The three of them made it to the Great Hall to see that their teammates had left seats for them as they always did when the three of them got detention. Cassi plopped down beside Oliver who didn't even jump at her sudden arrival. George sat down on Cassi's other side as Fred sat between Katie and Angelina.
"What'd you do to your hand?" Oliver asked frowning.
"Oh, Oli, calm down." Cassi said patting his shoulder. "It's just a small cut. It wont' affect my game at all."
Oliver sighed though he trusted her enough to just nod his head. Still now wasn't the time for anyone of them to be getting hurt.
"What did you do though?" Katie asked with concern.
"Cut it on gunk stuck to the inside of the cauldron I was cleaning." Cassi said shrugging. "I haven't felt any odd affects, so I'm guessing that I will be alright."
"You guess?" Angelina asked with a quirked brow.
Cassi nodded her head not looking worried in slightest, which had Angelina, Katie, and Oliver all sighing. The twins just laughed. Everyone tucked into dinner while laughing about earlier today when Cassi punched Draco in the face. Said boy came into the Great Hall, and he threw a glare over at Cassi that she elected to ignore. A few minutes later Ron came into the Great Hall to take a seat beside Hermione.
"Ron, where's Harry?" Cassi asked curiously.
"Probably still answering fan mail with Lockhart." Ron said rolling his eyes. "I feel sorry for him really."
Cassi had to agree with him there. Spending time with Lockhart is one thing. Having to deal with his fan mail at the same time...she'd lose her mind. She shook her head then took a bite from her roast. Hmm, delicious as always. She really needed to personally praise those house-elves for their excellent cooking. They really were marvelous creatures. As dinner went on, Cassi laughed and joked with the twins as usual. What they didn't know was what would be waiting for them after dinner.
"I ate too much." Fred complained as they walked with the other houses towards the house dormitories.
"Same here, mate." George groaned.
Cassi rolled her eye at them as Oliver chuckled from where he was walking along her other side. However, the happy atmosphere vanished when everyone saw the Golden Trio standing in front of a wall that had words written in blood...and a frozen Mrs. Norris beside them. Everyone gathered around with teachers mixed in with the students. Collin put up his camera to take a picture, but Percy reached out to push the camera back down.
'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened.' The message read. 'Enemies of the Heir, beware.'
"Enemies of the Heir, beware." Draco read out loud then looked towards Hermione. "You'll be next, Mudbloods."
Cassi went to go throttle her cousin, but Oliver grabbed before she could. He didn't need one of his chasers getting hurt in a fist fight. Draco had his goons with him this time, and they were very large for their age. Not to mention Draco's entire house stood behind him. Cassi was a tough girl, but even she couldn't take on all of Slytherin house.
"What's going on here?" Filch asked as he pushed his way through the Gryffindors. "Go on. Make way, make way."
Cassi moved to the side to let Filch on through. She knew that once he saw his beloved Mrs. Norris that things weren't going to end pretty.
"Potter, what are you...?" Filch trailed off when seeing Mrs. Norris hanging on a hook on the wall frozen. "Mrs. Norris?"
Cassi frowned feeling sympathetic towards the caretaker since she knew how much Mrs. Norris meant to him. She was basically his only friend.
"You've murdered my cat." Filch said to Harry.
The second year boy tried to deny this, but Filch wasn't listening to him. Filch grabbed the front of Harry's robes to pull him close.
"I'll kill ya." He said. "I'll kill ya!"
"Argus!" A sharp tone filled the air.
Everyone looked seeing Dumbledore pushing his way to the front with McGonagall, Snape, and Lockhart behind him.
"Argus, I..." Dumbledore trailed off this time as he looked at the words on the walls. "Everyone will proceed to their dormitories immediately."
Everyone turned to leave with the twins stepping up to Cassi's side almost like bodyguards. They always looked out for their midget even if she could take care of herself.
"Everyone except," Dumbledore began getting everyone to pause. "You three."
He pointed at Harry, Ron, and Hermione as he said this. Cassi frowned wondering how they always seemed to be in the middle of this kind of trouble. She shook her head while following after the rest of her house.
"Tonight ended on a much more interesting note than anyone could have thought it would." Cassi said.
Random: Hope you liked the chapter~