Bold*- parstletounge

Italics - thoughts

"Normal"- speech and narrative

Chapter 47: Time Flies

6/6/1994

~~~~~~~~~

After Christmas everything sort of all happened at once.

When the Slytherins had returned to school they had naturally got back into routine very quickly. They had talked about their holidays and on the train back to school Cassandra had shown them her animagus, telling them about how unique it was.

Of course lessons were the same, earning points for their house from the fair teachers, or being discriminated against for being Slytherins.

The quidditch team had been in uproar when they had found out Potter of all people had been gifted a firebolt. Flint had scheduled extra practices because of this, meaning Cass, Draco and Theo were extremely stressed.

Luckily though they thrashed Ravenclaw, Fred and George had managed to come over and congratulate her, for Cedric had rushed onto the pitch giving her a hug. (Slytherin had beaten Gryffindor as well a few months later, and once again won the quidditch cup.)

Cassandra then also had the opportunity to slip them a note to meet her in the Room of Requirement. Here the twins, Luna and the Slytherins had started a meditating group, for she was going to help them become animagi if it was the last thing she did.

Speaking of animals, after a few full moons of torture and pain a very tired and shabby looking Professor Lupin had finally come around - especially as Sirius had broken into the castle again. The werewolf had asked to speak to Cass about her work and just brokenly looked her in the eyes stating "I'm in."

———

It was the morning of the exams now and Cassandra recited everything she had learnt, trying not to focus on the inevitable death that Buckbeak would face in a few days time.

Whenever she had a moment alone she went down to his paddock to visit him and Fleetwing. She chatted to them, sometimes missing meals for speaking to the wonderful creatures. No one knew where she was of course, this was worrying to her friends - especially Draco for as the execution day drew nearer she grew quieter around him in particular.

A voice snapped her out of her thoughts, "I honestly don't know why you're reciting things Cass you're the smartest person in our year!"

Cassandra smiled, "thank you Vince but one can never be to careful! If one gets cocky they will be more likely to fail or misjudge/miss something!"

"Wise words Cassie-bear!" Blaise stated swinging his arm round her. Cassandra groaned, ever since she had been able to transform he had been calling her 'Cassie-bear' for his favourite form was the little black bear cub that Astoria had asked her to change into.

It was sometimes quite funny though, as when anyone else called it her he got extremely upset and yelled at them that it was his word and not theirs.

Cassandra had her Transfiguration exam that morning and to McGonagal's dismay she did perfectly if she did say so herself. There was a free period also, when Pansy and Blaise had their Arithmancy exam, that she used to study for the after lunch exams.

Charms went by without a fuss in the afternoon and then everyone began to cram for the next day.

———

7/6/1993

Care Of Magical Creatures was unworrying as Cassandra was fascinated by the subject, always had been, meaning she had done a lot of free study on the class already. So that morning exam came and went.

Severus had smiled at Cass's potion that afternoon before walking over to Potter and looking at the boy in disbelief. Cassandra had smirked for she saw her godfather write what looked like a zero on his notepad.

Then came Astronomy at midnight, up on the tallest tower. Cassandra didn't struggle one bit as, being of Black bloodline, she could name every star, constellation and planet in a heartbeat!

———

8/6/1993

History of Magic went by pretty well the next morning, and in the afternoon Herbology gave them all sunburns and muddy hands, faces and hair but Cass was confident both her and her friends did a good job.

———

9/6/1993

On Thursday morning, the day of Buckbeaks death, was the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam. Professor Lupin had compiled the most unusual and coolest exam, it was an obstacle course outside in the grounds of the castle. They had to wade across a deep paddling pool containing a Grindylow, cross a series of potholes full of Red Caps, squish their way across a patch of marsh while ignoring misleading directions from a Hinkypunk, then climb into an old trunk and battle with a new Boggart.

When Cassie reached the Boggart it did not turn into what it had previously, instead it took the form of a beheaded Hippogriff. Luckily for her she managed to get rid of it and as she exited the trunk, slightly shook up, Remus smiled at her, "excellent, full marks!"

Cassandra waited for the others and together they all made their way back to the castle. On the top of the steps was a sight that made Cass pale and Theo grab her hand in comfort. In all honesty he didn't know why he did it, he normally left it to Blaise like the others, but he just felt he needed to.

The group watched Cornelius Fudge as he stood there staring out at the grounds. He glanced at them.

"Hello there, you must be Lucius's son!" he said looking at Draco. "Just had an exam, I expect? Nearly finished?"

"Yes sir only one left, though Theo, Blaise, Daphne and Cass have Ancient Runes too," said Draco respectfully. "We are extremely humbled and pleased to meet you!"

"Well thank you my boy! It's a lovely day, isn't it? Pity...pity..."

He sighed deeply and looked down at them. Glancing at Cassandra as she muttered sadly, "it really is!"

"You know why I'm here then? The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures required a witness to the execution of a mad Hippogriff. Surely you aren't upset about it? Your friend young Mister Malfoy was seriously injured and could have been killed!"

Cassandra glared at Draco, unbeknownst to Fudge, before smiling politely at the Minister. "I am well aware of what the creature did to my cousin sir, I just find the death of any animal upsetting - especially if it is not when nature intended it to happen."

"Cousin? Oh you must be Miss Riddle, Lucius has told me about you of course, always fighting for the animals, your friends and family he said - I can see what he means now."

A wizard suddenly came through the castle doors behind him. He was around his forties and dressed in black.

Cassandra paled as she saw that A) she knew him and B) he was holding a large axe.

"Hello Walden," she stated politely as Theo and Blaise had to discreetly move closer to her to hold her up - for her legs were going weak at the sight.

The man nodded respectfully to her, he was after all in the presence of his Lords daughter.

"Ah Macnair! I didn't know you knew each other, probably through Lucius am I right? Yes, well let's leave the kids to get to the exams and say hi to Harry, I saw him just a second ago. Goodbye!"

The men made their way towards Potter and entourage whilst the group split off.

Now with the smallest hope that Buckbeak might get to live Cass skipped all the way to Ancient Runes and smiled the whole way through the test.

Divination was the last exam of the day. Trelawney was seeing them all separately and Cassandra was relieved when she finally got called in, she just wanted to forget about exams and focus on the execution.

When Cass climbed the ladder she was hit with a wave of heat. The curtains were closed, the fire was alight, and the usual sickly scent made her cough. She gracefully made her way to the table where Professor Trelawney sat waiting in front of a crystal ball.

"Good day, my dear," she said softly. "If you would kindly gaze into the Orb...Take your time, now...then tell me what you see within it..."

Cassandra gazed into the white fog. Suddenly images began emerging.

"I see a werewolf, he's approaching three figures - like he's going to attack!"

"Indeed?" whispered Professor Trelawney, scribbling keenly on the parchment perched upon her knees. "My dear that is very interesting, especially as tonight is the full moon. Is there anything else?"

"Another figure has appeared, he looks older than the others. He's facing the wolf wand drawn and... now a dog has attacked it? It just came out of nowhere..."

Professor Trelawney smiled. "Well done dear, I think we'll leave it there. You did very well Miss Riddle!"

Relieved, Cassandra got up. Picking up her bag she made her way back to the trapdoor, climbing down it.