Over the next month, Cassi learned a lot about the Order of the Phoenix. She was given a brief history of the previous Order, which had been disbanded for some time, and could name a few of the primary members. She knew that there were Order members all over the Ministry, even in the Minister's cabinet, among whom Kingsley was one of the best and most important. She was told that Harry was to know nothing of any of this, which upset her because she knew it would upset him, but she swore herself to secrecy along with the other teens.

She also learned, after a particularly traumatizing incident the day after she and the Weasleys arrived at Grimmauld, that one Severus Snape was also a member of the Order and would therefore be present for many of the Order's meetings. The best part? Oftentimes, Order members would stay after meetings for a home-cooked meal, mingling with the other occupants of the house who were not Order members. What a lovely turn of events.

Actually, Cassi couldn't decide if she meant that or not, because part of her wanted nothing more than to just move on and be normal for once - and falling in love with your professor did not fall under the category of 'normal' - but another part was cautiously hopeful that things would still work out, that things maybe weren't exactly what they seemed, that he might even still love her. What does one do in a situation like that?

The first time he arrived at Number 12, Grimmauld Place, he was wearing his usual sarcastic facade - being both irritating and irritated - blissfully unaware that one of the many banes of his existence was about to turn the corner ahead and crash into him. Each of them was striding a little too purposefully and confidently down their respective corridors, and then the inevitable collision happened, leaving Snape as speechless as he'd ever been. Her? Here, of all places? Just his luck, of course. Trying to shake off his surprise without letting anyone know that he'd been surprised, he gave her a sort of sneer and stalked past a crestfallen Cassi. It was quite obvious that he had no wish to repair their relationship. After retreating to spend a few hours in a small study on the third floor, she had composed herself enough to look herself in the eye and say, "You love him but he does not love you, so be content with having his acquaintance. He is a hero, and he deserves your respect and gratitude for his sacrifices." And for once, she could actually content herself with that. That night Snape did not stay for dinner.

The second time he came, he was prepared. Jumping every time someone new walked into the room, many people wondered what was going on with Snape. Cassi didn't wonder; she was prepared as well. Still, the way he avoided her like the plague stung a bit. But she wanted to show him that she had accepted his rejection, so she made sure not to avoid him. Whenever their eyes accidentally met, she made sure to respond to Snape's cold gaze with a small smile. That seemed to catch him off guard, and he would glance sharply at something else. That made her bandaged heart crack a little more each time, but she refused to give up.

She was rewarded for her efforts, though, on the third instance of their meeting. He was more subdued in his sneers and derogatory comments, and when he first came in he even nodded cordially to her! He still refused to hold conversation with Cassi, but she was so proud of his improvement she nearly gave him a hug.

The reason that Snape was being less frigid was this: He was starting to doubt himself. It had been easy to simply continue existing when he was not forced to experience her presence, but from the moment he saw her again, he began to remember why he had gotten involved in the first place. Was he really right to try to leave Cassi behind? Should he still try to be friends, at least? Was there any hope of his recovering in the end, or would he love Cassi forever as he did Lily? Or maybe, was his love for Cassi stronger than his love for Lily, and they were destined to be together? He had no answers, and so, he began to doubt.

Snape hadn't planned on being anything but distant to Cassi, but he found himself responding to her smiles. He found that he wanted to smile back; he refused to let himself. However, every now and then a kind gesture would slip out - a nod here, holding the door for her there - and before he knew it, he wanted to actually talk to her again! This privilege was also withheld. He wouldn't take that risk, the risk of saying things he didn't want to say or hearing things he didn't want to hear. So he decided to take the easy way out - wait and see whether it falls together or apart. Wait on Fate, and see if it has anything to give in return.

Snape forgot that Fate has a rather cruel sense of humor.