Bold*- parstletounge

Italics - thoughts

"Normal"- speech and narrative

Chapter 56: Classes And The Announcement

13/10/1994

~~~~~~~~~

Cassandra was looking forward to today's Defence Against The Dark Arts lesson.

Professor Barty, as she liked to call him, had announced that he would be putting the Imperius Curse on them, to demonstrate the sheer power of it and to see whether they could resist its effects.

Now Cass may have never cast the curse, but she sure as hell could resist it.

"But... but you said it's illegal, Professor," said Granger as Moody cleared away the desks, creating a large space in the middle of the room. "You said to use it against another human was-"

"Dumbledore wants you taught what it feels like," Cassie snorted at her Uncle's words, "If you'd rather learn the hard way, when someone's putting it on you for control - fine by me. You're excused. Off you go."

As expected, she didn't move.

As the Professor began to beckon students forward Cass gave him a subtle gesture - she wanted to go last.

He nodded his head briefly.

When she was younger they used these signals to talk to each other without notice, it seemed fitting to bring it back. Cassandra had told him the entire plan for this year and he had wanted in, therefore their little secret language was a great way to communicate.

One by one her classmates got up and and failed miserably at fighting the spell. The Gryffindor's worse than Cass's friends, who actually held their own for a while before giving into the curse.

She had laughed as Pansy hopped three times around the room, singing the national anthem and when Draco imitated a squirrel. Wen Theo had performed a series of quite astonishing gymnastics and when Blaise and Daphne had to do wheelbarrow races with Vince and Greg around the classroom.

The Gryffindor's were even more amusing and their curse time lasted longer, thanks to the bias of Barty Crouch Jr.

"Potter, you next."

The 'Chosen One' walked forward, glancing at his devoted followers for support. The Professor raised his wand, "Imperio!"

A second later there was a crash. He looked to have both jumped and tried to prevent himself from jumping - the result was that he'd smashed headlong into the desk knocking it over.

Cassandra was in shock; the boy had nearly thrown it off!

"Now, that's more like it!" growled Moody's voice. "Look at that, you lot! He fought it, and he damn near beat it! Now Riddle you've got big boots to fill now! Let's see if we've saved the best till last shall we?"

A glint was in his eye as he turned to the class. "Now, let's raise the stakes shall we? What should we get her to do? No crude answers please or detention for three months."

A series of shouting came from the Gryffindor side of the room. Cassandra just smirked at all the things she would not be doing.

"She should have to go out into the halls and set off a bang with her wand and when everyone goes out of the classes to investigate she should yell out 'Gryffindor's rule and I wish I was one'. She should then spell her tie and uniform to a Gryffindor one and then bow at McGonagalls feet and pledge loyalty to the lions!" Someone yelled out - Cassie had a slight inkling it was Weasley.

The whole class laughed and Moody chuckled. "Okay so we have the task, ready Miss Riddle?"

"Not quite - what do I get if I beat it?"

The Professor smirked, he had been waiting for this part. "You get private lessons with me in self defence, offensive magic and any form of combat. As well as hexes, curses and fighting off potions and mind infiltration."

The whole class gasped. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Potter and his gang grow pale. After all, who would want to be the enemy of someone trained by the best Auror who ever lived.

She simply looked him in the eye, "bring it on!"

"Imperio!"

A floating sensation washed over her and every thought and worry in her head was wiped away. She stood there feeling immensely relaxed.

Then she heard Moodys voice, echoing in a distant chamber of her empty brain.

Go out into the halls

Why though?

Set off a noise using your wand

Sounds boring.

When everyone comes to investigate yell 'Gryffindor's rule and I wish I was one'.

Nah, but I don't though.

Then spell your tie and uniform to Gryffindor

Why in Merlins name would I do that?

Then bow at McGonagalls feet and pledge loyalty to the lions!

Absolutely not!

She pushed him out of her mind and regained focus on the class in front of her. They were in complete shock.

"Well done Riddle, I'll send you a note with when private lessons start!"

Cassandra grinned.

———

19/10/1994

It was a few days later and the Slytherins were hanging around in the courtyard. A small polite cough sounded out of nowhere and the group turned around to see Hermione Granger standing in front of them.

"What do you want Granger?" Hissed Draco.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you about possibly joining this new cause I made. Supporting house elves and their unfair treatment! It's only two sickles to join!"

The group laughed. Cass threw her arm around a reluctant Grangers shoulders. "Guys I'll be back, I'm just gonna inform Granger here about our little bat eared friends okay?"

She then steered the girl out of the courtyard and into a deserted nook of the castle.

"Okay Granger what's this all about?"

Frankly the girl looked shocked at the question.

"S-P-E-W. Stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. I was going to put Stop the Outrageous Abuse of Our Fellow Magical Creatures and Campaign for a Change in Their Legal Status - but it wouldn't fit on the badges."

"Get on with it Granger I don't have all day!"

"I've been researching thoroughly; elf enslavement goes back centuries. I can't believe no one's done anything about it before now. House elves are severely mistreated! They get beaten and looked down on those higher ranked, they get no pay or sick leave and it is disgraceful!"

She took a breath. "Our short-term aims are to secure house-elves fair wages and working conditions. Our long-term aims include changing the law about non-wand use, and trying to get an elf into the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, because they're shockingly underrepresented."

Cassandra leant against the wall. "First off Granger, not all elves are badly mistreated. Secondly they all love their job and like being 'enslaved' as you so put it - they would never accept pay. Frankly, a house elf is more powerful without a wand and would not be able to control one anyway, because they use elf magic - it would also restrict them."

"I didn't know that... okay the wand thing is out but I will not stand by and watch as innocent creatures are being mistreated!"

"Granger calm down. I said most elves are treated fairly, I did not say all. You saw how I was when Buckbeak was saw to be murdered, I don't like innocent creatures being discriminated against. Which is why I am going to fund your campaign."

"What?!"

"Now, I can't wear one of those badges in public, but I am with you. You send me a list of everything you plan to do with the elves and I'll send you it back with notes on what and what not to do. I will ask my personal elf for help and ideas to get the other ones on board. Now don't look at me like that Granger, Em raised me since I was a baby, she is not mistreated. She is paid in respect and presents. She gets holidays but has not yet chosen to go on one-"

"And when she is sick?"

"I look after her. In my manor the elves have their own wing where they can do as they please. They are looked after greatly and that is what I want for mistreated elves." She reached into her pocket and pulled out 20 galleons. "If you need more just let me know."

Granger took the money with shaking hands. "Thank you Riddle this will help immensely!"

Cass made to leave but before she could she spun back around to face her, "just promise me something Granger?!"

"Anything."

"Don't try to free them."

"But-"

"-No buts. They can't survive without a master, if you free them then you might as well not be doing this whole operation!"

"Okay, I promise."

———

27/10/1994

Work had begun to increase over the past weeks and in Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall explained why.

"You are now entering a most important phase of your magical education!" she told them. "Your Ordinary Wizarding Levels are drawing closer-"

"We don't take O.W.L.s till fifth year!" Pansy stated indignantly.

"Maybe not Parkinson, but believe me, you need all the preparation you can get! This class may be quite adept but some of you still can't turn a hedgehog into a pincushion!"

In Divination the Slytherins earned top marks on their homework, and were actually interested in doing more predictions for the next month.

Meanwhile Professor Binns had them writing weekly essays on the goblin rebellions of the eighteenth century.

Cass's uncle Sev had asked them to research antidotes. He had hinted that he might be poisoning one of them before Christmas to see if their antidote worked - this made the Gryffindor's extremely nervous as they knew he had it out for them. The Slytherins knew their potions, however.

Professor Flitwick had asked them to read three extra books in preparation for their lesson on Summoning Charms and even Hagrid was adding to their workload.

The Blast-Ended Skrewts were growing remarkably considering nobody had discovered what they eat yet. The oaf was delighted, and as part of their 'project' suggested that they come down to his hut on alternate evenings to observe the skrewts and make notes on their behavior.

"I will not," said Draco flatly when Hagrid had proposed this excitedly to the class. "I see enough of these foul things during lessons, thanks. Plus we have more important things to do than look after these beastly things!"

"Yeh'll do wha' yer told," he growled, "or I'll be takin' a leaf outta Professor Moody's book - I hear yeh made a good ferret, Malfoy."

The Gryffindors roared with laughter. Draco winced, he was greatly injured and embarrassed during the ferret incident and hated to be reminded of it. Cassandra glared at the lot of them.

They made their way back up to the castle muttering death threats under their breath.

When they arrived in the entrance hall, they found a large crowd of students, all looking at a large sign that was floating at the foot of the staircase. They pushed their way through to the front, Cass standing beside Fred and George who were in the crowd, and read:

TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT

THE DELEGATIONS FROM BEAUXBATONS AND DURMSTRANG WILL BE ARRIVING AT 6 O'CLOCK ON FRIDAY THE 30TH OF OCTOBER. LESSONS WILL END HALF AN HOUR EARLY. STUDENTS WILL RETURN THEIR BAGS AND BOOKS TO THEIR DORMITORIES AND ASSEMBLE IN FRONT OF THE CASTLE TO GREET OUR GUESTS BEFORE THE WELCOMING FEAST.

"Only a week away!" said Ernie Macmillan emerging from the crowd, his eyes gleaming. "I wonder if Cedric knows? Think I'll go and tell him!"

"Cedric?" Cassie said snapping her head up to look at the twins. "He's not entering is he?! He can't, right?"

Fred looked down at her whilst George stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "He's of age in a couple of days Cass, he can enter - and he will."

She slumped against George and the twins led her away from the crowd: away from the Slytherins.

They sat down on the steps up to the castle. "Boys what are we to do?"

"Look Cass, we know you care about Cedric - and we're not stupid we see the way you look at him, you like him too!"

"I-"

"-but I say we support Ced in this. He most likely won't get chosen as there will be many others in the running!"

"And what if he does get chosen?"

"We help him through it!"

The twins engulfed her in a hug and she smiled, they always knew what to say to make her feel better.