Bold*- parstletounge

Italics - thoughts

"Normal"- speech and narrative

Chapter 52: Returning To Hogwarts

1/9/1994

~~~~~~~~~

"Cass!!" Yelled Blaise running up to his best friend and giving her a hug.

They were on the Platform ready to board the Hogwarts Express once again. She grinned and then turned to hug the others, Theo's hug lasting a little longer, him pulling away with a blush.

Cassandra linked arms with Daphne and Pansy and they chatted animatedly about their holidays as they walked towards, and entered, their usual compartment.

The train soon started up and Cass and Draco had just told everyone about the tournament. They were now actually talking about the other Wizarding schools that would be competing.

"...Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts, you know. He knows the headmaster, you see. Well, you know his opinion of Dumbledore - the man's such a Mudblood-lover - and Durmstrang doesn't admit that sort of riffraff."

Cass nodded in agreement, "my mother considered it too but Aunt Cissa didn't like the idea of us going to school so far away, even though Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not just the defense rubbish we do..."

Daphne joined in the conversation, "maman wanted to send me and Tori to Beuxbatons as we live in Paris but we begged to go to Hogwarts like grandpere as we knew all of you would be coming here."

The compartment door suddenly slid shut, Cassandra saw Granger, Potter and Weasley outside before entering the compartment next to them. She grinned, at least we know where they are now and don't have to look around the train.

Rain poured down heavily outside the windows as the train moved north. The sky was so dark that the lanterns were lit by midday. The lunch trolley came rattling along the corridor, and the Slytherins all pooled their money, enjoying their purchases immensely.

As they were next to the terrible trio, Luna and the twins couldn't visit which was unfortunate, but it gave Cassandra time to write to Sirius again. She always wore the locket around her neck and never removed it. The picture frame was safe under her pillow at home. When the weather got better she would send it, but for now she didn't want poor Midnight to go out in such bad conditions.

Soon it was time for their annual Potter annoyance time. Cass, Draco, Daphne and Theo entered next doors compartment as the Weasel was showing Longbottom a miniature figure of Krum.

"We saw him right up close, as well," the ginger bragged. "We were in the Top Box-"

"For the first and last time in your life, Weasley." Draco interrupted.

"Don't remember asking you to join us, Malfoy," said Potter coolly.

"Really? I could have sworn you sent out a fancy invitation with our names on it!" Stated Cassandra sarcastically.

"Weasley...what is that?" Stated Daphne pointing to a piece of clothing on a bird cage.

Cassandra giggled as Theo grabbed it from the boy before he could shove the item out of sight. They were dress robes - and they were hideous. They were an atrocious colour with lace everywhere: mould and dirt could be seen around them.

"Weasley, you weren't thinking of wearing these, were you? I mean - they were very fashionable in about eighteen ninety..." Cass stated with a snort.

"Eat dung, Riddle!" The boy snapped, earning a vicious glare from Theo.

"So, going to enter, Weasley? Going to try and bring a bit of glory to the family name? There's money involved as well, you know - you'd actually be able to afford some decent robes if you won." The young Nott snapped angrily.

"What are you talking about?"

"He said are you going to enter?" Cass stated. "I suppose you will, Potter? You never miss a chance to show off, do you?"

"Either explain what you're on about or go away!" said Granger over the top of her book.

The Slytherins shared a grin.

"Don't tell me you don't know?" Asked Daphne. "You've got a father and brother at the Ministry and you don't even know!"

"Merlin, my father told me and Cass about it ages ago...heard it from Cornelius Fudge!" Draco bragged.

"But then again Uncle Lucius has always associated with the top people at the Ministry. Maybe your father's too junior to know about it, Weasley - yes, they probably don't talk about important stuff in front of him!" Cassandra laughed before leaving the compartment with Draco and Daphne. Theo however stayed behind and entered their compartment a bit after them, clutching his fist.

After a few more hours the Hogwarts Express slowed down and stopped at Hogsmeade station.

As the train doors opened, there was a rumble of thunder overhead. Cassie flinched and Theo pulled her into his side, whilst Blaise held her hand. The rain was now coming down so thick and fast that it was as though buckets of ice-cold water were being emptied repeatedly over their heads. Cassandra had Shadow bundled up in her robes, Midnight was covered in her cage and Fang, who was coming back this year, was wrapped around Cass's wrist (having shrunk to the right size).

As they entered the Thestral drawn carriages Pansy looked towards the Black lake and shivered. "I'm so glad we aren't first years this year, I wouldn't fancy crossing the lake in this weather!" The others nodded in agreement as the carriage began to move, taking them up to the castle they adored.

Cassandra took in a calming breath as she looked out the window, before leaning back and resting her head on Blaise's shoulder. She smiled serenely as she saw Daphne and Draco sat extremely close together. And, now that she thought about it, Pansy and Vince were glancing at each other more often than normal. As she was oblivious when it came to her own love life, Cass didn't notice Theo staring at her with a cute smile on his face.

The carriage soon reached the castle and they hurried up the stone steps into the castle as lightning flashed in the sky.

Cassandra grinned as she saw Peeves chucking water balloons at the students as they entered. He winked and tipped his hat at her, grinning wickedly as she conjured some more for him, along with a wand that shot out water.

The Slytherins quickly ducked into the great hall as Professor McGonagall entered the room, yelling at the poltergeist.

They walked to their house table, greeting the Carrow twins and sitting down next to them. Cassandra sighed sadly as she looked where Marcus used to sit.

"Hello Miss Riddle! Are you well?" Stated a voice next to her. Cassandra looked up to see the Bloody Baron smiling at her.

She nodded politely, "yes, thank you Baron, and you?"

"Very good thank you my girl!" He said before floating away to talk to the fat friar.

"Hope they hurry up with the Sorting. I'm starving." Stated Greg, his stomach growling in agreement.

Cassandra laughed. "Nothing new then!" She stated before getting distracted by a note flying before her face.

Hey Cass, tonight meet us in the room of requirement we need to show you something! We're honestly surprised we did it this quick but we just did what you told us too and focused! It's better to show you than tell you so be there tonight!!

Love Gred and Forge xx

She caught eyes with them across the room and nodded, intrigued. After waving towards Cedric and subtly smiling at Luna, Cass turned her attention to the soaked first years that were entering the hall.

As they walked to the front Astoria whispered to the group, "where's the new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher?"

They all looked up at the staff table and, to their surprise, they were met with an empty chair.

Cassandra was just about to say something when the Sorting Hat, now on the three legged stool, began to sing.

A thousand years or more ago,

When I was newly sewn,There lived four wizards of renown,

Whose names are still well known:

Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,

Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,

Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,

Shrewd Slytherin, from fin.

They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,

They hatched a daring plan

To educate young sorcerers

Thus Hogwarts School began.

Now each of these four founders

Formed their own house, for each

Did value different virtues

In the ones they had to teach.

By Gryffindor, the bravest were

Prized far beyond the rest;

For Ravenclaw, the cleverest

Would always be the best;

For Hufflepuff, hard workers were

Most worthy of admission;

And power-hungry Slytherin

Loved those of great ambition.

While still alive they did divide

Their favorites from the throng,

Yet how to pick the worthy ones

When they were dead and gone?

Twas Gryffindor who found the way,

He whipped me off his head

The founders put some brains in me

So I could choose instead!

Now slip me snug about your ears,

I've never yet been wrong,

I'll have a look inside your mind

And tell where you belong!

The Great Hall rang with applause as the Sorting Hat finished. Professor McGonagall was now unrolling a large scroll of parchment.

"When I call out your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool," she told the first years. "When the hat announces your House, you will go and sit at the appropriate table. Now... Ackerley, Stewart!"

"Ravenclaw" guessed Pansy as the trembling boy walked forward.

Blaise shook his head, "nah I think Gryffindor!"

"Definitely not Slytherin!" Cass stated, joining in.

"RAVENCLAW!"

Pansy smirked at Blaise, who stuck his tongue out.

The boy took off the hat and hurried into a seat at the Ravenclaw table, where everyone was applauding him.

"Baddock, Malcolm!"

"Slytherin" said the whole group instantly. And sure enough the hat yelled out, "SLYTHERIN!"

Cassandra heard booing from Weasley, who looked to have a black eye, {A/N - wink, wink, nudge, nudge, Theo's work} and Finnegan as Malcom joined the end of their table, looking like he was going to cry.

As a few more people were sorted Cass got out of her seat and tiptoed to the end of the table. She sat down next to the boy, wrapping her arms around him.

"Don't let them know that they get to you okay? You are in an amazing house that will be like your family, remember that and if anyone gives you any trouble you come to me okay?" The boy nodded and snuggled into her as she glared at everyone who dared to look at them.

Blaise and Theo joined them as several other first years joined the Slytherin table to boo's from the other house, including Graham Pritchard - whose sister graduated last year with Marcus.

Cassandra was raging that Dumbledore did not stop the booing and when he stood up, arms open wide, she glared at him.

"I have only two words to say to you," he told them, his deep voice echoing around the Hall. "Tuck in."

"And I have only two words for you!" Cass muttered under her breath. "Piss off!"

Next to her Malcom giggled and then gasped as food appeared in front of them.

The rain was still drumming heavily against the glass. Another bout of thunder shook the windows, and the ceiling flashed as tons of puddings appeared on the table.

"Look Cass! Treacle tart! And spotted dick, look! Chocolate gateau!" Stated Malcom excitedly. She grinned at the little boy, ruffling his hair.

When the puddings too had been demolished, the esteemed headmaster got to his feet again.

"So!" said Dumbledore, smiling around at them all. "Now that we are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended. The full list comprises of four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, if anybody would like to check it."

He continued, mouth twitching upwards slightly. "As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."

Cass's head snapped up, "excuse me?!"

She knew, of course, about the tournament, she did not however think it would take over Quidditch!

As she looked around the hall she saw the members of the teams for each house were appalled, as were some die-hard Quidditch fans.

Dumbhedore went on, "this is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy - but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts-"

A deafening amount of thunder interrupted him and the doors to the Great Hall bashed open. Malcom scrambled onto Cass's lap, burying his face into her robes, scared. She clutched him, rubbing his back as she looked towards the doorway.

A man was stood there leaning upon a long staff, wearing a black traveling cloak. As a flash of lightning illuminated his figure, he lowered his hood, shaking out a long mane of grizzled, dark gray hair. He then began to walk up toward the teachers' table.

A clunk sounded through the hall with every step, for one of his legs were metal.

He made his way towards Dumbledore and as another bolt of lightning flashed, the whole hall got a glimpse of his face.

It looked as though it had been carved out of weathered wood, a large chunk of the nose was missing but his eyes were the strangest feature. One of them was dark and beady and the other was whizzing around, rolling left, right, up, down - even to the back of his head!

"Is that-?" Blaise whispered.

Cassandra nodded warily, "Mad-eye Moody! Most of the cells in Azkaban are full because of him... We're going to have to be on our best behaviour this year now we have an Auror in the castle!"

Theo and Blaise nodded in agreement before they all turned back to see Moody speaking in hushed tones to Dumbledore. He then went and sat down in the empty seat, begging to eat.

"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" said Dumbledore brightly into the silence. "Professor Moody."

A few people clapped but the sound echoed awkwardly off the walls. Cassandra looked down at Malcom, who was still buried into her. "It's okay, you can come out now!" He lifted his head shyly up and glanced back around the hall, he did not, however, leave her lap.

The new Professor seemed uncaring to his less-than-warm welcome. Instead he ignored the jug of pumpkin juice in front of him, pulled out a hip flask, and took a long drink from it.

Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"As I was saying, we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months - an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

"You're JOKING!" said Fred loudly from the Gryffindor table and the tension in the hall disappeared, everyone laughing at him.

Dumbledore chuckled, "I am not joking, Mr. Weasley, though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into a bar..."

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly.

"Er - but maybe this is not the time...no..." said Dumbledore, "where was I? Ah yes, the Triwizard Tournament...well, some of you will not know what this tournament involves, so I hope those who do know will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander freely."

Cassandra took his words to heart, instead choosing to look around the hall. She found her gaze turning towards the teachers table, she smiled at her Uncle Sev and sighed as she remembered Remus was not there with them.

Thinking of Rem made her look to the Defence seat and a wave of cold washed over Cass as she realised Moody was staring right at her. It felt like he was glaring into her soul. As she looked away awkwardly, turning back to listen to the headmaster, she missed the heartbroken and longing look in his eyes.

"The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money."

Chatter rang out around the hall from people whispering to their friends about entering but as Dumbledore started speaking once again, they all quietened down.

"Eager though I know all of you will be to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts, the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on contenders this year. Only students who are of age - that is to say, seventeen years or older - will be allowed to put forward their names for consideration. This-"

Dumbledore had to raise his voice slightly, for several people had made noises of outrage at these words, both the Weasley and Carrow twins were suddenly looking furious. Cassandra however relaxed - she did not want her friends in danger. She forgot, however, that Cedric would turn 17 just before the tournament - meaning he could enter, and very well lose his life...

"-is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion." His light blue eyes twinkled as they flickered over Fred's and George's mutinous faces. "I therefore beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen!"

Cassie grinned, she knew a warning from the headmaster would not stop them - but at least they would be safe.

"The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving in October and remaining with us for the greater part of this year. I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!"

Dumbledore sat down again and turned to talk to Mad-Eye Moody. There was a great scraping and banging as all the students got to their feet and swarmed toward the double doors into the entrance hall.

Cassandra carried Malcom, much to the shock of the other houses, down to the common room; choosing to tuck him in, before heading back out of the dungeon to see what the Weasley twins wanted to show her in the room of requirement.