Bold*- parstletounge
Italics - thoughts
"Normal"- speech and narrative
Chapter 38: Training
22/6/1993
~~~~~~~~~
"You can do it Cass!" Stated Narcissa for what seemed like the hundredth time that day.
"Expecto Patronum!" A white whisp erupted from her wand, vanishing after a few minutes.
"Better! Again!"
———
23/6/1993
"You need a happier memory!" Stated Narcissa as the same thing happened as the day before. "What were you thinking of?"
"Slytherin finally winning the house cup like we're meant to! Without Dumbledores bias!"
"It's strong, don't get me wrong, but it needs to be stronger!"
———
24/6/1993
"Have you thought of a happier memory yet?"
Cassandra lowered her head, "no, when I try all I can seem to think of is Gem being slaughtered which clouds my mind and I can't think of anything..."
———
25/6/1993
"I have an idea that may help!" Said Narcissa as Cass failed once again to form a Patronus. "Use your occlumency skills, it should block out any unwanted thoughts. Find your inner peace - or at least part of it! This will help you with your animagus training when you start it also!"
"Okay Aunt Cissa!"
"Come back in a few days and try again!"
———
7/7/1993
"What do you want to show us Cassandra?" Asked her Uncle Lucius as she dragged him, her father and Severus into the training room where Bellatrix and Narcissa were already waiting.
She smirked and gestured for them to sit as she took centre stage. They obliged.
She closed her eyes and let her happy memory fill her mind. It was of her on the train home last year, in Blaise's arms, Luna in hers. Glancing at Daphne and Astoria and feeling at peace. Feeling as if they were her family.
This was the memory that had done it and she smiled as it filled her up with warmth.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" She yelled. A falcon burst out of her wand, flying around the room. It swooped and soared over her family's heads.
They cheered as it perched on her shoulder, bowing it's head, before vanishing into thin air.
Tom ran up and hugged his daughter. "That was incredible! I'm so proud!"
"A falcon, eh?" Lucius smirked, "That which appears when you need higher knowledge or clarity in finding the best solutions to your problems. Kind of fitting considering it's used to ward of dementors don't you think?"
The others in the room laughed. Cassandra looked curious, "what else does my Patronus mean?"
"The falcon symbolises victory, success, and rising above challenging situations. At its core, however, the falcon signifies wisdom, vision, and protection. It is said to bring you closer to your life goals." Stated Narcissa.
"It also tells you that you need to strategize or calculate your moves to achieve those goals." Continued Lucius.
"Additionally it means that conquering challenges is easy for you. That you recognise you are in charge, and are determined to master anything that comes into your space. It shows you will use precise selectivity and careful judgment to find what is important to you."
"It can also symbolize personal freedom," Severus began. "It is letting you know that although you may perceive things differently, you are always free to make your own choices in life."
Cassandra beamed. She had loved her Patronus already, but now that it symbolised she was a badass independent woman who knows what she wants and can conquer any challenge, it made her feel elated and more confident in herself.
———
31/7/1993
Cassandra was meditating in her room, trying to concentrate on finding her mindscape to help with her animagus training, when Draco burst in. "Cass! Cass! Cass!"
"What Draco!"
"Look! Expecto Patronum!" A dragon erupted from her cousins wand, flying around the room and breathing fire - not that it did anything.
"Oh my gosh Draco that's amazing! I'm honestly not surprised that you got a dragon - it's the meaning of your name for Merlins sake!"
Her cousin just grinned and they went out onto the Quidditch pitch, Cassandra casting her Patronus as she went - them both being guarded by the playful creatures as they practiced scoring and catching the snitch.
