I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter Fifty The Wrath of Cassiopeia Black

"You blew up the gates?" repeated Dumbledore, slowly.

Cassiopeia tilted her head, "Yes, I blew them up. Quite spectacularly. Are you having trouble with your hearing in your old age, Dumbledore?"

McGonagall half-rose from her seat, "Madam Black, I really must protest-"

Caroline recognised the woman who had delivered Maia to her eleven years ago and fixed her with a glare. Her voice cold, she said very calmly, "As Maia's mother, I find that I must protest. I demand to know the circumstances which led to my daughter's current incapacitation, the steps which will be taken to revive her and the measures you will now put in place to protect the rest of the study body, and to prevent other parents and families from enduring the suffering with which I am currently afflicted."

"All the same-"

Professor Snape raised his hand and cut McGonagall off, "Minerva, I am afraid some of the blame must lie with me," he said smoothly, "I was aware that the Blacks would be coming, I simply failed to anticipate their level of urgency and speed. Perhaps, Madam Black and Mrs. Black, you will be so kind as to allow me to escort you to see Miss. Black? I am sure you will be able to address you concerns to the Headmaster once he is satisfied that all his security measures" Snape's lip curled unpleasantly, but the emotion vanished as quickly as it appeared, "remain intact."

He rose from his seat, his face blank as his dark eyes scanned the hall. If only the brats were usually this attentive. He inclined his head to Cassiopeia as he stepped down from the raised dais to join them. He offered his arm to Caroline, closing his eyes momentarily but suppressing any other response, and led them towards the Hospital Wing.

As the doors swung shut behind them, the Great Hall broke out into loud discussion.

...

Severus Snape glanced at the woman on his elbow. He kept his disdain hidden from his features, but he felt it nonetheless. This woman was one of the few muggles ever to set foot in Hogwarts and he couldn't help but feel disapproving.

And yet, he knew that his attitude was not wise. She had married into one of the most powerful wizarding families in the British Isles and her daughter was its next Heir. Severus Snape had, throughout his life, felt the lowness of his birth. He had felt his mother's mistake throughout his life.

The Half-Blood Prince.

The Prince family was not particularly noted, but it was enough for him to be accepted within Slytherin House. It was the first place that he had been welcomed and accepted in his whole life. It was his first real home. He made friends there – real friends – who paved the way for him. They bought him back into the magical fold.

Lucius Malfoy had been a prefect in his first year, and had taken him under his wing. He owed his loyalty to Lucius and by extension his family; first the Malfoys, and then the Blacks. It had not been hard to give, at first, while they were still in school. As the years went by, he found that they demanded more of him, more of his morality, at the expense of his better judgement and better nature.

But that was his mistake.

Lily

He pushed the thought away. She had also been his friend, but he had lost her through his own stupidity, his inability to hold his tongue, and his misguided loyalty to the Dark Lord.

Lucius had been misguided as well.

Most of the others had been more than misguided.

He doubted, however, that Lucius had the real strength to step away from the Dark Lord's service. Lucius was dancing on a double-edged sword. He was pirouetting between the Dark and the Light and when push came to shove he could easily fall victim to either side.

Severus could not judge him harshly. Severus had nobody to protect but himself, as he had lost the only person he had ever held dear.

Lily

Lucius still had to protect his family and his position. He would not pick until his hand was forced. If Lucius wanted to turn to the Light, he would not do so unless he was sure his family were safe from the Dark Lord's wrath. If he wanted to turn to the Dark, he would not show his true colours until the Dark Lord had returned. Until either of those moments came, Lucius would dance and dance and dance.

He knew the Lucius was on his way. He had floo-called his friend as soon as Maia Black had been discovered. His reaction later would be interesting to watch. It always was.

Severus had struggled to hide his own horror when he saw her frozen, unseeing body. He did not like any of his students, but he always attached a certain value to his snakes, even if he preferred to hold them at a distance. He did not want the children knocking on his door all hours of the day and night, sniffing and crying. However, his snakes were his snakes and he would always come through for them in the end. That was why he had even gone to the Common Room to reassure them.

And, as well as Maia being one of his students, she also fell into that rare category of students which he was vaguely inclined to value. They were usually came from old families and were usually Slytherins. They were among the few of the brats in these old walls who could be trusted to sit up straight, in silence and not speak out of turn.

While Maia's grades were very good, her knowledge was largely hard-gained and had been instilled into her with the order that a good daughter of the House was always well-informed and well-read. In that respect, she was not brilliant, she was merely well-trained. However, in the field of potions she displayed a genuine level of talent and ability. He did not want one of his best – Severus Snape did not really have favourites – students falling behind because someone had taken it into their head to pretend to be Slytherin's Heir.

They had made their way through the corridors – Mrs. Black had been unsurprised by the portraits, ghosts and moving staircases, though she had visited before for the Quidditch match – and now Severus Snape pushed open the door to the Hospital Wing.

...

Instantly, Madam Pomfrey rushed forward, "Severus, you told me that the Blacks would not be arriving until tomorrow." She admonished.

"I merely advised that they would arrive tomorrow, I gave you no direct confirmation either way."

Cassiopeia sneered at the bustling woman as she and Caroline quickly made their way to Maia's bedside. Maia's unchanging expression, if anything, was one of annoyance. It was as if she had realised in the seconds before her Petrification what was about to happen to her and felt the fate to be beneath her. Cassiopeia was secretly rather proud that she had schooled her niece so well that even in her weakest moments she was as proud and disdainful as a Black should be. She took one of Maia's frozen hands in her own. It was so cold.

This attack was not life threatening – Cassiopeia knew that – but she got no joy from seeing her niece and Heir in this state. It didn't cloud her judgement; she was not about to idolise Maia just because she was on her sickbed, but she did slightly regret her harsh words at the Quidditch match and that morning. Perhaps, when she was awoken, they could discuss matters and set everything right.

It was natural for a child to lose their first duel. Her loss was unfortunate, but Maia could challenge the Finnegan creature in the future – when she had been trained – and avenge the dishonour. And she was a child, still, with a stubborn streak. In time she could be talked out of the Quidditch nonsense.

In fact, all her fury was now directed towards Albus Dumbledore. How dare the man allow a daughter of the House of Black to be attacked?

She would make him pay.

...

Caroline clutched her heart as she slowly sat down in the chair next to Maia's bed. Her rage hadn't subsided in the slightest, but now, rather than being blind and incontrollable, it simply burned steadily.

She closed her eyes and brushed a few strands of hair out of Maia's face. She remembered when Maia was just a baby, and she'd sat for hours watching her sleep. She'd realised then that she loved the child so much. There were no words for it. All those love songs she and Marius had danced to when they were young had suddenly taken on a new meaning. It wasn't just the love of a partner that filled her life; it was love of a child. A baby.

Unconditional love.

No strings attached.

Oh, her poor, poor baby.

But Maia would get better, and until then she would dedicate herself to ensuring that no other parent had to go through this as well.

Caroline looked around the ward, and it suddenly struck her as extremely odd that they were the only parent's who had come to visit their children.

What was it Maia had said when she'd first written home about the attacks, that muggleborns were being targeted? Surely the muggle parents were not being prevented from seeing their children? No, it was uncountable. Surely not?

She turned to see that Cassiopeia was in deep discussion with Maia's Head of House. She turned to Maia and stroked her hair again. Cassiopeia would tell her about it later. For now, she had no desire to leave her daughter's side.

Then Albus Dumbledore, along with Minerva McGonagall, entered the room. The two people who had delivered her darling daughter to her, charging her with her protection, were now the two who she blamed – along with the attacker – for her daughter's vulnerability and incapacitation.

"The wards are all in order, though the gate will take some repairing." Caroline did not have to turn to know Cassiopeia was smirking, "Miss. Black's friends are waiting outside, if you wish, we can continue this discussion in my office. They are most desirous to see their friend." Began Professor Dumbledore calmly.

"Perhaps that would be best." Added McGonagall.

Caroline glanced towards the door and imagined how much this must pain poor Draco, and the rest of Maia's friends and cousins.

"No, they can wait. I taught them patience." Snapped Cassiopeia. "I have been conversing with Professor Snape and I find that neither of us are satisfied with your security arrangements."

Dumbledore nodded, "We have had little information to go on. I am as distressed as you are."

"And you are also responsible."

"Cassiopeia Black, I suggest you watch your tone." Said McGonagall briskly, drawing herself up to her fullest height.

"I suggest you watch yours. Your school ma'am tone does not work on a woman twenty years your senior. That's when we exclude the fact that I am superior to you in so many other ways that to count them would be arrogant."

Dumbledore raised his hand, "Minerva, the Blacks have every right to take whichever tone they choose. All of us must, at all times, realise that we have failings and that we make mistakes. I can do little to stop the attacker, as we have no idea as to who might be the guilty party. That magic involved is certainly beyond the capabilities of any student, and as for the staff-"

"So, have you begun to vet them after one had the Dark Lord sticking out the back of his head for nine months?"

Dumbledore's pale blue eyes flashed for a moment, but his face remained calm and blank, tinged with the requisite amount of sorrow, "Madam Black, I have complete faith in all of my staff. The events of last year will not be repeated. I will not allow myself to be duped again." He looked away, knowing full well that he had risked too much last year. He had wanted Harry to go after the Stone, but he thought that he had matters in hand. He did not think that Quirrell could pose such a threat. He had been blind and foolish. Harry was still a boy and Tom was dangerous. He would not forget that again.

The weight of his years hung heavily on Albus Dumbledore's shoulders.

"Our arguments are getting us nowhere."

Dumbledore looked up in surprise to see that Caroline had spoken. He smiled weakly at her. As soon as he had met her, all those years ago, he had been overwhelmed by her openness and kindness. She was the role model Maia needed. It was a shame that she had not been strong enough to hold back the influence of Cassiopeia. "I agree with you, Mrs. Black."

"I stand by what I said before, your security measures – or lack thereof – disgust me. If you cannot trace the attacker, I insist that you call in the Ministry of Magic. It is not enough that you urge caution in your students. If the magical threat is so advanced, then what hope does an eleven or twelve year old have? I demand that all students are escorted to their classes by teachers, who, one hopes, have the ability to defend them."

Minerva looked towards Caroline for the first time, taken somewhat aback. In her experience, she had never known a muggle accept and understand their world so quickly. She was also struck by the memory of the complete adoration she had seen on Caroline's face, the day she had first handed her Maia. There was no doubt in Minerva McGonagall's mind that she loved that child as her own flesh and blood. She could not imagine Caroline's pain.

Severus Snape inclined his head, "I quite agree with Mrs. Black." He said smoothly. In fact, he did, as he had no desire for more of his snakes to end up Petrified in the Hospital Wing because they had the misfortune to be alone with a muggleborn. That, and Cassiopeia Black had just assured him that he would regret it for the rest of his days if he did not agree with every word the Blacks said.

"As do I." Said Dumbledore.

"Those are not all the recommendations we will give you, Headmaster." Said Cassiopeia, coldly, "I will exert all my influence to secure the future safety of my Heir whilst she resides within these walls."

"Of course."

Just then, the doors swung open once more and the matron rushed forward, "Headmaster, I really must protest, my patients-"

"-Are completely unaware of their surroundings." Snapped Lucius Malfoy. Madam Pompfrey backed away as he entered the room. "I came as soon as I heard." He said, turning to Cassiopeia and then to Caroline, before quickly turning away from the latter.

"I respect your diligence, Mr. Malfoy." Said Dumbledore, his eyes momentarily losing their sorrow, replaced with something else entirely.

"Thank you, Headmaster. When my family is distressed, I must attend to them."

"Then we shall leave you."

The Headmaster and McGonnagall left, and the potions master made to go with them. Lucius called Severus back, and the trio of former Slytherins slipped to a far corner of the room, conversing in hushed tones.

Caroline remained at Maia's bedside, stroking her hair over and over again.

...

Lucius Malfoy strode out of the Hospital Wing, his cane rapping on the floor with every step he took. He glanced towards the opposite wall, where a cluster of students in Slytherin robes stood. He was surprised. He had expected only the cousins to be there, but he recognised both the Nott boys, and Hamish Pucey's son. Queenie Greengrass was there, holding her sister's hand. That alone might have explained her presence, but it did not explain the rest of the children, some of whom he could not place.

Perhaps he had underestimated the girl. She certainly had something about her. It was not only Cassiopeia who she had captivated.

He was gratified to see his son jump to attention the moment he caught his eye.

"Come with me, Draco." He said, his voice ice-like.

Draco followed his father, trying to hide his hesitation.

...

Severus escorted Caroline and Cassiopeia through the corridors and opened the wall for them. A number of Cassiopeia's former students instinctively sat up and straightened their attire. An even greater number of the students stood up, bowing and curtseying as the trio passed. Caroline was pleased her daughter had been living with such well-brought up, well-mannered children. It was sweet, the way her friends and cousins had waited to see Maia. It bought Caroline some comfort.

Severus directed them to Maia's dorm room. It was surprisingly tidy, given that three twelve year olds were sharing the room, but then, they were all such good girls.

Cassiopeia began to stack the books into the trunk, pleased that what was still in there was neatly folded. She frowned at a number of the library books Maia was reading – Hairy Snout, Human Heart was a load of leftish propaganda. But then, the poor girl could not help but read what she was assigned. Cassiopeia resolved to have a discussion with Maia on the importance of blood purity once she awoke. Muggle blood could be overlooked and overcome, animal blood could not.

Caroline sat down on Maia's bed and tried to tempt Askella into her cage. She covered her eyes and cried for the first time since she had found out.

What had she ever done to deserve all of this?

...

Reviews would be wonderful! Thank you for everyone who has reviewed, followed or added this story to favourites so far. It really means a lot to know that you're enjoying the story.

I think this was one of my weaker chapters, but there were so many viewpoints I wanted to show and it's the first time Dumbledore, McGonagall and Caroline have been in the same room and there are so many secrets! I mean, Cassiopeia knows, but nobody knows she knows. Lucius knows there was an Annie Black, but thinks she's dead. Dumbledore, Caroline and McGonagall all know, so they have this 'undertone' to everything they say, and poor Snape has no idea!