Bold*- parstletounge
Italics - thoughts
"Normal"- speech and narrative
Chapter 51: The Match And The Attack
25/8/1994
~~~~~~~~~
Once the Ministry witch had checked their tickets they started walking up the huge flight of stairs to the top box. Cassandra nudged the twins, "boys you're not as outgoing as normal, what's wrong?"
She heard a faint, "don't act like you know them," from Ron behind her but ignored it as she looked expectingly up at the twins.
"Mum dumped a load of the sweets we invented in the bin even though it took us six months to make them! When we leave Hogwarts we have big plans and we wanted to develop them and sell them so we could get money to do those plans" Fred stated with a sigh.
Cassandra smiled, "well I would have no trouble investing into whatever it is your doing, I'm always happy to help a friend!"
Ron Weasley then barged through, "shut up Riddle!! Firstly you aren't friends, secondly there's no way that your precious Uncle or mother would let you do that and thirdly shut the hell up you snakey bitch!" ("Ron!" Granger stated appalled.)
Before she even knew what was happening Cedric had pounced on Ron, Cassandra accidentally being knocked to the ground in the process. Fred and George were struggling to pull him back so the two oldest Weasley brothers had to join in. Together they managed to pull the boy off their brother. He was looking at Cedric with absolute hatred.
Cass saw a hand above her and as she took it he pulled her up. She looked at the person and saw Bill Weasley, he smiled and asked politely, "are you okay?" She nodded and she felt him slip a note into her hands.
As everyone was focused on Ron's broken nose Cassandra was able to read it without anyone noticing.
I have considered your proposal and, like my younger brothers, I wish to be reinstated into the proper pureblood ways. I will support you and your cause when the time comes. The twins told me everything and it would be an honour to serve you and your father My Lady.
She smiled at him and he lowered his head respectfully.
After Mr Weasley fixed Ronalds nose and Cassandra fixed Cedric's bruised fist they continued up to their seats.
As she passed the raging redhead she whispered to him menacingly, "I am their friend wether you like it or not and, for your information Weaslebee I don't need permission and, unlike you, I have enough money on my own to do whatever I want with it - and if that's helping my friends out then that's that!"
———
The group soon found themselves in a small box, set at the highest point of the stadium and about twenty four purple chairs stood in two rows behind one another, an isle in between.
Cassandra made her way to the front row. Narcissa seated herself next to Cass, it was then Draco and then Lucius. On Cassandra's other side was Cedric and then the twins. The other Weasleys filled up the other chairs that were on the twins' side.
Hundreds of thousands of witches and wizards were also taking their seats, as advertisements flashed on the huge blackboard opposite the top box.
Cassandra looked around the box and, sat on the row behind them was a shaking house elf. She got up, getting funny looks from everyone, and made her way too it.
She knelt before it with a smile. It seemed to sense someone was before it as it looked up at Cass with startled brown eyes.
"Hello there little one, what's your name?"
"My name is Winky missus." Said the elf slightly bowing her head.
"Nice to meet you Winky, I'm Cassandra, Cassandra Riddle."
She could have sworn she heard a sharp intake of breath from the seat next to the elf, but dismissed it quickly, for no one was sat there.
"Are you okay? You look incredibly frightened."
"Sorry missus, I is scared of heights, I is, but I's have to save a seat for master, Winky does!"
"Who is your master?"
"Barty Crouch missus."
Cassandra paled slightly as she was reminded of her Uncles death in Azkaban a few years ago. She shook her head and looked back at the elf.
"Well, I'm afraid I can't do much. However, my house elf is afraid of the dark but whenever she's scared something always helps."
"What's that missus?"
Cassandra didn't reply, instead chose to gather the elf up into her arms giving her a big squeeze. Winky gradually relaxed into the hug and stopped shaking. After a few minutes they pulled away.
"Thank you missus, I feel a lot better now, Winky does!"
She smiled at her, bidding her goodbye before going back to her seat. Everyone was watching her. The Malfoys, who knew how much Cassandra loved animals to be treated, were trying to keep in their laughter as they watched everyone's dumbstruck faces.
Cedric smiled fondly at the girl he liked but couldn't tell. "That was extremely sweet Cass!"
The twins nodded in agreement but the Riddle just shrugged, "they deserved to be treated with the upmost respect, even if they do serve us that gives us no reason to mistreat them!"
Narcissa smiled at how the Hufflepuffs eyes softened as he looked at her niece with adoration and... love?
———
Soon the top box was full, Lucius having introduced Cassandra to very influential people, proudly stating she was at the top of her year at Hogwarts and could produce a corporeal patronus since before school last year.
Cass had spoken to the Bulgarian Minister in his own native tongue and had laughed when he had stated he was pretending to not know English to mess with Fudge.
Lucius had been praised, much to the ire of the Weasleys, for his incredible donation to St. Mungo's and then, suddenly, they were all back in their seats with Ludo Bagman welcoming them all to the final of the four hundred and twenty-second Quidditch World Cup.
Everyone screamed and clapped, the blackboard now showing BULGARIA - 0, IRELAND - 0.
"And now, without further ado, allow me to introduce...the Bulgarian National Team Mascots!"
Cassandra leant over the barrier to get a look at what they were, but a pair of hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her back.
"Easy darling, we can't have you falling off!" Stated Cedric earning a look of praise from Narcissa, before she turned to hit her husband and son on the back of their heads for they were staring at the Bulgarian mascots hungrily.
The Bulgarians had brought Veela, meaning every man in the stadium was drooling and thinking of jumping from their seats down into the stadium below. Cissa looked back to see how Cass was doing controlling her crush but got a shock when she saw her and Cedric staring into each others eyes.
She grinned, this boy really was something.
The Veela had danced and danced, and when they stopped angry yells filled the stadium. Cassandra and Cedric broke their connection and she looked up at her aunt.
"Those veela remind me of Blaise, it's such a shame he couldn't come isn't Aunt Cissa? But I suppose his mothers - what was it?"
"26th Cassandra."
"Ah, yes. I suppose his mothers 26th wedding was more important." She stated sarcastically with an eye roll.
"Now Cassie sweetie, don't be making fun of Alora now - you know what she's like, you just be there for Blaise and everything will be fine!" Narcissa stated, ending the conversation quickly as she realised that Cedric looked extremely upset at the mention of Cass's half-veela friend.
It was then she realised why he hadn't asked her niece out yet - he thought she was dating Blaise! It was quite absurd really but Cissa had to agree that the two were exceptionally close and to outsiders it could look like they were a couple.
Ludo Bagman's voice brought them back to the match. "And now, kindly put your wands in the air...for the Irish National Team Mascots!"
Next moment, what seemed to be a great green-and-gold comet came zooming into the stadium. It did one circuit of the stadium, then split into two smaller comets, each hurtling toward the goal posts. A rainbow arced suddenly across the field, connecting the two balls of light.
"Wow look at that!!" Yelled the twins as the rainbow faded and the balls of light merged, forming a giant shamrock that began to soar over the stands.
Looking closer Cass saw that it was actually comprised of thousands leprechauns. She rolled her eyes as on the other side of the box she saw Ron piling the Galleons that they dropped.
However, she would pay any money to see the look on his face when he realised it had all disappeared.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, kindly welcome - the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team! I give you - Dimitrov! Ivanova! Zograf! Levski! Vulchanov! Volkov! Aaaaaaand - Krum!"
Cassandra joined in the cheering and continued through the introduction of the Irish team.
"And now presentingg...Connolly! Ryan! Troy! Mullet! Moran! Quigley! Aaaaaand - Lynch!"
———
The match was amazing, both teams were incredible but in the end Krum was the better Seeker, however he was no match for the Irish chasers who secured their team the win.
"Vell, ve fought bravely," said the Bulgarian Minister of Magic from behind them.
"You can speak English!" said Fudge, sounding outraged. "And you've been letting me mime everything all day!"
"Vell, it vos very funny," he said winking at Cass as she laughed, having known the whole time.
"And as the Irish team performs a lap of honor, flanked by their mascots, the Quidditch World Cup itself is brought into the Top Box!" roared Bagman.
Cassandra looked up excitedly to see the Quidditch Cup getting carried into the box, followed by the Bulgarian team.
As Bagman called out the name of each player they shook hands with their own minister, then with Fudge. Krum, who was last in line, looked a real mess. Two black eyes were blooming spectacularly on his bloody face. He was still holding the Snitch.
Cassandra rolled her eyes at the poor medical care the most famous seeker in the Wizarding Wold had received. She stepped forward, the Bulgarian Minister stopped the bodyguards of the team from stopping her, looking curiously as the kind girl he had chatted too raised her wand at Krum.
She waved it and the black eyes vanished, she fixed his broken nose and cleared the blood from his face.
Everyone looked at her in shock. Krum felt his nose and looked at her, "vank you...?"
"Cassandra, Cassandra Riddle."
"Vank you Vassandva, you ave done me vell; I vill remebver vis!"
She just smiled and turned towards Aidan Lynch, as he entered with the Irish team, waving her wand at him healing him aswell.
The boy grinned at her, thanking her by removing his Quidditch top, leaving him in his padded undershirt. He took out a pen and signed it, getting his team members to aswell. Cassandra pulled it on over her dress and went to stand back next to Cedric, grinning as he grabbed her waist and pulled her (jealously) into his side.
Narcissa glanced at the two knowingly whilst the Irish team lifted the cup in the air in triumph.
As they made their way back to their tents Cass sent a note to Fred, George and Bill.
Be careful, be safe and get out.
———
As soon as they entered their tent they were met with several people in Death Eater robes, including Remus and Severus. Cassandra went up and hugged them before going into the other room and reluctantly changed out of the Irish seekers top and into her own robes, grabbing her mask. She called Emerald and asked her to take her things back to the manor.
Cass then went back and addressed the group. "Wreak havoc, have fun and don't get caught. And remember, I'm casting the mark!"
And with that they pulled their masks down, grabbed their wands and headed out. Draco, as he was not an actual Death Eater yet, was tasked with riling Potter up; however both Narcissa and Lucius were joining them in the attack.
As Cassandra exited the tent she felt a calmness wash over her. Waving her wand a protection charm surrounded the peacocks - she knew her Uncle would be devastated if anything happened to them.
After that she joined in the fun, setting fire to tents and bathing in the terrified screams. Everyone was running around trying to get out, a few were trying to fight but they made quick work of them. Lucius had gathered a few of the others and they were now levitating the muggle from the gates and his wife above them. (She could tell it was him for everyone of the inner circle had personalised masks)
Cassandra's eyes flashed red as she saw a few of the outer circle torturing the muggle's children though. She shot the killing curse at them - no matter how much she hated muggles she could not stand children being hurt. She hoped her father didn't mind her killing a few of his followers.
She let the Ministry wizards take the children but grinned as she knew they would not be able to get to the adults, her Uncle would not allow that.
As she made her way around the campsite she saw a familiar flash of brown hair. Her eyes widened and she followed it quickly through the burning chaos.
She came face to face with a scene she didn't even want to imagine was real. Cedric was on the floor being tortured by a Death Eater. The cloaked man raised his wand and a flash of green light shot towards him.
Cassandra screamed and flung herself in front of him throwing up a shield. You see, Salazar Slytherin had invented a spell that could defend this curse, however only descendants were able to cast it but luckily that was exactly what Cass was.
The other Death Eater yelled at her, "what the hell do you think you're doing! Traitor! I'm going to tell the Dark Lord when we g-"
"Silencio!" She stated, shutting the annoying man up. She turned towards Cedric who was still laying on the ground, spasming from the after effects of the Crutiatus. Cass knelt besides him and she hovered her hands over his body. As she waved them over him the twitching stopped and his body relaxed.
He sat up looking curiously at her, "thank you for that, and for saving me - although I'm not exactly sure why you did it? Your mask also looks like the same one of the Death Eater I saw kill two others for torturing those kids... What-?"
She interrupted him, knowing they didn't have much time, "yes that was me. Now I want you to find your father and get out. Go home and be safe!"
He nodded and got to his feet, before he left Cass grabbed him by the arm. "And as for why I saved you... I- I would never let anyone hurt you Cedric - I care to much about you."
His eyes widened and he reached up, pulling off her mask, "Cass? What...?"
She looked up hesitantly, meeting his eyes. "Hi Ced..."
He stood there, frozen in shock, contemplating something in his head. After a few minutes he began to speak.
"I'm not going to pretend I know the reason you're doing this, and I'm not going to pretend it doesn't scare me a little. But I'm a Hufflepuff. We look for the good in people, you saved me and those children because it means something to you. It looks to me like you are loyal to your beliefs and those you care about. I imagine you are doing this for your family and that makes you exceptional for doing absolutely anything for them."
He pulled the dumbstruck girl into a hug.
"Like I said, I am a Hufflepuff. So I'm going to stay loyal to you. I'm not going to rat you out, or stop speaking to you, after all you are still my Cassandra and I genuinely don't know what I'd do without you!"
Cassie was crying now and she smiled embarrassed when Cedric wiped away her tears. She was so glad that went the way she had hoped. If it went badly she would have had to obliviate him, which would not have been ideal. She was falling more and more for the boy each day - if only he liked her too.
A flash of green in the sky broke her thoughts. She looked up and saw the dark mark, eyes flashing red. Turning back to Cedric her eyes softened, "you need to get out of here, now!"
Before he could answer she kissed him on the cheek, pulled her mask back on and went back into the fray. She ran to where her Uncle had said to meet after the mark was cast and got disaparated back to Riddle Manor.
She looked around at everyone as they removed their masks smiling at being out in the field again.
Cass, however, was not smiling - she was angry. Her eyes flashed again and, turning into a black lion, she roared loudly, shutting everyone up.
Transforming back into herself she surveyed the room. "Who cast it?" She whispered. No one answered.
She conjured a glass and threw it against the wall. "I SAID WHO CAST IT?!"
"Now, now Cassandra darling let's not be hasty!" Lucius stated coming up behind her and placing his hand on his niece's shoulder.
She glared at them all. They were all shaking. "Uncle Sev, get the veritiserum, now!"
They gave the potion to each occupant of the room and got quite a shock. They were all telling the truth...
But if they didn't cast it, who did?
